The pattern of this soldier's disappearance was naturally taught by Zhu Ying.

At present, the Ming Dynasty can be said to be the world's number one in comprehensive national strength.

At the beginning of the Western Renaissance, no country could compete with the power of the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, for the world, Ming Dynasty’s current deterrence is mainly in the surrounding areas centered on Ming Dynasty.

Other countries only vaguely knew that in the far east, there was an extremely powerful Celestial Empire.

But no one can tell the specific reason.

This is also the reason why Champa was so surprised after seeing the Ming treasure ship.

The Ming Dynasty Navy never suffered a single defeat throughout the entire 300 years of the Ming Dynasty.

In terms of the number and scale of the fleet, they are the most invincible.

However, looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, the navy did not bring much profit to the Ming Dynasty. Perhaps the Ming Dynasty only wanted to protect its territory, so successive kings never thought of developing anything in the navigation field.

But now, Zhu Ying naturally would not waste such a powerful naval force.

The situation in Champa was quickly reported to the capital.

Inside the Huagai Palace.

Zhu Ying looked at the intelligence statistics below with ease. Although he was the crown prince, except for the working hours he set for himself every day, he had to rest all the time.

Originally, Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of intervening.

But since we have nothing to do, we might as well discuss some government affairs and arrangements together.

In fact, like many old people, Zhu Yuanzhang would feel extremely bored if he had nothing to do every day.

If it was a crown prince from another dynasty, he would think that the emperor was trying to compete with him for power again, but Zhu Ying would not think about these things. Just like handing in homework, he would let the old man talk about all matters, big or small.

"Grandson, it seems that the situation in Champa can be basically determined. However, if we want to build a naval base, I'm afraid they won't agree to it so easily."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke.

Zhu Yuanzhang really had no interest in a small place like Champa.

Judging from the map alone, it is not even comparable to Ryukyu, where they exiled their own criminals.

As for taking it down, it is completely unnecessary.

Not only is it a waste of military strength and military pay, but there is also no way to please them.

It can be seen in detail from the intelligence that the taxation of countries like Champa is also quite poor. If they are really to be incorporated into the ruling territory of the Ming Dynasty, it will not only be extremely troublesome, but there will also be many hidden dangers.

After all, the main purpose of that place is to occupy people. If you want to truly occupy it, you have to migrate a large number of people there.

Although Champa rice was used more frequently in the Ming Dynasty, such a small place could not support too many people.

Currently, the population of Champa is extremely small, and it has spawned a large number of maritime merchants, so the local agricultural economy is in a mess.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. King Cham will definitely agree. Currently, Champa relies on taxes provided by sea merchants to barely maintain the operation of the entire country. He will definitely not refuse our proposal to station a navy."

"This is actually a good thing for Champa. With the Ming stationed there, sea merchants will naturally feel more at ease when doing business."

"The entire maritime trade situation will also become more peaceful."

"As for the merchants of our Great Ming, after they arrive in Champa, they can also sell our Great Ming goods better."

"Of course, the most important thing is that the Ming navy will be responsible for collecting part of the taxes on the sea as the military pay for the troops stationed there."

Zhu Ying said with a smile.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his eldest grandson and asked after a while: "Champa is not worth your planning. This is just a pilot project. You want to spread our Ming navy all the way along the sea route."

"There are many small countries in the South Seas, and Champa is not bad among them. You should establish naval garrisons in all places along the coast."

"Cooperate with your great grandson's maritime trade, collect taxes from the sea, and let other countries support your navy."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying smiled bitterly and said, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Grandpa."

"Yes, there is such an idea in my grandson's mind."

"Although our Great Ming is the Celestial Empire, some of its places are extremely far away and difficult to control. They are called tribute, but in fact they are rewards from our Great Ming to stabilize the borders."

"So, although the Ming Dynasty has influence, the people there are far away and the emperor is far away. They don't take it seriously at all."

"Of course, the most important thing is that our Ming Dynasty does not pose any military threat to them."

"If there is a threat from the navy, it will be completely different. On the sea, our Ming navy is invincible."

"It would be meaningless to waste such a powerful force. It would be better to send them all out to strengthen the entire navy and get more income. It would be like killing two birds with one stone."

"The income from maritime trade is not much for the Ming Dynasty at present, but in terms of taxation, it is relatively stable. It won't take long before maritime trade is fully prosperous and it will definitely be an extremely important part of the national treasury taxation."

In fact, this point can be said to have touched upon Zhu Yuanzhang's blind spot in knowledge.

Perhaps because he was overwhelmed by the trivial matters at home, he was relatively free in the navy and had not thought about any major arrangements.

Even Zhu Di, who came later, although he had Zheng He's voyages to the West, his primary purpose was not to open up trade routes, but to promote the prestige of the Ming Dynasty.

There are many different opinions in unofficial history, and some say that they went to find Zhu Yunwen, but of course most of these are nonsense.

Zhu Di just wanted to achieve greater results for his father, Zhu Yuanzhang, to see.

I am the most suitable candidate to be the emperor.

After all, it was because of the accusation of usurping the throne that Zhu Di launched six expeditions to Mongolia, compiled the Yongle Encyclopedia, and Zheng He sailed to the West.

This is to prove that under his leadership, the Ming Dynasty is becoming more prosperous and powerful.

Zhu Ying’s idea is relatively simple and clear.

First of all, the navy is in a very good situation now, so it must be used. The simplest way is to station it there.

For the Ming Dynasty, the stationing of the navy is equivalent to setting up powerful military guarantees on all coastal routes. The current coastal countries are nominally vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, and it is difficult and impossible for them to refuse such a request.

Especially after seeing the treasure ship as tall as a city wall, no soldier would have the courage to fight against it.

Although the Ming Dynasty is now prosperous in terms of dynasty, from Zhu Ying's perspective, it is still poor.

Apart from basically solving the problem of food, the lives of most people are not that much better.

There is nothing we can do about this.

Although the economic market continues to show an upward trend, most of the money basically falls into the pockets of rich people rather than the pockets of ordinary people.

Only with the development of industry, due to the huge demand for labor, many people have an additional way to make a living.

It can be said that it was extremely difficult for Zhu Ying to achieve this within three years.

Under the circumstances of vigorously suppressing the sale of land, the landlord and gentry class, since they are the backbone of Ming society at present, in the current period of rapid development, it is easier for them to grasp greater power and wealth.

Just in terms of personal connections, it is something that ordinary people cannot compare to.

As for the topic of enlightening the people, there is no longer any opposing voice.

Because of simple learning, or reading and writing, the nobles found that it could serve them better instead of shaking the foundation of their own interests.

Nowadays, schools throughout the Ming Dynasty are under construction every day.

For example, in the prosperous Jiangnan area, some wealthy owners made donations at the call of the government, and a large number of schools were built.

According to the decree issued by Zhu Yingtong to the whole country, anyone who meets the age requirement must attend the school under the name of the government.

According to some wealthy masters.

"Those common people, just by reading a few books and learning a few words, can turn over a new leaf and become masters?"

"The imperial examination is like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. There are only a few students each year. Not to mention the Juren, even if it is a Xiucai, how many can pass the exam?"

"Eighty to ninety percent of the children's exams were completed."

"It's good to be able to read. If you know a little bit of knowledge, you will be more clear-headed when doing things, and there won't be so many idiots to bother you."

How can ten years of hard study compare to generational inheritance?

I opposed it before because I was afraid.

When things happened, these landlords and nobles found that it was not as troublesome as they had imagined.

Even if everyone in the surrounding area studied hard, how many of them could pass the imperial examinations and become successful?

And now there are more educated people, so naturally it is not that valuable.

In addition to the current reforms, even if one passes the examinations to become a scholar or a juren, their status is not as high as before.

As for the land alone, the distribution has been cancelled and instead employment and rewards have been arranged.

As for employment, you can't become a county magistrate right away. Instead, you have to start as a clerk and after two years of assessment, you will have a chance of promotion.

Under Zhu Ying's continuous reforms, it has become very difficult for people to achieve success overnight.

Even if it is the current Minister of Personnel, Zhan Hui, no matter how much he likes someone and wants to promote him, he still has to follow the process of official promotion.

If you haven't been in office long enough or haven't made enough achievements, you can't just do whatever you want.

Even Zhu Ying himself, even if he has the final right of interpretation, he would not give a position to a person or promote him/her above his level just because he thinks highly of him.

This will have a great regulating effect on the entire official atmosphere.

At least it is difficult to get promoted by pure flattery.

For the sake of their future career development, grassroots officials have to make some achievements, even if it is just for show; otherwise, there will be no possibility of moving up.

It sounds simple to just do this for show, but for the current Ming Dynasty, it is already a blessing for the people.

In most places, no one even bothers to pretend, the whole sky is dark.

Zhu Yuanzhang, on his part, was more supportive of his grandson's desire to strengthen and radiate the influence of the Ming Dynasty.

He is also very satisfied with the current development of the Ming Dynasty.

When I am bored, I will go to the major military camps to see how the soldiers are training. When I see the neat and solemn army, I always smile.

However, just when everything was going well.

A piece of news coming back from Japan made Zhu Yuanzhang furious.

On that day, Zhu Ying happened to be in the Gunpowder Department, checking the latest modifications to the matchlock gun.

The production of flintlock rifles has been put on the agenda according to current standards.

If the flintlock rifle could be developed, the entire Ming army would be able to take a radically improved level of individual combat capability.

However, the flintlock rifle is easy to talk about and is actually not difficult to manufacture. The difficult part is its stability.

This involves an extremely precise structure.

Nowadays, some skilled craftsmen can make relatively stable flintlock rifles, but the cost is too high, and they are almost all polished by hand, and they still cannot produce accurate rifles.

Taking all factors into consideration, it is not as good as the flintlock rifle, which has now become a mature industry.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. We have gathered skilled craftsmen from all over the country to start working on the flintlock rifle. I believe that it won't take too long before we can achieve a preliminary production."

In the Gunpowder Department, Zhao Xiangxi said seriously.

Although Zhao Xiangxi now has the title of Crown Prince's concubine, she does not live in Kunning Palace for a long time. She is still responsible for the production control of the entire gunpowder department and the research of flintlock rifles.

Although some people secretly complained about this, Zhu Ying never cared about them.

Zhu Ying never promoted the idea that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent.

Anyone can get things done, regardless of gender.

Besides, Zhao Xiangxi is now one of their own. Zhu Ying is a little worried about handing over such an important place as the Gunpowder Department to those eunuchs who don't know much about it.

As for this technical leak, it doesn't mean much.

A complete industrial system cannot be completely copied by one or two people. The human, material and financial resources required are enormous.

Regarding firearms, Zhu Ying followed some regulations of his previous life. Any imitation or other form of private manufacturing found among the people would be considered a serious crime.

With the development of firearms to this day, even though they are widely used in the military, they are still very unfamiliar to ordinary people.

"There's no need to worry too much about the flintlock rifle. We have plenty of time. The main thing is to improve our current smelting level and produce better refined iron and steel."

"As for the mineral deposits, many places have already started digging. I have also sent orders to the sea merchants to purchase as much as possible to lay the foundation for future production."

Zhao Xiangxi nodded and said, "I understand."

At this time, an eunuch from the palace came hurriedly and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to return to the palace urgently."

Zhu Ying frowned.

Generally speaking, the old man would not call me back like this, there must be something going on.

He asked, "Do you know what it is?"

The eunuch quickly said, "I don't know, but I heard that something happened in Japan."