Iron Dynasty

Rhodes picked up a handful of white sand from the beach, letting it slip slowly through his fingers.

Watching the sand scatter in the wind, he muttered softly, “North wind.”

Behind him, small boats ferrying soldiers shuttled back and forth between the ships and the shore. In the distance, ten warships formed a straight line, and he could see Claire sitting on a deck, enjoying the sea breeze.

Since the Battle of Qiantang, Claire had been troubled by the news the Chu King had shared. After resupplying and replenishing ammunition, they set off for Dengzhou, intending to investigate this vassal king of the Great Yu Empire.

It wasn’t sensitivity on Claire’s part; they simply needed to understand the real situation of the surrounding countries in this sea region.

In fact, their warships had arrived here eighty years ago and once established a colony on what is now Ryukyu Island. But back then, the Dutch were vying for naval supremacy with the British. After six major battles over thirty years, the Dutch were ultimately defeated.

At that time, the Dutch were at their weakest, not yet firmly established and defeated by local pirates. But they never forgot this prosperous land. After more than ten years of recovery, they returned, reclaiming Ryukyu Island and ruling it for forty years.

However, just as the records said, this largest East Asian country was still insignificant. He recalled the first diplomatic mission attempting to establish relations with the Great Yu Empire described it this way:

“Our governor’s gifts became tributes in the Great Yu Empire but were blatantly embezzled by local officials in Guangzhou. Their officials lied about our arrival and tore up our letters to the Great Yu Emperor. To cover up the theft, they expelled us from the country.”

The Great Yu Empire was a mysterious country to them, but behind the veil was a weak and decadent nation.