In fact, the Ming Dynasty still has nearly 3,000 warships of various types on its books. If we only look at the scale, then the navy picked up by Lao Zhu is definitely the number one existence in this era.
However, the coastline of the Ming Dynasty was long and narrow, and most of these warships were scattered at major naval garrison stations along the rivers and coasts from Dengzhou in the north to Qiongzhou in the south. The originally huge number was suddenly stretched when they were spread out.
In addition, a large number of these ships are actually just flat-bottomed river boats and cannot leave the coastline too far. If they set sail, there will be no need for any storms, just a few small waves on the sea, and these ships will capsize and fall apart.
Even if the existing ships are deployed, whether they can sail across the sea and reach the Americas is another matter. Let’s talk about the various military expenses, supplies, and maintenance expenses for the navy’s departure. This is an astronomical figure. It also needs to be carried out along the coast.
Establishing shipyards, adding new ports, supplying water supplies for the operation of the navy, and spending a lot of time to develop routes, this is a bottomless abyss...
No wonder Lao Zhu backed down.
"Moreover, there are very few giant trees needed for shipbuilding after the Ming Dynasty was devastated by wars. If you want to find them, only the south of Yunnan, Annan and other places still grow. However, Yunnan is not in peace, and your Majesty wants to build a treasure ship.
, the extravagance will inevitably be even greater." The Minister of Household Affairs added.
"Yunnan..." Lao Zhu pondered, Yunnan must be leveled. But the matter of leveling Yunnan is actually linked to shipbuilding...
"I would like to ask Mr. Ru, if we take Yunnan, will the cost of building a treasure ship be lowered?" At this time, a young general who had been listening quietly suddenly asked...
"Ah, yes. It will be lower...but that's also limited..." Shangshu of the Ministry of Finance was stunned for a moment, but he answered honestly. The young general who spoke was none other than Mu, the adopted son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who is currently the Chief Minister of the Governor's Office.
Britain.
Mu Ying has always been cautious in his words and deeds, believing that "it is better to be silent than to speak a thousand words". He is a figure like Feng Yi, the great tree general of the former Han Dynasty. How could he, who had always been silent, suddenly speak?
But I heard Mu Ying continue: "The general thinks that our Ming Dynasty is in the Central Plains, how can we not be able to afford a navy! Since the situation in the Ming Dynasty is difficult at this time, your majesty can first choose a place to build ships and train ships.
Division, plan in advance. It will take several years to build the left and right ships."
"Then, just retreat." Lao Zhu waved his hand, and the ministers said another holy bow and a long blessing, and then retreated one after another. When they arrived at the entrance of Jinshen Palace, the Minister of War pulled the sleeve of Liu Bowen, the sincere brother, and said,
He said in a low voice: "I'm sincere, why don't you persuade your majesty with words?"
"Then... godfather..." The restraint on Mu Ying's face relaxed slightly. He thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, lifted up his clothes, and knelt down on one knee towards Lao Zhu.
"If we make preparations early, we will naturally be ready by then, and we can set sail early. But if we have to wait until everything is ready before we start, I am afraid that by then, the vast overseas sea areas will no longer belong to our Ming Dynasty.
!”
But he has always been indifferent, so why did he ever think about fighting for power?
"Your Majesty's junior general is called godfather!" Lao Zhu waved his hand and said with a smile. "There are no outsiders now, so why are we born?"
"Ying'er, why are you still here? Is something wrong?" In the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Mu Ying who was still standing aside without saying a word, with a hint of curiosity in his tone.
My adopted son is very rigid and always follows the rules when doing things. If you don't call him, he will always look like a capable person who puts business first and is cautious in his words and deeds.
"...Yes." The two ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War could only reluctantly agree. The newly appointed Prime Minister Hu Weiyong also left his post and handed over. As a new official, he naturally would not refute Lao Zhu's wishes.
What he said was high-sounding, but Liu Bowen didn't know. What he meant was to ask him, the so-called leader of Qingliu, why he didn't persuade His Majesty to put the weapons into the treasury and release the horses to Nanshan.
Let's see... Liu Bowen looked back at Jinshen Palace, quickly abandoned the still chattering Minister, and walked down the stairs.
"My godfather, I don't know, but even though His Majesty the Fifth Prince is young, he is actually very talented...given time, he will definitely become the pillar of our Ming Dynasty!"
"My son, I sincerely ask my godfather to forgive His Highness the Fifth Prince for his misconduct!"
This was the first time that he stayed behind without permission after discussing something.
"What Ying'er said makes sense! The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War will draft a charter for us in the next few days."
If he hadn't been worried about the power of the Huaixi nobles, he would never have stood up for Qingliu on weekdays. He almost caused a disaster by advising His Majesty to increase troops on the Great Wall before, so how could he open his mouth to argue for this trivial matter now?
Moreover, there had never been any signs of establishing an ocean-going navy.
"The past few years have been enough for the Ming Dynasty to stabilize the country and create a prosperous age! By then, the Ming Dynasty must have recovered Yunnan and acquired huge trees. The annual income of the imperial court must also have increased."
"The naval base will be arranged first... at Poyang Lake." The vastness of Poyang Lake was still fresh in Lao Zhu's memory during the bloody battle with Chen Youliang at Poyang Lake. Drilling in Poyang Lake must be able to simulate the vastness of the sea to some extent.
"This matter has been settled. Zhongshu Sheng has been paying more attention to us these days. He must draw up a feasible charter for us."
…
I'm afraid it's the master behind His Majesty who has done it again.
Then when will they be able to succeed as civil servants?
"Your Majesty has his own considerations, and it is not something that I and other ministers can say in vain." Liu Bowen glanced at him lightly. How could he not know that this group of people wanted to use him as a gun to resist the nobles of Huaixi.
Mu Ying has always been serious about words, but now her face was flushed with excitement. Lao Zhu looked at his most loyal adopted son and thought about his opinion in his heart: Ying'er is right. Even though the court is short of money at this time
, you can also set up the navy's airs first, so as not to have no rules to follow, no one to use, and a mess.
"You can first let the navies from all over the country gather together a naval fleet, and then put out a list and mobilize the shipyards from various places to start building ships first, and build one ship after another."
"Your Majesty, the last general..."
He couldn't tell whether this was an advantage or a disadvantage.
"If I abandon you because of a small mistake, it will be a great loss to our Ming Dynasty and our Zhu family!"
If we don't abolish the military affairs, how can we stop the momentum of Huaixi Xungui? Huaixi Xungui made his fortune by fighting!
"Your Majesty is so aggressive in his military affairs, and he also wants to engage in provocation at sea. If this is true, I'm afraid that from now on, our Ming Dynasty will never have peace!"
"My son, I am willing to use my military achievements in the past to avenge the sins of His Majesty the Fifth Highness! You can demote your minister to serve as a civilian and only ask for a godfather. Never abandon him to His Majesty the Fifth Highness!"
The crime of disgrace was exactly what Lao Zhu casually assigned to Zhu Su. Looking at his godson interceding for Zhu Su in front of him, he was stunned for a moment.
These words were sincere, and by the time he finished speaking, Mu Ying had fallen to the ground. As far as the eye could see, his back was still standing tall, looking sincere and determined.
After regaining consciousness, Lao Zhu helped Mu Ying up with both hands. With a satisfied smile on his face, he said warmly: "You rushed back from Fengyang just to plead with us for your incompetent fifth brother?"
Thank you for giving me more monthly tickets! And everyone’s recommendations and investments! I forgot to thank you yesterday hehe