Chapter 229: The Twelfth Year of Hongwu

Wang Baobao nodded.

He thought of himself: a few years ago he was a Northern Yuan Prince fighting Great Ming, and now? He is a Great Ming general, his sister is the Wu King Consort of Great Ming, and his niece is Prince Wu's eldest daughter.

He himself has also learned to speak Mandarin, write Chinese characters, put up spring couplets for the New Year, and eat dumplings.

In this world, what thing is still impossible?

"Prince is right; I, the junior officer, salute you with a cup," Wang Baobao said, raising his wine vessel.

Zhu Yong also raised his wine vessel, and the two drank to each other.

Chang Yuchun also raised his, and the three clinked theirs together.

The sea breeze brushed by, carrying a salty, briny scent.

In the distance, that patrolling small boat returned, and the soldiers on it waved toward the flagship.

"Prince! We caught several large sea turtles! Extra dinner tonight!" a loud‑voiced soldier shouted.

Zhu Yong smiled and waved his hand.

The days passed like this, leisurely yet fulfilling.

Every day they fished, swam, toured the island, and chatted with the soldiers.

Sometimes Zhu Yong would take a few people, row a small boat to those uninhabited islands for exploration.

The island has coconut trees, wild bananas, and sometimes you can encounter monkeys.

Those monkeys are unafraid of people, squatting on the trees and watching them curiously.

Zhu Yong also doesn't chase them away, and occasionally tosses a few wild fruits over.

The soldiers whispered that the Prince wasn't here to fight a war; clearly he was here to play.

But everyone knows this is only a temporary rest.

Once Xu Da's side has finished arranging, and the new orders from Yingtian Prefecture arrive, the Prince will again lead them southward, continue the conquest, and keep expanding Great Ming's territory.

On the twenty‑third day of the twelfth lunar month, a steamship sped in from the east.

Coming down from the ship was Xu Da's Vice General, carrying a thick stack of documents.

"Your Highness Prince Wu, General Xu has ordered the junior officer to deliver the defense atlases of the South Sea nations; please, Prince, review them."

Zhu Yong took the atlases, opened them, and examined them closely.

Manzhe Bo Yi, garrison of three thousand, with three county offices and one prefectural office.

Java, garrison of two thousand, with two county offices and one prefectural office.

Zhan City, garrison of one thousand, with one county office.

Siam, garrison of two thousand, with two county offices and one prefectural office.

Zhenla, garrison of one thousand, with one county office.

Pughan, garrison of one thousand, with one county office.

Malacca, garrison of five hundred, with one Post Station and one customs office.

Sumatra, garrison of five hundred, with one Post Station.

Borneo, garrison of three hundred, with one Post Station.

Spice Islands, garrison of three hundred, with one Post Station.

Each location is marked clearly, showing garrison size, official roster, Grain and Fodder reserves, and artillery deployment.

Zhu Yong finished reading, nodded, "Xu Shu, hard work."

"Prince, General Xu also asks the junior officer: when does the Prince plan to set sail back?" the Vice General asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "No rush; let the soldiers rest a few more days. In the first month, we'll go to a few places we haven't visited yet."

The Vice General took the order and left.

Chang Yuchun came over and said, "Prince, where else shall we go? Are there any places nearby that we haven't taken yet?"

Zhu Yong pointed to a southern sea region on the map and said, "These places, though not kingdoms, have some inhabited islands. We'll go see; if we can claim them, we will, if not, we'll record them for later."

Chang Yuchun looked at the sea region, clicked his tongue, and said, "Prince, that place is far, must be over a thousand li, right?"

"About right; we'll take it slow, a month will get us through. It's a good chance to avoid the heat here." Zhu Yong folded the map away.

Chang Yuchun thought about it and agreed.

Though winter here isn't cold, the sun beats down unbearably.

Heading south might be cooler.

On the twenty‑fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Longxiang Army left three thousand men to assist Xu Da's garrison, and Zhu Yong led two thousand men aboard five steamships, continuing southward.

The fleet passed the southern tip of Sumatra and entered an unfamiliar sea area.

Here the seawater is bluer, the sky higher, and there are fewer islands.

Occasionally on the sea surface one could see fishing boats; the fishermen, with dark skin and grass skirts, fled in their boats when they saw the massive steamship.

Zhu Yong ordered them not to pursue, and to keep sailing.

On the twenty‑ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the fleet arrived at a large island.

The island is densely forested, and along the coast are a few villages with simple houses built of wood and thatch.

Zhu Yong had them lower the small boats, and with Chang Yuchun, Wang Baobao, and dozens of Imperial Troops went ashore.

The villagers, seeing these people, fled into the woods.

Zhu Yong stood on the beach, looking at the simple villages, saying nothing.

"Prince, this place is too shabby," Chang Yuchun frowned.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Indeed shabby… but see, people live here, there's fresh water and land. It could serve as a relay station later."

He had them bring out the Cotton Cloth, iron tools, and salt, place them on the beach, then retreat to the ship.

When they returned the next morning, the items were gone, and the beach had some dried fish and coconuts.

Chang Yuchun laughed heartily: "These natives actually know the rules!"

Zhu Yong also smiled and said: "This is called mutual exchange of goods; later, gradually, they will learn about Great Ming."

In the twelfth year of Hongwu, Spring Festival.

The fleet anchored beside an uninhabited coral island.

The island's white sand was like snow, palm groves provided shade, and the sea water was clear enough to see the bottom.

Zhu Yong stood at the bow, looking at this fairy‑tale scenery, feeling moved.

A new year, it has arrived again.

He opened the system backpack.

【Sign‑in reward for the twelfth year of Hongwu: Improved Blast Furnace Steel‑making Method】

【Description: Can greatly increase steel output, providing a material base for railways and steam engines.】

Zhu Yong silently accepted it.

This is good; Great Ming's steel output can step up another level.

"Prince, Happy New Year!" Chang Yuchun came out of the cabin, holding a string of firecrackers.

Zhu Yong laughed: "Chang Shu, where did these firecrackers come from?"

"Brought them, saved especially for today." Chang Yuchun chuckled, had someone hang the firecrackers on the ship's rail and ignite them.

The crackling firecracker sounds echoed over the sea.

In the distance, several Warship also set off firecrackers, and the soldiers cheered.

Thus the new year began.

Zhu Yong watched the cheering soldiers, the Warship bearing dragon flags, and the picturesque island in the distance, and suddenly felt that days like this were not bad.

Only missing family, and it would be nice if later he could bring Guanyin Nu and others along.

And father and mother, they probably have never seen such scenery!

Today is New Year, Zhu Yong began leading many soldiers to catch fish and shrimp, and in the evening had a seafood feast.

These days, having spent so long on the sea, everyone's swimming skills are now quite good! Truly they are little white fish in the waves.

He cheerfully led everyone to a big meal; Zhu Yong, holding a cup of tea, stood at the side of the ship, looking at the boundless sea.

No matter how vast the South Sea, there will come a day when Great Ming's footprints have traversed it.

And he is walking the road that will bring that day sooner.

In the distance, sea and sky were one color, and the morning glow rose.

A new day, a new year, a new journey.

All are waiting for him.