Chapter 527 - 48: The Missing Child
The sea waves undulated.
A large and a small ship faced each other from a distance. The narrow view of the telescope trembled slightly, and amidst the distorted heat, only ant-like figures on the small ship's deck and the swaying sails of the large ship could be vaguely seen.
The stare-down between both sides lasted for about two minutes.
Seeing no sign of the large ship approaching, Sunday let out a small sigh of relief.
Just as he was about to continue waiting for the large ship to depart, he suddenly saw it slowly change direction, revealing its dark cannon ports as it turned its hull.
Though separated by several hundred meters, those seemingly ominous concealed weapons still exerted psychological pressure.
Having learned about the effective range of 17th-century naval cannons in weaponry classes, even knowing those cannons posed no threat at this safe distance, facing the cannon's mouths, he still felt a premonition of danger.
After all, these were weapons capable of easily sinking this ship.
Facing it was like having a sharp blade pointed at a vital point; even if the opponent doesn't stab, it instills fear.
...
Realizing the large ship had the intent to attack, Sunday almost couldn't maintain his calm, wanting to order the sails raised to leave this sea.
But he also realized that if he fled now, not only would it not get rid of trouble, it might even arouse the large ship's curiosity, leading those Spaniards along their sailing route to the Big Island.
Moreover, according to the understanding of ordinary sailors of the same era, at this distance for the cannons to be revealed, it was impossible anyone would be frightened into fleeing.
For the large ship, this small ship's appearance was surely unfamiliar. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he must remain calm, acting like a true veteran sailor rather than a fool who's only sailed three times before.
These complex mental activities only took a few seconds.
While the two ships observed each other across the sea, the entire sea area seemed to fall into unusual silence, even the frequency of seagulls flapping in the sky slowing considerably.
The Spanish armed merchant ship finally turned its hull.
Sunday was not mentally prepared when that row of cannon mouths spewed fire and smoke.
Soon after, a continuous cannon roar resounded, like the legendary Thunder God nearby striking with the so-called Divine Artifact to create thunderclaps.
Black cannonballs shot out from the side of the large ship, the recoil causing the sea under the hull to shiver slightly.
They skimmed over the sea, rushing towards the small ship, swirling with the Spaniards' arrogant declaration and aggressive attitude, splashing into fountains of water a hundred meters away.
...
When the ignited gunpowder burst these heavy cannonballs forth, not to mention islanders on their first outing as warriors, even Sunday, who trained with firearms and studied weaponry courses daily, felt his mind buzzing.
The timid ones' legs had already started trembling uncontrollably, looking at the distant large ship as if seeing a new god.
Whether with awe or fear, they all turned their helpless gazes to Sunday.
Yet Sunday stood tall at the ship's bow, as if he hadn't heard the cannon roar at all.
"If the soldiers are weak, one is weak; if the general is weak, the whole nest is weak."
Sunday belonged to that kind of highly gifted leader, rarely showing his emotions lightly to others. Regardless of the fear or panic within, even if scared enough to wet his pants, he could maintain a calm face.
Chen Zhou remembered a line from a drama he watched as a child, which left a deep impression on him—
Victory should not make one overly joyous; defeat should not make one despair. One who carries thunder in their chest and maintains a calm surface can be made a commander.
Though Sunday couldn't achieve joyless victory, in concealing his intentions, he possessed significant talent.
It was for this reason he was gradually assigned to this position, rather than being like Saturday, sitting in an office all day, handling logistics or teaching and nurturing people.
...
In such times of unrest, Sunday's performance dictated the mindset of all the warriors.
If he feared, so too would everyone else; if he could ignore the cannon fire, then even if his subordinates felt terror within, they could at least maintain the most basic fighting fitness before their officer.
The thunderous cannon roar came quickly and passed quickly; the sea soon returned to calm.
The small ship had been idly rising and falling with the sea for quite a while.
After firing a round, the large ship didn't linger around the Archipelago much longer, its wind-filled sails pulling the tall hull, cutting through the sea.
Before long, its outline gradually shrank and blurred, eventually disappearing from the telescope's view.
Only when the large ship was completely out of sight did Sunday put down the telescope and turn to look at the armed guards holding their guns.
"Raise the sails, continue the action!"
After giving the order, Sunday pointed to where the large ship vanished, his voice devoid of any tremor or fear, filled with enthusiastic resolve.
"It won't be long before we sail better ships, possess more formidable cannons.
I promise you!"
...
Having just gone through the intimidation of the Spanish armed merchant ship's cannon fire, if it were sailors of another power, they wouldn't believe the officer's oath, dismissing it as mere bragging.
But with Sunday, it was different; in the crew's eyes, he was not only the one in charge of this operation, but he also embodied the Leader's will.
And the Leader was a Celestial God walking among men; gods are naturally omnipotent.
Since coming to the island, Chen Zhou had made them many promises.
Facts proved these promises were not just empty words.
Once Chen Zhou spoke, it wouldn't be long before it was realized—
Sturdy houses, beautiful furniture, rich food, machines powered by water to process grain independently, robust transportation tools ...
The credibility of the island forces was gradually built upon these fulfilled promises.