Chapter 55 Looking into Liaodong
Although it is said that Tang Heping pacified the southeast, Zhang He really killed most of the bandits on the sea. He made many meritorious deeds. From the Nanyang to the East China Sea, it even appeared in the waters east of Ryukyu. Although Zhang He was born as an infantry soldier, most of his achievements were at sea.
It can be said that his military exploits were so great that he was granted the title of marquis. Moreover, he was granted the title of Marquis of Navigation, a title that was rare throughout the ages.
But such a person said such depressing words. It cannot help but make people think deeply.
There are some words that must never be said to Zhu Yuanzhang. But Zhang He also realized that he was pursuing him more and more urgently. The stronger the killing force. The smaller the volume of maritime trade, the higher the unit profit. In fact, when shipping was prosperous, the trade volume of Jinghai Company was far from being able to achieve such high profits.
The higher the profit, the more people will risk beheading.
This seems to be an endless loop. He tightened his grip. More and more people come forward for this matter. The sea is a very vast environment, with thousands of miles of coastline. Want to purge. It would be impossible to multiply the number of people in his hands several times, or even hundreds of times.
Zhang He may be aware of the economic rationale behind it. Don't understand. But I am sure of the whole situation.
He Xi said: "Does this happen every time we ship by sea?"
Zhang He said: "I said it would happen every time, but I passed it. But it will happen once every three or five times. Most of the time it is like this. It's not like I haven't chased them before. Who knows if they will transform into Goryeo Navy? "
He Xi was stunned and said: "The Korean navy, isn't it a Japanese pirate?"
Zhang He said: "You have also seen, unless you board the ship at close range, who is on the ship? Who knows. It's just a flag. And there has been a lot of chaos in Goryeo recently. Their navy has long been unchecked. What’s not normal to do?”
A family of soldiers and bandits, the more troubled the times, the more so. The Ming Dynasty had just emerged from the troubled times, and Zhang He was already used to this situation.
He Xi suddenly remembered that the current North Korea was not North Korea, but the Goryeo Dynasty, and it seemed that they were still flirting with Bei Yuan. The Goryeo Dynasty has always had close relations with the Yuan Dynasty. Korean women became queens in the Northern Yuan Dynasty. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the relationship with the Northern Yuan Dynasty was constantly being untangled and chaotic. Now that Beiyuan is gone, the rule of the Goryeo Dynasty cannot be maintained in some ways.
Domestic relations are quite chaotic.
He Xi once again felt that it was not easy for Liaodong Dusi.
Because from a strategic point of view, the Liaodong region is a protrusion of the Ming Dynasty to the east. Today, the Ming Dynasty Liaodong Capital Division only has a few guard posts in the Liaohe River Basin. To the north is the Liaoyang Province of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, which came out of Naha. To the east is the Goryeo Dynasty with an inexplicable attitude.
The only connection with the Ming Dynasty is the Liaoxi Corridor and sea transportation.
Fortunately, the Yuan Dynasty was defeated last year and the Monan Grassland was brought under its jurisdiction. The Ming Dynasty had another way to Liaodong, which was to go out of the customs to Daning and then detour to Liaodong. He Xi still remembers that during the battle last year, Liaodong Dusi also sent troops.
This is one of the reasons why a large amount of grain was transported to Liaodong this year.
He Xi asked, "Should this matter be reported to the court?"
Zhang He remained silent.
He Xi immediately understood that it was not to report it.
This is also something that can't be helped. There has always been opposition to shipping in the imperial court. Mainly from the aspects of waste and unreliability of shipping. If we add Japanese pirates, shipping will become unsafe. But Jang Hyuk is now in charge of shipping, and he doesn't just have to think about himself. We must also think about the more than 10,000 brothers under our command. The backer eats the mountain. It relies on water to draft water and relies on sea transportation, so it also eats what is transported by sea.
Of course, this is taking advantage of it. It was the norm in the feudal dynasty. After all, it will be the same even if it is changed to water transportation. Water transportation has become the basis of food and clothing for millions of people in Cao. It is absolutely immovable.
Maybe history is so ridiculous sometimes?
There are problems with water transportation and sea transportation. However, the number of people affected by shipping was small, and it was just a few health stations at the Yangtze River Estuary that had been in service for a long time. It affects few people, so it can be abolished. People affected by water transportation. So it cannot be abolished.
It’s just that many people only see the surface and think that sea transportation is a perfect solution. In fact, the biggest advantage of sea transportation is cost. Let’s unravel the inside of shipping. There are many unspeakable things. Just deal with things, not perfect. Because if you are a perfectionist. Then nothing can be done.
He Xi didn't talk much in depth with Zhang He.
For example, what exactly is the ballast of every ship? In fact, He Xi really wants to know what is more profitable to carry from the Yangtze River Estuary to Liaodong. But he represents the emperor after all. He was afraid that if he asked too many questions, what should he do if Mr. Zhang got anxious, angry, or misunderstood and drowned him?
------
Shandong Chengshanjiao is the easternmost point of the Shandong Peninsula. It is also on this route that you can see few land markers.
From the sight of Chengshanjiao, this section of shipping has entered the final period, and the route has been slightly adjusted, heading towards Lushunkou.
The name Lushunkou is only ten years old. In the fourth year of Hongwu, two generals, Ma Yun and Ye Wang, crossed the sea from Penglai, Shandong, and landed at Lushunkou. At that time, Lushunkou was called Shizikou. It is taboo to use Ma Yun's name. Isn't it like a horse throwing itself into a lion's mouth?
It's really not good in terms of meaning.
So, the emperor was told. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered it to be renamed Lushunkou.
From then on it was named. It has been passed down to future generations.
It has always been a good port in the north with very good natural conditions.
He Xi can also see that there are two mountains surrounding Lushunkou. No repairs needed at all. There are enough berths. In terms of natural conditions, it is much better than Ningbo and many ports in the Yangtze River Estuary, and it is not inferior to ports such as Fujian and Quanzhou.
After He Xi landed, he walked around the port area.
Lushun Port has a small belly and a big belly. There's a lot of space inside, it just seems underutilized. There is no problem with Liujiagang. Of course, there are pros and cons. Port Arthur seems to have no sedimentation hazards. Port Arthur is not a river port.
Tanggu Port is the future Tianjin Port. He Xi has not passed. But Tianjin Port is too famous after all. He remembered that Tianjin was the outlet of Haihe River. It is estimated that the problems in Liujiagang also exist in Tianjin Port. Just see how it works out.
At least, for a long time to come. There is absolutely no problem for shipping vessels to use Lushunkou as their base.
However, after inspecting Port Arthur, Zhang He's mission was over. He only had to supervise the unloading of 300,000 shi of grain. Then just wait for the monsoon. It's summer now. When the north wind picked up in the autumn, the ship set sail and returned within ten days.
But if we set off now, it will be a headwind.
It takes a month or two to sail against the wind. Based on this calculation, it is better to wait here. After returning home for the winter, we will prepare for shipping next spring. Running on the sea twice a year is actually very hard.
However, He Xi inspected places such as Lushunkou and even Jinshanwei near Lushunkou that could be used as backup ports. Finally made a decision.
"What?" Zhang He said, "You want to change boats and go upstream from the Liao River to Shenyang? Why take this road? There is a post road from Lushun to Shenyang. You only need to take a carriage, which takes only ten days. When we get to Shenyang, we will be escorted by soldiers all the way and there will be no problems. But above the Liao River, it's hard to say."
He Xi said: "Master Hou is an expert in water transportation. How could he not know that it is more convenient for bulk goods to be transported by water. This time I am going north with a heavy responsibility. I always have to take a look at the Liaohe River water transportation."
Zhang He said: "This ------, Commander Ye Du has sent a letter and is waiting for the prince-in-law in Shenyang. If you do this, I can't explain it to Lao Ye."
He Xi said: "It doesn't matter. I guess General Ye won't say anything. General Zhang just needs to lend me a few ships."
As time went by, He Xi got to know the Ming Dynasty better and better, and the more he knew who could be manipulated and who could not be manipulated. For example, Ye Wang, the old general, is the kind of person who can be manipulated. Because his foundation is very weak.
Ye Wang is also an old man who follows Zhu Yuanzhang. But he is Xie Zaixing's subordinate. Xie Zaixing was an important senior minister around Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Yuanzhang also valued him very much. Xie Zaixing's eldest daughter married Zhu Wenzheng, King of Nanchang, and his second daughter married Xu Da. But Xie Zaixing rebelled and defected to Zhang Shicheng.
