At this time, Li Tai did not realize that his actions had caused a gap between himself and the low-level officials.

He was still annoyed by Li Zhi's unruliness.

At this time, he was sulking at home, and he kept an eye on the reaction of the ministers.

Li Tai still thought that those ministers would definitely be dissatisfied with Li Zhi's approach.

At that time, he can take the opportunity to come forward and get closer to these people.

But he didn't know that he had gradually been isolated at this time, and if he didn't repent, he would soon lose his qualification to compete for favor.

It's a pity that since Wang Jue took the initiative to resign, there has never been a high-ranking official who can give him correct guidance politically.

The advice given by officials who are not in the status is naturally limited because of the realm.

It can be said that the loss of Wang Qi, an excellent teacher, is Li Tai's biggest loss today.

Luckily, the geography book that Li Tai had compiled was finally completed a few days later.

Li Tai personally named the book "Kuodi Zhi" and presented it to Li Shimin as soon as possible.

This set of books consists of more than 500 volumes, creating a new type of geography book carrier on the basis of its predecessors.

It records in detail the ten roads of the Tang Dynasty, the historical evolution of the three hundred and fifty-eight states, the geography of mountains and rivers, myths and legends and major historical events.

Li Shimin was very happy when he saw it, and immediately named him the king of Wei and gave him a rich reward.

In addition, all the officials involved in the compilation, Li Shimin, were given promotions and material rewards.

In this way, the attitude of those officials who have a bad opinion of him has eased a little.

Li Tai is a person who will be complacent if he has a little achievement.

Therefore, after receiving Li Shimin's reward, he quickly neglected to pay attention to the situation in the DPRK and China.

Until the time came to the early winter of the ninth year of Zhenguan.

At this time, two of Li Zhi's customized cargo ships had already been completed, and he took the initiative to apply to go to Guangzhou on behalf of Li Shimin to organize the first large-scale ocean trade of the Tang Dynasty.

It just so happened that Li Yuan had been clamoring to go to Guangzhou for a vacation at this time, so Li Shimin readily agreed.

In addition to Li Yuan, there were also Wang Qi, Duan Lun, Chen Shuda and several officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Rites.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites had to go to sea with the caravan in order to connect with the officials of the countries along the way.

And Wang Jue went mainly to see what kind of scale the first sea trade could reach.

As for Duan Lun, he took people to inspect some shipyards in the south to see how many places were suitable for building large cargo ships.

At this time, the news of the imperial court's collection of goods had spread throughout the country.

Therefore, along the way, whether by water or land, a large number of merchants flocked to Guangzhou with goods.

Wang Jue saw such a lively scene on the way, and couldn't help but speak: "I can't imagine that Datang merchants are so keen on sea trade.

Unexpectedly, there is no fear of the danger of maritime trade. ”

Li Zhi said: "The pursuit of wealth by merchants has always been urgent, and they are willing to make any attempt for this.

Now that the imperial court has provided them with new opportunities, how can these people give up so easily? ”

Duan Lun said: "Aren't they afraid of losing their money?" ”

Li Zhi said with a smile: "Foreign merchants are not afraid, how can my Datang merchants be afraid of these?" ”

Chen Shuda said: "I don't know if the countries along the way are easy to deal with, and in case of trouble, I am afraid that there will be a lot of losses." ”

Li Zhi chuckled and said: "Lord Chen is too worried, my Tang Shui Master is not a vegetarian, and if the countries along the way want to have bad intentions, they have to think about it." ”

Li Zhi's words are not casual.

Although the combat power of the naval division is not as good as that of the dragoons, it is definitely more than enough to deal with the armies of other countries.

In addition, at this time, Datang had already developed explosives, and even made grenades and mines and other explosives.

Once these thermal weapons appear on the battlefield, they will bring great psychological shock and casualties to the enemy.

At that time, it is good that those countries do not provoke Datang, once any country can't think of making a move, the Datang Navy Division will immediately launch a thunderous blow.

At that point, it may go straight from trading to robbery.

After nearly two months of travel, everyone finally came to Guangzhou.

At this time, the city of Guangzhou was already large enough to accommodate a population of more than 200,000.

After everyone settled down, it was inevitable that they would have a small gathering with the officials of Guangzhou Prefecture.

Duan Zhixuan said to Li Zhi at the wine table: "Your Highness, now the inns in Guangzhou City are full.

A large number of merchants are urgently contacting merchant ships.

Now more than 200 merchant ships from all over the world have all been concentrated in Guangzhou, but at the moment it seems that it is far from enough! ”

Li Zhi said with a smile: "This is a normal phenomenon, now that the sea trade has just begun, powerful shipowners have not yet entered."

This phenomenon is likely to continue for a short period of time. ”

Duan Zhixuan asked: "Wouldn't it be a trip for nothing if the merchants couldn't contact the cargo ship?" ”

Li Zhi said: "Those foreign merchants are not fools, they will naturally solicit business." ”

Wang Jue opened his mouth and said, "No wonder His Highness has customized ten giant ships from the beginning, and he has been prepared for this for a long time. ”

Li Zhi smiled: "When did this king make a loss-making deal?" ”

When they heard this, they burst out laughing.

Li Zhi's ability to make money is well understood.

After all, there are juniors in these people's families who are making money for them to follow Li Zhi.

Li Zhi's two large ships were mainly loaded with some of the imperial court and Li Zhi's own cargo.

Among them, the goods of the imperial court were mainly some silk, porcelain, salt, sugar and tea.

Li Zhi's own goods were glass, cosmetics and some cloth.

As for some plastic and rubber products that could not be mass-produced, they were left by Li Zhi to be sold in China.

Even so, Li Zhi was confident that he would exchange these goods for a year's tax payment from Datang.

Half a month after Li Zhi arrived in Guangzhou, all the goods and ships were registered.

This voyage alone involved nearly 800 cargo ships of more than 200 materials.

If you add a fleet of 10,000 sailors, the number of ships on this trip has reached 1,000.

With such a scale, Wang Qi and others are constantly staggered, but Li Zhi himself is constantly lamenting the lack of preparation.

Li Zhi held a grand ceremony on the dock outside the city of Guangzhou, praying on behalf of the imperial court for the blessings of these merchants who went to sea.

In this era, there was no custom of worshipping Mazu, so Li Zhi followed a strict sacrificial ceremony.

After a set of procedures, Li Zhi was so tired that his back and legs hurt, and after it was finally over, he immediately shouted: "Set sail..."

With a burst of cheers, all those who had gone out to sea began to board the ship.

For a time, the entire wharf was crowded with thousands of heads, shoulder to shoulder.

There were also many people who came to see them off, waving vigorously and giving instructions.

Everyone knew that the trip could be dangerous, but they didn't hesitate to make it possible to have a better life.