Good morning Daming

Chapter 1019: Failure, Blame

Ichiro Komura once encountered the Ming Navy when he was young. At that time, he pretended to be a fisherman and watched the huge fleet passing by not far away... Although it was a bit shabby, the scale and size still made him afraid. He felt that if such a fleet came to Japan, the whole of Japan would be terrified, and the shogun would be in a state of panic.

When he became the leader of the Japanese pirates and colluded with local tyrants, he still didn't believe it when he learned that the so-called navy was just a watchdog.

Such a powerful fleet, even if it is a little old, whoever controls this powerful force will involuntarily develop the ambition to conquer the world.

Who will slack off?
Therefore, Ichiro Komura never dared to underestimate this seemingly powerful navy.

Until he encountered the Ming army's warships, he carefully gathered his troops and even prepared to escape.

But before he could escape, the Ming navy ran away first.

The other side had more than ten large ships, and Ichiro Komura's ships were seagoing ships, which were a few sizes smaller than the other side. Moreover, the other side had professional warships, while his own were merchant ships...

A real warship is not only strong and sturdy, but also covered with fireproof materials... In this era, firearms have become the mainstream in naval battles, such as flying yakshas and flying dragons...

You can tell it's a firearm right away.

The biggest function of firearms is arson. Ships are made of wood, so once a fire breaks out, it is difficult to put out.

Therefore, professional warships must have fire-resistant skins.

This thing was on the dozen or so Ming army warships. It looked quite mottled and obviously had not been properly maintained for many years.

But even so, it could still easily crush Ichiro Komura's fleet.

In the early years when the Ming navy was strong, any fleet under Zheng He could suppress the coastal areas. The Japanese pirates could only flee when they saw the flag of the Ming navy.

That was the most peaceful period in the Ming Dynasty’s coastal areas.

After Renzong and Xuanzong, the invincible fleet was abolished by the Ming emperor and his ministers themselves. The sea lost its guardian, and Japanese pirates began to run rampant. In the southeast, Malacca and other places were taken advantage of by the Portuguese...

But even so, the Ming Dynasty still maintained an old navy.

The victory in the two battles off the coast of Guangzhou was a rare shining moment for this existing fleet.

Then it was quiet. Until the opening of the Longqing Port, a large amount of silver poured into the Ming Dynasty. Those carnivores who had made a lot of money showed mercy, and the Ming Navy regained its vitality.

After the Monkey King unified Japan, he began to covet Korea. The Ming Dynasty decisively sent troops, and the navy also performed brilliantly in this battle.

Even at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Chenggong was still able to recapture Taiwan with his warships.

The Central Plains completely lost its sea power during the Qing Dynasty. Since then, the Central Plains dynasty, which had lost its sea power, became a corrupt giant, until the crisis came from the sea and kicked open the country's door.

At this moment, the Ming navy still had some combat effectiveness, but the navy commanders were afraid of the enemy like a tiger... The Japanese pirates on the southeast coast became more and more serious during the Jiajing period. The main reason was the navy's inaction and fear of the enemy like a tiger.

The coastline was lost and the navy retreated... Even if officers and soldiers from all over the country dared to fight, the coastline was so long, who knew where the Japanese pirates would land?

Lin Xi, the governor of Zhejiang, once complained, "The Japanese pirates come and go like the wind. Today they are in Ningbo, tomorrow they are in Taizhou, and the day after tomorrow they may be close to the sea off Hangzhou. The navy is incompetent, leaving the Zhejiang coast undefended..."

The blame was put on the navy, but the reaction from the court was chilling.

——Be on high alert!
After receiving this reply, Lin Xi cursed, saying that all the dignitaries in the temple were gods who were detached from the world. What a strict defense! Zhejiang's coastline is so long, how can it be strictly guarded with so few officers and soldiers?
If you have the ability, expand the army and set up garrisons along the coast. Otherwise, I cannot do this.

He even submitted a memorial to the emperor, asking who would cover the losses if the Japanese pirates landed and caused heavy losses?
This is passing the buck, but it is also a helpless move.

While the Ming emperor and his ministers were preparing for the northern expedition, the Japanese pirates revived in the coastal areas of Zhejiang and became more and more serious.

If an official wants to be promoted, political achievements are the first priority. Lin Xi thought that political achievements were not difficult, but when the Japanese pirates messed around...someone submitted a petition to impeach him, saying that he was not doing a good job in protecting the local area.

The driving force behind Commander Mao Yuanchang's harsh words came from Lin Xi.

Lin Xi said, whoever makes trouble, I will stab him in the back.

The governor and frontier official actually cursed. It was obvious that Lin Xi was anxious when he said this.

The navy was urged repeatedly and then came out to patrol lazily.

As a result, when they encountered the Japanese pirates, instead of suppressing them, they turned around and ran away.

If Lin Xi saw this scene, he would definitely stab Mao Shunchang with a knife.

"Chase!"

Ichiro Komura was overjoyed and chased after them with his men.

Although his ship was not big, it was suitable for sailing in the coastal waters. Although the ship was small, there were many people on it, and everyone worked together, and the speed was getting faster and faster.

"Chief, be careful!" a Japanese pirate shouted at this time. Before Ichiro Komura could react, a flash of fire suddenly appeared at the stern of the last Ming warship, and a flaming object flew over.

The Japanese pirates' ships were equipped with cold weapons only. They had never seen such powerful firearms and were stunned for a moment.

But the thing fell into the sea halfway and was swept away by the waves, disappearing without a trace.

Komura Ichiro laughed, drew his Japanese sword, pointed at the Ming warships and shouted, "Chase them, I want to capture their warships!"

On the Ming warship, the general was cursing, "The damn beasts in the Armament Bureau made such a firearm that I am going to die. Quick, fire another one!"

A sergeant said, "Captain, this firearm has been stored for several years. It has been exposed to the wind and sun. I'm afraid it will not work."

"Why didn't you say that earlier!" The general flag looked up and saw the pirate ships getting closer and closer. He couldn't help but look bleak, "Quick, send a signal to ask the centurions to come to the rescue."

Wang Bie also saw that this attack was fruitless, and he cursed: "The Military Affairs Bureau is incompetent!"

His subordinates knew that this was an attempt to pass the buck.

"Captain, they are getting closer." Someone screamed, "What should we do?" "Escape!" Wang Bie's face was livid, "Everyone move."

"The warship behind..."

Wang Bie closed his eyes and said painfully: "We encountered a powerful group of Japanese pirates..."

The Japanese pirates approached the last warship and then climbed up.

The two sides fought on the deck, and soon the Japanese pirates gained the upper hand.

"There's another ship over there!" Komura Ichiro's eyes were red with excitement, "Come closer."

The second warship was approached by Japanese pirates, and the Ming soldiers on the ship shouted and screamed, asking for help from the main force.

But Wang Bie led the main force and ran faster and faster...

"Wang Bie, what the hell!" someone yelled, "You bastard, you didn't help someone in need and you're as scared of the enemy as a tiger. I curse you to die a miserable death!"

But the main fleet was running faster and faster. Most of the pirates were fighting with the last two warships. Ichiro Komura sighed, "What a pity."

Qian Yun was already satisfied, no, it should be said that it was a pleasant surprise.

"Chief, these are two warships."

"If I can keep them all..." Ambition flashed in Ichiro Komura's eyes, "I can unify the coastal pirates, and then... attack Korea."

It has to be said that even at this time, in the eyes of the Japanese pirates, the Ming Dynasty was still a behemoth that could not be easily violated.

Many years later, Monkey thought the same thing, so he first attacked Korea, preparing to gain a foothold in Korea before plotting against the Ming Dynasty.

……

"From the map, Japan is just a few dots. But our Ming Dynasty is a giant! Why should we be afraid of a few Japanese pirates?"

In Hangzhou, Governor Lin Xi looked up at the Provincial Secretary Zhou Wang and said, "The Japanese pirates have been rampant recently. Does Governor Zhou have any countermeasures?"

I, the Governor, am in charge of civil affairs. As for military matters, you should ask Commander Mao Shunchang, right?
The local power structure is composed of three departments: the provincial governor is in charge of civil affairs, the commander is in charge of the military, and the provincial governor is in charge of justice. This has a flavor of the separation of powers. However, the governor is high above and commands the three departments.

Although the governor nominally commands the three departments, it is common for the governor to not obey if the heads of the three departments have strong backgrounds.

It’s better for the county magistrate to be in charge now. Why should I, the dignified governor, flatter you, Lin Xi?
Zhou Wang happened to have a strong background. He used to compete with the governor Lin Xi and often refuted his decisions. Lin Xi was intimidated by the man behind Zhou Wang and always endured it. He gritted his teeth and said that sooner or later he would make Zhou Wang pay.

Zhou Wang’s backer was none other than the current Lord Yan.

The Yan Party was powerful, and Lin Xi was promoted to the position of governor. If he had to have a backer, it would only be the prime minister.

That’s right, Lin Xi’s backer is Lord Xu Jie.

When the news of Xu Jie's downfall came, Zhou Wang became very arrogant!
The two met occasionally during this period, and Zhou Wang's aura firmly suppressed Lin Xi.

But today Lin Xi's attitude was particularly tough, with a hint of sarcasm in it.

Zhou Wang was stunned, wondering if this guy had taken the wrong medicine, or if it was that Lord Xu in the capital had made a comeback?

But if you think about it carefully, since Xu Jie had bowed to Jiang Qingzhi and the new policy, how could he have a chance to turn things around easily?

What gave Lin Xi support?

Zhou Wang coughed dryly, "This matter...Commander Mao."

There were undercurrents between the Governor and the Provincial Commissioner, and Commander Mao Shunchang was happy to watch the show, but he didn't expect to be dragged into it by Zhou Wang.

Mao Shunchang coughed dryly, "Governor, Governor, I think this matter needs further consideration."

"Let's take a long-term view?" Lin Xi took a sip from his teacup. "Yesterday, an official document came from Nanjing, accusing my Zhejiang officials of being incompetent, which allowed the Japanese pirates to run rampant..."

Lin Xi put down the teacup heavily, his face solemn, "We actually let the Japanese pirates flee all the way to Songjiang Prefecture. This is a great shame and humiliation."

This incident was a hot topic at the time. Some people said that the Japanese pirates came ashore from Nanzhili and had nothing to do with Zhejiang. But later, news came that the Japanese pirates who landed and attacked Songjiang Prefecture were Song Muliangzi, who had been entrenched in the sea off Taizhou Prefecture.

Well, Nanjing’s shit pot has been thrown over here.

"What should we do?" Lin Xi said coldly, "We need to take action. The navy must take the initiative to attack, and the local militia must also be mobilized. Local government officials and Zhou Fantai should urge them to go to the front line. Don't slack off."

These words are far-sighted and cannot be faulted.

Look, I have fulfilled my responsibilities as the governor. If the Japanese pirates are still rampant, what crime should you, Zhou Wang and Mao Shunchang be charged with?

Zhou Wang felt that this guy had taken the wrong medicine, so he sneered, "Are there any instructions from the Political Affairs Hall in the capital?"

——Lin Xi, don’t forget that my backer is Lord Yan.

And your Lin Xi's backer, that Lord Xu, has now become a rat crossing the street, an old dog in the water. Are you sure you want to wrestle with me?

Zhou Wang saw Lin Xi smile slightly and seemed quite calm, which made him more suspicious.

A clerk came in and said, "Governor, Governor, Chang Wei Bo is less than five miles away from Hangzhou."

In an instant, Zhou Wang suddenly realized!
Jiang Qingzhi is here, the powerful official who recently killed people and frightened the southern officialdom.

Jiang Qingzhi and Yan Dang's relationship seems to be in harmony but their hearts are not in harmony, which cannot be hidden from the old ghosts in the officialdom.

He came to Hangzhou, and as a general of the Yan Party, Zhou Wang would become that monkey if he was not careful...

Damn it, Lin Xi, are you trying to set a trap for me?
(End of this chapter)