Chapter 407: Portugal's Scheme

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di were both stunned.

"Second Prince, haven't we still not explored America? The map only shows an outline; no one knows the exact situation," Zhu Di said.

Zhu Yong nodded and said calmly, "So we will explore as we go. Between Australia and America lies the Pacific Ocean, which has islands that can serve as supply points.

The Ministry of Works has already drawn the chart; though rough, the general direction is correct."

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di exchanged a glance, and said nothing.

They knew Second Prince's temper; whatever he decided, no one could change it.

Moreover, Second Prince has never lost a war; following him is never wrong.

"Second Prince, when do you plan to set out?" Zhu Di asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "When we reach Australia, we'll first rendezvous with Third Brother, deal with the Frang Machine people's fleet, then head east."

"How long will it take..." Zhu Gang asked.

"At best a year, at most two years," Zhu Yong said plainly.

Zhu Gang opened his mouth, seemed about to speak, but swallowed it back.

One year, two years.

He was missing home.

Japan is far, yet a few months by ship can bring us back to the heavens.

Europe is different; across tens of thousands of li of sea, one departure may never know when one can return.

"Fourth Brother, if you miss home, don't go this time," Zhu Yong said, looking at him.

Zhu Gang fell silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Second Prince, you've gone, how could I not go."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing more.

The fleet continued eastward.

After three more days, a few small boats appeared on the sea, bearing Great Ming's flags.

They were patrol boats sent from Australia, led by a young commander, Zhao Bao.

Zhao Bao boarded the "Prince Wu" ship, kneeling on the deck to salute.

"Junior General requests audience, Prince Wu!"

Zhu Yong waved his hand, signaling him to rise.

"How's Australia?"

Zhao Bao stood, clasped his fists and said, "Sir, Australia is all fine. Prince Qin heard you are coming and is overjoyed, waiting at the dock every day.

Those Frang Machine people's fleet were scattered by General Mu Ying's navy; a few escaped, the rest were sunk, a few captured and locked in New City's prison; Prince Qin said he'll interrogate them when you arrive."

Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Shuang handled affairs, becoming more reliable.

"How much longer until Australia..."

"Sir, at the current speed, another four days and we'll arrive."

Zhu Yong turned around, looking ahead.

The sea and sky met in a line, ten thousand miles of clear sky.

Four days later, the fleet reached Australia.

In the distance the coastline appeared, lush and vibrant with life.

The dock was packed with people, a black sea that stretched beyond sight.

Leading the crowd was Zhu Shuang, dressed in dark formal robes, a jade belt at his waist, a Gold Crown on his head, standing on the dock and looking this way.

The fleet slowly docked.

Zhu Yong was the first to step off the gangplank; Zhu Shuang rushed forward and embraced him tightly.

"Second Prince!"

Zhu Yong patted his back, laughing, "Alright, alright, you're grown up, still acting like a child."

Zhu Shuang released him, looked him over, his eyes a bit red, and said, "Second Prince, it's good that you've come..."

Zhu Yong smiled, "I could have handled it even if I hadn't come."

Zhu Shuang also laughed.

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di came up from behind, and Zhu Shuang hugged them as well.

The four brothers stood on the dock, the sea breeze blowing, carrying a salty, fishy scent.

In the distance, New City glimmered in the sunlight; its walls were low but sturdy, and the gate bustled with people coming and going, very lively.

Zhu Yong looked at the city, feeling a sudden sense of emotion.

Over a decade ago, this place was a barren wasteland, not even a single silhouette.

Now it has become a proper city.

The streets are orderly, houses solid, the people live peacefully and work happily.

All this was built single‑handedly by Zhu Shuang, though the foundation was laid by Zhu Yong.

"Third Brother, you did well," he said, patting Zhu Shuang's shoulder.

Zhu Shuang grinned, "Second Prince, don't flatter me; this skill is all thanks to your teaching."

Zhu Yong shook his head, saying nothing.

The four brothers walked side by side into the city. On the streets, the townsfolk stood by the road, watching the procession, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.

They knew these people came to Australia to protect them.

Those Frang Machine people, with yellow hair and blue eyes, reeking, would come and loot and beat people.

Now that Great Ming's army has arrived, they no longer need to fear.

Zhu Yong walked along the Street, watching the Shops on either side and the pedestrians.

This place is different from Samarkand; Samarkand has the flavor of an ancient city, blue bricks and gray tiles, the dome of the mosque glinting in the sun.

Here is a fresh scent, newly built houses, newly paved Streets, new immigrants; everything is full of vitality.

He suddenly recalled the scene when he captured this land years ago.

At that time he was still young, in his early thirties, the prime fighting age.

Leading the Longxiang Army, they marched from the South Sea eastward until they reached this continent.

The natives, wielding spears and bows, fought guerrilla warfare in the jungle, but they were shot down row by row by Flintlock Guns.

Many people died, but in the end they still took it.

Now this land already belongs to Great Ming.

It will never be lost again.

"Second Prince, what are you thinking?" Zhu Shuang asked beside him.

Zhu Yong snapped back, shook his head and said, "Nothing, let's go, go see those Frangi prisoners."

Zhu Shuang led the way northward toward the city.

There stood a Stone building, originally a warehouse, later converted into a prison cell.

Two Longxiang Army soldiers stood at the gate; seeing Zhu Yong, they quickly saluted.

Zhu Yong entered; inside it was very dark, the air filled with a foul smell.

It was the scent of Frangi bodies, mixed with sweat and some indescribable thing, making one want to vomit.

Zhu Yong frowned.

Zhu Gang, standing behind, covered his nose and said, "Don't these people bathe? How stinky."

Zhu Di also frowned, saying nothing.

Inside the cell were seven or eight Frangi prisoners, all previously captured.

They crouched in the corner, hair a mess, faces covered in grime, clothes torn, looking no different from beggars.

Seeing someone enter, they lifted their heads, eyes full of terror.

Zhu Yong walked to the front of the cell, looking down on them from above.

"Which one of you is the leader…"

No one answered.

Zhu Yong asked again in Persian.

He had stayed at Tie Mu Er's residence for several years, his Persian was quite good.

The Frangi prisoners heard the Persian, their eyes lit up briefly, but soon dimmed again.

One of the older ones, about forty, with a large beard, shakily stood and spoke a string of words in Portuguese.

Zhu Yong couldn't understand, turned to look at Wang Gui.

Wang Gui came up from behind; he was the only one among them who could speak Portuguese.

Back then at Tie Mu Er's residence, he had studied with a few European merchants for a while; though his speech was halting, he could grasp the gist.

"Lord Wang, he says he is the deputy commander of this fleet, named Pedro, and came from Lisbon."

He says they are not here to fight, but to explore, having mistakenly entered Great Ming's territory, and request forgiveness," Wang Gui translated.

Zhu Yong looked at the man called Pedro, was silent for a moment, then said, "Ask him where their fleet is gathering, how many ships behind, how many people."

Wang Gui translated.

Pedro hesitated a moment, then said a string of words.

Wang Gui, after listening, his face changed.

"Lord Wang, he says their fleet is gathering at a port on the west coast of Africa, there are dozens of large ships, thousands of people."

The leader is called Cabral, a commander of the expedition sent by the Portuguese king.

They came to Australia this time to scout a route, preparing for the larger army behind.

Zhu Yong nodded, his expression calm.

Dozens of large ships, thousands of people.

Not many.

But how many are behind, we don't know.

"Ask him why the Portuguese king wants to attack Australia."

Wang Gui translated.

Pedro was silent for a long time, then said a string of words.

His voice was very low, as if talking to himself.

Wang Gui, after listening, his face grew even worse.

"Lord Wang, he says the Portuguese king heard that Australia has gold mines, wants to seize them, and also heard Great Ming is a wealthy nation, silk, porcelain, tea, all good things.

They plan to first take Australia, then South Sea, and finally investigate Great Ming's situation."

Zhu Yong's mouth corner twitched slightly.

Ambition is not small.

Unfortunately, they've chosen the wrong opponent.

"Wang Gui, tell him Great Ming's army has already arrived; their fleet, one ship at a time, two ships at a time.

If the Portuguese king wants to fight, go ahead, Great Ming's swords are long enough."

Wang Gui translated.

Pedro, after hearing, turned pale, lips trembling, unable to speak.

Zhu Yong turned and walked out of the cell, with Zhu Gang and Zhu Di following behind.

Outside the cell, the air was much fresher.

Zhu Gang took a deep breath and cursed, "These people, why do they smell so bad on them?"

Zhu Di said lightly, "Many Europeans don't bathe; they only wash three times in a lifetime—once at birth, once at marriage, once at death—and some don't even wash those three times."

Zhu Gang widened his eyes and said, "Only washing three times in a lifetime—doesn't that make them like maggots in a cesspit?"

Zhu Di said nothing further.

Zhu Yong walked ahead, his steps never stopping.

He was thinking about the words Pedro had said.

The king of Portugal wanted to probe Great Ming's information.

His ambition was not small.

But Portugal is only a small European nation, with few people and limited forces.

If they dared to attack Great Ming, there must be someone backing them.

Spain…

England…

Holy Roman Empire…

All are possible.

But that doesn't matter.

When one comes, we take down one; when two come, we take down a pair.

Great Ming's blade is long enough.