Meanwhile, inside the Forbidden City.
Emperor Yongzheng had just finished his morning court session when Su Peisheng hurriedly handed him a secret memorial: "Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from Fujian!"
Emperor Yongzheng frowned, took the secret memorial, unfolded it, and his face instantly turned ashen.
The secret report stated: "Five British warships ignored flag warnings and forcibly entered the waters off Fujian. The navy failed to intercept them, and the enemy ships are now sailing towards Guangzhou."
"Insolence!" Yongzheng slammed his hand on the table, his eyes burning with rage. "These mere barbarians dare to be so arrogant!"
Yongzheng took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said in a deep voice: "Summon the Thirteenth Prince, Zhang Tingyu, and Lan Dingyuan to an audience immediately!"
An hour later, the atmosphere inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was heavy.
After reading the secret memorial, Yunxiang solemnly said, "Your Majesty, the English have come with ill intentions. They are probably after our new warships and trade routes."
Zhang Tingyu stroked his beard and pondered: "Guangzhou is an important center for our country's foreign trade. If it is disturbed by the English, the losses will be incalculable."
Yongzheng's gaze was stern: "I originally thought they would at least follow the rules, but I didn't expect them to dare to provoke us so directly!"
He looked at Lan Dingyuan and asked, "The Weihai was launched today. Can it be put into combat immediately?"
Lan Dingyuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, although the warships have been completed, the naval officers and soldiers are not yet proficient in operating the new weapons and steam engines. There may be risks in rushing into battle."
After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Yongzheng decisively ordered: "Order the 'Weihai' to sail south immediately and join forces with the Fujian Navy to intercept the British fleet. Also, issue an edict to Guangzhou to take strict precautions and order all merchant ships to seek shelter from the storm."
Lan Dingyuan accepted the order and was about to leave when Yongzheng added, "You will lead the team personally, so please be careful."
Lan Dingyuan solemnly agreed and turned to leave.
Inside Tianjin Port, the steam engine of the "Weihai" roared, and black smoke billowed from its chimney.
The naval officers and soldiers quickly boarded the ships, and the warships slowly sailed away from the dock, heading south through the waves.
Lan Dingyuan stood on the bridge, watching the coastline gradually recede into the distance, feeling both excited and apprehensive.
This was the first time he had commanded such an advanced warship, and the responsibility on his shoulders was heavy.
Meanwhile, in the waters off Fujian.
Lan Tingzhen stood on the flagship, staring intently at the distant English warships through his binoculars.
The other ship was pitch black, with menacing cannon muzzles on its deck, clearly indicating that it had come prepared.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Order all ships to maintain distance, follow and monitor them, and absolutely do not let them get close to Guangzhou!"
The lieutenant said worriedly, "My lord, our warships are not as fast as theirs, and I'm afraid we will have difficulty intercepting them."
Lan Tingzhen snorted coldly: "We still have to stop them. The imperial court's new warships haven't been launched yet, and we need to buy them time!"
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