Chapter 70: Liaodong

He Xi said: "Father, I don't want the imperial court to do it, there are several reasons, first, the purpose cannot be confused, we are to transport grain to Liaodong, not to make money." It is even possible that we can press on the price of the big wood a little more, or even sell it at a loss. But how to convert the money lost here into the cost of sea freight, we still have to earn. ”

"Second, even if it's to make money. This matter should not be run by the imperial court. If the imperial court operates, the first thing is to increase the number of ships. Increase staffing. Once something happens in the future. For example, there are not enough big trees on both sides of the Yalu River. This whole system loses money. Can the imperial court be abolished at will? But for businessmen. Don't worry at all. ”

"There are some things that the court must do, but there are some things that the court does not need to do in person. Like whatever? Even if the sea fleet loses money. The imperial court should also maintain a fleet of seaborne vessels. At all times, a certain share of grain transportation should be controlled. But you don't have to do it all yourself. It will only increase the cost indefinitely. ”

"Thirdly, it is also a way to develop maritime power."

In fact, He Xi still has a lot to say, such as all kinds of waste and amazing corruption in the management of the camp under the Ming system. These things are always hard to mention.

Zhu Yuanzhang said; "Actually, your plan is similar to the plan for overseas trade. Even the private fleet is available, you are not in Ningbo during this period of time, Ningbo has established more than 20 overseas firms, large and small, and the margin alone is 300,000 taels in Ningbo. In total, there were more than a hundred ships. The total tonnage is more than 30,000 stones. It's really rich, I don't know, where they got so many ships. Now Jinyi Wei secretly reported that almost all shipyards in the southeast have lists, and even Longjiang Shipyard has a few ships that are not registered. ”

In fact, this is another reason why Zhu Yuanzhang wants He Xi to come back.

Some people are crazy.

It can be seen that there are not a few people like Lu Zhongheng among the nobles. In other words, many people may not be as greedy for money as Lu Zhongheng. But some overreacted. What about overreacting?

Zhu Yuanzhang's personality is known to many people.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang used sea trade as an exchange for military power, or gave up the benefits of certain privileges. Many people think that the first thing that should be a toast should be a toast and not eat and drink. So, whether they want to or not, they have to face it positively. Cut yourself off from the old Ministry, or simply send your own hardcore to the ship. Wait a minute.

The addition of these two sides caused the appearance that Zhu Yuanzhang saw.

Part of it is really greedy for money, and it is not worth life if you want money. Part of it is pretending to be greedy for money, saying that he wants money and not power.

Zhu Yuanzhang's words changed and said: "It's just that if I'm not mistaken, merchant ships at sea can carry weapons, and even turn into warships." Even these big ships are bigger than the ships of the Great Ming Mariners. What if they have a different heart? Nanjing is on the edge of the Yangtze River, if I am not mistaken, in the last years of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Xiyi's warships could be parked outside Nanjing. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion was committed again.

In fact, merchant ships can also be used as armed forces. Moreover, merchant ships that can go to sea are better than sailor ships that are in the near sea. This is also normal.

If Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know the power of the sea, he wouldn't think like this. It is the reading of the Age of Discovery. Knowing a few ships can decide the fate of a dynasty. That's when I got the idea of running the sea. It is even more because of this that so much sea power is given to the so-called merchants. No, still armed merchants.

He muttered more and more in his heart.

In fact, it was also Zhu Yuanzhang who could not correctly estimate the sea power.

Although they are all boats, they are not the same as boats. In particular, the development of firearms has greatly improved the combat effectiveness of warships. Nowadays, most merchant ships do not have such power.

He Xi said: "Your Majesty, in fact, there are people here who have their backs. As long as the court adheres to orthodoxy, the hearts of the people will be attached. Ships in the sea zone are nothing. These are all the help of the imperial court. He Xi peeked at Zhu Yuanzhang's face and said, "If Your Majesty is not at ease, in fact, the imperial court can operate a water division." It is not the current sea water division, but the ocean sailor directly under the imperial court. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang's face didn't move, and said, "I have this intention." Who do you think is better for this sailor to send to build? ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment, and then he understood in his heart. Zhu Yuanzhang had already made up his mind. It's just waiting for He Xi to say it himself.

He Xi said: "This matter is very important. Non-ministers can speak. ”

This kind of thing of recommending candidates, one accidentally offends people. He Xi didn't want to get involved.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's okay, out of your mouth and into my ears, no one else will know." ”

He Xi muttered in his heart and said secretly: "I usually talk like this." None of them will be the only two people who know. But Zhu Yuanzhang has already said this, and He Xi is not easy to refuse. He Xi said: "The minister thinks that the prince of the country is good. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Tang and do things, I am relieved. But Tang He, one of the six founding princes, is in a high position. It was not appropriate for me to let him do this little thing. ”

Ocean-going sailors are naturally not a trivial matter. However, in terms of establishment, it should be on a par with the Yangtze River Naval Division. Even if he had the right to control the coastal sailors, it was not suitable for Tang He. Unless the Navy Governor's Mansion is directly established, or the Naval Governor's Mansion is in charge of the world's naval divisions, this is the position that Tang He should assume.

He Xi pondered for a moment and said; "That Navigator Zhang He?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Zhang He's old ideas are old, and it is impossible for him to bring the sailors to innovate their tactics. In fact, in my opinion, Zhang He doesn't really know much about naval warfare, he just knows how to lead troops. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang's evaluation of Zhang He, He Xi felt a little excessive at first, but when he thought about it carefully, it may not be unreasonable. In fact, war itself is a set of management science. Many generals are capable of land and water, and when they have time, they only know how to manage a large team, not all of them are proficient in all the details.

And some leaders don't need to know all the details.

However, speaking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang's meaning is also fully revealed.

He Xi said: "Your Majesty thinks that I will do this thing?" ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "If you have some combat exploits, I will naturally let you do this thing, but unfortunately it can't." You are now unconvinced. However, the matter of preparing for the navy is still up to you, and I am most at ease. Otherwise, others, what is a battleship and what is a merchant ship, it is estimated that they will not be able to figure it out. ”

In fact, in this era, the interval between warships and merchant ships was always very small. No special design is required. Battleships were very different from merchant ships, and that was later.

He Xi said: "Your Majesty, I am naturally willing to serve Your Majesty. It's just a mess of Liaodong. I couldn't rest assured. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Where do you think it is best to set up a shipyard?" ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment and said, "Liaodong? ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Not bad. Since there are so many large trees in Liaodong, it is the most suitable to use local materials. When the child is born next year, you will go to Liaodong to take up a post, and you can naturally do whatever you want. By the way, I can also ask your disciple to give you a front station. Originally, I was going to set up a county in Dongshengwei. Let him be the county commander, so let him be the director of the Liaodong Wood Factory of the Ministry of Industry. What do you think? ”

What can He Xi say?

Although they are all remote areas. But one is a magistrate, and the other is an expatriate official. Not to mention working under your own teacher. The future is naturally bright, and He Xi also uses some familiar hands.

If he goes out, He Xi himself wants to go to Liaodong to work. He has no objection to the appointment. It's just that there are some problems that need to be solved.

He Xi said: "Thank you, Your Majesty. It's just that the biggest problem in Liaodong is the shortage of population. What should I do? ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly: "Don't worry, I will call all parties to fill in Liaodong first." However, I think about it, there are only some wealthy people in the eastern part of Shandong. The number will not be too much. It's up to you to figure it out. ”

He Xi said: "The minister was also helpless, so he returned to Beijing." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "No, the population of Goryeo you said before is very good. ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment, and suddenly remembered what Cao Guogong had said before, and at this time, he suddenly realized where Cao Guogong said it to him. It was clearly through his mouth to advise the emperor.