Chapter 817: I Am Very Willing

Davis left.

He was driven away by Xie Tianyao.

As he walked away, his face remained full of resentment.

He could not understand why Longyan would still reject his such enticing tea trade! Of course, he did not know that in his previous life, it was not the Netherlands that dominated the tea wars, but Britain.

Liu Zheng was merely taking precautions against potential trouble.

So, speaking of it, the Netherlands was quite aggrieved.

The Netherlands was the Coachman of the Seas, and its power back then was plain for all to see. But the Netherlands was fine; they put more energy, and even the focus of their colonization, into trade, and their military capability was not strong.

But Britain was different.

Britain's colonial journey was filled with iron, blood, and slaughter.

What were the differences in the methods and backgrounds of the East India Companies of the Netherlands and Britain?

It is very simple.

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The colonial advantages of the Netherlands have been mentioned before: the sales volume of herring, the modification of ships, and their reputation for being trustworthy. But the Dutch lacked imperial power, lacked land, even lacked cities, and lacked natural resources and an industrial foundation. More importantly, in order to allow merchant ships to carry more cargo, the Dutch abandoned the cannons on their warships.

Here, the word "colonization" must be mentioned again.

Since Longyan has developed, Liu Zheng feels that this issue must be brought up.

Looking back at the history of the previous life.

Thus, no matter how rich the Netherlands was, this Empire was destined to be short-lived.

What about Britain, on the other hand?

In the mid-to-late seventeenth century.

At the height of its power, neglecting naval construction was the fundamental reason for the failure of the Netherlands.

They were too idealistic, believing they could rule the world through trade.

But in the historical context of that time, trade could not overcome military strength.

This is what Liu Zheng is considering now.

He had Ling Chen establish the East India Company to begin completely controlling the land of India, as well as the Spice and Poppy businesses in Central Asia. However, he did not suggest that Ling Chen truly lose his army; in fact, he would even provide Ling Chen with great support in terms of military equipment. Because the path he wants to take is the British model.

The Dutch model is not suitable for long-term development.

Britain launching several wars against the Netherlands was enough to make the Netherlands lose its maritime hegemony.

The advantages of Britain lay in: first, the establishment of the capitalist system, which is a systemic advantage; second, a high degree of handicraft development, which is an economic advantage; third, focusing on developing naval strength, which is a military advantage; fourth, being located at the center of Atlantic shipping, which is a geographical advantage.

Under such various advantages, it was natural for the Netherlands to lose its hegemonic status.

He has always believed that the development of history has a trend, and no one should try to help the shoots grow by pulling them upward; that is a bad phenomenon.

For example, if you were to forcibly promote socialism now—Liu Zheng is, of course, a firm supporter, that goes without saying.

But at this time, it certainly won't work.

Economic and military strength must be matched.

As for the system in the Central Asia region.

Liu Zheng certainly does not suggest making drastic changes right now.

For generations.

The prosperous age he wants will certainly come.

Returning to the issue of the system again.

The general background does not allow it.

Liu Zheng does not know if Wang Mang was a transmigrator, but what he did back then was quite similar. In the end, the dynasty collapsed, and he died a miserable death.

Although it is possible that his own lifespan in this life is not enough to support him in doing many things, nor enough for him to see the prosperous age of his motherland from his previous life again, Liu Zheng is still not in a hurry. Steady and solid progress is the rhythm he wants. If he cannot do it, there is his son; if his son cannot do it, there is his grandson.

In a feudal dynasty, the status of merchants is very low.

Liu Zheng feels that this cannot promote the development of society and is even likely to lead to social regression.

The sprouts of capitalism have already begun to emerge in the West.

He feels that the Economic Special Zone system in Liaodong this time is already the extreme of what can be achieved under the current background of the Longyan feudal dynasty.

Fully unleash the power of capital, fully unleash the freedom of funds, and fully mobilize people's enthusiasm for investment.

This was very difficult to achieve in the rigid class society of the past.

Liu Zheng wants to get Longyan's funds moving.

Just like the group of wealthy men following him: they have experienced life and death together, they have entered Liaodong together, they have witnessed the downfall of Qiao Yuan together, and they have also witnessed the strength of Minister Liu together.

Their desire to invest is very strong.

The power of capital will also slowly reveal its edge.

Longyan can choose not to.

But it cannot choose not to be prepared.

And so, he began to have a headache again.

This child of his mother...

Hmm.

Developing the Great Northern Wilderness.

Everyone is ambitious.

After Liu Zheng pondered these issues for a moment.

It's just that...

Although, when thinking about it, it is indeed a bit funny.

Yet he was still being lectured.

Whether it was his younger brother or his younger sister.

What kind of gift should he prepare to send back?

To be honest, he was also very happy to have a child in his old age. At his current age, he wouldn't worry about a second child appearing and taking away how much of his love. On the contrary, since he was often busy running around, if the old couple could have a little child to keep them company, it would save Liu Zheng a lot of worry and concern.

All of a sudden, people were shocked.

This First-Rank Lady was the highest-ranking lady in the Longyan Dynasty. Not only that, Xie Tianyao also sent imperial physicians to station themselves in Liangzhou, specifically responsible for Feng Sanniang's daily life, nutrition, and various health matters.

There were also rewards.

The atmosphere in the Longyan Dynasty also became joyful because of this matter.

Xie Tianyao knew that Feng Sanniang was pregnant; how could this be ignored? He immediately conferred the title of First-Rank Lady!

Good heavens.

If it were a daughter, she would be a County Princess!

At this point, it would be bragging to say that many people weren't envious.

Why?

They were about to become in-laws, so it was truly different.

Xie Tianyao waved his hand grandly.

If Feng Sanniang added another son to the Liu Family, then he would confer a title of nobility!

Xie Tianyao had made a promise right away.

Either a title of nobility or a County Princess.

The face given to the Liu Family was truly great.

The Xiliang King, Liu Dahao, was a King of a Different Surname.

In the Longyan Dynasty, why were there so few Kings of a Different Surname? The reason was simple: the titles of Kings of a Different Surname, even those of the single-character King of a Different Surname level like the King of Wei, could not be inherited. Liu Dahao was a two-character King of a Different Surname, and his rank was much lower, so it was even less inheritable.

Good heavens.

"Young Master."

Just at this moment, a soft voice suddenly rang out, and a fragrant breeze wafted over.

Liu Zheng couldn't help but be startled, and immediately said with pleasant surprise, "Is the Princess recovered?"

And so.

This made things even more difficult for Liu Zheng.

He scratched his head in a fluster.

Along the way, because of the nervous tension, Liu Zheng hadn't really paid much attention to this Li Xuanya.

But she had been fawning over him in every way, which made Liu Zheng feel somewhat annoyed.

Later, he simply spoke too harshly, which hurt the heart of this Joseon beauty.

It turned out that the one who brought the tea in was none other than Li Xuanya, who had been injured a few days ago.

Li Xuanya saw Liu Zheng's expression, and her face couldn't help but blush, followed by a sweet smile: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master, my injuries have already healed. Young Master, please have some tea."

This, this, this.

For a moment.

The fragrance was intoxicating, and the atmosphere was awkward.

Liu Zheng didn't know what to say.

But he hadn't expected that at the most dangerous moment, she had actually used her body to block that rock.

Liu Zheng was still very grateful to her, and he chuckled: "The weather is cold, Princess, please sit for a while."

Li Xuanya felt the completely different attitude Liu Zheng had toward her compared to before, and she was immediately overjoyed, sitting down with shyness, but the whole person looked much more restless.

But her beauty, which could topple cities and states, was no joke.

It was just that compared to Li Xuanya, her figure paled in comparison; this woman was truly, hey, truly a femme fatale.

Liu Zheng didn't know how long it had been since he had touched meat, and looking at Li Xuanya's fair and tender neck, he couldn't help but feel his mouth go dry, so he picked up the teacup and gulped it down.

Especially thinking about how this Li Xuanya had previously used all sorts of "uniform temptations"—not to mention, this woman had everything one could want: she had the looks, she had the figure, she had the background, and she had the temperament.

If one had to compare her to someone.

Actually, Xie Chan's figure was relatively slender.

To be honest.

At first, she was only willing to marry into the Liu Family for the sake of Joseon.

But along this journey.

"Pfft."

It was also Li Xuanya's first time getting along with Liu Zheng like this, and seeing Liu Zheng like this, she actually found him a bit cute.

She just watched him infatuatedly like that.

Li Xuanya was still very aware of her own charm.

Back then, even Xie Tianyao had almost failed to resist her charm.

Unexpectedly.

She was truly being slowly and deeply conquered by Liu Zheng's character. Young and promising, peerless in the world. Talented and overflowing, with strong military capabilities. In an instant, he had completely outshone all the peers Li Xuanya knew.

And.

After so long, he could still remain unmoved, as if he were not from the same world as those playboy young masters.

Arriving at the tomb.

Achieving victory.

Perfectly annihilating the rebellious Liaodong Army and the invading Nanyang Army.

And so.

She began to grow more and more interested in this Vice Minister Liu.

Then, there was all the wit and courage displayed along this journey.

It seemed

that even being his concubine would be a very happy thing.

"Ahem."

A hero.

If a man like this isn't a hero, then what is?

Li Xuanya's gaze toward Liu Zheng began to grow increasingly infatuated.

Joseon.

It was not far from Liaodong to begin with.

Liu Zheng coughed a few times and smiled bitterly: "Princess, tell me about the situation in your Joseon."

Li Xuanya's eyes lit up.

He was finally willing to help her!

The Yalu River and the Tumen River became the dividing line between the land of Liaodong and the Korean Peninsula.

Joseon also governed the country using Confucianism.

In any dynasty of Joseon, they adopted the policy of "serving the great" toward the Longyan Dynasty. This was a Confucian diplomatic philosophy, a strategy for a small state to serve a large state to preserve itself based on the disparity in strength, which meant constantly paying tribute to the Longyan Dynasty and honoring it as the Sovereign State.

Separated by a single river.

Yet, on the two sides of this river, the situations were entirely different.

The Korean Peninsula had never been a wealthy land, and its natural resources were equally scarce.

The literati purges and factional struggles within Joseon began to make the country chaotic. The Merit Subjects Faction, the Sarim Faction, the Easterners, the Greater Yun Faction, the Lesser Yun Faction, the Northerners, the Bone Northerners, the Flesh Northerners, the Middle Northerners...

Liu Zheng felt a massive headache just listening to it.

Compared to the Nobles, Scholar-officials, and the rising New Aristocracy of the Longyan Dynasty, it was far too complicated.

In the past, Joseon had enjoyed a period of good days under the protection of the Longyan Dynasty.

During that honeymoon period, Joseon achieved significant development and social stability.

But as the Longyan Dynasty began to decline.

After seeking aid from Longyan many times to no avail, the current Joseon was filled with misery and suffering.

Against this historical backdrop, Li Xuanya intended to use her beauty to trade for the support of the Longyan Army.

"Fighting the Wa."

It was precisely these complex factions that caused Joseon to fall into long-term chaos and endless struggle.

It also greatly impacted Joseon's national strength.

After the Imjin War, Joseon was left with absolutely no ability to resist the Wa.

Hearing this, Liu Zheng smiled slightly.

Li Xuanya nodded.

"I am very willing."