294: Chapter 294 Preparing to travel to Japan to search for the Iwami silver mine

"Congratulations, General Xu Ning."

Upon arriving at Xu Ning's residence, He Zhi smiled and said to him, "You have been appointed by His Majesty the Head of State as a General in command of ten thousand Louchuan Soldiers."

"Is this for real?"

Hearing this good news, Xu Ning found it hard to believe for a moment and had to ask cautiously, lest He Zhi was joking.

"Heh."

He Zhi said with a touch of displeasure, "Do you really think I'm joking with you?"

He took out the appointment letter given to him by Zhao Fusu and handed it to Xu Ning, saying, "This is your appointment letter from His Majesty the Head of State."

With a heart full of trepidation, Xu Ning took the appointment letter from He Zhi. When he saw the contents in black and white, his entire body began to tremble uncontrollably due to intense excitement.

"General Xu Ning."

He Zhi said, "Now you believe me, don't you?"

"I came to Cixi specifically to convey His Majesty the Head of State's decree."

"I thank His Majesty the Head of State!"

Overcome with emotion, Xu Ning knelt down in the direction of Xianyang and kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead striking the ground with loud thuds.

Once Xu Ning finished kowtowing, He Zhi spoke seriously, "There is also a mission letter for you from His Majesty the Head of State."

He Zhi handed over another letter and said with a solemn expression, "If you fail to complete the mission His Majesty has entrusted to you, then prepare to be stripped of your rank!"

Xu Ning's expression instantly became grave.

He opened the mission letter from Zhao Fusu, which also contained a map.

He found that the mission His Majesty had assigned him was simple: lead the fleet to Japan, locate the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, and hold it.

"Suizhi will certainly not disappoint His Majesty the Head of State!"

Suizhi was Xu Ning's courtesy name.

"Good."

He Zhi said, "His Majesty the Head of State has instructed me to bring Xu Fu to you."

"The sea route from our Great Qin to Japan is long and fraught with danger. His Majesty wants you to take Xu Fu along to ensure that our Great Qin's soldiers can reach Japan safely."

"Understood!"

Xu Ning said, cupping his fists.

He naturally understood the importance of this matter.

The ocean was so vast that ten thousand people would vanish quickly if lost within it.

If Great Qin's Louchuan Soldiers met with disaster at sea, it would mean the total annihilation of the army.

Even he wouldn't survive, let alone complete the mission entrusted by His Majesty.

Xu Fu had drifted in the deep sea for nine years without losing his life, which showed that his navigational skills were second to none, not just in Great Qin, but in the entire world!

If he wanted to complete the mission assigned by His Majesty, he truly needed to listen carefully to Xu Fu's advice.

Xu Ning wanted to host a banquet for He Zhi, but He Zhi declined.

He said, "Once you have completed His Majesty's mission, I will drink to your victory then!"

"Take care!"

He Zhi said, cupping his fists to Xu Ning.

The ocean was so dangerous that no one knew what accidents might occur.

This parting with Xu Ning might very well be their last.

"Mm."

Xu Ning nodded vigorously.

After seeing He Zhi off, Xu Ning went to find Xu Fu, and the two began to discuss the voyage to Japan.

Xu Fu said he wanted to return to his hometown to visit his family.

Xu Ning did not refuse; Xu Fu had been overseas for ten years, so it was only natural for him to miss his family.

Furthermore, once they left for Japan, they didn't know when they would be able to return.

He also needed to say a proper farewell to his own family.

Xu Fu's fleet was incorporated by Xu Ning, who then reorganized the warships at Cixi Port into a fleet of one hundred warships, each over thirty meters long and nine meters wide.

Xu Ning planned to depart from Cixi Port first and head north along the coastline to Langya Commandery, allowing Xu Fu to reunite with his family before setting off for Japan.