"It was originally a deserted island, but after I routed those Sun Kingdom scoundrels last time, the court awarded it to me," Tang Wen said. "Yi Wu, show He Tian the land deed."
Luo Yiwu stepped forward and displayed the court documents and the land deed.
"Ah..." He Tian sighed. "We're all from the Chu Kingdom. We fled here as refugees over ten years ago. Originally, I only came to White Crane Island to cultivate. I intended to stay temporarily."
"That was indeed Island Master He's intention. But later, more and more people came to this island, and everyone chose He Tian as island master.
"From then on, we refugees finally had a home.
"In fact, Island Master He built up this entire island. To keep its people alive, he often went off the island to earn money.
"He brought back large quantities of grain, medicine, and other supplies to distribute to everyone. Otherwise, they simply couldn't have survived," Steward Zhou said.
"How many people do you have altogether?" Tang Wen asked.
"Over eighteen thousand," Steward Zhou replied.
"You saw the documents just now. The court has ordered me to garrison White Crane Island.
"This island has now become a thorn in the Sun Kingdom's eye and a splinter in its flesh.
"The few thousand people of my Tang household alone can hardly resist them.
"If the Tang Family Army is wiped out, you'll certainly be slaughtered to the last person by those Sun Kingdom scoundrels too.
"The beautiful women will be captured and sold into brothels, or even become playthings for their officers and soldiers.
"The elderly and children won't be much use, so they'll all be killed.
"As for the young and able-bodied, they'll certainly become Sun Kingdom slaves, at the mercy of their butchers," Tang Wen said.