For the sake of Ming Dynasty's industry and the revitalization of Ming Dynasty's national strength, Zhu Youxiao had to do evil things that green environmental protection organizations hated.

But it cannot be denied that whaling is a lucrative industry. Compared with the value and wide range of uses of whale oil, edible whale meat is nothing.

Yingzi was a little tempted, but thinking of her old father, she hesitated and shook her head, saying, "I'm afraid my father won't go."

Zhang Zhuzi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pretending to be generous and waving his hand, saying, "It's better not to go. Speaking of the environment, our island is still better. The ocean island is small, the wind and waves are so strong that even sleeping is not peaceful."

Yingzi smiled and nodded, saying, "Even if I don't go, I still have to thank Brother Zhang. An errand like this would probably be highly sought after, right?"

Zhang Zhuzi chuckled twice and said, "Then I'll go ask someone else. They're asking for help pretty urgently!"

Yingzi stepped aside and waited for Zhang Zhuzi to walk over before extending her hand and calling out, "Brother Zhang, I need your help in installing the iron stove at home!"

Zhang Zhuzi didn't even turn his head. He smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Don't worry, I'll help you when the time comes."

Watching the bumpy figure gradually disappear into the distance, Yingzi shook the long pole in her hand, and suddenly used the rag tied to the pole end to swing the goose, scolding with a smile: "What are you looking at, silly goose, why are you so stupid?"

……………….

What are you looking at, stupid newbie? You don’t even know what corn is?!

Zhu Youxiao picked up two and placed them in front of Xiaobai. The cat sniffed and ate them.

After hesitating for a while, Zhu Youxiao wondered whether cats could eat corn, but he couldn't find any relevant knowledge in his memory.

"Your Majesty," Li Chengcheng said cautiously from the side, "I saw Lady Bai eating grass!"

Eating grass? Zhu Youxiao didn't understand why, but thought a combination of meat and vegetables was fine. Animals probably know what they lack and will find it in nature.

He picked up a knife, cut a small piece of corn, and handed it to Li Chengcheng. Zhu Youxiao signaled the girl to take the cat aside to feed it, while he picked up the examination book and began to deal with official business.

Corn seems to have been introduced to China earlier than sweet potatoes, but it was called "yumai" or "fanmai." It wasn't until Xu Guangqi's Complete Book of Agricultural Administration was published that the name "corn" was coined.

According to reports from various places, corn has been planted in Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Anhui and other places, covering about ten provinces.

However, it is only planted and not widely promoted. The reason is not the technology, but the fact that corn does not have a significant advantage over traditional crops in the plains.

Mountains, barren land, cold resistance, as well as mountain reclamation caused by population growth and land mergers are the reasons why corn was eventually grown on a large scale.

Obviously, with sweet potatoes and pumpkins already available, the widespread promotion of corn was not a pressing matter. Although Zhu Youxiao was counting on his fingers, he still had five or six years until the Little Ice Age broke out.

This is also the reason why he strives to pacify Liao within five years. Once a natural disaster breaks out, it will be very difficult to compete with the Jiannu in terms of consumption.

From the current perspective, there is no need to climb the technology tree too high or too fast, and the five-year plan to pacify Liaoning has already made a good start.

This also strengthened Zhu Youxiao's determination to continue to maintain internal peace. As long as there were no major problems internally and the front line could be firmly established and tightly sealed, the Jiannu would definitely have no chance to take advantage.

Although this year's reform and rectification is still short, results have been seen.

In particular, the clearing of garrisons and the lifting of the maritime ban basically solved the problem of food and pay for officers and soldiers in border towns, as well as the funding problem of strengthening naval equipment.

Therefore, although the inner treasury did not have much income, and even decreased, the national treasury was still not rich. However, the money saved and spent greatly improved the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youxiao read the memorial submitted by Yang Lian, the governor of Shanxi, pondered for a moment, and then wrote his comments.

Although Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou were members of the Donglin Party, they were very different from the Guanghui officials who talked big but had no real ability and were even corrupt.

Zuo Guangdou was an expert in water conservancy and made great contributions to the water conservancy and military farming in the capital area; Yang Lian started as a local official and was once ranked first among the most honest officials in the country; both of them had practical work abilities and were upright and honest.

You can't let such an official be a censor, and Zhu Youxiao doesn't really need a minister of remonstration like Wei Zheng. But putting them in the local area to do practical work is the right choice from the perspective of results.

Yang Lian did a great job in collecting military pay for the Qing army in Shanxi. He wasn't afraid of death, so why would he be afraid of offending others?

But Shanxi's development was not easy, and Zhu Youxiao had few options. Mineral resources were abundant, but current technology made large-scale mining impossible.

Of course, Yang Lian did not raise the issue of economic development, and still used the traditional feudal social governance methods.

After Zhu Youxiao gave his instructions, he did not tell Yang Lian about his plan to attack certain Shanxi merchants.

Let it be traditional. As long as the people can have food to eat and don't cause trouble, Yang Lian has done his job well. He doesn't need to do anything else.

He picked up another memorial, which turned out to be a petition from Guizhou Governor Fu Zonglong to apologize.

Obviously, the Ming army's strategy of garrisoning, blockading, and using defense as offense made An Bangyan feel fear and pressure.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Ming troops in all directions had not yet completed their military deployment, An Bangyan led the rebels to suddenly cross the Yachi River and launch an attack in an attempt to break the encirclement of the Ming army.

General Lu Qin was trapped in an isolated city and led his troops to resist with all his might. With the help of muskets and bombs, he inflicted heavy casualties on the rebels.

The rebels' failure to capture the city gave the Ming army an opportunity to launch a counterattack.

Fu Zonglong dispatched Zhou Hongtu and Hu Congyi to lead the army to capture Shaheba first, and then successively captured Guangshun, Dingfan (Huishui), Qingyan, Baina, etc. He then personally supervised the battle and killed Lao Chongtian, an important leader of the An army, in Zhaoguantun.

Seeing that he was about to be attacked by the Ming army, An Bangyan had to retreat hastily. However, the Ming army lost and regained the Yachi River defense line.

This should be considered a defeat followed by victory, Zhu Youxiao pondered his judgment. However, blocking An Bangyan again and inflicting heavy losses on the rebels was no exaggeration to call it a great victory.

The Ming army's deployment had not yet been completed, so it was understandable that the rebels broke through the defense line.

What is important is that An Bangyan was afraid and impatient. What does this indicate? It indicates that the strategy of using defense as offense, blockade and siege, and steady progress is correct.

If the enemy is worried or afraid, then you must carry it out; if the enemy hopes for something, then you must not do it.

Zhu Youxiao was not a military genius, but he was good at psychological analysis, knew how to think from other people's perspectives, and knew the general direction of history.

Therefore, he can draw relatively correct conclusions and look at the long-term, not changing his original intentions because of one or two wins or losses.

Zhu Youxiao encouraged and praised Fu Zonglong, telling him to continue his defensive strategy and not waver. He also rewarded Lu Qin for his unwavering dedication.

Just as he put down the memorial, a palace maid came in to report that Sun Yuanhua was coming to see him.

Could it be about coinage? Zhu Youxiao speculated as Xuansun Yuanhua entered the hall.

Sun Yuanhua bowed and presented the sample coins. A smug look flashed across his face, but he pretended to be reserved, bowed his head and waited for the emperor's instructions.