Chapter 958

Dengzhou Military Port.

Xie Yuan led a group of generals in a military salute to Xiao Ming.

Yesterday, they had relayed news of this naval battle to Qingzhou Province. The next day, the Emperor arrived in Dengzhou by the earliest steam locomotive.

Xiao Ming returned Xie Yuan’s military salute. He walked towards the pier, awaiting Xie Yuan’s report.

“Your Majesty, the fleet that attacked the Great Yu Empire this time was a combined fleet consisting of Britain, France, and Spain. The total number of warships was seventy-six, all of which were third-rate sailing capital ships. In yesterday’s fierce battle, we sank a total of seventy-four warships, lost seven hybrid-powered warships and four third-rate sailing warships, killed eight thousand enemy soldiers, and captured three thousand fallen soldiers. Only two warships were intentionally allowed to escape,” Xie Yuan cautiously reported on the battle.

Hearing this, Xiao Ming stopped. He looked at Xie Yuan with interest and asked, “Why did you allow two warships to escape?”

Xie Yuan was startled for a moment. His forehead beaded slightly with sweat. He was somewhat afraid of being blamed by Xiao Ming. However, taking a deep breath, he decided to speak his true thoughts: “This combined surprise attack on Dengzhou military port by Britain, France, and Spain must be an act of contempt towards the Great Yu Empire’s navy, confident that they control maritime power. I, your humble servant, deliberately allowed two warships to return this time. The purpose is to convey the situation of this war to Britain and France through the soldiers of these two warships, to instill fear in the enemy, thereby making the Great Yu Empire navy’s navigation in the Nanyang waters smoother. After all, if they are fearful, they will not easily initiate war, and our merchant ships will also be safer.”

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. Sinking these two remaining warships was simple for them, but for him, the value of these two warships returning to Europe was evidently much higher than sinking them.

Firstly, he needed European countries to have a clear understanding of the Great Yu Empire now, to prevent these powers from causing trouble everywhere for him, or at least less trouble.

Secondly, since the unification of the Great Yu Empire, the territory he controlled was rapidly increasing. Goryeo, Japan, Albazin, the Philippines, and perhaps more Nanyang colonies would follow.

These newly acquired lands needed the Great Yu Empire to slowly assimilate them. So, after taking Malacca, the Great Yu Empire would delineate its sphere of influence with Malacca as the boundary, gradually consolidating its power in these areas. Their hope was to instill fear in the enemy, preventing them from acting rashly.

After all, merely occupying a colony could not realize its benefits. He needed these colonies to provide the Great Yu Empire with ore, grain, and labor output, thereby achieving profitability.

Otherwise, occupying a losing colony had no value.

“You did well. Awe-inspiring these maritime powers, ending war by war, and demonstrating the Great Yu Empire’s prestige is what is needed now. At the same time, we need to take time to manage the areas under our control.”

Xiao Ming praised.

Although European powers had colonies all over the world, these colonies belonged to different countries. The Great Yu Empire’s control over Asia, however, relied on its own strength, which made it much more difficult.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise. However, the main credit for defeating this combined fleet goes to him,” Xie Yuan said, introducing Li Wei to Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming looked at this slightly thin but exceptionally sharp-eyed naval general. He said, “You are very good. To be able to lead twelve warships and almost destroy the enemy’s fleet—this time, I will reward you heavily.”

Li Wei’s face showed excitement. He immediately gave a strong military salute and said loudly, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace.”

Xiao Ming nodded slightly, showing deep gratitude. While the army was undoubtedly important, in the Age of Discovery, the navy’s position was unshakeable. In the coming times, he needed the navy to seize maritime hegemony, provide safe routes for the Great Yu Empire’s merchant fleets, and project soldiers to distant colonies.

So he addressed all the naval generals, “In this naval battle, you all defeated the enemy and asserted our might overseas. The Grand Secretariat will now draft a list of commendations, and you will all receive generous rewards.”

The generals were immediately overjoyed, cheering, “Long live our Emperor! Long live our Emperor!”

Seeing the generals and soldiers so fervent, Xiao Ming felt very much at ease. After all, the Great Yu Empire was currently an imperial system, and soldiers’ loyalty to the emperor was crucial.

After comforting the soldiers who participated in the naval battle, Xiao Ming and generals like Xie Yuan went directly to the naval office.

At this point, Xie Yuan asked, “Your Majesty, we have captured two very important individuals. One is Wilson, the commander of this combined fleet, and the other is Dick, a councilor from Britain. Especially this Dick; what he said will surely interest Your Majesty.”

One of Xiao Ming’s purposes for coming this time was to interrogate these captives, because he was now very eager to know the changes happening in Britain and France. After all, due to significant differences in appearance, the secret guards simply could not infiltrate Britain and France, which left him lacking information about changes in Europe.

Now, with these captives, it was different. He could always find a few willing to talk.

“Bring them over.” Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes. These two captives were very important. One was a councilor, the other a high-ranking naval general. Even ransoming them back would probably cost a lot of money.

Receiving the order, Xie Yuan instructed the soldiers. Soon, the disheveled Dick and Wilson were escorted in by two soldiers.

“This is His Majesty the Emperor of our Great Yu Empire. Weren’t you two clamoring to see His Majesty? Now, speak quickly if you have something to say, and if you have wind, let it out quickly,” Xie Yuan roared impolitely.

Dick and Wilson looked at the young man seated in the center of the official residence. Both were somewhat surprised. Like their Queen, this Emperor of the Great Yu Empire was also very young.

However, the Queen’s power was built upon Britain’s strength, while this young Emperor had personally brought the Great Yu Empire from poverty and weakness to its current prosperity and power.

“Esteemed Emperor, I am Dick, a British councilor, and this is Wilson. As a noble, I protest the Great Yu Empire’s crude treatment of us. In Europe, any noble who is captured receives polite treatment.” Dick forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart as he spoke.

Wilson looked at Xiao Ming without speaking, but his defiant gaze told Xiao Ming that this man still had some courage.

“Your noble etiquette seems to be effective only for you Europeans. When you massacred the natives of other countries, you never talked about any etiquette.” Xiao Ming said coldly, “I am very busy. I will tell you frankly now: if you can provide valuable information, I may spare your lives. If not, your fate will be to be thrown into the sea to feed the sharks.”

Dick’s body instantly slumped. Having lived a pampered life in Britain, he had never seen such an arrogant monarch.