RPAGF Chapter 144 Another Trip to Tumu Fortress
Chapter 144 Another Trip to Tumu Fortress
Chapter 144 Another Battle at Tumu Fortress
In Chapter 143, Jia Shi sighed, "I have lived for over sixty years and have seen too many businessmen who have ruined their businesses just to save face. I don't want to be that kind of fool. You are right, sir. Harmony brings wealth. It is better for everyone to make money together than anything else."
Wang Wende chimed in, "Sir, I was foolish before and offended you greatly. Today, in front of Elder Cheng, I apologize to you."
As he spoke, he stood up and bowed deeply.
Chen Ying helped him up and said with a smile, "Chief Wang, let's not dwell on the past. I've come today to discuss something with you."
"Please speak, sir."
Chen Ying laughed and said, "You Huizhou merchants are quite knowledgeable, and you have your own fleets. Don't you know that there are vast mineral resources and countless riches overseas? In particular, there are many small islands with large amounts of bird droppings. On the islands, bird droppings are just garbage, completely useless. But as long as you transport the bird droppings back, they become excellent fertilizer. There are also large quantities of timber, various gems, and various spices. Take pepper for example. In the Ming Dynasty, a pound of pepper costs more than eight taels of silver, but on some islands, pepper is worth less than a bowl of rice. Foreign devils are shipping spices to our Ming Dynasty ship after ship. Don't you know that all that money is going to the foreign devils?"
Wang Wende smiled bitterly and said, "My lord, you don't know this, but those overseas businesses are now controlled by foreign devils. Our Ming navy can't even go out to sea. There are hundreds of pirate groups of all sizes at sea, and many of these pirates make a living by following foreign devils. We have gone to sea before, but after the fleet went out, let alone making money, it was good if we could even come back unscathed!"
Cheng Jiashi also began to complain: "Our main products as Huizhou merchants, Huizhou ink and Xuan paper (Xuan paper originally referred to paper produced in Xuanzhou), when they arrived, our Huizhou ink was comparable to gold, and my Xuan paper was also presented as a treasure by Japan. Unfortunately, our fleet could not reach Japan, nor could it pass through Malacca (today's Strait of Malacca), let alone Sumatra!"
Wang Wende immediately realized that the Huizhou merchants were not good at fighting. Although they had their own bandits, dirty workers, and river pirates, these people were easily defeated when they reached the open sea. However, Chen Boying was different. He had troops under his command, including the famous Daning New Army and Shahe New Army, with tens of thousands of men, who were even more formidable than the Jurchens.
The thought of Chen Boying leading them, the Huizhou merchants, to do business overseas instantly excited Wang Wende. Who would complain about their silver being chewed?
In fact, Chen Ying had also considered going to sea. Right now, the Ming Dynasty was in the Little Ice Age, and the weather was too cold. Although he had never been to the south, he had received reports from his subordinates that the main stream of the Yangtze River was freezing over on a large scale every year, with the ice period lasting for about a month. The Jiangnan Canal (such as the section from Wujiang to Jiaxing) froze over in late October of the lunar calendar, and the ice was more than three feet thick. Strong men had to break the ice to pass through, and they could only travel three to four kilometers a day. Large lakes such as Taihu Lake, Poyang Lake, and Dongting Lake also frequently froze over, with the ice layer reaching several feet thick.
In later generations, it was almost impossible for ice to be more than a foot thick in Henan. Only in the memories of those born in the 1980s could people walk on the river and ice. The current weather has a great impact on agricultural production. In later generations, Shandong and Hebei had two crops a year. Now even Henan can barely manage two crops a year. Hebei, which is the Beizhili region, is similar to Northeast China in later generations, with only one crop a year, and the yield is often affected by frost.
If they wanted to establish themselves in Daning and develop agricultural reclamation, it would be difficult to be self-sufficient. They would have to rob or buy grain from Southeast Asia. Chen Ying naturally did not want to buy, but wanted to rob. Westerners could do business without capital, so why couldn't the people of the Ming Dynasty do it?
The world is vast. If you want to profit from the sea, you must be well prepared. If you rashly venture into the open ocean, you will surely suffer heavy losses.
Chen Ying pondered for a moment and said, "As long as you are willing to follow me and make a living from the ocean, I have decided to open three branch schools at Lanxiang Technology Academy!"
"ah----"
"And they're expanding it?"
"right!"
Chen Ying nodded and said, "First, Lanxiang Science and Technology College will open a branch in Dengzhou, which can also be called Lanxiang Ocean College. The students recruited will mainly be young people who are good swimmers and can endure hardship. They will be trained to become professional and technical personnel such as sailors, captains, shipbuilders, ship engineers, and navigators for ocean-going fleets. Students can be selected from the children of fishermen and canal workers along the coast of Dengzhou. As long as they are enrolled, they can enjoy a monthly stipend of ten dou of rice, tuition is waived, and food and clothing are provided."
Hearing Chen Ying's plan, Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi, though feeling the pinch, accepted it.
"Can!"
"Follow the adults' instructions!"
"Secondly, we will establish the Lanxiang Business School in Tianjin, focusing on training accountants, managers, and stewards needed for ocean trade."
"Translators and interpreters—when our fleet goes to sea in the future, we can't rely on hand gestures to do business with foreigners, can we?"
Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi exchanged a glance and laughed: "Sir, are you trying to learn the traditional skills of the Huizhou merchants as well?"
.
Chen Ying shook his head and said, "I'm not teaching, I'm collaborating. The Huizhou merchants have hundreds of years of business experience, and I have a systematic teaching method. The students trained by our two organizations together will be ten times, a hundred times, better than those shopkeepers who rely on a master-apprentice system!"
Cheng Jiashi nodded: "You're right, sir. Apprentices in Huizhou may not graduate in three to five years, and when they do, they'll only be apprentices, helping with accounting and checking goods. If you could teach them systematically, one year of teaching would be equivalent to three years of teaching."
As soon as Chen Ying finished speaking, while Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi were still immersed in the grand blueprint of Lanxiang Ocean College and Business College, Chen Ying had already thought of a step further.
"Apart from the School of Marine Sciences and the School of Business"
Chen Ying stood up, walked to the world map hanging on the wall, and pointed to the Liaodong Peninsula: "I also intend to establish the Daning Military Academy in Yongning."
Wang Wende was taken aback: "Military Academy?"
"right."
Chen Ying turned around, his gaze intense. "We need to train naval commanders, gunners, cavalry generals, and infantry generals. The future of the Ming Dynasty lies at sea, but how can Ming generals lead troops out to sea when they've never even seen the sea?"
Cheng Jiashi gasped, "My lord, are you planning to build a navy?"
Chen Ying laughed: "It's not about building, it's about expanding. I've already built quite a few ships on Dalu Island and Yongning Port. But while we have the ships, we don't have the manpower. We lack sailors who can maneuver ships, generals who can command, and gunners who can fire cannons. Therefore, I must train them myself."
Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
This Chen Boying is far too ambitious. He not only wants to establish schools, factories, and banks, but also military academies and a navy. Where exactly does he intend to lead Daning?
Chen Ying saw their doubts and said calmly, "Chief Wang, Elder Cheng, rest assured. I am doing these things not for myself, but for the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty's enemies are not just the Jurchens. The red-haired barbarians at sea are more dangerous than the Jurchens. Their ships can sail to our doorstep; their cannons can hit our city walls. If we don't learn from them, don't pursue them, and don't catch up, we will suffer sooner or later."
Wang Wende was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "You are right, sir. I don't understand military affairs, but I do know that backwardness invites aggression. Over the years, Huizhou merchants have been bullied by foreign devils quite a bit."
Cheng Jiashi also sighed, "I've seen the ships of the Dutch in Macau, and they were truly like mountains. Our Fujian ships look like children in comparison."
Just as Chen Ying was about to speak, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Chen Yongren pushed the door open and entered, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "Godfather, urgent report from Dalu Island! The first 4,400-ton warship has been launched!"
Chen Ying suddenly stood up: "Really?"
"Absolutely true! The shipyard has sent word that the hull is complete, and they are currently installing gun turrets and sail lines. It will be ready for its first sea trial on an auspicious day."
Chen Ying laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the hall. Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi also stood up excitedly, offering their congratulations repeatedly.
"Very well!" Chen Ying slammed his hand on the table and said, "I want to go to Dalu Island myself and see this ship! Chief Wang, Mr. Cheng, if you are interested, you can come with me."
Wang Wende quickly waved his hand: "This humble one will not go; I get seasick."
Cheng Jiashi laughed and said, "I'd like to go and see it. I've lived most of my life and never seen a ship that weighs 4,400 tons."
Chen Ying nodded: "Then it's settled. I will go to the palace tomorrow to request His Majesty's permission, and then set off for Dalu Island."
Chen Ying is no longer the former commander of Shahe Guard; he is now the commander of Daning. Whether he leaves or enters the capital, he needs to report in advance.
The next day, at the Qianqing Palace.
The Tianqi Emperor was fiddling with a newly made ship model when he heard that Chen Ying wanted to see the new ship being launched, and his eyes lit up immediately.
"Four thousand four hundred?"
The Tianqi Emperor put down the ship model, his eyes gleaming: "Minister Chen, you said that ship is finished?"
Chen Ying bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. According to the news from the Dalu Island shipyard, the hull has been completed and the gun barrels are being installed."
The Tianqi Emperor stood up, paced a few steps in the hall, and suddenly stopped: "I will go too."
Chen Ying was taken aback: "Your Majesty, you—"
"I say, I'll go too." The Tianqi Emperor turned around, his eyes burning with determination. "I've been on the throne for five years and haven't left the capital yet. I want to see just how big the Ming Dynasty's 4,400-ton warships can actually be built."
Chen Ying urgently said, "Your Majesty, absolutely not! You are the emperor, how can you leave the capital so easily? What if—"
"What if what?" Emperor Tianqi waved his hand. "With you here, what do I have to fear? Besides, I don't attend court often; it's not uncommon for me to miss a month or two. Moreover, I'm not going to fight; I'm just going to check on the ships. Even if there were a war, with you here, what would I be afraid of?"
"But Your Majesty—"
Chen Ying dared not take the Tianqi Emperor out of the capital. Not only would this matter lead to a barrage of impeachments, but the crucial issue was that he was acutely aware that the Tianqi Emperor's death remained a mystery. However, when he tried to persuade him again, the Tianqi Emperor had already made up his mind: "It's settled then. Make the arrangements. I will take a few guards and leave the capital incognito. Tell the outside world that I am in seclusion or hunting in the Western Hills."
"Your Majesty, then I will not go to Dalu Island!"
"You dare! If you disagree, I'll bestow all of the more than a thousand palace maids upon you, making them your concubines, so you'll be terrified even to sleep!"
"You win!"
Chen Ying knew the Tianqi Emperor was unreliable, but he hadn't expected him to be this unreliable. Another emperor might not have acted so recklessly, but who was the Tianqi Emperor? He was the most unreliable emperor besides the Zhengde Emperor; whatever he said, no matter how absurd, he dared to carry out. Chen Ying could only manage a bitter smile; he knew he couldn't dissuade him, so he bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."
When the news reached Wei Zhongxian's ears, he turned pale with fright.
The Tianqi Emperor is leaving the capital? This is no joke!
"Your Majesty!" Wei Zhongxian knelt in the Qianqing Palace, his forehead pounding loudly as he kowtowed. "You cannot leave the capital! There are so many things happening in the court, what if—"
"What if what?" the Tianqi Emperor asked impatiently. "It's not like I'm not coming back. Besides, with you and Chen Boying here, what trouble could possibly happen in the court?"
Before Wei Zhongxian could say anything more, the Tianqi Emperor waved him away.
Left with no other option, Wei Zhongxian went to find Chen Ying.
"Boying," Wei Zhongxian said, his voice trembling as he held Chen Ying's hand, "You must find a way to stop the Emperor from leaving the capital!"
Chen Ying smiled wryly: "Father-in-law, I've already tried to persuade him, but to no avail."
"What should we do then?"
"I, Chen, can only do my best to protect Your Majesty!"
Chen Ying said firmly, "Eunuch, you should find someone who resembles His Majesty in build to act as a stand-in. Keep an eye on the news in the palace, and I will bring along the elite troops of the Da Ning New Army. We will also arrange for secret sentries from the Embroidered Uniform Guard along the way. There shouldn't be any trouble."
Wei Zhongxian sighed. That was all he could do. Once the Tianqi Emperor made up his mind, nothing could change it.
Three days later, an inconspicuous entourage quietly left the capital. The Tianqi Emperor, dressed in plain clothes, rode a chestnut horse alongside Chen Ying. His face was filled with childlike excitement, and he kept asking questions.
"Chen Qing, is Dalu Island far?"
"Your Majesty, it takes two days by boat from Tianjin."
"Then will I be able to see the sea?"
"Yes. Your Majesty can also see seagulls, waves, and dolphins."
The Tianqi Emperor laughed, laughed like a child.
Among the group was an unexpected guest, Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian. Hearing that his elder brother was leaving the capital, he insisted on following him.
The Tianqi Emperor couldn't dissuade him, so he had no choice but to bring it along.
When the group reached Tongzhou, they suddenly encountered a group of people. The leader was a middle-aged scholar wearing a blue robe and a square scarf on his head. He had an arrogant air about him. He was Qian Qianyi, one of the core members of the Donglin Party. Although the six gentlemen of the Donglin Party were not all dead and he was not yet the leader of the literary world in Jiangnan, he was already a core member of the Donglin Party.
Just as the two groups passed each other, Qian Qianyi saw the Tianqi Emperor dressed in plain clothes and was instantly stunned. The Tianqi Emperor did not attend court often, and ordinary officials could not see him. However, the problem was that Qian Qianyi had served as the Right Spring Palace Attendant, which was an official under the Crown Prince and had also participated in the compilation of the "Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong". He was a close minister of the emperor and had seen the Tianqi Emperor more than once.
Qian Qianyi knew very well that the Donglin Party had already been dealt a terrible blow by Wei Zhongxian, and that they could not win by relying on normal political struggle alone. The reason was very simple: Emperor Tianqi trusted Wei Zhongxian too much. He believed whatever Wei Zhongxian said. They impeached Wei Zhongxian with at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, memorials. Even Chen Boying, one of the eunuch party members, had several hundred memorials.
The problem is that these petitions were completely useless and disappeared without a trace. Now that the Tianqi Emperor has actually left the capital, what if something happens to him, or another Tumu Crisis occurs?
Chen Ying's entourage continued onward and soon disappeared at the end of the official road.
Meanwhile, in the capital, a new storm is brewing.