The caravans can move, Shu brocade can reach India, and the army can move too.
The emperor was determined to open up the land route, and although it was a long-term plan, its implementation was not delayed at all.
At the same time, relying on the power of the chieftains in the southwest is also the most ideal option. After all, they are more adaptable to the climate and environment and have better ways to deal with malaria.
In fact, in the emperor's view, the most daunting thing is the continuous rainy season in the subtropics.
During the monsoon season from June to September every year, heavy rains continue, and the entire world changes. All rivers and valleys overflow, large trees float, roads collapse, and transportation is cut off.
Therefore, whether it is malaria or the rainy season, the time suitable for military operations is only five or six months each year.
In order to invade Sindhu and secure its occupation, it was necessary to deploy sufficient manpower and supplies at one time, so that even if transportation was cut off, the army could sustain itself independently for half a year.
Fighting to support the war and obtaining food and supplies locally is one solution, but ammunition is not so easy to supply.
Drawing on the British conquest of India, the emperor believed that 10,000 well-equipped troops would be enough to establish a firm foothold in one or two states. The main problem was the ammunition and supplies that the troops could carry.
With this in mind, it is very necessary to build a relatively strong, stable and large-capacity passage.
With gunpowder for blasting rocks, cement with increasingly better performance, lifting facilities, and more efficient logging tools, opening roads through dense jungles and towering mountains is no longer out of reach.
Wang Sanshan made no secret of the emperor's enthusiasm and ambition for expansion. Although this could not be put into written form, all the local officials understood the Ming Empire's next strategic deployment.
The invasion of Burma was only the first step in a large-scale expansion, and it was a preliminary preparation for opening up India, also known as the country of Sindhu.
India has gold, silver, ivory, and other valuables, as well as vast, fertile land. However, this India is made up of numerous small states, and its power is even inferior to that of Burma.
"Sir Wang, the Dao family is willing to relocate 30,000 people and serve as the envoy to Menglun."
"Na is willing to relocate 40,000 people and serve as the Jiesha envoy."
"Sha's wish..."
Like bidding at an auction, several local officials were the first to offer prices with great enthusiasm.
It was just land and the position of envoy, but these local officials were not stupid. The area under the jurisdiction of these five envoys was a trade route, a lucrative trade route.
The merchants coming and going and the continuously deployed expeditionary forces will bring huge income to this trade route.
Moreover, they could go to Tianzhu to grab land and plunder wealth. However, it was different from China. The court and the emperor were wary and suspicious of the chieftains, so the room for development was very limited.
Wang Sanshan laughed, stroked his beard and nodded, but did not make a decision easily.
The highest bidder wins, this was of course the emperor's intention. At the same time, the power of the southwestern chieftains was diluted, allowing them to focus their energy outward, which laid a good foundation for the future reform of the chieftain system.
The reconstruction and expansion of the Shu-Shendu Road would also bring about a leap in economic development for the southwestern provinces, providing a new outlet for the export of Shu brocade, canes, lacquerware, and Glauber's salt.
Kunming, Dali, Yongchang, Tengchong and other places in Yunnan Province, as must-pass towns on the trade routes, will undergo tremendous changes as the flow of people increases.
Unfortunately, I am about to step down and retire to return home.
Wang Sanshan sighed inwardly, feeling rather unwilling. Although he was old, his ambition remained.
Well, after the main force returns to Yunnan, there is still one big thing to do.
Wang Sanshan pursed his lips slightly, thinking of the emperor's secrets and the errands he had been given. Duke Mu had guarded Yunnan for hundreds of years, and now it was time for him to step down.
……………….
The news of defeating the Burmese army and occupying the Burmese capital of Ava was transmitted back to the capital as quickly as possible.
It is several days faster than the 800-mile express route, thanks to the deployment and construction of communication signal towers.
Although some routes are interrupted due to mountains and rivers and need to be connected by horse or boat, the speed is still amazing.
It was already early winter in the capital, but the news of victory dispelled the chill and aroused the enthusiasm of the people in the capital.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the occupation of the capital was equivalent to the destruction of the country. Regardless of the difference, ordinary people were willing to think and say so.
After Champa, this was the second country to be "destroyed". This was another war of "destroying the country", but with a different value. It truly showed that the Ming Empire had revived its national strength and re-established the authority of the Celestial Empire.
"Myanmar is not a good country. We fought several wars during the reign of Emperor Shenzong, and a lot of our territory was taken away by them."
"Now we've recovered both the principal and the interest. If we capture the Burmese king and bring him to the capital to surrender, then—"
"I only care about how much spoils I get. War bonds are all my savings."
"How can you lose money if you win? Just be at peace. Wait until the results are counted, report the figures, and go home to count the money!"
"I think we're still not well-informed. A few days ago, someone bought the bonds at a high price. They must have known the victory was already decided."
………………
The victory in the war against Burma became the talk of the people again.
War bonds also became a focus. The emperor himself was also concerned about the returns from a short one-year bond.
Although the exact number has not yet been counted, the approximate number was reported to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the gold and silver treasures are about seven or eight million taels, and the human trafficking is about three or four hundred thousand. Add to that the donations from the local officials and other miscellaneous items, and the total is less than ten million, not much less."
Li Chengcheng was very quick at calculating accounts, and the emperor's accountant was very conscientious and responsible.
The emperor smiled and nodded. After deducting the various expenses for the war and the money for rewarding the army, there would be about three or four million taels left.
What's more, this is just short-term benefit. The occupied land is given to local officials, and taxes will have to be paid in the future.
Well, the war bonds issued were only worth three million dollars, which was only about half of the total investment in the war.
Well, it’s a lot of money. The emperor fiddled with his fingers but still couldn’t calculate the exact number.
This huge profit laid a good foundation for future bond issuance. One year is too short, so a three-year bond should be issued to include military operations such as the conquest of Hetao and Luzon.
The immediate gains from these actions are not great, but the important thing is the long-term, three-year period, so the gains will not be too small to discourage people from buying.
By the way, we need to hold a victory celebration so that the people can benefit from it and feel happy and proud of the country’s prosperity.
Things don't have to be many or expensive. If they are given for free, even if it's just a piece of paper, there will be people who will grab them.
The emperor pondered and calculated how much profit the royal family could get from the 500,000 bonds purchased, and how much would be appropriate to distribute to the people.
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