Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 1031 Ming Dynasty Politics (2)

Zhu Youxiao had emphasized the construction and development of naval power on different occasions since the dispute in Southeast Asia broke out. He even brought it up at the end of the fifth year of Tianqi, in response to the important symbol of the cabinet change, which was also an important symbol of Qian Qianyi's downfall.

Opening up the sea to the outside world was the key for the Ming Dynasty to resolve practical contradictions and seek major changes.

In Zhu Youxiao's eyes, if the Ming Dynasty wanted to return to its peak and embark on the road of revival and rise, it had to have one leg on land and one leg on the sea. Only by achieving both land and sea development could the Ming Dynasty embark on a path that had never been taken before.

"Your Majesty is determined to develop the navy, and I know it."

Under such circumstances, Shi Bangyao from the National Taxation Administration stepped forward and said, "In the past two years, the influence of the imperial court in Southeast Asia has been growing stronger and stronger."

"Of course, the maritime forces of European countries are still entrenched under the rule of the South Pacific countries, and even in many coastal areas, their forces are entrenched."

"But from what we know, the maritime forces of European countries are dispersed, and their so-called alliances are also very broad."

"Based on the scale of the civilian population engaged in maritime trade today, and the forces in places like Southeast Asia that accept Dongfan's control, even if they really have some ideas, they should first consider how much wrath the imperial court will bear if they do so before doing so."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Wang Yingxiong, Yuan Shizhen and others stepped forward and said.

That's the difference in ideology.

Zhu Youxiao sighed in his heart when he saw this scene. He knew that this kind of situation would inevitably occur if additional military spending was allocated to the navy.

Even for the ministers who followed him relatively closely on some steps, it was actually difficult to change their view on why the Ming Dynasty must control this vast sea territory.

Under Zhu Youxiao's strategic conception, the maritime forces under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty central government must gradually control the vast sea territory within the Strait of Malacca. Within the scope of this sea area, including the Indochina Peninsula, the South Pacific, the Ryukyu Islands, the East Japanese waters, the Korean waters, etc., there can only be one armed maritime force, and that is the Ming Navy!
In addition, the maritime forces of European countries and all pirate forces must be completely eliminated. Only when this is done well can the Ming Dynasty build a great inland sea strategy!
Of course, this does not mean that this sea area will be blocked off. When it comes to maritime trade, the Ming Dynasty will still open its arms and welcome outsiders in.

But under these waters, there can be only one military order.

Zhu Youxiao also knew that achieving such an ambitious goal would require a long period of time. After all, this sea area was too vast and could not be completely occupied overnight.

For this reason, Zhu Youxiao also clarified the development of the navy. At present, the navy is still mainly directly under the central government. When the system of governors stationed in the Nanyang begins to be promoted, the garrison fleet will appear. In this way, the maritime power will be gradually unified. In this process, the Ming Dynasty will inevitably engage in naval battles with the maritime forces of European countries.

After all, by doing this, the Ming Dynasty was squeezing their strategic space and actually damaging their core interests, so conflict was inevitable.

But this is exactly what Zhu Youxiao wanted to see.

If the Ming Dynasty Navy wanted to move from the near seas to the open ocean, a series of naval battles that would go down in history were absolutely inevitable. Only if these battles could be won could the Ming Dynasty control the Strait of Malacca.

"Is this all you think of me?"

Thinking of this, Zhu Youxiao said with a serious expression: "I would like to ask you a question. Since I ascended the throne, the plan to open up the sea has been advancing, right?"

Zhu Youxiao's words made Shi Bangyao and the others show different expressions.

The policy of opening the sea in recent years was initiated by the emperor in Tianjin. The Ming Dynasty has been able to continuously gain benefits from the sea over the years, thanks to the opening of the sea in Tianjin.

"Then I would like to ask you gentlemen, from the opening of the sea to now, has the smuggling maritime trade been eradicated?" Zhu Youxiao leaned forward and looked at Shi Bangyao and his party.

Zhu Youxiao's words made Shi Bangyao and others look at Wang Yingxiong and Cao Wenyao from the Coast Guard General Administration.

"Even if I separate the maritime anti-smuggling business from the navy and the admiralty, and concentrate it under the name of the Coast Guard General Administration." Zhu Youxiao said with a sharp look.

"A lot of money and grain were allocated before and after, as well as batches of sea vessels, to strengthen the overall strength of the Coast Guard. However, judging from the internal references submitted every year, this smuggling trade has always existed!"

"The smuggling along the coast of the southeastern provinces has only changed from being rampant on the surface in the past to being carried out completely in secret now, as the central authorities have been suppressed layer by layer."

"According to what the officials have discovered, the maritime forces of the Western Barbarians from the South Seas, through Dongfan and Haojing, have been maintaining close contact with some people."

Without establishing a complete maritime military order, some problems cannot be solved at the root. If the arrogance of some people is not eliminated, damage to the core interests of the country will continue in places where we cannot see.

Of course, Zhu Youxiao also knew that even if he controlled the Strait of Malacca and established a large inland sea strategy, he could not avoid certain things from happening.

But at least keep it under control, right?
"I will make the final decision on this matter."

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Looking at the ministers with different expressions, Zhu Youxiao said firmly: "Whether you understand or not, you must resolutely implement and implement the additional expenses of various departments."

"Since I have specially established the Imperial Navy of the Ming Dynasty, I cannot allow it to give up halfway and end up becoming a laughing stock of the world. My attitude on this matter is very clear."

"And I can foresee that in the next few years, or even sooner, the Ming Dynasty will still have to fight a major war in the South China Sea."

"If we don't want the customs system that we have worked so hard to build to be destroyed, we must develop and expand our naval power, even if it means tightening our belts!"

Zhu Youxiao's tough attitude made Shi Bangyao and others understand that they could not change the issue of the navy. Even if there were many difficulties during this period, they had to find ways to solve them.

Just like the initial additional five million in military spending.

"You two should go down and discuss this matter first."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Draft a memorial as soon as possible and present it to the emperor. What I want is a plan with hope, not a plan that only pays off. Please leave."

"I'm waiting to retire."

The ministers bowed and saluted.

This is the new situation of the Ming Dynasty today. If it wants to continue to compete in some areas, it must pool more resources and strength and implement them through authoritarian rule.

(End of this chapter)