“Mother, I’m back!” A young sailor waved to the crowd on the shore, his voice choked with emotion.
The people on the shore responded excitedly, with cheers and shouts rising and falling, and the entire port was in an uproar.
——
The fleet slowly docked at Tianjin Port. Yun Si stood on the deck of the "Zhenhai" ship, looking at the familiar scene before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
After three years away from home and through many trials, I have finally returned to my homeland.
He took a deep breath; the air was filled with the salty smell of the sea and the fragrance of the earth—the smell of home.
Yun excitedly patted the railing and shouted, "Myna, we're really back!"
Lan Dingyuan stood to the side, a rare smile appearing on his face: "Yes, although the journey was treacherous, the gains were plentiful."
Yun Si nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd on the dock, then turning back to look at the cargo loaded on the ship—Western firearms, clocks, and books, as well as various spices and gems from Southeast Asia, and mountains of gold and silver, each item priceless.
He commanded in a stern voice: "Everyone, listen up! There are many valuables on board, and no one is allowed to leave their posts without authorization. Disembark in batches to freshen up and have a meal, then immediately return to the ship to stand guard. There must be no mistakes!"
The sailors and officers responded in unison. Although they were eager to return home, they also understood the value of the cargo on board and that no mishap could be tolerated.
Yinzhi then said to Yinzhi and Lan Dingyuan, "Tenth Brother, Lord Lan, the three of us will return to the capital first to report to the Emperor."
Yun rubbed his hands together, eager to get started: "I can't wait any longer! What I see and hear along the way will definitely surprise Fourth Brother!"
The three quickly packed their belongings, changed into clean official robes, and rode swiftly towards the capital.
Half a day later, the towering city walls of the capital finally came into view.
Yunsi reined in the reins, looked up at the majestic city gate, and felt a long-lost sense of familiarity well up in his heart.
After three years, they are finally back.
The three men went straight to the Forbidden City, presented their waist tokens, and requested an audience.
Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Su Peisheng hurriedly came forward and bowed respectfully: "Eighth Prince, Tenth Prince, His Majesty is waiting inside the hall. Please follow this servant."
Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the familiar scent of ambergris wafts towards you.
Emperor Yongzheng sat upright behind his desk, his eyes sharp and piercing. When the three men entered, he raised his hand slightly and said, "No need for formalities."
Yinzhi stepped forward and bowed solemnly: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Yun and Lan Dingyuan followed closely behind, bowing in unison.
Yongzheng's gaze swept over the three men. Seeing that they were travel-worn but still in good spirits, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "You must be tired from this trip. Stand up and speak. How was the trip?"
Yinzhi stepped forward and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, our journey has been very fruitful. We have not only brought back treasures from the West, but also important intelligence."
He ordered his men to bring over several boxes, which, when opened, were filled with books, maps, clocks, firearms, and other items.
This was the most important item he picked up and brought back first.
Yunqi eagerly added, "Your Majesty, the Westerners' technology far surpasses ours! Their ships are all cast iron and can even breathe fire and move on their own; their firearms have an extremely long range and are extremely accurate; and their self-ringing clocks are a hundred times more accurate than our water clocks!"
Yongzheng exclaimed in surprise, "Iron ships?"
Yinzhi nodded, took out a roll of blueprints from his bosom, and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, this is what we obtained in Lumosi. Westerners call it a 'steamship.' It does not need sails, but is driven by a machine and is extremely fast."
Emperor Yongzheng took the blueprints and examined them carefully, becoming increasingly alarmed with each look.
Although the Ming Dynasty's treasure ships were steam-powered, they were still wooden ships. Westerners could move iron ships; that would require immense power. There must be a much more profound science involved.
Although he had heard of Western techniques, he was still amazed to see such an exquisite design in person.
Lan Dingyuan stepped forward and added, "Your Majesty, the technology of Western countries far surpasses our imagination. Their firearms have a long range and high accuracy. If the Qing Dynasty does not make plans soon, there may be future troubles."
Yongzheng remained silent for a moment, then slowly rolled up the blueprints and said in a deep voice, "Tell me in detail what you have seen and heard on this trip."
Yinzhi took a deep breath and began to recount the experiences along the way, starting from when the fleet left Brunei—the glass mirror of Ceylon, the Arabian classics of Calicut, the flintlock pistol of Rums, and the world map mentioned by the European scholar.
Emperor Yongzheng frowned as he listened, his heart heavy.
Yun said angrily, "Fourth Brother, those Westerners are so arrogant. They said that if we keep to our old ways, we will fall behind sooner or later! We can't let them look down on us!"
Emperor Yongzheng snorted coldly: "I'd like to see who dares to underestimate the Qing Dynasty!"
Yongzheng picked up a flintlock pistol and examined it carefully.
This pistol isn't as good as Yun'er's design, but having a real one makes it easier to replicate. Previously, it couldn't be manufactured because the technology wasn't advanced enough, especially in the smelting of refined iron and copper. Now that we have a reference, things will be much easier.
Lan Dingyuan unfolded a world map and pointed to the European countries on it, saying, "Your Majesty, the Western countries have sailed to all parts of the world, and their sphere of influence far exceeds our imagination. If the Qing Dynasty does not rise up and catch up, it may fall behind."
Yinzhi took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to imitate Western firearms, improve the navy, and send students to the West to study. Otherwise, in a few decades, our Great Qing will be in grave danger!"
Yongzheng remained silent for a long time, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
He turned and walked to his desk, picked up his brush and wrote a handwritten edict, which he handed to Su Peisheng: "Order the Ministry of Revenue to take people to the ships to inventory the valuables and let the crew go back to rest; the Ministry of Works shall immediately summon skilled craftsmen to imitate Western firearms and steamships. The Court of Colonial Affairs shall establish a 'Western Technology Department' to specialize in the study and application of Western knowledge, and shall be headed by the Eighth Brother."
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