Chapter 217: Strait Turmoil

South Sea, the scorching sun blazes overhead.

From the chimney of the Universe Ship, thick black smoke billows, and a massive bright wheel cleaves the azure sea, leaving a long white wake at the stern.

Wang Mai stands on the bridge, holding a bronze telescope, gazing into the distance.

"Sir, according to the navigation chart, the Maliujia Strait should be ahead."

The old captain walks to his side and points to the faint outline of land in the distance.

Wang Mai puts down the telescope, a flash of excitement crossing his eyes.

It's already almost four months.

Departing from Dongying, they sailed south along the coastline, passing countless islands and bays, witnessing countless unheard‑of sights.

Those dark‑skinned, language‑barrier locals, those island nations never appearing on Great Song maps, and that endless sea that seems to stretch forever.

Every discovery makes his blood boil.

"Maliujia…" Wang Mai murmurs, "I've never heard that name before."

"Indeed, sir." The old captain pulls out a tattered navigation log from his coat, "This is a record left by the senior I once followed. It says this strait is the essential route to Xiyang."

"Controlling this point is equivalent to choking the throat of East‑West maritime trade."

Wang Mai squints his eyes.

He knows what that means.

The Wang Family must find a foothold overseas and build its own trade network; strategic points like Maliujia cannot be missed.

"Send the order to reduce speed." Wang Mai commands, "Prepare the escorts; places like this will never be peaceful."

The old captain nods and turns to relay the order.

Soon, the fleet's speed drops.

Behind the Universe Ship follow nine smaller steam transport ships, their holds packed with muskets, repeating crossbows, food, and fresh water.

This is a fleet capable of reshaping any sea's layout.

At the strait's entrance, the water turns an even deeper blue, and the land on both sides closes in, forming a natural narrow channel.

Wang Mai raises his telescope, scrutinizing both banks of the strait.

Suddenly, his movement halts.

In a bay on the north side of the strait, a dozen or so sailing ships are moored.

Those ships are crudely built, painted with garish multicolored patterns, and fly unknown flags.

They are not merchant vessels.

They are pirate ships.

"Sir, situation discovered!"

The lookout's voice comes from the top of the mast.

"Three li ahead, a fleet is approaching!"

Wang Mai instantly swivels his telescope.

In his view, five sailing ships appear.

They spread out in a fan shape, heading straight toward the Universe Ship.

The decks are crowded with people, their skin dark, torsos bare, wielding curved blades and long spears.

"They're from Bolni Guo." The old captain frowns, "Sir, these are the local thugs of the Maliujia Strait."

"Local thugs?"

"Yes, they're attached to Sanfoqi, collecting tolls here." The old captain lowers his voice, "All passing merchant ships must pay. Those who don't…"

He doesn't finish, but the meaning is clear.

A cold smile curls at Wang Mai's mouth.

Collecting tolls?

These natives are indeed bold.

"Send the order, all ships to battle readiness." His voice is calm, without a ripple, "Load the cannons with live rounds, musketeers to positions."

"Yes!"

The deck instantly bustles with activity.

The gun ports hidden behind armor plates on both sides of the hull open, black‑smoked cannons slowly emerging.

Five hundred guards split into two squads; one lifts muskets, crouching behind the rail, the other grips rain‑storm repeating crossbows, ready for action.

These are the Wang Family's elite veterans.

They have seen blood, killed men, and suppressed countless uprisings in Dongying's mines and ports.

Bolni Guo's fleet draws ever nearer.

When the distance shrinks to five hundred steps, the opponent stops.

On the lead ship stands a shirtless, tattooed hulking man; upon seeing the faces of those on board, he shouts a garbled cry from behind.

That man, speaking broken Chinese, shouts loudly:

"Listen! This is Bolni Guo's territory! Toll—one ship, one hundred taels of silver! Pay and you may pass! Refuse…"

He grins wickedly, raising the curved blade in his hand.

"We'll keep your ships!"

As soon as the words fall, those behind him burst into raucous laughter.

They brandish weapons, letting out beast‑like roars, trying to overwhelm the other side with sheer presence.

Wang Mai stands motionless on the bridge.

He watches the shirtless hulker, his eyes showing no emotion.

"Sir, why not… pay first?" the old captain worried, "They outnumber us, and they have Sanfoqi backing them. We're first-timers here; no need to quarrel over a little silver."

"Pay?"

Wang Mai turned his head and looked at the old captain.

Do you think our Wang Family's ship needs to pay toll to these natives?

The old captain froze.

He looked into Wang Mai's eyes and suddenly realized that this young sir before him was nothing like those cautious merchants.

"Convey my words." Wang Mai's voice was icy.

"Tell them to get lost."

A sailor behind him swallowed.

He walked to the rail and shouted at the opposite side with his loudest voice:

"My lord said: get lost!"

One word.

Simple and direct, with no room for negotiation.

Those people opposite first stared blankly, because they didn't understand, until the person who had just spoken Chinese translated it for them, then they burst into even wilder laughter.

The bare-chested strong man laughed until tears almost came out.

"Good! Very good!" he wiped sweat from his face, "Since you're seeking death, don't blame me for being impolite!"

He waved his hand fiercely.

"Brothers! Charge! Seize their ship, seize their goods! Keep the women, kill all the men!"

Five pirate ships instantly sprang into motion.

They hoisted their sails and charged toward the Universe Ship.

The pirates on board let out piercing shrieks, some brandishing torches, some waving grappling hooks, preparing to close in and then leap aboard.

Wang Mai watched all this expressionlessly.

He raised his right hand.

"Cannoneers, ready."

The cannons on both sides of the Universe Ship had their angles adjusted.

The dark muzzles were aimed at the five pirate ships charging over.

"Distance four hundred steps… three hundred steps…"

The old captain nervously called out the numbers.

The pirate ships drew nearer.

They could already see the ferocious expressions on the opposite faces and hear the savage shouts.

"Two hundred steps…"

Wang Mai's hand came down sharply.

"Fire."