Chapter 289 Armed Caravan

"Luan'er, it's true, come and see, the oriole on that tree is just like right in front of you." Feng'er screamed.

When King Yan said that it could bring distant objects close to you like a telescope, she didn't believe it at all.

After all, what King Yan had done before was acceptable.

But the telescope is really a divine ability.

It was just that King Yan taught her and asked her to really take a look with this telescope, and it was really like that.

Luan'er heard it, took it from Feng'er and went to see it.

Sure enough, the oriole on the tree dozens of meters away seemed to be right in front of her, right next to her eyes.

"Yeah, it's true." Luan'er couldn't help but exclaimed.

Two dimples appeared on her face.

Zhao Xu lay on the rattan chair, with a smile on his face, looking at the two quietly, "How is it? Now it's time to admit defeat."

Just now he said that he had the ability of a telescope, and the two girls naturally didn't believe it.

So he made a bet with the two.

Feng Er glanced at Zhao Xu coquettishly after hearing this.

She twisted her waist carelessly and came to Zhao Xu, her red lips imprinted on his left cheek, making a "pop" sound.

Zhao Xu twisted Feng Er's waist and joked, "I think you lost on purpose, trying to take advantage of me."

Feng Er giggled after hearing this.

Luan Er's pretty face blushed slightly, it was his turn.

When she arrived in front of King Yan, she was about to gently touch Zhao Xu's right cheek.

But suddenly she felt a strong force coming, and she fell on King Yan.

Then a "pop" sound rang out.

Feng Er saw it, and laughed even more.

Luan Er tapped Zhao Xu's chest lightly and said coquettishly, "Your Highness..."

The three were playing around.

At this time, a maid entered the backyard, and the three immediately regained their seriousness.

"Your Highness, the doorman of the palace said that Master Yang wants to see you." The servant said.

"Let him go to the meeting hall first." Zhao Xu said, then he straightened his clothes and walked out.

Some time ago, he asked Yang He to prepare for the armed caravan.

Now there may be progress.

When he arrived at the meeting hall, Zhao Xu saw Yang He, who was in high spirits.

"From your appearance, it seems that you have something good to tell me." Zhao Xu went straight to the point.

Yang He bowed, raised his head and laughed, "Your Highness is indeed sharp-eyed, and nothing can be hidden from you."

"Okay, don't learn from Liu Fu, that flatterer, and say something real." Zhao Xu raised his eyebrows.

After a pause, Yang He said, "Didn't Your Highness ask many merchants to pay silver to join the caravan of Yanjun Merchants?"

Zhao Xu nodded.

The places where these caravans enter and exit are areas without monopoly rights.

So they often take the goods of the royal palace to Tubo, Jiaozhi, and Piaoman, and even smuggle them to Xiliang, Beidi, and even farther places to sell the goods of the royal palace.

In order to encourage them, the palace gave them preferential prices for goods, and with the high profits, they are living well now.

But in general, they are still a loose caravan under the merchant company, and have not officially crossed over to an armed caravan.

Yang He continued: "When I went back, I thought about it. Wasn't the purpose of His Highness to establish this caravan to create an armed caravan? So I gathered the merchants to discuss this matter. When they heard that they were going to participate in maritime trade, they were very excited and willing to obey the orders of the merchant company and participate in training."

"I took the opportunity to appoint officials to be responsible for the armed caravan. Now, as long as they connect with the palace's personal army, they can start training."

Zhao Xu nodded as he listened.

Yang He continued to talk endlessly, and he was more satisfied as he listened.

In general, this armed caravan has already taken shape of the modern East India Company.

This East India Company was the armed caravan of the British Empire at that time, with the state participating in the shares, but it was advertised as a private company.

Many employees in the company are active military personnel, and many managers are officials.

He wants to establish this armed caravan with a similar structure.

While the palace controls, it gives merchants full freedom. As long as they open up overseas markets, they can sell their goods by their own ability.

The reason why he is now officially building this armed caravan.

One is to secretly develop his own maritime power.

Another is to compete for overseas markets.

An obvious fact is that Dasong is in an era when Western powers are colonizing the world.

These powers use rogue methods such as the East India Company to compete for overseas interests.

They also use privateers to attack their opponents' trade.

Therefore, to deal with these rogues, you can only use rogue methods, and you don't need to be gentle.

And from the experience he has learned from modern times.

These robbers in civilized cloaks will only bully you because you are gentle.

"This matter will be explained to Chang Wei by the king, and he will ask him to take out generals to be responsible for the caravan guards. The Armory will also make armor and weapons for you. When the warship is launched, the king will also give you a part." Zhao Xu said.

"Yes, Your Highness." Yang He was overjoyed when he heard it.

Zhao Xu nodded and thought to himself, "Since you have no bottom line, don't blame me for being treacherous."

The powerful family and Zhao Heng disappointed him greatly.

He could not count on them in the future, and had to be on guard against them. He had to face the enemy alone.

So, he could only take all possible measures to make himself stronger.

Just when Zhao Xu was lost in thought, the envoys secretly sent by the Ma family arrived in Wuwei, Xiliang.