Heartstrings Resonance: The Beloved Princess of the Female Power

Emperor Qing Zhao looked at Mu Yunxi's nonchalant expression and said, "This trip needs to be carefully planned. Let's leave next year. We just need to strengthen our defenses in the East China Sea. Now let's talk about the pile of drawings in the corner of your study!"

Mu Yunxi had heard Yongle mention it when she arrived, and she knew what Emperor Qing Zhao meant. She said truthfully, "The technology is immature, and there's a lack of materials. We can't make it."

"What about this? What is this?" Emperor Qing Zhao pulled out a blueprint for a two-wheeled bicycle. Mu Yunxi saw it was a bicycle and replied calmly, "It's a means of transportation. It's not practical under current road conditions. It's okay on flat roads, but with the current road conditions, you'd fall dozens of times a day. It's not necessary for now. But three wheels are worth considering, and two wheels with rubber can be studied."

"Okay! Describe the appearance of the rubber tree and I will send someone to find it. Also, the road is like that, can it be paved with bricks?" Emperor Qing Zhao said.

"It can be paved with cement, but Zhao State does not have the strength to do so at present. The cement produced is only enough for defensive fortifications for a country." After hearing Mu Yunxi's words, Emperor Qing Zhao still had illusions. What if it could come true one day?

After meticulously describing the rubber trees to Emperor Qing Zhao, Mu Yunxi requested a Zhaoyang warship, presumably to familiarize Yongle with life at sea. Furthermore, she feared the accompanying crew would vomit soon after boarding, leaving half the crew dead before reaching their destination. Emperor Qing Zhao agreed with her argument and began arranging preparations for the voyage. Although it wasn't until the beginning of next spring, it wouldn't be for several months.

After Mu Yunxi returned to the Mu Mansion, she met with the elders and went straight to Yongle. After telling her about this, Yongle said in disbelief: "Really? Father really allowed me to leave the capital!"

Seeing her excitement, Mu Yunxi helped her sit down and said, "Not only that, you can also go out to sea! You can leave in the spring of next year."

Yongle took Mu Yunxi's hand and said excitedly, "That's great! I've wanted to see the sea for a long time."

Mu Yunxi smiled dotingly, "But before that, we have to prepare well. The sea is different from the land. I will take you to the surrounding areas of Zhao State first to adapt to life at sea." Yongle nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining.

In the following days, Yongle was full of energy every day. She followed Mu Yunxi to learn about navigation and various ways to deal with dangers at sea.

The imperial court was also training the accompanying personnel for the voyages, including officials and maids and servants, mainly to overcome problems such as seasickness.

They first spent two months acclimatizing in the waters of Zhao State before returning, waiting to set sail in the spring of next year. During this time, Li Huayao, Li Huacheng, and Li Huamannian all became engaged, but royal weddings were complicated, and Mu Yunxi and the others had already set their departure date, so they could not attend.

As time passed, the day of departure finally approached. Yongle was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. On the day of departure, the southwest pier was filled with people who saw him off.

Yongle and Mu Yunxi boarded the Zhaoyang ship, looking at the sparkling sea, their hearts full of anticipation.

The Zhaoyang ship slowly set sail. Mu Yunxi pulled Yongle onto the shipboard, and the sea breeze blew on their faces. Yongle stood at the bow, feeling the sea breeze on his face. After the Zhaoyang ship slowly left the southwest dock, Yongle ran around excitedly on the deck. Looking at Yongle who was as happy as a child, Mu Yunxi just smiled at her dotingly.

The crew on each Zhaoyang ship were carefully selected by Emperor Qing Zhao, all of whom were experienced sailors and loyal and reliable people. In addition, the captive scholar who was pulled in to lead the way was a middle-aged man. He was only a teenager when they set out to find a new place to live.

Although three Zhaoyang warships were deployed, each contained only two thousand men, and the rest, aside from weapons, was cargo. Mu Yunxi thought of the history she had learned in her previous life, the glorious achievements of her ancestors at sea, who had brought back a variety of high-yield crops. When she shared this with Emperor Qing Zhao, he was thrilled. It was precisely for this purpose that he was even more eager to explore that unknown land.

Everything went smoothly in the first few days, and they enjoyed the boundless sea scenery. However, a sudden storm swept in. The Zhaoyang ship shook violently on the rough sea, and the crew struggled to resist. Although the hull was not damaged, everyone was still a little frightened. Mu Yunxi remained calm and directed everyone to rescue. Although Yongle was a little flustered, he followed Mu Yunxi closely but did not go forward to make things worse. After some efforts, the storm gradually subsided. Mu Yunxi looked at the rainbow in the sky and whispered to Yongle: "The beautiful scenery after the wind and rain is more precious." Yongle nodded heavily, and the two smiled at each other.

With the sea breeze blowing and the sails fluttering, the three Zhaoyang warships cut through the waves on the vast ocean. Mu Yunxi and Yongle held hands tightly, facing this unknown challenge and adventure together.

They sailed like this for three months, and one day the lookout shouted, "There is an unidentified ship approaching ahead!" The boat suddenly became tense.

But after seeing the three massive Zhaoyang warships, the ships quickly departed. Mu Yunxi walked forward, watching the departing ships. She called over Xie Dalin, the captive scholar, and asked, "Are they the ones who escaped earlier?"

Xie Dalin squinted his eyes at the departing ship and said, "It looks a bit like it!" The ship was already far away and he couldn't see it clearly. He ran to the bow to take a look, then ran back to Mu Yunxi and said, "My Lord, it should be. The logo on the ship is the same as the one we used before. I didn't expect them to become pirates."

Mu Yunxi nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Xie Dalin and said, "You have done a great service in leading us out to sea this time. When we return to Zhao Kingdom, His Majesty will also remember your merit."

Upon hearing this, Xie Dalin asked excitedly, "Can my children then be registered as residents of Zhao State?"

"Not only that, if they succeed in their studies, they can also take part in the imperial examinations." Yongle said when he came out to see what was going on.

Hearing Yongle's words, Xie Dalin was even more excited. After spending the past few months in Zhao State, he also understood that in Zhao State, passing the imperial examination could lead to officialdom. He was furious when he thought that their patriarch had lied to them. He had not told them anything about Zhao State allocating land to people from other countries to live in, and had even lied to them that they could live a stable life if they occupied the city. Now they were forced to become slaves of Zhao State.

Before they knew it, they had been drifting on the sea for another two months. When they saw a small island whose entire appearance could be seen at a glance, they decided to stop ashore and rest for two days.