Chapter 303: Zhu Zhanji's Balance of Pros and Cons
This is the result that Zhu Zhanzhen came to after thinking for several days. The Suez Canal must be built. Without this canal, ships starting from the Ming Dynasty would have to go around the entire African continent to reach the European countries, and the Cape of Good Hope is not like it.
The name is so peaceful.
The voyage is too long and the risk factor is too high, which will inevitably lead to the Ming Dynasty's warships having to go through the baptism of the sea before they arrive, and subsequent supplies and support will be difficult to sustain.
Therefore, Zhu Zhanzhen felt that this canal must be dug. From here, one can directly enter the Mediterranean Sea. It can also be landed from southern Europe, or it can be landed directly through the Mediterranean Sea.
And it needs to start now.
Judging from the current situation, the imperial court will definitely focus on Zhu Zhanji's Northern Expedition. In order to avoid the emptying of national power, Zhu Zhanchen will not be allowed to lead a large army on the expedition, so he can only use part of his troops.
Because of the gap in weapon combat effectiveness, Zhu Zhanzhen was confident that he could use this part of his troops to fight, but this would only happen if the supplies could fully keep up.
Steam carriers are now unable to carry out such long-distance voyages, so for the time being, they can only rely on steam warships to send some people there. The food, drink and diarrhea of these people are also problematic.
Zhu Zhanzhen is ready to do two things at the moment. First, he will send a fleet to France and Hou Xian according to the previous route. If he is still alive, he will first pick up our soldiers who are wandering outside. The second is to
Send people to dig the canal.
The Suez Canal is located at the junction of the Asian and African continents. It is now the headquarters of the Ottoman Empire. Of course, the current Ottoman Empire is not the Ottoman Empire in its heyday. They cannot defeat the Timurid Empire now.
As long as some "communication" has passed, it is inevitable.
Moreover, the distance to the canal is actually far. The Ming Dynasty's maritime deterrence range is mainly up to Malacca, and its deployment to the west is limited. After all, the maritime trade capabilities there are not strong enough.
Because of the current fuel supply problem for steam warships, Zhu Zhanzhen must ensure that he has his own ports along the way to supply supplies, and has to plan the passage bit by bit.
To maintain the operation of these ports, we must have the help of these trading houses, and there must be people to maintain the normal operation of the ports, commodity trade, and fuel supplies.
If nothing else goes wrong, Zhu Zhanzhen's sentence "There is gold everywhere" will usher in the age of navigation and the stage of geographical discovery. These people have a certain accumulation of assets, and greed will drive them forward.
Zhu Zhanyang pointed at the map and said: "Now the furthest point of the Ming Dynasty's naval garrison is Temasek (Singapore). Temasek is completely under the management of our country. Next, I will strengthen the garrison and start to expand the South China Sea Fleet. Now the Ming Dynasty's South China Sea Fleet has the first
I plan to expand the second and third fleets to at least six fleets, and the number of infantry will also be expanded."
Everyone was silent, because these military and political matters were within the jurisdiction of the imperial court, and they had no right to speak, because they had no right to discuss. However, they did not know whether Zhu Zhanzhen's statement was approved by the imperial court or was entirely his own idea.
Such a large-scale military expansion without the permission of the imperial court would be a serious crime at the level of rebellion.
Zhu Zhanzhen told them this just to let them know that they had the Ming Navy behind them to protect them, not to discuss or ask for their opinions.
"I have already planned the route to three places, Port of Kochi (today's Port of Cochin, India), Port of Khrumos in the Timurid Empire, and Suez, where a canal is about to be built. These three nodes are enough for our navy to go there.
Suez, along the way you can see where there are good deep-water ports, which can be developed on your own. Those who need fleet assistance can be supported at any time. The remaining troops in major ports can be dispatched after consideration."
Zhu Zhanzhen's words shocked everyone. This was the Ming Navy as a backing to help them expand their territories. But in this case, how to distribute the land and the population? The court's troops are not so easy to mobilize, right? It needs to be paid.
At what cost?
There was a lot of discussion for a while, and everyone whispered among themselves, but this also shows that they have intention and are willing to do it.
Because what do commercial banks need now? They need population and land.
Only when there is a population can one have consumption power, and cheap labor and land can reduce production costs. They naturally understand the profit space that exists.
After Zhu Zhanzhen allowed them to discuss for a while, he knocked on the table and said: "The land purchased or occupied by everyone will become the land of the Ming Dynasty, but you have the right to control the territory. Let's put it this way, on these lands you
It’s like being a county official.”
The whole place was in an uproar for a while!
What is the most expensive thing in this era? Titles, things that money can't buy, Zhu Zhanzhen's words have shocked everyone.
"Your Majesty, is this approved by His Majesty?"
"Not yet."
Zhu Zhanchen did not lie to them, because it was impossible for Zhu Gaochi to pass the matter, and it was impossible for any Ming emperor to pass it.
"Although there is no explicit order, I hereby guarantee that I will protect your rights and interests in the territory."
Everyone couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. They thought that they could become a county prince rewarded by the Ming Dynasty. Now that they think about it, it is impossible. However, Zhu Zhanzhen's words are trustworthy. He himself has always been a trustworthy person. Even if there is no order, at least his own class can
After crossing a long distance, there was no telling what the future would be like. Since I followed Zhu Zhanzhen, I had to keep going.
Almost everyone is willing to follow Zhu Zhanxing, and once they have reached their intention, they will wait for Zhu Zhansheng's wishes to proceed.
…
At the same time, there was chaos in the Ming Dynasty's palace.
Because of Zheng He's incident, and also because of Zhu Zhanzhen's incident.
The important ministers in the cabinet now all have sad faces.
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the King of the Sea is in Guangzhou Mansion. He told the people from the big business houses that all the land purchased or occupied will become the land of the Ming Dynasty, and they have the same county title."
"Your Majesty cannot continue like this. His Highness the Sea King is so good at making decisions and wants to expand the South China Sea Fleet. The size of the South China Sea Fleet itself is twice that of the East China Sea Fleet. According to His Highness the Sea King's will, the expansion will be at least doubled. If this continues, it will be impossible.
This is absolutely not possible, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, we are preparing our troops for the Northern Expedition. With the current situation in the south, please give your Majesty more consideration!"
"Your Majesty, why don't you just treat Prince Han and establish a kingdom now? Even if Prince Hai decides to go on an expedition, let him go on his own. We can't waste the Ming Dynasty's national power."
Everyone felt that this was a good opportunity to help Zhu Zhanji solve future hidden dangers now, allowing Zhu Zhanji to spend money on expeditions in the kingdom and consume his strength.
Although the Guangdong vassal was rich, they thought it was not enough to support such huge consumption.
No one seems to have thought about what would happen if Zhu Zhanzhen wins?
Zhu Gaochi also had a headache. Because of Zheng He's incident, he also thought that Zhu Zhanzhen had lost his mind and that what he was doing now was a bit excessive and completely unconsidered.
Moreover, he personally does not agree with the expedition to Europe.
He also wanted to avenge Zheng He, but the pros and cons were too obvious, and it was impossible for him to go there according to his character.
If Zhu Di were here at this time, there would be no doubt that the ministers would object, but Zhu Di would definitely attack and if conditions permit, he would lead his troops there himself.
No one in the entire cabinet agreed to Zhu Zhanzhen's expedition.
"No, father, we must let Zhan Zhan go on an expedition." To everyone's surprise, it was Zhu Zhanji who stood up and became the only one to support Zhu Zhanzhen.
Everyone looked at Zhu Zhanji in astonishment. The cabinet, including six important ministers, were opposed. The main reason was to avoid future disputes between the Crown Prince and the King of the Sea, and to take this opportunity to suppress the King of the Sea and pave the way for the Crown Prince.
But unexpectedly, the prince himself stood up to support Zhu Zhanzhen.
"this……"
I originally thought that the prince didn't understand the meaning of these people, but then I thought about it, how could the prince, such a smart person, not understand what he meant? I just didn't know why he did this.
"Zhanji, what's your opinion?" Zhu Gaochi asked.
"Father, Francis and Yinggelan have insulted our Ming Dynasty and insulted our envoys. This matter must not be let go. I support Zhan Xing's expedition. Anyone who offends our Ming Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away they are." Zhu Zhanji said extremely firmly.
.
"Your Highness, anyone who offends our Ming Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away they are. It may cost the Ming Dynasty's treasury for many years."
Zhu Zhanji said righteously: "During the Imperial Grandfather's Northern Expedition, the cabinet ministers also talked about wasting the treasury, but was it wasted? Instead, the war led to a large wave of jobs and booming industries."
"Times have changed, everyone." Zhu Zhanji looked at the ministers with gray beards with eyes like falcons.
"In today's era, as long as the war is not happening at home, but abroad, maybe it will be beneficial and harmless to us to participate in the war."
Zhu Zhanji's point of view made everyone stunned. These words also seemed that Zhu Zhanji was too bellicose, but when he thought about it carefully, there seemed to be nothing wrong with it.
The Ming Dynasty has become more and more prosperous in recent years. Not only has it lost the bad temper of being invaded by foreign nations, but it has actually developed better and better, and the self-confidence of the people of the Ming Dynasty has also become higher and higher.
But in fact, these are just rhetoric. The most important thing is that Zhu Zhanzhen has already had a showdown with Zhu Zhanji.
As long as Zhu Zhanji supported Zhu Zhanchang's Western Expedition, Zhu Zhanchang would unconditionally support Zhu Zhanji's ascension to the throne.
Such verbal words are not the most critical, the most critical is Zhu Zhanzhen's attitude.
Zhu Zhanzhen will definitely go to the west. If he stops him, then there will probably be a war between the two brothers. Whoever stops him will be his enemy.
Moreover, the courtiers were all thinking of using the same method to deal with the King of Han to deal with Zhu Zhanxang, but they never thought that the current Zhu Zhanxian was much more terrifying than the King of Han.
During the rebellion of the Han Dynasty, Zhu Zhanyi could help check and balance, but once Zhu Zhanyi rebelled, who could check and balance him? The King of Han? He wished Zhu Zhanyi would rebel.
Moreover, if Zhu Zhanzhen was allowed to establish a state within a state, build a new kingdom, and use the power of the kingdom to conquer the west, all the courtiers would think that he would not be able to do it. But have you ever thought about what would happen if he won?
It is a super empire with a territory wider than the entire Ming Dynasty. At that time, who will be the suzerain and who will be the tribute.
Who is the Ming Dynasty?
Will he win?
Zhu Zhanji thought about this question many times. He felt that his younger brother had always been a miracle worker, and he felt that Zhu Zhanzhen had no intention of snatching the throne, otherwise he would not have talked openly with him.
But is he sincere? Will he treat himself the same way he treated Zhu Yunwen in Japan? His thoughts are very deep, so deep that Zhu Zhanji is a little scared.
He finally understood the principle of not allowing others to snore next to the bed.
But after weighing the pros and cons, Zhu Zhanji made this seemingly unexpected but reasonable decision.
Then the entire cabinet fell into a fierce quarrel, and Zhu Gaochi's head almost exploded.
The quarrel continued the next day, but the eunuch sent an urgent letter from Guangzhou Prefecture.
Zhu Gaochi opened the letter, read it himself first, and then handed it to everyone below to read.
In the letter, Zhu Zhanzhen elaborated on the idea and specific implementation process of establishing outpost ports in the West and digging a canal to Suez. He also said that the funds and operating expenses for military expansion do not need to be paid by the court for the time being, and the Guangdong vassal will bear it on its own.
In other words, the imperial court had not yet decided whether to send troops, but Zhu Zhanzhen had already arranged the steps, and he seemed to be able to make his own decisions.
Doesn't Zhu Zhanzhen know that this is not good? Of course he knows, but he also knows that the cabinet will definitely delay and keep delaying until they have agreed on when to go. His behavior will anger them, but he also
Express your attitude firmly, I will fight.
The court was already in chaos, but Zhu Zhanji still stood firmly on Zhu Zhanchang's side.
"I have discussed with my fifth brother that we are only making preliminary preparations for the Western Expedition now. We will not start the Western Expedition until I return from the Northern Expedition to avoid fighting on both sides. I will go on an expedition soon. No matter what, I have only one opinion.
, fight!" Zhu Zhanji's words were loud and clear, and he expressed his position and left the court alone, no longer participating in any discussion.
Both sons were like this, which made Zhu Gaochi very embarrassed.
He was originally a conservative king, and he didn't want to be an emperor like Zhu Di who expanded his territory through the ages. But his two sons are still the best and they have to go to war. How can he not have a headache?
Under the rolling wheel of history, he, the emperor, was forced to become a pioneer and expand his territory.
Zhu Zhanji's firm attitude before leaving still had a certain influence on the cabinet ministers, at least the noise was not as strong as before.
Xia Yuanji looked at Zhu Gaochi, who looked distressed, and sighed. Zhu Gaochi was far less courageous than Zhu Di back then. If it were Zhu Di, he would definitely not be able to let others make the decision on these matters, but each has its own advantages. Zhu Gaochi's character has also given rise to the capable people below.
More room for performance.
"Your Majesty, although Lord Hai said that no funds from the imperial court are needed, if it is really necessary to build a canal as far away as His Highness said, how much will it cost and how many people will be needed?"
Yang Shiqi raised questions about Zhu Zhanzhen's plan.
"Zhan Zhen said that the people of the Ming Dynasty are not needed. He will find a way to let the Japanese and Nanyang people dig it."
Everyone was shocked, Zhu Zhanzhen said this, but can it really be done so easily?
