Chapter 336: The Empire of the Sun Never Sets, the Queen of Demons Recovers Her Memory

Hall City.

This city, located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, had the dragon flag of the Ming Empire flying on the tower. After the Ming army conquered the Timurid Empire, Zhu Yong, under the order of Yang Guifang, led a large army southward and occupied the city of Hor.

Because the strategic location of this city is extremely important, it is not only an important port and trade center, but also a military fortress. The Ming army must control this city.

Zhu Yonglai also had another purpose, which was to build a shipyard here and build warships. The Ming Dynasty’s Western Expedition Army also needed to have its own powerful navy.

Next, the struggle with the Ottoman Empire was not just a fight on land, as the Ottoman Empire had a powerful navy. Therefore, after Zhu Yong arrived in Hor, he started to build a shipyard.

The Ming army recruited skilled craftsmen along the way during the westward expedition. Zhu Yong was not short of money or people, and he also recruited the navy of the Timurid Empire.

At this moment, he was standing in front of a huge drawing, frowning tightly.

“General, this warship is so big.” The guard looked at the blueprint and said with emotion, “Can we build it like this?”

Zhu Yong frowned and said:

“We don’t just want big ships. The Ottoman Navy’s warships are very distinctive. Galleons and carracks. Galleons are powered by human oars and are equipped with cannons, bows and arrows; carracks are equipped with cannons and heavy weapons. In terms of firearms and the size of the ships, they may be inferior. However, they may be more suitable for fighting in open waters, using their flexibility and maneuverability to carry out rapid raids and encirclements.”

“The warships I want to build must have the best of both worlds. Only in this way can we have an invincible fleet. Not only warships, but also naval forces are important, and human training cannot be left behind.”

The guard nodded heavily: “General, I have selected the navy before Timur and the navy they captured from the Ottoman Empire.”

“Great, let them train together.” Zhu Yong nodded.

“Also, this is a letter from Marshal Yang.” The guard took out a letter and handed it to him.

Zhu Yong took it, read it quickly, and was overjoyed: “Great, General Yang brought a team of craftsmen from our own shipyard. With them, plus the talents here, we will definitely be able to build a stronger warship.”

……

Nanyang, Malacca City.

Malacca City is divided into two parts, east and west, by the Malacca River that runs through the city. To the west of the river there are Ming Dynasty buildings with gray tiles and white walls, while to the east of the river there are Portuguese, Gothic, Baroque, Byzantine and other styles of buildings.

Hexi is the exclusive area of ​​the Ming Dynasty, with the Ming Dynasty dragon flag flying in the sky. The Nanyang headquarters of the Ming Dynasty Trading Company is located in Hexi, Malacca. That side is very prosperous. Many merchants from the Ming Dynasty live there, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter.

The Ming Trading Company had its own guards, and the entire Hexi area was patrolled by their guards. The muskets they were equipped with were more advanced than those of the Malacca Sultanate’s army.

Today, the headquarters of Daming Trading Company was extremely lively because the head of Daming Trading Company, Chao Xiaotian, was here in person, and the Sultan of Malacca Dynasty came to see him.

Chao Xiaotian was following the company’s fleet to inspect the South Seas this time. He did not expect that wherever he went, the kings of those small dynasties would come to greet him in person. He was not too arrogant and was very polite to the Sultan of Malacca.

The young Sultan was even more polite. He had to be polite because the Ming Trading Company had extremely strong power in Malacca. He was able to come to power because of the support of the Ming Trading Company.

After dealing with the Sultan, Chao Xiaotian had a dinner with his company members and joked, “You guys are so comfortable here. I feel like the emperor of Malacca.”

“Boss, I’m not bragging. If we want to change the king of the Malacca Dynasty, it’s very simple.” One of them said proudly, “After so many years of operating in Southeast Asia, our company has its own powerful warships and guards. Who dares not to obey? Of course, we advocate peace. We are doing business. The Ming Bank has a branch in Malacca City. Your Majesty is right. Finance is the most powerful weapon. We have no choice but to fight.”

He raised his glass to Xiaotian: “Very good, everyone has made great progress.”

“Boss, if I hadn’t followed you, how would I be where I am today?” The subordinate sighed, “I might still be a scoundrel in the capital.”

He looked at Xiaotian with a gloomy look and thought to himself, if it weren’t for his master, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

“It should be said that without your majesty, there would be no Ming Dynasty today, and we would not be where we are today.” Chao Xiaotian laughed, “Let’s toast to your majesty together.”

“Cheers to Your Majesty!” Everyone raised their glasses.

……

Lima, South America.

This place no longer belongs to the Inca Empire, and the Ming Dynasty’s dragon flag is flying in the sky. This is a huge port city. Ming Dynasty occupied this port to facilitate trade and transport the mined gold and silver.

Zheng Bisen stood on the tower, looking at the sea in the distance. He was Zheng Bizang’s younger brother, waiting for Zheng Bizang to return from the Ming Dynasty. A subordinate beside him said, “Sir, I heard from the newly arrived caravan that the court will send a vassal king. From now on, the Ming Dynasty will have a vassal state here, called the Secret Kingdom.”

“Isn’t this a good thing?” Zheng Bisen smiled.

“For brothers, it is better to follow you and your brother, sir. This is a good life.” The subordinate said, “If a vassal king comes, will we still have the final say in the future? The good days are over. Think about us now. The Inca emperor is very polite to us.”

Zheng Bisen frowned slightly and said coldly: “Don’t say such things in the future. You have to understand that without the Ming Dynasty, we are nothing.”

“I understand.” The subordinate shrugged. “The court sent a vassal king. Doesn’t that mean they are worried about us? I am confused. In the future, should we listen to the vassal king or Mr. Zheng about the affairs of the secret country?”

“Obey the court, we all belong to the court.” Zheng Bisen said.

“That’s right.” The subordinate smiled, “The court hopes that we can check and balance each other. Your Majesty is really capable.”

Zheng Bisen shouted coldly: “Shut up.”

The subordinate spread his hands and shut up. Zheng Bisen gave a few instructions and went down the tower. The subordinate watched him go away, and a sneer appeared on his lips: “I hope you brothers of the Zheng family are loyal to His Majesty. I don’t know how many Jinyiwei secret guards are watching your every move. His Majesty can control everything even though he is far away in Ming Dynasty.”

Zheng Bisen went down the city wall and returned to his official residence.

An envoy from the Inca Empire came and said to him respectfully: “Our Majesty wants to offer a group of slaves to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.”

Zheng Bisen frowned. The Inca Empire was a slave-owning dynasty, and offering slaves was common. As a man who read the books of sages, he was not used to it. He waved his hand and said, “No need, Your Majesty doesn’t need it. In this way, you can select some noble children to study in Ming Dynasty.”

The official was delighted: “Great! Our princess longs for Ming Dynasty very much.”

Zheng Bisen looked strange.

Why is it a princess again? It is now rumored abroad that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is a princess of other countries, or even a queen.

…Japan, Kyushu Shuri Castle.

The Ming Dynasty’s dragon flag was also flying in the sky. Ning Rongrong no longer hid behind the scenes, but directly announced that Jiuzhou belonged to the Ming Dynasty. She claimed to be the first governor of Jiuzhou.

At this moment, she was listening to Bai Wuqi’s report.

“The Eastern Army and the Western Army fought many fierce battles in Kyoto and the surrounding areas. The Eastern Army once had the upper hand, but the Western Army gradually recovered its combat effectiveness by uniting the surrounding forces.” Bai Wuqi frowned, “I guess that next, the daimyo of the entire East will be involved, and they will have no time to care about us.”

Ning Rongrong smiled faintly: “This is a good thing.”

Bai Wuqi’s eyes gleamed, “Sir, should we march to Kyoto?”

“No rush, let’s annex the surrounding daimyo first.” Ning Rongrong said, “Let them fight first, and when they are almost done, we will take action.”

Bai Wuqi pondered for a moment and said, “I’m just afraid that I’ll face a powerful opponent in the end.”

“Can it be stronger than us?” Ning Rongrong was very confident. “By then, General Zhang Lun’s invincible fleet will enter the East Sea. If we cooperate, no one in East Japan can stop us. What we need to consider now is how to manage East Japan.”

Bai Wuqi said as a matter of course: “The Ming Dynasty has one more province, the Dongying Province, just like the Chagatai Province and the Timur Province.”

“It’s not that simple.” Ning Rongrong smiled. “The places of Chagatai and Timur have changed many times since ancient times. They are different dynasties, and the people there are used to accepting them. It’s different in Japan. They have always had one emperor, and they definitely won’t accept becoming a province.”

Bai Wuqi sneered: “I won’t tolerate them.”

“We have to think about it carefully, otherwise, there will be endless rebellion.” Ning Rongrong said.

Bai Wuqi thought to himself, do you want to be the queen of Japan? But you are not from Japan, so they won’t accept you.

……

Ming Dynasty, Beijing.

A large army lined up at the city gate, with a luxurious carriage in the middle. In the carriage sat Zhu Qizhen and Bulma, because Bulma was going back to Dunhuang today.

Zhu Qizhen let them go back because he needed to show his appeasement to the six ministries in Guanxi. Now the six ministries have all submitted to the Ming Dynasty, but there are still frictions from time to time.

There was a war going on in the Western Regions, and Zhu Qizhen did not want chaos in the rear, so he released Bulma and her son back to Dunhuang to show the Ming court’s appeasement of Guanxi.

“I will take you there.” Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hands and held her in his arms. “When you go back, don’t worry about everything. I have already informed the Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu. You will be respected by all the departments.”

Bulma pursed her red lips and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too.” Zhu Qizhen put his arm around her waist.

Bulma blushed and took the initiative to sit on him.

The army was on the official road, and the carriage was even more bumpy on the flat official road. It bumped for half an hour before it stopped. In the carriage, Bulma put on her skirt and leaned in Zhu Qizhen’s arms. There was a layer of fine sweat on her white forehead, and her face was flushed.

“Your Majesty, will I be able to see you again?” Bulma asked.

“Of course.” Zhu Qizhen smiled, “I may go on a tour to the west, and I will definitely pass through Dunhuang. I will take you all the way west.”

Bulma blinked her beautiful eyes: “Then I will wait for Your Majesty.”

The carriage stopped at the side of the road. Zhu Qizhen gave Bulma a deep kiss, got off the carriage, and watched it leave.

……

At dusk, the sky was gradually dyed with a gentle orange-red, and the setting sun fell on the small courtyard by the Gaoliang River.

A brand new swing was quietly hanging under the old locust tree. Spots of light shining through the branches danced on the ground. The Demon Queen came over in a glittering long dress. The hem of the dress was embroidered with delicate and intricate patterns, and it swayed gently in the breeze.

She lifted her skirt and sat on the swing gracefully. With a gentle push of her feet, the swing slowly rose, bringing with it gusts of gentle wind, blowing her long hair like ink. Her hair fluttered freely in the air, sometimes covering half of her cheek, and sometimes completely scattered. Her face was even more delicate and charming under the sunset, and her eyes seemed to contain endless tenderness and stories.

Every rise and fall of the swing was accompanied by the Queen’s light laughter, which was clear and pleasant, like the gurgling of a stream in the woods.

Zhu Qizhen pushed open the gate and saw her, lost in thought for a moment. Then, he walked forward and helped her push the swing. This commotion was followed by nightfall, when Shuangxi came up with a delicious meal.

After dinner, it was already dark. Shuangxi went back to the kitchen to clean up, while the Queen returned to her room to take a bath, which she took every day. After Zhu Qizhen took a shower alone, he lay on a bamboo chair and admired the night sky.

I don’t know how long it took, but the demon queen’s voice came: “Do you need me to call you before you go back to your room?”

Zhu Qizhen raised the corner of his mouth slightly, stood up and walked into the room, and smelled the intoxicating fragrance as soon as he entered the door.

The Queen was sitting on the dressing table, her black hair like a waterfall casually draped behind her back, like the purest silk in the night. Under the weak light, her skin was even more delicate and fair, like warm jade covered by the first snow, warm and attractive. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, her eyes were bright and charming, and every glance seemed to contain endless affection. When she looked around, she naturally revealed a charming and captivating look.

Seeing Zhu Qizhen coming in, her eyes instantly lit up with a gentle light, and then she stood up, with light steps, as if she came on the wind, and naturally nestled into his arms. Her slender jade fingers gently slid across his chest, conveying the affection and tenderness that only the two of them could understand.

“You didn’t come back these few nights. Are you avoiding me?” She bit her red lips lightly, speaking in a resentful tone.

“I have to earn money to support my family.” Zhu Qizhen stroked her jade back and sighed softly.

After saying this, he tightened his arms and wrapped them around her slender waist affectionately and powerfully.

The Queen of Demons let out a soft moan with a hint of surprise, and her body leaned forward involuntarily. Her enchanting face quietly approached his face, so close that they could feel each other’s warm breath, lightly brushing against their skin, bringing about waves of subtle tremors and throbbing.

“Little thief.” The demon queen snorted and looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

Zhu Qizhen held her and walked towards the couch.

This time, they all gave it their all.

At the moment of falling, several images flashed through the Demon Queen’s mind. She frowned slightly, and then slowly closed her beautiful eyes, full of anticipation.

(End of this chapter)