Back to the Ming Dynasty to be a tyrant

For example, logistics supplies, even if there is no railway line, Zhang Zhiji and Lu Xiangsheng dare to pat their chests and say that there is no problem, even if there is no railway line, and they only rely on manpower to transport supplies. That's it for internal money.

In maritime operations, supplies must be transported from land to port, and then from port to ship.

Leaving aside the question of cost, after all, sea transportation actually has an advantage in terms of cost consumption, especially the sea transportation chain from railway to port and then to Fuchuan, the cost is many times lower than that of human transportation.

The real problem is the unknown risks at sea, not just for material but also for people.

Even if the materials are transported to Myanmar by rail, and then shipped to England through Chennai Port, they have to go through the ocean, then through the Suez Canal, and then go to the sea. Who can guarantee that there will be no problems in the middle? not out?

Moreover, the problem of materials is always a small problem, and the most critical problem lies in people—the South China Sea Fleet led by Zheng Zhilong overturned the ship, and the North Sea Fleet led by Mao Wenlong also overturned the ship. So far, only the East China Sea Fleet led by Nan Juyi has not capsized recorded.

But the predecessor of the East China Sea Fleet, the Fujian Navy led by Nan Juyi also has a large number of shipwreck records...

If it's just that the fleet's ship capsized and a large number of soldiers died, the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies is rich and self-willed, so it's not a big problem to take out the money for pensions, but when it comes to Emperor Chongzhen, who dares to say that it's okay ?

Sometimes, the world is so unfair, the so-called equality of everyone is basically just talking, and only those who are in the unequal position will believe in true equality.

This expedition to England was different from the return journey during the last expedition to Mughal. Last time, they sailed along the coast. Even if something went wrong, they could land immediately, at least to ensure the safety of Emperor Chongzhen.

But this time the sea route to take was infinitely more dangerous than last time, and no one dared to make fun of Emperor Chongzhen's safety.

Emperor Chongzhen was also helpless.

My two sons have both sailed in the ocean, and my so-called ocean voyage can only be a long journey along the seashore. No matter how I think about it, there is something wrong with this feeling.

However, in the face of Zhang Zhiji and Lu Xiangsheng's opposition together, and even the attitude of the two of you, if you insist on going to the queen, Emperor Chongzhen finally chose to give up—forget it, if you can't go, let's go, England This time I got a great deal!

The uninterested Emperor Chongzhen was silent for a while before he said: "By the way, those barbarians who are going on an expedition to England this time will bring the new warships produced by the Royal Academy to test their power."

Zhang Zhiji nodded and said: "It must be excellent. Although the battleship is smaller than the treasure ship, it has a deeper draft and is more resistant to wind and waves than the treasure ship when sailing at sea. It is a rare treasure.

Moreover, those new-style warships can save a lot of sailors and crew, and only need to use coal, so that more soldiers can be loaded on it, which is also a bright spot.

What's especially rare is that these new warships are all covered with iron armor plates, so you don't have to worry about being sunk in naval battles in the future. "

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "Except for these advantages? I don't believe that this kind of warship has all advantages and no disadvantages when it first comes out."

Zhang Zhiji said: "Of course there are many shortcomings. The biggest problem is the speed of the ship. The warship powered by steam engine is not as fast as the treasure ship, but slower.

The second is the problem of loading weapons and ammunition.

On the current ironclad ship, the steam engine occupies the largest area, and the amount of ammunition loaded is much, much less than that of the treasure ship, which can be regarded as a big disadvantage.

Combining these two shortcomings, if you fight against the barbarians' mainstream three-masted sailing ships, you will actually suffer at times, and it is very likely that you will become a target. "

Emperor Chongzhen hummed and said, "Then what does Aiqing think? Is it necessary for my Ming Dynasty to continue to develop this kind of iron-clad ship?"

Zhang Zhiji naturally understood what Emperor Chongzhen meant, and these words basically had a hint of school examination.

After pondering for a while, Zhang Zhiji said: "The development of ironclad ships is of course very meaningful.

The first is the problem of the steam engine. The current size of the steam engine does not mean that it will still be so big in the future. Sooner or later, the size of the steam engine can be reduced or replaced with other better power.

As for the problem of speed, the reason is actually the steam engine. When the steam engine continues to develop in the future, the speed will naturally increase.

The reason for the supply is actually easy to solve. It is enough to build some new iron-clad ships for the transportation of materials and ammunition. If the development of iron-clad ships is abandoned for these reasons, it is truly short-sighted.

After all, the ironclad ship can almost ignore the attack of the barbarian warship, which is no match for this treasure ship.

Due to the problem of materials, the treasure ship may still sink when facing the attack of barbarian warships. Although this possibility is very small, it is a fact.

Therefore, the development of ironclad ships is still very necessary, especially with the increasing achievements of the Royal Academy, these problems can be gradually resolved in the future. "

Emperor Chongzhen hummed and said: "Aiqing can see this, and I am very happy! I am not afraid of being slow now, not afraid of troubles, and not afraid of difficult things!

Technology will always improve, and the most advanced technology will always be used first in the military. This is the truth since ancient times. Those who cannot understand this truth are short-sighted.

Now the technology of ironclad ships is not mature enough, let’s take those few ships used for testing to test their ocean-going performance and combat performance. Treasure ships and lucky ships made of wood will be eliminated sooner or later! "

After Zhang Zhiji bowed in response, Emperor Chongzhen continued: "Also, since those barbarians in England have the courage to arrest the people of Ming Dynasty, they can't simply let them go."

Zhang Zhiji's spirit froze, he secretly thought that the main event was coming, then bowed and said: "Please tell me clearly, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Chongzhen walked back and forth a few steps after getting up, and said: "I have two opinions, or take down the whole of England."

After walking to the front of the map, Emperor Chongzhen gestured and said: "Look at the position of England. As long as England is taken, I, Ming, can hold Europe, Ottomans, Mughals, and even Tsarist Russia from the east and west. .

So I hope that the whole of England can be controlled by Daming.

If not, England must be completely conquered, let them cede land, pay compensation, and sign a treaty. "

After stroking his beard and pondering for a while, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly pointed to the map and said: "Scotland is very good at this location. If you go south, you can take the whole of England, and go east to other European princes. If you don't have the ability to take it now The condition of the whole of England is to win the whole of Scotland, at least a few naval bases from the hands of the British barbarians."

Although Emperor Chongzhen had great confidence in Daming's army, Emperor Chongzhen still had some worries—what if something happened?

Consider the worst-case scenario in advance, such as the whole of Europe uniting against Ming's army, making it impossible for Ming to completely kill England in a short time?

The possibility of this situation is very small, but it cannot be ruled out, can it?Only by making a plan first, will we not be in a hurry, right?

After waiting for Zhang Zhiji to bow and answer, Emperor Chongzhen went on to say: "The second is to compensate Ming Dynasty for military expenses. The Governor's Office of the Five Armies will calculate the cost of this expedition to England, including the accounts of the Suez Canal Squadron. Just add a zero at the end."

Then Zhang Zhiji was a little puzzled, and Emperor Chongzhen explained: "For example, if the cost is 500 million taels, let the English barbarians compensate 5000 million taels of silver; if it is 1000 million taels of military expenses, let them compensate one Tens of millions of taels of military expenditure.

To put it simply, it is to add ten times the actual cost, and then ask the barbarians to compensate.

Or another way is fine, let them compensate 500 million taels of gold for the military expenditure of 500 million taels of silver, that's fine. "

Zhang Zhiji quietly wiped the cold sweat off his forehead——according to what Emperor Chongzhen said, is there any difference between adding a zero and changing units?

According to the current gold-silver exchange ratio in Ming Dynasty, one tael of gold can be exchanged for ten taels of silver. Isn't this still a tenfold increase?

After bowing again, Zhang Zhiji said, "Then what is the treaty His Majesty is referring to?"

Emperor Chongzhen chuckled and said: "Naturally, the tribute is paid every year, and the lord of the United Kingdom must accept the canonization of my Ming Dynasty; the Ming Dynasty sent instructors into their army to observe and guide, this is one of them;

Second, open the treaty ports and allow the people of Ming Dynasty to come and go freely, and the people of Ming Dynasty are not governed by the laws of their country. Even if someone commits a crime, he must go through the trial of the Ming government to finally determine whether he is guilty. Everything is subject to the laws of the Ming Dynasty , this is the second;

Thirdly, for drugs, the English government must promise to underwrite the amount of [-] catties per year, otherwise they will breach the contract, and these drugs are only allowed to be sold in England, and they are not allowed to be sold elsewhere;

Fourth, lease one of their key islands as a naval base and form a western fleet, in the name of protecting the normal rights of Ming people and businessmen;

Fifth, take away their mineral exploration rights, railway construction rights, road construction rights, and port construction rights. If they cannot afford these fees, they will take the corresponding charging rights, or let the barbarians use tariffs as a guarantee, and pay them back every year. Loans, the interest will be cheaper for them, nine times out of thirteen returns! "

None of these conditions are good conditions, but in the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, they are nothing more than normal - in the original history, the treaty signed between the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty was almost at this level, and now the Ming Empire signed with England. Isn't such a treaty normal?

Only an unequal treaty is called a treaty, and an equal treaty is called a contract!

Emperor Chongzhen, who suddenly remembered something, suddenly said again: "By the way, let's set London on fire. As for the barbarians rebuilding themselves, it doesn't matter whether Daming contracted the rebuilding. In short, London must be set on fire first." Burn it!"