Although Yunnan and Guizhou also produced some spices, it was clearly far from enough to meet the needs of the Ming Dynasty. And these spices—that's actually a rather general term.
This can be divided into two types: plant-based spices and animal-based spices. The former uses the roots, stems, leaves, bark, or fruits of plants as raw materials to obtain aromatic substances, such as agarwood, sandalwood, rose, clove, cinnamon, and Sichuan pepper. The latter mainly uses animal secretions and excrement, and commonly used ones include musk, ambergris, civet, and castoreum.
Agarwood, needless to say, is also found in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou, but it is relatively rare. It has been a tribute item since the Tang Dynasty.
These spices were also used to worship gods and ancestors, and naturally, rouge and face powder made from spices were also indispensable.
As for Sichuan peppercorns, they are mainly used to enhance aroma and remove the gamey smell. Before the Ming Dynasty, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and evodia were the three essential ingredients for seasoning in the catering industry.
These things are essential, serving as necessary products for improving people's livelihoods. However, in the Ming Dynasty, there isn't a particularly abundant supply at this stage. It's true that the Ming Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, and it possesses many things.
In some areas, they could even barely be self-sufficient, but having more of these things certainly wouldn't hurt. Greater abundance of resources meant a better life for the Ming Dynasty—that was true wealth and power.
Sailing out to sea is absolutely necessary. Zhu Yunying doesn't just want to travel to Southeast Asia; he also hopes that the Ming fleet can cross the Indian Ocean and sail to Africa. If they accumulate more experience, they might even try sailing to Australia.
The main reason for their longing was North America, where potatoes and corn could be staple foods, sustaining countless lives. Bringing back peppers and tomatoes would also greatly promote the development of culinary culture.
Zhu Yunying actually felt a great sense of urgency; he knew too many good things, but he couldn't get them right now.
Even as emperor, he couldn't risk human lives without a certain degree of certainty. His primary concern was success; if he could bring back those things at an acceptable cost, Zhu Yunying would certainly do so without hesitation.
Outward expansion is absolutely necessary, and exploring the oceans was one of Zhu Yunying's aspirations. Maritime civilization should not be hindered by agrarian civilization.
Of course, Zhu Yunying was also well aware that the Ming Dynasty would still be primarily an agrarian civilization in the short term. After all, this was a deeply ingrained characteristic that had been passed down for thousands of years, and it wasn't something Zhu Yunying could change overnight.
However, as emperor, he could have played a significant role in promoting maritime civilization and making more people aware of the rich rewards it could bring.
When that time really comes, it will undoubtedly mean that even if the imperial court is not happy, civil and military officials will still be thinking about going to sea.
Ultimately, it requires seeing enough benefits to provide real motivation and encourage countless people to venture overseas in search of greater wealth and profit.
Just as Zhu Yunying and Old Zhu were briefly discussing the fleet, the sound of running footsteps came from behind them.
There's no need to overthink it; very few people in the palace would dare to cause such a ruckus. Even Zhu Yunying wouldn't go this far. He walked at a leisurely pace when he was young, but unexpectedly, he raised a son who likes to trot after walking for a while.
Looking at little Zhu, Old Zhu said, "This one is also unlucky. He's impatient, eating and walking in a hurry."
Little Zhu didn't mind and still maintained a sense of propriety, saying, "Great-grandfather, father, we're back."
"Did you go to the training ground?" Looking at little Zhu's appearance, Zhu Yunying said, "Go wash up and change your clothes before we talk."
Needless to say, Shuangquan immediately went to help Xiao Xiao Zhu bathe. Changing him into clean clothes was also the proper thing to do. Although Xiao Xiao Zhu was a bit impatient, he was also particularly fond of cleanliness under Zhu Yunying's influence.
"Grandpa always says we don't know how to enjoy life. How many ordinary people are more particular than us?" Zhu Yunying said to his father with a smug look on his face. "When we were young, we had to take a bath every two or three days. Everyone in the palace says that His Highness the Crown Prince can't live without water."
Old Zhu laughed and said, "That's true. How many people like to take a bath in winter? It's just that you two are such a handful. In the old days, we wouldn't take a bath for ten days or half a month. In winter, it was common to go for months without a bath. You can't fight a war, and you can't endure hardship."
Zhu Yunying basically agreed with this assessment. While he could accept hardship, he didn't necessarily enjoy the outdoors, where he had to endure wind and rain, and he couldn't find any pleasure in it.
"Your second son is probably going to turn out badly in the future," Old Zhu said, remembering something. "He's incredibly greedy, it's a real headache for us."
Zhu Yunying was speechless, so he said to Old Zhu, "That kid can't control his mouth and doesn't like to move. That kid will probably be able to enjoy a life of luxury."
Old Zhu smiled and suddenly said to Zhu Yunying, "If we're gone, be good to your uncles."
After a moment of silence, Zhu Yunying nodded and said, "Grandfather, rest assured, we will definitely not mistreat our uncles. We know their temperament, and they certainly won't cause any rebellion. We won't restrict their joys and sorrows. If we find out about anything, we will stop them in advance. We will not shed the blood of our own family."
Hearing Zhu Yunying's words, Old Zhu was particularly gratified, "We believe you! We don't believe anyone else, we only believe in Ying'er!"
Old Zhu then added, “In our family, only your father and I are capable of enduring hardship. You, the younger sibling, also suffer along with us. We wish you could be happy all the time, but that won't do. In a family, there always needs to be one or two people who can do the work, someone who can shoulder the responsibility and support the household.”
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