Zhu Zhanzhen took the lead in bringing the fleet to Temasek.
When small Temasek saw such a huge 3rd and 4th fleet of the Ming Dynasty Nanhai, all the businessmen did not know what happened.
Fortunately, Temasek is under the direct jurisdiction of Ming Dynasty, so there is no need to be afraid.
The Governor of Temasek was personally promoted by Zhu Zhanxiang. His name was Fan Shizhong. He was a middle-aged man who was welcomed at the port.
Seeing that it was Zhu Zhanzhen who came in person, Fan Shizhong immediately came up to greet him: "Your Highness, I don't know if you are coming in person, why didn't you send someone to inform me first, so that I can be prepared."
"It's just a temporary stay. It won't last long. There is no need to prepare for the reception. My stay is mainly for ship supplies and I have some things to explain to you." Zhu Zhanchen did not enter the city to save all time.
At the port, someone brought a chair and sat down to talk to Fan Shizhong.
Looking at Zhu Zhanyi's serious expression, Fan Shizhong also put away his smile, sat across from Zhu Zhanyi, and listened carefully to Zhu Zhanyi's words.
"You should all know that I want to sail to the West."
Fan Shizhong nodded, how could he not know this: "But Your Highness, didn't you say that we should wait until His Highness the Crown Prince returns from the Northern Expedition before setting off?"
"We are not going to fight now, but let our troops go and make preliminary arrangements."
Zhu Zhanxiang continued: "Temasek is an important gateway to the West. Next, I need you to maintain the stability of Temasek. All factors that may affect the stability of Temasek must be eliminated to ensure the supply of our army's frontline. The country is ready
A large amount of coal supplies will be transported in large quantities to Temasek and then into the Western Ocean. I will deploy a large amount of materials at major ports. Temasek is not a big place. If the storage subordinates go to negotiate with the Principality of Malacca about the location, this matter will be solved.
Leave it to you."
Fan Shizhong said solemnly: "Your Highness, rest assured that the coal supplies our army will need will become the most important resource in the future. Weichen will ensure the supply of our frontline troops."
Zhu Zhanyi nodded with satisfaction. Fan Shizhong was still reliable and decisive in his work. The people he promoted could finally feel more at ease. He continued: "The resources transported by Ming Dynasty's merchant ships will be very huge, so safety work must also be ensured.
One of the units of the Second South China Sea Fleet will be permanently stationed in Temasek, and you should also be responsible for these tasks."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Also, the Australian Mining Group's material transportation to the north and part of the coal mine transportation will also be guaranteed."
What Zhu Zhanzhen explained was all about logistics support. Because of such a long-distance and large-dimensional operation, our army has not yet established a good position on the front line. Once the logistics supplies cannot keep up, it will be easy to get out of touch and even become unsustainable.
In the past, Zhu Zhanzhen was responsible for this aspect of the war, but this time he had to go to the front line first, and the Ming Dynasty's army had never fought such a long-distance battle. No one had experience. Now he can only trust the accumulated experience over the years.
This is the group of people who have been promoted.
Fortunately, many of them are graduates of Hainan University in various fields. These young soldiers lack experience, but they have received a new education. They also have a lot of admiration for Zhu Zhanyi. This is a good opportunity for them to train them and make contributions to their careers.
Zhu Zhanzhen is very confident in the combat effectiveness of the Ming army, especially the navy. The combat effectiveness of the Ming army and the armies in other places are almost not on the same level, and the people in Europe are no match.
However, after all, these warships can carry limited weapons and ammunition, limited coal fuel, and high long-distance maritime transportation requirements. Food for such a large army is also a big problem. Once the food and ammunition are used up, the most powerful honor guard of the Ming army will be gone.
Completely disappeared.
This is also the lesson learned from Zheng He's fleet going to Europa this time. Fortunately, their ship was the first generation warship with sails and could still go without fuel.
But their ammunition was insufficient. After fighting a few battles, they almost ran out of ammunition and had no follow-up supply capabilities. After the battle, they became an ordinary army. It was almost impossible to fight against France and Ingeland with such a small number of people.
It's possible, and this is the only reason why Hou Xian finally agreed to exchange warships for Zheng He.
Because they really have nothing.
This lesson must be kept in mind. Zhu Zhanzhen increased the proportion of supply ships in the Third Fleet of the South China Sea to avoid shortages of supplies as much as possible, but establishing strategic supply points along the way was the top priority.
Without spending too much time in Temasek, Zhu Zhanzhen arranged things, and the team took a two-day break to replenish fuel before setting off again.
This is the first time Zhu Zhanzhen has crossed the Strait of Malacca. When he came before, he went to the other side. This time he crossed the Strait of Malacca and headed to the Western Ocean.
The Western Ocean mentioned in the Ming Dynasty was mainly the Indian Ocean. In history, Zheng He also visited these places.
The horizontal outline of the Indian Ocean is closed in the north and open in the south. The South Asian subcontinent protrudes from other places, which is what people used to call Tianzhu. A large part of Tianzhu now belongs to the Delhi Sultanate. Starting from the 11th century, the Turks in Central Asia
Man conquered this subcontinent and finally conquered it.
Later, it was divided into many countries, so now Tianzhu actually refers to multiple countries. However, because the Ming Dynasty had limited understanding of this place, Tianzhu was used generally to refer to this area.
Zhu Zhanzhen wants to build his first strategic material point here. In fact, the nearby Ceylon Island is also a good choice, but the population there is limited, and a large number of people will be needed to transport slaves from the slave country here.
It is obviously closer to go mining.
According to Zhu Zhanzhen's understanding, the caste system, also known as the caste system, is now implemented on a large scale here.
The caste system was originally a social system created with the invasion of the Aryans. The original caste system was not to divide classes and people, but to ensure the ruling power of the Aryans themselves and maintain a certain number of people for various jobs.
.
This is a very typical and strict class system that still retains its power today.
As long as the caste system still exists in people's hearts, the sea breeze of the Indian Ocean will never be free.
In a slave-owning society, what was cheapest and best-selling?
When Zhu Zhanyi sailed on the hot sea riding the wind of the Indian Ocean, Mu Bin walked up to him: "Your Highness, according to the chart, we should be able to reach Kochi in a few days. The Port of Kochi belongs to Vijayanagar."
Luo Kingdom, this country has a deep relationship with Ceylon. In the past, Ceylon had a lot of trade with us, and the Vijayanagar Kingdom was jealous. It once harassed our merchant ships. Later, it was taught a lesson by our South China Sea Fleet and became honest. Although
There is some trade, but overall there is no communication between them."
As the newly appointed captain of the Third South China Sea Fleet, Mu Bin spent this time carefully studying the situation of various countries in the Western Ocean, including the intersection with the Ming Dynasty, what happened to both sides over the years, and even the specialties of various places.
Zhu Zhanzhen nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "The productivity of this place is backward, there are many slaves and people at the bottom of society, the law is lax, and crimes are frequent, so most of the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty are not willing to dock in Kochi, but choose Ceylon
Island, this time when I go to Port Kochi, I will first discuss with their king to spend money to buy Port Kochi."
"Your Highness, the Vijayanagar Kingdom may not agree. Port Kochi is in a good location and is also their most important port in recent years."
"If you agree, we will develop the port, establish the headquarters of the Third Fleet, and stock up Port Kochi with heavy troops as the headquarters of our military in the West. If you don't agree, we will directly attack Port Kochi with heavy troops. With our current strength, we will seize the port of Kochi."
Not a problem.”
"Yes, Your Highness." Zhu Zhanzhen's meaning was very clear, and he did not want to deal with them in any way. All the dealings were a waste of time. Zhu Zhanzhen's style in this western expedition was very different from his previous ones.
"The sea breeze in the Indian Ocean is so stuffy and boring."
…
Zhu Zhanzhen sent troops, and the court was shocked.
"Your Majesty, what Prince Hai has done is contrary to what he said before. He agreed to wait until His Royal Highness the Crown Prince returns to the court before setting off, but now the prince has violated his oath." The censors angrily scolded Zhu Zhanyang in the court hall.
Zhu Gaochi had another headache, and another imperial official came to join in: "Yang Lu, the commander-in-chief of the Guangdong vassal, failed to prevent the prince from going to sea and failed to manage the subordinate troops well. It is a serious crime. I hope your majesty
He will be dismissed from his post, investigated and dealt with, and the nine tribes will be killed."
The censors often shouted for beating and killing, but this memorial was made by Fang Shiqi of the Guangdong vassal.
Zhu Gaochi was confused and confused by Zhu Zhanzhen's operation. He suddenly set off. Although he left a letter to explain, in the end he decided to kill first and then report later. This was a taboo in the court.
Everyone in the imperial court felt that they had been too tolerant of Zhu Zhanchang on the matter of the Western Expedition. Once he made an independent decision, not punishing him was not enough to calm the anger of the court.
What the ministers said the most was that Zhu Zhanchang had no emperor and acted on his own initiative. It didn't matter that the emperor had a good temper, but the people below him were anxious.
There were few people in the court who could speak for Zhu Zhanzhen, but this was what made Zhu Gaochi most at ease.
He acted erratically and did things without considering the consequences. He had real power and astonishing wealth, but he never formed gangs or colluded with cronies.
When the quarrel in the court became too noisy, Zhu Gaochi finally made his decision: "First, dismiss Yang Lu, the commander of the Guangdong capital, and quickly send a messenger to catch up with the King of the Sea and order him to return to the sea. After returning, he was ordered to spend a year in seclusion at home."
Zhu Gaochi settled the matter and finally dismissed Yang Lu, but he ordered people to chase Zhu Zhanchang. Can they catch him? The sea is vast, and it is not an emperor to want to bring Zhu Zhanchang back when he catches him.
Just say it.
After all, Zhu Zhanzhen set out with the consequences of disobeying the will.
It's a pity that Yang Lutang, the commander of the Guangdong capital, was directly dismissed. However, because Fang Shi participated in the performance, Fang Shi's position did not matter. At least one of the two remained in his original position and could help Zhu Zhanxuan look after the Guangdong vassal.
manage.
And a very important point is that Zhu Zhanzhen was able to keep all his wives in Shuntian Mansion except for his personal bodyguard Hei Sheji, and he also deliberately kept his weaknesses.
The news of Zhu Zhanxun's departure came to Mobei again and reached the ears of Zhu Zhanji who was on an expedition.
Zhu Zhanji sighed: "Fifth brother, fifth brother, you really don't put the court and my father in the eyes of you by acting like this."
At this time, the people around Zhu Zhanzhen reminded him: "Your Highness, may this be a good thing for you?"
"oh?"
"The way Prince Hai behaves has also made the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty understand that Prince Hai will never be swayed by the opinions of the court. He can even be said to act wantonly and act arbitrarily. Your Highness also knows that what the civil servants of the dynasty are most afraid of is
For those who act arbitrarily and cannot listen to opinions, His Highness the Fifth is tantamount to severing the relationship with the civil servants of the Manchu Dynasty, and it does no harm to Your Highness."
Zhu Zhanji was stunned. He didn't think of this at first, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed that it was indeed the case.
"Could it be that Zhan Zhan did it intentionally?" Zhu Zhanji drummed in his heart.
He strongly supported Zhu Zhanyang in the court, and Zhu Zhanyang responded to him by deliberately irritating the court officials and completely severing relations with the court officials in order to respond to him.
Although he is not sure whether Zhu Zhanchen did this on purpose, but it was done so irrationally, and if Zhu Zhanchen could not consider this aspect, then he would never believe it.
The people around him were right, this matter would do him no harm.
After careful consideration, Zhu Zhanji asked someone to bring a letter back. Every word in the letter was full of support for Zhu Zhanyi, love and care for his fifth brother. At the same time, he also told the emperor and the court officials not to embarrass Zhu Zhanyi.
, I will wait until I return from the Northern Expedition before discussing the punishment.
At that time, he also sent letters to the court elders and princeling ministers.
Zhu Zhanji's support had a certain effect after all. After all, many people were from the prince's faction and had to follow the prince.
The court was in chaos. From the moment he set out, Zhu Zhanzhen planned to ignore everything. His plan was to arrange the canal matter no matter what this time. As long as the canal started to be dug, this battle would have to be fought.
Otherwise, all the national power and funds spent will be in vain.
"Your Highness, we will arrive at Port Kochi tomorrow. The King of Ceylon has learned that our army is coming, and now he is approaching our army and inviting us to go."
Such a huge fleet appeared on the sea and was already close to the Kingdom of Ceylon. It was normal for them to get the news. As a tributary country of the Ming Dynasty, they naturally recognized the Ming Dynasty's military flag and sent people to contact them.
They were not sure about the intentions of the Ming army, so they came to express condolences to the Ming army with gifts.
Zhu Zhancheng waved his hand, and the military flag on the flying Henanren waved. The warships in front gave up their positions one after another, and Zhu Zhancheng's main ship came forward.
The King of Ceylon's ship looked like a small fishing boat in front of the mighty flying Henanese.
Guiding their team of envoys to board the ship, Zhu Zhanyi looked at them condescendingly, and they all saluted: "See His Highness the Sea King of the Ming Dynasty."
This is the first time they have seen the legendary Sea King of the Ming Dynasty. He is tall and heroic, with a dignified look on his brows, and is extremely majestic. He is called the Claw of the Eastern Dragon, which is what he is called on the sea.
"Your Excellency, is Amir Khan, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Ceylon?" Zhu Zhanzhen asked, looking at the strong young man at the head of the envoy team.
The man nodded immediately: "It's Wei Chen."
This is the etiquette that a tributary country should have to treat a monarch and his ministers in proportion. Zhu Zhanchen nodded with satisfaction. Generally speaking, the Kingdom of Ceylon has been the kingdom in the West that has the best relationship with the Ming Dynasty in recent years.
"I heard that His Highness the Sea King was passing through, and my father specially invited His Highness to come to our Kingdom of Ceylon for a reunion. Since my father is old and has difficulty moving, he cannot come in person, so he sent me over. I hope Your Highness will not be surprised."
Zhu Zhanchen thought for a while and said: "I have an urgent matter this time and have no plans to go to the Kingdom of Ceylon, so I won't go now and will wait until I have time on my return trip."
Aamir Khan wanted to invite more people, but Zhu Zhancheng's interest was obviously waning.
"By the way, Your Majesty, how is your relationship with Vijayanagar?" There is only a strait between the two countries, so they must be very familiar with each other.
Amir Khan said in surprise: "Your Highness, where do you want to go?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Your Highness, the king of Vijayanagar is a complete devil. He enslaves hundreds of thousands of people and lives like livestock. Even our merchant ships are not willing to dock there." Amir Khan said with serious words.
.
"Oh? Really? Hundreds of thousands of slaves?" Zhu Zhanzhen smiled slightly.
Amir Khan said with a hint of disgust: "Yes, if you count the people enslaved by other lords, there are more."
