Chapter 617: If You Want to Get Rich, Build Roads First

Glancing at Qi Yuanbi, Yu Zigao let out a cold laugh and said, "As I said, you're young and don't understand anything. The wokou made such a mess back then—do you think His Majesty doesn't care about that in his heart?"

"But His Majesty wasn't even born yet at that time, was he?" Qi Yuanbi said helplessly.

"What do you take His Majesty for?" Yu Zigao snorted coldly. "His Majesty is a man of great talent and bold vision, someone who ranks among the greatest emperors of ancient and modern times. How could such an emperor possibly lack grand ambitions?"

"Whether it was the wokou raids during the Jiajing era or the Liaodong campaign during the Wanli era, the Great Ming and Japan have been fighting all along—it's just that our national strength wasn't enough to wipe them out."

"In that war fought in Joseon back then, the Great Ming suffered no small loss. Even a grudge nine generations old can still be avenged, and with His Majesty being so talented and ambitious, how could he possibly not seek revenge for this? So war with Japan this time is a certainty—that's the reason."

Qi Yuanbi curled his lip, feeling that Yu Zigao's words weren't entirely credible.

Because the Wanli-era Liaodong campaign did sound like the Great Ming had suffered some losses, and had even failed to push further forward—the remaining part of the campaign was fought by the Koreans.

But Qi Yuanbi knew that when that war was over, although the Great Ming's losses had been severe, the Japanese losses had been just as severe.

After all these years of fighting, it could be said that the Japanese had been beaten into hiding. Now they had no strength left at all. Forget about attacking Joseon again—even their wokou had retreated into hiding on the seas.

The powerful pirates out on the ocean—those were all men of the Great Ming.

The reason Wanli's campaign couldn't finish off Japan, and why the later stages couldn't hold out, was because they were fighting on three fronts.

The Three Great Campaigns of Wanli weren't just empty talk. Of course, from the Great Ming's perspective, they suffered losses this time. You dared to make me suffer such heavy losses—then revenge is inevitable.

In one sentence: Japan not only refused to surrender, they even dared to resist—people like that must be crushed.

But after thinking it over, Qi Yuanbi cast aside these scattered thoughts.

What did this have to do with him anyway?

After all, if the Emperor wanted to go to war, and he gave heavy responsibility to their Imperial Navy, then the opportunity would come.

If war was declared on Japan this time, there would be countless military merits to be won.

Thinking of this, it was hard not to get excited. Qi Yuanbi stood up, rubbed his hands together, and said with a smile, "Then we need to prepare properly."

"Prepare my ass!" Yu Zigao shot him a glare. "Are you trying to tell everyone that you already know His Majesty's plans, and that your second brother told you? Do you want to keep living? Or are you trying to drag your second brother down with you?"

"That's not how you court death. We just need to understand this ourselves—whatever you do, don't go spreading it around. Just make some quiet preparations on the side, so that when His Majesty asks about Japan, we won't be completely clueless."

"And it's not just Japan—we need to prepare for Joseon too. If His Majesty wants to kill two birds with one stone, we need to be ready. Besides that, there are those red-haired green-eyed, green-haired red-eyed foreigners on the seas—we'll deal with them all later. They're an eyesore, so we'll just seize all their ships!"

"Um, Uncle Yu, don't you think this behavior of yours sounds a bit like a pirate?" Qi Yuanbi looked at Yu Zigao helplessly.

"This is the Great Ming's sea!" Yu Zigao snorted coldly. "In the past, the Great Ming had no way to deal with them. But now that we have our Imperial Navy, how can we let them roam freely in the Great Ming's waters? Sooner or later we'll wipe them all out!"

"Alright, I'll listen to you." Qi Yuanbi nodded, his heart beating a little faster.

Although he didn't know where Yu Zigao's high spirits came from, Qi Yuanbi also understood that if it really came to war, the Imperial Navy would inevitably become the most envied military force in the Great Ming.

Fighting and looting—who doesn't love that kind of thing?

You get rich and earn merits at the same time.

"Alright, go back and rest." Yu Zigao waved his hand, ready to shoo him out.

Of course, that was just a way of saying it. After seeing the man off, he would need to study things carefully. Not that he expected any major breakthroughs, but he had to familiarize himself with it tonight.

"Fine, I'll be going then." Qi Yuanbi acknowledged, then stood up and walked out.

He really was a bit tired tonight—he'd go back and get some early rest.

After seeing Qi Yuanbi off, Yu Zigao also returned to his room and began his research.

The next morning, as the sky gradually brightened, Zhu Youxiao rose.

He stepped out of his room, led his attendants along the coastline of the naval base for a stroll, and finally found a good cliff to watch the sunrise.

Thinking about last night's sleep, a smile spread across Zhu Youxiao's face.

Could this count as a night in a military port?

Too bad there was no one around to sing a song.

Glancing at Qi Yuangong standing behind him, Zhu Youxiao asked with a smile, "Did you see your younger brother yesterday?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Qi Yuangong said with a smile. "I must thank Your Majesty for your kindness."

Waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao said casually, "All three of you brothers serve Us loyally and devotedly. It pains Us to have you separated in different places, unable to see each other. If at a time like this We still wouldn't let you meet and talk, then We would be lacking in human feeling."

"To answer Your Majesty, this is merely this minister's duty. Moreover, Your Majesty has shown our three brothers the kindness of recognition and promotion. Whatever we three brothers have achieved today is all due to Your Majesty's regard and support—we could die ten thousand deaths and still not repay it."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Your words are getting sweeter and sweeter. These are all things you've earned. You've done well, all three of you brothers. Didn't your younger brother say anything to you last night?"

"To answer Your Majesty, he did speak." Qi Yuangong's expression did not change in the slightest, his tone flat as he said, "They seem to have grown somewhat weary."

"What do you mean?" Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao frowned, his face darkening as he asked, "Weary of what?"

"To answer Your Majesty, my younger brother said that they drill every day here and have already honed their skills to a fine degree. Your Majesty has given the Navy such fine ships and such fine equipment, yet they cannot go into battle like the Imperial Guard in Liaodong. Whether officers or common soldiers, they all feel some guilt in their hearts. And as year after year, day after day passes like this without going to war, it becomes somewhat disheartening."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, the tension in his expression easing as he said, "Perfect—their morale can be put to use. This time, let them do their work well. There will be opportunities for them to earn merits."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This minister told his younger brother the same—that Your Majesty is wise and brilliant, and that he should not speculate recklessly." Qi Yuangong said hurriedly.

"Very good, excellent!" Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile.

"However, there is one matter this minister wishes to raise with Your Majesty." Qi Yuangong looked at Zhu Youxiao cautiously and said, "In their spare time, they catch some fish to eat—just to treat themselves a bit. But somehow the Imperial Household Department got wind of this, and their people came here asking them to catch fish to be shipped to the capital for sale, saying it could turn a handsome profit."

"But the Imperial Navy refused, stating that they are the Imperial Navy—how could they go fishing? Those people from the Imperial Household Department said they would petition Your Majesty about it."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao furrowed his brow, turned to look at Wei Chao, and asked, "Is there such a thing? Has the Directorate of Ceremonial received any memorial about it? Why hasn't it been brought to me?"

Hearing this, Wei Chao quickly stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, no such memorial has been received. However, this servant has heard rumors—indeed, a few days ago there was such a matter in the Imperial Household Department."

"What was the outcome?" Zhu Youxiao glanced at Wei Chao and asked.

"It was reportedly proposed by a steward of the Imperial Household Department—a man of some talent. But the matter was never approved within the department itself and was directly rejected. That steward has now been sent to Liaodong to collect wool."

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

These matters were being handled with proper restraint by the Imperial Household Department. That man had no sense of propriety—he dared to reach his hand into anything, even into the Imperial Navy.

But since the man had already been sent to the grasslands to collect wool, and the Imperial Household Department had already dealt with it, he wouldn't interfere.

After thinking for a moment, Wei Chao continued, "Although his plan was rejected, the Imperial Household Department feels there's great potential in the matter—not only could it let the people of the capital eat fresh fish, but it could also earn a great deal of money; not only could it support the coastal populace, but it could also support all the people involved in transport along the way."

The Great Ming's logistics were now very well developed. There were post stations everywhere, and many local officials had already begun petitioning the court—in one word, they wanted to build straight cement roads. As long as the court permitted it, no funds needed to be allocated by the court; the local gentry would pool their money to build them.

In this era, wealthy people still had the habit of building bridges and repairing roads for their localities—first, it brought them a good reputation, and second, it was a matter of real benefit. So on this matter, the local gentry were also very enthusiastic.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty's freight and commerce were now highly developed, and every locality wanted a piece of this pie—there was money to be made.

Many places had already raised the slogan: "If you want to get rich, build roads first!"

Under such circumstances, how could they possibly not be tempted?

Road-building was something local officials generally loved to do—it brought prestige and merit, and there were benefits to be had. There were plenty of opportunities for manipulation in the process, and they might even turn a tidy profit.

So local officials were all very enthusiastic, which showed just how developed the Ming Dynasty's freight industry was—logistics alone supported a great many people.

The Imperial Household Department had already received the imperial edict to expand employment and compete with landlords for tenant farmers, so naturally they had to find ways to achieve this.

And so this fishery transport plan was dusted off.

It could boost employment for coastal commoners and promote the development of the transport industry—good things, all around.

So they wanted to give it a try.