Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 311 Western Shipping Department

"This time the navy assists the army in the operation. What we need to pay attention to is to promptly cut off the north-south exchanges in Annan and then ensure the maritime food transportation channel."

"This time the imperial court built so many horse ships, not all of them were going to the Western Ocean, but some of them were set aside to participate in the migration of people from Fujian and Guangdong to Annan."

In the Wuying Hall, Zhu Gaoxu pointed to the waterway from Fujian and Guangdong to Annan, and explained to Zheng He and others the focus and follow-up of this assistance operation.

However, facing his words, Zhu Di suddenly said: "I'm afraid it won't be effective if you take the initiative to let the people migrate."

"Indeed." Zhu Gaoxu agreed: "Therefore, I am planning to transfer three thousand officials from the Taxation Department to Fujian."

Having said this, Zhu Gaoxu once again turned his attention to Zheng He and Yang Zhan: "The folk customs in Fujian are strong and the clans are intertwined. Therefore, some squires rely on their seniority to squeeze the people, and at the same time, they also find young people among them who can be supported. "

“Officials from the Taxation Department are good at clearing land and registering people, but they are not good at dealing with these people.”

"I am going to mobilize the Yanfu and Bohai cavalry in Beijing to go south to cooperate with you and help the officials of the Taxation Department measure the acres of land and register the population."

"This time is different from the six Jiangdong prefectures. Fujian officials are reticent in temples, so they have to carry out special measures."

"Any wealthy household or country gentry involved in concealing their land and people will be implicated in the migration of their clansmen to Annan."

Zhu Gaoxu wanted to migrate people from Fujian to Annan. Although there was a sea across the ocean, Zheng He's fleet was more than twice as large as in history. It could transport 40,000 people to Guangzhou in one go. They could arrive after replenishing supplies in Guangzhou and Qinzhou. Annan.

Six months was enough for Zheng He and others to move more than 100,000 people from Fujian into Annan.

These offenders will be classified as military households. After being trained by Fu Rang and others, the Ming army will strengthen the control of Annan. It will not be until Annan is completely stabilized that they will be changed from military status to civilian status, and the general's land will be divided equally among them.

"This voyage to the West will focus on Annan, Old Port, and Luzon. We will not continue to Old Port and Luzon until Annan is stable."

Zhu Gaoxu told Zheng He and the others, but his eyes were on Yang Zhan.

He knew that Yang Zhan could understand his ideas and implement them well without mercy.

Although Zheng He was also tough, he could never compare to him.

"Your Highness, why should I stay?"

Suddenly, Wang Xuan spoke awkwardly, because he had not been able to relate to the content of this discussion from the beginning until now, so he had to ask what the meaning of his coming to Wuying Hall was.

Zhu Gaoxu also smiled when he saw this: "I summoned you, naturally I have something to say."

"If you have walked the road from Yongchang to Longchuan, you should know how difficult it is."

"There are many people involved in Annan this time. I am going to transfer 100,000 to you, and you will be responsible for building a road from Yongchang to Nandian, and Nandian to Longchuan and Manmo respectively."

"In addition, there are 200,000 kilograms of gunpowder and the right to distribute the Yunnan cement plant."

"When the war in Annan is over, I will ask the Chief Envoy of Yunnan to transfer 200,000 shi of grain to you every year. In short, all you have to do is to build this two-foot-wide official road."

"If there is such support, how long do you think it will take to repair this official road?"

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Wang Xuan with burning eyes. Wang Xuan recalled the situation of the post road in western Yunnan, and then hesitantly said:

"Your Highness, the situation in western Yunnan cannot be built by relying on a large number of people. No matter how many people you give, it will not be possible to spread it out."

"I only need 50,000 people to build the official road from Yongchang to Zhenkang, from Yongchang to Nandian, from Nandian to Longchuan, and from Nandian to Manmo."

"If two feet is used as the standard, it will take at least seven or eight years or even longer."

"But I'm afraid Chief Manmo won't welcome the imperial court to build an official road, and war may break out."

Wang Xuan hesitated, but Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: "If he dares to use troops, it's time for you to make him a knight!"

Manmo (Bamo) is located on the east bank near the confluence of the upper reaches of the Dajinsha River (Irrawaddy River) and the Taiping River, only a few dozen miles away from the Laoguan Village where the Qing-Burmese War took place.

If it can capture this place, relocate the population, and build shipyards and docks, then the Ming Dynasty can drive down and control the entire Myanmar, and also have a channel along the Jinsha River into the Bay of Bengal.

Taking this place will allow the Ming Dynasty to better control Sanxuan, Liuwei and some states in southern Myanmar. It can also be used as a grain production base to provide food and fodder for the army to conquer the south in the future. Its importance is self-evident.

As long as the Manmo chieftain is eliminated and he contributes to building official roads, Zhu Gaoxu can also be granted the title of uncle to Wang Xuan.

"Do it well!" He patted Wang Xuan's arm. Wang Xuan bowed seriously, and Yang Zhan beside him did not hide his smile.

"Your Highness, now that you have finished your instructions, we will leave."

Yang Zhan interrupted because he knew that Zhu Gaoxu had a lot of government affairs every day and didn't want to delay him too much.

"Let's go to Chunhe Hall to have a meal before leaving." Zhu Gaoxu persuaded them to stay, but Wang Xuan shook his head and said: "I have to go back after the Lantern Festival. I have a lot of things to be busy with. Besides, I don't miss going to Chunhe during this time." I’d like to have dinner with you, but it’s too late today. I’m afraid you’ll be busy until midnight when you go back to deal with government affairs.”

"It makes sense for you to go back early to handle government affairs and take a good rest."

"Okay, then I won't keep you here." Zhu Gaoxu sighed, and then he saw Wang Xuan and Yang Zhan bowing and leaving Wuying Hall.

He looked at the backs of the two of them and thought of the time they spent playing during the Lantern Festival.

"You have a good relationship with them. No wonder Yang Zhan faked his death and went north to help you."

Zhu Di, who had been watching the conversation between Zhu Gaoxu and Wang Xuan, suddenly spoke, seeming to be lamenting Zhu Gaoxu's care for Wang Xuan and the others.

Zhu Gaoxu looked back and saw a trace of envy in Zhu Di's eyes.

"Are you envious?" Zhu Gaoxu said with a smile, and Zhu Di shook his head.

Initially, Zhu Gaoxu thought he was going to deny it, but he didn't want him to say it directly: "It's a lie to say that I'm not envious. The two people you led performed well. Needless to say, Yang Zhan, and Wang Xuan have been criticized a lot in the past few months. When I summoned him, he responded with reasonable answers, and he is a good general."

"Like your grandfather, you are a person who can cultivate people." Zhu Di told the reason for his envy, and Zhu Gaoxu just laughed to explain it away.

When it comes to cultivating people, there is really no need for him to be humble.

Zhu Di has been in Peiping for almost twenty years, and only three of his men, Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng, and Meng Shan, are capable. The others, including Qiu Fu, can lead tens of thousands of troops, and they are not as good as Yang Zhan, Wang Xuan, and Meng Shan. People like Zhang, Wang Yi, and Fu Rang led tens of thousands of troops.

Zhu Gaoxu has only led them for a few years, and they can perform like this, which inevitably makes Zhu Di envious.

You must know that he led Qiu Fu and the others into the war hand in hand. As a result, Qiu Fu and the others have not made any progress after so many years.

If it weren't for the young and capable general Zhu Neng, Zhu Di might have become disillusioned with his ability to train generals.

"It's getting late. Father, please take care of the government affairs first. I'll take my leave."

Seeing Zhu Di's expression, Zhu Gaoxu did not stay any longer, but bowed and prepared to leave.

When Zhu Di saw that he was about to leave, he did not forget to remind him: "The fleet will set off after the Lantern Festival. You can go and see him off on my behalf."

"Yes..." Zhu Gaoxu agreed, then turned and left.

After spending two-quarters of an hour returning to the East Palace, Yishiha, who had been waiting here early, also waited for Zhu Gaoxu. While he stepped forward to help him get out of the carriage, he did not forget to say:

"The Bohai Graduation Examination on the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month has come out. Your Highness, your exam was too difficult this time. Almost all the students were wiped out."

"How is the situation?" Zhu Gaoxu turned his attention to Yishiha and walked into the Chunhe Hall with him.

This time the final exam included more questions that were not included in the textbooks, such as mathematical algebra, trigonometric functions, mathematical logic, and some geography, ancient science, astronomy and other questions added to history.

In the original five-year textbooks, most of the science knowledge such as physics, geography, astronomy, and chemistry were interspersed by Zhu Gaoxu with various historical and Chinese topics. After all, the five-year education was originally used for elementary education, and it was not realistic to teach mathematics, physics, and chemistry specifically, and Zhu Gaoxu personally The degree of mathematics, physics and chemistry is not high.

In addition to geography, other knowledge such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and astronomy, it is already good that he can remember the contents of junior high school.

The reason why such questions that do not exist in books is to screen out talented students who are interested and sensitive to these things.

But judging from Yi Shiha's words, this final exam didn't seem to be very good.

"Class C has the most results, with more than 13,000 people, Class B has 316 people, Class A has only 47 people, and the rest are Class D who just passed the passing line."

Yi Shiha told the result, which made Zhu Gaoxu lose his sight for a moment.

This time, the book content accounts for 40% of the test paper, which means that only those with B-level scores can barely be regarded as students interested in science. A-level students are the real talented players, because they need to summarize based on past questions. Work out the answer.

"Bring the first-class and second-class students to the capital, and buy a piece of land covering an area of ​​200 acres southeast of Yuhuatai to set up an Imperial College. Those who enroll will be Imperial Bachelors, and those with merit will be Doctors."

"Taixue?" Hearing that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to establish an Taixue, Yishiha was stunned, because Taixue is the common name of the Imperial College, but according to His Highness, the admission standards of this Taixue may be very difficult.

"Yes, Taixue." Zhu Gaoxu walked into the Chunhe Hall and continued: "Students who enter the Taixue will be given a salary according to the treatment of the sixth grade, and there will be rewards for conquering the project."

"Sixth-grade official?" Yishiha took a breath. After all, the annual salary of a sixth-grade official is 120 dan, which is equivalent to the output of 130 to 40 acres of land outside the customs.

What does it mean that a book has its own golden house? This is called a book that has its own golden house.

As long as a bachelor comes out of the family, he can immediately support twenty unemployed people, which is much easier than fighting on the battlefield or taking the imperial examination.

"Starting from next year, only students with first-class scores can enter Taishi."

Zhu Gaoxu gave out new ideas and policies. Hearing this, Yi Shiha only felt that last year's batch of second-class students were lucky.

From His Highness's mouth, it was not difficult for him to tell that the second-class students did not meet the standards, so he was also curious about why His Highness chose them if they did not meet the standards.

"By the way, Taixue will prepare a place for me to rest."

As soon as Zhu Gaoxu opened his mouth, Yi Shiha said in astonishment: "Are you planning to move in after the Imperial College is completed?" "Well, by then the princess will have given birth and recovered well, so I can just go over there and give lectures and deal with things at the same time. Government affairs.”

Zhu Gaoxu did not hide it, and the reason for this was because he planned to personally train more than 300 people, and then keep the first-class bachelors and put the second-class bachelors back to their places to teach in future middle schools.

If the current Guanwai Guanwai is still at the level of half ancient content and half later generations content, then middle schools in the future will be mainly based on the later generations of liberal arts and science knowledge that Zhu Gaoxu remembers.

As long as they can study well in the three years of middle school, the scientific foundation of Ming Dynasty will be solid.

Compared with the middle and high school students of later generations, perhaps the content they learned was backward, but in this era, it was knowledge that was hundreds of years ahead of its time.

But before that, Zhu Gaoxu had to solve the teaching materials.

Fortunately, he has always found time to compile textbooks, so whether it is mathematics, physics, chemistry, or geography, he has compiled seven or eight textbooks.

The remaining few months were just the time for him to complete this knowledge.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu sat on his chair and began to review the piled memorials one by one.

Although it was the New Year, he and Zhu Di did not have time to go to Qianqing Palace for a family dinner. They were both at their respective posts and had a headache facing the memorials.

Such boring days lasted for more than half a month. Zhu Gaoxu went to Jiangdong Wharf to say goodbye to Muchun, Qu Neng, Gu Cheng, Wang Xuan, Zheng He and others.

Different from the first voyage to the East, this voyage to the West had many people watching, many of whom were spies from business gangs from various places.

"Have a safe journey, Mr. Qian."

"Excuse me, Your Highness..."

On the deck, Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the invisible crowd of onlookers, and then said goodbye to Muchun and the others.

When they got off the deck, they happened to run into Yang Zhan, Wang Xuan, Cui Jun and others walking towards them.

Both sides smiled at each other and expressed their emotions with just a hug.

"Woo-"

As the horn sounded, Zhu Gaoxu watched Yang Zhan and the others board the treasure ship, and watched the treasure ship fleet sail away from Jiangdong Pier.

After they were far away, Zhu Gaoxu returned to the carriage, and there were already two officials waiting outside the carriage for a long time.

"Tell me in the car."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Yu Xin, who was depressed, and Hu Lun, who had not been seen for a long time. While indicating for them to get on the carriage, he also stepped onto the carriage and sat down.

After the two got on the bus, the team responsible for escorting Zhu Gaoxu began to escort Zhu Gaoxu back to the East Palace. Zhu Gaoxu also looked at the two people who had just taken their seats: "Tell me, what's going on."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu went straight to the topic, Yu Xin did not hide anything, and directly bowed and replied: "The Xiyang City Shipping Department was opened on the first day of the first lunar month, and now there are thirty-nine merchant gangs registered."

The Xiyang City Shipping Department is the organization that gives formal status to smuggling merchants. All business gangs registered with the Xiyang City Shipping Department can build ships in Longjiang, Jinzhou, Dingliao and other shipyards with the documents issued by the court. A horse boat worth three thousand materials.

The three-thousand-material horse ship carried six Hongwu iron cannons. The cost price was 1,200 guan, but the price sold to the merchant gangs was 5,000 guan.

In other words, Ming Dynasty could earn 3,800 yuan in profits from shipbuilding alone.

All ships trading in the West must use the imperial court's 3,000 guan horse ship, which means that if you want to join the Western shipping trade, you must have assets of no less than 5,000 guan.

Of course, with this kind of ship, ordinary pirates are no match, let alone the fact that the cargo volume is huge.

A horse-drawn ship with three thousand ingredients can carry two thousand koku. If two thousand koku of spices are transported back, even if the price of the spices drops to twenty cents per catty, six thousand koku can be harvested in that trip. After excluding the cost, it can make a net profit. More than four thousand strings.

In this way, it only takes two years to earn back the cost of the horse and boat, and still have a balance of more than 3,000 yuan.

For the smuggler gang, such a cost is completely acceptable to them. After all, as long as their identities are cleared, they can go to Nanyang to replenish fresh water and supplies in Luzon and the old port, and they can directly buy imperial merchandise from the old port and go to the West. Sold locally to the court.

Because of this, the Xiyang Shipping Department received thirty-nine merchant registrations in just sixteen days.

"How many orders have shipyards received in various places?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked Yu Xin, and Yu Xin said without hesitation: "Eighty-two ships, the court made a profit of more than 310,000 yuan."

"It seems that they have strong assets." After hearing this amount, Zhu Gaoxu could only say that these coastal business gangs really made a lot of money during the chaotic period of the late Yuan Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty.

If these eighty-two ships with three thousand materials and horses were combined together, they would definitely be able to travel across the ocean.

Although the Hongwu Iron Cannon has been eliminated in the Ming Dynasty, it is considered an advanced product for any country in the world, especially in front of Western countries and pirates.

Not to mention the new business gangs that will be added in the future, the current number alone is enough to bulldoze all the pirates east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of Malacca.

However, for Zhu Gaoxu, the more armed merchant ships the merchant gang has, the more beneficial it will be for the Ming Dynasty to further conquer Nanyang in the future.

Anyway, the imperial court masters cannon technology and treasure ship technology. As long as the technology does not spread, the Ming Dynasty can always suppress the coastal merchant gangs, so there is no need to worry.

If possible, Zhu Gaoxu even hoped that coastal merchant gangs could register hundreds of merchant gangs in one fell swoop and build thousands of horse-drawn boats.

In this way, even if they don't go to the West, the court can still make a lot of money.

Of course, the imperial court's ability to make the merchant gangs willing to pay such high shipbuilding costs was based on the premise that the huge fleet in the Western Ocean could control the Nanyang waterways. Therefore, even if they wanted to wait and collect the money, they had to maintain the deterrence of the fleet.

Moreover, in order for the merchant gangs to be profitable in Western trade, the court would undoubtedly have to make certain concessions on commodity interests.

However, in this way, although it is impossible to do large-scale one-time transactions like in history, it can be able to do long-term transactions of small amounts of commercial taxes, shipbuilding and other indirect taxes, and it cannot be said to be a loss.

"Is there any movement from business gangs in other provinces?"

Zhu Gaoxu turned his attention to Hu Lun. During the few months since he disappeared, he was investigating this matter and busy with another matter.

"Most of them are still waiting and watching, but a few have already set out to Nanjing. It is estimated that there are about 30 companies in the West Factory. However, their foundation is insufficient. They may merge to purchase horse boats."

Hu Lun gave out the information obtained from Xichang's investigation, and Yu Xin had long been accustomed to it. After all, he had become one of the core officials of the East Palace, so it was not surprising that he came into contact with Xichang.

"So, there are still one or two hundred business gangs that have not taken action." Zhu Gaoxu nodded and concluded, and Yu Xingyan also said:

"Although it sounds like there are many merchant gangs along the coast, many of them are just small merchant gangs with three or five wealthy households owning several hundreds of sand boats."

"The reason why I'm still waiting and watching is probably because I can't afford the shipbuilding price of 5,000 guan."

"I estimate that they will either merge into a large merchant gang, or they will sell sand boats and concentrate on farming."

"Hmm..." Zhu Gaoxu nodded, and then looked at Hu Lun: "How many big business gangs do you think there will be in the end if there is a merger?"

"I estimate that there should be no less than a hundred families." Hu Lun gave his own inference. After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu felt that it was quite a lot.

If he wasn't worried about one business gang becoming dominant, he would even want to support ten business gangs like the Guangzhou Thirteen Banks.

"How's Annan's affairs going?"

After asking questions about the Western Shipping Department, Zhu Gaoxu began to ask Hu Lun about another thing he had done during this time.

"Many brothers have entered Annan, and most of the descendants of the Chen family they can find have been reported by them. The Hu family is merciless to the descendants of the Chen family, and would rather catch the wrong ones than let them go."

Hu Lun reported on Xichang's actions in Annan, and told the current situation and situation in Annan: "Hu Jishen's New Deal violated the interests of most of the Chen Dynasty's descendants, nobles, and wealthy households. Therefore, the New Deal was criticized by the Chen Dynasty's elders. and the unanimous resistance of Confucians.”

"Not only that, these people also secretly recruited soldiers and horses to try to overthrow Hu Jiyou's rule."

"However, Hu Jisao was not an easy man. He mobilized troops to put down the rebellion and killed many Chen Dynasty officials. That's why Pei Boqi and others came to the capital to ask for help."

After Hu Lun said this, Yu Xin also said: "Your Highness, if this is the case, then these Chen Dynasty ministers may also oppose the imperial court in the future."

"Yes." Zhu Gaoxu nodded in approval. After all, Li Li was a wealthy member of the Chen Dynasty who surrendered to the Ming Dynasty at the beginning. Later, when he saw the Ming Dynasty annexing Annan, and the Ming Dynasty's new policies violated the interests of the local nobles and wealthy households, he immediately began to rebel. "

There was more than one person like Li Li, so Zhu Gaoxu was prepared to make big connections after taking Annan.

"I have already given instructions to Muchun and Fu Rang. They know what to do."

"Don't worry too much about the Chen Dynasty's remaining ministers. It's enough to keep a certain amount of surveillance."

"After this battle, most of Hu and Chen Yichen will be wiped out."

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were blazing. When Yu Xin and Hu Lun saw this, they also thought of Zhu Gaoxu's earlier opinions on Annan's fast and slow policies.

"The climate in Annan is not suitable for northerners. After Yu Shangshu returned, he discussed with Xia Shangshu and mobilized officials from Guangdong, Guangxi and Jiangnan, and recruited subordinate officials from Jianghuai and Huaihe to govern Annan."

"I did the math and found that we need at least 600 officials and 3,000 subordinate staff."

"The salary of these subordinate officials is based on twenty dan per year. If recruitment is not available, it can be raised, as long as it does not exceed the subordinate officials of Shandong and Liaodong."

"Yes." Yu Xin agreed, but at the same time he also reminded Zhu Gaoxu:

"His Highness's pacification of Annan is a feat worthy of special mention. However, we still need to pay attention to Annan's policy to avoid being impeached by the people in the temple."

Yu Xin was worried that the massacre of Annan by the soldiers would reduce Zhu Gaoxu's reputation as a prince, but Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said:

"The one who issued the decree to pacify Annan was my father, the Yongle Emperor. What does it have to do with my East Palace?"

"Uh..." After hearing what Zhu Gaoxu said, Yu Xin and Hu Lun looked at each other, and for a moment they didn't know how to refute him.

Although that's what he said, I just don't know what Zhu Di will think when he finds out...

(End of this chapter)