I built an armada.

A group of self-organized Longxia people, including some elderly overseas Chinese and representatives of international students, came to this cemetery where many ancestors who died far from home are buried.

They stopped in a specific area where several sailors from the Longxia Beiyang Fleet, who died from injuries and illnesses during a visit to Europe more than a hundred years ago, are buried.

People silently cleared the weeds around the tombstone, respectfully placed flowers, poured wine from their hometown, and some even held a yellowed, restored group photo of Beiyang Fleet officers and soldiers.

An elderly overseas Chinese representative spoke tremulously, his voice low but clear: "Dear elders, fellow compatriots...we have come to see you."

"I have great news for you! We, Longxia, now have our own powerful navy! They... they are in the port of Britain today!"

"The warships are new and large, including 10,000-ton destroyers, Type 052D destroyers, and huge supply ships. They are all modern, unlike anything the British tribes have!"

His voice choked with emotion as he continued, "Back then, when you crossed the ocean, all you saw were other people's powerful ships and cannons. Your hearts must have been filled with resentment and anticipation..."

"Now we can reassure you, our descendants, that we have not forgotten the importance of sea power, and that we have not failed your sacrifices and expectations!"

"Your souls can rest in peace now. Our navy will surely roam the seven seas in the future, protecting our Dragon Land and safeguarding our peace!"

A gentle breeze swept through the cemetery, causing the pines and cypresses to sway slightly, as if responding to this tribute that transcends time and space.

The fragrance of flowers and the aroma of fine wine permeate the air, expressing the endless remembrance of future generations for their ancestors and carrying the firm belief of a nation on the road to rejuvenation and the journey towards the deep blue sea.

The glory of the other shore and the guardianship of the homeland, at this moment, complete the relay of history.

They had barely left when others arrived.

At this moment, it felt as if today were Qingming Festival for the British tribes, with people of Longxia blood flowing through their veins arriving in droves.

Almost none of them had any connection with the Longxia people in the tomb, but they came to pay their respects, remembering to tell their ancestors at the family altar!
This is a unique kind of romance belonging to the people of Longxia, and it is one of a kind in the whole world.

No matter when or where, the Longxia people always have a totem-like belief in their ancestors, because those ancestors are the roots from which they came, the thread that brought a person into this world.

An elderly man with gray hair trembled as he gently wiped the dust off a tombstone with a handkerchief, as if touching a piece of history that had been sealed away.

Then, he poured the wine he had brought into a glass in front of the tombstone.

He straightened up, his gaze sweeping over each of his compatriots present, his voice carrying the vicissitudes of time, yet exceptionally clear:

"Dear seniors and fellow compatriots."

He spoke slowly, as if engaging in a dialogue that transcends time and space, "One hundred and fifty-five years... a full one hundred and fifty-five years. Do you know that?"

"Back in 1888, our Longxia also had a powerful fleet, namely the Beiyang Fleet, which you belong to. At that time, it was known as the first in Asia and the ninth in the world! The giant ships Dingyuan and Zhenyuan once made a name for themselves at sea, attracting the attention of many."

His words drew people's thoughts back to the late Qing Dynasty, a time of poverty and weakness yet a struggle for self-improvement.

"But."

The old man's voice lowered, filled with endless regret, "The nation's fortunes were not good. In the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, blood stained the Yellow Sea, and countless loyal souls perished in the belly of fish... Our Chinese dream of maritime power also sank for nearly a century."

At this point, his tone suddenly rose, filled with barely suppressed excitement and pride: "But today! Today is different!"

"Our Longxia Navy is not here for a visit or to learn; rather, we have brought a powerful conventional fleet, traveling thousands of miles to this place, to the very place you once visited!"

"Our warships are anchored in British ports! They are more imposing and advanced than the Dingyuan and Zhenyuan of yesteryear!"

He paused, his gaze deepening, and stated a more symbolic fact: "And, do you know what?"

"Even the former maritime hegemon, the British Royal Navy, known as the empire on which the sun never sets, purchased the latest Type 052C guided-missile destroyers from Longxia last year for their research!"

"What kind of change is this? This is an earth-shattering change!"

"One hundred and fifty-five years ago, we came to learn, or even to 'pay homage.' One hundred and fifty-five years later, we are the strong who engage in equal exchanges and are even studied and learned from by our former teachers!"

"One hundred and fifty-five years is but a moment in history, but for us Longxia people, it is a time of profound change, a time of earth-shaking transformation. Our country is no longer the poor and weak country it once was!"

The old man's voice choked with emotion, "Our predecessors, you can rest in peace now! Our country has become strong! This prosperous era is just as you wished!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all the people of Longxia present, regardless of age, stood solemnly and bowed three times deeply and respectfully to the weathered tombstones.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, illuminating the tombstones and the bowing people, as if connecting history with the present, silently recounting the arduous journey of a nation from humiliation to revival.

Such scenes of paying tribute to the predecessors of the Beiyang Fleet are not isolated cases.

At almost the same time, in Longxia, in cemeteries in Lushun, Weihaiwei and other places closely related to the history of the Beiyang Fleet, a large number of people spontaneously organized to hold similar commemorative activities.

Through the internet, they resonated with their compatriots in a London cemetery. This is a uniquely "romantic" sentiment among the people of Longxia—remembering history, comforting the spirits of their ancestors, closely linking personal emotions with the fate of the nation, and drawing strength for progress from the echoes of history.

Meanwhile, another scene unfolding in the port city of Fogville, the capital of Britain, was also broadcast live on television and the internet, reaching people all over the world, especially countless people in Longxia who were following the story.

When they saw Colonel Zhou Qinglei and other representatives of the Longxia Navy stepping onto British soil with steady steps and high spirits.

As the white military uniforms gleamed in the sunlight, countless Chinese students, visiting scholars, and high-level talents watching online were deeply moved and overwhelmed with emotion.

Many people couldn't help but shed tears and clenched their fists forcefully.

They knew that the navy's safe landing meant that the voyage to bring them home was halfway to success!
Those majestic warships were their strongest support and their warmest homecoming.

In a university apartment not far from downtown London, Gu Changfeng, a 32-year-old associate professor at a top British university, was intently watching the live broadcast on the television screen. Specializing in aircraft manufacturing and research, he possessed exceptional talent, particularly in composite materials and aerodynamic design. He was a rising star in British academia and had even obtained permanent residency, similar to a "green card" from the Eagle Tribe.

Two scenes from the live stream left a deep impression on him.

The first one is the fully armed, sturdy, and sharp-eyed marines on the deck of the Longxia naval vessel after it docked.

They gripped their rifles, vigilantly surveying their surroundings, protecting the ships and their comrades behind them. That awe-inspiring, unyielding presence, that absolute professionalism and loyalty, gave Gu Changfeng a long-lost, reassuring sense of strength.

The second scene is the one where, after Zhou Qinglei and others landed, the people of Longxia sang in unison, followed by the solemn salute of the naval officers.

The majestic singing and the standard military salute converged into a powerful spiritual torrent, impacting his soul.

At that moment, a thought appeared with absolute clarity in his mind: "These sailors have come to pick us up! They've come to take wanderers like me home!"

Once this thought arose, it grew wildly in his heart like weeds.

In fact, the idea of ​​returning to China to develop his career had been brewing in his mind for a long time. Previously, a powerful recruitment and talent-seeking promotional video jointly released by the three armies of the Longxia tribe had completely ignited the flame in his heart.

The film showcased Longxia Air Force's latest and most advanced fighter jets, its innovative concepts, and its eagerness to recruit talent, which made him realize that returning to Longxia to participate in the development of the air force was the right choice!

The opportunities, the platform to leverage, and the personal value to realize are far greater than staying in Britain as a professor following a set path!

That place was a blue ocean full of hope and challenges, and he longed to be a trendsetter.

"So engrossed in watching? You really want to hitch a ride?" A slightly teasing voice sounded from behind.

Gu Changfeng didn't need to turn around to know that it was his colleague and friend, David, a British native scholar with curly hair and blue eyes.

Gu Changfeng turned off the TV, turned around, and said with a calm but firm smile, "David, I'm not trying to hitch a ride. I've already decided to go back to China."

"what?!"

David's smile froze instantly, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Gu, are you crazy?! Do you know what you're saying? You have a prestigious academic position here, a bright future!"

"The college's Dean James admires you so much, and his daughter also has a crush on you. This is an opportunity that many people dream of! Stay in Britain, and you will soon become an authority in your field!"

After a slight pause, he quickly added, "Moreover, with your abilities, going to the Eagle Tribe would be a piece of cake. Their aerospace agency and major defense companies would definitely be vying for you!"

"Isn't the research environment and benefits there better than those in the Longxia tribe?"

Since the Second Great War on Earth, more and more Europeans have felt extremely honored to work in the Eagle Tribe, believing it to be the best place on the entire planet, a land of gold.

The implementation of the Marshall Plan by the Eagle Tribe in the war-torn European countries has accelerated this process, leading to a continuous influx of European scientists and high-level talents to the Eagle Tribe.

This further boosted the Eagle Tribe's strength in terms of talent!
David quickly added, "Gu, don't forget that you have such a solid scientific foundation here. When you return to the Longxia tribe, you'll have to start all over again. All your hard work and dedication will just be handed over to someone else."

"Don't you think it's a shame? You know better than anyone how difficult it is to start from scratch!"

Gu Changfeng listened quietly to David's rapid-fire persuasion, his eyes unwavering.

He waited until David finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable power: "David, thank you for your kindness."

"But let me ask you a question. If today I were to persuade you to give up everything in Britain and come with me to the Eagle Tribe, would you agree without hesitation?"

"Do you really think that place is more worthy of your whole heart and soul than Britain, where you were born and raised?"

David opened his mouth, but for a moment he was speechless. He couldn't give a definite answer.

Gu Changfeng continued, "The Eagle Tribe may be a good place, but it's not suitable for me. My roots are in Longxia. I didn't go back before because I felt I might have no place to use my talents. But things are different now."

He pointed to the now-darkened television screen, "Our navy is able to come here, and our air force is developing rapidly. There are places where I am needed more, and there is a stage where I can realize my ambitions."

"In Britain, I might become an excellent scholar, but in Longsha, I might be involved in shaping an era of air force."

Seeing that Gu Changfeng was determined, David knew that further persuasion would be futile.

He sighed helplessly, his tone becoming serious: "Gu, you need to think this through. Once you decide to leave, according to the current regulations and the attitude of the higher-ups, you will likely be placed on the no-go list, which means you will almost certainly never be able to set foot on British soil again."

"All the honors and titles you have received here will be revoked. Moreover... much of the information and data you have researched falls into sensitive categories, and according to regulations, you are not allowed to take away a single paper document or a single byte of data."

To David's surprise, Gu Changfeng, upon hearing this, did not show the slightest frustration or hesitation. Instead, he burst into laughter, his laughter filled with nonchalance and determination.

"Hahaha...Fine! Take it back if you want! If you can't come back, then don't come back! You can't take the data away?"

He suppressed his smile and stared intently at David. "I, Gu Changfeng, came empty-handed back then! Now, what do I have to fear about leaving empty-handed?!"

As he spoke, he walked to the desk, picked up an ordinary-looking briefcase, patted it, and said with a hint of arrogance and confidence, "The most important documents are here."

He pointed to his head. "It's all here. As for those scraps of paper and data that I couldn't take with me..."

A meaningful smile played on his lips. "Let our British colleagues study it at their leisure."

He picked up the seemingly lightweight briefcase, which carried countless hours of his hard work and wisdom, and gazed resolutely eastward. That was the direction of home, and the place where his dreams would set sail again. (End of Chapter)