On the fifth day of April, Sun Tu led his troops to Haicang Town, Laizhou. When he met Tong Guan and others waiting here, he finally confirmed that the other party was really going to go to sea this time.

The Song Dynasty was still rich when half of the northern country was almost in the hands of foreign tribes. Even in terms of economic strength, it was far away from the Han, Tang, Ming and Qing dynasties. The root cause was the court's policy of focusing on commerce and opening the sea. Because of the emphasis on commerce, the circulation of people and goods was much more active than other dynasties, and the government and the people had a broad vision. Knowing that only 6 lands were not enough to make more money, it opened up a maritime trade route, thus opening up a maritime silk road that was passed down from later generations, which was comparable to the Silk Road opened in the Han Dynasty.

As his own land is not too fertile, but it relies on the sea location, the local Shandong region also supports and attaches great importance to maritime trade. As long as he is engaged in related professions, the government can even make concessions in some places. The reason why Sun Tu's family was able to open a tavern in Yuncheng County was due to the benefits of his father and brother going overseas to do business.

Although the sea storms are very risky, because it may bring a lot of wealth to people, Shandong naturally has formed several major maritime business forces. Even if it cannot be compared with some maritime businessmen in the south, it can make the land tremble by stomping its feet. As the next important seaport in Laizhou Prefecture, Haicang Town is naturally very important for its hustle and prosperity here.

This town has a larger population than ordinary county towns, and there are shops, gambling halls and brothels in the city. From morning to night every day, the town is lively. Once a sea boat goes out to sea to dock, it will attract a large number of people who make a living by the sea to gather at the dock. The scene is not as prosperous as the temple fair in Dazhou Prefecture.

Today, there were more than ten large and small sea ships at the wharf outside the town, including three large sea ships, even twenty or thirty feet long, with five masts standing, and only one has passed all the merchant ships entering and leaving here over the years. According to the past practice, the area around the wharf will be completely overcrowded today, but now it is quiet inside and outside Haicang Town, and almost no one can see the figure.

It was not because the people here suddenly changed their nature, but because from three days ago, Haicang Town was surrounded by the government troops, and all the idle people were driven out. Even the residents here were restricted from staying at home and not going out. In such a mess, everyone knew that there would be big people going to go out to sea, and even the local governments had to cooperate obediently. Of course, ordinary people did not dare to have any objection.

So when Sun Tu and his friends arrived in Haicang Town, they saw a slightly deserted scene, with only the twenty or thirty large and small sea boats leaning on the dock and waiting to leave. Seeing this, the others didn't have much thoughts. After all, everyone knew that Tong Guan would go to sea this time, and it was reasonable to do things like this as his identity, but Sun Tu was a little doubtful. If he went to sea with such a big fan, would it be too ostentatious if he really wanted to do what he thought?

But Tong Guan did not give him too much time to think and seek answers. In just half a day, they quickly boarded the ship at Tong Guan's instructions, and then the entire fleet slowly left the dock and sailed into the sea full of mystery and danger for many people today.

Half a day after the fleet sailed, Sun Tu found that the largest sea boat he was riding was gradually separated from other ships. In the end, only three slightly smaller ships followed him and headed towards the north. It was not until this time that Tong Guan finally called Sun Tu, who was full of doubt, to him, drank and watched the scenery on the upper deck, and talked about the final purpose of the trip.

Sun Tu has been staying in the cabin after getting on the ship, but he didn't realize anything. Now he has to come to the upper deck and truly appreciate how powerful the shipbuilding industry in the Song Dynasty is. In this era when only handcraft and wooden boards are built, they actually built such a giant ship. Although this big ship cannot be compared with later generations, it is shocking enough - from beginning to end, the ship is seventeen or eighteen meters long, and on both sides of the left and right, there are five masts on the top. At this time, the five sails were bulging at the same time, making the ship go fast, and truly riding the wind and waves.

Originally, when he heard that there were many maritime trades in the Song Dynasty, Sun Tu was still thinking about what to do if he met pirates. Especially when he was in Jiangzhou City, he had fought with the Fenjiang Jiao and his gang, so that he knew that these thieves on the water were probably not easier to deal with than those on the ground.

But after seeing this huge ship, Sun Tu felt that his concerns were really overwhelming. Such a big ship didn't even need the guards on it to take action. Just by hitting it, most of the enemies on the sea could be defeated. Compared with this ship, the ships and toys on the Xunyang River were no different from those on the front. If they were rubbed, they would be crushed to pieces.

What's even more terrifying is that there were crossbows on both sides of the ship at this time, which were a sharp weapon for siege. It could be broken by the solid walls of bricks and stones. The arrows were as thick as bowls. I'm afraid that ordinary ships would have to be crushed if they were caught by an arrow.

At this time, this big ship was a moving sea fortress in Sun Tu's eyes. Unless the steam iron armored ships appeared in later generations, it would be impossible to have an opponent. This is the main ship that Tong Guan went to sea this time, and with the 500 elite soldiers he brought from Qingzhou and hundreds of his own personal soldiers, this combat power could destroy some small sea countries. This made Sun Tu even more curious about Tong Guan's real purpose in going to sea.

Seeing Sun Tu paying attention to everything on the boat carefully, Tong Guan smiled: "Have you ever gone out of the sea in the past? You know that the sea is full of dangers, so I will make more preparations this time."

Sun Tu also smiled and said, "Although the Xiaguan has never gone to sea, I have heard my father and brother talk about some dangerous past events at sea. But, I wish I dared to say that Tong Shuai made this arrangement not to deal with the storm or bandits at sea."

"Haha, Qianli is really quick-witted. Then guess what is the purpose of me going to sea this time?" Tong Guan didn't think it was offended. He smiled and savored the wine, and asked again.

Sun Tu looked at the two people guarding Tong Guan like a sculpture, and then he spoke carefully: "Ship Tong had told his subordinates that you would be on the Liao Kingdom before, but if this was the case, he would not appear in Shandong territory at all, and it would be even more impossible to go out to sea at this time. After all, although the Liao Kingdom also has sea connections, its four capitals are all inside. This way of going is completely different. Tong Shuai did all this, and although the subordinates dared not guess carefully, they thought that this business was also very related to the Liao Kingdom, but not to make friends with them, but to avoid their eyes and ears..."

This analysis once again caused Tong Guan's laughter: "Well said it, Qianli, you are really quick-thinking, and you are far away from others. It's not bad. I went out to sea this time to deal with the Liao people, so that you can take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun as soon as possible!" As he spoke, he looked at Sun Tu, but he saw a hint of understanding on the latter's face: "Why, have you guessed the answer?"

"Several years ago, Xiaguan proposed an idea to join forces with the Jurchens to attack the Liao Kingdom from north to south. In this way, our Song Dynasty is likely to recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Could it be that Tong Shuai went out to sea for this?" Sun Tu's face also became serious, but he had no intention of hiding his weakness.

Tong Guan smiled again and nodded: "What you said is right. I am here for this time! The Jurchens and I have had contact with the Song Dynasty for many years, but they have always been vassals of the Liao Kingdom, so this contact is mostly hidden in secret. This time, this matter is very important. In order to show the sincerity of the Song Dynasty court, the official family asked me, the Privy Councilor, to come and meet the Jurchens for a meeting.

"In addition, in order to cover up people's eyes, especially the Liao Kingdom's eyewitness, and some foolish and timid people in the Song Dynasty, knew that there was such an alliance, so we chose to meet at sea. No matter who in any aspect, we would not have thought that we and the Jurchens would meet in this vast sea."

Sun Tu nodded to show his understanding, and at the same time he knew that there should be something else in the other party's words. For example, why did he meet at sea instead of letting the Jurchens come to Song secretly, it is probably because there is still suspicion between the two sides, and neither of them is at ease. Only by choosing the place where the two are not affiliated can both parties feel at ease.

In addition, Tong Guan's statement on envoy Liao this time was probably to let him meet with the Jurchens to cover up. After all, he, a key official in the court, would inevitably attract attention. Only by using the excuse to send a mission to the Liao Kingdom can it appear legitimate. And who would have thought that his envoy to the Liao Kingdom would secretly run to the sea to form an alliance with the Jurchens to deal with the Liao Kingdom?

After thinking all this, even Sun Tu had to say he admired it from the bottom of his heart. This arrangement is indeed clever and can be hidden from the vast majority of people in the world, whether they are Liao or Song.

Tong Guan's words continued: "And I have two purposes for you to lead troops with you. One is to shock the Jurchens. After all, they are alien races and may become a great enemy in the future. Secondly, we will go to Liao again in the future, and we must be prepared for it in case."

Sun Tu knew it, and then he was struggling for a while and said, "Tong Shuai, are we not afraid of being flirted with tigers. In the end, the Jurchens will get the greatest benefit?" If he hadn't known the final result of the Northern Song Dynasty, he would have thought that this would be a good idea, but now... but he dared not speak too clearly.

"No matter how strong the Jurchens are, they are not as good as the Liao Kingdom. And once war starts, they will be damaged, which will make them unable to compete with our Song Dynasty. Once our Song Dynasty is allowed to regain the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, we will have a gateway to defend the Central Plains and obtain a large number of war horses. By then, with the wealth of our Song Dynasty, it will be enough to restore the majesty of the Tang Dynasty in a few years. What is the Jurchen clan a mere Jurchen clan?" Tong Guan had his own opinion.
Chapter completed!