Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Several months later.

Summer has arrived in Beijing, and the sun is blazing.

The first fleet of ships from the Royal Trading Company finally completed its final loading at Zhenhaibao in Tianjin and was ready to set sail.

The sheer size of this fleet was unprecedented.

One hundred large Fujian ships, each carrying 500 liang (a unit of weight) of silk, porcelain, and tea from the Ming Dynasty, were escorted by ten armed treasure ships of 1,000 liang (a unit of weight), and they filled the entire deep-water harbor in a magnificent procession.

Behind these merchant ships are hundreds of wealthy merchants from Jiangnan and the nine border regions.

They staked their entire fortune and millions of taels of silver on Pei Yuan's prestigious reputation.

At the Zhenhaibao dock, crowds thronged and drums resounded.

Although Emperor Chenghua, Zhu Jianji, did not come in person, he sent Wang Zhi, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, with a farewell wine and a yellow riding jacket bestowed by the emperor, to represent the emperor in welcoming the troops.

Pei Yuan, dressed in a bright red python robe, stood on the reviewing stand.

Below, Wan Dafu, Qiao Shouye, and other prominent merchants had all changed into brand-new official robes.

They were so excited that their faces turned red, and they lined up to kowtow to Pei Yuan.

"We, your Excellency, are deeply grateful for your life-saving grace; we will never forget it!"

Wan Dafu knelt on the ground and shouted in a loud voice.

Pei Yuan held the imperial wine that Wang Zhi had filled to the brim, looking down at these most greedy and adventurous merchants in the world.

"Get up, everyone."

Pei Yuan raised his hand.

"This first voyage to Southeast Asia will be fraught with danger and unpredictable storms. But remember, behind you stands the navy of the Ming Dynasty and the Imperial Trading Company of the Emperor."

If you encounter pirates after leaving the Bohai Bay, don't panic. The navy's cannons will clear the way for you.

Pei Yuan's gaze swept over the naval officers who stood tall and proud, and he suddenly raised his voice.

"When you go to the Southeast Asian countries, you have to follow the rules when doing business. Our Ming Dynasty's goods are rare treasures of the Celestial Empire. If we exchange a bolt of silk for ten catties of pepper from them, that's already doing them a favor."

"If they dare to lower the price, if they dare to default on their payment..."

Pei Yuan raised his wine bowl, his eyes revealing murderous intent.

"Admiral of the Navy, heed my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

A valiant naval general with a full beard knelt on one knee.

"If the merchant ships encounter any obstacles, bombard them with cannons. Keep bombarding them until they're willing to do business. If any trouble arises, I'll cover for you in the capital! I just want to see ships laden with spices and silver safely transported back to the Ming Dynasty!"

"Your humble servant obeys! I will surely uphold the prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty!" the fierce general roared in response.

Pei Yuan tilted his head back, downed the strong liquor in the bowl in one gulp, and then slammed the porcelain bowl heavily onto the command platform.

A crisp "snap" sound.

"Raise the sails! Set sail!"

The long, drawn-out sound of horns, accompanied by the deep, resonant beat of war drums, echoed across the Bohai Bay.

One hundred and ten giant ships slowly raised their hard sails that blotted out the sky.

The Imperial Guard's escort flag, with its black background and gold lettering, fluttered wildly in the whistling sea breeze.

The massive fleet, like an unstoppable sea dragon, cleaved through the waves and roared towards the southern seas, a place brimming with endless wealth and the unknown.

Wan Dafu and Qiao Shouye stood on the dock, watching the fleet of ships gradually disappear into the distance, their eyes welling up with tears.

They knew that from this moment on, merchants of the Ming Dynasty would no longer have to live like rats, struggling to survive in the cracks.

They will follow this invincible fleet and become the richest and most awe-inspiring group in the world.

All of this was thanks to that treacherous minister on the platform.

Pei Yuan stood with his hands behind his back on the command platform, the sea breeze ruffling his python robe.

He didn't look at the merchants' grateful expressions; he simply gazed quietly at the horizon.

At this moment, the wheels of history were brutally kicked off their original tracks by him.

The world has finally entered a new chapter.

Time flies, and more than half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

In the early spring of the eighth year of the Chenghua reign, before the snow in the capital had completely melted, a swift horse, traveling at an alarming rate of 800 li, brought with it a joyous report of victory.

They broke through the morning mist at Zhengyang Gate and headed straight for the Forbidden City.

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianji, not even properly dressed in his court robes, clutched the newly delivered report of victory in his hand and paced excitedly in the warm pavilion.

When Pei Yuan received the urgent summons from the palace and entered the warm pavilion, he saw the emperor in a state of madness, much like Fan Jin after passing the imperial examination.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"My dear subject, rise quickly! Come and see!"

Zhu Jianji grabbed Pei Yuan's arm, shoved the report of victory into his arms, and laughed incoherently.

"The fleet from Southeast Asia has returned! Of the one hundred merchant ships, two ran aground in a storm at sea, while the remaining ninety-eight returned safely to Zhenhai Fort!"

Zhu Jianji's eyes shone, and his voice even trembled with emotion.

"My dear minister, do you know what they brought back? Spices, mountains of spices! Rubies from Champa and Malacca, and rice from Siam!"

"Most importantly, following your method, those merchants not only obtained goods, but also exchanged silk for a full five million taels of silver from those foreign nobles!"

Five million taels of silver, plus those priceless spices and rare treasures.

The total revenue from this voyage was equivalent to three years' worth of the annual income of the Taicang region during the Ming Dynasty!

Such a terrifying rate of wealth accumulation would drive any emperor mad.

Pei Yuan looked at the numbers on the victory report, his expression remaining calm, though a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject congratulates you. The first salvo of the Royal Trading Company has been a resounding success. According to the rules, Your Majesty's private treasury will receive 30% of the five million taels of silver, which is one million five hundred thousand taels."

"The naval escort will be worth 20%, and the remaining 50% will be the profit for merchants across the land."

Zhu Jianji took a deep breath, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

"One and a half million taels... Excellent, excellent! With this money, I can repair the three main halls and replace the firearms in the nine border regions with a new batch. Who among the court officials would dare say I'm an incompetent and negligent ruler!"

After Zhu Jianji returned to his desk and sat down, the look in his eyes when he looked at Pei Yuan could no longer be described as mere favor.

That was entirely because they regarded Pei Yuan as an indispensable pillar of stability for the Ming Dynasty.

"Minister Pei, you have made such an unparalleled contribution. How should I reward you? You are now the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and the Right Commander-in-Chief, holding the highest position among ministers."

"Does this mean I really intend to bestow upon you the title of a king of a different surname?"

Zhu Jianji asked, half-jokingly and half-probingly.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan showed no sign of arrogance or pride.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. According to the ancestral rules of the Ming Dynasty, no one can be granted a title without military merit, and no one can be granted a title of king without being a member of the imperial family. How could I dare to covet the title of king?"

"Furthermore, if I were to be granted the title of king, the civil officials in the court would probably have to kill themselves at Fengtian Gate, lest they disturb the Emperor's peace."

Pei Yuan raised his head, his deep eyes revealing a magnanimous spirit that did not crave fame or fortune.

"Your Majesty has no other request but to allow me to remain in the position of Right Vice-General for a few more years so that I may expand the maritime trade for Your Majesty."

"In my entire life, the only thing I enjoy is watching the gleaming silver flow into the Ming Dynasty's treasury and listening to the cannons roaring on the sea."

Zhu Jianji was deeply moved upon hearing this.

How could there be such a loyal and devoted minister in this world, who only knows how to make money for his sovereign and father, but has no desire for power or fame!

Those civil officials who called Pei Yuan a treacherous official are simply blind!

"Very well! I am well aware of your noble character and integrity."

Zhu Jianji spoke with utmost seriousness.

"This Royal Trading Company will forever be under your control. The Ming Dynasty's navy will always be your strong backing. As long as I am on the throne, no one in this court will be able to harm a single hair on your head, Pei Yuan!"

Pei Yuan thanked the emperor and withdrew.

Stepping out of the Qianqing Palace, the early spring sunlight shines on the golden glazed tiles, reflecting a dazzling light.

Pei Yuan squinted slightly as he faced the sunlight, the smile on his lips gradually becoming more playful and profound.

High moral character? Incorruptible and unattached to power?

That's because he, a man who has lived for hundreds of years, has long seen through the vanity of this so-called royal title.

What he wanted was never some hereditary, inviolable title.

What he wanted was to transform the entire Ming Empire into an invincible warship that could sail through the long river of history.

And he was the navigator who stood on the deck, forever hidden behind the scenes, yet firmly holding the helm.

"The gates at sea have been opened. Now, it's time to inject some fresh blood into the Ming Dynasty."

"Now that those pedantic scholars have wisely shut their mouths, it's time to cultivate a group of practical officials who know how to read accounts and build firearms."

Pei Yuan unfurled his Xiangfei bamboo folding fan and strolled leisurely across the bluestone slabs.

This century of immortality is like a grand drama with no end in sight.

And he, the character in this play, was eagerly preparing to turn the page to the next chapter of the script.