PREVIOUSLY
["Then, it shall be our secret," Zote said, looking into her eyes with a solemn promise. "Here, within this house, there are no restrictions nor forced silences. Here you are my equal, Omo-matsuru. My companion and my counselor."
The tension left the young woman's body. Omo-matsuru looked up, and in her dark eyes shone a profound loyalty and absolute love. She had grown up expecting a husband who would treat her as just another possession, but the gods had delivered her a gentle and wise foreigner—a man who not only tolerated her intellect but cultivated it with devotion.
"Thank you, my lord Zote," she whispered, pouring him a little more tea, feeling that this house had truly become her home.]
5 Months Later
Year 13 of the SuaChie Calendar, Eighth Month (October 1495).
Naha (Naha, Japan), Ryukyu Kingdom.
The gentle murmur of the autumn breeze swayed the cherry branches in the inner courtyard, scattering pale petals that fell like warm snow upon the koi pond.
Five months had passed since that afternoon when Zote and Omo-matsuru forged their pact of confidentiality and mutual respect. Five months that had completely transformed the life of the young Suaza scholar.
Zote rested his brush on the porcelain inkwell and looked up from his scrolls. Across from him, reclining on plush silk cushions, was Omo-matsuru.
The young woman was reading a botanical treatise translated into the local dialect, one hand resting instinctively on her belly, now noticeably swollen. She was five months pregnant. The fruit of a political alliance that, against all odds, had blossomed into a profound and genuine love.
Seeing her, a wave of pride and peace swelled within Zote's chest. Life in Uchinaa smiled upon him with overflowing generosity.
The scholar returned his attention to his ledgers, though this time his strokes were confident and precise.
Thanks to his wife's brilliant and clandestine financial mind, they had opened a prosperous business in the beating heart of the city: an inn and tavern they named Matsuru nu yā.
It was a nostalgic echo of the renowned Za Hearths of his homeland, yet masterfully adapted to the palate and aesthetic of Ryukyu. Suaza spices intertwined with fresh local fish, and under Omo-matsuru's shadowed guidance, the inn had become the gathering epicenter for the mercantile and diplomatic elite.
That network of contacts had catapulted Zote.
His prodigious memory and devotion to study had transformed him into the most coveted polyglot in the archipelago. No longer did he merely master the Ryukyuan language with overwhelming fluency; he had absorbed the northern Japanese dialects, the complex Chinese of the Ming Dynasty, and, recently, had begun to unravel the secrets of the Malay tongue brought by southern merchants in their junks. Feudal lords and wealthy merchants lined up at his residence to seek his counsel and translation services.
We are building an empire of words and trade, Zote thought, reviewing the excellent profit margins.
He was not the only one prospering.
True to his promise not to abandon his people, Zote had channeled the wealth from the inn to ensure the well-being of the Suaza guards and scholars left under his care. The brawny Suaza sailors, now integrated and with growing local families, had not been left behind.
Merging the naval ingenuity of their homeland with the counsel of one of Zote's engineers, the sailors had designed a hybrid vessel: a fishing boat that utilized the sails and aesthetic of Ryukyu, but whose structure emulated the wide, deep hull of the imposing Kaimán boats of the Suaza Kingdom.
The invention had been a resounding success.
The Suaza-Ryukyu fishing fleets flooded the island markets with fresh fish, supplying Matsuru nu yā at cost, and the shipyards could barely keep up with selling surplus boats to the astonished locals.
Zote smiled, closing the ledger. Sometimes, in the quiet of the night, he wondered how Captain Tyfo was faring in the savage Mai archipelago.
He is surely surrounded by mud and spears, trying to teach manners to some chieftain, he joked inwardly.
He acknowledged, without false modesty, that his situation in prosperous, civilized Ryukyu was vastly superior. On several occasions, he had felt the urge to charter a southern merchant ship to send supplies or letters to his old comrade, but Admiral Umzye's strict orders regarding the absolute compartmentalization of the colonies prevented him. A message intercepted by the Ming Empire or by Brunei would put both factions at risk.
The peace of the morning shattered at the thunder of hurried footsteps pounding against the wood of the outer corridor.
The sliding door flew open.
A Suaza guard, his uniform slightly disheveled and his face pale from the sprint, burst into the room, forgetting every rule of local etiquette.
"My lord Zote!" the soldier panted, leaning against the doorframe. "Sails! On the western horizon... They are the sails of the Kingdom!"
Zote's heart gave a wild leap. The quill slipped from his fingers, staining the tatami. He leapt to his feet, exchanging a highly charged look with Omo-matsuru, who nodded with a mixture of surprise and encouragement.
"Ready my escort," Zote ordered, hastily adjusting his formal silk tunic. "At once."
The journey to the port was a frantic blur. Zote navigated Naha's crowded streets at a near jog, followed closely by his guards. Upon reaching the docks, the salty wind struck his face, and there, silhouetted against the blinding blue of the sky, he saw them.
The port was in an uproar. A fleet of agile local junks cautiously escorted a towering Tequendama I as it carved its way toward the main docks.
In the distance, respecting sovereign waters and displaying a deterrent yet non-aggressive force, a second Tequendama I and a colossal Tequendama II remained anchored like sleeping giants.
They have returned... Praise the gods, they have not forgotten us, Zote thought, feeling a knot of emotion in his throat.
Over thirty tense minutes of transfers and port paperwork had to pass before a landing boat touched the wood of the pier. From it descended a Suaza officer of firm bearing and analytical gaze, clad in an impeccable high command uniform.
Zote stepped forward, pushing his way through the crowd of curious locals.
"Welcome to Uchinaa!" Zote exclaimed, rendering the Suaza military salute, followed by a formal bow. "I am Zote, in charge of this outpost."
The officer evaluated him for a second before smiling and returning the greeting.
"I am Commander Bachuaga, in charge of the first solo expedition of the Suaza Kingdom," he introduced himself, his voice projecting authority and relief in equal measure. "I am deeply grateful you are here to receive us at this port, Master Zote. I see you have done an excellent job integrating yourself."
Joy overwhelmed the scholar. He could barely contain the avalanche of words.
"Commander Bachuaga, it is an absolute honor!" Zote took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Tell me, please, how is the Kingdom? How was the crossing? Has Leader Chuta sent new orders regarding our stay here? Were you able to contact Captain Tyfo's people in the south?"
Bachuaga raised a gloved hand, halting the excited scholar's torrent of questions with firmness and amiability. His gaze drifted for a moment toward the curious Ryukyuan merchants and guards attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Master Zote," Bachuaga murmured, his tone severe and cautious, slightly chilling the young man's euphoria. "The answers you seek are many, and some of them could alter the course of this archipelago. It is best we speak of the Kingdom's affairs far from prying ears. Take me to your quarters."
The journey from the bustling docks of Naha to Zote's residence was an unplanned exhibition of the soft power the scholar had cultivated. As they walked, the air filled with the pungent scent of roasted fish, sea salt, and the sweet incense escaping from small street shrines.
Zote guided Commander Bachuaga through the winding cobblestone streets, pointing out with discreet pride the key landmarks of his surroundings.
"Those are the lacquer and pottery workshops, Commander," Zote explained, dodging a pair of merchants carrying bales of silk. "And if you look toward the hill, beyond the mist, you will see the red roofs of King Shō Shin's palace in Shuri. The central structure of this nation is ironclad, vastly different from the tribal fragmentation we faced in the south."
Bachuaga observed everything with sharp eyes, evaluating the limestone fortifications and the sheer number of armed local guards. He nodded, clearly impressed by the archipelago's level of civilization and infrastructure.
Upon arriving at the residence, the high wooden walls and the immaculate inner garden welcomed the newcomers with a calm that contrasted with the hubbub of the port. The sliding doors opened smoothly.
There, kneeling at the threshold with a posture of perfect local elegance, Omo-matsuru awaited them. She wore a beautiful silk kimono in shades of cream and emerald, which accentuated the curve of her five-month pregnancy.
Seeing them approach, the young woman stood up gracefully and, to the utter surprise of the veteran officer, bowed deeply and spoke.
"Welcome to our home, Commander of the Suaza Fleet," Omo-matsuru pronounced. Her accent was exotic and musical, but the words, grammar, and tone belonged indisputably to the native tongue of the Suaza Kingdom. "My husband has scanned the western horizon every dawn. We have been eagerly awaiting you."
Bachuaga stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened, his gaze darting between the local noblewoman and the young scholar.
"Commander, I present to you my wife, Lady Omo-matsuru," Zote said, unable to suppress the proud smile that painted across his face.
Bachuaga quickly regained his composure and offered a respectful military salute mingled with a nod.
"The honor is entirely mine, my lady," the officer replied, fixing a look of genuine approval upon Zote. "Your mastery of our language is astonishing. It is evident, Master Zote, that your commitment to this mission and to your family has borne exceptional fruit. I congratulate you, and I celebrate the life of the child on the way."
Omo-matsuru accepted the compliment with a modest smile and, demonstrating acute social intelligence, stepped aside.
"Hot tea awaits you in the study. I will leave you to discuss the affairs of your homeland."
Zote and Bachuaga crossed the polished wooden corridors until they entered the scholar's study, a sanctuary lined with scrolls, maritime maps, and dense ledgers. Once the shoji doors closed behind them, isolating the sounds of the outside world, Bachuaga took a seat before the low table and let out a long sigh.
"You have a brilliant companion, Zote. Admiral Umzye was right to entrust this court to you," the commander began, pouring himself a cup of tea. "And now, to the matter at hand... The Kingdom prospers."
Over the next few minutes, Bachuaga relayed to Zote the same news he had delivered in Discovery City weeks prior: the logistical reasons for the joint expedition's enormous delay, the celebrations in Central City for Leader Chuta's marriages, the powerful rumors of an imminent engagement with the English Crown, and the invaluable discovery of the island of Kauai as a resupply point in the middle of the vast Sunset Ocean.
Zote absorbed every detail with the eagerness of a thirsty man, mentally charting the new geopolitical map of his civilization.
"And all this logistical effort has not been in vain," Bachuaga continued, leaning forward, his eyes shining with tactical enthusiasm. "I have come from the south, Zote. You should see what your peer, Major Tyfo, has achieved in the Mai archipelago. He hasn't merely survived; he has drawn entire tribes to our banner, multiplying the population naturally. And more importantly, he has forged unbreakable ties with the Rajahnate of Butuan."
Zote, who up until that moment had maintained the analytical composure of a scholar, choked on his tea. He set his cup down on the table with a sharp thud.
"Butuan? The Kingdom of Butuan?" he interrupted, unable to contain his disbelief and joy. "By the gods, Tyfo has done it! Commander, even here, in the court of Ryukyu, legends are told of the golden kingdom of Mindanao. Its alluvial gold and camphor are among the most coveted goods by the Ming Empire's elite! For Tyfo to have secured an alliance with them is... it is a monumental advantage."
Bachuaga nodded slowly, a smile of satisfaction peeking out from beneath his mustache. He immediately noted that Zote hadn't just studied the local dialects; he had vehemently devoured the trade networks and politics of all East Asia.
"It is exactly as you say, Master Zote," the officer confirmed. "To secure that position, the Central Government sent hundreds of colonists with us to settle there permanently, in addition to vast logistical and industrial resources. And, in fact..." Bachuaga let out a small, incredulous chuckle. "Tyfo didn't even need the Kingdom to finance the support supplies. With the gold he procured from his trade in Butuan, he paid for the entire cargo on the spot, and even left an advance deposit demanding heavy tools for when the next expedition arrives."
A warm pang settled in Zote's stomach.
It was an intoxicating mix of immense joy for his old friend and the thinnest, almost imperceptible thread of envy. Tyfo was building a golden fortress, founding a metropolis from its very foundations. Zote swallowed hard, appeasing his wounded pride, and steered the conversation toward his own chessboard.
"That is formidable news for Discovery City," Zote said, smoothing the paper of his records. "Tell me, Commander, with this new injection of forces in Asia... will our expedition here in Ryukyu also receive Suaza colonists?"
Bachuaga shook his head, his expression turning professional and pragmatic.
"Technically, no. The people who disembark to stay in Ryukyu will not be permanent settlers like those in the south. We will leave behind scribes, accountants, and merchants who will only be here transiently. Their sole function is to assist you in managing the warehouses and the large-scale trade the Suaza Kingdom wishes to promote with the Ming Empire and Cipango through your connections."
Zote nodded with profound understanding. His logical mind had already anticipated that answer. Ryukyu was not a wild, unpopulated frontier like Mai; it was a sovereign nation, densely populated and boasting a millennial bureaucracy.
"It is the right call," Zote murmured, stroking the rim of his inkwell. "If hundreds of Suaza 'migrants' attempted to settle here permanently to till the land or build enclaves, King Shō Shin would view it as a silent invasion. The Ming bureaucrats would crush us. Maintaining our strictly commercial and transient profile is the only way to survive in the shadow of the continental dragon."
"I am glad your perspicacity remains so sharp," Bachuaga conceded.
Zote readjusted his position on his cushion. There was something else he needed to know. Merchant fleets required protection.
"If Discovery City is now so wealthy, I assume the government did not leave it unprotected. Did Tyfo receive naval support?"
"Yes. A lethal deterrent force," Bachuaga replied, making no effort to hide his pride. "We left him anchored an imposing Tequendama II and two swift Tequendama I vessels."
Zote felt his pulse quicken. His inn, his businesses, the hybrid shipyards, and the Suaza merchants now operating in Ryukyu also required a shield against the pirates of Cipango.
"And for us, Commander?" Zote asked, his voice laden with hope. "With the fleet you bring... which warship will remain anchored in Naha to protect our interests?"
Bachuaga's silence was so dense that Zote could hear the dripping of the bamboo fountain in the inner garden. The commander lowered his gaze to his teacup and sighed.
"Regrettably, none, Zote," Bachuaga stated, his tone turning glacial and definitive. "In the south, we could impose a presence. But here... Ryukyu's naval infrastructure is clear, and the gaze of the Ming Empire is far too jealous. Leaving a warship like the Tequendama permanently stationed in these waters would be interpreted as an act of military aggression. We can leave nothing. You will have to continue protecting the Kingdom's interests as you have thus far: with your words and your intellect."
He paused, then continued.
"However, just as I mentioned earlier, the Kingdom expects to maintain constant voyages. Soon, more ships from our current fleet will sail here, laden with goods from Butuan."
Zote remained silent for a long moment, assimilating the cold military logic of his civilization. The absence of a towering Tequendama in his port left him vulnerable to the pirate incursions that plagued the East China Sea, yet his analytical mind perfectly understood the decision.
A Suaza warship permanently anchored in Naha would not be a shield; it would be a target. It would awaken King Shō Shin's paranoia and, worse still, attract the crushing fury of the Ming Empire's armada.
The scholar nodded slowly, finding profound comfort in the promise of continuous trade routes. Knowing that the Kingdom still had its sights set upon them, and that holds brimming with spices and goods from Butuan would soon arrive, confirmed that they were not alone on this side of the world.
"It is the most sensible decision, Commander," Zote conceded, exhaling his held breath and leaning back slightly against his cushion. "We shall fight this war with ink, silk, and silver."
Bachuaga nodded in approval, taking a sip of his now-lukewarm tea.
Seeking to lighten the tactical weight of the conversation, Zote steered his thoughts southwards, to the other facet of colonization in the Mai archipelago.
"Speaking of foreign presence... what of United Town?" the scholar asked, a shadow of curiosity crossing his face. "The Europeans who traveled with us on the Joint Expedition—have they shown any signs of undertaking solo expeditions into these waters, or have they proposed a new joint fleet with our Kingdom?"
The Suaza officer let out a dry bark of laughter, utterly devoid of humor.
"Up until the moment we weighed anchor in Dawn City, there was not the slightest sign of movement from the European crowns. The Central Government's analysts estimate that their shipyards and treasuries were left exhausted after the last voyage. It will take them at least a full year to prepare themselves before they even consider another crossing of such magnitude."
Zote offered a half-smile. The Suaza Kingdom's temporal advantage was staggering.
"However," Bachuaga continued, resting his elbows on his knees, "during our passage through the Mai archipelago, the Kingdom offered to transport back to their homelands the European colonists that Admiral Umzye and the European captains had left in United Town, should they wish to depart."
The memory of the Spanish sailors harassing him in the alleys of Ryukyu sprang to Zote's mind. He remembered well how those men had fallen into the local "honey traps" down south, acquiring immense family responsibilities that forced them to work from sunup to sundown.
"Tell me, Commander," Zote asked, a spark of malicious amusement dancing in his eyes, "how many of them couldn't bear the weight of hard labor and decided to abandon the settlement?"
Bachuaga pulled a small scroll from his belt, though he did not need to read it.
"Of the thirty Europeans who originally stayed, the vast majority gave up. Only ten decided to remain in United Town permanently: five English, three Spanish, and two Portuguese. They are men who have truly put down roots in the land."
"And the other twenty?" Zote inquired.
"They boarded with us," the commander replied. "Fifteen of them proved to possess a sliver of honor. They brought their new local partners with them to integrate into society on the European continent; one of them even traveled with his newborn son—who, by the way, is receiving excellent care from our naval doctors aboard."
Bachuaga paused. The atmosphere in the room tensed, and the veteran officer's gaze hardened like basalt.
"But the other five..." Bachuaga murmured, palpable disgust bleeding into his voice. "Those five attempted to slip into the holds during the night, abandoning their local wives and families to misery."
Zote frowned, feeling a pang of indignation in his chest.
He instinctively thought of Omo-matsuru, of her swollen belly and the life they were forging together. The idea of fleeing and leaving her to her fate was repulsive to him—an inconceivable atrocity.
"And what did the fleet do about it?" Zote asked, his tone turning frigid.
"They were immediately arrested by the Suaza infantry," Bachuaga stated with implacable satisfaction. "In our Kingdom, family is one of the cardinal virtues dictated by the gods. To break that loyalty is a crime we do not tolerate, neither in our own people nor in our allies. Right now, they are in the bowels of the Tequendama II, in chains and being transported as prisoners. They will face our judges upon arriving in Dawn City."
"They deserve it," Zote muttered, nodding in firm understanding. The justice of his homeland was severe, yet fair. The scholar adjusted his tunic and, leaving behind the fate of the Europeans, adopted a posture of absolute formality. "Commander Bachuaga, my life and my family are now anchored to this land. Tell me straight: what are my next orders from the Central Government?"
Bachuaga straightened, assuming his role as emissary of Leader Chuta.
"First, I will take with me all the linguistic, historical, and research materials I am certain you have been compiling. The Kingdom needs to understand the mind of the Ming dragon and the Japanese archipelago. Second: your orders are to continue expanding that knowledge tirelessly. You have absolute authorization to operate locally however you deem most prudent, as you know this chessboard better than anyone."
Bachuaga pointed toward the door, in the direction of the mercantile city beating just beyond the walls.
"And third: you must secure and monopolize the Suaza trade with the King of Ryukyu. Your inn and your hybrid shipyards are a masterful beginning, but we need silver to flow like a river into our ports."
The officer took a dramatic pause, measuring the young man's reaction.
"To achieve all of this with the necessary backing, the High Command and Leader Chuta have drafted a formal edict. From this moment forth, Master Zote, you are officially appointed as the Ambassador of the Suaza Kingdom in Ryukyu."
Zote did not jump in surprise, nor did his eyes widen. The promotion, though monumental, was the logical conclusion of his efforts and the respect he had already garnered in the court of Uchinaa. He bowed his head in a deep reverence, feeling the weight of the title settle upon his shoulders with natural grace.
"I am deeply grateful to Leader Chuta and to you for this trust, Commander," Zote replied, his voice resonating with a newly forged maturity. "I assure you I will do everything in my power. Ryukyu shall be the golden gateway for our civilization."
Bachuaga smiled, satisfied with the fortitude of the new ambassador. He rested his hands on his knees and stood up, his leather armor creaking slightly.
"I don't doubt it for an instant, Mr. Ambassador," said Bachuaga, offering one final martial salute. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have seven hundred sailors to resupply and a market to flood with silver. Brace yourself, for I will be bothering you with matters of logistics and trade every single day until my departure in two weeks."
Zote stood up, returning the salute with a calm smile. The tempest of uncertainty had passed. Now, the true building of his legacy was about to begin.
.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Thank you all for your support.
First, I want to say that we've finished this section, and I really enjoyed it. A few months ago, I said I wouldn't include events from this part of the world in the novel, but it wasn't long before I started planning these chapters.
What I was aiming for with these chapters was to complete the kingdom's trade network. Now they not only have a direct and secure route to Europe and Africa, but also to Asia. However, I should clarify that there won't be any settlements in the Indo-Asian region, as that's where a future subplot will take place, and where the Suaza kingdom will only be an observer.
By the way, if anyone liked this section and wants something similar, please let me know.
Finally, I wanted to say that I'll be retranslating the first few chapters, perhaps the first 80 or 90. Since these were translated with Google Translate and their quality is quite poor, or at least it was at the time,
I won't change much, but I will remove the author's notes, perhaps keeping the UFDs.
---
Read my other novels.
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