Ming Dynasty: At the beginning of the game, Lao Zhu resigned and retired.

Chapter 482: The candidates for the expedition are determined and the top configuration is set to go to sea

Chapter 482: The candidates for the expedition are determined and the top configuration is set to go to sea

There is an opinion that has somehow spread among later generations, which is that the Ming and Qing dynasties were completely useless in terms of navigation.

But in fact, this view is not accurate.

The Ming Dynasty did begin to impose maritime bans in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, and by the time of the Wild Boar Skin Movement, the country was even more closed to the outside world.

But during the Hongwu and later Yongle dynasties, the Ming Dynasty's navigation technology was not only not bad, but was far ahead.

It's not just a slight lead, but the lead is so far ahead that the others are no longer visible.

This is actually attributed to the technological inheritance from the end of the Yuan Dynasty.

Especially Chen Youliang, who was the most outstanding among the rebel kings at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. He was a powerful man with countless warships under his command.

If Zhu Yuanzhang had not been lucky in the Battle of Poyang Lake, it would be hard to say whether the Ming Dynasty would have existed.

At that time, Chen Youliang's greatest reliance was the advanced warships and navy in his hands.

After defeating Chen Youliang, Zhu Yuanzhang certainly didn't care about sailing.

But he had no intention of letting go of any warships that could enhance the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

He captured all the remaining warships in Chen Youliang's hands.

More importantly, he also took down the group of excellent boatmen who were originally dependent on Chen Youliang.

It can be said that the Ming Dynasty was a newborn empire.

But in some technologies, it is still far behind other countries in the world.

Moreover, there is something very interesting.

Also because of the struggles at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, many of Zhu Yuanzhang's generals had experience in leading naval battles.

And this is not just a petty game of a few ships hitting each other in Europe.

At least during the battle with Chen Youliang, there were hundreds of warships fighting back and forth on both sides.

If you don't have some knowledge of the navy, you might not even be able to give command.

It was precisely because he had these trump cards in his hand that when Zhu Yuanzhang took the map and "hints" that Master Hu had just sent him.

He looked carefully at the thing in his hand and began to ponder it.

I have to say that Master Hu is a man who knows how to play with people's hearts.

After much persuasion, Zhu Yuanzhang was finally convinced.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang completed his self-strategy.

The prospects described by Mr. Hu are really too tempting.

Lots of silver, three crops a year, spices, gold, slaves...

It can be said that in Mr. Hu’s deception, ocean voyages are simply a way to make money.

But even though it is so exaggerated, when you compare it with the description and map at hand, as well as the imaginary foreigner, you really can't help but believe it.

At least Zhu Yuanzhang was dizzy at this moment.

Of course, the most important thing is that Mr. Hu has a very good reputation in the past.

Let’s not talk about his identity for now, let’s just talk about his achievements.

Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and new looms were not available in the Ming Dynasty before.

Mr. Hu's bad habit of blaming foreign countries for anything he couldn't explain really changed Zhu Yuanzhang's impression of foreign countries.

In his opinion, there must be good things in foreign countries.

But not everyone can understand this game.

And Master Hu is one of the few people who can take advantage of and gain benefits from foreign countries.

Now that Master Hu has already pointed out the way forward for the Ming Dynasty, what's the harm in giving it a try?

It's a rare thing. With the help of the cabinet recently, Zhu Yuanzhang, who has had a lot of free time, really began to develop a sense of ambition and passion.

"Song Li, go and announce Fu Youde!"

That’s right, Old Zhu is ready to go big.

If Master Hu knew that Zhu was going to let Fu Youde lead the troops on the first ocean voyage, he would probably spit out water.

Who is Fu Youde? In terms of identity, he was certainly not one of the first batch of troops who followed Zhu Yuanzhang to start the rebellion in his hometown of Fengyang, but he was also an old general who surrendered early.

In terms of military achievements, there are simply countless ones, including the Battle of Poyang Lake, the conquest of Yuan Dadu, the expedition to Yunnan, etc.

For example, Mu Ying, Lan Yu and others were once his subordinates.

After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, he was awarded the title of Duke of Ying for his merits.

It can be said that apart from Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, the two top trusted generals, Fu Youde was the one Zhu Yuanzhang trusted the most.

As a result, such a great general of the national level was actually mobilized by Zhu Yuanzhang for the first ocean voyage.

Damn, this is not just using a sledgehammer to kill a chicken, this is really using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Fu Youde arrived very quickly.

He bowed politely as he entered the door.

"I have met His Majesty!"

Looking at Fu Youde who came hurriedly, Old Zhu laughed.

"Weixue, I have something I want you to do!"

In fact, Fu Youde, who had not led troops to war for a long time, was stunned at first and then overjoyed when he heard this.

He lifted his clothes and knelt on one knee, cupped his hands and shouted loudly.

"Please give your instructions, my emperor. General Fu Youde is waiting for your orders!"

Zhu Yuanzhang loved this style very much.

He had already decided to let Fu Youde lead the troops, so he just waved his hand and spoke with great pride.

“Fu Youde, I appoint you as the governor of Pingbo, leading 3,000 troops and 20 warships to open up shipping routes and fight against injustice for the Ming Dynasty!”

"The last general takes command!"

Although Fu Youde was somewhat puzzled about this so-called Governor of Pingbo, this did not stop him from quickly accepting orders.

As long as there is a battle to fight.

Whenever there is a war, there is an opportunity to make meritorious service.

As for naval battles and sea battles, Fu Youde didn't take them seriously at all.

After all, during the Battle of Poyang Lake, he did a pretty good job commanding the navy to attack Chen Youliang.

Seeing that Fu Youde had accepted the order, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and personally walked over to help Fu Youde up.

"Weixue, this matter is actually all Weiyong's fault!"

"This old guy has aroused our thoughts."

"He speaks so highly of overseas!"

"To be honest, he made me greedy!"

"So, we will have someone else collect some tea, porcelain, silk and other things as merchandise."

“But you have to give us the lead.”

Zhu Yuanzhang simply waved his hand.

"Those foreign countries are all barbarians who fear power but not morality and have no manners. You have to go up and slap them twice first."

"Only when he behaves himself can we do business with him for a long time!"

"When the time comes, bring back all their gold, silver, spices and other things for us!"

"Our national treasury and private funds are all empty, so it's a good opportunity to supplement them with money from foreign countries!"

"Weixue, do you have confidence?"

Fu Youde immediately clasped his fists and bowed.

"I will intimidate the foreign countries and protect the trade. If they don't know what's good for them, I will punish them."

"It's time to let those foreign nations know what the Celestial Empire is!"

When Fu Youde said this, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed out loud.

Nothing else to say, just saying it, it makes me happy!

(End of this chapter)