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In the early years of the Wanli reign, despite the court's vigorous efforts to reform and implement new policies under the leadership of Zhang Juzheng, the Japanese pirate threat along the southeastern coast remained a persistent problem that could not be eradicated.

At that time, the composition of the Wokou (Japanese pirates) had become increasingly complex, including not only genuine Japanese ronin, but also a large number of Chinese pirates, unscrupulous merchants, and unemployed fishermen and salt producers from the coast.

They were familiar with the sea and acted in secret. Sometimes they would gather thousands of people and launch a massive attack on a garrison, and other times they would break into smaller groups and harass villages and towns in small boats, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities, causing frequent alarms and widespread poverty along the coast.

Faced with the increasingly rampant Japanese pirates and the predicament of local garrison troops repeatedly failing to suppress them and even being afraid of the enemy, the imperial court once again turned its attention to Su Ning, the governor-general of Zhejiang and Zhili, who always managed to create miracles.

At this time, an urgent imperial edict was sent to the Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang and Zhili in Nanjing: "Governor-General Su Ning of Zhejiang and Zhili is hereby ordered to take charge of all matters related to the suppression of Japanese pirates along the southeast coast, and to control all garrisons and naval officers and soldiers in Zhejiang and Southern Zhili, in order to ensure peace and tranquility at sea and to eliminate future troubles!"

This order placed a heavy burden on Su Ning's shoulders, but it also gave him the power to unify authority and coordinate all parties.

Inside the Governor-General's office, the staff were deeply worried, believing that suppressing the Japanese pirates was a tough nut to crack, a thankless task.

However, Su Ning calmly unfolded the coastal map, his eyes flashing with a cold light completely different from when he dealt with government affairs and business: "The problem of Japanese pirates has been a chronic disease for a long time. It's not that they can't be eliminated, but that we haven't found the right methods or used the right tools. What they rely on is nothing more than fast ships, sharp swords, and the ability to come and go like the wind. Now, it's time to let them see what real power is."

Instead of immediately mobilizing a large army to conduct aimless searches and suppressions, Su Ning first carried out a sweeping "re-equipment" and "restructuring" of the coastal naval forces and garrisons of Southern Zhili, which he could directly control.

Initially, Suning did not directly produce steel warships that were ahead of their time, mainly because they were too shocking. Instead, it relied on the technology and industrial foundation of the industrial space to guide official shipyards such as Longjiang Shipyard to modify existing large Fujian ships and Haicang ships.

The structure was strengthened, the sail was optimized, and, more importantly, high-strength steel plates provided by Ma'anshan Iron and Steel Plant were added to key parts to enhance protection.

Meanwhile, they secretly installed auxiliary steam paddle wheels on several flagship ships using the industrial space's supply chain, enabling them to maintain considerable speed and maneuverability even in windless conditions, which was crucial when pursuing Japanese pirate boats.

The old muskets and outdated cannons in the hands of the garrison officers and soldiers were also quickly replaced.

The flintlock muskets, manufactured by Suning in the industrial space's weapons workshop and based on the Ming Dynasty's early heavy industry, began to be deployed. Their rate of fire, accuracy, and reliability far surpassed the muskets used by the Japanese pirates.

The main reason is that Suning understands that the Ming Dynasty is not its own, so bringing out advanced technology would be meaningless.

Only when one truly becomes a powerful minister in the Ming Dynasty will one consider genuinely changing the world.

Even more chilling was that some elite Shenji Battalion units were equipped with breech-loading rifled cannons and primitive versions of rockets, a simplified version of the Congreve rocket, whose range and power were sufficient to destroy the Japanese pirate ships from beyond the range of their bows, crossbows, and arquebuses.

Suning also equipped commanders at all levels with short-range wired telegraphs and improved flag and light signaling systems, making command transmission and information communication far more efficient than the Japanese pirates who relied on fast horses and beacon fires.

Leveraging the extensive network of supermarkets and money exchange systems covering the coastal areas, Suning established a highly efficient intelligence gathering system.

The Japanese pirates' supply sources, possible locations for selling stolen goods, and even the activities of some spies on shore could not completely escape this invisible net.

AI systems can integrate and analyze this scattered information, and often predict the general movements of the Japanese pirates in advance.

Therefore, the Japanese pirates who used to appear and disappear without a trace were, in Suning's eyes, just a bunch of clumsy chickens and dogs.

……

The fighter jets arrived quickly.

In the summer of the first year of the Wanli reign, a large fleet of ships, a mixture of genuine Japanese pirates and other pirates, totaling dozens of vessels, gathered off the coast of Taizhou, Zhejiang, intending to launch a major invasion of the wealthy Taizhou, Ningbo and other places.

In the past, government and military officers and soldiers were often forced to passively defend the city or wait for the Japanese pirates to land before they could besiege and suppress them, which was extremely passive.

This time, Suning deviated from its usual practice and personally went to the front line to supervise the operations.

He had already obtained information about the Japanese pirates' gathering place and general direction of attack through intelligence.

As the Japanese pirate fleet approached the coast under the cover of morning fog, they were horrified to discover that a Ming army fleet of more than ten large, modified warships was already waiting in ambush along the planned route.

What terrified them even more was that these Ming warships, in almost no wind, used their two huge, rattling paddle wheels on the sides of their ships to cut off their retreat at a speed far exceeding their own!
The outcome of the battle was entirely predictable.

The Ming warships, from a safe distance, unleashed a barrage of cannon fire, including terrifying rockets, directly bombarding the Japanese pirate fleet.

The Japanese pirates attempted to use their small boats' maneuverability to get close enough for hand-to-hand combat, but they were devastated to find that the Ming warships were firing a dense and accurate barrage of bullets, making it impossible for them to get near.

The addition of steel plates to the hull further reduced the effectiveness of their usual fire attacks.

In this battle, most of the Japanese pirate ships were sunk or burned, and those who jumped into the sea to escape were also pursued and killed by the Ming navy in small boats. Only a few remaining pirates took advantage of the chaos to escape into the open sea.

However, the Ming army suffered very few casualties.

……

News of the "Great Victory in Taizhou" spread, shaking the southeast!
The victory in the Battle of Taizhou completely reversed the Ming army's passive situation in the southeastern coastal region.

However, Suning seized the opportunity and adopted a strategy that combined "taking the initiative to attack and seek opportunities to annihilate the enemy" with "strict blockade and cutting off the root cause".

First, they dispatched a fast fleet centered around steam paddlewheel warships to patrol the open sea, searching for and destroying the Japanese pirates' supply points and hideouts.

At the same time, strict orders were issued for coastal areas to strengthen vigilance, and the supermarket system was used to strictly control the outflow of materials, especially grain, ironware, and gunpowder raw materials. The "Order of Joint Liability for Reporting Traitors" was also promulgated, with heavy rewards for those who reported those who colluded with the Japanese pirates, thus completely reducing the space for Japanese pirates to operate on land.

Thus, faced with an absolute technological gap, efficient intelligence, and entirely new tactics, the Japanese pirates who had ravaged Southeast China for decades seemed to lose their former arrogance overnight. They discovered that their ships could not outrun the Ming army's "strange ships," their swords and guns were no match for the Ming army's firearms, and their whereabouts seemed to always be under the Ming army's control.

In just one year, the Japanese pirate threat along the Zhejiang-Zhili coast was almost completely eliminated, the sea frontier gradually became peaceful, and trade routes were reopened.

When the good news reached the capital, Zhang Juzheng was overjoyed and personally drafted an imperial edict to praise Su Ning, saying that he was "capable of governing the country with his literary skills and stabilizing the nation with his military prowess, truly a pillar of the nation."

Even the young Emperor Wanli was filled with surprise, suddenly recalling the few memories he had of Su Ning.

After this battle, Suning's prestige reached a new peak.

He not only proved his outstanding military talent to the court and the world, but more importantly, his "technologically armed" naval and land forces became the sharpest sword in his power structure, deterring all potential enemies, whether from the sea or the court.

This sharp sword will ensure that his business empire and industrial revolution can continue to advance rapidly in a relatively stable environment.

……

The swift suppression of the Japanese pirate raids along the Zhejiang-Zhili coast, especially the overwhelming advantage displayed by the warships that had been modified and equipped with auxiliary steam paddle wheels and sharp firearms in the "Great Victory of Taizhou," was like a strong sea breeze that not only dispelled the gloom along the southeast coast but also alarmed the Ming court in the capital.

While the government and the public celebrated the peace and security of the coastal areas, those with insight, especially officials well-versed in military affairs, all turned their attention to the "strange ship" fleet under Su Ning's command, which was quite different from the traditional navy.

Despite the triumph and the imperial court's praise, Su Ning did not become arrogant. Instead, he astutely seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Therefore, he carefully drafted a memorial entitled "Request to Build New Warships to Strengthen Coastal Defenses" and sent it directly to the cabinet in the capital by express courier.

In this memorial, he did not dwell on the victories, but instead, with an extremely pragmatic and even slightly worried tone, he profoundly analyzed the current hidden dangers and future challenges facing the navy:
"Your subject Su Ning respectfully reports: Thanks to Your Majesty's divine might and the wise counsel of the chief minister, the vile forces in the southeast have been temporarily quelled. However, although the Japanese pirates have temporarily retreated, their ambitions remain undiminished, and the seas are not at peace. The sails of the Western barbarians (referring to the Portuguese, Spanish, and others who have begun to appear in the Far East) have already appeared, with strong ships and powerful cannons, which cannot be ignored. Our current naval fleet mostly uses old-fashioned ships, relying on wind and information, resulting in slow speed and insufficient firepower. In the absence of wind or against the wind, they are like dragons trapped in shallow waters, and when faced with strong enemy cannons, they are as vulnerable as eggs on a pile. The victory at Taizhou was truly due to the luck of new equipment, but such modifications are ultimately not a long-term solution, like patching up old clothes, which cannot keep out the cold."

Then, he abruptly shifted his focus, presenting his core proposal: "To safeguard the eternal security of our maritime borders and the long-term peace of our nation, I, Your Majesty, risk my life to earnestly request that Your Majesty order the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds for the construction of dedicated new-style steam-powered warships! These warships will not rely on sails, but will be powered by internal steam turbines, achieving rapid speeds and maneuvering nimbly, regardless of wind direction, allowing them to roam the four seas. Their hulls will be constructed of steel, providing robust protection; they will be equipped with new breech-loading rifled cannons, with a range far exceeding that of the old cannons, and significantly increased accuracy and power. If we had ten such ironclad warships, we could control our vast maritime borders, deterring invaders and barbarians from even daring to intrude, thus ushering in an era of lasting peace!"

The memorial immediately sparked a heated debate in the court.

Supporters were mostly officials who had witnessed the power of the new weaponry or were farsighted, who spoke eloquently: "Your Majesty, Grand Secretary, and Governor Su are absolutely right! The Battle of Taizhou has already demonstrated the advantages of the new weaponry. In naval warfare, if our weaponry is inferior, we will be constrained at every turn. Building new ships is a proactive measure, and it is the only way to build a strong nation!"

The main opponents, conservatives and officials worried about the finances, were concerned: "Steam warships? Ironclad ships? Unheard of! Such ingenious and extravagant technologies must cost a fortune! Now that the Single Whip Law has been implemented and the national treasury is slightly more abundant, how can we use it for such illusory things? If it is built but not completed, or completed but useless, wouldn't it be a waste of national funds?"

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue directly complained about their difficulties: "Your Majesty, Grand Secretary! Although last year's revenue increased slightly, the military pay for the nine border regions, the salaries of officials, and the disaster relief for river works all require silver. Suddenly investing huge sums of money to build such new ships, I'm afraid the national treasury will not be able to support it!"

The debate centered on the technical feasibility and the enormous cost.

However, the young Wanli Emperor looked at Zhang Juzheng with a strange expression and asked, "Grand Secretary, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, this victory in Taizhou proves the superiority of the new warships. Only by continuing our efforts can we completely resolve the Wokou (Japanese pirate) problem."

"Hmm, that makes sense! Let's allocate 500,000 taels from the imperial treasury to build new warships."

"Your Majesty is holy."

Facing resistance from the imperial court, Suning, far away in Nanjing, seemed to have anticipated it.

He did not demand that the court immediately allocate the full amount of funds, but instead submitted a more detailed supplementary proposal to Zhang Juzheng through secret channels.

In his memorial, Su Ning proposed a solution that seemed to achieve maximum effect with minimal effort: "If the officials of the court have any doubts about the funding, I have a plan that may satisfy both sides. The enormous cost of building new ships can be raised by the Great Ming Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with patriotic gentry and merchants from Jiangnan, to establish the 'Great Ming Royal Navy Shipbuilding Fund.' The court can symbolically invest a portion of its shares to show its support and grant the warships built by the fund the 'Imperial Ming' flag and special permission for overseas trade. Once the warships are completed and have formed a fighting force, they can not only protect the sea frontiers but also escort the ocean-going fleets of the merchants who have invested in the fund, thus opening up overseas profit sources. At that time, the court can also share in the tax revenue. In this way, the country can gain a strong army without spending a huge sum of money, and merchants can gain security and expand their profits. It is truly a win-win situation for both the public and the private sector."

This plan was highly appreciated by Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

Because it cleverly bypassed the financial constraints of the Ministry of Revenue, utilized private capital to achieve national strategies, and used future overseas trade privileges as an incentive to bind the interests of merchants in the Jiangnan region.

Furthermore, given that the young emperor had generously allocated 500,000 taels of silver from the imperial treasury, the cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue could not remain silent.

Thus, through Zhang Juzheng's vigorous mediation and promotion, and after several court discussions, a compromise decree was finally issued to Nanjing: "The proposal of Su Ning, Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, is approved, to pilot the construction of new-style steam warships. A 'Royal Navy Special Shipyard' shall be established at the former site of the Longjiang Shipyard, under the supervision of Su Ning. The necessary funds shall be raised through the 'Great Ming Chamber of Commerce,' and the 'Naval Shipbuilding Fund' shall be subject to detailed drafting and submission of regulations. The Imperial Treasury shall allocate 500,000 taels, and the Ministry of Revenue shall allocate 200,000 taels of silver for demonstration and preliminary use. Careful organization is required to ensure complete success, setting a precedent for the nation!"

Although the Ministry of Revenue of the imperial court only allocated a symbolic amount, Su Ning had already obtained what he needed most: legal construction authorization and policy support.

Moreover, the young emperor's behavior reminded Su Ning of the three great campaigns of the Wanli Emperor in history, which were also initiated by the Wanli Emperor using his personal wealth.

Especially the protracted war of resistance against Japan and aid to Korea, which Wanli Emperor launched by forcibly allocating funds from the imperial treasury under pressure from opposition from the court.

Otherwise, Japan might have already occupied the Korean Peninsula during the Wanli era.

Soon, on the land of Longjiang Shipyard, which once witnessed the glory of Zheng He's treasure ships, an even larger dock was excavated, and high-quality steel from Dangtu Ironworks was continuously transported in. The complex steam turbines began to be assembled in the tall factory buildings.

AI engineers from Suning and the finest craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty gathered here, officially launching a grand project aimed at forging a maritime Great Wall of Steel for the Ming Dynasty.

This is not merely the birth of warships, but also signifies that an ancient empire, under Suning's leadership, is beginning to bravely extend its tentacles back into the once familiar yet unfamiliar deep blue sea.

...(End of chapter)