Northeast China is rich in forest resources and has fertile land. As long as there is enough manpower, it is not difficult to develop it.

However, the defects that restrict the economic development of Northeast China are also obvious, such as high inland transportation costs and lack of sea outlets.

Especially after advancing to Jilin and Heilongjiang, transporting to Lushun for sea is the closest option, but the difficulties of land transportation are difficult to solve.

But that was in the future. Now Northeast China not only has Lushun, but also has two sea outlets: the Tumen River and the Heilongjiang River.

The Tumen River estuary is near Hunchun, Jilin, and the Heilongjiang River estuary is in Miaojie, both of which are still basically in a wild state.

But in the long run, whether it is the inside of the country supplementing the outside of the country or the outside of the country feeding back to the inside of the country, shipping with an outlet to the sea will be many times cheaper than land transportation.

The Heilongjiang River is particularly dense with tributaries, making it accessible to almost all major cities. Furthermore, the Heilongjiang River has wide waterways, allowing thousand-ton ships to navigate with ease.

On land, the Ming army has advanced northward to what is now Jilin Province and will enter Heilongjiang this year.

Opening up the Tumen River estuary will effectively support the Ming army's material supply, and transport Jilin Province's products out to boost economic development.

Well, the emperor's ideas are always so advanced. If it is still a traditional agricultural economy, whether the Northeast has access to the sea or not will not have much impact.

This is an obsession, just like he is always thinking about Japan. The emperor wants to occupy all the vast tracts of land lost due to the unequal treaties this time, and occupy them firmly.

"Sir," an officer boarded the ship's deck and reported to Zhang Keda, "The preceding ship has sent a signal that it is approaching the mouth of the Tumen River."

Zhang Keda nodded and said, "Send the order, pay attention to navigation safety and prepare to dock."

The first step was to investigate the water conditions at the estuary and, depending on the situation, build forts and lighthouses on the shore. Orders were also received for advancing on land; changing the barren conditions at the Tumen River estuary would take more than a year or two.

In fact, Zhang Keda was more eager to go to the Heilongjiang estuary. The reason was simple: he could go up the river, search for the remnants of the Jianlu, and eliminate them.

Although the theme in recent years has been the development and construction of the Northeast, everyone knows that the emperor will not give up until the remnants of the Jianlu are completely eliminated.

Of course, the emperor did not advance northward to expand his territory in order to eliminate the remnants of the Jianlu. This had become a secondary goal, but the direct attack on Huanglong was still a historic event.

Three thousand Marines is still a little too few!

Through the shared intelligence, Zhang Keda also knew that the remaining Jianlu were having a hard time.

The food they had brought with them had long been eaten, and the unusually cold weather had resulted in either poor or complete harvests. Cloth and silk had also been depleted, and they were practically relegated to the primitive age of wearing animal skins and grass skirts.

Even so, Zhang Keda wasn't so arrogant as to think he could wipe out the Jian Lu with just 3,000 Marines. In the deep mountains, old forests, and wild lands, only a steady advance like the Army could force the Jian Lu into a desperate situation.

Although the area was vast, as the Ming army advanced and expanded, the living space for the remaining Jian Lu people became smaller and smaller. To the north, the environment became even more harsh and cold.

Although the harsh environment will not cause its demise, the foundation and conditions for its development and growth are no longer there, and degradation is inevitable.

Degeneration means weakness. When the armor is rusted and the arrows are no longer sharp, they are vulnerable to the Ming army, which is armed to the teeth.

"Bitter Leaf Island--" Zhang Keda pointed on the nautical chart. The East China Sea Fleet had many tasks to explore and expand!

Kuye Island. During the Ming Dynasty, Nanghar Guard was established near the sea in the northern part of the island, Polo River Guard was established in the Polo River basin in the middle of the island, and Wulie River Guard was established in the Nile River basin in the eastern part of the island. Each guard had a subordinate station that was responsible for local military and civil affairs.

In the 44th year of the Wanli reign, the Ming Dynasty sent 400 soldiers to patrol the island, but later withdrew them because there was no external threat.

The indigenous people of Kuye Island are the Hezhe, Nivkh (Feyaka), and Ainu peoples, who live on the island as hunter-gatherers. They are very subservient to the Central Plains government and, although there are no garrisons, they still pay tribute to the central government.

During this voyage, Zhang Keda would also take the newly appointed officials to Kuye Island to offer consolation and station 500 troops there. Next, the imperial court would send officials to govern the island.

Zhang Keda could foresee that the immigration and development of Bitterleaf Island was already included in the emperor's plan. However, the timing might be delayed for a few years.

The emperor's passion and persistence in expanding territory was astonishing. He didn't even forget such a remote and cold place.

But for the emperor, Kuye Island was originally the territory of the Ming Dynasty. It was just a matter of regaining rule, not expanding the territory.

There was a gentle knock on the cabin door. After getting Zhang Keda's permission, the new envoy Du Ming walked in and bowed.

Zhang Ke returned the greeting with a big laugh, saying, "Master Du, are you getting used to the boat? It will take another two or three days to reach Bitter Leaf Island!"

Du Ming chuckled and said, "I'm used to sailing on ships, so why wouldn't I be used to it?"

As he spoke, he walked to the table, looked at the sea chart, and also pointed at Bitter Leaf Island, saying: "Your Majesty has said that the Jianlu are at the end of their rope, and we must be wary of them sneaking to Bitter Leaf Island."

The center of Kuye Island is the Tatar Sea, and at its narrowest point, a small boat can cross it. However, although it is possible for the remnants of the Jianlu to escape to Kuye Island, it is very unlikely.

Now, the remnants of the Jianlu are still in the territory of Heilongjiang Province in later generations. They have to flee a long distance to the north and cross the wild area to the east before they can reach the seaside and escape to Kuye Island.

Although the possibility was small, Zhang Keda did not dare to take it lightly. He stationed 500 elite soldiers on Kuye Island, contacted the local ethnic groups, and left more than ten warships to ensure that nothing could go wrong.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!