Deyang Palace.
Sitting behind his desk, Liu Hong, unusually, was not handling government affairs today. Instead, he was writing and drawing on a map with a pen in hand.
This map is a depiction of the East China Sea and South China Sea of the Han Dynasty, drawn by Liu Hong based on his memory.
The map only shows some coastal counties and ports; further out are some islands that are relatively close to the Han Dynasty.
What Liu Hong is describing at this moment is Yizhou Island (Taiwan), east of Yangzhou.
According to archaeological excavations, as early as 10,000 years ago, people from coastal areas crossed the sea by boat to settle in Yizhou.
However, the mainland regime never paid much attention to this place until the Three Kingdoms period, when Sun Quan sent people there, and people began to notice it. Later, after the Sui and Tang dynasties, Yizhou truly became part of the mainland regime.
Liu Hong, from later generations, also had a deep attachment to this place.
After marking the location of Yizhou, Liu Hong began to draw another island in the southeast direction—Luzon Island.
Luzon, which later became the Philippines, was a place rich in resources, including gold, silver, and rice.
Such a place is ideal for developing into an overseas production base, and Liu Hong naturally wouldn't let it pass by.
Although Liu Hong wasn't entirely clear about the exact geographical shape of Luzon, he knew its general direction.
After marking Luzon, Liu Hong continued southwest, marking Malaysia and Indonesia as well. As for Australia further south, Liu Hong did not mark it for the time being.
In his view, given the current maritime technology of the Great Han, Luzon and Indonesia are already the limits that can be reached; going any further would be unrealistic.
Moreover, that region spans a vast sea area with numerous maritime risks. Given that navigation technology is not yet fully mature, if one were to rashly mark it out, it could very likely cause countless adventurers to perish at sea.
This is not what Liu Hong wants to see.
After working for more than half an hour, Liu Hongcai finally finished marking the Southeast Asian sea area map.
"Wow, these are all great places!!"
Looking at the islands on the map, Liu Hong's eyes revealed a hint of obsession and greed.
Although Liu Hong knew the locations of these places, the Han Dynasty currently lacked the capacity to organize a large navy to occupy and develop them.
The only thing that can be done right now is to send some adventurers from the civilian population to go ahead, find out the sea routes and local conditions, and establish a foothold before the imperial court takes over the administration.
One side wants profits, the other wants land; cooperation would benefit both.
Just then, Zhang Rang rushed in from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu and his men have arrived!!"
Liu Hong nodded. "Let them in!"
"yes!!"
Zhang Rang agreed and bowed as he retreated.
Liu Hong then put down the nautical chart in his hand, sat up straight, and looked out of the hall.
Before long, Yuan Shu, Ji Ling, and others also appeared in front of Deyang Palace.
After being inspected by the palace guards, Yuan Shu and his entourage followed closely behind Zhang Rang, crossing the high threshold of Deyang Palace and heading into the palace.
Upon entering the main hall and seeing the emperor's figure, Yuan Shu and the others couldn't help but catch their breath, and their hearts raced.
Sensing the emperor's gaze, Yuan Shu and his entourage quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him.
Zhang Rang led the group until they were ten meters away from the documents on the desk before stopping.
As soon as they stopped, Yuan Shu, Ji Ling, and the others hurriedly bowed to the emperor behind the desk, just as the palace officials had instructed them.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!!"
Perhaps due to nervousness, or perhaps because of the rushed time, the shouts and actions of the crowd in bowing were somewhat uneven.
Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side, wanted to reprimand the emperor, but when he noticed the emperor's smiling face, he quickly shut his mouth.
"Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"
Liu Hong's calm yet authoritative voice reached the ears of Yuan Shu and the others, causing them to relax considerably.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!" Yuan Shu and the others bowed again before straightening up, but still keeping their heads down.
"Gentlemen, please do not be so formal. I have summoned you here simply to see if the seafaring heroes of my great Han Dynasty are all as people say, with three heads and six arms."
Seeing everyone's tense expressions, Liu Hong chuckled and made a joke.
Upon hearing this, everyone pursed their lips, and the tension in their hearts instantly dissipated.
They never expected that the emperor, who was high above them, would be so kind and approachable to them, rough men.
Yuan Shu immediately replied with a reserved expression, "Your Majesty, we are just ordinary people of the Han Dynasty. Our voyages across the seas are entirely due to Your Majesty and the protection of the Han Dynasty. We dare not accept the title of heroes!"
Liu Hong waved his hand with a smile, "Alright, no need to flatter me. You have all achieved something by risking your lives. It is I and the Han Dynasty that have benefited from your achievements!"
Yuan Shu: "Your Majesty is too kind. Without the Han Dynasty, we..."
"Alright, enough of that. Tell me about your affairs in Yamatai!"
Liu Hong also interrupted Yuan Shu's attempt at flattery with a smile, and instead began to ask about their experiences in Yamatai.
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Yuan Shu respectfully agreed and then said, "We initially set off from Donglai Port and headed east along the nautical chart provided by the court. Later, we encountered a storm, deviated from our course, and ended up in the northernmost part of Yamatai."
After landing there, we first captured a small village, then recruited the able-bodied men from the village as our vanguard, and gradually whittled down the local Japanese..."
Yuan Shu also recounted in detail to Liu Hong how he started and developed his forces in Yamatai.
He didn't hide anything about his gains and experiences.
Liu Hong listened with great interest, and couldn't help but yearn for the experiences of Yuan Shu and others overseas.
The allure of setting sail on the high seas and embarking on adventures is irresistible to a passionate man.
Which man doesn't dream of being a pirate?
Unfortunately, as the emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Hong would never be able to sail freely on the turbulent seas like Yuan Shu and his ilk.
Therefore, Liu Hong could only satisfy his craving through Yuan Shu's words.
"So what are your plans for the future? Do you intend to stay in Yamatai, or continue to expand overseas?" After listening to Yuan Shu's account of his overseas experiences, Liu Hong also raised the question that he was most concerned about.
"Your Majesty, the situation in Yamatai has stabilized. I am preparing to travel south to search for the legendary Penglai Island..."
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