Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 232 The Royal Navy of the Ming Dynasty
Suzhou, the night is still young.

The temporary palace of the Ming emperor.

The aura of power seeped into every inch of this garden like mercury, completely changing its color.

The pavilions and towers that were once a place for gentry and celebrities to compose poems and enjoy the moon have now become heavily guarded places with sentries every five steps and guards every ten steps.

The elite soldiers of the Beijing garrison, clad in bright armor, held unsheathed goose-feather sabers, their eyes scanning like those of hawks. Their armor gleamed coldly under the lanterns.

In those darker corners, the Imperial Guards' flying fish robes blended into the night like ghosts, their only insignia being the gilded silk thread wrapped around the hilt of their embroidered spring knives.

Beyond the gardens, the entire city of Suzhou groveled before this chilling imperial power.

Qin Liangyu's White-Spear Soldiers took over the defense of the four gates. Those veteran soldiers from Sichuan who had seen real mountains of corpses and seas of blood possessed a battle-hardened aura that was enough to deter any unscrupulous individuals.

The somber atmosphere of the military camp contrasts sharply with the exquisite and graceful Jiangnan garden, creating a highly dramatic and ironic scene.

The arrogance of Jiangnan was crushed under the emperor's thunderous and powerful methods.

The gentry and officials in the city are now subject to ruthless questioning by the imperial guards even if they are within a hundred paces of the imperial palace. If they speak disrespectfully, they may be locked up and imprisoned.

However, the master of this power storm, Emperor Zhu Youjian of the Ming Dynasty, was not as reclusive as they imagined.

During the day, he often rode his horse to inspect the defenses of Suzhou and the garrison of the Beijing army, surrounded by his personal guards.

His dark military uniform, which seemed out of place in Jiangnan, and the long sword hanging at his waist, silently proclaimed to the entire Jiangnan region that the one who sat in charge here was an emperor on horseback.

At this moment, the study in the imperial palace was brightly lit.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Zhu Youjian sat upright in the main seat, his slender fingers casually stroking the mechanism of a new type of Lumi gun.

That cold, precise touch made him feel more at ease than any other collectible walnut.

Below him, in two rows to the left and right, stood several key figures whose influence could shake the entire world.

Qin Liangyu, Tian Ergeng, and Bi Ziyan.

In the center of the study, on a huge rosewood table, lay a map of the coastal defenses of Jiangnan, which had been hastily made overnight by a geomancer from the military headquarters.

The map is far more detailed than any other map in the Ming Dynasty's armory.

Mountains, rivers, cities, and garrisons are clearly visible. What's even more alarming is that the salt fields, ports, and estimated population densities along the coast are marked in dense cinnabar and ink.

Zhu Youjian finally put down the mechanical parts in his hand, the crisp metallic clanging sending a shiver down everyone's spines. His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Qin Liangyu.

"Qin Qing," the emperor began, his opening remarks direct and decisive, like a heavy hammer blow, "I have summoned you and your White-Spear Soldiers to Jiangnan overnight, not for you to enjoy sightseeing."

He stood up, walked to the map, and tapped his finger heavily on the center of the map—Suzhou Prefecture.

"What I want is a truly sharp blade that can expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty and amass wealth from all corners of the world! I want you to forge this blade for me personally!"

Upon hearing this, even Qin Liangyu, a veteran of countless battles, couldn't help but breathe more rapidly.

She stepped forward, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's command is my duty, even unto death!"

"Good." Zhu Youjian nodded. What he admired most about Qin Liangyu was her pure military spirit.

"War is a matter of vital importance to the State; a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected." Zhu Youjian began slowly, and this opening line from "The Art of War" invigorated the generals present. "Then, what should be the purpose of this inquiry? I believe that the first priority is to examine the source of the troops."

The vermilion brush in his hand did not point to those traditionally fierce recruitment sites, but instead drew three large circles heavily on the coastline of the map.

"The Huai River region, eastern Zhejiang, and Hangzhou Bay."

Zhu Youjian's voice was firm and resolute: "Other places can be ignored. These three places are where I have chosen the blood and strength for your troops!"

Bi Ziyan frowned slightly and couldn't help but step forward, saying, "Your Majesty, the Lianghuai region is rife with salt smugglers who are unruly and arrogant; Zhejiang East and Hangzhou Bay are mostly inhabited by fishermen and merchants who pursue profit at the expense of morality. These people are probably not good sources of soldiers, and they are far more difficult to control than the good sons from the interior."

These words also voiced the doubts in Qin Liangyu's heart. Although she did not speak, her eyes revealed a questioning intent.

Zhu Youjian seemed to have anticipated this question. He smiled slightly, with a confident air of insight into people's hearts.

He pointed towards the Huai River region: "Why are salt smugglers so rampant? It's because the imperial salt laws are riddled with corruption, with profits going to the powerful and wealthy, leaving the common people destitute. Driven to desperation, they resort to desperate measures. These people contend day and night with salt workers and soldiers, risking their lives for a meager meal. Their fearlessness far surpasses that of ordinary farmers!"
What the court lacks is not a system of discipline, but rather a legitimate path to officialdom! If I were to give them a chance to rise through the ranks and earn their future, you would see if they became the most courageous soldiers in the land.

Then, his writing turned to eastern Zhejiang and Hangzhou Bay.

"Fishermen and merchants, chasing profits and forgetting morality? Quite the opposite!" Zhu Youjian's tone became more serious. "It is precisely this profit that makes them fight against the wind and waves day and night, become familiar with the water, and forge strong physiques and tenacious wills. They have seen foreign ships on the high seas, used Western firearms, and even dealt with Portuguese and foreigners."

Their vision is far broader than that of the farmers toiling in the inland fields. The soldiers I need cannot only know how to bury their heads in the earth; they must also know how to look up and see the sea!

His analysis was incisive and insightful, directly addressing the core issues of the people. Zhu Youjian transformed the traditional perception of soldiers as scoundrels and unruly civilians into the most valuable strengths of an army—a fighting spirit, professional skills, and a broad perspective.

The profundity, originality, and thoroughness of these insights left everyone present, including the battle-hardened Qin Liangyu, feeling an unprecedented sense of awe.

It was as if a completely new door had been opened for them.

Qin Liangyu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and looked intently at the emperor: "Your Majesty's words are thought-provoking! However, now that the source of soldiers has been determined, what should the military system be? If these brave and fierce men are mixed with ordinary garrison troops, it will be like a mixed bag, and the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages."

Furthermore, the White-Spear Soldiers excel at forming ranks in mountainous terrain, advancing in layers with shields, crossbows, spears, and maces. Their effectiveness would likely be greatly diminished in plains or even naval warfare.

Instead of flattering her, she immediately pointed out the most crucial practical issues from a general's perspective: organization and tactics.

This is the kind of dialogue that Zhu Youjian wanted.

"A good question!" Zhu Youjian's eyes showed even more appreciation. "This is exactly the key point I want to make. The new army I want should not only not be mixed with the garrisons, but should be completely separated from them! This army should be divided into two parts."

His vermilion brush made a heavy stroke on the land area of ​​the map.

"Land Battalion. The White-Spear Soldiers, serving as officers and instructors at all levels, will teach the new recruits your strict military discipline and unique battle formations. I will order the Bureau of Armaments and the Ordnance Bureau to prioritize equipping you with the latest Lumi muskets and Hongyi small cannons. What I want is a main force for the Northern Expedition that is not only adept at mountainous terrain but also capable of decisively defeating the Jianzhou Iron Cavalry head-on on the plains using firearms and battle formations!"

Upon hearing the words "the main force of the Northern Expedition," a fierce fire instantly ignited in Qin Liangyu's battle-hardened eyes!
Not only her, but also Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue, felt their hearts being gripped tightly by an invisible hand at this moment.

Northern Expedition!

Pacify Jianzhou and recover Liaodong!
This was, of course, the unspoken national policy between the emperor and his ministers, and the heaviest dark cloud hanging over the entire Ming Dynasty court.

They certainly knew that the emperor's southward expedition to investigate finances and reorganize the capital garrison was ultimately aimed at the Jurchen Later Jin, who were entrenched in Liaodong.

However, this was the first time the emperor had so clearly and formally announced the Northern Expedition!

The significance of this is far too great.

Those present were all shrewd individuals, and they instantly grasped the deeper logic.

The border troops of Liaodong, Xuanda, and Jizhou were certainly more valiant, having fought against the Jurchens and Mongol barbarians for many years and were highly experienced.

However, the harsh reality of repeated defeats over the years has proven that relying solely on the existing military strength in the north to completely crush the now powerful Later Jin is almost a pipe dream.

Therefore, the only way out is to recruit soldiers from all over the Ming Dynasty again and train an elite force that is no less than, or even surpasses, the border army. Only then can we have a chance of winning!

Having figured this out, Bi Ziyan felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.

As the Minister of Revenue, he knew better than anyone what a terrifying bottomless pit it would be to support such a new and elite force.

But he dared not refute it, because the emperor had already silenced him with the 20 million taels of silver confiscated from Jiangnan.

Tian Ergeng lowered his eyes, concealing the fervor in his gaze.

The greater the emperor's determination, the more he will rely on these "henchmen" (his loyal followers).

The establishment of this new army was inevitably accompanied by countless purges and suppressions, which was the best stage for him to make his mark in the Imperial Guard.

The recapture of Liaodong was an honor and aspiration etched into the bones of every Ming soldier. Qin Liangyu forcibly suppressed her turbulent emotions, knowing that the weight of those four words was heavier than Mount Tai!
Zhu Youjian paused, giving them enough time to process the shock.

Then, the tip of his vermilion brush slowly crossed the land and moved towards the boundless blue ocean on the map, representing the unknown and wealth.

The emperor's tone had lost its previous murderous intent, becoming more solemn and dignified than ever before. "The naval battle camp. This is of paramount importance! I will not call it a navy, nor a naval force."

He spoke each word clearly and distinctly, his voice echoing in every corner of the study.

"I call it—the Imperial Navy of the Ming Dynasty!"

The moment the word "naval" was uttered, the room fell silent.

This is a completely unfamiliar term, but it contains a far broader and more domineering intention than the word "naval force".

"This army will not face river pirates or coastal Japanese pirates in the future." Zhu Youjian's finger seemed to pierce through the map, pointing to the unknown distance, "but rather the gunboats of the Westerners, the boundless sea, and those distant continents whose names I can't even recall! They will be my eyes and my fists, to seize endless maritime benefits for the Ming Dynasty!"

After he finished speaking, only the heavy breathing of everyone remained in the study.

Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue, was already rapidly calculating the astronomical figures needed to build such an army, and he felt dizzy from the process.

Tian Ergeng's eyes flickered; he sensed an even stronger aura of power expansion in the emperor's words.

Qin Liangyu, the female general, felt her blood boil at that moment.

"Your Majesty!" She stepped forward again, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "The plan is magnificent and unprecedented! However, training troops is a complex matter with countless details, and cannot be accomplished overnight. There are three matters that are most difficult to handle, and I humbly request Your Majesty's guidance."

"Speak," Zhu Youjian gestured, raising his hand.

"Firstly, money and provisions. If the pay for the new army is based on the system of the Nine Garrisons, it may not be enough to motivate these fierce people. High pay and heavy rewards are needed to make them fight to the death. However, with tens of thousands of new soldiers, the cost of clothing, food, housing, transportation, weapons, and provisions must be enormous. The Ministry of Revenue..." She glanced at Bi Ziyan, not finishing her sentence, but the meaning was self-evident.

"Secondly, personnel. The garrisons in Jiangnan are deeply entrenched, with officers at all levels holding hereditary positions and having deep connections with local gentry. If I, a military officer from elsewhere, were to recruit soldiers in their territory, I fear I would face all sorts of obstacles, feigned compliance but insincere resistance, and even covert sabotage, making it impossible to guard against."

"Thirdly, the law. The land south of the Yangtze River is different from the nine border regions. Arbitrarily killing scholars can cause public outcry; severely punishing merchants can cause market turmoil. If I want to establish my authority, I need extraordinary power, otherwise I will be constrained and my orders will be difficult to issue from the military camp."

The three questions raised by Qin Liangyu were precise, insightful, and hit the nail on the head, without a trace of falsehood.

Money, people, and power—these three are indeed the pillars that no reform can bypass, and none can be lacking.

After hearing this, Zhu Youjian did not get angry but laughed. His laughter was full of confidence that he looked down on the world and saw through everything.

"Qin Qing's concerns are all wise and insightful words for governing the country. If I had not given them full consideration beforehand, would I be discussing this matter with you all today?"

He first looked at Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue, and his tone became serious: "First, money and grain. I have already appointed Minister Bi to take charge of the tax inspection office. Does Minister Bi have a good understanding of the spoils obtained during this trip south?"

Bi Ziyan's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward to reply, "Your Majesty, the amount of silver seized from the three prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, and Hangzhou alone exceeds twenty million taels."

"Excellent!" Zhu Youjian waved his hand, his manner powerful and imposing. "In the name of the imperial treasury, I allocate five million taels of silver to fund the establishment of the new army! Subsequent military pay will be directly deposited monthly by the Tax Inspection Office, bypassing the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, directly to your account! I have only one sentence: the pay of this army shall be the highest among all the armies of the Ming Dynasty! Anyone who embezzles or misappropriates it will be severely punished." He turned his gaze to the Minister of Revenue, "I want your Tax Inspection Office to search and confiscate his ancestral graves!"

"Your subject... obeys the decree!" Bi Ziyan's heart trembled, and he bowed to accept the order.

Then, Zhu Youjian turned his gaze to Qin Liangyu, his tone becoming gentler: "As for concerns about personnel and legal matters, I will resolve them for you later. But I know you still have a question in your heart, though you haven't voiced it yet."

Qin Liangyu's heart stirred, and she clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

"You are a renowned land commander of our time, your White-Spear Army formation is unparalleled. However, my 'Royal Navy,' which navigates ships, sails, and waves with cannons, is a completely different discipline from land-based formations and charges. Although you are the commander-in-chief, where will the naval talent come from? And how will the soldiers be trained?"

This was precisely Qin Liangyu's biggest concern.

She was absolutely confident in training the army; however, she was truly willing but unable to oversee the construction of the navy, especially the "navy" that His Majesty spoke of, which was to rival Western gunboats.

Zhu Youjian seemed to have seen through this long ago. He walked to the map and pointed to a place on the coast of Zhejiang—Ningbo Prefecture.

"I decree that a 'Great Ming Royal Naval Academy' shall be established in Ningbo!"

These words caused a stir in the room. The word "school" is usually associated with education, and its use in the military, especially the navy, was unheard of.

"Qin Qing," Zhu Youjian's voice carried a passion for creating history, "you may proceed with the recruitment of soldiers. As for this school, I will personally plan it for you! Zheng Zhilong is already on his way, and I have instructed him to select the most skilled boatmen, the most knowledgeable about naval warfare, and the most familiar with Western artillery from among his subordinates to serve as instructors at this school!"

"Besides the Zheng family, I have ordered the selection of skilled maritime personnel from Dengzhou, Tianjin, and Taicangwei, who are on their way. I have also secretly dispatched an envoy with a large sum of money to Haojing to hire skilled shipbuilders and navigators from among the Portuguese. They are traveling day and night and will arrive soon. They will all be instructors in your school!"

"Among the soldiers you recruit, select the best and send them to this academy for training. Only after completing their studies will they become the backbone of the Ming Dynasty's Royal Navy! What I need is not a group of pirates who only know how to fight with brute force, but true generals who know how to command large ships and roam the seas!"

At this point, he turned to look at Qin Liangyu, his eyes filled with expectation and trust: "Qin Qing, as the headmaster, you are in overall command and hold the power of life and death. As for the specific training methods, I will find renowned teachers from all over the country for you. You only need to keep the 'soul' of this army in check, so that it will always be loyal to the Ming Dynasty and to me! With that, do you still have any worries?"

The emperor's shocking words struck Qin Liangyu's heart with every single one.

This not only solved her immediate problem of being unskilled in naval warfare, but also drew up an unprecedented and magnificent blueprint for her and for the Ming Dynasty!
To adopt Western techniques and integrate them with our dynasty's military strength—such vision and courage are unheard of in history!

At this point, the last trace of doubt in Qin Liangyu's heart vanished.

She felt a surge of heroic spirit within her, as if a long-dormant passion had been completely ignited by the ambition of a monarch.

Qin Liangyu knelt on both knees, her voice strong and resounding: "Your Majesty has paved the way for me with such trust and devotion. I would gladly die for Your Majesty! I am willing to perform this unparalleled service for Your Majesty!"

……

Then, Zhu Youjian's gaze turned to Tian Ergeng.

"Tian Ergeng".

"Your subject is here." Tian Ergeng bowed, his posture more humble than ever before.

"I hereby issue you a secret order. Your Jinyiwei Southern Garrison Command shall fully cooperate with General Qin's actions. In all the garrisons and posts under your jurisdiction in Jiangnan, those who disobey orders or feign compliance while secretly resisting; and in all the local officials, gentry, and powerful figures who dare to obstruct the recruitment of the new army, the Jinyiwei shall exercise the right of 'reporting first and then arresting,' investigating their homes, confiscating their property, and detaining them!"

"Your subject... obeys the decree!" Tian Ergeng's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Finally, Zhu Youjian walked back to the table and personally picked up a sandalwood tray that had been prepared beforehand.

On the tray, on the left is a heavy white jade seal, inscribed with "Seal of the Imperial Commander-in-Chief of Coastal Military Affairs"; on the right is a gleaming imperial sword.

He walked step by step to Qin Liangyu, looking directly into her eyes.

"Today, I hereby grant you full authority in person!"

At this moment, Zhu Youjian's voice became extremely solemn as he personally handed the commander's seal and sword to Qin Liangyu.

The heavy weight made Qin Liangyu's hands tremble slightly.

"With this seal, all guards and garrisons in the Southern Zhili and Zhejiang provinces shall see this seal as if they were seeing the Emperor, and shall unconditionally obey your orders! With this sword, from the Provincial Administration Commissioner down to the third rank and below, no matter whether they are civil or military officials, if anyone dares to obstruct the training of troops or embezzle military funds, you are permitted to execute them first and report later!"

"I have appointed Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as your eyes and ears; and Bi Ziyan, the tax inspector, as your support! I have given you people, money, and power!"

Zhu Youjian's gaze was piercing as he said, word by word, "I only care about the result!"

Qin Liangyu felt as if all the blood in her body rushed to her head.

She spent her life on the battlefield, guarding Shizhu and going north to defend the emperor. She had never received such an honor before.

How could anyone have ever been so trusted and entrusted with such a responsibility by an emperor?
Qin Liangyu raised the commander's seal and sword high with both hands, then her knees buckled, and she knelt heavily on one knee on the cold gold brick floor.

The white-haired female general's eyes were filled with tears of excitement and a determination to die for her cause.

"Your Majesty trusts me so much, how could I, Qin Liangyu, not be willing to die for you!"

Her voice was no longer aged, but filled with a resolute and powerful force, like metal striking stone.

"If I have failed Your Majesty's grace, I am willing to offer my head in return!"

Zhu Youjian stepped forward and personally helped her up, saying in a deep voice, "I not only want a fighting army, but also want to use this training to thoroughly clean up the underground order in Jiangnan, and scrape clean those filthy corners for me!"

"Go for it! Even if the sky falls, I'll be there to support you!"

Qin Liangyu stepped out of the study. The moonlight outside the door, mixed with the glow of the lanterns, made her feel slightly dazzled for a moment.

She looked down at the cold yet burning command seal and sword in her hand, with the emperor's deep, ocean-like gaze behind her.

She knew from the moment she received those two items...
A cataclysmic storm, orchestrated by the Emperor himself, wielding Qin Liangyu as its sharpest weapon and using Jiangnan as its chessboard, has already begun—

It’s kicked off!
(End of this chapter)