Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

This kind of thing cannot be rushed. It requires the most comprehensive consideration by the Governor-General and consultation with the Military Command to do the utmost to protect the security of the Southwestern Official Road and the Exchange Zone.

In addition, taxation remains a top priority.

The Chief Secretary of Cochin also needed someone who was well versed in taxation.

Before building a business network, business taxes must be strictly regulated without any negligence.

Taxes, taxes! Talents...still lacking talents!

Jiaozhi needed a person who was proficient in taxation to go there, but the Ministry of Revenue had a very bad attitude towards Jiaozhi. They couldn't even borrow money, so how could they ask for someone?
We still have to rely on the old man!

Governing a country is really not easy. No matter how powerful the emperor is, he still needs many ordinary people to assist him in governing the world.

The emperor and his ministers have always compromised with each other. Although the emperor has great power, he also has to rely on officials to govern him. The two complement each other and are indispensable.

Why have emperors throughout history not dared to offend civil officials too much? It was because they really needed them to govern the world!
After Zhu Xiongying came into contact with these things, he felt more and more the constraints of imperial power, and finally understood why many emperors in history had to endure the impeachment of the censors and the correction of their morals by civil officials.

"Tobe!"

Zhu Xiongying rubbed his eyebrows again and murmured softly.

……

At the same time, the court's small court meeting began.

High-ranking officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital have entered the Fengtian Hall one after another.

Today is extraordinary.

Lan Yu was rubbing his hands in preparation, ready to do something big and spectacular... and also to plot against the people in the Ministry of War.

It was unknown how long he waited before Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the Fengtian Hall accompanied by Zheng He.

Zheng He sang the ceremony and the court meeting began.

The ministers have been uneasy in the past two days.

The matter of the emperor's grandson acting as regent is like a fog. Some people know it clearly, while others are completely confused.

"Your Majesty, I, Lan Yu, have a memorial to submit!"

Just as the ministers were stunned, Lan Yu had already stepped out with the banner in his arms.

Everyone looked at Lan Yu with some suspicion.

The court meeting has just begun and the atmosphere hasn't even warmed up yet. Do you, Lan Yu, understand the rules?
How could the emperor submit a petition as soon as he sat down?
Besides, there is nothing urgent in the Ming Dynasty right now, so is it necessary to be like this? It's as if you are afraid that someone else will snatch your memorial away.

So everyone looked at Lan Yu, wanting to see what the Duke of Liang was up to.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows, looked at Lan Yu, and said in a deep voice: "Play it."

Lan Yu walked out of the train, bent down and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "I suddenly heard that Japanese barbarians landed in Jiaxing Haiyan in the southeastern sea area, and dozens of people in a village were injured or killed!"

"The country is at peace, and the Japanese move is tantamount to an undeclared war. The people along the southeast coast are suffering."

"I beg you to lead the army to the East China Sea to destroy their country, exterminate their race, and wipe out their descendants!"

The Japanese invasion on the southeastern coast caused injuries and deaths to the people in the southeast of the Ming Dynasty. This was a provocation to a great power and an insult to the national dignity if the Ming Dynasty did not take any action.

Then who will speak up for the people? Then who will dare to live in the southeast coast for a long time?
Where is the dignity of a great country? Where is the dignity of the Ming court?
What is a benevolent and righteous king?
What kind of monarch should be remembered by future generations?
In fact, every dynasty, whether civil or military, has a common answer.

People!

As long as the people live in peace in the world, without suffering the baptism of war and without having to worry day and night, then such a ruler is a good ruler in the eyes of the people and should be exiled for generations.

After Lan Yu finished speaking, the Minister of War Ru Taisu stepped forward to object: "Your Majesty, a country as big as this will perish if it loves war."

"I personally think that the Ministry of Rites should negotiate with Eastern Japan in a diplomatic manner."

Fu Youwen, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also stepped forward and said, "The dynasty has been at peace for too long. Right now, restoring the people's livelihood and economy is the top priority. We cannot afford an overseas war now. The economic backing is not up to par. The cost of conquering Japan is too high. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty has no experience in naval warfare. I agree with Minister Ru's words."

After Fu Youwen finished speaking, the censors from various departments also came out to analyze.

In any case, the general direction does not recommend a large-scale military expedition to Japan, as people believe that the country does not yet have the strength to fight a naval war.

The Right Censor of the Censorate also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Jianzhou Jurchens in Liaodong have caused a conflict on the border, and the Tatars in the northern border are also creating unrest on the border. I think that we should put money in the northern border and allocate more funds to the Beiping Provincial Government to defend the northern border and Liaodong."

Speaking objectively, it is not simply targeting Lan Yu.

Lan Yu was right. The Ming Dynasty was indeed bullied in the East China Sea, which was somewhat humiliating, but wars between countries are no joke.

It's not a conflict between neighbors that can get out of hand over a single disagreement.

There are too many factors to consider in a national war, whether it is the economy, military, the quality of the soldiers, or pre-battle drills and preparations. All of them must be prepared.

The country is a big country. It is either as still as a mountain or it will collapse rapidly when it moves!
In any case, we must be absolutely sure before we can take action in the East China Sea. Otherwise, if we lose the war between countries, it will be even more embarrassing for the Chinese people.

The Ming Dynasty can’t afford to lose face!

Moreover, this war of annihilation was witnessed by all foreign countries around the world. This was not just a war between the Ming Dynasty and the Japanese islands. It was more about how the outside world viewed the Ming Dynasty and how they measured the Ming Dynasty's strength!
From any perspective, the Ming Dynasty should not easily launch a war to annihilate a country before it is fully prepared.

The ministers looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then said, "We must beat those jumping beams above the East China Sea!"

"Duke Liang is right. If they dare to bully the Ming Dynasty, then their country should be destroyed and their descendants should be exterminated!"

"What you said is not without reason. It would be inappropriate for the Ming Dynasty to rashly send out troops before it is absolutely sure of the outcome."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

But Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject and snorted, "We have sent letters to Japan time and again, but they not only did not listen, but also acted so rampantly. If we don't give them some pain, they will not know the power of the Ming Dynasty."

"We want this country to feel pain and fear. Tell us how we can do this."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his ministers.

Lan Yu continued to make suggestions, "Your Majesty, I think we can send a fleet to patrol the sea. Our Ming Dynasty has long had plans to go to sea, and the southeast is also busy building treasure ships. It will probably take several years to fully build the fleet. In this case, why not send people to explore the sea route first?"

"First, it can demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty at sea."

"Secondly, it can also help people adapt to living conditions at sea as soon as possible."

"Thirdly, it can also deter the Japanese. When appropriate, we can send a small fleet to the Japanese islands to exterminate the population of several villages and give them counter-sanctions and retaliation!"

All the key points of Lan Yu’s memorial today were designed to highlight these words.

Go to sea!

Everything that was said in the court today was taught to him by his nephew!

Lan Yu felt a little amused. Although the boy was not in the court, today Lan Yu suddenly felt as if Zhu Xiongying was fighting with the ministers!

In any case, Zhu Xiongying's goal has been achieved. This kid really has some skills!

This time, the ministers did not object.

Going to the West was a national policy that had been decided long ago. After all, every minister would want to see how rich the wealth on the sea was.

The last time sweet potatoes came out, it excited all the ministers for a long time!

Going to sea is like marching to war, and you need a vanguard leading the way.

The court can still afford a few sea vessels, and now a leading five-story treasure ship has been built on the southeast coast!

If we form a small team and explore the way first, it seems... it is a safe approach.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked thoughtfully, "What do you think?"

"What Duke Liang said is not without reason. We can give it a try. I suggest that the Ministry of War send people to the sea to sail to the West first as a test."

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhong Xu, stepped out.

Lan Yu was shocked and looked at the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War silently.

Everything that happened in the court today seemed to be within Zhu Xiongying's expectations!
Lan Yu was a little shocked. Everything Zhu Xiongying had whispered to him this morning was now coming true one by one!

That boy is really capable!
Hearing this, Lan Yu stepped out again and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, this voyage is very dangerous. The officials in the Ministry of War are all important officials of the country. If they encounter an accident while sailing, wouldn't it be a loss for the country?"

"Therefore, I suggest selecting eunuchs from the palace to take charge of the sea voyage."

"Nonsense!" Ru Taisu, the Minister of War, stepped out of the line, pointed at Lan Yu with his neck crossed, and said, "What kind of accident could happen to my Ministry of War? A scholar must be magnanimous and resolute. He will sacrifice his life for his country. Why should he be afraid of an accident?"

Lan Yu said, "That's hard to say. What if those hanged men in your military department can't stand the loneliness at sea and suffocate a few people to death?"

"Dong Liangguo!"

Ru Taisu interrupted Lan Yu, you dog, you really can't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth, the people from the Ministry of War are dead... humph, you really go too far!
He could not help but say, "Your Majesty, my ancestor Fang Qi, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, was from Zhejiang. I recommend him as the envoy to the sea!"

"I guarantee on my imperial seal that the Ministry of War will not cause any trouble and will complete the trial voyage!"

Lan Yu shook his head and said with a smile: "Minister Ru, please stop making trouble. Your Ministry of War has been in the center of the court for so long. It is so dangerous to go out to sea. If something goes wrong, won't your Ministry of War be embarrassed? You are old now, so don't joke about Wusha all the time. If someone really dies, the emperor will be embarrassed too. You can't really remove your Wusha, right?"

Ru Taisu was so angry that her whole body was shaking.

This Lan Yu usually hangs out with this group of Huaixi nobles and speaks without restraint. He is old, but he speaks so pompously. Now he is bullying my Ministry of War?
Tolerable or unbearable!
So brave!

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War stepped out and angrily rebuked Lan Yu, saying, "Enough! Duke Liang, that's enough! Although I am a lowly official in the Ministry of War, you cannot humiliate me at will!"

"Who in my military department is not a man of steel? Duke Liang, please stop worrying about this!"

Lan Yu smiled. The development of things was exactly as Zhu Xiongying had expected.

But... can the Ministry of War really kill people?
Zhu Xiongying said that if the people from the Ministry of War went out to sea, it would not take long for them to die, so he gave up going out to sea.

Lan Yu was a little confused and didn't know why Zhu Xiongying was so sure.

But no matter what, he achieved his goal today.

Lan Yu said "oh", looked at the two senior officials of the Ministry of War, nodded and said, "If that's the case, then it's fine. But I still want to ask, if someone in your Ministry of War really died, what will you do?"

"you!"

Ru Taisu laughed loudly: "If my Ministry of War cannot even complete the trial voyage, then my Ministry of War will keep silent about this matter in the future! Moreover, I personally submitted a petition to remove the Wusha hat, and you, Lan Yu, can nominate whoever you want, is that right?"

Lan Yu nodded: "Oh, that's fine too, I wish you a successful start!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was not tired of it, frowning and saying: "This is our court! It's not the White Tiger Hall of the past! Can you stop bragging like bandits?"

"Go back!"

Everyone remained silent, and no one dared to disobey the old man's words. Zhu Yuanzhang's control over the Ming Dynasty was absolutely final.

"Just follow the instructions of the Ministry of War and send people to the southeast first."

"You should consult with the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of War, and notify the Zhejiang Command and the Southeastern Anti-Japanese Army to allocate a certain number of soldiers, firearms, and artillery to accompany us on the sea trial."

"After the court session, you guys go to Jinshen Palace. We have already planned a sailing route. Come and get it."

"Alright, that's it for today. If there's nothing else to discuss, let's adjourn."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved.

After the court was dismissed, each department returned to their own office.

Ru Taisu returned to the Ministry of War, and the Left Vice Minister Zhong Xu poured tea for her.

Ru Taisu took a sip of tea and said to Zhong Xu, "This sea trial is a big responsibility. Do you think it is appropriate for the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War to go?"

This sea trial is not only to test the Ming army's survivability at sea, but more importantly to form a military deterrent to the surrounding maritime countries.

Although the route of the first trial voyage will not be too far, it is undoubtedly a groundbreaking step for the Ming Dynasty.

If it is completed, his Ministry of War will also benefit from it. As the Minister of War, Ru Taisu will definitely be the main contributor!

Zhong Xu pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Dai is from Yuyao, close to the coast of Zhejiang. He has been a good waterman since he was young."

"Hmm! To be on the safe side, I think we should call Lord Dai over to ask him about it?"

Ru Taisu nodded: "This matter is of great importance, we can't be careless, leave quickly."

Not long after, Dai Gui, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of War, hurriedly followed Zhong Xu.

Ru Taisu said, "Mr. Dai, Minister Zhong just told you about this matter. This sea voyage is related to the honor and disgrace of the Ministry of War. Do you have confidence?"

Dai Gui clasped his fists and said, "I am honored to be recommended by Minister Ru. I have lived on the water since I was a child, so I am naturally familiar with going out to sea. Don't worry, my two adults, I will not lose face for the Ministry of War!"

Ru Taisu hummed: "Okay! I'll leave this matter to you!"

"Tomorrow I will go to the Ministry of Industry's Firearms Bureau to apply for a batch of muskets and tiger squat cannons, which will be transferred to your ship. Remember the significance of this voyage, deterrence!"

"Yes! I understand!" After Dai Gui left.

Zhong Xu sat down beside Ru Taisu with a smile and said, "Master Ru, I heard that the Firearms Supervisor has manufactured a lot of muskets and cannons recently."

"You said the same thing about the Ministry of Industry. Our Ministry of War doesn't even know the quota for these things. If we need to mobilize troops for war someday, how will our Ministry of War allocate the budget for these firearms?"

Zhong Xu felt a little resentful.

Ru Taisu also said with an unhappy look on his face: "The emperor has his own intentions, hey, what can we do?"

(End of this chapter)