Ming East India Company

After more than ten days of sailing, the fleet finally saw the dark coastline of the Ryukyu Islands.

Cheng Keqin summoned Bai Ye:

"Master, Naha Port is not far ahead. Once we enter the vicinity of Naha Port, we will encounter a small Ryukyu boat to meet us, and then we will be able to land on the island smoothly."

How well-equipped was the Ryukyu navy?

"I'm not sure either, since I've only ever come here to deliver goods before and have never actually dealt with them..." Cheng Keqin couldn't give a guarantee either.

"Then let's bypass Naha and find another place to land," Hakuno said decisively.

"But, Master, I've only ever been to this one port. I know how to get to the rest of Ryukyu."

Baiye said:

"I know of another port north of Naha. This port can not only accommodate a fleet, but it is also completely undefended, making it an excellent landing site."

Although Cheng Keqin had some doubts, he still agreed:

"Your Highness, please tell me the specific needle path so I can check it with my astrolabe."

"I don't know exactly where it is, but as long as you go north along the coastline, you'll definitely be able to get there."

Cheng Keqin's legs went weak after hearing this:

"Master, the rice and other supplies we carried on board only last for a few days, and Naha is the only port in the vicinity. If we can't find land within two days, our entire ship will surely perish!"

Bai Ye looked at Cheng Keqin with icy eyes:

"If you still consider me your master and still want to win this battle, then agree to my suggestion and head north now."

Seeing that Bai Ye had issued an ultimatum, Cheng Keqin had no choice but to order a change of course:

"Hard to port, wind on starboard, sail north."

Shiro knew that although his fleet had a large number of people, it was basically armed to nothing.

There were no cannons, few breech-loading aircraft, and most of the crew had no experience in naval warfare. In fact, many of them were still suffering from seasickness and vomiting and diarrhea due to the bumpy journey.

The Ryukyu Kingdom has been engaged in maritime operations for many years, and the level of their ships' weaponry and navy is certainly not as good as his hastily assembled fleet. If they are obstructed during the landing process, the entire fleet might end up as fish food.

Therefore, Shirane was willing to take risks to avoid Naha Port, where Ryukyu ships congregated.

Anyway, Ryukyu Island is so big, I don't believe we can't find a suitable shallow beach to land on.

After changing direction, Cheng Keqin gave the order: "Lower the sails."

Because it was along the coastline, Cheng Keqin ordered the sails to be lowered to the lowest setting and the speed to the slowest, relying almost entirely on the ocean currents to slowly creep along.

After all, it's too close to the coastline; one wrong move and the boat could run aground and sink.

Impatient, Shirayuki climbed up to the lookout tower at the top of the mast to observe the distant coastline.

Heading north from Naha Port, the entire route is either steep slopes or rocky shores covered with reefs, with no suitable landing spot in sight.

After half a day's voyage, the fleet saw the vast sea in the distance; the western part of the Ryukyu Islands had been completely explored.

At this moment, Cheng Keqin was extremely anxious, because if things continued like this, the fleet would head towards the East.

Cheng Keqin arrived below the lookout tower, which was connected to the deck by a rope bell, and information was transmitted through the sound of the rope bell.

During the time that Baiye accompanied the voyage, he had already grasped most of the specific code.

Cheng Keqin tentatively shook his head a few times to signal Bai Ye.

Three muffled sounds came from above, which, according to the ship's coded message, meant that the fleet was to head east.

Cheng Keqin guessed that Bai Ye was still not giving up, so he could only reply with two fast ringtones and then a slow ringtone after a long interval.

A slow ringtone indicates an inquiry, while a fast ringtone indicates the next step.

Cheng Keqin asked Baiye whether he should return to Naha Port to land.

But soon three more urgent rings came from above.

Clearly, Shirano still insists on circling the entire island to find a landing site.

Helpless, Cheng Keqin could only order the fleet to raise its sails and then continue exploring the coastline as Bai Ye requested.

"Raise the sails, turn the rudder to starboard, and sail across the wind."

The crew on the ship worked together to turn the turntable, and with the help of the winch, the ramie sail supported by bamboo ribs slowly rose.

The ship also began to turn to the right.

Bai Ling on the ship was extremely anxious. Although she couldn't understand the "encrypted call" between Cheng Keqin and Bai Ye, she could tell from Cheng Keqin's expression that the two had clearly disagreed.

Since setting sail, she has witnessed many "miracles" of "Shirano", but she still has some doubts about the young man's sailing ability.

After all, he had never been to sea before.

Bai Ling imitated Cheng Keqin, picked up the Mazu statue, placed it on the deck, and then knelt down to silently begin to pray.

After the ship turned, it quickly changed from a crosswind to a crosswind.

With the sailboat fully upgraded, its speed noticeably increased, and it raced towards the shore at full speed. Cheng Keqin immediately gave the order:

"Lower the sails and reduce speed."

The winches quickly reversed the rotation of the wheel, and the winch began the rapid lowering of the sail.

Finally, the ship's speed was reduced to a safe level, and Cheng Keqin directed his flagship to continue sailing along the coastline.

However, the other ships that followed the Keqin did not have such good technology.

Because they dared not turn close to the coastline, Cheng Keqin's fleet chose to sail around the open sea and slowly catch up with the group.

While Bai Ye was not on deck, Cheng Keqin ordered the fleet behind to slowly move away from the shore and follow.

Sailing close to the coastline is too risky. Other ship owners don't have his skills. If they run aground, it will be Cheng Keqin's ship that suffers the loss.

The Keqin continued its slow journey forward.

Suddenly, a rapid ringing of a bell rang, and the crew member responsible for keeping watch below the lookout immediately reported to Cheng Keqin:

"Second Master, the messengers say we can dock now?"

"What?" Cheng Keqin was overjoyed and quickly ran to the watchtower and pulled the slow bell twice to ask the other party to repeat.

Shirano responded with five quick rings, a signal that land had been discovered, which in the current situation meant that a landing site was nearby.

"Hurry up and cheer up, we're about to land."

Everyone on board rushed out of the hold and the forecastle and onto the starboard side.

Suddenly, a wide expanse of water appeared in the distance, concave towards the island, with a large shallow beach to the west.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense would know that this was a blessed landing site.

By this time, Shirane had come down from the top of the mast, and all he could see were cheering crowds on the deck.

Another quick-thinking individual climbed onto the stern mast of the Keqin and used flag signals to direct the distant fleet to approach and land.

Cheng Keqin also came over and bowed to Bai Ye:

"The owner is exceptionally bold and has indeed found a suitable shallow beach for landing. I admire him."

"Good people are always blessed by Heaven. This is Mazu protecting us so that our expedition will be a success." Bai Ye was also filled with joy at this moment.