The young eagle spreads its wings and sets sail on the sea
The fifth year of the Xinghuo calendar, summer.
The once humble camp has now blossomed into a full-fledged coastal town. Brick and tiled houses stand side by side, and the streets, paved with gravel, are neat and orderly, though not wide. The town's central meeting hall has been expanded several times, and the wave-speckled flag in front of it flutters in the sea breeze. The sound of reading aloud from the school blends with the clamor of horns at the docks and the clatter of ironwork in the workshops, forming a vibrant symphony.
Zhang Qiming, the long-awaited child, is now over four years old. He inherited his father's sturdy frame and his mother's bright eyes, and possesses a lively and active personality, making him the undisputed "king of the children" in town. At this moment, he and a group of similar-aged friends are at the newly opened martial arts arena outside the town, intently watching his father, Zhang Qing, instruct a group of young men in basic boxing, kicking, archery, and horseback riding.
"Keep your back steady! Keep your arms straight! Follow the bull's eye!" Zhang Qing's voice was steady and powerful. Though he no longer fought in battle, the aura honed over the years remained. He looked at these young men who had grown up in a peaceful environment, his eyes filled with both hope and a subtle worry. Even with the passage of time, military preparations must remain vigilant.
Little Qiming was so excited that he picked up a small wooden stick and started to imitate her. His movements were childish but very serious.
"Ming'er, come here," Qiongying's voice echoed from the side. She now had a more motherly gentleness, but the wisdom and decisiveness in her expression remained undiminished. She was accompanied by two older girls who were currently attending school, helping to carry some things.
Qiming immediately dropped the stick and flew into his mother's arms like a little swallow.
Qiongying took his hand, pointed at the young man on the martial arts field, then pointed in the direction of the school in the distance, and said softly, "See? A strong body can protect our home, and the knowledge learned in the school can make our home a better place and allow more people to live a good life. These two are like the wings of a bird, neither of which can be missing. From now on, you must not only learn martial arts from your father and uncles, but also study hard in the school. Do you understand?"
Little Qiming seemed to understand, but nodded vigorously: "Ming'er understands! I want to be as capable as Daddy, and as knowledgeable as Mommy!"
Qiongying smiled with relief. She knew full well that the education of the next generation was crucial to the succession of this legacy. Under her guidance, the school's curriculum expanded beyond literacy and arithmetic to include geography (primarily understanding the surrounding seas and islands), natural history (identifying local flora and fauna), and simple physics. She also encouraged the youngsters to learn the indigenous language to better communicate with neighboring tribes.
The town's development also entered a new phase. The population, thanks to natural growth and subsequent sporadic influx of settlers, now exceeded 3,000. The existing management system was further refined, with the establishment of specialized farmers' associations, workshop associations, and chambers of commerce (responsible for liaison with the indigenous people and internal resource allocation). Representatives from various industries were also added to the council's membership. Zhu Wu and Yan Qing were central to the efficient operation of this system.
However, the potential for danger has not been completely eliminated. Last year, an expedition from a larger island further south (claiming to be from "Luzon") arrived in large canoes, attempting to trade. However, their arrogance and excessive attention to the town's fortifications aroused the vigilance of Zhang Qing and Zhu Wu. Although that encounter ultimately ended in a peaceful negotiation, it served as a reminder to everyone that they and the primitive tribes were not the only ones in this sea.
"Our ships can't just stay in the harbor." During a meeting in the council hall, Zhang Qing pointed to the increasingly detailed sea maps on the wall. "We must go out and learn about the wider seas, make friends with possible allies, and guard against unknown enemies."
Boss Zheng now held absolute authority over the fleet, commanding over twenty large and small vessels and hundreds of sailors. He chimed in, "Captain, you're right. The 'Breaking Waves' and its sister ships are capable of carrying out longer voyages. However... a long voyage carries significant risks and requires a clear objective."
Qiong Ying pondered for a moment and then said, "We can have several goals. First, we can explore northward along the coastline of Ryukyu Island, draw more accurate nautical charts, and search for other possible landing points or resources. Second, we can head westward and try to establish extremely discreet contacts with private maritime merchants along the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang to obtain intelligence on our homeland and necessary supplies (such as books and high-quality crop seeds). Third, we can head south and continue to explore the situation in Luzon and even the islands beyond, to understand both ourselves and the enemy."
The plan is ambitious and fraught with risk, but everyone understands that standing still is not a long-term solution.
After months of meticulous preparation, in the autumn of the fifth year of the Spark Calendar, an expedition fleet consisting of the "Breaking Waves" and two escort vessels, led by Boss Zheng and Yan Qing, set sail for the first planned ocean exploration. At the town's dock, people waved goodbye, their hearts filled with both anticipation and anxiety for the unknown.
After the fleet left, life in the town continued as usual. Little Qiming began his formal education in school. His first lesson was taught by his mother, Qiongying. She wrote the first word on a sand table: "home."
"This is our home." Qiongying's voice was gentle but firm. "Your fathers opened it up with their blood and sweat. We must protect it, build it, and make it better."
Outside the window, the sun shines brightly, the sea and sky merge into one. The young eagle is growing, and the sail carrying hope and the future has already sailed towards the deep blue.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
