Agula looked at Zhuang Shujun, the grand commandant on an observation platform, who nodded to sign him that it was time to start the military drill.

Without hesitation, Agula raised his hand and shouted,

"Ready?"

All the cavalrymen, infantrymen, and marines on the boats answered in chorus,

"Yes!"

They were ready.

Artillerymen lit the fuse, and the artillery thundered out a salute, soaring into the ...