Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Inside the Wuying Hall, there were quite a few people sitting.

Besides Zhu Yuanzhang, the cabinet of five, headed by Zhu Biao, and several ministers of the six ministries who were not in the cabinet were also included.

Of course, Xue Xiang, the Minister of Works, was an exception.

Xue Xiang is still leading people to repair the Yellow River there.

Moreover, the results were remarkable.

After proposing the method of "constraining water to attack sand" to manage the Yellow River, they came up with it.

Xue Xiang felt as if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened up.

We must pursue not only speed, but also quality.

He wanted to create something comparable to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Now that we've started, and with His Majesty's strong support, we must do it well.

Three years of decisive battle on the Yellow River!

The goal is to ensure that the projects undertaken to manage the Yellow River can last for at least three hundred years.

Only in this way can we live up to His Majesty's trust and not let down the many people who have come with him to manage the Yellow River!

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally agreed with Xue Xiang's ambition.

Let's not even talk about 300 years, it should at least meet the standard of 100 years of use.

River management has always been a major undertaking.

Especially large-scale projects like this.

Managing the Yellow River is no easy task.

Now that I have a capable man like Xue Xiang on my side, and I, the emperor, am here to support me, I must do this well.

Some things can't be delayed; the longer you wait, the harder they become.

For example, the railways of the United States that he knew about in later years, and the lead water pipes that were made in the past...

It was able to be built back then, but later on, it became impossible to repair or replace it.

Is it that the nation's strength is failing? Is it that its power is insufficient?
No.

Rather, it's because of too much selfishness and too much dispersion of power.

There are more and more selfish people who are unwilling to invest money in this.

Those commissioners are taking far too much.

Not only that, in addition to repairing the Yellow River, Zhu Yuanzhang also planned to give Xue Xiang some extra benefits in the future.

For example, after the Yellow River is repaired, the entire Grand Canal will be dredged.

The Grand Canal is an extraordinary thing.

The advantage is too obvious.

It was a vital lifeline connecting the north and south, especially since the railway had not yet been laid and the steam engine was only in the research and development stage.

Its role becomes even more important.

It must be repaired.

Only in this way can we effectively connect the North and the South, allowing resources and future commerce to develop significantly.

This also prepares for his future relocation of the capital to Beiping.

Of course, in addition to developing river transport, we should also develop maritime transport.

Compared to inland waterway transport, maritime transport has greater advantages.

However, it also has some disadvantages.

For example, it is heavily affected by the weather.

However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Developing it significantly could complement inland waterway shipping.

This matter must be done; it is of great significance.

Moreover, it's much easier for him to do these things now.

Firstly, he was the founding emperor, and thus held considerable authority.

Secondly, the maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty has gradually developed.

Another reason is that with the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty is now in dire need of reconstruction, and the capital is still in Yingtian, while Beiping is not the capital.

Although it was still necessary to transport food and supplies there, the demand for such items was far less than after the capital was established there.

Although the Grand Canal is still usable, the amount of transport is not as great.

There are few employees in the industry.

Therefore, there was no such thing as a million canal workers who depended on the canal for their livelihood.

There are relatively few stakeholders involved.

Under these circumstances, it is naturally easier to do these things.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang gathered the cabinet and other important ministers in the court for a meeting.

The year is about to end, and we need to hold a summary meeting.

We should summarize the year's development, identify the achievements and areas where we could have done better, and have a clear understanding of these points.

And then I'll reiterate the goals for next year.

Let's set the tone for next year's work. That way, the work can proceed smoothly next year.

Only when many people know where to direct their efforts.

Only then can we do things better.

"We believe the main development goals for next year are as follows."

First, at the Longjiang Shipyard, at least five large ships of 2,000 tons and one large ship of 4,000 tons were built.

Currently, our Ming Dynasty still has too few ships and needs to accelerate production.

The ocean holds endless riches that need to be further explored.

Much wealth is ownerless; it's just there, first come, first served.

If we don't acquire it, someone else will.

Once others acquire these things, they will use them to develop themselves and then come to bully and humiliate us.

Such things can happen; we need to be vigilant.

Don't assume that everyone overseas is a barbarian.

Although there are many barbarians, some of them are quite clever.

If we fall behind, we will be attacked. What we don't want to be attacked is our Great Ming Dynasty.

From now on, only our Great Ming Dynasty will be able to occupy these places.

The saying "All land under heaven belongs to the king, and all people within the realm are his subjects" should not be allowed to become an empty phrase.

Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever rivers flow, that is Han territory. We hope this statement is not only a lofty goal, but also one day a reality!

After Zhu Biao and others summarized the events of the year, Zhu Yuanzhang began to speak.

When talking about the specific plans for next year,
The first thing to mention is shipping and maritime trade.

"In addition, three more maritime trade offices will be established in Quanzhou, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou to be responsible for foreign trade."

Previously, due to the Maritime Trade Office, it was only in the trial stage, plus the navy and the corresponding World Expo fleet, etc.

This is due to a shortage of professional personnel and a lack of experience.

Therefore, only one Maritime Trade Office was established.

Over time, all aspects have seen significant improvement.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt that under these circumstances, it was necessary to establish more maritime trade offices to engage in foreign trade.

It can better attract overseas wealth, draw more attention to overseas markets, and create more people who rely on maritime trade to gain profits.

Only in this way can the further development of maritime trade be promoted.

"The second thing is to establish a medical system."

The kind that covers the whole country.

The government intervened to establish a system that safeguards the lives of many people.

The development of healthcare and the improvement of medical technology in our Great Ming Dynasty cannot remain merely a matter of words; it must be accompanied by concrete actions.

We must do practical things for the people so that they can enjoy the benefits of development and experience the changes.

It also provides a place for medical students who have completed their studies to find employment.

In addition to the medical school, a nursing school should also be added.

Doctors alone are not enough; nurses are essential. Medical staff need to undergo separate training…

Next year, we will expand smallpox vaccine production and broaden the scope of vaccination.

Establishing files for those who received the smallpox vaccine is a key priority.

"Thirdly, in terms of education, we should further promote the establishment of government-run schools."

Build more schools and universalize education. It is imperative that every township has at least one government-run school so that children can attend.

The teaching materials used are these newly compiled textbooks.

Education is a long-term endeavor.

If the Ming Dynasty wants to prosper, it must attach importance to education.

Only in this way can the Ming Dynasty become increasingly prosperous, and not become a source without roots or a tree without foundation. Only in this way can it continue to develop and not run out of momentum!
The fourth aspect is agricultural production.

We must vigorously develop water conservancy facilities, build canals, and excavate weirs and ponds.

It serves two purposes: firstly, to drain floodwater, and secondly, to store water.

People need sufficient water for their daily lives and production, and we should use this water to provide them with more convenience.

Try to make less of a reliance on the weather.

The goal is to ensure that villages with limited access to water can dig at least one well next year to provide convenient access to water for people and livestock.

At the same time, land reclamation is also encouraged.

And the newly reclaimed land will be registered and cataloged...

We need to conduct research and experiments on seeds, fertilizers, farm tools, and farming methods.

To cultivate seeds with higher yields and greater resistance to lodging, diseases, and pests.

Cultivate superior varieties.

The same applies to fertilizers.

In addition to traditional methods of composting animal manure, human excrement, withered grass, and wood ash, we should also look to other sources.

To produce fertilizers with higher yields and better results.

Innovation is also encouraged in agricultural tools and farming techniques to create better tools.

Promote innovation in a way that suits local conditions, and introduce more technologies.

Of course, technological innovation is not about blindly innovating; it's about surpassing the original level. Only then can we avoid regressing.

In these matters, we shouldn't adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, nor should we innovate for the sake of innovation, which could end up being worse than before...

Fifth, starting next year, we will deploy troops and supplies to the southwest and other regions to expedite the recapture of the southwest.

We must bring the southwest back into the embrace of our Great Ming Dynasty as soon as possible.

Those places have been away from my China for far too long!

Now it's time to take it back.

We can't let the Yuan dynasty occupy this land forever!

Zhu Yuanzhang sat there looking at everyone and spoke about his plans for the coming year.

Many of the things involved cannot be completed within a year.

In other words, many of them are five-year plans.

However, just as you eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time, you always have to go through a process of creating something from nothing.

"There's no such thing as a land survey. We can't stop. We need to conduct a thorough land survey across the entire country to get a clear picture of our national situation."

We will purge out some landlords and wealthy people, as well as those who have ulterior motives and take more than their share.

The following year, we started with Fujian and Shandong.

The land survey must be completed within a year, and we must overcome any difficulties and obstacles that may arise!

The land survey cannot be superficial; it must be thorough and leave no stone unturned!

Zhu Biao, Liu Bowen, Li Wenzhong, and other participants in the meeting listened attentively.

He would often take notes by hand, showing exceptional diligence.

Of course, they each had a booklet in their hands.

The booklet contained the main points that Zhu Yuanzhang had mentioned.

They had already read it before the meeting.

However, while you're looking at it, you still need to take notes.

Because some of the things His Majesty said were not printed here.

Simply looking at the booklet is not enough to fully grasp His Majesty's spirit.

The meeting lasted a long time because it covered a lot of topics.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he discussed each point with everyone and tried to find some suitable implementation methods.

They didn't go out to rest until noon.

They had food delivered and ate directly in the Wuying Hall.

After using it and drinking a cup of tea, it started again and continued until evening before finally ending...

……

Walking home, I reflected on everything I had seen that day.

Liu Bowen found it all very novel.

In the past, those in positions of authority had never taken such actions.

However, it is indeed a very good idea to plan and propose the important things to be done in the following year a year in advance.

It helps people better understand where to direct their efforts.

It is also important to summarize the gains and losses of the year.

It allows people to know where improvements are needed, what was done correctly, and how to further strengthen it.

Now that they've risen to power, they've truly mastered one set of tricks after another.

But I must say, some of the new terms and novel practices that keep popping up from above are actually quite useful when you think about it.

For example, the establishment of this cabinet, coupled with the planning and vision undertaken since taking office, has indeed made things easier and more efficient.

In addition, there is an assessment system that is linked to performance.

And there is also His Majesty, a person who is diligent in his duties.

As a result of the interaction of these factors, the speed of doing things in the Ming Dynasty has improved significantly.

His Majesty's focus encompasses a wide range of issues, including national welfare, people's livelihood, military affairs, education, and healthcare.

It is evident that those who rise to power do not necessarily aim too high in many matters.

Instead, it is here to continuously solidify the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, so that the Ming Dynasty can become better in the future.

Those who have risen to power truly live up to their title; their abilities are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

In the past, he was able to understand how to rise to power in many situations.

Now I find that I can no longer understand many things.

It's far from being as good as the one who takes the position.

The speed of his rise to power and the magnitude of his changes are hard to comprehend.

It even made him wonder if he had some kind of extraordinary encounter that led him to this position.

……

On the third day, the 23rd day of the lunar year, new newspapers were printed and put on sale.

"The development plan for the tenth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty?"

Yang Shiqi, who had bought a newspaper, drank mutton soup while reading it.

Unlike many people who like to read the novel first, Yang Shiqi was used to reading the earlier parts first.

Especially the content on the front page.

As an official, this is a quality he must maintain.

You can see a lot from this; it's incredibly useful.

He was quite surprised by this newspaper.

Although he had seen a lot of current affairs content through newspapers in the past.

However, I never expected that the development plan for next year would be printed out directly!

I feel equally excited and moved by the specific details of this development plan.

His Majesty truly has a global perspective and is doing everything in his power to make the Ming Dynasty better.

However, upon seeing the news that the army would be fully prepared for war next year and that they would take over the southwest, he couldn't help but blink.

Military matters are different from other things. Other things can be written down directly, which helps to unite forces.

However, in military affairs, there is a great deal of importance in striking unexpectedly and attacking when the enemy is unprepared.

Is it really a good idea to write this out so bluntly and publish it worldwide?

Will the people in the southwest take precautions as a result, making things more difficult?

……

"Chongba, isn't it... a little inappropriate of you to publish your attack on the southwest in the newspaper?"

Empress Ma ate her soup dumplings while asking questions... (End of Chapter)