According to later inspections, the entire Lancang River became a rare river that can be fully navigable after slight modifications! This means that if a ship is powerful enough, the amount of land it can control along the river is too large! The ships are enough to carry soldiers, heavy-duty crossbows, supply weapons, etc. Even the marching speed in Southeast Asia is much faster than the land march, because if there is a moon and the weather is clear, the boat can be sailed at night and during the day.
"It would be difficult to march to Nanzhao and other locations from land, but in fact if you start from Guangzhou, march here by boat, then arrive at the Lancang River, and then go upstream, it is not that difficult. In this way, you can besiege Nanzhao from multiple angles. If so, it won't be difficult to win over the opponent." Li Ke said calmly.
To put it bluntly, if the Tang Dynasty controlled Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and other places in later generations through Lingnan Road, and in turn surrounded Yunnan and Guizhou in the hinterland, then it would not be difficult to deal with them. If Tubo was also completely solved, and surrounded in the middle , haven’t you decided to clean it up as you please?
"Places like these are currently the main sources of Kunlun slaves in the Tang Dynasty." Li Ke pointed to Malay, Indonesia, the Philippines and other places in later generations. "The land area of these places is not small, and the climate is similar. Aspects are also suitable for growing crops because they are hot all year round.”
"The black people in these places, that is, the Kunlun slaves, are still in the uncivilized stage. They have no concept of land at all. It is not difficult for us to build a town and port on it."
"In this case, Datang's ships along the way will have supply positions for future voyages."
"And the ocean can also bring huge profits. As long as we control the production of advanced sea-going ships, it means we control the ocean."
"The simplest point, dad, brother, if we can build a hundred thousand ships, one ship can carry thousands of soldiers, and a fleet of ten ships is enough to carry an army of 10,000 people. If we are willing, We can all attack Persia from the sea, capture the land, and gradually expand the results. If we can't defeat it, we can retreat by ship at any time, and the enemy will not be able to follow."
"In this way, we will be invincible." Li Ke told Li Shimin about the importance of sea power.
Watching Li Ke keep drawing on the map, Li Shimin and Li Chengqian were both in a daze, as if this was not a map, but the land of the Tang Dynasty.
"Until one day, my flag of the Tang Dynasty can be planted in all corners of these places!" Li Ke simply used a wooden stick to draw a circle on the entire map.
Li Shimin couldn't hold himself any longer. Good guy, your cake is too big for your father.
"You..." Li Shimin said: "The premise is that there must be enough sea ships, and they must be advanced enough. What do you mean, the sea ships you have developed are very advanced?"
"Yes, at least they are more advanced than the Tang Dynasty's ships. A ship with 100,000 hu of dendrobium is unlikely, but there is no problem with a ship with 20,000 hu of dendrobium or even 40,000 hu of dendrobium. Moreover, if the iron-making technology developed by Erchen craftsmen Steelmaking technology continues to improve, Dad, steel can also be used for shipbuilding!" Li Ke said.
Li Shimin and Li Chengqian looked at each other. They were not too shocked. In fact, many people thought that the ancients would be shocked when they heard that steel could be used to build ships, but in fact they were not.
The reason why the ancients did not use steel to build ships was because they could not afford it. They had basic theories and knowledge about buoyancy and other related issues. The simplest point is that the ancient royal family and nobles had iron pots and basins, at least in the Tang Dynasty. There is.
An iron basin can float when thrown into water, why can't an iron boat do the same? Therefore, the ancients of steel shipbuilding were not too shocked. Firstly, they could not afford to build them, secondly, they had no technology, and thirdly, they were unnecessary. Wooden ships were sufficient, so why did they need iron ships?
"Iron ships made of steel are stronger, and they are not afraid of fires and the like. And they can be made bigger! By then, one ship will be able to transport tens of thousands of soldiers. And the premise of these is to ensure Shipbuilding technology must be kept strictly confidential.”
"Actually, dad, this is one of the reasons why I insist on giving these craftsmen titles." Li Ke said with a smile.
Li Shimin and Li Chengqian looked at each other. If they were still confused before, these things were enough for them to figure it out and realize the importance of craftsmen.
"When will the nationwide universal school you mentioned be achieved?" Li Shimin suddenly asked.
"Actually, it can be done at any time, but the current conditions are not met, so I want to wait for a while, at least until the spring plowing is over." Li Ke thought for a while and said.
"Okay! Execute it as soon as possible. How much pressure is there this time? Dad will bear it for you. Since these craftsmen are important, the promises given to them must be fulfilled, so that their children can go to school, and people who have learned knowledge can become It's obviously easier for craftsmen." Li Shimin nodded directly.
"No problem. By the way, I forgot what I just said. Dad, you have to give me the authorization to use the 800-mile express. I have to recruit someone to go back to Chang'an, and I have to let him build the sea ship first. Get up." Li Ke thought for a while and said.
"Okay." Li Shimin nodded directly. Eight Hundred Miles Express was not used casually, it had to be authorized by him.
"That's okay. In exactly two decades, our Datang Evernight City will start auctioning land. Then let these merchants start paying for it. This time the caravan will be called Datang Royal Shipping Group." Li Ke smiled and said, "We are going to do business this time. Of course we don't have to go through the court."
Li Shimin: "..."
"Just watch and do it." Li Shimin was a little helpless. What Li Ke said was not unreasonable. If it went through the court, the matter might be leaked. Instead, it seemed better to conceal it through normal business behavior?
"Did you two hear it?" Li Shimin looked at Chang Lin and Qi Lang and asked.
"Yes!" Chang Lin and Qi Julang both saluted quickly.
"If a sixth person knows the true purpose of this matter, and it is not revealed by the three of us, then you two, Zhu Jiu Clan, I will not investigate who said it." Li Shimin's tone was very calm, but often Both Lin and Qi Julang knew that Li Shimin was not joking.
"Yes!" Chang Lin and Qi Julang both bowed and saluted.
"Your Majesty, I'm preparing to draft the imperial edict. It's urgent at 800 miles." Li Ke turned around and walked to the table next to him, then picked up the brush and special paper on the table.
Chang Lin, on the other hand, quickly went from the side to prepare the sealing paint and other items.
