Looking at the eager Chief of Staff of the Black Sea in front of him, Menshikov's lips curled into a smile. Although he himself was not well-versed in naval warfare (Menshikov was originally an army general and knew nothing about the navy), he believed that as long as the navy had the same determination to die for His Majesty the Tsar as the army, it would be invincible.

"Good, good, good!" Prince Menshikov patted Admiral Kornilov on the shoulder, said "good" several times, and then reassuringly promised, "I have witnessed your loyalty to His Majesty the Tsar. I can guarantee in my name, Alexander Menshikov, that as long as you and your fleet can defeat the Ottoman Empire Navy, I will personally report to the Tsar. At that time, His Majesty the Tsar will not hesitate to reward you, and he will personally award you with a Medal of Honor that is rightfully yours!"

After hearing Menshikov's encouragement and promise, Admiral Kornilov's face showed an expression akin to the fervor of a convert. Standing straight, he loudly assured Menshikov that under his leadership, he would do his utmost to eradicate the Ottoman Empire Navy entrenched in the Black Sea Region, allowing the glory of Tsar Nicholas I to cover the entire Black Sea area.

Afterwards, as the Chief of Staff of the Black Sea, Admiral Kornilov immediately invited Prince Menshikov to inspect the military port in Odessa.

With a mindset of having come all the way, Prince Menshikov followed Kornilov to inspect the military port.

Kornilov and Menshikov, escorted by the Guard Battalion, passed through the bustling streets of Odessa, walked along the stone-walled coastline, and soon arrived at the military port 2 kilometers from Odessa.

Here, half of the Russian Empire's naval fleet in the Black Sea was stationed, including three sailing battleships (each with two to three decks and at least seventy guns), six double-deck battleships, two fast three-masted warships, and seven steamships. The combined forces at the port were enough to win a small-scale naval battle.

A detachment of sailors stationed at the military port, led by their Major, was patrolling the port. When they saw Admiral Kornilov and Prince Menshikov approaching from a distance, they quickly stepped forward to salute Admiral Kornilov and Menshikov: "Commander, Your Highness Prince Menshikov!"

"And you are?" Menshikov looked at the vibrant Major in front of him, and a smile appeared on his face, his tone involuntarily becoming much more amiable.

Those who knew Menshikov were aware that he most appreciated young nobles full of vitality like this, while he expressed utter contempt for those who only wished to indulge in the debauchery of St. Petersburg.

"Your Highness, I am Andrei Bolkonsky!" Andrei Bolkonsky said excitedly.

Then, Menshikov kindly inquired about Andrei Bolkonsky's father's name. Upon learning that Andrei Bolkonsky was the son of a duke from St. Petersburg, Menshikov felt even more pleased for Andrei Bolkonsky.

"The Empire now needs bloodlines like yours who can continue our glorious military honor!" Prince Menshikov encouraged Andrei Bolkonsky.

"Your Highness, I am honored to be a part of the Imperial Navy! Under the great glory of the Russian Empire, to win victory for His Majesty!" Inspired by Menshikov's praise, Andrei Bolkonsky responded excitedly.

"Rest assured! The time for you to swear allegiance to His Majesty the Tsar is coming soon!" Menshikov once again reassured the Major in front of him.

"Really... really? That's wonderful! I've been waiting for this opportunity!" Andrei Bolkonsky replied, his voice trembling.

"Rest assured! You won't be left out when the time comes to head to the front lines!" Admiral Kornilov, standing by, also responded to Andrei Bolkonsky, then proceeded to introduce the position Prince Menshikov currently held.

Upon hearing that Menshikov served as the Governor of Crimea and the Caucasus Region, Andrei Bolkonsky immediately saluted Menshikov, and Menshikov also returned the salute to Andrei Bolkonsky.

In the following period, Menshikov began to inquire about Andrei Bolkonsky's position. Upon learning that Andrei Bolkonsky served as a deputy captain of the fleet, Menshikov was even more satisfied with him.

After a brief chat, Menshikov and Andrei Bolkonsky parted ways. Menshikov and Kornilov swiftly boarded a small boat, which would take them to the ship Kornilov commanded.

Standing at the bow, Menshikov and Kornilov watched the many sailing battleships and steamships lurking on the sea surface around them, feeling a sense of pride.

"Do you think Andrei is now capable of being a ship captain?" Menshikov suddenly asked Kornilov.

"This..." Kornilov pondered for a moment before responding to Menshikov, "Although young Andrei has the ability to be a captain, his age..."

At this point, Kornilov fell silent, shifting the question back to Menshikov.

For appointments in the Black Sea Fleet, it was not up to him as the Chief of Staff, but rather the current Chief Commander, Menshikov. He only needed to provide his opinion; the rest depended on Menshikov's interpretation.

"So, Andrei is fully capable of being a captain of the fleet?" Menshikov asked Admiral Kornilov once again.

"In terms of ability, he absolutely has no problem!" Kornilov replied firmly to Menshikov.

"Then let's appoint him as a captain of the fleet!" Menshikov ordered Kornilov.

"But, regarding his age..." Kornilov reiterated once more.

In this naval aristocratic atmosphere where rank dictated seniority, there was no shortage of nobility.

Although Andrei Bolkonsky was capable, he should proceed step by step; at 25, taking the helm of a ship was simply too young.

The youngest captain in the entire Black Sea Fleet was also around 37 or 38 years old.

"If he has the ability, then there's no need to consider age! The navy is here to fight, not for a retirement!" Menshikov replied sternly to Kornilov.

"Yes!" Kornilov responded decisively.

While Menshikov and Kornilov were conversing, the speedboat had already approached the command ship.

This was a three-deck flagship sailing ship with over eighty cannons mounted on its sides, rightfully called Russia Empire's "colossus."

Moreover, this ship was also outfitted with a steam engine from Britain, enabling the fleet to move faster, and to quickly eliminate the enemy forces after closing in.

Within this triple-deck flagship sailing ship were over 800 sailors and logistic personnel; they were the true soul of this ship.

With the sailors' help, Menshikov and Kornilov boarded the flagship smoothly, meeting with the sailors on the deck as Menshikov introduced the position he was about to assume.

Upon hearing Menshikov's position, the sailors present saluted him.

Menshikov also nodded and returned the salute. Afterwards, he inspected the sailors on the remaining two decks of the ship, each of them offering cordial greetings to Prince Menshikov without exception.

After reviewing all sailors on the command ship, Prince Menshikov decided to return to Sevastopol with them.

When Prince Menshikov asked Kornilov how many days it would take to complete the ship's resupply, Kornilov immediately assured Menshikov that he would finish the resupply within two days.

"Remember, I am only giving you two days!" Menshikov reminded Kornilov.

Thus, Menshikov stayed on the command ship, and to show respect for Prince Menshikov, Kornilov offered his own quarters to Menshikov while he stayed in the officers' area.

During these two days, Menshikov took a small boat to visit each ship, building rapport with the captains and inquiring about the fleet's resupply status.

Two days later, Admiral Kornilov stood before Menshikov, reporting, "Your Excellency, the Black Sea First Detachment's entire fleet has completed resupply!"

"Depart now!" Menshikov nodded and gave Kornilov the order.

"Yes!" Kornilov responded in a resolute tone.

At Kornilov's command, sailors ascended the lookout to signal to all surrounding fleets.

Upon seeing the signal from the command ship, the surrounding fleet quickly signaled back in understanding.

Once everything was ready, Kornilov ordered the sailors below deck to start the steam engine,

A few sweat-soaked, shirtless sailors shoveled coal waste into the piston cylinder. The waste burned to boil water, generating steam that pushed the pistons, which, through leverage, drove greater force...

With the steam engine functioning, the command fleet began to move slowly, and the main sails on the masts were released one by one.

With the steam engine and sails' assistance, the command ship led the entire fleet, the remaining battleships following behind the sailing ship.

A fleet of eighteen ships formed a line heading toward Sevastopol Fortress, the setting sun emitting dazzling light — was this a foreshadowing of the sailing fleet's fate?

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