Chapter 615-Set Off, into the Starry Ocean
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
Bright skies and a cool breeze.
A month later, the preparations for the voyage had been completed. 4th month, 5th day, many ships were in the Beihai Harbor waters, while numerous delivery workers moved items about.
The main force of the voyage squadron came from Pei Donglai and Yanhuo Yaonie, who each led one squadron.
The only difference was that Cai Mao would stay behind to train the Yashan Squadron. The Yashan Squadron’s current three divisions were all moved under the Beihai Bay Squadron.
With that, the Beihai Squadron became the first squadron under the Nanyang Navy to reach the full member count. Weirdly, even though it was fully formed, it still lacked a fleet admiral.
The navy generals that Zheng He had recruited were basically all chief generals and majors. As for fleet generals, they lacked the skill to take up the role. Even Cai Mao, such a general who had so many contributions, was still not good enough.
This expedition was different from the alliance squadron. Apart from having different types of warships, there were also other ships. Some to carry grain, some to carry freshwater, some to carry livestock, horse boats, and vegetable boats.
There was also items like tea leaves and porcelain on the boats, while they also had specific boats for entertainment like troupes and simple entertainment shows.
All in all, everything needed for the long voyage was prepared. The squadron could last a month without needing to restock.
Apart from that, Ouyang Shuo kept some emergency supplies in his storage bag.
For this voyage, Zheng He also prepared two special items that could be considered secret weapons.
Firstly, the military doctors from the Medical Department.
Based on Zheng He’s requirements, every one hundred people needed one doctor. The squadron, sailors, and soldiers totalled at more than ten thousand.
Hence, the military doctors number five hundred, a glamorous formation.
The greatest threat during a voyage was not storms or pirates but illnesses. It seemed unassuming, but it could destroy them.
Amongst which, there was one that was the most terrifying – Septicemia.
During the 14th century,numerous shipmen fell to septicemia onboard the adventure ships that Columbus led. However, the Chinese at that time did not face the same problems.
The root of septicemia was a lack of greens and vitamins. Beans allowed the Chinese to avoid this issue.
Chinese food culture possessed an extremely well researched history. Just beans alone could make tofu, drinks, beancurd, and many other products. Especially beansprouts, which was magical, as it could replace vegetables to a certain degree. Moreover, it had a certain amount of vitamins.
Apart from beans, tea also had vitamins.
This was Zheng He’s seafaring secret.
……
This voyage of Shanhai City held a history setting meaning.
All secretary rank and above from the Nanjiang Governor-General House had gathered. The families of the soldiers and sailors sent them off on the dock.
For this trip, who knows how many of them would be buried in the ocean.
Worshipping Mazu had already become a custom every time they left for sea. This ceremony reached a new peak. The harbor held the biggest and grandest worship ceremony, and they prayed for the blessing of Mazu.
Mazu Culture had already taken root in the territory.
After the worship finished, the auspicious time arrived.
Ouyang Shuo bowed to Xiao He and the other officials, cupping his hands, “For territorial matters, I’ll depend on all of you once more!” During this voyage, Ouyang Shuo had no way to contact them, so he would not be able to care about the territory.
After a short while, Xiao He led them and bowed, “We await your return!”
Numerous officials and thousands of residents knelt on the ground, forming a stunning black swathe. Such a scene would astonish anyone who saw it.
The Lianzhou Lord already started to have the aura and actings of a king, and these aspects were becoming more and more apparent.
Above the Beihai Bay, this change influenced the fate and prosperity dragon in the skies, and it opened one of its eyes.
Ouyang Shuo vaguely felt it and looked up into the sky. However, he naturally he could not see anything. He nodded his head and once again looked toward Song Jia and Bing’er before boarding Dragon Head.
“Brother, come back soon!” Bing’er shouted.
Ouyang Shuo waved at the little brat before smiling and leaving.
This goodbye would be for several months, or even close to half a year. It was tough on Song Jia; the two of them had just married, but he had to leave her so soon.
After Ouyang Shuo left, internal administrative work would be left to her. With that, Song Jia would slowly become a new heroine in the wilderness.
Song Jia and the others stood at the pier and looked out as the squadron sailed away.
In the end, they became a black spot that disappeared into the distance, only leaving behind small ripples.
Beihai Harbor became calm once more. The next time it became this busy would be four to five months later.
…
Riding the seasonal winds of the winter season, the voyaging squadron slowly left Beihai Bay and entered the vast ocean.
Based on the battle plan that Zheng He had set, each warship had ten quartermasters, ten inspectors, twenty lookouts, ten deckhands, ten grenadiers, ten skirmishes, and fifty commanders.
Each commander was in charge of ten soldiers.
As for the horse ships, grain ships, and non-combat ships, their member allocations would be different from the combat ships.
Hence, a warship had around six hundred men. Ever five warships would be called a post, and two posts would make a unit. Hence, each navy unit had around 5500 soldiers and seven hundred shipmen.
One division would have four units, and its soldier numbers would far surpass an army division.
The entire squadron used a formation of a swallow spreading its wings.
The flagship was at the core of the squadron, safe and convenient to command. Meanwhile, the warships would be at the outside, forming an iron wall, and the non-combat ships would remain inside to ensure their safety.
The entire squadron was like an eagle spreading its wings, soaring through the ocean. When it was under attack, the formation was like a bird’s wings and a swallow’s tail; it could swiftly join in the battle, possessing great battle manoeuvrability and flexibility.
As for communications between ships, apart from the usual lights and flags, when fog or waves posed issues, they could use drums to ensure that the squadron smoothly sails forward.
Hence, it could be said that Zheng He’s arrival revolutized the Nanyang Navy.
Compared to the boundless ocean, this ocean swallow seemed exceedingly miniscule.
……
On the calm ocean surface, Little Green would occasionally pop up, appearing extremely carefree and happy.
During this voyage, Ouyang Shuo finally remembered to bring this ocean overlord. The current Little Green was bigger than his father, and he was a truly terrifying sight.
With the accompaniment of spirit beasts, many interesting things would probably happen.
For this long voyage, apart from the Personal Guards, Ouyang Shuo also brought along one thousand divine martial guards. On their journey, it was obvious that not everyone they met would be friendly, so there might be several battles. Navy soldiers were strong on sea but for land battles, Ouyang Shuo naturally trusted the divine martial guards more.
The first few days of the voyage was in the Beihai Bay region, so it was naturally smooth sailing.
The only difference was that when they went past the Annan region, Ouyang Shuo specially ordered them to take a different route. He was worried that if the Annan region players saw him, they would try to skin them alive.
4th month, 10th day, the squadron finally left the Beihai Bay region and entered Southeast Asia into the Spratly Islands ocean region. This place had many islands of differing sizes that were scattered everywhere. Moreover, with the times expansion compared to Earth, it was even more so.
News said that adventure gamemode players had already started to explore this region. Gaia had set numerous islands into various weird adventure scenarios, making it an adventure player paradise.
Not long after entering this region, the ocean showed its might to them.
On this afternoon, dark clouds suddenly covered the sunny and clear skies. The black suppressive clouds formed layer after layer, and one could not see the end of it.
Especially on the ocean. When one gazed out, these layers of clouds left them feeling terrified and suppressed.
Between the heavens and the earth, the entire squadron was like a being squashed between the ocean and the clouds. This small squadron was at risk of being crushed to pieces at any moment.
This crisis sent from the heavens would change one’s expression change.
“A storm is coming!” Zheng He muttered.
As expected, when the clouds covered, the sounds of thunder broke out from the cloud layer. The violent lightning struck the sea, causing numerous waves to break out.
The deafening roars of thunder sounded out one after another, making one feel a chill run down their spines.
Such closely gathered lighting made it seem like the lighting god and empress were traveling together and showing their strength.
“This lightning is different.” Zheng He’s face became serious, “Send my orders, prepare to brace for the storm. Treat this seriously.”
“Yes, admiral!”
Zheng He knew that with the territory specialties of Shanhai City, it was easier for them to brace themselves for storms of the seas. Even so, facing such freak weather, it would be difficult for them to come out unscathed.
Along with the peals of thunder, tumultuous winds started to sweep up the ocean surface.
The calm sea surface suddenly turned violent.
The massive waves smashed down on them, causing the ships to potentially capsize. Every wave that struck them sent a large quantity of seawater into the ships.
“Quick, scoop out the water!”
The entire squadron was thrown into a state of panic.
