Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

The fleet entered the Sea of ​​Japan from Hokkaido and passed through the northern waters of Honshu Island.

In the past year, Japan has not only failed to form a strong anti-Ming alliance, but the conflicts between the various parties over territory have become increasingly fierce.

In Japan, there was initially an east-west confrontation between the Eastern Army and the Western Army. Then there were internal disputes within the Shogunate due to the position of the shogun. Now it has evolved into internal disputes between the Eastern Army and the Western Army.

Ise Shinkuro, the first daimyo after the Warring States Period, was extremely ambitious. After successfully seizing Izu Kingdom, he continued to expand his territory to the surrounding areas, becoming the most unstable factor in the east.

Different from the traditional daimyo who are content in a corner, even though Ise Shinkuro is now over sixty years old, he still has not forgotten his vow to fight for the world when he was young.

Because of this, everyone originally thought that Ise Shinkuro was plotting against the neighboring Sagami Kingdom, but in the end he purchased ships from the Ming Dynasty and attacked the Anbo Kingdom, which also belonged to the same bay.

The situation in the west is equally unstable, and a veritable overlord of the Western Kingdom has emerged here.

The Ouchi clan did not stop expanding eastward while invading the Bingo Kingdom. This year, they even broke into Tsukiyama Tomita Castle, defeated Nizi Yuku and took the entire Izumo Kingdom into their pocket.

Now all the forces in the Western Army have to start to be wary of the Ouchi clan, but they are afraid that the next target of the Ouchi clan will be annexed.

The shogunate is still divided. Although shogun Ashikaga Yoshisai is a general with ambition and talent, what the current daimyo needs is a puppet general.

What's more, Hosokawa Masamoto has always been wary of Ashikaga Yoshisai, so it is even more impossible to really let Ashikaga Yoshisai take charge of the shogunate.

Japan has a tradition of worshiping the strong. Now that their food is subject to the Ming Dynasty, they naturally have no ability to challenge the Ming Dynasty.

Because of this, more and more daimyo sent envoys to the East China Sea Governor's Mansion to woo them, but they all hoped to be protected by the East China Sea Governor's Mansion.

In the cold winter of December, everything on Honshu Island has been reduced to nothing.

Although the agricultural production on Honshu Island was damaged by the war, the mining industry is currently experiencing a golden age, and mining teams have appeared in many daimyo's territories.

The Iwami Silver Mine has unparalleled silver reserves and has become the golden egg for the Ouchi family to make money.

After further discussions, the Tokai Governor's Office voluntarily gave up the mining rights of the Iwami Silver Mine and was responsible for the sales channels of silver. However, half of the silver mined by the Ouchi clan needs to be given to the Tokai Governor's Office.

In the silver mine, the atmosphere at this time was becoming increasingly tense.

As the thirst for silver mine resources continues to grow, especially the Ouchi family's finances are heavily dependent on silver mines, the Ouchi family's desire to increase production has reached an unprecedented level.

Not only did they increase their exploitation of the prisoners, they also put tremendous pressure on the workers, requiring them to work day and night to mine and process silver.

In the silver mine cave, under dim lights, workers were sweating and mining silver ore.

After the silver ore is transported to an outside workshop, the silver smelter uses soot blowing to purify the silver from the silver ore through multiple processes.

But the work here is not over. Now the Ming Dynasty does not allow silver to flow directly into the country, so they still need to process the produced silver ingots into silver jewelry.

"Whoever dares to be lazy, I will kill him directly!" Facing the workers in the workshop, the retainers of the Ouchi clan all turned into demons and threatened them.

In order to survive and have food and clothing, the workers' hands quickly carved exquisite patterns on the silver bars.

Their eyes revealed exhaustion and helplessness, but under the close supervision of Ouchi's retainers and domestic slaves, they had no choice but to continue their work.

Living in this era, they have to accept their fate!

Although they work very hard every day, they can finally fill their stomachs and get paid, which is much better than the wandering life they had earlier.

Life here has already been on the right track. On the silver jewelry production line, pieces of exquisite silver jewelry are gradually taking shape, shining with an alluring luster.

“These are simply works of art!”

"What kind of artwork? I don't want any of these toys!"

"We in Japan are about survival, and Ming Dynasty is about life!"

…

After the produced silver jewelry was counted by the soldiers, they were packed into wooden boxes and then handed over to the Donghai Governor's Palace for sale to the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, many Japanese people do not look down on silver jewelry at all, but the market demand in the Ming Dynasty is very amazing. It is said that these silver jewelry will be sold out as soon as they arrive in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

That's why they can look down on these silver jewelry, but they can't deny their economic value.

puff!

Just as a batch of freshly made silver jewelry was being loaded onto a ship and ready to be shipped to the Ming Dynasty, an old worker who was digging in a dark mine suddenly spit out blood and then collapsed forever.

Originally, mining was a demanding job, and this group of prisoners from the Izumo Kingdom were forced to work for a long time in a harsh environment. If they slacked off even a little bit, they would be severely punished.

When their body functions exceed a certain load, they will collapse forever. The number of mining workers who died in the mines this month alone has reached three figures.

"Either work hard or die. I, the Ouchi clan, do not raise waste!" The retainers of the Ouchi clan did not show mercy, but warned others.

In order to obtain more silver mines, they increased production at all costs. Even the lives and deaths of prisoners seemed insignificant and they insisted on promoting the production of silver mines.

The reason why the Ouchi clan is so eager to increase the production of silver mines and silver jewelry is to prepare its own strength and then continue to expand eastward.

They knew that only by having sufficient financial and resources could they purchase more food and weapons from Ming Dynasty, so as to gain an advantage in future wars.

As a result, the Ouchi clan now exploited workers and captives at all costs to ensure that the silver mines produced enough to satisfy their ambitions.

Everyone envied the Ouchi clan's status as the overlord of the Western Kingdom, but little did they know that they also worked very hard to squeeze workers and prisoners to create a better situation.

In this era full of greed and ambition, Ouchi's behavior is just a microcosm of it, and some forces on Honshu Island also follow suit.

“Mine more silver at all costs!”

"What do we rely on to fight the war? It's money, a lot of money!"

"There are no gold or silver mines? Doesn't the Ming Dynasty lack women? Send them all over!"

…

They don't have to cultivate the land, but if they don't mine gold and silver mines, then they won't be able to exchange resources with the Ming Dynasty, and they will be at a disadvantage in the next war.

Of course, there were some daimyo whose territories did not have gold or silver mines, but they were pleasantly surprised to find that they could exchange women for resources with the Ming Dynasty.

In the ninth year of Hongzhi, although Japan entered the Warring States Period as in its original history, this Warring States Period seemed a little different.

The words were divided into two parts. Zhao Zhongyi did not stop at either Honshu Island or Kyushu Island. After completing a round of supplies at Shenzhi Island, he entered the Yellow Sea and sailed slowly towards Tianjin Port.

The Ming Navy now has the East China Sea flag, the Nanyang flag, the Indian Ocean flag, and the American flag that is flying on Zhao Zhongyi's sailing ship.

"My dear, this is the American Fleet!"

"I heard that it takes a year to go back and forth at a time!"

"These are all Chinese heroes! The treasures they brought back can feed many people!"

…

When the merchant ships coming and going met Zhao Zhongyi's fleet, they all paid attention and stood on the deck to salute the fleet returning from America.

Not to mention the situation on the American continent, the precious seeds brought back by the American fleet's adventure earlier have blossomed and bear fruit across the country, resulting in people now having enough food in their homes.

Although all this was due to the wise emperor, it was inseparable from the adventurous spirit of the members of the American Fleet, so they had reason to thank the American Fleet for sacrificing themselves to travel between the two places.

In their hearts, the invincible East China Sea Fleet is the glory of China, the steady Nanyang Fleet is the protector of China, the surprisingly victorious Indian Ocean Fleet is the berserker of China, and the American fleet that crosses the ocean is the strongest of China. Adventurer.

"They are saluting us!"

"We Chinese people should be of one mind!"

"It's beautiful, it strengthens our Ming Dynasty, and I am proud of the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

…

The officers and men on the fleet also felt the enthusiasm of their compatriots. Seeing the Ming merchant ships that kept appearing, they suddenly felt like they had returned home.

They do not have the same ambitions as Su Can. Even if they are given the position of Inca emperor, they would rather become a soldier of this powerful empire.

Now that they have returned from their mission, the cabin is full of furs. They have been welcomed by their compatriots, and they feel excited about returning home in rich clothes.

The current East China Sea belongs to the East China Sea Governor's Palace of the Ming Dynasty and has been completely included in the military control area of ​​the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the fleet flying the American Navy flag is naturally unimpeded.

Zhao Zhongyi led the fleet into the Bohai Port. After seeing the bustling scene of Tianjin Port, he felt as if he had lived in another world.

Although they knew that the Ming Dynasty would definitely change in the years since they left, they couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the dock that had doubled in size.

After the group landed, they were even more stunned when they entered Tianjin city.

On the cement streets of Tianjin, hand-drawn carts are weaving like shuttles, becoming a unique landscape of this new city.

The coachmen were all wearing the same style of nylon-button clothing, and their vests were soaked with sweat, but it did not diminish their enthusiasm for pulling the cart.

The human-powered trolleys that come and go are like the pulse of this new city, shuttling through the streets and alleys, providing convenient transportation for the residents here.

It is worth mentioning that Tianjin has now broken away from the traditional sense of city wall boundaries and is showing a unique new urban style.

There are no city walls here. There are shops on both sides of the streets and various signboards shining brightly, highlighting the prosperity and vitality of the city.

In the past, traditional clothing was quite rare. Instead, people wore clothes with nylon buttons. This lightweight and durable material is particularly practical in this vibrant city.

"Oh my God, there have been too many changes, haven't they?"

"No, is this still Tianjin?"

"The ancients are sincere and I don't want to bully you. I will look upon you with admiration after three years of separation!"

…

When Zhao Zhongyi and other soldiers saw the changes in Tianjin Port and Tianjin City, and looked at this completely unfamiliar city, they couldn't help but sigh.

In just three years, they no longer dare to recognize their motherland.

In Tianjin, the human-powered handcarts and nylon-buttoned clothing that come and go have become a beautiful sight on the streets, complementing the city's temperament.

But they still underestimated the changes in Ming Dynasty, because this dynasty was ushering in a real take-off.

Although the capital has welcomed its first snow in December, it cannot dispel the enthusiasm of Beijing people.

It was a clear morning. When the first ray of sunshine shone on the earth, people were already standing on both sides of the railway tracks, looking at the train station from a distance.

In a railway station full of modern atmosphere, an epoch-making steam train, a big thing made of steel, is parked on the rails.

As the emperor arrived, everyone here knelt down to greet him.

Zhu Youtang, who was wearing a dragon robe and already had a standard beard, was even more royal. Looking at the familiar train in front of him, he felt a surge of emotion.

Things are progressing very smoothly. Although the Beijing-Tianjin Railway has not yet been completed, the steam train came out before the railway was built, and today will be the first trial run.

"Set off!"

As Liu Jin shouted in his unique voice, the operators in the train immediately took action, and soon the steam train started the gears of the era.

"coming!"

"Is this a train?"

"It...it's really moving on its own. It's amazing!"

…

Zhao Laosi and other ordinary people came from all directions early in the morning. First they heard the rumble from the train station, and then with the sound of steam erupting, a huge train slowly drove into people's sight.

Although they have already heard about the magic of trains, they have been deceived after all. Now that they have witnessed the train running on the railway with their own eyes, their original ideas are being shattered.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, how could they believe that there really was a car that could run without relying on animal power or human power.

The steam train was officially launched.

I saw the locomotive's face, and on its majestic body, a huge chimney was emitting billowing white smoke, as if announcing its arrival to the world.

There was a rhythmic clicking sound between the wheels and the rails, like ancient music, echoing in the hearts of all the people. On the car body, steam is lingering, intertwined with the morning fog.

In the carriage at this time, a group of senior officials and nobles looked out curiously, as if they were dreaming.

Their faces were full of surprises, but they did not expect that the emperor's seemingly unreliable idea would come true. These ten million silver dollars brought about a new era of transportation. (End of chapter)