Daming: From the end of Hongwu

In Zhu Di's study room, the light was very transparent. The sunlight refracted on the floor and fell behind Zhu Di's back, which seemed to add a bit of majesty to Zhu Di.

Zhen Wu glanced at Zhu Di suspiciously.

Replenish?

This old man will not want him to go to sea again.

"Your Majesty, I... I just came back. If I want to go out again, Yuying will probably make a fuss. Of course, I said this not to evade anything. You understand me. We have never said anything else about what you want me to do. Even if Yuying loses her temper, I'll just coax her patiently." Speaking of this, Zhen Wu cautiously probed: "But I'm afraid that she will torment you because she is ignorant, and you know Yuying's temper. Usually nothing happens, but once To be honest, it is definitely enough for you, you see...or..."

"What the hell are you thinking?"

Zhu Di wished he could get up and give Zhen Wu a kick: "As far as your water skills are concerned, who can compare to you? Why the hell do you want to go to sea, and go out to embarrass yourself?"

As an emperor, using his talents according to his ability is the most basic ability. Zhen Wu is an enemy of ten thousand people on land, what is the situation if he is thrown into the sea? What an accident, it is a huge bad news for the whole Ming Dynasty.

Zhen Wu grinned, as long as he is not allowed to go out to sea, he doesn't care what Zhu Di says.

"Smell of virtue."

Zhu Di cursed again, and then explained: "Didn't you tell me a lot about going to the West before, what I'm asking is if you have any ideas to add now?"

It turned out to be the case.

After Zhen Wu relaxed, he shook his head.

He had already communicated with Zhu Di about Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas, and he had already explained his own thoughts like peas in a bamboo tube, and the first time he went to sea focused on investigation and understanding. Afterwards, the Ming Xuanfu Division will be set up step by step at important positions on the route, occupying each point with powerful force and financial resources, and then encroaching outward through culture.

What's more, Zhu Di must have considered the matter of Zheng He's voyages to the West, combined with Zhen Wu's thoughts, after a long time of deliberation, and he may not even have discussed this matter with many capable people. up.

So there is no need for Zhen Wu to worry about anything, and there is no need for him to add anything at this moment.

As long as everything goes well, Zheng He's voyages this time will definitely have a greater and wider impact on future generations than Zheng He's voyages in history.

When it comes to Nanyang trade, Zhen Wu has to sigh, this is really a lucrative business.

Needless to say, even just a trip to Champa, Guanyin bamboo, ivory, and indigo incense can make Zhu Di a lot of money, not to mention that Zheng He will travel farther.

God knows how many types and quantities of treasures will be brought back.

If Zhen Wu remembered correctly, most of the pepper that Zhu Di brought back in history was not used up during Zhu Zhanji's time, and the warehouse was still full.

Pepper in this era is different from later generations. It is a proper high-end product, and it is a hard currency that can be exchanged for real gold and silver. The salaries that Zhu Di later gave officials were pepper, which shows the circulation of pepper in this era.

However, it was precisely because Zhu Di brought back too much pepper that the price of pepper gradually dropped a lot, which further reduced the salaries of officials under the influence of the economy.

This is exasperating and ridiculous to say.

But ordinary people have benefited from this, and the use of pepper in their homes has gradually increased.

Being able to benefit all people is a great achievement.

In fact, through this matter, Zhen Wu has considered asking Zhu Di to get back some more grain, so that they can further reduce the price of domestic grain. In simple terms, more grain can be bought with less money. The number and probability of people eating enough will increase.

But when Zhen Wu checked some information, he had to give up this naive idea.

Daming is a country based on agriculture.

If the price of food is too cheap, the first to be impacted are those farmers with low yields. After the output they rely on for survival becomes less valuable, it will further suppress their living space.

This is going to be a big mess.

Food prices must be stable within a price range, neither high nor low.

Unless there is another industry that replaces agriculture and becomes the basic disk of the Ming economy.

There is no need to count on business, this thing is too precarious, and it is often not controlled by people. If it is said to collapse, it will collapse. Industry can be considered, but it is a pity that the industry in Daming is still too young. It is so young that it cannot be called an industry. It can only be called a handicraft industry. , this situation simply cannot support such a huge country.

Zhen Wu sighed regretfully when he thought of this, but fortunately, the handicraft industry in Daming is now somewhat prosperous, and there have been a number of small towns specializing in handicrafts, some specializing in the production of porcelain, some specializing in fur, Some specialize in the production of medicines, just like Jingdezhen, which produces porcelain, gradually gaining fame, and then one town after another is connected in series, making Daming more dynamic.

Zhen Wu pondered, in the future, we can vigorously support the handicraft industry. As long as the policy support is given, there must be some excellent parents and officials who will develop industry pillars one after another based on the local conditions. After Daming has countless Jingdezhen, the agricultural The importance is bound to decrease further.

At that time, if Zhen Wu came up with a steam concept, driven by the booming handicraft industry and supported by wealthy families who benefited from the upper class, Daming might naturally start an industrial revolution.

People in later generations know the term industrial revolution.

But this matter is not something that can be promoted by knowing a word. Even if Zhen Wu has a steam engine in his hand and puts it in front of the world, if the overall environment of Daming does not allow it, it will not help. It's just a castle in the air.

It is ridiculous to blindly think about the development of science and technology without considering the actual situation.

Everything needs time to slowly settle.

Of course, this era is a good era, the best era for laying the foundation for change, as long as the seeds are planted, Daming can still be the leader in the situation of great changes in the millennium.

Thinking of this, Zhen Wu's heart became hot, and he planned to go back and sort it out, and then have a good talk with Zhu Di about this issue.

Seeing that Zhen Wu had nothing to add at this moment, Zhu Di chatted a few more gossips with Zhen Wu, and then let Zhen Wu go down.

At this stage, as long as Zheng He can bring back the treasures, he can use these flashy things to leverage the money of those rich and powerful families, and then use the money to benefit the people.

……

After Zhen Wu came out of Zhu Di's study, thinking that Zheng He would leave for Changle in a few days, he pondered for a moment, then turned his head and walked towards the Inner Prison.

Zheng He once followed Zhu Di to settle difficulties, and made many military exploits. He was valued by Zhu Di. In the first year of Yongle, he was named Zheng He, and served as the eunuch in charge of internal officials. Later, he worshiped Yao Guangxiao as his teacher and became acquainted with many generals in the army. , so in the entire Ming Dynasty, even if he was a eunuch, he was still number one, and no one dared to underestimate him.

When Zhen Wu came to the Inner Prison, Zheng He was busy dealing with matters. When he heard the little eunuch report that Zhen Wu was coming, he immediately stood up to greet Zhen Wu. When he saw Zhen Wu, he smiled and said, "Duke Returning after a big victory, Sanbao was thinking that he would be free to go to your house to congratulate him in two days, but unexpectedly, the Duke came to me first."

"Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Zhen Wu smiled and waved his hands: "But you are going to go to the Western Ocean on a treasure ship this time, and it will be widely spread by later generations, and it will be admired and remembered by countless navigators."

"Guogong is joking, how can Sanbao compare with Guogong?" Zheng He was polite while letting Zhen Wu take a seat.

After Zhen Wu sat down, he shook his head sternly and said, "I'm not joking. I think you understand the significance of going to the West this time. As long as everything goes well, you will surely be famous in history."

Zheng He nodded.

Zhen Wu changed the subject and said, "Speaking of which, this time you not only want to eliminate pirates, but also need to go to several or dozens of countries, how about it? Are you ready? Are you nervous?"

Zheng He shook his head, looked at Zhen Wu with an uplifted expression, and said, "I'm not going to hide it from the Duke, not only I'm not nervous, but I'm looking forward to it."

Zhen Wu laughed and said: "I almost forgot that your greatest ambition is to follow in the footsteps of your father and grandfather and explore those overseas places. Now that you have this opportunity, you can't look forward to it every day."

"The one who knows me is the Duke." Zheng Hele couldn't hide his eyebrows.

Afterwards, the two began to chat about the voyage to the Western Ocean. From the route, to the customs of various places, to some sailing skills, etc., Zheng He became more and more excited as he chatted, but he found that Zhen Wu had some problems. absent-minded.

Zheng He slapped his head and said: "Look at me, I have no eyesight. The Duke is here this time, but is there something to ask for me?"

When Zhen Wu saw Zheng He mentioned it, he stopped chatting and nodded generously.

"It's true that I have something to ask Brother Sanbao."

"Guo Gong, tell me that I have been friends with Guo Gong for ten years. As long as the three guarantees can be achieved, I will definitely not shirk it." Zheng He said seriously.

Zhen Wu asked: "Is my Xiaoqi also on the list of going to sea this time?"

Zheng He was stunned for a moment, and said with some embarrassment: "Duke, you know."

"shit."

Zhen Wu pursed his lips and said, "How can I not know what my brother wants to do?"

Zheng He suddenly said anxiously: "I also ask the Duke to forgive me. I didn't intend to hide the truth from the Duke, but I think Qi Meng likes sailing and has talent in this area, so I..."

Not finished yet.

Zhen Wu waved his hand and interrupted Zheng He: "I'm not here to find fault, what are you explaining?"

After finishing speaking, Zhen Wu sighed and continued: "I just want you to take care of him more."

"what?"

Zheng He was taken aback again: "That's why the Duke came here?"

Zhen Wu nodded.

Zheng He laughed immediately and said: "Why do you need the Duke to say that? I also watched Qimeng grow up, and he has been close to me since he was a child. I also treat him as my younger brother. Even if the Duke doesn't say it, I will I will definitely do my best to keep Qi Meng safe and sound."

"Then I can rest assured." Zhen Wu said, but turned his head and said: "But there is no need to protect it too tightly, otherwise the meaning of experience will be lost."

"Don't worry, Duke, I will make arrangements." Zheng He agreed.

Zhen Wu hummed, and sighed with some confusion in his mind, then got up and came to the hanging nautical chart, he looked at the route on it, looked at the places they were going to visit, and thought of the storms and waves that might be encountered at sea , for a moment he even wanted to turn around and ask Zheng He to kick Xiaoqi out of the list.

But Zhen Wu finally forcibly suppressed that thought.

He has to learn to let go, just like letting go and letting the third child go out and about.

After all, men are different from girls, they must learn to hold up the sky by themselves, Zhen Wu protects Xiaoqi like an old hen, and cannot protect a man who stands upright.

As the eldest brother, Zhen Wu also had the responsibility to raise Xiao Qi well after his father died.

Afterwards, Zhen Wu didn't talk to Zheng He any more, and after talking to Zheng He, he walked out of the palace.

Outside the imperial palace, Daming was still in prosperity, and it seemed to be getting more and more prosperous. Zhen Wu smiled, and without wasting any more time, he rode his horse and headed home.

Red lanterns were hung high in the house, and the whole house was cleaned. Zhang Yuqing and others, surrounded by servants, sat in the middle hall and waited for Zhen Wu's return.

And when Zhen Wu appeared at the corner of the street, the servants who were waiting ran towards the mansion.

"Master, you're back."

The sound pierced the sky.

All of a sudden, everyone's emotions were ignited.

San Yue moved the fastest, and hurriedly ran towards the door. When he reached the door, Zhen Wu had just rode a horse to the door of the house.

Zhen Wu suddenly smiled.

He turned over and got off the horse, reached out and rubbed Sanyue's little face: "After all, when I grow up, I can help Dad lead the horse."

San Yuele nodded again and again, and then a pair of eyes seemed to grow on Zhen Wu's body, and she asked, "Father, I want to learn how to ride a horse, so you can teach me how to ride a horse later."

"We'll talk about this later."

Zhen Wu casually sent a sentence, and then changed the topic: "Are you being good at home recently? Are your grandmother, mother, and sister-in-law all well? And your aunt, how are your brothers?"

"Father, don't worry, everything is fine at home."

Zhen Wu nodded.

At this time Zhang Yuqing and the others also came out, Zhen Wu took two quick steps to meet him, then looked at Zhang Yuqing and said, "Mother, my son is back."

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back."

Zhang Yuqing's tone was a bit choking, but she immediately knew that this occasion was not suitable for being sad, so she hurriedly said, "Go and wash away the dust, and then we can sit down and talk."

After speaking, Zhang Yuqing turned to Zhu Yuying and said, "Yuying, hurry up and wash off with the boss, and help him go to the armor."

Zhu Yuying responded excitedly, stepped forward and took Zhen Wu's hand, and walked towards the house with everyone.

At this moment, Sanyue is holding the horse in his hand, watching this scene in a daze.

Good guy.

There was no place for him at the door.

Xiao Liu walked up to him and curled his lips: "See, your father knows your grandmother and your mother through his eyes, so he really doesn't take younger sister and son seriously."

March rolled her eyes: "You are too embarrassed to say."

"What do you mean?" Xiao Liu's eyes revealed a murderous look.

"Guess." Sanyue dropped a sentence, then threw the horse rope to the steward, and ran towards the house, Xiao Liuyi raised his eyebrows and chased after him angrily.

The two were arguing again.

……

In the days that followed, Zhen Wu was at home leisurely.

He lived as a monk for almost a year, dancing the most beautiful pas de deux with Zhu Yuying every day for half the night before falling asleep.

In this way, the day came to March 24.

On this day, Zhu Di granted Zheng He the title of "Eunuch of the Imperial Envoy", and Zheng He drove 62 treasure ships with a length of 44 feet and a width of [-] feet, meaning "ships for transporting treasures", from the river to the sea, heading for Changle, Fujian. .

Such a huge treasure ship can be called the largest sailing wooden ship, and when it appears in the ocean, it will definitely shock all the countries that see it.

Zhen Wu watched Zheng He and the others step into the journey, thinking in his heart.

The mighty power of the Ming Dynasty should be widely spread since then.

……