Not long after Xun Yu left, Zhang Rang, with a happy expression, jogged all the way to Deyang, carrying a tray with three small items on it.

"Your Majesty, these are the telescope, compass, and bearings that Marquis Moyang and his team at the Research and Manufacturing Bureau have improved!"

"Oh? Bring it here quickly!"

Liu Hong's brows twitched as he looked at the tray in Zhang Rang's hands, a hint of joy in his eyes.

Although the Research and Development Division had previously produced these three items, due to material issues, they were all rather crude and had many problems, preventing their widespread adoption and use.

The telescope and compass were not only used in war and military campaigns, but also provided unimaginable assistance in navigation.

As for bearings, their role is even more significant; almost everything related to industry relies on this little gadget.

It can be said that the advent of bearings had an unimaginable driving effect on the industrial technology of the Han Dynasty.

The telescope and the compass will lead the Han Dynasty's maritime industry to new heights.

Therefore, Liu Hong has been urging the Research and Development Department to try every possible way to continuously improve these three items.

Zhang Rang, also beaming with joy, carried the tray to Liu Hong.

Looking at the telescope, compass, and bearings on the tray, Liu Hong's eyes lit up.

Judging from their appearance alone, these three items are much more refined than before, especially the bearings, which are not only smooth as mirrors, but the balls inside are also shiny.

"Okay, okay!"

Picking up the bearing, Liu Hong examined it carefully, praising it repeatedly.

Zhang Rang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Moyang said that these three items have passed the experiments and can be put into formal production!"

"Okay!"

After putting down the bearing, Liu Hong immediately ordered, "Send word to the Ministry of Works, instructing them to immediately send someone to coordinate with the Research and Manufacturing Department on technical matters."

You need to personally oversee this matter and ensure the corresponding production line is up and running within three months!

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing Liu Hong's slightly stern words, Zhang Rang quickly and respectfully agreed. He had not seen the emperor so eager in a long time.

Just as Zhang Rang was about to bow and leave, Liu Hong asked again, "By the way, has Yuan Shu returned?"

Zhang Rang respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, Yuan Shu just returned to the Yuan family yesterday!"

"Summon him to the palace; I have something to say to him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang respectfully agreed, then bowed and left.

Since the Yuan residence was not far from the palace, Yuan Shu, who had been summoned, followed a eunuch to the Deyang Palace after a short while.

As soon as he entered the main hall, Yuan Shu bowed deeply and said, "Yuan Shu greets Your Majesty!"

"No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at Yuan Shu standing in the hall, Liu Hong smiled and waved: "Gonglu, come here and talk to me!"

"yes!"

Yuan Shu agreed and followed closely toward the imperial desk.

Although Yuan Shu had been at sea for five or six years and had encountered many storms during his voyages, he still couldn't help but feel uneasy and nervous when facing the emperor.

Looking at Yuan Shu walking slowly towards him, Liu Hong couldn't help but feel a little sad.

At this time, Yuan Shu had dark skin and his face was covered with small cuts. At first glance, he looked like an old fisherman in his forties or fifties.

Given Yuan Shu's current appearance, it's hard to associate him with a scion of a powerful family.

Looking at the completely transformed Yuan Shu, Liu Hong smiled with concern and asked, "Gonglu, you must have suffered a lot overseas these past two years, right?"

Yuan Shu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, there has been hardship, but there has been far more gain!"

"Don't be shy, sit down and let's talk!"

Liu Hong beckoned, and a eunuch brought over a stool, which he placed behind Yuan Shu.

"Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty!"

After bowing, Yuan Shu sat down, but only on one side of his buttocks; his back remained ramrod straight.

Yuan Shu's many years of seafaring experience did not make him as undisciplined as those adventurers; on the contrary, it made him more self-disciplined.

As he once said: "While sailing is largely a matter of luck, it is even more about meticulousness."

Seeing Yuan Shu's expression, Liu Hong didn't say much, but instead asked with a smile, "Tell me, what have you gained in the past two years?"

"Your Majesty, following the nautical chart you gave me, I set off from Yangzhou in the early spring of the year before last and first arrived at Yizhou Island."

The island boasts abundant vegetation, a wide variety of delicious fruits, and rich aquatic products, making it a true treasure island.

There are already quite a few people living there, most of whom are immigrants who came from the mainland by sea.

There is no political power or authority on the island, and the people's way of living and farming is very primitive.

After landing, I led my men and stayed there for a year, during which time I communicated with the island's inhabitants. Those inhabitants held the Han Dynasty in high regard, and after learning about the situation of the Han people, they all hoped that the court could send officials and scholars to govern them…!

Yuan Shu also explained the situation on Yizhou Island to Liu Hong in detail.

"Very well, given the islanders' eager anticipation, the imperial court will naturally not refuse!"

Liu Hong smiled with satisfaction, but did not ask Yuan Shu how he had "communicated" with the island's inhabitants.

Asking too many questions about certain things can not only make people hesitant to act, but also kill their enthusiasm for exploration.

After recounting the events in Yizhou, Liu Hong asked with a smile, "And then what happened? Where did you go next?"

"After establishing a port in Yizhou, I led ten ships with a total of more than two thousand people and continued to sail south. Last autumn, during the harvest season, we arrived at Luzon Island. However, there were indigenous people living there, and they were in tribes."

The natives were very hostile; they attacked us as soon as we landed.

"I had no choice but to lead a thousand sailors in a counterattack and seize several landing points in northern Luzon..."

Upon hearing Yuan Shu's description, Liu Hong couldn't help but give him a meaningful look.

Don't be fooled by Yuan Shu's well-behaved demeanor inside the Deyang Palace; among the adventurers, he is notoriously cold-blooded and ruthless.

During his voyages, when he encountered some overseas natives, Yuan Shu was already being merciful by not attacking them and tearing them apart alive. How dare those natives take the initiative to attack him?

Yuan Shu's words were simply an attempt to leave a good impression on the emperor.

However, Liu Hong didn't care much about any of that. All he wanted was the land; he didn't care about the local people on it.

After all, the descendants of those indigenous peoples played a significant role in the later situation where China faced enemies all over the world.