Inside the Fengtian Temple, there was a brief silence.

Faced with this problem, many important ministers were stunned.

If the Four Books and Five Classics are mentioned, they can be said to be like a river, and they can say that they have three days and three nights. Now we have to discuss the geography with them, even if it is not clear where Siam is, let alone which country is next to Siam.

"It's the Burma region!" Wang Yue saw that so many important ministers looked constipated, and he looked helpless to reveal the answer.

In fact, it is not that he is very knowledgeable, but that when he led his troops to attack the Li Dynasty, he studied the forces of the entire Indochina Peninsula.

The eastern front of Indochina is North Vietnam, Champa and South Vietnam, while the western front is dominated by Siam and Laos, as well as the already divided region of Burma.

This overseas country is very strange, and it is true that they are far away, but many of them are actually familiar faces.

Liu Jin smiled slightly, first said a word of respect to Wang Yue, and then pointed to the other side of the West Ocean and introduced: "If you go east along the coastline from Myanmar, you can reach Tianzhu soon!" ”

Yes? It's actually to Tianzhu?

Li Yu and other important ministers were shocked again, and their eyes narrowed in disbelief.

Thanks to the story of Tang Sanzang's scriptures, everyone now knows the mysterious ancient country on the Silk Road - Tianzhu, the origin of Buddhism.

Now that he suddenly heard that Tianzhu could be so close, many officials showed surprised expressions. I thought that Tianzhu was 108,000 miles away from the Ming Dynasty, but after such an explanation, the two places were not far away.

Compared with all kinds of dangers on land, the difficulties of the sea are undoubtedly much smaller, and it is easier to reach Tianzhu from the sea to the Tianzhu that has to go through hardships and dangers.

At this moment, many important ministers had to abandon their previously inherent notions of land and instead look at this magical ocean with a new kind of eyes.

Liu Jin drew a straight line on the map with a red pen and smiled mysteriously: "If we build a road from Yunnan to the coastal city of Myanmar, can you find something?" ”

This......

Many important ministers couldn't keep up with the rhythm at all, and looked at each other again.

It's just that it's different from the second monk of Gangfang who is confused, and after Liu Jin's explanation, he already has a faint eyebrow in his heart.

"Your Majesty does not mean an inch of Burma, but the Indian Ocean?"

Liu Zhong, the secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, stared earnestly at the line drawn with a red pen, and said his opinion as if he had realized something.

Since there are no gold and silver mines in Burma, and now that Liu Jin, under the instruction of His Majesty, has pointed out that Myanmar is connected with the West, the intention could not be more obvious.

Although he felt in his heart that the investment of five million taels was too expensive, when he thought of the ambition of the emperor in front of him, it seemed that everything could be explained.

The East China Sea brought countless silver mines, and the South Seas also had Luzon gold mines, and more importantly, these countries became the objects of maritime trade with the Ming Dynasty.

It was precisely for this reason that he had every reason to suspect that the wise and powerful emperor did not seek to conquer the land of Burma, but wanted to conquer the Indian Ocean through Burma.

When He Cong, the head of the household department, heard Liu Zhong's point of view, they also nodded in agreement, but they did not dare to look at the eloquent Hongzhi Emperor with great certainty.

In fact, they also have residual worries in their hearts, and the investment of five million taels is too great.

Although almost every decision made by Emperor Hongji since he ascended the throne appeared to be wise, it turned out that there would be mistakes, and Hongji was not a perfect emperor after all.

It was at this moment that a eunuch hurried into the main hall.

Yes?

When the important ministers present saw this eunuch who suddenly broke in, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became tense.

It's not that this eunuch is terrible, but that his appearance contains a different meaning. Whoever convenes a supreme council must not enter this place unless it is a matter of great importance.

Now that this eunuch dares to break into here, it undoubtedly indicates that a major event has taken place in the empire.

It was precisely because of this that all the important ministers in the palace instantly became nervous, and their eyes were firmly fixed on the urgent letter submitted to the emperor, wanting to know the contents of it.

Zhu Youzhi naturally knew the meaning of the eunuch's intrusion, but there was not too much emotion on his face.

Although he slowed his eastward expansion, it was uncertain whether Japan would attack Kyushu, or whether Allah the Savage would invade the granaries of Tohoku, or whether the Mongols would suddenly move south.

Zhu Youzhu saw Guo Yong handing over the urgent mail, and took the urgent mail quietly.

At this moment, a tense atmosphere filled the entire Fengtian Temple.

It's not that all important ministers are afraid of war, Yasukuni Gong Li Chengqing was promoted because of his military merits, and now he is not at all afraid of the counterattack of these forces.

In fact, if he wants to be hereditary, he needs greater military exploits to prove himself and prove that he can open up territory for the Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Youzhu opened the urgent mail, a trance look appeared on his face.

This......

He Cong, who was good at observing words and feelings, and other important ministers saw that Zhu Youzhu was actually this kind of reaction, and they immediately became more nervous.

Zhu Youzhu slowly put down the urgent item in his hand, and his eyes turned from confusion to firmness: "God bless Daming!" According to the urgent message just sent back by Zhang Sui, the governor of Luzon, Liu Zhang, the governor of the Americas, has returned to Daming City with Bao Chong, and it is expected to arrive in Tianjin in mid-February! ”

After two years of waiting, the treasure hunting fleet that had high hopes for him finally returned smoothly.

"Treasure Seed? Is there really a treasure beyond the East China Sea? ”

"Haha...... It turns out that Taizu's dreams are all true! ”

"It's been two years, God bless me Daming, Your Majesty is the first emperor of the ages!"

……

In the face of this treasure seed that has gradually been forgotten and has even become a taboo topic, not only has it been confirmed that it really exists, but Liu Zhang has successfully brought the treasure seed back.

If there were doubts about the emperor's decision-making earlier, now Liu Zhang crossed the East China Sea to bring back the treasure seed, as if he had added the last shortcoming of the emperor.

Living in this day and age, how they do not know the value of the Seed of Treasure.

Once the grain production increases, then the land in China can no longer only support 80 million people, but can be multiplied several times, so that the country's population will usher in a big explosion, and more people can be liberated from the land.

Millions of silver taels were invested that year, but there was no news for two whole years, which made everyone unwilling to doubt whether there was a continent beyond the East China Sea, and whether the treasure species really existed?

It's just that now things have ushered in a bumper harvest, Liu Zhang has brought back the treasure seed from the other side of the East China Sea, and Emperor Hongye, who directed all this, is simply scattered with holy light.

An emperor through the ages, and now I'm afraid it's not just a slogan.

Zhu Youzhu had known about the existence of potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes for a long time, but there were undoubtedly various variables in bringing this cash crop back from the American continent.

Since Liu Zhang's fleet had been missing for two years, he had to suspect that he could not return.

Zhu Youji's heart was instantly filled with excitement, and he seemed ecstatic and ordered: "Ministry of Rites, immediately greet Zhang Luo at Tianjin Port!" ”

"Obey the order!" Zhang Sheng, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, felt Zhu Youji's ecstasy, and immediately said seriously.

Zhu Youzhu put down the urgent item in his hand, and his eyes fell on Zhao Chengqing: "Yasukuni Gong, the matter of the treasure seed is related to the rise and fall of China, and you will go to Tianjin Port to meet you on behalf of me!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the important ministers present looked at each other.

In the end, Liu Zhang is only at the level of a governor, and now he has to appoint a dignified prince to greet the emperor on behalf of the emperor, which is simply unprecedented.

You must know that Liu Zhong spent several years measuring every inch of Huguang's fields, and the emperor just greeted Zhengyangmen.

"Command!" Zhao Chengqing, the Duke of Yasukuni, thought that Liu Zhang was indeed worthy of this treatment, and immediately solemnly bowed his hand.

Zhu Youzhu met the eyes of the important ministers present, and said half-jokingly: "When I returned from Jiangnan, the Eastern Masters got a hexagram for me, predicting how angry I would be this year. Hehe...... Soon after the beginning of the year, I heard such good news, what is the anger of the world? ”

"God bless Daming, Your Majesty Shengming!" Wang Yue and the others smiled heartily, and naturally didn't take Dongfang Dao's prophecy seriously.

Zhu Youzhu was in a very good mood, so he turned to the right and said: "The reason why I want to open up the Ming-Burma Highway is indeed as Liu Aiqing said!" The Ming-Burma Highway is not in the Myanmar region, but to open up the southwest of the Ming Dynasty and connect the Indian Ocean! I want to follow you in my lifetime, so that the Ming Dynasty will be connected to the East China Sea in the east, the South China Sea in the south, and the Indian Ocean in the west, and become a well-deserved overlord of the sea. ”

Next, the new world will be the age of the ocean.

Compared with the traditional mode of transportation, sailing on the sea is technology, and technology represents advanced productivity.

Although the Ming Dynasty is bordered by the East China Sea in the east and the South China Sea in the south, it is not enough to become a real maritime hegemon and be limited to Asia.

The reason why he is obsessed with southwest expansion and extends the tentacles of the Ming Dynasty to the chaotic Burmese region is that the real target is actually the Indian Ocean.

Although following the traditional maritime silk route, the Ming fleet set sail from the southern tip of the Ming Dynasty, bypassing the Indochina Peninsula and accessing the Indian Ocean from the Strait of Malacca.

It's just that there is a lot of risk in the current navigation technology, and it takes several months, and such a long time span can easily cause loss of control.

For example, the overlord of the future generation, why would Britain lose the United States?

Although the reason is diverse, it has a lot to do with the distance between the two places. The United States has already become independent, but the British base camp still does not know, let alone send troops.

The shorter the time for a decree to be transmitted, the easier it is to grasp, otherwise it is easy to be far away from the emperor.

If the Ming Dynasty needs to bypass Malacca to the Indian Ocean to deliver the decree, it takes more than half a year to go back and forth, then the daylily has already cooled.

On the other hand, the Ming Dynasty opened up the Burmese region from Yunnan in this way, and it could directly enter the Indian Ocean.

Whether it is to bathe in the Nile River in the future, to grow African cuisine, or to spread the Chinese Legalist civilization in Europe, Myanmar will be a good springboard.

"It's done!"

"Five million taels to open up an Indian Ocean, it's worth it!"

"If those small Burmese countries don't cooperate, their own government will personally destroy them with their troops!"

……

The successful return of the treasure seed from the New World once again proved the correctness of Emperor Hongji, which led to everyone's fighting spirit being ignited, so they had a new choice in their hearts.

Although the investment of five million taels is too large, thinking of the emperor's various actions over the years, he can't help but be full of expectations for this investment.

"The ministers are willing to die for Your Majesty!" Yasukuni Gong Zhao Chengqing and others no longer questioned Zhu Youji's decision, and appeared to be happy and convincing to make their stand clear.

Zhu Youzhu was very satisfied with the statements of the important ministers present, and if the Ming Dynasty's plan to enter the Indian Ocean through Burma was successfully implemented, then the Ming Dynasty could continue to extend its tentacles westward through the Indian Ocean.

The time has come to noon, and a ray of sunshine has fallen from the top of the sky, and is sprinkling on the golden and brilliant palace, forming a dappled light and shadow, adding a bit of divine atmosphere to this solemn occasion.

Zhu Youji, who was sitting on the dragon chair in a bright yellow dragon robe, had deep and firm eyes, more and more like an emperor who was strategizing: "The construction of the Ming-Burma Highway is another major event after my dynasty is looking for treasure seeds, which is related to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty and the well-being of hundreds of millions of people. I hope that all the Qing families can work together to overcome the difficulties and create a new situation for Daming! ”

Now that the plan has been finalized, the next step is to make suggestions for the construction of the Ming-Burma Highway, and also prepare for the potential resistance to the construction of the Ming-Burma Highway.

The biggest obstacle undoubtedly comes from the many small kingdoms in Myanmar, which may not cooperate, and will even stand up to stop it.

In the face of this possible war, Da Ming will not look forward and backward because of this.

Today's Daming has already abandoned the concept of "sharing the blessings of peace", but is bent on creating a new prosperous world and daring to prevent the death of the Ming Dynasty.

Ava and other small Burmese countries obediently cooperated, if they dare to stand up and argue with the Ming Dynasty, then the millions of lions of the Ming Dynasty are not vegetarians.

Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, held a detailed map, and after asking Emperor Hongzhi for instructions, he also explained in detail the route and construction plan of the highway to the important ministers present.

His fingers kept slicing across the map, pausing at every key point for fear of missing any detail.

With the current infrastructure capacity of the Ming Dynasty, especially the world's most advanced bridge-building technology, there is no big technical problem in building this Ming-Burma highway.

The other ministers listened attentively, nodding their heads in agreement or offering their own opinions in an effort to arrive at an optimal construction plan.

At this moment, every important minister is seriously involved.

They clearly feel that they are no longer readers who chew on words, but officials who really do things for the country and the people, and a public servant who is willing to give everything for the new Daming.

As for the personal glory and wealth that was considered before, although it is impossible not to have the slightest utilitarian heart, it has obviously weakened a lot now.

They have all fallen into the blueprint drawn up by Emperor Hongzhi, and their hearts are full of longing and expectation for the future, hoping that the Ming Dynasty will become the overlord of the sea facing the three oceans.

This supreme meeting lasted not for a short time, and some people have even begun to hold their pee.

However, when Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, talked about his professional knowledge, he seemed to want to fight for the people, but he kept selling his professional knowledge.

In the end, through the joint efforts and repeated discussions of the monarchs and ministers, the plan for the construction of the Ming-Burma Highway was finalized.

Zhu Youzhi did not come from a construction background, and preferred to leave these matters to professionals, but he believed that the Ministry of Industry would not disappoint him, and the Ming Dynasty would definitely control the entire Indian Ocean through the Ming-Burma Highway.

It was in this bird-singing February that the Ming Dynasty finalized a new grand blueprint. (End of chapter)