Rumors gradually spread throughout the Sui Dynasty that endless wealth lay overseas.
An ordinary person could make enough from a single voyage to buy a house and two mu of land—enough to marry and raise children. If a large fleet were organized for overseas trade, it could bring back astronomical sums of money and grain.
It was said that the Marquis of Jiangning had brought back quite a few fine things from overseas in recent years, and the great Jiangnan families had all sent people out to sea to make money...
The great aristocratic clans of the north had noticed as well. In recent years, far more spices and seafood had appeared on the market, driving down their prices until they were no longer as costly as before.
There had long been rumors about it, but they had never received any definite information. Their influence had yet to extend into the south. At the same time, the great southern families had maintained a tacit understanding and kept the matter secret.
They did not dare reveal it, either. Because they supported Yang Guang, Yang Guang allowed them to take part in maritime trade. At the same time, they knew all too well just how formidable the navy under Wang Yan's control was.
Of course, not every great southern family supported Yang Guang or obeyed his orders. Besides, Yang Guang was only the Governor-General of Yang Province. Though his influence extended throughout the surrounding regions and local great families helped connect him with others, it was still impossible for him to completely unite all the great southern families.
Thus, quite a few people still harbored all sorts of messy thoughts and refused to follow Yang Guang's rules. Normally, that would have been one thing. But when they secretly built seagoing vessels and