Lu Qian's method is relatively conservative, not the one that seeks quick results in a hurry.
This is actually understandable. No one has special experience in real naval warfare. Although it was decades away from the Poyang Lake water battle, there may not be any water battle tactics, but that was in Danshui Lake.
Combat is different from combat at sea.
As for the pursuit of water pirates during the original voyage to the West, it was not without experience.
But obviously, the navy is not responsible for catching ocean thieves like the Maritime Inspection Department. This kind of water battle to maintain maritime security does not have much to do with real naval battles.
Therefore, the most important thing now is to slowly figure out a method. However, no matter how hard we try, creating a well-disciplined naval force is also the top priority. After laying a solid foundation, we can then let everyone master the warship.
, and then slowly formulate tactics.
Everything is done step by step.
Zhang Anshi did not comment on Lu Qian's words, but said: "Since the Ming Dynasty opened sea trade, this sea trade has been of great importance. With the navy, we can not only consolidate coastal defense, but also help various vassal states all over the world.
, therefore... this navy is the top priority, and in the future... its role will not be lower than that of the model camp."
Lu Qian listened carefully. The upper and lower officers of the navy all came from the model camp or the officer school. Not to mention Zhang Anshi's identity as a prince. To Lu Qian, Zhang Anshi also belonged to the navy.
The spiritual leader above and below.
Zhang Anshi chewed the food and held up the kuaizi, but did not drop it easily, and then said: "But everything is difficult at the beginning. Now, the navy is ready to be built. In the future, a navy school will be built, and there will also be a specialized navy
ports, and a large number of water villages
, to provide supplies, to repair, and to need a specialized medical center for the Navy. Of course, this is the business of the Maritime Department. What you have to do is to first train an elite army to become a strong general. Only by showing your skills can you
Only when people see the actual results can these things be realized.”
After Lu Qian heard this, he hurriedly said: "Yes, I understand. I will never give up even if I die."
Zhang Anshi said: "You came from the model camp, so I don't worry about how you trained. There is nothing to say about how a water master should be strict, but the most important thing for a water master... is to let the court see your usefulness.
"
"There are no real foreign threats across the vast seas. If a country is free from foreign aggression, it will inevitably breed a desire for peace. Everyone will think, since there is no enemy that can compete with our Ming Dynasty navy, why do we spend so much money?
, how about raising a navy master? These thoughts, now
With me here, of course I can suppress it, but as time goes by, someone will mention it, someone will second it, and someone will shout along with me. Don't underestimate these, don't think that people are just paying lip service, but there are many people in the world.
The trouble lies in the two mouths that move up and down."
Lu Qian frowned. He was convinced by Zhang Anshi's words. He hesitated and said: "Then what your Highness means..."
Zhang Anshi said: "Besides training, the navy will be used to defend against foreign thieves in the future, but sometimes... it must be put to some use to open the eyes of the public in this temple."
Lu Qian said: "It's just...what His Highness thinks...should..."
Zhang Anshi smiled, but he did not hesitate to stop and said: "Oh, you see this food is cold, let's eat first, let's eat."
Now, it was Lu Qian's turn to feel anxious.
He doesn't understand the affairs of the court. But he doesn't understand, but His Highness understands.
I am His Highness's own, and Your Highness will not lie to me.
Although he, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, is hard-working and has a lot to do with it, he has spent countless thoughts on it. If someone really uses words to directly abolish him, then all the hard work will really be in vain.
Already.
But he also knew very well that such a thing might not be impossible.
After the voyage to the West, weren't there many such trends in the court? It was only later that His Highness turned the tide and the migration of the kings to their vassals stopped this trend.
Hiding something in his heart, he ate some food hastily and uneasily, but it tasted like chewing wax.
After the meal, someone came to pour tea. Zhang Anshi took a sip of tea and asked about the situation in the water village.
Lu Qian answered them one by one.
When Zhang Anshi stood up, Lu Qian also stood up immediately. Zhang Anshi said: "Okay, go back and work hard."
"Your Highness..."
Zhang Anshi said: "I will naturally tell you how to do it, so just go with peace of mind."
Lu Qian had no choice but to bite the bullet and go.
He left the palace, and when he was leaving, a letter from Chang Shifu came to him and handed him a letter with a smile, saying: "This is your highness's instructions. This matter... must not be leaked. The navy will take care of it."
Just do it, don’t ask any questions about the rest.”
Lu Qian took the letter and saluted immediately without any hesitation.
The whole of Zhili is still calm. In response to the disaster in Zhili, on the railways in various places, carts of grain and inspection personnel sent by Qixia hurried to their destinations.
In addition, many grain ships shuttle back and forth on the spider web-like Jiangnan water network.
Zhili has money, food, and even a large number of jobs. All the strong men affected by the disaster will be given a share of money and food, directly recruited, and given work as relief.
The women and children were also resettled and given a small amount of money and food. Although it was a little less, it was enough to tide them over for the time being.
On the other side, Hu Guangze, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, set out according to the order and arrived in Kaifeng and other prefectures to personally inspect the disaster situation.
The disaster at this time exceeded Hu Guang's expectation.
In other words... the situation that is happening now in Chidi Qianli is definitely not just caused by a major disaster.
Ten houses are empty, and no food can grow in the fields. People in ragged clothes occasionally appear by the roadside, helping the old and young. Occasionally, corpses are seen on the roadside, and wild dogs come in groups and take something away.
But it roared away again.
The dry trees on the roadside have long become bare poles, with no bark left.
Many men were naked and had no clothes to wear. Either they had pawned food in exchange for food, or they had nothing to wear. They were skinny and skinny, and their skin color was like old elm skin. They were clearly young men in their twenties and thirties.
strong, walking
They were staggering like an old man in their fifties or sixties. Most of their dark bellies were swollen, but their hands and feet were as dry as firewood. Because they were not wearing any clothes, the objects under their crotches were hanging like weights.
Once they saw an official sedan or someone on horseback coming, in the past, most people would avoid it.
But at this time, wherever there were people, Hu Guang saw many people swarming along the way. They moved slowly and staggered, but they got closer and stretched out their hands, trying to grab something in the void.
The words in his mouth were unclear, as if he was muttering some words of praise for eternal lordship or longevity.
As a result, the accompanying guards were afraid of being lost and had to do their best to disperse them.
Only then did Hu Guang realize that he was here to beg for food.
When people reach a certain level, they are fearless. If there is even the slightest opportunity to fill their stomachs, they will work hard for it, even if they are about to lose their heads.
Sitting in the sedan chair, Hu Guang fell silent.
Seeing the devastation on the ground, cracked earth everywhere, and the blazing sun in the sky, he felt hot, as if the weather was making him unable to breathe.
But thinking of such a tragic scene made him sleepless and uneasy.
When we arrived in Kaifeng, local officials and gentry who came from the countryside to take refuge in the city came to welcome him.
The gentry came to the capital or provincial capital to take refuge from disasters, not because there was no food to eat, but because once a disaster occurred, trouble would inevitably occur, so they often chose some loyal and reliable people to guard their granaries and mansions while they themselves
I took Nvjuan with me and came to live in the city for a few days.
Hu Guangnai is a well-known figure in the world and a bachelor. He is extraordinary, so his arrival seems to give people an opportunity.
The prefect of Kaifeng bowed and welcomed Hu Guang into the city.
After asking about the situation of the disaster, the prefect Liu Jin said: "This year's grain harvest has been exhausted. So far, there has been no rain. Now the grain in the treasury... has long been gone. Hu Gong... there are too many things to solve at the moment.
The first is food, the second is refugees, the third is banditry, in addition to... there are..."
"what else?"
Liu Jin said: "Just a few days ago, someone came to report that there was a meat market in many markets."
After hearing this, Hu Guang understood something in an instant. He felt his hair standing on end. He said angrily: "How could things be so bad? Didn't the government do anything?"
"Xiaguan...Xiaguan..."
"This is as big as Henan, Guanzhong, and Huguang... I don't believe it. I don't even have any emergency food."
Liu Jin listened and remained silent.
Hu Guang said solemnly: "What's going on with the banditry?"
"They...they are grabbing food!"
"The people I passed along the way were starving. Where did they grab food from?"
"This...this...maybe...these barns..."
Hu Guangdao: "There is food in the barn, do you have to let others rob it and eat it?"
"Hu Gong, please calm down. This barn is also for the people, and it is not the government that has the final say."
Hu Guang sneered: "Then if someone robs food, the government will have to look after their homes and homes?"
Liu Jin was speechless.
Hu Guang only felt angry and sad, but he also knew that the most important thing now was to solve the problem, so he said: "The food provided by the imperial court will be available soon. Let's find a way to borrow some food from people who have food. Everyone in the house can
, if you want to set up a porridge shed, you must teach people to survive, and when the relief food arrives, it will be returned naturally."
Liu Jindao: "Xiaoguan...has already gone to initiate the initiative."
"How?" Hu Guang said.
"The gentry and country sages are all eager to try it. They all say that this is good governance and that this is what should be done now..."
Hu Guang's face softened a little and he said: "At this moment, we need to work together to get through the difficulties first. What I have seen along the way is really miserable. If this continues, I don't know how many people will starve to death."
.You and I are officials in the same dynasty. There is no need to go into details about those who have established a destiny for the common people. I can only say that we will fulfill our duties faithfully. This must be done."
Liu Jin said: "Don't worry, Mr. Hu, as long as the disaster relief continues, the people's lives will be better."
"Are you feeling better?" Hu Guang said: "In my opinion, not necessarily. From what I can see, the people have almost no clothes. Is this also caused by the disaster? The huts they live in can't even provide shelter from the wind and rain.
Is this also caused by the disaster? This disaster has just happened, and before the end of the year, the food has been exhausted. If the family had a little surplus food, how could it be like this? Is this...could it also be caused by today's severe drought? "
With a hint of sarcasm on his face, he continued: "Don't say these words anymore. I just feel dirty after listening to them! Naturally, now is not the time to care about this. Right now...it is to survive.
If a person cannot survive, then everything is over and we will discuss other matters later!"
Liu Jin's face turned green and red, and he opened his mouth to speak.
Hu Guangdan said calmly: "What else do you have to say?"
Liu Jindao: "Xiaguan is not trying to defend himself, but... it's not as cold as three feet of ice. It has only been two years since Xiaguan came to Kaifeng, and it didn't happen overnight that Kaifeng was in such a withering state in the countryside."
, after the official took office, he also learned from the experience. According to many people's reports, this is ultimately because of the New Deal, which has caused many people's hearts to wander and have delusions. Many people are not willing to work in farming down-to-earth, and even more
There are unruly people..."
"Okay, okay." If he were in the court, Hu Guang would be willing to talk about these things, but now he just feels bored listening to these clichés.
What’s the point of saying this at this time?
"Is Zhili also in such a tragic situation? Instead of picking on these things, let's think about how to save the people from the fire and water."
Hu Guang did not stay in Kaifeng, but continued northward.
The scope of the disaster was really huge, and most of what we saw was shocking.
Droughts are often followed by locust plagues, and after these disasters, plagues may even breed.
It can be said... If this situation continues, I don't know how long it will last.
He wrote a memorial all night, requesting the imperial court to allocate more food, and wrote down what he saw and heard.
By the time these reports were delivered to the capital, it was already more than half a month later.
Before the memorial was opened, Yang Rong frowned.
Jin Youzi, who was sitting aside, said, "Mr. Yang, what's the matter?"
Yang Rong sighed and said: "The situation in Henan's Chief Envoy Department may be far more difficult than we imagined."
"I haven't read Hu Gong's report yet...this..."
Yang Rong pointed to the ink on the memorial and said: "The ink on this memorial was written on the seventeenth day of last month, but it was not delivered until the ninth day of this month. Such urgent memorials were delivered urgently in previous years, at most six or seven."
We worked hard day and night to deliver it within a few days, but it was delayed for more than twenty days."
"Jin Gong... this means... that something must have happened to the various express delivery shops and post stations under the Chief Envoy of Henan Province. Either some of the post guards escaped, or there must be a large number of thieves along the way.
, all in all, this shows that the situation has reached a critical moment."
After hearing this, Jin Youzi's expression became solemn, and he immediately looked at Huoqi. It was exactly what Yang Rong said.
Only in places like Yunnan and Guizhou can such a long delivery time be delayed.
Even many government facilities are no longer able to operate effectively, and the situation is indeed very bad.
Sure enough, when he opened the memorial, Yang Rong couldn't help but sigh.
Then, not daring to delay any longer, he hurriedly took the memorial and went to see Zhu Di.
The next day, another edict was issued in the palace to provide additional relief money and food.
North Korea and China have almost no objections to this.
Java.
Shi Jiejin, the chief minister of Prince Zhao, has always been most concerned about the reports sent by mail ships.
The situation in Java is worse than that in Annan and Luzon. On the one hand, there are not many Han Chinese living there, and on the other hand, the guards and households brought by King Zhao are also limited.
Although every possible means was tried to accommodate the Han people, it was still a drop in the bucket.
Therefore, in addition to encouraging births, they also need to keep an eye on the movements of the Ming Dynasty. For the Zhao State, they are more dependent on the Ming Dynasty. Any changes may have an impact on the Zhao State.
"Great disaster..." Xie Jin frowned deeply as he looked at the report.
Then, he took the report directly and hurried to see Zhu Gaosui.
"Your Highness."
"Jie Gong...what's the matter?" Zhu Gaosui looked at Xie Jin's solemn face in surprise.
"Your Highness, please take a look first."
After Zhu Gaosui read the report, he couldn't help sighing: "Why is there always a shortage of food every now and then? My father, Emperor Hutu, allowed more people from Henan, Zhili, and Guanzhong to migrate over, and there would be no food to eat! Oh... what a pity.
...Good people are starving to death like this."
Zhu Gaosui showed a look of regret.
In the past, King Zhao would not have cared about this, but after coming to Java, he cherished human resources very much.
For him, no matter how many battles he wins in Java, it is more economical to give him a little population. After all, there is plenty of land here, and the land is fertile, the rain is abundant, and there is no shortage of food.
What is missing is people.
Xie Jin said, "Your Highness... now is not the time to worry about this..."
Xie Jin looked a little anxious.
Zhu Gaosui said: "Then what should we care about?"
Xie Jin said: "Such a big famine, in my opinion... may lead to disputes in the temple."
"Dispute?" Zhu Gaosui looked at him puzzled.
Xie Jin said: "I can't explain too much, but based on my experience as an official in the court for many years... There may be some disputes over the separate disaster relief between Zhili and the eighteen provinces. And His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County has always been
Be prepared for a rainy day, if nothing unexpected happens, Taiping Mansion may have to stock up on food."
Hearing this, Zhu Gaosui smiled: "Okay, we have grain here, just in time... When the price of grain rises, we can sell some like this..."
Xie Jin shook his head and said: "You can't do this. Your Highness, how much money can you make from selling grain? Your Highness is the head of the country. You have to consider the long term and not care about immediate gains and losses. Now is the time to show your Highness's value."
The smile on Zhu Gaosui's face disappeared, and then he stared at Xie Jin: "What should we do now?"
Xie Jin paused and then said: "Prepare the grain immediately and pile it up at the port. If a grain ship comes from Taiping Mansion at this time, load it and board it immediately. Don't let the grain ship park for too long! As for the price, it will be as in previous years.
The price comes. Your Highness, selling food is not as good as selling human kindness. The price of food is limited, but human kindness is a priceless treasure."