Wang Zongmu, who served as the governor-general of the Grand Canal during the Longqing and Wanli periods, began to promote sea transportation in the fifth year of the Longqing reign together with Liang Menglong, the then governor of Shandong.
At this time, more than 150 years had passed since sea transportation was stopped in the 13th year of Yongle, and technical difficulties were obvious, such as unfamiliarity with sea routes and lack of skilled sailors.
After the court approved it, Wang Zongmu and others insisted on being cautious and conducted a short-distance trial run first.
In June of the sixth year of the Longqing reign, Wang Zongmu submitted a memorial reporting: "The 120,000 dan of grain has left the Huai River on a certain day and arrived at the Wan River at Tianjin the next day. Not a single grain has been lost."
The success of the trial operation can be said to be of considerable significance, but the reality is that it does not lead to the gradual expansion of sea transportation as people imagine.
In October of that year, Zhang Huan, a member of the Nanjing Household Department, submitted a memorial impeaching Wang Zongmu for dereliction of duty and concealing the truth. He said that he had heard that eight ships had sunk during sea transportation, and the people on board and more than 3,000 stones of rice had drowned.
Wang Zongmu made a detailed defense of the impeachment, but the outcome remained inconclusive. The Ministry of Revenue's opinion was that the sea route should remain open, but the volume of cargo transported would remain at 120,000 dan.
The authorities have neither concluded on the shipping operation nor verified the authenticity of the impeachment. The result of ignoring it is actually a victory for those who oppose shipping.
The following year, when the sea voyage resumed, the opposition's calumny proved to be true. When the ships reached Jimo, a storm sank seven vessels, resulting in the loss of fifteen soldiers and a considerable amount of grain.
No matter how Wang Zongmu analyzed the cause of the accident technically, the opposition attacked him, and the sea transportation attempt that could have been successful was aborted.
In summary, the opposition's reasons are mainly based on Confucian theories, benevolent government, and love for the people.
They cited the casualties of sea transportation recorded in history books, and then characterized sea transportation as a product of the Yuan Dynasty's tyranny and a harsh policy that harmed the people.
Of course, due to the limitations of technology at the time, the size, sturdiness, and resistance of ships to wind and waves, as well as the inability to effectively grasp the changing climate at sea and the lack of familiarity with the sea routes, ships capsized and sailors died. The difficulties and dangers of early sea transportation are undeniable.
Storms, fog, reefs, and even pirate attacks are all challenges that must be addressed. However, given the general trend, efficiency, and preparedness, sea transportation is a must.
Moreover, Zhu Youxiao believed that the actual difficulties were no greater than imagined.
Ocean commerce has been booming. Going to Ryukyu, Japan, and Luzon is not considered a long journey. Even going to Europe, Africa, and America has become a reality, not to mention domestic near-sea shipping?
Then let’s start with the sea transportation of grain and salaries from Liaodong, which will be the first step to abolish the canal transportation and develop the sea route!
Zhu Youxiao put down his memorial and decided to promote Shen Tingyang. Well, he was from Chongming (Shanghai), and he and Xu Baoluo were from the same hometown, so they both had broad horizons.
Zhu Youxiao certainly knew how important it was to set an example. At the same time, he also strengthened his own method of selecting talents. The masters are among the people, and there are talented people left in the countryside!
Holding the memorial in his hand, Zhu Youxiao clapped his left palm again and again, thinking about how to promote Shen Tingyang and start the sea transportation experiment, when he saw Wang Tigan coming in.
Looking at Wang Tigan's expression and movements, Zhu Youxiao knew that this guy was up to something. He raised his chin and said, "But is there another memorial from the minister?"
Wang Tigan grunted twice, knelt down, raised his hands high, and said, "Your Majesty, it is this servant who has a memorial to make."
Zhu Youxiao blinked his eyes and gestured to the eunuch to take the eunuch Wang's memorial and open it to read.
Resuming internal exercises?! Shouldn't this be the job of Uncle Wei in history? Why are you doing it now?
Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Tigan in confusion, but the words "Innocent Legion" suddenly popped up in his mind.
The Unsullied Legion is very powerful. Grey Worms and White Worms can fight with just a shield and a spear.
How about forming a group, training them well, and sending them to Liaodong to fight the Jiannu? But looking at these eunuchs, they don't look like they can fight well.
It is not a new thing to say that eunuchs form an army. For example, the Jing Army is composed of eunuchs.
Although they were called an army, the main duties of the Jingjun were to be stationed in the imperial palace and mausoleums, and to perform daily cleaning, burning incense, and keeping watch, among other menial tasks; or to guard the mausoleums, and often accompany the dead bones in the tombs.
In other words, the Jing army did the work of servants and was not intended to fight at all.
Forget it, forget about this unreliable bullshit. Armor and weapons, etc., should be used by the soldiers on the front lines!
Zhu Youxiao remembered that Chongzhen in history also had a clean army with tens of thousands of soldiers, all equipped with the best equipment and generous pay.
Then, these eunuchs would train with their voices shrill all day, and it looked like they were really doing it. But when Li Zicheng arrived, all these eunuchs ran away.
Alas, it’s useless, it just won’t work! Zhu Youxiao is not targeting anyone, but he can see clearly the fighting power of the eunuchs.
"Wang Ban's loyalty is commendable."
Zhu Youxiao knew that Mr. Wei had been rewarded, and Wang Tigan was a little jealous, so he came to show his loyalty.
The purpose of training the Jing Army is to defend the palace and protect the royal family. Don't disappoint this dog slave if you don't agree.
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao said, "But training soldiers and practicing martial arts is not what palace people are good at. Let's discuss it from a long-term perspective!"
Wang Tigan was a little disappointed, but he didn't dare to argue and kowtowed to accept the order.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Tigan and said in a deep voice, "The palace is spending lavishly. How is Wang Ban investigating?"
Wang Tigan quickly replied, "According to the secret investigations I sent to my servants, Wang Chaofu, the Imperial Household Supervisor, and Li Chaoqing, the Imperial Household Supervisor, are both suspected of corruption and possess a great deal of private wealth."
Zhu Youxiao lowered his eyelids and said calmly, "Now that we have investigated everything, what are we waiting for?"
"I'll do it right away." Wang Tigan cheered up, bowed and walked out.
The Inner Palace Supervisor was responsible for managing all daily necessities in the imperial palace, as well as the maintenance, development, and renovation of the palaces in the imperial palace, and had a very lucrative salary.
The Imperial Household Department is an institution responsible for managing, collecting and purchasing luxury goods exclusively for the royal family. It is also a lucrative position with a lot of room for maneuver.
Moreover, Wang Chaofu and Li Chaoqing had both defected to Wei Zhongxian relatively early on. Wang Tigan also had his own selfish motives in targeting these two organizations or these two individuals.
But Zhu Youxiao wanted results. Since he was guilty of corruption, there was no reason to let him go. Besides, dealing with eunuchs was much simpler than dealing with civil servants. It was just a matter of a word.
Alas, pitiful thing, even if you covet mountains of gold and silver, it will all be empty in the end, why can't you let it go?
Zhu Youxiao shook his head slightly, thinking of Liu Jin, Yan Song, Heshen and others. Why bother working so hard for me?
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