The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 302 Sea Power and the West

Amidst the noise.

Tang Hao, Wang Ao, Yang Yiqing, Zhu Youqiu and others went to the palace.

On the way, Wang Ao praised sincerely: "Marquis Tang is truly a peerless general. I'm afraid that after this battle, his reputation for bravery and skill in fighting will spread throughout the world!"

"Thank you for your compliment, Minister Wang!" Tang Hao nodded with a smile.

He has a good relationship with Wang Ao, a man of both good character and ability, not to mention he is the Minister of Personnel. It is a good choice to make friends with him.

Just as the two were talking with smiles on their faces, a harsh sneer came from the side.

"Oh, I thought we had annihilated the Northern Tartars!"

No need to think too much, the person who said this was none other than that bastard Yang Yiqing!

When Tang Hao got married, the beast Yang Yiqing actually sent him a poor horse, which made Tang Hao very disgusted!

Of course, the premise is that Tang Hao first tricked someone else, causing Yang Yiqing to bear the blame for nothing just after he took the position of Minister of War. Then, in the next two years or so, he was busy solving the hidden dangers in the horse administration.

It’s hard to say whether Tang Hao is a dog or Yang Yiqing is a bad person.

However, since Yang Yiqing had taken the initiative to provoke him, Tang Hao naturally would not tolerate it.

"Hey, isn't this Da Sima?"

"Have you dealt with the horses of the Grand Marshal? I don't want to be without horses when I go to the Northern Tartars in the future!"

When it comes to being sarcastic, Tang Hao is no less sarcastic than the eunuchs in the palace.

But Yang Yiqing was a well-educated person, so just one sentence made Tang Hao furious.

"Tang Hao, you damned bastard!"

Well, this name is correct.

After all, there is a 20 to 30 year age difference between the two of them, so Yang Yiqing is really qualified to scold him like that.

"Old thing!"

"Don't bark here!"

Hearing these harsh words between the two, Wang Ao and Zhu Youqiao looked at each other, then shook their heads and laughed in unison.

Of course they knew about the conflicts and grudges between the two.

Ultimately, it’s because of the issue of military power.

Ever since the Marquis of Zhongshan entered the Beijing Army and took charge of the military power, he has always kept the Beijing Army's combat troops firmly under his control.

Liu Daxia, the Minister of War during the Hongzhi period, was directly overthrown by Marquis Zhongshan and is now imprisoned in the capital and is not allowed to return home.

And Xu Jin, the first Minister of War during the Zhengde period, was completely subdued by the Marquis of Zhongshan. Even Xu Jin was able to succeed as the Grand Marshal thanks to the recommendation of Marquis of Zhongshan Tang Hao, so Xu Jin naturally became the Marquis of Zhongshan's yesman.

It was not until Zhongshan Hou led his army out to suppress the Japanese pirates that the eunuch Liu Jin colluded with the cabinet minister Li Dongyang to steal the power of the government, and used all means to force Xu Jin to go back to mourn his mother, so that the post of Minister of War was vacant again, and the successor was Yang Yiqing at this time.

As a result, when Marquis Zhongshan returned to the court, he sounded the drum to report to the emperor and eliminated the forces of Liu Jin and Li Dongyang. He also took advantage of the hidden dangers in the horse administration to send Yang Yiqing to Shaanxi and other places to supervise the horse administration. It took him more than a year to return to the court.

Therefore, the grudge between the two of them cannot be explained in just a few words.

At this moment, the people of the capital were lining the streets to welcome the royal army with food and drink, and Zhongshan Marquis Tang Hao was still here arguing with the Minister of War Yang Yiqing. Wang Ao and Zhu Youluo, the two good guys, were caught in the middle and felt really uncomfortable and awkward.

"Shuzi!"

"Old man!"

"If you have the ability, why don't you go to fight against the Northern Tartars?"

"Do you think I dare not? Don't let this Sima thief down when the time comes!"

"Tang Hao..."

"Ahem, you two, that's enough."

Finally, Zhang Yong, who couldn't bear it any longer, spoke up and warned: "We're about to enter the palace, so you two should be careful with what you say and do!"

Seeing the palace right before their eyes, Tang Hao and Yang Yiqing each snorted coldly, then turned their heads and ignored each other.

Then the three Shangshu left for their offices. They still had a lot of things to do next, such as the issue of rewarding these meritorious soldiers, which was a trouble of not too small a size.

The achievement of destroying a country is extraordinary.

If the offer is too little, Wu Xun will not agree, and the Marquis of Zhongshan will certainly not agree.

But if too much is given, the civil officials and gentry will not agree either. After all, they cannot bear to see a new military force appear in the court!
The power of a royal family is enough to give civil officials and gentry a headache!

It is obvious that the core of the upcoming court struggle will be the issue of rewards this time!

As for Tang Hao, he followed Zhang Yong all the way and soon entered the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Zhengde Zhu Houzhao was seen designing something with his head down. This was a charcoal pencil specially made for him by Tang Hao. It was much more convenient to write with than a brush.

Zhang Yong wanted to report it, but was stopped by Tang Hao with a smile.

Then, under Zhang Yong's stunned gaze, Marquis Zhongshan tiptoed forward and subconsciously looked over. But before he could see anything, Zhu Houzhao slapped him on the forehead with his backhand.

"You ignorant savage!"

"You're so big that you're blocking my light!"

Zhu Houzhao laughed and scolded for a while, then put away what he had drawn and placed it under the memorial.

Tang Hao looked at the guy with suspicion and wanted to reach out to pull it, but was stopped by Zhu Houzhao with a glare.

"Alright, alright, let's get down to business!"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, motioning Tang Hao to sit down and talk about business.

Tang Hao sat lazily on the chair, his face full of fatigue.

To be honest, he only lets down his guard in front of people he's close to.

"The result this time is quite good. Japan has become a colony of our Ming Dynasty!"

"The next step is to discuss how to plunder Japan's resources as quickly as possible to enrich Ming and drive its development!"

"colonial?!"

Zhu Houzhao murmured these two words.

Even he, the Emperor, felt that this was a bit too cruel.

"Savage, are we really going to do this?"

"Recently, a large number of court officials have come forward to plead for these Japanese. They are simply asking me to promote the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and not to bully the weak. This is not in line with the policy of appeasing distant people that China has always adhered to..."

"Haha!" Tang Hao just sneered at this.

He certainly understood that there would definitely be people who would jump out and criticize the colonial strategy he advocated.

After all, the current Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty of decadent Confucianism and the Ming Dynasty of Cheng-Zhu etiquette!
Tang Hao's bloody and cruel colonial strategy is inconsistent with the Confucian doctrine of benevolence and forgiveness. If it is really implemented, it will probably shake the mainstream status of Cheng-Zhu rituals in the Ming Dynasty.

The gentry refuted all kinds of "heresies", even if these so-called "heresies" were the right way!

In fact, what they support is not Confucianism, but the privileges and benefits that Confucianism brings them, nothing more.

Tang Hao thought for a moment and decided to try another way to let Emperor Zhu Houming understand the significance of colonizing Japan. "Your Majesty, do you know... sea power?"

"Sea power?" Zhu Houzhao was startled when he heard this. "What's new about this?"

"It's not new, because our Ming Dynasty once had maritime power, and not just in the East China Sea, but also in the South China Sea and even the West Ocean!"

Tang Hao spoke with a sigh, and Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but sit up straight.

Sea power?

This word seems extremely unfamiliar in the Ming Dynasty.

"If you want your country to be strong and prosperous, you cannot ignore the ocean. Wealth comes from the sea, and danger also comes from the sea... Our fleet is invincible, and we can use it to expand trade and conquer foreign countries."

"These are the original words of the Sanbao eunuch Zheng He since he returned from his voyage, right?"

Zhu Houzhao nodded subconsciously. He knew this knowledge.

"In fact, this is the sea power thought, or Zheng He's sea power theory."

Tang Hao said in a deep voice: "In fact, our Ming Dynasty once had sea power."

"For example, during the Hongwu reign, Emperor Taizu Gao built a coastal defense system to resist Japanese pirates. The Ming navy maintained a high level of combat effectiveness and actively went out to sea to eliminate Japanese pirates and ronin. In response to the maritime threat from Japanese pirates, the Ming Dynasty sent out thousands of warships to patrol the northern and southern waters every year, which were called spring and summer patrols."

"The navy will first patrol the sea with a fleet, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, and seek opportunities to annihilate the enemy. When Japanese pirates are found to have penetrated deep into the inland sea, the navy will use the alarm communication system to concentrate the navy and the garrison troops on the outer islands to jointly annihilate them. If the Japanese pirates land, the navy will cooperate with the coastal garrisons to annihilate them."

"In addition, the Ming navy often dispatched fleets to attack enemy-occupied islands and destroy the bases of the Japanese pirates. The pinnacle of this offensive strategy was that the navy officers and soldiers reached the coast of Korea and the Ryukyu Islands in the battle to pursue the Japanese pirates."

"For example, in order to eliminate the maritime threat from Southeast Asia, Zheng He's fleet once engaged in a fierce battle with them in the Strait of Malacca."

Tang Hao ordered someone to bring a geomancy map, which had simple drawings of the East China Sea and the South China Sea. As for the Ming Dynasty, he was too lazy to draw it.

"In short, destroying the enemy at sea is the core of the coastal defense strategy and an effective coastal defense system."

"During the Yongle period, the Ming navy reached its peak. Zheng He made seven voyages to the West to patrol foreign lands, which enhanced the prestige of our country. Foreigners from all over the world were submissive and dared not to act rashly. He also expanded the maritime power of our Ming Dynasty to the South and West Seas!"

"After the announcement of the Emperor's decision, the imperial court began to shrink its coastal defenses. The ocean-going fleet was recalled, the construction of large ships was stopped, and the island bases were abandoned. The retreat policy dealt a heavy blow to the navy, and the coastal defenses were pushed back from the open seas and even the outer oceans to the coast!"

After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but clench his fists.

He himself was an emperor who admired military exploits, so it was inevitable that he was somewhat dissatisfied with Emperors Renzong and Xuanzong.

The Yongle era was so glorious and powerful that the Chinese army was invincible both on land and in the sea!
As a result, Emperors Renzong and Xuanzong completely withdrew the Ming Dynasty's defense line for the sake of temporary peace, which is really regrettable.

"Originally, China is not a country without a maritime tradition. At least in the Spring and Autumn Period, there was maritime transportation and a navy. Unfortunately, due to the influence of the concept of "the suzerain state of China" and the series of thoughts and opinions put forward by Confucianism, the possibility of the birth of the idea of ​​sea power was directly shattered!"

"After Renzong and Xuanzong, the invincible Ming navy was left idle, and the advanced fleet gradually rotted in the harbor. The precious navigation data that Zheng He's fleet had obtained after decades of risking their lives was destroyed by Liu Daxia. The Ming Dynasty stopped building ocean-going ships in all aspects, and strictly prohibited and cracked down on private overseas trade, handing over the control of the sea to others!"

Tang Hao found that he was a little excited, so he slowly calmed down.

"Your Majesty, let me give you a simple example. Just like what we just said, why were there Japanese pirates during the Hongwu period? Because the Ming Dynasty did not have the maritime power in the East China Sea!"

"Although the Ming Dynasty also set rules for summer and autumn patrols for the navy, those were only in the coastal areas. It was equivalent to the Ming Dynasty having the coastal rights, while Japan was not under the control of the Ming Dynasty. This meant that it was Japan that occupied the East China Sea at that time. Because the Japanese were surrounded by water and were accustomed to water, they often went out to sea to plunder. The Ming Dynasty and Korea were not as good as them in this regard, so they lost the sea rights."

"But now, my Great Ming has conquered Japan and turned it into a colony or slave state of my Great Ming. So whether it is Japan's navy or fleet, or even everything in Japan, it all belongs to my Great Ming!"

"Next, as long as the Ming Navy can turn this country into a naval base and use it to control the East China Sea, then the people who can freely roam the East China Sea will no longer be the Japanese pirates, but the Ming Navy!"

Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao nodded in agreement.

Now that Japan has been swallowed up by the Ming Dynasty, what maritime power is there left to speak of?

Everything they had, including minerals, gold, silver, money, grain and even population, now belongs to the Ming Dynasty. What else is there to say?

"Then, Your Majesty, think about it again. In addition to the East China Sea, our Ming Dynasty is also adjacent to the South China Sea. Especially during the Yongle period, after Annan was conquered by our Ming Dynasty and became Jiaozhi, the tentacles of our Ming Dynasty successfully extended to Jiaozhi and the South China Sea!"

"As a result, Emperor Xuanzong abolished Jiaozhi and withdrew his troops from Annan, causing the Ming Dynasty to lose its maritime power in the South China Sea. The most direct change was that since Emperor Renzong and Emperor Xuanzong, few countries in the South China Sea paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty, and they gradually lost their respect for the Ming Dynasty."

"The Later Le Dynasty of Annan treated the Ming Dynasty as nothing and repeatedly sent troops to invade Champa, Laos and other places. However, the Ming Dynasty had lost its ability to launch large-scale expeditions due to internal and external troubles. As a result, it could only send envoys to warn them, but it was of no use!"

"When the countries of Southeast Asia personally witnessed the powerlessness of the Ming Dynasty and the weakness of the Ming Dynasty, they will naturally no longer remain respectful and submissive to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Houzhao clenched his fists with red eyes.

You can blame anyone but your ancestors!
Therefore, Zhu Houzhao could only direct his anger towards the Later Le Dynasty of Annan!

Having said that, it is time to find an opportunity to settle the grudge between Ming Dynasty and Annan.

Tang Hao said again in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, please look, is there a Strait of Malacca in the South Seas?"

On the geomancy map, Tang Hao circled this place with charcoal.

"The countries in Southeast Asia are all island countries. They are not very powerful, but they have unique geographical advantages. Take the Strait of Malacca for example, which is the narrow strait between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra."

"It is not difficult to see that the Strait of Malacca connects the waterways of the East and the West, which is what we often call the East China Sea and the West Ocean. It is also an important waterway for transportation between Asia and Oceania!"

"In other words, if Westerners want to travel to the East by water, they must pass through the Strait of Malacca. Your Majesty, do you understand the importance of this place?"

Westerner!
This was the first time Zhu Houzhao heard their names.

"Savage, what's up with these Westerners?"

"Are they stronger and richer than our Ming Dynasty?"

Tang Hao did not explain too much after hearing this, but chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, to the west of the Ming Dynasty is the Western Regions. To the west of the Western Regions and even further away, there are many civilizations, and these civilizations have also spawned many countries!"

"But we can also see clearly that if we only conquer from land, it is absolutely impossible because the distance is too far and the battle line is too long. But what if we conquer from the sea?"

Zhu Houzhao has always believed in Tang Hao. No matter what shocking words he said, the current emperor would be able to accept them. After all, there are too many precedents that prove that this savage is right!

So when the Emperor heard Tang Hao mention that the Western countries might march into the East from the sea, he suddenly became restless.

"Savage, is this true or false?"

"I saw it all from the notes left by Lord Zheng. I will deliver the notes to the palace later!"

Zheng He's Notes!

News from the West!
Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

"Well, now the East China Sea issue has been resolved."

"My Great Ming has successfully taken control of the East China Sea. Even if a foreign fleet really invades the East China Sea, my Great Ming is not without the power to resist!"

"The key to the South Seas lies in the Strait of Malacca, which is the gateway between the East and the West!"

"From Mr. Zheng's notes, we can learn that there are many ancient civilizations in the West, and these civilizations have also created many countries. Among these countries, there must be peak dynasties that are more powerful than our Ming Dynasty. Moreover, most of the countries in the West are close to the ocean, which means that their navy must be better and more powerful than our Ming Dynasty navy in some aspects!"

Even Tang Hao had to admit this at this moment.

China had previously been trapped by the influence of the "Chinese-style imperial monarchy" ideology, so it had no concept of sea power, but those Western European countries were different. Their shipping industry began to flourish early, until the goddess of fate favored them. Portugal and Spain set off a grand era of navigation and officially embarked on the road of maritime hegemony and colonization. At this time, the Ming Dynasty was gradually heading towards collapse!
One step slow, one step slow. The Western powers began to open their eyes to the world, but the Chinese people were greeted by that damn idiot group of Jianzhou Wild Boar Skin. Not only did they fail to keep up with the times, but they closed the country and became arrogant. They castrated Confucianism and continued to enslave the Chinese people. The final result was the humiliation and harm recorded in modern history books!
Now that Tang Hao has come to Ming Dynasty, he will naturally try his best to change all this!
"If we control the Strait of Malacca, then even if the Western countries have a powerful navy, if they want to enter the East, want to trade with us in the East, or even want to attack our Ming Dynasty, they will have to get through the Ming Dynasty navy first!"

"What we need to do is very simple, that is, to control the Strait of Malacca! As long as we control the Strait of Malacca, then our Ming Dynasty will control the maritime power in the South China Sea. At that time, even if the Western countries want to attack our Ming Dynasty, it will not be a simple matter. At the same time, our Ming Dynasty can send a navy fleet to march into the West, patrol foreign lands for trade, just like Zheng Gong did in the past to promote the prestige of our Ming Dynasty. We can attack when we advance and defend when we retreat. This is the importance of the Strait of Malacca and the meaning of maritime power!"

"Only in this way can our Ming Dynasty completely eliminate the dangers on the ocean, and even establish a 'Maritime Silk Road' to drive the development of the Ming Dynasty and achieve... the revival of the Ming Dynasty!"

You can attack or defend!

If you want your country to be strong and prosperous, you cannot ignore the ocean!

Wealth comes from the sea, and danger also comes from the sea!

It was not until this moment that Zhu Houzhao finally understood why the barbarians had always wanted to develop a navy to control the ocean!

(End of this chapter)