A sea breeze caresses our faces as the Qin warships return in triumph.
The wicked man stood on the flagship's deck, gazing at the distant port.
From his perspective, the entire South China Sea County dock was already teeming with people.
Countless people spontaneously gathered there just to catch a glimpse of this fleet that had created a miracle.
"Order the entire army," he said in a deep voice, "to enter the port in formation! Let the people see what the Qin navy is all about!"
Fifty warships slowly entered the harbor, their towering figures casting huge shadows in the sunlight.
The specially made sails of the Mohists fluttered in the sea breeze, like banners of victory.
Each mast was adorned with the flag of the Great Qin Dynasty, gleaming in the morning light.
A thunderous cheer erupted from the shore.
Most of these people were fishermen and knew all too well how difficult it was to conquer this sea area.
How could one not be thrilled to witness the Qin Dynasty conquering the ocean?
"Grand Commandant," Zhang Erhe strode over, "His Majesty has sent someone with an imperial decree, ordering us to immediately return to Xianyang to report."
The wicked man nodded.
This battle was of extraordinary significance, not only demonstrating the might of the Qin Dynasty but also laying the foundation for future conquests across the world. Your Majesty must be eagerly awaiting the battle report.
Just then, the general manager of the naval port rushed over: "Grand Commandant! The fishermen you requested are all ready."
"Very well." The wicked man revealed a slight smile. "Have them all come here. I, the Grand Commandant, have important matters to instruct you on."
Before long, dozens of experienced fishermen were summoned to the dock.
These are all veterans who have been operating in the South China Sea for decades and know the shipping lanes in this area like the back of their hand.
Most of them bear the marks of time, but their eyes remain sharp.
"Gentlemen," the wicked man said sternly, "I, the Grand Commandant, would like to ask you: does anyone know of the sea route leading to Xianglin?"
The fishermen looked at each other in bewilderment.
A moment later, an elderly man with white hair and beard stepped forward shakily: "Reporting to the Grand Commandant, I have heard some things about it. The road to Xianglin is extremely dangerous, with hidden reefs everywhere and constant storms. Without a guide, venturing forward rashly will surely lead to one's death at sea."
"Oh?" The wicked husband became interested. "Tell me about it."
"The most important thing about this sea route is to know the wind direction and the stars," the old man said, pointing to the distant sea. "From here south, you have to pass three groups of reefs. Every summer, the wind direction is unpredictable, and one wrong step and you could run aground. But if you can find the right time and sail with the wind, you can reach your destination in ten days to half a month."
"Do you recognize these shipping routes?"
The old man hesitated and said, "I wouldn't dare say I recognize them all, but I have run some key sections of the road a few times."
A glint of cunning flashed in the wicked man's eyes: "Very well! Now, I, the Grand Commandant, have a task for you all."
He looked around at the crowd: "I, the Grand Commandant, intend to assemble a special guiding team. You old fishermen are the best candidates. From now on, you will be responsible for guiding the Qin warships. The benefits will be excellent, what do you say?"
The fishermen were immediately excited.
What an honor it is to serve the Qin Dynasty!
Moreover, the generous benefits have attracted many people to express their willingness to serve.
"Grand Commandant, you are brilliant!" Zhang Erhe exclaimed from the side. "With these guides, we'll be even more formidable at sea from now on."
The wicked man shook his head: "That's not enough. Order the Mohist artisans to quickly produce several nautical charts. Record the experiences of these old fishermen for future use."
"That's not all," he added. "These fishermen usually take the young men out to sea when they have free time, so they can gain more experience. If our Great Qin wants to dominate the four seas, we can't rely on mere momentary bravery."
This was his foresight. The wicked man knew that to truly control the seas, one could not rely solely on temporary victories. It was essential to cultivate generations of generals skilled in naval warfare to ensure the enduring maritime dominance of the Qin Dynasty.
Just then, another scout came to report: "Grand Commandant, I have spotted some suspicious merchants at the port. They all appear to be from the south."
The wicked man immediately became alert: "Have you found out where they came from?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, these people say they are from Xianglin. However..." the scout lowered his voice, "they seem to know that sea route very well. And they brought many rare and precious treasures, saying they are to present them to His Majesty."
"Interesting." A cold glint flashed in the wicked man's eyes. "Bring them to see me."
Before long, a dozen or so richly dressed merchants were brought to the dock.
These people had brown skin and were clearly from the south. The goods they brought were indeed extraordinary; the aroma of the spices alone was intoxicating.
"Gentlemen, you have come from afar as guests," the wicked man said politely. "May I ask where you come from?"
The leader bowed and said, "We come from Xianglin, and have come to offer our congratulations to the Great Qin."
"Oh?" The wicked man looked at them with amusement. "I heard you are quite familiar with that sea route?"
The merchants' expressions changed, but they still tried to remain calm: "We dare not hide it. We have indeed been trading on this route for many years. However, it is all thanks to the Water King. Without his protection, how dare we sail in these treacherous waters?"
The wicked man sneered inwardly. These people were clearly connected to the Water King; they might even be his spies. But this was also an opportunity.
"Since you are all familiar with the sea routes, I, the Grand Commandant, have a suggestion," he said solemnly. "Why don't you all stay in Great Qin and serve our dynasty? As long as you are willing to contribute, I, the Grand Commandant, guarantee..."
"This..." The merchants looked at each other, clearly not expecting the wicked man to make such a request.
"Gentlemen, there's no need for you to rush to answer," the wicked man laughed. "Stay in Nanhai Commandery first and think it over carefully. This Grand Commandant has important matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer."
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