Chapter 27
The smoke of war in the north was swiftly extinguished thanks to Cui Yunshu's overwhelming logistical support. This crisis, meticulously planned by the Second Prince's faction to severely damage the Eastern Palace, ultimately transformed in the most dramatic way into a feat showcasing the Cui family's wealth and the Crown Prince's faction's cohesion.
In the imperial court, the Second Prince's supporters, who had been sidelined by the emperor because of this incident, fell silent and went into hiding. As the mastermind behind all of this, Cui Yunshu's name, though not publicly mentioned, became increasingly mysterious and influential at the very top of the capital's power structure.
However, Cui Yunshu didn't pay much attention to any of this. Her heart had already flown thousands of miles away to the deep blue sea that held all her hopes and future.
Under the covert protection of her "ally" Tang Pu, a large-scale crackdown on pirates in the East China Sea is in full swing. Under the pretext of "strengthening coastal defense and training the imperial navy," Tang Pu mobilized the navy of Dengzhou Prefecture, in coordination with the Xuanjia Guard of the Prince of An's Mansion, to launch a devastating attack on several long-standing pirate groups entrenched on the shipping lanes.
Those pirates who used to run rampant and strike fear into the hearts of passing merchant ships were utterly no match for the well-equipped and well-trained regular army. In just one month, the coastal shipping route from Dengzhou Prefecture to Quanzhou Port was completely cleared, and a bright and clear world was restored.
With the route initially determined, everything is ready.
In that secret bay on the coast of the East China Sea, a place whose name cannot be found on any map, Cui Yunshu's "Noah's Ark" project finally ushered in its most exciting moment.
The first ocean-going treasure ship, built entirely according to her improved blueprints, was officially completed.
When Cui Yunshu stepped onto this bay again, even though she had rehearsed it countless times in her mind, she was still overwhelmed by the magnificent scene before her.
A colossal vessel, like a mobile sea fortress, lay silently anchored in the vast, blue bay.
Its hull was far larger and longer than any of the existing Fujian or sand ships of the Qin Dynasty. Its flowing, graceful lines exuded power and speed, like a lurking deep-sea behemoth, ready to break through the waves and soar to the heavens at a single command. Five towering masts, like the arms of giants, held aloft neatly folded sails, standing firm against the sea breeze. The hull, repeatedly coated with tung oil to a deep brownish-red, shimmered with a solid yet warm luster in the sunlight, giving an unparalleled sense of security.
This is the "Kunpeng," the culmination of her countless efforts and wealth, and the culmination of Master Lu's lifelong skills and wisdom.
"How is it?" Tang Pu had somehow appeared beside her, his voice brimming with barely suppressed pride and excitement. In his eyes, this giant ship was the symbol of their "great undertaking" setting sail.
"Exquisite craftsmanship, a masterpiece of nature." Cui Yunshu exclaimed sincerely. She turned her head and looked at the white-haired old man not far away who was holding a wine gourd and staring at his masterpiece with a look of fascination. "Master Lu, thank you for your hard work."
Master Lu waved his hand, his cloudy old eyes filled with fanatical light: "It's no trouble at all! It's no trouble at all! If I could personally build such a miraculous treasure ship, I could die in peace! Girl, when are you going to give me those blueprints at the back? My hands... have been itching for a long time!"
Cui Yunshu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master. As long as you have the energy, I'll provide you with plenty of blueprints."
She didn't say anything more to them, but personally led her mother, Song, onto the giant ship that was about to set sail.
As Mrs. Song watched her daughter methodically direct the crew through the final preparations on the colossal vessel, entirely designed and built under her leadership, her eyes filled with gratification and pride. She knew that her daughter was no longer the fledgling bird that needed her shelter under her wings. She had grown up with her own wings, strong enough to brave the storms of life.
Cui Yunshu made the most thorough preparations for this maiden voyage.
She personally summoned the most experienced captain and crew members recommended by Tang Pu, and solemnly handed a thick, carefully wrapped nautical chart to the captain. It not only marked the preliminary route to the unknown continent, which she had improved upon based on her memories from her previous life, but also detailed information about ocean currents, monsoons, reefs, and other hazards that might be encountered along the way. For navigators of this era, these were life maps infinitely more precious than gold.
"The road ahead is unknown, so safety is the top priority." She looked at the captain and solemnly instructed him, "I don't care how much wealth you bring back, I just want you all to return safely. Your primary goal is to explore new sea routes, draw more detailed nautical charts, and... find all the useful resources we have never heard of before, especially high-yield food crops."
She then handed several heavy wooden boxes to the ship's doctor. Inside were medicine kits she had prepared based on her knowledge from her previous life, sufficient to treat various common seaborne illnesses such as scurvy, malaria, and colds, along with detailed instructions on how to use them.
Finally, she pointed to the hundreds of tightly sealed boxes of goods in the hold—top-quality silk, exquisite porcelain, tea, lacquerware…
"These are your assets. Use them to exchange for anything you deem valuable. Remember, behind you is the entire Cui family, the entire 'Cloud Pavilion.' We don't lack money. I only want you to bring us back a... completely new world."
The captain and crew, looking at the young yet thoughtful and extraordinary "Ice Princess" before them, and listening to her insightful and courageous instructions, were filled with utmost respect. They knelt on one knee, offering the most solemn military salute, and swore to their lord that they would fulfill their mission.
Everything is ready.
That evening, a gentle sea breeze blew, and the moonlight was as clear as water.
Cui Yunshu stood alone at the bow of the ship, gazing at the deep and mysterious sea in the distance, its surface shimmering under the moonlight, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
I heard soft footsteps behind me.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"What are you thinking about?" Tang Pu's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night. He walked to her side and stood beside her, the sea breeze blowing their robes, which intertwined and swirled in the air.
"I'm wondering... where this ship will ultimately sail," Cui Yunshu replied softly, a hint of confusion in her voice.
Tang Pu looked at her profile. That face, which usually carried a certain aloofness and composure, appeared somewhat soft and fragile in the hazy moonlight. A thought struck him, and almost unconsciously, he asked a question that had nothing to do with their "great cause."
Are you scared?
Cui Yunshu's body trembled slightly.
She turned to look at him. In the moonlight, his deep eyes held none of the usual probing and calculation, only a pure and sincere concern.
This question, like a key, silently unlocked the strongest defense in her heart.
Yes, is she scared?
How could she not be afraid?
She feared the ending in that "book" would come true, feared that everything she had done would be in vain. She feared that the "Kunpeng," on which she had placed all her hopes, would be lost on the vast ocean. She feared even more... that she would betray the trust and expectations of everyone around her.
But she couldn't say any of this.
She met Tang Pu's gaze, remained silent for a long time, and finally just nodded slightly, then shook her head.
“I’m afraid,” she confessed, her voice tinged with self-mockery. “I’m afraid that the unknown deep sea will devour all my hard work. I’m afraid that this elusive ‘golden route’ is nothing but a pipe dream.”
She paused, but her eyes suddenly became incredibly firm.
"But what I fear more than the fear of the unknown is the fear of sitting and waiting for death."
"What I fear more is knowing that there is an abyss ahead, yet being able to only watch helplessly, unable to do anything. Rather than being swallowed by darkness in that hopeless wait, I would rather... take a gamble in this deep blue sea full of infinite possibilities!"
These words were her most genuine feelings at that moment.
But Tang Pu heard it in a completely different way, and it stirred his heart even more.
What he heard was the most resolute courage and sense of responsibility shown by a revolutionary who had the world in his heart and was determined to change the world, when faced with the slim chance of success and the insurmountable mountain of imperial power!
What he heard was the tragic vow: "Success or death!"
At this moment, his feelings for her were no longer merely admiration and appreciation for an "ally." A more complex and ardent emotion quietly began to grow. It was a resonance from the depths of his soul, an indescribable pity and admiration for someone like him.
Looking into her eyes, which shone brilliantly in the moonlight, he felt, for the first time, the urge to pull her into his arms and share her heavy burden.
But in the end, he simply reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair, ruffled by the sea breeze, behind her ear.
“Don’t be afraid,” his voice was gentler than ever before, “I’m here.”
These two simple words seem to possess immense power.
Cui Yunshu's heart skipped a beat at that moment. Looking at his earnest face so close to hers, she felt her cheeks burning for the first time.
At this moment, their hearts seemed closer than ever before.
[The next day, early morning]
As the first golden rays of dawn pierced the thin mist over the sea, the entire bay awoke.
Amidst everyone's anticipation and watchful eyes, and under Master Lu's tearful gaze, the "Kunpeng" sail, as strong as a giant wing, was slowly raised, making a loud "whoosh" sound in the morning breeze!
The anchor was pulled up, and the heavy iron chain rattled, startling a flock of seagulls that circled overhead.
"set sail--!"
The captain stood atop the high deck and let out a loud, passionate shout.
The massive ship began to slowly and steadily sail away from the harbor, heading towards the boundless, azure deep sea, cutting through the waves!
Cui Yunshu stood on the cliff by the sea, side by side with her mother, Song Shi, and Tang Pu. The sea breeze blew through her long hair and fluttered her clothes. She remained motionless, gazing silently and intently at the giant ship that carried all her hopes.
She watched it, riding the wind, breaking through the white waves.
She watched it grow farther and farther away, smaller and smaller, until finally, it became a tiny black dot on the horizon, disappearing completely into that dazzling, infinitely possible deep blue.
My heart was filled with mixed emotions.
This is the Noah's Ark she prepared for her whole family.
It was her first defiant roar against her predetermined fate.
It was she, Cui Yunshu, who left the first truly unique and indelible mark of herself in this unfamiliar era.
Chasing dreams of the deep blue sea, the journey begins here.
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