Zheng Sen looked over the docks, and awe filled his heart.
It was obvious that any worker on Zhoushan Island lived far better than the laborers under the Zheng family. The difference was impossible to ignore.
Mr. Li truly spared no effort in caring for his people.
Shi Lang pointed ahead. "Sen, see that? That is our newly established Zhoushan Naval Academy. Do you want to take a look?"
"Of course." Zheng Sen remembered Mr. Li mentioning it before. A naval academy that taught sea warfare. For a boy like him, there was nothing more appealing.
At the gate stood heavily armed soldiers. Even Shi Lang had to present something called a student ID before being allowed inside.
Zheng Sen felt a little nervous. He had no such identification.
However, the guards seemed to have received prior orders. They took out a portrait, compared it carefully with Zheng Sen's face, confirmed his name, and then stepped aside.
The two boys entered.
"What exactly do they teach here?" Zheng Sen asked. "Why is security so strict?"
"You will understand once you see," Shi Lang replied. "There is a class in session ahead."
They quietly approached the first classroom window.
Inside, a man stood at the podium. He was a Celestial Vessel pilot from Bai Family Fortress. He had once served Bai Yuan. Born near Horseshoe Lake, he had been an excellent swimmer since childhood. Later, he joined the Gao Family Village navy at Qichuan Ferry and became responsible for piloting celestial vessels. Years at the helm had given him vast experience.
A drawing of a celestial vessel was sketched across the blackboard.
"To become a qualified pilot," the instructor said confidently, "you must first understand how a celestial vessel works."
He pointed at the deck. "Observe this object carefully. It is called a Sun-Capturing Panel. It is a divine artifact lent by Flat Rabbit to Dao Xuan Tianzun, who then granted it to us. When sunlight strikes it, the panel converts solar energy into electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to batteries inside the hull for storage."
The students below responded in unison, "So that is how it works."
Outside the window, Zheng Sen felt his head spin. "What?"
The instructor continued, "When we activate the switch at the bow, the stored electricity flows through these wires to this location."
His pointer moved to the center of the drawing.
"Here is a massive device called the Celestial Engine. Once powered, it rotates at tremendous speed, driving the propeller at the stern."
He tapped the drawn propeller.
"This part is the only component we mortals can truly comprehend. It spins and pushes the water, allowing the vessel to move forward."
The students began taking notes diligently.
Zheng Sen stood frozen.
"No wonder the ship could move so fast without sails or oars. So that is the secret."
Shi Lang chuckled softly. "Now you understand why the knowledge here must remain confidential."
Zheng Sen swallowed. "Is it really acceptable for me to know such secrets?"
"If Dao Xuan Tianzun allows it," Shi Lang replied, "then it is acceptable."
"Dao Xuan Tianzun is…"
"Mr. Li."
Shi Lang shrugged. "Dao Xuan Tianzun has shown unusual favor to your Zheng family. The first time he met you, he gifted your second uncle a marine chronometer. Now he permits you to enter the island and learn our inner secrets. Your family must be quite extraordinary."
Zheng Sen felt a strange tension in his chest.
They moved on to the second classroom.
The moment Zheng Sen peeked inside, he nearly jumped.
At the podium stood Li Daoxuan himself.
"Mr. Li is teaching personally?"
Shi Lang nodded. "Geography. Dao Xuan Tianzun sets aside a little time each day to teach it."
He tugged Zheng Sen's sleeve. "No need to hide. Let us go in properly."
They knocked lightly.
"Shi Lang and Zheng Sen request temporary permission to attend," Shi Lang announced.
"Enter," Li Daoxuan replied with a smile.
The two slipped inside and stood at the back of the room.
Li Daoxuan continued as if nothing had happened.
"The place we inhabit is a massive sphere called Earth. Earth contains seven continents and four major oceans. The land beneath our feet is called Asia. The ocean beside us is the Pacific Ocean."
He lifted a large bronze globe from beneath the podium and set it down heavily.
"We are here."
His finger shifted.
"Here lies the Qing Empire. Here is Japan. Here is Annam. Here is the Strait of Malacca. Here is Portugal. And here is the Red-Haired Country."
Zheng Sen's eyes widened. "So that is what the Red-Haired Country looks like."
Li Daoxuan traced a long path from the Red-Haired Country across Europe, down along Africa's coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, through the Indian Ocean, across Southeast Asia, and finally to Formosa.
"Observe how far their ships travel."
The classroom fell into stunned silence.
The length of that maritime route was overwhelming.
"We must acknowledge the vast gap between ourselves and the Western naval powers," Li Daoxuan said calmly. "Only by recognizing the disparity can we strive to catch up."
"Acknowledge the gap. Strive to catch up," the students declared together.
Zheng Sen could not hold back. "Strive to catch up. Strive to surpass."
Li Daoxuan smiled at him. "Strive to surpass. Very good."
He continued, "Now let us return to our own region. We will discuss the monsoons and ocean currents along the southeastern coast. In the age of sail, these are essential for long-distance voyages."
He paused briefly.
"In the future, when steamships dominate, wind and currents will matter far less. However, while we may disregard them, the Westerners who still rely on sailing ships cannot. Once you master monsoons and ocean currents, you will know exactly when they arrive and when they must depart."
Shi Lang raised his hand.
"Yes, student?"
"If we know when the enemy comes and goes, we can ambush them."
Li Daoxuan smiled. "Correct. But do not think only of war. Think also of trade. If you know when they arrive, you can prepare silk, porcelain, and other goods in advance. The moment they appear, you raise your sickle and harvest the Westerners' leeks."
The students burst into laughter.
Zheng Sen whispered, completely puzzled, "What does harvesting leeks mean?"
Shi Lang leaned closer. "Leeks grow back quickly after being cut. You can harvest them again and again."
Zheng Sen fell silent.
He had the feeling that this island was teaching far more than naval warfare.
It was teaching how to change the world.