In February, the canal became navigable.

The minister of the Qin Mission, Dongchang Hou Zhou Huchen appeared in Tianjin. Tianjin, the former Daming firearms center, declined due to the war, and because the main source of weapons for the Ming army was Zhenjiang, Tianjin's firearms workshop was actually abandoned.

The topography of Tianjin is very good, there are seaports all over here, coupled with the convenience of the canal, there is a foundation for the manufacture of firearms in the past, and Zhou Huchen can see this firearms workshop built without too much effort. When Zhou Huchen left Tianjin, the whole of Tianjin immediately fell into a rolling wave of construction, the harbor began to be repaired, countless workshops began to be rebuilt, and a new city ship division yamen was also in preparation.

Power is deterrence, Zhou Huchen is not worried about the perfunctory local officials, not to mention that he left people in Tianjin, if Tianjin is not built, there will be an earthquake in the entire Tianjin officialdom.

In the warm spring breeze and the chirping of seabirds, Zhou Huchen came to Zhoushan.

Accompanied by the Hangzhou Political Envoy and the high-ranking officials of the Hangzhou Metropolitan Government, Zhou Huchen, the minister of the Imperial Mission, first inspected Zhoushan. Weng Zhiqi greeted him, Yu Dahu greeted him, and more than 100,000 land and water soldiers were reviewed by Zhou Huchen.

Ningbo will reopen, and the once most famous maritime trade center on the eastern coast will once again usher in its spring. The officials were reappointed and dismissed, Zhou Huchen was not polite, and some old officials were decisively dismissed by him. In fact, there are not many remaining officials in Ningbo City, and if a limited amount of pension money is paid, the entire Ningbo City Department will be active again.

In addition to the large number of goods that can be supplied by the city, Zhoushan in Ningbo is the best stop for the sea to the north and south, as long as the city is strictly managed, the era of prosperous maritime trade is not far off.

Zhou Huchen pays attention to high efficiency, and after staying in Ningbo and Zhoushan for half a month, he set off again.

The coast of Zhoushan was covered with blue sea and sky, and the huge fleet began to move south along the coastline.

The long ship broke through the waves, surrounded by countless small ships lined up to escort it. Zhou Huchen and Yu Dahu stood at the bow of the boat against the fishy sea breeze.

"General Yu, what is the effective range of the large artillery on our warship?"

Yu Dahu hurriedly replied: "Dashuai, this effective range is actually difficult to say, if the wind and waves are calm, the accuracy of about two miles is okay, if the wind and waves are large, you must enter one mile to achieve effective killing." ”

"It doesn't seem like much!" Zhou Huchen was a little dissatisfied, and he shook his head lightly.

Yu Dahu was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Dashuai, you know that this is now on the sea." How far did the other most powerful large gunboats fire in battle? ”

Zhou Huchen really doesn't know this problem, Zhou Huchen is good at land warfare, it can be said that he is invincible in the world, he has never experienced this naval battle, and the first time he went to sea, in fact, it was to get used to it.

There's nothing to be embarrassed about, knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, Zhou Huchen replied truthfully: "I don't know." General Yu, tell me more about it! ”

"Marshal, this sea battle is completely different from the concept on land. The sea is vast and boundless, even if the wind and waves are calm, the ships will also be bumpy. The accuracy of the artillery was greatly affected.

Once the ships enter the battle, in addition to entering the effective firing distance, the most important thing is to jump the gang. The artillery attack also depends on luck, and often dozens of warships shell each other. None of the ships were sunk for several hours, and the victorious side actually ended up solving the problem by jumping gang battles and outnumbering people. ”

The explanation was almost the same, and Yu Dahu showed a proud expression on his face: "The standard firing distance between gunboats fighting at sea is about one hundred paces. This is still when the wind and waves are relatively calm, and once there are strong storms, the accuracy of the artillery is not to be said. The artillery of our army is actually the strongest, not only the shooting distance, but also the projectile is not something that ordinary gunboats can withstand, those useless gunboats who are the opponents of our army! ”

Still ahead, Zhou Huchen prefers more crowds, and he finally showed a satisfied smile.

"Everyone else uses solid bullets, right?" Zhou Huchen was cheerful in his heart, he was thinking too much, the large gunboats of this era had just started, and it was not the era of ironclad ships. Its own gunboats, equipped with steel guns and using flowering shells, have been ahead for an unknown number of years.

Yu Dahu continued to explain: "Solid bullets are generally used, and it is said that chain bullets are also used, but just like that, whoever runs into us is considered unlucky, and he will not use large gunboats at all, even small attack ships will easily sink their giant ships!" According to the speed of our warships, they can't escape if they want to! ”

Yu Dahu's explanation is correct, the real damage of naval artillery in this era is basically at a distance of 30 to 60 zhang, that is, about 100 to 200 meters. Zhou Huchen's gunboats were not comparable to the gunboats of the same era in terms of accuracy, range and projectile. What's more, the speed of such a warship is also ahead of the times, although only a little ahead. But this little bit will be magnified at sea

A typical example of a battle in which the Zheng Sen family fought against the Dutch, who in the 17th century were known as the coachmen of the sea, which shows their strength. The Dutch were rarely defeated, but there were two defeats in the East, the first by Zheng Zhilong and the second by Zheng Zhilong's son Zheng Chenggong. The Dutch had the best cannons in the world and many large gunboats, but the mighty Dutch were still defeated by the Zheng family, the most important of which was that the Zheng family had more people and more ships.

In this period of the XVII and VIII centuries (not to mention before. In naval battles, historical records often find that the losses of ships running aground in escape are much greater than in naval battles. In the naval battle between Britain and France, only one or two ships were sunk, but in the process of escaping, they often ran aground because they did not know their location, but they often reached 14 or 5 ships, which shows what the strength of the gunboats' attack was like.

Think about it, the enemy will use big iron bumps to fight with his own flowering shells in the future, as for the number of people, Zhou Huchen - there is never a shortage of people.

Guangzhou is still far away, but Fujian is very close, and Zhou Huchen's goal of going south this time is not only Guangzhou, but also this Fujian, because Fujian has Zheng Sen and Zheng Zhilong.

Fujian's navy has returned, and when Zhou Huchen's fleet appeared in Fujian waters, Fujian's local navy came up. The first one to appear was an old acquaintance Zheng Hongkui, the chief soldier in the prime of life and Zhou Huchen once fought side by side, coupled with the relationship between Zhou Huchen and the Zheng family, Zheng Hongkui can be described as extremely enthusiastic.

Zheng Sen father and son in Quanzhou. After a short stay in Funing and a fierce fight with Zheng Hongkui, Zhou Huchen continued to go south.

When there were still nearly 100 miles away from Quanzhou, Zheng Sen and his son, who got the news in advance, decisively greeted the sea. Zhou Huchen's identity is special, the identity of the Ming concubine and the Qincha, and this level of kinship, how dare Zheng Zhilong slack.

The soldiers were all acquaintances, leaving the fleet on the seashore, and Zhou Huchen entered the capital of Quanzhou accompanied by Zheng Zhilong and his son.

This is really the territory of the Zheng family, and Zheng Zhilong doesn't look at the magistrates of Fujian at all. In the Quanzhou prefect, he led a group of officials to visit Zhou Huchen, the minister, and threw these officials away, Zheng Zhilong directly invited Zhou Hu to his private residence.

A rich man is a rich man, Zheng Zhilong's house is not only large, but also far more decorated than the carved beams and paintings, which is completely a super-rich man's style.

"Little nephew, see uncle!"

Zheng Zhilong's age is a few years younger than Zhou Yuji, and Zheng Sen and Zhou Huchen are sons and daughters.

Of course, Zhou Huchen can't be allowed to kneel. After all, the identity was there, Zheng Zhilong hurriedly stopped: "Don't be polite, nephew, family, how can there be so much etiquette." Sit. I introduce you to my sons. ”

Zheng Zhilong's appearance is not amazing, but the number of sons is amazing, and with Zheng Zhilong's order, a large group of young people ran in.

"This is the second son, Zheng Du. This is the third son Zheng En, this is the fourth son Zheng Yin, and this is the fifth son Zheng Xi. This is the sixth son Semo, and there is also Tagawa Shichizaemon, who has lived in Fuso since he was a child, but stayed there. ”

Zhou Huchen had heard of Zheng Zhilong's side room a lot, but he didn't expect to have so many sons, and his ability to give birth to sons seems to be extraordinary, cattle!

The times are limited, the most important thing is the eldest son, who met Zhou Huchen, Zheng Zhilong waved his hand, except for Zheng Sen, this group of Zheng brothers of all sizes came out one after another.

The guest and host sat down again, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but compliment, and Zhou Huchen smiled.

"This time the virtuous nephew went south, it is said that it is for the matter of opening the sea, and I would like to hear about it." Zheng Zhilong finally couldn't hold his breath anymore.

"Uncle Zheng, the little nephew went to the sea this time to open the sea, the court has made up its mind this time, and it is inevitable to open the sea! However, Uncle Zheng doesn't need to worry, there are local commercial goods channels in various places, and with your own financial resources with your sea power, your little nephew in the business field will also try to maintain it. But there are some things that the little nephew can't call the shots, such as the red haired fan and those Francos, the territory they occupy in our dynasty must be returned, and in addition, without permission, none of their ships can enter my Ming territorial waters, otherwise, the little nephew will not be polite"

Zheng Zhilong is actually most worried about his own financial resources, his main trading object is Japan, and the biggest economic source is not good, that is, the nature of the underworld, collecting protection money. No matter who goes to sea, or passes through the waters of Fujian, you must pay a protection fee to the Zheng family, and after paying the protection fee, the Zheng family will issue you a flag as a fee. As long as this flying dragon flag is planted in the bow of the ship, even the strong Fran and Hongmao Fan rarely dare to touch it, because Zheng Zhilong almost subdued these Xiyi people in the Fujian sea.

The sea is fully opened, the imperial court wants to collect taxes, what does Zheng Zhilong eat?

Of course, Zheng Zhilong will not fall out with Zhou Huchen like a fool, otherwise the consequences will be too serious, so he must continue to fight for his own interests.

"Do you know that Fuso's sea route?"

Zhou Huchen smiled slightly: "Japan's affairs have nothing to do with the little nephew, the little nephew is only responsible for the coastal trade and opening the port, where can the outside affairs be managed?" ”

Zheng Zhilong was a little relieved, but the biggest economic source was more important, and he continued to ask: "What do you say about the opening of the coastal port?" ”

"All along the coast, as far north as Liaodong and Dongzhou (North Korea), Tianjin, Shandong, Songjiang, Zhoushan, as well as our Fujian and Guangzhou, will open ports, and the cities and shipping divisions in various places will be gradually established, and then, according to a certain proportion of taxes, this matter is the sole responsibility of the little nephew."

"But how do I raise my army? You don't know this sea."

Zhou Huchen understood what Zheng Zhilong meant, and he said with a smile: "Uncle Zheng don't worry, the little nephew is ready, and he wants to set up a special bureau for trading with the Xiyi people along the coast of Guangzhou and the west of Guangzhou, and a large number of overseas transactions will be carried out in that area, Brother Zheng just acts as the little nephew's help, we are our own people, and you have many merchant ships." Just participate in the sea trade. You're an old-timer, don't you know how much opportunity and income you have? ”

Zheng Zhilong certainly understood that Zhou Huchen did not allow him to collect protection money, but it also gave him a chance to make a fortune and conduct a large amount of maritime trade with the Taixi people. This is a method of changing the direction of financial resources, which is equivalent to giving Zheng Zhilong the opportunity to continue to raise troops. Zheng Zhilong understands the profits of maritime trade, although it is easy to collect protection fees, but after all, it is not a long-term solution, and the profits of large-scale maritime trade will be much greater than collecting protection fees. And with the strength of the Ming Dynasty. Sooner or later, the state will have to take back this right, and now, the opportunity for change is at hand.

"What about soldiers?" This is a good opportunity, Zheng Zhilong pondered for a moment and continued to ask.

"The state gives the number of soldiers and pays the silver, but these soldiers are responsible for protecting the sea routes, and at the same time, the little nephew comes to serve as the maritime governor of the area. In this way, we can maintain the long-term accessibility of government decrees, what does Uncle Zheng think? ”

Zheng Zhilong raised more than 100,000 people, needless to say how much the cost of these more than 100,000 people is, now. It's not bad to have a way out, but Zheng Zhilong doesn't want to give up his power so easily.

"Virtuous nephew, you also know that Uncle Wei is an idle person. This knighthood pension is really a bit boring, you see"

"Uncle Zheng is old and strong, and the little nephew admires it! Otherwise. Another day, the little nephew and Brother Zheng will take Taiwan down for you to play, how about it? ”

Take Taiwan down and play it for yourself!

Zheng Zhilong's eyes were confused for a while, which one is this?

Not satisfied! Zhou Huchen continued to give conditions: "You always think Taiwan is not fun, do you?" Then Luzon is good! If you are still not satisfied, then change to a bigger one, just Bo mud! Although it's hotter there, it's more beautiful than the scenery, how fun are you always bringing a large group of children? In summer, you can go back to Fujian, you can also go to Japan, and go to Boni in winter, this is a fairy-like day! ”

"Bo mud is no longer called Bo mud, and it is the same as Taiwan, it is the territory of the red-haired people, the red hair fan is very strong, the sea power is extremely strong, and there are small islands everywhere, and it is necessary to carry out a land battle, where is it so easy to take it down?" Zheng Zhilong shook his head slightly.

The Zheng family is very powerful, this power is enough to dominate the sea, but unfortunately Zheng Zhilong does not have such ambitions, he just wants to keep his wealth, which is also the most important reason why he later surrendered to the Manchus. Now, Zhou Huchen has given him a chance to enjoy wealth and prosperity, and Zheng Zhilong is actually tempted.

The Zheng family is indeed not good at fighting on land, but Zhou Huchen is good at it, and he is extremely good at it: "As long as Brother Ming Yan helps, the little nephew on land will solve it!" ”

Zheng Sen, who had never spoken, interjected decisively at this time: "Father, you have not been to Liaodi, as well as Mongolia and Siberia, where the land stretches for tens of thousands of miles. The battle of tens of thousands of miles was two years, during which the Rakshasa people were beaten severely, and then, the child and Xiaohu went to the Western Regions, and then conquered Tubo and the surrounding countries. These battle children are all following Xiaohu's side, and they have also been in charge of commanding, the little Bo mud is a blink of an eye in our eyes, as long as you like it, we will immediately go to bring you the Bo Ni! ”

This is a filial son, Zheng Zhilong was very moved: "Then Bo Ni!" However, Taiwan's Hongmao Fan is now paying us tribute, and it will be done for me later. Forget about the place in Little Luzon, it's too poor, and besides, you have to deal with the Francos, it's not worth it, it's too troublesome! ”

Zhou Huchen laughed for a while, this Zheng Zhilong seems to want Taiwan as a resting place, and add a Bo mud.

However, Zheng Zhilong's words reminded Zhou Huchen of something, and he immediately asked: "Uncle Zheng, I heard that there are many people of my Ming Dynasty in Luzon, and they have been slaughtered by the Xiyi people twice?" ”

"I've heard about it, but the people who go to sea don't have time to pay attention to it." Zheng Zhilong understated it and didn't take it seriously at all.

Overseas people? If you don't pay taxes to the court, who cares?

You can't blame Zheng Zhilong for being cold-blooded, this is a characteristic of the times, the thinking of the Ming people is like this, Confucianism invades into the bones, the people outside the country do not belong to their own people, what does it matter to them who live overseas and are slaughtered?

All right! It's a matter of every second, no one cares, I care.

Anyway, what should be done must be done, now is not the time, Zhou Huchen has decided, he will come back soon after returning to Beijing from this trip to Fujian and Guangzhou, and he will formulate a new maritime rule.

After a few days in Quanzhou Mansion, he reached an agreement with the Zheng family to explain the affairs of the city to Zheng Sen, and Zhou Huchen set off for Guangzhou.

The ocean of hope is in Zhou Huchen's heart, the boundless, and the sea destined to become the pulse of the times is in Zhou Huchen's heart. Zhou Huchen is dreaming a great sea dream in his mind, and his dream is to dominate the sea. Of course, Zhou Huchen is not Zheng Zhilong's kind of imaginary domination of the sea, the sea dream in his mind is to truly dominate the sea, he wants to make the rising Western powers tremble under his own strong ships and cannons, he wants the entire world's oceans to abide by his rules, and he wants the entire South China Sea to belong to himself. To put it more thoroughly, Zhou Huchen wants to let himself, his subordinates, and his descendants become the masters of Nanyang and become staunch Chinese watchdogs. By the way, there is also Japan, you must go to Japan to play after you get Nanyang (to be continued......)

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