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Without waiting for Zheng Zhilong to answer, Yi Huawei asked again:

"How long has the Fujian Navy been established?"

Zheng Zhilong's throat rolled, and he knelt on one knee on the deck, his rough palm pressed against the grain of the teak wood. "Your Majesty, the Fujian Navy was established in May of last year, and it has been one year, three months and five days."

As he spoke, he took out a yellow silk booklet from his bosom: "Your Majesty, the navy currently has 72 large and small warships, including 24 new gunboats... The Japanese pirates have invaded seven times and were all repelled by the navy. The latest battle report is in the waters of Jilong Island..."

"How's the battle damage?"

Yi Huawei's voice was heard amid the sound of the waves, but Zheng Zhilong heard it clearly and hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, we have won seven battles in a row. Last month, in the battle of Jilong Island, our Japanese ship Zhentao was hit and caught fire, but we still sank three Japanese ships..."

"Say the numbers."

Yi Huawei turned around and looked at Zheng Zhilong indifferently.

Zheng Zhilong rested his forehead on the deck: "A total of 637 Japanese were killed and 19 warships were captured. Our army... 29 people were killed and 73 were injured."

The deck suddenly became eerily quiet. Even the sound of the waves hitting the side of the ship seemed to fade away, leaving only Zheng Zhilong's own heartbeat.

"Twenty to one."

Yi Huawei's fingers stroked the copper cannon on the bow. The barrel of this new red cannon was engraved with the words "Supervised by the Imperial Academy in the second year of Zhaowu". The barrel was scorching hot under the scorching sun, but Yi Huawei's fingertips did not move at all.

"It's all thanks to your majesty's great blessing!"

Zheng Zhilong kowtowed heavily: "According to the formula of the Royal Academy, the power of the new gunpowder has increased by 30%!"

He took out a leather bag from his waist and poured out a few prismatic iron pieces: "And these shrapnel shells, one shot can cover most of the Fu ship..."

"not enough."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly and suddenly walked towards the bridge. Zheng Zhilong hurriedly followed and saw Yi Huawei stopped in front of the compass. This was the "Haiyueyi" newly made by the Ministry of Industry. The positions of the twenty-eight constellations were finely engraved on the compass.

"Three months later, I want to see a granary design that can last for half a year."

"Commander-in-chief."

Yi Huawei's gaze suddenly turned to the right, and his voice was neither loud nor soft, but it made Fujian Commander Lu Yu tremble all over.

"How about land defense?"

"Chen is here!"

The nearly fifty-year-old veteran suddenly straightened his back, and the black iron scales made a crisp sound as he moved. The three-inch long scar on his right cheek glowed purple in the sun, and the newly scabbed arrow wound on his forehead oozed blood, which slid down his temple to his beard.

Lu Yu pulled out a yellowed defense map from his boot. The edge of the map was stained with dark brown blood, which was left by the stray arrows from the Japanese pirates when he was inspecting the artillery position last month.

"According to your majesty's New Coastal Defense Policy, beacons are visible within thirty miles along the coast."

The old general's rough fingers moved on the map, his knuckles were covered with thick calluses from drawing the bow. The defense line marked with cinnabar on the map was winding like a dragon, extending from Funing Prefecture to Zhangzhou Prefecture.

"but…"

His Adam's apple rolled. "Last month, a typhoon destroyed three artillery positions."

His finger stopped at the position of Xinghua Bay, where the ink line had already blurred: "Especially the Nanri Island Fort, where three red-coated cannons fell into the sea..."

Yi Huawei suddenly leaned over and pointed his finger at a certain spot on the blueprint: "Why wasn't this built according to my blueprint?"

Lu Yu's pupils suddenly contracted. The emperor was pointing at the old site of the Nanri Island Fort, which was supposed to be a six-sided fortress, but was changed into a four-sided enemy fort. The old general's lips trembled, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Yes...it was Director Wang from the Ministry of Works who said..."

"Master Wang?"

Qiu Chengyun, who was standing nearby, suddenly interrupted in a sinister tone, the hem of his dragon robe fluttering in the wind, the silver plate on his waist flashing coldly, "But is it Wang De'an from the Yuheng Qingli Division of the Ministry of Works?"

Lu Yu glanced at the emperor and found that Yi Huawei was tapping the barrel of the gun with his ring, and each tap felt like a blow to his heart.

"Your Majesty, please understand!"

The old general suddenly kowtowed heavily, his helmet hitting the deck with a dull sound: "Wang De'an said that the six-sided fort was too wasteful, and insisted on changing it to a square fort! When the typhoon comes, the windward side..."

"enough."

Yi Huawei raised his hand to interrupt and suddenly asked: "Do you know why I want the Six-sided Fortress?"

Lu Yu looked up blankly and saw the emperor taking a blueprint from Luo Sixian. The parchment showed the structure of the fortress in detail, with the degree of each corner marked.

"The six edges can disperse the wind force. Each edge is facing the wind direction, and the force is halved."

Yi Huawei suddenly turned around and glanced at the officials, his eyes flashing like lightning: "This is the conclusion that the Royal Academy has calculated for three months!"

There was a dead silence on the deck. Zheng Zhilong saw that the blood had completely drained from Lu Yu's old face, and his hands, which were used to holding a sword and a bow, were actually shaking slightly.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Lu Yu's voice was choked with sobs: "It was my ignorance..."

"stand up."

Yi Huawei suddenly reached out and helped the old general up. This action stunned everyone. Yi Huawei's hand happened to be on the breastplate on Lu Yu's chest, which still had dents left by the Japanese pirates' swords.

"I know your difficulties."

Yi Huawei's voice was unusually gentle:
"During the battle of Hunhe last year, you led 300 soldiers to defend the ferry crossing and refused to retreat even after being shot by seven arrows."

Lu Yuhu's eyes suddenly turned red. In that fierce battle, his eldest son died in order to protect his father...

"From today on, all coastal artillery positions will be rebuilt."

Yi Huawei took out the tiger talisman from his sleeve and said: "I will transfer the three guards of Fuzhou to your command."

When Lu Yu took the tiger talisman with trembling hands,
"and this."

Yi Huawei suddenly took off the sword from his waist. The ebony scabbard was wrapped with gold thread, and the scabbard was inlaid with seven pearls. It was the legendary "Seven Star Sword".

"I grant you the power to execute first and report later."

Yi Huawei's voice turned cold: "If another civilian dares to interfere in defense..."

The sword tip was three inches out of the sheath, and the cold light made the scar on Lu Yu's face even more hideous. The old general suddenly knelt on one knee, his armor clanging: "I am willing to issue a military order! If you let the Japanese pirates land again within three years, I will bring my head to you!"

"No need."

Yi Huawei sheathed his sword and glanced at everyone present: "I don't want your head..."

He turned and looked at the vast sea. The Nine Dragon Ring glowed blood red in the sunset: "It's the head of the Japanese pirates!"

"deliver an imperial order."

The emperor's ring slid across the side of the ship, leaving a faint white mark. "The fallen soldiers will be enshrined in the Martyrs' Shrine, and their families will be given 24 stone of rice per year." He paused, "The wounded... will all be sent to the newly established 'Hospital for the Invalids' in the Imperial Hospital."

Zheng Zhilong suddenly felt his eyes burning. He thought of the men who had been killed, including a 17-year-old gunner who was still holding his gunpowder bag tightly before he died...

"I... on behalf of the soldiers, thank your majesty for his grace!" On the deck, the sea breeze blew in with a salty smell. Yi Huawei stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, his eyes swept across the rough sea and cast towards the horizon in the distance. The hem of the gold-woven arrow coat was lifted by the sea breeze, revealing the fine chainmail pattern on the soft armor lining.

"Zheng Qing."

The emperor suddenly spoke in a deep but clear voice: "Do you know why the people along the coast have been so terrified of Japan in recent years?"

Zheng Zhilong knelt on one knee on the deck, veins on his bronze neck showing, and bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, it's because... the Japanese pirates come and go like the wind, and the officers and soldiers can't catch up with them."

"more than."

Yi Huawei turned around, and his white jade ring made a crisp sound when it tapped against the side of the boat. The sunlight shone through the clouds, casting mottled light and shadows on his well-defined profile.

"First, the military system of the garrisons is rotten. The military households have been soldiers for generations, but they can't even get enough food. How can such soldiers fight?"

Hearing this, the officials below lowered their heads and looked at Class A, not daring to speak.

"Second, the civil and military officials look down on each other."

Yi Huawei's eyes swept across the officials present:

"Civil officials withheld military pay, and military commanders falsely reported the number of troops. When the Japanese pirates came, they blamed each other."

The hem of Fujian Provincial Governor Xu Jieli's official robe trembled slightly, and the teacup in the hand of this thin civil servant made a 'clicking' sound.

"Third -"

Yi Huawei suddenly raised his voice: "The most hateful ones are those gentry who are in collusion with the Japanese!"

"boom!"

The Nine Dragon Ring hit the gun barrel heavily. When Zheng Zhilong looked up, he saw a flash of cold light in Yi Huawei's eyes, which was sharper than a knife.

"I remember that there was a prefect during the Jiajing period."

Yi Huawei's voice was as cold as ice: "When the Japanese pirates attacked, he actually ordered the guards to open the door, saying that he was afraid that the pirates would burn his granary!"

The deck was dead silent, with only the sound of waves hitting the side of the ship.

“So I want to change.”

Yi Huawei suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the distant coastline: "First, abolish the military household system and recruit good family sons as soldiers. Second, the military pay will be paid directly without going through the hands of civil officials."

"As for the third one..."

Yi Huawei's voice was stern: "From now on, anyone who has colluded with the Japanese will be executed along with his entire clan, all property confiscated, and his head hung in the harbor!"

As he said this, he turned to look at Zheng Zhilong and asked, "How is the expansion of the navy going?"

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly replied: "According to your majesty's order, 3,000 strong sailors have been recruited in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou..."

"not enough."

Yi Huawei drew an arc on the sea chart with his finger: "Within ten years, I want a hundred thousand naval forces!"

This number was like a thunderclap. The teacup in Xu Jieli's hand fell to the ground with a bang, and broken pieces of porcelain flew everywhere.

"Fujian built a governor's office to command the land and sea forces."

Yi Huawei's voice left no room for doubt: "Zheng Qing, you will be the first governor."

Zheng Zhilong raised his head suddenly and met the emperor's deep gaze. The boundless sea and sky were reflected in those phoenix eyes, as if they could hold the entire Ming navy.

"As for the soldiers..."

The emperor's tone suddenly softened: "The dead will be buried in the Martyrs' Shrine, where sacrifices will be offered every year. The wounded will be placed in the Veterans' Home, where they will be supported for life. Those who have made contributions will be granted land and houses, and will be exempted from taxes."

"and this."

Yi Huawei took a sandalwood box from Qiu Chengyun. When the box was opened, dozens of silver waist plates were neatly arranged inside, each with the words "Zhaowu Navy" engraved on it.

"From now on, every naval officer must wear this badge."

Yi Huawei picked up a piece of silver, which sparkled in the sun: "My name is engraved on the front, and my hometown is engraved on the back."

When Zheng Zhilong took the wooden box with both hands, he found that the silver plate on the top was blank. He looked up in confusion and saw Yi Huawei's lips slightly raised: "This one is for the first warrior to land on Ryukyu."

The sea breeze was strong and the dragon flag was fluttering. Yi Huawei turned around and looked at the vast sea and sky. The nine-dragon ring reflected a bloody light in the sunset.

"Remember, what I want is not to live in peace in one corner, but peace in the whole world!

"Your Majesty clearly shows you!"

Xu Jieli suddenly took two steps forward on his knees, his three long beards trembling constantly:

"A 100,000-man navy needs 2.4 million shi of food and 1,000 warships every year. Just to maintain the navy's daily expenses, 3.2 million taels of silver are needed. Of this, 60% is used for military food purchases, 20% is used for warship maintenance, and the remaining 20% ​​is used for military pay and other miscellaneous expenses. Such a huge expenditure is really difficult to raise."

"Master Xu is overthinking."

A feminine voice sounded, Xiqiu Chengyun walked out of the shadows and opened the blue account book in his hand: "Last year, 27 merchants who traded with Japan were seized, and a total of 1.8 million taels of silver were seized. Among them, the largest merchant was found to have hidden 500,000 taels of silver and 30,000 taels of gold. This year, the customs duties collected by the Maritime Customs have reached 900,000 taels so far, more than twice the same period in previous years. According to this trend, the annual customs duties revenue is expected to reach 1.8 million taels, which is equivalent to the total of the past three years. ... The customs duties revenue of Guangzhou Port alone in one month is 150,000 taels."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly and tapped the white jade ring lightly on the side of the boat.

"Your Majesty, regarding the warship..."

"Cough cough cough~"

As soon as Zheng Zhilong opened his mouth, he was interrupted by a violent cough.

Lu Yu covered his chest, and the veteran general who had fought for many years said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, shipbuilding requires large wood, and there is very little high-quality wood left in Fujian. According to the existing reserves, it can only meet the needs of 30 warships. Moreover, the cost of felling and transportation is extremely high. It costs 50 taels of silver to transport each piece of qualified wood to the shipyard."

"Lu Qing, don't worry, ... Liaodong."

Yi Huawei waved his hand, took a scroll of atlas from Qiu Chengyun and unfolded it. The atlas was densely marked with the distribution of trees in the Changbai Mountain area:

"There are 200,000 thousand-year-old pine trees in Changbai Mountain that meet the shipbuilding standards. The diameter of each tree is more than three feet and the length is more than twenty feet. The Ministry of Works has been ordered to purchase them, and it is estimated that 500 pieces of wood can be shipped back every month. At the same time, three shipyards will be established in Fuzhou, Dengzhou, and Guangzhou. The Fuzhou shipyard covers an area of ​​200 acres and plans to build ten docks. It is estimated that 120 warships can be built each year; the Dengzhou shipyard covers an area of ​​150 acres, with eight docks and 100 warships per year; the Guangzhou shipyard covers an area of ​​180 acres, with nine docks and 80 warships per year. The three shipyards combined can build 300 warships per year."

Xu Jieli's eyes suddenly widened. He noticed the small words marked in the corner of the blueprint - "Supervised by the Imperial Academy". This meant that the blueprint of the new warship was probably drawn by the emperor. As far as he knew, the Imperial Academy brought together the country's top craftsmen and scholars, who had been studying how to improve the structure of warships.

"As for the artillery..."

Yi Huawei turned around and patted the red cannon beside him. The inscription "Made in the Second Year of Zhaowu" on the cannon body glowed coldly in the sunset: "According to the new cannon casting method, the amount of iron used is reduced by 40%. In the past, it took 2,500 kilograms of pig iron to cast a 1,000-jin cannon, but now only 1,500 kilograms is needed. At the same time, the range is increased by 20%, from the original three miles to three miles and six minutes."

He suddenly raised his voice: "Ministry of Industry!"

The accompanying doctor from the Ministry of Works was so frightened that he almost dropped the abacus in his hand: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is here!"

"Within a month, set up an artillery bureau in Quanzhou."

Yi Huawei tapped his finger heavily on the barrel of the gun: "Use the new method to cast cannons. The first batch will be 300. Each cannon will be equipped with 500 shells and 300 kilograms of gunpowder."

(End of this chapter)