prosperous age

"Send a message to Yuegang and ask them to increase trade with Japan next year. I'm afraid we will have to suspend it the year after."

Wei Guangde gave an instruction.

"Master, this is..."

Hearing Wei Guangde's words suddenly, Zhang Ji was confused for a moment. He was no longer aware of himself and wanted to ask why.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he realized the other person's identity, so he shut up halfway through his words.

"There's not much else to say. Just tell them to find a way to increase trade with Japan. Next year, in just one year, I hope to double or triple our shipments.

Starting from the year after next, the Chamber of Commerce will choose to go to Southeast Asia and the West for trade, and this year we should also pay attention to collecting information in this regard. "

After Wei Guangde finished speaking, he realized that if he didn't come up with a proper reason, some things would inevitably be guessed by others.

Although he knew that military operations should be kept completely confidential, the profits for Japan were too huge, so he was reluctant to give up.

Next year, we will strive to make enough profits for two or three years, so that the losses will be smaller.

After thinking for a while, Wei Guangde whispered: "Tell them that after the East China Sea Navy is established, its main responsibility is to impose a trade blockade on Japan and prohibit Ming Dynasty goods from entering Japan.

The Jinyiwei has discovered the existence of Ming Tongbao coins on the Japanese market and suspects that some merchants are smuggling them.

I can only protect it until next year, while the Ministry of War and the Navy still have the say.

Just tell them that, understand?"

Wei Guangde looked at Zhang Ji and said seriously.

"Yes, the little one knows."

Zhang Ji bowed and replied.

"Remember, there must not be any mistakes in this matter, and do not leak any information to the Japanese."

Wei Guangde finally gave his instructions.

The Ming court had always prohibited trade with Japan, except for limited tribute trade.

However, such transactions ended during the Jiajing period, and the Ming Dynasty only accepted tribute from East Asian countries such as Korea and Ryukyu, and no longer accepted tribute from Japan.

The subsequent Japanese invasion made the Ming Dynasty not only wary of Japan but also full of hatred for it.

Wei Guangde returned to his study to read, and waited until the sound of gongs and drums at midnight came from outside, and then he heard footsteps outside.

"Master, someone has come from the palace. Butler Zhang is accompanying them in."

Outside the door, servants from the mansion reported.

Wei Guangde stood up, yawned and stretched, and replied lightly: "I know."

I walked over and opened the door, and sure enough, a man wrapped in a cloak came in at the gate, led by Zhang Ji.

Wei Guangde walked out the door, went down the steps, and bowed to the visitor.

Feng Bao didn't say anything, but returned the greeting with a bow. Then the two of them went into the study.

After Zhang Ji personally served tea and went out to dismiss everyone around him, leaving him alone in the yard, the two began to talk.

However, at the beginning, everyone was just chatting casually. Feng Bao was obviously very concerned about the Burmese affairs. Le Hehe said, "Shandai, I have seen the account book. It is very good. There can be so much dividends in the first year."

"It's just the beginning. Actually, it's only half a year's profit."

Wei Guangde smiled and said, "By the way, they have also collected a lot of gemstones. When they are delivered, let Brother Shuanglin choose first."

"I knew there were a lot of gems there, but I didn't expect there were a lot of gold mines there too."

Feng Bao had already taken off his cloak and put it aside, then picked up the tea and took a sip.

"I have conveyed your message. We will send our share of the gems and gold we mined directly to you, and the rest will be exchanged for silver."

Wei Guangde knew what Feng Bao meant by gold mine and answered immediately.

"Hehe, Shandai, you are really awesome. You get such a generous dividend without doing anything."

Feng Bao clicked his tongue twice and sighed.

In fact, in the first year, each of them would only receive a dividend of tens of thousands of taels of silver, but next year it might exceed a hundred thousand taels.

Of course, there are some gems.

After all, in addition to gold and copper mines, Myanmar is also very famous for its gem mines.

Wei Guangde didn't know that the gems from Sri Lanka were of better quality, otherwise he would have commanded his fleet to go there to purchase gems.

Influenced by later generations, Burmese jade was very popular at that time.

Don’t think that 100,000 taels of silver is a small amount. In fact, some small and medium-sized chambers of commerce may not be able to earn this much money even after working hard for a year.

It is all thanks to the fact that Myanmar’s resources are indeed abundant, and their resources are also what the Ming Dynasty is extremely lacking.

It can be said that the mined silver mines, copper mines, etc. have no worries about sales.

The amount of copper coins transported from Yunnan to Nanjing and Beijing this year has nearly doubled compared with previous years, and all of the copper materials come from Myanmar.

Of course, minting copper coins is not very profitable, and the profits are far less than minting silver and gold coins.

However, among the people, copper coins were the main currency in circulation and an indispensable currency. The Ming Dynasty was also very short of circulating copper coins.

After talking about Myanmar, Feng Bao got to the point and said with a smile: "Although you came to the palace today and brought good news, why didn't you let me know about the review first? You caught me off guard."

"Brother Shuanglin, you misunderstood. I think my uncle should have explained it to you. It's all a coincidence.

In fact, after receiving the news from the Ministry of War, I went to see him and mentioned this matter on the way to the palace.

You were not present at the time, but His Majesty seemed quite interested in this, and kept asking questions."

Wei Guangde guessed that Feng Bao came so late because he must have just been to Zhang Juzheng and knew the situation.

When I entered the palace today, Feng Bao was not present. After all, he was also the director of the Imperial Household Department, and he should have been busy dealing with memorials to the emperor at that time.

"But you are planning to hold a naval review in Tianjin. Your Majesty will have to send troops on a long expedition of 200 miles to review it. Isn't that unnecessary?

It would be better to send a noble representative. Your Majesty has never been so far away, so who can guarantee his safety? "

Feng Bao spoke hesitantly, but what he said convinced Wei Guangde that Feng Bao had first found Zhang Juzheng.

From what he said, it seems that he has some opinions about the first naval review of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty has reached adulthood and is about to get married. Tianjin is only about 200 miles away from the capital, so it's not that far."

Wei Guangde smiled and said, "Besides, our Ming navy has made great achievements in recent years. It is necessary to let His Majesty know that he has an invincible navy in his hands, not just a few hundred thousand battle-hardened frontier troops.

I don't think it's a bad thing to let Your Majesty go out of the capital for a while. You can also take a look at the customs and folkways of the capital area of ​​​​the Ming Dynasty.

But between the capital and Tianjin, Brother Shuanglin, are you still worried that there will be rebels who will harm Your Majesty?
At that time, we will dispatch the troops from Baoding and Jizhen to escort you along the way, and there will also be soldiers from the Jinyiwei and the Imperial Horse Administration, so your Majesty’s safety will be guaranteed.”

Wei Guangde immediately gave Feng Bao a heads-up to prevent him from still insisting on his opposition. When the news got to the palace, it was unknown what the reaction would be.

If Feng Bao could be convinced, the situation would naturally be much better. At least there would be someone in the palace who could help explain.

"Originally, the two Empress Dowagers only reluctantly accepted the review outside the capital, but I didn't expect you to make it more difficult for me. Now I don't know how to report back."

Feng Bao smiled bitterly at this time and said, "Actually, I came here this time because Shandai thought of it. The palace is worried that Your Majesty is too obsessed with military affairs, and they need Shandai to say something."

Wei Guangde nodded slightly. Today, Emperor Wanli showed his concern for military affairs, which was somewhat irritating to the two Empress Dowagers.

Well, let’s learn from past experience. Emperor Wuzong is an example.

"What I taught was just the basics, to let Your Majesty understand the basic details of military affairs, and it did not involve knowledge of marching and fighting. Therefore, the palace is actually worrying too much.

In addition, we have also analyzed ancient battle examples to broaden your Majesty's thinking, but it does not involve details such as the deployment of troops.

It can be said that Your Majesty has a general understanding of military affairs, but it is not detailed or comprehensive.

When encountering a war, he can plan strategies and mobilize all war resources, but he absolutely cannot have the ability to command personally.

In fact, during the war game simulation in Wenhua Palace, Your Majesty also knew that his ability to make on-the-spot decisions was insufficient. "

When Wei Guangde explained ancient war examples, he naturally brought up war game simulations, but the test was more on logistics, such as how much supplies were needed for the army and how long the war could last.

As for the deployment of troops and on-the-spot command, since Wei Guangde had never taught them anything, they were naturally a mess.

After playing micro-management a few times, Emperor Wanli lost interest.

Perhaps he knew that he was not suited to leading troops in battle, so he focused on studying the logistical support of war cases.

In fact, many so-called classic battles in ancient times were fought without sufficient logistical support. If the logistical support was sufficient and the commanding generals were more rigorous, it would have been impossible to fight such battles.

In fact, although Wei Guangde talked about classic examples of defeating a larger force with a smaller one, it was only a contrast to many normal examples that were not well-known.

In military affairs, normal battles are the norm, and classics are impossible to replicate.

The little emperor could actually understand this.

"I see. What you taught your Majesty is mainly about what the court should prepare for the soldiers on the front line when a war breaks out."

After listening to Wei Guangde's story, Feng Bao nodded and said.

"That's right, so please go back to the palace and tell the Queen Mother that their worries are unnecessary.

With the precedent of Emperor Wuzong, it is absolutely impossible for the lecturers selected by the court to teach Your Majesty military books, and the palace should also pay attention to Your Majesty finding such books in private."

Wei Guangde also reminded.

"Okay, I understand. I will report the truth when I return. In fact, the Queen Mother also trusts Shandai."

Feng Bao laughed at this time.

"As for the review in Tianjin, I still can't say anything. It all depends on your Majesty's attitude."

Feng Bao then stopped smiling and spoke seriously.

"Brother Shuanglin, do you dare to pat your chest in front of the Queen Mother and guarantee the safety of Your Majesty on the way to Tianjin?"

Wei Guangde suddenly asked.

"this."

Feng Bao hesitated for a moment, and Wei Guangde said, "I dare. The cabinet will go together, and my uncle also wants to see the invincible navy of the Ming Dynasty."

Wei Guangde answered.

"Haha, you're provoking me too."

Feng Bao grinned and laughed out loud.

"If Brother Shuanglin doesn't want to watch it, forget it."

Wei Guangde smiled and said, "Two hundred miles, a round trip in one day is possible if you ride fast."

“Well, I was also present at the Longqing Grand Review and watched it. It was spectacular.

But this Tianjin review is just a bunch of warships, what’s so good about it?”

Feng Bao finally asked.

"This is just like what Brother Shuanglin could think of before the Longqing Review, but what did he actually see?"

Wei Guangde asked back.

“There are some differences.”

Feng Bao just whispered

“Whoever is the grand reviewer, it will be even more spectacular.

It is estimated that this grand review will mobilize the elite of the South China Sea Navy and the East China Sea Navy, both of which are the main navies guarding the Ming Sea.

At least three hundred large and small warships must be gathered, and there must be fifty or sixty of the latest double-decker gunboats alone.

Just one artillery salvo involved 700 to 800 guns, and during the Longqing Review, there were only about 100 guns.”

Wei Guangde used the most eye-catching artillery salvo to seduce Feng Bao. He had been in charge of the Imperial Stables before and had watched the grand military review, so he naturally knew what military drills were like.

However, Wei Guangde dared to guarantee that no one in this era had ever thought of a naval review.

There was a parade first, with large warships leading the way, followed by hundreds of gunboats, and then other warships.

The climax is the artillery demonstration, where all the gunboats are mobilized to fire in unison, and the noise is absolutely earth-shaking.

As for the end, it is naturally modeled after the naval review held in Britain in the 19th century, with all the warships arranged in square formations. It's a pity that there are no airplanes, as that kind of spectacle would only be shocking enough if viewed from the air.

"Don't forget to bring the court painter along when the time comes. We must present this spectacular scene perfectly so that the Queen Mother can also feel the great martial virtue of our Ming Dynasty in the palace."

Wei Guangde suddenly said to Feng Bao again.

To mobilize the court painters, Feng Bao naturally had to make an effort.

Wei Guangde thought that Europe had only experienced great voyages for a hundred years at that time and should not be able to stage such a grand event, so he planned to hold the world's first naval review in the Ming Dynasty.

What many people don’t know is that the first recognized naval review actually took place two hundred years ago. It is said that during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, King Henry V of England held a naval review at Southampton and then led his troops to an expedition to France after the review.

At that time, King Wu seemed to be still fighting wars everywhere, preparing to establish the Ming Dynasty.

"I want the sea to be covered with Ming warships."

After sending Feng Bao out of the house, before parting, Wei Guangde whispered something to Feng Bao.

After saying this, Feng Bao got into the sedan chair and left. Wei Guangde also went straight to the backyard to rest.

After staying up late tonight, he was already sleepy and yawned all the way back.

However, Feng Bao in the sedan was thinking about Wei Guangde’s last words: what would it look like if the sea was filled with warships?
Feng Bao had never seen the sea, he had only read descriptions of it in books, which said it seemed endless.

How big can it be?

Feng Bao had no idea either. It didn’t matter whether it was big or not. But what would it look like if the sea was covered with warships?
After thinking for a long time in the sedan chair, Feng Bao still couldn't figure out the problem, and the sedan chair arrived at his house outside the palace.

It's too late. Even the Otomo or the Prime Minister cannot open the gates of the imperial city at this time.

After returning to the house and asking someone to prepare hot water for washing, Feng Bao still sat there thinking about what he had gained tonight.

Zhang Juzheng also supported Wei Guangde's suggestion, thinking that His Majesty could be allowed to see the situation of the navy, but he didn't know whether the Empress Dowager would agree.

After all, this trip will last for half a month, but it would definitely not be convenient for the Empress Dowager to go with them on a trip to Tianjin.

As for the Empress Dowager asking him to remind Wei Guangde what to teach and what not to teach, Feng Bao was too lazy to open his mouth.

Wei Guangde would not understand the reason behind this. In his opinion, it was just the nature of a child who would not pay attention after two years.

Soon, the water was brought up and the servants helped Feng Bao wash up, and he went straight to bed.

I have to go to the palace early tomorrow morning to explain the situation to the Queen Mother.

Feng Bao did not dare to fool his master. (End of this chapter)