Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

The sea and sky merged into one, the waves surging. Under Huang Fei's command, the massive fleet sailed across the vast ocean like a giant dragon.

Huang Fei had already traveled the Tianjin-Nanjing sea route countless times. He had anticipated a relatively peaceful journey, as he knew the waters well. However, life at sea proved far more treacherous and unpredictable than he had imagined. Beneath the seemingly calm surface lay countless unknown dangers, and boredom and thrills were always a constant companion.

After sailing peacefully for several days, even Chongzhen, who had never been on a ship before, had become accustomed to the rhythm of the waves. But just as everyone was gradually relaxing their vigilance, a sudden storm suddenly broke the tranquility.

The sea, which was originally sunny and calm as a mirror, suddenly changed. In the blink of an eye, dark clouds rolled in like a surging tide. The black clouds were as black as ink, pressing down heavily, as if to cover the whole world in its darkness.

The wind was getting stronger and stronger, dark clouds were hanging low, and the wind was howling non-stop.

The sound of the wind was like a thousand horses galloping past, carrying an unstoppable momentum, or like the roar of a wild beast in the wilderness, which was terrifying. The wind was like the giant hand of a demon, wantonly stirring the sea and rolling up huge waves. Those waves were like angry sea beasts, slamming into the ship again and again, and each collision issued a deafening roar, as if threatening to tear the ship into pieces.

In the strong wind and huge waves, even a huge ship like the "Zhenhai" was tossed around in the wind and waves like a toy. The hull shook violently under the impact of the huge waves, like a leaf drifting in the storm, in danger of being swallowed up at any time.

"Crack!" A flash of lightning cut through the dark clouds and mountains, followed by a rumbling sound of thunder from the sky.

The flash of lightning illuminated Chongzhen's face. He stood on the deck of the Zhenhai, his hands tightly grasping the side. His face was resolute, and his eyes shone with an unyielding light. Wang Chengen, Zhu Ge, and Zhu Tie stood guard by his side. Although the waves made their footing unstable, their eyes were as firm as a rock.

"Wenlu, the storm is coming fiercely. Can we cope with it?" Chongzhen turned and looked at Huang Fei beside him, with a hint of anxiety in his voice.

"It is common to encounter wind and waves at sea, but the wind and waves today are too strong. Your Majesty, please go to the cabin to rest and leave this to us!" Huang Fei said with a bow.

"Okay!" Chongzhen nodded slightly. He knew that he could not help at this time, so it would be better to let Huang Fei do it.

The wind and waves were strong, and Huang Fei did not dare to be careless. He shouted an order: "All ships, lower the sails immediately, stabilize the hull, and fight the storm with all your strength!"

The crew sprang into action, their movements precise and precise even as the storm blurred their vision. To lower the sails, the crew braved the raging wind, scrambling to the mast, a dogged struggle against the force of the wind. Their hands gripped the ropes tightly, each movement brimming with strength and determination. The ropes swayed violently in the fierce wind, seemingly ready to break at any moment, but the crew remained undaunted. With all their might, they slowly lowered the sails. The helmsmen, steadfast in their grip, held the steering wheel tightly, engaging in a thrilling tug-of-war with the wind and the waves. Veins bulged in their arms, sweat mingled with the seawater, but their eyes held a resolute resolve, determined not to allow the ship to stray from its course. The crewmen securing the cabins were even more bustling, carrying heavy planks and stakes, struggling to maneuver along the rocking ship. Each collision threatened to overturn them, but they remained undeterred, swiftly reinforcing the cabins and ensuring the vessel's safety.

However, the power of the storm was far beyond their imagination.

Huge waves rolled endlessly, like towering mountains reaching into the clouds, rushing in from all directions. The wind howled relentlessly, as if it was about to blow the entire world to pieces.

Some of the ships in the fleet began to suffer damage, their planks snapping under the pounding of the waves, and seawater poured into the cabins like a ferocious beast. The crew struggled to repair the damage, plugging the holes with sandbags and planks, but the overwhelming force of the water made their efforts seem insignificant. Some ships were even swallowed by the waves, disappearing into the sea and sky, leaving behind only a despairing vortex.

Chongzhen's heart tightened. He knew this was a fierce battle with nature, and a severe test for the Ming fleet. He slowly closed his eyes and prayed silently, hoping that everyone could survive this disaster safely.

The crew fought tooth and nail against the storm, shouting slogans and encouraging each other. Some were knocked down by the waves, but quickly got up and continued fighting. Others were injured, but remained at their posts, refusing to retreat. With their courage and perseverance, they fought a desperate battle against the storm.

The wind roared like a demon, tearing at every corner of the ship. The mast swayed violently in the gale, as if it would break at any moment. The crew clung to the mast tightly, securing themselves to it with ropes, and laboriously lowered the sails. Each tug on the ropes required all their strength, as the resistance of the wind was too great. Their hands were pinched raw, their skin was chafed, and blood stained the ropes, but they did not retreat.

The crew members stabilizing the ship faced an even greater challenge. The helm, battered by the fierce wind and surging waves, grew incredibly heavy. They gripped the wheel with all their might, engaging in a thrilling tug-of-war with the wind and waves. Veins bulged in their arms, sweat mingled with the seawater, but their eyes were filled with determination, determined not to allow the ship to stray from its course. Each impact of the huge wave rocked their bodies violently, but they gritted their teeth, using their own weight to steady the wheel.

The crew members working to reinforce the cabin were also working against the clock. They carried heavy planks and stakes, struggling to maneuver along the rocking ship. Every impact nearly knocked them over, but they remained steadfast, swiftly reinforcing the cabin to ensure the ship's safety. They plugged holes with planks and supported the hull with stakes, doing everything they could to resist the intrusion of the seawater.

In the raging storm, the ship was like a swaying leaf, in danger of being swallowed up at any moment. But the crew did not give up. They had only one belief in their hearts: to protect the ship, the emperor, and the hope of the Ming Dynasty. They fought hard against the wind and waves, demonstrating loyalty and bravery with their lives.

Time passed, but the storm showed no sign of abating. The crew's strength gradually drained, but they persevered. They knew that if they relaxed even a little, the storm would consume them. They supported and encouraged each other, demonstrating with their actions the resilience of humanity in the face of natural disasters.

Finally, after a night of arduous battle, the storm gradually subsided. The sea was calm again, but the fleet was no longer the same as when they set out. More than ten ships were destroyed, and the surviving crew members were exhausted, but fortunately, their lives were saved.

Chongzhen stood on the deck, gazing at the rising sun in the east, a surge of indescribable strength welled up within him. He knew that while the storm had deviated their course and delayed them considerably, it had also strengthened his resolve. He knew that as long as these brave crew members were there, there was still hope for the Ming Dynasty.

"how?"

"Your Majesty, last night's storm blew our fleet to who knows where." Huang Fei was a little depressed after a night of fighting. He sighed and said, "We are lost..."

"When can we correct our course?" Chongzhen's heart sank when he heard this. He was now racing against time. After all, he didn't have much time left.

Although he had arranged for people to report to Gao Wencai, Li Ruolian, Jin Xuan and others before boarding the ship, and also had them secretly contact officials loyal to the Ming court to spread the news that he had escaped danger, unless he showed up in time, otherwise, the Southern Ming court would not wait for his return...

"We will hurry to determine the direction and try to return to Nanjing as soon as possible!" The storm blew them to an unfamiliar sea area. Even though Huang Fei had many experienced sailors under his command, he couldn't say how long it would take to find the correct route.

"Hurry up," Chongzhen sighed, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate..."

The crew members were busy again, repairing the ship, reorganizing supplies, and preparing to continue their journey.

At that moment, the sky was blue and the sea was vast, boundless. The calm ocean was like a vast, dazzling sapphire, clear and deep, gleaming in the sunlight. Emperor Chongzhen stood on the deck, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The sea breeze blew, his clothes fluttered, and his hair swayed. His eyes were determined, and he silently said to himself: "Whether I can return in time or not, since I have shouldered this mission, I will never let the Ming Dynasty fall into the hands of the Qing..."