On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The sea breeze from Quanzhou Port carries the warmth of early summer, but also carries the mixed scent of rust, sea salt and new paint.

The huge "Zhennan Port" construction site is like a noisy beehive, with the roar of steam cranes, the clang of hammers, and the shouts of laborers intertwined together.

The brand new "Nanyang Protectorate" government office stands high above the harbor, with the black dragon flag fluttering in the wind.

However, beneath this busy scene that symbolizes the new order of the empire, undercurrents never stop.

The atmosphere in the meeting hall of the Protectorate was as heavy as lead.

The new Protector General of Nanyang, Wang Yun, sat at the head with a solemn expression.

On either side sat Chu Xiling, Director of the Burning Thunder Division; Zhao Meng, Admiral of the Navy; Yan Feng, Captain of the Minyue Commandery; and several representatives of major Quanzhou merchants. The air was filled with a sense of oppressive tension.

"Protector General," a representative of the salt merchants said in a disgruntled voice, "Yesterday the merchant ship Haifeng was robbed near Sharktooth Reef, resulting in the loss of a thousand tonnes of salt and the loss of five sailors. Where is the navy's frigate?"

Admiral Zhao Meng, a dark-faced man with sharp eyes, said in a deep voice, "The waters of Sharktooth Reef are complex, with turbulent undercurrents. The pirate ships are small and fast, using the reefs for cover, attacking and fleeing. The frigates have a deep draft, making it difficult to pursue them."

"It's hard to pursue?" Another silk merchant sneered. "The imperial court reduced taxes, opened trade routes, and promised naval escorts. Now the merchant ship has been hijacked, the sailors have died, and they're dismissing it with just one sentence: 'It's hard to pursue?'"

"Our navy officers and men are also shedding blood!" A trace of anger flashed in Zhao Meng's eyes. "Last month, the Zhenhai encountered a large pirate force in the Guijianchou Sea. After half a day of fierce fighting, we sank three enemy ships and killed over a hundred! Seven of our navy officers and men also died for their country!"

"But the pirates haven't been eradicated, and the trade routes haven't been peaceful!" Shen Wanhai's voice rose. "If this continues, who will dare to go out to sea? If the trade routes are blocked, what's the point of reducing or exempting taxes?"

Arguments escalated in the hall, and the merchants were seething with resentment. Wang Yun frowned and looked at the silent Chu Xiling. "Madam Chu, the new Feiyu-class clippers could be very useful."

Chu Xiling raised her cold eyes. "The first ship of the Flying Fish class, the Haiyan, has been launched for sea trials. It's light, shallow, and fast, equipped with two small Burning Sky Thunder rapid-fire cannons and twenty muskets. It's designed for coastal patrols and the suppression of pirates. However, there aren't enough of them, so there's only one."

"It's just a drop in the bucket." The merchants looked disappointed.

"Silence!" Wang Yun shouted in a deep voice.

He swept his gaze over the crowd, finally landing on Yan Feng, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "Captain Yan, do you have any clues about the pirates' whereabouts?"

Yan Feng stood up and said in a cold and hard voice: "According to the intelligence, the pirates who looted the Haifeng are the remnants of the Black Shark Gang. Their leader, One-Eyed Shark, is still alive. He has gathered the remaining members and is now entrenched in the Shark Tooth Reef area. This guy is cunning and erratic, and..."

He paused, "It seems there's an insider who tipped him off."

"Insider?" The hall fell silent for a moment, and the merchants looked at each other in surprise and suspicion.

"Investigate!" Wang Yun's voice was firm. "Captain Yan, hand this matter over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard! No matter who is involved, investigate thoroughly! Anyone found collaborating with the enemy will be executed immediately!"

"Yes!" A cold light flashed in Yan Feng's eyes.

"Regarding the navy," Wang Yun looked at Zhao Meng, "the Haiyan will be deployed for patrol immediately! Focus on Sharktooth Reef! Also, select elite sailors to form a boarding party and equip them with new-style rapid-fire muskets! If a pirate ship is spotted, it must be destroyed! Board and destroy it!"

"I obey your command!" Zhao Meng clasped his fists.

"As for you all," Wang Yun turned his gaze to the merchants,

"The court's new policies are not achieved overnight. The threat of pirates must be eliminated! However, to keep trade routes open, we also need everyone's concerted efforts. The Protectorate will increase escort ships and optimize shipping routes. Any losses will be verified and compensated by the Maritime Customs Bank at its discretion. However, if anyone uses this to drive up prices and disrupt the market..." His voice turned cold, "Don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The merchants were hushed in fear, while Shen Wanhai and the others kept their heads down in silence. Wang Yun's iron fist and the intervention of the Embroidered Uniform Guards had made them feel the invisible pressure.

Jinling, Purple Palace.

The afterglow of the grand ceremony of the coming of all nations has not yet faded, but the atmosphere in the magnificent palace is somewhat subtle.

Murong Yan, wearing a dark black robe with a golden phoenix inlay, sat upright on the imperial throne, her face serene beneath a phoenix crown and pearl curtains. Below the steps, all the civil and military officials stood in awe.

Zhang Heng, the Minister of Revenue, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, the Nanyang trade route has just opened, but pirates are rampant, and merchant ships have been repeatedly plundered, causing heavy losses. The tax exemptions, immigration to the newly annexed territories of Minyue and Lingnan, and the construction of workshops and shipyards have all cost a fortune. I'm afraid the national treasury will struggle to sustain this."

Minister of Rites Zhou Zheng followed closely, saying, "Your Majesty, the tribute bestowed upon the rulers of the Nanyang islands by the nations of the world demonstrates the Celestial Empire's benevolence, but it comes at a considerable cost. Furthermore, the Imperial Censor has heard that the Quanzhou Protectorate, in an effort to appease merchants, has even promised to compensate merchant ships with silver from the Maritime Customs. This represents a waste of the treasury and may set a bad precedent!"

Minister of War Zhao Wu snorted coldly, "Without piracy and trade routes blocked, any tax reductions are just empty talk! Compensating for losses and reassuring merchants is only a temporary solution! The most urgent task is to send more navy to crush the pirates!"

"Send more navy?" Zhang Heng retorted. "Warship construction, soldiers' food and wages—which one of these isn't a money-eating beast? With an empty treasury, even the best cook can't cook without rice!"

"Your Majesty," an elderly imperial censor stepped out tremblingly, "I believe that Nanyang is a newly annexed land, plagued by malaria, and the people's customs have not yet been civilized. The court is spending huge sums of money to settle immigrants and build workshops on the border. Is this too hasty? It would be better to hold off for a while."

"Postpone?" Murong Yan's clear voice sounded, not loud, but it instantly suppressed all arguments.

The phoenix eyes opened and closed, and the divine light swept over the ministers below the steps.

"Nanyang is not a land of malaria, but a land of fertile soil. Spices, timber, minerals, and seafood are inexhaustible. Trade routes are not a cost, but an investment. Today's investment will yield a hundredfold profit tomorrow."

Her eyes fell on Zhang Heng. "The treasury is empty, so we need to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Southeast Asian trade is the greatest source of revenue. If pirates are not eliminated, revenue will be hindered. This is the fundamental principle, and there is no doubt about it."

She looked at Zhou Zheng and said, "Giving generous gifts is not for nothing. It is to show our power and win over the pirates. If the South Sea islands win over, the pirates will lose their base. This is to remove the fuel from the fire."

Finally, she looked at the old censor and said, "Immigration to the border and the construction of workshops are not hasty, but rather a way to strengthen the foundation. Without people, how can we have borders? Without workers, how can we have tools? Without tools, how can we control the sea?"

She slowly stood up, and the tail of her phoenix robe slid across the golden brick floor, making a subtle but clear "rustling" sound.

"deliver an imperial order."

"First, the Ministry of Revenue will coordinate and tighten non-essential spending, prioritizing the Nanyang Navy's military expenses, shipyard construction, and the needs of immigrants stationed on the border. The policy of compensating merchants for losses at the Maritime Customs Bank will be approved as requested by the Protectorate, but the facts must be strictly verified to prevent false reporting."

"Secondly, the Ministry of Works and the Bureau of Torpedoes should fully supervise the construction of new warships, especially the Flying Fish-class swift ships. Accelerate the construction of the follow-up ships of the Wave-Breaking Class."

"Third, the Ministry of War and the Nanyang Protectorate are to formulate a comprehensive strategy for suppressing bandits. Navy patrols and the Embroidered Uniform Guards will conduct a two-pronged approach. Within three months, eliminate pirates from the main shipping lanes between Quanzhou and Borneo!"

"Fourth," Murong Yan's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, with a hint of coldness, "I hereby announce to the world that anyone who obstructs the new policies, spreads rumors, or undermines the foundation of the country will be severely punished, regardless of their status!"

The decree was as firm as iron, resounding to the ground. All the ministers stood in awe, no longer debating. Murong Yan's majesty and insight, like a stabilizing force, stabilized the undercurrents in the court.

Nanyang, Dingxiang Island.

The sea breeze still carries the rich scent of spices.

The atmosphere in King Baturu's palace was different from usual.

Baturu was wearing a brocade robe awarded by Daqian and sitting on a chair covered with silk. In front of him were exquisite porcelain and fragrant tea, but his eyes were a little vague.

A trusted guard whispered, "Your Majesty, the Daqian Navy's swift ship, the Haiyan, sank two pirate ships near Shark Tooth Reef yesterday, killing dozens of pirates. The one-eyed shark escaped with serious injuries."

Baturu's fingers unconsciously rubbed the smooth teacup: "The Daqian Navy is indeed powerful."

"Also," the guard's voice lowered, "the leaders of several Dayak villages in Borneo were captured by the Protectorate and taken to Quanzhou for public trial. It's said they'll be beheaded in public."

Baturu's body trembled slightly, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.

He thought of Murong Yan's cold phoenix eyes in the Zichen Palace in Jinling, and the invisible oppression brought by Lin Zhen's dark figure.

The destruction of Borneo is imminent.

"Your Majesty," the guard hesitated, "the divine messenger has sent someone to wait for you at the usual place."

Baturu's expression instantly turned grim. He waved his hand irritably, "No! Tell them not to come again! Dingxiang Island is now a vassal state of Daqian! I only recognize Her Majesty the Empress!"

The guards were ordered to retreat.

Baturu sat alone in the hall, looking at the busy port outside the window.

Merchant ships from Daqian were shuttling back and forth, while officials from the Development Department were measuring the land and planning new warehouses.

In addition to the scent of spices, there seemed to be something called "order" in the air, cold and powerful.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip, but his mouth felt bitter.

He knew that Dingxiang Island, and even the entire South China Sea, was no longer the chaotic and free sea area it once was.

The wheels of empire rolled over, leaving behind new and irresistible rules.

And he can only survive cautiously under these rules.