Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong and Wu Sangui looked at each other, with a look of expectation on their faces, and they both got out of the cabin to see the situation.
Sure enough, a speedboat was docking at the dock. Judging from the flag on the boat, it was a messenger ship.
Not long after, a Jinyiwei messenger boarded the flagship and came to Zheng Zhilong and Wu Sangui.
Seeing that both of them were there, the Jinyi Guards Captain just motioned for Zheng Zhilong to come closer, and then began to whisper.
This scene made Wu Sangui feel a little disappointed. He could only comfort himself. After this military merit report was reported, he wondered if the emperor would change his impression of him?
"Really?" As he was thinking, he suddenly heard Zheng Zhilong ask in surprise. The voice was a bit loud, so Wu Sangui heard it too.
After hearing this, the Jinyi Guardsman nodded immediately, and after saying a few more words, he said goodbye, got off the flagship, got on the clipper, and left again.
Seeing Zheng Zhilong looking a little happy as he saw off the Imperial Guard Captain, Wu Sangui felt a little sour in his heart. Although they were both general soldiers, it was obvious that the one who received the favor was more nourished!
"Is there something good going on?" Wu Sangui suppressed the jealousy in his heart and asked with a fake smile, "Look at how happy you are, Old Zheng!"
At the same time, he was thinking, could it be that someone from your Zheng family has been ennobled?
After hearing this, Zheng Zhilong immediately stepped forward, walked to Wu Sangui, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Old Wu, your Majesty is wise. We don't need to worry about the things we were worried about just now!"
"What?" Wu Sangui was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and quickly confirmed with a little surprise.
Zheng Zhilong always had a smile on his face, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Wu Sangui say a little faintly: "Forget it, if it's not convenient for you to tell me, then don't say it!"
Just now, Captain Jinyi told Zheng Zhilong alone that if he went to inquire about something he shouldn't know, and if it was reported to the emperor's ears, the emperor would be unhappy again.
But who would have thought that after hearing this, Zheng Zhilong smiled and said: "What's the matter? Our reinforcements have arrived. On Guanglu Island, there are a total of twenty steam-armored warships and thirty No. 1 Fu
Ships and warships, haha, with those steam-armored warships here, if the Japanese navy dares to attack, they will be able to break up the Japanese navy!"
He was very interested, and without waiting for Wu Sangui to speak, he continued to explain to Wu Sangui: "The warships of the Japanese navy are mainly Anzhai ships and Guanships. The size of the warships is similar to our main warships, but,
You don’t know that their warships have no watertight compartments or keels, so they cannot be beaten. Also, their warships are mainly equipped with matchlocks, large muskets and Fran cannons, and they mainly rely on gang fighting.
, we don’t have Hongyi cannons on board. Haha, our steam-armored warships can hit them at will, just like scratching an itch!"
"Really?" Wu Sangui couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this, "So, the sea will be our world?"
He couldn't pronounce the three words "control of the sea", but he still knew the meaning.
Now his base is on Pi Dao. If he controls the sea, not only will he have nothing to worry about, he will also be able to land in Korea at any time and anywhere to fight against the Japanese, and he can also land in the Liaodong Peninsula to fight against Japanese invaders.
Wu Sangui may not have known this when he was the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, but now he definitely realizes the importance of the navy and the importance of sea control.
At this time, Zheng Zhilong listened, first nodded, and then said with some emotion: "Yes, once the steam armored warship comes out, unless it encounters the sail warship of the Western Yi in the ocean, it will be invincible!"
If it's just iron armor, it doesn't matter. After all, it's not real iron armor, but just iron clad with wood. The most critical issue is that the steam engine is installed on the ship, which is epoch-making.
Otherwise, the Japanese and Korean navies could also come up with an iron-clad weapon. As for the size of the warships, the Japanese also had one. Tokugawa Iemitsu had one that was as big as Fengzhou. However, Tokugawa Iemitsu's super warship
The large Anzha ships are not powered by steam engines and can only rely on sails and oars. The speed is too slow, like a snail. In a real naval battle, let alone the Hongyi cannons of the Ming Dynasty, it is their own kind of ship.
, it's just a decoration, it can't catch up with the opponent at all.
In fact, the Ming Dynasty's boat sealing system also had many shortcomings, which were not conducive to naval battles. The ships were too big, and the hard sails and masts were larger, and they were easily broken by the sea wind. However, with steam power now, it would be completely
It’s different.
Zheng Zhilong was the first person in the Ming Dynasty to be familiar with naval warfare. When he saw the test ship of the steam armored warship, he knew that the ship would be an East Asian warship such as the Kefu ship and the Anzhai ship. Even the sail warships of Xiyi.
You can fight.
The news conveyed to him by Captain Jinyi just now contained clear information about the situation of the Ryukyu Expeditionary Force and the situation of assisting the Pido Navy.
The comparison of naval strength was a very simple matter for Zheng Zhilong. He could immediately tell that the control of the sea would be firmly in the hands of the Ming Dynasty.
At this time, he said to Wu Sangui: "However, the steam armored warships need additional coal storage. Therefore, the imperial court is currently organizing the transportation of coal to Guanglu Island. The steam armored warships will be hidden there until the Japanese navy
When we really have to attack Pi Island, we will reinforce our side to avoid the chance of being informed by the Japanese in advance and taking measures to severely damage the Japanese navy!"
Wu Sangui listened and nodded, approving this approach, but then he asked Zheng Zhilong: "Since it is confidential, why did you tell me? Lao Zheng, I don't want you to be held accountable by the court for this!"
Zheng Zhilong laughed immediately after hearing this, and then said to Wu Sangui, who was a little confused: "I tell you, of course His Majesty agreed. Your Majesty is very satisfied with your initiative to use guerrilla warfare in North Korea to attack our country."
"Really?" When Wu Sangui heard this, he was immediately overjoyed and quickly confirmed.
After hearing this, Zheng Zhilong nodded immediately and said: "Of course, your majesty has seen everything about you! Originally, your attack in North Korea made the Japanese country decide to recruit troops, and now you have made a big fuss in southern Korea, which will inevitably cause the Japanese country to recruit troops.
Increasing the number of troops and creating a good opportunity for the Ryukyu Expeditionary Force to attack the Japanese mainland is a great achievement!"
Wu Sangui was pleased to hear this and quickly became humble again.
Subsequently, in addition to reporting victory to the capital, both the navy and the land forces on Pi Island began to prepare for the upcoming Japanese counterattack.
At this time, they did not know that in addition to the Japanese army preparing to attack Pi Island, Jianlu was also cooperating with the Japanese country sincerely and would also participate in the war against Pi Island.
……………
At the same time, far away in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen was sitting in the Jinluan Palace, and hundreds of civil and military officials in the capital were arranged on both sides, discussing matters.
Discussions in the Jinluan Palace are generally relatively rare. Apart from major court discussions, there are only some special or important occasions.
For example, the last interrogation against the Confucian family in Qufu was held in the Jinluan Palace. With the participation of more officials, Emperor Taizu and Master Kong Sheng appeared.
But this time, it's not something like that, but a farewell.
No, I saw King Zhou standing in front of the palace and listening to Emperor Chongzhen's words: "The Kingdom of Zhou will vassalize Luzon. This is the first case of the Ming Dynasty to vassal overseas. I hope that after you arrive in Luzon, you can govern Luzon well.
Set an example for other feudal lords."
Having said this, Emperor Chongzhen paused and added: "Of course, if you encounter something difficult to solve, I will help you, so you don't have to worry about anything later."
Previously, most of the royal family members of King Zhou's lineage had already left for Luzon in advance. Only King Zhou remained in the capital, and he left at the end.
The population around Kaifeng Mansion suddenly decreased a lot, and the land, shops, etc. were all transferred to the imperial court. All of these have to be handed over, otherwise, the King of Zhou will not be able to leave.
At this time, King Zhou thought about finally leaving the Ming Dynasty and leaving the situation of being in captivity. He was also excited in his heart. Hearing Emperor Chongzhen's explanation, he quickly agreed.
Luzon Island is far larger than Kaifeng, and it must have been pointed out by Emperor Taizu. Therefore, the current emperor also told him about the treasures buried underground. If he is short of money, he will definitely not be short of it. He is very excited about the future.
It's expectation.
Afterwards, the King of Zhou said goodbye to the other vassal kings who were also in the palace, and then left.
Among the vassal kings who saw him off, it was obvious that many people were very envious of the Zhou king. Especially the Tang king who was deposed and imprisoned in Fengyang by Emperor Chongzhen, and then pardoned and returned to the vassal king a few years ago.
To be honest, he really wanted to do something. However, the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty really gave him no chance to perform. Before the Jianlu invaded the capital, he was dethroned even though he raised troops to serve the king. The vassal king would know that,
In the Ming Dynasty, it was impossible for him to hold military power.
However, it would be different if he was still sealed overseas. He would have military and political power, which is what he yearned for.
The reason why King Zhou was the first to be entrusted overseas was because of his generosity to the court. For this reason, after he returned to the throne of Tang, he also actively donated money, responded to the court's call, and looked forward to being enfeoffed as soon as possible.
In fact, not only him, but also other vassal kings were very envious when they saw that King Zhou was really sealed off and had mineral resources in the country.
Emperor Chongzhen had long seen their situation, which provided him with good conditions to continue to rectify the place.
But there is one thing that he is also considering. His own son will also be the vassal king in the future. Where should he be granted the title?
If he is sealed too far away, he will never be seen again after being sealed away. Although he himself is tough, the people in the harem will miss him very much!
Thinking of these, Emperor Chongzhen had an idea in his mind: vigorously develop transportation!
Among them, the most important thing is the internal combustion engine.
With this in mind, Emperor Chongzhen decided to increase the allocation of resources in this area and strive to build the first internal combustion engine as soon as possible.