Northeast China is rich in forest resources and fertile land, so as long as there is enough manpower, it is not difficult to develop.

However, the shortcomings restricting the economic development of Northeast China are also obvious, such as the high cost of inland transportation and the lack of access to the sea.

In particular, after advancing to Jilin and Heilongjiang, it is the closest to transport to Lushun to the sea, but the difficulties of land transportation are difficult to solve.

But that was in the later generations, and now there are not only Lushun in the Northeast, but also two passages to the sea in the Tumen River and Heilongjiang.

The Tumen River estuary is near Hunchun, Jilin, and the Heilongjiang estuary is in Miaojie, which is still basically in a state of wilderness.

But in the long run, whether it is inside the customs to supplement the customs, or outside the customs to feed the customs, shipping with access to the sea will be many times cheaper than the cost of land routes.

In particular, Heilongjiang is densely populated with tributaries, and almost all major cities have navigable conditions. Moreover, the Heilongjiang channel is wide, and thousand-ton ships can easily sail.

On land, the Ming army had already advanced north to what would become Jilin Province, and this year it would enter Heilongjiang.

Opening up the Tumen River to the sea will effectively support the supply of materials to the Ming army, and transport the production of Jilin Province out to boost economic development.

Well, the emperor's vision was always so far ahead. If it is still a traditional farming economy, whether the Northeast has an outlet to the sea or not does not have much impact.

This is an obsession, just like the old concern about the Wa Kingdom, for the large area of land lost by the unequal treaty, the emperor will occupy it all this time, and occupy it steadily.

"Your Excellency." An officer boarded the ship's tower and reported to Zhang Kedayu: "The flag sent by the ship in front of us is approaching the mouth of the Tumen River. ”

Zhang Keda nodded and said, "Order, pay attention to navigation safety, and prepare to dock." ”

The first step is to find out the water situation at the mouth of the sea and build a fortified lighthouse on the shore as appropriate. Advances on land have also received orders, and changing the barbaric conditions at the mouth of the Tumen River will not be a one-year or two-year job.

In fact, for the estuary of Heilongjiang, Zhang Keda is more eager. The reason is simple, you can go up the river to find the remnants of Jianyu and destroy them.

Although the theme of the past few years has been the development and construction of the Northeast, everyone knows that the emperor will not give up until the remnants of the Jianyu are completely eliminated.

Of course, the emperor did not advance northward to expand his territory in order to eliminate the remnants of Jianyu. This has been relegated to a secondary purpose, but it can go straight to Huanglong, which is still a major event of historical significance.

Three thousand marines, still a little less!

Through the information shared, Zhang Keda also knew that the remnants of Jianyu were having a hard time now.

The grain that had been brought with them had long since been eaten, and the unusually cold weather meant that the harvest was either a failure or a complete harvest. Cloth, silk and other materials were also exhausted, and they were about to enter the primitive era of animal fur and grass skirts.

Even so, Zhang Keda was not arrogant enough to use three thousand marines to eliminate Jianyu. Deep in the mountains and old forests, wastelands and wilderness, only the steady advance of the elephant army can force the Jianyu into a desperate situation.

Although the area is wide, with the advancement and operation of the Ming army, the living space of the remnants of Jianyu is getting smaller and smaller. To the north, the environment is even more bitterly cold.

Although the hardships of the environment will not lead to its destruction, there is no basis and conditions for development and growth, and degradation is inevitable.

Degradation means weakness, when the iron armor is rusted, and the arrows are not sharp, they are vulnerable in front of the Ming army armed to the teeth.

"Kuye Island-" Zhang Keda nodded on the chart, the exploration and expansion of the East China Sea Fleet has many tasks!

On Kuye Island, the Ming Dynasty set up Nangharwei in the northern part of the island, set up the Balo River Wei in the middle of the island, and set up the Wulie River Wei in the eastern part of the island.

In the forty-fourth year of Wanli, the Ming State also sent 400 troops to patrol the island, but later withdrew because there was no external threat.

The indigenous people of Kuba Island are the Hezhe, Nivkh (Fiyaka) and Ainu peoples, who live on the island for fishing and hunting. He was very deferential to the Central Plains government, and although there was no garrison, he still paid tribute to the central government.

On this voyage, Zhang Keda also had to carry the new officials to Kuye Island to preach consolation, and stationed 500 troops on the island. Next, the imperial court will send officials to govern.

Zhang Keda can foresee that the immigration management and development of Kuye Island has been included in the emperor's plan. It's just that, in terms of time, it may be delayed by a few years.

The emperor's enthusiasm and dedication to expanding the territory are astonishing. Such a remote and bitter cold place, I have not forgotten.

But for the emperor, Kuye Island was originally the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but it was just a resumption of rule, not to mention the expansion of territory.

The hatch door was knocked gently, and after getting Zhang Keda's permission, the new consolation envoy Du Ming walked in and bowed his hand.

Zhang Ke laughed and returned the salute, and said: "Lord Du is still used to being on the boat, and it will take two or three days to get to Kuye Island!" ”

Du Ming smiled and said, "This official is also used to sitting on sea boats, so how can he not be used to it. ”

As he spoke, he walked to the table, looked at the sea chart, and also nodded to Kuye Island, and said: "Long live the words, Jianyu is at the end of the road, and you have to beware of them running to Kuye Island." ”

In the middle of Kuji Island is the Tatar Sea, which can be crossed by boat at the narrowest point. However, the remnants of Jianyu want to escape to Kuji Island, although there is such a possibility, it is very small.

Now, the remnants of Jianyu are still in Heilongjiang Province in later generations, and they have to travel a long distance north and through the barren area eastward to reach the seashore and flee to Kuye Island.

Although the possibility is very small, Zhang Keda does not dare to take it lightly. There are 500 elite soldiers stationed on Kuye Island, and then contact the local ethnic groups, and leave more than 10 warships to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

"Lord Du rest assured." Zhang Keda pointed to the sea chart and said, "The estuary of the Tumen River and the estuary of the Heilongjiang River will be controlled by our East China Sea Fleet. The remnants of the Jianyu could not go to sea and fled to Kuye Island, and our elite fleet was also exterminated. ”

Du Ming nodded and said, "When Jilin Province sends someone to open up the sea mouth, the distance to Kuye Island will be very close, and there is no need to make a detour to Busan, North Korea." ”

"Exactly." Zhang Keda said: "The Liaodong Military Region has received the order of long live, and it will enter the sea along the river in the summer at the latest. Our East China Sea Fleet is also ready to respond, and it will be much more convenient for Lord Du to operate and manage on Kuye Island. ”

Du Ming smiled and nodded, and his heart was a lot more settled.

Although it is said that he took the initiative to ask for help when the ministry was elected, he wanted to work hard for a few years and achieve undesirable political achievements, which was conducive to career promotion. But in the end, I was still apprehensive, and my confidence in the wild land of Kuye Island was a little insufficient.

Before leaving, Banzai specially summoned him. For a consolation envoy of his level, it can be regarded as a very special courtesy.

During the summons, the emperor gave him guidance on the operation of Kuji Island after he arrived.

Kuji Island is rich in minerals, including coal, oil, and natural gas, and the natural resources are mainly wood, and the specialty is mink, which is also the main tribute of Kuji Island.

At the same time, the emperor also promised him to pay supplies to Kuye Island every year, as well as 2,000 immigrants, from Jilin Prefecture to the sea along the Tumen River, through Vladivostok to Kuye Island.

These conditions gave Du Ming a lot of confidence. He had the idea of seeking wealth and danger, but he didn't expect the emperor to attach so much importance to Kuye Island.

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