"It is impossible to build such a large warship purely by manpower." Zhu Muchen sat on a chair in the room and spoke.
Spread out on the table are the construction drawings of the improved battleship.
The master blacksmith who was brought here before is leading the workers day and night to make the required iron tools.
But we are faced with another problem. Iron products are easy to rust when soaked in water. It is not worth it if a warship built with so much effort will fail in just a few years.
"Hey, King Chu, this can't work." Yu Qian also thought of this and tugged on Zhu Muchen's sleeve, "Wooden boats are built with strong water resistance, but iron and copper can be soaked all year round.
In water, it may not be more durable than wood."
The weapons stored by the Ministry of Industry will rust if they are not used for many years. How can such rusty swords be used on the battlefield? The same is true for battleships.
"I have thought of this problem a long time ago." Zhu Muchen said slowly, and then he took out another piece of paper with some needed things densely written on it.
"We need to make something called lacquer."
"paint?"
"What's this?"
Zheng He and Yu Qian were obviously hearing this for the first time, and they were very unfamiliar with this new student's name.
Zhu Muchen explained concisely: "It is something that is applied to the surface of the warship to prevent rust. Because the final product is liquid, it is called lacquer."
As he spoke, he picked up the brush at hand and wrote this word on the paper.
Even though it was explained, others still didn't understand it, but they were not entangled in this issue. They knew that the hidden danger could be eliminated, so it would not be a problem.
A gust of sea breeze blew, and someone hurriedly closed the window for fear that the drawing would be blown away by the sea breeze.
Seeing everyone in a hurry, Zhu Muchen was very pleased.
He couldn't help but think about how Xiaoliuqiu, which was separated from the mainland hundreds of years later, would feel like stepping on this land at this moment.
"Don't let the wind blow away these good things." Zheng He blocked the wind with his body, treating these drawings as treasures, and even shouted for someone to close the door.
This was very funny and made Yu Qian and the others laugh.
Zhu Muchen smiled and told Zheng He not to worry. Even if these drawings were blown into the sea by the wind, he would be able to draw a second one because everything was in his mind.
Although he said this, Zheng He still felt very distressed. He quickly rolled up the drawings and put them in the box next to the table.
Zhu Muchen said that this time when he came to Xiaoliuqiu, in addition to personally overseeing the transformation of warships, he also wanted to build an arsenal.
The people of Xiaoliuqiu make a living by fishing. When the weather is bad, the people's lives are seriously affected. Once the arsenal is built, some people's life problems can be solved.
The young men here can also be incorporated into the water army. They are familiar with water properties and will get twice the result with half the effort when trained.
Zhu Muchen has not yet asked Zhu Di for this idea, and is currently discussing it with Yu Qian and others.
"This method is feasible." Zheng He was the first to agree. When our battleship is completed, I will report it to the court.
"The emperor said that he would provide strong support. When the time comes and there is a need, Mr. Zheng, just ask the emperor." Yu Qian said.
Several like-minded people sat around the table and looked forward to the future grand plans of the Ming Dynasty.
Zheng He said that he always felt that there were many regimes different from the Ming Dynasty on the other side of the ocean, and he wanted to see what the differences were.
The world is too big and full of unknowns, just like the sea with no end visible at a glance. The more mysterious something is, the more people want to explore it.
Zhu Muchen nodded, expressing that he agreed with Zheng He's idea, and told Zheng He that from now on he would lead the entire Ming Dynasty's water army and leave it all to him to manage.
Zhu Muchen told Zheng He that not only that, he would also be a diplomat of the Ming Dynasty and someone who would go down in history.
After hearing this, Zheng He waved his hands quickly, "The King of Chu is joking. I just have an unexpected idea that will be recorded in history? I would never dare to think of it in my wildest dreams."
"Those who contribute to the people and promote the progress of the times will be remembered by history." Zhu Muchen spoke slowly.
He looked at the person in front of him who had a lot to write about in the history of later generations. He visited various European countries, and several sea voyages promoted exchanges with Western countries. Now that he was sitting at the same table with such a person, Zhu Muchen felt that
It's a blessing.
"Okay, let's take a good look at this place and choose a good place for our future arsenal." After dinner, Zhu Muchen came out of the house first and talked to Yu Qian and the others.
"We should choose carefully, but King Chu, should this place where paint is made be called an arsenal?" Yu Qian heard too many words from Zhu Muchen's mouth that he had never heard before.
"It can't be called construction, it should be smelting. The role of an arsenal is of course not only to smelt the paint, but also to build cannons." Zhu Muchen said lightly.
Yu Qian wondered, hadn't the construction of cannons been handed over to the King of Han? Why should they be built in Xiaoliuqiu now?
In comparison, the inland resources are definitely much more than those in Xiaoliuqiu. It is really a bit laborious to build an arsenal here.
"There are many things, from planning to finished products, it is better to keep an eye on them personally. Is there too much in the arsenal? It's just like the army. Naturally, the more, the better.
We, the Ming Dynasty, have a lot of resources. When we return to Nanjing, I will ask the emperor for orders, Mr. Yu, to accompany me to find great resources."
Zhu Muchen said, turned around and smiled at Yu Qian.
Yu Qian also happily agreed.
…
In the palace, Zhu Di looked at the territory map hanging on the wall. After studying it carefully for a long time, he gently touched the undrawn parts of the territory map with his fingers, as if he was measuring the territory he wanted to expand with his hands.
"Gao Chi, what do you think it will be like on the other side of the ocean? Are there many countries like ours in the Ming Dynasty?"
"You said that a small northern land has cost us so much manpower and material resources, and it has taken so long. When will this territory be expanded to the other side of the ocean?"
Zhu Gaochi, who was standing by and waiting, was shocked. He was almost used to his father, the emperor, calling him the prince, but when his name was suddenly called, he felt a little uncomfortable.
However, he soon understood the meaning of Zhu Di's words.
Zhu Di wanted to expand his territory, and his ambition was always in action. Ever since he became interested in the maritime plan mentioned by Zhu Muchen, it was inevitable to expand the maritime territory.
Zhu Gaochi bowed slightly, clasped his fists and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the world is so big, compared with it, people are just a drop in the ocean, so it is normal not to have a glimpse of its appearance."
Emperor Zhu Di was silent for a while and then asked: "Do you think it is better to fight or not to fight?"
The meaning of these words is obvious. He is asking Zhu Gaochi whether he wants to capture all the unknown areas on the other side of the ocean, and whether he wants to put a sailing plan on the agenda?
Zhu Gaochi hesitated for a while. He had never been a militant, but if he said it rashly, he was worried about making Zhu Di unhappy.
After thinking for a while, he finally replied: "Back to the emperor, the world is infinite, but the manpower is limited. As the saying goes, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. If the land is too vast and communication and management cannot keep up, it will cause many inconsistencies.
A stabilizing factor.”
After Zhu Di heard this, he did not answer immediately, but turned his attention to the map behind him again. For a long time, he stretched out his hand to point to the location of the Japanese country, but before he could speak, he heard his father-in-law's voice coming from outside the door.
.
"Reporting to your Majesty, the Japanese envoys have come to see you."
Zhu Di was slightly surprised, but soon put on a smile and said softly: "I was just trying to find him, but they came to me on their own."
Zhu Gaochi quickly reminded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the Japanese envoys who came this time should be showing their kindness and asking for peace. Since they have the intention of seeking peace, they also ask the Emperor to think twice about their actions."
"Thank you for the reminder, Prince. I will do a good job as an emperor."
Zhu Di said this in a nonchalant manner, which frightened Zhu Gaochi so much that he knelt on the ground with a thud, not daring to raise his head.
"Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention of acting like the Pope. Please forgive me for your sins."
"Kneel down, I will take Zhanji to see the Japanese envoy."
Zhu Di strode away, and Zhu Gaochi had no choice but to continue kneeling on the ground respectfully, not daring to get up at all.
In the main hall, Zhu Di was leaning on the dragon chair, and Zhu Zhanji was standing next to him, muttering to himself why his father was nowhere to be seen.
At this time, I heard a voice coming from outside the door: "The envoy of the Japanese Kingdom is here to see you!"
Soon, several Japanese people wearing samurai uniforms and combing their hair with moon hair came out of the hall.
When he saw Zhu Di, he did not kneel down, but bowed slightly, and said directly: "I have met His Majesty the Ming Emperor, long live long live long live."
Although he said respectful words, his tone was not very respectful. However, this was not the first time Zhu Di had dealt with Ashiki Yoshimitsu. He knew some of his temper and was not angry. He even thought it was good.
, I was worried that I couldn't find a chance to make an attack, but he came to my door.
"Yoshimitsu Ashiki, we haven't seen each other for a while. I remember the last time I saw you was when you were crowned prince. You were much more powerful at that time than you are now. Come here, please sit down."
Zhu Di was just like meeting an old friend. He had to fulfill all the courtesy, otherwise he would be said to be a bully.
Ashiki Yoshimitsu and others were not polite and sat down directly in the main hall.
After sitting down, Zhu Di continued to ask: "I wonder why your Excellency came to my Ming Dynasty to come to our Ming Dynasty this time?"
"We are here this time as assigned by the Emperor of our country to seek cooperation with Ming Dynasty."
"Oh? Cooperation? I wonder what kind of cooperation it is?"
