Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

There was suddenly a brief silence in Fengtian Hall.

Faced with this problem, many important ministers were stunned.

When it comes to the Four Books and Five Classics, they are eloquent and can talk about it for three days and three nights. Now we have to discuss geography with them, and we don’t even know where Siam is, let alone which country is next to Siam.

It's the Myanmar region! Wang Yue revealed the answer helplessly when he saw that so many ministers looked constipated.

In fact, it is not that he is very knowledgeable, but that when he led his troops to attack the Li Dynasty, he conducted research on the forces in the entire Indochina Peninsula.

The eastern front of Indochina is North Vietnam, Champa and South Vietnam, while the powerful powers on the western front are Siam and Laos, as well as the already divided Myanmar region.

This overseas Yi country seems very strange. It is true that they are far away, but after walking around, I found that many of them are actually familiar faces.

Liu Jin smiled slightly, first bowed to Wang Yue, and then pointed to the other side of the Western Ocean and introduced: If you go east along the coastline from Myanmar, you can reach Tianzhu soon!

ah? Actually arrived in Tianzhu?

Li Yu, the Minister of Personnel, and other important officials were shocked again and stared in disbelief.

Thanks to the story of Tang Sanzang’s Buddhist scriptures, everyone now knows about the mysterious ancient country on the Silk Road—Tianzhu, the place where Buddhism originated.

Now I suddenly heard that Tianzhu was so close, which made many officials look surprised. I originally thought that Tianzhu was thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty, but after this explanation, it turns out that the two places are not that far apart.

Compared with the various dangers on land, the difficulties on the ocean are undoubtedly much smaller. It is easier to reach Tianzhu from the ocean, which requires many difficulties and obstacles.

At this moment, many important ministers had to abandon their previous inherent concepts of land, and instead looked at this magical ocean with a new perspective.

Liu Jin drew a straight line on the map with a red pen and smiled mysteriously: If we build a road from Yunnan to the coastal cities of Myanmar, can you sir find something?

this……

Many important ministers could not keep up with the rhythm and looked at each other again.

It's just different from the confused Monk Zhang Er just now. After Liu Jin's explanation, he already has some clues in his mind.

Your Majesty does not mean every inch of Myanmar, but does he mean the Indian Ocean?

Liu Zhong, the Minister of Agriculture, stared at the line drawn with a vermilion pen carefully, and expressed his views with enlightenment.

Since there are no gold or silver mines in Myanmar, and now Liu Jin, under His Majesty's instruction, has pointed out that Myanmar is connected to the West, his intention could not be more obvious.

Although he felt in his heart that investing five million taels was too expensive, but thinking about the emperor's ambition in front of him, everything seemed to be explainable.

The East China Sea brought countless silver mines, and Nanyang also had gold mines in Luzon. More importantly, these countries became the objects of maritime trade in the Ming Dynasty.

Because of this, he had every reason to suspect that the wise and powerful emperor was not coveting the merits of conquering the land of Burma, but wanted to invade the Indian Ocean through Burma.

He Cong, the Minister of Household Affairs, and other officials heard Liu Zhong's point of view and nodded in agreement, but they did not dare to look at the talented and ambitious Emperor Hongzhi with certainty.

In fact, they also had lingering concerns in their hearts. The investment of five million taels was too much.

Although Emperor Hongzhi has made wise decisions in almost every decision since he came to the throne, things have proven that mistakes will occur. Hongzhi was not a perfect emperor after all.

At this moment, a eunuch hurriedly entered the hall.

ah?

When the ministers present saw the eunuch who suddenly broke in, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became tense.

It's not that this eunuch is terrible, but that his appearance contains another meaning. Whenever a supreme meeting is held, unless it is a very urgent matter, you must not enter here.

Now that this eunuch dares to break into this place, it undoubtedly indicates that a major event has occurred in the empire.

Just like this, all the important ministers in the palace became nervous instantly, staring closely at the urgent document submitted to the emperor, wanting to know the contents.

Zhu Youtang naturally knew the meaning of the eunuch's intrusion, but there was no too much emotion on his face.

Although he has slowed down the pace of eastward expansion, it is not sure whether Japan will counterattack Kyushu Island, or whether the savage Jurchens will take the initiative to invade the Northeast granary, or whether Mongolia will suddenly move south.

When Zhu Youtang saw Guo Yong forwarding the urgent message, he took it calmly.

At this moment, the entire Fengtian Hall was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Not all important ministers are afraid of war. Li Chengqing, Duke of Jingguo, was promoted for his military merits, and now he is not afraid of the counterattack of these forces at all.

In fact, if he, the Duke, wants to be hereditary, he needs greater military achievements to prove himself and prove that Duke Jing can open up territories for the Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Youtang opened the urgent message, there was a dazed look on his face.

this……

He Cong, the Minister of Household Affairs, and other important ministers who were good at observing words and emotions suddenly became even more nervous when they saw Zhu Youtang reacting like this.

Zhu Youtang slowly put down the urgent message in his hand, his eyes turned from blurry to firm and said: God bless the Ming Dynasty! According to the urgent message just returned from Luzon Governor Zhang Sui, the American Governor Liu Zhang has returned to Daming City with Baozhong, and it is expected to be in mid-February. You can reach Tianjin!”

After two full years of waiting, the treasure-hunting fleet that he had high hopes for finally returned home smoothly.

Treasure Seed? Is there really a treasure seed beyond the East China Sea?

Haha...it turns out that Taizu's dreams are all true!

It's been two years. God has blessed me with the Ming Dynasty. His Majesty is the emperor of the ages!

…

Faced with this treasure species that has gradually been forgotten and has even become a taboo topic, it is now not only confirmed that it really exists, but also Liu Zhang has successfully brought the treasure species back.

If there were still doubts about the emperor's decision-making earlier, now Liu Zhang crossed the East China Sea and brought back the treasure seeds, which seemed to have strengthened the emperor's last shortcoming.

Living in this era, how could they not know the value of precious seeds?

Once the grain production increases, China's land will no longer only be able to support 80 million people, but will be able to increase several times, thereby ushering in a big explosion in the country's population, and allowing more people to grow from the land. Liberated.

Millions of silver dollars were invested back then, but there was no news for two whole years. This made everyone reluctant to wonder whether there was a continent beyond the East China Sea, and whether the treasure species really existed?

But now things have had a great harvest, Liu Zhang has brought back treasure seeds from the other side of the East China Sea, and Emperor Hongye who directed all this is simply glowing with holy light.

One emperor through the ages may be more than just a slogan now.

Zhu Youtang has long known about the existence of potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes, but there are undoubtedly many variables in bringing this cash crop back from the American continent.

Since Liu Zhang's fleet had been missing for two full years, he had to suspect that they would never come back.

Zhu Youtang's heart was instantly filled with excitement, and he looked ecstatic and ordered: Ministry of Etiquette, prepare arrangements for the reception at Tianjin Port immediately!

I obey the decree! Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, felt Zhu Youtang's ecstasy and immediately expressed his stance seriously.

Zhu Youtang put down the urgent matter in his hand and looked at Zhao Chengqing: Duke Jingguo, the treasure seed is related to the rise and fall of China. If you can, please go to Tianjin Port to welcome me on my behalf!

As soon as these words came out, the important ministers present looked at each other.

After all, Liu Zhang was only a governor-general, but now he had to appoint a dignified prince to welcome the emperor on his behalf. This treatment was unprecedented.

You know, when Liu Zhong spent several years measuring every inch of land in Huguang, the emperor just greeted him at Zhengyang Gate.

I accept the decree! Zhao Chengqing, Duke of Jingguo, believed that Liu Zhang was indeed worthy of this treatment, and immediately said solemnly.

Zhu Youtang met the eyes of the important ministers present and said half-jokingly: When I came back from the south of the Yangtze River, the Eastern masters made a divination for me, predicting how angry I would be this year. Haha... I heard it not long after the beginning of the new year. With such good news and the world's affairs, why should we be angry?

God bless the Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty is wise! Wang Yue and others smiled knowingly, and naturally did not take Dongfang Dao's prophecy seriously.

Zhu Youtang was in a very good mood, so he changed his words and said: The reason why I want to open up the Ming-Myanmar Highway is exactly as Liu Aiqing said! The Ming-Burma Highway is not in Myanmar, but to open up the southwest of Ming Dynasty and connect it to the Indian Ocean! I want to follow you in my lifetime and make the Ming Dynasty a well-deserved ocean overlord with the East China Sea to the east, the Nanyang to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the west. Will you, dear friends, be willing to help me?

Next, the new world will definitely be an era of ocean.

Compared with traditional modes of transportation, sailing on the sea is technology, and technology represents advanced productivity.

Although the Ming Dynasty borders the East China Sea to the east and Nanyang to the south, if it wants to become a true maritime hegemon, it is not enough to just limit itself to Asia.

The reason why he is obsessed with southwestern expansion and extending Ming Dynasty's tentacles to the Myanmar region that is in a state of chaos is that his real goal is actually the Indian Ocean.

Although it followed the traditional maritime silk route, the Ming Dynasty's fleet set sail from the southern end of the Ming Dynasty. After bypassing the Indochina Peninsula, it could enter the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca.

It's just that current navigation technology involves considerable risks, and it takes several months. Such a long time span can easily lead to loss of control.

Taking the hegemons of later generations as an example, why did Britain lose the United States?

Although the reason is diversity, it has a lot to do with the distance between the two places. The United States has already achieved independence, but the British base camp still doesn't know about it, let alone send troops.

The shorter the time for a government order to be delivered, the easier it is to grasp it, otherwise it will be easy for the mountain to be high and the emperor to be far away.

If the Ming Dynasty had to bypass Malacca and go to the Indian Ocean to deliver government orders, and it would take more than half a year to go back and forth, then the day lilies would have already gone cold.

On the other hand, by opening up Myanmar from Yunnan, the Ming Dynasty could directly enter the Indian Ocean.

Whether you want to bathe in the Nile River, grow vegetables in Africa, or spread Chinese Legalist civilization in Europe, Myanmar will be a good springboard.

Done!

Five million taels to open up an Indian Ocean is worth it!

If those small Burmese countries don't cooperate, my father-in-law will lead his troops and destroy them himself!

…

Baozhong's successful return from the New World once again proved Emperor Hongzhi's correctness, which ignited everyone's fighting spirit and made them make new choices in their hearts.

Although the investment of five million taels is too large, thinking about the emperor's various actions over the years, one can't help but look forward to this investment.

I am willing to die for Your Majesty! Zhao Chengqing, Duke of Jing, and others no longer questioned Zhu Youtang's decision, and expressed their position with sincerity.

Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with the statements of the important ministers present. If the Ming Dynasty's plan to enter the Indian Ocean through Burma is executed smoothly, then the Ming Dynasty can continue to extend its tentacles westward through the Indian Ocean.

The time has come to noon, and a ray of sunlight falls from the top of the building like a ghost, and is shining on the splendid palace, forming mottled light and shadow, adding a bit of sacred atmosphere to this solemn occasion.

Wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and sitting on the dragon chair, Zhu Youtang's eyes were deep and firm, looking more and more like an emperor strategizing: The construction of the Ming-Burma Highway is another major event of our dynasty after the search for treasure seeds, and it is related to the Ming Dynasty. Prosperity is related to the well-being of hundreds of millions of people. I hope that all the ministers and families can work together to overcome the difficulties and create a new situation for the Ming Dynasty!

Now that the plan has been finalized, the next step is to make plans for the construction of the Ming-Myanmar Highway, and to prepare for the potential resistance to the construction of the Ming-Myanmar Highway.

The biggest resistance undoubtedly comes from the many small kingdoms in Myanmar. These small kingdoms may not cooperate and may even stand up to stop it.

Facing such a possible war, Ming Dynasty would not hesitate.

Today's Ming Dynasty has long abandoned the concept of sharing the blessings of peace, but is bent on creating a new prosperous age, and those who dare to prevent the revitalization of the Ming Dynasty will die.

Awa and other small Burmese countries can cooperate obediently. If they dare to stand up and challenge the Ming Dynasty, then the millions of lions in the Ming Dynasty will not be vegetarians.

Jia Jun, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, held a detailed map. After asking Emperor Hongzhi for instructions, he also explained the highway route and construction plan in detail to the important ministers present.

His fingers kept crossing over the map, and every time he reached a key place, he would stop and explain it carefully, for fear of missing any details.

With the current infrastructure capabilities of the Ming Dynasty, especially the most advanced bridge-building technology in the world, there is not much technical difficulty in building this Ming-Myanmar Highway.

Other ministers listened attentively, nodding their heads from time to time to express their agreement or put forward their own opinions, striving to achieve an optimal construction plan.

At this moment, every important minister was seriously involved.

They clearly felt that they were no longer mere scholars, but officials who truly worked for the country and the people, public servants who were willing to sacrifice everything for the new Ming Dynasty.

As for the personal glory and wealth that I considered before, although it is impossible not to have a little bit of utilitarianism, it has obviously weakened a lot now.

They have all fallen into the blueprint drawn by Emperor Hongzhi, and their hearts are full of longing and expectations for the future. They hope that the Ming Dynasty will become the maritime hegemon facing the three oceans.

This supreme meeting lasted for a long time, and some people even started to hold back their urine.

Unexpectedly, when Jia Jun, the Minister of Industry and Industry, talked about his professional knowledge, he seemed to want to cheer up the people, but he kept showing off his professional knowledge.

In the end, after the joint efforts and repeated discussions among the monarchs and ministers, the plan to build the Ming-Myanmar Highway was finalized.

Zhu Youtang did not have a background in architecture and preferred to leave these matters to professionals, but he believed that the Ministry of Industry would not disappoint him. The Ming Dynasty would surely control the entire Indian Ocean through the Ming-Burma Highway.

It was in this February, when the birds were singing and the flowers were fragrant, that the Ming Dynasty finalized a brand new grand blueprint. (End of chapter)