"When we build the first batch of warships, we will be the first to destroy the Japanese country and station troops and colonize there as our first overseas base. Then we will send warships to explore the route and collect an accurate navigation chart for the future Ming Dynasty.
Prepare your navigation strategy.”
Zhu Muchen's remarks shocked everyone, and everyone was dumbfounded. Xia Yuanji first broke the calm and asked Zhu Muchen how much silver it would cost and where the silver came from.
Zhu Muchen's mouth went dry as he spoke, and he took a sip of wine to explain: "Every time we occupy a place, the local court will give us a fixed annual protection fee, and in addition, we will be given a certain amount of food and supplies."
Zhu Di thought it was okay, and Zhu Zhanji also agreed. Yu Qian and Xia Yuanji felt something was wrong, but they did not express their opinions.
The prince and San Yang were in trouble. They were bandits in the eyes of their scholars. The prince even said "no" three times to express his objection. Zhu Muchen was not surprised. After all, this prince had a reputation.
The benevolence and righteousness of the name.
Zhu Di wiped his beard and concealed the excitement in his heart, "Okay, okay, we will discuss this later. For now, we need to solve the hidden dangers in the north."
Then he motioned for everyone to continue drinking. The words "discuss again later" were very meaningful. The prince and San Yang felt uncomfortable hearing this.
Before everyone had time to digest the previous words, Zhu Muchen said that the enemies in the north are clear, and our Ming Dynasty also has hidden enemies in the northeast. The Haixi, Savage, and Jianzhou three Jurchens are actually the biggest worry for our Ming Dynasty.
The number one enemy is not an exaggeration.
Zhu Muchen knew that the Manchu Jurchens were just a small tribe at first and were extremely respectful to the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, Nurhaci even became the godson of the Ming Dynasty general Li Chengliang, thus paralyzing the Ming Dynasty.
In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, in order to weaken the power of Jianzhou Jurchens, the Three Guards of Jianzhou were set up to divide and rule them.
But the characteristic of the nomadic people is that every labor force is a warrior, so as they multiply, the strength of the Jianzhou Jurchens becomes stronger and stronger.
Due to lack of productivity, they, led by Li Manzhu, the commander of the Jianzhou capital, Dong Shan, the leader of the Jianzhou left guard, and others, gradually began to harass the borders of the Ming Dynasty, becoming the biggest hidden danger in the Northeast of the Ming Dynasty at that time, and finally overthrew the Ming Dynasty.
The Jurchens of the Third Division of Jianzhou have always surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, but Zhu Muchen said that they were the number one enemy. Prince Zhu Gaochi felt that he needed to find an opportunity to have a good chat with the King of Chu.
In the eyes of Xia Yuanji and San Yang, Zhu Muchen instantly became a war madman. The King of Chu was even more warlike than the current emperor.
Several people couldn't help but feel chills on their backs. Zhu Zhanji and Yu Qian were recalling Zhu Muchen's remarks just now, but they still didn't understand many things.
Zhu Di has always been wary of the Jurchens from the Third Division of Jianzhou, but he didn't show it. Today, Zhu Muchen's status in his heart has been elevated.
Even when he was drinking, he glanced at Zhu Gaochi from the corner of his eye and felt that this child was too weak and far behind King Chu.
When the banquet came to an end, everyone looked very worried and left the Chu Palace with their heads lowered.
A few days later, Zhu Di directly summoned Chu King Zhu Muchen into the palace.
At this time, even the little eunuchs serving on the side of the palace retreated, leaving only Zhu Muchen and Zhu Di. This shows how much Zhu Di trusts the King of Chu.
Zhu Di looked excited at this time. Ever since he heard Zhu Muchen's plan that day, he had been thinking about what Zhu Muchen said in his dreams at night after he came back.
Zhu Di pulled Zhu Muchen to a seat next to him in a very close and kind manner.
"King Chu, the ocean strategy plan you mentioned that day, after I came back, I thought about it and found that it is indeed very feasible."
"Since these things were proposed by you, it is definitely safest for you to be responsible for their implementation. What do you think?"
Zhu Muchen heard this and said quickly: "Since it is entrusted by the emperor, I must go all out."
When Zhu Di heard this, he laughed loudly and patted Zhu Muchen's shoulder. He was very satisfied. With the King of Chu here, why worry about the instability of the Ming Dynasty?
The two were chatting happily, but after coming out of the palace, Zhu Muchen had a headache.
Although these plans were spoken by himself, if they were actually implemented, it would be a quite large project.
Back at his home, Zhu Muchen began to think about how to complete such a huge plan. He first found a piece of rice paper and then began to record every step of the plan in detail on it.
Then he began to analyze how to implement it and what things and people were needed. In this way, Zhu Muchen stayed up all night, constantly planning and thinking under the light of the lights.
Early the next morning, Zhu Muchen walked out of the study and stretched, and then threw all the things he made last night into the fire and burned them to ashes. All the details were firmly remembered in his mind.
At the same time, due to Zhu Muchen, the imperial court no longer only focused on the Northern Expedition, but focused part of its energy on the Jianzhou Three Divisions. The officials in charge of management continued to suppress them vigorously, so that the Jianzhou Three Divisions would otherwise give birth to
Any disobedient thoughts.
In the palace of King Zhao, the King of Han and King Zhao were sitting together playing chess. King Zhu Gaoxu of Han held a chess piece and said:
"Third brother, have you heard? The old man asked the King of Chu to implement some kind of ocean-going strategic plan. It is said that the manpower, financial resources, etc. involved in that plan are very large, enough to affect the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui snorted coldly, "I really don't know what kind of ecstasy this guy Zhu Muchen gave the old man, and the old man actually believed in him so much. If this plan is successfully implemented, I'm afraid there will no longer be a place for you and me in this court.
"
The King of Han showed a sneer, pointed at the chessboard and said, "The King of Chu is powerful, but in the end he is just a larger chess piece on the chessboard."
"He alone can't change the world. As long as you and I don't agree, King Chu's plan will never be successful. He won't even be able to take the first step."
At this time, Zhu Muchen was fully responsible for the ocean strategy, including upgrading armaments, building firecrackers and cannons, training naval forces, establishing a shipyard on Liuli Island, agricultural reform, etc. He was responsible for all the planning, while Prince Zhu Gaochi was responsible for supervision.
Zhan Ji and Yu Qian assisted.
But what he didn't expect was that the plan encountered extremely difficulties at the very beginning, namely a lack of resources.
Whether it is upgrading armaments or establishing a shipyard, this requires a large amount of resources and materials. It stands to reason that these materials can be used from the Ming Dynasty's treasury. Even if the materials in the treasury are insufficient, they can be purchased on the market.
But for some reason, all the iron ore and other materials in the Ming Dynasty's treasury were completely transferred, and on the market, all the iron ore was purchased overnight.
As a result, Zhu Muchen now can't even get enough iron to build a shipyard.
Zhu Muchen asked officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and finally learned that most of the materials in the treasury were used for military equipment.
Zhu Zhanji, after investigation, told Zhu Muchen that all the iron ore on the market had been purchased by a mysterious wealthy businessman. The wealthy businessman was generous and had all the iron in his pocket in an instant.
Zhu Muchen thought about what was hidden behind this matter. All the iron in the treasury and the market was wiped out. This couldn't be just a coincidence. It would be difficult for ordinary people to do such a big deal.
Just buying all the iron on the market is not easy. Even all the rich people in Nanjing cannot afford to buy so much iron if they lose all their money.
"Who is the mastermind behind this? What is his purpose? Is buying all the iron to stop our ocean-going strategic plan?"
At this time, the system of the Ming Dynasty was not very complete, and there was not much iron ore stored. After investigation, Zhu Muchen learned that he would have to wait at least a year for the arrival of a new batch of iron ore.
At this time, the technology for mining iron ore was still very primitive and the efficiency was very low, but how could Zhu Muchen have time to wait until a year later? You must know that Zhu Di personally asked him to take charge of this matter.
And if there is no progress for a year, Zhu Di will probably be furious.
The king only cares about whether you can complete the task and will not listen to your excuses.
After worrying for several days, Zhu Muchen visited Yu Qian and wanted to ask him about a solution to the matter.
After hearing what happened, Yu Qian comforted Zhu Muchen and said, "Don't worry, King Chu. Since I am responsible for assisting you in completing this matter, I will help you solve it both publicly and privately."
After Yu Qian thought for a moment, he whispered a few words into Zhu Muchen's ear.
On the next day, King Zhao came to the palace of King Han with a furious look on his face.
"Second brother! Something bad has happened. That guy Zhu Muchen found a batch of iron ore buried by the previous dynasty somewhere, and is now preparing to build a shipyard on Xiaoliuli Island."
Zhu Gaoxu, the king of Han Dynasty, was very excited when he heard this.
"How is this possible? Found a pile of iron ore hidden by the previous dynasty? Why didn't he say he found gold from the previous dynasty?"
Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui hurriedly said: "This is true. My Jin Yiwei saw King Chu's men transporting large quantities of iron ore in a certain place. It is said that they packed it in sacks and transported it away bag by bag. Even Chu
The king also wants to sell the extra iron in the market."
"What should we do now? We have stored so much iron ore. If everyone buys King Chu's iron ore by then, we will be really doomed."
The King of Han looked anxious. You must know that even he spent all his wealth to buy those iron ores. If things were really as King Zhao said, then he should sell these iron ores as soon as possible.
A few days later, Zhu Muchen and Yu Qian looked at each other and smiled. At this time, the sale of iron ore had resumed on the market, and the price was very low. Previously, they had just pretended to discover iron ore and deliberately spread false news in order to attract the mastermind behind the scenes.
I was fooled, but I didn't expect it to actually succeed.
