Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 401 You can’t have your cake and eat it too? I want both!

The atmosphere in the court of Yingtian Prefecture was solemn.

Le Shaofeng, who worked at the Ministry of War, cleared his throat and said softly, "Master Qian is right!

Your Majesty, although the world has just been settled, it seems peaceful.

In fact, there are undercurrents and there is no guarantee that there will not be scoundrels causing trouble.

This city wall is the barrier of our Yingtian Prefecture. Only when the city wall is strong can the people of the Ming Dynasty live and work in peace.

The city wall is like a protective shield for the people. Without this shield, how can the people live in peace? "

As soon as Le Shaofeng finished speaking, another civil servant who had a close personal relationship with him stepped forward and echoed, "That's right, Lord Le is right.

Moreover, once this city wall is repaired, it will not only protect the people, but also demonstrate the national strength of our Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty must not ignore it.

Look at the city wall of Yingtian Prefecture, it is so high and thick.

By standing like this in front of the world, doesn't it show that our Ming Dynasty is full of confidence?

So that those foreigners with evil intentions and those traitors in the country will have to think twice. "

There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the court, with two completely different opinions forming.

Zhu Gang stood aside with a calm expression, but listened carefully to the opinions of all parties.

He was clear about the two projects that were being debated, whether it was building city walls or creating ironclad ships.

Those are all of vital importance and are related to the future direction of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the Ming Dynasty was founded not long ago and its resources are very limited at this stage. The court must make a wise decision that weighs the pros and cons.

After Zhu Gang returned to the Prince of Jin's Mansion, he went straight into his study and began to think hard behind closed doors.

The study was filled with mountains of books and materials.

Zhu Gang locked himself in there and read the classics over and over again.

Sometimes he was so engrossed in watching that even the servants in the mansion came to bring him food.

I called out to him several times at the door, but Zhu Gang seemed not to hear me. He was simply daydreaming and forgetting to eat and sleep.

He was concentrating on thinking about the pros and cons of the two projects and how to make a good decision.

During this period, Zhu Gang also specially recruited many experienced craftsmen and strategists.

Everyone gathered in a side hall of Prince Jin's Mansion and sat around a large round table.

Zhu Gang was the first to speak: "I invited you all here today to discuss the construction of the city wall and the iron-clad ship.

These two things are of great significance to our Ming Dynasty, but with limited resources, it is difficult to achieve both. I hope you can express your opinions. "

Gongshu Qi stroked his beard and said slowly: "Your Highness, I have some experience in building city walls.

If the city wall can be built strong and tall, it will indeed greatly enhance the defense capabilities of Yingtian Prefecture in the short term and ensure the safety of the people in this area.

But it takes a lot of manpower and resources.”

A counselor immediately nodded and said, "Master Gongshu is right.

However, building an iron-clad ship requires a lot of funds and technical support, and the risks are relatively high.

But in the long run, its strategic significance cannot be underestimated.

It can not only help us expand overseas markets, but also promote the economic development of our Ming Dynasty and exchange what we have with foreign countries."

Everyone discussed the pros and cons of the two projects in depth and weighed their pros and cons.

Zhu Gang sat aside, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes nodding slightly, and at the same time taking everyone's words into account.

Zhu Gang considered that building a city wall could indeed enhance Yingtian Prefecture's defense capabilities and ensure the safety of the people in the short term.

However, building ironclad ships has a longer-term strategic significance, which can not only open up overseas markets, but also promote economic development.

Building an iron-clad ship requires a lot of money and technical support, and the risks are relatively high.

After careful consideration, Zhu Gang finally came up with a compromise plan.

He entered the palace again and came before Zhu Yuanzhang. He bowed respectfully and said, "Father, after some thought, I have a plan to present to you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes majestic yet kind.

He looked at Zhu Tan, smiled and said, "Tan'er, if you have any plan, tell me about it."

Zhu Gang said with a serious face: "I suggest starting the city wall construction project first, and at the same time organize craftsmen and relevant technical experts to study the design and construction technology of iron-clad ships.

During the process of building the city wall, you can gradually accumulate funds and experience to prepare for building ironclad ships in the future.

In this way, we can not only ensure the defense security of Yingtian Prefecture, but also lay the foundation for the future development of overseas trade.

I wonder what the emperor thinks?"

After listening to Zhu Gang's proposal, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly to show his approval.

With a smile on his face, he looked at Zhu Gan and said, "Gan'er, your plan is very thorough.

You have great political wisdom and decision-making ability, so let’s implement this plan.”

However, although this plan was approved by Zhu Yuanzhang, it was strongly opposed by some interest groups.

When merchants who had close ties with overseas trade heard that the city wall had to be built first, they were worried that it would delay the construction of the ironclad ships and affect their business interests.

One of them was a sea trader named Sun Hai, who had a pointed chin and monkey-like face.

His pair of small eyes rolled around, and at first glance he looked like a calculating person.

He was anxiously moving around the court.

Sun Hai grabbed an official by the sleeve and begged, "Sir, this won't do!
Let’s build the city wall first. When will the iron-clad ship be completed?

Our overseas trade depends entirely on it, so you must help us to intercede for it."

The official frowned, gently shook off his sleeves, and said helplessly: "Boss Sun, this is the plan decided by His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Jin. How can you and I change it at will?"

Sun Hai did not give up and continued to pester other officials, saying, "Sir, please be merciful. This concerns our lives and property!"

Under the leadership of Sun Hai, a group of maritime traders also began to move around in the court, trying to change Zhu Yuanzhang's decision.

Some of them tried to curry favor with officials, while others did some small things behind the scenes in an attempt to influence the court's decision.

However, how could the important affairs of the imperial court be easily changed by some maritime traders?
However, this commotion has made the situation in the court even more complicated.

At the same time, some conservative officials also expressed concerns about the plan proposed by Zhu Gang.

Li Min, who was about to take up the post of Fujian Salt Transport Commissioner, frowned and said to Zhu Yuanzhang worriedly: "Your Majesty, building an iron-clad ship is too risky.

It may consume a lot of financial and material resources, but may not necessarily achieve the expected results.

Let’s focus on building the Yingtian City Wall first to ensure the safety and stability of the Ming Dynasty’s Jiangnan region.”

Another conservative official working in the Ministry of Industry echoed, “Yes, Your Majesty!

We don't have much experience in building iron-clad ships.

If you mess it up, it will be troublesome.

It is better to be safe and repair the city wall first."

Although Zhu Gang was facing huge difficulties at this time, he did not retreat.

He was fully aware of the importance of this decision and knew that he had to push forward his plan firmly.

(End of this chapter)