The four vassal kings were very worried about exposing issues about Luzon.

However, little did they know that this problem no longer existed.

"These little bastards are really getting bolder and bolder. In the past, their true nature was exposed when they left the capital. Now they have all gone to the Japanese country, and they are even more unscrupulous."

"There is also this guy named Fourth. We thought he was the one who listened to us the most, but it turns out that he is the one who hides the deepest. It is the Fourth who is causing trouble behind this Four Seas Chamber of Commerce."

In the Huagai Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the information in his hand and cursed.

Fortunately, he had always felt that apart from the eldest son, the fourth son was the most obedient, and now he finally showed his fox tail.

Hearing this, Zhu Ying did not respond to the old man's words, but instead said, "I didn't expect the matchlocks to spread so quickly. Even the Sulu Sultanate has so many muskets."

The kings of the four vassals thought that the imperial court did not know about the fact that they sent troops to Luzon, and they went out of their way to block the sea area.

But they forgot a very important thing, which was Zhu Ying's Capital Military Academy.

Even Zhu Di, who had seen similar training at the grassland military base, could not have imagined that it would have such a big impact.

Students who graduated from the Ming Military Academy basically flowed into David's Institute.

After receiving professional training, even if Zhu Ying copied some of the methods from later generations, they are not comparable to today's era. After all, this is the difference of the times.

Therefore, after these students who graduate from military academies enter the army, it is easy for them to excel in all aspects.

In the Japanese country, almost all the new generation of middle-level officers were more or less involved with the Ming Military Academy.

Even if you don't graduate directly, you have been trained by graduates.

Ideological education has always been something Zhu Ying particularly cared about. This trend started from the bottom of the army.

Standing at the height of the feudal lord, it is naturally difficult to feel it.

But it is undeniable that almost 70% of the middle-level officers currently sent to Luzon by the four vassal kings remain loyal to Zhu Ying.

Especially here at Zhu Fan.

Early in his career, Zhu Hong relied on the Qunying Chamber of Commerce to gain a foothold in Japan, and infiltration was Zhu Ying's specialty.

When Zhu Fan sent troops to Luzon as the first batch, Zhu Ying received news almost simultaneously, including the discovery of gold mines.

I have to admit that even if Zhu Ying knew there was a gold mine in Luzon, it would be difficult for Zhu Ying to make a move.

After all, the Ming Dynasty is a state of etiquette, so how can they directly send troops to Luzon to rob it? Mining itself is also a problem, which requires a lot of manpower. It is obviously not cost-effective to recruit people from the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, this place is far away and not many people are willing to go there.

The plan of the four vassal kings was exactly what they wanted.

The capital accumulation in the early stage will eventually bleed. If the four vassal kings are allowed to kill this evil hand, it will not affect the reputation of the Ming Dynasty. What a good thing.

Naturally, I let it go.

After all, the trade in the Ming Dynasty is now extremely smooth. No matter how much money the four feudal kings have, it can only flow into the market of the Ming Dynasty.

Looking at the entire Asian region, no market can compare with the Ming Dynasty. Even the prosperity of Nanyang maritime trade today is because the Ming Dynasty opened the sea.

However, while maritime trade is booming, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

For example, a matchlock gun.

The matchlock itself has signs of spreading, which Zhu Ying discovered when he arrived in Champa last year.

Firearms such as firecrackers had already spread around the world with the development of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, or the Mongol Empire.

Even in the early Ming Dynasty, even though Zhu Yuanzhang focused on firearms, other countries were not much worse.

In the confrontation with Annan, Annan's firearms showed that they were not weaker than Ming Dynasty in many aspects.

If it weren't for Zhu Ying's existence, the Ming Dynasty's firearms might still be weak in the creation and improvement of firearms in Annan.

Historically, when Zhu Di sent troops to attack Annan, he did not gain an advantage in firearms.

Even the Shenji Battalion that was developed later could only be regarded as a partial armed force, and how could it not be as prosperous as the current Daming Firearms.

In today's Ming Dynasty, branches of the Gunpowder Department have already established firearms factories in every province to vigorously produce firearms.

Just like this, it also made it easier to leak secrets, and the construction method of matchlock guns was quickly learned by other countries.

Mainly, the matchlock gun itself has no design barriers.

At present, almost 40% of the Ming Dynasty's army has been equipped with matchlock guns. It only needs to be disassembled to understand the structure of the matchlock gun and reproduce it.

Granulation of gunpowder is not a big secret either.

Under the temptation of large sums of money, some craftsmen will eventually become traitors.

Ming Dynasty's plate is so big that it is impossible to say that it covers everything.

But for the time being, in terms of quantity and quality, the Ming army naturally has the most equipment.

"Dasun has been going to the Scientific Research Department recently to build that steam ironclad ship, and now it has achieved results."

Zhu Yuanzhang actually didn't have much interest in those small countries, even if gold mines had been discovered in Luzon.

At present, the Ming Dynasty's treasury is no longer short of money. After excluding all expenses, the internal funds can still bring in millions of dollars every month. Zhu Yuanzhang no longer has as much interest in money as he once did.

I am particularly curious about the steam ironclad ship described by Da Sun, which can sail without the help of wind.

Zhu Ying heard this and said helplessly: "It's stuck now. I don't know how long it will take to build it."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "What is the problem? We in Ming Dynasty now have so many talents and we can definitely solve it by pooling our wisdom."

Zhu Ying said helplessly: "It's not a human problem, it's a material problem. As for heat preservation, heat insulation, and sealing, even if it is cast with yellow gold, the effect is very poor. Even if it is made, the charcoal needed for navigation will be very poor."

There are too many, and it doesn’t mean much.”

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and said: "If gold doesn't work, let's try something else. Our Ming Dynasty has a vast territory and rich resources, so how can we be stumped by this matter? Even if our Ming Dynasty doesn't have it, we can still go overseas to look for it."

"Didn't Li Jinglong go to the West? Send a fleet to catch up and ask him to find what Dasun needs."

Zhu Ying was slightly silent.

To solve the sealing problem, the most important thing is rubber. The role of rubber is irreplaceable. At present, this thing is not available even in the West.

The natural rubber tree seems to be native to South America.

With such a long distance, it is almost impossible to find it.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have seen through Zhu Ying's thoughts and said: "Our Ming Dynasty now has two million soldiers. Except for a few countries in the world, who can fight against our Ming Dynasty? Some small countries, perhaps tens of thousands of people, can

Easily destroy the country."

"Dasun, there is no need to worry too much. It doesn't matter if it takes a long time. At the worst, we can just send more expeditionary troops out."

"As long as this thing exists, it will definitely be found."

Zhu Yuanzhang's words were deafening.

Yes.

Since I know the place, why can't I send someone to find it?

Is it just because it's too far away?

There is a huge Pacific Ocean between Daming and South America.

With the current navigation methods, if you want to cross the oceans to South America, the risk of death is not enough to describe it.

There are currently two possible methods.

One is to travel by land, from northeastern Asia to North America via the Bering Strait, and then all the way south to South America in search of rubber trees.

The second step is to dispatch an ocean-going fleet, proceed in the current direction of Li Jinglong, arrive in Europe, and then set off from the coast of Spain in Europe to imitate Columbus and cross the Atlantic Ocean to South America.

After all, the discovery of the American continent began here.

In terms of safety factor, it is actually safest to go to North America via the Bering Strait and then to South America.

Because the current American continent has not formed a strong national concept and is still in the form of tribal civilization.

Even an expeditionary force of ten thousand people can push through all the way.

The only drawback is that it takes a long time.

Taking the route of Columbus will take a little less time. After all, most of the time you take a boat, so the speed is naturally faster, but the risks at sea cannot be calculated.

Since both paths are feasible, which one should you choose?

As the great grandson of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Ying said, I want both bear paws and fish.

Regardless of whether it is land or sea, with the current capabilities of the Ming Dynasty, it is naturally possible to travel.

At this time, a person suddenly appeared in Zhu Ying's mind.

Zhao Yuanhong.

This Zhao Xiucai, whom Zhu Ying once greatly admired, was the military advisor sent to Annan to seek the country.

The last letter I received said that he had become the Chancellor and Minister of Finance in Constantinople, Europe.

This is a huge help.

"Da Sun seems to have a direction?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked when he saw Da Sun thinking deeply.
To be continued...