In this era, it stands to reason that the Mongols, with their unparalleled riding and shooting skills, should be the most awesome beings.
At least until the Gatling gun came out, cavalry was the strongest unit.
In fact, it was the tanks, not the Gatling guns, that really eliminated the cavalry!
However, the glorious period of the Mongols did not last long, and even during most of the Ming Dynasty, they were weak.
The reason for this is that the Ming Dynasty implemented a strict long-term blockade on Mongolia. As a result, most of the Mongolians, except for the elites who were directly subordinate to the tribal leaders, were poorly equipped. Even their arrowheads are mostly made from bones.
However, if the Mongols discover a huge iron mine, even if they don't know how to smelt it themselves, they will definitely capture the Han people. It is absolutely unimaginable how destructive the Mongols armed with steel would be.
For this reason alone, if there really is iron ore on the grassland, even if Ming Dynasty does not like it, it must be occupied.
However, over the years, I have never heard of iron ore on the grassland. No wonder the Minister of the Ministry of Finance and others would question this.
However, Emperor Chongzhen knew the origin of Zhang Mingwei. If he said so, there must be something.
Suddenly, without saying a word, he immediately slapped the table and shouted: "The Cabinet Secretary and the Supervisor of Ceremonies will take the lead and discuss the restoration of the Loop with the six ministers. The others have dispersed!"
Where the iron ore is, it comes from secrets. There were so many people attending this court meeting that it was impossible to guarantee that the news would not leak out. Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen hurriedly drove people away!
When the unqualified civil and military officials heard this, they all left with curiosity.
Among them, one official was special. When he was walking out, he turned to look at Zhang Mingwei several times, as if something was wrong.
But this person also saw that Emperor Chongzhen at this time was very concerned about the iron mines in the Mongolian grasslands. If there are other things to report at this time, there will definitely be no results.
Therefore, this person finally left the Jinluan Palace in one step and three turns.
After only the Supervisor of Ceremonies, the Cabinet and the Six Ministers were left in the main hall, the number of people suddenly decreased.
These are all important officials of the imperial court, and they are fully qualified to know about matters of this level.
Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen no longer had any scruples and immediately asked Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, why are there so many mines on the Mongolian grassland? Is this another big mine?"
Upon hearing his words, the other officials were immediately dumbfounded.
What, according to the emperor, Duke Xingguo had told the emperor before that there was an iron mine on the Mongolian grassland, and now it was the second one?
While they were thinking about it, they heard Zhang Mingwei reply to Emperor Chongzhen: "Yes, this new place is on this side of the Hetao, and it is more valuable than the previous one!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen's eyes widened and he asked excitedly: "How much is it worth?"
The others had nothing to say, so they had to listen to their conversation with open ears.
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei did not answer immediately, but glanced at the others, and finally said a little helplessly: "I feel like I am a little out of date with the times. Therefore, on the way to the capital, I decided on a set of quantity units, so that it would be more conceptual, instead of just tens of thousands of kilograms, which I really can’t do!”
This is a serious occasion in the Jinluan Palace. Otherwise, Zhang Mingwei would definitely make a joke, such as turning into a roaring dog or something.
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he immediately smiled and said without saying a word: "No problem, where is the quantity unit that Sir has decided on? I will issue an order immediately, and it will be as determined by Sir!"
When the others heard this, they were immediately speechless.
If someone else brings this matter up, the chances are that they will convene the experts from all over the world to discuss it and come up with something that everyone can accept.
However, it seems that the emperor will accept what Duke Xingguo proposes without any conditions. Isn't this a bit hasty?
Although they thought so, Emperor Chongzhen had no intention of negotiating at all and directly made his own decision, which made them feel helpless.
Of course they didn't know. Emperor Chongzhen certainly knew that Zhang Mingwei wouldn't make it up. He must have brought out the knowledge of later generations. Does this still need to be revised? Just use it directly!
After Zhang Mingwei listened to Emperor Chongzhen's words, he smiled and said: "When it comes to Princess Kunxing, let her go to His Majesty later!"
As soon as they heard this, the other people's minds immediately recalled the previous scene outside the city.
Yes, they are a family, of course they are kissing!
Seeing Emperor Chongzhen nodding there, Zhang Mingwei explained to them: "One thousand kilograms is five hundred kilograms, and one thousand kilograms is one ton. The iron ore in the Hetao should be 1.4 billion tons."
At this point, he thought of something and explained: "Ten million is one hundred million, you can do the math in your own mind!"
It’s so cool if you can calculate it!
This huge number has exceeded the cognitive scope of ancient people. They basically only know that the iron mine is a very, very big one!
They also had questions about this.
Du Yinxi curiously asked Zhang Mingwei: "Has the iron mine been mined? How about the Duke know how much there is? But this is not right. If it is mined, it will be gone, so why bother talking about it? And , I have never heard of such a huge iron mine, it must have not been mined!"
After asking, he was a little confused.
Others were also nodding. They were all curious, how did Duke Xingguo know that there was iron ore? More importantly, do you know how much iron ore there is?
In this regard, Zhang Mingwei can't always say that I came from later generations. At that time, I already had this data. I came from Baidu!
If you really say that, then a group of people will probably be dumbfounded! I think he is sick!
If Emperor Chongzhen had not seen Zhang Mingwei appear in front of him out of thin air, and had high-tech and historical data to prove it, Emperor Chongzhen would not have believed such a ridiculous thing!
After all, in their era, there had never been any time travel that would popularize the concept of time travel!
At this time, although it could not be explained in this way, Zhang Mingwei had his own way, and listened to his answer to Du Yinxi: "I told your Majesty this question, you ask Your Majesty!"
When Du Yinxi heard this, he, like everyone else in the hall, immediately turned to look at Emperor Chongzhen, wanting to hear their very curious answer.
Emperor Chongzhen was a little dumbfounded when he heard this. He didn't expect that Zhang Mingwei would throw this question to him.
After coming back to his senses, he coughed and said immediately: "Yes, I know that what the gentleman said must be true. You don't need to question this."
Then, Emperor Chongzhen didn't explain. Anyway, he relied on his status. If he didn't say anything, how could anyone force him to say it?
He immediately changed the subject and asked the question he was concerned about: "Sir, where is this mine exactly?"
"To the west of Guihua City!" After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei immediately told the location of the future Baiyun Obo iron mine, and then said to Emperor Chongzhen, "I don't recommend mining this iron mine now!"
"Why?"
This question was asked by Emperor Chongzhen, Du Yinxi and others almost in unison.
They really couldn't figure it out. Since they knew about the iron ore, why didn't they dig it?
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei immediately replied: "Because the most valuable thing about this iron ore is actually not the iron ore itself, but the other things together with the iron ore. Those things must be left to future generations, and they are the real treasures." !”
After a pause, seeing that they were all listening to him attentively, Zhang Mingwei said again: "Although we don't dig this iron mine, we must occupy it for our future generations!"
Hearing this, Zuo Maodi had something to ask, but before he had time to ask, Emperor Chongzhen heard another arbitrary decision: "Okay, let's do it! All the ministers have to keep this matter a secret. Once If it’s leaked and I find out about it, that won’t be good!”
"The humble minister obeys the decree!" Emperor Chongzhen said so. The people in the hall had no choice but to follow the decree.
However, through this incident, they once again became very curious about the origin of Duke Xingguo.
They even had some doubts. Could it be that Duke Xingguo was really sent by God? Otherwise, how could we know so many things?
Only an immortal can figure out the treasure with just a few clicks of his fingers!
Emperor Chongzhen did not have as many thoughts as they did, or he did not think about these things at all, but immediately frowned and asked: "If it is to be left to future generations, the Hetao area must be occupied by the Ming Dynasty for a long time. However, Isn’t this a bit difficult?”
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Hubu jumped out first and immediately echoed: "Your Majesty is wise! There is no danger to defend outside the pass. If you want to maintain peace, you must station a large army. But in this case, where will the army be allocated? ? Where does military pay and food come from? If it is transported from within the customs, it will consume too much! The people at the border will probably be miserable! Moreover, so many matters cannot be done in a day or two. This is really too difficult. !”
After finishing speaking, when he saw that Duke Xing Guo seemed to want to speak, he immediately added: "It is necessary to station a large army outside the pass. The number of this army is so small that we don't even know it was destroyed by the Mongols!"
In fact, he kept saying that occupying the Loop was a bit outweighing the gains and losses. Except for the iron ore, of course.
When he said this, Du Yinxi and others did not stop talking because it was recommended by Duke Xingguo. Instead, they discussed the matter. Basically, they also pointed out the difficulties in occupying the Hetao.
Of course, they didn't say it, so they didn't take it. They just stated the problem.
Hearing their words, Zhang Mingwei shook his head and laughed.
Emperor Chongzhen watched happily from above, and immediately said to the ministers below: "Don't panic, gentlemen, sir, there must be a way!"
