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 transporting food to Liaodong, not making money. If it is even possible, we can increase the price of the big wood. We can lower the price even more, or even sell it at a loss. But the money lost here, how to convert it into the cost of shipping, we still have to make a profit."
"Second, even if it is to make money, this matter should not be run by the court. If the court runs it, the first thing is to increase the number of ships and personnel. Once there are some changes in the future. For example, there are not enough big trees on both sides of the Yalu River. This whole system Everyone will lose money. Can the imperial court be abolished at will? But for businessmen, there is no need to worry about it at all. "
"There are some things that the court must do, but there are some things that the court does not need to do personally. For example, no matter what? Even if the shipping fleet loses money, the court should maintain a shipping fleet. It should control a certain share of grain transportation at all times. . But you don’t need to do everything yourself. It will only increase the cost indefinitely.”
"Third, this is also a way to cultivate maritime power."
In fact, there is a lot that He Xi has not said, such as the various wastes and shocking corruption in management and management under the Ming Dynasty system. These things are always hard to mention.
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Actually, your plan is very similar to that of overseas trade. There are even private fleets. During the time you were away from Ningbo, more than 20 overseas firms, large and small, were established in Ningbo. The deposit alone also went to Ningbo. Three hundred thousand taels. There are more than 100 ships in total. The total tonnage is more than 30,000 dan. They are so rich, I don’t know where they got so many ships. Now the Jinyi Guards have reported that almost all shipyards in the southeast have orders. Even Longjiang Shipyard has several ships that are not registered."
In fact, this is another reason why Zhu Yuanzhang wanted He Xi to come back.
Some people are just too crazy.
It can be seen that people like Lu Zhongheng are not in the minority among the nobles. In other words, many people may not be as greedy for money as Lu Zhongheng. But some overreactions. How about an overreaction?
Many people know Zhu Yuanzhang's character.
Since Zhu Yuanzhang used maritime trade in exchange for military power or the benefits of giving up certain privileges. Many people think that the first thing to do is to drink a toast instead of eating as a penalty. Therefore, they must face it positively whether they are willing or not. Cut yourself off from your old ministry, or simply send your own hardcore aboard. etc.
These two sides added together resulted in what Zhu Yuanzhang saw.
Some of them are really greedy for money and want money rather than their lives. Part of it is pretending to be greedy for money, saying that they want money rather than power.
Zhu Yuanzhang changed his words and said: "But if I remember correctly, merchant ships on the sea can carry weapons, and they can even transform into warships. Even these big ships are bigger than the ships of the Ming Navy. If they have different intentions, What should we do? Nanjing is on the edge of the Yangtze River. If I remember correctly, in the late Qing Dynasty, the warships of the Western Yi were parked outside Nanjing."
Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion recurred again.
Merchant ships can actually be used as armed forces. Moreover, merchant ships that can go far into the ocean are better than naval ships that can stay offshore. This is also normal.
If Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know the power of the sea, he wouldn't think this way. It was precisely after reading about the Age of Discovery. Knowing how many ships can determine the fate of a dynasty. Only then did the idea of operating at sea come into being. It is even more because of this that we see so much maritime power being given to so-called businessmen. No, still an armed merchant.
He was murmuring more and more in his heart.
In fact, it was Zhu Yuanzhang who could not correctly estimate the power of the sea.
Although they are all boats, boats are different from each other. In particular, the development of firearms has greatly improved the combat effectiveness of warships. Most merchant ships today actually do not have such power.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, actually there are people here who are against us. As long as the imperial court adheres to the orthodoxy and the people are loyal, the ships on the sea are nothing. These are the help of the imperial court." He Xi peeked at Zhu Yuanzhang's face and said, "If your Majesty, Don’t worry, in fact, the imperial court can operate the navy. It is not the current sea water navy, but the ocean navy directly under the imperial court.”
Zhu Yuanzhang's face didn't even move as he said: "That's what I mean. Who do you think is better for the navy to send for construction?"
He Xi was stunned for a moment, and then he understood in his heart. Zhu Yuanzhang had already made a plan. Just waiting for He Xi to say it himself.
He Xi said: "This matter is of great importance. I can't say anything about it."
This kind of recommendation of candidates can offend people if you are not careful. He Xi didn't want to get involved more.
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It doesn't matter, if it comes out of your mouth and into my ears, no one else will know."
He Xi murmured in her heart and thought to herself: "Usually when you talk like this, only two people know about it." However, Zhu Yuanzhang had already said this, and He Xi couldn't refuse. He Xi said: "I think it is good to trust the Duke."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I can rest assured that Tang He will do things. But Tang He, one of the six founding princes, has a high and powerful position. It is inappropriate for me to ask him to handle this small matter."
Of course, being an ocean-going navy is no small matter. But in terms of establishment, it should be tied with the Yangtze River Navy. Even if he had the power to control coastal naval forces, it would not be suitable for Tang He to handle it. Unless a naval governor's office is directly established, or the naval governor's office takes charge of the world's navy, this is the position that Tang He should assume.
He Xi thought for a moment and said, "What about Zhang He, the Marquis of Navigation?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Zhang He has old ideas and it is impossible for him to bring innovative naval warfare methods. In fact, in my opinion, Zhang He doesn't really know how to fight naval battles. He just knows how to lead troops."
He Xi thought Zhu Yuanzhang's evaluation of Zhang He was a bit excessive at first, but after thinking about it carefully, it may not be unreasonable. In fact, war itself is a set of management science. Many generals are capable of both land and water. Sometimes they only know how to manage a large team, but not all of them are proficient in all the details.
And some leaders don’t need to know all the details.
However, at this point, Zhu Yuanzhang's meaning was clearly revealed.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, do you think I should do this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "If you have some military exploits, I will naturally let you do this thing, but it's a pity that it won't work. It's hard for you to convince the public now. However, it is you who should handle the matter of preparing the navy. I am most at ease. Otherwise, others will , I probably don’t even understand what a warship is and what a merchant ship is.”
In fact, in this era, the distance between warships and merchant ships was always very small. No special design is required. Warships were completely different from merchant ships, and that was something that happened later.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, I am naturally willing to serve your Majesty. It's just a matter in Liaodong. I really can't worry about it."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Where do you think it is best to set up a shipyard?"
He Xi was stunned and said, "Liaodong?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Yes. Since there are so many large trees in Liaodong, it is most suitable to use local materials. When the child is born next year, you will go to Liaodong to take up a post. Naturally, you can do whatever you want to do. By the way, I can also ask your disciple to serve as a front line for you. Originally, I planned to set up a county in Dongshengwei. Let him be the county magistrate. So, let him be the director of the Liaodong Wood Factory of the Ministry of Industry. How about it? "
What can He Xi say?
Although they are all remote areas. But one is a local official and the other is an expatriate official. Not to mention working under his own teacher. The future is naturally bright, and He Xi also uses some familiar hands.
If he went abroad, He Xi would like to work in Liaodong. He had no objection to the appointment. There are just some problems that need to be solved.
He Xi said: "I thank your Majesty. But the biggest problem in Liaodong is the shortage of population. What should we do?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly: "Don't worry, I will mobilize people from all parties to fill in Liaodong first. However, I think there are only some wealthy people in eastern Shandong. The number will not be too many. You still have to find a way."
He Xi said: "I was helpless, so I returned to Beijing."
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "No, the population of Korea you mentioned before is very good."
He Xi was stunned and suddenly remembered what Cao Guogong said before. At this time, he suddenly realized what Cao Guogong said to him. He was obviously using his words to admonish the emperor.
