Chapter 221: Intimidation

Two months later, the garrison at the strait.

Four transport ships that had set sail from Dongying slowly entered the bay. The holds were filled with supplies—gunpowder, shells, food, fresh water, and cement and rebar for building the fort.

On the deck stood three hundred newly arrived guards. Their equipment was superior to that of the first batch, each equipped with two muskets, a short sword at the waist, and a hand grenade.

The leader was a man in his thirties named Wang Kai. He was personally selected by Wang Heng to lead the team; Wang Mai would arrive later, and he needed to communicate with the family to discuss the detailed plan.

"Wang Tie!" Wang Kai, upon disembarking, strode purposefully toward the pier.

Wang Tie went to meet him. The two had been old acquaintances since their time in Dongying, and they embraced tightly upon meeting.

"The eldest brother sent me with a message." Wang Meng lowered his voice, "The fort must be built as soon as possible. I heard from Japanese merchants that Sanfoqi has already begun contacting Zhancheng and Zhenla, likely to gather a large army."

Wang Tie's expression turned grim. "How big?"

"A conservative estimate: at least a hundred ships, a force."

Wang Tie sucked in a breath of cold air.

A force, that's twice the size of Bolni Guo's last time.

"So the eldest brother ordered us to speed up." Wang Meng patted his shoulder, "I've brought two artisans from the Science Academy, plus detailed fort plans. We must finish the fort before Sanfoqi moves."

"Understood." Wang Tie nodded. "Do we have enough manpower?"

"Enough." Wang Meng gestured behind him, "I've brought three hundred men, plus your original five hundred, and two hundred sailors on the ships—one thousand total. Building the fort doesn't need that many; the rest will handle patrols and guard duty."

The two walked and talked, arriving at the narrowest part of the strait.

Here the water width is less than two li, with rocky promontories jutting out on both sides. The Wang family's chosen fort site is on the northern promontory.

Two artisans in gray robes were squatting on the ground, measuring with their tools.

"How's it going, masters?" Wang Meng walked over and asked.

The older artisan lifted his head. "The spot is good. This promontory stands fifteen zhang above the sea, with a wide view, perfect for covering the entire strait."

"Then let's get to work." Wang Meng said.

The fort's construction proceeded faster than imagined.

Over the years, the Wang family had accumulated extensive engineering experience in Dongying. Those mines, docks, and shipyards were all built in a very short time.

The guards were divided into several teams: some responsible for transporting stone and cement, some for digging foundations, and some for building walls according to the plans.

The artisans directed from the side, occasionally correcting details.

Three days later, the fort's foundation was completed.

Seven days later, the fort's main structure was finished.

Fifteen days later, the fort's walls and roof were completely enclosed, leaving only the gunports facing the strait.

Wang Tie stood inside the fort, nodding in satisfaction.

This fort is semicircular, thirty paces in diameter, walls two chi thick, built of stone and cement mixture, solid

Seven days later, the fort's main structure was completed.

Fifteen days later, the fort's walls and roof were completely sealed, leaving only the gunports facing the strait.

Wang Tie stood inside the fort, nodding in satisfaction.

This fort is semicircular, thirty paces in diameter, walls two chi thick, built of stone and cement mixture, solid as a small fortress.

Inside the fort are two levels: the lower level houses the ammunition depot and soldiers' quarters; the upper level holds the gun emplacements.

Eight cannons are neatly arranged behind the gunports, their black muzzles aimed at the strait.

"Fire a test shot." Wang Tie told the gunner.

The gunner nodded and began loading gunpowder and shells.

Moments later, a deafening boom.

The shell screamed outward, exploding in the middle of the strait's surface, throwing up a water column several zhang high.

"Excellent!" Wang Meng clapped beside him, "With this fort, even if a hundred ships come, we have nothing to fear."

Wang Tie, however, was not so optimistic. "One fort isn't enough. We also need to build one on the south side to create crossfire."

"Then build it." Wang Meng said, "After all, we have enough supplies and manpower."

Another half month passed.

The southern fort was also completed.

The two forts, one south and one north, like two eyes, fixed firmly on the strait's entrance.

Any ship wishing to pass through the strait must go through the firing range of these two forts.

Just half a month after the forts were completed, the lookout spotted an anomaly.

"Report! A large number of ships have been spotted outside the strait! The number… at least a hundred vessels!"

Wang Tie and Wang Meng rushed up to the watchtower together.

Raising their spyglasses, both of their faces changed.

On the horizon, a sea of white sails stretched skyward. Those vessels were far larger than Bolni Guo's, their hulls painted bright red and gold, their prows flying Sanfoqi's flag—a golden lion.

"Damn, that's many." Wang Meng cursed.

"Don't panic." Wang Tie instead calmed down, "Issue the order: everyone Era Name Transition battle positions. Load live ammunition into the fort and ship cannons. Riflemen and crossbowmen, ready your ammo."

"Yes!"

The strait garrison instantly became busy.

The guards quickly took position; the gunners inspected the cannons, and the riflemen tallied their ammunition.

In the two forts, the gunners had already aimed the gunports outward from the strait.

The Sanfoqi fleet drew nearer.

When the distance closed to one li, the fleet halted.

On the lead large ship stood a middle-aged man wearing golden armor. He was Sanfoqi's Senapati—the Minister of Military Affairs, Adiyawangman.

He raised a flag and shouted in a loud voice: "People opposite, listen! I am the Minister of Military Affairs of the Sanfoqi Kingdom! You have occupied Maliujia Haixia, infringing on Sanfoqi's sovereignty! Now, on behalf of His Majesty the King, I order you to withdraw immediately! Otherwise..."

Boom——!

An artillery shell flew out from the northern battery, exploding on the sea surface fifty paces ahead of that large ship.

Adiyawaman's words were cut off.

His face turned iron‑gray. "Obstinately ignorant! Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

He waved his hand fiercely: "All troops, advance! Take back the strait for me!"

War drums sounded.

One hundred ships raised their sails at once and charged toward the Wang Family's defense line.

"Fire!" Wang Tie roared.

The guns on the two batteries and nine steamships almost simultaneously spat flames.

The booming sound shook heaven and earth.

In the first volley, at least fifteen Sanfoqi ships were hit.

But this time, the Sanfoqi soldiers were clearly stronger than the Bolni Guo's. They did not panic; instead, under the officers' command, they quickly adjusted their formation and continued advancing.

"Second volley!"

The guns fired again.

Again, more than ten ships were sunk or heavily damaged.

But the Sanfoqi fleet did not stop.

The distance kept closing.

Five hundred paces.

Three hundred paces.

Wang Tie's eyes narrowed. "Musketeers, ready!"

Behind the gunwales, hundreds of guards raised their muskets.

Two hundred paces.

"Fire!"

A volley of gunfire rang out.

On the leading ships, at least dozens of soldiers were hit.

But the Sanfoqi soldiers feared no death. They stepped on their comrades' corpses and continued charging forward.

Some ships had already rammed the steamships' sides.

Grappling hooks flew over and caught the steamships' railings.

"Repeating crossbows!"

A torrent of repeating crossbow bolts poured down.

Those attempting to board were instantly turned into porcupines.

But more ships kept coming.

The Sanfoqi soldiers brought this time were well‑trained and well‑equipped. Their shields could block some of the crossbow bolts, and their sabers were much sharper than those of the Bolni Guo.

One ship finally managed to come alongside a Wang Family transport vessel.

More than ten Sanfoqi soldiers leapt onto the deck, brandishing their sabers, and charged at the guards.

"Kill!"

The guards dropped their muskets, drew their short swords, and went to meet them.

On the deck, the clash of blades rang out in a chorus.

Wang Meng stood on the flagship, saw this, and immediately ordered: "Send reinforcements!"

The small boats swiftly rowed over.

Twenty guards boarded that transport ship and engaged in melee with the Sanfoqi soldiers.

The battle lasted half an hour.

When the last Sanfoqi soldier was cut down, the sea surface was already littered with corpses and wreckage.

Of the one hundred ships, fifty‑three sank, over twenty were seriously damaged, and the rest fled in disarray.

Adiyawaman stood on the flagship, his face as grim as a pot bottom.

He underestimated them.

No, he underestimated the power of those ironclad ships and artillery.

"Withdraw… withdraw troops." He gave the order through clenched teeth.