Chapter 1568: East China Sea Fleet
With a bit of apprehension, Zheng Zhilong and Yu Zigao went to Hujiao one after another. Although the two enemies were on the same road along the way, they didn't communicate at all. It's no wonder that Yu Zigao lost his job because of Zheng Zhilong. The fire in the stomach.
Hastily rushed to Hujiao, and the two of them came outside Wang Chengen's residence and sent a greeting card. Wang Chengen immediately welcomed the two of them into the courtyard, and then read out the imperial decree. Shen Long let them enter the capital, and then went to board Lai was in charge of preparing for the establishment of the Daming East China Sea Fleet. After the imperial decree was read, Yu Zigao thanked him immediately, and he was finally able to be an official again.
Zheng Zhilong was quite entangled. His territory was in Quanzhou. For a former pirate like him who had just been recruited, he suddenly left the base camp and went north.
"Huh? Isn't Zheng Guerrilla going to accept the order?" Wang Chengen immediately lowered his face and snorted coldly when he saw it. What do you mean? When I received the order, I was still in a daze, did I think I lived too long?
"The final general will thank the emperor for his grace, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" Zheng Zhilong has no great ambitions, otherwise he would not vote for the Qing Dynasty in the future. Since he can go to the capital under the rule of the Qing Dynasty, he will receive the imperial edict of the Ming Dynasty Naturally, he didn't dare to disobey, he was stunned for a moment and quickly thanked him, and then quickly explained, "The general is too happy at the end, I hope my father-in-law will forgive me!"
"En!" Wang Chengen nodded slightly, accepting his explanation, and then brought the two of them into the room, and began to explain Shen Long's meaning, "Now the Taixi barbarians invade my famous territory, General Yu and General Zheng have previously Your Majesty is very pleased with defeating the Red Maoyi." Yu Zigao once defeated the Dutch fleet in the Penghu Islands, and Zheng Zhilong also fought against the Dutch in Dayuan Island.
"A little bit of merit can be passed on to His Majesty's ears, and the general will be terrified!" Now that Shen Long had just defeated Huang Taiji and obtained the Jade Seal of Chuanguo, it was the time when his prestige was rising. Yu Zigao and Zheng Zhilong heard it all. Overjoyed.
"Two generals, I wonder if there were any difficulties when we fought against the red-haired barbarians?" Wang Chengen asked in accordance with Professor Shen Long's routine. Yu Zigao and Zheng Zhilong answered one after another. In other words, since Liu Daxia burned the blueprints of the treasure ship and Daming banned the sea, Daming's navigation technology has gradually fallen behind the world.
"Your Majesty is also aware of this matter. Your Majesty thinks that with the sea-going ships of Ming Dynasty today, it may be difficult to defeat the Hongmaoyi fleet in the ocean. It is really not easy for the two generals to win!" Then Wang Chengen ordered someone to take a model of a warship Come on, "but the two generals can rest assured that His Majesty has prepared brand new warships for the two generals. Mr. Sun has also prepared cannons with greater power and longer range for the warships in the Military Warfare Bureau. When the battleships are completed, That's when I, Da Ming, completely expelled the red-haired barbarians from the sea area of the Ming Dynasty!"
Both Yu Zigao and Zheng Zhilong were experienced in naval warfare, and when they saw Shen Long's sailing battleship, which was more than a hundred years ahead of this era, they couldn't take their eyes off, "I'm afraid it's not easy to build such a big ship? "At least with their strength, it is impossible to build such a warship in Fujian.
"Hahahaha, the two generals don't need to worry about this matter. His Majesty has ordered Sun Yuanhua to replace Sun Guozhen as the governor of Denglai. Governor Sun has already recruited shipwrights, collected timber, and set up a shipyard in Denglai. After the two go north, it is expected that the shipyard will also It's time to get ready!" Sun Guozhen has been promoted to Beijing because he provided Mao Wenlong with food and grass in time.
Sun Yuanhua became the governor of Denglai just like in history, but this time, he didn't have to encounter Kong Youde's rebellion again. Shen Long planned to build Denglai into the northern naval base of the Ming Dynasty, and let Sun Yuanhua, a person who understands science, be the governor. It couldn't be more appropriate.
"And what His Majesty wants to build for Daming is not just this fleet. After the East China Sea Fleet is built, His Majesty will build another fleet in the South China Sea. At that time, General Yu and General Zheng can each lead a fleet to serve us. The Ming Dynasty is in peace!" Wang Chengen revealed some more information.
According to Shen Long's plan, at that time, Yu Zigao will be appointed as the commander of the East China Sea Fleet, responsible for controlling the East China Sea, attacking the establishment of slaves from the sea, and blocking the trade routes to Japan; At that time, Daming can start collecting sea trade tax.
"As long as there are five warships like this, the general will be able to drive away these red-haired barbarians for Your Majesty!" Yu Zigao looked at the model of the warship and couldn't be more excited. This warship is much more powerful than the largest flagship of the Dutch Times!
Zheng Zhilong was both excited and regretful, excited because His Majesty really planned to reuse him, and the wealth of the Zheng family was guaranteed; but regretful was that the fleet he relied on seemed useless, compared with this battleship, his subordinates Those pirate ships are really nothing.
That's all, I heard that Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou are planning to give up their son Ding Yizi, so what's the use of me continuing to hold those warships? It's better to return to Daming with peace of mind and work hard for His Majesty! Your Majesty conferred so many titles last time, maybe I can earn a title for the Zheng family in the future!
"May I ask Eunuch Wang, when shall I go to the capital? I will make some arrangements!" Zheng Zhilong is still very knowledgeable about current affairs, and he immediately distinguishes the pros and cons.
"No rush, Your Majesty heard that General Zheng had recruited hungry people in Fujian to go to Dayuan Island for reclamation. There were countless people alive. His Majesty praised this!" Wang Chengen continued.
Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong immediately knelt down and pleaded guilty. Firstly, the Ming Dynasty enforced the sea ban, which was illegal for him; secondly, any dynasty was wary of privately recruiting hungry people. If you want to talk to Dali, he is suspected of conspiracy.
"Get up, Your Majesty said that although General Zheng's actions were inappropriate, they saved tens of thousands of Ming people. If they are allowed to stay in Fujian, they will probably starve to death!" Wang Chengen asked after comforting him, " It’s just that there is no king in the world, since Dayuan Island has already been resettled by the people, why didn’t General Zheng write a letter to the court, asking His Majesty to send officials to manage it?”
Zheng Zhilong originally regarded the officials as the private property of the Zheng family, so would he be willing to send officials there? But now that he has made up his mind to attach himself to the imperial court, he can only give up this benefit. Anyway, the Zheng family is not short of money, and what he wants more is the official position and title of the imperial court.
So Zheng Zhilong quickly explained, "Dayuan Island is a barren place, and the last general also wants to ask His Majesty to send officials to manage it, so why worry that no one will go there!"
"Hehe, there is no need for General Zheng to worry about this matter, His Majesty has already prepared it." Wang Chengen said with a smile.