When Li Daoxuan shifted his perspective back to the ship, the second platter had already arrived at the table. This time it was bamboo shrimp, long and pale, their shells glistening with steam, looking so fresh that even the sea breeze seemed to carry their sweetness.
As he peeled one with unhurried focus, he spoke to Zheng Zhihu as if they were merely discussing small business matters rather than the future of maritime trade.
"General Zheng, you mentioned earlier that you were interested in these seasonings. That poses no difficulty at all. We also operate as Imperial Merchants, and trade is trade. If there is profit to be made on both sides, it would be foolish not to proceed. We will send you a shipment of seafood soy sauce and dipping sauces soon, and you may resell them as you see fit."
Zheng Zhihu's face lit up instantly.
Before the words had even settled, Li Daoxuan had already dipped a perfectly peeled shrimp into sauce and placed it into his mouth. His expression softened in pure satisfaction as he chewed, and only then did he continue the conversation.
"General Zheng, your clan trades not only with coastal regions but also with Westerners and the Nanyang states, correct?"
Zheng Zhihu nodded with practiced composure, though a trace of pride slipped into his tone.
"Our trade routes are extensive. Our ships call at Damni, Brunei, Champa, Luzon, Wangkang, Beigang, Tayouan, Hirado, Nagasaki, Mumbai, Banten, Palembang, Batavia, Malacca, Cambodia, Siam. There are few ports in Nanyang that have not seen the Zheng banner."
Li Daoxuan listened without visible reaction, but Shi Lang could not conceal his astonishment.
"How many ships does the Zheng family command?" he asked, disbelief plain on his face.
Zheng Zhihu allowed himself the smallest expansion of his chest.
"More than three thousand vessels."
Shi Lang muttered under his breath that such a number must surely be exaggerated.
Li Daoxuan, however, knew better. History had already recorded the strength of the Zheng fleet. Three thousand ships was no boast. It was a fact.
For Gao Family Village's second maritime strategy, the key lay precisely in Nanyang, and Zheng Zhilong had already laid the groundwork there. Leveraging that foundation would be far easier than starting from nothing.
Li Daoxuan peeled another shrimp thoughtfully.
"General Zheng, how do you assess the Westerners?"
Zheng Zhihu did not answer carelessly.
"They are few in number, yet formidable in combat. Their shipbuilding and navigation techniques are advanced. Fortunately, they come from across vast oceans. This land lies too far from their homeland for them to threaten us directly, at least for now."
Li Daoxuan gave a low sound of acknowledgment. Such clarity of judgment was rare in this era.
Zheng Zhihu then gestured toward the Wanli Sunshine beneath their feet.
"Though Western ships are large, they cannot compare to the grandeur of our Zheng He Treasure Ships."
So he still believed this vessel to be one of Zheng He's legendary ships.
Li Daoxuan saw no reason to correct him.
Instead, he smiled mildly.
"General Zheng, if I were to lend you a Treasure Ship, could you navigate it across the oceans to the Westerners' homeland?"
Zheng Zhihu's expression grew complicated.
"The furthest we regularly travel is Nanyang. Beyond that lie Francia, Europa, and the Red-Haired nations, tens of thousands of miles farther still. We have never gone so far. Exploration would have to proceed step by step. Without establishing supply ports along the way for at least a decade, such a journey would be impossible."
Li Daoxuan dipped a slice of fish into the Sichuan-style spicy sauce and spoke with calm certainty.
"If supply ports are required, then we may simply take them from the Westerners."
The shrimp slipped from Zheng Zhihu's fingers.
He stared at Li Daoxuan, eyes wide.
In that single sentence he sensed something immense. This was no idle speculation. This was ambition directed westward.
Li Daoxuan appeared completely unperturbed by the shock he had caused.
"It will not be easy," he continued evenly, "but neither is it impossible. I have heard that you maintain cordial relations with the Red-Haired traders. Why not arrange for a few trusted men to travel aboard their ships? Let them visit Western nations, observe carefully, and most importantly map the sea routes and supply points. When the day comes for us to sail there ourselves, we should not be blind."
Zheng Zhihu's thoughts churned. If this was indeed imperial intent, then the Emperor's vision stretched far beyond the horizon. It was an audacity difficult to comprehend.
"Mr. Li," he said cautiously, "is it not somewhat early to begin investigating routes to the West?"
"Early?" Li Daoxuan's tone carried faint amusement. "A round trip to the West would take at least half a year, perhaps a full year. One voyage would not suffice to memorize currents, monsoons, and ocean patterns. It would require several journeys. Without years of preparation, one would not even grasp the basics. If we begin now, we are already late."
Zheng Zhihu fell silent.
Li Daoxuan softened his tone.
"If this task does not suit you, or if you lack appropriate candidates, simply introduce my people to the Red-Haired traders. Let my envoys travel with them. That would be enough."
Zheng Zhihu clasped his hands respectfully.
"That is a small matter. I will see it done."
The conversation gradually returned to food.
After the feast concluded and arrangements were made for future meetings and coordinated action against Liu Xiang, Zheng Zhihu took his leave.
When the deck finally quieted, Li Daoxuan exhaled slowly.
"Now we must find someone capable of traveling aboard a Red-Haired vessel to the Western nations and learning their sea routes."
This was no trivial assignment. The person would need intelligence, literacy, resilience, and the endurance to survive years at sea.
As he pondered, Shi Lang suddenly rose and bowed.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun, I have a candidate."
Li Daoxuan turned toward him.
"My younger brother, Shi Xian."
Shi Lang explained carefully.
"He is three years younger than I, twelve this year. He has received schooling and grew up by the sea. He understands maritime matters and is skilled in both letters and martial arts. Most importantly, he is young. Even if the journey takes several years, he will return still in his prime."
Li Daoxuan considered the proposal.
A twelve-year-old boy aboard a Dutch ship would arouse far less suspicion than a grown strategist asking detailed questions. It could easily be explained as youthful curiosity.
"The key," Li Daoxuan said at last, "is not whether he is suitable, but whether he is willing. This is a matter of life and death. His decision must be his own."
Shi Lang answered without hesitation.
"My brother has long wished to join the army, but his age prevents him. If he could serve in this manner, he would welcome it."
Li Daoxuan nodded slowly.
"As long as he chooses this path of his own will, I have no objection. Every person has the right to decide the direction of their life."
That very evening, Shi Lang departed for Fujian and returned with his younger brother.
Shi Xian was only twelve, yet there was no fear in his eyes. Like his elder brother, he carried ambition larger than his years. When told of the plan, he agreed without reluctance, volunteering to cross distant oceans and learn the Western sea routes.
Thus, while others were still debating whether it was too early to prepare, the first piece of the westward game had already begun to move.