Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 694 National Anti-Japanese War Order
In the early morning of the Forbidden City in Nanjing, mist enveloped the magnificent palace complex. Zhu Yuanzhang stood in front of the white marble railing outside the Fengtian Hall, looking at the rising sun in the east. The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was already sixty-five years old. Time had carved deep wrinkles on his face, but it had not erased the sharp light in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, urgent message from Zhejiang, eight hundred miles away!" A guard came running over, knelt on one knee, and presented a wax-sealed memorial with both hands.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, took the memorial and quickly opened it. As he read, his face became more and more gloomy, and his hand holding the memorial trembled slightly.

"It's the Japanese pirates again!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the memorial shut, his voice like thunder, "Three villages along the coast of Taizhou, Zhejiang were attacked, more than 200 people were killed or injured, and all the food and property were looted!"

The eunuch Wang Jinghong beside him hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, calm down and take care of your health."

"Calm down?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his dragon robe rustling in the morning breeze. "Since I ascended the throne, these Japanese bandits have repeatedly invaded the Ming seas, killed our people, and looted our property. Now they dare to be so rampant! Send an order to immediately summon the crown prince and the important officials of the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commanders' Office to the palace for a discussion!"

In less than an hour, the highest military decision-makers of the Ming Dynasty had gathered in the Fengtian Hall. Crown Prince Zhu Di stood at the head of the military commanders. He was only in his early thirties, with a resolute face and a sharp look in his eyes, similar to his father's.

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the memorial on the dragon table and said, "My dear ministers, the threat of Japanese pirates has reached a point where we have to eliminate them! I summoned you here today to discuss a plan to completely resolve the threat."

Minister of War Ru Rong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Japanese pirates have been a problem for a long time. Since the last dynasty, these sea pirates have often harassed our coastal areas. Their ships are small and flexible, and they come and go like the wind. The coastal guards are unable to defend themselves against them."

"Then strengthen the coastal defense!" Zhu Yuanzhang said sternly, "Send more troops, add more garrisons, and build more beacon towers!"

"Father," Zhu Di suddenly spoke in a steady and powerful voice, "I think that simple defense will only make us exhausted. The Japanese pirates choose the time and place to attack, and we will always be passive."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you think, Prince Yan?"

Zhu Di walked to the huge map hanging in the center of the hall and pointed to the East China Sea. "I suggest that you form a strong navy and take the initiative to attack the pirates. At the same time, send envoys to Korea, Ryukyu and other countries to form a maritime alliance to fight against the pirates together."

"Take the initiative?" Xu Huizu, the surviving son of Xu Da, the Left Commander-in-Chief of the Five Military Commanders' Office, frowned and said, "Your Highness, fighting across the sea is extremely risky. Our navy has not fought for many years, and our ships and equipment are old. How can we compete with the Japanese pirates who are familiar with naval warfare?"

Zhu Di turned to face his ministers, his eyes gleaming with determination: "That is why we need change even more. I have looked up historical records and found that during the Song Dynasty, our navy was world-class. We can learn from the Song system, improve warships, and train the navy."

There was a lot of discussion in the hall. Zhu Yuanzhang stared at his son's confident face and felt relieved. Although this fourth son was not the eldest son, he was indeed outstanding in courage, insight and strategy.

"Your Majesty," the old minister Liu Bowen said slowly, "I think what the Crown Prince said is very true. The threat of Japanese pirates did not arise overnight. If we want to eradicate it, we must build a strong maritime force to deter the villains."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up and said, "Okay! Let's follow the prince's advice. Pass on my order: First, immediately set up two naval forces in the East China Sea and South China Sea, with the Ministry of War in charge and the Ministry of Works coordinating to build new warships; second, select capable generals to go to the coast to train the navy; third, send envoys to Korea and other countries to discuss plans to resist the Japanese. "

All the ministers agreed in unison. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at everyone and said, "This fight against the Japanese pirates is related to the safety of the Ming Dynasty's sea borders. What I want is the result! All departments must work together and not shirk or delay!"

After the meeting, Zhu Di was left alone. The father and son strolled in the back garden, where the early spring plum blossoms were in full bloom.

"Di'er," Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "Do you know why I agreed to your initiative to attack?"

Zhu Di replied respectfully: "I am a stupid person, please enlighten me, father."

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped and picked a white plum blossom: "Because defense can never win a war. When I was conquering the world, if I only knew how to defend the city, how could I overthrow the Yuan Dynasty? The Japanese pirates may be small, but they are worthy of death. They saw that my Ming Dynasty focused more on land than sea, so they dared to be so unscrupulous." "Father, you are wise." Zhu Di bowed deeply, "Your son will do his best to live up to your expectations."

"I want you to be personally responsible for the formation of the navy." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were sharp. "You go to the coastal areas for field research, understand the Japanese pirates' tactics, and train a navy that can win battles."

Zhu Di's eyes flashed with surprise: "Your son obeys your order!"

At the same time, the news of the Japanese pirates' attack had spread throughout Nanjing. In a teahouse in the south of the city, the people were discussing it indignantly.

"I heard that a lot of people died in Taizhou, even children were not spared!" A middle-aged man dressed as a businessman slammed the table and shouted angrily.

"These damn Japanese pirates!" The teahouse owner gritted his teeth, "The imperial court should send a large army to wipe them out!"

In the corner, a young scholar in a blue shirt listened silently, holding the teacup in his hand tighter and tighter. His name was Fang Xiaoru, and he was a student at the Imperial College. Suddenly, he stood up and said loudly: "My fellow countrymen, the Japanese pirates are bullying our Ming Dynasty too much! Although I am just a scholar, I am willing to join the army to defend my country!"

There was a burst of applause in the teahouse. Similar scenes were staged in various places in Nanjing, and the people's anti-Japanese sentiment was unprecedentedly high.

Three days later, Zhu Yuanzhang issued the "National Anti-Japanese Order", calling on young and middle-aged people to volunteer to join the army to defend the country. As soon as the edict was issued, people flocked to respond. Long queues formed at registration offices in various places, including scholars and businessmen.

In a small fishing village on the Yangtze River, young fisherman Chen Haisheng is packing his luggage.

"Haisheng, do you really want to join the army?" His elderly mother held his hand, tears in her eyes.

"Mother," Chen Haisheng said firmly, "I grew up on the sea and am familiar with water. Now the country needs naval forces, and this is where I can use my skills. After we drive away the Japanese pirates, I will come back to honor you."

Such scenes were repeated all over the coastal areas of Daming. An unprecedented patriotic enthusiasm spread across the country, and the people spontaneously donated money and materials to support the anti-Japanese cause.

Ten days later, another military meeting was held in Fengtian Hall, and this time there were several more naval commanders and shipbuilders in the hall.

Zhu Di pointed at the sand table and explained: "According to my investigation, the Japanese pirates mainly use a small warship called 'Guan Ship', which is flexible and fast, but has poor resistance to wind and waves. The Fu Ships we currently have are large in size, suitable for transportation but not good at fighting."

Huang Fu, the Minister of Works, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I and the craftsmen have developed a new type of warship that combines the stability of the Fuzhou ship and the flexibility of the Guangzhou ship. It is equipped with new artillery and can fight against the Japanese pirates at sea."

"Okay!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction, "Build twenty ships first and launch them for sea trials as soon as possible."

At this time, the Ministry of War sent the latest battle report: the Japanese pirates attacked the coast of Fujian and were repelled by the local garrisons, but we also suffered heavy losses.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was gloomy: "It seems that the Japanese pirates are testing the reaction of our Ming Dynasty. Pass the order, all coastal provinces enter a state of war readiness, and all ports strengthen their vigilance!"

(End of this chapter)