Chapter 618: Establishing the Tianjin Directly-Administered Prefecture

Zhu Youxiao snorted coldly and said, "Do they really expect Our Imperial Navy to go fishing for them?"

"Your Majesty, that is not the case." Wei Chao quickly said, "According to a few scraps of news that have leaked out, it seems the Imperial Household Department wants to petition Your Majesty to build a shipyard."

"The Imperial Household Department wishes to request Your Majesty's permission to build a civilian shipyard dedicated to fishing, and to have some of the current shipyard's techniques opened up to them, so that they can build good ships."

"For the fishing business, they plan to join forces with wealthy coastal households, hiring local commoners and paying them wages. If anyone wants to buy a ship to go into the fishing trade at sea, the Imperial Household Department can sell them ships; if anyone wants to make salted fish, the Imperial Household Department can sell them salt."

After hearing this, the corners of Zhu Youxiao's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Had it really only been a few years, and the Imperial Household Department had already become such a monstrous behemoth? Had these people's vision already become so sharp? From a single industry they could extrapolate so many things?

Clearly these fellows were also keeping pace with the times — the rapidly developing Great Ming provided them with a stage on which to strut their stuff.

Zhu Youxiao felt this was a good thing, but he would need to keep a close eye on them in the future. When they grew large enough, they would need to be split up where splitting was due, and reformed where reform was due.

Otherwise, with such a large government office, trouble would come sooner or later. By the time the internal bureaucratic system ran rampant and corruption grew severe, cleaning things up would be difficult.

But it wasn't a big problem either — this was a feudal dynasty, he was the Emperor, and his word still carried weight.

Zhu Youxiao did not press further; knowing a bit of the situation was enough. Wei Chao had only heard rumors anyway — the Imperial Household Department would surely report the full details later.

But this matter was indeed a good thing. A civilian shipyard really should be put on the agenda.

Once the Great Ming's Imperial Navy finished fighting its wars, it would also need to go to sea for trade. Besides fishing, maritime trade was an extremely, extremely profitable business, so this venture was worth doing.

Zhu Youxiao understood this clearly in his heart, so he did not continue asking.

Glancing at Wei Chao, Zhu Youxiao said, "As for Tianjin, We feel it is time to establish a prefecture there, to serve as a directly-administered prefecture of the capital. Send the decree to the Grand Secretariat and have them dispatch officials over."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will draft the edict immediately." Wei Chao hastily agreed.

Establishing a directly-administered prefecture in Tianjin was a major matter.

Setting aside everything else, this added an entire prefecture's administrative establishment, which meant many more official posts.

No doubt once the news reached the capital, there would be many people fighting over them.

After all, from the ninth rank to the first rank, was there a single official cap in the entire court that wasn't fought over tooth and nail?

Although Tianjin as a directly-administered prefecture was only the establishment of a single prefecture, it was a brand-new addition out of thin air, and judging by how much importance His Majesty attached to it, this prefecture would surely become the Great Ming's top priority in the future.

As such, the Tianjin Directly-Administered Prefecture would inevitably be a place of meteoric rise in the years to come.

That was what Wei Chao thought, and he believed the people in the capital thought the same.

But Zhu Youxiao did not give them that chance. Turning to look at Liu Xian, he asked, "What do you think of this place? Would you like to serve as Prefect here? Your rank should be sufficient for an external posting here."

Liu Xian was startled for a moment, then quickly said, "Your Majesty, I fear I am not up to the task and cannot command the respect of the people, which would delay Your Majesty's affairs. Moreover, I have no experience in such local matters. I recommend Zhang Yu, styled Zhang Tuizhi — he would be a very suitable candidate."

"You're quite bold, aren't you? Not afraid We might accuse you of forming cliques for private gain?" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

Zhu Youxiao naturally knew who Zhang Yu was — a graduate of the Imperial Academy's first cohort.

Among that batch of graduates, many were military officers who had begun to make their mark over the years — men like Lu Xiangsheng, Cao Wenzhao, and Wu Xiang, all figures capable of holding their own.

Among the civil officials, few had distinguished themselves, and Liu Xian counted as one of the best. Of course, everyone knew who ranked first — it was this Zhang Yu, styled Zhang Tuizhi.

Zhang Yu was all smiles when meeting people, but everyone knew the man had a thick face and a black heart, with ruthless methods — his means were absolutely extraordinary.

In recent years, Zhang Yu had followed behind Han Kuang and Huang Kezuan, and he had done no small amount of shady work. It was said that every scheme to stab someone in the back originated from Zhang Yu's hand, and he had now risen to the position of Bureau Director in the Ministry of Revenue.

Everyone knew this was merely a few years of tempering, and that Zhang Yu would surely advance another step soon.

In fact, before leaving the capital, Zhu Youxiao had already arranged a new position for Zhang Yu, directly granting him a term as County Magistrate of a capital county.

Three lifetimes of misfortune — a county magistrate stationed at the prefectural seat;

Three lifetimes of evil deeds — stationed at a provincial capital;

Guilt piled to the brim — stationed at the imperial capital.

One could see the bitterness and hardship involved. But if one did well, it was also easy to rise meteorically right under the Emperor's nose — especially if one caught the Emperor's eye.

Zhang Yu was exactly that kind of man.

Zhu Youxiao had other plans for Zhang Yu — how could he possibly let him come to the Tianjin Directly-Administered Prefecture?

If anyone else heard Zhu Youxiao speak like that, they would have long since fallen to their knees in terror. But Liu Xian was long accustomed to it, and merely said with a smile, "I am merely recommending a worthy man without avoiding suspicion of kinship. Besides, among the people I know, Zhang Yu's abilities are indeed second to none."

"That, We do believe. But he would not be suitable here." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "The officials We station here are meant to get things done, and this place cannot bring out his talents. We have other arrangements for him. You need not worry about it."

"As for the Tianjin prefecture, you just do it well. We trust in your abilities, so you need not decline. When the time comes, We will instruct you on how to proceed."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Liu Xian hastily agreed.

When the Emperor had already spoken to such an extent, if you still refused, that would be showing a lack of appreciation for his favor.

Before the Emperor, those who failed to appreciate favor usually did not come to good ends.

"Alright, we've watched the sunrise — time to head back, eat, and get down to real business."

Zhu Youxiao stood up and said in a very relaxed tone.

By now, the east was already fully bright, and the sun had leaped above the horizon.

The whole group headed straight back, and upon returning, it was time to eat.

After the meal, Zhu Youxiao met with Yu Zigao and Qi Yuanbi.

Seeing the two men step forward, Zhu Youxiao said directly, "We hear you can't wait to go to war already?"

Nobody had expected the Emperor to bring up this matter.

Qi Yuanbi shot a helpless look at his elder brother standing not far from the Emperor, his expression one of utter melancholy.

We agreed that brothers would love and cherish each other, and in the blink of an eye you've sold me out?

And you call yourself my elder brother!

Qi Yuangong stood there motionless, his gaze fixed into the distance, as if the matter had nothing whatsoever to do with him. You looking at me? What are you looking at me for?

Qi Yuanbi withdrew his gaze, feeling very helpless.

Yu Zigao, however, did not mind at all. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we train here every day, drawing Your Majesty's pay and provisions, using the finest ships and the Great Ming's finest equipment, yet we cannot go into battle. The entire navy is anxious at heart. In this way we fail Your Majesty, and the officers and men are eager for battle. If there is anything improper in my words, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Zhu Youxiao stood up, nodded with a smile, and said, "Well spoken — We found that pleasant to hear. But those who know Us understand that We are not an Emperor who merely listens to fine words. What We want to see is how well you get things done. If the job is done poorly, no matter how pretty the words, they are useless."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yu Zigao stepped forward and said, "May I ask what Your Majesty wishes to see?"

"That confident?" Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Then let's run an exercise — an amphibious landing. I'll decide the content of the exercise. How about that?"

"No problem." Yu Zigao quickly agreed, "We absolutely won't let Your Majesty down!"

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good, high spirits. I hope your capabilities match your spirits."

At a time like this, of course he couldn't back down. Yu Zigao said, "Your Majesty will see for himself."

If the Emperor wants to watch your drills, then you drill — and you drill well, you drill strong. You can't just admit defeat in front of the Emperor and say we can't do it, right? Then what use would the Emperor have for keeping you?

At this moment, whether it was Yu Zigao or Qi Yuanbi, they could only steel themselves and agree.

The reason Zhu Youxiao came here this time, besides establishing Tianjin as a prefecture, was more importantly to watch the exercise.

He had spent so much money and invested so much energy into the Imperial Navy — if nothing came of it, what would that make him?

Only when things could be done well could they be sent to war. The coming great battles would not be easy to fight; ample preparation was absolutely necessary.

If this exercise exposed any problems — where firepower preparation wasn't sufficient — it would give the Hundred Crafts Institute something to research thoroughly.

Zhu Youxiao valued the Imperial Navy of the Great Ming too highly, and always felt its firepower wasn't quite enough.

Next, they began planning the exercise.

This was only a simple landing exercise; Zhu Youxiao didn't make it too large in scale. The enhancement to the defending side's strength wasn't particularly great either.

First, they had warships offshore for the amphibious landing, and positions on land as well. Of course, the equipment differed from the Great Ming's — what Zhu Youxiao wanted to see was external combat, so this time the defenders were imitating foreign forces, and the model was the army of the Wa state.

The Great Ming didn't know much about the Wa army, but that was fine — if the Great Ming didn't know, someone else did. The Great Ming's ally, Joseon, had already requested to join the battlefield at this time. And Zhu Youxiao naturally intended to unify things.

The timing was just right — just as they were preparing the exercise, the Joseon envoy arrived, led by none other than the Joseon king's son, Yi Wang.

Traveling with him was Princess Hyomyeong, whom they intended to marry to Zhu Youxiao — the Joseon king's only daughter, though her mother was not the Joseon Queen.

Zhu Youxiao hadn't even expected her to come. The internal strife in Joseon was simply too severe.

For Joseon to send Princess Hyomyeong out — that was no small feat.