469: Chapter 470 Arrival in Gwadar, Leaving a Garrison

The Treasure Ship docked smoothly, its heavy anchor crashing into the water and kicking up turbid spray.

The pier at Gwadar Port was simple and crude, starkly different from the bustling ports of the Central Plains.

The air was thick with the smell of fish, spices, and dust baked under the scorching sun. Dark-skinned local coolies, bare-chested, hauled cargo under the shouts of overseers, their eyes numb.

Several officers wearing Ming Army uniforms, but clearly possessing Persian features, stepped forward quickly and stood at attention below the gangway, their expressions respectful yet tinged with a hint of nervousness.

The leading general had slightly darker skin, an aquiline nose, and deep-set eyes; the brand-new Flying Fish Robe he wore lent him a somewhat exotic air.

"Your subject, Liu Jinzhong, Garrison Commander of Gwadar Port, welcomes Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!" Liu Jinzhong knelt on one knee, his voice booming.

This Liu Jinzhong was a member of the Ming Cult from the Central Plains; he had earned many merits and was fluent in both Persian and Chinese, a true talent.

Years ago, he had been stationed at Gwadar Port as its Garrison Commander.

It seemed he had done quite well; Persia had also received Lu Chen's decree. Thus, Liu Jinzhong had been waiting at the port early on.

The officers behind him also knelt in unison.

Lu Chen walked down the gangway with his hands behind his back, moving with a powerful stride, his gaze sweeping over the port and the distant town.

The sunlight was piercing, causing him to squint slightly.

"Rise." His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Jinzhong and the others rose, still keeping their heads bowed, not daring to look directly at the Emperor's face.

Behind Lu Chen, the five women—Yin Susu, Fang Yanqing, Ji Xiaofu, Yang Huangyi, and Ma Xiuying—disembarked one by one.

They curiously observed this exotic port, which stood in sharp contrast to the refined luxury of the ship.

Ma Xiuying tightened her grip on the sumeru ring on her finger, as if she could still feel the warmth of Lu Chen's fingertips, her face flushing slightly.

"These four Azure Dragon Warships will remain here to garrison. Military and civil administration must be separated; you are to handle the logistics well!" Lu Chen finally spoke, his tone flat, as if mentioning a trivial matter.

Liu Jinzhong's body jolted, a flash of wild joy in his eyes, and he hastily replied, "By your command! With these heavenly troops guarding it, Gwadar Port will be impregnable!"

These were the legendary Azure Dragon Warships that roamed the four seas, making even the Ottoman navy flee at the mere sight of them!

His Majesty had actually left four of them here at once!

This represented the importance His Majesty placed on the Persia Province and Gwadar Port!

Lu Chen turned to those behind him: "Prepare the guard of honor. We will travel by land to the Provincial Governor's Office."

"Yes!" Zhu Yuanzhang, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who had been waiting here, bowed to receive the order and quickly turned to make arrangements.

The pier suddenly became even busier.

The Emperor's guard of honor began unloading from other ships; horses neighed, and the sound of clashing armor was incessant.

Massive Dragon flags embroidered with the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers were hoisted, snapping loudly in the sea breeze.

The coolies and commoners who originally made their living at the pier had long been dispersed to a distance, watching this guard of honor for the Lord of Light from the East with awe and curiosity.

Yin Susu walked to Lu Chen's side, watching the assembling soldiers, and whispered, "Your Majesty, is this the Persia Province? Is Dai Qisi fighting for territory in this godforsaken place? Shall we go and help her?"

Lu Chen glanced at her and teased with a smile, "What's the rush, my Empress Yin? Well, actually, this Persian Manichaeism is technically your flock, since you are the Leader of the Ming Cult!"

"Husband, you always love to tease me. If you hadn't given it to me back then, why would I ever have become this so-called Leader?" Yin Susu looked at Lu Chen with a playful pout.

Lu Chen looked at Liu Jinzhong, who was still kneeling; it seemed the fellow had more to say. "Liu Jinzhong, is there anything else? If not, you may rise."

Liu Jinzhong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, your subject has been waiting for the imperial carriage for many days, and the intelligence is updated daily. Please allow me to report."

"Read it," Lu Chen said succinctly.

Liu Jinzhong took a document from his robes, carefully opened it, and read aloud:

"Report to Your Majesty: The White Tiger Army has crushed the main Ottoman force at the Golan Heights, slaying 150,000 enemies and capturing 50,000. The Ottoman Sultan Murad barely escaped with his life, fleeing westward with his remnants."

"Persian Manichaeism has completely penetrated the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, cutting off all Ottoman supplies and retreat routes from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf."

"Within the peninsula, the Ming Cult flourishes, and believers gather in crowds. The cry of 'Allah is no more, the Lord of Light lives forever' echoes across the great desert."

"Furthermore, the Black Sea Fleet Commander, Bai Guishou, has completely cleared all Ottoman Empire coastal defense batteries and ports along the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea; the enemy's main naval force has been wiped out."

"The Ottoman Empire is now besieged on all sides, with only the passage through Egypt remaining to flee to Africa."

"Ming Cult missionaries have gone deep behind enemy lines to launch a religious offensive. Targeting the stubborn forces within the country who believe in the Hexagram, the effect has been remarkable, already sparking internal panic within the Ottoman Empire, and voices of surrender are gradually rising..."

After reading, Liu Jinzhong held the document high above his head.

A hush fell over the pier, broken only by the snapping of flags in the sea breeze.

Yin Susu, Fang Yanqing, and the others felt their hearts swell with emotion.

They hadn't expected that so many major events had occurred during the time Dai Qisi had been back.

The White Tiger Army and the Azure Dragon Army had already pushed the Ottoman Empire to the brink of collapse!

This was the true power of the Great Ming!

This was the magnificent momentum created by their husband's own hands!

Lu Chen merely gave a faint "Mhm" and took the military report.

"I see."

He turned his gaze toward the guard of honor that was now ready.

With tall horses and fine armor, the soldiers' expressions were solemn and their eyes sharp, carrying the Evil Qi of a veteran army.

"Let's go."

Lu Chen took the lead and walked toward the imperial carriage.

Yin Susu and the others felt incredibly at ease as they watched Lu Chen's back, which stood as firm as a mountain.

Even if the heavens were to fall, this man would hold them up.

Simply because this man could determine the fate of the world with a flick of his fingers.

Fang Yanqing stroked the sumeru ring on her ring finger, its cool touch calming her turbulent thoughts.

She looked at Lu Chen ahead, then at the dark-skinned locals with their awe-filled eyes in the distance, and suddenly felt that this small ring might be more precious than the entire Persia Province.

Ji Xiaofu and Yang Huangyi each boarded their Phoenix carriages, lifting the curtains to curiously observe the buildings and people so different from those in the Central Plains.

Ma Xiuying, however, was forcibly pulled into Lu Chen's imperial carriage by Yin Susu, her heart inevitably quickening its pace.

" Set off！"

With a single command, the massive guard of honor began to move slowly.

The sound of horses' hooves, wheels crushing the ground, and the rhythmic footsteps of soldiers merged into a symphony of conquest and rule.

The procession left the port and headed inland.

The sea breeze was gradually left behind, replaced by dry, hot air and a sky full of yellow sand.

For the sake of Great Ming's territory, Lu Chen's tour of the world was highly necessary; this was called Royal Transformation!

As long as he made this trip, the world would bear the name of Great Ming. Along the way, the accompanying eunuchs and palace maids continuously scattered daming tongbao to the people on both sides of the official road.

Although the common folk fear power rather than cherishing virtue, speaking of which, it was necessary to give a sweet after a slap.

After all, the fact remained that the population of West Asia had plummeted by 20% due to the wars of the past few years, and it was time for this land to recuperate.