My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 719 Zhu Yong and the Shenji Camp
"This is the first time we have used troops overseas. Zhan He, are you sure?"

In the Wuying Hall of the Imperial City of Nanjing, Zhu Gaoxu looked at the map of Egypt and couldn't help but ask Zhu Zhanhe worriedly.

After such a long period of construction in the imperial city, some of the main buildings are almost completed. The Wuying Palace was built first, mainly because Zhu Gaoxu was influenced by Zhu Di. Not only the layout of the main hall is the same as that of the Imperial City of the Ming Dynasty, but even the name was directly copied. .

"Father, don't worry. The Mamluks in Egypt have long been in decay. Many noble governors have even secretly defected to the Ottomans. With these people leading the way, and with us and the Ottomans joining forces to send troops, it will definitely not be a problem to capture Egypt. Now we What needs to be considered is who should be sent to lead the troops?"

Zhu Zhanhe assured confidently.

Zhu Zhanhe decided to send troops to Egypt only during the Northern Expedition, so he had no time to discuss it with Zhu Gaoxu. After returning this time, he immediately reported to Zhu Gaoxu, hoping to get the other party's support.

"Well, since you are so confident, I have no objection. It's just that although the Ottomans can cooperate, they can't be completely trusted!"

As expected, Zhu Gaoxu had no objection. After all, he was very reassured about Zhu Zhanhe's ability.

"Father, don't worry, the Ottomans are indeed untrustworthy, and I have been guarding against them!"

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu agreed, Zhu Zhanhe also said very happily.

"As for the candidate to lead the army..."

Zhu Gaoxu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"The first overseas use of troops is to cooperate with the Ottomans. This matter is of great importance. I must show my majesty as a big man in order to frighten other countries. Needless to say, the navy must be led by Zhang Zhong. As for the army, the last It’s better to choose one from Zhang Xing or Chang Wei, but they each have important responsibilities!”

At the end of Zhu Gaoxu's words, he showed hesitation again.

Zhang Xing is a handsome man and can fight smoothly. As long as the army is left in his hands, there will be almost no suspense in this battle. Even if he cannot win a big victory, he will never be defeated.

But Chang Wei has a fierce and aggressive temperament, very similar to his grandfather Chang Yuchun. He is good at defeating many with less and defeating strong with weak. Whenever Zhu Gaoxu encounters a tough nut to crack on the battlefield, he will let Chang Wei lead his troops. Attacking can often work wonders.

Although these two people have obvious advantages, they both have heavy responsibilities. Zhang Xing is currently the commander-in-chief of the Chinese Army. He is responsible for the security around the capital and the training of troops stationed across the country. They have a lot of affairs. When they attacked Peshawar last time, Zhang Xing It can only be dispatched from the rear.

Chang Wei, on the other hand, has been stationed in Peshawar and Kabul. Now that he is about to get married again, he cannot spare the energy to send troops.

In addition to the two of them, although the Han Dynasty had other generals, their prestige and qualifications were far inferior, and it was difficult for them to be qualified for the important task of the expedition to Egypt.

"Father, I think we can let Zhu Yong lead the army!"

Zhu Zhanhe suddenly suggested.

"Zhu Yong? Although he is also a prince, he has not made many achievements since he came to the Han Dynasty. Will it be risky to let him lead the army?"

Zhu Gaoxu frowned when he heard this.

Zhu Yong's time in Dahan was too short, and his position as Duke was more of Zhu Gaoxu's compensation for him.

Of course, Zhu Yong also worked very hard after he came to Han Dynasty. During this period, he was responsible for leading troops to guard the northwest region of Han Dynasty. The people there were fierce and there were rebellions from time to time. Zhu Yong has been leading troops to quell the rebellion. Although he has some merits, compared to Zhang Xing It is obviously much different from Chang Wei.

"Zhu Yong has been in Dahan for some time, and he has been quite effective in leading troops to counter the rebellion. More importantly, he once led troops to guard Japan alone and has experience in leading troops overseas. This is very important. In addition, I have always Let him lead the Shenji Battalion to test new firearms. Now the new firearms have been equipped with the Shenji Battalion, which is very powerful. If he is sent to lead the Shenji Battalion to send troops to Egypt, he will definitely succeed in the battle!" Zhu Zhanhe insisted again.

The so-called new firearm is actually a flintlock gun developed by Zhu Zhanhe. It mainly replaces the original match rope with a flint fire starter. The principle is the same as that of a lighter. In this way, the preparation steps before shooting can be reduced and there is no need to worry. The impact of some weather on firearms has greatly improved the practicality of muskets.

"Send the Shenji Battalion to send troops to Egypt?"

When Zhu Gaoxu heard this, he looked thoughtful again.

The Shenji Camp was also built after the Ming Dynasty's Shenji Camp. Everyone was equipped with firearms. Zhu Zhanhe's improved new muskets. Zhu Gaoxu had also seen its power with his own eyes. It can be said that the Han Dynasty's Shenji Camp was definitely better than the Ming Dynasty's Shenji Camp. Much stronger.

The Shenji Battalion has also been led by Zhu Yong. In the process of countering the rebellion in the northwest, the Shenji Battalion performed extremely well. Almost as soon as the muskets were fired, the rebels would surrender immediately, almost losing the courage to resist.

"Well, since you trust Zhu Yong and Shenji Battalion so much, then send them troops and give them several thousand cavalry to prevent any accidents!"

Zhu Gaoxu was finally persuaded and nodded immediately.

"Thank you, Father!"

Zhu Zhanhe said very happily when he saw Zhu Gaoxu agreeing.

"If Egypt were conquered, how would the Suez Canal be dug? How did you and the Ottomans discuss it?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked about the canal. After all, conquering Egypt was not the goal. The goal was to dig the canal so that Han ships could directly enter the Mediterranean.

"I have discussed this matter with them, and we will cooperate with each other. We will first jointly send surveyors to determine the route of the canal, and then they will be responsible for their respective river sections. As for the labor to dig the canal, they will come directly from Egypt. Requisition, and if necessary, use prisoners of war.”

Zhu Zhanhe explained again.

"How long will it take?"

Zhu Gaoxu then asked.

"It's hard to say. This canal was abandoned hundreds of years ago. Some sections of the canal are still usable, while others are completely blocked. The amount of work needs to be carried out before a conclusion can be drawn, but I estimate that the longest It should be possible in seven or eight years.”

Zhu Zhanhe replied.

It took 11 years to dig the Suez Canal in later generations. It was mainly led by a French consul, and a company was also established to excavate. The manpower, material and financial resources that could be used were limited.

In contrast, when the Han Dynasty and the Ottomans cooperated, the two powerful countries were about to send troops to capture Egypt. The energy they would be able to use at that time would definitely be much stronger than that of the French in later generations, and excavation in later generations would mainly use manpower and no technical skills. Because of the difference in generation, Zhu Zhanhe was confident that it would be completed within seven or eight years.

“Seven or eight years is indeed a long time, but as long as you can enter the Mediterranean Sea, it’s worth waiting for so long!”

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said.

The current Han Dynasty has collected a lot of information about overseas places. The Roman Empire was born in the Mediterranean, and there is vast Europe in the north. Those are areas that even the Mongols have not conquered. Zhu Gaoxu will not miss it.

(End of this chapter)