On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

East China Sea, "Black Water Ocean".

The lead-gray sky hung low, and the sea breeze rolled up cold waves, which slammed against the steel hull, making a dull sound.

The three giant ships of the Daqian Navy, "Zhenhai", "Dingyuan" and "Polang", are like three silent steel fortresses, anchored in the deep water in a triangular shape.

The black coiled dragon flag fluttered in the cold sea breeze.

A few miles away, the fifteen warships led by the Castile Far East Fleet flagship "Santa Maria" were like floating shadows, keeping a close yet distant distance.

The gun ports of both sides were closed and the battle flags were not raised. Only the observation posts on the masts, like vigilant hawks, silently watched each other's every move through telescopes.

Inside the bridge of the Wave Breaker, Lin Zhen wore a black cloak, his figure standing tall and straight like a pine tree.

His deep eyes calmly scanned the formation of the Western Fleet through the high-powered telescope.

The Castilian warships had tall towers, intricate sails, and densely packed gun barrels that gleamed dimly under the gloomy sky.

On the deck of the flagship "Santa Maria", the figure of Count Alvarez, commander of the Castile Far East Fleet, was clearly visible. He was also holding a monocular telescope, his eyes fixed on the low and smooth hull of the "Wavebreaker", which was covered with dark steel plates, especially the huge triple turret in the middle of the hull.

"Marshal," Admiral Zhao Meng whispered, "the Western Fleet has been anchored for three days without any unusual movement, but observation posts report that their small speedboats are frequently traveling to and from the ships, seemingly relaying instructions."

"They are evaluating," Lin Zhen said in a low voice, "the Breaking Waves, evaluating the combat effectiveness of our navy."

"Should we issue a warning and drive them away?" Zhao Meng asked.

"No need." Lin Zhen put down the telescope. "Maintain silence, maintain deterrence, and order all ships to rotate and rest. The personnel guarding the gun positions must not relax."

"Yes!"

On the "Santa Maria", Count Alvarez put down his telescope and frowned.

He had never seen a warship like this before. The low hull reduced the area exposed to bullets, and the steel plating clearly had incredible defensive capabilities.

The caliber of that massive turret far exceeded any gun in his fleet.

What made him even more uneasy was the other party's aura, which was as calm as an abyss and as still as a mountain.

During the three-day standoff, the other side's crew was well-trained and their formation was strict, without any panic.

This was definitely not the impression he had of the navy of Eastern countries.

"My Lord," the adjutant handed over a newly translated pigeon message, "Baron Ferdinand has been secretly arrested in Quanzhou by the Daqian authorities on charges of colluding with the local king to incite rebellion."

Alvarez's face darkened. "The Emerald Isle?"

"Emerald Island's King Black Stone suffered heavy losses in an attack by the Daqian navy and has surrendered all his weapons."

Alvarez was silent for a moment, a serious look flashing in his eyes. "Order the fleet to steer ten degrees right toward the target due south. Maintain level one alert and continue observation in the outer anchorages of the Spice Islands."

"Yes!"

The huge body of the Castilian fleet slowly started, adjusted its course, and cautiously kept a greater distance from the Daqian fleet, but not far away, like a giant beast wandering on the edge of a storm.

Invisible pressure permeated the cold sea.

Jinling, Imperial Study.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows on the huge Western nautical chart.

Murong Yanyue was wearing white casual clothes, with her black hair loosely tied up and only a white jade phoenix hairpin in her hair. Her beautiful face looked even more serene under the candlelight.

The eunuch silently presented an urgent report from the East China Sea Fleet: the Western Fleet turned south, and its intentions were unclear; the Quanzhou Embroidered Uniform Guard reported secretly: Baron Ferdinand confessed in his preliminary interrogation that the Kingdom of Castile intended to establish a permanent base in Southeast Asia to control the spice trade.

Murong Yan's eyes were calm, and her fingertips lightly touched the location of the "Spice Islands".

"Castile is quite ambitious," she whispered to herself.

Quanzhou Shipyard, the core workshop of Fenlei Division.

Steam filled the air, and the sound of metal clashing was incessant. Chu Xiling, her cold face stained with oil, was bent over a huge blueprint.

On the drawing, the outline of a giant ship that is larger and has sharper lines than the "Polang" has taken shape, marked with the words "Zhenhai Class".

The thickness of the ship's armor increased by one inch, and the main turret was upgraded to a quadruple-mounted gun with a larger muzzle caliber and longer barrel.

"The main gun recoil force has doubled." An engineer pointed to the turret base on the blueprint. "The existing hydraulic buffer system may be insufficient."

"Design a new multi-stage composite hydraulic damper." Chu Xiling picked up her pen and sketched out the complex internal structure on the blueprint. "Use vulcanized rubber laminated buffers and a high-pressure oil circuit."

"Speed," another engineer said, "the Zhenhai-class's increased tonnage may be too much for the existing steam turbine power to sustain."

"The Institute of Natural Science has developed new high-pressure superheated steam technology." Chu Xiling pointed to another blueprint. "Increasing boiler pressure and steam temperature can increase efficiency by 30%. Combined with the new propeller design, the ship's speed can be maintained at 15 knots."

"Material for the new armor-piercing projectile." The third engineer handed over a report. "Spectroscopic analysis shows that the side armor of Western ships has a high carbon content, but lacks toughness. We recommend using a tungsten steel alloy projectile with a cap."

"It's feasible." Chu Xiling nodded, "Produce samples and test them."

In a corner of the workshop, several craftsmen were carefully operating a newly assembled, more sophisticated "crystal microscope" to analyze several samples of Western ship wood seized from the "Golden Fleece".

Elsewhere, apprentices at the Institute of Gewu were comparing the incomplete nautical charts recovered from Ferdinand's ship, attempting to piece together a more complete map of the Western Ocean's routes. The seeds of technology, quietly taking root and sprouting in this silent research, were being nurtured.

In Quanzhou Port, deep in the "Fanfang", there is an independent courtyard closely guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

This used to be an inn where the Maritime Customs received high-ranking foreign businessmen, but now it has become Baron Ferdinand's prison.

The room is still exquisitely decorated, yet isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Ferdinand's blond hair was disheveled, his gorgeous tight-fitting jacket was replaced by a plain cotton robe, and the former arrogance in his blue eyes was replaced by anxiety and unwillingness.

Yan Feng, the Minyue Captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, sat opposite him with a long confession transcript spread out in front of him.

"Your Excellency," Yan Feng said calmly, "you seem to have reservations about the Kingdom of Castile's colonial outposts in the New World and the spice routes to the East."

Ferdinand's eyes flickered. "I've told you many times that you can't treat a noble like this."

"Noble?" Yan Feng's lips curled up in a cold arc. "In Daqian, anyone who breaks the law is a prisoner. Your value lies in the information you know, not your title."

He gently pushed over a piece of paper with a rough outline of the Santa Maria. "For example, the ship's keel structure, how the main guns are loaded, or Count Alvarez's fleet resupply point."

Ferdinand shuddered slightly as he looked at the familiar ship.

He knew that the other party's intelligence network was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

"I need reassurance," he croaked, "that I'm safe and free."

"That depends on your sincerity," Yan Feng said in a low voice, "and the value of the information you provide."

The room fell silent, with only the faint sound of the flickering candlelight.

Ferdinand stared out the window at the narrow expanse of sky cut by the high walls, his heart struggling. The prison of the empire was slowly squeezing his last bargaining chip.

Nanyang, Emerald Island.

The noise and ferocity of the past are gone.

Next to the simple dock, the wreckage of several burned pirate ships was half-sunken in the water, and the charred wood emitted a pungent smell.

The local king "Heishi" was bare-chested, carrying thorns on his back, kneeling in front of the newly built "Nanyang Protectorate Jade Branch" government office.

The tattoos on his dark face were still hideous, but his eyes were filled with fear and submission.

Behind him, a group of dejected warriors carried the confiscated Western steel swords and muskets and piled them in front of the yamen.

The new director of the Emerald Branch, dressed in a cyan robe, stood on the steps and spoke solemnly, "Emerald Island's local king, Heishi, has colluded with foreign enemies, plundered merchants, and resisted the king's rule. His crimes are unforgivable! However, considering that he has repented and voluntarily surrendered his weapons and confessed his crimes, Her Majesty, in her kindness, has pardoned his death sentence! It is hereby decreed that Emerald Island, from this very day, will be directly governed by the Nanyang Protectorate! A patrol station will be established with a garrison of 500 troops. We will eliminate the remaining bandits and promote education! Anyone who commits the same offense again will be executed without mercy!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Heishi touched the ground with his head, his voice trembling.

In the distance on the sea, the clipper "Haiyan" was quietly anchored, and the dark muzzle shone coldly in the sunlight.

Baturu, the local king of Dingxiang Island, watched this scene from afar, his fat body trembling involuntarily.

He was glad that he had not made a big mistake yet, but he was even more afraid of the empire's thundering measures.

He turned and growled to his trusted guards, "Order! All lilac groves on the island must be remeasured and registered, and taxes must be paid according to the new regulations. Not a single cardamom is allowed to be hidden."