My Brother-in-law is the Prince - Chapter 458

Chapter 458 Priceless Treasure

Zhang Anshi nodded, expressing satisfaction.

This Lu Qian’s method is relatively conservative, not the kind of method that is eager for success.

This is actually understandable. No one has any special experience in real naval combat. Although it was decades before the water battle at Poyang Lake, it might not be possible to find some water warfare tactics, but it was fighting in a freshwater lake, which was different from fighting at sea.

As for chasing water bandits when I went to the West, I was not inexperienced.

Obviously, the navy is not responsible for only catching pirates like the Maritime Inspection Department. This kind of water battle to maintain maritime law and order does not have much to do with real naval battles.

Therefore, the most important thing now is to slowly find out a set of methods, but no matter how much you try to find out, creating a well-disciplined navy officers and soldiers is also the top priority. After laying a solid foundation, let everyone master the warship , and then slowly formulate tactics.

Everything, step by step.

Zhang Anshi was noncommittal about Lu Qian’s words, but said: “Since I opened the sea trade in the Ming Dynasty, this sea trade has been of great importance. Having a navy can not only strengthen the coastal defense, but also help the various vassal states in the world. , so… this navy is the most important thing, and in the future… its role will not be lower than that of the model battalion.”

Lu Qian listened carefully, the upper and lower official schools of the navy all came out of the model camp or the official school, not to mention Zhang Anshi’s status as the king of the county, to Lu Qian, Zhang Anshi also belonged to the navy The spiritual leader of the upper and lower.

Zhang Anshi was chewing his food, holding up his chopsticks, but he didn’t fall down easily, and then said: “But everything is difficult at the beginning. Now, the navy is under construction, and in the future, there will be a naval academy and a special port for the navy.” , as well as a large number of water villages, to provide supplies, to maintain, and to have a special medical center for the navy. Of course, this is the business of the Ministry of the Sea. What you have to do is to train a strong army first, These can only be achieved if you show your skills and teach people to see the actual results.”

After hearing this, Lu Qian hurriedly said, “Yes, I understand, I will definitely die.”

Zhang Anshidao: “You came from the model camp. I don’t worry about how you practice. Flood control masters must be strict. There is nothing to say, but the most important thing for sailors… is to let the court see your usefulness.”

“Now there is no real foreign aggression on the four seas and oceans. If there is no foreign aggression in the country, it will inevitably breed a sense of peace. Everyone will think, since there is no enemy that can match my Daming Navy, why spend so much money , What about raising a navy? These thoughts, now that I am here, of course I can suppress them, but after a long time, someone will bring them up, second them, and shout along with them. Don’t underestimate these, don’t I think people are just talking about it, but many things in the world are broken because of these two moving lips.”

Lu Qian frowned, he was convinced by Zhang Anshi’s words, he hesitated and said: “Then what His Highness means…”

Zhang Anshidao: “In addition to training, the sailor will come to resist foreign thieves, but sometimes… you have to use it for a little bit, so that everyone in this temple can open their eyes.”

Lu Qian said: “It’s just… Your Highness thinks… what should be…”

Zhang Anshi smiled, but he planned to stop at the end of the order, and said: “Oh, look, the food is cold, eat first, eat.”

Now, it was Lu Qian’s turn to feel uneasy.

He doesn’t understand the affairs of the court. But he doesn’t understand, His Highness understands.

I am His Highness’s own person, His Highness will not lie to himself.

He is the commander of the navy, although it is hard work and the relationship is not small, but after all, he has spent countless thoughts on it. If it is really being slapstick and directly abolished, then all the hard work will really be wasted. up.

But he is also very clear that such things may not be impossible.

After the voyage to the West, didn’t there have been many such movements in the DPRK and China? It was only later that His Royal Highness turned the tide, coupled with the relocation of the kings and feudal vassals, this stopped this trend.

Hiding something in his heart, he ate something hastily and anxiously, it tasted like chewing wax.

After the meal was over, someone started pouring tea again. Zhang Anshi sipped the tea and asked about the situation of the water village.

Lu Qian answered them one by one.

When Zhang Anshi stood up, Lu Qian also got up immediately, Zhang Anshi said: “Okay, go back and work hard.”

“Your Highness…”

Zhang Anshi said: “How to do it, I will naturally explain to you separately, and you can go with peace of mind.”

Lu Qian had no choice but to bite the bullet and go.

He left the palace, but when he was about to leave, a secretary from the Changshi Palace came and handed him a letter with a smile, and said, “This is His Highness’s instructions, this matter… must not be leaked, the navy will follow suit That’s it, don’t ask me about the rest.”

Lu Qian took the letter without the slightest hesitation, and saluted immediately.

The whole of Zhili is still calm. In response to the disaster in Zhili, on the railways everywhere, truckloads of grain and Qixia sent inspection personnel rushed to the destination.

Besides, many grain boats shuttle back and forth on the cobweb-like Jiangnan water network.

Zhili has money, food, and even a large number of jobs. All the strong men affected by the disaster will receive a share of money and food, and they will be recruited directly and use work as relief.

Women and children were also resettled, and a small sum of money and food was given. Although it was a little less, it was enough to tide over the difficulties temporarily.

On the other side, Hu Guang, a scholar of Wenyuange University, set off on order to arrive at Kaifeng and other prefectures to inspect the disaster situation in person.

The disaster situation at this time exceeded Hu Guang’s expectations.

In other words… the situation that is happening now is not just caused by a catastrophe.

Ten rooms are empty, there is no food to grow in the field, people in ragged clothes occasionally appear by the side of the road, helping the old and the young, occasionally bones are seen by the side of the road, and wild dogs come in groups and take something away. But whizzed away again.

The dry trees on the side of the road have already become bare poles, and there is not even bark left.

Many men are naked and have no clothes, or they have pawned for food, or they have no clothes themselves. They are skinny and their skin is like old elm skin. They are strong, but they stagger when they walk, like old people in their fifties and sixties. Most of their dark bellies are swollen, but their hands and feet are shriveled like dry wood. Because they are not wearing a coat, the utensils under their crotch are like weights. fall.

Once an official sedan chair or a person on horseback is seen, in the past, most of the people would avoid it.

But at this time, wherever there are people, Hu Guang saw along the way, but many people flocked to them. They moved slowly and staggered, but they got closer, stretched out their hands, and wanted to grab something in the void.

Mouth was vague, as if he was muttering words of praise for the princes for generations, or longevity.

As well as the accompanying guards, they had to try their best to disperse them for fear of losing their lives.

It was only then that Hu Guang realized that he was here to beg for food.

When a person reaches a certain level, they are fearless, but if there is a chance to fill their stomachs, even if they are about to lose their heads, they will work hard to fight for it.

Sitting in the sedan chair, Hu Guang was silent.

Seeing the scars all over the ground, the cracked land everywhere, and the scorching sun in the sky, he felt hot, as if the weather made him suffocate.

He could think of such a tragic scene, but it made him restless.

When we arrived in Kaifeng, the local parents and officials, as well as the gentry who came to the city from the countryside to take refuge in the city, came to welcome them.

The gentry came to the prefectural or provincial capitals to hide from disasters, not because there was no food to eat, but because once a disaster happened, there would inevitably be chaos, so they often chose some loyal and reliable people to guard their granaries and mansions, while they themselves Bring the female relatives to live in the city for some days.

Hu Guangnai is a well-known figure in the world, and he is also a bachelor, which is extraordinary, so his arrival seems to make people see an opportunity.

The magistrate of Kaifeng saluted and welcomed Hu Guang into the city.

Inquiring about the situation of the disaster, the magistrate Liu Jin said: “This year’s grain harvest has been exhausted, and so far, there has been no rain. Now the grain in the treasury…has long since disappeared, Mr. Hu…There are too many things to solve right now. One is Food, the second is refugees, the third is banditry, besides… there are…”

“what else?”

Liu Jindao: “Just a few days ago, someone came to report that there were meat markets in many markets.”

After hearing this, Hu Guang understood something in an instant, and felt his hairs stand on end. He said angrily: “How could things go so badly? Didn’t the government do anything?”

“Official…official…”

“This Nuo is as big as Henan, and there is Guanzhong, and Huguang… I don’t believe it, and there is no emergency food at all.”

After Liu Jin listened, he remained silent.

Hu Guang said with a sullen face: “What’s the matter with banditry?”

“They…they rob food!”

“The old man passed by along the way, and the people were starving to this point. Where did they grab food?”

“This…this…could be…these barns…”

Hu Guangdao: “There is grain in the barn, do you have to teach people to grab it and eat it?”

“Don’t be angry, Mr. Hu, the grain in this barn is also for the common people, and it’s not what the government decides.”

Hu Guang sneered: “Then if someone robs food, the government will have to look after their home?”

Liu Jin was speechless.

Hu Guang only felt angry and sad, but he also knew that the most important thing now is to solve the problem, so he said: “The food relief from the imperial court can be reached within a few days, and find a way to borrow some food from the people who have food. , to set up porridge sheds, and always teach people to live, and when the relief food arrives, it will be returned naturally.”

Liu Jindao: “Your official…have already gone to propose.”

“How?” Hu Guang said.

“The gentry and the country sages are all eager to try, saying that this is good governance, and this is the way to do it now…”

Hu Guang’s face softened a little, and he said: “At this moment, we need to help each other and get through the difficulties first. What I have passed and seen along the way is really miserable. If this continues, I don’t know how many people will starve to death.” You and I are officials in the same dynasty, so there is no need to repeat the words of life for the common people, just say that you will be loyal to your duties, and this must be done.”

Liu Jindao: “Don’t worry, Mr. Hu, as long as the disaster relief goes on, the life of the people will be easier.”

“Is it better?” Hu Guang said: “From what I see, it’s not necessarily true. From what I’ve seen, the people have almost no clothes. Is this also caused by the disaster? The huts they live in can’t even shelter them from the wind and rain. Is this also caused by the disaster? It has only been a long time since the disaster, and before the end of the year, the food has been exhausted. If there is a little surplus food in the family, how can this be the case? Is this… Could it also be caused by today’s severe drought?”

With a bit of sarcasm on his face, he continued: “You don’t want to say these words, the old man just feels dirty when he hears it! Naturally, now is not the time to care about this, right now… is to live, people If you can’t survive, everything will be suspended, and other things will be discussed later!”

Liu Jin’s face turned blue and red, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Hu Guang said indifferently: “Do you have anything else to say?”

Liu Jindao: “I’m not trying to justify myself, it’s just that…it’s not a day’s cold. It’s only two years since I came to Kaifeng, and it didn’t happen overnight. After the official came to office, he also picked up the wind. According to many people’s reports, in the final analysis, it is because of the New Deal that many people’s hearts are fluctuating and delusional. Many people are unwilling to do farming in a down-to-earth manner. Trouble…”

“Okay, okay.” Hu Guang would be willing to talk about these things in court, but now he just finds it boring to hear these clichés.

What’s the point of saying this at this time?

“Could it be that Zhili is in such a tragic situation? Instead of picking on these things, it’s better to think about how to save the people from the fire.”

Hu Guang did not continue to stay in Kaifeng, but continued to go north.

The scope of the disaster was too large, and most of what we saw was shocking.

Droughts are often followed by locust plagues, and these disasters may even breed plagues.

It can be said that…if this situation is left unchecked, there is no telling how long it will take.

He played it all night, asking the court to increase the allocation of food, and played a book about what he saw and heard at the moment.

It was more than half a month before these memorials were delivered to the capital.

Before the memorial was opened, Yang Rong frowned.

Jin Youzi, who was sitting on the side, said, “Mr. Yang, what’s the matter?”

Yang Rong sighed and said, “The situation of Henan Chief Envoy may be far more difficult than we imagined.”

“I haven’t read Hu Gong’s memorial yet…this…”

Yang Rong pointed to the sealant on the newspaper and said: “This sealant was played on the seventeenth day of last month, but it was not delivered until the ninth day of this month. Urgent deliveries for such performances were delivered in previous years, at most six or seven.” Within a few days, we rushed to send it day and night, but it was delayed for more than 20 days.”

“Jin Gong… This means… the various courier shops and post stations under the Henan Chief Envoy must have had accidents together. Either some people escaped from the post, or there must be a large number of thieves along the way. All in all , This all shows that the situation has reached a moment of urgency.”

After Jin Youzi listened, his expression became solemn, and he looked at the wax immediately, and it was exactly the same as what Yang Rong said.

It took such a long time to deliver, and only places like Yunnan and Guizhou could be so delayed.

Even many government facilities are unable to operate effectively, and the situation is indeed very bad.

Sure enough, when he opened the memorial, Yang Rong couldn’t help but sigh.

Then, not daring to delay any longer, he hurriedly took the memorial and went to see Zhu Di.

The next day, another edict was issued in the palace to add money and food for relief.

In this regard, the DPRK and China have little objection.

Java.

Shi Jiejin, the head of Zhao Wangfu, has always been most concerned about the memorials sent by the mail ship.

The situation in Java is worse than in Annan and Luzon. On the one hand, there are not many Han people living there, and on the other hand, the guards and households brought by King Zhao are also limited.

Although we have tried everything possible to accommodate the Han people, it is still a drop in the bucket.

So in addition to encouraging births, they are keeping an eye on Daming’s movements at all times. As far as Zhao Guo is concerned, they are more dependent on Daming, and any change may have an impact on Zhao Guo.

“A catastrophe…” Xie Jin frowned deeply as he looked at the report.

Then, he held the report and rushed to see Zhu Gaosui.

“Your Highness.”

“Jie Gong…what’s the matter?” Zhu Gaosui looked at Xie Jin’s solemn face in surprise.

“Please take a look at it first, Your Highness.”

After Zhu Gaosui read the report, he couldn’t help sighing: “Why is there always a shortage of food every now and then? The emperor is also confused. Let more people from Henan, Zhili, and Guanzhong migrate here, so there will be food to eat! Alas… What a pity… It’s so good The people will starve to death like this.”

Zhu Gaosui showed regret.

If it was Zhao Wang in the past, he would not care about this, but after coming to Java, he cherishes manpower very much.

For him, no matter how many battles he wins in Java, it is better to give him a little population. After all, there is a lot of land here, and the land is fertile, the rain is abundant, and there is no shortage of food.

What is missing is people.

Xie Jin said: “Your Highness… now is not the time to care about this…”

Xie Jin looked a little anxious.

Zhu Gaosui said: “Then what should we care about?”

Xie Jin said: “Such a big famine, in my opinion… This may lead to disputes in the temple.”

“Dispute?” Zhu Gaosui looked at him puzzled.

Xie Jindao: “It’s not easy for me to explain too much, but based on my experience as an official in the court for many years… There may be some disputes when Zhili and the eighteen provinces provide disaster relief separately. And His Royal Highness Wuhu County King has always planned ahead. , if not unexpected, the Taiping Mansion may have to hoard food.”

Hearing this, Zhu Gaosui smiled: “Okay, we have food here, just in time… When the price of food rises, we can sell some…”

Xie Jin shook his head and said: “You can’t do this, Your Highness, how much money can you earn by selling grain? Your Highness is the lord of the country, and you have to think about the long-term, not the immediate gains and losses. Now is the time to show your highness’ value.”

The smile on Zhu Gaosui’s face was wiped away, and then he stared at Xie Jin: “What should I do now?”

Xie Jin paused, and then said: “Prepare the grain immediately and stack it at the port. If there is a grain ship coming from Taiping Prefecture at this time, load it on board immediately. Don’t let the grain ship berth for too long! As for the price, it will be the same as in previous years.” The price is coming. Your Highness, selling food is not as good as selling people’s sophistication, the price of food is limited, and people’s feelings are priceless.”

(end of this chapter)