Chapter 338

Zhu Di: "Don't, Father, I'm easy to manage!"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Get lost!"

"Got it!"

Zhu Di was despised by his father again; he turned his head and glared unfriendly at Zhu Youjian. "Useless waste, if you were before me, I'd kick you to death! Su Qiao said the ground beneath us is a sphere; that's possible. When Zheng He sailed the Western Seas, I had that same speculation."

"However, what he said about 'heading south while aiming north' just means people are going in opposite directions; it's not as profound as he claims. You actually believed him?"

Zhu Youjian's mouth twitched; he really had believed it.

He hadn't expected Su Qing to be dishonest either, actually deceiving him. He believed it, and Laozu Sect exposed it.

This was awkward!

"Sun Chen dares not."

Zhu Di snorted coldly through the screen and said:

"Hmph, hurry and ask him if this map is truly 600 percent accurate. I see he marked quite a few mineral deposits on the map; are there really that many?"

Zhu Youjian decisively skipped over the idiom about 'heading south while aiming north' that Su Qiao had used to deceive him.

He asked Su Qiao about the situation on the world map.

"Everything drawn on this map is true? These places have few people but rich mineral deposits?"

"Correct. Some I don't recall clearly, but most are one hundred percent certain."

Su Qiao affirmed.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered previously ordering Jiang Huan to investigate the Iwami Silver Mine in Wa Country.

The results were unknown; no report had been submitted!

"Jiang Huan! Someone, bring Jiang Huan here!"

"Yes!"

Not long after, Jiang Huan ran over, panting heavily.

"Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty!"

"Hmph. If I hadn't summoned you, would you have forgotten my affairs?"

Zhu Yuanzhang wore a cold expression and did not let Jiang Huan stand.

Jiang Huan was startled, his whole mind going blank.

He had been working tirelessly recently; it seemed nothing had gone wrong.

Wait!

Suddenly Jiang Huan remembered Zhu Yuanzhang had previously ordered him to investigate the Iwami Silver Mine in Fusang.

Thud!

Jiang Huan immediately kowtowed to beg forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, it is this subject; this subject failed in his duty."

"Remembered now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was not good.

"Remembered now."

"If you remembered, just speak. Do we have to teach you?"

"Your Majesty, this subject arranged five groups to separately scout the situation in Fusang. Two groups have already returned. Their intelligence matches what you received: the Iwami Silver Mine indeed produces silver in extremely high quantities. It is said production can continue for several hundred years, with an annual output of four to five million taels of silver. This is because their production capacity is not strong; otherwise, it would be even more."

"So much?"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang had been mentally prepared, he was still startled.

This was nearly the entire annual tax revenue of Great Ming right now.

Of course, Great Ming had only recently begun to recuperate; the population had not surged, and taxes were relatively low.

Even so, this made Zhu Yuanzhang's heart stir with intense desire.

"Send more people out. See who is smuggling on the seas; let not one escape. Investigate strictly!"

Previously, he didn't know sea trade was so profitable; now he knew roughly. Zhu Yuanzhang certainly wouldn't let it go.

Just right, since Great Ming was newly established and everyone needed money.

Those families smuggling were all fat pigs; slaughter them one by one and eat their meat!

"These ownerless lands on the map, if we occupy them, become Great Ming's?"

Zhu Youjian's eyes glowed somewhat green.

He was captivated by the big pie Su Qiao had painted.

But this pie was real.

Even the other emperors in the group chat—Zhu Di, Zhu Qi, Jiajing, and others—all showed strong interest.

Expanding territory!

Why were the former Great Qin, the mighty Han, and the Great Tang so praised by many, considered powerful, and their emperors recorded in history?

Wasn't it because they truly expanded territory, establishing achievements surpassing most other emperors?

They gained honor!

Now, such vast areas of land outside are ownerless; once occupied, they belong to Great Ming for all generations.

Besides, they are not poor; they have mineral deposits and all kinds of rich specialties.

Why not take them?

Seeing Zhu Youjian's face flushed, eyes shining, and breathing slightly faster.

Su Qiao smiled inwardly, knowing he had succeeded halfway.

He had already successfully attracted Zhu Youjian's attention.

"Your Majesty, what I say is true. The people up there are mostly savages circling leafy trees, all without masters; however, Great Ming must seize them faster!"

"Why?"

Could someone else be snatching them?

"Your Majesty, do not forget the Franks! They appear very kind, like civilized people, but deep down they are bandits. When they see those stronger than them, they pretend to be sheep; when they see those weaker, they bare their fangs and charge!"

"Does Su Qing mean they will also compete with Great Ming?"

Zhu Youjian thought that since the Franks could sail across the ocean to reach Great Ming, they were clearly capable of long-distance sea voyages.

What about Great Ming?

It seemed the blueprints for the treasure ships from the Zheng He era had been burned; after the maritime ban was implemented, the court's navy and shipbuilding technology had completely rotted and become useless.

If those Franks discovered those lands first, Great Ming would likely find it difficult to claim them.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian's expression immediately darkened.

Su Qiao did not want Zhu Youjian to be discouraged and give up.

"Your Majesty need not worry. I know Great Ming's current shipbuilding and artillery technology are far inferior. Previously, using Your Majesty's name, I pressured Tang Ruowang and others, and they handed over the navigation charts."

"Did you draw this?"

Zhu Youjian pointed to the world map on the table.

"No. I combined their navigation charts to create this; it is far more detailed and comprehensive than theirs. Additionally, I demanded they send out sailors skilled in repairing ships, so our craftsmen can learn their shipbuilding technology from them later."

"No need. We can research our own ships."

At the mention of learning from others, a look of aversion appeared on Zhu Youjian's face.

The pride and face of the Celestial Empire within him simply could not be let go.

Su Qiao hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, their technology is superior to ours. Why not learn? Take the essence and discard the dross. As long as it can immediately boost our combat power, we can set aside pride in the face of benefit!"

"Uh, alright. Then we shall learn from them. Big Companion, handle this matter."

Zhu Youjian was also someone who could take advice and act decisively.

Wang Chengen quickly agreed.

Letting a Eunuch handle it, Su Qiao had no objection. First, Wang Chengen was capable and was a close minister beside Zhu Youjian.

Second, since the Zheng He era, ships had been a great aspiration for them Eunuchs, who desired to learn from Zheng He and receive titles.

194, Order to Kill Hu!

Previously there was no opportunity; now that the maritime ban is abolished, their chance has arrived!

Wang Chengen would naturally do his utmost to control and execute this well.

After finishing the official business, Zhu Youjian's gaze fell upon Liu Rushi.