eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 682 The possibility of a new artillery

In June of the tenth year of Zhengde.The Holy Driver's team, more than [-] people, came out from Fengyang in a mighty and magnificent manner.

Jiaxing in summer is lush and lush, and the bustling scenery is endless.

There is a calm and beautiful lake in the southeast of the county, named Nanhu. In the center of Nanhu is an island in the middle of the lake, with a Yanyu Tower on it.

But this is no longer the Yanyu Tower that Du Mu wrote about "480 Temples in the Southern Dynasties, with many towers in the mist and rain".

This was rebuilt by Jiang Yong, who was an official in Jiaxing in the fourth year of Zhengde, after the ruined Yanyu Tower.

In the summer, when you go upstairs and lean on the railing, you can see the endless green lotus leaves touching the sky in the lake, which embodies the elegance of Jiangnan literati, so it quickly regained its status as a famous building in Jiangnan.

The emperor's personal visit today adds a bit of special connotation to it.

Zhu Houzhao can be regarded as "arty". Among several choices, he chose this place as his palace. Zhejiang officials were also in place, including the governor, who had already gone out to greet him.

Since he came, Zhu Houzhao took him with him.

The island in the middle of the lake is not big and has many trees. Because there are no tall buildings to block it, the wind is always strong when walking on it, making his hair fly.

He pulled Mei Kejia and said, "I met a bold man in Shandong who said that the imperial government valued Confucius and Mencius over magical skills. As soon as he said this, everyone was shocked. Many people told me that this person was a treason and should be dismissed immediately. , I have to issue an order to ask questions, but it gives me a headache."

"The ministers have also heard about this matter, but Guan Yanqing, the emperor and ministers are watching the ceremony?"

"Oh, you all know, yes, it's him." Zhu Houzhao clicked his tongue, "But, if I think about it carefully, what he said is not undesirable at all. Especially in Zhejiang and Hangzhou. Mei Kejia, Jiang Yong , I tell you that the imperial court has decided to establish the Academy of Sciences in Beijing. When I come to you this time, the first thing I see is the craftsmen who used their brains to build the treasure ship with two thousand materials! I want to reward them! "

Jiang Yong was already the governor of Zhejiang. He was first discovered and recommended by Gu Zuo.

Over the years, he has become quite talented in economics, so he became an official here and rose through the ranks.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I have made arrangements according to your will."

Zhu Houzhao was not tired of stressing, "I wrote it, but I want to say it again in front of you. In addition, there is one thing I want to ask you two."

"Excuse me, Your Majesty."

"In addition to these skilled craftsmen, have there been any new and significant improvements in production techniques in the past few years? For example, muskets, artillery, weaving, etc."

Jiang Yong and Mei Kejia looked at each other in confusion. The person the emperor asked about was Mo Liu.

Maybe there is.

But even if there were, they wouldn't know it.

Among the entire holy team, perhaps only the emperor himself paid attention to it.

Zhu Houzhao was not surprised. He just said: "It seems that Guan Yanqing's words are not exaggerated."

"The emperor forgives the crime."

"My purpose has never been to punish crimes. Forget it today, you can consider this matter in the future. I am doing some research on this southern tour. There will be a court meeting next year anyway, so we will talk about it then."

"Yes!"

Zhu Houzhao didn't take it lightly or seriously, but he always told them to start paying attention to this matter.

In fact, he feels that he should have it, because business logic contains this motivation to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

"...The second thing I came here to do is to see the Ming Dynasty Navy. Where is Wu Wending, is he here too this time?"

"Replying to the Emperor, I have not come to Jiaxing, but I am already waiting for Your Majesty." Ping Haibo reported, "This time of year is when Japanese pirates are active. When Admiral Wu learned that Your Majesty was coming, he led the navy officers to patrol the outer sea. went."

Zhu Houzhao sat down casually and asked with a raised brow: "What? Do the Japanese pirates still dare to cause trouble?"

"On the surface, of course, he is afraid of the power of the imperial court, but on the vast ocean, there are always sporadic desperadoes. This is inevitable."

"Yes. Oh, there is one more thing. In the fifth year of Zhengde, the envoys of the Manchurian Kingdom came to the capital to ask for help, saying that the Francois intended to invade them. It was also a prophecy back then. What happened now?" Ping Haibo said: "This matter is about to be reported to Your Majesty. In the eighth year of Zhengde, the Ming Dynasty had warned the Francois, but these foreigners were ambitious. In the ninth year, a total of more than [-] people attacked the Manchurian Kingdom, and the Ming Dynasty did not station any troops there. , so we were unable to directly intervene. But the war was critical, and in the end we could only borrow a sum of money to support three thousand troops from the Luzon Kingdom. Now it seems..."

"How about it?"

"Because the monsoon period has not yet arrived, the people sent have not returned yet. The details are still unknown. However, according to my opinion, the Franconian firearms are powerful, and it is possible that the Manlajia Kingdom is no match."

Zhu Houzhao didn't show too many expressions, he just said: "The Manchurian Kingdom took the initiative to profess to the Ming Dynasty, and it started from the reign of Emperor Taizong. Many small countries in Nanyang have accepted the canonization of the Ming Dynasty. Since it is Suzerain country, we cannot ignore this matter. Otherwise, if the Ming Dynasty’s caravan goes out, there is no guarantee that no one will covet this matter. After meeting Wu Wending, our monarchs and ministers will discuss this matter in detail, and we have to wait. Waiting for the exact news.”

"Yes!"

"One thing I want you to understand is that I must be positive towards the outside world. This will not change whether Manchuria wins or loses. Another point is that Manchuria is too far away."

The emperor finally said very helplessly.

This is also true.

"Yes."

"It is always not good to spend time on expeditions. Therefore, the imperial court must have a long-term plan. Aren't there so many stopping points from Zhejiang to Mankara? I think we need to strengthen the construction of some strongholds, Taiwan, Luzon... and finally Fortunately, some Ming naval forces are maintained in each place, so that they can be connected into a network to ensure control of this area. In that case, today's situation may be much better. In this regard, there have always been debates in the court in the past few years, so It was my fault that I delayed it, and this time I have to take advantage of Manlajia's affairs, so I have to push it hard."

In fact, there is nothing wrong with it.

If you want to go to other people's territory to build military ports and docks, this is not a matter of lip service.

Putting aside everything else, the Ming Dynasty must first build up its own navy. Fist is the truth at this time; secondly, support Manlajia to fight and win the war, and make the decision for others, and then build, It was only natural to garrison troops.

So actually the time has not come yet.

But the necessity does not need to be demonstrated. Without showing some military presence, maritime business would really have to be done with caution.

The ministers also knew that the emperor was actually in a hurry. Gu Renyi, the young master, was thinking about something in his mind. This matter has not yet been officially reported, but he has some knowledge of the situation.

"His Majesty……"

Zhu Houzhao raised his eyes, "Huh?"

"I just heard that your Majesty and Ping Haibo were discussing the affairs of the Manchurian Kingdom overseas. I thought of something and I don't know whether to talk about it or not."

"speak."

"Yes." Gu Renyi spoke very carefully. He said: "Before I left the capital, I went to the Shaofu Ordnance Bureau. What I am sure of is that the Ordnance Bureau copied the artillery of the overseas Francois and re-made it. A more powerful gun with a longer range has been designed and has been tested once.”

Zhu Houzhao was greatly moved when he heard this.

"Did the test launch succeed?"

"It was a success the first time."

Zhu Houzhao is now more steady-tempered. In the past, he had to jump up and down, "Why not repay the success?"

Gu Renyi knew this would be the case, so she was careful, "...It is said that it is still a little unstable. I originally wanted to make improvements during His Majesty's southern tour, and then report the good news to Your Majesty after His Majesty returns. But it seems that Nanyang The situation is compelling..."

"Go to the express delivery immediately and ask about the situation!" Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands, "If it is still unstable, see if you can sacrifice some of the performance to use it first. The Navy is in a hurry, even if it is a little improvement, then It’s also an advantage on the battlefield.”

"What your Majesty said is true." Ping Haibo was even more anxious. He wanted to confirm, "Gu Shaofu, is this artillery aboard the ship?"

"Of course, it was built for the Navy."

On land, the Mongols now have no voice, and the Ming cavalry has wiped out all the tribes.

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Today is a bit heavy.I hope everyone stays in good health, so do I.come on.

(End of this chapter)