golden scales

As soon as Zhu Cihong started his electrical enlightenment, he got the news that King Jing had brought back the rubber tree. ?. .Zhu Cihong might not be interested in other things, but rubber will be an extremely important strategic material in the next hundred years.Regardless of whether Daming's cars burn gasoline or use electricity in the future, rubber tires cannot be replaced.

Moreover, in Zhu Cihong's previous life, he was employed by a state-run rubber tire factory for a long time, and he watched the price trends of natural rubber in Thailand, Malaysia, Hainan, Yunnan, etc. all day long. forget.

Therefore, Daming saved a lot of time in the practical promotion of rubber, and can directly start to vulcanize rubber and research excellent formulas.

Although unvulcanized rubber is tough, it is not wear-resistant. It can be made into rubber balls and erasers, but it is impossible to make tires.It was not until [-] that American Charlie Goodyear discovered that heating sulfur and rubber together could enhance the elasticity and strength of rubber, that rubber had industrial practical value.

The Goodyear family also found a golden job, and is still famous for its rubber tires today.

From the discovery of rubber by the Spaniards to the discovery of rubber vulcanization by the Americans, the span of more than two hundred years was once again gently revealed by Zhu Cihong. "Rubber trees and tree seeds were directly transported to Srivijaya for planting." Zhu Cihong knew that Malaysia was the first stop for rubber migration, and from the experience of later generations, Malaysia's rubber production exceeded the place of origin, which shows that this place should be the place where rubber trees grow.

Lu Suyao didn't know the reason, and was quite puzzled by this order.Just out of professional ethics, she didn't have any doubts about it, and quickly recorded the emperor's will.

"Order the South China Sea Fleet and the First and Second Armies of the Southwest Group. Sea and land will take over Sanfo Qi, find suitable land in San Buddha Qi, and build a rubber plantation." Zhu Cihong said: "If the people of his country resist, they will use the "Daming Criminal Law" punishment."

The Criminal Law of the Ming Dynasty stipulates that in the legal actions of the Ming army with complete documents, those who dare to disobey will be punished as collaborating with the enemy.The heaviest punishment is family annihilation, and the lighter one is exile for thousands of miles.

—Another ancient country was destroyed.

When Lu Suyao was concerned about the Cochin War, she worked hard to read a lot of books about Nanyang feudal clans.Knowing that Sanfo Qi is also an ancient country that experienced the Tang and Song Dynasties, and has always been paying tribute.Today, just because of a few trees, and a word from the emperor, it is difficult for this ancient country to have its own sacrifices. Thinking about it, I am a little... a little excited!

"The land is also controlled by the chief secretary of Jiaozhi, and the soil is used together." Zhu Cihong said: "But the rubber trees must be planted! It started from the eighth year of Longjing. The stock of rubber trees and the amount of rubber tapping are included in the scope of the examination by the chief secretary of Jiaozhi." Lu Suyao couldn't help but sympathize. The chief ministers of Cochin far in the southwest were tied tightly to the rubber tree before they saw it.But the bureaucrats will probably be even more depressed, because they have to send people to check every year for such continuous mining factories.That's Sanfoqi!

Zhu Cihong smiled and said: "King Jing has made a great contribution this time."

It was the September of the sixth year of Longjing, Jing Wang Zhu Hezhi had returned to Asia, and was resting in Yongming City, waiting for the sea breeze, especially to summarize the charts drawn for this voyage.Apply to the imperial court to carry out reclamation and immigration in several suitable settlements.Build a shipyard as an important supply base for eastward travel.

When Beijing's imperial decree was passed to Japan, Zhu Hezhi was even more eager to return.He has realized.The tear tree, which he looked down upon, was very important in the eyes of the emperor, and he even gave this tree a name: rubber tree.

September 21.The north wind came at last.King Jing's ten large ships and thirty small ships sailed southwest under the escort of the North Sea Fleet.Among them, the big ship carrying rubber trees went straight south after passing Japan, and headed for Nanyang under the protection of the Taiwan Strait Fleet.The other ships of King Jing's fleet turned north and headed for Tianjin Port.

During the three-year journey, Zhu Hezhi has grown from a young boy to a resolute old captain.At this moment, he is standing on the boat building, looking at the black dot faintly exposed on the sea level, which is the symbol of the mainland and the figure of his hometown.He took a deep breath of the sea breeze of his hometown and felt the breath different from the North Pacific Ocean.

"My lord, there is a fleet ahead!" The lookout sent a message.

Zhu Hezhi picked up the binoculars and observed carefully, only to realize that the land he thought was indeed a row of warships.

"Stay close to the upper air outlet," Zhu Hezhi said.

His instructions were quickly implemented, and the fleet turned slowly, sailing towards the unknown fleet with an attitude of gaining the upper hand.

The fleet on the other side of the sea also noticed the movement of King Jing’s fleet. The captain felt chills when he saw it, and quickly sent an order: “Send the liaison ship quickly! Let Jing King’s Palace lower the sails and wait for the holy driver. My fleet turned around and seized Upwind!"

The captain did not speak incoherently. The Emperor Zhu Cihong of the Ming Dynasty was riding on this battleship. On the left was Lieutenant Colonel Yang Wei, a professor at the Armed Forces University, and on the right was Zhu Heqi, the six-year-old second son of the emperor.

"Your Majesty, there is a fleet ahead. Judging from its size, it should be King Jing's fleet. I have ordered people to contact and verify it." Shi Lang, the chief officer of the East China Sea Fleet, came forward to report.

"Yes." Zhu Cihong nodded.

This time he didn't want to go out to sea on a whim, but to send an obvious signal: In the future, Daming will go from land to sea.Those who conquer the ocean will also become heroes in the annals of history.

In the cabin of the flagship of the East China Sea Fleet, there is also a reward prepared by Zhu Cihong for King Jing Zhu Hezhi: to move to San Francisco on the west coast of America—of course, the name will be changed to Dongjing Mansion.The vast area from Alaska in the original time and space to the Baja California Peninsula will be under the jurisdiction of the Command and Envoy of the American Capital.

Zhu Hezhi will be the first commander of the American Capital Division and the commander-in-chief of the North American Fleet.

Zhu Hezhi, who is now ordering to seize the upper hand, is completely ignorant of the emperor's decision. He only knows that he must not fall into a disadvantage at sea, otherwise there will be no bones left.Compared with the violent storm in the Pacific Ocean, what really impressed him was the sneak attack of Spanish pirates. After losing three ships in the first encounter, he developed the habit of always gaining the upper hand.

"Your Highness!" The guard rushed to Zhu Hezhi: "The opposite is the East China Sea Fleet, they let us lower our sails and wait for orders..."

"Can the East China Sea Fleet order the prince?" Zhu Hezhi was a little displeased.

"From a legal point of view," the guard recalled his training content, "it is possible. Each fleet represents His Majesty the Emperor in its governing ocean."

Zhu Hezhi was a little depressed, and was about to sacrifice the golden dragon flag bestowed by the emperor, only to hear the guard say again: "And the order ship said that His Majesty the Emperor is on the flagship of the East China Sea Fleet."

"You idiot! Don't lower the sail yet!" Zhu Hezhi shouted.

There can be no such thing as delicacy on board a ship.While the sea and the ocean broaden people's minds, they also blow away the gentleness and elegance.This is not the back garden of literati, but the fighting field of fighters.

After the two fleets met, Zhu and Zhi boarded the flagship of the East China Sea Fleet, the Liuqiu, from a small boat.

"My subject, Zhu Hezhi, pay my respects to Your Majesty." Zhu Hezhi got on the boat and saw Zhu Cihong in blue casual clothes on the deck.

"King Jing has made great contributions to Jueyu, I am very relieved. Sit down." Zhu Cihong said with a smile, "How is the scenery in America?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, the extreme north is covered with ice and snow all year round. There are also forests, lakes and seas, and the scenery is pleasant, but half a year of night and half a year of day, it is different from the world." Zhu Hezhi said: "I led the fleet to continue south, but found The climate on the west coast of America is becoming more and more treacherous, there is no rain in spring and summer, but there is a lot of rain in winter, so it may not be easy to grow crops."

This is the effect of the Mediterranean climate.

"America is [-] or even [-] miles wide, and [-] miles long, what Jingfan saw was only a corner of America, but inland there is fertile soil that is extremely suitable for planting crops, no less than a thousand miles away." Zhu Cilang said.

Zhu Hezhi had no doubts about the emperor's assertion.The so-called sage should know the world without looking into it!What's more, on this journey, I found that His Majesty the Emperor has marked the special terrain along the way, whether it is well-read or inborn knowledge, it is convincing enough.

"I intend to let you run the Americas, what do you want?" Zhu Cihong asked.

Zhu Hezhi hesitated for a moment, and said, "I dare not be dedicated!"

Zhu Cihong sensitively noticed Zhu Hezhi's hesitation, and said with a smile: "America is vast, and even a country can be established on its own. You are sharing the world with me."

"How dare I!" Zhu Hezhi fell to his knees in fright: "Hezhi is His Majesty's nephew and also His Majesty's subjects. He has devoted himself to expanding the territory for His Majesty. How dare he have such a heart of disobedience! Your Majesty's lesson! !"

Zhu Cihong raised his hand, very satisfied with Zhu Hezhi's reaction, and said with a smile: "Actually, I don't belong to me alone. From the three generations of ancient times to the present, China has both great etiquette and the beauty of obedience, isn't it true?" The power of one person? You are far away in a foreign land, as long as you are loyal to China and Daming, and don't let the barbarians mess with China to seek Xia, I can rest assured."

Zhu Hezhi burst into tears: "My minister, Yu Lu, only knows to be loyal to His Majesty."

Zhu Cihong knew that this kind of words could not be forced into the people of this era, they still retained their beliefs, and the emperor was the carrier of this belief.

Standing beside the emperor, Yang Wei watched King Jing's reaction, feeling vaguely in his heart that this person was not a qualified pioneer.In the Americas far away in eastern Thailand, it is not easy to communicate with Daming once or twice a year. It is just in need of a bold and courageous person who is not bound by traditional morals to take charge.

It is true that filial sons and virtuous grandchildren can be successful, but it is not easy to develop.

——But if you think about it, maybe this is a deliberate gesture by King Jing, who is young and mature, and the city is extremely deep?

Yang Wei comforted himself.

"This is the professor of the Armed Forces University, Lieutenant Colonel Yang Wei." Zhu Cihong said, "I thought the barrier was his advice to accept the land of America, so I asked him to come with me."

Yang Wei took a step forward, saluted King Jing, and said, "May I ask the King a question or two?"

King Jing naturally had nothing to hide. )