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

"Sir, our South China Sea Island is so big, but so far all the people are concentrated in South China Sea City. This kind of development is not good."

In fact, Zhou Wu had thought about this problem long ago. Such a large island has only one city, which is a completely abnormal development.

However, only Benboer has mentioned this issue so far, and one has to admire that Benboer is indeed suitable for handling domestic affairs and people's livelihood.

"Actually, this problem boils down to a people problem. We don't have enough people in the South China Sea right now, so we can't develop it completely for free. That's what I want to solve."

The South China Sea Island was originally inhabited by a small group of tribesmen. Zhou Wu had to come up with many ways to barely fill up the South China Sea City. Did Zhou Wu not want to develop the entire South China Sea Island? Of course not, there was no population.

At this awkward moment, the tightly closed conference room door was knocked on.

"My lord, there is a letter from the capital."

"Bring it here."

The guard respectfully delivered the letter from the palace to Zhou Wu, then turned and left.

"A letter from the palace?"

Zhou Wu looked at the envelope; it had the palace's gold-embossed seal.

Since everyone present was one of their own, Zhou Wu didn't hold back and directly opened the letter.

Zhou Wu's face visibly lit up with excitement, everyone curious about what good thing was inside the envelope.

"Haha, it's like someone's delivered a pillow when I'm sleepy."

Zhou Wu slammed the credit knife on the table and then burst into laughter.

"Sir, what good news is it?"

“A few days ago, I submitted a memorial to the court regarding sending troops to Japan, and His Majesty replied.”

The idea of ​​sending troops to Japan was not a secret among the high-ranking officials in the South China Sea. When Zhou Wu first met Kenjiro, he said that supporting the other side was just to make Japan more chaotic. Zhou Wu never hid his dislike for Japan from the inside, so everyone knew it.

"Has His Majesty agreed to your proposal, sir? Is that why you are so happy?"

The fact that Zhou Wu was so happy must mean that the court or His Majesty had agreed to send troops to Japan, so it was only natural that Zhou Wu was so happy.

"No, I am happy not because His Majesty agreed to send troops to Japan, which I had expected long ago."

Surprisingly, what pleased Zhou Wu was not the dispatch of troops to Japan.

"My lord, what did His Majesty say that made you so happy?"

Among the higher-ups, Benbo'er was the best at understanding people's hearts, but even he couldn't figure it out at this moment.

"Do you know about the Da Long militia?"

"do not know."

It's normal that Deng Yuanliang, who was in exile overseas, didn't know this.

Benbo'er shook his big head vigorously, which puzzled Zhou Wu.

"You don't know either?"

"There are no militias on the border, only regular troops."

"Oh, I forgot, sorry."

Before, Benbo only knew about studying. Later, when he became an official, he was assigned to the border, so he didn't know much about the militia.

"There's no need for Lady Lin to ask; she doesn't know either."

Before Madam Lin could speak, Zhou Wu spoke first, saying that Madam Lin was born a pirate and certainly didn't know.

"Niu Er, you don't know either?"

"That's impossible. Of course I know about the militia. When the Great Dragon Dynasty was first established, bandits were rampant. The regular army of the court was used for important tasks such as guarding the border or suppressing rebellions. But bandits and thugs kept lurking around, and the court couldn't just ignore them. However, the formation of a regular army required a lot of money, so someone suggested that a militia was established."

Niu Er was indeed very knowledgeable about the militia, because he had almost joined the militia himself. After taking a sip of water and catching his breath, Niu Er continued.

"Because the militia deals with less skilled mountain bandits and outlaws, the militia is far inferior to the regular army in terms of both training and equipment, and of course, their salaries are also incomparable."

"Sir, what does this have to do with us? Why are you so happy?"

Benboer just couldn't understand it. After all this talk, what does the militia have to do with the South China Sea?

"You've narrowed your vision, haha. The militia was just a temporary solution during the founding of the nation. Now that the Great Dragon Empire is prosperous and powerful, do you think we still need this useless militia?"

"Of course not, Da Long's current financial resources are enough to support a full regular army."

Deng Yuanliang is very sensitive to money. The court's fiscal revenue in recent years shows that there has been tax reform, as well as arms deals facilitated by Zhou Wu. The court has also organized an official maritime trade team. It can be said that the court is involved in anything that can make money.

Deng Yuanliang's words naturally resonated with everyone, after all, everyone had witnessed the extent of Dalong's wealth.

"So the militia that was painstakingly built up back then has now become a hot potato."

"My lord, the imperial court wouldn't be planning to give you the militia so you can lead these old, weak, and disabled people to fight against Japan, would it?"

Lin Niangzi had a bad feeling. Since Zhou Wu mentioned the militia, it must be that the militia was related to the South China Sea.

"Bingo, you got it right. It's just that the court has given me all the militia because of the brilliant and intelligent Lady Lin."

"Sir, didn't Niu Er just say that these militiamen are good at dealing with some local thugs, but fighting against Japan would be a waste? Oh well, judging from your expression, you probably agree. It's only a few tens of thousands of people, the South China Sea can afford to support them."

Li Niangzi sighed. She had originally wanted to persuade Zhou Wu, but judging from his expression, it would probably be in vain. After all, the South China Sea could afford to support tens of thousands of people, and the other high-ranking officials also had expressions of agreement.

"What tens of thousands? The total number of militia in the Great Dragon Empire is at least 500,000."

"what!"

"Sir, you can't agree to that!"

"Five hundred thousand is far too much. Even if we have money, we can't waste it like this."

I was just thinking about tens of thousands of people, and that I'd just consider it a waste of money to make Zhou Wu happy. But look at this, it's 500,000 people? It's good that Lord Zhou is a little upset.

"Of course I wouldn't be eyeing half a million people. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Phew~~ That scared me to death."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that Zhou Wu wasn't that stupid.

“These 500,000 people must have families. If we bring them all to the South China Sea, I’ll take care of them all.”

"Pfft~~~~~~"

"Lord Ben, Lord Deng, what's wrong with you~~~"

Deng Yuanliang was in charge of finances in Nanhai, while Benboer was in charge of internal affairs in Nanhai City. Upon hearing that Zhou Wu not only intended to bring in all 500,000 militiamen but also had designs on their families, the two were so enraged they nearly vomited blood.

"You guys have such a narrow perspective. Weren't we just talking about the lack of manpower in the South China Sea?"

While still bleeding and running around, he was the first to react, immediately got up, sat down in his seat, and expressed his opinion.

"My lord, if all else fails, we should ask the imperial court if there are any other unwanted military units. We can take over the entire South China Sea."