Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 481: I have the nautical chart

Yang Yuzhen is a smart man and knows his limits. Although he has a flamboyant personality, he understands one thing: because he has Chen Ce's support, he has the capital to be flamboyant.

But if Chen Ce is not around, he will be more honest than anyone else.

Merchants have no social status, and not every merchant in the Ming Dynasty can be like Chen Ce.

After listening to his son, Father Yang decided to let him go out and try his luck, no matter how much he was reluctant to let him go or how worried he was about him.

At noon that day, Yang Yuzhen went to find Chen Ce and agreed to go to the West with Chen Ce.

Chen Ce nodded with satisfaction.

That afternoon, Chen Ce went to the Censorate again holding an umbrella.

Now Chen Ce could come and go almost freely in the palace. After Chen Ce arrived at the Censorate, the people from the Censorate respectfully took Chen Ce to find Hong Zhong.

Ever since Liu Daxia was sent to the Ministry of Justice, Hong Zhong's status in the Censorate has risen rapidly. Everyone knows that Hong Zhong's current status is entirely due to the young man in front of him.

Moreover, after the grand court meeting in Fengtian Hall, almost all high-ranking officials of the Ming Dynasty, and even the officials of all ranks in the imperial palace, understood how rebellious Chen Ce was. Who would dare not give Chen Ce face?

Hong Zhong hurriedly came out of the guardhouse and said to Chen Ce, "Chun Jian, why are you here in the snow?"

Chen Ce smiled slightly, followed Hong Zhong to the guard room, sat by the stove and warmed himself for a while, then asked Hong Zhong: "Master Hong, you can't take over Liu Daxia's position now."

Hong Zhong was stunned. In fact, even without Chen Ce's explanation, he knew it clearly in his heart that if he rashly promoted himself without sufficient qualifications, it might not be a good thing for him.

But it is impossible to say that Hong Zhong is not greedy for Liu Daxia's position. For these senior officials who have reached this level, it is extremely difficult to go further, and it requires tremendous opportunities.

Now that this opportunity is before him, it is impossible for Hong Zhong not to be tempted.

But he didn't know how he could get to the top naturally, and he was always worried.

"Chun Jian, do you have any ideas?" Hong Zhong's breathing was a little rapid.

Chen Ce did not keep the secret and said, "You will lead this expedition to the West. When you come back, you can take the position with justification based on your achievements."

Hong Zhong: “…”

"Pure Jane, you don't know yet?"

Chen Ce asked doubtfully: "Know what?"

Hong Zhong said, "Yes, you left after the court session yesterday."

"Later, the six ministries of the cabinet and the emperor held another small meeting. I'm afraid the plan to sail to the West will be shelved this time."

Liu Daxia burned the nautical chart. Now the Ming fleet wants to go out to sea. Without the nautical chart, it is like a blind man touching an elephant. At most, they can just circle around. Going to the open sea is too dangerous!

The historical treasure that our ancestors opened up with their courage and lives was burned by Liu Daxia. This is a great crime!

Hong Zhong continued, "Lord Liu and Lord Li suggested canceling this voyage, but the Emperor did not comment. Although it has not been confirmed, canceling the voyage seems to be a done deal."

Chen Ce was silent for a moment, then said to Hong Zhong: "It's okay, I'll go find the emperor."

what?
Can you still let the emperor resume sailing?

Just as Hong Zhong was about to say something, Chen Ce had already stood up and left.

Hong Zhong sighed softly and murmured, "Chun Jian, why are you doing this? You have done so much for Ming Dynasty, why do you still have to worry about these things?"

……

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Hongzhi was reading memorials in the warm room. For some reason, he always felt a vague pain in his heart these days, inexplicably.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Tai'an is here." Emperor Hongzhi put down the memorial and said with a smile, "Let Chunjian come in."

Not long after, Chen Ce stepped in, bowed to Emperor Hongzhi and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Emperor Hongzhi did not look very well. Chen Ce then remembered that, according to calculations, Emperor Hongzhi would not have much time left.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, "Chunjian, please sit down and warm yourself."

"What do you want from me?"

The fact that this kid came to the palace to find me in person is enough to show that he has something important to discuss with me.

As expected, Chen Ce said, "I want to recommend a Western candidate to the emperor."

Emperor Hongzhi smiled bitterly and said, "This matter has been put on hold for the time being."

"The nautical charts were burned by Liu Daxia. Without the charts, the Ming ships could not sail far."

"There is no need for the surrounding countries such as Java, Malacca, Java, Champa and so on to mobilize so many troops."

The scale of a voyage to the West was by no means comparable to that to the surrounding island countries. Without a nautical chart, the journey would be too dangerous, and Emperor Hongzhi did not dare to risk the lives of so many people.

Chen Ce said to Emperor Hongzhi: "Your Majesty, although the nautical chart of the voyage to the West was burned by Liu Daxia, I drew another one based on historical materials."

"Ok?"

Emperor Hongzhi was slightly stunned, and said blankly: "According to historical data... painted, painted a picture?"

Can this be drawn casually?
However, Emperor Hongzhi soon calmed down. It might be impossible for others, but not necessarily for Chen Chunjian.

Last time, he drew a map of Japan based on the historical materials of Japan. After an on-site investigation, he found that the map of Japan was basically the same as Chen Ce's!
Emperor Hongzhi looked serious, staring at Chen Ce in a daze, and said, "Can this nautical chart really be used to sail to the West?"

Chen Ce nodded seriously and said, "Yes!"

Emperor Hongzhi looked a little solemn. He was silent for a moment and said, "I will hold another small court meeting tomorrow. You should bring the nautical chart to discuss it tomorrow."

"This matter is of great importance, and I cannot decide it in one word."

Chen Ce nodded and said, "Okay!"

……

After today's court meeting, Hong Zhong found Qin Hong and Xu Guan and told them that Chen Ce planned to send him to sea.

Qin Hong said doubtfully: "The sea chart has been burned by Liu Daxia. The emperor made his attitude clear at the court meeting yesterday. This matter may have to be shelved."

Hong Zhong shook his head and said, "Chun Jian went to see the emperor this afternoon."

Qin Hong and Xu Guan frowned slightly. Although they knew Chen Ce's position in Emperor Hongzhi's heart, the emperor would not be so crazy as to agree to Chen Ce's request for no reason.

The cabinet had already stated the interests involved yesterday. Even if the emperor agreed to Chen Ce's suggestion, the cabinet might not agree, and the voyage to the West would still be shelved.

Hong Zhong thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait and see. Maybe Chun Jian can persuade the emperor?"

Qin Hong shook his head and said, "No! The cabinet will not agree. If Chun Jian insists on doing so, it will undoubtedly go against the cabinet's opinion, and the emperor will be in trouble. We have to go and persuade Chun Jian."

The three of them nodded, and then headed towards Chen Ce's residence on Zhengyang Street.

Unfortunately, Chen Ce was not at his mansion. He was in the courtyard on Chengqingfang Street, directing the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry to build a sauna and a swimming pool.

This place is almost completed. When he has free time, we can ask Zhu Houzhao to come here and learn how to swim.

(End of this chapter)