Tall, radiant, and completely unbothered by the weight of mortal concerns, Li Daoxuan snapped open yet another crab claw with delicate precision.
The sound was crisp and oddly dignified.
Zheng Zhilong watched for a moment longer, then quietly gave up on attempting any serious exchange with this particular palace official. When a man could peel shellfish with such concentration in the middle of a victory banquet, philosophical discussion might have to wait.
He turned instead to Jiang Cheng and Shi Lang.
"Gentlemen," he began in a steady tone, "what you are building on Zhoushan Island is not something I dare question too deeply. Nor do I presume to understand the full picture. But may I ask, what exactly is the Emperor's ultimate aim in all this?"
Jiang Cheng glanced at Li Daoxuan.
Li Daoxuan was cracking a prawn shell and did not look up, but somehow gave the impression that speaking freely would not be punished.
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat.
"There are four primary objectives, passed down from above."
Zheng Zhilong leaned forward. "Please."
"First, to establish a secure maritime base. Second, to gain firm control of the entire southeastern coast. Third, to extend our influence into the nations of Nanyang. Fourth, to embark on a long voyage across ten thousand li and visit the various Western countries."
Zheng Zhilong's eyes lit up.
His ambitions had always covered the first three steps. Control the coast. Dominate the seas of the southeast. Expand trade and influence southward.
But the fourth step.
To deliberately seek out the distant Western nations and sail across vast oceans not merely to trade, but to project power and presence.
The Emperor's vision reached farther than he had imagined.
"For each of these objectives," Jiang Cheng continued, "General Zheng's support will be indispensable."
Zheng Zhilong clasped his fists. "This humble general will do everything within his ability."
His thoughts drifted to the strange vessels from Gao Family Village. Ships without sails. Ships without oars. Colossal hulls that moved with unnatural speed. With such power, the first three objectives seemed well within reach.
The fourth would take time. Years, perhaps more.
Crack.
Another shrimp shell split neatly between Li Daoxuan's fingers.
Zheng Zhilong stared at him.
Does he truly only know how to eat?
Just as that thought formed, Li Daoxuan spoke.
"General Zheng."
The sudden shift startled him.
Li Daoxuan set down the shell and looked toward Zheng Sen. "I hold your son in very high regard. His mind is sharp. It shines quite brightly. At his age, he already shows promise in both scholarly and martial pursuits. With the right teacher, proper guidance, and a broader world before him, he could rise like a dragon."
Zheng Zhilong blinked.
The man had been silent and devouring seafood for half the banquet. Now he opened his mouth and delivered praise like a flowing river.
Zheng Zhilong felt a faint flush creep up his neck. "Mr. Li flatters him. The boy is ordinary."
Li Daoxuan shook his head with exaggerated seriousness. "Not ordinary at all."
Zheng Sen stiffened as the attention turned toward him.
Li Daoxuan leaned slightly closer. "Do you like my ships?"
The question struck directly at the boy's heart.
"Yes," Zheng Sen answered without hesitation. "I love them."
"We are building even more extraordinary vessels," Li Daoxuan continued casually. "Would you like to see them?"
Zheng Sen's eyes sparkled. "Very much."
"On Zhoushan Island," Li Daoxuan went on, "there is a naval industrial school and a naval academy. Shipbuilding, navigation, artillery, logistics, engineering. Would that interest you?"
Zheng Sen inhaled sharply.
Though only twelve, he was no fool. He immediately sensed the meaning behind the invitation.
He turned instinctively to his father.
Zheng Zhilong was thinking rapidly.
If his son entered the circle of such people, if he gained their trust, if he stood near the Emperor's grand maritime vision, then the Zheng family would not merely rule the sea. They would anchor themselves in the future of the empire.
He gave the smallest nod.
Zheng Sen turned back, voice firm. "Yes. I am very interested."
Li Daoxuan smiled with quiet satisfaction.
"Then come to Zhoushan."
Zheng Zhilong urged gently, "Sen'er, Mr. Li's invitation is a great opportunity. Offer your thanks."
Zheng Sen bowed deeply.
Inwardly, Li Daoxuan felt pleased.
A rare character card secured.
He shifted his gaze to Shi Lang. "Shi Lang, you and Zheng Sen are close in age. You will show him around Zhoushan."
Shi Lang straightened immediately. "Understood."
Li Daoxuan's expression grew unexpectedly solemn.
"You two must get along very well. No fighting. No arguing. You will be good friends."
The boys exchanged confused looks.
Shi Lang, however, had already been thoroughly trained in discipline. Orders were orders. He saluted crisply. "Understood, Dao Xuan Tianzun."
Li Daoxuan returned to his crab with renewed focus.
Zheng Zhihu picked up a crab leg and grinned at his brother. "Brother, you must try the soy sauce Mr. Li brought."
Zheng Zhilong raised an eyebrow. "What makes it special?"
"It's formulated for seafood. Dip the crab in this and see."
Zheng Zhilong tried it.
His expression changed almost immediately.
"This could sell," he said slowly. "In every coastal city."
Zheng Zhihu nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. Mr. Li has already arranged shipments to the Nanhui Mouth market. Now that Liu Xiang is gone, maritime trade will flow much more smoothly. We can purchase several shiploads and distribute them along the coast."
"Agreed," Zheng Zhilong replied. "We begin at once."
Li Daoxuan listened with amusement.
In Shaanxi, introducing new products required explanation after explanation. Teaching people how to use them took patience.
Here on the southeastern coast, it was different.
The region breathed commerce. Zheng Zhilong's forces themselves were a strange blend. One third imperial troops. One third pirates. One third merchants with razor sharp instincts. Present them with something new, and their minds instantly calculated routes, margins, markets, expansion.
Working with them was effortless.
"I have many such goods," Li Daoxuan said lightly. "General Zheng, make frequent visits to Nanhui Mouth. We will supply all kinds of items to the nations of Nanyang and beyond. Let their silver flow into our hands."
Zheng Zhilong's smile widened. "That aligns perfectly with my plans. And we must not forget Japan. I know those trade routes well. There is plenty of silver there, and I know precisely what they are willing to buy."
Li Daoxuan raised his thumb in approval.
The adults leaned closer, discussing trade winds, shipping routes, tariffs, and profits, calmly planning how to draw wealth from distant lands.
Meanwhile, the two boys spoke quietly on the side.
"I am Shi Lang," the older one said. "Fifteen."
"I am Zheng Sen," the younger replied. "Twelve."
Shi Lang pointed toward a massive vessel anchored nearby. "See that ship? That is the Wanli Sunshine. I am its captain."
Zheng Sen's eyes widened with pure admiration. "You are only three years older than me, and already captain of that ship?"
Shi Lang grinned. "Wait until you see Zhoushan. There are things there that will change how you think about the sea entirely."
The lantern light flickered over the deck, over shells and wine cups, over maps and ambitions.
Somewhere beyond the glow of the banquet, the sea stretched dark and endless.
And the future, for once, seemed just as vast.