Great Tang Southern Emperor

"A silver mine to be exact."

"And it's still a big silver mine."

"It's done, it's done this time."

"With this silver mine, why should we go to Luzon?"

"..."

"What should we do now?" Luo Hansheng asked hesitantly, regardless of the crowd that erupted, "Should we mine the silver mine here and transport it back directly, or should we abandon this place and continue to Luzon?"

"Give up here? How can I do that?" Liu Rengui rejected Luo Hansheng's second proposal without even thinking about it.

"Then what do you mean, let's give up the established goal and transport the silver mine back?" Luo Hansheng asked again: "It's just that, how do you explain to His Highness? Even if there is news about the silver mine that can save you from being punished, But His Highness will leave a bad impression in his heart - after all, this is your first long voyage, if you give up your goal and go back to Lingnan just because of the news of a silver mine, it will easily give people a weak will. Impressive."

"Of course I'm not so stupid." Liu Rengui smiled and said, "Old Luo, you only mentioned two methods, but these two methods are too extreme, don't you know how to make a compromise?"

Chapter 566 Silver Island

Chapter 31 Silver Island

"A compromise? You mean, divide the fleet into two parts, one part will transport the silver ore back to report the letter, and we will continue sailing towards Luzon?" Luo Hansheng understood what Liu Rengui meant, and compared it with his own proposal. Finding that this method is better, he couldn't help agreeing: "Not bad, it's more reasonable to do this. Not only can we send back the news of the silver mine, but we can also continue our mission. It can take care of both ends. This method is good."

"That's what I mean." Liu Rengui nodded with a smile and said, "This silver mine is so big, how much ore can we transport back even if our entire fleet goes into battle? Our current task is actually to report to His Highness and let him Send troops over to occupy this place, so the effect of going back with one ship or a hundred ships is the same, you only need to bring enough evidence, that is, silver ore back.”

"Then how many ships are you going to send back?" Luo Hansheng asked again.

"My plan is to add ten large cargo ships and two fourth-tier warships." Liu Rengui said his arrangement: "The vertical and horizontal cargo ships have a huge load, a full load of [-] tons (the standard displacement is [-] tons, The full-load displacement is [-] tons), and ten large merchant ships are worth [-] tons of silver ore, which is enough to show the wealth of this island. With two warships escorting them, ordinary young people will never have the courage to offend them. The ore can be safely escorted to Lingnan."

"Then do as you say." Naturally, Luo Hansheng has no objection, just like Liu Rengui said, the silver mines on the island will definitely not be exhausted in a short time, and what they need to do most now is not to mine silver mines , but to send the news of the silver mine back to Lingnan, so no matter how many ships are sent back, it is all right.As for the big troops, they can't stay here, they still have their own tasks to complete.

"However, before we leave, we must find out about this island." Luo Hansheng said, "Aside from other things, at least we have to find out the silver reserves on the island, so that we can explain to His Highness. .”

"Naturally." Liu Rengui smiled and said, "It just so happens that we have just experienced a storm, and the brothers are already exhausted, so we just take this opportunity to take a good rest for a few days."

Two days passed quickly, and the entire island was almost explored, and Liu Rengui also got an initial data.

A piece of paper was three inches wide and four inches long, and weighed no more than half a baht, but when it fell into Liu Rengui's hands, it seemed to be extremely heavy.

After a long time, Liu Rengui raised his head, his complexion was sallow, his eyes were red, his breathing was heavy, his voice was hoarse, and he stared at the young man in front of his red eyes: "Are you sure, the data on your paper is all Really? Wen Yiming, you should think carefully, you are a prospector, and you have to be responsible for what you said."

The young man, namely Wen Yiming, said excitedly: "Master Liu, don't worry, I am also an old man who has been with His Highness for almost ten years. How could I joke about this kind of thing? I promise in the name of a prospector that this island What is buried is not stone and soil at all, but silver ore—that is to say, this island is basically piled up with silver, it is a silver island."

Prospector is an ancient profession. Since the ancestors of China learned about metal smelting, this profession has been born along with it. However, for a long time before, the ancients did not have the concept of prospector. It is held concurrently by experienced old miners, and it has not been independent from the miners.

But after Li Zhen arrived, he defined this profession, and invited experienced miners to teach in Wentian Shuyuan, and passed on his life experience to the students in the academy. The first batch of prospectors were born in this generation. .

However, the first batch of qualified graduates in Wentian Shuyuan was only 500 people, and there were even fewer who successfully became prospectors. Wen Yiming was one of the best, and his ability was particularly outstanding, which won Li Zhen's trust.This time, he was dispatched by Li Zhen and was able to follow the fleet to Luzon.After all, Luzon is also very rich in minerals, at least not much worse than those in Datang, and it is precisely the prospectors who need to find out.

It's just that I didn't expect that such a silver island was discovered in the sea before Luzon arrived. If it hadn't been carefully checked several times, Wen Yiming himself could not believe that the island has such a rich reserve.After confirming the silver reserves on the island, Wen Yiming became even more excited. This is a super mine whose output almost far exceeds that of all the silver mines in Datang. As its discoverer, Wen Yiming's name will definitely be engraved in the history books Among them, it has been handed down along with the history books.

"Do you dare to swear?" Liu Rengui still couldn't believe it. No wonder he couldn't believe it. It was really too big. If what he said was true, then even Li Zhen couldn't afford such a big benefit. , Even the Tang court may not be able to eat it-this matter is too big.

Once the forces outside the imperial court know the real situation of this silver island, no one knows what they will do in the face of the interests that drive everyone crazy.Those big powers don’t care whether you are the imperial court or not—interests have moved people’s hearts since ancient times. Facing interests that can almost buy the entire Tang Dynasty, they are blinded by interests, no matter what they do is not very strange... Even if it is a rebellion.

At this moment, how much he wanted Wen Yiming to say that he was wrong in his measurement, but as an elite prospector, how could Wen Yiming make a mistake?

"Of course I can guarantee it." Wen Yiming raised his hand and swore: "The sky is the proof of the earth, and I, Wen Yiming, guarantee that everything I just said is true. If there is a word that is false, I will call you Shattered to pieces, not to die."

"..." There is no need to ask anything, any further questioning would be an insult to Wen Yiming.The ancients made heavy oaths, believing that there is a god standing three feet above the head. Since Wen Yiming dared to make such an oath, it has been proved that what he said is true. If he raises doubts again, Liu Rengui promises that he will offend Wen Yiming to death.

However, this is exactly the situation that Liu Rengui is most unwilling to see: First of all, this matter must not be concealed. The entire fleet has more than 1 people. Of course, Liu Rengui can guarantee that [-]% of the people in the fleet are reliable. Yes, but after all, a small number of them are likely to be spies inserted by hostile forces. If they are given a chance, they will definitely send the news back——an island composed entirely of silver mines, God knows how much Li Zhen will set up for the court. enemy?

Chapter 567

Chapter 32 The Silver Ship

Yes, now Li Zhen is indeed in control of the most powerful fleet in the Tang Dynasty, and Yindao is isolated overseas. As long as the navy is sent to defend it, the enemy will definitely have no way to take Yindao.

But then what?Things are easy to guess anyway.

The mined silver ore will eventually be transported back to Datang and Chang'an.But where is Chang'an?On the Guanzhong Plain, the Guanzhong Plain is located deep inland, on the Loess Plateau, far away from the sea.Even if they landed from the nearest port of Dengzhou, it would be hundreds of miles from Dengzhou to Chang'an. If the enemy really tried their best to fight against Datang, they would have plenty of opportunities to destroy them along the way.

Even if it doesn't work once, it's impossible to transport all the silver mines back at once. If there are no accidents, this piece of silver mine can at least supply Datang's mining for hundreds of years... With so many opportunities, as long as the opponent succeeds once or twice, It was enough to cause Datang a heavy loss.

But fortunately, I am at sea now, and my destination is also a wild island with only natives. As long as the loyalty of the person who will go back to send the message is guaranteed, the news of Silver Island should not be sent back in a short time.But even so, it will only be half a year at most, because after half a year, whether I find Luzon Island or not, I will go back to Lingnan.At that time, the lid will definitely not be able to be covered. Let alone the enemies within the Tang Dynasty, even the small countries in the surrounding area may stand up and want a piece of the pie.

In other words, I can only help King Yue to delay for half a year, I just hope that His Royal Highness can find a suitable solution within half a year, otherwise things will be really serious.

"Don't talk about it, everyone, let's dig out the ore quickly." Seeing Liu Rengui's worry, Luo Hansheng quickly stood up to smooth things over: "My lord, it doesn't matter whether the silver mine covers the entire island or not, but we found a The news about the super big silver mine must be true. I think the most urgent thing is to pass the news back, which is what we have to do. As for what His Highness is going to do with the news, let him make up his own mind."

Liu Rengui suddenly came to his senses, and laughed at himself: "That's right, this kind of thing is what His Highness should think about, why should I worry about it?"

"..."

After three days and nights of continuous mining, ten boats of silver ore were finally loaded, and they slowly left Silver Island and returned to the original road.

"Dragon Lord bless you, I hope their trip will go smoothly, and the information must be delivered safely to His Highness." Looking at the departing fleet, Liu Rengui prayed.

Luo Hansheng comforted: "My lord, don't worry, the ones who go back this time are all our carefully selected confidantes, and they are taking the same route as when we first came. As long as the luck is not particularly bad, if you are careful, nothing will go wrong."

"Yes, master." Liu Lie also said: "Besides, we have sent a full ten ships this time. Even if some of them never fail, it is absolutely impossible for the entire army to be wiped out... Oops."

"Shut your crow's mouth, how can you talk like that?" Liu Rengui withdrew his fist and said angrily.

Liu Lie quickly admitted his mistake: "Yes, yes, the villain made a mistake..."

"Hahaha..." Everyone laughed, and for a while, the atmosphere on the shore improved a lot.

Not to mention how Liu Rengui, who sent off the Yunyin Fleet, will continue his voyage, but let's talk about the side of the Yunyin Fleet.

The leader of the fleet is called Chang Kai.

In Liu Rengui's exploration fleet, in addition to the navy on the battleship, there is also an infantry army of [-]. This army may not be as elite as the youth army, but it was also transferred from Li Zhen's own guards. It can also be regarded as an elite teacher.

This time, Li Zhen transferred them to the warship to protect the exploration team when they conquered the Luzon Islands. There will be cannibals, who knows if they will attack the exploration fleet?The role of the infantry army is to eliminate these dangers and play a deterrent role.

Chang Kai is a school lieutenant in this army, Wen Tian Shuyuan was born, but he failed to graduate, and was arranged by Li Lizhen into his own guard.As I said before, whether it is the students of Wentian Shuyuan or the members of the Youth Army, most of them are trained by Li Zhen's efforts to collect orphans from all over the world.In other words, without Li Zhen, ninety-nine percent of them would have had a miserable childhood, and might even die of hunger and cold in a certain winter.It was Li Zhen who gave them a new life, and he gave them a chance to become a master, so their loyalty to Li Zhen was extremely high. In addition, Li Zhen had clear rewards and punishments, handled things fairly, and was generous, which made them all Returning to my heart, I am willing to sacrifice my life for Li Zhen.

Chang Kai was one of these people, and he admired Li Zhen infinitely, which is why Liu Rengui chose to be the leader of this silver shipping fleet.

After leaving Yindao, Chang Kai knew that he had a heavy responsibility, so he was very cautious along the way, and he didn't even dare to sleep in a deep sleep. As long as there was a little movement on the sea, he would immediately wake up.After such a toss, he couldn't sleep well even with the rest of the fleet, so the journey could be described as a wild ride, and several times it almost led to the bombing of the camp.

Fortunately, there was no danger along the way. After several days of high-intensity sailing, the fleet finally saw the coastline of Yuezhou. Slowly move closer to the shore.

However, Chang Kai didn't know that his actions had caused some kind of misunderstanding on shore...

Huo Zhen is a small official of the Shipping Department of Yuezhou City. He is responsible for the taxation of the No. [-] pier. His main job on weekdays is to inspect the goods when the ship comes, collect tax money according to the proportion, and check whether the ship has entrained Or smuggling and so on.Although the workload is not easy, but fortunately, the salary is not low, and occasionally I can receive a little tribute from the inspected fleet, so I can live a leisurely life.