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

Chapter 402: Robbery and murder are immoral, and robbing money and disturbing the sea are unscrupulous
Yingtian Prefecture during the Hongwu period was like a magnificent painting that slowly unfolded.

The rising sun generously covered it with a layer of brilliant golden gauze, and the whole city showed its dazzling prosperity under the shining light.

But behind this prosperity, there is a deep sea with surging undercurrents.

There are many hidden challenges and opportunities, waiting for those who are interested to explore and resolve them.

Zhu Gang, a vassal prince born into the royal family with great ambitions.

When he was young, he often traveled around with his elders.

That experience was like a mark deeply engraved in Zhu Gang's soul, reminding him at all times.

At the same time, it also shaped Zhu Gang's unique understanding of the Ming Dynasty.

At that time, the Ming Dynasty had a vast territory, and the customs and cultures in different places were very different.

It's like a giant puzzle made up of countless colorful pieces.

However, the horrific scenes in the coastal areas were like sharp thorns that pierced Zhu Gang's young and sensitive heart, making it difficult for him to let go for a long time.

Whenever Zhu Gang followed his elders and approached the seaside, the devastating scenes left by the Japanese pirates would appear before his eyes without warning.

The Japanese pirates looked like evil spirits escaping from hell, pouncing on the defenseless fishing village with their fangs and claws bared.

In an instant, the peaceful fishing village was shrouded in a haze of fear.

The cries and screams were like a surging tide, instantly breaking the original tranquility.

It sharply cut through the sky and echoed on the sea, as if it was the desperate cry of this land.

The houses twisted and collapsed painfully in the raging fire set by the Japanese pirates, and soon turned into charred ruins.

Just like hope being ruthlessly swallowed by darkness, only broken walls and ruins are left trembling in the wind.

The few valuables in the house were also looted.

The people fled in panic, their eyes filled with fear, despair and helplessness.

It looked like a lone goose lost in a storm, not knowing where to return home.

Zhu Gang looked at these scenes that were like purgatory on earth, and his heart felt as if it was burning in a raging fire. A feeling of grief and indignation arose spontaneously.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, and swore secretly: "I will definitely find a safe place for the people of the Ming Dynasty, so that they will no longer suffer such cruel and inhumane suffering!"

It was also during this journey that Zhu Gang had the good fortune to have several accidental conversations with merchants from vassal states.

At that time, although overseas trade had begun to emerge on the edge of the vast land of Ming Dynasty like young seedlings in early spring, its scale was still small.

Moreover, due to the Ming Dynasty's weakness in maritime defense, maritime trade was like a bird tied by a rope, and its development was extremely difficult.

One day, Zhu Gang met a merchant from a vassal state near the port.

The businessman was dressed in fancy clothes and looked shrewd.

Zhu Gang immediately stepped forward and started chatting with him, "I heard that there are countless rare treasures in overseas places.

Trade is also frequent. What is your opinion on this?"

The merchant bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Your Highness is absolutely right.

There are indeed many rare things in overseas countries. If trade can be carried out smoothly, it will be beneficial to both sides.

But the risks at sea are quite high, with pirates and Japanese pirates rampant, and it is difficult to guarantee the safety of ships."

Zhu Gang frowned slightly after hearing this, and then he asked: "Then according to your Excellency, if we want to develop this overseas trade, what should be the most urgent matter?"

The merchant from the vassal state thought for a moment and said slowly: "In my opinion, the first thing is to have a sturdy ship that can withstand the wind and waves at sea and the invasion of pirates.

The other thing is that the coast must have reliable defenses, so that merchants can do business with peace of mind."

This exchange with merchants from vassal states was like finding a treasure to Zhu Gang.

His sharp eyes instantly perceived the huge potential of overseas trade, as if he saw a pearl hidden in the deep sea, emitting an alluring light.

However, the current situation where the coastal people are suffering from the Japanese pirates is like an insurmountable natural barrier, ruthlessly blocking the road to further expansion of overseas trade.

These experiences were like fine silk threads, gradually outlining in Zhu Gang's mind a grand blueprint of first building city walls to ensure safety and then creating ironclad ships to promote the development of overseas trade.

But Zhu Gang was not the kind of person who was born to plan everything. Although he was full of enthusiasm and determination, he also had his own worries and weaknesses deep in his heart.

Zhu Gang knew very well that he was sometimes too impatient and that when dealing with many matters, he would easily overlook some details due to his impatience.

This often puts him in a passive position in the subsequent advancement process, like a ship that has lost its direction while sailing in the vast ocean and can only struggle hard in the waves.

The Ming Dynasty at that time seemed prosperous on the surface, but in reality it was facing internal and external troubles.

The people living along the coast suffered greatly from the harassment of Japanese pirates. Every attack was a devastating disaster and they could not live in peace.

The inland border areas were also frequently invaded by nomadic regimes such as the Northern Yuan Dynasty, and were in turmoil.

Economically, although overseas trade has developed, it is subject to many restrictions, and maritime traders are also helpless.

And in this vast territory of the Ming Dynasty, the people's lifestyle also showed distinct characteristics of the times.

In towns, the streets and alleys are like rivers flowing with the breath of life.

Bustling and lively.

There are all kinds of shops, just like stars dotting the night sky.

When you walk into a cloth shop selling silks and satins, you can see that the silks and satins are bright in color and soft in texture.

It seems as if it was cut from the clouds in the sky, attracting many women from wealthy families to visit frequently. This is undoubtedly their first choice for making clothes.

Look at the stationery store that sells pens, ink, paper and inkstones. The store is often filled with literati and poets.

They either recited poems and painted, or discussed academic matters.

That focused look was as if the whole world was left with only the paper and pen in his hands.

If you get closer, you can occasionally hear them talking in low voices.

A young scholar asked the old man beside him softly, looking at the painting he had just completed.

"Sir, do you think my painting has any charm?"

The old man nodded slightly, twirling his beard and smiling, "Well, the young are really formidable!

Although this painting technique is a bit immature, it is already quite artistic.

In time, it will become a great thing. "

The teahouse was bustling with people from all walks of life.

They chatted about everything under the sun and discussed all sorts of things in the world. The noisy sound was like a swarm of bees buzzing.

Most ordinary people wore coarse linen clothes and worked hard for a living.

The men were either working in the fields, their bronze skin shining with a healthy luster in the sun.

They waved their hoes, turning over the soil again and again, as if they were having a silent conversation with the earth.

An elderly farmer in the field called out to his neighbor, "Hey, Lao Zhang, the crops are growing pretty well this year. It looks like it will be another bumper year!"

Lao Zhang responded with a smile: "Haha, yes, I just hope that God will bless me and that no disaster or disease will come.

If we can harvest more food, the old and young at home won’t have to worry about food and clothing.”

There are also some craftsmen engaged in crafts such as carpentry and blacksmithing in the workshops. The clinking sound of hammers hitting metal and the hissing sound of saws cutting wood interweave into a unique labor melody.

(End of this chapter)