Chapter 459: Sea Chart Expansion

Chen Dynasty, Haizhou Port.

The Explorer, under the gentle caress of the sea waves, slowly approached the dock.

This ship was not the huge 'Sea-Suppressing class', but a medium-sized sea vessel specially modified for long-range exploration.

The hull bore the marks of wind, rain, and unknown seas, looking weathered yet resilient.

The ship's captain, an experienced old mariner named Zhou Kui, now had an expression of barely concealed excitement and fatigue on his bronzed face.

He almost jumped down the gangplank, handing over a tightly oilcloth-wrapped navigational log and a newly drawn sea chart to the waiting Ministry of Works official on the pier.

"Quick! Present it to Lord Zhao Lao Nian at once—no, directly to His Majesty!"

Zhou Kui's voice grew hoarse from excitement.

"We... we have discovered a new archipelago!"

The news, as if grown wings, swiftly reached the Chen Dynasty retreat.

Chen Wen, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, Zhao Lao Nian, and the other core guardians gathered once again.

Everyone's gaze focused on the new sea chart spread across the massive table.

On the chart, the Explorer's eastward route this time was clearly marked.

The route set out from Haizhou, using the monsoon and currents, first reaching the southern tip of Gaoli, consistent with the previous route.

But immediately after, the route did not turn back; instead, it continued southeastward, entering a region where past sea charts showed only vast blanks or crude sketches of various sea monster legends.

"The Explorer's track, like a sharp sword, pierced this unknown mist."

At the route's end, the chart clearly depicted a string of islands arranged in an arc.

Zhou Kui, standing aside, pointed at those islands and excitedly explained:

"Your Majesty, lords!"

"Following the vague directions given by Gaoli fishermen, after passing through a stretch of slightly rougher sea, on the thirteenth day we caught sight of land."

"At first we thought it was still an affiliated island of Gaoli or Wa, but upon approach we found its scenery utterly different."

"Its terrain is mountainous, its vegetation lush; the islanders' appearance, language, and attire are all unlike anything we know, and not of Gaoli or Wa style."

"We obeyed His Majesty's order of 'friendly inquiry, no provocation,' dared not venture inland, only landing on the outer islands to trade goods for some fresh water, food, and local specialties."

"According to preliminary observation, the locals mainly live by fishing, hunting, and simple agriculture; the tribes are scattered, seemingly lacking a unified ruler."

"The climate is mild and moist, the products abundant, especially sulfur, deer hides, and sugarcane."

"We have tentatively named it the Liuqiu Islands (note: an ancient name for the Ryukyu Islands)."

As Zhou Kui spoke, everyone's eyes grew brighter.

A new archipelago!

This means new resources, new possibilities, new strategic space!

Zhao Lao Nian could not wait to ask:

"Sulfur? What is its quality? Can its reserves be ascertained?"

Zhou Kui hastily took out a piece of bright yellow ore from his personal pouch.

"Lord Zhao, please look—this sulfur ore obtained through trade is of excellent quality!"

"As for the amount… the locals use it for trade rather casually, so it surely cannot be too little."

"Moreover, the island has many hot springs spewing steam, likely related to sulfur veins."

Zhao Lao Nian took the ore, examined it closely, then gave it a sniff; his dark face lit up with delight.

"Good! Good sulfur! This is excellent for making gunpowder and preventing pests."

He turned to Chen Wen, excitedly saying:

"Your Majesty, if sulfur reserves are abundant here, it will be of great use to our dynasty's industry, agriculture, and military."

Shi Dun paid more attention to the strategic location, pointing at those islands on the chart:

"This place lies between our dynasty and Wa; if we establish a supply point or small fort here, it would not only provide a stopover for long-range ships, but also seal the sea lane, monitoring Wa's movements and even those further east."

Zhang Cheng stroked his beard and pondered:

"The tribes are scattered, with no unified ruler… this is a heaven-sent opportunity."

"If we gradually win them over through trade and education, they may come to willingly submit and become a bulwark for our dynasty."

Wang Ru then reminded:

"While discovering new lands is certainly joyful, the False Song's maritime trade is also expanding; we must guard against their someday also reaching here and contending with us."

"Moreover, the situation here is unclear; although the locals appear friendly for now, we cannot neglect precautions."

Qian Gui nodded:

"What Minister Wang said is quite right. The urgent task is to quickly dispatch a more detailed reconnaissance team to ascertain each island's specific conditions, resource distribution, major tribes, and their attitudes."

Chen Wen listened quietly to the discussion, his eyes never leaving the expanded sea chart.

His finger lightly tapped the string of newly discovered islands.

What welled up in his heart was not only the joy of finding new resources, but also a sense of openness as his horizons were suddenly widened.

All along, his focus had mainly been on the False Song beyond the light curtain and the Khitan to the north.

This vast ocean, though plans had long been underway, only now, when real new land appeared on the chart, did he more deeply realize that the world was far broader than he had imagined.

The Iron Crow Army could replicate Zhongyuan and monitor people's hearts.

But could they completely control every unknown island in this boundless sea?

Could they precisely predict every variable brought by each long-range voyage?

"Captain Zhou, you have all rendered great merit this time!"

Chen Wen raised his head, looking at the dust-and-worn Zhou Kui, his tone firm.

"All sailors who participated in this exploration shall be richly rewarded!"

The Ministry of Works shall immediately, based on this new sea chart, make a copy for the archives and classify it as confidential.

The Explorer and the meritorious personnel shall rest and refit for half a month, replenish supplies, and prepare to set sail again!

Zhou Kui knelt on one knee, excitedly:

Thank you, Your Majesty! We will spare no effort for Your Majesty, for Great Chen, to explore more seas!

Chen Wen then turned his gaze to Zhao Lao Nian and Shi Dun:

Zhao Lao Nian, the Ministry of Works shall begin researching how to develop and utilize the resources of the Liú Qú Islands, especially sulfur, and draft a preliminary plan.

Shi Dun, regarding the navy, research the feasibility of establishing a forward supply point in the islands and the required troops and ship configuration.

I obey your command!

The two replied in unison.

Finally, Chen Wen's gaze swept over everyone, and he said in a deep voice:

The expansion of the sea chart means that our Great Chen's living and developmental space also expands.

This is no longer merely a standoff with the False Song across the curtain, but the first step toward facing a broader world.

Future competition will no longer be confined to a corner of Zhongyuan.

Everyone, our gaze should now be cast farther.

His words struck each person's heart like a heavy hammer.

Everyone gazed at the sea chart endowed with new meaning, and a surge of unprecedented fervor and urgency rose in their hearts.

The expansion of geographical knowledge brought new possibilities and potential resources.

It also brought the hope of breaking out of the established board and opening a new battlefield.

The vision of the Chen dynasty, following this brave Explorer, step by step transcends the traditional Zhongyuan territory, heading toward that azure expanse full of the unknown and opportunity.