The ninth son of the emperor was demoted at the beginning. I have a famous Chinese general.

Chapter 215 Target Ryukyu

Ning Quan could use food as a condition to exchange for a status from Daqian, and let Daqian recognize his rule over Ryukyu.

This was a win-win situation. Daqian nominally took back Ryukyu and obtained food.

Ningquan gained an outlet to the sea, and at the same time, the excess food had a place to go, and it could also save thousands of people.

Otherwise, could Ning Quan have brought back the extra millions of shi of grain to Anxi?

Everyone sat down and Ning Quan told them his plan.

After hearing this, everyone looked a little solemn.

Although they were all extremely intelligent, their concept of sea power was still vague and they did not realize its importance.

Of course, smart people have extraordinary freedom, and Ning Quan can quickly understand it with just a little guidance.

Especially after hearing Ning Quan's words, Zhou Yu's eyes lit up.

"Your Highness, this is a good thing. We should develop a strong navy so that we can sweep across the world."

Zhou Yu said excitedly.

"Your Highness, I understand what you mean, and we all agree with you."

Jia Xu, Xiang Yu and others also suddenly realized.

"good!"

"Since the nobles have said so, let us discuss how to take over Ryukyu."

“Do you have any suggestions?”

Ning Quan smiled.

"Your Highness, as far as I know, there aren't many Ryukyu troops stationed there. There are only around two thousand troops stationed in Tamsui and Keelung City in the north, and Kaohsiung in the south. With our current forces, we can definitely take them."

"And the three cities of Tamsui are also the largest cities in Izu. Taking these three cities is equivalent to taking Ryukyu."

"However, Tamsui and Kaohsiung are located in the north and south, respectively, and are too far apart. We can consider taking one place first as a foothold, and then slowly expand our efforts, and finally take over the entire Izu."

After thinking for a moment, Jia Xu suggested.

"Wenhe is right. Controlling both the north and south directions simultaneously is indeed a troublesome matter, and it is impossible to coordinate them. It is right to take one place first."

"This king wants to take Danshui and Jilong City first. These two cities are almost next to each other, and the surrounding land is fertile and the population is large."

Ning Quan thought for a moment and suggested.

"Your Highness, Holy Ming."

After listening to this, Zhou Yu, Xiang Yu and others expressed their agreement.

"Then it's settled."

"We'll attack Tamsui and Jilong first, and then we'll take care of the rest later."

Ning Quan nodded with satisfaction.

"General Zhou, once we capture Tamsui and the chicken coop, the responsibility of guarding them will be yours."

"Not only these two cities, but the entire Ryukyu will be handed over to you from now on. You will be responsible for the strategy and management."

Ning Quan instructed Zhou Yu.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

Zhou Yu bowed.

"Well, let's discuss the specific plan."

"Also, arrangements for the return journey also need to be made. The sea is different from land. Once there are windy and rough seas, the boat may capsize, so we must be cautious."

"There are also mid-journey supplies and possible encounters with pirates. These all need to be taken into consideration and a response plan developed."

Ning Quan said solemnly.

"Yes!"

Everyone accepted the order in unison.

.....…

The next day, the fleet continued its voyage.

However, the course has been adjusted, and the entire fleet's sailing route is closer to the coastline. This was decided after yesterday's discussion. It is mainly to cope with possible bad weather. Sailing close to the coastline is definitely safer.

The mid-way supply location was also changed, with Chittagong added in addition to the original Malacca.

Chittagong is located in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and belonged to the Mughal Empire.

The reason why Ningquan added Chittagong as a supply port was because the voyage distance increased significantly after the route was changed.

In addition, Ning Quan also heard that Chittagong was extremely prosperous and was an important trade center with a large number of merchant ships traveling back and forth.

Ning Quan was very interested in maritime trade and wanted to see it with his own eyes.

Near noon, the fleet dropped anchor near an uninhabited island.

Ning Quan stopped here to give a speech to the captured crew members and calm their fear.

It takes more than fifty days to travel to Ryukyu, almost two months.

Ning Quan was worried that these people would cause trouble. If they took the opportunity to escape or cause damage, it would be an unnecessary loss.

Therefore, we must take precautions, alert and appease them in advance to prevent them from doing anything bad.

It was definitely unrealistic to gather more than 2,000 crew members. Ning Quan asked each ship to select five representatives and take a small boat to board the 10,000-ton ship.

Half an hour later, more than 400 crew members gathered on the deck.

Ning Quan also walked to the cab suspension platform.

"Everyone, I asked you to come here today because I want to tell you something."

"At this moment, or rather, since you were abducted, I believe you are all feeling uneasy, perhaps even fearing for your lives."

"Yes, I took you abducted to the ship, but I just needed crew members to steer the ship for me. I didn't want your lives."

"As long as you obey orders and successfully transport the ship to its destination, I can guarantee that you will be fine."

"I will then give you the travel expenses, and you can return to Persia on your own."

"But I'm going to be frank with you. If anyone dares to play tricks or plot something ill, don't blame me for being rude!"

"I will make his life worse than death. I will tie him to the deck and let him die in the sun."

Ning Quan looked at the more than 400 crew members with cold eyes and said murderously.

When the crew members heard Ning Quan's words, their expressions suddenly changed.

"Are you serious about what you said? You'll let us go once the fleet reaches its destination?"

“Will you give us travel expenses?”

"Where is the destination?"

“How can you guarantee our safety?”

After a commotion, someone asked.

"Of course it's true. As long as you reach your destination, you can leave, and each of you will be given 100 taels of silver as travel expenses."

"As for the destination, I can tell you it's Japan."

Ning Quan said.

Dongying?

Everyone frowned when they heard this.

As sailors, most of them knew about Japan.

Japan is an island country, right next to Daqian.

"As long as you keep your word, we promise you!"

After a moment, someone spoke loudly.

"Yes, as long as you keep your word, we will believe you."

"Yes, as long as we can return home safely, we will accept it."

"..."

Everyone responded one after another.

"Very good, since you all agree, I promise I will never break my promise."

"Just focus on your work. As for food and drink, I will definitely not deprive you of it. You can eat whatever my soldiers eat."

"Okay, you can go back now."

Ning Quan ordered the team to disband and then returned to the cab.

A quarter of an hour later, the fleet set off again.

After setting off, Ning Quan called the captain.

Ning Quan wanted to know more detailed information about the ship.

"Master, are you looking for me?"

Captain Wu Yong said respectfully.

"Wu Yong, tell me the details of this ship."

Ning Quan said.

"As commanded."

"Master, this ship has a cargo capacity of 20 tons, is nuclear-powered, has an unlimited range, a speed of 200 knots, and a crew of ."