Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 206: The Crazy Demon Queen, the False Emperor Leaning against the Wall to Get Out
Military Affairs Department.

Their duties included managing maps of the country, and working with city gods, garrisons, beacons, etc. They relied on maps to grasp important information such as mountains and rivers, administrative divisions, urban roads, registered population, tax revenues, and the location of passes. The "Nine Frontiers" map of the Hongwu period was created by them.

Some time ago, the Military Affairs Department and Westerners worked together to draw a world map. Although it was an incomplete map, it gave the Ming Dynasty government and the public a new understanding of the world.

Zhu Qizhen came to the Military Department this time to roughly confirm the location of America and Oceania. He wanted to make a map to give to the fleet that was about to go out to sea.

As for the world map, he only had a rough idea in his mind, and he drew a rough map based on his memory, and the rest needed the military department to revise it. Of course, they couldn't draw an accurate map because America and Oceania had not yet been discovered.

Finally, the picture was completed. Zhu Qizhen looked at the picture in his hand and was quite satisfied. Yu Qian came with him and looked at the picture and asked in confusion: "So, the Earth is really round?"

"Of course!" Zhu Qizhen said, "Theoretically, after going around in a circle, we can return to the original place."

Yu Qian looked at the picture carefully, rubbed his head, and looked puzzled: "Earth is mainly ocean, such a big ocean. Also, Earth is round, so won't the people below fall into the sky?"

"Sweat!" Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand, "It seems I still need to tell you about gravity, the rotation and revolution of the earth, etc. Let's go, let's talk while we walk, I want to go to the Imperial College."

After getting on the carriage, he began to explain.

Yu Qian was opened to a new world and was very curious about all the knowledge. When the carriage stopped at the Imperial College, Yu Qian was still not satisfied: "Your Majesty, I will come to ask for advice next time."

"Wait a minute," Zhu Qizhen stopped him and asked, "Aren't you here to report? How are the preparations for the Northern Expedition going?"

Yu Qian sat down again and said, "Your Majesty, the new soldiers are still in training. Your Majesty, even if you want to use troops, you have to wait until next autumn, when the troops will be well trained and have sufficient food."

"I can wait!" Zhu Qizhen asked, "New-style muskets and artillery must be prepared for me. By the way, has the Ministry of War produced the French cannon drawings I gave you last time?"

Yu Qian nodded affirmatively: "It has been built. Your Majesty, when you are free, you can go to the Shenjiying to take a look."

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand: "Then tomorrow!"

"As you command." Yu Qian bowed. "Then I will go back first and greet Your Majesty at the Shenjiying tomorrow."

……

Imperial College.

Zhu Qizhen came in in casual clothes, holding a new map in his hand. He mainly wanted to show it to several foreign teachers in the Imperial College and ask them for some suggestions.

Last time, Francisco's caravan came back from Europe, bringing with it four foreign teachers, all of whom were talented in arts. They were all teachers at the Imperial Academy, and Zhu Qizhen valued them very much. Moreover, he told Francisco that the more talents the better, and to continue to bring people.

He came to the office and saw many gentlemen, including the four foreign gentlemen, and some students gathered together to discuss something. The eldest princess of Goryeo, Li Ling, was also there. She was small, but her voice was the loudest: "Sir, so we won."

"What are you playing?" Zhu Qizhen shouted.

Everyone saw him only then. Some of the teachers in the Imperial College knew him and were surprised. They hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty."

Everyone knelt down, and Zhu Qizhen raised his hand: "Everyone stand up, I am visiting incognito, so these etiquettes are exempted."

His eyes fell on the foreign gentleman at the head of the group and he smiled: "HI, William, how have you been recently?"

William was from England. Zhu Qizhen was good at English in his previous life and could communicate with him in English. The students were all surprised. His Majesty could speak foreign languages? Li Ling blinked her eyes and asked, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about?"

"English." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands. "However, I only know some English. I can talk to William. But I can't talk to Mr. Pitt because he is from the Netherlands; I can't talk to Julian because he is from France; and I can't talk to Hans because he is from Prussia. Fortunately, they can all speak our Ming language."

Everyone laughed.

Zhu Qizhen looked at the four foreign teachers: William from England taught mathematics, Peter from the Netherlands taught physics, Julian from France taught chemistry, and Hans from Germany taught astronomy. However, these four people were also self-taught.

For Zhu Qizhen now, background doesn’t matter, as long as they know how to do it.

He took out the map and compared it with the four foreign gentlemen. Li Ling poked out her lovely head, came close to him, blinked her beautiful big eyes and asked, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

"Just listen!" Zhu Qizhen glared.

"Oh~" Li Ling stood aside obediently.

……

After discussing the map, Zhu Qizhen came out, and Li Ling followed him with her back bent. The girl was pretty and youthful. Zhu Qizhen stopped and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Li Ling nodded repeatedly: "I recently received a letter that my uncle is preparing for my brother to abdicate and become the king of Goryeo."

Zhu Qizhen actually knew about this. The intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard said that Prince Suyang of Goryeo, Yi Seon, was both civil and military, and had actually taken control of Goryeo, and was preparing to find a reason to force his nephew to abdicate.

"I can't help you now." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands, "This is your Li family's family affair. Your uncle has already written a letter, implying that he will continue to be loyal to the Ming Dynasty."

Li Ling waved his fist and said, "He is usurping the throne. Your Majesty, great and wise, can you tolerate this?"

Zhu Qizhen: "I can!"

Li Ling: “…”

She was so angry that she gritted her teeth, tears welled up in her eyes, and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you want in exchange for helping me?"

"That's up to you to think about." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands, "Why should I help you? It can't be because you're cute, right?"

"I..." Li Ling waved her hand, "I can marry you."

Zhu Qizhen smiled playfully: "A beauty trap? But you are not beautiful. I am the emperor, and the last thing I lack is beauties."

An idea suddenly popped up in his mind. Let this Goryeo woman have my son, send her back to Goryeo later, and then support my son to become the king of Goryeo?

Then he wilted.

Damn, I don’t even have my own son in the Ming Dynasty.

"Princess, think about it carefully." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "What can you use to impress me?"

After saying that, he strode away. Li Ling looked at his back and waved her fist angrily: "What's so great about that! I can rely on myself."

……

Qianqing Palace.

After Zhu Qizhen came back, he summoned Gao Gu, the Minister of Works. Last time Gao Gu reported, the Longjiang Shipyard in Yingtian had built 500 seagoing ships and was ready to start the great voyage.

"Here is the map. Give it to the two commanders who are going out to sea." Zhu Qizhen said, "I still have something to tell you. Remember it."

The experience of Zheng He's seven voyages to the West provided great support for this voyage. The main problems of long-term voyages at sea are diet and disease.

Zheng He's voyages to the West left behind valuable experience.

Zheng He's fleet carried a wide variety of food, including staple foods such as rice, noodles, beans, and condiments such as salt, sauce, tea, and wine. These basic foods are easy to store and can provide necessary energy and nutrition.

Meat and seafood are preserved by methods such as pickling and smoking, which extends their shelf life, such as bacon.

Dried fruits, vegetables, candied fruits, etc. were carried on board, and these foods could be preserved by drying and sealing so that they could be eaten during the voyage.

Zheng He's fleet used porcelain and other containers for food storage, which not only kept the food fresh but also prevented moisture and insect pests. The ship was also equipped with special water filtration and storage devices, such as "canvas bags", to ensure the safety of drinking water.

Zhu Qizhen had read the History of the Great Navigation and knew that Columbus and his crew had encountered the most terrible scurvy, and many crew members died from this disease. However, Zheng He's fleet did not suffer from this disease because Zheng He's fleet planted crops on board, such as bean sprouts, and drank tea, which were rich in vitamin C and effectively prevented scurvy and other diseases caused by vitamin deficiency.

The ship is equipped with a doctor who is responsible for the health management and disease treatment of the crew members.

Zhu Qizhen made some improvements based on Zheng He's work. After all, this voyage went further than Zheng He's.

First of all, we need to prevent diseases. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C, and there are already good ways to prevent it. In addition, ship fever (including yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, etc.) is mainly spread by mosquitoes. Although there are no modern mosquito repellents and mosquito nets, it can be solved by fumigating the cabin.

There are many ways to preserve food. Zhu Qizhen proposed planting and breeding on board.

Vegetables, bean sprouts, ginger and other easy-to-grow and beneficial vegetables are grown on board using containers such as porcelain.

Equipped with special horse boats, raising livestock such as horses and sheep, as well as live poultry such as chickens and ducks. These livestock and poultry can not only serve as a source of food, but also provide dairy products.

"Your Majesty, please speak slower." Gao Gu said while writing rapidly.

……

Night falls.

When the false emperor arrived at Kunning Palace, he saw the evil queen picking up her flowers.

After watering the plants, she squatted beside the pool, scooped up some clean water and washed her face. Her beautiful and charming face was covered with sparkling water droplets, a strand of hair fell at the corner of her mouth, and she pursed her red lips.

Seeing this, the false emperor felt a surge of heat in his heart. He walked over, stood in front of her, and said condescendingly: "Can you help me again? Like last time."

The Demon Queen was stunned at first, but then she understood what he meant. She raised her red face and her eyes widened fiercely: "What are you thinking about?"

The false emperor leaned over and whispered something in her ear.

The Demon Queen shook her head repeatedly, stretched out her hand to push him away, and was about to stand up, but the false emperor held down her shoulders with both hands, with a pitiful expression.

"Sister, just once!"

"You're going too far. No one will believe you."

"That's all your fault. You're so beautiful. I'm obsessed with you. Sooner or later, I'll be obsessed with you..."

"Alright, alright, just... once!"

The Demon Queen found it difficult to speak. A struggle flashed across her quiet eyes, but she finally nodded.

The false emperor grasped her shoulders tightly and half-closed his eyes.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing gusts of coolness, and the pseudo-emperor took a deep breath.

After a while, the fake emperor's body shook.

The demon queen pushed him away violently.

"Damn man!" She glared at the fake emperor in shame and anger. The fake emperor came forward to hug her and spoke sweet words: "Sister, I love you!"

He gently stroked the Demon Queen's soft hair. He didn't know why, but he liked to stroke women's hair afterwards, especially the Demon Queen's beautiful hair, which was extremely soft and made him love to touch it.

The Queen's beautiful face was covered with rouge-like clouds, her eyes were full of seductiveness, and she pursed her lips tightly: "Are you happy? Did you get what you wanted?"

"No!" The fake emperor buried his head in her fair neck, "You know what I'm thinking."

The Demon Queen reached out and pinched her waist fiercely, angrily saying, "Something bad will happen."

The false emperor thought, we are all like this, is there any difference?

Have!
He answered himself in his heart, there is a huge difference, I want to get you.

"I can wait." He continued to pretend to be affectionate.

"You don't even know how to be gentle and considerate to women." The demon queen pinched him again.

She was saying that the fake emperor was too violent just now, and that he actually had his own little thoughts. Who knew that she was too patient.

……

"Now it's my sister's turn." The Demon Queen raised her eyes.

At this moment, she was like a big shark, showing her greedy mouth. The false emperor was numb and asked: "What... are you going to do... ah..."

The Demon Queen didn't wait for him to finish and bit his lip, breaking it.

The false emperor understood.

Is this woman crazy again and wants to suck blood? Why does she have such a hobby? Is she really a vampire? That's why she doesn't age?
His mind was full of random thoughts, and the Queen was addicted, sucking greedily.

Her face was slightly flushed from the blood she had sucked, adding a touch of beauty to her already beautiful face. Her long hair was like silk, gently falling on her shoulders, swaying gently with her movements, exuding an indescribable charm.

"Lie down, sister."

At this moment, the Demon Queen was both beautiful and dangerous, her eyes flashing with a hazy and fanatical light, and a charming smile on the corners of her mouth.

The false emperor quickly protected his neck: "You can't bite my neck."

The corners of the Queen's mouth curved into an arc, her smile seductive and blurred: "Don't worry, I'm just greedy for your lips."

"It's not fair."

The false emperor was pinned to the ground by the demon queen. He spread his hands and said, "I will lose too much blood."

The Queen's actions were undisguisedly wild and crazy: "Then I will help you a few more times later."

"Okay!" Zhu Qizhen opened his arms: "Come on!"

An hour later.

The Demon Queen went to the inner hall to take a bath. The Pseudo-Emperor lay on a chair and felt like his soul had left his body. It had been too exciting.

After a while, the Demon Queen slowly walked out of the inner hall, wrapped only in a gauze bathrobe. The soft fabric clung to her body, inadvertently revealing a touch of snow-white and delicate skin. Her delicate collarbone and shoulders were faintly blushing in the dim light, like newly blooming petals, and her slightly wet hair casually fell behind her, adding a bit of casual charm.

She moved lightly, her waist twisting like a willow branch swaying gently in spring, and walked gracefully to the incense burner. Her slender hands gently lifted the incense burner lid, her movements light and rhythmic, and as the lid was opened, a wisp of smoke lingered. She stared at the incense in the burner that was about to burn out, her eyes revealed a bit of charm and laziness, and her eyes blinked slightly, which was fascinating.

The moment she bent down, her body showed an amazingly graceful curve. She turned her face to the false emperor lying on his side, with a look of scrutiny and provocation in her eyes: "Is that not enough?"

The fake emperor spat out a mouthful of blood!

……

"Shuangxi, you can come in and have your meal. Bring the soup to His Majesty. He needs some nourishment." The Demon Queen shouted outside the palace.

Soon, Shuangxi came in and went to the kitchen to get food. When the pseudo-emperor looked at the table full of delicacies, he suddenly felt strong, sat up, took the soup handed over by Shuangxi, and drank two bowls.

He finally felt alive and started to eat. The Queen was as elegant as ever, with her wet hair falling down, giving her a special charm.

"Is the Ming fleet about to go out to sea?" asked the Demon Queen.

"Yes, we will start from Yingtian." The Pseudo-Emperor sighed, "Otherwise, I can go and see you off."

He was looking forward to the Ming Dynasty's great voyages. In his previous life, when he read Western history, he knew that the Spanish Empire became the overlord of the time because of the great voyages, but was later severely beaten due to internal reasons.

As an emperor, he certainly expected the Ming Dynasty to become the hegemon. However, he was also mentally prepared that there were too many variables at sea and it was not certain that he could find America in one go.

This takes time, and perhaps multiple times, but there will definitely be gains every time.

"Sailing and expedition to Mobei, do you have money?" the Demon Queen raised her eyes and asked.

The fake emperor sighed and said, "It's definitely not enough! But I have a way to make money."

He wanted to set up a company, just like the East India Company in Western history in his previous life, to monopolize global trade.

The method is the same, for example, go to Southeast Asia, establish trade points first, then gradually gain military and administrative power, and become the actual ruler of the local area. Not only has huge wealth, but also has its own powerful army.

However, all this is just a hypothesis.

"I knew you could do it." The Demon Queen sighed.

"It sounds like you are unhappy?" asked the false emperor.

The Queen smiled slightly, her eyes drooping, she was in a complicated mood. In her opinion, if it were ordinary people or court officials, they would all hope that the Ming Dynasty had such an emperor.

"I'm done eating. I'm leaving now." The fake emperor stood up.

He walked out of Kunning Palace. The sky outside was already full of stars. He held onto the pillar with his hand and muttered to himself, "My legs are really weak. Today is too crazy."

……

The next day, Shenjiying.

The air was filled with a tense and expectant atmosphere. Zhu Qizhen stood high on the platform, his figure stretched out in the morning light, looking majestic and domineering. His eyes fell on the newly made cannons below, which exuded a cold and hard luster under the morning light.

Yu Qian, wearing a battle robe on his shoulders, stood beside Zhu Qizhen, with the command flag in his hand fluttering in the wind. With his deep and powerful command, the flag was suddenly waved down, and the drill began.

Then, the cannon was ignited, and the muzzle instantly spewed out blazing flames and billowing smoke, illuminating everything around it red. Accompanied by a deafening roar, the shells rushed into the sky like roaring dragons, and then slammed into the target in the distance.

The target was instantly torn into countless pieces by the bombardment of the shells, and the flying wood chips and dust formed a chaos in the air. After the shells landed, they set off a shock wave, which cracked the surrounding soil.

Zhu Qizhen showed a smile of shock and satisfaction on his face, as he knew that the power of these artillery pieces would bring unprecedented military advantages to the Ming Dynasty. The soldiers cheered, and the entire Shenji Camp seemed to be united by an invisible force, with high morale.

"Old Yu, with these artillery pieces, are we more confident in the Northern Expedition?" Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile.

Yu Qian nodded and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please give a name to the new artillery."

Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment and said, "Let's call it Hongwu Cannon! I hope that the Ministry of War can develop more powerful cannons in the future, but Hongwu Cannon is the first generation and is particularly important to our Ming Dynasty."

"Hongwu Cannon!" Yu Qian praised, "Great! Emperor Taizu would be proud if he knew about this in his afterlife."

Bullshit pride!

Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart that they didn't care about the Zhu family at all.

"Old Yu, it's still early today. Tell me more about the situation in Mobei." Zhu Qizhen sat down.

Yu Qian stood in front of him and was about to start speaking, but Zhu Qizhen pointed to the chair next to him and said, "Sit down and speak. You are so tall standing there that you are blocking my view."

"As you wish." Yu Qian sat down.

In the present day, Yesen is still the overlord in the northern desert, and the Oirat tribe is the strongest. Moreover, Yesen has the support of the Golden Horde in the north, and the tribes in the northern desert can only succumb. Only Toghtobuha opposes Yesen. After all, the Golden Family has influence in the grassland, and some tribes still follow Toghtobuha.

The Ming Dynasty also supported Tutubuhua and traded with them, which helped Tutubuhua recover some of his power. When the Ming Dynasty arrived in Mobei, Tutubuhua would decisively attack Yesen.

Zhu Qizhen nodded as he listened.

In fact, he also had another trick, which was to disintegrate the internal structure of the Oirat tribe. Ala Zhiyuan, the second-in-command of the Oirat tribe, hated Yesen to the core and was also waiting for an opportunity to kill Yesen.

"Yesen may seem powerful, but he is actually facing many crises." Yu Qian said, "Your Majesty, our Ming Dynasty will surely win this Northern Expedition."

He does not mean that.

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he thought of himself.

Am I the same as Yesen? I look strong on the surface, but in fact I am in danger. If I am not careful, I will die?
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Yu Qian called twice.

Zhu Qizhen came back to his senses, spread his hands and smiled: "Alas, I feel that I am also in danger and walking on thin ice."

Yu Qian was stunned for a moment and shook his head: "Your Majesty is different from Yesen. Yesen was troubled by internal and external troubles and was unpopular. As for you, Your Majesty, in terms of popular support, perhaps you have surpassed Taizu and Taizong."

"Ah? Is that what you think?" Zhu Qizhen was surprised.

"Of course!" Yu Qian said, "During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the people were actually suffering. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the people also suffered because of the continuous wars. How can the people be as comfortable as they are now? The taxes are lower and they have more money."

Zhu Qizhen was still very pleased and sighed: "However, I know that we are still far from 'every family has enough food and the people are well-off'."

Yu Qian bowed with a smile.

It is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty that the emperor has a clear understanding of himself.

……

I'm just asking for your monthly ticket. It's the end of the month now and it's useless to keep it.

(End of this chapter)