150: China is at peace, its ships are pointing towards the Western Ocean.

Chapter Fourteen: China at Peace, Fleet Points to the Western Seas

The autumn sun in Dadu was warm, spilling over the Lingxing Gate of the rebuilt Confucian Temple. Incense smoke curled upward as Scholars gathered. Lin Zhou was in no hurry to ascend the throne; instead, under the title of "Regent of Huaxia," he managed the post-war reconstruction of the Central Plains. He deeply integrated the technological advantages of red alert with the traditional governance of Huaxia, avoiding impulsive reforms. Focusing on the core principles of "Securing Livelihoods, Continuing Cultural Heritage, and Strengthening the National Foundation," he allowed the war-torn land of Huaxia to recover its vitality in stability.

The Intercontinental Command Center had moved from Fuxing Island to the former Secretariat of the Yuan Court within Dadu. The holographic map was divided into two zones: the Northern Zone displayed the livelihoods, infrastructure, and resource distribution across the Central Plains, with green recovery blocks spreading at a visible speed; the Southern Zone showed the global maritime situation, with the West Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean fully within the red alert sphere of influence, and city-states, tribes, and routes along the Atlantic Ocean coast becoming increasingly clear. With a flick of his finger, Lin Zhou issued commands centered entirely on "Rest and Recuperation" and "Deepening Maritime Power," without a single hint of conquest.

["Ding—Receiving host's global governance instructions, initiating 'Huaxia Peace Three-Year Plan'"]

["Livelihood Module: Deploying red alert agricultural machinery units nationwide, promoting improved high-yield seeds, dredging the Yellow River, Huai River, and Yangtze River channels, and building cross-regional irrigation canals to ensure that within three years, Huaxia will have no worries of famine."]

["Infrastructure Module: Repairing official roads, bridges, and cities in all prefectures of the Central Plains; building standardized red alert livelihood districts in Dadu, Southern Song Capital, Guangzhou, and Quanzhou, equipped with clinics, schools, granaries, and workshops to achieve urban-rural functional integration."]

["Cultural Heritage Module: Rebuilding the four major Confucian Temples in Dadu, Luoyang, Southern Song Capital, and Chengdu; establishing the Huaxia Imperial Academy to collect ancient books from the southern migration and remnants from the Central Plains; inviting southern Scholars and local Confucians to lecture together; and restoring the Imperial Examination system (for talent selection only, without granting military or political power)."]

["Maritime Power Module: Initiating the 'Western Seas Navigation Plan,' building the third aircraft carrier 'Kunlun,' forming a Oceanic Expeditionary Fleet, opening direct routes from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, and setting up strategic supply stations in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf."]

As the commands were implemented, the Central Plains radiated unprecedented vitality. red alert agricultural robots precisely sowed, irrigated, and harvested in the fields. The yield per mu of improved rice and tubers was several times that of previous dynasties. Seeing the granaries gradually fill, the people wore smiles they hadn't seen in a long time. Engineering units worked day and night; broken official roads were widened and paved, clogged riverbeds became clear again, and cross-regional canals wound around the land of Huaxia like silver ribbons, completely solving the chronic problems of water scarcity in the north and flooding in the south.

Within Dadu's Huaxia Imperial Academy, southern Scholars and Central Plains Confucians lectured side by side. Rare ancient books were repaired and replicated using red alert technology, and the sound of students reciting poetry and prose was melodious. After the fires of war, the Huaxia cultural heritage had not only remained unbroken but had become increasingly prosperous. Lu Xiufu was appointed as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. This official, who always maintained the integrity of a literatus and a deep love for his country, went to the academy daily to teach. His eyes held the relief of a continued cultural lineage and reverence for the Emperor's benevolent governance. He would still shed tears of joy for Huaxia's recovery and be filled with happiness for the students' growth, yet his absolute loyalty to Lin Zhou remained the yardstick for all his actions.

The controlled personal guards and soldiers had now mostly transitioned into civil administration support roles, assisting red alert mechanical units in maintaining order, distributing supplies, and escorting students. They still retained the spirit of warriors, but had gained a measure of steadiness and patience. They would listen to Scholars' lectures in their spare time and take the initiative to help when the people encountered difficulties. The pain of Yamen and the rebirth of Huaxia merged within them, giving their absolute loyalty a background of national sentiment.

The stability of the Central Plains also attracted tribes from the grasslands and Western Regions to submit one after another. Seeing the overwhelming power of red alert and its policy of non-slaughter and non-plunder, governing the world with a combination of kindness and authority, the remaining Mongol tribes sent envoys to Dadu with tributes. They wished to become Huaxia vassals, paying tribute every year. City-states and caravans from the Western Regions also came east along the Silk Road, bringing exotic spices, gems, and culture. Within Dadu, foreign merchants gathered, and Han and foreigners lived in harmony—a scene of universal peace.

Lin Zhou adopted a policy of "loose rein and autonomy" for the submitted grassland and Western Region forces. He did not station troops or interfere in internal affairs; he only required them to recognize Huaxia's legitimacy, pay annual tribute, and obey Huaxia laws. Anyone who dared to cause trouble would face a devastating strike from red alert's divine soldiers. This governance style of balancing leniency with severity quickly stabilized the border regions. Huaxia's territory quietly expanded under the prestige of subduing the enemy without fighting.

Meanwhile, the Western Seas Navigation Plan was also progressing intensely. The mechanical arms at the heavy ocean-going shipbuilding base on Fuxing Island moved at high speed as the keel of the third aircraft carrier, the 'Kunlun,' was slowly laid. This era-spanning giant of the sea was even larger than the 'revitalization' and the 'Huaxia.' Its range covered the globe, its carrier-based aircraft capacity was doubled, and it featured the newly developed red alert electromagnetic catapult system, taking its combat capability to another level.

The formation of the Oceanic Expeditionary Fleet was completed simultaneously. Centered around the 'Kunlun,' it integrated 2 destroyers, 4 frigates, 8 high-speed patrol boats, 12 unmanned transport ships, and 6 deep-sea supply ships. Fully AI-controlled and 100% loyal, it possessed comprehensive capabilities for transoceanic combat, supply replenishment, and base construction. red alert unmanned reconnaissance drones had already completed the mapping of the route from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic, and the strategic supply station sites in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf had been determined. All that remained was for the 'Kunlun' to be launched to set sail and open the new route to the Western Seas.

On this day, Dadu held the opening ceremony for the Imperial Academy. Lin Zhou attended in person. Looking at the thousands of vibrant students below, at Lu Xiufu standing respectfully by his side, and at the distant scene of people living and working in peace, a sense of unprecedented tranquility welled up in his heart. He had not ascended the throne as Emperor, yet he was already the actual controller of the land of Huaxia. He had not launched a large-scale war, yet he had recovered the Central Plains, stabilized the borders, and controlled the four seas.

Lu Xiufu gazed at the calm profile of the young ruler, his eyes full of sincerity and reverence. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Huaxia is at peace, livelihoods are recovering, the cultural heritage continues, and the borders have submitted. Everything is ready for the navigation of the Western Seas; this is an era of prosperity unprecedented in history. I humbly request Your Majesty to choose an auspicious day to ascend the throne and take your rightful place as Emperor to settle the hearts of the people."

The surrounding civil and military officials, Scholars, and commoners also knelt one after another, pleading for Lin Zhou to ascend the throne. The sound of their voices shook the Imperial Academy. They felt excitement, expectation, and gratitude—their emotions were vivid and sincere, and these emotions ultimately transformed into absolute loyalty and support for Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou raised his hand to signal everyone to rise, his tone calm yet carrying the aura of a world-ruling monarch: "There is no rush for the enthronement. Although Huaxia is at peace, the Western Seas are not yet settled, and the globe is not yet unified. To call myself Emperor now would be premature."

He turned to look at the global sea chart on the holographic map, his fingertip landing on the Atlantic Ocean, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Pass on my command. Once the 'Kunlun' aircraft carrier is launched, it is to immediately lead the Oceanic Expeditionary Fleet, set sail, open the Western Seas route, and establish strategic supply stations in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Deter the Western nations and facilitate trade. If anyone dares to offend our Huaxia caravans or disturb our routes, they shall be punished, no matter how far away they are."

["Ding—Deep-sea expedition command received. 'Kunlun' aircraft carrier launch countdown: 3 days. Expeditionary fleet ready for departure."]

["Permissions Unlocked: Transoceanic real-time communication system, Global satellite positioning upgrade, Western Seas power intelligence network."]

Three days later, Quanzhou Port was bustling with people. The 'Kunlun' aircraft carrier slowly entered the port, carrier-based aircraft lined up on the deck. The Oceanic Expeditionary Fleet left the port in sequence, forming a massive formation on the sea, heading toward the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The people stood on the shore, watching this steel torrent, kneeling and praying for a smooth journey for the King's Army and for them to show their might in the Western Seas.

Lin Zhou stood atop the Sea-Viewing Tower at Quanzhou Port, watching the silhouette of the 'Kunlun' aircraft carrier disappear over the horizon, his mind filled with countless thoughts. Settling the Central Plains was only the first step; connecting the Western Seas was the second; global unification was his ultimate goal. He would use Huaxia as the foundation, red alert as the blade, and maritime power as the bridge to spread Huaxia's civilization and prestige to every corner of the globe, establishing a truly global empire—a peaceful, prosperous, and unified Huaxia world.

Lu Xiufu stood by his side, watching the departing fleet and then looking at the young ruler beside him, his eyes full of determination and loyalty: "Your Majesty, navigating the Western Seas will display our national power. The flag of Huaxia will eventually be planted across the globe. I am willing to stay in the Central Plains to assist Your Majesty in governing the world and provide a solid backing for the expeditionary fleet."

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the distant Western Seas, his tone firm and full of confidence: "I must trouble you, Minister. The Central Plains is the foundation of our Huaxia; it must be well-guarded. I will lead the fleet on the expedition and will certainly not fail my mission. I will let the Western nations know the might of Huaxia and let the people of the world bathe in the light of Huaxia."

The sea breeze brushed past Quanzhou Port, carrying the saltiness of the seawater and the longing for distant places. In the Central Plains, the people lived in peace, and culture flourished; on the far seas, the steel fleet set sail. Lin Zhou's global hegemony, built on the solid foundation of a peaceful Huaxia, officially entered a new stage of transoceanic expansion. The fate of the Western nations was about to be completely rewritten by this young ruler from the East.