roccoschili Chapter 5407 Xinxiang Land
Chapter 5407 Xinxiang Land
Chapter 5407 Xinxiang Land
More than ten galleons spread out in a fan formation in the bay, each flying the Tang Dynasty dragon flag. These colossal ships, combining triangular and rigid sails, were behemoths of the sea. Carrying a thousand Tang soldiers, a hundred craftsmen, over a hundred books, countless supplies and baggage, and the Tang emperor's edict to "proclaim power overseas," they set sail from the Huating Town naval port, braving the Kuroshio Current and storms, and after several months of sailing, finally arrived at this unknown continent.
The fleet sailed south along the long coastline, continuing for several days without any end in sight, which shows just how vast and expansive the southernmost island is.
It was winter when they set sail from the Tang Dynasty, and after nearly three months of voyage, it was still winter when they arrived at the southern island...
The sea was calm but rainy, and after encountering two rainstorms, we finally arrived at our destination.
The clouds were as dark as lead, and the rain poured down.
With the sails fully loaded with wind, the fleet slowly lowered halfway, slowing its speed from faster than a galloping horse. The massive fleet turned into a huge bay and headed deeper into the bay.
Li Zhi stood in the ship's wheelhouse, his gaze first lingering on the standard bay on the map, then he raised his head and stared through the rain at the land that was slowly appearing before him.
Li Jinxing said from the side, "This place is a natural harbor, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a deep bay. The natural headland on the east side is like a dragon drinking water, blocking the fierce winds and waves from the north to the south in summer, making the bay calm most of the time. The west shore is gentle with many sandy beaches and beautiful scenery. The south side is a gently sloping basin with several streams flowing through it and into the bay. Fresh water resources are abundant, making it the most suitable place to live. The north shore is a highland with lush vegetation and dense forests, providing enough timber to build houses and cities."
If we disregard the fact that he was "exiled" from the Tang Dynasty, then the environment and conditions here are practically the "Promised Land," most suitable for establishing states, expanding territory, and so on.
Li Zhi nodded without saying anything more.
Although the navy observed and surveyed the island in the south, it clearly did not develop the island. The vast island was equivalent to a continent, completely in a primitive state of barbarity, ignorance, and desolation, and had nothing to do with civilization.
This is the best place for an ambitious and energetic person.
Of course, it also means the unparalleled hardship of creating something from nothing.
The rain was too heavy to make landing, so the fleet lowered its sails and anchored deep in the bay, waiting for the wind and rain to stop.
at night.
Inside the cabin, Li Zhi lay on the bed, stretched out his arm to embrace Princess Jin, gently caressing her soft, fragrant shoulder, and said softly, "You were forced to leave your homeland and wander overseas with me. Do you resent me?"
She was originally a noblewoman from a powerful family, and after marrying into the royal family, she became an even higher-ranking member of the imperial family. Now, however, she is implicated by him and forced to wander overseas and live a life of hardship.
Princess Jin shifted her body to find a more comfortable position, her beautiful eyes slightly closed, her arms around her husband's waist, and she said softly, "The husband is the head of the household. As a wife, you should not only enjoy the wealth and honor your husband brings, but also accompany him through hardships. I have no resentment at all, only some fear and apprehension."
They were about to live in this wild and desolate land, tens of thousands of miles away from the homeland of the Tang Dynasty. Everything was extremely unfamiliar to them, and fear was inevitable.
Li Zhi felt a warmth in his heart and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'm here. Although we will no longer have those fine clothes and mansions, and the sounds of bells and jewels, we have escaped the cage and are free. Even if we have to start all over again, this is our world, and we can do whatever we want without having to worry about anyone else's opinion or living a precarious life."
Princess Jin propped herself up on her elbows, looking down at her husband's handsome face, her eyes sparkling: "Most importantly, this island in the south is like a blank canvas, on which Your Highness can paint freely and realize your ambitions. If you can govern this place into the most prosperous and powerful vassal state overseas of the Tang Dynasty, it will prove Emperor Taizong's prediction that Your Highness is the most suitable one to be emperor!"
Li Zhi's eyes also sparkled, and he moved his hand down to embrace his wife's slender waist, his tone firm: "Definitely!"
In the past, he did not particularly like this overly rigid and proper princess, always feeling that she lacked charm and gentleness, and he disliked her to some extent.
Despite all these trials and tribulations, the princess remained steadfast in her support, never uttering a word of complaint or resentment. Even when they were separated by oceans and far from their homeland, she remained content and always comforted him. This is the kind of virtuous wife a man should have.
……
The next morning.
After washing up, Li Zhi walked out of the cabin and stood on the deck, squinting as he watched the sun rise in the east and then climb northward along a path he had seen many times but still found hard to get used to...
"Disembark! Land!"
More than ten large ships could not get close to the shore, so the soldiers jumped from the ship's side into the sea, wading through knee-deep water to the beach, where the white sand was as soft as silk. Some knelt down and scooped up the sand, discovering that it contained shimmering golden particles.
After the soldiers disembarked and dispersed to inspect the area and found no danger, they gave a signal, and then more than a thousand people landed one after another.
Li Zhi, Doulu Qinwang, Wang Benli, Liu Yizhi, Xing Wenwei, Li Jinxing and others stepped onto the flat ground and ascended this distant and mysterious land. For a moment, they were all filled with emotion and a surge of feelings.
No one felt lost or confused upon arriving at this place. They had already devised a strategy based on maps and naval intelligence while at sea, and each person had their own assigned tasks.
Li Jinxing led his soldiers to continue exploring in a fan shape towards the south, west, and north, centered on the west coast of the bay, eliminating any possible dangers.
Xing Wenwei then led a group of soldiers and craftsmen to the forest on the northern highlands to cut down trees.
The rest of the group followed Li Zhi to survey the terrain and dig the foundation.
The fleet cannot stay here for long; we must build houses, set up barracks, and construct walls as soon as possible.
The forest on the northern highlands has been growing for hundreds or thousands of years. The giant trees are inexhaustible, and one after another, they are felled by hacksaws and axes. Wild animals are terrified and birds fly around in the forest.
As the setting sun painted the sky red and the evening glow blazed like fire, everyone washed up in the stream before returning to the boat to enjoy their dinner.
Working from sunrise to sunset, they felled enough trees and dug the foundation in a few days, then began building houses.
The giant logs were dragged to the stream and carried into the sea. The soldiers, shirtless, loaded the logs onto boats and transported them to the high point on the eastern cape of the bay to build watchtowers and lighthouses, as well as to the western shore to build houses and military camps.
Skilled craftsmen got busy, using hacksaws, axes, chisels and other tools. The wooden structure was joined together with mortise and tenon joints, without a single nail or piece of iron, and the progress was rapid.
In less than a month, a camp was erected, and a wooden fence was built around it. A watchtower was also built on the headland on the east side of the bay to guard the entire overseas entrance.
……
Inside the camp, the houses are arranged neatly and orderly. The drainage ditches are covered with thick wooden planks and then buried with soil to form underground channels. The houses are spacious and bright.
In the central wooden house, which served as Li Zhi's office, officials and military officers who had worked hard for many days gathered together. The table was laden with a variety of local meats and seafood, all carefully prepared and delicious by the chef.
Li Zhi personally did all the work, and within a month his fair skin turned tanned dark, adding a touch of heroism to his handsome appearance. He personally raised his cup and frequently urged others to drink, creating a lively atmosphere.
After several rounds of drinks, Li Jinxing said, "In a few days, I will return to Huating Town and report on all the affairs here. There is one thing I would like to ask Your Highness to know. The Grand Commandant once instructed that in the future, refugees within the territory of the Great Tang or people who voluntarily go to sea will be given priority in supplying the Kingdom of Jin and the Kingdom of Jiang. His Highness the King of Jiang has not yet gone to his fiefdom, so everything should be prioritized for the Kingdom of Jin. However, the Ministry of Civil Affairs needs to keep records of the whereabouts of the refugees and people who are resettled, and Your Highness's Kingdom of Jin must have a name."
Now, the Tang Dynasty is expanding wildly overseas, with a vast territory and many fiefdoms waiting for the people of the Tang Dynasty to settle. Naturally, the population is becoming increasingly "scarce", and the people who were originally "lowly" have long become "hard currency".
The Ministry of Civil Affairs could not allow the various vassal states to plunder the people with impunity. Even refugees from disaster-stricken areas or people who voluntarily went to sea to make a living should be "traceable" and "traced back to their origins".
Therefore, it is not enough to simply record "settled in the State of Jin" in the archives and call it a day; the details must be specified down to each and every city.
Everyone looked at Li Zhi. In Chinese tradition, naming is always a big deal and should not be done hastily.
After pondering for a long time, Li Zhi asked, "How about 'Xinxiang'?"
Wang Benli pondered briefly and praised, “'Xin' (新) means ‘new’, emulating the virtue of Tangpan (汤盘) being renewed daily; 'Xiang' (乡) signifies the longing for the southward migration of the Chu people. 'Xinxiang' (新乡) is a fine name!”
Doulu Qinwang clapped his hands and said, "Your Highness is learned! You have taken the way of renewing the people from the Great Learning and continued the principle of using the Xia to transform the barbarians from the Spring and Autumn Annals. Your Highness is very learned!"
Li Zhi was quite proud of his name: "I haven't thought that much about it. I only wish this place to be the new homeland of my Jin people! Haha! Come, come, let's drink!"
"Congratulations to Your Highness on your expansion of territory and the establishment of new kingdoms!"
May Your Highness rule the world with valor and grace, and may your reign last a thousand years!
"Cheers!"
……
In the midst of the revelry, a guard suddenly entered and reported: "Dozens of natives have sneaked in and tried to storm the camp. We shot and killed several of them with our bows and crossbows, but the rest are still lingering outside the camp."
Everyone was shocked and quickly got up to follow Li Zhi out.
Upon arriving at the camp gate on the outskirts, several corpses lay scattered on the ground, while many natives stood furtively watching from the edge of the eucalyptus forest in the distance.
These people were tall and thin, with skin the color of ripe olives, their bodies painted with white stripes, and they carried weapons such as sticks; some even had sharp-edged seashells tied to their sticks...
Li Jinxing, already clad in armor and holding a sword, asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what should we do?"
Li Zhi pondered for a moment and said, "These barbaric and ignorant people are ignorant of human feelings and reason. They fear power but do not appreciate virtue. We should use swift and decisive measures to deter them, otherwise they will regard us as enemies and kill us without mercy!"
(End of this chapter)