Zheng Bo and Zhang Huan wanted to stop Zhu Yuanzhang, but Zhu Yuanzhang insisted on walking over to have a look in person. Zhu Biao, Xu Da, Liao Yongzhong and others followed behind Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the wood scattered on the ground and the terrifying pits on the ground. He nodded frequently and leaned down to look at the wooden horse that fell on the ground. The black cast iron was embedded in the horse's belly.
"If this were on the battlefield, the war horse would definitely die!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said seriously.
Xu Da followed: "Not only will the war horses die, but if they are forward, the sergeants above will also die!"
When thousands of horses are galloping, once a cavalryman falls off his horse, even if he does not fall to death, he will be trampled to pieces by the horses behind him.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked around and waved to Gu Zhengchen who was behind him: "This kind of firearm is so powerful that it can kill within three feet. Isn't it considered a great achievement?"
Zhu Biao, Xu Da and others looked at Gu Zhengchen.
Gu Zhengchen replied seriously: "Your Majesty, this kind of firearm still has a long way to go before it is a success. For example, the weight of the Shanhai cannon is still too heavy. The number that can be cast and molded at one time is limited. Some Shanhai cannon cannot be used for a long time. If If more than twenty rounds of gunpowder shells are fired continuously without interruption, the Shanhai Cannon is in danger of exploding its barrel."
"The casting needs to be improved, and the range also needs to be improved. At present, the Shanhaicannon has a maximum range of three miles, and the maximum range of the downwind can be four miles. It will not take long for the cavalry to reach it. The Far Fire Bureau needs to create a new five-mile gun. The divine machine gun, strikes first to defeat the enemy, kills first to defeat the enemy."
"This is what I think. When the two armies confront each other, we will first use the divine machine cannon to blast a few rounds five miles apart, then send the cavalry to penetrate the enemy, and then send the infantry to follow up and kill the enemy, no matter who is in front of him. Who, as the saying goes, strikes first to gain the upper hand..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment after hearing this, wondering whether this guy was a monster or not. He had set up a long-distance fire bureau and figured out all the tactics.
Bombard, mount and kill, and kill on foot.
This sounds reasonable and feasible.
In the past, shelling was all about throwing stones, which could not cause serious damage to the entire enemy's military formation, nor could it shake its formation and military morale. But things are different now. The emergence of gunpowder bombs will change everything...
Xu Da pondered for a moment, then came out and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I think that the man from Gu County has military talents, and I beg your Majesty to transfer him to the Governor's Mansion for his use!"
Mu Ying nodded heavily and agreed: "Since Gu Xian'an knows the divine machine gun best, and the sergeants of the Japanese rear guard station receive the firearms, they need to practice new combat formations. I think that without Gu Xian'an's participation, the entire training will be delayed. "
Lu Zhong, Sun Ke, Hao Shang, Zhang He and others also joined in the fun, and even Liao Yongzhong finally stood up to express support.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked deeply at Gu Zhengchen and said, "What does the prince think?"
Zhu Biao cupped his hands: "Father, I think this matter should not be taken too hastily. First, Mr. Gu said that this magical cannon still needs time to be improved. Secondly, the official affairs in Quanzhou Prefecture have not calmed down, and the new officials are still Once he took office, Mr. Gu could not leave for a while. Thirdly, the Governor-General wanted to reorganize the garrison and strengthen the army to defend the country. I thought that Mr. Gu could be remodeled first and gave him one year. Hopefully, after things are completed, it won’t be too late to be transferred to the Governor’s Office.”
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly, very satisfied, and said in a deep voice: "Gu Zhengchen listens to the order."
Gu Zhengchen saluted.
Zhu Yuanzhang solemnly said: "I order Gu Zhengchen to take up the post of commander of the Quanzhou Guard. He has the power of life, death and transfer. He is not subject to provincial control and directly obeys the orders of the Metropolitan Governor. After you return to Quanzhou, you will train for a year and let me see. , What kind of warriors are the soldiers of faith!"
Gu Zhengchen thanked him: "I accept the order!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood. After letting Gu Zhengchen get up, he pointed to the broken wood around him: "You have merit, and the Yuanhuo Bureau has merit. I have always made rewards and punishments clear. Mu Ying, tell the Ministry of Household Affairs that in the future, the food for the Yuanhuo Bureau will be increased by 50% every month , the money increased from 2,000 guan per month to 2,800 guan.”
I can't bear to give up money and food, and I can't make a firearm.
Now that we have seen hope, it is natural to invest more.
Gu Zhengchen felt that Lao Zhu was still a little stingy, but this result was good. After all, Lao Zhu and Zhu Dalang were still wearing torn socks. An emperor who was not willing to pay for his own food and clothing was willing to give the Yuanhuo Bureau so much money and food. What else could he do? Insatiable.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liao Yongzhong: "Do you want to continue the competition between you?"
Liao Yongzhong's face turned pale.
Let's not compete. Just now, Xu Da was bragging about his shame.
Let's compete, it's fatal...
Just when Liao Yongzhong was in a dilemma and wanted to find an excuse, Gu Zhengchen came out and said proactively: "Your Majesty, I still have some self-awareness. How can I be the opponent of a hero like Deqing Hou? The so-called competition is just a joke. Let’s chat to add to the fun.”
Liao Yongzhong immediately had a good impression of Gu Zhengchen and climbed down the pole: "Yes, yes, it's just a comment to cheer up, it can't be true."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two singing harmoniously, nodded, and said to Xu Da and others: "Let's go our separate ways, Gu Xiaozi, accompany me and the prince for a walk."
Xu Da, Liao Yongzhong and others bowed and resigned.
Zhu Yuanzhang put his hands behind his back, looked at the setting sun, and said: "Your overseas trade is too big to hide. I have received three letters of impeachment against you. In less than two days, there will be dozens of letters. The impeachment papers are coming, are you ready?"
Gu Zhengchen saw that Zhu Yuanzhang spoke lightly and showed no signs of sadness, so he calmly replied: "Everything will be clear in half a month."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled calmly: "So, a lot of goods were brought from overseas this time."
Gu Zhengchen nodded: "Your Majesty, this time you not only brought some goods, but also information about Champa and Annan and other countries."
Zhu Yuanzhang walked forward, looked at the soldiers who were training in the distance, and said: "Both Champa State and Annan State are vassal states of the Ming Dynasty. They have been fighting with each other over the years. I heard that Champa State has the upper hand and even invaded Thang Long City. You Do you think the Champa Kingdom can occupy the Annan Kingdom?”
Gu Zhengchen shook his head: "Your Majesty, a snake cannot swallow an elephant. The Champa Kingdom does have an advantage at the moment, and this advantage is likely to last for twenty years. But after all, the Annan Kingdom is large and has many more people than the Champa Kingdom. , given time, the Annan Kingdom will still have the upper hand, and may even swallow up the Champa Kingdom after a longer period of time."
Zhu Yuanzhang recognized Gu Zhengchen's judgment.
When two countries are at war, it is not a war that can destroy the country.
This reminds me of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty fought against the Yuan Dynasty, before the founding of the People's Republic of China, and after the founding of the People's Republic of China. There is still no sign of the end of the war.
But now, Ming Dynasty will gradually take control of the situation!
Zhu Yuanzhang recovered his thoughts and went straight to the point: "You want to persuade me to open the sea, but it is not easy to do. Even if you bring enough trade goods and get enough money and food from big households, it will be very difficult for me. You want to It is clear that once the sea is opened, the people will inevitably live near the sea. If Japanese pirates and pirates invade, the people will not even have a chance to escape, there will be no buffer room, and there will be no natural barrier."
"If some people die because of the opening of the sea, will you bear the responsibility, or who will bear it? If some people collude with pirates and Japanese pirates to cause trouble along the coast, how will these things be dealt with? There are also merchant ships going to sea. If they encounter danger, the money and goods will be lost. Kongkong, what should we do? Gu Xiaozi, have you considered these issues? "
"It's not that I don't know how to rely on the sea to eat, or the benefits of opening the sea. It's just that I would rather the people live a little more misery, rather than suffer the disaster of swordsmanship, have their wives and children be separated, or have corpses scattered along the coast. Everywhere! I believe you can bring a lot of wealth, but if you can’t solve these problems, opening the sea will be difficult!”
Gu Zhengchen knew Zhu Yuanzhang's concerns. In fact, these concerns did exist.
There are Japanese pirates and pirates along the coast. They have no bottom line. They not only kill people and steal goods, but also rob women and burn down villages. Marquis of Jinghai Wu Zhen, Commander Zhang He and others stayed at sea for years in order to deal with these people. However, after fighting for so many years, the Japanese pirates and pirates have not disappeared. They are hiding in the dark.
Faced with Zhu Yuanzhang's clear position, Gu Zhengchen thought for a moment and replied seriously: "Your Majesty, I think we can adopt a compromise method."
"oh?"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.
Gu Zhengchen continued: "Opening the sea faces many problems, but the problem of not opening the sea also exists. Japanese pirates and pirates will not disappear unless we kill them. They are not engaged in production and can only make a living by looting. If we do not open the sea, they will still appear. In coastal areas, the threat to the people will not disappear just because the people have moved dozens of miles inland."
"If your majesty and the courtiers have any concerns, I would like to request that Quanzhou Prefecture be classified as a special maritime trade zone. Quanzhou Prefecture will pilot the sea for trade first and explore a trade path that takes into account the safety of voyages, coastal security, port security, and the safety of the people. ! After a safe and feasible trade method is formed, it will be implemented in other places."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and tried it first.
Zhu Biao came out and said good things to Gu Zhengchen: "Father, I think it is feasible. Quanzhou Prefecture will go first and walk in the front. Even if something goes wrong, it will not cause too much trouble. If Mr. Gu can succeed, In the future, sea transportation will be able to provide the imperial court with countless money and grain, which can fill the national treasury, free up the people's power, and benefit the country."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Gu Zhengchen with sharp eyes: "Is there really a way to have both ends?"
Gu Zhengchen said solemnly: "I am willing to be a pioneer in paving the way across mountains and building bridges across rivers!"
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, as long as you can produce enough benefits to silence the ministers, then I will allow you to be the pioneer and establish the Quanzhou Prefecture Special Zone!"
After Gu Zhengchen thanked him, he hesitated and said, "It would not be difficult if the officials stopped impeaching me, but I don't know if your majesty would be willing to part with it..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little unsure: "What do you mean?"
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "Voyage trade is not something that happens overnight. Robbery of large households also needs to be done slowly. If you fish in the lake, it will not last long. I thought that we can give them a little bit so that they will still be willing to be robbed for the second time... "
Split the money?
Zhu Yuanzhang's face looked a little ugly. What do you mean, the imperial court does some maritime trade to make some money, and it also deserves some points from them?
