Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The punitive action taken by the Great Xia Empire against Luzon had far-reaching consequences, extending far beyond the city of Manila. News of it swept through Southeast Asia like a tsunami, reaching as far as Europe.

Strait of Malacca, Portuguese Malacca City.

After hearing the account of the merchant who had narrowly escaped death in Manila, the Portuguese envoy to India turned pale and smashed the crystal glass in his hand with a loud crash.

"My God... even the Spanish suffered such a crushing defeat in Manila? They paid a loss of 100,000 pesos, and the governor was dismissed and investigated? What kind of monster is that Great Xia Empire?"

Batavia, headquarters of the Dutch East India Company.

The Dutch, who had just suffered a crushing defeat in Taiwan, were struck by another piece of bad news.

The company's senior management held an emergency meeting overnight, and the atmosphere was even more tense than it had been a few months ago.

"It seems that Taiwan's defeat was not accidental."

A senior business officer said dejectedly, "They possess formidable warships and cannons, decisive commanders, and, more importantly, the determination and strength to cross oceans and avenge their overseas citizens. After Taiwan, they dealt the Spanish a fatal blow in Luzon... We must never have any further thoughts of provocation."

Goa, the Governor-General's residence in Portuguese India.

The governor, looking at the urgent reports from both Malacca and Batavia, sighed deeply and said to his advisors, "Times have changed. That Eastern empire has awakened from its slumber. They are no longer someone we can bully at will or demand trade privileges from."

We must reassess our relationship with Taisha, maintain our foothold in Macau with the utmost caution, and may even... need to seek a trade license from them.

Europe, Spain and the Dutch Republic.

When news of the "Manila debacle" and the "Manila Agreement" traveled a long sea route and reached Europe months later, it caused a huge shock and diplomatic uproar in Madrid and The Hague.

The Spanish royal family was furious at the loss of face and the huge reparations, but there was nothing they could do—the water from afar could not quench their immediate thirst, and the defeat in the Far East was a foregone conclusion.

The Dutch, however, saw the terrifying potential for the rise of Bactria and realized that their trade interests in the East had to be based on "not provoking Beijing".

In Southeast Asian countries, the shock was even more direct and intense.

Ayutthaya Province, Siam.

King Narayanun urgently summoned the leaders of the Chinese merchant corps, displaying an unprecedentedly humble attitude.

"I have heard that the Great Xia army, in order to protect its citizens, launched a great campaign against Luzon and achieved a resounding victory. Truly, the might of Heaven is awe-inspiring! My mind is made up; I will immediately dispatch the most distinguished delegation, carrying a letter of state and lavish gifts, to the capital of Great Xia to pay tribute and establish lasting friendship!"

Champa.

Upon hearing the news in the palace, the King of Champa was so shocked that he stood up from his throne.

"Even the Spanish were defeated? Manila is besieged? This Emperor of Great Xia is even more powerful than the Yongle Emperor of yesteryear!"

He immediately ordered that Chinese merchants within the territory be treated with even greater favor, and prepared the most lavish tributes, to curry favor with this emerging maritime hegemon before other countries could.

Java Island, Mataram Sultanate.

The young Sultan Amangulat I looked at the news brought by the maritime merchants, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. "Brahma...they defeated the Dutch and the Spanish. Perhaps they are the only force that can help us drive out the Dutch?" He conceived the idea of ​​sending envoys to contact Brahma, seeking some form of "alliance."

Sulu Archipelago.

The Sultan here had long harbored deep resentment towards the oppression of the Spanish.

When the Bactrian army dealt a crushing blow to the Spanish in Manila, the Sultan of Sulu excitedly proclaimed, "God bless Bactria! They are the strongmen of the sea, the nemesis of the Spanish!"

He even secretly sent people to try to make contact with the Great Xia fleet, hoping to use the power of Great Xia to break free from Spanish control.

Wandan.

This sultanate, which had long struggled to survive between the Dutch and the Sultanate, regarded Bactria as its "liberator."

Sudan has publicly stated its willingness to provide the safest harbor and the most favorable trade terms for Bactrian merchant ships.

The most far-reaching impact was on the status of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia.

In Manila, although the Spanish still held power, the "equal rights" and "establishment of consulates" explicitly stipulated in the Manila Agreement provided a protective umbrella for the Chinese community.

The previously rampant oppression and plunder have been greatly reduced, the Chinese community has begun to recover, and Chinese businesses have become much more confident.

In Batavia, the Dutch have noticeably softened their attitudes toward the Chinese.

The signs of the previous "Hongxi Massacre" were forcibly suppressed. The Dutch governor strictly ordered his subordinates not to oppress the Chinese without cause, for fear of repeating the mistakes of the Spanish.

In Siam, Champa, and the various princely states of Malaya, the way the kings and nobles looked at Bactria completely changed.

Chinese merchants were no longer merely wealthy "second-class citizens" or "tolerated strangers," but were regarded as subjects of a powerful empire and a bridge connecting their homeland with the Great Xia Empire.

Their social status has skyrocketed, and they receive unprecedented respect and protection.

Many princely states even actively recruited Chinese merchants, offering them privileges such as land and tax exemptions, hoping to establish good relations with Bactria through this.

In the palaces, markets, and ports of Southeast Asian countries, the name "Daxia" has transformed from the name of a distant country into a prestigious symbol of power, justice, and opportunity.

The source of all this—the Royal Navy of Great Xia—is renowned far and wide, its fame resounding throughout the South Seas.

From the decisive victory over the three-nation coalition at Liaoluo Bay to the recapture of Taiwan and the expulsion of Jose, and then to the punishment of Spain in Manila, the Great Xia Navy declared to the world with a series of clean and decisive victories: this Eastern empire has regained control of the rules of the sea.

Jinling, inside the Forbidden City.

Xiao Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, looking at the tribute documents from various Southeast Asian countries and the reports of victory from various places, a gratified and profound smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, twelve countries in Southeast Asia have already sent envoys to pay tribute, with gifts piled up like mountains. Overseas Chinese are overjoyed, praising Your Majesty's holy virtue and the far-reaching influence of Your Majesty." Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng reported this while bowing, his face radiating unprecedented pride.

"This is all thanks to the soldiers' bravery and the navy's loyalty."

Xiao Chen said calmly, but his gaze was fixed on the more distant south, "The deterrence in the South Seas is only the first step. The path to maritime power has no end."

He clapped his hands lightly: "Issue the imperial decree, ordering the Royal Maritime Administration to establish bases in Taiwan and Dongning, and to dispatch 'Commercial Superintendents' to the Southeast Asian countries to manage trade and protect their citizens. Furthermore, order the Ministry of Works and the Longjiang Shipyard to design and build larger, faster, and more powerful warships! I want to see the dragon flag of Great Xia flying over even wider seas!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

The colossal ship of the Great Xia Empire, still reverberating through the South Seas, is now sailing at full speed toward an even more magnificent deep blue.

The ocean is no longer a threat from the other side, but a broad road leading the empire to the future.