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Chapter 556 The drunkard doesn’t care about drinking

"Since you are entrusted by others, I cannot let you return empty-handed. The matter of the newspaper has not been discussed, and I will not interfere. However, the issue of sending troops to Manila Port can be explained.

The reason why I made all the arrangements and preparations with great fanfare and let the newspapers publicize it is not because I don't understand the art of war, but because I know it too well. The Francois not only occupied the Port of Manila and Little Luzon, but also occupied some of the islands of Greater Luzon, collectively known as the Philippine Islands.

That place is a bunch of islands, twisted and intertwined, rainy and windy, densely forested, and extremely inconvenient. In order to rule the local natives, the Francois dispersed their troops to four or five towns and ports, of which Manila Port was the largest.

I want to use troops against the Folangji people, and it is just an excuse to open my eyes for the Chinese businessmen. Manila Port is the gateway to Southeast Asia and its location is very important. Now that the Ming Dynasty has imposed a sea ban, such an important port cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of foreigners. This time we send troops, no matter how the Folangji people respond, I will decide the port of Manila!

In addition, I also want to try the quality of the navy. Since I appointed the Admiral Yamen to suppress bandits and smuggling at sea, the navy has been established for seven years. During this period, although the pirates and bandits along the coast have been wiped out and many battles have been fought, it has never participated in a real war. .

Strong soldiers are not made by training, but by fighting. With every victory or defeat, as long as the losses are not too great, soldiers and generals will become stronger and stronger as they fight. From now on, they will go to various places in Nanyang to fight, not for me, but for Ming Dynasty.

This time I send troops, I don’t want compensation or apology, I just want the Port of Manila. However, the Folangji people still have troops and ships in several other towns and ports, and the navy is not very clear about the local situation, making it difficult to capture them one by one.

So I thought of a way to first spread the news about the Ming Navy's attack on Manila Port, and then send a part of the main force of the navy to Guangzhou Port to gather and practice with great fanfare.

In this way, even if the Francois in Manila Port cannot read the newspaper, the Francois in Haojingao will secretly reveal the news. Let me test you, what are the benefits of doing this? "

Just being rewarded with a silver medal was not enough to convince Ye Xianggao completely, so he had to reveal some useful information. Leaders already talk about secrets with their subordinates, but should subordinates also take concrete actions in return?

"... In this way... Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision that no one can match. I have racked my brains and thought in every possible way, but I have only gained a little. Does Your Majesty want to lure all the Francois to Manila Port and complete the victory in one battle?"

Ye Xianggao could not produce anything of the same quality to repay the emperor's trust for the time being, but his attitude was obviously more sincere. He was really thinking hard and planning to do his best.

"Hahaha... Mr. Ye Ge is indeed well-deserved and extremely smart. Yes, I just want to attract the Folangji people and the native soldiers under their control and annihilate them. In this way, wait until the navy takes over. After the Manila port, the troubles will be much less. ”

If the ministers don't go against the emperor, the emperor will naturally not make cheap moves. You praise me for my far-sightedness, and I praise you for being extremely smart. You look at the happy scene of a virtuous king and a loyal minister. Wang Chengen, who was waiting next to you, curled his lips and felt retching in his stomach.

"Your Majesty...ah?! Your Majesty wants to occupy Manila Port?" Ye Xianggao didn't feel any discomfort except for his heartbeat being a little fast and adrenaline secretion a little bit. He was about to give more words of praise when suddenly His face paused, his eyes widened, and he stared at the emperor rudely.

"That's right, the navy spent so much money on food and troops on an expedition, so it wouldn't just listen to an apology from Fo Langji, right? Don't forget, I have issued an edict. If the foreign war fails three times in a row or is unprofitable, it will be lost. Arbitrary power over the navy.”

Hong Tao followed suit and stared back with an incredulous expression. The officials of the Ming Dynasty were really interesting. They understood war very simply, only as a means of punishing the other party, and they rarely had any thoughts of aggression.

This may be the ideological characteristic of cattle and sheep. They will only use force to fight back when they are forced to the last resort. They will be satisfied if they can restore a slight disadvantage. Even if they win, they will usually suffer heavy scars and huge losses. "...but, the mountains and forests all over Luzon are miasmatic, the products are not abundant, and the natives lack education, how can your majesty profit?" The reason given by the emperor was quite sufficient, but Ye Xianggao still couldn't figure it out, mainly because of the lack of education. Nowhere is the benefit.

"Is Luzon poor? I don't think so. Six years ago, Guangdong's tax rate was at the bottom. Now, it's at the top of the list! Luzon is poor only on the surface. In fact, it's very rich. It's just the local natives and Folangji people. Just don't know how to govern.

As far as I know, Little Luzon has large areas of plains for farming, and rice is harvested three times a season. With only a little construction of water conservancy and irrigation facilities, it can rival the large granaries of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Huguang. If supplemented by wheat, sugar cane, rubber trees, and cocoa trees, one piece of land can equal the grain wealth of several northern provinces.

There are many copper and gold mines in the mountains of northern Little Luzon, and together with the large timber used for shipbuilding, it is a rare treasure. The most important thing is that there is no shortage of manpower, there are at least one million local natives to drive.

These are just visible benefits. If Little Luzon was occupied by the Ming Dynasty, there would be Manila Port in the east and Da Nang in the west. It would be like a city gate on the road from Nanyang to the Ming Dynasty. Anyone entering or leaving would have to ask the imperial court first. agree. You may not be able to make a profit for the time being, but in the long run, your descendants will be blessed. "

When it comes to whether Luzon is poor or rich, Hong Tao may have the most say in this era, and even knows better than most of the natives of Luzon. This issue cannot be generalized and requires specific analysis of specific issues.

Overall, Luzon is indeed not rich. It lacks easily mined coal and iron ores and is not suitable for all-round development. But if you compare certain items individually, they can be considered relatively wealthy.

"...People who are not of my race must have different minds. If the local natives are unwilling to serve the Ming Dynasty and often cause trouble, what will your Majesty do?"

It was probably the first time that Ye Xianggao heard the detailed information about Lu Song. It came from the emperor's mouth and he didn't dare to believe it. But his focus is not on physical resources. He is not good at mining, land reclamation, and farming. How to rule and manage the place is his job.

"Since they can serve the Folangji people, why can't they serve the Ming Dynasty? I don't think the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty are stupider than the Folangji people. The specific method can be discussed after the navy wins. There is no rush yet."

Hong Tao originally wanted to show off his long-prepared colonial plan, but considering the values ​​​​of the Ming people at this time, he might as well omit it. If you want to turn a sheep into a wolf, you have to go step by step. The best way is to induce it with benefits. Without real money in front of you, relying on reasoning alone is too weak to convince.

"Now that your Majesty has made up his mind, I will give you a helping hand if you need any help!" At this point, Ye Xianggao's current situation has been generally judged. Since there is no way to stop it, it is better to join it. Now that the imperial power has the upper hand and he has been given a silver medal, it is the opportunity to show off.

"That's very good. You don't have to worry about the war. However, the aftermath of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanxi is still unsolved, which distracts me. You are a veteran of this dynasty, and you have the title of imperial envoy. You can go to the two places for me to appease the locals. Gentleman, what do you think?"

As long as he wants to make progress, Hong Tao will accept anyone who comes. This time, so many gentry and court officials were arrested at once, and the punishment was so severe. Even if there were newspapers to help promote the accuracy, it would inevitably make some people feel bad.

Ye Xianggao has been scolded a lot in his position as chief minister of the cabinet over the years, but he has a group of colleagues around him who support him, which shows that he is still quite capable in interpersonal relationships. Now is the time to do the job of wiping the butt. If the emperor is a stick, then he is the shadow of a carrot. He can be seen, touched and eaten.

(End of this chapter)