Shanghai Port, in the dock of the military port area.

At this time, the place was in full swing. Several large ships were moored here, and countless craftsmen were busy inside the cabins. Some were cutting out new gun windows, and some were laying new direct decks.

The shipyard here is newly built. Although it does not have the ability to design and build gunboats, some minor changes are still possible. What is being transformed now are the two main ships in the naval fleet, battleships and cruisers.

Shen Yourong's southward cruise was originally intended to be a ship experiment. A mature ship type was not built at once, but had to go through constant modifications to the details. This is how the Fuchuan came to be. From the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, Finally mature. The battleships and cruisers designed by Tianjin Shipyard may not have any flaws in the general appearance of the ship, but the details are not necessarily the same.

For example, the number of cannons was a bit too much for a battleship with three thousand guns. One hundred and eight cannons almost capsized the ship in one salvo. Moreover, the battleship only had two decks, making the entire ship a little top-heavy. Compared with the boldness of battleships, ship designers are very conservative on cruisers.

The single deck made the cruiser's firepower somewhat weak. During the voyage, Shen Yourong could clearly feel that there was still potential that had not yet been tapped. Therefore, just in time to gather the transport ships, the main battleships of the fleet were in Shanghai Port. Make some modifications to the dock, add a deck, open some windows, and adjust the positions of some cannons.

It just so happens that the battleship needs to reduce the number of cannons and the cruiser needs to increase the number of cannons. The two complement each other perfectly. The removed cannons are installed on the cruiser.

Of course, this kind of adjustment and transformation was not something Shen Yourong came up with by patting his head on his own, but was decided after rigorous discussions with the shipwrights. Since it was too time-consuming to go back to the Tianjin Shipyard, he adapted measures to local conditions and started the transformation directly in Shanghai. .Compared to shipbuilding, this is just a small craft and can be easily completed with the guidance of a master craftsman.

The current batch of ships in the dock is the last batch after modification, and the data and experience gained here will also be recorded on shore and sent to the Tianjin Shipyard. Because of this episode, the Tianjin Shipyard is currently shut down and is preparing to After Shen Yourong comes back, he will verify the effect of the transformation and then decide on the production process.

Shen Yourong is also happy to see this situation. He is still a little dissatisfied with the number of the four types of ships. He plans to adjust it again, or the shipyard will stop work. However, although the construction of the warships has been stopped to wait for updated opinions, the craftsmen But there was no time to spare. They all ran to the treasure ship's dock.

On the one hand, it is out of curiosity, and on the other hand, it is also to speed up the progress. Otherwise, with the current modifications and changes, I still don’t know if it will be completed by the end of the year.

In the end, after some changes were completed, the battleship was changed to a three-deck shape. The number of cannons was not reduced much, only eight were missing, leaving just over a hundred cannons, arranged in three levels. The bottom floor was the largest. The ones in the middle were second, and the ones on the top level were the least. But even so, Shen Yourong still felt a little shaken when the salvo was fired.

This lack of low and stable center of gravity made him not very satisfied with the measures to unify the calibers of cannons. He planned to make adjustments after going back and replace the bottom ones with heavier cannons with larger calibers, so that they would be proportional to the quantity. The more decks there are, the larger the diameter is.

This is actually the mainstream of sailing battleships. Although there was a brief era of caliber unification during the development process, cannon casting technology created more powerful carronades and continued the path of caliber differentiation.

Of course, Colonel Zhu You did not know this clearly. He only adopted measures to unify the caliber of cannons for logistical reasons. In the army, this is particularly obvious, except for the cold weapon infantry that is currently converted into a multi-functional arm Except for soldiers, such as cavalry, artillery, and musketeers, they are all simple and simple, and the caliber of the cannons is also the same.

Therefore, if Shen Yourong wants to form three stepped caliber designs, he may have to convince his emperor, and he is indeed a man with a long-term vision. In the era of ironclads, there was a famous battleship called the dreadnought. The battleship with this name directly divides the pre-Dreadnought era and the post-Dreadnought era.

Zhu Youxiao didn't know much about the dreadnoughts. The only thing he clearly remembered was that the cannons on the dreadnoughts were all of the same caliber. Influenced by this, he also took such measures in the era of sailing battleships. It was very difficult for Shen Yourong to convince him.

The most likely possibility is that the number of cannons on the third deck will be adjusted from time to time. If we want a more stable center of gravity, the number of cannons will be larger.

The battleship has fewer cannons, but the cruiser has more. After reducing the number of cannons on the upper deck, there are a total of twenty more cannons on the two decks, that is, ten on one side, for a total of seventy cannons, and the battleship There are thirty doors less than that, and fifteen doors less on one side.

Since there were not many cannons on the battleships, the number of cannons on the cruisers was not fully filled. Instead, they were filled up only after the transport ships that had just arrived from Tianjin carried new cannons.

Shen Yourong is still very satisfied with the miniaturized frigate of the clipper ship. The ultra-high speed makes up for all the shortcomings. Its use in reconnaissance and liaison is extremely practical. In comparison, the role of the destroyer is just It's a bit embarrassing. Its vitality is weak, and its speed is not as fast as that of larger cruisers. The only advantage is that it is petite and more flexible.

But on the battlefield, this is not of much use. From Shen Yourong's point of view, the Tianjin Shipyard's independent innovation of the Galen ship and the clipper ship has failed. Regarding this point, he has some own opinions. The improvement view is either to increase the speed of the destroyer to the level of a cruiser, or to increase the number and power of cannons without reducing the current speed.

However, these improvements really have to wait until we go back to talk about them. Shanghai does not have the conditions and time to verify them.

After waiting for a while, after the five battleships and six cruisers were renovated, the entire fleet was completely prepared. After bringing the red copper coins and silver coins minted by the Ming Empire Bank, the huge fleet of forty-three battleships set sail and headed towards the Ming Dynasty. Heading towards the Indochina Peninsula.

In the entire fleet, there are a total of eleven battleships and cruisers serving as the main force. Such a force is not weak in the Southeast Asia. After all, the regular battleship forces of the Netherlands and Spain here are no more than this.

Different from the last time, this time both Shen Yourong and the craftsmen accompanying the ship were much more cautious, and they became more diligent, running around on the deck to collect various data and navigation conditions. There was no way, reality taught me Despite how these arrogant craftsmen conduct themselves, no one still realizes that the ship layout designed by a large number of top craftsmen is perfect.

Even Shen Yourong began to use the tradition of the Yulin Army and let the sailors below begin to discuss suggestions and what they thought about the layout of the number of artillery pieces.

After a destruction, the Imperial Navy fleet really didn't have that much time to slowly test it with reality. What Shen Yourong can do now is to layout the ship as perfectly as possible after this actual voyage. Make sure.

The large timber currently stored in the Tianjin Shipyard is enough to build about sixty main warships. This is the current reserve of giant timber for the entire Ming Dynasty. If it is used up, it will be gone. We must wait until the end of next year when the Northeast giant logs are dried in the dark and formed. Therefore, Shen Yourong's voyage is very important. Once the specific number and details are determined, it will be built on a large scale.

If there are any hidden dangers by then, the cost will be even greater. Therefore, Shen Yourong must do everything to perfection, which undoubtedly puts a very heavy burden on his shoulders.

However, Shen Yourong is more accustomed to this kind of life. Compared with being disarmed and returning home, doing nothing at home, he prefers the feeling of being on a ship or in the army. This makes him feel that his life is meaningful.

Jiubian in the Ming Dynasty, the general military station of Datong Town, Datong Mansion.

Sun Chengzong slowly came to the city with his troops. The reform of Bian Town was very smooth. Although Liao Town had actually been abolished, Ji Town had no difficulty at all. From the general officer to a small soldier, Everyone humbly accepted the change in situation. Even though they had some complaints, they were not substantiated.

The land and population here are all under the governance of the Hebei Provincial Governor's Office. After Ji Town is resolved, there will be two newly separated small border towns, Changping Town and Zhenbao Town. These two are close to each other. The capital and the garrison in Baoding all fall within the scope of Hebei Province. Under the watchful eye of the capital's city defense army, there was no trouble at all.

All the land with guard posts will be divided. Those without land, who are soldiers, will be selected from the elite and recruited by the capital city defense army. The remaining unqualified ones will either be disarmed and return to the fields, or be recruited by the local police station, or become local police officers. Militia training and the like.

After all, they have all been on the battlefield. Even though they are slick, they are better than others. As long as they are not really on the battlefield, but just face the common people and train militia, they are still very easy to use.

With various measures, three consecutive border towns were solved.

Then the next target is Datong Town, where the commander is located in Datong Prefecture.

At this moment, outside the city, the prefect and the general soldiers went out to greet him. Seeing this, Sun Chengzong also dismounted with Zhao Lijiao who was riding beside him. Along with him, there were hundreds of people with different limb injuries behind him. Soldier.

They were wounded soldiers sent back by Zhu from the school. After losing their bodies, they were not suitable to continue to stay in the army. Some chose to go to the military academy as instructors, some were assigned to the police station, and most of them were killed by Zhu. He was sent back to his place of origin by the school and became an officer in the local city defense army.

The previous three border towns were all in Hebei, and the capital city defense force there had long been formed and there was no need for them. However, the next border town was different. These soldiers were needed as middle and low-level officers to build the framework of the city defense force.

That is to say, now, the urban defense force is only implemented in a few border provinces. If it is promoted nationwide, there will definitely not be enough wounded soldiers. It is impossible for Zhu Youxiao to force a group of soldiers to retire.

After dismounting, Sun Chengzong straightened his clothes and waited for the magistrate and the commander-in-chief to arrive. However, at this moment, there was a rapid sound of horse hooves behind him.

A fast horse with a command flag behind it galloped over, passed through the army, and came directly to Sun Chengzong. Naturally, Sun Chengzong was no stranger to the fast horse in this costume. It could even be said that he was very familiar with it, because the emperor often used this method.

to hand over and direct the domestic military reform program.

The knight didn't say much after he dismounted. After a brief salute, he handed over the official document in his hand.

After waving his hand to let him go, Sun Chengzong inspected the paint. After confirming that the letter was complete, he opened it and read it. The official document was very simple, just one sentence.

His Majesty thought that the Lee family of Korea was unjust and should not be king, so he mobilized all his troops and marched south to attack the unjust one.

"Your Majesty, this is really..." Sun Chengzong looked a little helpless. Your Majesty really thought of destroying Mongolia as soon as he came out. He promised to destroy Mongolia first. In the end, the Mongols only defeated half of them, but they had fun beating North Korea.

However, Sun Chengzong did not intend to dissuade him from this. Now that there is a lack of food, it may be difficult to continue the expedition to Mongolia, but there is no problem in going to North Korea. North Korea itself is a food-producing land, and no matter what happens, it will not starve a hundred thousand troops.

"Let's go." Putting the official document in his arms, Sun Chengzong led his people into Datong City under the careful attention of the prefect and the general.

Liaodong.

The mighty army continued, and Zhu Youxiao was in the middle of the army and walked very happily. With the goal of North Korea, he finally no longer had to worry about food problems.

Although North Korea was plundered by the Jurchens last year, after almost a year of recovery, there should still be a lot of inventory. It is enough to feed and drink an army of 100,000 people. Maybe I can squeeze out more to get enough to go to Guihua City.

Military rations, no need to wait for Shen Yourong's reply.

There was no shortage of food in the Ming Dynasty, but the distribution was not evenly distributed. Most of it was concentrated in the hands of landlords and old wealthy families, but not much in the hands of farmers. Due to the availability of sea transportation, Zhu Youxiao naturally bought food in Jiangnan, but judging from the current output, before

The grain purchased is almost the limit of Jiangnan.

After all, the commodity economy here is developed, and many people grow cash crops such as mulberry trees and cotton, but not many people grow food. Therefore, after Zhu Youxiao purchased it, everything was almost the same.

As for other provinces, Zhu Youxiao almost didn't want to consider that grain was not actually worth much, but the expensive transportation cost was what really mattered. To transport three hundred kilograms of grain to the grassland, nine hundred kilograms would be consumed on the way.

This shows the waste involved, but Zhu Youxiao could not tolerate it, so Shen Yourong went south to buy food.

Even though there is so much more distance, the advantage is that there is no loss and no habitual drift. This is why Zhu Youxiao Ningyuan took a long detour overseas.

However, Shen Yourong had just set out at this time, and he didn't know how long it would take to return. Therefore, North Korea appeared at the right time, which immediately reminded Zhu Youxiao of this almost forgotten country. With the food from North Korea, he could kill Lin Dan by himself.

Sweating.

Being in the army, Zhu Youxiao was naturally in a very good mood. However, there were some people who were not very happy, such as Li Zong, who originally inherited the throne of Joseon in history and was honored as Injo by later generations.

Li Zong rode his horse and followed with a depressed look on his face. The cavalry-like army had basically been completed. The march was very fast. Although most of the soldiers only dared to hug the horse's neck and trot slowly, the army could travel hundreds of miles a day.

The trip was easy, and we arrived at the foot of the Hushan Great Wall in a few days.

After arriving here, a pontoon bridge had already been built. The soldiers did not need to dismount, they could just walk across it with Cui Dong's horse.

Looking at the broad Yalu River, Li Zong's face was full of melancholy, melancholy and uncertain expressions. He never expected that asking Daming's father for help would end up like this.

The throne was deposed.

As the suzerain state of Korea, the Ming Dynasty has this right. At first, the first generation of Korean kings was canonized by Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. Since there is a canonization, there will be deposed. Even deposing the Li family from the throne is actually not a big deal.

.

Faced with this situation, Li Zong wanted to object, but he knew clearly that there was nothing he could do and could only passively accept it. After some adjustments, Li Zong finally recovered and diligently ran back and forth to introduce North Korea.

situation.

Since it cannot be changed, then profit from it. Li Zong's idea is very simple. The Li family in North Korea has been around for a long time. Although it is often restricted by his subordinates, the hidden power connections are still very extensive. Therefore, in the next changes, Li Zong

The clan will definitely have a pretty good status, but its importance depends on the emperor's choice.

Moreover, this last position was not necessarily held by Li Cong. Therefore, in order to avoid Cheng Yaojin coming, Li Cong appeared in front of the Ming Emperor every day, just to dominate the Korean political situation in the future.

The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula running north to south. Its terrain is divided into two parts. The northern part is mountainous and hilly, rich in mineral deposits, and the western coast is a plain area. Therefore, most of the agricultural population is concentrated here. This flat area is very suitable for cavalry.

He was galloping, so it was smooth sailing after Huang Taiji led his people across the Yalu River.

The same is true for Zhu Youxiao this time. After crossing the Yalu River, there was little resistance. The military power destroyed by the Jurchens has not recovered yet, so how can he be Zhu Youxiao's opponent?

Moreover, as the suzerain state of North Korea, the people of North Korea are still full of respect for the people of the Ming Dynasty. What's more, Zhu Youxiao's army has good discipline and Qiu did not commit any crimes. He only used the banner of deposing the Li family, which made the local people and defenders

How could you possibly resist?

Of course, Li Zong also exerted a lot of power. After all, he was already preparing for a secret coup. How could he not contact the local officials to win over them? At this time, in order to obtain a better status in the future, he fully unleashed his potential.

With almost no resistance, the army marched smoothly and arrived at Seoul, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty.

The mighty and majestic aspect of a hundred thousand troops, each on horseback, made Lord Gwanghae tremble in his heart, and his fighting spirit was almost completely gone.

Last year, only 30,000 Jurchen cavalry came, but I couldn't bear it. I signed an alliance under the city. Now, the Ming Dynasty has a hundred thousand troops. What should I do?

Lord Guanghai was troubled, feeling some regrets in his heart. Serving the Ming Dynasty was not respectful and resolute enough, otherwise why would he have caused trouble? However, it was too late to say anything at this moment. Lord Guanghai could only hope to defend the city and give

After causing a large number of casualties, the Ming army retreated.

The Li family will be completely deposed from the throne. Those who are loyal to the Li family will definitely unite and defend the city.

Well, that's probably what happened. Lord Guanghai thought silently and returned to his bedroom.
Chapter completed!