Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 447 Maritime Silk Road

"This slave is stupid, please let me know clearly."

Wei Zhongxian, who could not figure out the emperor's intention, hesitated for a moment and then hurriedly bowed and said: "As long as it is the emperor's will, even if it means going up the mountain of swords and into the sea of ​​fire, I will be willing to do it."

This is the biggest difference between Wei Zhongxian and other eunuchs in the inner court.

"It's not necessary to go up a mountain of knives and go down into a sea of ​​fire."

Zhu Youxiao showed a smile, looked at Wei Zhongxian and said: "I want Wei Banpan to lead a group of people to leave the capital and go to the coast of Fujian according to the order, recruit a fleet from the people, and then use the Penghu Islands as the basis to try to cooperate with Get in touch with Dongfan and gradually establish a foothold in Dongfan."

This……

Wei Zhongxian was shocked when he heard this. What the hell is Dongfan? He had never heard of it before. Why should he go there?

"Your Majesty, I don't know where Dongfan is."

Wei Zhongxian calmed down and showed a smile that was uglier than crying.

If you talk about places like Shanxi and Liaodong, Wei Zhongxian not only knows about them, he has also been to these places. If they are further away, such as Korea and Dongbo, Wei Zhongxian knows these places, but he only knows about them.

As for a place like Dongfan, it was once ruled by the Ming Dynasty for a period of time, but it was only for a certain period. Now I am afraid that not many people know about this place. Who made the territory ruled by the Ming Dynasty too vast? .

Of course, under the jurisdiction of the southeastern provinces, especially in the coastal areas, there may be a lot of people who know this place, especially those groups engaged in maritime trade. After all, this place is the only place to go to the Southeast Asia.

"It doesn't matter if Wei Banban doesn't know, the people in Fujian must know a lot."

Zhu Youxiao lifted up his robe and stood up, stretched out his hand and said to Wei Zhongxian: "From Tianjin to open sea trade, Western Yi merchants have gone north to Tianjin to trade, and these Western Yi merchants going north set out from various places in Nanyang. I think If you want to go north to the Ming Dynasty coast, whether it is the southeast coast or the northern coast, you will pass through this east coast."

While telling Wei Zhongxian this, Zhu Youxiao found a map based on his memory. Seeing this, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly bowed his head and stepped forward to help his emperor hang it up.

"The complete map of Kunyu and all the kingdoms."

Zhu Youxiao stared at the map in front of him, stood with his hands behind his hands and said: "This was drawn during the Wanli period. It is said to be presented by the Western missionary Li Douma, but the authenticity cannot be verified, so I won't go into details. .”

"The previously drawn map of Kunyu and all the kingdoms was not particularly accurate in some areas, so I specially asked the people in the inner study hall to change the drawing based on what I knew. From this, we have this new map of Kunyu and all the kingdoms. Picture, of course, this map is for reference only.”

Wei Zhongxian, who was standing next to him at the moment, looked very shocked. His eyes were fixed on the center of this picture of Kunyu and Ten Thousand Kingdoms. The touch of red was so attractive.

"Your Majesty, are there really all the nations outside the Ming Dynasty?"

Wei Zhongxian swallowed his saliva, suppressed his surprise and said.

"I don't know if there are ten thousand countries, but I know that besides the Ming Dynasty, there is an extremely vast territory, and many places are richer than the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Youxiao replied: "In addition to the emperor's younger brother and Changshou, you are the third person who has seen this repainted map of Kunyu and Ten Thousand Kingdoms before."

When Wei Zhongxian heard this, he immediately woke up.

He knew that what his emperor said was closely related to his request to go to Dongfan just now.

"Wei Banban was the first to follow me, and I trust Wei Banban very much."

Zhu Youxiao lifted up the sleeves of his robe, suppressed his smile and said, "But Wei Banban also knows that eunuchs in power in the inner court, especially those who supervise the factory guards, will inevitably be criticized and criticized."

"Even now, this voice is still not small."

"So I want Wei Banban to follow the example of Yongle's grand event and re-take Zheng He's voyages to the West in the name of Eunuch Bingbi, Superintendent of Ceremonies, and Admiral of Dongjishi Factory!"

"If Wei Banban can accomplish this, it will make the Ming Dynasty famous overseas again. I won't say anything else. Your Suning Wei family will have a hereditary and irreplaceable title."

"!!!"

Wei Zhongxian showed an expression of disbelief.

A hereditary title? !

He hadn't even thought about it before.

As an eunuch in the inner court, no matter how much power he holds and how high his status is, he cannot be awarded a title. But coming from the mouth of his own prince, Wei Zhongxian believed that if he could really do it, the title would be Can't run. He may not be able to receive this title directly.

But his nephew can do it!

Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian's heartbeat began to speed up, and even his breathing became rapid. If the Wei family could really receive the hereditary and irreplaceable title, he would be separated from the Ming Dynasty and the country from now on.

"Your Majesty..."

"Wei Banban, don't rush to speak, just listen to me."

Zhu Youxiao could feel Wei Zhongxian's emotional changes. Even a eunuch who has no descendants still attaches great importance to the inheritance of incense and the prosperity of the family, especially if he holds a certain amount of power, climbs to a certain position, and is used to all kinds of intrigues. This obsession will only grow stronger.

"This is Fujian, this is Dongfan, and in between are the Penghu Islands."

Zhu Youxiao picked up a long stick, pointed at the map in front of him, and said to Wei Zhongxian: "The one to the east is Ryukyu, which belongs to our Ming Dynasty, but it has been occupied by the Satsuma clan under Towa, while the one to the south is Ryukyu. The countries in Nanyang are in order, and the one closest to Dongfan is Luzon. The situation in this area is more complicated."

"Just like the wealthy areas in the northern region, most of them are occupied by Spanish maritime forces. They collude with many local states to achieve the purpose of exploiting and taking root. In the south, there is the vassal state of Sulu, and Spanish maritime forces have repeatedly tried to invade and occupy it. The Sulu Kingdom wanted to achieve the goal of barbaric exploitation, but the Sulu Kingdom was unanimous in its foreign affairs and did not allow the Western Yi to achieve this goal."

"To the south of Sulu, the situation is more complicated. In addition to the local forces, there are also Western maritime powers such as Portugal and the Netherlands. In addition, there are also many overseas Han people. What I just told Wei Banban is that I want to Let Wei Banban gain a foothold in Dongfan, demonstrate the prestige of our Ming Dynasty overseas, and actively absorb the maritime power of the Han people from Nanyang countries!"

Wei Zhongxian was stunned.

Suddenly knowing so much, the key was that he had never been exposed to it before, which made Wei Zhongxian unable to recover for a while.

Although Zhu Youxiao also knew that it was indeed difficult for Wei Zhongxian to go to Dongfan to do such a thing, the opportunity would not stay there forever.

It is now the second year of Tianqi.

If we do not take advantage of the current period to make arrangements for the Southeast Asian countries as soon as possible, it will be even more difficult to set foot in this region in the future.

You must know that the current East Fan is still in the stage of a terra nullius. After some time, the Netherlands will enter this area. Not long after, there will also be a group of forces stationed in the East, that is, the rise of the East. The Japanese forces of Yan Siqi and Li Dan were half merchants and half bandits.

Perhaps few people know them, but under their command, there is one person that many people must be familiar with, and that is Zheng Zhilong!

Since in the original timeline, people like Yan Siqi, Li Dan, and Zheng Zhilong could rise strongly at sea and even extend their power to a large extent, Zhu Youxiao did not believe it. With his absolute support, Wei Zhongxian was ordered to go south. Dongfan cannot do without some achievements.

If it were other eunuchs in power in the inner court, such as Wang Tiqian and Liu Ruoyu, even people like Fang Zhenghua, Wang Chengen, and Cao Huachun, Zhu Youxiao would not even consider it. But only Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao felt that this matter could be considered. You can even take action.

Why?

Wei Zhongxian entered the palace very late, and was a rogue in Suning. But it was precisely this special experience that made him accustomed to the warmth and coldness of the world.

But he had no choice but to choose to enter the palace, but the life in the palace was not as beautiful as the outside world thought, and Wei Zhongxian experienced the harshness of the world again.

Such a legendary person has characteristics that other eunuchs in the inner court do not have, that is, he is cunning and heroic, and he can afford to let go. The key is to dare to gamble! !

It is precisely because of this that Zhu Youxiao attaches great importance to Wei Zhongxian.

The official maritime power of the Ming Dynasty is still very poor in foundation. But the official maritime power is poor, which does not mean that the civilian maritime power is poor. Especially the maritime power isolated overseas, many of them are Han people.

If they can be incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, even if they cannot join the regular naval establishment in the future, they can still become the pioneers of the Ming Dynasty.

However, none of the big and small leaders of these forces are easy to deal with. I don’t know where the true kindness has gone. The only ones who are alive are the very deep and ruthless people!

It is by no means an easy thing to incorporate them and be willing to submit to the Ming Dynasty.

But if it can be done, it will not only be time that Ming will rob, but also roots that cannot be measured by wealth. This is what Zhu Youxiao values ​​​​the most.

It is precisely for this reason that Zhu Youxiao is willing to grant Wei Zhongxian a hereditary and non-replaceable title. If Wei Zhongxian can really do it, the Suning Wei family will at least get a marquis! !

The opportunity to honor his ancestors is right in front of him, and now it depends on whether Wei Zhongxian dares to take it.

Zhu Youxiao didn't want Wei Zhongxian to agree because of the emperor's majesty, so that even if Wei Zhongxian went, it would not be able to play a corresponding role. Zhu Youxiao wanted Wei Zhongxian to dare to be cruel in his heart, even if he risked his own life, to win such a Chance!

(End of this chapter)