Norrington stood on the bow of the Dreadnought, looking down at the soldiers busy on deck.

The adjutant beside him was holding the record in his hand, and he kept reporting it in his mouth.

"The route of this cruise is expected to depart from Port Royal, bypass the Pedro Islands, and reach the Mona Strait, where Mr. Don will enter the Atlantic Ocean, and then we will return home."

"If you need to make a resupply stop in between, Port Morant would be a good choice."

"The ship has enough shells for two or three low-intensity encounters, and of course, I don't think any pirate will dare to storm the Dreadnought."

Norrington waved his hand irritably: "Don't think about pirates, if you encounter them, they are unlucky, if you don't meet them, you don't have to waste time." ”

"How long is this cruise expected to take?"

"At a normal rate, two to three months." "But considering that the merchant ship is much slower than the Dreadnought, let alone the Interceptor, it is expected to take three to four months," said the adjutant. ”

Norrington frowned: "Four months? It's been too long. ”

It's not that he hasn't experienced such a long time of sailing, and even in the sailing industry, it is too common for a few months at every turn, but he really doesn't want to waste such a long time for an Oriental.

Especially, on this day when he should have returned with a beautiful woman, not only did he not say his heart to Elizabeth, but he even had to set sail and be separated from Elizabeth for so long.

Damn, if his future father-in-law, Governor Swan, wants money, he has too many ways to make him richer, so why pamper that Oriental?

"The cruising time needs to be shortened." Norrington said: "I don't think it's necessary to go so far away in the Mona Strait, I think Mortland is enough." ”

"Brigadier General, the Governor stresses the need for Mr. Tang to leave the Caribbean safely."

"Captain, I need to remind you that we are a cruise, not an escort, and what the Orientals do has nothing to do with us." Norrington said coldly, "I respect Mr. Swan's opinion on the cruise route, but at sea, my orders are the standard. ”

"Okay, Brigadier General." The adjutant lowered his head and continued to report: "According to the arrangement, the Interceptor will be at the front of the fleet, and Colonel Arnold will still be the captain, Mr. Tang's ship will be in the middle, and the Dreadnought will be at the rear, so that it is convenient to manage and protect... No, convenient for our cruise. ”

"No, he should be following the Dreadnought." Norrington said: "I don't want to see a private vessel blocking the Intercept's view every day. ”

"If pirates appear in the rear, I'm afraid we won't be able to stop them in time." Halfway through speaking, the adjutant looked at Norrington's face and stopped in time: "Obey." ”

"It's almost time, let's set sail." Norrington waved his hand: "Let the soldiers take their places, the trick made by that Oriental is about to wear down the fighting spirit of the soldiers, tell them, don't think that the royal salary is so easy to receive, I don't want to see any laziness happen, otherwise you will bear the consequences." ”

The anchor was slowly twisted by several strong soldiers, and the sails of the Interceptor and the Dreadnought were blown apart by the sea breeze, breaking through the waters and sailing out of the semicircular port of Port Royal.

Norrington didn't bother to see if the Oriental ships had followed, and walked straight into the captain's cabin through the deck, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and tried to calm his irritable mood.

"It's just to accumulate seniority, and a captain who is willing to go to sea on the day of the promotion ceremony is more likely to usher in the next promotion."

Norrington drank the wine in his glass, and the whiskey's characteristic kerosene flavor burst into his mouth.

"Elizabeth, wait for me for a few more months."

Knock Knock Knock –

There was a knock on the door, and Norrington put down his glass dissatisfiedly and shouted, "Adjutant, I don't think there's anything I need you to disturb me right now. ”

"Brigadier General, something unexpected has happened." The adjutant's voice came through the door: "Mr. Tang's ship... There seems to be something wrong with the fleet. ”

"The affairs of the Orientals don't need to bother me even more." Norrington poured himself another glass of wine and said disgruntly, "I have said it repeatedly, adjutant! ”

"We are cruising normally this time, and the affairs of the Orientals do not need to be concerned."

"But—" The adjutant hesitated, and finally could only reply, "Yes, Brigadier General." ”

Listening to the adjutant's footsteps leaving, Norrington dissatisfiedly drained the wine.

"One bite of Mr. Tang, in just a few days, even the officers began to favor this Oriental, and let him stay in Port Royal for a few more days, I am afraid that no one is willing to make contributions on the sea anymore, just want to circle around the Oriental, and there are only Orientals' gold coins in their eyes."

The waves shook the boat, and he simply stopped thinking about these troubles, and studied the charts while drinking himself.

In the blink of an eye, it was already dusk, and the soldiers began to change shifts to eat, and Norrington finally stretched, pushed open the door of the captain's quarters, and walked to the stern to blow the wind.

The setting sun turned the sea yellow, and the sea where the Intrepid passed sparkled like thousands of golden fish leaping out of the sea, and the sea level was obscured by dense ships in the distance.

"Huh?"

Norrington rubbed his eyes.

"Hallucinations after drinking too much?" He looked behind him again in disbelief.

Merchant ships, large and small, with their sails dyed gold, followed the Intrepid unhurriedly, like a fleet.

"Adjutant!" Norrington yelled, "What's going on? ”

"Brigadier General—" The adjutant hurried from the deck, puzzled: "What's the matter?" ”

"Why are there so many ships behind you?"

"Oh, that's Mr. Tang's fleet." The adjutant said as a matter of course: "I didn't expect that Mr. Tang actually bought all the ships in Port Royal, tsk, I thought he would only take away a boatload of lucky people, is his wealth endless?" ”

"Is it just a matter of money?" Norrington slammed the deck railing, "Why didn't you inform me?" Fleet? An Oriental deserves to have a fleet? Or even to follow the Royal Navy in a grand manner? ”

"The brigadier general will not allow me to disturb you because of Mr. Tang's affairs." The adjutant said helplessly.

"I-" Norrington's face froze, then he became even more angry, "Damn, it's not just an Oriental business, watch your position, Captain!" ”

"This Oriental man swept away all the ships of Port Royal, and even most of the manpower! Those people were supposed to create taxes in Port Royal and England in the Caribbean, instead of being a private subordinate of an Oriental! ”

"What is his heart? Yes? Do the so-called travelers need so many people? ”

"Give me the damned Oriental, and get these ships back at once!"

The adjutant looked embarrassed: "Brigadier General, I'm afraid we have no right to interfere with citizens' private property, nor do we have the right to interfere with citizens' independent choices." ”

"Moreover, you have emphasized many times that we are just normal cruises, and it has nothing to do with us what the Orientals do."

“......”

Norrington's face turned pale.

After a long time, he squeezed out a line of words from between his teeth:

"Let the Oriental come and see me."