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

"The construction of railway tracks, including building roads through mountains and bridges over rivers, was the most costly task."

After Zhou Wu said that, everyone realized that this was indeed a very large project.

The Great Dragon Empire is vast and rich in resources, with diverse terrain, including countless mountains, lakes, hills, and basins.

Building a railway on such terrain would require an astronomical amount of manpower and financial resources.

After Zhou Wu finished his detailed report, everyone fell silent. The train's deployment far exceeded everyone's expectations, and no one dared to utter a sound.

"Father, I have some humble opinions."

After a long silence, Li Zheng broke the silence, and everyone turned their attention to him.

"Zheng'er, what are your thoughts? Speak up boldly."

Li Tiancheng's opinion of Lao Si changed after he learned that Lao Si had not given up on himself but was quietly contributing to Da Long.

"I wonder what Father Emperor and other officials think about the South China Sea."

Instead of directly answering the question about the train, Li Zheng asked a seemingly insignificant question.

"The South China Sea has exceeded my expectations. Outsiders have always thought that the South China Sea is a barren and desolate place, a land of barbarians."

"Yes, I never expected that the South China Sea would develop in no way inferior to the capital."

"That's right, and the development of the South China Sea is only a recent phenomenon, while the capital has been developing for several dynasties."

Although everyone has only been in the South China Sea for two or three days, their evaluation of the South China Sea is very high.

"I'm glad everyone speaks so highly of the South China Sea. Do you know why the South China Sea has developed so rapidly?"

As Li Zheng had expected, everyone's answers were consistently positive, which allowed Li Zheng to continue speaking.

"why?"

This is precisely what everyone is curious about: the South China Sea is clearly a barren land, so how could it have developed into such a place in just a few years?

"That's because the person in charge here is Zhou Wu. It's not that Zhou Wu is particularly smart, but rather that he dares to innovate, break old ideas, and declare war on bad habits."

Li Zheng became somewhat agitated as he spoke, but among those present, he was the only one qualified to do so, because he was the only one who had stayed in the South China Sea the longest.

"Zhou Wu can invest without regard to cost, as long as it produces good results. When he was building the big ships, everyone was just watching and laughing. But what happened? Maritime trade became a craze. And the establishment of the navy was also crucial. In the war against Gaoliguo, the navy played an indispensable role, and the suppression of pirates was entirely due to the navy."

Li Zheng cited many examples, but what he really wanted to tell everyone was that you shouldn't hesitate when doing things, especially when you already know the outcome will be good, but you still have to think about it for a long time. How can you do a good job with that kind of efficiency?

“Zhou Wu dared to build a railway in a small place like the South China Sea. Doesn’t the mainland need trains even more? What are you all still hesitating about? The cost investment is inevitable, but the returns are obvious to all. Moreover, the trains not only meet transportation needs, but also drive the economic development of Dalong. It’s absolutely beneficial in every way.”

Li Zheng explained it very clearly, and everyone already had the answer in their hearts. However, faced with such a large investment, those who were used to living in poverty instinctively felt some resistance.

However, after Li Zheng's provocation, Li Tiancheng made the decision immediately.

We have to do it.

. . . . . . .

Having finished his business, Li Tiancheng naturally wouldn't just go back like that. Under the guise of an inspection, he began sightseeing in the South China Sea.

"Zhou Wu, the South China Sea is quite nice. I want to take a good look around. You can arrange the itinerary for the next few days, but you must consider the Empress's health and not let her get too tired."

Li Tiancheng really liked Zhou Wu's new word, "investigation," because it means that anything can be investigated.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly make the arrangements."

When his father and mother went on a trip to the South China Sea, Li Zheng naturally accompanied them throughout the trip, and he even acted as their tour guide.

As for the ministers who came with him, Zhou Wu would not show favoritism to them because of their differing political views. On the contrary, he would do his best to treat them to good food, drinks, and entertainment.

These ministers wield considerable influence both in the imperial court and among the nobility. If they were to promote the South China Sea effectively upon their return, it would undoubtedly be of great help to the region.

After leaving the palace, Zhou Wu and Li Zheng walked side by side on their way back.

"Thanks for the train."

"I'm not doing this to help you. I've always been optimistic about the train project, and it can indeed bring many benefits to Dalong."

Zhou Wu knew that Li Zheng was being stubborn, but he didn't expose him.

"You're still not going back with them this time?"

"No, the capital may seem like a bustling city to outsiders, but to me it's nothing more than an invisible cage. I'd rather be free and unrestrained in the South China Sea."

"Planning to fish for the rest of your life? Zhu Zhiyong's trading fleet has already ventured beyond Southeast Asia."

Zhu Zhiyong, also unwilling to remain a lazy rich young master in the capital, shared a similar fate with Li Zheng. Since both were from the capital, they somehow became friends.

Zhu Zhiyong's trading team in the South China Sea has reached saturation in Southeast Asian business, so he has begun to explore new overseas markets. It is said that they are now almost outside of Asia.

"You haven't dealt with Fusang yet, have you?"

How did you know I was going to cause trouble for Fusang?

"Anyone can see through your little schemes. I know you have a deep-seated hostility towards Japan. Although you keep selling Kenshiro weapons, equipment, and food, I can tell that you just want him to act as a catfish for Japan."

"You're something else, kid. I really underestimated you. If you weren't the Fourth Prince, I would have killed you to prevent the secret from getting out."

Zhou Wu was genuinely surprised; had Li Zheng become this clever now?

In Zhou Wu's eyes, Li Zheng used to be almost as good as an idiot, but now he actually gives off a feeling of being a hidden dragon.

"I call that great wisdom appearing as foolishness."

"I bet you found some kind of fairy island, stole their elixir, and gained enlightenment."

"I have a plan."

Suddenly, Li Zheng became very serious.

"tell me the story."

"There are too many countries in this world. It's unrealistic for the Great Dragon to conquer them all. Even if it did, it wouldn't be able to manage them. So I have an idea: we can defeat them, but let them govern themselves. We'll only seek profit."

Li Zheng then explained his thoughts to Zhou Wu in detail.

After hearing this, Zhou Wu's pupils dilated in disbelief. Wasn't this just colonialism from later generations? When did Li Zheng develop such a mindset? Could it be that he had also traveled through time?

"Li Zheng."

"What's wrong."

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