To put it bluntly, if it took five years to wipe out the Jiannu, it would likely cost hundreds of thousands of casualties. However, this "defending a city to the death" tactic would, at worst, not exceed this overall cost.
Thinking of this, Zhu Youxiao picked up his pen and wrote a secret letter to Xiong Tingbi.
He still had some miscellaneous ideas about defending the city and the street fighting after the city was broken.
He even thought about whether he could lure the Jiannu into a city, depriving them of their advantage in field cavalry and archery, and then kill them in large numbers in street fighting.
Of course, the weapons used in street fighting also needed to be changed. In addition to muskets and grenade carts, the good thing of hand grenades appeared in Zhu Youxiao's mind.
After writing the secret letter and sealing it in a box, Zhu Youxiao did not rush to send it out immediately.
Although the production of muskets had greatly increased due to the use of high-carbon tools, there were still many border towns, and it would take at least several months to bring the Liaodong army's equipment up to standard.
After standing up and stretching his arms and legs, Zhu Youxiao walked around the hall casually.
Wang Tigan suddenly ran into the hall with a happy look on his face, and knelt down at Zhu Youxiao's feet with a thud, which scared the young emperor.
"Your servant congratulates His Majesty, congratulations to His Majesty." Wang Tigan kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling with excitement, "Miss Yu'er..."
………………Dividing line………………
Under the warm sunshine, the sea presents a beautiful calmness, making people forget the stormy waves of the past.
Shen Tingyang stood at the bow, looking through a telescope, and finally relaxed his body and mind.
On the first day of June, they left the Huai River to offer sacrifices to the sea, and waited for three days at Yingyou Mountain. When they saw no ships from Miaowan, they set sail on the sixth day, taking advantage of the wind.
We passed Lingshan, Xuejiadao, Huaizikou, Laoshan, and then turned into a mountain, passing the most dangerous part, Shihuang Bridge. On the 13th, we encountered a hurricane again. By the time the sky cleared and the rain stopped and we could see Changli Mountain, our route had already deviated to the north.
The fleet then turned west and finally arrived at Dagu, Tianjin on the 15th.
If it weren't for the hurricane, it could have been delivered two to three days earlier. Even at the current speed, it is much faster than canal transportation.
Of course, the risks were also greater than those of canal transport. For example, near Laoshan Mountain, there were many reefs, making it difficult to move or anchor.
However, after this trial voyage, Shen Tingyang became even more determined to pursue sea transportation. In his opinion, as long as the route was clearly marked and the ship was manned by experienced sailors, the advantages of sea transportation would definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
As for encountering a hurricane, it is naturally unavoidable, but it is not irresistible, and the probability of encountering one is extremely small.
If we replace it with a larger and more seaworthy vessel, it should be able to avoid reefs in the open sea and have a more significant ability to withstand wind and waves.
If we follow His Majesty's wishes, we can first transfer the grain and money for aiding Liao to sea transport. It will be more convenient and faster to transport it directly from the south to Dengzhou and then to Pidao and Juehua respectively than to Tianjin.
Shen Tingyang put down the telescope, breathed a sigh of relief, and decided that after landing in Tianjin, he would go to the capital in person to meet the emperor and explain the benefits of sea transportation.
"Master," said the loyal servant Shen San, who came to report, "We will soon reach Dagu. You have done your best to transport the grain. Will you continue to ship by sea?"
Shen Tingyang looked at the old servant who had followed him for many years, going through thick and thin, and naturally knew what he was thinking.
To prepare for this grain transport, Shen Tingyang first purchased 100 dan of grain at his own expense, using two boats to "test the perils and difficulties of the route." After his success, he sold all his family's land to acquire 12 boats, preparing to expand his capacity.
But despite his efforts, he was met with perfunctory treatment and marginalization. He was not given a ship or food. I heard that someone was secretly campaigning to transfer him elsewhere.
Such an experience and the cold stares would not make anyone feel comfortable. Shen San was holding back his resentment, but because of the difference between master and servant, he could not speak it out directly.
After a long silence, Shen Tingyang smiled and said, "Third brother——"
Shen San's eyes widened, and he quickly said humbly, "Master, please don't address me like that. It's really embarrassing."
Shen Tingyang said sincerely, "Since the Shen family started trading in the north, Third Brother has been with me. It's been nearly ten years now, right? He's been through thick and thin, enduring countless hardships. How can he not deserve such a title?"
Shen San was about to decline, but Shen Tingyang stopped him with a hand and continued, "Although I come from a merchant family, I admire loyalty and righteousness. Your Majesty has placed great trust in me and has chosen me for the throne. Even if there are countless difficulties and hardships, I will fulfill my promise to the end."
Alas, Shen San sighed and said: "Your Majesty is a wise ruler, but these officials below are——"
After a pause, Shen San shook his head helplessly and said, "Since the young master has made up his mind, then the old servant will naturally follow him to the end. However, when the young master sees the emperor, we still have to make things clear to avoid being humiliated in the future."
Shen Tingyang chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Third Brother. Once the grain arrives, I'll go to the capital to meet His Majesty. Firstly, to report on my mission, and secondly, to ask His Majesty to make the decision."
"That's good, that's right." Shen San laughed, nodded repeatedly, and said, "Your Majesty is in the palace. If the young master didn't tell us, how would he know how difficult it is for us."
Shen Tingyang nodded in agreement, but he had no intention of complaining to the emperor. He just wanted to reassure the old servant and comfort him.
Although he had a smile on his face, Shen Tingyang felt a bit of pain in his heart. He only hoped that the emperor could show his attitude of continuing to promote sea transportation, so that the officials below would not make things difficult for him.
………………
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
