[quote=@ClocktowerEchos]
[@Cyclone] Then be prepared to be amazed by the power of Ryukyuan technology! Trade wise, don't worry about the pirate too much, the Empire has... ways of "dealing" with them, just be sure to fly a Ryukyuan flag next to your own on ships. If you don't, well we'll get the metal at any rate but not so sure about your own sailors.
[/quote]

Just be sure to send your ships South, past Vathcras, and not West, past Drastonia. It's a long route, and there's a significant complication along the latter route that would make a long trip even longer.