Near the seas around Star Moon Island, the only force daring to intercept the Yang family’s fleet is Divine Wood Island.
Speaking of the grudges between Divine Wood Island and Star Moon Island, they’re numerous.
Back when the Star Moon Sect was still around, Divine Wood Island and the Star Moon Sect were at odds.
After the fall of the Star Moon Sect, the Yang family occupied Star Moon Island. Initially, the two sides were at peace, mainly because the Yang family hadn’t developed maritime trade yet, and Divine Wood Island didn’t want to provoke the Yang family, backed by Da Rong.
Later, as the Yang family’s trading company began to grow, Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade also entered the East South Sea Domain. The two together expanded their trade map further south and east.
At this point, Divine Wood Island became a stumbling block for the Yang family’s trading company and Tenglong Guard’s eastern trade expansion. To open up the eastern sea route, the Yang family negotiated with Divine Wood Island many times. Yang Zhenshan even personally visited Divine Wood Island to meet with the High Priest of Divine Wood Island.
After some unfriendly discussions, the Yang family’s trading company and Tenglong Guard’s merchant ships finally obtained permission to traverse the waters of Divine Wood Island.
However, the matter didn’t end there.
The Yang family’s trading company and Tenglong Guard were trading with the Longdan Dynasty in the east. Originally, Divine Wood Island, having geographical advantages, could monopolize the trade between this side of Da Rong and the Longdan Dynasty.
The Yang family’s trading company and Tenglong Guard going to trade with the Longdan Dynasty undoubtedly snatched Divine Wood Island’s share of trade.
Though Divine Wood Island made concessions, the conflict between the two sides did not dissolve; instead, it became more acute.
Initially, Divine Wood Island decided to charge a toll, and the Yang family’s trading company felt it was okay to pay a little toll, so they agreed. But over time, Divine Wood Island became greedier, and the tolls increased.
Now, every time the Yang family’s fleet passes through Divine Wood Island’s waters, they have to pay a toll of two thousand taels.
Honestly, the Yang family’s trading company has been enduring long enough. If Yang Zhenshan were at home, the Yang family would have already gone to war with Divine Wood Island.
"Go to Second Young Master and ask if we can first get our people back!" Luo Shang said.
Luo Zhen hurriedly nodded, "Father, I’m going now!"
Luo Shang stood up, leaned on a bamboo cane, and stood under the eaves of the main house.
He looked up at the clear night sky and sighed deeply, "Are the people of Divine Wood Island fools? They have good days yet insist on seeking trouble!"
Indeed, the Yang family has taken over a portion of Divine Wood Island’s maritime trade share, but the Yang family has also brought many benefits to Divine Wood Island.
Previously, although Divine Wood Island’s trade share was large, most of it was of low-priced goods, earning meager profits.
But the Yang family is different. The Yang family, backed by Da Rong—not in the sense of relying on Da Rong’s power, but on its vast market and diverse goods.
With the Yang family present, Da Rong’s goods can be continuously shipped to Divine Wood Island.
If Divine Wood Island were smart enough, they could leverage the convenience brought by the Yang family to develop their own maritime trade.
The market of the Longdan Dynasty could be shared with the Yang family, but both the southern and eastern markets of the Longdan Dynasty could be theirs to seize.
It’s a pity that Divine Wood Island is a very stubborn force and a very archaic one at that. They only know to cling to their existing resources, unwilling to expand or communicate much with the outside world.
This is what has sharpened the conflict between the Yang family and Divine Wood Island. Follow current novels on novel•fire.net
In contrast, the Zhu family of Earth Fire Island is much smarter, actively cooperating with the Yang family and bringing their relationship closer.
Though the Zhu family is also very rigid internally, outwardly, they’re willing to collaborate with various forces.
This has made the Zhu family increasingly prosperous and powerful.