Spices are naturally valuable. Many spices can not only be used to flavor braised dishes, but can also be made into incense, and the amount used is actually not small.

It just so happens that the people of the Tang Dynasty are living a better life now. They usually add some onions, ginger and garlic when eating meat. Now they can use some other spices, grind them into powder, and a meal will not cost much, but the taste will definitely be much better.

Li Zhi took a big bite of the barbecue and found that the barbecue seemed even more fragrant with the spices added.

Li Zhi looked at Wang Zheng, then at Wei Siqian, and after a moment's hesitation, he asked Wang Zheng, "What do you think is a good name for this place, Chief Steward?"

Wang Zheng looked at Wei Siqian and knew that Li Zhi was giving him the naming rights first, hoping to compensate Wei Shi for this place. He didn't mind it at all and said with a casual smile: "Why not call it Pearl Island? This place has returned to China, which means returning the pearl to the king."

"Haha, good. From now on, this place will be called Mingzhu Island. Mingzhou will be established here. Wei Siqian will be demoted to the governor of Mingzhou for making false comments on the chief steward. The Yangwu Wei family will move to Mingzhou."

Thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor, not to mention that this is a demotion in name only but a reward in reality. Wei Siqian stood up and paid homage to Li Zhi, kowtowed and said, "I, your Excellency, thank you."

If this place is opened to everyone, Nanyang will be prosperous in a short time. Your Majesty may lose a little money, but you can win people's hearts and save a lot of time. After all, the world is big. If Nanyang is developed as soon as possible, Wang Zhen can also plan other places. "

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Xiao Yuehua held the gold nugget and used the sharp end to hit the coconut, which immediately made a small hole. She said happily, "It is still somewhat useful."

While walking in the camp, Li Zhi asked Wang Zheng, "Sir, do you think this place can be opened to merchants and other aristocratic families?"

"Haha, there is actually such a saying. However, it seems to make some sense. Doesn't this mean that wealth has increased out of thin air?"

"It's shiny and beautiful."

"Your Majesty, I obey your order."

"What are the pros and cons of each?"

The results of the exploration were encouraging. Not only was the island fertile and rich in spices, but there were also large gold mines. Coal, copper and other minerals were also very rich. The soldiers also brought back several gold nuggets, all of which were traded with local natives.

Wang Zheng nodded and smiled, "As long as we strictly abide by the Tang laws, there will basically be no man-made disasters. Some natural disasters can basically be rescued in time during the prosperous times. In this environment, whether there are city walls or not is actually not that important."

"Because Your Majesty spends more money, the people can earn money from Your Majesty. In this way, Your Majesty can enjoy himself and the people can also be rich. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

"oh?"

"Then open it to the people."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I do have that much money. Now that the Tang Dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, the expenses are not high and the business is booming. The annual taxes are not only enough to run the country, but also have a lot left for construction. After the maintenance of the city walls of the prefectures and counties has been stopped, a lot of expenses have been left."

It is enough to compensate the Wei family and leave the administrative affairs to them. It is better to hand over such valuable things to the Yuzhou family. It is easy for the aristocratic families to conceal their wealth, and it is also their instinct, but it is not the case for the Yuzhou family.

Then, several little guys started to smash coconuts with gold nuggets, which made Wei Siqian twitch his cheeks. Then he looked at Wang Zheng with a sad face, "Can't you be a little careless in the Yuzhou department? Why do you need to investigate so clearly?" Wang Zheng happily collected all the gold nuggets and made a mace for each of the little guys, specially for them to open coconuts.

After all, people with dreams don't care much about wealth. What's more, no one in Yuzhou has a big family. They are all small families. Even if they are greedy for money, they can't be greedy for too much.

Facing Li Zhi's inquiring gaze, Wang Zheng explained, "When it comes to money, how much is considered a lot? Your Majesty, isn't your current wealth enough? Even if you only pay the interest every year, I'm afraid you won't be able to spend it all, right? I'd like to suggest that Your Majesty build palaces in various places."

Li Dan took a piece of dog-head gold weighing more than two kilograms and looked at it, then immediately gave it to Xiao Yuehua, "Senior sister, this gold is for you."

Li Zhi nodded and told Wang Zhen: "Send the soldiers to disperse and follow Zhang Bo's people to explore the island's terrain, products, and surrounding conditions. No matter what the results are, they must return here within ten days."

Xiao Yuehua was a little disgusted, "What's the use of this?"

Wang Zheng hesitated for a moment and said, "That depends on whether Your Majesty wants to make more money or develop Nanyang as soon as possible?"

This is quite interesting. Li Zhi handed the gold nugget to the curious Li Dan and couldn't help but fall into deep thought. In the end, he decided to hand over the mine to Wang Zhen for processing.

Li Zhi sighed and said, "On one hand, there is a lot of money, and on the other hand, there is the progress of exploring the world. It is really difficult to make a decision. Why don't you help me choose one, Grand Steward?"

Besides, it would be a good idea to let the Yuzhou faction and the Wei family check and balance each other here.

"Seal this place off for a while. The spices and gold here will naturally bring a lot of wealth to Your Majesty, but wealth is not just money. Land, population, reputation, etc. are actually Your Majesty's wealth. As for money, it is just more intuitive.

The news that kept coming back basically proved that Zhang Bo and others were not lying. The island here is indeed very large, and there are indeed many small islands to the southwest. After a round trip, the population was counted to be around 70,000 to 80,000, but the living conditions of most of them were not good.

"That's true."

Wang Zheng shook his head and explained, "How can it grow without any effort? It is all earned through the labor of the people. Wealth comes from creation. Your Majesty, when you build a palace, the people will have to work very hard, which is actually creating wealth."

Li Zhi thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed, "Okay, then let's follow the steward's wishes and open Nanyang to the people. This will be considered as compensation to the noble families, so that they won't always remember the bronze coins."

Wang Zheng was speechless. You know that what you did was not right regarding the bronze coins?

"In fact, even if it is opened to the noble families, only His Majesty's inner treasury will suffer losses. As for the national treasury, the income will not decrease at all. After all, with the prosperity of trade, tax revenue will also increase, which will be of some benefit to all states and counties."

Li Zhi nodded, and then asked, "Next, what do you think is the best way for the fleet to continue heading south or southwest?"

"It will take too long to go southwest and back to Lingnan. The weather will be too hot by then, which is not good for your Majesty's health. In fact, I think it is a good choice to return now."