(Congratulations to Misfortune Strikes for becoming the new leader of this book. Thank you)
The Xue Clan was a clan that had seen the world from a very early age.
When the eyes of the world were fixed on the land, they turned to look at the ocean.
Of course, to a certain extent, this was also inspired by the Jin Zhou Count.
More than a hundred years ago, the entire eastern coastal region of the State of Yue had been ravaged by pirates, and the Xue Clan had been annihilated.
King Zhou of Jin appeared out of nowhere and wiped out all the pirates along the coastline with his own strength.
It was also from that time that the Xue Clan began to consciously manage the ocean.
After decades and generations of hard work, the Xue family finally had some achievements. Gradually, they shifted their focus to the ocean.
But it was also at that time that the Kim family also produced a family head who valued the sea, and that was Count Kim Woo. He did his best to borrow a million gold coins from the Hidden Era Association and hired an entire fleet of over ten thousand troops to attack the Pirate King Chou Tianwei and seize the Leizhou Archipelago.
At that time, the Xue family was not only the absolute ally of the Kim clan, but also the in-laws of many generations. Moreover, the other party had some business in the ocean, so of course, the two sides hit it off.
Moreover, the Xue family showed great enthusiasm in helping the Kim family.
Who knew that the Xue family would join hands with the Yinyuan Association and bring the Kim family's allied forces to hell?
Many people didn't know why.
Could it be that it was because of a great kindness that turned into an enmity?
Of course not.
Because the benefits of the sea were limited, the Xue's had already enjoyed the benefits of the sea. Of course, they didn't want the Kim family to enjoy it.
Moreover, under the leadership of the Yinyuan Association, the Xue Clan and Chou Tianwei also had a lot of exchanges of interests.
Chou Tianwei occupied the trade rights of the eastern sea, while Xue Che occupied the trade rights of the southern sea.
Count Jin Yu had great ambitions but little talent. Barging in recklessly would only lead to death.
The Leizhou Archipelago was more than 10,000 square kilometers.
The Xue Clan's Nanzhou Archipelago was about the same. It was about 17,000 square kilometers.
After decades of operation, it had a population of hundreds of thousands.
Although the arable land on these islands was not very large, the climate was hot and the crops were harvested three times a year.
Therefore, not only could they produce their own food, but they could also produce a large amount of salt.
Jinshan Island had iron mines, and so did Nanzhou Islands.
Moreover, the Xue Clan still had two large businesses.
Palm oil, valuable wood.
Within a few thousand miles of the Southern Sea, there were dozens of large and small countries. There were countless virgin forests, rich in palm oil and precious wood.
The entire State of Yue, and even the aristocrats of the entire Eastern Dynasty, loved the Yellow Rosewood and Red Sandalwood.
More than half of these businesses were monopolized by the Xue Clan and the Hidden Origin Association.
Compared to the Kim family who seized the Raging Tide City with a bang, the Xue family was the one who made a fortune in silence.
This family was truly wealthy enough to rival a nation.
It was precisely because of the overflowing benefits and wealth that the Xue Clan was able to climb up Stupa Mountain and establish a relationship with the Empire.
Therefore, when Xue Che returned to the State of Yue from the Flame Capital, Ning Yuanxian appeared to be very sincere, but Xue Che did not react strongly.
This was because his vision had long since surpassed the State of Yue. He had set his sights on the entire Great Yan Empire.
It was precisely because of their overwhelming wealth that the Xue clan possessed a powerful fleet and a powerful South Sea Sword Sect.
… …
"Zhong Shi lost." Xue Che narrowed his eyes. "So quickly? The Nirvana Army really shouldn't exist in this world. "
He played with a piece of jade in his hand. This was jade that had just been mined. In the words of Earth, it was a glass type, a top-grade jade.
He held the jade in his left hand and the glass in his right.
This glass was also produced by Shenlang. It had become a popular luxury item in the Eastern World.
After carefully comparing the two, he realized that the glass was more translucent.
"We can't do this jade business anymore," Xue Che said. "The cost of Shenlang's glass is shockingly low. Even if we mine our jade, we can't sell it at a higher price than them. Moreover, their glass already comes in all kinds of colors."
"However, our jade is natural, while Shenlang's glass is man-made. In terms of value, it is far inferior to our jade," the shopkeeper in charge of the jade trade said. "So in the end, glass can't compete with jade."
Xue Che said, "That's true, but at least in a decade or two. The rarer something is, the more expensive it is. The glass that Shen Lang and the Heavenly Society release every year is even less than our jadeite. Their prices are not high, and there are even rumors that these glasses are extracted from jadeite.
Glass was extracted from jadeite. Who was the one who spread the news?
Of course, it was Shenlang. Otherwise, how could the glass be sold at a sky-high price?
The shopkeeper said, "Do we still want those jade mines?"
"Yes, of course," Xue Che said. "Not only do we want those jade mines, but we also want to buy all the jade mines and seal them completely. We want to completely reduce the production of jade in the Eastern World and make it rarer and rarer. In a few decades, glass will appear on a large scale. At that time, its value will plummet, and it will go from a luxury item to an ordinary item. At that time, jade will be able to rise again. "
The shopkeeper said with a bitter expression, "My lord is wise."
This was indeed a wise decision, but it had nothing to do with him anymore.
Because his lord's strategy would take at least a few decades to see results, and by then, his son would have retired.
"Father, the Empire's envoy is here," Xue Pan said.
… …
"Greetings, Your Highness." Xue Che was about to kneel.
This envoy of the empire was still Prince Lian.
"Zhong Yao lost," Prince Lian said.
Xue Che said, "I've heard."
Prince Lian said, "A loss is a loss. Continue with your plan."
Xue Che said, "Yes, I'm gathering the army. Once it's done, we can completely annihilate the Kim family's naval fleet, seize Raging Tide City, and completely seal off the Eastern Sea. "
Prince Lian said, "I once promised Zhong Yao that as long as he destroyed the Nirvana Army, the Zhong family would establish their own nation. Now, I also promise you on behalf of the Empire that as long as you destroy the Kim family's naval fleet and seal off the State of Yue's eastern sea, the Empire will also allow the Xue family to establish their own nation. What do you think of the name South Continent Duchy? "
Xue Che immediately knelt and kowtowed. "This subject would never dare to have such a thought. The Xue family has only wanted to be a loyal subject of the Empire for generations. They have never wanted to establish their own nation."
Prince Lian's eyes narrowed when he heard this.
From this alone, it could be seen that Xue Che was much more brilliant than Zhong Yao.
Whether it was Zhong Yao or Su Nan, they both had an obsession in their minds — to establish their own nation.
But don't you know that His Majesty already wants to unify the entire world?
When the time comes, even the Empire won't be able to hold on, let alone your duchy.
You keep saying that you want to establish your own nation. Although the Empire allows it, it doesn't feel too good about it.
Only Xue Che was silently making a fortune.
The Xue family was clearly wealthier than the Su family and the Zhong family, but they were still just a Count. Even Jin Zhuo had been promoted to Marquis.
Prince Lian said, "Then what do you want? The Empire can't let you work for nothing. "
Xue Che said, "After conquering the Leizhou Archipelago and Raging Tide City, this subject is willing to manage the Leizhou Archipelago for the Empire."
Prince Lian of the Empire leaned back slightly.
This was a shrewd calculation. He didn't want the empty title of a duchy, and he wasn't willing to become the ruler of a nation. He wanted the right to rule the Leizhou Archipelago.
This wasn't just an archipelago, but also the right to trade in the eastern sea of the State of Yue.
"Xue Che, you've wanted to attack the Leizhou Archipelago for a long time, right?" Prince Lian said.
Xue Che kowtowed. "Your Highness, please excuse me."
Not only that, he was practically drooling over it.
The Xue family had risen by taking the maritime route. Now the Kim family wanted to copy the Xue family's path. How could that be?
Twenty years ago, Xue Che had managed to kill the Kim family's maritime route with great difficulty. Now the Kim family wanted to rise again. How could he not be anxious?
You could say that.
From the moment Shen Lang killed Chou Tianwei and took over the Raging Tide City. The Xue family had been preparing for this battle. They were preparing to destroy the Kim family and take over the Raging Tide City.
"Fine, the Leizhou Archipelago and the Raging Tide City are yours," Prince Lian said.
The two didn't discuss any private deals, but Prince Lian had a share in the Xue family's business.
In his ten-odd years in Yan Capital, Xue Che had used his interests to create a huge net.
Prince Lian said, "Xue Che, I'll say it again. If you lose, you lose. It's not important. But destroying the Kim family and completely sealing off the eastern sea is extremely important. Do you understand? You are only one of the families who received orders. The Wu Kingdom in the north, the imperial fleet further north, and the foreign race fleet further north have all received the empire's will. Completely sealing off the entire eastern sea, spanning fifteen thousand kilometers from north to south. There are a dozen or so fleets involved. "
Xue Che's body trembled when he heard this.
Such a large scale?
Fifteen thousand kilometers of the sea?
Then Xue Che was only responsible for two to three thousand kilometers.
What was going on?
Sealing off more than ten thousand kilometers of the sea?
Prince Lian said, "You are a smart man. You should know the weight of this. I won't tell you why, but I can tell you that the world will fall soon. "
Xue Che kowtowed. "Your subject only cares about the empire's will. I dare not speculate on my own."
Prince Lian said, "Alright, do your job well. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you've managed to seize it. Your contribution is greater than the heavens, but you can accomplish it easily. "
"Your subject obeys!"
… … …
After Prince Lian left.
Xue Che arrived in front of an enormous map.
From this map, it could be seen that he was different from the other nobles of the State of Yue.
The Kim family's map only included the eastern sea of the State of Yue.
Ning Yuanxian's map also only included the periphery of the State of Yue.
But Xue Che's map included the entire eastern world's oceans and islands.
His gaze traveled from the northernmost Sea of Perpetual Frost all the way to the southernmost Island of Pity. The straight-line distance was more than sixteen thousand and eight hundred kilometers.
Something had happened. Something big must have happened.
Otherwise, the empire wouldn't have used such a large scale.
Mobilizing a dozen or so fleets from several countries to seal off more than ten thousand kilometers of the sea.
What exactly were they sealing off?
Or rather, who were they sealing off?
Something big must have happened.
What exactly had happened?
Xue Che didn't really want to know. All he knew was that he could reap enormous benefits from this.
Prince Lian had said that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He could easily make such a huge contribution.
The Kim family?
Perhaps they were just an insignificant supporting character in this big show.
Were the Kim family and the Leizhou Islands just a small stumbling block in the empire's plan?
… …
The Xue family's fleet had already assembled.
They hadn't set off yet because they hadn't come to an agreement.
Now that they had, they could set off.
The one leading this fleet was Yan Nanfei. Not only was he one of the grandmasters and the leader of the South Sea Sword Sect, but he also had a close relationship with Stupa Mountain.
Xue Che said, "Brother, you must remember this. Use the smallest price to destroy the Kim family. Even if you don't hesitate to kill everyone in Raging Tide City. We don't need everyone in Raging Tide City, we just need this island. Also, you must exterminate the entire Kim Clan. From an eighty year old woman to an infant crying piteously for food, don't let any of them off. Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. "
Yan Nanfei cupped his hands and said, "Brother, I will remember."
Xue Che said, "We are brothers. One is in charge of internal affairs, and the other is in charge of external affairs. You've worked hard."
Yan Nanfei said, "Brother, you've worked hard."
Xue Che said, "Xue Pan, come here."
The heir of the Xue family, Xue Pan, walked over.
Xue Che said, "You should follow uncle to learn. You've stayed on land for too long. You need to go to the ocean to gain experience."
Xue Pan bowed and said, "Yes."
Yan Nanfei said, "Then I'll leave everything in the family to you, brother."
Xue Che said, "Don't worry. Our South Continent Archipelago is more than 2,000 miles away from land. With the Xue family's fleet here, the South Continent Archipelago will be safe."
Yan Nanfei and Xue Pan boarded the Xue family's tall flagship.
"Depart!"
An order was given.
Flags fluttered.
The Xue family's fleet left the South Continent Archipelago's dock in a grandiose manner, heading northeast toward Raging Tide City. It was more than 3,500 miles away.
"Brother, remember to eliminate the root of the problem!"
On the tallest castle in South Continent City.
Ning Qi and Xue Xue watched the Xue family's fleet leave.
This fleet could really be described as majestic and mighty.
There were more than 200 ships of various sizes and 30,000 people.
Of course, this was also an allied force.
60% of them belonged to the Xue family, and the remaining 40% belonged to the forces in the nearby seas.
It was like this every time they started a war.
As the leader of this sea region, the Xue family had to bring other forces with them. One reason was to increase their combat power, and the other was to protect the safety of their homeland.
Otherwise, if the main force left and left behind a large number of subordinates, what if they became restless and had ambitions that they shouldn't have?
Perhaps someone would ask.
Previously, Qiu Tianwei had 30,000 pirates, and now Xue Che could gather 30,000 allied forces?
Could this sea region nurture so many forces in the sea?
Of course it could!
This was the trade interests of more than 4,000 to 5,000 miles of sea, and there were dozens of countries and forces of various sizes.
The great pirate Zhang Baozai during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty occupied a much smaller territory, but at his peak, he had thousands of ships of various types and an army of more than 70,000 pirates.
Ning Qi looked at this fleet with a complicated gaze.
"Your Highness …" Xue Xue went forward and hugged Ning Qi from behind, and said gently, "You don't have to be sad. I have a feeling that your time is coming soon."
Ning Qi didn't say anything.
After he came to the Xue family's territory, the Xue family was still respectful to him.
Especially when Xue Che came to pay his respects every day and still regarded him as the young master. But Ning Qi could still feel the feeling of living under someone else's roof.
… …
Ning Qi was not the only one who watched the Xue family's fleet leave from the castle. There was another person, Commander-in-Chief Yan E of the Black Water Platform.
He was also a top expert who had the ability of a grandmaster, but not the title of a grandmaster.
His feelings were even more complicated.
He was Ning Yuanxian's direct descendant, and also Xue Che and Yan Nanfei's senior and junior brother.
Because of interests and deeper entanglements, he walked further and further on the path of the Xue family.
But he really didn't think of rebelling against Ning Yuanxian.
So when he went to catch Ning Gang, he immediately gave up all resistance and knelt on the ground the moment he saw Ning Yuanxian wake up.
But he couldn't get off the ship of the Xue family and Ning Qi.
Moreover, Ning Yuanxian would never trust him again, so he chose to leave.
Although this place was good, it was not his home. He hoped that he could return to Tianyue one day.
… …
The Xue family's fleet was the absolute overlord of this sea region. Only when they entered the territorial waters of Tiannan Province could they see the fleets of other forces.
So Yan Nanfei felt like he was swimming in his own bathtub in this sea region that spanned over 2,000 miles.
Xue Pan looked at the boundless sea and said, "Uncle, the Jin Dynasty Count was so powerful back then. Why didn't they occupy all the islands in the eastern and southern seas and move the Kim family overseas?"
Yan Nanfei said, "First, because they were stupid. Second, because they died early."
Xue Pan said, "This time, we're going to exterminate the Kim family, including Jin Mulan?"
Yan Nanfei said, "I hope that includes her. The empire's will is to wipe out all the people with special bloodlines."
To be more precise, they wanted to wipe out all the people with special bloodlines who were not part of the six forces.
From now on, only the empire and the six forces could control the power of the ancient civilization.
"That's a pity," Xue Pan said.
His words were filled with incomparable filth.
Jin Mulan was too beautiful, especially after her transformation. Her beauty was like the top of the pyramid.
Xue Pan was drooling.
Yan Nanfei said, "The last person who coveted Jin Mulan was Ning Yi."
Xue Pan said, "Uncle, you must be joking."
Yan Nanfei said, "I'm not joking. Previously, Jin Mulan was already beautiful enough. Crown Prince Ning Yi regarded her as his exclusive property. Now, Ning Yi is finished. Now, Jin Mulan is even more beautiful. She's so beautiful that people can't open their eyes. So, we can't touch her. Once we do, many big shots will bear a grudge against us. Do you understand? "
Xue Pan said, "I understand."
Yan Nanfei said, "That's why we should just destroy her. Chop her into pieces to prevent further harm."
On the mast of the Xue family's flagship, there was a person looking into the distance at all times. He stood at the highest point and observed the enemy.
He was a little lazy.
This was because it was impossible for there to be any enemy within 2,000 miles. This was the Xue family's internal sea.
The Kim family's Raging Tide City was 2,000 to 3,000 miles away.
Moreover, the Kim family's navy was so weak that it made people cry. It had been a few years, but they couldn't even destroy the pirates.
A land army could be trained in a few years, but a sea fleet needed decades to become a powerful navy.
Everyone in the Xue family's fleet knew that the key to this battle was to besiege Raging Tide City.
There was no suspense in the battle on the sea.
It was an instant kill.
How many ships did the Kim family's fleet have? How many people?
Not even a fraction of the Xue family's allied forces.
Moreover, their ships were very small. The Xue family's warships were big and sturdy.
Not only that, the Xue family's warships had catapults and giant crossbows.
The Kim family's warships were so small that they couldn't hold anything.
Therefore, in front of the Xue family's allied forces, the Kim family's fleet was like a child that had just walked. It was absolutely vulnerable.
Perhaps it was because they had been strong for too long that the watchmen on the mast couldn't raise their interest at all.
This was because they hadn't had a strong enough enemy for more than a decade.
At this moment.
Suddenly, a black dot seemed to appear on the sea far ahead.
The Xue family's watchman couldn't help but be stunned.
'Is that the merchant ship?'
He didn't pay too much attention. It was normal for merchant ships to appear in this area. It was even normal for the Xue family's patrol ships to appear.
However …
The next moment, dozens of black dots appeared densely.
'This isn't normal. It's definitely not normal.
First of all, the trade fleet can't be so dense, and it's not in this formation.
But it was too far away, and he couldn't see it clearly at all.
After another half an hour, he finally saw it clearly.
'I … F * ck!
'Am I seeing a ghost?
'What am I seeing?
'The Kim family's fleet?'
The mast man rubbed his eyes desperately and then patted his head hard.
'Am I hallucinating?'
He moved closer again.
He finally saw it clearly.
'It really is the Kim family's fleet.'
Then, he hurriedly rang the gong.
"There's an enemy, there's an enemy …"
"Dang dang dang …"
"There's an enemy."
Then, the flag-bearers on the entire flagship waved desperately.
It was a warning to the entire fleet.
In fact, many people saw it.
Yan Nanfei and Xue Pan also saw it.
They couldn't believe their eyes at all.
'Has the Kim family gone mad?'
'Has Shen Lang gone mad?'
'We haven't even attacked Fury Tide City yet. 'How dare you attack the Xue family?
'How many ships do you have in your fleet?
'How many people do you have?
'Your Nirvana Army is invincible on land, but completely useless on the sea.
'Aren't you courting death too easily?'
Soon, Yan Nanfei saw it clearly and was even more in disbelief.
The Kim family's fleet only had 40 ships, and they weren't big. There wouldn't be more than 4,000 people in total.
These ships looked very flat and slender.
But other than that, there were no other advantages.
'However, since you, Shen Lang, are willing to die, I'm willing to bury you too.'
Yan Nanfei gave the order.
"Prepare for battle, prepare for battle!"
"The fleet is in an encirclement formation!"
… …
A naval battle was extremely troublesome.
Especially at this time, it took a long time to arrange the formation.
The two fleets were already very close to each other.
However, after more than two hours, the naval battle officially broke out.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh …"
"Boom, boom, boom …"
The Xue family's fleet displayed amazing long-range combat power.
They had a total of more than 200 ships of various sizes, and more than 30 of them were large ships.
These large ships were equipped with giant crossbows and catapults that could attack from more than 300 meters away.
This power was simply shocking.
However …
This accuracy was also touching.
The giant crossbows were fine, and they had a certain degree of accuracy.
As for the catapults, they could only hit the sea.
To be able to hit one was definitely extremely lucky.
The Xue family's fleet fired wildly, and their stance was extremely shocking.
But the results were almost zero.
It couldn't be helped. Even in the era of artillery warships, who knew how long it would take to master the accuracy of the bombardment.
And what about the Shen Lang fleet?
There were no giant crossbows, no catapults.
They only relied on one kind of weapon.
Archers.
Was this a joke?
Was this a return to the naval battles of Earth BC?
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh …"
On the Shen Lang fleet, the Nirvana Army shot out a rain of arrows.
All of them were rockets.
They drew a beautiful arc in the air.
"Puff puff puff puff …"
The rain of arrows hit the Xue family's fleet hard.
Yan Nanfei and the others were shocked.
This was simply insane.
How far could the archers of the Kim family shoot?
This was almost the limit.
The Two Stone Bow could be shot up to a distance of nearly three hundred meters.
But accuracy?
Not mentioning it.
Try your luck.
Just like that, the two fleets fought for half an hour!
The Shen Lang fleet actually had the upper hand.
Because the arrows of the Nirvana Army were too far away, and they were no weaker than the giant crossbows and catapults of the Xue family's fleet.
Moreover, the arrows of 3,000 people were more accurate than dozens of giant crossbows and catapults.
But the results?
Not mentioning it.
At this distance, even the arrows of the Nirvana Army had no power.
Even the rockets could not ignite the Xue family's ships.
The fierce battle lasted for half an hour.
There were hundreds of casualties.
And the distance between the two sides was always maintained at more than 300 meters.
There was no other way.
The Shen Lang did not dare to take the risk.
The difference in strength between the two fleets was too great.
The Shen Lang's ships were light, agile, and fast.
But they were also relatively fragile. Once they were hit by a few catapults and giant crossbows, they would be seriously injured.
After half an hour of fierce battle.
Shen Lang's fleet fled without a trace.
The Xue family's fleet chased wildly.
At this time, Yan Nanfei finally realized the characteristics of the Shen Lang fleet.
They were fast and agile.
The speed of the entire fleet was about 20% faster than the Xue family's fleet.
The two fleets began a crazy chase.
Originally, the Xue family's fleet could never catch up with the Shen Lang fleet.
But the Shen Lang was too despicable. Every time they were too far away, his fleet would deliberately slow down so that the Xue family's fleet could catch up.
The whole process was like a beauty teasing a hooligan.
"Come here, come here. As long as you catch up with me, I'll let you have sex."
The hooligan chased frantically, but he could not catch up at all.
When he was about to give up, the beauty stopped and coquettishly said, "Come here. As long as you catch up with me, I'll let you have sex."
… …
Two whole days and two nights passed.
The Xue family's fleet continued to chase wildly. They did not fight seriously at all.
Xue Pan said, "Uncle, Shen Lang is scheming, he's scheming."
Yan Nanfei sneered.
Of course, Shen Lang had a trick.
Was he trying to lure the Xue family's fleet to some terrifying hell?
What a joke.
Who was most familiar with this sea?
Not you, Shen Lang, but the Xue family.
You, Shen Lang, may be full of tricks, but I, Yan Nanfei, grew up in the sea.
This area is the Xue family's internal sea. I know it like the back of my hand.
… …
On the Kim family's flagship.
Mulan stood at the bow of the ship and closed her eyes to sense the sea.
She heard the roar of the sea, the sea breeze, and the bottom of the sea.
Shen Lang stepped forward and said, "Baby, are you sure?"
Mulan said, "I'm sure. The sea is wailing and whimpering. It's accumulating endless power. It's waiting for an instant explosion. "
Shen Lang said, "Then, is this explosion powerful enough?"
Mulan said, "Whether it's our fleet or the Xue family's fleet, in the face of the power of the sea, we're like children's toys. We can easily turn into powder."
After Mulan's transformation, she had the senses of an ancient human.
She could sense the entire nature.
She could sense the earth, the sea, and the weather.
She could know when the wind would blow, when it would rain, and when it would thunder.
She could even predict even more terrifying disasters in advance.
He had demonstrated this ability a few months ago.
Therefore, Yan Nanfei's premonition was right. Shen Lang was about to bring the Xue family's fleet to hell.
… …
Note: Today's two nights are 16,000! Everyone, please give me your monthly tickets. The pastries begged.
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