After watching the firearms bureau's shotgun test firing, Zhu Gaoxu took a few people to the Ministry of Industry to see the latest Wuhan Iron and Steel vehicle.

Zhu Gaoxu turned the Wuhan Iron and Steel car into a four-wheeled carriage, each with two horses and mules to pull it, and the carriage was loaded with supplies and could be dragged with artillery in the back.

In wartime, each vehicle was equipped with eight horses and seven men.

There are two horses pulled first, one person is driven, and the other six people are divided into six horses, and two of them are used to replace the horse pulling the cart in front of each section of the road, so as to maintain the physical strength of the horse, and when the road is inconvenient, the person on the horse can also get down to push the cart and push the cannon.

Among the seven people, four were artillerymen and three were auxiliaries.

At that time, the whole team was configured as a cannon that could be used for field battles, a four-wheeled Wuhan Iron and Steel car, which was equipped with a stone of grain and rice, which could be eaten by seven people for about half a month, some gunpowder, and ten shells.

The total weight of the car is about 300 catties, and depending on the needs of the battle, you can also add a stone of grain, or ten shells and gunpowder.

At this time, the smallest artillery in the Ming army had been reduced to three hundred pounds, but the firing range was short, the power was not great, and it was obviously not enough for field battles.

Zhu Gaoxu needed lighter and larger artillery, and the best way at the moment was to build a bronze cannon, and the goal in the future was to build a steel cannon.

But copper cannons are more expensive, and the Ming Dynasty is now relatively short of copper.

Zhu Gaoxu went to several places that day, and on the way back, he felt that the development of the Ming military industry was too slow in his hands.

The main reason is that he has just been on the throne for two years, and his energy is focused on making money and restructuring, plus his technology is limited now, and he is not an expert, so the progress is slow.

Next year's goal is to build small copper and steel cannons, reduce the weight of field guns, and increase the firing range.

In terms of density, copper clearly surpasses iron, and steel and iron are similar.

But the reason why copper and steel can reduce the weight of the cannon is because it can reduce the thickness of the cannon wall.

Iron cannons are of the worst quality, and the walls need to be the thickest.

If it is replaced with steel, the cannon wall can be weakened a lot under the same firing range, and the weight will naturally be lighter.

On the way back, Zhu Gaoxu thought that the cost of making a cannon from steel and copper was extremely high, so he could only choose one of the two.

Either use copper or steel, concentrate on one thing and reduce costs.

In the end, Zhu Gaoxu called Lu Zhen, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, to his side and chatted with him about steel training.

Now the Ming Dynasty still uses steel filling technology, which is also the most advanced in the world at present, and it was not until more than 300 years later that it was surpassed by the European crucible steel method.

Of course, Zhu Gaoxu didn't know the crucible steel-making method, but he just asked Lu Zhen to get a few more big iron furnaces in the Ministry of Industry next year and prepare more steel.

Lu Zhen agreed.

As soon as the court meeting ended the next day, Song Li, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, hurriedly chased into the Huagai Palace.

He didn't dare to say something at the court meeting just now, and he didn't go to the script, so he chased directly to the Huagai Hall and told the emperor in person.

"East China has decided that from next year, trade with our Ming Dynasty will be cut off, and the two countries will not be allowed to trade, and our DPRK will no longer be able to go to East China." Song Li lowered his head, not daring to look at the emperor, trembling.

Because he felt that the emperor might want to fight again.

"Bang" Zhu Gaoxu slapped the table heavily and was furious.

Last time, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu died of illness, and the envoy of Higashimoto came to worship and sent a large number of tributes, and the emperor returned very few gifts, which was considered to be a slam by Song Li.

Therefore, the interruption of trade between the eastern country and the country, in the eyes of many ministers, felt that it was caused by the emperor's slamming of the door.

In fact, since the death of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and his son Ashikaga Yoshinori became the fourth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, the eastern country has changed the previous Ashikaga Yoshimitsu policy of openness, restored the political characteristics of the "samurai regime", and became very conservative.

During the original history of the Ming Dynasty, Ashikaga Yoshinori directly interrupted the trade with the Ming Dynasty, but the time was delayed by a few years compared to now.

And this time the Ming Emperor's reward was far from reaching the goal of Ashikaga Yoshitochi's heart, he felt that the Ming people were humiliating him, so he interrupted the trade with the Ming two years in advance, and demanded that the Ming people and Ming ships should not go to Tomoto.

Zhu Gaoxu sat on the throne with a pale face, and after only a few breaths, he immediately said: "Call Tobe Xia Yuanji." ”

This will just disperse, Xia Yuanji did not go far, and immediately a eunuch trotted out.

In less than half an hour, Xia Yuanji was called back.

Xia Yuanji's face was cloudy, he didn't know what was going on, and he looked at the emperor when he came in.

The emperor was expressionless and thinking about something, there was silence in the canopy hall, and the cabinet secretaries who approved the book did not dare to breathe, and everyone felt that the emperor was very angry.

Everyone is a little confused.

Last time Beiyuan killed the Ming envoy, the emperor was not so angry, this time the Eastern Kingdom only interrupted trade, why be so angry?

The transaction between Dongben and Daming was interrupted, and the biggest loss was Dongben, and Daming is now opening up Nanyang, and the impact is small.

After being silent for about half a minute, Zhu Gaoxu said in a deep voice: "Where is Zheng He and Yang Lishan's fleet now?" ”

There was silence all around.

After a few breaths, Yang Bo slowly got up: "Back to Your Majesty, I received the transcript in June, and they were on the Siam coast at that time. ”

It was still in Siam about half a year ago, and now it should be on the way back.

Xia Yuanji still looked uncertain.

At this time, the emperor spoke: "The household department prepares grain and grass for half a year for 150,000 people, requisition and transfer ships of the sailors, and prepares to attack Dongben next spring." ”

Xia Yuanji's face immediately changed greatly: "Your Majesty, rest and recuperate." "I almost jumped.

The emperor didn't say anything, got up and left, and said as he walked: "Summoning Sheng Yong, Sheng Jian, and Tao Degui into the palace." ”

Xia Yuanji stood in place, looking at the emperor in the distance, knowing in his heart that the matter had been decided, and there was no room for negotiation.

He sighed helplessly, and when he looked up and saw Song Li, Song Li was also smiling bitterly at him.

"Song Butang, what happened?"

"East China has canceled trade with our DPRK--" Song Li said briefly.

Xia Yuanji was dumbfounded: "It's just such a trivial matter? ”

The Northern Yuan killed the Ming envoy, and the emperor did not move his troops.

"Hey." Song Li nodded.

As for it? Xia Yuanji said speechlessly.

But the emperor seems to have the iron heart to do so.

Sheng Yong is the chief military officer of the Yellow Sea and has been training troops in Huai'an, Sheng Jian is the commander of the Jiangnan capital, Tao Degui is the commander of the Songjiang Naval Division, and Jin Shanwei is the commander of the army.

The three of them were quite close to Jingshi, less than five days, and Tao Degui, who was farthest away, also came to Jingshi.

The Emperor summoned them at the Wuying Palace.

At this time, the news that the emperor was going to send 150,000 troops to the east had spread throughout the country, and the household department was also stepping up the deployment of grain, grass and fleets.

Sheng Yong was overjoyed to see the emperor, because he could finally fight again.

After the end of the rebellion, he has not fought for more than two years now, and has been training troops in Huai'an.

In the early years, the emperor said that he wanted to occupy Jeju Island, but there has been no movement until now.

Sheng Yong is still relatively anxious.

When the three of them arrived at the Wuying Palace, the emperor had already arranged two sand tables on the ground, and after a little look at the terrain, they knew that one of them was the East Country, but the other did not know.

"Come, come here." Before the three of them could come and knock on the emperor, they were called in front of the emperor.

"This is called Jeju Island, and Goryeo has set up a Jeju pastor on it."

"Jeju Mu was established during the Yuan Dynasty, and later belonged to my Ming Dynasty, but Taizu didn't want it, so he gave it to Goryeo for nothing."

"The climate above is very good, there is a lot of pasture, and tens of thousands of war horses can be raised.

The three of them listened attentively, their expressions different.

"I call it an army of 150,000 to the outside world, but in fact, I only want to use 15,000 soldiers and horses, plus some other personnel."

"Tao Deguishui Division and some of the Jingshi ships are responsible for transporting, and after arriving in the East Country, Sheng Yong commands."

"Sheng Jian transferred Jiangnan Sanwei and handed it over to Sheng Yong." Sheng Yong, who is the chief military officer here, does not have subordinates and direct soldiers, which is completely different from Yongle.

"Obey."

Sheng Jian and Tao Degui nodded one after another.

The emperor was simple and clear, and when he came up, he made the division of labor between the three clear.

In this battle, only three guards and more than 15,000 people were mobilized.

Among them, Sheng Jian Jiangnan was responsible for three guards, and Tao De Guishui was responsible for transportation.

It was first transported to Jeju Island and borrowed land from Goryeo.

Jeju Island was very close to Dongben, and the Ming army could be supplied and recuperated.

This method is the same as that of the Yuan Dynasty.

The Yuan Dynasty set up a naval division station on Jeju Island to train sailors, and then conquered Dongben, but encountered two kamikazes, and the man-made ships of Goryeo were not good, so they were defeated.

Zhu Gaoxu followed the strategy of the Yuan Dynasty, and the strategy of the Yuan Dynasty was not bad, but it was unlucky, and there was no way to command the army.

"Come over here." Zhu Gaoxu said briefly and changed the map.

"This is Shimane Prefecture in the eastern country, and there is an Iwami Silver Mountain not far from the shore, and your fleet will go ashore directly in Shimane Prefecture to seize the Iwami Silver Mountain, which is rich in copper ore and silver."

"After the occupation, control and plunder the local people and workers, and continue to mine for us."

"At the same time, in the vicinity of Iwami Ginzan, drive the local people to build fortifications and defend Ginzan."

"Focus on defense, no matter what, you can't attack outside, as long as you occupy the silver mountain and keep us from silver and copper ore."

"The imperial court will give you support from the sea with troops and food and grass."

Zhu Gaoxu does not plan to invade the East on a large scale now, because it may become a huge battle between countries.

Now he still wants to recuperate, so he won't invest too many troops.

More than 15,000 troops were raised in this battle, and three guards were raised.

Mainly to occupy and hold Iwami Silver Mountain, and then plunder the wealth of Dongben for the Ming Dynasty.

With the weaponry and strength of the Ming army at this time, as long as they want to hold it, the eastern country will be attacked by the whole country, and they will only be defeated and returned.

And Ashikaga Yoshinori will pay a terrible price for his arrogance.

The big ships and artillery of the Ming army will teach him the truth of being a man.

After Sheng Yong and the three of them went back, the machines of the entire Ming Empire were running.

Jiangnan dispatched the three guards of Dahewei, Yizhenwei, and Zhenhaiwei to Songjiang County to assemble, and the ships of the Sailors of Jinshanwei plus the ships recruited by the Hubu near the Beijing Division, a total of more than 500 ships were transported.

From the end of November, large quantities of artillery, gunpowder, food and personnel were shipped to Jeju Island by ship.

When the king of Goryeo, Li Fangyuan, heard that the Ming Dynasty was going to expedition to Dongben, he simply raised his hands and feet to support it.

Because after Ashikaga Yoshinori came to power, his relationship with Goryeo was also extremely bad, and he also canceled trade with Goryeo.

Jeju Island directly built a rest and supply place for the Ming army, and fully supported grain and grass, and the Ming army did not ask for it in vain, and bought it for the materials needed by Goryeo.

After that, in the Songjiang area, from the second year of Hongxi to March of the third year of Hongxi, the ships of the Ming army came and went without stopping.

Truckloads of supplies were delivered to Jeju Island.

Zhu Gaoxu now uses practical operations to tell others why he said that he had to fight logistics.

His 15,000 soldiers and horses were still being assembled, and in the first three or four months, the Ming court had traveled to and from Jeju five times, transporting more than 1,000 ships of supplies and personnel to Jeju.

At this time, there was a round trip from Songjiang to Jeju for about ten days, and the supplies transported by the Ming people were piled up, and it is said that the Goryeo people almost fainted after seeing it.

It was reported that the Myeongs had moved the entire country to Jeju.

At the beginning of March of the third year of Hongxi, Sheng Yong came to Jeju Island with the first batch of soldiers and horses, and when he saw the mountains of materials piled up by the Ming army, Sheng Yong was also dumbfounded.

This doesn't look like fighting a small battle of 15,000 people, it's simply preparing for a war to destroy the country.

Even though Zhu Gaoxu, who was still the king of Han at the beginning, was preparing to concentrate his men and materials to fight the king of Ming in Huguang, Sheng Yong had never seen so many materials.

I'm afraid this battle will cost a lot? Sheng Yong secretly pondered.