Ocean Fleet Commander's House, Conference Room.

Li You convened a symposium with the main officers of the fleet and several experienced captains (captains) of the local people who had been invited to participate in the ocean-going program. Liu Renliang, Yangzhou shipbuilding ambassadors Tang Xun, Zhang Guigui, Xue Rengui and Wang San attended the meeting.

Li You asked, "The ocean-going fleet is about to depart, do you have any questions?" ”

Lu Tong said: "Lord Wang, you have thought very well for the fleet. There is no problem with the ministers, just wait for your order, and the fleet will start immediately. ”

Gongsun Deguang also said that there was no problem.

Lu Tong is not yet 20 years old, why did Li You choose him to be the commander of this ocean-going fleet?

First of all, Lu Tong was born in a family of eunuchs, received a good education, and experienced the tempering of family changes and becoming slaves, and grew up and progressed rapidly. He was born as a junior sailor, was familiar with the various posts of the new ships, and experienced naval battles and battles to exterminate pirates.

He is young and energetic, a rare calm and diligent thinker, loyal and brave, and a person who can be trusted.

Gongsun Deguang is an old sailor, he once served as the deputy commander of the Dengzhou Navy and has rich experience. He is Lu Tong's father-in-law, and he will definitely do his best to assist Lu Tong.

Therefore, Li You was very relieved about the leadership of the ocean-going fleet.

Li You saw that they still didn't pay enough attention to the implementation of this ocean-going mission. He shook his head and said: "This ocean-going mission is a heavy responsibility, and there can be no sloppiness, once this operation fails, it will be difficult to have such an opportunity in the future." ”

The formation of an ocean-going fleet is a huge expense, and the consumption on the way to the ocean is an astronomical amount. Once there is a mistake, even if Li Shimin is ambitious, he can continue to support it. However, it was difficult to convince the other ministers. Arguably. The imperial court would not allow a second attempt to do so. Therefore, the mission of the voyage must be successful, not failed.

He continued: "The journey to the New World is not only a thousand miles, but there will be all kinds of unimaginable and complex problems on the way, and it is very likely that there will be no supplies for a long time.

Therefore, I have decided to add two more supply ships to you, a special water boat, and a subsistence ship. 100 women were recruited to sew clothes for the soldiers. Wang San led his special operations squadron as your personal guard to prevent mutinies among the troops on the way. ”

Lu Tong and Gongsun Deguang both expressed their gratitude.

Li You said: "Now, I will tell you the destination and route of this trip. ”

Bai Hu, who had been waiting on the sidelines, hurriedly hung a huge map on the wall with two guards.

Everyone saw that there are many countries marked on this map, most of which everyone has never heard of. The Tang Dynasty was only a small part of it.

There is a red line marked on the map, and this red line twists and turns, bypassing the countries of Linyi (present-day southern Vietnam), Tianzhu, and Persia, which everyone has heard of, and entering those strange places.

The red line passes through many places close to land, and it shows the width of the shipping lane, the depth of the water, the reef, and other data.

A gang leader looked at the long red line, compared the distance from Yangzhou to Guangzhou, and then compared the distance from this small distance to the destination, and said in horror:

"It's not just 3,000 miles from here to Guangzhou, if you go to that new continent, it's not just thousands of miles away, when will it end?"

Everyone was a little embarrassed.

In fact, there is a shortcut to go from Yangzhou to the Americas. Modern shipping, with modern navigation technology, allows large ships to cross the Pacific Ocean directly to the Americas. In the Tang Dynasty, no matter how hard Li You tried, he couldn't do it.

The sail battleship was the best ship, and it did not dare to sail far from the coast, and once it encountered a storm on the far sea, it would be the result of total annihilation. At the speed of a sail battleship, it is not possible to cross the ocean directly, without making up on the way.

Li You studied for a long time and decided that the ocean-going fleet would cross the Strait of Malacca, first take Zheng He's route to the West, detour to Europe, and then take the route that Columbus had to reach the Americas.

Li You had no intention of occupying the American continent, and in order to do so, he would have to emigrate in large numbers. The current Tang Dynasty population itself is insufficient, and there is no need to do this.

Unless Datang's technology develops in the future to the extent that communications and ship technology allow. I'm afraid he won't be able to do it in his life.

Seeing everyone's embarrassment, Li You said with a little mockery in his tone, and said with a smile: "What, are you afraid?" If there is a fear, you can bring it up now, and I approve that he can not go. ”

Lu Tong said firmly: "Lord Wang, the minister is not afraid. For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, the ministers did not hesitate to do so. ”

Most of the officers were as young as Lu Tong and full of enthusiasm. Seeing the prince's somewhat contemptuous look, he was immediately stimulated. said together: "I am willing to die for Datang!" ”

Li You smiled: "Well, this is my hot-blooded man in the Tang Dynasty." You must know that after the completion of your mission this time, the large number of high-yield grain seeds you brought back, as well as the seeds of other species, will greatly enrich the material life of Datang. Let the people have enough food and clothing, and the Tang Dynasty will be rich and strong.

This kind of merit is for the benefit of thousands of generations, and it is better than expanding the territory.

Moreover, with the experience of this voyage, it has laid the foundation for Datang to better carry out maritime trade. Such a merit must also go down in history.

With such an experience, when you are old in the future, you can say to your children and grandchildren without shame, who dares to underestimate Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu is the enemy of the Tang Dynasty. ”

Hearing this, the officers puffed up their chests.

Li You said: "In the process of carrying out this mission, all the people involved will receive 5 times the amount of money, and the money can be distributed directly to your home.

When you return, there will be abundant rewards from the court, all officers can be promoted, and all soldiers will enjoy the treatment of officers.

The other personnel who follow the ocean-going fleet, such as you, the leaders, interpreters, doctors, and craftsmen, will be treated equally. ”

After listening to Li You's words, everyone was in high spirits, and everyone talked quietly for a while, and an older officer said: "Lord Wang, this is a long way to go, and you will meet many countries. Can we people? ”

Li You smiled and said, "I was about to tell you about this, on the way to the New World, many places you passed through were full of gold, and spices, gems and other rare treasures could be found everywhere. Since you risked your lives to establish meritorious deeds for Datang, it is only natural that you all make a fortune.

However, you must remember that no one is allowed to rob until they reach the New World to complete their mission. Think about it, you are military officers, and when your men have a great fortune in their hands, who else will follow you to the New World. How else can this soldier be brought?

Also, there are many countries that are very powerful in the regions you pass through. If you go to rob, you will encounter strong resistance, and you may even be surrounded and annihilated by others.

If this is the case, I am afraid that not only will you not be able to make a fortune, but you will also find it difficult to come back safely. ”

When the officers heard this, there was another round of discussion. It was the officer who said, "Lord Wang, what you said is reasonable, and the ministers will definitely do it." But when will you be able to rob? ”

Everyone also looked at Li You expectantly.

Li You smiled and said, "Before you leave, I will give you a picture." It indicates where there is a lot of wealth, and where the locals are so weak that you can easily defeat them.

When you're on your way back from your mission, follow the places marked on this map and become a pirate. ”

"Hahahaha." The officers burst into laughter.

Li You said: "However, this drawing, I will give it to a person who none of you can imagine, and it will be divided into two parts for different people to hold." Lest anyone have a bad idea in advance. ”

Hearing this, Liu Renliang couldn't help but say, "Lord Wang, you really see through everyone. Admire. ”

At this time, an officer asked curiously, "Lord Wang, have you been to those places?" How do you know that this passage is passable, that there is treasure in all places, and that the people there are weak? ”

The officers admired the young prince very much, and they didn't know how people could have such a wealth of knowledge. Hearing this officer's question, everyone looked at Li You curiously.

Li You smiled: "I can't tell you this, if I tell you, you can also be a prince." ”

"Hahahaha." The officers burst into laughter again.

Zhang Guigui kept staring at the map, he pointed to the location on the other side of the Pacific Ocean to the east of the Tang Dynasty, and asked, "Brother You, what kind of place is this?" ”

Li Youzhen wanted to tell him: "That's where the ocean-going fleet is going." But he couldn't help it, he didn't dare to say that the earth was round. Otherwise, he'd really become a monster.

"I haven't been to those places either, and I don't know," he said. ”

After the meeting, Wang San led the special combat team to seize the time to conduct maritime adaptability training.

On this day, at the place where they were training, several beautiful women came, clamoring to train with them.