Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

In the third year of the Jingyu era, the country was peaceful and prosperous.

The corrupt dynasty has fallen, and the flames of war have dissipated. This land, soaked in blood and tears, has finally returned to peace after years of war, allowing its people to recuperate and live in peace and prosperity.

On the shore of the East China Sea, the sun shines brightly, and the rolling waves crash against the rocks on the shore time and time again, creating white foam before receding with a soft rustle.

Bright sunshine bathed smiling faces. Children played and chased each other, running freely; fishermen sat on the beach, cleaning their catch and tidying their nets, chatting and laughing, enjoying a rare moment of peace in this prosperous era.

suddenly--

"Waaah—waaah—"

A deep, loud roar came from afar, piercing the sea breeze and causing everyone to look up in the same direction.

A colossal shadow blotted out the sky, white steam shot straight into the clouds, sails billowed, and a crimson dragon banner with a dark background fluttered in the wind. The enormous creature ground up the waves, carrying an indomitable momentum, and charged toward the vast and boundless sea.

In an instant, everyone's expressions turned solemn. They stopped what they were doing, bowed deeply, and looked at the fluttering flag with eyes full of piety and awe.

After a long while, until the ship's shadow faded into the distance, the group slowly straightened up and returned to their previous lives, though the shock in their eyes lingered for a long time.

"What a huge ship... I've never seen anything like it before!"

"How impressive! It's even puffing out air! How heavy must that be? It could probably carry tens of thousands of people!"

"More than that! I've heard it's called the 'Divine Martial Ship,' a divine vessel personally overseen by the current Emperor!"

"Your Majesty's creations are indeed extraordinary... but what is the purpose of building such a large ship?"

"What kind of person is His Majesty? With great talent and ambition, he unified the world. Now, it is only natural that he should set sail to expand his territory and demonstrate the power of our Great Xia!"

"No, no, no... Legend has it that the end of the Endless Sea is the Shore of Wisdom, the abode of immortals. I guess His Majesty sent ships out to seek immortality and eternal life!"

"Is it really possible to be immortal...? If only our Emperor could live forever... I want to continue living these peaceful days..."

……

Those high-ranking officials and world affairs are ultimately far removed from these ordinary people by the sea, but that doesn't stop them from talking about them with great interest and speculating endlessly.

They may never leave this beach again, and to have witnessed such a magnificent sight is already a great fortune in their lives. They will go home and tell their relatives and friends about what they saw today!

However, before he could finish speaking, the discussion abruptly stopped.

One of them suddenly widened his eyes, pointed to the distant sea, his pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief, and his voice trembled: "What...what is that?"

"What else could it be... Old Liu, you're making a big fuss over nothing. It's just His Majesty's Divine Martial Ship..."

The fisherman opposite him scoffed dismissively; he'd seen the same scene twice before and was no longer impressed. He casually replied and turned to look in the direction the other man was pointing—but the next moment, he froze, as if struck by lightning, his mouth agape, and after a long pause, he managed to utter, "This...how is this possible?!"

As far as the eye could see, the dome of the majestic Divine Martial Ship, surging forward on the waves, suddenly changed. Invisible ripples spread across the air, as if a strange power was spreading out. Then, something slowly emerged from the void, growing larger and clearer—it was a wooden boat, silently suspended in mid-air.

The ship was old-fashioned, much simpler than the magnificent Shenwu, and far smaller. Yet... it was floating in the air!

The fishermen unconsciously licked their dry lips, their voices trembling: "This...this was also made by His Majesty?"

"Boom—Rumble!"

Before the words were finished, a thunderclap suddenly sounded.

The next instant, dark clouds churned, obscuring the sun and sky, with flashes of blue-purple lightning flickering and darting through the clouds. A fierce wind howled, whipping up the earth, and the heavens and earth trembled. Everyone stood frozen, eyes wide open…

"Snapped!"

A black piece was placed on the chessboard. The handsome young man raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes bright with laughter: "Xuan Qing, you've lost again."

Xie Cangrong was in a good mood as the Shenwu set sail today.

Starting at the age of ten, he spent three years lying low, preparing and instigating events, and then seven years plunging into the chaos of the world, eventually bringing the entire realm under his control. After ascending the throne, another three years passed, during which he recuperated, focused on technological advancement, and so on. In three months, he will turn twenty-four, and his ships will finally set sail on the vast ocean.

The Age of Exploration and Colonialism has begun!

The man sitting opposite him had a long beard, a gentle and calm demeanor, and was a bit older.

His name was Liu Bingxuan. He appeared quiet and easygoing, with a low profile. However, in the world today, everyone knew the name "Liu the Usurper." When the Great Xia unified the country and established the Jingyu era, he, as a loyal minister who had followed Xie Cangrong since the time of the dragon's rise to power, was granted the title of Duke of Yingguo, appointed Minister of Personnel, and served as the second Grand Secretary in the cabinet.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bingxuan smiled and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is exceptionally wise and insightful; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

"Oh."

Xie Cangrong glanced at him, then smiled, "Winning a game of chess always requires some kind of prize. My dear minister, next time you attend court, please don't say anything I don't like to hear!"

Liu Bingxuan was taken aback, his face showing confusion: "What makes Your Majesty say such a thing? How dare I speak so offensively?"

"I'm going to tell you now!"

Xie Cangrong rolled his eyes at him and casually leaned back in his chair: "Alright, alright, stop pretending! I know you deliberately lost to make me happy so you can say things I don't want to hear. Since I'm in a good mood now, go ahead and say it!"

Liu Bingxuan was not surprised that His Majesty could see through his thoughts. He rose and bowed solemnly to Xie Cangrong, saying with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, the voyage to the sea has been extremely costly, a waste of resources and manpower. The Ministry of Revenue's expenditures this year have already far exceeded the budget. Although the new dynasty is thriving and full of vitality, it cannot withstand such turmoil year after year. The people have just achieved stability and their hearts have just been won over; we must not let them suffer any more. Furthermore, there are still barbarians to the north. Although they have been reduced to half a breath by General Hou, the threat still remains."

He raised his eyes and said earnestly, "After this voyage, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission—that there be no further proposals for a second voyage within five years."

At the beginning of the new dynasty, Xie Cangrong ascended the throne with the support of his ministers, leading the civil and military officials to govern the country. As the nation healed the wounds of war, it rapidly rose to prominence, displaying a vibrant atmosphere of an approaching golden age.

Xie Cangrong was a wise and capable ruler, no one doubted that. However… none of the high-ranking officials in the court, including Liu Bingxuan, could understand why His Majesty was so fixated on building ships and going to sea.

At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country was still scarred and devastated, and this matter was already on the agenda of the Ministry of Works.

The Great Xia Dynasty is vast, irrigated by three rivers. To the north lie grasslands, to the south towering mountains, to the west boundless deserts, and to the east, an endless ocean. It possesses thirteen circuits and seventy-two prefectures; all under heaven is its land. It is already vast enough. Having conquered the entire world, is this not enough for Your Majesty to continue your antics?

For thousands of years, these people have lived on this land. The Endless Sea is named "Endless" because it is vast and boundless, with no other shore in sight.

If we really want to expand our territory, we must first solve the problem of the barbarian and nomadic peoples.

Xie Cangrong listened, but only smiled faintly. He leaned against the table, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon beyond the palace walls, as if he had already seen a place unreachable by mortals:

"Bingxuan, you have never seen it, so you will not understand... Please broaden your horizons."