380: Chapter 381 Let's go see the kangaroo, the mouse has become a spirit.

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Next, we shall continue our Southern Inspection."

Yin Susu's eyes flickered. "Where does Your Majesty plan to start?"

Lu Chen pointed south, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"The Ming Navy led by your brother is already cruising the South China Sea. We will take a ship and head to the Nanyang. I want to take you all to see Kangaroos!"

Susu blinked and asked curiously, "Kangaroos? What kind of rare thing is that? It sounds like a rat that has turned into a spirit."

Lu Chen laughed heartily. "A rat turned into a spirit? That's quite a fitting description. They hop around on two legs and have a pouch on their belly specifically for carrying their young."

He gestured with his hands, his movements looking a bit comical.

"This creature is far across the ocean, in the continent of Aparagoyaniya, which I have named Kangaroo Island."

Susu looked at Lu Chen. "How does Your Majesty plan to get there?"

A mysterious smile appeared on Lu Chen's face.

"Susu, where is your brother, Prince Yinye, right now?"

Susu was stunned and instinctively replied, "Didn't Your Majesty issue an order a month ago? Brother has already led the newly built navy south, saying they were... practicing in the South China Sea..."

"Exactly." Lu Chen nodded. "He is currently waiting in the waters off Hainan Island."

Everyone was shocked by these words.

Fang Yanqing took a step forward. "Is Your Majesty saying... we are going to Hainan?"

Lu Chen's lips curled up. "We are going to Annam, and then we will set sail from there!"

Before his voice could fade, he closed his eyes slightly with a focused expression, as if listening to something; he had activated his Divine Sense.

The square was silent, with only the sound of the wind passing through. "Twenty massive ten-thousand-ton ships, fully manned and well-supplied. Everything is ready."

He turned to look south, his gaze seemingly piercing through the clouds and the thousands of mountains and rivers.

"From Emei to Annam, a common carriage would take over a month. We aren't in a hurry. We'll first go to the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake in Yunnan to see the Black-headed Gulls, and then we'll head to Annam."

Lu Chen's gaze swept over everyone, and he nodded slightly.

"Issue the imperial decree."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

The eunuchs waiting outside the hall immediately bowed and listened intently.

"Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to ride ahead and inform the prefectures along the way. I intend to conduct a Southern Inspection, traveling to Yunnan and then to Annam. Everything should be kept simple; do not disturb the people, and do not be extravagant."

"As you command!" The eunuch took the order and quickly retreated.

Before long, several swift horses shot out like arrows from a bow, kicking up dust as they galloped away on the official road at the foot of Mount Emei.

The riders wore Flying Fish Robes and carried Spring Embroidery Sabers at their waists. Their expressions were cold, and small flags representing urgent military intelligence were tucked into their backs.

They were messengers delivering the Emperor's oral decree, racing to notify every province, prefecture, and county they would pass through before the imperial carriage arrived.

Lu Chen looked at Susu and the others, smiling. "Alright, let's prepare to depart. We'll head to the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake to see some different scenery."

Fang Yanqing tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes shimmering. "Your Majesty is right. A change of mood would be good."

Ji Xiaofu smiled gently. "I wonder what those Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake look like?"

Yang Huangyi's eyes also held curiosity. "It must be different from the scenery here in Shu."

Susu curled her lip. "As long as I'm not cooped up in the palace, anywhere is fine."

Lu Chen laughed loudly, feeling extremely refreshed.

A few days later, at the foot of Mount Emei.

Despite the order to "keep everything simple," the Emperor's procession was still grand, stretching for several miles.

Leading the way was a unit of elite Central Army guards, their iron armor gleaming and their weapons standing like a forest. The horses' hooves made a dull, rhythmic "clatter" on the solid official road.

They were vigilant, constantly monitoring their surroundings.

In the middle were several large, luxurious carriages. The cabins were crafted from high-quality wood with intricate carvings, draped in thick bright yellow silk, and the wheels were reinforced with fine steel for an exceptionally smooth ride.

Lu Chen and several of his consorts were in the largest carriage.

Surrounding the carriage were two squads of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, following like shadows and vigilantly guarding the core area.

Further out were eunuchs, palace maids, imperial physicians, imperial chefs, and various support staff, totaling over a thousand people.

At the rear of the procession were vehicles and personnel responsible for logistics, carrying tents, food, water, medicine, and various daily necessities.

This was the display after it had been simplified as much as possible.

Even so, as this procession moved along the official road, it resembled a moving dragon, its Aura striking.

Fortunately, the roads of the Ming Empire were nothing like they used to be.

Since Lu Chen opened the great roads, a "Ming Royal Highway Bureau" had been established under the Ministry of Works, responsible for the construction, maintenance, and management of the nation's main arteries.

Broad, flat stone-paved roads now connected major cities and fortresses.

Courier stations were set up at regular intervals along the roads.

These stations not only provided food, lodging, and fresh horses but also served as checkpoints for inspecting permits and travel documents, and even for delivering official documents and gathering intelligence. They were vital nodes for the court to control local areas and ensure the smooth flow of information.

The Royal Highway Bureau even started a "tolling" business. Of course, they mainly collected money from merchant caravans; for ordinary commoners, as long as they held a legal travel permit, passage was free.

The money collected was used for the daily maintenance and expansion of the roads.

Traveling on such official roads, the imperial carriage naturally faced no obstacles.

The prefectures along the way had already made preparations after receiving advance notice from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Officials waited at the borders of their jurisdictions, kneeling to welcome the procession as soon as they saw the imperial banners from afar.

However, Lu Chen had already ordered that there be no welcoming ceremonies or gift-giving. Officials only needed to do their jobs, ensuring local stability and clear roads.

Most of the time, the imperial procession simply passed through the official roads outside the cities without entering.

The officials only dared to kowtow from a distance, unable to even see the Emperor's face, let alone take the opportunity to flatter him or claim credit.

On the contrary, the requirements for the common people were relaxed, making it convenient for them to scatter money along the way.

Sitting in the spacious and comfortable carriage, Lu Chen would occasionally lift the curtain to look at the scenery outside.

Susu peeled an orange and held it to his lips. "Your Majesty, try this orange from Shu; it's very sweet."

Lu Chen opened his mouth to take it and nodded. "Mmh, not bad."

Susu said, "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretariat has sent more memorials..."

Lu Chen waved his hand and leaned back against the cushions, closing his eyes. "Leave the great matters of the state to Yang Xiao and the others. I just want some peace and quiet right now to look at the scenery."

He had dumped the entire administration onto the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries, led by Yang Xiao and Fan Yao. He called it "training the ministers," but in truth, he just wanted to be lazy.

Fortunately, the Ming Empire was currently well-governed and peaceful, and with the Embroidered Uniform Guard keeping watch, no major chaos could erupt.

And so, the imperial carriage traveled south, stopping and starting along the way.

Inside the carriage, there was either constant laughter or peaceful tranquility.

The princes and princesses were naturally cared for by wet nurses and palace maids, which completely freed the imperial consorts.