As early as when the remnants of the clan were building ships on a large scale, Su Chen estimated that these guys might go overseas and establish themselves.
Now it seems that they are not slow in their actions and have already established their country overseas.
Su Chen asked curiously: "Already know where their overseas base is?"
Fang Xuanling pointed to the map: "I don't know the specific situation, but it should be in Luzon and Borneo."
Su Chen took a look at the Philippines, the Kalimantan Island area, and the Southeast Asia area close to the South China Sea. It is indeed the best choice for the remnants of the powerful family to establish a country overseas.
Now is just the beginning. It is estimated that in the future, the entire Southeast Asia will be the scope of activities of those remnants of the powerful families.
Su Chen secretly sighed: Recently, he has been thinking about starting the Age of Discovery, conducting overseas exploration, and opening up colonies.
Unexpectedly, those at the front were those from aristocratic families!
Who said that aristocratic families are representatives of stubborn conservative forces?
They are just representatives of interests.
In the past, the Tang Dynasty was stubborn and conservative because it was in their best interests.
After the Tang Dynasty gradually lost its living space, this group of aristocratic families immediately became the pioneers in exploring overseas!
And judging from the fleet's encounter in Malacca, the military strength of these remnants overseas is not weak.
Those warships and artillery must have been built in overseas bases, which shows that their overseas industrial base is complete and their industrial strength is quite strong!
Seeing Su Chen standing there without saying a word, Fang Xuanling continued:
"What's hateful is that these overseas forces are so powerful at sea that we, the Tang Dynasty, can't compete with them!"
"Coupled with the widespread rumors in the country and the panic among people, the Tang Dynasty is now in a troubled time!"
As Fang Xuanling spoke, she changed from her usual calmness and had a worried look on her face.
Su Chen glared at Fang Xuanling: "Fang Xiang, aren't you that exaggerated?"
"Don't talk so much now, Prime Minister, you should tell me first why the fleet has to go to Liuqiu. If you hadn't discovered something, you would definitely not be so eager to ask for help."
It seems that a lot of things did happen during the time he left Datang, but Su Chen found Fang Xuanling's behavior very strange.
Fang Xuanling: "Those overseas forces have been transferring large amounts of materials and people from the mainland to overseas."
"I estimate that the line from Nghe An to Liuqiu is their main way to connect overseas."
Su Chen: "So the prime minister wants to cut this line?"
Fang Xuanling nodded.
Su Chen: "Then Prime Minister, why don't you just block Ngee Ann?"
Fang Xuanling glared at Su Chen: "The commander-in-chief is trying to teach me?"
"Even if Nghe An is gone, where can we not reach Ryukyu in the thousands of miles of coast on the southeast coast?"
"Can I still see that Liuqiu is the key?"
Su Chen smiled and said: "You dare not, kid!"
"After being reminded by the Prime Minister, I suddenly discovered that Liuqiu is indeed a transit and supply station from the mainland to the Luzon Islands. Its strategic location is very important."
Fang Xuanling: "So, the commander-in-chief agreed to lead the fleet to Liuqiu to see the specific situation?"
Su Chen: "Go!"
"The prime minister has made it so clear, how can you not go?"
Treasure Island is a great place, and Su Chen has long wanted to visit it.
The land there is fertile and the products are rich. It is only separated from Fuzhou by a strait.
It is a very important treasure land in terms of economy and military.
Although Su Chen was in a hurry to go home, he decided to drop by to see what was going on there.
Such a precious land cannot be harmed by the remnants of the family.
Fang Xuanling nodded: "When will you leave?"
"I'm ready to go with the commander-in-chief!"
Su Chen's eyes widened: "Prime Minister, don't joke with me."
Fang Xuanling: "Who are you kidding?"
"Your giant ship is so big, and I don't need a cabin."
"I have lived in the Central Plains for a long time. When I was young, I had a dream to travel around the world, but unfortunately I couldn't do it."
"Now that I finally have the opportunity to go to the sea, how can I be willing to miss it?"
Su Chen finally understood: what Fang Xuanling said today was not to ask him to take the fleet to Liuqiu for a visit.
Instead, he took Fang Xuanling himself to Liuqiu to have a look!
To be honest, Su Chen didn't want to take Fang Xuanling to Liuqiu. Who knows what might happen along the way?
And Su Chen estimated that Fang Xuanling would definitely not just go and take a look, and there would definitely be other things happening by then.
But facing someone like Fang Xuanling, Su Chen couldn't refuse directly:
"Prime Minister, you are still the governor of Guangzhou!"
Fang Xuanling: "His Majesty ordered me to return to the capital last month, but the matter here has not been settled and has been delayed until now. This time I just happened to catch a short boat and return to the capital with the Lord Protector."
It seems that Fang Xuanling is relying on her, and Su Chen has nothing to say. I hope the old man doesn't get seasick!
After Fang Xuanling achieved her goal, she said goodbye to Li Chengqian and Su Chen and went to handle official business.
Su Chen glared at Li Chengqian: "What are you talking about with Mr. Fang? The old man is acting weird today!"
Li Chengqian: "Liuqiu was the prime minister's own idea and has nothing to do with me."
"Teacher, I haven't seen my husband for more than a year. Why do I feel weird when we meet now?"
"I don't feel anything unusual here!"
Su Chen: "He just clearly intended to exaggerate the threat posed by the remnant overseas forces to the Tang Dynasty."
Li Chengqian frowned: "Teacher, don't you think they are a big threat now?"
"In just over a year, they will be able to threaten our fleet. The Royal Navy is currently the most powerful maritime force in the Tang Dynasty."
Su Chen: "Don't worry, Your Highness, the remnants of the family just stole some skills and suddenly broke out."
"Their own limitations are destined to make it impossible for them to develop sustainably."
Li Chengqian: "I hope it's what the teacher said."
The sudden rise of the remnants of the family in overseas power greatly diluted Li Chengqian's excitement about returning home.
Su Chen ignored Li Chengqian's worries and turned around to go to the port to find Liu Rengui and others.
Since I agreed to Fang Xuanling, I want to go to Liuqiu.
The fleet also needs to make some preparations.
Since none of the ships sent by the imperial court have returned,
Su Chen estimated that Liuqiu also had a powerful maritime force.
There will inevitably be a fight at that time.
After arranging the fleet affairs, Su Chen asked Lao Liao, the steward who was following behind him:
"Where will you and Wang Qianping stay?"
Lao Liao: "Master, I have built some warehouses on the shore. There is a small courtyard there."
Su Chen nodded: "Take me to have a look, I just have something to tell you."
Lao Liao took Su Chen to a dock at the Pearl River Estuary, where several cargo ships were parked on the shore.
There is a piece of land bought by Lao Liao next to the dock, and several warehouses have just been completed.
Wang Qian, another steward of the Su family, and several servants of the family were waiting for Su Chen at the door.
