The third prince Liu Xun is well-informed.
He quietly told Ruyang, "Father learned that my sister has a crush on someone and is very curious. He has already sent someone to investigate secretly."
"oh!"
Ruyang acted indifferent.
Liu Xun's curiosity was burning. "Sister, do you really have someone you like? Which young man can catch your eye? I am so curious, sister, can you explain this to me?"
"If it's none of your business, don't worry about it."
Ruyang has been trained overseas for many years. As the city lord, he has nearly 10,000 armored soldiers under his command, and his momentum directly crushes Liu Xun.
Liu Xun was embarrassed and pinched his nose. "Sister, you are as fierce as ever. I don't know who can stand you."
Ruyang glared at him, and Liu Xun immediately admitted defeat and rolled away smoothly.
He ran to find his second brother Liu Heng.
"Sister, do you really have someone you like?"
The second prince Liu Heng said "hmm".
"Who is it? My sister won't tell me."
The Second Prince Liu Heng laughed. "If she doesn't want to tell you, then why would I tell you? Go play somewhere else and don't delay me from doing my work."
"What's the important matter that needs to be done? Tell me and I will help you. Then tell me who my sister likes?" Liu Xun had a beautiful thought.
"Do you really want to know?" Liu Heng asked him.
Liu Xun nodded heavily.
Liu Heng smiled and said, "Find me ten scholars, ten blacksmiths, ten bricklayers, a few experienced farmers, and three or five students from the military academy. Convince them to follow me and settle overseas for ten years, and I'll tell you."
cut!
Liu Xun turned and left.
If he had the ability to convince so many people to go overseas willingly, why would he bother asking others for information?
He could have investigated secretly on his own, screening all the unmarried men who returned with the fleet, and there was a good chance he would have found the person his sister Ruyang liked.
The second prince Liu Heng was in great need of talents, not strategists, but technical talents.
Before recruiting talents, there is one important thing to resolve.
He carried gifts and went to his future father-in-law Li's house in person.
He said bluntly, "I will take root overseas." What he meant was that after getting married, I would take my wife to live overseas, and our children would be born and raised overseas. The conditions overseas are difficult, and everything is still in its infancy. It can't compare to the prosperous and flourishing capital, where you can command servants and slaves.
Living overseas, you have to do a lot of things yourself because we're seriously short of people, all kinds of people. My children probably won't be able to enjoy the high-quality life and elite education in Beijing. Everything about them won't compare. But the land is mine, the people are mine, the cities are mine, and I have the final say. I am the king overseas!
Mr. Li was very conflicted.
Liu Heng was sharing the burden with him.
She was asking him whether he was willing to let his daughter go overseas with the other party and suffer.
This is a dilemma.
"Your Highness, how much territory do you have overseas? How many people are there? How many cities do you have?"
Liu Heng was very calm. "My overseas territory is almost twice the size of the capital region. I have twenty cities and a population of less than one million. I have over ten thousand armored soldiers, which is a bit of a burden. Fortunately, the production is good. I own mines, fertile fields, forests, and ports... With the increasing number of ships coming and going, the port tax revenue has increased year by year and has become a significant source of income. The only problem is that the environment is harsh, with too many mosquitoes, rats, and ants. However, we already have an extremely effective anti-mosquito medicine and have trained several doctors. The weather there is hot, there is no winter, it is hot all year round, which saves a lot of fabric."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li frowned and then relaxed, looking very conflicted.
"To be honest, Your Highness, the little girl is living a life of luxury here, and I'm worried that she won't be able to adapt to the climate and food overseas."
"This is also what I'm worried about. So, while the wedding date is still undecided, I'm here to explain everything personally. If you feel it's not suitable, you can cancel the engagement at any time. I'll personally explain to the Emperor and Empress, and it won't affect your daughter's future marriage prospects."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. Then..."
"Father, I don't agree with your decision. This is my daughter's marriage. You can't make the decision for me without asking for my opinion."
Li Zhitu, the youngest daughter of the Li family, who had been hiding in the next room and eavesdropping, suddenly ran out.
Master Li was extremely embarrassed. "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Your Highness. Go back now. Who asked you to come out?"
Li Zhi's eyes were red. She bit her lip and looked at the Second Prince Liu Heng. "Are you dissatisfied with my status as a spoiled girl who can't endure hardships, so you want to cancel the engagement?"
Second Prince Liu Heng shook his head. "I'm afraid of delaying you. I've decided to settle down overseas. I won't hide it from you. Life overseas is truly difficult. We're building a city in the middle of a primeval jungle, so you can imagine the conditions. I believe I should give you a chance to choose, rather than forcing you to follow me overseas. Not everyone can adapt to the climate and diet overseas. Many middle-aged men suffer after going overseas, let alone a woman like you."
"But I'm not afraid!"
"It's not a question of fear or not, but you could have chosen a better life. There's no need to marry me and suffer overseas. I, a prince, will definitely be different from the princes of previous dynasties. I will not stay in the country. I have already determined to expand the territory and build a true vassal state. The hardships involved are beyond your imagination."
"Princess Ruyang can do it, so can I!"
Liu Heng shook his head. "It's not that I look down on you, but your physical condition is no match for Ruyang. Ruyang has practiced martial arts since childhood and has a strong body. I'm afraid you won't even be able to survive your first few days at sea. Besides, before going out to sea, Ruyang spent more than half a year acclimatizing on the Jiangnan coast, so his swimming skills are better than most people."
Li Zhi is a typical lady from a wealthy family. She has been pampered since childhood and has a regular daily routine under the guidance of her nanny.
She had never left the capital since she was a child, and she was accustomed to the climate and food of the capital.
The consequences of suddenly heading to a hot, humid and harsh environment are unimaginable.
Liu Heng was even worried that if she rushed to catch up with her schedule and go out to sea, to be honest, she might very well die at sea.
He can't be so selfish.
He has to explain all the risks involved to the other party.
Not only do you face challenges with climate and diet, you may also face death!
Are you sure you want to continue this marriage?
Master Li sighed repeatedly, "Life overseas is truly too difficult. I've heard from those who have bought property overseas that it's too hostile for people like us who are accustomed to the northern climate and diet. My dear daughter, don't try to be so arrogant! Let's stay in the capital and find a suitable marriage."
Li Zhi shook her head. She looked at Liu Heng and said firmly, "Give me a year, I can do it! Don't be so quick to deny me. You also said that you are giving me a chance to choose. I want to choose to go overseas with you. I'm not afraid! We are engaged. Can you have a little more confidence in me?"
The Second Prince Liu Heng frowned, "I don't want to delay you."
"I don't regret it! I'm packing my bags tomorrow and heading to Jiangnan, no, to Lingnan. They say the climate overseas is similar to Lingnan, so I'm going to Lingnan. If I really can't adapt, I won't pester you then. I'll choose to give up."
"My dear girl, you can't be confused!" Master Li was anxious.
When they got engaged, who could have imagined that the second prince would decide to settle down overseas.
Is it still that good?
He would rather not have the marriage go through and not marry into the royal family than see his daughter suffer overseas.
What a sin!
Li Zhi insisted on her own opinion.
She had been preparing for this marriage for several years, learning royal etiquette and rules, memorizing the royal family genealogy, etc.
She tried her best to be a qualified wife of the prince.
She couldn't give up now.
Even if she couldn't stay in the capital after marriage, she was still willing to seize the opportunity in front of her.
The fact that the Second Prince Liu Heng was willing to tell her the truth before the marriage, instead of catching her off guard after the marriage, proves that he is a responsible and capable man.
She is willing to marry such a man.
She is willing to change and adapt for the other person's career and ambition.
With tears in her eyes, she looked at the other person eagerly.
Please give me a chance.
The Second Prince, Liu Heng, looked directly at her and asked solemnly, "Have you considered it?"
Li Zhi nodded heavily, "I've thought about it."
Liu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Okay! I'll arrange for someone to send you to Lingnan. You can adapt to the climate and food there first. Once I find a craftsman, I'll go to Lingnan to accompany you. As long as you don't regret it, we'll get married at this time next year. We'll get married in Lingnan!"
"Wait! How can you get married in Lingnan?" Master Li said anxiously, "Of course your wedding must be held in the capital. It can't be held in Lingnan."
Li Zhi smiled happily, "Dad, please don't say that. Going from Lingnan to the capital, back and forth, will waste a lot of time."
"No matter how much time is wasted, the wedding must be held in the capital. Second Prince, make a list of the talents you want to recruit, and I will find them for you. I will provide the personnel and money if you ask for them. But the wedding must be held in the capital."
Mr. Li also tried his best for his daughter's marriage.
Liu Heng was delighted and took the opportunity to immediately report the type of talents he wanted, and the number of people increased several times.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li was also overwhelmed.
He confirmed again and again, "Only ten years? After ten years, all these craftsmen can come back? At least one thousand taels of silver a year? Are you sure?"
"Confirmed! As long as the craftsmen agree to go overseas, Your Highness can personally sign the agreement with them and have it notarized."
"In this way, I can barely find a group of suitable people for you."
"Can we really find them? We can even find scholars?" Liu Heng was surprised. What he lacked most were scholars.
The scholars who were despised in the Great Zhou Dynasty and the scholars who were only qualified to teach children were all treasures, big treasures, in Liu Heng's eyes.
Master Li said affirmatively, "Yes! But I'm afraid it won't work in the capital. The people there are spoiled and have high expectations. They disdain to go overseas to earn a thousand taels a year. We have to go to our ancestral home of the Li family to find people. There are many people in the mountains who want to earn a thousand taels a year."
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