Although it was never confirmed, as the Tajik fleet quickly turned around and left without a trace, Zhang Li was already worried about it.
In Qin Ze's view, the Taqi Kingdom most likely did indeed possess steam-powered sailing ships. It was precisely because they had more advanced weapons that they sold a batch of military equipment to the Fusang people back then.
The Japanese did not possess steam-powered ironclad warships among their armaments; they only had converted sailing warships covered with a thin layer of iron. In today's terms, it is obvious that this armament was likely an old weaponry from the Taqi Kingdom, which is why they confidently sold it to the Japanese.
This is reasonable and explains their actions.
Even so, they did not take any action in the year that Fusang was destroyed, and only appeared with their fleet in the last two months. Therefore, it can be inferred that perhaps they did not have many steam warships before, so they did not take any action in that year.
Now they have arrived with a fleet, presumably having spent a great deal of resources building a batch of steam-powered sailing ships within the past year, which gave them what they believed to be "overwhelming combat power," so they set sail.
But their sudden arrival and departure this time gave Qin Ze reason to believe that they were still wary.
The reason is quite simple: their patrol ships have been replaced with steam-powered ironclad warships. The Taqi people, who harbored sinister intentions, must have lost their composure after seeing that their own side also possessed steam-powered ironclad warships. Before that, they were unaware that their country already had steam-powered ironclad warships.
Therefore, the Taqi people realized the problem and lost their confidence. After all, once a naval battle broke out, they would be fighting in the open ocean. Without overwhelming combat power, the risks they would face would be enormous. So they chose to retreat and turn back.
Of course, all of this is speculation. Without sufficient information, no one can accurately judge what the Taqi people are thinking about this action.
Where they went after they left, and what military actions they planned to take next, were all unpredictable. However, fortunately, there were now a large number of coastal defense warships in the waters near the mainland, so Qin Ze was not worried even if Taqi Kingdom turned back and launched a brazen invasion.
Moreover, along the shipping route from South Port to the Leon mainland, maritime bases have been established on several islands in the past six months, and the island chains connecting them are filled with the country's ironclad warships. If the homeland is attacked, these warships stationed overseas can react quickly and provide timely defense.
However, returning to China is still very necessary, because besides this matter, there is another important matter.
At this moment, under the dim light, Qin Ze grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. He smiled broadly and looked at the letter again with great interest.
The letter stated:
"Your Majesty, I know that you have the world in your heart and are wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people. Immediately after your wedding, you set sail to demonstrate our national power. The court and the people all praise your great talent and strategy. However, please forgive my selfishness, but now that the imperial heir is about to be born, either at the end of May or the beginning of June, this double happiness is of utmost importance and is also a blessing for the new dynasty."
Although Her Majesty the Empress and the Imperial Concubine have repeatedly told this old minister not to speak recklessly, this old minister has deep personal motives and cannot help but speak out. I beg Your Majesty not to blame me, and only hope that Your Majesty can…”
Upon seeing this, Qin Ze smiled, carefully folded the letter and put it in his pocket, then lay down on the bed with his hands behind his head.
As the letter stated, both ladies were already six months pregnant. In fact, less than two months after setting sail last August, Zhang Li had already made it clear in a letter he received from China that both ladies had experienced signs of pregnancy.
Shortly afterward, another letter arrived with the good news that both empresses were indeed pregnant, a double celebration.
This once made Qin Ze ecstatic, but at that time he had only been at sea for a short time and was engaged in battle with various countries at sea, so he could not spare the time and could only suppress his joy.
Now that both ladies are six months pregnant and nearing their due dates, it is only natural that they should return to China as soon as possible once this matter is settled.
However, the due date is too close. Ten months of pregnancy is considered quite long for a woman, so Qin Ze estimates that the ladies will most likely give birth at the end of May, or at the latest, the beginning of June.
Now that he has just embarked on his journey home, even if he rushes, he may not make it in time. Therefore, Qin Ze is both happy and somewhat melancholy, worried that he will not be able to see his child born as soon as possible.
At this moment, listening to the sound of the tide outside the ship, Qin Ze's eyes were half open and half closed, and drowsiness gradually crept in.
As dusk approached, the magnificent golden wheel, burning in the fiery sunset, vanished below the horizon in an instant, only to be replaced by the rising moon. The silvery light of the night sky spilled onto the sea, and the waves lapping against the ship seemed to soften, as if whispering in one's ear.
The countless stars hanging in the sky and the lights of the fleet sailing rapidly on the sea complement each other, as if the stars have fallen into the deep sea, or as if the lights have lit up the night sky.
The night was clear and the sea and sky no longer seemed so distinct. The starry sky and the sea surface seemed to converge at an infinite distance. The huge fleet sailed on this beautiful blue sea, yet it was as if it were flying in the night sky. The ripples left by the warships rippled on the sea, and the stars seemed to float along with them.
Listening to the ebb and flow of the tide, Qin Ze grew increasingly drowsy. He finally closed his eyes and murmured softly in a half-dreaming, half-awake state:
"I only ask for a favorable wind to lend me its strength and carry me..."
The sound stopped abruptly, and he drifted into a dream.
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