Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 448 Zheng He Returns! Technological Breakthrough!
Ji Yuan was Zhu Yuanzhang's closest eunuch, serving him faithfully for many years.

Zhu Yunwen knew his temperament very well. This man was cautious and prudent, and had absolutely no intention of overstepping his bounds, let alone making such a bold request as to leave the palace.

Unless... these words were spoken at Old Zhu's behest, or at least with his tacit approval.

In other words, the person who truly wanted to leave the inner palace was not Yoshigaki, but rather the old Zhu who had imprisoned himself deep within the palace.

Zhu Yunwen was not entirely unprepared for this matter.

He had long planned ahead. In fact, it could be said that one of his hidden motives for swiftly pushing forward the new policies, reforming the court and revitalizing the people was to relieve Zhu Yuanzhang of his burdens and stop him from worrying day and night about the stability of the Ming Dynasty.

If we could invite the old man out of that secluded inner palace sooner, perhaps we could add a few more years to his life.

After all, if a person is confined to a small place for many years and isolated from the outside world, their mood will inevitably become depressed, and over time, their body will also suffer.

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head in thought, and the image of Old Zhu's weathered face involuntarily appeared in his mind.

He secretly estimated that, based on the dates recorded in historical books, Zhu Yuanzhang's days were numbered.

However, since the establishment of the Ming Academy of Sciences, medical techniques have advanced by leaps and bounds, with many new methods for treating diseases emerging one after another. Perhaps they can truly prolong the life of Emperor Taizu and rewrite his destiny.

However, it would be no easy task to bring Old Zhu back into the world and allow him to walk out of the inner palace in a dignified manner.

This move is tantamount to announcing to the world that the so-called "death" was a hoax.

This requires a convincing explanation to the world.

This is not only about the dignity of the royal family, but also about the stability of the court and the public. If not handled carefully, it could cause a huge uproar.

Therefore, every step must be carefully considered and planned before action is taken to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

"I understand." Zhu Yunwen quickly composed himself, his face regaining its usual calm.

"This matter is of great importance, and I will consider it carefully."

Upon hearing this, Xu Miaojin raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

She glanced at Zhu Yunwen, as if trying to glean some clue from his calm expression.

Why would the emperor take such a serious approach to something as trivial as an old eunuch merely mentioning his desire to leave the sealed inner palace?

There must be some hidden story behind this that she has not yet discovered.

As Xu Da's daughter, Xu Miaojin was exposed to the turbulent political scene from a young age and knew that some things should not be investigated too deeply and that it was better to pretend to be confused.

She was exceptionally intelligent and knew her limits, so she didn't ask any more questions. She simply nodded slightly, lowered her eyes, and concealed her probing gaze.

Zhu Yunwen also had something on his mind.

The two embraced each other, but neither spoke a word.

Just then, a palace attendant came hurrying over from a distance, his steps hurried and his face filled with barely concealed excitement.

Upon seeing the emperor reclining on the grass with his concubine beside him, he hurriedly knelt down, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty, great joy! This is truly a momentous occasion!"

Zhu Yunwen was slightly taken aback, then raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery: "What has made you so flustered? Tell me quickly."

The eunuch raised his head, unable to hide his joy, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Lord Zheng He has returned with his troops!"

"What?" Zhu Yunwen was startled. He sprang up from the soft brocade carpet with swift movements, his previous languid demeanor completely gone.

He stared at the eunuch, as if trying to confirm the veracity of the news.

Xu Miaojin also turned slightly to the side, her delicate eyebrows raised, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Over the past few years, Zhu Yunwen has devoted himself to promoting overseas exploration, striving to get the people of the Ming Dynasty to look to the unknown and vast world.

Initially, it was the wealthy nobles and merchants who were the first to respond to the imperial court's call. With their abundant wealth, they assembled fleets and, with the ambition to be pioneers, set sail to explore foreign lands.

Following closely behind, members of the royal family and nobility joined this adventure of pursuing their dreams to the ends of the earth.

The practice of granting fiefdoms to princes overseas further propelled this wave of overseas expansion to its peak.

The Da Ming Daily was like an open window, continuously presenting strange and wonderful stories from overseas to the world.

From the bizarre and breathtaking exotic customs to the dazzling array of rare treasures, and the seemingly endless wealth opportunities hidden across the vast ocean, everything excites the heart and captivates the soul.

Of course, the newspaper also frankly warned the world that many overseas regions were still wild and uncivilized, which was in stark contrast to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the countless treasures hidden beneath that vast land are like pearls in the dark night, radiating an irresistible brilliance that attracts countless people who see it as a smooth road to wealth and glory.

With such a powerful advocacy from the imperial court, a wave of enthusiasm for going to sea quickly swept across the country.

In the streets and alleys of the city, groups of people can be seen gathering together, talking animatedly about legends from afar.

Countless ambitious adventurers joined the fleets of nobles and wealthy merchants, braving the winds and waves to sail into the unknown depths of the ocean, chasing opportunities that could rewrite their destiny.

Their eyes shone with hope, as if they could grasp their dreams in the palm of their hands as long as they embarked on the journey.

However, while ideals may be as brilliant as stars, reality is often cruel and ruthless.

Many people still have doubts and hesitate to move forward.

After all, beneath the vast ocean lurks endless dangers.

Gale-force winds, towering waves, unknown alien races, and long voyages—all are tests of courage.

Even though the Da Ming Daily portrayed overseas as a paradise, those who had never been there still felt uneasy about that unfamiliar place, fearing the unpredictable risks lurking in the depths of the waves.

The scams that occurred in Siam and Bago in the past have instilled fear in many people.

The Da Ming Daily never shied away from this topic; instead, it spoke frankly and openly about the various dangers of overseas exploration.

The vast ocean is ever-changing, and violent typhoons, like ferocious beasts, can roar in at any moment, swallowing ships into the bottomless abyss.

Stepping into that uncivilized wilderness, mosquitoes and venomous snakes lurk like ghosts in the shadows, ready to strike a fatal blow if one is not careful.

Furthermore, the water and soil environment, so different from their homeland, may cause illness or even lead to death in a foreign land.

In addition, there are the hostility of the local natives, pirate attacks, bandit raids... all sorts of crises hang like a sword over one's head, making people tremble with fear and dare not venture out easily.

However, as the old saying goes, "Fortune favors the bold."

If one is eager to achieve success and accumulate wealth, how can one shrink back and avoid all risks?
However, the extent of the risk and whether it's worth the gamble remains a persistent question in the minds of countless people.

Despite the court's vivid propaganda, many people in the public remained skeptical.

With the successful opening of the sea route to Japan, people's perceptions have undergone a dramatic change.

Japan, which was once out of reach and existed only in rumors, is now close at hand and within reach.

In the past, Japan was a distant and unattainable foreign land in the minds of the people. The legendary story of Master Jianzhen's six voyages to Japan during the Tang Dynasty has been passed down among the people for thousands of years.

That near-death experience is deeply ingrained in people's minds, leading them to believe that traveling to Japan would take several years, involve numerous hardships, and that a slight misstep could result in death in a foreign land.

It wasn't until the maritime ban was lifted and the imperial court boldly opened up sea routes that people realized how convenient the journey to Japan actually was.

By taking a sturdy merchant ship, one can arrive safely in no more than six or seven days if the wind is favorable, and no more than ten days if the wind is slightly slower.

As for Taiwan, which is just a stone's throw away, traveling there is extremely convenient, as easy and comfortable as visiting relatives and friends.

However, when the focus shifts to the more distant other side of the ocean, public sentiment is divided in two, clearly separated.

In the mouths of those adventurers who had secretly crossed the ocean and returned by chance, the land of Southeast Asia was like a den of demons fraught with danger.

That unfamiliar sea not only tested physical endurance but also subjected the mind to endless torment.

A round trip involves enduring the turbulence of storms, the onslaught of disease, and the ever-present loneliness and fear.

Those who returned all looked haggard, and still felt lingering fear when talking about their experiences.

Fortunately, with the imperial army's southward expedition, this sea route to Southeast Asia was completely opened up and gradually stabilized.

More and more merchants and adventurers embarked on their journeys, one after another.

They brought back valuable experience and figured out how to deal with storms and diseases, making the shipping routes safer and more reliable.

Today, Southeast Asia is gradually transforming from a daunting forbidden land into a fertile ground full of opportunities.

In the streets and alleys, the rumors about Southeast Asia were no longer just about danger and suffering, but also included a yearning for wealth and glory.

The people sat around the teahouse, their conversation reflecting both awe of the unknown and a fervent hope for the future.

All these earth-shaking changes stemmed from Zhu Yunwen's ambition.

He personally led the new army, which was renowned throughout the world. He crushed the Japanese in one fell swoop, eliminated the maritime threat, and opened up a wide sea route for the Ming Dynasty.

The same was true for the South Seas shipping routes. The once perilous South Seas became increasingly stable under the escort of the imperial army.

Today, merchants and adventurers flock here, and shipping routes are becoming increasingly mature. The fears of the past have transformed into a fervent yearning for wealth and opportunity.

However, few people dared to personally visit the "New World," which was even more distant and was only described in the imperial gazette and the Da Ming Daily.

At least, no concrete accounts of what happened were ever circulated among the common people. Only vague rumors, tinged with mystery and the unknown, aroused people's curiosity but also made them hesitant to approach.

Crossing the Pacific Ocean might be an ordinary voyage in later generations, but in an era without satellite guidance or weather forecasts, the risks were far greater than most people could imagine.

Although Zheng He made seven voyages to Southeast Asia and returned safely each time, seemingly protected by divine intervention, the route planned by Zhu Yunwen for him now is quite different from the Southeast Asia journeys recorded in historical books.

Crossing the vast Pacific Ocean to reach the New World, the treacherous winds and waves and the long voyage presented unprecedented challenges.

Zheng He's delayed return cast a shadow over Zhu Yunwen's heart, and worries surged like a tide.

However, as the emperor, he knew that his joys and sorrows could affect the court and the people, and he could not easily show the slightest unease.

Zhu Yunwen buried his worries deep in his heart, but always maintained the composure and dignity of an emperor.

Upon hearing the joyous news of Zheng He's return, his heart skipped a beat, and he could no longer contain his excitement, so he leaped up.

Does Zheng He's return mean that the long sea route across the Pacific Ocean and connecting the New World has been fully opened?
"The news was brought back by a steamship that sailed from Guangzhou to Yingtianfu," the eunuch reported with his head bowed. "When the steamship docked at Quanzhou Port, it happened to encounter the triumphant return of Lord Zheng He's fleet, and thus brought this good news back to the capital."

"Steamships are much faster than ordinary ships. Other detailed reports will probably not arrive in the capital for several more days."

Zhu Yuntong nodded slightly, his tense nerves finally relaxing a little.

In any case, Zheng He's safe return was a great blessing.

Little did they know why his actions took so long.
"Your Majesty, there is another piece of good news!" Seeing the emperor's excited expression, the eunuch seized the opportunity to say.

"Oh? Is there any other good news?" Zhu Yunwen asked casually.

The eunuch hurriedly said, "When I rushed here to report, I happened to meet the Duke of Wei and Dean Lai of the Academy of Sciences at the palace gate."

"They said that thanks to His Majesty's personal guidance, the sealing problem of steam locomotives has been successfully solved using rubber."

"Now, the steam engine factory is about to build a locomotive capable of traversing thousands of miles!"

"The Duke of Wei and Dean Lai originally intended to report this good news to His Majesty in person, but His Majesty was in the inner palace today and had already decreed that he would not see any officials from outside the palace, so the eunuchs guarding the gate stopped them."

"They had no choice but to submit their memorials to the government office and await His Majesty's review."

Has the sealing problem of steam locomotives been solved?

Zhu Yunwen's heart jolted, and his eyes blazed with intense light.

This is undoubtedly fantastic news!
Once this technological barrier is overcome, the Ming Dynasty can build railways on a large scale, fundamentally revolutionizing the landscape of transportation.

Moreover, other types of steam machinery will also undergo a leapfrog improvement as a result, the significance of which is so profound that it will be recorded in history.

His heart was pounding with excitement, and he could not hide his joy. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Excellent! Lai Wen'an and Wen Yuanliu have indeed lived up to my expectations!"

Immediately, Zhu Yunwen said in a deep voice, "Immediately prepare to proceed to the Hall of Diligent Governance. I wish to personally review this memorial!"

"Furthermore, summon Wen Yuanliu and Lai Wen'an back to the palace immediately. I have questions for them. At the same time, issue an edict ordering all ministers to enter the palace immediately for a meeting!"

Regarding the progress of sealing in steam locomotives, Zhu Yunwen not only had to carefully read the reports, but also personally inquired with the two key figures who had personally driven the technological breakthrough.

If everything is as reported and there are no errors, he will immediately order preparations for railway construction, ushering in a new era of transportation for the Ming Dynasty.

This matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly; therefore, it is necessary to convene senior officials to discuss the important plan.

Seeing His Majesty suddenly display imperial decisiveness and majesty, the eunuch dared not be negligent in the slightest, and hurriedly bowed to accept the order before retreating to make arrangements.

Zhu Yunwen did not delay any longer. He got up, flicked his sleeves, and strode out of the inner palace, heading straight for the Hall of Diligent Governance.

He swept away his previous leisurely demeanor, strutted with the confidence of a dragon and the strength of a tiger, and exuded the ambition to govern the country and bring peace to the nation.

Xu Miaojin stood there, gazing at Zhu Yunwen's departing figure, momentarily lost in thought.

She murmured softly, her tone tinged with complex emotions: "When he gets serious, he truly has the demeanor of a wise and benevolent ruler throughout the ages... He is completely different from the carefree and frivolous persona he displays in the harem."

At this point, Xu Miaojin suddenly recalled Zhu Yuntong's teasing words when he whispered them to her earlier, and her heart warmed, her face involuntarily flushing red.

She quickly lowered her head to hide her excitement, but a faint smile still unconsciously appeared on her lips, a smile that seemed both reproachful and delightful.

……

(End of this chapter)