For several days, the vast sea tossed them about. It was only after this time that Zhe Shijiu brought his men to scout all the large and small islands in the vicinity.
"So, you mean that at this moment, the islands we've discovered that are rich in spices alone number over fifty?"
After reviewing all the compiled figures, even Shao Bowen couldn't help but gasp in shock.
Among these islands, there were more than a dozen that were large. The largest island, even without precise measurement, felt at least tens of miles across based on intuition.
Even the smallest ones had a land area of five to six miles.
The spices on these islands had been unharvested for years, and even the soil on them carried the scent of spices.
Cloves, nutmeg, and pepper, which were expensive within the Great Song territory, were practically everywhere here.
"Sir, if all these things were sent back to the Great Song Dynasty, how much would they be worth!"
Having spoken too much these past few days, Zhe Shijiu's throat was a bit hoarse.
"Send all these things back? Do you want these spices to be devalued?"
After giving him a glare, Shao Bowen spoke again.
"Devalued..."
He was startled by Shao Bowen's words, but quickly realized the truth. It was true!
If all the spices from these islands were harvested, even with their nearly a hundred ships, they would likely need tens of trips back and forth.
The market of the Great Song, however vast, couldn't possibly absorb such a large quantity of spices!
More importantly, these were living things!
Even though it was winter, the climate on the surrounding islands was still hot.
It was possible that as they harvested, the trees in the back would bear fruit again.
It was likely that before their goods were all transported back to the Great Song, the fruits in the back would be ready for harvest again!
"But what should we do then?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Zhe Shijiu quickly asked again.
"What else can we do? Zhe Yanbin and the others should be returning soon. When they do, you take your men and gather all the indigenous people from the nearby islands and concentrate them on the first island!"
"What about harvesting the spices then?"
Hearing Shao Bowen's words, Zhe Shijiu quickly asked.
"What else can we do? I'll personally write a letter, and you find a reliable person to deliver it!"
This matter was too significant, and for a moment, even Shao Bowen couldn't make up his mind.
To maintain stable spice prices, it was necessary to determine them based on production volume, which required them to consult past spice trading records.
At this moment, only Han Mo would likely have access to such detailed records.
Before confirming the specific production volume, Shao Bowen was certainly not going to let people start harvesting spices.
After all, the fewer people who knew about the secret of the Spice Islands, the better.
"Yes!"
After hearing his explanation, Zhe Shijiu quickly cupped his hands in salute.
With a sigh, Shao Bowen smiled wryly and quickly wrote a letter, then handed it to Zhe Shijiu.
Before coming here, he had worried about whether they would need to find a way to supplement the spice supply from Jiaozhi if the production here was insufficient.
Even if it required some effort, it would be worth it compared to the exorbitant price of spices.
But he never expected that upon arriving here, his biggest problem would be having too many spices...
This was truly a happy predicament!
After all, for the past several hundred years, not only the Great Song Dynasty but even the mighty Great Tang had never faced such a dilemma.
"My lord, this is news from Hebei!"
Five days later, just as Han Mo was preparing to continue south to help Li Bao with his wedding arrangements, Yuan Xingchi hurried over with a letter.
"News from Hebei?"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo's spirit immediately lifted.
However, after reading the contents of the letter, the smile on Han Mo's face froze.
"Is this news reliable?"
After a long pause, Han Mo let out a long breath and asked Yuan Xingchi.
"The news came from Lord Xu, so it should be reliable. A copy of the same news has already been sent to Suzhou City..."
"I'm afraid I can't go to Quanzhou anymore..."
With a wry smile, Han Mo said again.
"The matters in Wa Country also can't be delayed any longer. Delay breeds complications!"
After some hesitation, Yuan Xingchi also directly stated.
"Let me think, let me think..."
Although Feng Yuanbao had already prepared everything necessary at this time, and they only needed to gather their troops to set off, when the time actually came, Han Mo became somewhat hesitant.
After the last incident, the Quanzhou naval forces could only mobilize a little over a thousand men. A thousand veteran soldiers, plus the two thousand new recruits trained by Han Shizhong, and the two thousand infantry trained by Yue Fei.
These forces combined represented almost a third of all the available troops Han Mo had.
Under normal circumstances, sending these troops would be fine, but it was precisely at this time that Xu Churen had sent him such weighty news...
"How dare Tong Guan do this!"
After sending all his subordinates away, Han Mo heavily punched the carriage shaft.
Holding hundreds of thousands of troops, he actually asked the Jin people to help the Great Song recover its lost territories, and what's more, he privately promised them thirty thousand shi of grain!
"My lord, his choice is actually understandable. After all, he suffered consecutive defeats, and even Cai You had to temporarily withdraw from Bianliang City. This is their last desperate opportunity!"
Compared to Han Mo's anger, Yuan Xingchi was much calmer.
"But didn't he consider that his hundreds of thousands of troops being so vulnerable would incite astonishing ambition? After the demise of the Liao Dynasty, the Jin became a neighboring country to the Great Song!"
Even when facing Yuan Xingchi, Han Mo still had some things he couldn't say.
According to the original historical records, the matter of requesting Jin troops should have occurred in the fifth year of Xuanhe.
It was only the third year of Xuanhe now. If he showed weakness so early, who knew what the Jin people would do next!
Once the Jin people saw through the Song Dynasty's weaknesses, the Jingkang Incident would truly be imminent!