Chapter 558 - 62: Triumphant Return
Just past noon, the clouds in the sky had long disappeared.
Although the sun had slightly tilted westward, its light hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
The harbor pier was enveloped in bright sunlight. Unlike usual, the long wooden shade built along the beach was crowded with islanders watching.
The Steel Bone’s expedition was big news on the island. Even though Chen Zhou had concealed the specific date of the action, the islanders had known about the Steel Bone’s functions from various sources, including Chen Zhou’s own words, since its construction began.
Everyone, from the elderly to children, was aware of the plan to capture the small island and take down those outsiders.
Therefore, when they saw that the Steel Bone was not lingering in the nearby sea but rather had set sail for a long time without returning, the islanders quickly got the accurate news from their "informed" relatives and friends—
The Steel Bone has started its mission!
In the afternoon, instead of taking a well-deserved break, they came to the dock one after another, estimating the time, chatting, and gazing at the sea, eagerly waiting for their great ship to return in triumph.
The wait wasn’t long. Accompanied by a long, beast-like whistle, the silhouette of the fully-sailed Steel Bone appeared on the distant horizon.
Even though it was too far away to immediately see Sunday standing at the bow, the islanders still cheered together—
The timely return of the Steel Bone meant victory.
Since arriving on the island, with the leader, akin to a Celestial God guiding them, success often happened, yet Steel Bone’s smooth return still stirred the islanders.
Hearing that bouquets are gifts for the victors, the islanders gathered many wildflowers from the forest, binding them with fresh vines, waiting for the sailors to return to personally present them.
However, the power of the heat was beyond imagination; during the wait, the bouquets wilted, even withered, no longer as fresh and charming as they were in the wild.
Some islanders looked at the gifts meant to celebrate victory and were somewhat embarrassed—
Such bouquets were unpresentable.
Some islanders took a different approach, preparing gifts like red sugar cubes or chocolate. Although these gifts would melt in the heat, it didn’t affect their preciousness.
Of course, aside from the "elite islanders" represented by the zebras, the lower-class islanders couldn’t afford such gifts even if they wanted to.
...
In this important moment watched by many islanders, the most crucial person—
The island’s leader, "Chen Zhou," wasn’t present at the scene but was in his second-floor office at the cement factory, sipping iced juice and flipping through books.
He had no doubts about the success of the mission.
The Steel Bone’s superior performance, the ship’s weapons, the training the sailors underwent, and the meticulous plan made in advance were the sources of his confidence.
If such a fully equipped assault team couldn’t take down a mere few hundred natives and at most a few dozen Spaniards wielding matchlock guns, then it would only mean the team’s leader was utterly incompetent.
Sunday was obviously not such a person.
Therefore, Chen Zhou only needed to stay in his office, avoiding the scorching sun outside, enjoying the rare coolness without worrying about anything else.
...
As Chen Zhou predicted, under Sunday’s command, the sailors easily took the small island without any losses.
When the clock’s hour hand in the room pointed to 3, footsteps could be heard outside the office, followed by Sunday’s knock on the door.
After receiving permission, Sunday pushed the door open and entered the room.
Having achieved a comprehensive victory, Sunday maintained a composed demeanor in front of his subordinates. Yet, in front of Chen Zhou, someone almost like a father to him, his usually stern face was hard to conceal his uncontrollable joy.
Seeing his face, trying hard to suppress laughter, Chen Zhou put down his pen and couldn’t help but burst into laughter first.
Seeing the person he respected most laugh heartily at this, Sunday couldn’t hold back and laughed a few times himself before reporting the details of the mission to Chen Zhou.
...
After bringing a ship full of prisoners back to the island, he immediately contacted the guards waiting at the harbor pier in advance.
The guards weren’t equipped with Chen Family rifles, only considered a police force, mostly using cold weapons, with only a few "Sheriffs" having matchlock guns.
Although the guards’ weapons couldn’t compare to the sailors on a long voyage, their numbers were greater.
With their help, none of the ship’s prisoners, whether natives or Spaniards, caused any trouble during transit.
The natives had temporary placements, while the Spaniards had cells specifically prepared for them.
There, they would receive different treatments and embark on different paths.
The natives accepted transformation, gradually integrating into the island and starting new lives.
Whether the Spanish sailors could keep their lives and gain Chen Zhou’s favor depended on what they could bring to Chen Zhou—
Having started the challenge nearly seven years ago, Chen Zhou, through his efforts and the help of mysterious rewards, had transformed the island dramatically.
From desolation to now plowed fields and residential houses, with well-laid stone roads, constructed factories, trained craftsmen, and educated children.
Though Chen Zhou might not have been the one to physically contribute the most, none of this would exist without him.
The islanders went from natives to here, achieving everything they dreamed of, while Chen Zhou’s challenge reward maintained its original form—