Ming Dynasty: Evolution from snake to national guardian beast

Chapter 40 Going to sea
  Looking at Zhu Di's expectant eyes, Bai Chu said slowly.

"Your Majesty, if there is not enough iron, we can smelt it ourselves."

"However, the ore and location required for iron smelting must be kept secret. Otherwise, if anyone knows that we are smelting ore here, I am afraid that the emperor will be suspicious of the prince."

Zhu Di sighed, thinking that there was a large population in Beiping. If he wanted to set up a steelmaking plant in Beiping, he would probably be plotted against him soon.

Zhu Di thought for a long time, but couldn't think of a suitable location.

Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but complain when he saw that he had to do things secretly.

"If we can build a secretive base at sea, no one will know what we're doing."

When Princess Yan heard this, she rolled her eyes at Zhu Gaochi. Is this kid crazy? It seems that I have read too many novels.

"How can we go to sea without a ship?"

"Furthermore, the emperor has banned the sea for more than 20 years. He can't even launch a board into the water. How can we launch it?"

Zhu Di took Zhu Gaochi's words as a joke. There were many dangers on the sea, not to mention the weird things on the sea, but also the vicious pirates.

Without a big ship and a powerful army, it would be almost impossible to cross this sea area.

Zhu Gaochi scratched his head in embarrassment, indicating that he just said it casually.

However, after hearing Zhu Gaochi's words, Bai Chu's eyes suddenly lit up.

"What the prince said is absolutely true. Since Beiping City has no use, why not find another foundation overseas?"

"There are a lot of resources overseas, and no one will doubt that we will establish a foundation overseas. In this case, we will not be discovered."

"The prince is really a genius, he can think of such a method."

Bai Chu's words made everyone stunned.

Rao Shi, Zhu Di and others also frowned.

"Mr. Bai, things at sea are too weird. Not to mention whether we can gain a foothold on the sea, even the road on the sea is also a problem."

"Mr. Bai, are you kidding?"

Bai Chu shook his head and said:

"I'm not kidding, I really mean it."

"Overseas is a vast territory with countless islands."

"Now that the emperor has issued a ban, no one can go to sea. Even the Ming Dynasty's navy has never gone to sea. This is a good opportunity for us."

"Now that the sea is inaccessible, we can not only refine weapons on the island, but also train troops at sea."

"With such a base, the prince will definitely have more strength when he plots rebellion."

Bai Chu's thoughts became clearer and clearer, and his face showed excitement.

If we want to revolt, how can we forget the navy? If it were the navy, the effect would definitely be better. After all, Yingtian City is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

The old monk was very interested in Bai Chu's idea, but now overseas seemed to be a restricted area for Daming, and even he didn't know much about it.

After all, to go to sea, you need to build ships and hire crews, which all require a lot of money and food.

If you have worked hard and spent a lot of money and food, but in the end got nothing, then wouldn't the money have been wasted?
  This is indeed a very risky thing, which makes the old monk a little worried.

Zhu Di looked at Bai Chu with some doubts.

"Mr. Bai, the ocean is so big, where do we have to go to find an island?"

"Even if we find the island, what if the island is far away from us in Peiping?"

"Also, there are many thieves in this sea. If we encounter them in the sea, how will we deal with them?"

"In addition to these, there is also a ban on the sea. If my father learns that we have gone to sea, I am afraid that even the imperial decree will stop us."

"So, I think it is unrealistic for us to go to sea now." What Zhu Di said makes sense. Due to external reasons, we cannot go to sea, so it is very difficult to go to sea.

However, Bai Chu still felt that going to sea now was the best way.

"Your Majesty, I think it is necessary to go to sea this time."

Zhu Di also didn't expect that Bai Chu would be so obsessed with going to sea this time.

"I would like to hear Master Bai's advice."

"We are trapped in Beiping Mansion. We are really helpless and unable to do many things."

"If there is a real disaster in the future, I'm afraid we won't even have the ability to resist."

"Your Majesty, I think we can apply to the Emperor to let us go to sea in the name of transporting coal to the south."

"As long as His Majesty the Emperor nods, we can start building the ship."

"I already have a rough plan on how to find an island, and I will set off with this team when the time comes."

"Even if I encounter Japanese pirates, I am sure to beat them to a pulp. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Looking at Bai Chu's attitude, Zhu Di was helpless.

"I will write a memorial and give it to my father. If he allows us to go to sea, we will discuss the next steps."

"If you don't agree, forget it, Mr. Bai, what do you think?"

Bai Chu nodded and said with a smile:

"good."

Seeing Bai Chu's confident look, Zhu Di was also confused.

Zhu Di knew very well what kind of person his father was, and he would never let him go to sea.

After all, my father has been in the Forbidden Sea his whole life, so we can't break this rule for him, right?

But what happened next was indeed far beyond Zhu Di's expectations and made people laugh.

Xishan Village.

The usually quiet mountain village became extremely lively on this day.

Today is New Year's Eve, and Zhu Gaochi and Bai Chu want to give gifts to the villagers.

There wasn't much, just two or three kilograms of mutton and a little uncooked rice.

If there are elderly people and children at home, more food will be distributed.

But just such a small favor made the folks in Xishan Village moved to tears, and some even knelt down to thank Bai Chu and Zhu Gaochi.

Li Laosan, a native of Pingliang, Gansu Province, was originally established during the Hongwu period. Li Laosan divided five acres of land and worked at sunrise and rest at sunset every day. This is how it is today.

Relying on my own efforts, I live a good life.

He saved some money, married a wife, had two children, and lived a very happy life.

Li Laosan originally wanted to work more, plant more fields, and lay a foundation for his descendants.

However, there are unforeseen circumstances. In the past two years, the climate in the north has worsened year by year.

Natural disasters such as snowstorms, floods, droughts, and locusts are everywhere in Gansu. Li Laosan was originally a farmer, and he had to make a living from the fields every day, relying entirely on the weather.

But now, God has ruined his work, and even his pot has been overturned. The accumulation over the years is simply vulnerable to this disaster.

There was no other way, so Li Laosan had no choice but to wander around with his wife and children.

(End of this chapter)