Mao Wenlong quickly waved his hands. This was too confident, as if the pacification of Liao would be completed in a matter of days.

"At least a year." Mao Wenlong pointed a finger and emphasized, "Two years is good, three years is OK, but four or five years is not good enough."

The emperor's intention to pacify Liao in the next five years was reflected in his secret report, so how could Mao Wenlong not know it?

Therefore, being able to complete tasks ahead of schedule and exceeding targets naturally pleased the emperor greatly, and that was considered a meritorious service. If it was delayed, or just barely met expectations, the effect would naturally be greatly reduced.

Mao Wenlong envisioned that he could achieve his goal in a year and a half. It might not be a complete victory, meaning the Jiannu could not be completely annihilated, but they would be crippled and reduced to a small, non-threatening tribe.

From now until the winter and spring counter-offensive of next year, it will take almost half a year. On the one hand, we need to fight piecemeal and wait for an opportunity to inflict heavy damage on Ajige and his Zhengbai Banner; on the other hand, we need to stockpile supplies and train soldiers.

After returning from his report to the emperor in Beijing, he would have to intensively prepare for a major counterattack. Before that, he must not displease the emperor. If he changed his generals at the last minute, he would not have a share of the great achievement of pacifying Liao.

Mao Wenlong's pursuit of a title of nobility and a military commission was a promotion in rank and rank, but money was secondary and could even become an obstacle to his bright future. After all, everyone could see how much the emperor hated corrupt officials.

Shen Shikui also knew what his son-in-law wanted most. The imperial court was cracking down on collusion between officials and businessmen. He was able to resell ginseng, sable fur and other Liaodong treasures because of his son-in-law. Both North Korea and Dongjiang Town gave him face.

Hearing his son-in-law say this, Shen Shikui nodded repeatedly and said, "I know that the Marshal is loyal to the court and the country. I returned to the island just in time to receive the court's reward, so I came here to congratulate you."

After a pause, Shen Shikui added, "Also, I've set up a shop in Qingdao. I'm afraid I'll be staying here for a long time and won't be able to come back to the island often."

Mao Wenlong was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that his father-in-law actually wanted to say goodbye.

Shen Shikui smiled and said, "It's not that Liaodong or Pidao are bad, but compared to Qingdao, they are indeed far inferior. I also went to Shanghai and Nanjing and it broadened my horizons. It really broadened my horizons."

Mao Wenlong felt relieved, smiled and nodded, saying, "Shanghai is the base of maritime commerce, and Nanjing is the secondary capital, the ancient capital of six dynasties. It is certainly incomparable to the remote Pi Island."

Shen Shikui said, "I visited Boss Li and Boss Yan of the Maritime Merchants Association and arranged a shipping route. We can ship goods from Shanghai to Tianjin, and then from Liaodong to Qingdao or Shanghai. We won't lose money on either route, and it's very profitable."

Mao Wenlong blinked his eyes, thinking that his father-in-law must have borrowed his name, so the Maritime Merchants Association gave him face and opened up a trade route.

What he didn't know was that the Maritime Merchants Association had already determined the direction of development for the next stage, which was mainly towards the south. The first overseas base would be the Mekong Delta, which the emperor wanted to send the navy to occupy.

Li Dan and Yan Siqi had extremely keen senses. While they dispatched ships to help the navy transport troops and food, they also realized the emperor's intention to expand into Southeast Asia.

The trade routes to Japan, Korea, and Ryukyu were already well established, but the Nanyang region was somewhat weak. As for the coastal transport in the north, they did not attach much importance to it.

Today, Chaigun is just a small fishing village called "Puliango" surrounded by swamps. Due to the dense network of waterways, this area is also known as "Water Zhenla".

Chenla was the Angkor Dynasty, which existed from the 9th to the 15th century. It was also known as the Khmer Empire. However, it had weakened and was conquered by Siam, forcing it to move its capital to Phnom Penh. Since then, it has been referred to as Cambodia in Chinese history books.

Not only was Champa bullied by Siam, but the small Champa Kingdom also beat Zhenla from time to time.

In the third year of the Tianqi reign, the King of Cambodia reluctantly allowed Vietnamese refugees to enter Preah Vieng to escape the civil war between the Northern Zheng Dynasty and the Southern Nguyen Dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period of Vietnam.

Why is it helpless? Because the weakened Kingdom of Cambodia was simply unable to withstand the increasing influx of refugees.

Fifty or sixty years later, with the increasing number of Vietnamese refugees, the Cambodian king could no longer control the city, and Preah Vieng became part of Vietnam. The Nguyen Dynasty sent a nobleman to rule, and Preah Vieng became known as Saigon.

You see, even refugees can be occupied, let alone the Ming Dynasty’s navy?

Li Dan and Yan Siqi were optimistic about the important location of this place. Coupled with the good relationship between the Ming court and Siam, wouldn't there be no worries about ports of call along the South Seas coast?

If the Ming court could send a navy, the South China Sea route would be safer, which would greatly promote the development of trade and maritime merchants would make a lot of money.

Li Dan and Yan Siqi admired the emperor's vision. If he didn't take action, then it would be fine. But if he did, then the time was right.

As far as they knew, Champa lay to the north of Priangko, which was suppressed by the Nguyen. If the Ming army occupied Chaigun, they would most likely seek support from their suzerain to resist the Nguyen's attacks and invasions.

In other words, sending troops to occupy now should be an excellent opportunity, with minimal resistance, and great benefits can be gained without a big fight.

As for the Zhenla and Vietnamese refugees, we don't need too many troops. Three thousand people are enough to keep them in check.

Of course, Shen Shikui was unaware of these calculations. He simply contracted a sea transport route and engaged in speculative trading.

Mao Wenlong felt relieved when he heard that his father-in-law would be living in Qingdao permanently. Although he still had to buy and resell ginseng and sable fur from Liaodong, it didn't affect him much, so he didn't worry too much about the impact on his future.

After asking and chatting for a while, Mao Wenlong asked someone to get two hundred silver coins and gave them to his father-in-law as a farewell gift.

Shen Shikui has opened up a trade route with North Korea by using Mao Wenlong's name. With Pi Island as a transit station, it is extremely easy.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!