There are dozens of generals in the Ming Dynasty, and there is no problem with the candidates, all of them are experienced generals in the naval fleet. At present, there is still a lack of a general who will lead the overall situation to assist Wang Jinghong and make tactical decisions, and this kind of person is even more needed during landing operations.

The ordinary appointment of generals is often recommended by highly respected ministers in the court, and then the emperor decides.

But Zhu Gaoxu sometimes does not let others recommend him, but directly chooses people himself, and this time it is the same.

At the end of the morning Yumen Listening to the government, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly called "Chen?" name. For a while, it seemed that most people immediately guessed what was going on. The most important recent event of the Gaine court was the deployment of the navy to the south; And Chen? He also has the experience of serving as a general of the Navy Division many times.

What about Chen? is also a veteran of the five dynasties, but he walked out of the back of the minister's queue.

There was an uproar in the imperial gate, and many old ministers were talking about it, and they threw themselves at Chen? The gaze is also very unfriendly.

Old? first served as the commander of the Chaohu Water Division in the Jianwen Dynasty, surrendered without a fight on the surface of the river, and surrendered to the Jingnan Army; Then he became the commander of the sailors of the Hong Xi Dynasty and surrendered the sin army again. The difference in this person's reputation can be imagined, and even Hu Guang in the civil service does not dare to compete with him.

Those officials who served under the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, no matter what side they used to be, are now courtiers of the Wude Dynasty. However, at some point, they were stirred up by the nerves, and they still couldn't forget the past.

Zhu Gaoxu sat on the throne and called Chen? After calming down, he asked in public: "General Chen has experienced many water battles, what do you think is the trick of water warfare?" ”

Old? Suddenly asked, it should be a little unprepared. He was stunned for a moment, then clenched his fists and said: "Returning to the saint to ask, the minister thought that he was attacking the weak with more and relying on the strong to bully the weak." Whether it is on the water or at sea, more ships are better than fewer ships, big ships bully small ships, and big guns fight small guns. ”

There was another uproar and chaos around, and everyone was disgusted with Chen? The remarks were very disappointing, and some people were even very angry.

The official Shangshu Jianyi couldn't take care of his status anymore, so he stood up and asked Chen in person? "If the enemy is strong, do you mean that you should surrender?" ”

Suddenly, the scene inside the imperial gate was a little out of control, and the noise was louder, and some people already showed sneering expressions on their faces.

Old? With an embarrassed face, he said: "Xia Guan is a Ming official, and it is impossible to surrender to the enemy country." ”

Jian Yi asked again: "What if the enemy is strong and I am weak?" ”

Old? frowned and looked at Jian Yi, and asked rhetorically: "I know that I will lose, why do I fight?" ”

Unexpectedly, Zhu Gaoxu, who was in the upper position, heard this, but looked at Chen? He gave him an encouraging look and nodded his head twice.

Jian Yi obviously guessed that Zhu Gaoxu wanted Chen? As the commander-in-chief of the navy, he hurriedly bowed to his superiors without waiting for Zhu Gaochu to make his decision.

The official secretary said: "The ministers ask the saint to think twice, General Chen may not have any amazing talent." This southern expedition was a great matter, although it could not be called a national battle; However, the navy went south, and in case of any mistakes, the imperial court had to spend a lot of money to build seagoing ships, which cost the experienced civil and military and the capable men who were proficient in navigation, and it was not a day's work to restore their vitality. Without a navy, Japan's silver mines would not be safe. ”

Zhu Gaoxu responded: "Those who are good at fighting have no great achievements. When I was in Guangxi, I ate Chen on the water? of losses. Old? There is still talent and experience. ”

"Holy ......" said righteously.

But Zhu Gaoxu directly interrupted him and asked Chen? He said, "If I let you be the chief admiral of the navy, would you be willing?" ”

Chen with his head buried? , seemed to be pondering just now, then he was stunned for a moment, hugged his fists and said: "I am willing to serve the work of dogs and horses." ”

"Very good." Zhu Gaoxu said two words, and his palm slapped lightly on the case, making a crisp sound of "pop". He himself sounded like a hammer at an auction, with a sense of rhythm.

The ministers were still a little confused, because Zhu Gaoxu decided things and did act too quickly, sometimes as if he didn't pay attention to it, as if it was child's play.

Old? Clasped his fists and bowed: "The Holy Lord has entrusted him with a heavy responsibility, and the ministers should do their best." The minister asked for an order to use Zhu Zhen as a deputy general. ”

This time it was Zhu Gaoxu's turn to be a little stunned, he was also the one who personally led the troops all the year round, but he didn't remember who Zhu Zhen was. He looked back left and right, and at this time the eunuch Wang Gui bowed his head and whispered in his ear: "Shandong people, who used to be in charge of Cao Yun, the slave maid has never heard of anything outstanding about this person. ”

"Oh!" Zhu Gaoxu suddenly realized, he immediately understood what was going on.

Fortunately, after Zhu Gaoxu ascended the throne, he did his homework very seriously, and looked through many old files since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the north-south transportation policy continued the national policy of the Yuan Dynasty, that is, shipping.

However, from the Jianwen, Hongxi to Yongle periods, the gradual rise of water transportation, shipping at the same time, the development of the Grand Canal and other river water transportation. As a result, a lot of personnel related to Cao Yun were expanded in a disorderly manner. During the Yongle period, in order to go to the Western Ocean, when selecting naval personnel, he directly transferred people from various Caoyun yamen; Perhaps the monarchs and ministers of the imperial court thought that the transportation and shipping were all related to water, and it was almost the same anyway.

Therefore, in the middle of the navy, judging from their origins, there is a large group of people who are old people from Caoyun's side. Old? The choice of Zhu Zhen as the deputy general is most likely to consider the issue of connections in the navy.

"General Chen is quite good at choosing people." Zhu Gaoxu said a word, and then "snapped" and nodded in agreement. He then stood up, and that was the end of the Imperial Gate's political affairs.

The officials had no choice but to bow and say in unison: "The saint has no borders, and the ministers send the saint to him." ”

After leaving Fengtianmen, Zhu Gaoxu went to the Rouyi Hall to work as usual. He soon summoned Wang Jinghong and Chen? , Liu Ming and other cadres waited for the audience.

After a group of civil and military eunuchs arrived, Zhu Gaoxu told them to calm down and take their seats around his large table.

A huge chart was spread out on the table.

When Zheng He, Wang Jinghong and others went to the West, they drew nautical charts with the military and civilian officials, leaving many written records; After that, Zhu Gaoxu personally made some revisions. His revisions were unreasonable, just trying to change the diagram to fit the general shape of his memory.

The summoned people arrived one after another, and Zhu Gaoxu began to speak: "Today's words are not very good, but they are not unreasonable. The stakes are high for the survival of the Navy, and it is very difficult to rebuild. Therefore, you must be cautious and not miss the slightest. ”

Everyone expressed their stance one after another, saying that they did not dare to live up to the heavy responsibility of the saint.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu said again: "But we can't be afraid of it, I hope that this all-out attack will make progress." The situation in the South China Sea is related to the success or failure of the New Deal; Sailing against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat.

The northern sea was already under the control of the imperial court, but the resources and markets of Korea and Japan were limited. Compared with the size of the Ming Dynasty, even if we rob the two countries, we can't support enough benefits.

Therefore, to expand the market, the sea trade must go south. As long as it occupies the southern strongholds, the south will not only have more states and regions, but also be able to trade far away from the West, and the prospects are limitless. ”

Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Liu Ming, a civil official of the New Party, several military generals and eunuchs generally did not care much about the political position of the court. Zhu Gaoxu attaches great importance to the new policy, and they feel that it is an important event, and that's it. Only Wenchen cares about national policy.

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "Zhenla killed my envoy, Siam ignored the appeal of the Ming Dynasty, and the Manchu Jia realized the conflict of interests and interests, and there were signs of alliance countries against the Ming Dynasty. At this time, if I don't set an example for the chickens and monkeys and establish my majesty over there, once I show weakness, the only remaining reverence of those countries for the Ming Dynasty will be gone! This battle had to be fought. ”

Liu Ming immediately arched his hand and said, "The saint is wise." The others followed.

Zhu Gaoxu looked back left and right, looked at the demeanor of everyone, and felt that they probably understood what they meant. These are all high-ranking personnel of the navy, and it is necessary for Zhu Gaoxu to expound his own ideas.

"I embarked on the road of leading soldiers, it is useless to say anything, the key is to rely on military merit." Zhu Gaoxu's gaze stayed on Chen? of the face.

Old? Clenched his fists and said, "The Holy Lord's lesson is yes." ”

Zhu Gaoxu said again: "Some martial artists have a very poor reputation, and the glory and wealth are not the same? General Chen doesn't care about the attitude of the ministers or what they say, if I don't make a decision, who can decide the future of the general? ”

Old? With a look of deep approval, he kept nodding his head.

Zhu Gaoxu said quietly: "I just look at the result this time, whether it is a marquis or a feudal uncle, it is all General Chen's own creation." ”

Old? 's expression was suddenly a little surprised, he probably didn't expect that he could be knighted and become a noble. Zhu Gaoxu's words greatly aroused his emotions, Chen? 's face flushed, and he seemed a little excited.

He even got up from the bench, knelt down on the ground and said: "The minister will do his best to complete the great affairs of the saint, even if he is full of liver and brain. If you are defeated, please come and see you! ”

Zhu Gaoxu got out of his chair and walked to Chen? He said: "General Chen has such ambition, I am relieved." But this opportunity may only be once, and you have to know it. ”

He said that he would take Chen with his own hands? He helped him up and said: "You have to discuss more with Wang Jinghong about major decisions in military affairs, and listen to Wang Jinghong in the general direction." Then he turned his head to look at Wang Jinghong and said, "Discuss everything with General Chen, after all, he also has a lot of experience." ”

The two of them bent down together and said, "The minister (slave and maid) receives the order." ”

This establishes the relationship between the top and bottom. Zhu Gaoxu knows very well that there can be no power disputes at certain times, and there must be someone who can make decisions on the spot. Far overseas, he still trusts the eunuch more.

Zhu Gaoxu sat back on the throne and discussed some specific matters with everyone with reference to the charts, and then disbanded.

The personnel of the navy were very complex, including eunuchs, eunuchs, soldiers, a large number of civil officials, sailors, medical officers, monks, craftsmen, etc. In addition, of course, there are also the people who guard the Imperial Division and the Jinyi Guard, among which there are also undercover agents of the Jinyi Guard who have not been identified.

Since the Song Dynasty, the organizational forms of the imperial court in all aspects have become more and more complex, and the Ming Dynasty has reached its peak. Even if the military is overseas, it is unlikely that a small number of people will want to defect or overstep their authority.