"So these Portuguese truly are bandits."
To Zhu Yuanzhang, the account from later generations only confirmed his prior suspicions regarding Portugal.
What angered him more was their evaluation.
"They call Great Ming weak? Laughable."
"Do these Portuguese know the tale of Yelang?"
"Compare territory alone. If not a hundredfold, then at least tenfold greater is Great Ming!"
In this, the Son of Heaven did not exaggerate. Even within what was called Europe, Portugal occupied but a single corner. It could not be compared with the vast expanse of Ming lands.
On the left side of Huagai Hall, Li Shanchang at last heard discussion turn to Western states. His interest was evident.
"When the Portuguese judge strength, they likely measure by the number of fleets."
Xu Da rubbed his back. Even through his garments he felt no wound there. Hearing Li Shanchang's remark, he slowly exhaled.
"The Portuguese crossed ten thousand li. The distance they traversed exceeds even the Mongol western campaigns."
"If a state does not cultivate a navy, then such men may harry at will without fear of retreat. It is no different from the Japanese pirates."
"Japanese pirates?"
Li Wenzhong at once grew animated.
After reflection, he nodded.
"If the seas are to be pacified, a strong navy is indeed required."
To these generals, the Portuguese assessment was not wholly false. Without the light screen altering imperial intent, Ming likely would not have prioritized guarding the eastern seas. The coastline was simply too long.
The most direct method to eliminate Japanese piracy was known to all present, including the emperor himself.
Cross the sea.
Carry war onto Japanese soil.
Piracy was not born of nothing. If their homeland were pacified, they would lack the strength to trouble Ming.
Yet in priority, suppressing northern and Yunnan remnants of the Yuan outweighed an overseas campaign. Moreover, the Yuan's two failed invasions of Japan had contributed to its downfall. That precedent stirred unease.
Thus the emperor had adopted a conservative policy and denied Li Wenzhong's earlier request to campaign against Japan.
Now Portugal appeared as a larger version of the pirate threat. From the map, Ming could scarcely subdue nearby Japan. How much less a nation ten thousand li away?
The thought tightened Li Wenzhong's heart. He silently resolved to persuade his uncle to establish a Ming navy.
If nothing else, that crucial Strait of Malacca must be secured.
Otherwise foreign powers would meddle freely. Today they might incite Japan. Tomorrow they might collude with Burma. The next day they could harass Korea. Would Ming's frontiers ever know peace?
Li Wenzhong shifted closer to Xu Da, seeking counsel from the great general.
Beside Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao tactfully reminded his father that Ming still struggled with Japanese piracy. This only provoked further muttering.
"By the reckoning of time, that Semu's travel account was written nearly eighty years ago."
"Why write a travel account at all? If the Yuan founder favored him, why not remain and serve to old age? Instead he returned only to suffer imprisonment."
Old habits. Words spoken from long practice.
Yet complaints aside, preparations could not be neglected.
"So our window of opportunity is but one hundred twenty years?"
"In that span we must heal north and south, extinguish remnant Yuan, eliminate pirate scourge, manage the Southern Seas, secure this Malacca…"
He frowned.
"What a twisted name. Henceforth that strait shall be called Nanming Strait."
When the Son of Heaven spoke thus, the Jinyiwei hurriedly recorded it.
Having counted the tasks aloud, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao, who was calculating in earnest. A familiar ache struck his heart.
If Biao suffered no calamity, these plans would not be difficult. But…
The son understood the father. Zhu Biao turned and met the hesitant gaze with a bright smile.
"My hidden ailment is simple enough. When I handle complex affairs, Father need only share the burden. There will be nothing to fear."
For now, that must suffice. Zhu Yuanzhang made a note to consult the Marquis Wu later. Then he raised a hand and called a name from among those striving to remain unnoticed.
"Master Luo. Could you write such a travel account?"
The one striving to diminish his presence was Luo Guanzhong. Of all present, only he lacked official standing. His past associations with Zhang Shicheng were known. He had not even been in Huagai Hall at first, only summoned after matters settled somewhat.
The shock he felt needed no description. Yet it deepened his unease. Why did the Ming emperor single him out?
Suppressing a bitter smile, he rose and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I am familiar with the Two Zhe regions. Writing a travel account would not be difficult."
"Do not feign ignorance. Do you not understand what I wish you to write?"
This time the smile could scarcely be concealed.
"But I have never been to the western lands called Europe."
"Later generations say that Semu man may not have come to China either. What of it? When you wrote Romance of the Three Kingdoms, did you personally live through the late Han and Three Kingdoms?"
Zhu Yuanzhang dismissed such scruples. Whether Marco Polo had truly visited China mattered little. What mattered was the chain of consequences from a small book.
Whether called travel account or fiction styled as travel account did not greatly concern him.
To Luo Guanzhong, the reasoning bordered on sophistry. Yet contemplating the wondrous light screen and recalling how later generations casually reviewed centuries of history, an idea stirred within him.
Could not what he had seen and heard today be fashioned into a script?
Before his thoughts settled, Zhu Yuanzhang added calmly,
"If you agree, past matters shall no longer be pursued. And henceforth you may view the light screen as well, to aid your writing of a Western travel account."
As for past matters, whether pursued or not mattered little to Luo Guanzhong. At worst, a blade across the neck.
But the light screen's allure surpassed fear of death.
The struggle in his heart resolved.
…
Within Guangzheng Hall, Li Yu and Qian Chu, both men of the south, studied the long maritime routes drawn by the Portuguese with keen interest.
Zhao Kuangyin, however, felt disquiet.
"From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors until now, China has endured. Our annals shine with sages beyond count. Why should we require discovery by them?"
"And India as well. Its history nearly rivals ours, yet it is bullied by such a small nation, calling itself a state yet acting as bandit."
"Thus a navy is essential. It guards the seas and aids friendly neighbors against maritime raiders."
Compared to this, Qian Chu's concern was more tangible.
"One porcelain vase exchanged for a hundred in gold?"
"Is the West truly so wealthy?"