prosperous age

"Shan Dai said, he has already arranged for the Ming Dynasty to have naval forces in all four directions."

Zhang Juzheng continued with a smile.

"Appreciate further details."

Feng Bao looked at Wei Guangde and said seriously.

Four Seas is a Chinese word from Er Ya Shi Di. The original text is: Nine Yi, Eight Di, Seven Rong and Six Man are called the Four Seas.

It refers to all parts of the country, and also refers to the world or the whole country; in modern times it can also refer to all parts of the world.

In addition, the four seas considered by traditional Chinese medicine are the general term for the sea of ​​marrow, sea of ​​blood, sea of ​​qi, and sea of ​​water and grain. They are the places where the human body's qi, blood, essence and other subtle substances gather.

These four directions of sea do not refer to specific oceans, but are symbolic geographical divisions, representing the four borders of China.

The East China Sea is roughly equivalent to today's Yellow Sea, the South China Sea is equivalent to today's South China Sea, and the West Sea and the North Sea vary over time and there are different opinions.

So Wei Guangde told Feng Bao about the four seas he had confirmed.

“Although the war in Burma has not yet ended, the Ming army is making great progress and reports of victory are coming in frequently. Judging from the current reports from the Ministry of War, the Ming will surely win the war in Burma.

In this way, a part of the navy in the South China Sea was separated and stationed in Myanmar, and the so-called Western Ocean during the Yongle period became the Western Sea of ​​our Ming Dynasty.

As for the North Sea, it is naturally the sea area north of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. During the Yongle period, Emperor Chengzu sent the eunuch Yishiha to lead troops to inspect the North Sea, which is why the Nurgan Regional Military Commission was established. "

Yishiha, mentioned by Wei Guangde, played an important role in the Ming Dynasty's inspection of the Northeast.

In the seventh year of Yongle, he was appointed imperial commissioner to inspect the Northeast on behalf of the Ming central court.

Yishiha was very familiar with the customs and culture of the Northeast region. When he inspected Sakhalin Island, he appeased the tribes and people on the island, allowing the Ming military flag to fly over Sakhalin Island.

In addition, the Ming Dynasty established several garrisons on Sakhalin Island, including Nanghar Garrison, Polo River Garrison and Wulie River Garrison, which were affiliated with the Nurgan Regional Military Commission to strengthen the management of Sakhalin Island.

It is particularly important to note that sending troops in and out of Nurgandusi by the Ming Dynasty was not as troublesome as everyone imagined, because all of the Ming Dynasty's transportation to Nurgandusi was by water.

Although the Northeast region is vast, due to its dense river network, boats were the most convenient means of transportation in the Northeast at that time.

As early as the Yuan Dynasty, the central government built a shipyard in the Songhua River Basin in the northeast.

After the Ming Dynasty began to rule the Northeast, a large shipyard was built near the Ashhad Cliff Carvings on the Songhua River to build ships specifically for the relevant personnel of the Ming Dynasty in the Northeast.

In order to prepare for Yishiha's long journey, Zhu Di specially ordered people to build 25 giant ships at a shipyard near the Songhua River Cliff Carvings in Northeast China as Yishiha's means of transportation.

Starting from this shipyard, one can directly enter the main channel of the Heilongjiang River and then reach other areas of the Northeast. Therefore, this place was chosen by Yishiha and others as the starting point of this trip to the Northeast.

After Yishiha and his 1000 accompanying officers and soldiers boarded the ship at the shipyard, they sailed along the Songhua River first to Yishiha's hometown Haixi, then entered the main stream of the Heilongjiang River, and then sailed all the way to Nurgan City in the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River.

Nurgan City, also known as Nurgan, Nurge, etc., is an ancient Chinese place name located near the estuary on the east bank of the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River.

During the Ming Dynasty, the location of the estuary on the east bank of the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River was actually near the Sakhalin Bay, across the sea from Sakhalin Island.

During the Yuan Dynasty, in order to expedition to Sakhalin Island, the Yuan army used this as the starting point.

This is also the reason why Wei Guangde circled the North Sea near Nurgandusi. The seas are connected, and he certainly knows that he can reach the Arctic Ocean by sailing out to sea from here, but in fact, the exploration of the extreme north of the Ming Dynasty is very limited.

Yishiha only arrived here and did not continue heading north.

It’s not just because of the harsh natural environment in the Far North, but more likely it’s because the Ming Dynasty’s ships have nowhere else to go.

If we continue northward, we will have to take the sea route, enter the Sakhalin Bay, and then enter the Sea of ​​​​Okhotsk.

Wei Guangde could understand that since he couldn't take the boat north, ending the journey here was actually what a smart person should do.

As for the area north of Nurgandusi, it is really not an area that ordinary people can explore in this era.

People in later generations can look at the globe and envy the vast land in the north, but in fact, although the land is large, it has not been much developed even in later generations.

There is no other reason, the natural environment is too harsh.

Wei Guangde had thought about taking advantage of the opportunity of signing a contract with the Mongols, improving relations, and using troops in Liaodong to intimidate the Jurchen tribes to conduct a so-called "exploration" of the far north until he found the Arctic Ocean.

If we erect another monument there, what will that prove?
Actually, it’s useless.

If the Chinese people remain weak in the future, then this monument will only be a shame.

In fact, there was a reason why Siberia was sparsely populated during this period.

When the Russians moved eastward, they did not run northward, but instead moved eastward along the countries to the south. In other words, they expanded their land eastward to the marginal areas suitable for human survival.

As for how they finally found Alaska, all we can say is that they might have discovered Alaska accidentally while searching for the easternmost point of the continent.

Then I realized that this place actually belongs to North America.

You know, the Spaniards arrived in America earlier, and they only chose to establish colonies in the rich Central America, and had no intention of exploring and alleviating the harsh areas.

From the perspective of interests, the gain does not outweigh the loss.

Wei Guangde now sees it this way. He does not think there is any benefit in incorporating Siberia into the rule of the Ming Dynasty, because it is simply impossible to rule it.

The Han people who lived in Liaodong found that place too cold and harsh, so who would continue to migrate north?

I'm afraid that only the Jurchens and exiled serious criminals can go there.

Therefore, in Wei Guangde's view, restoring the Ming Dynasty's actual control over the Nurgan Regional Military Commission was already the limit of this era.

As for what to do if the Russians come in the future?
Just fight back.

The war between the Qing Dynasty and Russia was described as a victory in textbooks, but in fact it was a complete failure.

Whether it was Kangxi or Qianlong, the wars in the Northeast ended in failure and did not stop Russia's eastward expansion at all.

All we can say is that that period of history was whitewashed by literati to make it seem peaceful.

After all, it was probably because Kangxi and Qianlong felt that this deal was a loss. Although the land in the north was large, it was not valuable, so they chose to give up that land.

But if the Russians encountered the Ming army, which was fully armed with firearms, they might not be able to gain the upper hand.

Ultimately, it all depends on how much importance the Chinese people in power at the time attached to the northern lands.

Given the Ming Dynasty's attitude towards land, it would absolutely be impossible for it to give up the northern land.

"Nurgandusi? Isn't that place too remote?"

Feng Bao hesitated for a moment and finally spoke.

The Ming Dynasty had actually given up the place, but if it wanted to regain control, it naturally had to mobilize garrisons to the north.

But who wants to go there?
"Let's rotate the garrisons. For example, we can assign a garrison to Nurgan City and change it every two years. No family members will be allowed to accompany them."

Wei Guangde suggested.

Under the Ming Dynasty's military household system, when a garrison was mobilized, the garrison's family members had to follow to reclaim wasteland.

Wei Guangde now only plans to arrange for the garrison to be stationed in Nurgan City, which means temporary stationing, which has already broken a precedent.

“There is shipping to get there, and although it is bitterly cold, it is not impossible to do.

In the past, the garrisons could reduce their military strength and station troops in units of a thousand households, and some areas could also be units of a hundred households.

The military department should be able to bear the burden of transporting materials once a year and rotating them every two years."

Wei Guangde took another step back. The Nurgan Regional Military Commission had several garrisons, three of which were near the Nurgan City and Sakhalin Island.

Wei Guangde reduced the number of guards to thousand-household guards, so that the price Ming would have to pay would be much smaller. According to Wei Guangde's plan, each time a guard was transferred north, a full-strength thousand-household guard would be arranged, with a scale of 1,200 people, and they could be stationed in several areas, all of which were abandoned garrisons of the Ming army.

For these places, you can just go to a hundred-household unit and station a hundred or so people there.

In this way, the amount of food and warm clothes needed for them to survive the winter will be much less than in the past.

Without the burden of family members, and after staying for two years, the soldiers can return to Liaodong. I think they will not have much resistance.

After all, there is always hope.

When the time comes, I can go back and reunite with my family.

What people fear most is having no hope.

If the family members stay in Liaodong, it means they can go back and won't do anything stupid.

"What about the boat?"

Zhang Juzheng suddenly asked.

"We can only draw warships from the East China Sea Fleet first."

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Wei Guangde said helplessly that the shipyard from the early years had already been abandoned, and it was basically impossible to continue building ships in the Northeast to ensure the shipping of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.

"However, we can rebuild shipyards on the Yalu River or Songhua River, or directly transfer small and medium-sized seagoing vessels to the Heilongjiang River."

Wei Guangde suggested again.

"As long as the Ministry of War and Liaodong Military Commission can convince them, I have no objection."

Feng Bao suddenly spoke.

This matter is originally the court's business. He can put forward opinions, but he does not need to be responsible.

Wei Guangde suggested that he would naturally handle the follow-up.

The Ministry of War is still under the charge of Tan Lun, and the current commander of Liaodong is Qi Jiguang. I think neither of them will object to Wei Guangde's proposal.

The Liaodong Regional Military Commission sends a thousand people to the Nurgan Regional Military Commission every year, rotating them every two years. I think it should be possible.

The troops were withdrawn in the first place because several garrisons of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission were full of complaints and the internal situation was extremely unstable.

If the terrain was not remote, a large number of soldiers would have chosen to flee.

It was precisely because of the instability and the fear of a mutiny that the imperial court eventually chose to withdraw from the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.

At that time, there were tens of thousands of people, which naturally put a lot of pressure on the imperial court.

But if there are only a thousand people, there shouldn't be any problem.

"The soldiers who go to Nurgan will be fully paid for two years by the Ministry of War and Liaodong."

Wei Guangde said again.

If the conditions are tough, then just give them money. I don’t believe they won’t be willing to stay there for two years.

Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao remained silent. It would be better to let Wei Guangde handle the affairs of the four naval forces, since he was in charge of the Ministry of War affairs anyway.

"My banquet should be almost over. How about we talk over the table?"

Feng Bao suggested at this time.

"Brother Shuanglin, why don't you tell us what the attitude of the palace is? Then we can speak freely at the banquet later."

Wei Guangde smiled.

After hearing what Wei Guangde said, Feng Bao saw Zhang Juzheng's serious face and had to speak up: "There is only one question in the palace, how will the court regulate the grain transport in the future."

After hearing this, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde knew that the palace's concerns still existed.

"Shandai, let me tell you something. The Wuqing Marquis's Mansion has invested a lot of money in Tongzhou and Dezhou. I heard that they are also preparing to expand to the south."

Feng Bao's words were also a reminder to Wei Guangde that this was related to the Empress Dowager Cisi's family.

This Wuqing Earl Li Wei is the grandfather of the current emperor.

"Haha, Brother Shuanglin, you worry too much. The imperial court has never thought of giving up the grain transport."

Wei Guangde smiled and said, "It's still what I said before. The imperial court's grain transport has gradually changed to sea routes, and the Grand Canal is mainly used by official ships and merchant ships. Naturally, the imperial court will not ignore the canal.

The river management office will continue to invest real money in water management and will also do its utmost to ensure smooth water transport.”

In fact, after the grain transport was changed to sea transport, the money and grain invested by the court in the maintenance of the canal would definitely be reduced, but Wei Guangde planned to collect the difference from merchant ships.

Official ships never cost money.

In addition, due to the reduction in the number of grain ships, the water consumption of the canal will also decrease, so the water volume in the Huanghuai River will also increase, hoping to wash away some silt.

In fact, even if the Yellow River changes its course, it may affect canal shipping for a period of time, but in the long run, the Grand Canal will still maintain smooth shipping.

Think about later generations. The Yellow River had long since changed its course, but the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou is still in operation.

“As long as the court maintains the canal, there will be no problem.

The palace is only concerned about the effectiveness of water control. As for whether the canal ships should go by canal or sea, that is the court's business and the two ministers have the final say."

Feng Baole said happily, "This matter was proposed by Shandai. To be honest, the palace has always been very confident in you."

Wei Guangde has done a lot of things over the years, and everything seems to have turned out well in the end.

It is because of this past record that Feng Bao can say this.

In fact, after returning to the palace today, the two palaces were most concerned about whether the grain transport would be abandoned by the court after the grain transport was changed to sea transport.

For them, even if their families invested countless industries along the canal, it was not as important as ensuring the stability of the little emperor's throne.

As long as the young emperor Zhu Yijun's position was stable, even if he lost some money, he could get it back from other places.

What they were worried about was the livelihoods of the people on both sides of the thousands of miles of canal, which was related to the long-term stability of the imperial court.

If the people on both sides of the strait are left without food and clothing, it could cause a huge disaster, even endangering the government. This is where they have to be careful.

It’s not necessarily that they really understood these things, but it was someone who reminded them that made them realize the importance of the canal.

Even if the court would lose money in doing this, sometimes it had to bite the bullet and do it.

"Is the banquet ready?"

Feng Bao shouted outside.

"Master, everything is ready. Please invite the two ministers to take their seats."

Xu Jue walked into the room quickly and said with a smile on his face.

"Uncle, Shandai, let's go and have a drink. I have prepared some good wine to treat you today. You will know when the time comes."

Feng Bao stood up and led the way, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde followed behind and went directly to the wing room.

In the side room, the banquet has been prepared.

We have already discussed what we want to discuss, so it's nothing serious, so just drink it. (End of this chapter)