Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 240 The Sun Never Sets

The damp sea breeze, carrying a faint scent of blood and saltiness, swept across the lifeless docks of Ningbo Port.

Qian Longxi's mournful and desperate wails seemed to linger in the air, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

Just now, this once powerful minister, who had commanded respect in the court, was dragged along like a dead dog by two fierce soldiers of the Beijing Garrison, leaving only a humiliating drag mark.

His clansmen and their children, regardless of age or gender, were all dragged away by the imperial guards with cold chains. Their cries, curses, and pleas for mercy mingled together, but were ultimately swallowed up by the deathly silence of the harbor.

On the dock, the civil and military officials who had accompanied the emperor remained silent, trembling with fear.

Even breathing carried a sense of cautious repression.

They watched helplessly as it all happened, witnessing how Qian Longxi, once a legend, fell from grace in an instant, losing even the last shred of dignity.

The emperor stood with his hands behind his back at the end of the dock, his gaze slowly sweeping over the officials behind him, especially those who had been closely associated with Qian Longxi and the Jiangnan gentry group, his eyes passing over them one by one without leaving a trace.

"Make an example of someone?" The thought flashed through Zhu Youjian's mind, but he immediately rejected it.

He silently reviewed the various ruthless methods he had employed since ascending the throne.

From severing the smuggling reach of Shanxi merchants to Liaodong, to leveling the mansions of those unruly princes; from completely trampling the lineage of the Duke Yansheng, which had been passed down for thousands of years, to now uprooting the wealthy gentry and salt merchants of Jiangnan... Along this journey, rivers of blood flowed and heads rolled.

He realized that he had long since passed the stage where he needed to make an example of someone to warn others.

No, it should be said that in his presence, on this land he personally purged, everyone was a chicken!

This is not arrogance, but a cold reality based on absolute strength and formidable power.

When he used countless heads and shattered clans to implement his will in every corner of Jiangnan, his imperial power was consolidated like never before!
In this extremely oppressive atmosphere, Zhu Youjian once again looked towards the vast and boundless East China Sea.

The waves relentlessly pounded against the stone foundation of the dock, producing a powerful "whoosh, whoosh" sound.

The lower-ranking officials and soldiers behind him had been politely but firmly asked by the Imperial Guards to retreat a hundred paces away, leaving only Bi Ziyan, Qin Liangyu, Tian Ergeng, and Zhou Quan, his absolute core confidants.

"Ningbo is a good place." Zhu Youjian's opening remarks were as plain as water, as if he were talking about something commonplace. "It has a wide and deep harbor, and its commerce is thriving."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of his trusted confidants before settling on the boundless blue expanse.

"My mind is made up. I will establish the first 'Royal Naval Academy' for my Great Ming Dynasty here. I have already discussed this matter with you all before, and today it is officially on the agenda. Tell me your thoughts: how to build it, how to manage it, and how to use it."

These important officials were all taken aback.

They were certainly aware of the emperor's grand plan, and in fact, each of them had been making preliminary preparations for it in their respective fields over the past few months.

Today, on this dock where the stench of blood has not yet dissipated, the emperor has formally brought up this matter, revealing his determination to rebuild after destruction.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Tian Ergeng and Zhou Quan bowed almost simultaneously, but this time, their words contained less empty praise and more practical reflection.

The two officers from the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guard exchanged a glance, and Zhou Quan, the shrewd and calculating director of the Eastern Depot, spoke first:
"Your Majesty, I believe that the foundation of the academy lies in loyalty. This first batch of students must not be selected from the local area of ​​Jiangnan, even if they come from good families. The people here are not loyal and there are hidden rebellious intentions. If they are allowed to enter the academy and learn skills, they may become a major threat in the future."

His voice turned cold, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, "I suggest that the first batch of trainees should be selected from respectable families in the north, and... the orphans of loyal martyrs who died in Liaodong! These people have impeccable backgrounds and the purest loyalty to Your Majesty and the court!"

Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, immediately added:

"Admiral Zhou is absolutely right. In my opinion, the essence of an academy lies in its discipline! The naval academy is not the Imperial Academy; it must not harbor even the slightest pedantry or pedantry among scholars. It should be governed by military law, with the principle of collective punishment applied!"
From the moment they enroll, students must understand the meaning of loyalty between ruler and subject, and the ironclad rules! Anyone who forms cliques, feigns obedience while secretly disobeying, or disrespects their teachers will be severely punished! The four words "loyalty to His Majesty" must be branded into the very bones of each and every one of them!

The two men, working in unison, set a fundamental and essential tone for the future naval academy: "pure in thought and strict in discipline."

This is precisely their area of ​​expertise as henchmen of the emperor—ensuring that this future maritime force, from the moment it is born, must be deeply imprinted with the mark of "loyalty to the monarch," and that no distraction or disloyalty will be tolerated.

After listening, Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Having gone through so much, his knife and his shadow have accurately found their place.

The emperor then turned his gaze to Qin Liangyu, who had remained silent to the side.

"General Qin, you have the most experience in military command. Why don't you tell us about it?"

Qin Liangyu, dressed in military uniform, clasped her hands in salute, her voice resounding: "In my humble opinion, the essence of military training lies in practical combat. Soldiers are not made from books, but from the blood and fire of the battlefield. I do not understand naval warfare, but the principles are the same. Military training is good, but it is ultimately just theoretical knowledge."

This humble general suggests that, after a year of study, regardless of their progress, trainees must be sent in batches onto real warships for sea drills with the existing navy! Let them experience firsthand the toss and turn of the waves, the roar of cannons, and even… battles with pirates! Only soldiers who have seen blood are truly elite soldiers!

Qin Liangyu's suggestion was full of the simple practicality of a soldier. A hint of approval flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes. Although Qin Liangyu did not understand the navy, she had pointed out the essence of military education.

Finally, all eyes turned to Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue.

Building a school requires people, rules, and training methods, but ultimately it all comes down to one word—money. And how to spend that money most efficiently, how to transform this massive plan from a concept into a perfectly functioning entity.

This is precisely Bi Ziyan's domain.

This chief steward of the empire stepped forward. He had once governed Tianjin, was knowledgeable about military affairs in the north, and had a firsthand understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of coastal defense.

Therefore, unlike others who focused on a single issue or location, he leveraged his unique experience spanning both central and local levels, as well as his expertise in finance and military affairs, to instantly elevate his perspective to the strategic level of the entire empire.

"Your Majesty, the words of Admiral Zhou, Commander Tian, ​​and General Qin are all invaluable advice, laying the foundation of loyalty, the backbone of iron discipline, and the practical training for the academy. However..."

He took a deep breath, his voice steady and firm, as if every word had been carefully considered.

"Your subject, Bi Ziyan, dares to say that the soul of the school does not lie in Ningbo."

Upon hearing this, even Zhu Youjian raised an eyebrow slightly.

He knew that Bi Ziyan was not one to speak without reason, and that there must be a shocking follow-up to his words.

"In my opinion, this unprecedented and unparalleled undertaking should be structured with one main body and two auxiliary bodies, and a system of checks and balances between the north and south!"

"One main body and two auxiliary bodies, a balance between the north and the south?" Zhu Youjian muttered to himself, then said with great interest, "Minister Bi, explain in detail."

"As you command!" Bi Ziyan's spirits lifted.

"Your Majesty, I request that Tianjin be designated as the main campus of the 'Imperial Naval Academy of the Great Ming Dynasty'!"

"Tianjin?!" Tian Ergeng and the others were all surprised.

"Indeed!" Bi Ziyan's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable determination, "There are four reasons!"

"First, 'the solidity of monarchical power'! The navy is the sharpest blade of the nation. The handle of this blade must be in the hands of the monarch! This is an immutable principle throughout the ages! The disaster caused by the regional military governors at the end of the Tang Dynasty is a stark reminder! With the headquarters located in Jiangnan, far from the monarch's sight, it is extremely easy for it to be infiltrated and privatized by a naval commander like Zheng Zhilong over time!"

"At that time, will the talents produced by the academy be loyal to His Majesty or to Commander Zheng? Your subject dares not ponder this deeply! Only by establishing the main hall in the capital region, under the emperor's nose, can we ensure that their souls will forever face north and forever be loyal to His Majesty!" Upon hearing this "heart-piercing argument," Tian Ergeng and Zhou Quan's eyes instantly sharpened, and they immediately understood Bi Ziyan's profound meaning.

"Secondly, it serves as an 'auxiliary to industry'!" Bi Ziyan's vision expanded once again. "The steel, gunpowder, and physics factories that His Majesty intends to build in the capital region are not for short-term gains, but for the foundation of future generations! Naval ships are not merely piles of wood and stone, but the culmination of the work of all craftsmen! With the headquarters located in Tianjin, echoing the 'Royal Industrial Park' in the capital region, a unified 'production, education, research, and military' structure can be formed!"
New cannons produced in the factory can be sent to the academy for testing; new ideas from the academy can also be verified in the factory. Only in this way can our Great Ming Navy stand at the pinnacle of the world from the very beginning!

"Integrating production, education, research, and military..." Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up completely.

He never imagined that the fragmented "industrialization" ideas he had instilled in Bi Ziyan would be so perfectly understood, absorbed, and integrated into the grand blueprint for naval development!

"Thirdly, it's about 'balancing the North and South'!" Bi Ziyan's tone carried a hint of the coldness and sharpness characteristic of a top-tier politician.

"Although Zheng Zhilong has submitted, his power is already established. While nominally the Ming navy, it is in reality the 'Zheng family army.' This is an indisputable fact. To quell this threat, the solution is not to weaken the power of the princes, but to establish checks and balances! Use the north to control the south, and replace the old with the new!"

In the north, right under the Emperor's nose, cultivate a 'Royal Navy' absolutely loyal to His Majesty, mastering entirely new naval warfare techniques! Once this army is formed, Zheng Zhilong, whether a dragon or a tiger, will have to coil up or lie low! The northern and southern navies will check and balance each other; this is the most foolproof strategy!

"Finally, there's the matter of 'smooth implementation'!" Bi Ziyan returned to the most practical level.
"Although Jiangnan has been cleansed, the gentry and clans have been deeply entrenched for hundreds of years. The trees may fall, but the roots remain, and undercurrents are surging. Building an unprecedented school here would likely encounter countless instances of outward compliance but inward resistance and covert obstruction."

However, Tianjin is different! Located near the capital, right under the emperor's nose, where imperial power is at its zenith! Only a blank canvas can allow for the most beautiful paintings to be drawn! Implementing new policies here will encounter the least resistance and yield the fastest results!

The four reasons, presented in a progressive and interconnected manner, elevate a simple relocation suggestion into a logically rigorous and strategically ambitious top-level design!
While Tian Ergeng and Qin Liangyu were still pondering this profound theory, before they could recover, Bi Ziyan seized the opportunity and laid out the "two assistants" strategy in its entirety, which was like the finishing touch that brought the whole plan to life.

“This is the ‘one main’. As for the ‘two auxiliary’,” he turned to the east, “the first one is Dengzhou!”

"Dengzhou has the foundation laid by the Ming Dynasty over several years, Western-style forts, soldiers skilled in using the Hongyi cannons, and even more so, the 'arrogant and fierce generals' sent by Zheng Zhilong to demonstrate his loyalty. This place can be established as the 'Dengzhou Artillery Branch School'! It has three advantages: First, it can solve the urgent needs of the main school's initial construction; second, it can serve as a talent scouting ground, allowing Zheng Zhilong's men to be selected and transformed in advance; third, it can serve as a melting pot of ideas, using the loyal and brave men of the north to temper their arrogance!"

This design not only solved a practical problem but also contained insidious and cunning political calculations, which made Zhou Quan secretly nod in approval.

Then, Bi Ziyan pointed to the land beneath his feet.

"As for Ningbo, this is the second of the 'two auxiliary'! It can be set up as a preparation for the 'Nanyang Branch School', or called the 'Ningbo Hydrological Headquarters'!"

"There's no need for a grand display here. We only need to recruit a few experts in maritime navigation to draw southern nautical charts, explore shipping routes, and study winds and ocean currents. Externally, it's for commercial purposes; internally, it's to prepare the most accurate eyes and ears for the future of our Great Ming Royal Navy... to sail south and even on transoceanic expeditions!"

Thus, Bi Ziyan's grand blueprint of "one main body and two auxiliary bodies, with checks and balances between the north and south" was fully presented to everyone.

With Tianjin as the central hub, they strategized and promoted all industries; with Dengzhou as the vanguard, they honed their armor and weapons and refined their combat skills; with Ningbo as their outreach point, they spread their intelligence and explored the vast ocean.

The three elements work together to balance the north and south, take into account both the near and the far, and combine the real and the virtual.

This is no longer just a school, but a vast and sophisticated national strategy capable of supporting the rise of a maritime empire!
The sea breeze howled on the dock.

The way Tian Ergeng, Zhou Quan, and Qin Liangyu looked at Bi Ziyan had changed.

They finally understood why His Majesty relied on this man so much; his talent was truly extraordinary!

The person who was most surprised was Zhu Youjian himself.

His initial "Ningbo Plan" was a qualified plan. However, the "coordinated plan" proposed by Bi Ziyan was a top-level design that took into account the balance of politics, military affairs, industry, and personnel.

Zhu Youjian felt not the slightest bit offended; on the contrary, an indescribable sense of satisfaction and gratification washed over him like a warm tide.

The seed I planted has finally... sprouted!

He saw that the capable ministers he had promoted against all odds were beginning to proactively keep up with and even complement his strategic thinking. This sense of satisfaction that he was not alone, this sense of accomplishment in watching his team grow, made Zhu Youjian feel that the future of the empire was full of hope, far more so than if he had come up with a hundred brilliant ideas himself!

Zhu Youjian's voice was filled with unprecedented praise and appreciation.

“Minister Bi, this is not about planning for one matter, but for the entire nation! This is not about planning for one year, but for a hundred years!”

He patted Bi Ziyan heavily on the shoulder, then turned to face everyone and announced in an authoritative tone:
"Granted! My mind is made up! From this moment forth, establish the 'Great Ming Royal Naval Academy,' with its main hall in Tianjin! This is a vital national asset, and there must be no mistakes! The Ministry of Revenue shall oversee the matter, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works, to supervise its construction!"

His gaze shifted, sweeping over Tian Ergeng like a cold lightning bolt.

"Tian Ergeng, keep a close eye on things! If there is even the slightest error in the craftsmen or materials, I will not ask for the reason, but only hold you accountable!"

"As you command!" Tian Ergeng responded with a resounding roar.

"Establish a 'Banditry Branch School' in Dengzhou!" Zhu Youjian's voice was clear and bright, but his gaze went past the group of people and looked at the figure who was talking quietly with his colleagues a hundred meters away from the hall.

"Sun Yuanhua!"

The voice wasn't loud, but everyone present was sharp-eared and sharp-eyed, and the scene instantly fell silent as all eyes turned to it.

"His Majesty is calling you!" Sun Yuanhua's colleague quickly nudged him.

Sun Yuanhua was startled and almost instantly straightened his clothes. He had no time to think, for the emperor's command was as weighty as a mountain.

He suppressed his trepidation and doubts, took firm steps, and strode quickly across the hundred-meter distance amidst countless scrutinizing, envious, or curious gazes, until he reached the Emperor's presence. He lifted his armor plate, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a voice as loud as a bell:

"Your subject, Sun Yuanhua, the new commander of the Beijing Garrison, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian looked at the minister before him, whose face was weathered but whose eyes were clear and bright, and nodded in satisfaction.

"I hereby appoint you as the Director-General of the Dengzhou Branch School. Take up your post immediately!"

Upon hearing the appointment, Sun Yuanhua was initially stunned, but then a surge of joy and a sense of mission overwhelmed all his previous unease.

Zhu Youjian looked at his minister, who was so excited he could hardly contain himself, and instead of offering words of encouragement, he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious:

"Going to Dengzhou, artillery is only one aspect. You are a master of Western learning, and I trust you in the art of firearms. But the sea is another matter."

He paused for a moment, his sharp gaze seemingly able to pierce through Sun Yuanhua's heart.

"I have already issued an edict to Zheng Zhilong, ordering him to select from his naval officers the one most familiar with sails, the most skilled at boarding, and the most cunning as a pirate, to go north to Dengzhou to assist you. Remember, you are both the chief officer and an apprentice. I want you to humble yourself and not only teach the soldiers, but you yourself must also learn from those old sea wolves! Learn how to understand the tides, how to harness the monsoon, and how to make the warships an extension of your arms."

Sun Yuanhua's excitement was instantly dampened by a bucket of cold water. He immediately calmed down, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, as he understood the deeper meaning behind the emperor's words.

He kowtowed deeply, his voice utterly steady: "Your subject will humbly obey Your Majesty's instructions!"

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction. He walked up to Sun Yuanhua and personally helped him up, a gesture that made Sun Yuanhua feel flattered.

The emperor turned and strolled to the shore, gazing at the vast and magnificent sea.

“Sun Yuanhua,” his voice was calm, yet carried a power that swept across the heavens and earth, “the capital is good, but in my opinion, the real achievements in the next few decades will not lie in the ten miles of prosperity in the capital, but in the vast sea frontier of my country.”

He slowly turned his head, staring intently at Sun Yuanhua, and said, word by word:

"I hereby grant you permission to lead the fleet under the dragon banner and proclaim to the world—from this day forward, the glory of the Ming Dynasty will shine upon every sea where the sun rises!"

(End of this chapter)