Zhang Juzheng asked Zhao Ran for instructions on how to respond to Zhenshitang's transfer of silver, so Zhao Ran formulated a plan of "capping the production capacity". Based on this tone, Zhang Juzheng formulated a plan to transport two batches of silver each year, with each batch worth one million taels.
.
Zhao Ran didn't know how much Nazhen Xiantong was demanding, but he knew that it would become a bottomless pit within a few years, and without reserve, there would be no way to end it in the future.
Silver ships were sent west twice a year. The journey was thousands of miles long, the storms were dangerous, and the cost of convoying was extremely high. Once or twice was enough, but over time, this issue had to be considered.
Fairy Caiwei and Master Skeleton are still stationed in the South Island. In fact, they could leave last year, but Zhao Ran didn't say anything. They didn't dare to take the initiative to leave, so they could only stay on standby in Yingzhou. After seeing the way Daomen attacked Lu Zhi, especially
After the scene where the Duanmu Master used his great supernatural power to subdue Lu Zhi and take off the elixir sword, the two great demons were completely frightened.
After receiving Zhao Ran in Kumamoto, Fairy Caiwei said: "Each sect has been established. The Elder Hall was just established last month. I am preparing to report to you and ask the Zhenshi Hall to grant the name of the hall."
Zhao Ran waved his hand: "Just report it to the Governor's Mansion. There is no need to report it to me. I am just a consultant to inspect the fleet. Now that Xu Zhenren has taken office as the Governor, these matters should be decided by the Governor's Mansion."
Fairy Caiwei said to herself that it has been a year and a half since Xu Zhenren took office as governor, and she has never heard of him showing up, let alone making any ideas. Who doesn't know that the governor-general, Shi Zhang Juzheng, will run to you when he sees Tian'er?
Are you saying again that you don't care?
She didn't know how to answer the question for a moment, but flames flashed in the skeleton's eyes to help her out: "Counsellor Zhao, would you like to visit each sect? If you go and take a look, I believe each sect will be more at ease."
Zhao Ran smiled and said: "What can't be practical? The establishment of the pavilion system in Yingzhou is a major matter decided by Zhenshitang. Nothing will happen easily. Just let everyone feel at ease. Nandao is very important. In
In the planning of the Governor's Mansion, this is an important force that deters the remaining five types of people in Yingzhou, and is an important guarantee for the stable development of Yingzhou. Let everyone practice well here, and there will be many places where the Taoist sect will rely on in the future."
Fairy Caiwei and Master Skeleton looked at each other and saw what Consultant Zhao meant. He came to the South Island not for inspection. Could there be something wrong?
Just listen to Zhao Ran: "The two seniors have really worked hard and worked hard for the smooth construction of Nandao. I would like to express my gratitude to you here. Dongji Pavilion withdrew the wanted order against you last year. You two did not consider it."
Go back and rest?"
Fairy Caiwei said hurriedly: "Advisor Zhao agrees to let us go back?"
Zhao Ranqi said: "Senior, what are you talking about? Do you still need my consent for this kind of thing?"
Fairy Caiwei said: "Since you agree, then we can go back."
Zhao Ran nodded: "Not only can you go back at any time, but when I go back, I also want to be a guest on the island of the two seniors. I wonder if you are welcome?"
Fairy Caiwei said: "Of course you are welcome, but I don't know if there is anything Consultant Zhao needs from us, so please feel free to say so."
Zhao Ran took out a map of the East China Sea and said: "Judging from the currently known sea maps, from the Central Plains to Yingzhou, it actually goes in a huge circle around the Demonic Hell Sea. I have been thinking, if I can
If we can find a passage from the Demonic Hell Sea, can we go directly from Yingzhou to Goryeo and Shandong? If we can find this sea route, the distance from Yingzhou to the mainland can be shortened by at least one and a half months. I wonder if the two seniors can
Help?"
Fairy Caiwei and Master Skeleton pondered for a moment, then both nodded, then shook their heads.
Caiwei said: "It is indeed possible to cross the Demonic Hell Sea, but there is no fixed and feasible route, because the sea changes too fast, and even me and the real person are trapped in it from time to time. Of course, there are times when I and I
A real person who leads the way can definitely lead the fleet out, but others... need to stay here for at least ten years before they can say that they have a certain understanding. As for leading the voyage out to sea, without the cultivation of a great master, they will encounter
Changes are difficult to cope with.”
Zhao Ran frowned: "So difficult?"
Fairy Caiwei said: "Advisor Zhao can choose a few Taoist monks to follow me into the sea. We can teach him, but the cultivation level cannot be low. It is best to be a great refiner, at least not lower than a master refiner."
Master Skeleton said from the side: "There is another way. When Consultant Zhao needs to cross the ship, he can book a time in advance, and Caiwei and I can pick him up and drop him off."
Fairy Caiwei added: "Don't do it too often, you can do it once every three months."
Zhao Ran said: "Can you please take me in and take a look first?"
Of course, these two people would not refuse Zhao Ran's request and left without further ado.
The next day, Zhao Ran boarded the Suzhou heavy destroyer and set off from the South Island with two big demons. After five days of sailing, he saw billowing dark clouds in the distance. This was the edge of the demon hell sea. But it was impossible here.
Entering, the two great demons were not familiar with the sea conditions in this area.
The Suzhou ship turned south along the edge of the Demonic Hell Sea, and after walking for another three days, Fairy Caiwei pointed to an inconspicuous reef and said, "Let's go in from here."
The monk captain of the Suzhou made a mark on the chart and asked someone to plant an iron gun on the reef, with an iron red flag on the tip of the gun, as a temporary lighthouse. From this, the Suzhou turned northwest and tilted
From here, sail into the Sea of Demonic Hell.
Zhao Ran finally saw the mystery and violence of this sea area, not to mention the various sea beasts. In five days, he encountered various dangers such as thick fog, strong winds, reefs, whirlpools, and heavy rains. Under normal circumstances, Suzhou
The ship could no longer hold on for a long time. However, Fairy Caiwei and Master Skeleton could always predict in advance and pass by these dangerous situations that could cause the Suzhou to sink or get lost. Even if they accidentally entered it, they would not be in deep danger.
Within, wandering on its edge.
After walking around like this, Zhao Ran finally confirmed what the two great demons said. There is indeed no fixed passage in the demon hell sea. Only someone who is familiar with this place can lead the way.
On the fifth day, Fairy Caiwei pointed to a small green island in front of her and explained to Zhao Ran: "This is my Biluo Island. This place is already on the edge of the Demonic Hell Sea. We can go out in one day's sail."
After leaving, sail north for three days to reach Goryeo, and sail northwest for seven days to reach Dengrai."
Zhao Ran calculated in his mind that if he took this route, he could return to Denglai in 20 days and respond in 25 days, saving about 40 to 50 days of sailing. Unfortunately, this route cannot become a fixed route.
, we can only discuss with these two transformed demons, set a date in advance, and organize a large fleet to travel through.
Fairy Caiwei promised to pilot the boat once every three months, but Zhao Ran would not do this. At most, it would be enough once every six months. After all, they had to practice. Too often would definitely become a heavy burden for them.
As for sending monks into the sea to accumulate experience, at least it is not feasible at present. Which great master is willing to live in this sea for ten or eight years?