While the Han dynasty was experiencing a quiet electrical revolution, news from the southern seas shattered the tranquillity of Chang'an like a thunderclap.
The Han dynasty's inaugural merchant fleet, carrying Shu brocade, high-quality steel farming tools and rubber samples, was attacked by more than a hundred fast ships while sailing through the waters of Funan (present-day southern Indochina). Relying on their familiarity with the complex sea routes, the Funan people openly boarded and plundered the ships, trampling the Han Dynasty's 'Qilin Flag' on the decks and shouting, 'There is no Han law at sea!'
'Your Majesty, not only does the King of Funan refuse to return the merchant ships, he also challenged them at Vyadhapura, calling the South China Sea Funan's pool and saying that Han iron ships can enter but not leave.' The Grand Herald presented a bloodstained letter of appeal, his face ashen.
Liu Xun stood before the enormous holographic nautical chart in the Xuan Shi Hall, tracing the fragmented archipelago with his fingertip. He activated [Top Performance: The Iron-Blooded Fury of a Hegemon]. [System Command]: Activate the Remote War Mobilisation Module.
Strategic Assessment: The Funan Navy primarily uses 'Bangladesh Clippers', specialising in arson and boarding manoeuvres.
Our deployment: Deploy the 'Wei Zifu' steel-ribbed battleship, a sister ship of the 'Xu Pingjun', from the South China Sea base.
Core weapon: load the 'Primitive Radio Morse Code Machine' for sea-land coordination.
'Those who offend the mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished.' Liu Xun slowly turned his head; his eyes were devoid of anger, displaying only a chilling coldness, as if he were looking at the dead. 'If land is unacceptable, the sea is even more so! Order the South China Sea Fleet: I don't want their apology; I want the head of the Funan king displayed on the bow of the ship.'
Seven days later, amidst vast waves in the South China Sea, two hundred wooden sailing ships from Funan blocked the waterway densely, employing a traditional 'chain encirclement'. The Funan generals believed that the Han's 'monsters', though billowing black smoke and enormous in size, would be unable to manoeuvre effectively in the archipelago's narrow waterways. However, they were wrong. 'Activate differential paddlewheel control!' The captain of the Wei Zifu sounded the horn. Using the ultra-high-pressure steam engine with rubber seals from the Nanzhong fleet, the warship was propelled through the water with astonishing torque, cutting directly into the flank of the Funan fleet in an almost uncanny arc. 'His Majesty instructed that there's no need to conserve ammunition.'
Following this order, the 32 heavy cannons on the broadside fired simultaneously. This time, the shells were filled not with black powder, but with 'picric acid high-energy explosive', a system reward personally overseen by Liu Xun.
'Boom!' A shell struck a Funan fire ship with precision, and the resulting shockwave capsized five or six fast ships within a fifty-metre radius. Unlike the slow burn of the past, the instantaneous high pressure generated by this new explosive tore the wooden ship to shreds. The sea was no longer filled with smoke, but with the red glow of death. The battle lasted only a quarter of an hour.
On the viewing platform ashore, the King of Funan witnessed his once-proud 'invincible navy' wither under the Han army's cannon fire. When the 'Wei Zifu', adorned with the Han dynasty's qilin flag on its bow, rammed into his royal dock, the once-arrogant ruler of the South Seas collapsed to the ground.
[System Notification]
[Funan Kingdom's Intimidation Level] 100% (become a vassal state of the Han Dynasty in the South Seas).[Maritime Route Safety Value] Skyrocketed (South Sea pirates flee at the mere mention of it).
Achievement: The Iron Fist of the Deep Blue Navy
Reward: Basic Sonar Buoy Concept and Second Law of Thermodynamics Technical Manual (Thermal Energy Conversion Optimisation).
Liu Xun received the triumphant report via radio in Chang'an and marked Funan's landmark with a red circle using his brush.
'Sea power is not only the right to trade, but also the right to adjudicate.' He said coldly to the court generals. 'Gongshuqi, accelerate the research and development of the "propeller propulsion system".' Next time, I don't want them to see the muzzle of our cannons again. I want them to be completely crushed by the Han Dynasty's will below sea level.'
The crystal-clear blue waters of Funan were now torn apart by a dense swarm of small, brown wooden boats. Employing a 'swarm tactic', the Funan navy sent hundreds of nimble vessels into the water, like bloodthirsty locusts attempting to exploit the illusion of the steam-powered treasure ships' sluggishness in order to rush into blind spots and engage in hand-to-hand combat.
From his flagship, the Funan commander roared: 'The Han ships may be sturdy, but as long as we get close enough, we can set fire to their decks with oil canisters! Charge! Slaughter the Hans!'
Meanwhile, Liu Xun stood on the towering bridge of the 'Wei Zifu', the thousands of tons of steel and dragon-subduing wood beneath his feet exuding a sense of stability. He did not order a volley of broadside cannons, as using heavy artillery against dilapidated wooden ships displacing less than ten tons would be a waste of expensive smokeless powder in his view.
'Your Majesty, the enemy ships are within two hundred paces! They've begun hurling oil canisters!'
Liu Xun activated 'System: Battlefield Thermal Monitoring."
System notification: Low ignition point targets detected, extremely high density.
Countermeasure selection: High-Pressure Pump-Driven Long-Range Kerosene Injection System.
Fuel configuration: Nanzhong rubber additive + refined kerosene (400% increase in viscosity).
Core advantages: - Unextinguishable on water
- Strong adhesion
- Extremely high calorific value
"Since they want to play with fire, I'll show them what a real 'sea of fire' looks like." Liu Xun gently pressed the hydraulic lever on the command platform. Two enormous bronze dragon heads slowly emerged from the bow of the 'Wei Zifu' ship — these were the latest high-pressure pneumatic injectors developed by the Gewu Academy. With a muffled exhaust sound, he shouted, "Release!" Two dark red fire dragons, each one foot in diameter, erupted and instantly swept across a fan-shaped area of sea 500 metres wide. The kerosene, infused with rubber, transformed into countless tiny sparks in mid-air which exploded upon impact.
The once shimmering sea surface instantly transformed into a churning inferno of lava.
The small wooden boats of the Funan Kingdom were mostly made of lightweight wood and coated with a large amount of tung oil for preservation. The moment they encountered the high-pressure viscous oil, the ships were engulfed in flames without even having time to scream.
"No! Why can't the water extinguish this fire?" The Funan soldiers were horrified to discover that, even after jumping into the sea, the fire continued to burn on their skin and seep into their bodies.
From above, a ring of fire hundreds of metres in diameter appeared around the 'Wei Zifu'. Any small boat that attempted to approach it was instantly reduced to ashes upon contact. The sea breeze carried the stench of burnt flesh and tar, extinguishing the last remnants of Funan's dignity. A quarter of an hour later, the turbulent sea fell into an eerie silence. Apart from the occasional crackling of wood, the once-massive Funan navy had vanished, leaving only floating limbs and still-burning debris on the surface.
[System Notification] [Naval Psychological Deterrence]: 'Gods and Demons Descend' rating achieved.
[Funan Navy Losses]: 92% (completely wiped out).
[Achievement Acquired]: Sea-Burning Blazer.
[Unlocked rewards]: Basic Deep-Sea Mapping Technology, High-Efficiency Seawater Desalination Distiller.
Liu Xun retracted the lever, his eyes as calm as still water. Looking at the remaining Funan soldiers struggling in the sea of fire, he ordered coldly: 'Notify the South China Sea Governor's Office that, from this day forward, any non-Han warships appearing in the waters of the Great Han that do not lower their flags for inspection will meet their end at the hands of the dragon head of the "Wei Zifu".'
The annihilation of the Funan navy cleared the sea of driftwood and removed the last psychological obstacle to the southward expansion of the Han Dynasty. Standing atop the command tower of the 'Wei Zifu', a ship covered with rubber shock-absorbing pads, Liu Xun surveyed the scene. His gaze swept across the shimmering Sunda Islands, landing precisely on the narrow, seemingly impenetrable waterway: the Strait of Malacca.
He knew that, if the Han Dynasty's steel torrent was to break through the South China Sea and open the gates to the Indian Ocean — and even the Atlantic — this was the choke point that had to be seized. "System, activate the 'Global Trade Route Pressure Model'." [System Command]: 'Consumes 20,000 National Fortune Points.'
Core Logic: The Strait of Malacca is the shortest route from East Asia to South Asia, West Asia and Europe.
Strategic weight: Controlling the Strait of Malacca is like controlling the lifeline of the global trade in silk, spices and rubber.
Tactical value: At its narrowest point, the strait is only a few dozen miles wide, making it ideal for shore-based artillery coverage and a natural 'maritime pass'. Liu Xun drew a heavy red circle on the nautical chart, his voice carrying an undeniable air of dominance in the sea breeze: 'This is the "Jade Gate Pass at Sea" that I have chosen for the Great Han.'
In order to fully integrate this land, he did not retain the old name of Funan, but instead inscribed the six characters 'Great Han Annam Protectorate'. This was not just an administrative region, but one endowed with an unprecedented 'military, political and commercial trinity'.
Military Chokehold: A South China Sea Fleet led by the 'Wei Zifu' was permanently stationed there.
Economic Harvest: The 'Strait Customs Office' was established, requiring all non-Han merchant ships passing through the area to pay a 'pilotage tax' equalling 10% of the cargo's value.
Technological dissemination: The first coal and freshwater supply stations based on seawater desalination distillation equipment were set up.
'Gongshu Qi, in the highlands on either side of the strait, I want you to build six permanent fortresses.'
Liu Xun began his 'Grand Performance: The Founder of an Immortal Foundation." Pointing to the massive rocks at the narrowest point of the strait, he said: 'There is no need for dragon-taming wood. Use the hardest refined iron and cement from the Han dynasty for grouting. Each fortress must be able to accommodate at least two 24-pound, long-barrelled cannons.'
[System Plugin Activation]: 'Coastal Fortress Defence Patch'.
[Technology Output]: 'Coastal Heavy Artillery Hydraulic Recoil Reduction Technology', 'Bastion Architectural Layout'.
Effect: The six fortresses form a crossfire network that can sink any enemy ship attempting to storm the sea. When the first five-zhang-high Qilin flag was raised atop the tallest lighthouse in Malacca, the nearby merchant fleets of Rome, India and other small Southeast Asian countries were thrown into an uproar.
A trembling Roman envoy watched the fortress cannon being test-fired; its single shot shattered reefs miles away. Despairingly, he told his entourage, 'From now on, the key to the East is in that man's hands. If we want to do business, we must kneel and pay tribute to the Han Dynasty with five zhu coins.'
[System Notification]:
[Han Dynasty's Maritime Power]: Increased from 20 to 85 (establishing absolute regional hegemony).
[Financial Forecast]: Annual pilotage tax revenue is expected to exceed three million gold five-zhu coins.
[Achievement]: Lord of the Straits
Unlock rewards: High-purity oil distillation tower design blueprint (suitable for Indonesian crude oil), basic radio light communication code.Standing atop the lighthouse, Liu Xun overlooked the endless stream of merchant ships below — the arteries of civilisation. 'The South Seas are secure; Malacca is sealed off.' He turned to face the setting sun sinking into the Indian Ocean. 'Gongshu Qi, shall we go to Africa to mine, or to the Mediterranean to catch up with the Roman emperor?'
Once the first foundations had been laid for the Malacca fortress, Liu Xun's ambitions were carried by the monsoon winds deeper into the heart of the South Seas. Guided by ancient maps, the Han fleet traversed the reef-filled Sunda Strait and arrived at Java, a vast island known locally as the 'Golden Spine'.
Here, not only did spices and temples await, but also layers of red rock beneath volcanic ash where the golden pulse of the empire's global expansion beat.
"System, activate 'Precise Global Mineral Resource Location.' Target: Shallow gold veins on Java Island.'
System Command: Consumes 30,000 points of National Fortune.
Scan results: A super-large, low-grade gold deposit has been discovered, along with associated silver deposits. Geological characteristics: porphyry gold deposit formed by volcanic activity. The estimated reserves are sufficient to increase the Han Dynasty's gold reserves fivefold, providing full support for the nascent gold standard.
Standing on the edge of a cliff on Java Island, Liu Xun pointed to the seemingly ordinary grey-brown rocks at his feet and activated his 'Top Performance: The Monarch Who Turns Stone into Gold', ordering the accompanying mining officials, 'Ignore the surface soil; keep digging until you see the sun shining through the earth.'
As the first basket of ore, mixed with quartz and glittering gold dust, was lifted into the sunlight, a resounding sound, like a torrent of gold coins, echoed in Liu Xun's mind: [System Notification]: 'Hidden Achievement Triggered — Foundation of the Imperial Treasury!'
[Rewards issued]
[Technology Package]: 'Cyanide Gold Extraction Process (Basic Version)' and 'Gravity Separation Shaking Table Blueprint'.
Architectural blueprint: Royal Central Bank Headquarters (bulletproof and fireproof specifications).
Special item: 'Eye of the Financial Harvester' (real-time monitoring of global precious metal price fluctuations).
'Gold is not wealth; gold is order.' Liu Xun grabbed a handful of golden sand and watched it slip through his fingers. 'With it, I can hire mercenaries from all over the world and buy all the grain in the Roman Empire. From this day forward, the value of gold will be determined by Chang'an!'
Traditional gold panning methods relied on manual sifting and washing, which was inefficient. Liu Xun ordered the construction of the first steam-powered ore processing plant on Java Island. The roar of the huge steam-powered stone crusher startled the jungle's wild beasts. High-pressure water pumps sprayed powerful jets of water — enough to flatten hilltops — through rubber hoses for hydraulic mining.
'Your Majesty, this rate of gold production... one day is equivalent to a year in the past!' Gongshu Qi, looking at the 99% pure gold bricks being melted and cast, breathed heavily. 'If this gold were transported back to Chang'an, the treasury of the Han Dynasty would likely need to be expanded tenfold!'
Liu Xun stood on the deck of the Xu Pingjun ship, laden with gold bricks, watching the last chest of silver being sealed away. He knew that, when this enormous amount of hard currency flooded the market, he would unleash the Han Dynasty's most lethal weapon: a currency war. He planned to use this gold to establish a brand new credit system covering Malacca, the Southern Frontier and the Central Plains.
The next strategic plan was:
'Gold Standard Reform': Abolish pure copper coins and implement 'Han Central Paper Money' backed by gold.
[Resource Blockade]: Use Java as a fulcrum to build the Han Dynasty's first deep-water coal and iron transshipment port in the Southern Hemisphere.
'Those barbarians in the west are still fighting each other over a few silver coins.' Liu Xun looked across the ocean and smiled knowingly. 'But I am ready to use these gold bricks to smash their civilisation to pieces.'