Zhu Zhanzhen came to the Ming Dynasty's embassy in North Korea the next day. It was established when Zhu Zhanji was on his first mission to North Korea. It was not small in scale. The ambassador was named Tang Cai.
As the king of North Korea, Li Bin personally accompanied Zhu Zhanyi. Yesterday, Fang offered so many preferential policies when he met Zhu Zhanyi. How could Li Bin accompany the big boss?
At the door of the embassy, Tang Cai came out to welcome him: "We have met His Royal Highness the Prince of Zhujiang County, and our foreign ministers have met the King of Korea."
"No gifts, please show me around the embassy."
Tang Cai began to introduce: "Your Highness, this is the school. Many North Korean scholars are willing to learn the culture of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, in accordance with your Majesty's decree, a school was opened in the embassy to help them learn the culture of the Ming Dynasty."
"This is the Ministry of Government Affairs. All government relations between Ming Dynasty and North Korea are handled here. At the same time, with the permission of the King of North Korea, Wei Chen can also participate in North Korea's early dynasty if there is an edict. Wei Chen feels deeply
It's an honor, and I'm extremely grateful to the King of Joseon." Tang Cai bowed slightly to Li Chen, and Li Chen bowed in return.
The ambassador of the Ming Dynasty is the symbol of the Ming Dynasty. Although his rank is not very high, his status is so transcendent that even the king of Korea must respect him.
"This is the Ministry of Commerce. Ming businessmen trading in North Korea often need our help to solve things. We often need to negotiate with some departments in North Korea."
"What are the products with the largest amount of trade between Ming Dynasty and North Korea?"
As a responsible ambassador, Tang Cai blurted out: "The Ming Dynasty's largest exports to North Korea were silk, cotton products, ceramics, fruits, cabbage and other items. North Korea's largest exports to the Ming Dynasty were dried seafood, Korean ginseng, wood, etc."
North Korea's production technology is backward and the production level is not enough, so their products cannot keep up with those of the Ming Dynasty and they have no export capabilities. However, the demand for local specialties such as Korean ginseng is still good in the Ming Dynasty, as well as dried seafood. Due to the specificity of the region, the output and quality are good.
The climate characteristics of North Korea at high latitudes and the natural environment surrounding the sea make North Korea severely cold in winter and rich in seafood. In order to survive the severe winter, almost every household in the country will pickle pickles and dried seafood to store food. This also makes North Korea's seafood
The quality and output of dry goods were good. After being shipped to Ming Dynasty, these products supplemented the various flavor choices of people in Ming Dynasty in their daily lives, so the sales were good.
Many of the Ming products purchased by North Korea are reprocessed products with high profits. Ming Dynasty will always have the advantage in trade.
Dried seafood and pickles are almost the national products of North Korea. Because there are no chili peppers, there is no spicy cabbage. The method of pickling pickles was also introduced from the Ming Dynasty. This method of preserving food is very suitable for a country like North Korea with cold and long winters.
Said it was very important.
It has even become a dish for them to entertain distinguished guests, but without the chili pepper, the taste of pickled cabbage is really lackluster.
Food is the most important thing for the people, so what if they don’t have enough to eat and clothing to keep them warm?
At this time, Zhu Zhanzhen thought of North Korea's national food instant noodles. Even in modern society, the status of instant noodles in North Korea is extremely transcendent. Instant noodles with spicy cabbage are almost standard. This is a big business related to people's livelihood.
And once it monopolizes North Korea's people's livelihood economy, it will be equivalent to holding the lifeblood of North Korea in its hands.
In the next few days, Zhu Zhanyi and Li Chen traveled around North Korea. Compared with the Ming Dynasty, the production conditions in North Korea were indeed very poor, and the domestic land was relatively barren.
After thinking about it, Zhu Zhanzhen wrote a letter to the Guangzhou government, which was addressed to Nanhai University.
Nanhai University held a meeting: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Pearl River County has returned a letter. He hopes that we can use current means to create a bread-like product that can be stored for a long time. It can be eaten by just soaking it in boiling water or boiling it for a few minutes.
It’s easy to transport, easy to preserve, tastes good, it’s best if it comes with condiments, and it also reduces costs.”
This is an examination question that Zhu Zhanzhen gave to Nanhai University. He asked teachers to lead a team to study it, Nanhai University allocated funds, and students used their imaginations. The goal was instant noodles.
The students began to ask questions: "Why does Your Highness want to make such bread?"
"His Royal Highness is currently on a mission to North Korea. He saw that in cold areas like North Korea, it was difficult for people to obtain food, so he thought that if such quick food could be made, it could alleviate the situation in poor and cold areas, and it could be used for military purposes, which has great prospects.
, you said that if the research project is approved, the Prince of Pearl River County will fund you to open a factory and produce products."
Everyone is eager to try it, and a group of young people are full of energy when they are together.
“The noodles and vermicelli from our hometown are dried and shaped after being dried in the sun, and can be stored for a long time. So actually making them is not the most difficult part, but the requirements of His Highness are that they should be easy to transport, easy to preserve, and taste good.
"
"Yes, we can learn from the production process of Fengan in our hometown. His Highness said that we need to bring the seasonings. What should we do with this?"
Dried rice noodles are made from rice. They are a specialty of the rice growing areas in the south. They began to be made in the middle of the Northern Song Dynasty and have a long history. However, the production process has requirements for climate, temperature and humidity, so it cannot be produced continuously.
What Zhu Zhanchen now wants is noodles that can be produced in factories at any time throughout the year to improve the eating habits in areas like North Korea.
"This is an exam question given to us by His Royal Highness the Prince of Zhujiang County. I hope everyone will use your imagination to solve this matter for His Highness."
"Yes." The young people were excited and began to use their imagination to design plans and manufacturing processes.
First of all, everyone confirmed the same point. It must be made in a factory. The industrial manufacturing process is simplified. Moreover, because it is food, it must be hygienic and clean and meet the taste requirements. If it is made to taste terrible, it is better not to make it.
The Chinese nation always has a strong mind when it comes to what they eat.
"His Highness's idea about the seasoning package inspired me. The flour cake itself does not need any taste, the taste is all in the seasoning, so the flour cake only needs to be made in the style of dried noodles."
"Things like dried powder are most afraid of moisture. The ease of transportation required by His Highness is also a big problem. Should it be wrapped in kraft paper?"
Without such a simple, convenient and cheap tool as plastic, it is obvious that there are huge challenges in storage and transportation.
Zhu Zhancheng gave this problem to Nanhai University.
During Zhu Zhanzhen's mission to Korea, it was revealed that Princess Jiaxing ran onto a steam carrier. The princess almost fainted when she learned the news.
"Nonsense, nonsense, how could a girl from Jiaxing follow the warship? Quickly, quickly, let someone call for a truce ship and ask Jiaxing to come down." The princess was in a hurry for once.
"Empress, the warship has gone to sea now and will not be able to come back in a short time."
"Shanwei, Shanwei." The Crown Princess shouted, but after she shouted, she realized that Hu Shanwei was no longer in the palace, and she suddenly felt a little disappointed. After all, Hu Shanwei had been with her for so many years, and now he was gone.
palace.
"You asked people to go to Weihai Port and asked Zhan Ji to bring Jiaxing back no matter what. Isn't this nonsense? I thought that Zhan Ji would be more secure after getting married, but you have done such a big thing for me in the past few days. Jiaxing is a county
Lord, what does it mean to have a body of thousands of dollars follow you on a warship?"
While the Crown Princess was angry, Zhu Gaochi walked in. Hearing that the Princess of Jiaxing ran onto the warship, Zhu Gaochi also became darkened.
It is inherently dangerous for a warship to go to sea, and if this incident spreads, it will not be good for the Jiaxing princess's reputation. If a princess goes to a warship privately, she does not know etiquette and rules. No one will dare to marry her in the future.
"Are you making such a big show because you are afraid that others will not know that Jiaxing sneaked into the warship?" Zhu Gaochi blamed it.
"Your Highness, I am also in trouble when I am busy. When Shanwei is away, no one will discuss anything I do. It is true that you said Shanwei. It is better to be the steward of the Zhan's Mansion or the palace minister in the imperial city. Isn't it better to be here?
How about coming from the imperial city?"
"Hu Shanggong is so old, but you still have the nerve to keep her. She will get married eventually."
"Didn't you go to Zhan's Mansion to work as an errand?"
"Working as an errand in the Zhanzhen Mansion does not prevent her from getting married. She can't get married as an errand in the palace. You are really shouting when Hu Shanggong is gone. How about your usual posture and ability?"
The Crown Princess was quite aggrieved: "I'm just not used to it yet, so what do you think I should do, Your Highness? Even Jiaxing went to the warship. In the future, which husband would dare to have such a naughty daughter-in-law."
"Nonsense, Jiaxing is my daughter from the East Palace, no one dares to despise her." Zhu Gaochi loves his daughter very much. He is usually strict with his sons, but he can even be said to be a little doting on his daughter.
"Then you think of a way to get her back as soon as possible."
"Zhan Ji has already set off in person to chase the warship. Oh, what a nonsense."
Zhu Zhanji took the latest warship and caught up with the steam carrier. Princess Jiaxing on the steam carrier looked at the two warships docking with an unhappy look on her face.
"Zhan Bian, I thought I would be captured when the steam carrier docked, but my brother caught up with me just a few days after I came out. I'm so annoyed."
"Sister Jiaxing, father, mother, and elder brother are all thinking about you."
Princess Jiaxing pouted: "Of course I know they are thinking about me, but I still like Fifth Brother. Fifth Brother treats me more fairly."
"Fair?" Zhu Zhanbian didn't understand why Princess Jiaxing said this.
"Yes, I just feel that Fifth Brother's normal treatment of me seems fairer. Even so, I can't explain why." The Princess of Jiaxing didn't understand why she felt this way.
Zhu Zhanji came to the front of Princess Jiaxing. Princess Jiaxing looked like a child who had done something wrong. She lowered her head and admitted her mistake: "Brother, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong."
"Zhan Zhan is really fooling around." Zhu Zhanji did not blame the princess of Jiaxing, but Zhu Zhanyi.
"Brother, I ran into the warship on my own and had nothing to do with Fifth Brother."
Zhu Zhanji gave Princess Jiaxing a look that said, "Do you think I am a fool who would believe such nonsense?"
Without Zhu Zhanyi's instructions, could Princess Jiaxing run to the warship? Are so many soldiers just decorations?
"Come back with me." Zhu Zhanji took Princess Jiaxing and prepared to leave. The less time he spent, the better.
Princess Jiaxing turned around and ran towards the front of the steam carrier, looking at the clear blue sky and the sea, looking at the sparkling sea, and took a deep breath.
"Hey, the sea."
Layers of blue waves, her cry seemed to sink under the sea. The people on the warship heard it, and the fish on the bottom of the sea also heard it. The girl’s cry concealed her unwillingness, her yearning, and her
of freedom.
Zhu Zhanji looked at Jiaxing's back. Now he understood why Jiaxing Princess wanted to run onto the warship. Jiaxing seemed to be full of anger and wanted to express it.
She has been trapped in the deep palace courtyard for too long. This may be the only time in her life that she can go deep into the sea and see the vast and vast world.
But this is not good for Jiaxing herself. Such a playful girl does not meet the requirements of a qualified princess of the royal family. She should be well-educated, dignified and wise. It would be best if she has two points of literary talent.
Zhu Zhanji took Jiaxing to his warship. Jiaxing followed behind with his head lowered. She had to go back to being her obedient princess again.
"The warship continues to move forward." Zhu Zhanji suddenly said.
"Your Highness...?"
"Now that it's all out, let's follow the steam carrier and see its role. It will also be beneficial to our own shipyard in Weihai Port in the future. I hope Weihai Port can also build such ships."
Not going back?
Jiaxing looked at Zhu Zhanji in disbelief. This eldest brother, who was usually strict and even a little cold, did not take her back this time. She could continue sailing on the sea for a while.
"Brother, aren't we going back?"
"Well, we expect to return home in two days. Don't mess around next time. If you want to go to sea, we have to take you instead of you sneaking out on your own." Zhu Zhanji seemed particularly reasonable.
"I understand, brother."
"Brother, look there are dolphins outside." Princess Jiaxing's mood improved instantly.
…
But the ship had not been sailing for two hours when suddenly the bow cruiser waved its flag and the entire army was on alert.
A fleet came directly ahead, and the flag was the Japanese fleet.
The entire army is under martial law and ready for war at any time.
But the opposing fleet waved its flag and slowly approached, signaling friendship.
The Ming Dynasty cruiser also moved forward. The size difference between the two warships was huge. The cruiser reported back soon.
"In front of your Highness is Mitsui Trading Company, the largest trading house in Japan. This is their merchant fleet."
"Ask them to quickly give way. What's the point of not giving way when they see our troops?"
"They said they have an island nearby and this is their territorial waters."
Zhu Zhanji sneered: "Humph, their territorial waters are obviously closer to me than Da Ming. I have never heard that Japan has an island here."
At this time, the courtiers next to Zhu Zhanji whispered: "Your Highness, since the opening of trade, Japan has taken over many islands in the sea as its own, claiming that all nearby territorial waters belong to them."
"They lived a very good life when they were young." Zhu Zhanji smiled disdainfully: "The sound of their abacus can be heard across the sea."
"Ignore the order. Ming warships can go anywhere on the sea. Anyone who dares to block it will be treated as a Japanese pirate."
The steam carrier fleet ignored Mitsui Trading Company's declaration of sovereignty and moved forward directly, and the surrounding warships aimed their gun barrels at Mitsui Trading Company's fleet, which was full of declaration of sovereignty.
The leader of the Mitsui Consortium fleet gnashed his teeth with hatred: "Damn the Ming people."
"Brother Mitsui, why should you be angry? It is reasonable for the Ming Dynasty to use its power to suppress others." A bald young monk slowly walked out of the cabin with a smile.
"Master Zhou Jian, the Ming Dynasty has gone too far in bullying others."
"Now we can only endure it. We will wait until Japan has steamships before we can compete with them. Master's plan will not be wrong. Let's go back to Japan first and bring back the fact that Ming Dynasty has such a large warship. From now on
There is no need to be angry at this moment."
"Grandmaster Zongtan's plan with the Emperor will certainly not go wrong." Mitsui Ujiro saluted Monk Zhou Jian very respectfully, showing great respect for the two mentioned in his words.
This monk named Zhou Jian, also known as Ikkyu Sojun, who called himself Kuangyunzi, had previously visited a Buddhist temple in the Ming Dynasty and was returning to Japan on a ship from Mitsui Trading Company.