"Your Highness, the Kingdom of Ladakh has been destroyed!"
After traveling thousands of miles hard, Yuan Zongdi suffered all the hardships and destroyed the Ladakh Kingdom where the Kagyu Sect was in power.
Zhu Cunqu was happy about this. He smiled and patted Yuan Zongdi on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work, General Yuan."
"The Kingdom of Ladakh has been away from the plateau for hundreds of years, and the general recovered it in one fell swoop. It is a great contribution to the court. I will ask the court for credit on your behalf."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Yuan Zongdi's dirty face immediately showed a happy smile.
Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh, there is no doubt that Ladakh is more threatening, has a wider land, and is also the most dangerous.
In this way, it is easy to become an earl, and it is also possible to become a marquis.
A celebration banquet started in Lhasa.
The three great heroes, Liu Fangliang, Yuan Zongdi, and Tian Jianxiu, accepted the congratulations from all the civil and military officials, and the Xizang nobles present were equally happy.
Because this is the heyday map of the Tubo period.
Gao He naturally also participated in such a celebration banquet.
Suppressing the rebel party is a piece of cake for him, and it is also commonplace for Xizang.
After all, rebellion among hundreds of noble families is inevitable.
Gao He was a young man after all. Seeing the three people being reused by the prince, he couldn't help but feel more desire in his heart.
He wanted to seek greater military success.
If, as expected, Gao Yigong dies of illness, the title he will inherit will be reduced to Marquis.
And if he performs another meritorious service, it would also be very good to serve as a viscount or earl.
"Your Highness!" With his heart burning, he found the prince and couldn't help but said: "Now the southern foothills of the Himalayas are all flat, and only Nepal stands tall. It's not ugly."
"The last general is willing to serve as a pawn for the prince, capture Nepal, and strengthen the West——"
Zhu Cunqu couldn't help but have a headache when he looked at Gao He who was sweating with blood.
Compared with the three countries with a population of hundreds of thousands, Nepal has a larger population, numbering in the millions.
You must know that the total population of Xizang at this time was only two to three million.
Not to mention that compared to those three Buddhist countries, Nepal uses Hinduism as its state religion, which is incompatible with the West.
It is large in size and difficult to conquer, and cannot be conquered in the west.
To others, Gao He's identity was just Gao Yigong's son, but to Zhu Cunqu, it was very clear.
Gao He was the emperor's illegitimate son.
On the surface, they were kings and ministers, but in reality they were brothers. Zhu Cunqu had great trust in Gao He and even considered him as his arm.
An illegitimate child without inheritance rights is the most credible and suitable candidate.
Sure enough, this speech immediately caused a sensation.
Destroying three countries in succession has excited these generals. Now they are about to destroy Nepal. How can they escape such feats?
All the generals requested to fight, hoping to gain meritorious service and become a lord.
"I won't talk about other things today, it's mainly to celebrate!"
Zhu Cunqu changed the topic casually, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.
Everyone was not an idiot and knew immediately that there was no chance.
After the banquet, Zhu Cunqu left Gao He alone.
"Tea?"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Seeing the prince pouring tea for him personally, Gao He was quite flattered.
"In our relationship, there is no need to be so polite." Zhu Cunqu almost made it clear that he picked up the teacup with a smile and took a sip gently.
“Nepal, it’s not time yet!”
Zhu Cuqu said seriously: "Xizang has just carried out reforms, the land has not yet been equally divided, and there are still nobles who have not surrendered. In order to avoid foreign aggression, we must first settle the internal affairs."
"But Your Highness, although Nepal is now one country, it has actually been divided into three. It is a good time!"
Gao He still didn't want to give up: "The three countries are at odds with each other, and they must be defeated one by one."
"There is no Buddhism in Nepal, they don't believe in Buddhism!" Zhu Cuqu said helplessly: "Even if we conquer it, it will not be easy to rule."
"The Himalayas are placed horizontally there, cutting off the southern and northern slopes. To tell you the truth, it is easy for the Three Kingdoms to occupy it, and it is also easy to lose it."
“Not to mention Nepal!”
Thinking about these words, Gao He also sighed in his heart.
The huge Himalayas are more despairing than the Taihang Mountains and the Yangtze River, and the barriers between them are helpless.
"Yes, we can seal the vassal state!" Suddenly, Gao He thought of a good idea.
Since Nepal, which has millions of people, cannot be occupied, we can only seal the country as a vassal and let a certain prince become a vassal to serve as a barrier to the West.
"This..." Zhu Cunqu hesitated.
It is also a good strategy to enfeoff vassal states.
You must know that Nepal leads to India, where the Mughal Empire is located. Letting this vassal state serve as a sentry post is as stable as Mount Tai for the Western Tibetans.
When Xizang becomes unstable, we can also send troops from Xikang and Nepal to attack from both sides.
"It's not appropriate now!" Zhu Cunqu neither nodded nor shook his head: "Xizang is not stable, we have to wait until next year."
"Besides, this matter requires His Majesty's consent, and I can't make the decision..."
"However, you can train more elite soldiers, just in case!"
Gao He immediately became energetic.
It doesn't matter if you wait for a year. This is the right time to train troops, and you will be more confident that they will be used when the time comes.
"The last general takes command!"
Gao He left happily.
After he left, Zhu Cunqu smiled: "He is in good spirits. I hope he can grow up!"
…
"Ah Heng, can Ceylon really divide his wife?"
"The cow really doesn't cost money?"
Guo Heng stood on the deck, looking at the calm sea, feeling quite emotional for a while.
And beside him, the cowering big men continued to ask questions that they had asked countless times along the way.
In this regard, Guo Heng could only say: "For sure, I will not lie to you."
Entrusted by the King of Ceylon, he naturally went home to recruit those bachelors to immigrate.
Although the imperial court had a road guide system, his ship was registered so that he could recruit sailors. In his name, he obtained 300 bachelors at one time.
There was no cargo in the entire cabin, it was basically food and water, and the supply station didn't dare to be missed.
It can be said that this trip was a loss.
But before anyone left, the King of Ceylon directly gave him a deposit, a deposit for one hundred people, ten taels of gold per person.
If all three hundred people come to Ceylon, that will be three thousand taels of gold.
On the return trip, the goods you carry can also be sold for a fortune.
Of course, what he looks forward to most is being knighted.
There were countless businessmen like him in the Ming Dynasty. They could not obtain fame like literati, nor could they obtain meritorious service like warriors.
A title was hopeless for him.
But in Ceylon, it can be true.
Even if it is a vassal state, it is still a noble title!
The temptation of being superior to others makes people unable to control themselves.
"Captain, we are almost arriving at Chittagong, Bangladesh!"
"Stop the ship to resupply!"
Guo Heng nodded, months of hard work was finally coming.
But right behind him, there was also a thousand-material ship.
"Guo Datou, how long until we arrive?"
After boarding the pier, before he could stand firmly, a voice came to his ears.
Guo Heng said helplessly: "You have asked all the way, we will be there in a few days!"
"This Chittagong port is the largest port in Bangladesh. Sell your things and resupply."
The person he was talking to was naturally the captain of another ship following him, Zuo Zhong.
He is a good friend and a fellow villager from a neighboring village.
Because he was discovered by him about recruiting bachelors, Guo Heng had to reveal the truth.
Zuo Zhong was naturally curious about Ceylon. At the same time, unlike Guo Heng who was keen on officialdom, his younger brother was a scholar and was not keen on the vassal state.
But he is very greedy for money.
Then I followed him to the west, not only to see Ceylon, but also to make more money.
Zuo Zhong has found out clearly that selling the silk to Xiyi at the customs will only make double the profit; selling it to Luzon will make double the profit.
Going to Batavia is triple the profit.
And if you go to India and sell it to those Portuguese businessmen, you will earn at least five times the profit.
Of course, if you go to the legendary Europe, you won’t be able to win even if it’s ten times more profitable.
Greed and the pursuit of profit have kept him following him all the way, and he has suffered until now.
After resting for half a day, we dressed and headed south. We didn't do too many supplies on the east coast of India. We went directly south and arrived at Crescent Bay in Ceylon.
Guo Heng met his old acquaintance, Chu Ke.
"Three hundred people?" Chu Ke was surprised, and then said with great joy: "You are really surprising!"
"Your Highness will be pleased."
"This is my good friend Zuo Zhong. He wants to come to see me and do business at the same time."
Zuo Zhong was also naughty and respectful.
In this way, the two of them were taken to Jicheng, the capital of the country, and met His Royal Highness again.
Zhu Ci admired Guo Heng's efficiency and said with a smile: "Your ship is too full. I have decided to buy you another big ship. You can sell more goods and earn more."
Immediately, he decisively ennobled Guo Heng as a male from Ceylon County, with a residence of hundreds of households, a mansion, and several maids.
The latter was overjoyed and couldn't wait to thank him.
Zuo Zhong was also stunned, he didn't expect this to be true.
The envious look was fleeting.
He will not stay in Ceylon and become an overseas citizen.
When he learned that he was going to the West, Zhu Ci didn't care at all and even had someone issue a voucher:
"Although Ceylon is a small country and the people are poor, I have some contacts with the Portuguese and Dutch. You can bring your voucher and enter the port to replenish your supplies!"
Zuo Zhong was overjoyed.
He originally thought that the journey had ended here, but he did not expect that he could continue to move forward.
Naturally, I felt grateful all the time.
In return, he gave Ceylon hundreds of books, and even sold all the books to the King of Ceylon to enrich the thin royal treasury.
A few days later, Zuo Zhong carried a warehouse full of goods and headed for Goa!
The Portuguese occupied Goa for decades and built it into the most beautiful city on the west coast of India.
When Zuo Zhong arrived, he couldn't help but admire the tropical scenery.
Facing a rare Ming businessman, these Portuguese people offered him a price that he could not refuse, selling all porcelain, silk, and various lacquerware.
The profit from peddling has quadrupled compared to customs.
In this way, after deducting costs, Zuo Zhong directly made a net profit of 20,000 silver dollars.
This is the profit made in the past two years, and now it is completely earned in one trip.
Just when he was excited, a Portuguese businessman with a tall nose and deep eyes found him:
"Mr. Zuo, are you leaving like this?"
"If you buy ivory, gems, and spices from India and ship them to Europe, you can make several times the profit."
"Europe is too far!" Zuo Zhong said hesitantly.
"But the profits are high!" The businessman hurriedly advised: "This is a new route for you, and I am willing to take you there."
Hearing this, Zuo Zhong hesitated even more: "Europe is too far away and is not among our goals."
"Then, be careful when you go back!" The businessman showed a gloating smile:
"There are too many things being sold this time. Pirates are already targeting you. I hope you can go back safely."
Zuo Zhong was startled, and then said with piercing eyes: "I'm afraid you are one of them!"
"Of course, it's possible!" The businessman shook his head and nodded: "Everything is possible on the sea."
"Pirates and merchant ships, their identities can change at any time. This is an unspoken rule on the sea."
"Good luck!"
Saying that, he left briskly.
"Damn it..." Zuo Zhong was angry: "The Xiyi people are indeed a bad breed."
No, he can only seek to save himself.
He found a fleet of three ships and they decided to go to Daming.
On the condition of leading the way, he hopes to join it.
But he was rejected: "Mr. Zuo Zhong, we are familiar with this route and don't need your guidance."
"Bringing you with me will cause trouble!"
"Pirates all act alone. They never dare to join forces. Internal fighting is their common problem."
Zuo Zhong hurriedly said: "I can teach you how to avoid scurvy!"
The Portuguese were immediately interested.
"Bean sprouts and kimchi. As long as you eat bean sprouts and kimchi on board, you will be free from scurvy. This is our experience over the years."
"And I can grow bean sprouts!"
This time, he was able to join the fleet and gained safety.
With lingering fear, he looked at the merchant ships surrounding the fleet, and he couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable:
"I taught Xiyi bean sprouts and kimchi, my ancestors won't blame me, right?"
"Probably not, the Westerners will know sooner or later..."
…
At this time, Qi State slowly entered the rainy season.
In the huge palace, a new round of operations to eradicate insects and snakes has begun.
In just three days, dozens of large snakes several feet long were captured alive, and countless spiders, scorpions, locusts, etc. were burned continuously.
A large amount of spices were ignited and surrounded the entire palace. No less than hundreds of kilograms of spices were consumed every day. It was very expensive and the smell was extremely strong.
King Qi couldn't help but sigh: "What is this?"
Although the state of Qi is good, it is too troublesome.
There are countless kinds of insects and scorpions. If you accidentally step into the grass, you will be bitten, and then you will get sick and die.
In just one dry season, more than a dozen palace ladies died of poisoning.
This happens every year, and he gets tired.
"Report, Your Highness, a ship has returned and they say they have found the big island!"
The eunuch said hurriedly.
The wet floor made him afraid to run.
"Oh?" Qi King Zhu Cunhua couldn't help but feel happy: "Bring them to see me quickly."
"I've been gone for more than half a year, and I thought they were all dead!"
In the side hall, he saw this group of embarrassed sailors and their captain Du Long.
The latter knelt down and saluted, with tears in his eyes: "Your Highness, I have found it. I have found a huge island, bigger than the country of Qi, and there are only savages!"