Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 486 A Clown's Adventure: Sending Troops to Japan

With countries preparing for war, the news naturally couldn't be kept secret.

Not to mention the secret guards who specifically monitor the movements of various countries, even the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Dragon Guard Manor are updating intelligence information every day.

As time went on, the Ming Dynasty's cabinet gradually got on the right track.

Besides Xu Yu, Xue Zhi of the Cangyun Army and Li Chengen of the Tiance Mansion also entered the cabinet and participated in government affairs.

"During the Song Dynasty, the army was well-prepared and nearly eight million able-bodied men were conscripted."

"Your Majesty, please take a look at this report."

Changsun Wangqing handed over a copy of the latest intelligence from the secret guards, which detailed the actions of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties during this period, as well as their various measures to conscript young men and local militia.

Zhu Jinzhen took it and glanced at it, then couldn't help but marvel: "Tsk, no wonder it was the Song Dynasty, they were incredibly wealthy."

"A young man, fifty strings of cash to buy his life, plus five mu of fertile land and fifty shi of grain. No wonder the Ministry of Revenue reported that grain stores all over the Ming Dynasty had made a lot of money, all of which was dumped outside the Ming Dynasty. The root of the problem lies here!"

Fifty strings of cash to buy one's life—according to the exchange rate between the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, one string of cash was roughly equivalent to one tael of silver.

Fifty strings of cash are equivalent to fifty taels of silver.

This is absolutely an astronomical sum of money.

Apart from the Song Dynasty, no other country, including the Ming Dynasty, could possibly offer such a thing.

"It's more than that."

"Please take a look at these."

Changsun Wangqing then handed over various conscription notices from the Sui, Liao, Jin, Tubo, and Dali kingdoms, urging young men to prepare for a desperate battle.

Zhu Jinzhen glanced at it, shook his head and chuckled: "It's not surprising for the Sui Dynasty, after all, this is a war that led to the downfall of the country."

"Although Yang Guang was ambitious, extravagant and licentious, he was indeed quite capable. Even if he was muddleheaded, he knew that the Sui Dynasty was already in dire straits and that defeating the Ming Dynasty was his only way out."

In the world of martial arts, Yang Guang was initially a very competent emperor.

Many people have even compared him to Zhu Di, the Taizong Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, noting that his civil and military achievements were no less impressive.

His war to destroy the Chen state, his suppression of the rebellion in Jiangnan, his western expedition against Tuyuhun, and the establishment of four prefectures including Xihai all demonstrate that he indeed possessed a strong military mind and political talent.

Unfortunately, the subsequent three campaigns against Goguryeo and the construction of the Grand Canal were hampered by this.

They squandered almost all the wealth left to them by Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, causing widespread resentment among the people. Coupled with the checks and balances and the obstruction of the four major clans and other powerful families, the Sui Dynasty took a sharp turn for the worse, appearing to be on the verge of collapse and nearing its end.

"I was somewhat surprised that the four major clans and various aristocratic families were able to cooperate so strongly in helping me." Zhu Jinzhen's face showed obvious surprise, but after thinking about it, he could roughly guess what those people were thinking.

Although the Sui Dynasty was already a broken ship, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.

No matter how strong the wind and rain, or how turbulent the waves, the Sui Dynasty, a dilapidated ship that they had tacitly tormented, could still set sail and brave the waves, sheltering them from the wind and rain.

Once the Sui Dynasty completely collapsed.

Without this umbrella that sheltered the four major clans and various powerful families from the storm.

They were the ones who needed to confront the Ming Dynasty directly.

Knowing that the Ming Dynasty was now invincible in military strength and growing in power, and that Zhu Jinzhen had a poor attitude towards powerful clans, preserving the Sui Dynasty was their only way out.

Who would dare not do their best?

The situation was roughly the same for both the righteous and the villainous factions in the martial arts world of the Sui Dynasty.

Not only the Sui Dynasty, but also the neighboring Song Dynasty and other small countries were in similar situations.

"Huh?" "What?"

"Heh, just a bunch of clowns." Changsun Wangqing sneered and handed the intelligence report to Zhu Jinzhen. The report contained some information from Dali, Jin, Tubo, and Liao.

It mentions that the carefree king of the Jin Kingdom has returned to his peak, and because of the wasted years, he suddenly attained enlightenment and entered the realm of a terrestrial immortal, vowing to return to the Ming Dynasty to fight Zhang Sanfeng again.

"The Prince of Xiaoyao, you dare to fight Zhang Sanfeng?" Zhu Jinzhen's expression was somewhat strange. Who gave the Prince of Xiaoyao the courage?

Based on his status as a terrestrial immortal?

Or did he think that he had returned to his peak and stepped into the realm of a terrestrial immortal? Zhang Sanfeng, who had been a terrestrial immortal for over a hundred years, would remain stagnant.
Not to mention, Zhu Jinzhen and Changsun Wangqing, and even many people in the Ming Dynasty, know that the once unparalleled martial arts legend has now broken through the final bottleneck and entered the realm of terrestrial immortals.

A battle between the weak and the strong, where terrestrial immortals fight terrestrial celestial beings?
Zhu Jinzhen found it somewhat ridiculous and quickly put it aside.

As for the intelligence report that mentioned Yelü Wudi making a statement in Liao, vowing to avenge the grudge of the past, Zhu Jinzhen found it laughable. Yelü Wudi, who had not yet stepped into the terrestrial celestial realm, could not even be seen from behind.
Seeking revenge only makes people laugh.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has completed the preliminary preparations for the expedition against Japan."

"In recent days, that Lord Wu'an has been studying all the military books and strategies that came after his death, indicating that he is ready to lead troops into battle at any time. Prince Chang Yuchun of Kaiping is also eager to fight."

"The remaining Cheng Yu and Jia Xu have also been resurrected for several days."

Changsun Wangqing reminded Zhu Jinzhen that the Ministry of War and all other parties were ready to set out at any time.

This was the first major battle fought by the Ming Dynasty after Zhu Jinzhen ascended the throne, attracting widespread attention and captivating the hearts of the entire court and even the common people. Although the battle was fought only in the small territory inhabited by the Japanese pirates.

But this is also a battle for revenge.

In recent days, military officers and nobles have been submitting memorials requesting permission to fight, and even the Six Ministries have been asking when they can conquer Japan and when to send troops.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jinzhen put down the memorial in his hand and looked at Changsun Wangqing:
"What did the Ministry of Works say?"

"How are the naval ships ready?"

"It's all done. Zheng He personally supervised the construction, and with the help of the experts His Majesty sent, it already has seven-tenths of the original Zheng He's treasure ships. Perhaps it's still a bit lacking for long-distance voyages, but for conquering a mere island like Japan, both the Ministry of Works and Zheng He have replied that there are no problems."

"Alright, then we won't wait."

Zhu Jinzhen's eyes lit up, and a cold look appeared on his face: "Someone come here."

"His Majesty."

"It is said that Prince Chang Yuchun of Kaiping, Prince Xu Ruowu of Weiwu, Ran Min and others have come to pay their respects."

"In conjunction with the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions, prepare provisions and weapons."

"Yes."

The Tian Ce soldiers, who replaced the Imperial Guards, received the order and went down to deliver the decree.

Soon, the entire force Zhu Jinzhen desired for the campaign against Japan was in place.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects. We are in good health."

Bai Qi, Chang Yuchun, Ran Min, Xu Ruowu, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, and others bowed deeply.

"I am at peace. Rise."

Zhu Jinzhen waved for them to rise and said, "I summoned you here to return to the world in a different way. You all know what I need you to do. I will not waste any more words."

"Three days later, we will hold a rally and set off for battle."

(End of this chapter)