Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 347 Zheng He returns to China

"Boom boom boom——"

On March 26, the fifth year of Yongle, accompanied by the sound of salutes at the pier outside the Jiangdong Gate of Nanjing City, the Pacific Fleet finally returned to Nanjing after two years of return.

Due to being at sea for too long, all warships and horse-drawn ships had to go to shipyards in various places in the south of the Yangtze River for maintenance, so only fifty treasure ships arrived in Nanjing.

When they went south, the fleets were loaded with cargo, and when they returned, they were also loaded with cargo.

When the treasure ship pulled into the ship's position, the ladder was quickly lowered, and the cheers of the crowd on the dock made the soldiers on the deck very excited.

In the past two years, they went south and experienced the Annan War, the Old Port War, and went deep into the jungle. Many of their comrades left them because of illness.

Now that they have finally returned to Nanjing, they can finally relax for a while.

They don't know when their next voyage to the West will be, but as long as the court needs it, they will board the ship and go south without hesitation.

"Your Majesty, Zheng He, the envoy to the Western Seas, is here to see your Majesty. Long live your Majesty, long live your Majesty..."

On the pier, Zheng He, who was wearing a bullfight uniform, knelt down and saluted. Zhu Di, who was under the canopy umbrella, stepped forward to support him: "I have been waiting for your good news for the past two years. Some of the goods you sent to Wuying Palace I haven’t even read the memorial, I’m just waiting for you and me to report it in person.”

"Your Majesty, let's go back to the palace first." Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Di were talking, and Zhu Di also stroked his beard happily: "Okay, okay, let's go back to the palace first."

"Tell them that they need to pay jade, silver, gold and other items to the court as local gifts every year, and the court will send officials, officials and craftsmen to improve the local environment for them and let their children gain knowledge."

"The native officials of Dagula sent a report saying that they have seven neighboring countries, namely Xiaogula, Demasa, Chashan, Diban, Menglun and Bajia Pagoda."

"Go back to the palace!"

"This time I am on an envoy to Nanyang. I envoy to Champa, Bintonglong, Chenla, Siam, Managa, Pahang, Dadi, Majapayi, Longya Kamo, Danyang, Sumatra. Twenty-two vassal states including Huamian, Ambergris Island, and Cuilan Island have recruited thirty-two chieftains."

"This group of feudal states had never interacted with the Central Plains before. Now they heard from the imperial court that they must be kind to the people and that they also have to clean up eight hundred dadians. Therefore, they are willing to belong to them and request the imperial court to send officials to govern them."

"Ichen estimates that the harvest this time is tens of millions, and the pepper brought back alone is one million kilograms!"

This batch of pepper must be distributed and sold, otherwise the price of Jiangnan pepper will be so high that it will be impossible to raise the price in one harvest.

There is no doubt that they pushed the Chinese tributary system to a new level. If North Korea, Japan, and Ryukyu are added to the east, and the Eastern Chagatai Khanate to the west, the Ming Dynasty now has twenty-six vassals. .

On the golden chariot, Zhu Gaoxu felt strange in his heart after listening to Yi Shiha's explanation.

"The kings, envoys and local officials of these countries are all on board now. May I ask when your Majesty can summon them."

Zheng He couldn't hide his excitement, and Zhu Di's eyes were also shining brightly.

Zhu Di and Zheng He were discussing interesting things on the road to Nanyang and the differences between Nanyang and the north. The scene was lively.

Zheng He did not miss this opportunity to earn face for Zhu Di. In front of Zhu Gaoxu and hundreds of officials from the Sixth Ministry, Sixth Prefecture, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he began to recite what he had learned from this trip south.

"This is just the beginning."

Zhu Gaoxu was still thinking about how to deal with this batch of pepper, but many officials behind him looked at each other, obviously not expecting that Zheng He could bring back so many things.

It’s not that I think this group of countries is weird, but I think this thing is weird.

"The native official of Dakula, Yi Po's Nalang, served as the envoy of Xuanfu of Dakula, the native official of Demasa, Lafupa, served as the envoy of Xuanfu of Demasa, and Zhang Zao and others served as the envoy of Xiaogula and other places. Serve as the chief envoy."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured!" Zhu Gaoxu would not let go of this opportunity to show off his fists.

Wang Yan sang the salute, and soon the team dispersed. The cavalry in Beijing escorted Zhu Di and others into the large and golden carriages, and the whole team began to return to the palace.

Looking at his look, Zhu Gaoxu could guess what Zhu Di was planning now.

"Daqula and Demassar have vast areas, and each has its own Xuanfu department."

Zhu Gaoxu murmured in his heart, and then said: "Let's do this. Set up a local Xuanfu Envoy Division 2 and a Litigation Division 5."

"Your Majesty, this is what I got from my mission to Southeast Asia. I will read it for you now."

As for rubies, sapphires, corals, pearls, gold and other precious things, it goes without saying.

In addition to these, seeds of fruits and vegetables such as bitter melon and durian were also brought back by Zheng He.

The two of them were still excited, but Zhu Gaoxu next to them smiled confidently: "The tribute system of the Celestial Empire naturally requires the foreigners to pay tribute!"

As far as spices are concerned, Zheng He loaded twelve ships with pepper, agarwood, borneol, sandalwood, rose water, ambergris and other spices. The tree species and wood include Laos red rosewood, Indian rosewood transplanted from South Asia, etc.

"Just wait, I'll give myself a few days off in a few days."

Now that Zheng He has brought back one million kilograms of pepper, it can be said that everyone in the entire city of Nanjing can get two kilograms, so it is surprising that this thing is still valuable.

Not surprisingly, Zhu Di is probably already calculating the money and food needed for the Northern Expedition.

Zheng He said excitedly, Zhu Di also stroked his beard excitedly, only Zhu Gaoxu looked ashamed.

"Xiaogula, Chashan, Chiban, Menglun, and Bajia Pagoda each have long-standing lawsuits."

Last year's graduation of 100,000 students from Liaodong, preparations for the New Deal in Sichuan, and other important affairs in the southwest, Nanyang, and the northwest were waiting for him to handle.

The happiest among them is probably Guo Zi, the Minister of Household Affairs.

Compared with them, Zhu Gaoxu has more things to do.

If he remembered correctly, this matter was clearly handled by Zhu Di, but now it has become his own business.

With this batch of goods, the Ministry of Revenue can save tens of millions of dollars just by selling pepper.

In Jiangnan right now, the price of pepper is more than ten guan per catty, but the reason for such a high price is mainly because of its scarcity.

"Yes!" Zhu Di also puffed up his chest proudly, and at the same time told Zhu Gaoxu: "Second brother, prepare a banquet for the envoys and local officials from various countries, just tell me the time."

If one insists on including those who made three announcements and six comforts, the Ming vassal states would probably be no less than one hundred.

"Once they suffer any natural or man-made disaster, the imperial court will also send troops and food to help them, but the first priority is to build a post road leading to their city-state."

When Zhu Gaoxu said this, he did not forget to ask: "How is it that Wang Xuan led the troops to pacify Babai Dadian?"

"He has just returned to Longchuan from Manmo. He is still gathering troops from all over the country to declare war and comfort. It is estimated that he will not be able to go south to put down the rebellion until early April."

As Yi Shiha explained, Zhu Gaoxu also touched his mustache.

His mustache is slightly upturned and grows to both sides, adding a bit of power.

"You can't rush things in the Southwest. You have to do it bit by bit and understand it slowly."

"How is the progress of Cao Guogong and Qian Guogong in pacifying the chieftains?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked about the Yao Miao rebellion in Southwest China a few days ago, and how Li Jinglong and Muchun put down the rebellion.

He also laughed and said: "It ended half a month ago. Twenty-six Miao and Yao forts were destroyed, and more than 47,000 Miao and Yao natives were moved into Sichuan, Huguang and other places."

"There should be between five and six hundred thousand native people who have moved out over the years, right?" Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but sigh when he heard that so many native people had migrated out during the First World War in just a few months.

"Nearly 700,000 people." Yi Shiha said about the situation in the southwest, which made Zhu Gaoxu a little sad.

In his previous life, he traveled to the southwest and had more contact with ethnic minorities in Yunnan and Guizhou. If they were simply governed without chieftains, there would be no difference between them and the Han people.

Speaking of which, as long as the officials are honest and honest, their lives will be better under the management of the court than under the chieftains.

If you want to Sinicize the Southwest, you must uproot the large and small chieftains who have been entrenched in the Southwest for hundreds or even thousands of years.

"How is the enrollment status of Taixue students?"

Zhu Gaoxu asked about Taixue, but he had not gone to Taixue for three months.

He had already compiled the textbooks for Taixue last year and roughly explained the contents to the students.

The first batch of Taixue students have completed self-study and have begun to teach the second batch of students step by step.

Their learning was very rough, but Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help it. He didn't have much time to devote to Taixue.

What he wants now is to hand over the general knowledge to them first, and then manage the government affairs with peace of mind.

When one day I really want to quit, I can go to Taixue to teach at that time.

"There are 876 students enrolled this year, the highest number ever, and they are all enrolled with first-class grades."

Yi Shiha lamented how difficult it was for this group of students. After all, there were more than 800 students selected from 100,000 students. Their learning ability was beyond doubt.

"I took a look at the pressure cooker sent by Taixue. Eucommia gum is not heat-resistant, but the tires used to make artillery are quite good."

Zhu Gaoxu mentioned the term Eucommia gum, and this Eucommia gum is a specialty of the Ming Dynasty and can be obtained from the Eucommia tree.

In addition to wood, the leaves, roots, bark, and seeds of Eucommia trees all contain Eucommia gum.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu initially talked to the students of Taixue, hoping that they would try to see whether natural Eucommia gum could be used to strengthen the sealing of the pressure cooker.

However, after testing, although Eucommia gum has the duality of rubber and plastic, and has the advantages of insulation, water resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., its shortcomings are also obvious.

It has poor elasticity and poor heat resistance. Let alone withstand the temperature of a pressure cooker, even scalding boiling water can cause it to curl and deform. Because of its characteristics, Zhu Gaoxu could only hope that Zheng He would bring back rubber trees from the Americas. Although Eucommia gum has many shortcomings, it can also be used to make hard rubber products or solid tires for wheels.

Although it is not as good as the rubber of the rubber tree, it is much better than the iron wheel and the wooden wheel.

"Yes, I will tell the students of Imperial College."

At the same time as Yi Shiha agreed, Zhu Gaoxu also said to him: "We can't all the goods brought back from this voyage to the south of the Yangtze River for sale. Jiangnan alone will definitely not be able to eat one million kilograms of pepper, let alone other spices."

"Stock them first and release them little by little."

"Then when will the second voyage to the West begin?" Yishiha asked Zhu Gaoxu. Zhu Gaoxu touched his mustache and said, "Let's take a year's rest first, and at the same time overhaul the warships before we prepare."

"By the way, how many maritime merchants in the Western Trade Zone have signed up now?"

"One hundred and twenty-six families, big and small." Yishiha answered while adding: "Hearing that the imperial court can guarantee the safety of the waterway, many people sold their land and joined the sea."

"That's quite smart." Zhu Gaoxu chuckled.

Although the Ming Dynasty controlled the largest spice market, India and Arabia still had many imported goods that the Ming Dynasty needed. There were 126 maritime merchants. How many of them could survive depended on their respective abilities.

"Inform them to start preparations next year. The imperial fleet will take them to the Western Ocean for trade on the third voyage."

Zhu Gaoxu did not intend to make the same seven voyages to the West as in the original history, because his goal was always clear, that is, to bring American corn, sweet potatoes, jicama, potatoes, cassava, pumpkins, peanuts, sunflowers, peppers, tomatoes, Rubber and other fruits, vegetables and plants were introduced to Ming Dynasty.

With them, food production in mountainous areas can increase, and Daming's oil production does not only rely on soybeans.

On his second voyage to the West, he had to reach the Cape of Good Hope and prepare to build official factories along the way.

When Zheng He returned to prepare for his third voyage to the West, that was when the Ming fleet arrived in America.

After doing all this, Zhu Gaoxu can rule the world safely.

While he was thinking this, the golden carriage also drove into Xihua Gate and headed towards Wuying Hall.

When they came to the Sanlong Bridge, the large carriage in front stopped. Zhu Di took Zheng He's hand and walked onto the Sanlong Bridge and walked to Wuying Palace.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu told Yishiha: "You go to Chunhe Hall to help me deal with the memorial. I will go back after I finish the things here."

"Yes" Yi Shiha agreed, and at the same time he got up and saw Zhu Gaoxu off the car, and then walked to Chunhe Hall.

Not long after, Zhu Gaoxu followed Zhu Di and the others into the Wuying Hall. Zhu Di also asked people to unfold the "General Map of the Guest Services of All Barbarians in the World", pointing to the colored Old Port and Luzon in the south and said:

"This is your achievement, I can't forget it, and the same goes for you."

"It's all thanks to His Majesty and Your Highness's blessing." Zheng He was not arrogant, but as humble as ever.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di stroked his beard proudly and said at the same time: "Once the goods you brought back are sold, the court will not be short of money and food for at least two or three years."

After saying that, Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu who was silent: "Second brother, I am going to the north!"

"How many troops do you want to bring to the north, and who do you want to deal with?" Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di with a half-smile, but Zhu Di replied without thinking: "Of course it's Arutai and Guilichi."

"I know the situation in Modong Sanwei. 90,000 acres of farmland were opened last year, and more people are migrating this year. As long as more domesticated cattle are transferred to the Bohai Sea, it will be quite easy to make up 300,000 acres. .”

"The output of 300,000 acres is at least 200,000 shi. From there, transporting it to the eastern part of Mobei will consume at most 50,000 shi. There are still 150,000 shi that can be used."

"I won't go there for too long. It will be enough to take 50,000 people there for four months."

Zhu Di had settled everything, but Zhu Gaoxu smiled and shook his head when he heard this.

His move made Zhu Di's face darken instantly, but before he could say anything dirty, Zhu Gaoxu bowed directly and said:

"My ministers on the other side of Bohai have checked and found that there are 500,000 shi of grain in storage. By the end of the year, there should be 800,000 shi. This batch of grain can be transferred to Hecheng Guards."

"Most of the post road from Hechengwei to the west of Harawen Mountain has been built. A two-foot-wide post road will be opened by the end of the year at most. The only problem is that the road is not compacted, so the food transportation will be slower."

"My minister's intention is that you order 30,000 cavalry, 20,000 horse infantry, recruit 150,000 civilians from Liaodong, Bohai and other places, and launch a western expedition from Hecheng Guards."

"Daning's food is transferred from Liaodong, and Modong Sanwei's food is also the first to be supplied to you. The total is one million dan."

"Your army and civilians total 200,000 people. It is almost a thousand miles from Hecheng Guard to King Qi City in the eastern part of Mobei. Of the one million stones, almost 400,000 stones can be transported to King Qi City."

"After the grain arrives, it's up to you how you fight. You will launch the army in May of the sixth year of Yongle. It's up to you how long you want to fight."

Zhu Gaoxu spoke truthfully what he thought, but his words made everyone in Wuying Palace furious, and Zhu Di was even more frightened by him.

But after reacting, Zhu Di immediately yelled angrily: "Young master, you are so arrogant to me!"

"I have dealt with the barbarians, and then you will be able to secure your position in the country!"

"Dad, my son is not evil. What he said is the truth."

Zhu Gaoxu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He would be scolded if he didn't support it, and he would be scolded if he supported it. If he cooperated with the old man, he would be scolded alone.

"Facts?" Zhu Di was stunned for a moment and said suspiciously: "What are you kidding about?"

"No, my son just wants to deal with the barbarians early. He doesn't have any other ideas."

Zhu Gaoxu was helpless. He couldn't say that if he didn't deal with Arutai and Guilichi, Benya would return to Mobei in two years with the identity of Yuan Yi, and use this identity to constantly sway people from the Eurasian steppe.

As long as Guilichi and Arutai are seriously injured and Benyasili cannot fully support them, Benyasili may have to fight Wala for several years.

"I don't care if what you said was angry or not, since you just said it, you can't change it."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu said this, Zhu Di immediately put on a smile, walked to Zhu Gaoxu, grabbed his hand, clapped his hands and said with a smile:

"As you said, we will launch an army in May next year and march westward from Hecheng to conquer Mobei."

"You want to fight, what did I say?" Zhu Gaoxu felt something was wrong, and couldn't help but cast his eyes on the living official sitting in the corner.

I saw him lowering his head and writing quickly with the pen in his hand.

"I was just talking, but I didn't expect you to be so supportive, so I feel relieved."

"In this way, I will leave for Modong in February next year. Then you will supervise the country one month in advance and get familiar with it."

"You should take care of the Sichuan New Deal. I will check it when I come back."

Zhu Di's appearance of being a good boy after taking advantage of him was indeed very sinister, but he was his father after all. Zhu Gaoxu could only grit his teeth and nod with a smile on his face.

Zhu Gaoxu originally thought that it was over, but he didn't expect Zhu Di to speak again: "Zheng He brought back so many things from this voyage to the West. I just asked him that those warships can be overhauled in ten months at most, so this voyage to the West Ah, we have to continue.”

Zhu Di patted Zhu Gaoxu's hand and said with a cry in his voice: "It's not easy for me. My three brothers all left when they were in their forties. I don't know how long I can live."

"While I'm still alive, I'll help you save more money and food in the treasury. When my health fails, you will be ready to take over."

"You are different from me. You are smart and in good health. When you ascend the throne, you may be able to govern the world just like your grandfather."

"At that time, our Ming Dynasty can still prosper for another fifty years..."

The old skills continued to be performed, and Zhu Gaoxu had eaten enough of Zhu Di's cakes, so when he looked at Zhu Di's appearance now, he did not feel pity for him, but felt that the old man was mocking him.

The man who didn't know how long he could live got on his horse to kill the enemy, but he got off his horse and governed the country for sixty-five years.

Zhu Gaoxu would have believed him if he had died a few years earlier. Now he only thinks that Zhu Di got an advantage and acted like a good boy.

"If you say that, then why not just take the Zen position immediately after the Northern Expedition is over."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di speechlessly. As soon as he said those words, everyone's heart skipped a beat. Zhu Di's hand hung in the air and he looked at Zhu Gaoxu awkwardly.

Fortunately, he was familiar with his son. He coughed a few times and said: "I want to do it too, but you are still young and you will get tired easily if you sit down too early. I will help you sit for a few years first, and then I will give it to you after a few years."

"Ahem, Zheng He, tell us, father and son, if there are any other interesting stories about Nanyang."

Zhu Di changed the subject, but Zhu Gaoxu bowed and said: "You can listen to yourself, my son still has to allocate food and grass for your Northern Expedition."

"Go, go, thank you for your hard work, second brother." Zhu Di patted Zhu Gaoxu on the shoulder, and Zhu Gaoxu smiled and turned around to leave.

Watching him walk away, Zheng He carefully bowed in return: "Your Majesty, Your Highness was just joking."

"I know this." Zhu Di stroked his beard. Zheng He was stunned when he heard this. He clearly remembered that Zhu Di was worried about Zhu Gaoxu before, so why wasn't he worried now?

I have only been in the sea for two years, but everything has changed when I came back?

"The second guy talks nonsense, don't listen to what he says, just watch what he does."

Zhu Di seemed to have grown up suddenly, and the suspicion he had towards Zhu Gaoxu disappeared. Zheng He didn't know what to say for a moment: "You... you can think so."

"Well, family members are the most important. After all, the second child is my son, and he is the only one in the capital. Even if he really wants this position, I can give it to him."

Zhu Di responded to Zheng He with a smile, but Zheng He saw a hint of fatigue from the corners of Zhu Di's eyes.

He thought about the things that could make Zhu Di so tired, but his mood sank to the bottom.

It was not until the end that Zheng He spoke nervously: "Your Majesty, are you okay..."

(End of this chapter)