The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youtang agreed to Zhang Zhou's request to go to sea.

This news quickly caused an uproar in the imperial court. The ministers did not expect that the emperor would be so willing to let Zhang Zhou lead his troops to the sea. Even though they vaguely felt that it was inappropriate, they felt that this seemed to be the most appropriate choice at the moment.

At the same time, Zhu Houzhao was rushing to Binhai City.

While staying at the inn, Zhu Houzhao heard from outsiders that Liu Jin had been in a shipwreck and that Zhang Zhou was going to go out to sea.

"It's indeed his character." Zhu Houzhao seemed to have expected this.

Qiu Ju came over and said, "Sir, are we still going?"

"Of course I will." Zhu Houzhao said, "When Mr. Zhang goes to sea, he must take me with him, otherwise how can I conquer the earth?"

As they were talking, some people were also arguing about Zhang Zhou's achievements.

Inside the inn, a group of people were sitting there chatting and talking about everything. They seemed to be very interested in the affairs of the country and the nation.

"Duke Cai is about to be crowned king, but he is leading his troops out to sea. Perhaps he wants to never come back."

"How is it possible? In the Ming Dynasty, he has already reached such a high position. It is something that ordinary people like us would never dare to dream of in our lifetime..."

"What do you know? The imperial newspaper also said that Duke Cai went to fight against the barbarians for the Ming Dynasty. I heard that the land overseas is full of gold and silver piled up into a mountain. Do you know? The last time the Ming Dynasty went out to sea, the ships returned with tens of millions of taels of silver."

"It makes me want to go."

"You don't know, the coastal areas are recruiting people to go to sea now, and there are so many people who want to go to sea."

"We are applying for the position of boatman. My ancestors were oar-rowers. This is called professional matching."

Zhu Houzhao finally couldn't help but say, "Bullshit! You don't know that today's ships are pushed by big engines and don't even need sails. Do you think you still need to paddle on the sea? You are uneducated!"

"Whose child is this?"

Zhu Houzhao immediately became the target of public criticism.

Just when Zhu Houzhao was about to have a good argument with this group of people, he was quickly dragged to the guest room by Qiu Ju and others.

"Young master, please don't talk to anyone. It's easy to expose your whereabouts." Qiu Ju advised.

"Why not? Last time I came out, I just said a few words about Xinxue, and they praised me highly. This time I came to go to sea, so of course I told them about going to sea."

Zhu Houzhao still seemed unconvinced.

Where is the chance to show off in the palace?

I have a high level of education and a wide range of knowledge, and as a young man I also have a desire to show off.

Qiu Ju said: "Let's talk about it after we get to Binhai City."

"Okay." Zhu Houzhao said, "Since getting on board is based on selection, I know how difficult it can be. I can be their teacher, because I am a direct student of Zhang."

Qiu Ju was not too worried after hearing this and said, "Your Highness, you will definitely be able to do it."

But I was thinking in my heart, you are just a young man, and you want to apply for a job on a Shanghai ship?

Stop dreaming. No one on the ship thinks you are of any value. Only people in the palace respect you and say you are capable, but in fact... you are not even as good as a street urchin.

……

……

In the coastal city.

The news that Zhang Zhou personally led his troops to the sea spread throughout the streets, and a group of people went to the registration office at the port to apply for the job.

Li Dongyang's eldest son, Li Zhaoxian, also came to apply for the job in person. What was different this time was that he came with his wife and children.

"Sir, what achievements do you have? You should know that this voyage may take two or three years. It is best to settle your family. You can bring your family with you, but you need to go through long-term immigration procedures. You can get a certain amount of subsidies after going to sea, but you need to have a skill."

The person in charge of recruiting candidates to go overseas was promoted by Zhang Zhou himself, and they have very high requirements for job seekers going overseas.

Li Zhaoxian said: "I have been to the Imperial Academy and studied the School of Mind."

"That's useless." The recruiter on the other side said, "The most important thing when going out to sea is to recruit craftsmen, even those who know how to mine. If you just want to help, you generally won't be recruited, because there are many barbarians overseas, and they can do the hard work."

Li Zhaoxian was also a little anxious. I'm a student who applied for a job to go to sea, but I can't even get the chance to get on board?
The recruiter was also very polite. He took out a form and said, "Those who can get to this stage are mostly talented. Since you can't get on board as a craftsman, you need to write down your own skills. In this way, there are still two days, so you'd better come up with it quickly. After all, you still have to pass the final review. If you really can't find your strengths, I can only say sorry in advance."

……

……

Li Zhaoxian returned to the inn where he was temporarily staying, and after coming back, he went to discuss with his wife and sister.

This time, Li Wei insisted on coming with him, also to apply for a job, but Li Wei went to the girls' school.

"Brother, I have successfully obtained the qualification to board the ship, and I can bring two family members with me. If not, I will take my sister-in-law and nephew with me." Li Wei said happily.

Li Zhaoxian frowned and said, "What kind of talk is that? If I can't go, then you don't have to go either."

Obviously, Li Zhaoxian would not agree to let his sister go to sea, let alone bring his family along. This was out of the question.

Li Wei asked, "But what can I do, brother?"

"This……"

Li Zhaoxian seemed very confused and said, "I have been preparing for so long, thinking that I can get on board just because I have talent and knowledge, but who knows... Alas!"...

……

Li Zhaoxian was drinking alone downstairs. Before he had taken a few sips, he heard a quarrel at the back door of the inn.

"Do you believe that I will tear down your inn?" A young man was shouting at the inn's waiter in a very arrogant voice.

"Calm down." Someone next to him was trying to persuade him.

It was already very late, and the inn obviously had no intention of accommodating this group of newly arrived guests.

Li Zhaoxian heard the noise and walked over, and saw a group of people arguing with the innkeepers.

"We're just staying for one night. Are you asking us to stay in a carriage? I just want to rest, take a shower and change clothes. I have to be called out to sea tomorrow. Are you running a black shop?" The person who spoke was Zhu Houzhao.

Li Zhaoxian felt that the young man in front of him looked familiar, but he couldn't remember when he had seen him before.

After all, I had only seen him in Nanjing City back then, and Zhu Houzhao was just a child at that time, but now he has grown into a grown man.

The innkeeper said, "I'm sorry, it's too late. We can't accommodate you. Please find another place."

Li Zhaoxian walked over and asked, "Why don't you receive guests?"

"Isn't this Mr. Li?" Zhu Houzhao recognized Li Zhaoxian at a glance, "My last name is Zhu, and my name is Zhu Shou. Do you remember me?"

Li Zhaoxian really couldn't remember.

The innkeeper asked, "Mr. Li, do you know him?"

"I think... I know him." Li Zhaoxian was not sure, but since the other party recognized him directly, he guessed that they might have met in an academic setting before.

The innkeepers then made concessions. After all, they knew that Li Zhaoxian was Li Dongyang's eldest son, and this group of newcomers didn't even have a pass. Although there were many refugees in the city at that time, the innkeeper obviously didn't want to cause trouble.

……

……

Zhu Houzhao and his party were able to stay in the inn. However, except for Zhu Houzhao who had a room, Qiu Ju and others could only sleep in a large bunk bed.

"Mr. Li, are you here to board the ship and go out to sea as well?" Zhu Houzhao hadn't eaten yet, but he ordered a table of food and said he wanted to entertain Li Zhaoxian.

Li Zhaoxian nodded and said, "Yes. But...going to sea is not easy."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "I heard on the road that going to sea requires an application, which is quite difficult, but the most important thing is to have a skill."

Li Zhaoxian asked, "Mr. Zhu, you sound quite arrogant. What are you good at?"

"I can do everything. What kind of talents do you need now?" Zhu Houzhao looked proud.

Li Zhaoxian felt a headache when he saw it, so he took out the registration form given to him earlier and handed it to Zhu Houzhao.

After carefully identifying it under the candlelight, Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "You need a craftsman, which I can't do. I'm not a bricklayer, but I can repair ships. I understand the technology of steam engines, and... I understand the principles of steam engines."

"What?" Li Zhaoxian almost dropped his jaw when he heard it.

This kid never stops until he says something shocking.

"And I know the geography of America. I have a map here for you to take a look at."

As he spoke, Zhu Houzhao took out a parchment map from his arms, which was the map of the American continent that Zhang Zhou had given him before.

After Li Zhaoxian finished reading it, he was stunned and asked, "Mr. Zhu, where did you get it from?"

"Don't worry about it." Zhu Houzhao asked, "If we have this, do you think we can get on the ship?"

Instead of asking whether I can get on the boat, I say "we".

This made Li Zhaoxian feel like he had found a treasure.

Just when I was worrying about not being able to get on the ship, a great gift suddenly fell from the sky?
"It should be possible." Li Zhaoxian said, "But it requires household registration and a travel permit. It's not easy to go to sea, but those are not difficult either."

"For me, household registration and travel permits are troublesome." Zhu Houzhao said, "Mr. Li, you are the son of the elder, can you help me with this matter? I just want to get on the ship, and I don't want my family to know. After I get on the ship, I will give you a heavy gift to thank you, so that we can have someone to take care of us in the future. You see, I brought a lot of servants with me, and they can help us in the future."

Li Zhaoxian felt a little embarrassed after hearing this.

But what he cares least about is his own identity.

Li Zhaoxian nodded and said, "Well, how about we go and apply for the job tonight?"

"In the evening?" Zhu Houzhao seemed confused. "Not until tomorrow?"

Li Zhaoxian said: "There are so many applicants now, and the first batch of ships will leave in a few days, so we are recruiting day and night."

"That's great, take me there quickly." Zhu Houzhao said, "We will help each other in the future. After we arrive in America, we can take every step carefully. From now on... America will be our world."

Li Zhaoxian thought to himself that this sounded awkward.

But fortunately, this kid has some skills.

It seems that my plan to get on board has been settled. (End of this chapter)