Donghai Island is not a small place. In addition to the 2,000 garrison troops, there are also more than 10,000 civilians, forming several villages and towns.

In the next two days, the whaling ship made preparations, while Zhao Tai inspected Donghai Island and found that the island was indeed not small.

Not only can you fish on this island, it also has tens of thousands of acres of cultivated land. If managed properly, it can be completely self-sufficient.

This strengthened Zhao Tai's determination to patrol the coast of Shandong and prepare for the capture of Shandong.

Zhao Tai's family is not rich. If he loses once, he will be doomed. Therefore, he must make a decision before acting and cannot act impulsively.

The land of Shandong must be occupied and defended. Zhao Tai needs to think everything carefully and be prepared before waiting for opportunities or taking the initiative to create opportunities.

Donghai Island, Yuntai Mountain, Zhao Tai stood on a high place, overlooking the entire island.

To the east of the island is the sea, and to the west is a jade-belt-like strait that separates the east island from the mainland.

Because the Yellow River diverts the Huaihe River, a large amount of sediment is deposited, so the distance between the southern end of the strait and the land is continuously shortened. The closest point is only a few miles away, but the northern section is very wide. It is estimated that it will take hundreds of years to be completely connected.

The island is now far away from the mainland. When the Mongolian army does not have a navy, the island is quite safe.

At this time, Zhao Tai looked at the cultivated land and villages on the island, and said in a deep voice: "Although the Mongolian army lacks naval forces, our navy has not yet formed a combat capability. This Yuntai Mountain is good, and we can choose a place to build a stronghold.

, to prevent the Mongolian army from sneaking into the East China Sea Island."

Sun Li said: "Bizhi has long wanted to build it. Several villages are scattered on the island. Once the Mongolian army lands and is attacked, there will be no defense ability. Just building a stronghold on the mountain will require manpower and material resources that the island cannot afford for the time being!"

"

There are now less than 20,000 people on the island. It is indeed difficult to build a strong stronghold. Fortunately, the Mongols will not be able to attack them for a while. Zhao Tai said: "No rush, you can build it slowly first, and wait until the government has enough money and food."

, I will find a way for you and send a group of craftsmen over."

Zhao Tai paused and pointed down the mountain, "Not only do I want to build a stronghold on the mountain, I also want to build various workshops. You have to free up that piece of land for me, and I want to build a shipbuilding workshop there!

"

Since we decided to use the islands along the coast of Shandong, boats were essential.

Now whaling requires ships, and the navy also needs ships. If they are all purchased from the Southern Song Dynasty, they will be restricted by others. Zhao Tai hopes to build a shipbuilding workshop on Donghai Island.

Zhao Tai did not ask for this workshop, as long as he could build ships in a short time and carry out maintenance and repairs.

At this time, Zhao Tai stood on the top of the mountain, took out the drawings, and planned the entire East China Sea Island.

Once he occupies Shandong, the north will face Mongolia and may fall into war at any time, so it is not suitable for investment and construction.

Donghai Island is located in the south of Shandong East Road, close to the Southern Song Dynasty. It is relatively stable and can be built on a large scale to turn it into an important outlet to the sea.

By then, goods produced by Zhao Tai can be exported from here, and materials from the Southern Song Dynasty can also be transported into Shandong from here.

At this time, the two were talking and pointing down the mountain to make plans. One person climbed up the mountain and saluted and reported: "Your Majesty, the whaler is ready."

Zhao Tai smiled when he heard this and said, "I'll go there right away."

As soon as a group of people came down the mountain, Zhao Tai and others came to the dock and boarded Zheng Yingbo's whaling ship directly.

After Zhao Tai boarded the ship, Zheng Yingbo waved his hand and shouted: "Weigh the anchor and sail the ship."

When Zhao Tai saw the sailors on the deck, they immediately performed their duties. Some opened the ship's ladder, while others turned the locking rod and slowly pulled up the iron chain until an anchor emerged from the water.

At this time, the sailors standing on the side of the ship picked up long bamboo pennies and poked them on the pier. Everyone worked hard together, and the flat-bottomed ship left the pier.

At this time, the sailor used his pennies to adjust the hull of the ship, and Zheng Yingbo shouted again, "Raise the sails!"

The sailors and fishermen on the boat pulled up the sail ropes and saw three hard bamboo sails being slowly pulled up, like a dark cloud, blocking the sun.

Zhao Tai saw the raised sails, blown by the sea breeze, and the ship then sailed forward creakingly amidst the whistling wind.

Two whalers, together with three warships, immediately rushed out of the strait and entered the vast sea.

Zhao Tai stood on the bow of the boat, his clothes fluttering in the sea breeze, making him look high-spirited.

"Ms. sir, how to sail?" Zheng Yingbo walked up behind Zhao Tai and asked for instructions.

Zhao Tai waved his arm forward, "Sail north along the coastline."

After Zheng Yingbo heard this, he immediately returned to the helm building, operated the rudder, and led the fleet to the north.

Along the way, Zheng Yingbo observed the sea surface, looking for whales, while Zhao Tai took a pen and paper and drew a map of the Shandong coast, marking various islands.

The fleet sailed north for a few days. On Zhao Tai's drawings, dozens of islands, large and small, had been marked. However, most of the islands were covered with rocks and were small in area and of no use value.

However, there are also islands like Lingshan Island and Chaolian Island that are relatively large and can station troops.

Zhao Tai marked these islands on the drawings. In the future, they could become springboards for attacking Shandong, or they could be temporary refuges for soldiers and civilians when the Mongols counterattack.

At this time, the fleet sailed north for many days, but no trace of the whale was found.

Zheng Yingbo walked to the bow of the ship and saluted: "Sir, it has been seven or eight days, and there is not much fresh water and food on the ship!"

Zhao Tai originally wanted to go around the Shandong coastline, at least around the peninsula, and check out the islands opposite Tongzhou, but after listening to Zheng Yingbo's many words, he knew it wouldn't work this time.

"Since there is not much fresh water and food, let's turn back to sail!" Zhao Tai said in a deep voice.

"Sir, when we came here, we sailed close to the coastline and passed through shallow waters. We didn't meet any whales along the way. When we went back, I wanted to leave the coastline and try my luck!" Zheng Yingbo saluted and asked for instructions.

The Yellow River, which runs along the East China Sea, is indeed relatively shallow, and the boats are all flat-bottomed boats, unlike those in the south.

The water was already shallow, so in order to explore the Shandong coast, Zhao Tai walked close to the shore, so naturally he didn't encounter any whales.

Whaling is also the purpose of Zhao Tai's trip. Zhao Tai nodded, "You decide how to sail according to your wishes!"

Zheng Yingbo was overjoyed and quickly ordered the fleet to turn around and leave the coastline to look for whales.

When Zhao Tai took a boat to explore the situation along the Shandong coast, Li Zhongquan, holding Zhao Tai's letter, had already arrived in Yidu.

Yidu Prefecture, also known as ancient Qingzhou, was the land of Dongyi in ancient times.

During the Warring States Period, Linzi, the capital of Qi State, was within the territory.

The Li family has been running Yidu for two generations. Compared to other places in Shandong that are dilapidated and empty, hundreds of thousands of people have gathered near Yidu.
Chapter completed!