If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Southeast Asian seas.

Hussein and his fleet have already toured almost all of Southeast Asia.

He was constantly searching for a goal, for a place where he could temporarily settle down.

He already had several alternative targets, but he wanted to wait until he had finished traveling through Southeast Asia before making a decision.

"It seems that Lü Song's side is more suitable."

Hussein stood on the deck, looking at the endless sea, seemingly having made up his mind.

“Your Highness, I also think Lü Song is more suitable. The islands there are scattered, which is advantageous for naval warfare. Moreover, there is no unified government there, which makes it easier for us to intervene.”

"Yes, I've heard that the area is rich in resources. We can trade with Zhou Wu to expand our own resources."

"I think so too. Moreover, the level of weaponry there is not high. With our fleet, we should be able to take one island and then slowly annex the others."

"Then let's decide on Luzon Island."

Lusong is the name of an archipelago in Southeast Asia, which consists of hundreds of islands of varying sizes, but the three largest are collectively known as Lusong.

Because Lüsong is an archipelago, it has no powerful enemies around it, and it is also a tribal society, which is still very backward.

For Hussein, who possesses six Bull Demon Kings, conquering one island and then slowly encroaching on the surrounding islands is not a big problem.

"Your Highness, I suggest we start with the third largest island in Lüsong."

"Give your opinion."

“We’ve scouted the three islands of Lüsong before. The largest island has the largest tribe in Lüsong, so it’s not advisable for us to start a war with them right now. The second largest island, while not having a large tribe like the first, has many tribal alliances, so we need to avoid them for now. Only the third largest island has a few scattered tribes, which is just the right place for us to take them down.”

The captain of the guards' words were exactly what Hu Sai was thinking, and the two hit it off immediately, ordering the fleet to head towards Lu Song's third largest island.

. . . . . . .

The Imperial Palace in the capital.

"Haha, Crown Prince, do you know what rumors are circulating outside?"

Today is the monthly family gathering of the royal family members, where everyone is chatting and laughing.

Everyone knew that Zhou Wu and the Crown Prince were close, so the princes started talking about the recent random flights over the South China Sea islands.

"Fourteenth Brother, I've been busy with official business lately and I'm not sure what everyone's talking about."

Now that the Great Dragon's territory has expanded, the affairs of the court have become increasingly numerous. Li Tiancheng, who was already in a state of exhaustion, is now even more so, lacking the strength to do so. Therefore, on the advice of the ministers, the Crown Prince was allowed to participate in the daily handling of state affairs and assist the Emperor.

So the Crown Prince has been rarely seen lately, which has naturally caused some dissatisfaction among the other princes.

“Brother Crown Prince, everyone outside is saying that Zhou Wu invented some kind of flying artifact that can take people flying.”

"I've heard about it too, it's been spread like wildfire, do you think it's true?"

These two princes, seemingly questioning the crown prince, were actually subtly mocking Zhou Wu, the crown prince's subordinate, for his utterly absurd behavior.

Unbeknownst to everyone, the Emperor and Empress had already gone outside and had overheard the brothers' conversation clearly.

"Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived."

The crowd immediately fell silent, and the Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief. He no longer bothered to engage in pointless arguments with his worthless brothers. The Emperor's arrival had just resolved the awkward situation.

"What are you brothers and sisters chatting about that makes you so happy?"

Li Tiancheng seemed not to have heard the conversation, and the princes all showed expressions of brotherly harmony.

"Father, we are discussing a topic that has been circulating in the capital recently."

"Oh, what is it? Tell Father Emperor as well."

"Father, there are rumors circulating that Zhou Wu of the South Sea invented a flying artifact that can carry people into the sky, but I think it is just a hoax spread by the ignorant people."

Everyone restrained themselves, but one prince, like a fool, continued to recount everything.

"Haha, I also think it's just a rumor. How can a person fly?"

Although Li Tiancheng said this, he was already 50% convinced in his heart, because the rumor was about Zhou Wu, and now, anything involving Zhou Wu was almost certainly true.

However, Li Tiancheng did not admit it verbally.

"Now that everyone is here, please take your seats."

"Thank you, Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

After everyone was seated, they showered Li Tiancheng and the Empress with concern and care, making them very happy, especially the Empress, who loved this kind of harmonious family scene the most.

"Look at your parents, you should visit them more often in the future."

"Father, Mother, your children will visit you often."

Li Tiancheng's words naturally elicited a positive response from everyone.

"I'm just missing Zheng'er. I wonder how he's doing these days."

The Empress, who had been all smiles, suddenly started talking about the Fourth Prince, Li Zheng, and her face became full of worry.

"Your Majesty, please do not worry. A few days ago, Zhou Wu wrote to say that Zheng'er is doing very well now."

"Oh, really? That's good."

Upon hearing their father and mother mention the fourth prince, Li Zheng, the princes and nobles below each displayed different expressions.

The despicable one, the Fourth Prince, was a strong contender for the throne, but I never expected that he would be defeated by Zhou Wu and lose his fighting spirit. I heard that he has now gone to the South China Sea to fish. He is simply a disgrace to the princes.

Those who cared, including the princes and princesses who already had a good relationship with the fourth prince, were like the empress. They only knew that the prince had gone to the South China Sea, but they didn't know how he was doing. In the eyes of the royal family, the South China Sea was a desolate place. If a prince went there, wouldn't he just be going to suffer?

Those who are indifferent: In such a large royal family with so many members, there are always those who have a lukewarm relationship with the Fourth Prince, so they are also indifferent to where the Fourth Prince, Li Zheng, is going.

. . . . . .

After the family gathering, Li Tiancheng was distracted, constantly thinking about what one of his sons had said about Zhou Wu creating a flying artifact.

"Someone is coming."

Li Tiancheng was reviewing memorials when the flying artifact suddenly came to mind again. Unable to resist any longer, he summoned his personal guards.

"His Majesty."

"Go and inquire about the flying artifact in the South China Sea."

"Yes."

The guard didn't say a word or show any extra emotion; he simply accepted the order and left.

They went out in the morning, and the secret agents had the results by the afternoon.

"His Majesty."

"Is there any result?"

Beneath Li Tiancheng's seemingly calm expression, he was actually incredibly nervous, and he didn't even know what he was expecting.

"Your Majesty, we have found merchants who recently came from the South China Sea. We then asked different people, and they all said that they saw it with their own eyes. The flying artifact does exist and is indeed Zhou Wu's masterpiece."

Actually, when these businessmen saw Zhou Wu at the scene, and because the laboratory was kept secret from outsiders, no one knew that Zhou Wu was the inventor of the hot air balloon.