Chapter 391: Chapter 232: Noble Princess Consort Rong Falls Out of Favor?
Zhao Yao received a reply from his maternal grandfather and his uncle.
His maternal grandfather said he would send someone to Eastern Wu to invite shipbuilding craftsmen and then send them to Qingzhou. He would also help Zhao Yao recruit other maritime personnel, such as sailors, captains, and the guard team.
Whatever Zhao Yao wanted, his maternal grandfather, Liang Shuren, would prepare it for him thoroughly, ensuring he didn’t have to worry about these matters.
His uncle, upon learning that Zhao Yao wanted to form a naval fleet to do business with foreign countries, was naturally very supportive. However, the Great Zhou forbade sea travel. The fleets of the Great Zhou were not allowed to do business with foreign countries overseas, so Zhao Yao’s idea couldn’t be realized for the time being.
Qingzhou allowed fleets from foreign countries overseas to do business in the Great Zhou, but only in Qingzhou and not in other places. These foreigners could only linger in Qingzhou and could not leave. Moreover, they were only allowed to do business in Qingzhou, not engage in other activities. If they violated the laws of the Great Zhou in Qingzhou, they would be severely punished.
His uncle also wrote in his letter that he had received some information about the things he previously asked Zhao Yao to search for. Recently, a foreign fleet that often did business in Qingzhou told him that one of their friends seemed to have seen these things in a very distant place.
This distant place was called Mysir, ten thousand miles away from the Great Zhou. It is said that the sea there was vast and very dangerous, with frequent evil winds, making it difficult for fleets to reach Mysir smoothly.
Only the most experienced fleets from their country dared to go to Mysir, but sometimes they might not return safely. However, his friend was relatively lucky. This time, even encountering the evil sea winds en route to Mysir, he returned safely.
He showed several items drawn by Zhao Yao’s uncle and asked his friend whether he had seen such items. His friend, who often goes to sea and has traveled to many places, was asked because he was more knowledgeable.
His friend said he seemed to have seen them in Mysir, but he couldn’t be sure. The next time he visits Mysir, his friend will confirm it carefully. If it turns out to be true, his friend will bring some back.
Upon reading this, Zhao Yao exclaimed with delight, "That’s great!"
Liang Zhaoyi was flipping through the handnotes left by the Noble Consort Pei, hoping to find clues about the Pei Family’s treasure. Hearing Zhao Yao’s joyful exclamation, she smiled and asked, "What did your uncle write that made you so happy?"
Zhao Yao handed the letter to Liang Zhaoyi, his face full of excitement, and said, "Mother Consort, look, my uncle’s foreign acquaintance said his friend saw items like potatoes and sweet potatoes in Mysir."
"Really?" Liang Zhaoyi was full of surprise and immediately lowered her head to read the letter carefully, discovering it was indeed the case. "Do you think the things they saw in Mysir were really the potatoes and sweet potatoes you mentioned?"
"I believe they are." Zhao Yao was overjoyed. "That foreigner will go to Mysir next spring and will bring back some sweet potatoes and potatoes. By then, we can plant them."
"If that’s true, it would be wonderful."
"Mother Consort, do you know of a country called Mysir?"
"No, I’ve never heard of it." Liang Zhaoyi thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps the Lanyuan Pavilion has books related to Mysir. You can go and check."
"Then I’ll go look for them tomorrow." Zhao Yao asked again, "The Lanyuan Pavilion should also have books on other foreign countries, right?"
"Some were probably kept during the previous dynasty," Liang Zhaoyi said. "I remember that countries such as Siam and Johor had interactions with the previous dynasty."
Zhao Yao was surprised by this, saying, "I didn’t expect the previous dynasty to have dealings with so many foreign countries."
Liang Zhaoyi was amused by Zhao Yao’s words: "The previous dynasty was quite prosperous in its early to mid period, experiencing a golden age. However, in the latter half, the kings began to indulge in pleasures."
Zhao Yao asked again, "So during the previous dynasty, did these countries come to pay tribute?"
"It was friendly interaction, not tribute," Liang Zhaoyi said, having read books on this topic. "The previous dynasty did not go to war with these foreign countries."
"Wait a minute, wasn’t it said that the sea ban started in the previous dynasty?" Zhao Yao asked a critical question, "How could foreign countries come during the previous dynasty?"
"The sea ban began in the latter part of the previous dynasty when pirates were rampant, and coastal people suffered immensely. The emperor of that time decreed the sea ban," Liang Zhaoyi sighed lightly, "Mainly because the previous dynasty lacked the capability to deal with the pirates."