"Your Majesty, I prepared a total of 500 rubber plants on the ship for our return trip this time. However, due to the sinking of the Shunqing on the way, we lost 160 of them. Later, due to the detour, the return journey took too long, resulting in

After disembarking in Hainan, a total of only 65 plants survived. The ministers and others found manors with different soil types such as thick layers of fertile land, thin layers of barren fields, and sandy soil, and planted them. The Qiongzhou Prefecture has sent a special

The government soldiers guarded it."

"Hahaha, very good! You guys did a great job! Hey, this trip was a narrow escape, thank you for your hard work."

"Don't dare, serving the emperor is our lifelong wish!"

Time came to February 1620, after all the remaining rubber plants were planted in Hainan Island, Zheng Wei, Zhang Hong, Zheng Guangyuan and others were finally able to come to Beijing with their heads held high to report their work to Zhu Youdong and give orders.

Prior to this, the Jinling Daily, which was the first to get the news, had begun to vigorously publicize this 30,000-mile expedition, which was so exciting and full of exotic news along the way, so it was an excellent legendary text in itself.

Zhang Shize has already begun to organize the literati under his command to start literary creation, and according to reports from Dongchang and Jinyiwei, it is said that private theater troupes have begun to arrange operas on this matter and prepare for nationwide tours.

It can be said that this time, Zheng Wei, Zhang Hong, and Zheng Guangyuan are really going to become famous all over the world.

"I have received all the anacondas, pumas, and mud horses that the Taiwan government transferred over under your entrustment a few days ago and have personally gone to see them."

"Your Majesty, what is a grass*mud horse?"

"Ahem, huh? Isn't that guy who likes to roll in the mud and eat grass called a grass*mud horse?"

"...Well, since the Emperor gave that alpaca a name, it must be a grass*mud horse."

"Hahaha, it's just a joke. How come I didn't know that the guy who loves to spit is called an alpaca. Okay, let's get down to business. In addition to all kinds of animals and plants that are special to America, I also received them. Among them, some crops I

Daming has been fully planted, and some of them are tropical plants, suitable for planting in places like Taiwan and Qiongzhou. In addition, strategic crops such as rubber, after receiving the news last month, I have sent Song Yingxing to quickly go south to Qiongzhou.

After the rubber recovered, large-scale planting began in the new five states of the Central and South Governor's Palace.

I am also planning to allocate funds from the internal treasury to build a zoo and a botanical garden in the capital city. In the future, my Ming Dynasty will gradually bring animals and plants from all over the world to these two gardens. Let the people of my Ming Dynasty also enjoy prosperity.

See how many wonderful species there are around the world. Well, there will be a group of bronze statues erected on the gates of the Beijing Zoo and Botanical Garden. The three leaders are the three of you. The others must do their best to prepare for this trip to the sea.

Statues of warriors!”

"Your Majesty is so kind to me, I am deeply grateful!"

"Okay, okay, don't kneel. Didn't I tell you all before in Fangshan? Except for pure etiquette like the Great Court, try not to kneel down."

"Yes, it's just that when I think about ministers and others getting statues at such a young age, it really makes my heart surge."

"Hahaha, you deserve this. Although our Ming Dynasty is generally wealthy, the world is so big, with different national cultures, geographical climates, thousands of creatures and even various minerals. All the people of our Ming Dynasty need to have the spirit of exploration.

You have the courage and the desire to know, so that you can keep exploring. By commending you, I am actually encouraging the hundreds of millions of people in the Ming Dynasty to have the courage to go out in the future."

"Yes, Your Majesty means it deeply, and I will bow to you."

"Well, I heard that this time you went to sea with a total of 620 people, but in the end only 413 people came back, and 23 of them were disabled due to various reasons?"

"Yes, I have failed to lead the team properly, and I ask the emperor to punish me."

"I'm not blaming you. In fact, although there are antibiotics to help, and although the Age of Discovery has gained a lot of experience in how to sail across the ocean, it is already very remarkable that such a long expedition only lost so many people. My

This means that the imperial court will reward the warriors who come back alive, but it will never forget the martyrs who died. It is appropriate to support their families and treat their children favorably. Even their spiritual tablets will be placed in the Martyrs' Shrine.

.”

"Yes, I would like to thank Your Majesty for your compassion for the soldiers. I have also discussed it. For the brothers who have not been able to come back, the three of us will send them to each family one by one."

"As it should be."

At this point, the voyage to America has basically come to an end. Zhu Youdong stood up, rolled up his big sleeves again, and then said loudly: "You three have really worked hard on this trip. I will grant you three months of leave."

, while you are sending the pensions to the fallen soldiers, you might as well think carefully about where you want to take your next position. After all, you are now heroes praised throughout the country, and the court should respect your opinions first."

"Uh, Your Majesty." To Zhu Youdong's surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, the three of them stood up together.

"Huh? What, have you all thought about it?"

"Hehe." Zheng Wei, who has the most forthright personality here, smiled stupidly: "Your Majesty, except for the few days of fighting, life on the ship is actually very boring most of the time. The three of you and I have already discussed this.

"

"Okay, Zheng Wei, tell me first, where do you want to go?"

"If the emperor allows it, please let me go to Nanyang. Your Majesty, through this voyage, I deeply feel the importance of Luzon's geographical location. If Luzon is in the hands of Ming Dynasty, we can sail to America or go south in the future.

The Johor Islands are much more relaxed. When I go to Nanyang, I will first find a way to find out the situation around Luzon and make friends with the natives on Luzon Island. As long as the emperor gives the order in the future, I will capture Luzon for the emperor.

!”

"Well..." Zhu Youdong thought for a moment and then said: "I used to think that after the steam engine, my Ming Dynasty would be able to board an ironclad ship soon. Who knew that in the past year or two, I realized that the development of this ironclad ship was not

So easy to do. So in the past two years, the two major shipyards of Binhai and Changsha are still building sailing warships. Well, Sun Chuanting and Chen Xiaotian in Taiwan have repeatedly reported that the coastal natives of Taitung have colluded with the natives in the mountains and are not convinced by Wang Hua

.In addition, their movement along the coast is very troublesome. I will set up a Taiwan squadron for you to command. You will be stationed in Tainan first. While helping Sun Chuanting and others stabilize Taiwan, you will also investigate Luzon."

"Yes, I would like to thank you, Your Majesty."

"Haha, this is a hard job. Okay, Zhang Hong, what about you?"

"Your Majesty, I heard that the imperial court will soon send large-scale troops to Mongolia and the Western Regions. Hey, hey, can you let me serve as a general in a town of the New Army? It's just that the New Army is difficult to arrange. Jingying, Tengying, etc.

Xiang Siwei can do it too."

"Well..." Zhu Youdong smiled and spread his hands: "No, it's already February, and the troops will be sent out in early March. Now all the troops have been mobilized, and all the chief officers of the ministries are in place. At this time,

I can’t make arrangements.”

"ah?!"

"Hahaha~" Looking at Zhang Hong who looked frustrated, Zhu Youdong patted his shoulder: "That's what I think. In the future, there will be no shortage of landing battles and beach operations in Ming Dynasty. This pure army

It's still a bit bad to fight these battles. I am planning to establish a new army called the Marine Corps, which will be responsible for amphibious operations in the future. You will be the first commander of the Marine Corps that I have reserved."

"Ah?!" The frustration just now was completely gone. Zhang Hong, who was extremely excited, suddenly jumped up: "Your Majesty, this is what I want from the bottom of my heart! Thank you Your Majesty for making it happen. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely be Your Majesty's.

Train this unit well. When Hongyuan's fleet lands in Luzon, my unit will be the vanguard!"

"Well, as long as you like it." Then Zhu Youdong turned his head slightly: "Su Hua, what about you?"

Zheng Guangyuan took a step forward gently: "Your Majesty, I only realized the vastness of the world and the wonders of all things after my trip to America. If your Majesty approves, please allow me to become an official. I am going to spend the rest of my life traveling to the ends of the world to compile a book.

A big encyclopedia. In this book, I want to include the customs, special species, historical allusions, topography and landforms from all over the world..."

"Hahaha~ I'm so happy that Su Hua has such an ambition!" Zhu Youdong was really happy when he heard this: "It's just a matter of becoming an official. I will make you a regular servant of Sanqi, and I will give you a certain

We have manpower and funds to support you in traveling around the world. In addition, I have recruited a person specifically for you to be your assistant. With him here, I believe that you will get twice the result with half the effort!"

"Oh? May I ask Your Majesty, who is this person?"

"This man's name is Xu Hongzu, with the courtesy name Zhenzhi and Xiake. He is from Jiangyin, South Zhili. He is 33 years old this year. He should be the first-class geographer, traveler and writer in the Ming Dynasty. I will call him to Beijing.

During this period, you should make some preparations in advance. With the official title of Sanqi Changshi, you can get help and protection from the government wherever you go to our Ming Dynasty and vassal countries. In this way, I believe you can quickly obtain
Chapter completed!