The construction of steam engines and ships did not take much time.
This was because the ships had already been prepared beforehand.
Now, Great Qin only needed to install the steam engines.
As a result, the ships were completed in just seven days.
As soon as they were ready, a large number of soldiers were immediately assigned to them.
These soldiers were heading to relieve those stationed in the West.
There had been reliefs before.
However, the speed at that time was far too slow.
Just the journey alone took several months.
Such a time expenditure was also a torment for the soldiers.
After all, many of them might have to stay in the West for several years. Coupled with the travel time, they didn't know when they would be able to return home.
Being away from home for an extended period could lead to changes in many people's minds.
At that time, no one knew what unforeseen events might occur.
But now, things were different. With ships powered by steam engines, the speed was incomparable to before.
Under such circumstances, the soldiers in the army could quickly complete the handover.
Thus, a large number of soldiers set sail, heading directly towards the West.
Those soldiers in the West were unaware when these ships set sail.
Even if news was sent, they could not receive it so quickly.
Because of this, the soldiers of Great Qin in the West soon saw a large number of ships appearing in the sea.
The appearance of these ships alerted many of them.
They were too numerous, moved too fast, and a rumbling sound accompanied their movement.
It was impossible not to notice such a sound.
Seeing the ships rapidly approaching them, they were filled with astonishment.
"What is that? Is it a ship?? Why are they moving so fast?"
"I don't know! But judging by their appearance, they are indeed ships, and they seem to be ships of our Great Qin!"
"That can't be right. Could these be our Great Qin ships? We've seen our Great Qin ships before, and they couldn't possibly be this fast!"
Many people were unaware of the existence of steam engines, so when they saw the ships moving so quickly, they felt fear.
This fear stemmed from their ignorance.
Therefore, as the ships rapidly approached them, they did not greet them.
Instead, they issued defensive orders.
"Those people are likely enemies. Have all our soldiers prepare themselves, especially the archers. Everyone nock an arrow. If anything seems amiss, attack immediately!"
"Yes!"
Hearing this, a large number of soldiers stood ready along the coast.
If they discovered any anomaly, they would undoubtedly attack without hesitation, shooting down the invading enemies.
At the same time, they maintained their utmost vigilance, lest anything unexpected occur.
Fortunately, as the ships approached, they saw the large black Xuan Bird banner of Qin, which caused their thoughts to shift slightly.
"Those ships… they really seem to be ships of our Great Qin!"
"They are indeed ships of our Great Qin; I can see our Great Qin's banner!"
"How strange. How could our Great Qin ships suddenly appear? And so fast, has something happened in Great Qin?"
After confirming they were Great Qin ships, they relaxed their guard a little.
Simultaneously, a sense of worry arose in their hearts.
They feared that something might have happened in Great Qin, which would mean they would have to worry about their families.
Fortunately, as the ships drew closer, the soldiers disembarked at a leisurely pace and formed a battle formation.
The appearance of such an organized force eased the tension in the soldiers' hearts.
They knew that Great Qin must be fine.
Otherwise, these soldiers would not be so orderly.
Therefore, once they confirmed it was their own people, the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.
Subsequently, the commanders of both sides began to confer.
"Why have you come?"
"We are here under the orders of His Majesty and His Highness to relieve you! You can return to Great Qin!"
"What? We can return to Great Qin? Is this true? When do we leave?"
Every soldier was overjoyed at the prospect of returning to Great Qin.
Especially the soldiers, they began to discuss their return excitedly.
They had not been back to Great Qin for a long time, nor had they returned home.
They truly missed Great Qin and their homes.
Under such circumstances, they naturally needed to confirm if they could indeed return to Great Qin.
As they discussed, the question soon turned to how they would return.
When they came, it took them countless hours, riding their warhorses.
Now that they were returning, they might also have to ride warhorses or walk, consuming immense amounts of time to get back to Great Qin.
Just thinking about this made many of them frown.
They could accept the journey when they came.
After all, they had come to conquer these Western countries.
They still harbored a burning desire to reach this place quickly and conquer these Western nations.
But the return journey was entirely different.
These Western countries had already been conquered. Now, all they had to do was return to Great Qin.
The sooner they could return to Great Qin, the better.
But the time spent on horseback might take half a year.
The more they thought about this duration, the more restless they became.
However, at this moment, the commander who had come to meet them spoke.
"His Majesty and His Highness have decreed that you may return by ship!"
"Return by ship? This...?"
"That's right, these very ships. They are very fast, and you will be back in Great Qin in less than a month!"
"Back in Great Qin in less than a month? This… this can't be true, can it?"
These were the people who had followed Lin Tian's army westward.
Although Lin Tian's army had paved the way ahead of them,
they had still endured great hardships on their journey to the West.
The time consumed was self-evident.
Returning to Great Qin in a month was no different from a legend to them.
Many of them were unwilling to believe such a claim.
However, their disbelief did not negate the existence of this possibility.
...