Chapter 120: Navy

In the evening, Zhu Yong gathered the commanders in the navy's Central Command Tent.

"Commissioner Liu, tell the truth—if Wa pirates attacked now, could the Songjiang navy hold them off?" Zhu Yong asked directly.

Liu Dahai fell silent for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "Prince, I dare not deceive you. If it's a small band of Wa pirates, we might hold them; if a large force comes... I'm afraid it would be difficult."

The other commanders in the tent also bowed their heads.

Zhu Yong scanned the crowd, stared into their eyes for a while, then slowly said: "I'm here by Imperial Father's order to inspect the navy. To be frank, the Emperor intends to attack the Wa Country, and the navy must be strengthened."

The assembled men were startled.

"But looking at the current state, how can we fight... the ships are dilapidated, the troops are few, the grain and fodder insufficient; I will report all this honestly to the Emperor," Zhu Yong said, standing up.

Because his father prioritized coastal defense, the shoreline fortifications were good, but the navy and warships received little attention.

Liu Dahai hurriedly said, "Prince, it's not that we lack diligence, it's truly..."

"I understand, I don't blame you, but from now on the navy must be strengthened. Starting tomorrow, all warships are to be inspected; those that can be repaired are repaired, those that cannot are dismantled and rebuilt.

Missing troops I will petition the court to replenish, and I will find ways to stock adequate grain and fodder," Zhu Yong interrupted him.

He looked at the assembled men and said, "The Emperor's plan to attack the Wa Country is a national policy; if the navy lags, not only you but I will also be scolded."

"Understood, sir!" Liu Dahai and the other commanders chorused.

"Good, now tell me—if we are to attack the Wa Country, how many warships, how many troops, and how much grain and fodder are needed?"

Zhu Yong said after sitting down.

Liu Dahai's spirit revived; he hurriedly had someone fetch a sea chart and spread it on the table.

"Prince, please look: from Songjiang out to sea eastward to the Wa Country, the sea route is about two thousand li. If a large army campaigns, at least two hundred warships are needed, including fifty tower ships and one hundred fifty fast ships.

Troops of fifty thousand are required, and grain and fodder sufficient for three months."

Zhu Yong listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.

The discussion continued until late night.

The next day, Zhu Yong continued his inspection.

He ordered Longxiang Army soldiers to board the warships and train together with the navy.

These cavalrymen from the Northern Region had mostly never been on a ship; many vomited so violently that the deck was a mess.

Zhu Yong, however, stood as steady as Mount Tai on the bow, unmoving.

"Prince, aren't you seasick?" Liu Dahai asked in surprise.

"Not at all; when the ship rocks, I treat it like riding a horse," Zhu Yong said naively.

He was actually a bit unaccustomed, but his robust body steadied quickly.

During a training break, Zhu Yong called over an old sailor for questions.

"You spend years at sea; have you ever encountered Wa pirates?"

An old soldier with a face full of wrinkles replied, "Yes, Prince, we have. Last autumn, off the coast of Zhoushan, we met three Wa ships. Our five ships surrounded them, fought for half an hour, sank one, and captured over twenty Wa pirates."

"How is the combat capability of the Wa pirates?"

"They're ferocious, reckless, but our ships are large and our cannons powerful; when we truly engage, they're no match. If they're small, they can flee fast, and we can't catch them."

Zhu Yong nodded and asked for more details.

After five days of inspection in Songjiang, Zhu Yong had a thorough grasp of the navy's condition.

On the eleventh day of the seventh month, he prepared to return.

Before departing, he said to Liu Dahai, "Commissioner Liu, I will report the navy's reorganization to the Emperor; you also prepare, and within three years there will surely be a battle."

"Sir, as you command!" Liu Dahai solemnly replied.

Zhu Yong led his troops out of Songjiang, returning to Yingtian.

On the road, he kept thinking about the navy.

Warships need building, troops need replenishing, grain and fodder need to be procured.

These are no small matters; they require the court's full support.

But at present, the court's focus remains on the Western Regions and moving the capital.

Returning to Yingtian, it was already the fourteenth day of the seventh month.

Zhu Yong did not return to the Wang Fu; he went straight into the palace.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were discussing the Western Regions battle report.

Seeing Zhu Yong enter, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Yong Er, you're back; how is the navy?"

Zhu Yong performed the bow and reported honestly: "Father, the situation is poor; the warships are old, troops are short, grain and fodder insufficient. The Songjiang navy has forty warships, fewer than ten of which can venture into the open sea.

Of five thousand troops, only three thousand two hundred are present."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "So bad?"

"Yes, Commissioner Liu said that to attack the Wa Country we need at least two hundred warships, fifty thousand troops, and grain and fodder for three months."

Zhu Yong said faithfully.

Zhu Biao mused, "Two hundred warships is no small number; building a tower ship costs ten thousand taels of silver, so fifty would be five hundred thousand taels. Fast ships are cheaper, but one hundred fifty still require three hundred thousand taels.

Add troops and grain, this campaign would need at least a million taels."

Zhu Yuanzhang tapped his fingers on the table for a while and said, "We do have silver; Yong Er brought back gold and silver from the Northern Yuan, and the revenue from salt and sugar is also substantial.

But building warships takes time, and training the navy also requires time."

He looked at Zhu Yong and asked, "Yong Er, how long do you think it will take to get the navy in order?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "If we devote all effort to building warships and training the navy, it will take at least two years."

"Two years... fine. In those two years we can fully pacify the Western Regions, and we can also build more of Fengyang Gongcheng. Once those are settled, we'll fully attack the Wa Country."

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured.

Zhu Biao said, "Imperial Father, I think we can first allocate three hundred thousand taels of silver, have the Ministry of Works and the Songjiang navy begin constructing new ships, and simultaneously recruit sailors and intensify training."

In two years, we should be able to train a navy capable of battle.

"Agreed." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Biao Er, you'll supervise this matter."

"I obey, sir." Zhu Biao replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said to Zhu Yong, "Yong Er, the naval forces need reorganization; you must also take extra care. You are the Prince of Wu and also Grand General Zhenglu; regarding the Maritime Frontier, you must bear greater responsibility."

"Father, rest assured; I'll definitely train the navy well," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Having finished the matter, Zhu Yuanzhang asked about the situation in the Western Regions.

Zhu Biao reported, "General Feng Sheng and General Geng Bingwen have already begun clashes with the Eastern Chagatai Khanate. According to General Feng's report, by the end of the year we should be able to pacify the entire Western Regions."

"Good! Once the Western Regions are secured, Great Ming's western border will be stable; next comes the Maritime Frontier," Zhu Yuanzhang said, slamming his hand on the table.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looking east said, "Wa Country… once the navy is ready, we must pull out that thorn."

Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance, each seeing resolve in the other's eyes.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, the sky was already dark.

Zhu Biao escorted Zhu Yong out of the palace and said on the way, "Second brother, go home and rest a few days, spend time with your younger sister and Huanhuan; the naval reorganization isn't urgent right now."

"Hmm. Elder brother, about the Western Regions…" Zhu Yong nodded.

"The Western Regions are no problem; Feng Sheng and Geng Bingwen are both veteran generals, very steady. As for you, this inspection was hard work," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Not hard," Zhu Yong chuckled innocently.

The two brothers part ways outside Wu Men.

Zhu Yong rode his horse back to the residence; just as he reached the gate, he saw Guanyin Nu holding Huanhuan waiting.

"Prince, you're back!" Guanyin Nu greeted.

Huanhuan stretched out her little hand and squealed, "Eee-ya! Eee-ya!"

He didn't expect that after half a month apart, his own daughter would still recognize him.

Zhu Yong quickly dismounted, took his daughter, and the family entered the residence.

After dinner, Zhu Yong briefly explained the naval inspection matters.

Guanyin Nu, after listening, said softly, "Prince will be busy again."

"Hmm, I'll be busy for a while; after we finish subduing Wa Country, I'll spend quality time with you all," Zhu Yong said, embracing her.

Guanyin Nu leaned on his shoulder, silent.

She knew her husband was the Prince of Wu of Great Ming, also Grand General Zhenglu, bearing the nation on his shoulders.

All she could do was take good care of the household, so he would have no worries.

It was late at night; Zhu Yong lay in bed but couldn't fall asleep.

He recalled the dilapidated warships on the Song River, the sailors' hopeful eyes, and Zhu Yuanzhang's words, "We must pull out that thorn."

Wa Country…

In his memories of a past life, the Wa pirates had plagued the coast for centuries, later causing a great calamity.

In this life, since he has come, and since he possesses this ability, he must resolve the matter completely.

Not only must he fight, but also subdue them, making them never dare to cross the border again.

This battle must be won…