The Great Industrial Ming Dynasty Started from Beiping

Tsukushi Toji

Kokura Castle.

Zhuzidu Division General Military Mansion.

"The local forces in the eight cities of Demizu Castle, Oguchi Castle, and Miyano Castle in Satsuma and Higo and other places have been cleared." The document conveyed the news from the frontline troops to the commander-in-chief.

Lu Zhen, who was in his fifties and a former general of Liaodong, was staring at the hanging map.

Chikushiduji is the original Kyushu Island.

Although it is an island, including the surrounding islands, the area is already half the size of Zhejiang Province. Although Zhejiang Province is an economically powerful province in the mainland, it is actually the smallest province in terms of land area, only more than 90,000 square kilometers.

Zhushidusi plus surrounding islands cover an area of ​​approximately 40,000 square kilometers, while the Liaodong Peninsula only covers an area of ​​29,000 square kilometers.

Although such a large piece of land was successfully transferred to the Ming Dynasty through the hands of the Gounu Kingdom, which had not been restored for many years, it was not easy to completely rule it.

The remaining local forces have been resisting, and although Lu Zhen doesn't understand why His Highness the Crown Prince hates the local area so much, Lu Zhen will not disobey His Highness the Crown Prince.

Since His Highness the Crown Prince, who has always been benevolent, is inexplicably "hostile" to the local people, Lu Zhen is willing to share the worries of His Highness the Crown Prince.

After serving as the commander-in-chief for nearly ten years, the trade of castrates has become the main industry of Tsukushi City. Because of Tsukushi, the price of castrates has plummeted to the bottom, and it has continued, causing the firms and forces involved in the trade of castrates to go bankrupt.

"How long until General Zhao arrives?"

Lu Zhen suddenly asked.

"It should be soon." The clerk guessed based on the itinerary.

Lu Zhen nodded. He understood that his time in Zhuzi Dusi had entered a countdown. After the matter of the Gounu Kingdom was resolved, he would probably return to the country. Although he was a little reluctant, he did not dare to go against the will of the court.

Compared with Liaodong, although the military power in Liaodong is also very powerful, Zhuzi Dusi is the real local emperor. Because of the eunuch policy, Lu Zhen has very great power in the local area.

For newly recovered lands such as Ping'an Dusi and Hamgyeong Dusi, the Ming Dynasty would not only eliminate local forces but also develop local productivity. However, Zhuzi Dusi was different and only had the word "cleansing".

Tsukushi City is very big.

Due to the needs of the situation, only one capital division was established, and a large number of troops were stationed there. Most of the original garrison troops from the three Ryukyu Kingdoms moved here, leaving only a few sergeants to maintain stability locally.

Many veterans who retired from the army chose to stay in the local area. In addition to being allocated hundreds or even thousands of acres of land, many slaves were also raised in the manor.

On the sea.

A sailboat was sailing on the sea, and there was a sergeant on the sailboat. It is said to be a sea, but it is actually a strait, and you can see the land on the opposite side.

"Okura Castle, Akizuki Castle, Furuyama Castle, and Joi Old Castle. These places were originally the territories of the Ouchi clan."

The southern tip of the Japanese mainland was called China and belonged to the Ouchi clan. It was separated by a strait and on the other side was Kyushu Island, now known as Purple Island. In the northern area of ​​Chikushi Island, many places were originally controlled by the Ouchi clan.

In order to coerce and support the Ouchi clan, the Chikushi capital was established in Kokura Castle on the other side of the strait, and it could also easily obtain supplies and trade with the help of sea transportation.

On the sailboat, Zhao An, the governor of Chikushi, returned to Chikushi City from the Inu Kingdom, and was going to Kokura Castle to negotiate with the commander-in-chief Lu Zhen about the dispute between the Inu Kingdom and the Japanese state. Because he had only been in Chikushi City for a short time, many things still needed introductions from the people below. .

After a year, Zhao An has mastered most of the situation, but he still lacks a certain understanding of local trivial matters.

"The territory of the Ouchi family is indeed not small, but compared to the shogunate, it lacks the status. The status seems to be dispensable, but in fact it is often the key. Moreover, the shogunate's strong soldiers and horses are more popular. If it were not for the help of my Ming Dynasty, the big The Nei clan should not be able to defeat the shogunate."

Zhao An speculated on the situation back then. The more he learned about the current Gonu and Japanese countries, the more Zhao An admired the prince.

Luck is a very important thing.

But in the defeat of Timur, the success of Goryeo, and even the success of Japan, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was like a prophet, often clearly grasping the local contradictions and using them to achieve the maximum effect at the minimum cost.

The Ming Dynasty only spent materials and manpower. Through small-scale wars, it not only supported the Ouchi clan to restore the Gonu Kingdom, but also divided Kyushu Island and shared the Shikoku Island with the Ouchi clan.

If these achievements relied solely on force, it would be ten times more difficult, and the resistance we would face would not be small.

Now that he has so many good foundations, Zhao An is full of confidence.

The Governor's Office has not yet been formally established.

Back in Kokura Castle, Zhao An met Lu Zhen and put forward his idea, "Although the prince originally proposed to focus on stability, things are different now. The situation in Nanyang has stabilized. We should report to the prince."

"Do you have any idea?"

Lu Zhen asked curiously.

Zhao An smiled and said: "In fact, it is no longer sustainable. The new king of the Ouchi clan, we support the second son of Ouchi Yoshihiro, because this second son is weaker and easier for us to control."

Speaking of this, Zhao An sighed inwardly, just as the prince said that things have two sides, he continued, "But it is also because this person is too incompetent. Not only can he not suppress the opposition in the country, but the shogunate can't hold it in either. Just ready to make a move, the army began to gather. If it weren't for us, the war would have started long ago."

Lu Zhen touched his beard. He already understood Zhao An's thoughts.

If it had been proposed a year ago, Lu Zhen would have objected and looked down upon Zhao An, but it was very appropriate to put it forward a year later. Lu Zhen put aside his inner dissatisfaction. Although he still believed that he was not inferior to the other party, the other party was young, quick at every step, and not weak in knowledge and ability. His future prospects would definitely surpass his.

"You go ahead and write a book."

Zhao An showed a probing look. Seeing Zhao An's eyes, Lu Zhen nodded and said slowly: "I will then sign the payment."

"Thank you, old general!"

Zhao An was overjoyed, this was Lu Zhen's fulfillment for him.

Seeing Zhao An's attitude, Lu Zhen knew that the other party understood his support, and smiled happily. Since he couldn't compete, he might as well help the other party, which would be regarded as letting the other party accept his great affection.

When Zhu Gaochi received the joint memorial from Zhao An and Lu Zhen, the second son Zhu Zhanyong also returned to the palace from outside the country. He first visited his grandfather before coming to see his father.

Unlike his eldest brother, Zhu Zhanji has always been well-behaved, while Zhu Zhanyong is more free and easy.

"A businessman gave his son a car. He didn't accept the rest of the gifts, but he liked this gift very much, so he accepted it." Zhu Zhanyong said nonchalantly.

Zhu Gaochi has seen this car.

In fact, it is an optimized steam locomotive. Because it emits steam, it is called a car. If you have to find a prototype, it is actually a steam truck mainly used within the Daming Industry Bureau.

Steam trucks were expensive to use and inconvenient due to their efficiency.

Because there is no rubber, driving a vehicle on the road not only places high demands on the road, but also makes the straight road very bumpy, very easy to damage, and often breaks down, which is very annoying even for truck drivers.

At least half of the transportation time is spent repairing the vehicle.

Only the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau could not care about the cost. Because of the imperial court's doubts, it was forced to promote it, but private businesses would not use it. As for ordinary people, they would not buy such a cost-effective truck.

But the car that the businessman gave to his son actually had rubber tires on the wheels, which was particularly different.

Like the invention of stirrups and horseshoes.

Without these two things, the cavalry only has an auxiliary status. With these two things, the cavalry has become a core strategic arm.

Zhu Gaochi was very excited. Finally, after understanding it, he realized that it was extracted from plants in the southwest. It was not a rubber in history and could not be popularized and applied on a large scale. The price of such tires is higher than the construction price of the original truck, so it can only be a luxury item.

Therefore, if we really want to bring out the effectiveness of automobiles, one is to solve the problem of energy efficiency with the internal combustion engine, and the other is to solve the problem of product quality with the introduction of American rubber.

When these two things mature, it will be an era of large-scale popularization of automobiles.

"Businessmen must ask for something when giving something. If you accept a gift from someone else, and someone else asks for it from you in the future, you will have to pay more than the value of the gift you received."

Zhu Gaochi said dissatisfied.

If it is the eldest son, the eldest son will never accept it.

Zhu Zhanyong smiled and said, "A businessman wants something from me. As long as it is in the interests of the country, it doesn't matter if I give him convenience. But if he wants to pursue personal gain without regard for justice, why should I care about him?"

The sugar coating is eaten, and the cannonballs are fired back.

Although the second son was not as disciplined as the eldest son, Zhu Gaochi actually liked the second son's character more.

People like to be active, and the lifeless eldest son is really too dull. When chatting with the second son, he often brings joy to himself. Zhu Gaochi also understands Zhu Di through his son.

The eldest son was expected to return home, so he was under great pressure and did not dare to take a step beyond. However, the second son was not under so much pressure. Zhu Gaoxu was strong and stayed with his father all year round. After all, he should be liked more by his father.

By the same token, sometimes Zhu Gaochi would worry about Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Zhanji was under too much pressure, no matter how meticulous he was on weekdays, the more so.

"During this study tour, what my son felt most was the contradictions between people. Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes. My son is just an idler. People are constantly changing around him, but conflicts continue. This can be seen. So the sages He who is good at speaking and politics, and who governs the country first, cannot even handle the conflicts of the people around him, let alone a country.”

Hearing his son's childish sigh, Zhu Gaochi showed a funny smile.

There is a kind of surprise in seeing the cycle.

Didn’t I often sigh in my previous life?

The confusion and awakening in each period has reached a new level in the next period. Looking back at the thoughts and hesitations of my youth, I only feel regretful and ridiculous. The confusion and realization of the sons are like their own reincarnation.

"Then what did you do?" Zhu Gaochi took the exam.

Zhu Zhanyong did not hesitate and said simply: "I am not a housekeeper. They can handle their own conflicts by themselves. Don't they know what is big and what is small? Because their own conflicts affect me. That is their incompetence. , I will stay away from such people. Those who can consider me and are willing to tolerate are the ones I like, and I will definitely be close to them."

Zhu Gaochi was speechless with such words.

The second son has an inexperienced temperament, but he is also very decisive and straightforward, with clear rewards and punishments, and a clear style of doing things, which has indeed attracted a group of people. The people around him know what to do.

This is talent.

Many people at the top have exhausted their efforts, and as a result, the people below are busy but don't know which direction to exert their efforts. As a result, they look very busy, but in fact they have little effect.

Just like governing the Ming Dynasty by oneself, only grasping one point for decades.

The core is to strengthen the construction of spiritual civilization while developing material civilization.

The policy is to promote social industrialization.

The purpose is to create a people-oriented ultimate society with social resource allocation, economic circulation, everyone for one, one for everyone.

After decades of singing the tune, the country, from the imperial court officials to the common people at dawn, understood what Ming Dynasty was going to do.

"Father, Grandpa Huang wants to go to Japan."

Seeing that his father was in a good mood, Zhu Zhanyong said tentatively that the emperor said that he would take him with him when he personally conquered Japan this time. Zhu Zhanyong couldn't bear it and was ready to test his father's mind.

Zhu Gaochi did not reply.

My father is not someone who wants to accomplish nothing.

In fact, the Ming Dynasty today is really inseparable from Zhu Di.

Historically, the fundamental reason for the restoration and rebellion of Jiaozhi was the lack of popular support in the local area during the Ming Dynasty. It has been hundreds of years since Jiaozhi left the Ming Dynasty. Unlike the mainland, although the north and south of the mainland have been separated for hundreds of years, the remaining popular support still exists.

Zhu Di personally went to Jiaozhi, which played the greatest role in stabilizing people's hearts, including his personal expedition to Senan and his second personal expedition to seven western provinces, which played a vital role in the stability of the Ming Dynasty border areas.

Otherwise, given the distance between the seven western provinces and the mainland, as well as many other reasons such as customs and culture, how could it be possible to achieve stability in only ten years?

A stable seven western provinces and an unstable seven western provinces, there is a huge difference in the energy consumed by the Ming Dynasty.

The stable seven western provinces not only reduced the Ming Dynasty's local investment, but also played a key role in the court's in-depth management of Uszangdusi, Duogandusi, Xiyu Province, and Yili Xingli Province.

What about the Japanese and Gonu kingdoms?

Zhu Gaochi will never be soft on the Japanese country.

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The Japanese country truly fears power but not virtue.

They only worship the strong and do not respect benevolence.

The only way to deal with such a nation is to beat them to the bone. Not only will they not be vengeful, but they will be respectful, just like their ancient name of the Dog Slave Country, and they have the same character as dogs.

In this case, Zhu Gaochi will not be lenient, not only to completely eliminate the Japanese country, but also to solve this big country far overseas, that is, let others snore on the side of the bed, and he will definitely solve it clearly.

Goryeo and Japan are different.

Goryeo is connected to mainland China and cannot escape China's control. Because the Japanese country lives alone overseas and has unique conditions, the threat to Goryeo is more than ten times greater than that of Goryeo.

Being able to continuously absorb Chinese culture and technology while maintaining its own independence, Zhu Gaochi will not allow this situation.

Moreover, since the death of Ouchi Yoshihiro, the new people in power in the Inu Kingdom have really been unable to support themselves. Not only has the internal struggle become fierce, but more and more people are leaning towards the Japanese shogunate. If the Ming Dynasty does not take action now, it will lose its initiative even more in the future. .

Zhu Gaochi was unwilling to waste too many years in the Japanese country and was prepared to exterminate them all at once.

In this case, Zhu Di put forward the request for personal conquest, and Zhu Gaochi thought about whether to agree with it. With Zhu Di's personal conquest, people's will will be moved, and the effect will be better. Moreover, the Japanese country is not a tribal existence. If they really want to destroy their country, they will encounter considerable resistance.

In the fifteenth century of history, the world's population was approximately 350 million.

The main populous countries are the Timur Empire with a population of nearly 30 million; the Ottoman Empire with a population of 6 million; the Ming Empire with a population of nearly 100 million; and the Majapahit Kingdom with a population of more than 6 million.

Then there is the Japanese state, with a population of about 14 million.

Just looking at the population of Japan, Japan is not a small country. Just because of the existence of the Ming Dynasty, people in the Central Plains see Japan as a small country. At the same time, Britain only had a population of two to three million.

This is the pain of civilization.

Historically, China's population accounted for the highest proportion in the world during the Northern Song Dynasty. The population of the Northern Song Dynasty was 120 million, accounting for 40% of the world's population at that time. Almost one in two people was Chinese.

Later generations laugh at ancient times, but they don’t know what they are laughing at.

Not only has it lost its first place in population, but its world share has also dropped to one-fifth, and it will decline sharply in the foreseeable future. (End of chapter)