Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

Australia.

This was a place that Li Chengqian had wanted to acquire long ago, when steam-powered ocean-going ships were still being built in port docks. However, he was limited by the lack of talent in ocean-going operations and the insufficient number of ocean-going ships at the time.

Ultimately, they decided to make Japan their first target for the time being.

Upon hearing the place name mentioned by Li Chengqian, everyone immediately thought of the landmass located in the lower center of that huge world map.

Everyone's pupils constricted involuntarily, and the Prince of Jing, standing behind Prince Lu Li Yuanchang, excitedly tugged at the hem of his seventh brother's robe.

Li Yuanchang carefully avoided it.

Li Chengqian seemed oblivious to the subtle interaction between the two and began to quietly discuss Australia's resources and conditions.

"In my view, this land of Australia is a promised land bestowed upon my Great Tang by Heaven, a land granted by the gods!"

Li Chengqian's voice was firm and resonant, filled with fervent emotion.

What is Australia most famous for in later generations?

Iron ore and agriculture/livestock farming.

In addition, there are gold and coal mines with considerable reserves there.

If the Tang Dynasty can conquer Australia and use all its raw materials to develop industry, its colonial expansion will receive maximum support in the early stages.

He had someone bring him a very detailed map of Australia, which also included some islands and landmasses from the South Pacific region.

"Third brother, sixth brother, this time I'm preparing to have you bring enough manpower and supplies, and I will have the Great Sage Overturning the Sea as your guide to lead you safely to this place..." Li Chengqian said, pointing to the location of Sydney Harbour in later generations.

Then, he moved his finger a little north along the coastline from the location of Sydney Harbour to the location of what would later become the Newcastle coal mine.

His voice carried a hint of solemnity: "This place is less than 30 kilometers from the coastline and is the core production area of ​​a large open-pit coal mine. We will first build the mine here to ensure the supply of steam-powered ships. After that, I will have some Japanese miners assigned to mine here."

Li Ke, Li Yin, and the others secretly gasped in shock.

Now, their elder brother has been shrouded in a divine aura in their hearts.

If it weren't for the destiny bestowed upon him, how could so many previously unheard-of skilled craftsmen and extraordinary individuals have come to serve him?

If one is not destined by fate.

How could they possibly know the situation in Australia, thousands of miles away, and know it so clearly?

Unconsciously, the expressions of King Lu and King Jing, who were looking at the geomantic map, both became serious.

"There are also indigenous people in the area, but they are probably still in a tribal, savage state. You can try to communicate with them, trading some flashy but impractical goods like porcelain and silk for things, or you can hire them..."

Li Chengqian paused again as he spoke.

The finger moved a section from the location of Sydney Harbour inland to the southwest, landing in what would later become Ballarat.

He then made another startling statement: "There is a placer gold mine here! It's quite large. We can have the locals help with the mining in the early stages, although there might be some effort involved in communication. But that's alright, since our Great Tang Dynasty has ample gold reserves."

Li Chengqian spoke for a long time that day, until his mouth was dry by the end.

Only then did he realize that, without him noticing, even his own father, Li Shimin, and grandfather, Li Yuan, were standing to the side with their hands behind their backs, looking curious and serious.

Noticing Li Chengqian's gaze, Li Shimin's face showed a look of satisfaction.

He stroked his beard slightly and smiled faintly.

"Hehe, I thought you were really being generous this time, but it turns out your purpose was this..." He laughed heartily, praising his son's "cunning" behavior as he laughed.

Beside him, Li Yuan gave a complicated, bitter smile.

He patted Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, on the shoulder and said, "Follow Gao Ming and do your job well. Don't be like your brothers and sisters."

King Zhou and his entourage were extremely excited when they set sail to claim the title of king, and they even sold off almost all of their assets.

In the end, the biggest and most lucrative prize had already been decided by this cunning grandson of the emperor.

Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, and Prince Jing, Li Yuanjing, hurriedly bowed and paid their respects to their father, the Emperor.

Li Yuanjing's face showed a look of relief.

After listening to Crown Prince Li Chengqian's meticulous plans, it was clear that the other party had already prepared development plans covering everything from going to sea to landing and local governance.

They only need to follow the plan.

But it can bring them immense benefits.

In contrast, what about King Li Yuanfang of Zhou and King Kang of Xu?

In better circumstances, they might be able to take over one or more islands and become island kings, which would be quite good. Moreover, given their lack of resources, they would certainly want to live a more comfortable life in the future.

Even if I lose clumps of hair and have headaches all the time from managing the land...

Li Yuanchang breathed a slight sigh of relief. Sure enough, his imperial nephew's heart was always black. If he, the imperial uncle who had followed him for so long, hadn't been clear-headed enough, he would probably have been left behind in this wave.

Li Chengqian's smile remained as gentle as ever.

Ignoring the mixed feelings of satisfaction and disdain in the eyes of his father and the retired emperor, he smiled and spoke.

"If Father and Grandfather are also interested, you can send a fleet there. The profits will be considerable, and there are many islands around that are rich in spices."

Li Yuan nodded, but it was clear that he wasn't really interested.

Li Shimin, on the other hand, was even more direct, simply waving his hand with a look of disdain.

"I still need to prepare for the western expedition. Vast territories to the west await my conquest. I have no interest in wasting time on a few deserted islands."

Li Chengqian nodded in agreement.

In the future, his father, the Grand General of the Heavenly Strategy, will be able to expand westward with great enthusiasm, while he himself will colonize Southeast Asia and Australia, seizing raw materials and other resources, and driving domestic productivity to connect the war dividends of the westward expedition.

This was his task, along with those of Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, and Li Yun, the Prince of Yan, who would remain in their homeland.

Next, as the year draws to a close.

The nobles of Chang'an never stopped causing trouble.

Prince Liang, Li Yin, and Prince Han, Li Ke, both left Chang'an and headed to Busan Port and Dengzhou Port respectively to personally coordinate the manpower and fleet supplies for the voyage.

Both Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, and Prince Jing, Li Yuanjing, secretly began to have preparations made.

In addition, Li Chengqian said that other members of the royal family, such as Princess Chang Le and others, could also travel with the ship if they had manpower in their residences.

Li Chengqian truly doted on his younger brothers and sisters.

If the fleet is ready, it will certainly be quite large.

Now we are preparing to depart no later than February of the ninth year of the Zhenguan era. During this time, everyone will be able to attend Li Chengqian's enthronement ceremony.

......

"Tsk tsk tsk, that's fulfilling!"

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but let out a satisfied chuckle. Then, looking at the two small figures on the opposite field, a slightly ferocious white tooth appeared on his lips.

The shuttlecock was gently tossed into the air, and then...

"No food until you receive it! Wahahahaha!"

"boom!"

The badminton shuttlecock exploded like a cannonball at the feet of young Xiangyu and Pinu.

It really exploded!

White feathers scattered, and the two little ones were so frightened that snot bubbles popped out of their noses, and they immediately burst into tears.

Outside the stadium, Princess Li Mingda of Jinyang, who was playing with her little niece Yue Niao in her arms, couldn't help but wrinkle her pink little nose.

"Brother! You're bullying them again! If you're so tough, fight me!"

As he spoke, Xiao Sizi abandoned his little niece Yue Niao, picked up a racket, and went to the opposite side of Li Chengqian's court, spreading his arms to protect the two little ones, Xiang Yu and Pi Nu.

It's like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

Li Chengqian curled his lips, unmoved, but gave each of his two sons, who were hiding behind his aunt Sizi, an evil smile.

"Start getting up early tomorrow morning, you've all reached the age where you should be learning martial arts!"

"Anyone who dares to sleep in late... I'll have a golden eagle grab them and fly them up to the sky to be an immortal!"

Xiang Yu, the Pi Nu: "!!!"