Chapter 384: with translation of chapter title

The winter of Jiaoxi Bay, though not as bitterly cold as the northern frontier, still brought a bone‑chilling damp sea wind.

Yet this bay is now bustling with voices, ablaze with activity.

On the newly expanded dock, banners snap in the wind and heads throng.

Compared with the trial voyage of the Explorer several months ago, the scale is even grander.

Besides the already familiar Explorer, two newly built ships of similar design but finer detail are moored in the deep‑water area.

They are the Wavebreaker and Setting Sail, hastily constructed by the Ministry of Works.

The three great vessels stand side by side, with sleek hulls, towering masts, and the distinctive vortex paddlewheels.

Under the winter's pale sunlight, they reflect a chilling gleam, exuding a power that makes the heart pound.

On the dock's viewing platform, Crown Prince Chen Hong again represents the emperor in attendance.

Having endured the northern frontier's snow disaster and the baptism of his own wedding, the youthful air in his brow has faded somewhat; though his face remains young, his bearing now carries added composure and dignity.

At his side stands Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian, his face flushed red, wringing his hands in excitement.

"Your Highness, please look,"

Zhao Lao Nian points at the three great ships, his voice hoarse from excitement.

"Based on the experience gathered from the Explorer's maiden voyage, our Ministry of Works has made twenty‑seven major and minor improvements to the Wavebreaker and Setting Sail!"

"The hull structure is stronger, the paddlewheel transmission efficiency is up nearly ten percent, the cabin layout is more rational, and fresh‑water and provisions storage are larger!"

"With these three ships, Great Chen's maritime frontier exploration finally has real confidence!"

Chen Hong gazes at the three vessels about to set sail, his heart likewise surging.

"Master Zhao, you've worked hard. With all three ships departing together, what is our target?"

Zhao Lao Nian pulls from his sleeve a somewhat rough but clearly marked sea chart and spreads it before the crown prince.

"Your Highness, this time we are no longer merely feeling our way along the coast."

His finger points to the east on the chart, to the expanse of blue that represents the unknown.

"The three ships will form a fleet, with the Explorer leading, riding the winter trade winds straight to Goryeo!"

"First, to test our seagoing vessels' ability to make long ocean voyages;"

"Second, to open an official sea route to Goryeo, establish contact, and scout its conditions and products;"

"And third, to chart a relatively safe overseas trade route for our dynasty's merchants!"

His finger traces a clear arc across the chart.

"If all goes well, the fleet will land on Goryeo's western shore, liaise with the local authorities, and, depending on circumstances, may continue south to probe a route to Japan!"

Chen Hong's gaze follows Zhao Lao Nian's finger, as if he already sees the tumultuous sea lane and the foreign land at the chart's far end.

"Goryeo, Japan… according to former dynasties' records, we indeed had intercourse with the Central Plains. If we can reopen the sea route, it would be the utmost good."

He pauses, recalling the "Fortune Momentum" often mentioned by his father and Master Zhang.

"But ocean voyages are perilous and the weather unpredictable; I hope Master Zhao will check the ships repeatedly to ensure absolute safety."

"Your Highness, rest assured!"

Zhao Lao Nian pats his chest.

"This old servant has ordered the craftsmen to conduct three full inspections of the three ships, with backups for all key components."

"The selected crew, navigators, and interpreters are all bold yet meticulous, experienced veterans."

"The fresh water, food, medicine, and spare rigging carried aboard are sufficient for two months' use!"

"On this voyage we must surely project Great Chen's prestige overseas!"

The auspicious hour has arrived.

Amid solemn horn blares and drum music, a grand sea‑offering ceremony is held.

Crown Prince Chen Hong, representing the imperial house, reads the memorial text, praying for the sea god's blessing and a smooth voyage.

Thereafter, the three great vessels raise their sails in turn.

The huge sails catch the wind, and the hulls begin to move slowly.

At the same time, a familiar hum and whine of gears and animal power emanates from within the hulls.

The vortex paddlewheels on either side begin to turn, powerfully slicing through the water to give the ships extra thrust.

"Set sail—"

Along with the pilot's long call.

The fleet of three sea‑going ships, like three awakened deep‑sea beasts, forms a wedge formation, cleaving the waves as it steadfastly heads toward the eastern horizon where sky meets sea.

The crowd on shore erupts in thunderous cheers and blessings.

Zhao Lao Nian clenches his fists, his eyes slightly wet, watching as his life's work merges into the endless blue.

Chen Hong also stands long and still, until the three white sails dwindle to three insignificant dots on the horizon and finally vanish.

He silently wishes that the fleet bearing the empire's hope may return safely, bringing back news capable of altering the situation.

The wait is long.

Especially in an age when communication relies basically on human couriers.

After the fleet departs, it is as if a stone has sunk into the sea, with no further word.

Only the observation points set up by the Ministry of Works along the coast regularly record wind direction, currents, and the like, accumulating data for future voyages.

Within the Huangcheng of Bian Liang.

Chen Wen daily handles affairs from across the nation—post‑disaster reconstruction in the northern frontier, covert maneuvering against the False Song, and the ever‑strengthening power of the Khitan Empress Dowager Xiao……

But he always steals a moment to stand before that huge map, his gaze falling upon the vast expanse of ocean.

What, exactly, can a sea route bring?

He cannot foresee it.

But he knew that clinging to old ways was certainly not the path to a strong nation.

Whether it was to face the long-term threat of the False Song and the Iron Crow Army, or to seek new vitality for the dynasty, this gate opened to the sea, once pushed open, must not be lightly shut.

Two months later.

A pleasant afternoon with gentle wind and bright sun.

On the watchtower of Jiaoxi Bay, the stationed soldiers could hardly believe their eyes.

He rubbed his eyes vigorously, then raised the monocular (a simple single-tube telescope, the latest trial product from the Ministry of Works) in his hand once again.

He saw that at the horizon, a tiny black dot first appeared.

Then came a second, and a third!

They were three familiar sails!

"They're back! They're back! The fleet has returned!"

The soldiers shouted hoarsely, their voices trembling with excitement.

The news spread like wings, instantly across Jiaoxi Harbor, and then sped toward Bian Liang at an urgent eight-hundred-li pace.

"Explorer", "Wavebreaker", "Setting Sail"!

Three huge vessels entered the bay in succession!

Although their hulls bore the marks of wind and rain and wave erosion, and their canvas showed some wear, they returned intact!

On the dock, crowds gathered once again.

Zhao Lao Nian almost ran to the front of the dock.

Crown Prince Chen Hong also came again under orders to greet them.

When the gangway was lowered, the fleet commander, an old naval officer with a dark, rough face but eyes sharp as an eagle, strode onto the dock, clasped his fists firmly before the Crown Prince and Zhao Lao Nian, and spoke in a loud voice tinged with uncontrollable excitement:

"Your Highness! Minister! We have not failed our mission! The fleet has reached the western coast of Goryeo's Jeolla Province, established contact with the local authorities, and exchanged envoys! We… have returned!"

With the fleet's return, detailed voyage logs, correspondence with the Goryeo authorities, and a wealth of overseas knowledge and products were quickly compiled and submitted to the Imperial Court.

The voyage was not smooth sailing.

They had encountered sudden storms, relying on the sturdy hull and the 'vortex paddle wheel' for stubborn power against the wind to escape danger;

They had also lost their way, relying on stellar observations and the Ministry of Works' improved compass to painstakingly correct their course;

Their contact with the Goryeo people began with suspicion and wariness, but thanks to the fine silk and porcelain they carried and their demonstrated superior seamanship, they eventually earned respect and reached a preliminary trade agreement.

What they brought back included not only a request for a return visit from the Goryeo envoys, but also Goryeo specialties such as ginseng, sable pelts, gold and silver vessels, and some plant seeds rare in Zhongyuan.

More importantly, they proved the viability of this sea route, drew far more accurate charts than their predecessors, and accumulated precious oceanic navigation experience.

"The first sea‑worthy ship" — these four words signify the dawn of a new era.

Inside the Hall of Purple Majesty.

Chen Wen flipped through the rich gains brought back by the fleet, remaining silent for a long time.

He imagined those towering waves, that foreign shore, that exotic atmosphere.

This ocean truly holds endless possibilities and wealth.

It also harbors…… unknown challenges.

He picked up the vermilion brush and, on the memorial from the Ministry of Works requesting an expansion of shipbuilding scale and the formal establishment of the Maritime Trade Bureau to oversee overseas trade, he slowly gave his approval:

"Approved. Have the Ministry of Works coordinate, expand the shipyards, build more sea‑going ships. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue shall draft the regulations for the Maritime Trade Bureau, select a site, and set it up. Treat the Goryeo envoys with proper rites."

The stroke of the brush fell, as if adjusting the course of the empire's great vessel.

A vaster, more inscrutable expanse of heaven and earth slowly unfurled behind the sails of the returning ocean‑going ship.