Chapter 899: Doing Research

Yu Qian proposed three methods, but only two were currently usable: one was cutting expenses, the other was increasing revenue; yet there was actually another ready solution for increasing revenue: securing Japan's silver mines and ensuring the mining progress at Da Sen Village.

Japan is now stirring restlessly, having already struck at sea—how could it possibly overlook the silver mountain within its own borders? They may not yet know that the mountain at Da Sen Village is a silver mine, but once they find out…

Pan Yun merely mentioned it in passing, and Yu Qian immediately dispatched envoys to Zhejiang and Fujian to direct the navy in targeting sea bandits and protecting Great Ming's merchant ships and civilians.

Yu Qian said solemnly: "This battle must be won; otherwise, the consequences will be endless. In the future, our Great Ming will be subordinate to even its tributary states at sea."

Jing Yuan, furious, said: "Even cats and dogs dare provoke our Great Ming! Your Majesty, I humbly request to lead troops."

Zhu Qiyu recalled Yu Qian's past evaluation of Jing Yuan and his service record, and shook his head: "The Prince Consort and Commandant has only fought on grasslands and in forests—he is unskilled in naval warfare, let alone at sea. I cannot send you."

The only senior general in court with a record of defeating Japanese pirates was Wang Ji.

Wang Ji is now in Luchuan.

Aside from him, only the local coastal defense officers of Zhejiang and Fujian remain.

Yu Qian lowered his gaze, thought briefly, and proposed that the Emperor send only supervisory envoys, leaving actual command to the local coastal defense officers.

These local coastal defense officers have trained at sea for years; they understand ships, soldiers, and Japanese pirates. With slight guidance, they may yet become great generals.

Zhu Qiyu immediately appointed two supervisory envoys to head south.

Pan Yun, hearing the news at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, smiled faintly, wrote a letter to Commander Chen, then rolled up her sleeves and went to the Ministry of War.

Because the Da Sen Village silver mine was her offering to the state, the State Daoist took great interest in the matter. Upon learning Japan had developed rebellious intentions, he immediately went to the Ministry of War and demanded to join the cannon modifications.

"I've clashed with Japanese pirates at sea several times—their cannons and matchlocks are powerful. For our Great Ming army to seize naval dominance and protect our merchants and civilians, our firearms must not be weaker than theirs."

Pan Yun is now the State Daoist; she neither participates in politics nor handles financial research—she simply conducts firearm research at the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works, trailing behind master craftsmen and occasionally offering suggestions. No one resents it.

The officials even welcomed it.

Everyone knows: Daoist Priests are born engineers—the very gunpowder was exploded from their alchemical furnaces.

The State Daoist showing interest in weapon-making is surely better than showing interest in pill-making, isn't it? They truly feared the Emperor would follow Pan Yun in taking elixirs—but for nearly a month as State Daoist, she never once mentioned it.

At this time, Zhu Qiyu was only seventeen, in the full vigor of youth.

He had no concern for his lifespan; the thought of taking elixirs never crossed his mind.

Thus, Pan Yun settled permanently at the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works.

Among the engineers designing cannons, the highest-ranking was a seventh-rank official; the lowest were unranked craftsmen.

Their promotions were extremely difficult, but fortunately, they didn't care—they were lost in improving the cannons.

For them, the hardest task was securing budgets from the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works.

Pan Yun spent only one day and became like siblings to them.

The pure engineering officials complained to her: "Every time we submit a request for funds, the ministry says the Ministry of Revenue has limited money—it must pay troops, breed horses, prepare bows and arrows—there's simply no money left for our cannons."

"The Ministry of Works says the same."

"Yet whenever something goes wrong, they complain our cannons are too heavy, barrels overheat too easily, firing range is too short… Without money, we can't even test them."

Pan Yun: "What cannons were used in the northern campaign?"

"They're our Great Ming's core assets. The newest batch was funded after Lord Yu was promoted to Vice Minister of War—he forced the allocation. Honestly, their range far exceeds older models. Returning soldiers say they played a decisive role in the ambush at Datong."

Pan Yun nodded: "Indeed, they played a decisive role."

So it was Yu Qian who funded their development—no wonder he relied so heavily on cannons. That artillery formation directly shattered the Wala morale.

Pan Yun smiled faintly, patted the cannon barrel beside her: "I know your headache is materials—I'll lend you a hand."

The seventh-rank official: "State Daoist, hasn't fighting already broken out along the southeast coast by now? Is it still timely to manufacture weapons?"

"The maritime ban has been lifted—the struggle at sea will only intensify. Our Ministry of War and Ministry of Works focus solely on developing superior weapons. When to deploy them is the army's concern."

Everyone realized this was true and rekindled their enthusiasm.

"Naval cannons must grip firmly, yet be mobile and rotatable, with sufficient range…"

Pan Yun plunged into the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works, occasionally offering psychological counsel to the Emperor when summoned, and casually teaching him principles of rulership.

She didn't care whether her principles of rulership were right or wrong—she simply made them up as she pleased.

With her cold, aloof demeanor, even her made-up advice sounded reasonable—and the Emperor always believed her.

Thus, by the twelfth lunar month, the new Emperor's administration had stabilized, and good news kept arriving.

Wang Ji lived up to expectations, defeating Si Jifa once again, reclaiming Meng Yang, and driving Si Jifa into Burma.

Seeing the Great Ming army showed no signs of decline, and learning of the new Emperor's ascension with full support from the Zhu imperial family and the court, Burma avoided unrest and chose to retreat, withdrawing Si Jifa back into its territory.

This time, Wang Ji did not pursue. Unlike before, he did not linger with his army on the border—he withdrew to Meng Yang and submitted a memorial urging the Emperor to install the son of Si Renfa as ruler, negotiate peace, and end the war.

Upon this memorial's submission, civil officials immediately rallied, urging the Emperor: Great Ming had already paid too dearly for the Luchuan campaign. If it continued, the troops stationed in Luchuan would grow homesick and refuse to fight.

The civil officials proposed sending officials to civilize the region—this war must end.

The military officers, previously hesitant, immediately wholeheartedly agreed upon hearing of civil officials being sent to civilize.

Let them go see whether those barbarian lands were truly worth civilizing.

Yu Qian said: "Though Han officials must be sent, we must avoid conflict with local chieftains. Local affairs should still follow the chieftains' counsel. The people's lives and property are paramount—civilization must be pursued gradually."

The officials deeply agreed.

So who would be suitable?

In court, someone—no one knew who—suggested: "For civilizing, Confucianism isn't the only path. Buddhism and Daoism have greater advantages. Why not ask the State Daoist?"

Pan Yun immediately asked the officials: "Do you intend to establish a Daoist Administrative Office in Luchuan?"

Everyone's forehead twitched.

Yes—if a Daoist Administrative Office were established, Daoist Priests would naturally be sent… but…

Could Daoist Priests truly civilize?

Pan Yun smiled: "If a Daoist Administrative Office is stationed there, I believe the Daoist Priests assigned there would gladly assist Han officials in fulfilling their civilizing duties."

The question now fell to the Daoist Records Office under the Ministry of Rites.

The officials of the Daoist Records Office all grinned, teeth bared—they had no objections whatsoever. If the Ministry of Rites approved, they could immediately select five, six, seven, or eight Daoist Priests to send to the Luchuan Daoist Administrative Office.

The number of Daoist Priests who pass the licensing exam each year is truly numerous; the Dao Lu Si is nearly overwhelmed with arranging them.

There is an urgent need to expand their territory.