The First Young Master of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 1403 Ryukyu
Xuan Shijing shook his head: "There is a specialization in surgery, and I just discovered the shortcomings in this matter for the time being. As for the method, I haven't figured it out yet."

His Majesty Li Er let out a long breath: "Well, even if this is the case, it is much better than not discovering the problem. At least you know what the problem is, and you can formulate corresponding measures based on the problem in the future. The problem of the merchants is really difficult."

The difficulty of this problem lies not in the people, but in the resistance of the court. It has been more than [-] years since the Tang Dynasty entered the Zhenguan Dynasty. Fortunately, in the past [-] years, the power and the weight of the emperor's words have continued to increase , and those conservative old nobles of the old family were gradually eliminated from the center of power in the Tang Dynasty.

But even so, its influence cannot be underestimated.

"The immediate problem is none other than that the government has no money, and if there is no money, there is no confidence." Xuan Shijing said: "So I am writing a memorial to His Majesty, and what I want to tell His Majesty is how to make money."

"Oh? Make money? You want to make money for the government?" His Majesty Li Er asked.

Xuan Shijing nodded: "Exactly, using the existing money of the government as capital, using the navy and sea transportation to make money for Datang, Your Majesty, how many things did the Silk Road bring to Datang, and how many people became rich? It's just This Silk Road has to go through the vast desert, and if one is not careful, he will die in the desert. Now that the Datang Navy is full-fledged, why not open up a maritime Silk Road."

"Maritime Silk Road." His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard: "Although the Tang Navy is now full-fledged, but at most, it is only sailing between the three Koreas and Japan, and then the north-south shipping. From Dengzhou to Yangzhou, and then to the south, there are places such as Guangzhou, other than that, there is no exact sea chart."

"Whether it's going to the land of Sanhan or the country of Wa, there were none at the beginning, and they were all opened up later." Xuan Shijing said: "Can your majesty borrow the pen and paper?"

His Majesty Li Er nodded.

There are paper and pens on the desk in the side hall. Xuan Shijing spread out the paper, dipped the pen in ink, and drew a map on the paper.

The existing map of the Tang Dynasty now includes the entire territory of the Tang Dynasty, the sixteen countries of the Western Regions, and the land of Sanhan in the north. Now more than half of the land has belonged to the Tang Dynasty, and it is placed within the scope of the Xiongjin Protectorate. To the south is Silla, to the east is the country of Wa, and to the east of the country of Wa is a vast ocean. Even if the Tang Dynasty's fleet did not go there, Xuan Shijing knew it.

Going south, Guangzhou and then south, Nanzhao Six Kingdoms, there is Ryukyu in the southeast, which was discovered as early as the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms period. It was called Yizhou at that time, and Sun Quan once sent a fleet to go there.

And after so many years, the Ryukyu side still doesn't know what's going on. Xuan Shijing's first goal is to put Ryukyu.

"Nowadays, Datang's fleet does not support such a feat as opening the Maritime Silk Road, so this is the first goal of my minister." Xuan Shijing pointed to the location of Ryukyu Island and said: "Guyi Prefecture, Today's Ryukyu."

"This Ryukyu Island is mostly uncivilized aliens. What is there to mobilize the masses?" His Majesty Li Er asked puzzledly.

"Your Majesty, this Ryukyu Island is a treasure island." Xuan Shijing laughed.

At that time, Xuan Shijing knew from books that it was the treasure island of the motherland.

"Emperor Sui Yang sent Zhu Kuan, Chen Leng and others to Ryukyu three times, but those two people never discovered the benefits of Ryukyu." Xuan Shijing said: "Ryukyu Island is relatively small compared to the territory of the Tang Dynasty. , but it is rich in products. It is a waste of such a precious land to be occupied by those aliens. Not to mention other things, there are a lot of minerals on this island, gold, silver, copper, and coal. It has been mined, and if the navy occupies this Ryukyu, it will be my second treasury in Tang Dynasty, a treasury that can be taken as needed."

In addition, there are also precious stones, such as diamonds, that is, diamonds. Merchants from the Western Regions brought these things to Chang'an City to sell them. The prices were sky-high, and they were sought after by many people. , are actually some ores, but because of their good-looking colors, they are regarded as gems, such as rutile and monazite.

With today's navy, it is entirely possible to set off from Quanzhou port to Ryukyu.

This is a treasure trove close at hand.

When Xuan Shijing said this, His Majesty Li Er was also moved, but why was he moved?It's not that I'm afraid of being poor. His Majesty Li Er really came from a time of poverty. When he was the poorest, the treasury could run horses.

Therefore, in general, His Majesty Li Er is also a money fan.

"Then who do you think is the right person to do this?" His Majesty Li Er asked.

Datang’s naval fleet is going to Ryukyu, and there are still aborigines on Ryukyu Island. When they arrive there, the two sides collide, and the war is imminent. So this trip should be regarded as a war, and then there will be a second life. After returning to familiarity, it is logical for Datang to control Ryukyu.

"Who is Your Majesty interested in?" Xuan Shijing asked back.

"Stop playing sloppy with me, I'm asking you." His Majesty Li Er kicked the ball back again.

Xuan Shijing frowned and thought for a while: "How about, Lord Liu Rengui?"

When Xuan Shijing pacified Goguryeo and Baekje, Liu Rengui led the city navy to cooperate with him on land and water to fight together. Therefore, Liu Rengui is the one Xuan Shijing knows best about the commander of the navy.

Anyway, if we go this time, we still have to go to war. If there is a war, Liu Rengui is fine.

"Since Liu Rengui came back from Goguryeo, I gave him a civil servant, and now let him be in charge of the navy."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Shijing understood that it was His Majesty Li Er being arrogant.

Liu Rengui has nothing wrong with fighting, and he is also smooth as an official, but he has a shortcoming, that is, he is small-minded.

"What is Liu Ren's wish?" His Majesty Li Er asked.

Liu Renyuan is a bit older than Liu Rengui, just hearing the names, he thought they were two brothers, but in fact they have nothing to do with each other, the names and so on are just a coincidence.

Liu Renyuan has heard of this person, Xuan Shijing, and he is also a sailor. Since His Majesty Li Er likes him, Xuan Shijing can't insist on using Liu Rengui, so let Liu Rengui continue to stay in Chang'an. Anyway, with Liu Rengui's talent , sooner or later there will be a day in the early days, don't rush for a while.

"It's good that His Majesty has someone to choose." Xuan Shijing said.

However, although Ryukyu is close, it is not easy to go there. The fleet arrived in Quanzhou, and before leaving Quanzhou, they had to make sufficient preparations.

(End of this chapter)