Shen Lingyue's admiration for Xiao Chen became even stronger.
Following him back to the palace, a soldier hurriedly greeted him: "General, you are finally back. The goods from Sihai Trading Company have arrived!"
There was good news just after he came back. Xiao Chen was overjoyed: "Okay, take me to see it immediately!"
I saw several merchant ships moored on the shore. They were large and impressive. Someone was unloading cargo from the deck. There were already several piles piled up, like several small hills.
Just pick a few boxes and open them. There are silks, tea utensils, tea leaves, and some jades inside.
Of course, locally produced rice and some shadow puppets are their local characteristics.
The quality is still excellent!
Xiao Chen nodded with satisfaction: "Baizhi is really reliable in doing things. With these things, we can officially open a maritime trade route!"
"When the time comes, the money will keep rolling into my arms, which is really embarrassing."
Xiao Chen almost stopped laughing.
Shen Lingyue was stunned. If these materials were converted into money, it would not be a problem to support an army of 100,000 for a year!
She was a little curious: "Your Highness, when did you start operating these industries? Are you preparing for now?"
That would be a bit of a compliment to him.
Xiao Chen walked away and shrugged, "I just thought that if I had money, I could travel all over the world. At that time, I thought that if I couldn't stand firm in the palace, I would just take the money I earned and run away, so that I could find a secluded place and enjoy the rest of my life."
I just didn't expect that the purest idea at that time would actually be of great use now.
Now, what he wants to do is make money with money. After all, the consumption of the army is a lot of money!
Shen Lingyue was extremely impressed.
"I really didn't expect that you would be able to think of leaving a way out for yourself at such a young age."
A person who is prepared for a rainy day like this is not simple-minded. No wonder Jin Chengzhong respects him so much.
It's also because of this identity, and even more so because of Xiao Chen's extraordinary wisdom!
Xiao Chen waved his hand: "Brothers, we all worked hard unloading the goods today. We will all have extra meals in the evening."
"After the items are unloaded, they are transported to the warehouse. When the cargo ship comes, we will load them directly to the sea!"
Speaking of this, Xiao Chen suddenly asked: "Hey, what did Sheng Yuan say? Why hasn't he come yet?"
A few days ago, I sent someone to invite him. Even though it was slow to arrive by boat, almost half a month had passed.
"Isn't he unwilling to return to me?"
Xiao Chen put his hands behind his back and sighed slightly: "It's a pity that his shipbuilding skills are good. If he can be used by me, he will definitely help me open up a supreme route on the sea."
Talents are indispensable if you want to achieve great things, so he cherishes these things most now.
But if you meet someone who doesn't know what's good and what's good, you can only...
Just when he was depressed, someone suddenly said: "There is a ship approaching here!"
"And there's more than one!"
"Two, three, that's not right, there seem to be dozens of ships!"
The voice was high and loud, and the people listening were a little surprised.
Shen Lingyue frowned, "Could it be that someone from the imperial court came to deal with you?"
Xiao Chen shook his head: "No, if they are really from the imperial court, there is no way we can see them from here."
Xiao Chen took advantage of the islands and used several islands near Qinghuang Island as strongholds, spreading his troops everywhere.
On the one hand, it is responsible for monitoring the enemy's situation, and on the other hand, it can also take surprise.
Shen Lingyue was embarrassed again. She suddenly felt that her arrival had no meaning.
After all, Xiao Chen's mind is far better than his, and everything has been planned.
Following Xiao Chen's footsteps, he climbed to a high place and looked into the distance. There were indeed dozens of ships heading this way quickly.
Getting closer, Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, "There's something wrong with these ships!"
Shen Lingyue looked at it repeatedly and said curiously: "What's wrong is just that the structure of the ship is slightly different."
Xiao Chen slowly raised the corners of his mouth, and his heart suddenly relaxed.
"Yes, the structure is different. I designed these ships."
It is not difficult to see from the appearance.
The ship came in force and anchored at the mouth of the ship. Zhang Dekai hurried over.
"Oh, it's better to come early than to arrive by chance. The cargo arrived together with the ship!"
"It's indeed a coincidence, but what exactly is going on?"
Xiao Chen strode towards him, Zhang Dekai quickly bowed his hands respectfully, looking slightly panicked: "Your Highness, I heard that you went to other places for business a few days ago, why are you here?"
Xiao Chen chuckled and said: "But I heard the news that the cargo ship has arrived just after I came back, and then you came like this with Haoran's objection. This can be regarded as three blessings."
"Sanxi?"
Xiao Chen briefly introduced Shen Lingyue.
Everyone was inevitably a little surprised: "To think that he is actually the orphan of Prime Minister Zhang. After not seeing him for many years, he is actually so graceful!"
Shen Lingyue said hello to everyone, but couldn't help but be curious: "Where did you come from those ships?"
"With such a large scale, I'm afraid it will take a lot of effort."
Zhang Dekai was about to tell the good news: "I originally planned to give His Highness a surprise, but since I've already come, there's no need to beat around the bush."
"These ships were built and sent back by Sheng Yuan himself."
Xiao Chen asked: "Then why didn't Sheng Yuan come with you? Didn't you ask him to invite him too?"
Zhang Dekai shook his head helplessly: "Please don't move."
"That old man is simply crazy. He couldn't put it down for those ship-purchasing drawings you sent over, and he devoted all his attention to studying them."
"But don't worry, I have already conveyed your intention, and he agreed readily."
"In words, he is also quite disappointed with the court. Coupled with the temptation of such a detailed drawing, there is no reason to refuse at all. He also asked me to bring this to you to show my sincerity."
Xiao Chen took a look and saw that it was actually the general badge of Fuzhou Shipyard.
"Sheng Yuan said that this thing can mobilize all the ships in Fuzhou Shipyard. As long as you need it, you can do it with the token."
As the boss of Fuzhou Shipyard, this was a symbol of his status. When he handed it over to Xiao Chen, it was equivalent to handing over the shipyard to him.
Xiao Chen raised the corners of his lips, "That old man is quite a boat fanatic, but it's good this way, we have another big help."
"The reason why you have been delayed until now is because of those ships, right?"
"Shen Dianxia, you are so smart, you can't hide anything."
"The old man is very stubborn. He said he was eager to show his loyalty, so he decided to make a batch for you according to the drawings."
"He also said that if there is anything that needs improvement, please feel free to mention it."
Xiao Chen stepped onto the merchant ship and inspected it a little.
The waterproof structure, the layout of the interior of the cabin, and the overall shape are all very in line with the requirements of ocean going, making it easy to ride the wind and waves!
He said excitedly: "What a boat!"
