The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 430: The Other Side of the Ocean
"You said that you went all the way east from Liugui Country and arrived at a completely new continent?"

Chen Jingke looked at the dark and thin man in front of him and said in disbelief.

Going east from Ryugui Country (Kamchatka Peninsula) is the Aleutian Islands.

There are many sea routes from Asia to America, and the Aleutian Islands is one of the main sea routes.

But that was the 21st century, with mature shipping routes and ocean-going ships that were more capable of withstanding wind and waves.

In the early Ming Dynasty, they crossed the Aleutian Islands by wooden sailing ships without any route maps.

This is simply a miracle, and the fact that they were able to come back alive is an opportunity within a miracle.

You know, the most famous thing here is storms, with strong winds all year round.

It is dangerous for an experienced person to take this road, let alone a group of strangers who have never been there.

To the point that Chen Jingke even began to doubt whether he was lying.

So he immediately asked: "How do you prove that you have been there?"

Chen Yonghe was even more excited than Chen Jingke. After all, Chen Jingke was a legendary big shot, and he didn't expect that he would actually be able to meet him.

As for discovering the New World...he did not realize how great his action was.

Therefore, at this moment, he was still immersed in excitement and nervousness.

Hearing Chen Jingke's question, he quickly said:

"We have sea charts and items we brought back from there."

At this point, he seemed to remember something and said excitedly:
"We brought back a lot of good varieties, including a rhizome that looks a lot like a potato and can grow to the size of a bowl."

"One acre of land can produce thousands of kilograms."

Afraid that Chen Jingke would not believe it, he also emphasized:

"It's all true, we brought back a lot of those yams, right here on the boat."

Chen Jingke stood up suddenly and said excitedly:
"Where is it? Take me there quickly."

At this time, he finally confirmed that the other party had really been to the other side of the ocean.

Otherwise it would be impossible to accurately describe what a sweet potato looks like.

After all, the yield of sweet potatoes seems like a fantasy to those who have never seen it.

In an era when a yield of 200 to 300 kilograms per mu was considered high yield, there were some things that could yield several thousand kilograms per mu.

It’s true. No one would dare to make it up like this.

Only those who have seen it would dare to say such words with such confidence.

Of course, Chen Jingke was not excited because of the sweet potatoes. He had often eaten rice that produced 2,000 kilograms per mu in his previous life.

Naturally, I won’t get excited about sweet potatoes.

What really made him happy was that there were brave men in China who dared to take risks.

Good varieties such as sweet potatoes are just rewards for the brave.

Chen Yonghe naturally didn't understand what he was thinking. He thought he was excited about the high-yield and high-quality varieties, and he couldn't help feeling a little proud.

After all, this was what they brought back after surviving a life-threatening situation.

Just as he was about to get up and take him to the boat, he was stopped by Juntaro Matsushita:

"Chen Bandu is worth a lot of money, how can he take risks so easily? Send someone to get the things back."

Chen Jingke also calmed down, told the two to stay calm, and called his butler to instruct:
"Go to the East Palace and ask the prince to come over, and tell him that I have something important to tell you."

The butler immediately trotted away.

Chen Jingke then said to Chen Yonghe: "Good breeds are related to the livelihood of the people. Only when the prince personally welcomes them can it show his importance."

Chen Yonghe was so excited that he was speechless. How could he meet the prince so easily?
Juntaro Matsushita was a little worried and reminded quietly:

"Reading companion, do you think you should be more cautious?"

Chen Jingke naturally knew what he meant. What if the good breed was fake?

It would be a serious crime to rashly invite the prince over.

But as a time traveler, he was almost certain that this was the case.

What's more, even if it's fake, so what?

How could a little boy like Zhu really turn against each other over such a small matter?

Of course, this cannot be said openly.

He said to Matsushita Juntaro: "Even if there are no good species, you are willing to take risks to explore the world for China and Ming Dynasty, which is worthy of the prince's personal commendation."

Chen Yonghe was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes: "Thank you for your words, Chen Ban Du. If you have any mission in the future, I will not refuse even if it means death."

Chen Jingke was also very moved and said, "Don't worry, once it is confirmed that you have really reached the New World, the court will definitely reward you."

"By the way, do you have the sea chart you mentioned with you?"

Chen Yonghe wiped his tears and said hurriedly: "Yes, look."

As he spoke, he took out a thick cloth bag from his arms and opened it to reveal a stack of leather.

When the leather was unfolded, it was one foot square with black concave lines on it.

Chen Yonghe explained: "It was damp on the boat, and I was afraid that the ink would blur easily, so I thought of using cowhide."

"The patterns on it were created with iron wire."

Chen Jingke said approvingly: "This method is very good, you are thoughtful."

After saying that, he looked at the map.

Hmm... For people who are used to spherical maps, this picture is weird.

But the general outline can be seen.

It is indeed the other side from the Aleutian Islands, and the approximate islands along the way are marked.

But in the New World, only the west coast coastline is marked, and the east coast is blank.

Moreover, it did not reach the Bering Strait to the north, and reached roughly the central region of South America to the south.

Chen Yonghe said somewhat ashamedly: "We tried to circle the new continent and draw a complete map."

"We just kept walking south for thousands of miles and still couldn't reach the end. We were exhausted and had no choice but to return."

“So we can only draw a partial picture of the new continent.”

Chen Jingke praised: "It's not easy to get there, not to mention exploring thousands of miles."

"You don't have to be ashamed of this, you should be proud of it. All Chinese people should be proud of your feat."

This praise was so high that Chen Yonghe's neck turned red with excitement: "Chen Bandu, you have won the award. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve it."

Chen Jingke looked at the picture carefully again, put it away carefully, and said:

"How about giving me this picture?"

Chen Yonghe said, "If you like it, take it. I can paint it again when I get back... No, this was originally intended to be presented to the court."

Chen Jingke burst out laughing. This man still had his original simplicity.

Afterwards, Chen Jingke talked to him about the whole matter.

Upon learning that they had once received sponsorship from Fu An, he couldn't help but nod slightly.

The environment can really affect a person's perspective.

Fu An could only be said to be relatively open-minded before, but after serving as the governor of Temasek for a few years, he became a radical among radicals.

We have frequently sponsored expedition teams over the years and have reaped considerable rewards.

However, what was explored were basically small islands or new sea routes, and there were no other particularly major discoveries.

But if you sow more seeds, there will always be one that will bloom and bear fruit.

Isn’t this the discovery of the other side of the ocean?

One thing is helpless: discovering the New World will not bring them much honor.

Because China at that time really did not lack this little land.

Fortunately, the Chinese people have a special feeling for food.

Discovering the New World did not bring them honor, but good breeds did.

This time, we must give great recognition to their achievements.

As Chen Yonghe told the story, Chen Jingke finally understood what they had experienced.

There are only four words to describe it: a narrow escape from death.

It's not just about danger, but also about confusion and despair. "If we didn't want to be buried in a foreign land, we really wouldn't have the courage to come back."

This is the sentence Chen Yonghe said most often when talking about the return journey.

They failed to discover the Bering Strait, and when they returned they still went through the Aleutian Islands.

Even though he knew the dangers ahead, he still went forward without hesitation, just to return home.

Falling leaves return to their roots, this is an idea that is deeply rooted in the Chinese people.

In fact, their worries were correct. On the way back, one ship finally couldn't hold on and was destroyed by the wind and waves.

All thirty people on board were killed.

“When we came back, we divided our clothes and hair into two parts and gave them to the other two ships.”

"As long as there is a ship that can come back, at least we can bring back some memories..."

When talking about this, Chen Yonghe burst into tears.

Chen Jingke was also very sad: "You are all Chinese warriors. I will ask His Majesty to erect a monument for you."

"The descendants of China will all remember you..."

Chen Yonghe said in disbelief: "Really?"

Chen Jingke said solemnly: "Don't worry, I..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted: "Really, I promise."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Xiongying walked in with the gait of a dragon and a tiger.

Chen Yonghe looked at him hesitantly, not knowing who this young man was.

Before Chen Jingke could say anything, Matsushita Juntaro had already knelt down and said flatteringly:

"Your Highness, may your Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

Zhu Xiongying ignored him and went straight to Chen Yonghe and said:

"You have worked hard. Daming will remember your contributions."

Chen Yonghe was shaking with excitement, and he also knelt down:
"I, Chen Yonghe, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May His Royal Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."

Zhu Xiongying helped him up and said, "A brave man does not need to be polite..."

Juntaro Matsushita, who was standing by, saw that no one was paying attention to him, so he quietly got up.

I am very envious of the treatment Chen Yonghe receives.

When will I be able to receive such courtesy from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?

No, you must make great achievements, only then can you truly become a person of the Ming Dynasty.

No one paid any attention to him. Zhu Xiongying comforted Chen Yonghe, then winked at Chen Jingke, asking what was going on.

He had just arrived and didn't know what was going on.

I only followed Chen Jingke's words when I heard him say that we should erect monuments and write biographies for these people.

This is trust. He believes that Chen Jingke must have his reasons for doing this, so he will support him first.

After receiving the hint, Chen Jingke immediately recounted the whole story.

It also emphasizes the New World, the endless coastline of thousands of miles, and the good varieties.

Zhu Xiongying naturally understood the key points immediately. New World? A huge continent? High-yield and high-quality varieties?

Good, good, that’s really good.

Not to mention erecting a monument and writing a biography, if it is confirmed to be true, even a title of nobility will be a piece of cake.

"Come on, let's go to the ship and see the good breeds of the New World. Chen Zhuangshi, you walk beside me and introduce the situation of the New World to me on the way."

Zhu Xiongying said impatiently.

Afterwards, everyone headed to the pier together.

On the way, Chen Yonghe gave a detailed introduction to the situation in the New World.

The New World is very large and has many natives, but most of them are tribes.

However, there were also larger forces, such as a tribe called Tenochtitlan, which had more than 200,000 people.

They are good at making tools with black diamond... Black diamond is the Buddhist name for obsidian.

This tribe also has naval navigation technology. When Chen Yonghe and his companions first arrived, the tribe sent out more than 30 ships to monitor them.

But their boats are relatively small and cannot go to places with strong winds and waves.

Zhu Xiongying quickly grasped the key point: no horses, no metal utensils.

That's great.

Chen Jingke, who was standing by, was listening very carefully, although he didn't know much about Indians.

All we know is that there once was a Mayan civilization, and that it was badly bullied by Western powers, and that's all.

But he still knew some basic situations.

There were indeed no horses in America, which greatly restricted their movement.

Therefore, they mostly survive in tribes.

Only along rivers can larger tribal alliances be formed.

As for metal utensils, the Indians were unlucky.

The metal reserves in the Americas are very rich, but they are buried very deep and are difficult to dig up by hand.

This also led to their failure to light up metal technology.

This reminded Chen Jingke of a joke:

Mining requires metal tools, but without mines there are no metal tools...

However, the Indians adapted to local conditions and developed a rich obsidian culture.

Fine obsidian implements, including weapons, were made.

But without metal tools, it is impossible to make large tools, and we can only develop in the direction of small and exquisite.

This also means that their upper limit is locked.

Faced with cavalry, metal weapons, strong ships and powerful guns, they were as fragile as a piece of paper.

While listening to Chen Yonghe's introduction, Chen Jingke compared it with his own knowledge and gained a general understanding of the current America.

We cannot say that they are backward. Within their capabilities, the Indians have done the best they can.

Their city-states also have a good culture.

Even the systems implemented by many tribes really have some characteristics of the ancient Chinese sage era.

For example, friendliness, unity, and the lack of strict class distinctions.

"We once visited a tribe where they were very united and would never abandon their own people."

"When someone is sick, they don't think about isolating themselves, but about everyone gathering around them."

"They believe that this way they can lend their strength to the patients, or perhaps it can move the gods."

Juntaro Matsushita said disdainfully: "Ignorance, if it was an infectious disease, wouldn't more people die?"

Zhu Xiongying also nodded in agreement, saying that as an individual, he could do so.

But as the leader, responsible for the entire tribe, how could I allow such a thing to happen?

Chen Jingke did not comment. From an administrative management perspective, what they said was indeed correct.

But was the Indian tribe wrong? Were they really stupid?

From their perspective, I did nothing wrong.

They believed that they died a worthy death by taking care of their people.

that's enough.

But overall, most of the land in America was in a wild state.

The local people established tribal city-states near water sources.

Have a good civilization.

But its level of prosperity is naturally far inferior to that of Chinese civilization.

What Zhu Xiongying was more concerned about was that the other party was not strong.

The Ming Dynasty could easily conquer there.

(End of this chapter)