Calculated based on the manpower and funds that Zheng He had for his voyages to the West, it would have reached 5,000 men and one million taels of gold.
Now in the Tang Dynasty, navigation technology and transportation were far behind the Ming Dynasty. If Muchuan wanted to drive such a large caravan, it would only consume more manpower and material resources.
It's just that Muchuan himself acted very calmly. If the Tang Dynasty had its own national power, it would naturally not be possible, but if you add the wisdom of a modern man like Muchuan, it won't be a problem.
Muchuan has obtained advanced sailboat design drawings through the system, and its manufacturing technology has reached the mid-Qing Dynasty. This design drawing is enough to advance the Tang Dynasty's large wooden ship technology by five hundred years.
As for money?
That is no longer a problem. By operating the "Royal Workshop", the financial income from industry and commerce is enough to support the voyage.
Muchuan informed Fang Cheng of his overall plan at this time and asked: "How about it? My job is very important. If you do it well, you should be able to get a reward from the court. It shouldn't be a problem to be promoted to a higher position.
"
"Help! It definitely helped!"
If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger's cubs. A big businessman like Fang Cheng knows that "risks and opportunities coexist." If he wants to obtain large enough profits, he must take risks.
What's more, this time he went to other countries to obtain supplies, Fang was not going there himself. He was just making arrangements for personnel, forming a caravan, etc., and there was no need to take risks.
Overall, the benefits were far higher than the risk, so Fang Cheng naturally agreed.
The next morning, when the sun broke, a huge nanmu tower stood in the center of Chang'an City.
The building is forty meters high, with a total of seven floors. It has a pointed cylindrical shape and the walls are painted in vermilion with animal marks. It looks majestic and beautiful from a distance.
This wooden pagoda is no ordinary wooden pagoda. It is the location of the "Poetry and Literature Meeting" held by the Prince of Qin's Palace, Chang'an High Tower!
Coinciding with the annual grand ceremony, many literati came and went, making the place bustling with activity.
On the first floor of the wooden tower, the main hall of the tower is open and spacious. There are many paintings and calligraphy works on the walls, and scholars come and go.
At this moment, the silent lobby suddenly became agitated, and many literati crowded towards the side of the tower.
"I heard that Mr. Shangguan wants to copy the works of everyone in the Han Dynasty. Come and have a look."
"Hehe, Mr. Shangguan is still the same as in previous years. Every time he comes to participate in poetry and essay meetings, he will write a poem and hang it on the high wall. It's really interesting and elegant."
"I'm afraid that Mr. Shangguan will win the first prize in this year's poetry competition."
The literati in Chang'an City were all talking about it.
Yes, there is a man working on his creation in the east corner of the Chang'an Tower. The man is wearing a white cloud robe, with an elegant figure and bright eyes. He is Shangguan Baifeng, the most romantic and talented man in Chang'an City.
Shangguan Baifeng held the brush and wrote the "Hundred-Character Post" in one breath. He raised his hand and ordered the book boy to hang the work on the high wall for others to copy.
After everyone saw it, they were all full of praise.
This "Hundred-Character Post" is written in running script, with a powerful touch, like a flying dragon soaring thousands of miles in the sky. It's no wonder that Shangguan Baifeng is so confident and dares to offer his work to restaurants.
"Good! As expected of Mr. Shangguan, he is full of knowledge and rich in knowledge! If Mr. Shangguan takes part in the imperial examination next year, he will definitely be named on the gold list!"
The speaker is a middle-aged man with a big belly, fat head and big ears, wearing a bird official robe and a square hat. This man's name is Hong Feng, and he is a "doctor of calligraphy" in the palace of the King of Qin.
Doctor of Calligraphy was one of the nine-rank official positions in the Tang Dynasty. It was a lower-ranking rank than the ninth rank and was mainly responsible for copying documents.
At this time, Hong Feng came to Shangguan Bai Feng with a flattering face, rubbed his hands and said, "Thank you for your hard work, sir. There is still some time before the poetry meeting. Do you want to take a rest?"
I have prepared a nice guest room for you."
The second floor and above of the Chang'an Tower were for the residence of princes and nobles, but not for unknown literati.
People like Shangguan Baifeng who have no fame and fame are naturally not allowed to enter, but his father is Shangguan Jin of Zhongshu Ling! Relying on his status as his father, it is not easy for Shangguan Baifeng to take a nap in the wing of a high-rise building.
In previous years, Shangguan Baifeng would take a nap on the second floor at this time, and would not come down to compose a poem until the poetry meeting began.
However, Shangguan Baifeng was very interested today and would not rest. He planned to have a good chat with other literati.
In fact, there are many literati who want to get acquainted with Shangguan Baifeng. Although Shangguan Baifeng is arrogant and self-reliant, his identity is obvious. If you can get to know him, it will be helpful to your career.
"How does Mr. Shangguan practice calligraphy on a daily basis? If you have divine help in writing, you must have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes in addition to your amazing talent!"
"Master Shangguan, I have the poem "Tower to the Moon" here, and I would like you to read it and appreciate it."
"Sir, I also have poems and articles that I would like to ask you for advice. I wonder if you have time?"
The literati flocked to Shangguan Baifeng in groups, their tone was respectful and humble, and they flocked to him like ducks.
Shangguan Baifeng did not feel bored by such a scene, but actually enjoyed it very much. He liked this feeling of being admired by all the stars.
However, when Shangguan Baifeng was happily chatting with others, there was suddenly a discordant voice.
"This work is a bit bad."
Hearing this, everyone was shocked. Some people actually said that Shangguan Baifeng's works were bad?
Who is so bold? Don't you know Shangguan Baifeng's identity?
Everyone looked around and saw a man wearing a half-moon black cloud robe. He had long hair tied up, a handsome face, and bright eyes. He looked very young.
"What does this young master mean?
This "Hundred-Character Post" was created by Mr. Shangguan, and it reaches the pinnacle, but no one can compare with it."
"Young master, I'm afraid you're being dazzled, aren't you?
How can this work be so bad?"
"Boy, wash your mouth before talking. Don't make Mr. Shangguan angry."
Everyone was angry and criticized the young man verbally and physically.
However, the young man acted indifferently and shrugged: "This work is indeed bad, but it is not as amazing as you said."
"oh?"
Shangguan Bai Feng was not angry, but showed a sarcastic smile, "Sir, this "Hundred Character Post" was written by me. If you say it is bad, why don't you tell me how to make it better?"
In Shangguan Baifeng's view, the young man in front of him was a typical layman who could not understand the mystery of calligraphy.
Since you are a layman, why should you be serious? After all, if a dog bites you, do you want to bite you back?
However, an unexpected scene occurred. The young man circled around the calligraphy work and expressed his opinion.
"This calligraphy work does look very impressive, with vigorous and powerful strokes and dignified calligraphy, but it lacks the soul of running script!"
