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

The aftershocks of the upheaval in Southeast Asia had not yet subsided, and the smoke of war in Manila and the issue of reparations were still being repeatedly discussed by the Spanish and the countries of Southeast Asia.

The overwhelming power displayed by the Great Xia Empire was like a stone thrown into a calm pond, creating ripples that spread outwards to the other side of the Eurasian continent.

At the most crucial juncture of this vast sea area—the Strait of Malacca, the golden waterway connecting the East and West—a storm is quietly brewing.

Inside the Imperial Study in Nanjing, a huge map of the world hung on the wall.

Xiao Chen's gaze moved south from the island of Taiwan marked "Dongning Commandery," passing over Luzon, Sulu, and Borneo, finally settling on the narrow strait that resembled a throat—Malacca.

"Malacca..."

Xiao Chen read aloud, his finger tracing the narrow waterway on the map, "It is said that since Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, this place has gradually been occupied by Western barbarians. Controlling this choke point, it connects to the South China Sea and the East China Sea to the east, and to India, Persia, Arabia, and even Europe to the west. This is truly a maritime key, a strategic location that military strategists must contend for."

Zheng Zhilong, who was standing by, had just been urgently recalled from Xiamen to report on his duties.

He wore a brand-new marquis's robe, but his brows still bore the marks of hardship and sharpness honed by the sea. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The Strait of Malacca is truly the lifeline of our maritime routes in the South Seas. Since the Portuguese conquered Malacca, they have occupied this place for nearly a century."

They set up checkpoints here to collect taxes, monopolized the spice trade, and all passing merchant ships were subject to their control.

After the rise of the Dutch, they coveted Malacca and fought endlessly with the Portuguese. However, their base was in Batavia, Java, and they were still unable to gain control of Malacca.

"Portugal, Netherlands..."

Xiao Chen pondered for a moment, then asked, "After Liaoluo Bay, Taiwan, and Manila, do they fear or hate our dynasty?"

Zheng Zhilong sneered: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, they both fear and hate our dynasty, but they dare not express their hatred, while their fear runs deep. The Battle of Liaoluo Bay decimated their elite troops; the Battle of Taiwan seized their key location; and the punishment in Manila chilled their hearts and minds."

Today, the nations of Southeast Asia follow my banners and tremble at the sound of my cannons.

Portugal and the Netherlands have lost much of their influence in the Far East.

The Netherlands, in particular, was in a state of panic in Batavia after its East India Company retreated from Taiwan.

The Portuguese occupied Macau and Malacca, seemingly maintaining their strongholds, but in reality, they were already extremely nervous and easily frightened.

"Hmm," Xiao Chen nodded slightly, "but Malacca is ultimately in Portuguese hands. Is it still convenient for our merchant ships to pass through here?"

Zheng Zhilong's face showed a hint of solemnity: "Your Majesty, the Portuguese are outwardly polite to our merchant ships, but it is inevitable that they will exploit and harass us behind the scenes."

Its tariffs were extremely high, and it frequently detained goods under various pretexts to extort money. Merchant ships from Southeast Asian countries suffered greatly from this.

Moreover, pirates thrive in the strait, often colluding with local kings and even the Portuguese and Dutch to plunder merchants and travelers, making it extremely difficult to guard against.

Although our merchant ships are escorted by our navy, they cannot remain there permanently. This will be extremely detrimental to our maritime trade in the long run.

Xiao Chen turned around, his gaze sharp, and looked at Zheng Zhilong: "You've been at sea for a long time and are well aware of its drawbacks. In your opinion, how should we deal with it?"

Zheng Zhilong was prepared. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the Strait of Malacca is the lifeline of our country's trade in Southeast Asia and even the West. It must not be entrusted to others, nor should it be allowed to be occupied by villains."

I humbly suggest that we seize an opportune moment to establish a permanent forward outpost of our dynasty in Malacca or its vicinity!

He walked to the map and pointed heavily to the northern end of the Strait of Malacca: "Here, on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, there is a large island called Penang, and there is also a mainland coast opposite it. This place controls the northern entrance of the strait, with a strategic location, a wide and deep harbor, and the ability to dock large ships."

Furthermore, the area originally belonged to the Sultanate of Kedah, where the Sultan had a long-standing feud with the Portuguese and was also wary of the Dutch.

If our dynasty were to send an envoy with generous gifts and demonstrate military might, we might be able to negotiate the lease of this island or a portion thereof, to serve as a supply, ship repair, and anchorage facility for our navy, as well as a transit and protection point for merchants.

"In this way," Zheng Zhilong's eyes gleamed, "our navy can be stationed permanently at the northern entrance of the strait, patrolling back and forth, deterring pirates, and protecting merchant ships."

If the Portuguese dare to cause trouble again, our fleet will set sail in the morning and arrive in the evening, heading straight for the city of Malacca! The Dutch will also be hesitant to act rashly.

This is a strategy of subduing the enemy without fighting, controlling the line with a point, and then expanding the area with the line! If we advance, we can take Malacca; if we retreat, we can ensure the safety of the shipping route.

Furthermore, this base is far from the mainland, so it won't excessively provoke Portugal and the Netherlands, causing them to act rashly, which can be considered a safe approach.

Xiao Chen listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the imperial desk.

Zheng Zhilong's proposal was highly strategic and consistent with his bold and enterprising style.

Establishing a military presence in key waterways to ensure the safety of shipping lanes is an inevitable step towards becoming a maritime power. But...

"To directly occupy Malacca or Penang would certainly solve the problem once and for all."

Xiao Chen spoke slowly, his voice steady, "However, Malacca has been managed by the Portuguese for a century, and its defenses are strong. A direct attack would inevitably result in casualties, and without a legitimate reason, it would easily provoke the suspicion of Western countries, who might unite against us, which would be undesirable. The lease of Penang seems peaceful, but it also requires the stationing of troops and long-term management, which would be extremely costly. Moreover, this place is far from the Central Plains, making supplies difficult. If not handled properly, it could become a burden."

He walked to the window, looked at the lush trees in the courtyard, pondered for a moment, then turned around, his eyes already showing a decision.

"Your proposal focuses on military control, which is excellent. However, the way to govern a country is to combine firmness and flexibility. Malacca, and even the whole of Southeast Asia, has long been occupied by various Western powers with intertwined influences. Our dynasty is newly established, and if we suddenly send a strong army to confront them, although we may get temporary satisfaction, we fear endless troubles in the future. We should take trade as the vanguard and the navy as the backing, and advance step by step, steadily and surely."

Xiao Chen walked back to the map and pointed to the location of Penang: "Establishing an outpost in Malacca is indeed necessary. However, it doesn't have to be a prominent location like Malacca City. Penang might be worth a try. But the purpose is not to seize territory and dominate, but to ensure the safety of shipping routes, protect our merchants and civilians, and deter any unscrupulous behavior."

"Decree:"

"First, Marquis Jinghai Zheng Zhilong is hereby ordered to lead a part of the East China Sea Fleet south to the Strait of Malacca under the pretext of patrolling the South China Sea, comforting overseas Chinese, and fostering good relations with various countries."

"Secondly, the main purpose of this trip is to demonstrate our presence, eliminate pirates, and establish friendly relations with the coastal countries. We can take the opportunity to contact the Sultan of Kedah to discuss the establishment of a trading post and supply point on Penang. We can offer trade preferences and military aid in exchange for his permission to build wharves and warehouses, and to allow our naval vessels to temporarily dock and resupply. Remember, this is a lease of a trading post, not a cession of territory, and we must respect his sovereignty in name only."

"Third, it is strictly forbidden to provoke Portugal, the Netherlands, or other Western powers. However, if they dare to obstruct our merchant ships, harm our citizens, or collude with pirates, we will resolutely retaliate without mercy!"

"Fourth, naval patrols should primarily focus on protecting merchants, suppressing bandits, and demonstrating power. It is especially important to survey hydrology along the way, draw nautical charts, and collect information on local customs and conditions."

"Fifth, this matter is of great importance. You should assess the situation and handle it flexibly. I hereby grant you the authority to make decisions on the spot. In all matters, you must prioritize protecting the shipping routes, enhancing national prestige, and consolidating the foundation."

Zheng Zhilong bowed solemnly: "Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Xiao Chen's strategy was clear and steady: instead of seeking a full-scale conflict with Portugal and the Netherlands, he aimed to seize key strongholds like Malacca City, thus avoiding an early entanglement in a war of attrition with Western colonial powers.

Instead, it adopted a "presence control" strategy, establishing a controllable military-commercial outpost on Penang to ensure the security of the empire's vital South Pacific shipping routes in a relatively mild but powerful manner.

At the same time, it exerts influence to squeeze the strategic space of Portugal and the Netherlands, laying the groundwork for further actions in the future.

This is a long-term strategy that is lower in cost, less resistant, and more flexible.

Carrying the emperor's strategies and expectations, Zheng Zhilong once again donned his armor and went into battle.

A task force consisting of twenty elite warships (including four capital ships) and several supply ships set sail from Xiamen Port, with dragon flags waving and sailing southward towards the distant Strait of Malacca, a strategic location where fortunes converge.