152: Triumphing in the West, establishing a stronghold on the Red Sea

Chapter Fifteen: Displaying Might in the Western Seas, Establishing a Stronghold in the Red Sea

The monsoons of the Indian Ocean escorted them all the way. The ocean-going expedition fleet, led by the aircraft carrier, cleaved through the waves. The silver-gray group of ships resembled steel dragons cruising the ocean. Shipboard radar scanned the entire route, and satellite positioning provided precise navigation; no hidden reefs or pirates could shake this cross-era expeditionary force. Lin Zhou sat in the command room of the aircraft carrier's island, where a holographic screen synchronized route data and the dynamics of the Western Seas forces in real-time. red alert reconnaissance drones had already transmitted back the distribution, military strength, and trade conditions of the Red Sea coast and Persian Gulf city-states, providing precise support for every step of the fleet's actions.

As the fleet entered the Arabian Sea, it first encountered a pirate fleet consisting of twenty Arab dhows. These pirates had long entrenched themselves here, plundering passing merchant convoys. Seeing the massive scale and peculiar ship designs of the aircraft carrier fleet, they mistook it for an Eastern merchant convoy laden with treasures and launched a whistling siege, with rockets, spears, and fire pots raining down densely.

Lin Zhou did not order a full-scale counterattack. He only had the frigates activate their close-in weapon systems. Electromagnetic pulse cannons precisely struck the pirates' masts and rudders. Without harming a single person, all the pirate ships were instantly stripped of their sailing capability, left paralyzed on the sea's surface. The pirates were struck with terror, thinking they had encountered the wrath of a sea god, and knelt on their decks to kowtow and beg for mercy.

[Ding—Encountered an attack by Western Sea pirates; executing non-lethal expulsion protocol.]

[Battle Results: 20 pirate ships paralyzed, 317 pirates captured, zero casualties.]

[Disposal Order: Confiscate pirate weapons. Deal with the irredeemably evil leaders. Expel the remaining pirates to a nearby deserted island and warn them not to plunder Huaxia merchant convoys or passing vessels again.]

The frigates lowered small boats, and red alert mechanical soldiers boarded the pirate ships. After confiscating all weapons, they threw the pirate leaders into the sea to feed the fish. The remaining pirates were escorted to a deserted island with only enough fresh water and food. This combination of grace and might both deterred the pirates and adhered to the theme of 'avoiding unnecessary killing and prioritizing livelihoods.' Arab merchant ships watching from afar dropped their guard and proactively approached the fleet, requesting to travel together.

The fleet continued westward, entering the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea. This is a vital passage connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, governed by the Governor-General of Yemen of the Arabian Empire. Defensive fortresses were set up along the coast, deploying catapults and archers. Upon hearing of the arrival of giant Eastern ships, the Governor-General of Yemen personally led a fleet out of the port to stand guard. Seeing the massive hull of the aircraft carrier and the carrier-based aircraft on deck, his expression changed drastically, filled with both fear and curiosity.

Through the transoceanic communication system, Lin Zhou had a translator convey an ultimatum to the Governor-General of Yemen: 'I am Lin Zhou, the Regent of Huaxia. I lead this fleet on an expedition to the Western Seas for trade and to display our national might. We intend to establish a strategic supply station along the Red Sea coast. We will not occupy land, levy taxes, or disturb the people's livelihood; it is only to ensure the safety of the trade route. If your side is willing to cooperate, the Huaxia merchant convoys will bring silk, porcelain, and high-yield seeds to exchange fairly with you. If you dare to block us, wherever my divine troops reach, your fortresses will surely be destroyed.'

The Governor-General of Yemen knew his strength could not compete with this steel fleet, and he also coveted the precious goods from the East. After a moment of thought, he led his forces back into the port and opened an uninhabited bay along the Red Sea coast for the red alert fleet to establish a supply station.

The fleet sailed into the designated bay, and unmanned engineering robots quickly landed to begin modular construction. Deep-sea drilling platforms sank to the seabed to extract fresh water and combustible ice. Solar arrays were rapidly deployed to provide clean energy. Warehouses, repair workshops, and defensive watchtowers made of prefabricated panels took shape one after another. In just three short days, a fully functional Red Sea strategic supply station rose from the ground. Radar towers pierced the sky, and coastal patrol boats cruised the bay, forming a rigorous defense system.

[Ding—Red Sea strategic supply station construction complete. Unlocked fresh water supply, fuel refining, ship repair, and material storage functions.]

[Diplomatic Breakthrough: Established trade relations with the Yemen region of the Arabian Empire. Huaxia merchant convoys may freely enter and exit Red Sea coastal ports.]

[Resource Acquisition: First trade exchange obtained Western spices, saltpeter, and some hardwood. High-yield seeds, silk, and porcelain are highly sought after by Western nations.]

During the construction of the supply station, monarchs and merchants from surrounding Arab city-states came to observe. They were all amazed by the efficient operation of the red alert engineering robots and the advanced facilities of the supply station. The silk and porcelain brought by the Huaxia merchant convoys were of excellent quality, and the high-yield seeds especially opened their eyes. They signed trade agreements with the red alert merchant convoys, hoping for long-term commerce.

Taking the opportunity, Lin Zhou ordered the opening of the Red Sea supply station's trade functions and established a fair trade market. Huaxia's silk, porcelain, tea, high-yield seeds, and refined ironware were exchanged for Western spices, gems, saltpeter, and fine horses at equal value, with no deception or fraud, treating all fairly. For a time, merchant ships swarmed the Red Sea coast, and trade between Huaxia and the West heated up rapidly. The supply station became not only a strategic pivot but also a hub for East-West trade.

However, not all Western forces were willing to submit. The remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate entrenched in the Persian Gulf, relying on their strong military and coveting the trade interests of the Red Sea, saw that the Huaxia fleet had not yet fully established itself. They gathered thirty warships and twenty thousand soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the Red Sea supply station.

The Abbasid warships were equipped with catapults and firelocks. Soldiers brandished scimitars and charged aggressively toward the bay. Lin Zhou was well-prepared. The Red Sea supply station's defense system activated instantly. Close-in missiles soared into the sky, precisely hitting the incoming warships. Carrier-based attack aircraft took off from the aircraft carrier, skimming at low altitudes and strafing with cannons. The Abbasid warships caught fire and sank one after another, and the soldiers fell into the sea with heavy casualties.

The remaining warships tried to turn and flee but were surrounded by red alert frigates and patrol boats. Electromagnetic cannons roared, completely destroying them. All twenty thousand soldiers were annihilated, with no survivors. This battle allowed the Western nations to fully witness the terrifying combat power of the Huaxia fleet, and no one dared to provoke them easily again.

[Ding—Repelled the attack by the remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate. Annihilated 20,000 enemy troops and sank 30 warships.]

[Western Deterrence Value Maxed Out: City-states along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf have sent envoys to submit, willing to become Huaxia vassals, pay annual tribute, and open all ports for Huaxia merchant convoys to pass.]

[Achievement Unlocked: 'Western Seas Initially Settled.' Tech Points +800, Transoceanic Combat Capability upgraded.]

Far away in the Central Plains, Lu Xiufu was overjoyed to learn of the fleet's victories in the Western Seas through the transoceanic communication system. He immediately organized resources from the Southern Seas and the Central Plains to be continuously transported to the Red Sea supply station via the maritime trade routes, providing a solid backing for the expedition fleet. The recovery of the Central Plains' livelihood continued to progress steadily. High-yield seeds led to consecutive years of bumper harvests. The Confucian Temples and the Imperial Academy cultivated a large number of talents. The people lived and worked in peace, the borders were stable and harmonious, and Huaxia's national strength grew more powerful by the day.

Lin Zhou stood on the deck of the aircraft carrier, looking at the busy trade scenes along the Red Sea coast and the submissive Western city-states in the distance, feeling a surge of emotions. The journey to the Western Seas had achieved its initial victory. Through the parallel use of trade and deterrence, they had both displayed Huaxia's national might and obtained necessary resources, while establishing a firm strategic foothold.

He raised his hand and looked toward the Atlantic Ocean, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: 'Pass my command: leave a portion of the troops to guard the Red Sea supply station. The aircraft carrier will lead the main fleet to continue westward, crossing the Isthmus of Suez (red alert engineering units will excavate a canal simultaneously) and entering the Mediterranean Sea to establish contact with Mediterranean nations. Let the flag of Huaxia be planted in every corner of the Western Seas.'

[Ding— take over host instruction， Start the construction of the Suez Canal， The ocean-going fleet is preparing to cross Mediterranean Sea]

[Permissions Unlocked: Mediterranean forces intelligence network, canal excavation engineering module, intercontinental logistics supply system.]

The wind of the Red Sea brushed across the deck of the aircraft carrier. Carrier-based aircraft were lined up and ready. red alert engineering units began excavating the Suez Canal. The ocean-going fleet was fully prepared to sail into the Mediterranean Sea and begin a new journey. The fate of the Western nations had been completely rewritten by this steel fleet from the East. A global order centered on Huaxia was slowly forming. And Lin Zhou, the young emperor from the East, was stepping toward the goal of global unification, his legend continuing.