Father, I really don’t want to be the emperor

Ning Xinzhi knew that this senior farmer was very knowledgeable and had a wide range of knowledge. He could ask for advice on some issues that he didn't understand.

When Ning Fan mentioned the matter of shipbuilding, Liu Wenzheng had a puzzled expression on his face.

"Your Majesty, do you mean the kind of warships that travel in rivers, lakes and seas? Our Dakang Ministry of Industry can forge such ships, so there is nothing surprising about it."

Liu Wenzheng said with some confusion.

"The inland warships are too small. The length of the ship I want to build must be over a thousand meters long. It must be able to sail in the sea, and it cannot be made of wood. It is best to use iron."

Ning Fan thought of the aircraft carriers and cruisers of later generations, and couldn't help but be fascinated.

If Dakang can build a treasure ship and sail freely on the ocean, then establishing contact with overseas countries will no longer be a dream. Introducing overseas specialty species to the mainland will completely solve the problem of food crisis. This is the problem that Ning Fan needs to solve urgently right now.

For example, sweet potatoes and corn, these two crops have high yields and are drought-resistant. Even in some reclaimed wasteland, these two crops can be grown in large quantities. The high yields of these two crops are perfect for satisfying hunger.

"Your Majesty said that I have never heard of a ship that is thousands of meters long. However, I heard that there is a country overseas that is particularly good at building ships. Your Majesty can send people to look for it."

Liu Wenzheng indeed knew more than Ning Fan. Ning Fan's eyes lit up when he brought up this clue.

"Liu Aiqing, what is this overseas country you are talking about? I will immediately send someone to look for it."

Ning Fan is now eager to go to sea. It can be said that he is so anxious that he can't sleep at night. If he can quickly build a big ship, it is very important to Ning Fan, even more important than the war in the northwest.

"There is a country called Ryukyu overseas. Ryukyu has been living on the seaside since ancient times. What they are best at is shipbuilding. It is said that the boats built by Ryukyu are big and good. They can stay at sea for many years without sinking, and even after experiencing Some wind, waves and bumps don’t matter.”

"Of course, I read these in some books, and I don't know whether they are true or not. However, Your Majesty, if you really want something in this area, you can send someone to look for it. It won't be a big hassle."

Liu Wenzheng mentioned the matter of shipbuilding and told all the clues he knew in his heart.

Ning Fan carefully recalled some knowledge about shipbuilding in later generations in his mind. Unfortunately, he had very little knowledge about shipbuilding, not to mention that it was impossible for Ning Fan to remember the complicated structure clearly. So after thinking about it all night, Ning Fan simply gave up. .

Although Ning Fan is not very clear about shipbuilding, he is not ignorant. As long as he can find professionals in this field to discuss together, Ning Fan may not be able to build a steel ship if he gives some opinions.

The next day, Ning Fan called for a member of the Jinyi Guards named Zhang Jian. Ning Fan had noticed this man for a long time. He was not smart, but he was very hard-working, honest and honest.

In addition, Zhang Jian has martial arts skills, so it is quite appropriate to send him to Ryukyu to explore the art of shipbuilding.

In the afternoon of the next day, Grand Sinong Liu Wenzheng returned to Kyoto, while Zhang Jian received Ning Fan's imperial edict and hurried to Green Willow Villa.

As a Jinyiwei Baihu, he usually has no chance to get close contact with the emperor. Even if he takes a look from a distance, it is like smoke coming out of his ancestral grave. Zhang Jian doesn't know why he is summoned by the emperor alone. This makes him feel sad. Very uneasy.

Judging from past experience, encountering this kind of thing is either due to overwhelming luck or a catastrophe is imminent, so Zhang Jian's face turned pale when he saw Ning Fan.

"I have heard of you a long time ago and know that your reputation in Jinyiwei is very reliable. I have called you here to do something."

Ning Fan got straight to the point, he didn't want to scare Zhang Jian.

Sure enough, after hearing Ning Fan's words, Zhang Jian let out a long breath and his expression returned to normal. He immediately knelt on the ground and expressed that he was willing to do whatever Ning Fan asked him to do, even if he wanted to do it.

"This journey is long and I'm afraid you will have to endure some hardships. However, I will bring you enough money to bring twenty or thirty people with you as followers, but you must promise me that no matter what the outcome is this time, They all must come back to me."

Ning Fan did not directly say that he would send Zhang Jian to Ryukyu, but said that he would give Zhang Jian enough money.

When Zhang Jian heard Ning Fan's words, he became even more curious. He vaguely guessed that Ning Fan might send him on a mission somewhere. He couldn't help but feel a little excited, but also a little afraid.

In this era, human lifespan is limited, and the scope of activities in a person's life is actually very small.

Whether you can come back alive from a long journey is always unknown, because on the journey, you may encounter robbers or illness. In short, human life is very fragile.

"I have decided to send you to Ryukyu to learn the art of shipbuilding. It is best if you can bring back a large number of shipwrights for me."

Ning Fan finally stopped being secretive and directly told Zhang Jian the purpose of his trip.

When Zhang Jian heard that he was going to Ryukyu, he looked slightly surprised. After all, Ryukyu is thousands of kilometers away on the coast. According to the foot power of people in this era, it would take at least half a year, to a year. Time, this is still under the best situation, if it doesn't go well, it may happen in three years.

"I obey the decree and will live up to His Majesty's trust."

Zhang Jian was mentally prepared. It would take at least one to two years for him to resign. He planned to go home and say goodbye to his old mother, settle down with his wife and son, and then travel far away.

"Don't think this is a long journey. I only give you half a year. You have to come back in half a year or even preferably three months. Of course, I won't force anyone to do anything. I will order people to prepare fast horses for you along the way."

Ning Fan had already thought about it, and he was in a hurry to achieve success in shipbuilding and couldn't wait any longer.

And not long ago, Ning Fan planned to write a letter to Song Cheng, the governor of Jiangnan, asking Song Chengzhou to pay attention to the shipyards in Jiangnan, discover some shipbuilding talents, and send them to Kyoto.

"Your Majesty's half-year time limit is very tight, but since Your Majesty said so, I will go all out."

After Zhang Jian thought for a while, he frowned and responded.

It takes half a year to go to Ryukyu, and it is a round trip. This is very difficult for people in this era, but if you hurry up, it is actually not too late.

But the key to getting to Ryukyu is not only to get there, but also to complete the matter and bring Ryukyu's shipbuilding skills back to Kyoto. This is the most important thing.

"What I want is shipbuilding skills. I don't want you to run back and forth. You have to remember this matter clearly."

Ning Fan had been prepared for a long time and handed Zhang Jian an imperial edict that had been written long ago and a small golden seal.

Of course, this imperial edict was written by Ning Fan to the King of Ryukyu, and the small seal was given to the King of Ryukyu by Ning Fan as the Holy Kingdom of Heaven.