The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

The four vassals were very worried about exposing problems about Luzon.

However, I don't know that this problem has long since ceased to exist.

"These little bastards are really getting more daring. When they left the capital in the past, their natures were exposed. Now they are all running to the Wa Kingdom, and they are even more unscrupulous."

"There is also the fourth guy. We thought he was the one who listened to us the most. It turns out that he is the one who hides the deepest. The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce must be the fourth brother behind the scenes."

In the Huagai Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the information in his hand and cursed.

Fortunately, he always felt that apart from the eldest son, the fourth son was the most obedient, and now he finally showed the fox's tail.

Hearing this, Zhu Ying didn't answer the old man's words, but instead said, "I didn't expect matchlock guns to spread so fast, even the Sulu Sultanate has so many firecrackers."

The kings of the four vassals thought that the imperial court didn't know about the fact that they sent troops to Luzon, so they deliberately left the relationship and blocked the sea area.

But they forgot a very important thing, that is Zhu Ying's capital military academy.

Even Zhu Di, who had seen similar training in the grassland military base, did not expect such a big impact.

The students who graduated from Daming Military Academy basically flowed into David's Institute.

Having received professional training, even Zhu Ying's methods of imitating cats and tigers from later generations are not comparable in this era, after all, this is the difference of the times.

Therefore, after these students who graduated from the military academy entered the army, they were easy to excel in all aspects.

In the country of Wa, almost all the middle-level military officers of the new generation are more or less involved with the Daming Military Academy.

Even if they didn't graduate directly, they had been trained by graduate students.

Ideological education has always been a special concern of Zhu Ying, and this trend started from the bottom of the army.

Standing at the height of the vassal king, it is naturally difficult to feel it.

But it is undeniable that at present, almost [-]% of the middle-level officers sent to Luzon by the Four Feudal Kings maintain their loyalty to Zhu Ying.

Especially here is Zhu Yan.

In the early days, Zhu Ying gained a foothold in the Japanese country, relying on the Qunying Chamber of Commerce, and infiltrating this is Zhu Ying's forte.

When Zhu Wei sent troops to Luzon as the first batch, Zhu Ying received news almost simultaneously, including the discovery of gold mines.

I have to admit that even knowing that there are gold mines in Luzon, Zhu Ying is not easy to start.

After all, Daming is a country of etiquette, so how could they directly send troops to Luzon to snatch it? Mining itself is also a problem, which requires a lot of manpower, so it is obviously not worthwhile to recruit people from Daming.

Moreover, this place is far away, and there are probably not many people who are willing to go.

The plan of the Four Feudal Kings can be said to be exactly what they wanted.

The accumulation of capital in the early stage will eventually lead to bloodshed. It will not affect Daming's reputation if the black hands let the four vassal kings do it. What a great thing.

Naturally let it go.

After all, Daming's current trade is very smooth, and no matter how much money the Four Feudal Kings have, it can only flow into the market of Daming.

Looking at the entire Asian region, where is the market comparable to that of Daming? Even the prosperity of Nanyang Maritime Trade is due to the opening of Daming.

However, the prosperity of maritime trade has both advantages and disadvantages.

For example, matchlock guns.

Matchlock guns themselves have signs of spreading, which was discovered when Zhu Ying arrived in Champa last year.

Firearms such as firearms have spread all over the world with the development of the Mongolian Yuan, or the Mongolian Empire.

Even in the early Ming Dynasty, even though Zhu Yuanzhang paid attention to firearms, other countries were not far behind.

In the confrontation with Annan, Annan's firearms showed that they were not weaker than Daming in many ways.

If it weren't for Zhu Ying's existence, Daming's firearms might still be at a disadvantage in Annan when it comes to making and improving firearms.

In history, when Zhu Di sent troops to fight Annan, he did not gain an advantage in firearms.

Even the Shenji Battalion that developed later can only be regarded as partially armed, and it is not as prosperous as the current Daming Firearms.

In today's Ming Dynasty, the branch of the Gunpowder Department has already established firearms factories in every province to vigorously produce firearms.

It's just that, it also makes it easier to leak secrets. The construction method of the matchlock gun was quickly learned by other countries.

The main matchlock gun itself has no design barriers.

At present, almost [-]% of the Ming Dynasty's army is equipped with matchlock guns. It only needs to be disassembled to understand the structure of matchlock guns and reproduce them.

Gunpowder granulation is not a big secret either.

Under the temptation of heavy money, some craftsmen will eventually become traitors.

Daming's plate is so big, it's impossible to cover everything.

But for now, in terms of quantity and quality, the Ming army naturally has the most equipment.

"Dasun often goes to the scientific research department recently, and wants to come up with the steam iron-clad ship, but now it has achieved results."

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have much interest in those small countries, even if it was said that Luzon had discovered gold mines.

At present, there is no shortage of money in the Ming treasury. After excluding all expenses, the internal funds can still bring in millions of dollars every month. Zhu Yuanzhang has long since lost so much interest in money.

I am particularly curious about the steam iron armored ship described by Dasun, which can sail without the help of wind.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying said helplessly, "It's stuck now, and I don't know how long it will take to make it."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "Where is the problem? We have so many talents in Ming Dynasty. We can solve it by brainstorming."

Zhu Ying said helplessly: "It's not a human problem, it's a material problem. For heat preservation, heat insulation, and sealing, even if it is cast with gold, the effect is very poor. Too much and it doesn't make much sense."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and said: "Gold doesn't work, so let's find something else to try. Our Daming has a vast land and resources, how can we be troubled by this matter, even if our Daming doesn't have it, we can go overseas to find it."

"Didn't Li Jinglong go to the West, and then send a fleet to catch up and ask him to find what Dasun needs."

Zhu Ying was slightly silent.

If you want to solve the problem of sealing, the most important thing is rubber. The role of rubber is irreplaceable. At present, even Western countries do not have this thing.

Natural rubber tree, the origin seems to be in South America.

With such a long distance, it is difficult to find it.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have seen through Zhu Ying's thoughts, and said: "Our Ming Dynasty now has 200 million soldiers. Except for a few countries in the world, who can fight against our Ming Dynasty? Some small countries, perhaps tens of thousands of people, can easily the destruction of the country."

"You don't have to worry too much, grandson. It's okay if the time is longer. At worst, send more expeditionary troops out."

"As long as this thing exists, it will definitely be found."

Zhu Yuanzhang's words were deafening.

Yes.

Since I know the place, why can't I send someone to find it.

Is it because it is too far away?
Between Daming and South America, there is a huge Pacific Ocean.

With the current means of navigation, if you want to cross many seas to South America, it is not enough to describe your narrow escape.

There are currently two options available.

One is to go on land, from northeast Asia to North America through the Bering Strait, and then go all the way south to South America, looking for rubber trees.

The second is to send an ocean-going fleet to follow the current direction of Li Jinglong, arrive in Europe, and then set off from the coast of Spain in Europe, imitating Columbus to cross the Atlantic Ocean and head to South America.

After all, the discovery of the American continent started here.

In terms of safety factor, it is actually safest to go to North America and then to South America through the Bering Strait.

Because the current American continent has not formed a strong national concept, and is still in the tribal civilization.

Even an expeditionary force of only ten thousand people can push it all the way.

The only downside is that it takes a long time.

Taking the route of Columbus will take a little less time. After all, most of the time is by boat, so the speed is naturally faster, but the risks at sea are immeasurable.

Since both paths are possible, which one should I choose?
As the grandson of Ming Dynasty, Zhu Ying said, I want both bear's paw and fish.

Whether it's land or sea, with Da Ming's current ability, it is natural to go.

At this moment, a person popped up in Zhu Ying's mind.

Zhao Yuanhong.

This Zhao Xiucai, whom Zhu Ying admired very much, was sent to Annan to seek the country.

In the letter I received last time, it was said that he had become the Minister of the Imperial Palace and the Minister of Finance in Constantinople, Europe.

This is totally a great help.

"The grandson seems to have a direction?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked when he saw the grandson pondering.

After a little hesitation, Zhu Ying replied: "When I was in the Western Regions, I heard about a tree called a weeping tree. When you cut its bark, milky white juice would flow out. If eaten, it is highly poisonous."

"But after solidification, it will become extremely closed, and it can recover after being impacted."

"If this tree can be found, the steam ironclad problem can be solved."

After a slight pause, Zhu Ying added: "I heard it from a wandering old man, and I don't know if it's true. He said that the tree grew in a very hot place, and it feels more like a legend."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while and asked, "Did he say where he saw this tree?"

Zhu Ying nodded: "It is said that in the far east, it is a brand new continent. Walking from the northeast of Daming, through the four seasons of cold snow, and crossing several islands, it is a vast continent."

"Going further south, there are forests with tens of feet tall trees and dangerous rivers. It was still in the era of ancient tribes. There are wild and overgrown, and even aboriginals who eat people."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly when he heard the words, as if he was remembering something.

After a long while, he hesitated and said, "Perhaps, the place mentioned by the old man that Dasun met does exist."

Zhu Ying was taken aback for a moment, but she didn't react.

The old man is of course a fake, but the American continent is real, but why does the old man just say that.

Zhu Yuanzhang explained: "We like to read, whether it is official history or unofficial history."

Zhu Ying nodded slightly. He knew this. Even when he was busy, Zhu Yuanzhang would spare a certain amount of time to study every day.

For example, in the current Huagai Temple, the walls are full of books.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang has read most of these books, even if he has not read them, he will read them in the future.

The so-called living and learning is easy to say, but Zhu Yuanzhang really did it.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "In folk unofficial history, there are records about Qin Shihuang's search for overseas elixir."

"The most famous among them is naturally Xu Fu."

"However, Qin Shihuang is such a person, how can he put all his hopes on Xu Fu. Besides Xu Fu, there are naturally more people sent out to seek immortality and ask for longevity."

"Qin died fifteen years ago. However, at the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, there is such a record that dozens of people returned. They were old Qin people. They said that they went to the extremely far east and returned after decades. .”

"They said that they went to the place where Dongshan Jing is located, and saw armadillos that only existed in ancient books, and many strange beasts."

"This matter is only recorded in the unofficial history, and no one believes it. The authors of the book are only a few pens."

"But today, grandson Yan came, but we don't think it's groundless."

In fact, with regard to the American continent, among many views in later generations, some people think that the earliest discovery was not by Columbus or Magellan, but by the Central Plains, or even the pre-Qin period.

For example, the records of Shan Hai Jing Dong Shan Jing, such as pictographs and so on.

Of course, geographically speaking, this possibility is not impossible.

It is impossible to cross the Pacific Ocean, but crossing the Bering Strait is not a big problem. Even an ordinary ship can cross it in two or three days.

Zhu Ying didn't expect the old man to be so knowledgeable, and he just made a pretense to point to the American continent. There are really some sporadic records, and Zhu Yuanzhang even read them.

"It has existed since ancient times, and it is also feasible in the Ming Dynasty. I want to send an expeditionary army to this place to find the tree of tears."

Now that the atmosphere has reached this point, Zhu Ying naturally opened her mouth.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally did not object, and reminded again: "As the saying goes, there must be brave men under great rewards. Since this tree is so important, I, Ming Dynasty, can also issue a reward to seek this tree."

Zhu Ying nodded, this is indeed a solution.

Even if a blind cat catches a dead mouse, it might be possible.

Rubber plays a huge role.

If there are rubber trees, then Daming's current industrial system will enter a qualitative improvement.

Not just on steam engines.

For example, the tires of vehicles, the production of flintlock guns and other aspects will show great progress.

This is enough to make the current Daming Industry rapidly rise, far surpassing the world.

The next day.

Zhu Ying directly issued the announcement and circulated it to the world.

Offer a reward of 1000 million coins, or 1000 million taels of silver, to find the Weeping Tree.

If there are living seeds that can be offered to Daming, they will also be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households in Daming, and will be given the residence of the capital.

As soon as the notice came out, the whole city shook.

Because the reward this time is not only within the scope of Daming, but also within the 'whole world'.

In other words, no matter who, any nationality, or any country, people can get this reward.

The specific description of the rubber tree is also written in detail in the notice.

1000 million taels of silver, plus ten thousand lords of the Daming Dynasty, such a reward is enough to drive everyone crazy.