"What gold and silver mountains?"
Helian Jue asked earnestly.
If it were anyone else, and they said there were mountains of gold and silver at sea, Helian Jue would just think they were talking nonsense and lying.
But the person speaking was his Ah Yuan, and he had no doubt whatsoever.
"To be precise, it's an island with a huge silver mine."
Xie Yuan looked around, determined the direction, and then pointed one finger to the location of the island nation.
"There's an island over there, and there should be some natives on the island, short, fierce, and greedy."
"There is a silver mine on the island with amazing reserves, enough to keep it running for decades."
"If we obtain that silver mine, Your Highness will not only be able to support 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers, but even if you have a million soldiers, you will not have to worry about military expenses!"
The fact that island nations have silver mines is no longer considered obscure historical fact.
In almost every farming novel set in ancient times, the protagonists want to go to an island nation to dig for money.
Xie Yuan was no exception.
And she has an even more convenient advantage: she lives in Lingnan, right by the sea.
There is no shortage of shipbuilders and skilled fishermen here. Xie Yuan only needs to make proper preparations and the trip can be completed in a short period of time.
"Oh? There really is such a place?"
Helian Jue was tempted.
A huge silver mine that can be mined for decades is no longer an ordinary mountain of gold and silver.
It's a veritable treasure trove.
Although Xie Yuan is in charge, Helian Jue is not short of military funds for the time being.
However, maintaining an army was too expensive, so Helian Jue had to plan more for future development.
"Your Highness, I read the following record in an anonymous miscellaneous book: Xu Fu was ordered by the First Emperor to set sail in search of the way to immortality, and it is said that he found an overseas fairy island."
"Actually, Xu Fu did not find any fairy island. He went to Fusang, which is the island with huge silver mines."
Xie Yuan gazed in the direction of the island nation and said quietly.
Helian Jue knew that the Xie family was a thousand-year-old family with a vast collection of books. (Reading...)
As the eldest daughter of the former patriarch of the Xie clan, Xie Yuan must have been well-read.
This is also the main reason why Helian Jue and those around him did not suspect Xie Yuan's many amazing skills.
The world is vast within books, and it is perfectly normal for Xie Yuan to acquire extensive knowledge through reading.
Therefore, when Xie Yuan mentioned some miscellaneous notes, he had no doubts whatsoever.
"They've even got involved with the First Emperor?"
Helian Jue became increasingly interested.
However, sea voyages are fraught with risks, and Helian Jue has too many other things to do, so he cannot devote himself fully to it for the time being.
"Sigh, we're still short-handed!"
Helian Jue sighed inwardly.
He does have some bodyguards.
However, the guards are, after all, servants; there's nothing wrong with making plans and having them carry them out.
To lead a fleet across the ocean and even go to a place with indigenous people to fight and mine, one needs a person with leadership skills and sufficient status.
Helian Jue thought of Helian Chen, but immediately dismissed the idea.
No, Helian Chen is still lacking.
"Your Highness, the matter of digging for silver cannot be rushed!"
Sensing Helian Jue's impatience, Xie Yuan quickly spoke up to dissuade him.
She hadn't intended to bring it up now; it was just a casual conversation, and in her excitement, she blurted it out.
According to Xie Yuan's plan, it will take several months or even one or two years before he can go to sea.
First, large enough ships can transport troops and withstand some of the risks at sea;
Second, the nautical compass.
The Great Zhou Dynasty did have an improved version of the compass, but it was still not very convenient to carry.
Xie Yuan also needs to find craftsmen to further improve the compass.
Third, soldiers who are proficient in water properties.
Although some of Helian Jue's personal guards were recruited locally in Yuezhou, most of them came from families that had migrated south or were descendants of exiled criminals.
The local indigenous people make up only one-third of the population.
Even among the locals, not all live by the sea and are therefore proficient in swimming.
Sending a group of landlubbers out to sea in a boat is too dangerous, and Xie Yuan dared not attempt it lightly.
Fourth, Helian Jue has just taken over Yuezhou, Huangzhou, Jiaozhou and other places, and still needs to digest and consolidate his territory.
It is not advisable to divide the troops at this time.
"I know, we really can't rush it!"
Helian Jue had considered all of Xie Yuan's concerns.
Gazing at the sea, Helian Jue sighed silently.
However, it's good to have a goal.
Helian Jue rallied his spirits and turned his gaze back to the salt fields.
"If you dry it in the sun, will you get sea salt?"
"Not yet, it still needs to be filtered and purified."
Xie Yuan also composed himself and briefly explained the salt-making process to Helian Jue.
Helian Jue seemed to be deep in thought, then suddenly asked, "Does all salt need to go through this 'filtration' process?"
"Yes! Raw salt is coarse salt with too many impurities. Eating it can easily make you sick or even poisoned."
Xie Yuan said earnestly.
"Poisoning?"
Helian Jue pondered for a moment, then seemed to realize something and murmured, "So it was because of impurities that he was poisoned, not because the rock salt was originally poisonous!"
Xie Yuan, with his sharp ears, caught the words "rock salt".
A thought struck her, and she asked, "Your Highness, do you intend to purify the rock salt in the capital region and even the Northwest Circuit?"
Helian Jue: ...A Yuan, A Yuan, how come you're so smart?
He only mentioned "rock salt," and A Yuan guessed what he was thinking.
Yes! Is that okay?
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