Just as Jiajing was looking through the memorial in his hand with great interest, Yan Song on the side saw this situation and immediately added.
"Your Majesty, these thirteen treasure ships have all been equipped with new cannons developed by the Ordnance Department. Each treasure ship is equipped with twenty-five cannons. Their power and range are far greater than those of the previous ones. , have been greatly improved!”
"In addition, the structure of the hull has also been optimized. While the overall weight remains unchanged, the sailing speed has also been greatly improved. Not only that, Weichen also checked some navigation-related classics and accidentally discovered a kind of disease."
When Jiajing heard this, although he already had a rough guess in his mind, he still looked interested and asked immediately.
"Oh, what disease?"
Seeing that the emperor was interested in this matter, Yan Song responded immediately without thinking.
"Your Majesty, I accidentally discovered in a classic book in my study at home that people who sail on the sea for a long time will suffer from a disease that causes bleeding gums, general weakness, and eventually death from torture. There is no cure for this disease!”
"But the strange thing is that as long as you live ashore for a period of time, the disease will heal automatically."
When Jiajing heard this, he immediately understood that the disease described by Yan Song was scurvy.
Immediately, Yan Song turned his attention to Jiajing and raised his doubts.
"Although Weichen has consulted the imperial doctor of the Imperial Hospital before this, and has read through various medical classics, he still has not found a cure for this disease. Weichen is afraid that when the time comes..."
When Jiajing heard this, he saw the expression on Yan Song's face, and then answered Yan Song's doubts.
"Let me tell you, the reason why people who have been sailing at sea for a long time will suffer from this disease is because of the lack of fresh vegetables and fruits, and fresh vegetables and fruits happen to contain a substance that can prevent people from suffering from this disease. material!"
"As for what you said before, the disease will automatically heal if you only need to live ashore for a period of time. This is because the sick person ate fruits and vegetables during the process. I am saying this, do you understand?"
After listening to Jiajing's explanation, Yan Song suddenly realized and said excitedly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for clarifying Wei Chen's doubts. Wei Chen understands that we can avoid this disease to the greatest extent by ensuring the supply of fresh vegetables and fruits!"
But soon, Yan Song seemed to have thought of something, and soon got into trouble again.
"But Your Majesty, fresh vegetables and fruits are extremely difficult to preserve at sea, and they will all rot quickly. If all the vegetables and fruits on the ship rot, and cannot be replenished for a while, wouldn't it happen again?"
Jiajing couldn't help but feel a little funny when he saw Yan Song's sad face, and then explained.
"Ruyi Cai contains a substance that can prevent people from suffering from this disease. Although the amount is small, it is better than nothing."
"What's more, before this, I have asked Gu Yan, who is in charge of the fleet, to prepare Ruyi dishes in advance. After such a long time, he must have been fully prepared."
After Yan Song listened to Jiajing's explanation, the big stone in his heart instantly fell to the ground, and he breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately complimented.
"It turns out that His Majesty has been prepared for this for a long time. It seems that the humble minister was abrupt!"
Jiajing did not comment on Yan Song's words and continued.
"By the way, now that the treasure ship has been renovated, let's find a suitable time and officially set off!"
"I want to go to the dock in person to see them off!"
"By the way, people in the capital can also come to the pier to watch."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he added another sentence.
Hearing Jiajing's words, Yan Song subconsciously wanted to dissuade him, but when he heard the irrefutable tone contained in Jiajing's words, he immediately gave up the idea.
"If I try to dissuade you now, I might make His Majesty unhappy. Who doesn't know that His Majesty is most enthusiastic about sailing? I'd better not get into trouble with this!"
Yan Song warned himself in this way, the expression on his face became more and more respectful, and then he carefully confirmed to Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, how soon do you plan to have the fleet set off?"
"Three days later."
Seeing Yan Song asking him about the specific date of the fleet's departure, Jiajing responded without hesitation.
"Are you leaving in three days?"
After Yan Song got the exact departure date of the fleet from Jiajing, he immediately fell into deep thought and didn't know what he was thinking.
When Jiajing saw this situation, an impatient look suddenly appeared on his face, and he immediately issued an order to expel the guests.
"Okay, it's nothing to do with you, you can leave."
Hearing this, Yan Song suddenly came back to his senses and turned to bow to Jiajing.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take my leave!"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he turned around and left without stopping at all.
Lu Fang, who was standing next to Jiajing, was also quite excited at the moment and immediately spoke.
"Your Majesty, the treasure ship has been renovated and will set off soon!"
"If we can really find those two crops that your Majesty mentioned before, the people of Ming Dynasty will no longer have to endure hunger!"
When Jiajing heard this, he turned his gaze to Lu Fang and responded confidently.
"Don't worry, you will definitely find it!"
…
When Yan Song returned to the cabinet, he quickly informed everyone of the news he had received.
"What, the fleet will set off in three days, and people in the capital can go and watch it. Your Majesty will also be there in person at that time?"
"No, no, it's too dangerous. If the people from the capital also come to watch, there will be too many people to see. What should we do if something unexpected happens?"
After listening to Yan Song's narrative, Xu Jie subconsciously retorted.
After Xu Jie, Gao Gong on the side also frowned and echoed.
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge, when there are more people on the scene, the situation will be difficult to control!"
"Didn't you persuade His Majesty to withdraw his orders?"
After Yan Song heard this, he looked up and down at Gaogong with cloudy eyes, and then he asked calmly.
"Is Your Majesty someone who will listen to advice?"
After Yan Song's words, the entire cabinet fell into silence, and a bitter smile appeared on Xu Jie's face.
"Yes, from the time when he cut down the clan's expenses to when His Majesty forcefully abolished the maritime ban policy and started to establish the Maritime Trade Department, Your Majesty never listened to anyone's advice during this process!"
Thinking of this, Xu Jie sighed helplessly, and then gave his own suggestions.
"Now that this matter is a foregone conclusion, we should start from other places!"
"Let's do this. When the time comes, Yin Ding Shichang of Shuntian Prefecture will be responsible for maintaining order on the scene. Not only that, the people from the Five Cities Military and Horse Department will also be on standby at any time to prevent emergencies. In addition..."
…
Soon, three days later, the news that the fleet sailing around the world was about to officially set off spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, driven by thoughtful people, attracting countless people to discuss it.
In front of a tea stall on the outskirts of the capital, several guests were discussing the news they had just received.
"Have you heard? In three days, a fleet will set off from the pier in the capital. At that time, His Majesty will go to the pier in person to see off the fleet!"
"I've heard about it a long time ago. Then we can go there and see the excitement. I have lived for most of my life and I have never seen what the emperor looks like!"
"Ah, what is the origin of this fleet? Even His Majesty has to come to see it off in person?"
"I have a relative who works in the palace and said that this fleet is going to go on a circumnavigation...around the world!"
"What does circumnavigation mean? Why can't I understand a word of it?"
"It's so stupid, sailing around the world is..."
(End of chapter)
