The Great Industrial Ming Dynasty Started from Beiping

Chapter 614 Overseas expansion

Yongle six years.

Shanghai.

pier.

The huge lever steel arm is like an ornament of a steam engine for pumping water. It uses a set of pulleys and relies on the power of the steam engine to transport boxes of goods onto the steam engine ship.

The staff at the dock accompanied Li Siam on his inspection tour.

Li Xian is about to go on a mission to the Zhongshan Kingdom to solve the problems left by the Zhongshan Kingdom. Local officials will personally accompany him and learn about the daily conditions at the dock while waiting for the ship.

"The braking component of the crane utilizes the ratchet principle."

"The ratchet is a mechanical component invented very early by our ancestors. The written records found so far date back to the Han Dynasty, and there are also records of gear components during the same period. Gears were widely used in the timepiece machines of the Song Dynasty."

A staff member pointed to the ratchet under the crane base.

On the outer edge of the ring's iron component, a rigid toothed surface left an inward-facing gear, onto which pawls hooked to hold the entire machine in place.

"If it is turned backwards, because of the orientation of the gears, it will not hook the pawl hook and will not hinder the operation of the machine. When the machine stops, these gears can hook the pawl hook."

The staff spoke fluently.

It seems that he has introduced it many times, so his speech is concise and skillful.

"It's amazing."

Li Xian's face was full of sighs.

"This small machine component contains great wisdom, but even we can hardly imagine that it was invented by ancient people more than 1000 years ago and played a huge role in industrialized society."

The dock official laughed.

"Countless small parts of this kind, organized into a complete cycle of machines, play a key role in the development of various industries."

"With the prosperity of the market, the exchange of goods increased year by year, which promoted the change of ships. The merchant ships on the sea became larger and larger, which promoted the prosperity of steam engines and ships."

Shanghai County's wharf has developed the fastest in the country since its establishment.

It can be said that there is a new change every year.

As an official who has witnessed the development of Shanghai's docks with his own eyes, he knows the situation very well over the years. As he speaks, it seems as if the social changes in these years are unfolding before people's eyes.

The official added: "Steam engines and ships carry a lot of cargo, so there are more and more cranes on the docks. The traditional way of packaging goods has also changed, so special containers are also provided on the docks."

Pointing to the square cargo containers stacked on the dock, Li Xian also looked over.

These cargo boxes are about to be loaded into ships.

There are still many warehouses where goods sent by various merchants and ships are still piled, waiting for merchants to transport them away.

On a cargo ship carrying Liaodong timber, countless timbers were transported.

Ying Tianfu's demand for wood has reached astronomical figures.

In addition to the production of wooden ladder handrails, carvings, etc., there is also the demand for furniture, and even the development of other industries. Liaodong sends countless pieces of wood to Shanghai every year, and this is just one of them.

Li Xian is more interested in machines.

For theoretical knowledge, in addition to Peking, the capital holds training sessions every year. Not only do private organizations carry out similar activities, but the government also holds them frequently to provide training for a large number of officials.

see.

The staff stepped forward and said with a smile: "The museum established in Beijing has collected ratchet parts from the Spring and Autumn Period, but the parts unearthed from that period were mainly made of bronze."

"Beiping's machinery manufacturing factory has a branch factory that specializes in the production of ratchet parts. They are made of steel and are machine-made. They are not hand-made in ancient times. They are better in terms of efficiency and appearance."

Li Xian nodded repeatedly.

It’s just a crane, but it contains so many parts.

Whether it is pulleys, gears, brakes or transmission components, they are all things owned by our ancestors, and they can be said to be the culmination of Chinese civilization.

At least [-]% of the factories behind these components come from Peiping. As the earliest industrial base, coal supplier, and earliest reform site in the Ming Dynasty, Peiping has a rich heritage that even the capital city would be hard-pressed to match.

"The ancestors have developed brilliant civilizational achievements, but at the beginning of our dynasty, whether it was the technology in the market or the knowledge of the people, they were like ignorant people. What does it mean?"

Li Xian spoke in public.

The Ming Dynasty strengthened its overseas management, and officials like Li Xian became more and more important. Even Yang Zhong became a hero in the textbooks and left his name in history, so everyone listened carefully.

"Since ancient times, the essence has been in the north, whether in terms of culture or technology. The Song Dynasty lost Kaifeng and retreated to the south. Half of the essence of the world was lost. Even after the death of the Song Dynasty, in less than a hundred years, there was no trace of the essence of the world."

"A lot of waste is waiting to be done."

Li Xian sighed: "Just like this ratchet, if it were not for the prosperity of our dynasty, the promotion of industrialization, and the unearthed ancient artifacts, I am afraid that no one in our Ming Dynasty would have recognized this thing, let alone its importance. sex."

"This shows that society is not eternal. It is like sailing against the current, but will retreat if it does not advance. It is full of risks of degeneration, and even degeneration into ignorance."

"This is not impossible. If it were not for our Ming Dynasty, the rate of degradation of the previous dynasties could not be restored. Wouldn't it mean that we had degenerated to ignorance and become uncivilized natives?"

"So, although your achievements are great, you cannot be complacent or rest on your laurels. As His Royal Highness the Prince said, development is always the unchanging direction."

outside the pier.

Steam engines and ships whistled into the harbor.

The steam locomotives on the inner rails transport rows of goods. The entrance is to the east and the exit is to the west. It is the intersection of the north and south of the Ming Dynasty and the port with the most frequent material exchanges.

The merchant ship to Ryukyu was ready. Li Xian boarded the merchant ship under the farewell of the dock staff. The merchant personally accompanied Li Xian to the Ryukyu area.

Li Xian was the first to go on an envoy to the Western Regions, and later to the Golden Horde, the land of Qinchao. Now he is going overseas again. He is a group of officials who have traveled the longest distance in the Ming Dynasty.

Li Xian, who was well-informed, was very kind to the businessmen who accompanied him.

The two sides also played several games of chess.

Through conversations with businessmen, Li Xian deepened the ideas and needs of some overseas businessmen, and the relationship between the two parties was also improved. The businessmen also received Li Xian's promise to invite the businessmen to visit him when they have time.

There are many ships along the coast of Ming Dynasty.

Raw materials have become the largest cargo. In cold climates, there are even ships dedicated to transporting ice blocks south to provide cheap ice blocks for icehouses in various parts of the south.

Naval ships in twos and threes are scattered along the coast of the Ming Dynasty to maintain peace on the coastline.

As the Ming Dynasty strengthened its control over Goryeo, Japan, Ryukyu and other countries, it effectively eliminated the soil for the rise of piracy. It had a navy of [-], of which up to [-] were used along the coast.

Petrels chase ships.

Especially steam engine merchant ships.

Although the destination of the merchant ships was the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Ming Dynasty set up lighthouses on the large and small islands in the sea and kept island guards. The ships could confirm their routes through the lighthouses on each island. They could also use the islands to avoid wind and waves when encountering extreme weather. .

The merchant ship conducted trade with the local islanders at Kume Island, then set off along the archipelago, stayed at Tominaki Island for another day, and other islands before arriving at Quy Nhon City.

Li Xian said goodbye to the caravan.

The caravan will stay in Qui Nhon Castle for five days, and after five days, it will go to Nago Castle and Onna Castle, and enter the coast of the Zhongshan Kingdom. After sailing around the island, it will also purchase some local specialties.

Part of Quy Nhon City's military supplies were also shipped via merchant ships, using the method of Kai Zhong created by Emperor Taizu.

Li Xian and the accompanying officials brought documents, treasure books, seals and other items, as well as certificates from trading companies, so the managers of Quy Nhon City Port quickly sent someone to inform them.

"I'm sorry."

When Yang Wen learned the identity of the visitor, he immediately guessed that it was the special envoy sent by the imperial court to resolve local disputes, and hurriedly went to greet him personally. After seeing the person, he said enthusiastically.

"Some people have pretended to be court officials in the past to gain profits, so that's what happened just now."

Yang Wen explained.

Li Xian didn't pay attention.

The two parties exchanged polite greetings and entered Quy Nhon City together.

Quy Nhon City is already the main residence of the local Han people. In addition to the garrisoned soldiers, there are also houses built by the garrisoned soldiers who moved local families to live in the city and the soldiers themselves paid for it.

In addition to the local population, there are also service industries that were born, such as wine shops, teahouses, etc. that provide soldiers with drinks.Quy Nhon City has a permanent population of more than 5, making it the most populous city in the Shanbei Kingdom besides the capital.The local architecture has many local characteristics.

Women are weaving bamboo baskets and other utensils, and pottery made of mud is being dried outside the house.

Earth houses account for the majority.

"The old king is dead?"

Li Xian was shocked.

Yang Wen said regretfully: "Although I took back the king of the Zhongshan Kingdom, his health has not been very good, and there is a lack of medicine in the local area. He died of illness last month."

Li Xian pondered.

He couldn't tell whether he really died of illness or some other reason.

"I promise, he did die of illness."

Yang Wen guessed what the other party was thinking and said seriously.

"General Yang thinks how to treat the Zhongshan Kingdom next. Should the new king be recognized by the court?"

Li Xian asked tentatively.

"Shang Zhong is very ambitious and does not meet the expectations of the court. The old king is dead, but his child is still there, and he is in Quy Nhon City. He is only 13 years old now."

Yang Wen said cryptically.

After hearing this, Li Xian no longer had any doubts.

The imperial court thought so too.

First of all, the king of the Zhongshan Kingdom was canonized by the Ming Dynasty. It was impossible to change the place and put the court wherever he wanted, and it was even less possible to support a rebel like Shang Zhong to seize the throne.

Because those who rely on their own strength to cause chaos and rise to power must be stronger than the former, and it is not in the interests of Ming Dynasty.

Second.

If everyone imitates others, Ming's external checks and balances will lose their effect.

"So Quy Nhon is a prince who supports the original king?"

Li Xian asked.

"Everything is subject to the arrangements of the court."

Yang Wen did not answer directly, but said this.

see.

Li Xian stopped testing.

soon.

Quy Nhon City began to contact the forces in the Zhongshan Kingdom, especially the Chinese families, and held many discussions.

"This is more beneficial to us."

The Weng family discussed internally and most of them agreed with the domestic opinions.

Weng Shengguang's mouth moved, but for the benefit of the family, he did not stop him in the end. He gave up his good friend Shang Zhong who had grown up together without even informing him, and no news spread.

As for the Zheng family, they had no objection to the imperial court's request.

When Shang Zhong felt something was wrong, each family had reached an agreement with Quy Nhon City.

The fleet from Quy Nhon City suddenly arrived at Izu City, which was controlled by the Zheng family. It was only separated from the capital of the Zhongshan Kingdom by Urasoe City. When Shang Zhong learned the news, he only had the guards of the capital in his hands.

Weng Shengguang came to the palace.

"You betrayed me."

Shang Zhong said angrily.

Weng Shengguang was speechless. After a moment of silence, he raised his head and said, "Everyone inside and outside the Zhongshan Kingdom supports the old king. In the eyes of the people, you are the thief of the Cholera Kingdom."

Such confusion of right and wrong makes Shang Zhong wish he could draw his sword.

"This is your victory and defeat. If I am defeated, I will naturally become a bandit."

"correct."

Weng Shengguang looked at Shang Zhong with pity.

Under the Ming Dynasty's national power, the Zhongshan Kingdom was really unable to compete.

Good friends are not mediocre people.

But no matter how talented the good friends are, even Goryeo can only be controlled obediently by the Ming Dynasty, let alone the small Zhongshan Kingdom, although the Zhongshan Kingdom is far away from the mainland of the Ming Dynasty and is far overseas.

"If there is even the slightest possibility, I will definitely support you, but the Weng family cannot be buried with you, and you have no chance of winning."

Weng Shengguang informed the current situation one by one.

After Shang Zhong heard this, he immediately laughed.

"You just want me to surrender, so that you can gain the greatest achievements and ask for credit from your court."

Shang Zhong laughed.

Weng Shengguang was not surprised.

With the intelligence of a good friend, how could he not figure it out? Weng Shengguang looked at Shang Zhong calmly. With the intelligence of a good friend, he should know the reason for his difficulties. This is the general trend.

"I know what to do."

When Shang Zhong saw Weng Shengguang's appearance, all his anger disappeared and he waved his hand weakly.

He was angry.

The affairs of the Zhongshan Kingdom are their own domestic affairs, so why should Ming Dynasty interfere?

But he didn't bother to argue.

What's the use of verbal arguments.

soon.

Shang Zhong handed over Shuri Castle.

But what people didn't expect was that the Ming Dynasty did not severely punish Shang Zhong, but let Shang Zhong return to his original residence, supported the son of the original king to ascend the throne, and designated the Zheng family as the third chief officer of the Zhongshan Kingdom.

anyway.

The children of the craftsmen of the Zhongshan Kingdom have mastered the main power in the country, which is the new family valve.

The Zhongshan Kingdom, the most powerful of the Ryukyu Three Kingdoms, split and completely became a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. The Shanbei Kingdom, with the largest territory and islands in the north, was more submissive. As for the Shannan Kingdom, the smallest power in the south, it was easier to be controlled by the Ming Dynasty.

In addition to the children of local Chinese families, there are also children of local indigenous families, who started the custom of going to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to study.

Historically, due to the invasion of the Satsuma clan, the Ryukyu forces retreated to the southern Yaeyama Islands, making an important contribution to the development of the local archipelago. Today, the Yaeyama Islands, not only were not included in the Shannan Kingdom, but were directly assigned to Daiwa Island by the Ming Dynasty.

Yang Wen returned home.

The first batch of navy soldiers retired, and more than 200 soldiers in Qui Nhon chose to stay there and start a new life.

The Ming Dynasty's navy expanded by 15.

Each of the three Ryukyu countries established a base.

Including Da Yuan Mansion and Qiongzhou Mansion.

Overseas bases one after another have promoted local productivity through the development of soldiers, and settlements have been completed one after another, forming new waterways.

(End of this chapter)