"It is said that Japan is the descendant of our Shenzhou since ancient times."

After a long while, Ru Heng exhaled lightly and spoke slowly.

"Minister Ru, you read it from ancient books." Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a slight nod.

"That's right." Ru Hong said affirmatively.

"I don't know how you can tell. I am ignorant and have never heard of such a thing." Zhu Yuanzhang continued to ask.

Ru Hong has been well-informed and has a good memory since childhood. After a brief reflection, she said:

"There are relevant records about this in the 'Chronicles of Qin Shi Huang' and the 'Biographies of Huainan and Hengshan'."

"Emperor Ying Zheng of the pre-Qin Dynasty sought the elixir of immortality. The alchemist Xu Fu wrote to him, saying that there were three immortal mountains in the sea, namely Penglai, Fangzhang and Yingzhou, where immortals lived."

"The First Emperor sent Xu Fu to lead thousands of boys and girls, as well as three years' worth of food, clothing, medicine, and farming tools, to ride on a mirage into the sea to seek immortality, which was a huge expense."

"Xu Fu failed in his first quest for immortals, and never returned after his second voyage."

"The Yingzhou mentioned in the book is the present-day Wakoku. The Wakoku writing system is similar to that of the Ming Dynasty, and is even more similar to the writing system of the pre-Qin period. This shows that the people of Wakoku are also descendants of the Shenzhou."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded deeply and said with some emotion: "So that's how it is. I underestimated Japan. I didn't expect that we are of the same origin as China."

Zhu Ying looked at the old man and the Minister of War Ru Hong, who were discussing the origin of Japan.

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.

The Ming Dynasty was not short of money, but it was short of real gold and silver.

The Ming Baochao was restricted to circulation within the Ming Dynasty because it was not recycled and was printed in large quantities.

Outside the territory of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes became almost waste paper.

Since ancient times, when launching a war from the Central Plains, people have always paid attention to legitimacy.

Obviously, the old man and the Minister of War Ru Hong were already shaken by the large amount of silver contained in Iwami Silver Mine.

Hearing this, Zhu Ying also followed suit and said in agreement: "The Japanese pirates' invasion of the Ming Dynasty is like a quarrel between brothers, killing each other."

"Now, the war is raging in Japan, and our fellow Chinese people are living in misery. It is time for the Ming Dynasty to come out and restore order, and save our fellow Chinese people from this dire situation."

Zhu Yuanzhang heard this and said affirmatively: "My grandson's words make sense. I will report to Your Majesty tomorrow and will certainly inform you of the danger of Japan."

When Ru Hong heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words, her eyelids jumped.

Zhu Ying had a smile on her face.

The world is bustling with people, all for the sake of profit. The world is in turmoil, all for the sake of profit.

In the face of huge interests, the importance of Japan is even more different than that of the grassland.

A large amount of silver cannot be exchanged for supplies in the Ming Dynasty, but it can be exchanged from foreign countries.

The tribute trade of the Ming Dynasty was extremely developed. During the Hongwu period alone, sixty-five small countries paid tribute to the country.

After Yongle, due to Zheng He's seven voyages to the West, the number of tribute missions reached as high as 148.

With sufficient silver, Zhu Yuanzhang could naturally understand the advantages of tribute trade.

The most important thing is that if we can really conquer Japan and seize the silver mountain, the Ming Dynasty’s treasury will become extremely full.

"Mr. Zhu, I heard you say before that you are more familiar with the merchants along the coast who trade with the Japanese. I think we can discuss this issue in detail." Ru Heng said.

He had previously been dismissive of Zhu Ying's words, but now he has begun to change his tone.

As for whether Zhu Ying is your Majesty's grandson, it is no longer important.

The important thing is how to eliminate the fake Japanese along the coast first, and then think about attacking Japan now.

wrong,

It is about how to save our fellow Chinese descendants of Shenzhou.

Recalling that Zhu Ying’s earlier suggestion of stationing troops in Ryukyu was a very good suggestion.

"Minister Ru, don't worry. If necessary, I will arrange for personnel to accompany us and make sure those bandits who collude with the Japanese will not be able to escape." Zhu Ying said confidently.

He had long been dissatisfied with the smugglers along the coast.

Because of the maritime ban, a large amount of goods in Zhu Ying's caravan could only be smuggled for profit.

This is closely related to the big smugglers along the coast.

Monopoly transactions often bring huge profits. If you want your goods to go through the sea route, you will have to let them intercept a lot of the profits.

Although Zhu Ying's power was not small, he had gathered several thousand cavalrymen and could not defeat any of these smugglers.

But that’s not how it works.

First of all, although the total number of cavalry under Zhu Ying was 5,000, they were basically scattered to maintain Zhu Ying's caravan trade.

Secondly, so many cavalrymen can only act outside the Ming Dynasty. If they want to enter the territory of the Ming Dynasty, does it mean that the Ming Dynasty does not have enough troops?

Any vassal king had tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. Zhu Ying's 5,000 cavalrymen would not be able to make any splash if they entered the Ming Dynasty.

Even if Qiao Chuan had entered most of the city, Zhu Yuanzhang would have occupied dozens of cities along the coast to prepare for the Japanese invasion.

These smugglers are hiding there, and they will probably be killed by the Ming soldiers before the fight even starts.

As a result, Zhu Ying had no choice but to allow the smugglers along the coast to reap more than 60% of the profits.

There are even some greedy smugglers who might take 80% of the profits.

Of course, even so, Zhu Ying still made a profit. But the goods were not blown by the wind. Even if it was a free business in the desert, it was still calculated based on manpower.

Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable if their life was taken away for no reason?

After listening to Zhu Ying's words, Ru Hong nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look on her face.

As the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty, he had already begun to think about the deployment of Ming Dynasty troops in coastal areas, and had even begun to deduce in his mind.

After those smugglers who collude with Japan are eliminated, we will know how to mobilize troops and how many troops to attack Japan.

For now, there is no need for too many reasons to fight Japan, because Japan itself has already provided too many excuses for the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't expect that he had two intentions when he asked Ru Hong to come over.

Since Da Sun has obtained the list of people who have colluded with the Japanese, it is natural for him to eliminate them.

Secondly, he wanted to use Ru Rong to persuade Zhu Ying to attack Japan.

Family, country and the world.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, family naturally comes first and country second.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's current view, this family is already big enough. After the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the family should focus on recuperation and not start a war lightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was old, and all he wanted was for his family to be passed down through the generations in peace and stability.

Even in the latest revised Imperial Ming Ancestor's Instructions, fifteen countries, including Japan, have been listed as countries that will not be conquered.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who came from a poor peasant family, did not have the lofty ambitions of Fenglangjuxu.

I just want my descendants to be able to govern the Ming Dynasty's territory in peace and stability.

"Minister Ru, I have something to talk to my eldest grandson in private." Seeing that quite a while had passed and it was almost time to return to the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang said to Ru Rong.

"Well, then I'll wait for the old man downstairs." Ru Heng said calmly as she stood up.

Hearing this, a gleam of light flashed in Zhu Ying's eyes.

It seems that I have underestimated the old man's influence in the court.

The old man must have a very close relationship with His Majesty to have such a status.

After Ruhong went down the stairs and there was no more sound.

Zhu Yuanzhang then turned around and asked Zhu Ying quietly, "Grandson, you don't think this is your father's biological child, do you?"