The skies over the sea were clear, and Ningbo Port appeared vast and open, devoid of the usual multitude of civilian ships. Guided by several pilot boats, eight Ashikaga Shogunate-flagged tribute ships gradually approached the harbor.
The Sun and Moon Flags of the Great Ming Navy fluttered high, with nearly forty patrol ships lined up on either side, subtly encircling the Japanese tribute fleet at the center. At this moment, the Tiger Squat Cannons, crossbow cannons, and fully armed garrison soldiers on the patrol ships silently conveyed an aura of vigilance and intimidation.
"Oh, the regulations of the Ming Dynasty are truly grand! They dispatched so many naval ships to intercept us, made us wait offshore for two days, then forcibly boarded our ships for inspections, confiscating our bows and swords... It seems they're treating our Shogunate's tribute fleet like a group of pirates!"
