As the Longqing sea ban is lifted, the Ming Empire's coast falls into turmoil, with Japanese pirates, foreign merchants, and corrupt nobles conspiring to wreak havoc. Lu Ming carries memories of the humiliation that will befall China's coast in the future. Refusing to let foreign powers control the sea routes forever, he makes maritime trade his foundation and vows to build the strength needed to defend China's shores.
He travels far to Nanyang, risking his life in a series of close calls as he deals with pirates and Portuguese merchants in Malacca. Returning to Ningbo, he withstands a conspiracy by local merchant tycoons and uses the Japanese merchant Fujiwara to uncover the intelligence network of the Eastern Ocean powers, cementing his resolve to resist the pirates and defend the seas. He opens up trade routes along the southeastern coast and raises silver to build a fleet to protect the waters. His old partner Zheng Kui betrays him after losing his way, but eventually comes to his senses and pays for his crimes with his life. His rival Lin Xiu sees through the darkness and joins Lu Ming as his strategist.
When the Japanese pirates invade in force, Lu Ming raises his own provisions and warships to meet them. He leads an expedition across the sea to deter the Eastern Ocean and exposes the Jiangnan nobles who are secretly working with the pirates. At the height of his success, unwilling to suffer the court's suspicions or invite disaster by keeping an army, he hands over his fleet and trading houses to the court, declines all honors, and retires with his confidants. The maritime defenses he leaves behind protect the Ming Empire's vast sea routes for generations.
