Chapter 131: Do we still need to seek this immortal?

Liu Ju's face was stern and resolute; with a wave of his hand, he instantly silenced the noisy discussion and opposition of the officials in the court.

The entire hall fell silent in an instant.

Liu Ju's gaze swept over the officials' faces one by one, finally resting on Dongfang Shuo and the others, and he said solemnly:

"Dongfang Shuo, gentlemen, although I have agreed to your request to go overseas to seek immortals, before that there is a more important matter that I need you to attend to."

Dongfang Shuo and the others felt a tightening in their hearts, hurriedly knelt, and said in unison: "Your Majesty, if you have any command, we will not shirk even at the cost of our lives."

The other officials looked at Liu Ju curiously, unable to fathom his intentions.

Liu Ju gave a slight nod and said slowly: "Now, Sang Hongyang and Jin Riri in the south intend to rebel, plotting to split the lands of our Great Han. I need you, relying on your familiarity with the geography of the Great Han, to first open the waterways in the south and establish a Great Han navy."

"This is the key to suppressing the rebellion; only after quelling the uprising can our Great Han be secure, and then your overseas quest for immortals will be free of worry."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qian, Tian Qianqiu, Zhang Tang, Wei Xiang and the others in the court were instantly stunned again.

Zhang Qian furrowed his brows, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, the southern waterways are complex, and the rebellion is thorny; it will likely be difficult to accomplish in a short time."

After a moment's contemplation, Tian Qianqiu said: "Your Majesty, I believe suppressing the rebellion is indeed the utmost priority. However, this matter still requires careful planning and cautious action; we must not act rashly."

Zhang Tang shouted: "Your Majesty, these fangshi ought to devote themselves to studying immortal arts; yet now they are to interfere in military affairs, which is wholly inappropriate. The southern waterways concern the safety of our Great Han—how can we lightly entrust them to these men? I implore Your Majesty to reconsider, lest a passing thought jeopardize state affairs."

Wei Xiang, with a solemn expression, thought calmly for a moment, then clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that since you have already made your decision, I will give my full support."

Liu Ju looked at the varied reactions of the crowd and smiled: "As for establishing the navy, Man Qianqing and the others need only serve as guides; the specific details still require thorough discussion."

Immediately, he called out loudly: "Summon Xu Wei for an audience."

Shortly afterward, Xu Wei hurried over.

As he just entered the hall, he saw Dongfang Shuo and the others; he had once been fortunate to meet a few of them in the south, and he never expected to reunite here.

Looking at the puzzled Emperor Liu Ju, Dongfang Shuo said: "Your Majesty, in our early years we traveled far and wide, fortunate to have received the care of Sir Xu Wei, enjoying pleasant conversation; I never expected to see him again—truly a fate not shallow."

Xu Wei and the others also nodded repeatedly.

Liu Ju nodded and said: "Since you are all old friends, that's even better."

Immediately he straightened slightly and said: "I have decided to organize the construction of the Great Han navy,"

I will focus on describing Liu Ju's detailed planning for the navy's establishment, the cooperation and reactions of various individuals, to show the progress of this major decision.

Shortly afterward, Xu Wei hurried over.

As he just entered the hall, he saw Dongfang Shuo and the others; a few of them had previously met him once, and he never expected to meet again here.

Looking at the puzzled Emperor Liu Ju, Dongfang Shuo said: "Your Majesty, in our early years we had once met Sir Xu Wei, conversed pleasantly; I never expected to see him again—truly a fate not shallow."

Xu Wei and the others also nodded repeatedly.

Liu Ju nodded and then said: "Since you are all old acquaintances, that's even better."

Immediately he straightened slightly and said: "Sang Hongyang and Jin Riri in the south have rebelled; the southern waterways are geographically complex, and the water routes are crucial. Only by establishing a strong navy can we gain an advantage in the rebellion war, swiftly quell the uprising, and safeguard the unity and stability of the Great Han."

Liu Ju's gaze was firm, his expression solemn, and his words conveyed an unquestionable resolve.

"Xu Wei, I command you to fully cooperate with Dongfang Shuo and the others. You are familiar with engineering structural design, while Dongfang Sir and his companions understand geography; together you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Xu Wei immediately knelt to receive the order, his voice resounding: "Your Majesty, rest assured; I will exert my utmost effort to assist Dongfang Sir and not betray your trust."

Liu Ju nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Wei Xiang: "Wei Xiang, I command you to lead the Ministry of Works, and together with Xu Wei quickly draft the structural plans for the hundred-zhang giant ship. This vessel is the core strength of the navy; it must be meticulously designed to ensure sturdiness, durability, and superior performance."

Wei Xiang clasped his hands in salute, his expression solemn: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works will surely devote all its strength, concentrate manpower and materials, and promptly complete the design plans for the hundred-zhang giant ship, guaranteeing no delay to the navy's construction schedule."

Dongfang Shuo also stepped forward, full of confidence, and said: "Your Majesty, we will certainly work closely with Sir Xu Wei, survey the southern waterways, and provide detailed geographic information for the navy's formation."

Liu Ju nodded and then said: "Once the structural plans are finished, immediately put them into production and construction. I want this navy to be assembled in the shortest possible time and dispatched to the southern battlefield."

He rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over those in the hall, and said: "This is not only to quell the present rebellion, but also for the long-term development of our Great Han. In the future, the Great Han navy will race across the four seas, exalt our nation's prestige, and let the barbarians of all directions dare not look down upon us."

The people in the hall all knelt down and shouted in unison:

"Your Majesty is sagacious; we will surely devote our utmost effort to serve the Great Han!"

As Liu Ju's edict was issued, the entire Great Han functioned like a precision instrument, operating at high speed.

Wei Xiang, Xu Wei, Dongfang Shuo, together with Gongsun Yu, Li Yichen and other fangshi were especially energetic; at dawn the next day they set out with dry rations and surveying tools.

They traveled along the southern rivers, lakes, and seas, carefully examining each body of water.

Zhang Tang, meanwhile, swiftly gathered the elite soldiers from the army and drilled them day and night.

He personally sought out soldiers familiar with watercraft, teaching them various naval combat techniques—from rowing posture to warship formations, from weapon use to tactical coordination—patiently guiding each aspect.

After returning to the Ministry of Works, Wei Xiang and Xu Wei immediately summoned the nation's finest artisans and designers.

They day and night gathered around the drafting table, repeatedly discussing and revising the design plans for the hundred-zhang giant ship.

Zhang Qian voluntarily took on the responsibility of material allocation.

He traveled back and forth across the regions, coordinating the supply of grain, weapons, ropes, and other materials.

To ensure timely delivery of supplies, he meticulously planned transport routes, communicated and coordinated with local officials, and resolved one difficulty after another.

Tian Qianqiu, meanwhile, was responsible for rear-area stability work, organizing the populace to sew garments and prepare dry rations for the frontline soldiers, thereby providing solid logistical support for the navy's construction.

Thus, the Great Han's first navy began to be built with great vigor.

As for Liu Ju, who arranged everything, after leaving court in the daytime he would occasionally visit the navy shipyard to inspect the work.

Everything must proceed in an orderly manner.

At the same time, the first phase of the southern development, the construction of the Grand Canal, was also proceeding according to plan.

That day, Liu Ju had just returned to the palace after inspecting work, when suddenly a ritual official came to report.

"Your Majesty, the gift brought from the Western Regions by the Retired Emperor has arrived!"

Liu Ju, puzzled, followed the ritual official to the Jiaofangdian of Weiyang Palace.

Before even entering the hall, the sound of Empress Wei Zifu's cheerful laughter could be heard from within.