The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Zhu Gaoxu was in a good mood. With the arrival of the others, almost all the technical personnel he needed had come.

Zhu Gaoxu was very satisfied with the arrangement of the craftsmen and the many methods he had devised.

Those were the fruits of his tireless efforts day and night during this period.

While we can't create things with advanced technology, it's still easy to make things by hand that are ahead of their time.

The craftsmen who went down were assigned to various departments by Zhu Gaoxu. The department heads and deputy department heads selected by him all looked at the secret manuals given to them by Zhu Gaoxu, their brows furrowed.

Everyone who saw it was completely stunned at first glance.

"What are all these? What are they used for? What is their purpose? Why do we do this?"

Everyone was filled with questions and wanted to go back and ask Zhu Gaoxu, but no one could bring themselves to say it.

"Regardless of what these things are or what their purpose is, our task is to carry out the orders given by the Prince!"

The prince has given us a second chance at life. If we hadn't met the prince, think about what kind of life we ​​lived before, and then look at us now.

For anything unclear, test it after you've made it, keep trying, and you must create the best possible product!

As Si Zheng finished speaking, a raging fire ignited in everyone's hearts.

"Si Zheng, there's no need to rest, we're full of energy now!"

Since His Highness has already designated the venue for us and arranged for all the necessary materials to be prepared in advance, let's begin!

"The sooner we start, the sooner we can get these things done, so as not to disappoint the Prince!"

"Yes! Let's start now!"

All the craftsmen began to work diligently, full of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Zhu Gaoxu returned to the makeshift palace and was about to rest when he saw Wei Wanrong, who had just arrived, leading a group of women, constantly discussing and busying themselves.

After glancing at it from afar, Zhu Gaoxu turned around, washed his face with cold water, and continued with his work.

Wei Wanrong has a lot on her plate these days. Even a woman like her hasn't had a chance to rest yet, so what right does he have to rest?

"Niu Cheng! Go out of the military camp and bring three hundred men with you!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Zhu Gaoxu led several hundred men, carrying tools, to a pre-prepared seaside location.

Under Zhu Gaoxu's arrangement, everyone was busy, and Zhu Gaoxu personally provided guidance.

For several days in a row, everyone was busy but orderly working, and Zhu Gaoxu's efforts finally yielded results.

Three more days passed, and in the house behind the coastal area prepared by Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaoxu showed a relieved smile.

"Haha, we finally succeeded!"

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were full of joy. It was an ordinary thing, but he still couldn't help being excited.

All the other arrangements are still nowhere in sight, but the one thing I was personally responsible for has finally come to fruition.

Just then, Niu Cheng hurriedly walked in.

"Your Highness, Zhu Huan has arrived, and he seems to be in a hurry."

"Go, let him in."

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes lit up. He had been looking for Zhu Huan, but unexpectedly, this was him.

A moment later, Zhu Huan hurriedly approached and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! We've run out of iron!"

During this period, I ordered all blacksmiths to work together, and assigned a large number of young men to work with the blacksmiths to forge the necessary agricultural tools, as well as tools for logging and quarrying, and iron pots for cooking, etc.

In addition, the Ironware Bureau and Firearms Bureau that Your Highness established also require a large supply.

I haven't even calculated other consumption yet, but as things stand, the consumption of wrought iron is extremely rapid.

However, much is still needed and is still being developed.

The remaining iron ore can only last for less than two months in Hanjing.

According to reports from other regions, based on the current consumption levels, the supply will probably only last for about a month.

There was also a significant consumption of grain and cloth, and warehouses were becoming empty one after another.

Your Highness, I believe we must find a way. Although Mei Qing has already begun organizing a fleet to trade within the Ming Dynasty and exchange for grain.

However, grain prices within the Ming Dynasty were not cheap, and the number of ships they brought was limited, making it difficult to solve the immediate crisis.

As for fishing, I have arranged for people to take turns fishing, but sometimes the wind and waves are too strong for the boats to withstand, so we can only go out to sea to fish when the weather is good.

The fish that's caught can't be stored at all; they're basically consumed within a day.

Your Highness, I dare to say that these matters cannot be delayed any longer!

Zhu Huan had already spoken with considerable restraint, but his anxiety had kept him awake for the past few days, as he spent countless hours organizing and contemplating various matters.

If we were to ask who is the busiest person here right now, it would undoubtedly be Zhu Huan.

Although he did have great power, Zhu Gaoxu basically delegated most of his affairs to Zhu Huan, but he was still very busy.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Huan, who looked somewhat haggard, and felt a pang of pity.

"I brought some people with me, so let them do what needs to be done."

Although they hadn't done these things before, now it's time to start experiencing them.

Gaining experience can also lighten your burden.

I'll have someone prepare some nourishing food and send it over to you later. Take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself.

"Your Highness, I... thank you..."

Zhu Huan wanted to say something, but even more so, he wanted to refuse.

He came to Zhu Gaoxu not to complain, nor to ask Zhu Gaoxu for rewards; he came for these reasons.

Seeing that Zhu Huan was still anxious, Zhu Gaoxu then placed his latest achievement in front of Zhu Huan.

"Look what this is."

Zhu Huan sighed inwardly, but had no choice but to compose himself and look at the items Zhu Gaoxu had mentioned.

Upon seeing the tiny, white particles in front of him, Zhu Huan's pupils instantly contracted.

He grabbed a small amount, held it in front of his eyes, and observed it closely. Finally, he put a little into his mouth and was immediately shocked, staring wide-eyed at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness...this is...salt?"

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu nod in confirmation, Zhu Huan was completely astonished, filled with disbelief.

If this were in the Ming Dynasty, he wouldn't be surprised, as the Ming Dynasty did have such salt.

But we are not in the Ming Dynasty now, and the people here do not know the salt-making techniques of the Ming Dynasty.

But now, Zhu Gaochi has produced one just like that, and its quality and color are even better than what he used in the Ming Dynasty.

In the Ming Dynasty, such salt would undoubtedly have been reserved for the imperial court.

"Your Highness, I am truly impressed. This is the first time I have ever tasted such exceptionally high-quality salt."

Zhu Huan was filled with admiration; he truly didn't know how to express his feelings at that moment.

As for how Zhu Gaoxu made it, he didn't want to know.

All he knew was that Zhu Gaoxu had shattered his expectations and truly achieved it.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed and said, "We will never lack this kind of salt here again."

However, only one salt field has been developed so far. Although the output is high, it is still difficult to supply in the short term.

I will have someone increase the number of salt fields and increase production later.

If such salt were sold abroad, small countries would surely vie to buy it.

I plan to assemble another fleet to trade with the countries of Southeast Asia and the small countries west of Jiaozhi.

Then we can prepare some porcelain, jewelry, silk, and tea, which will surely sell very well.

"The money we acquire will be enough to buy grain, which will greatly alleviate the food shortage here."

The craft of porcelain making has become quite sophisticated, and he has also brought along talented individuals.

As for jewelry, it's available elsewhere, but it can only be considered an extra.

The other two categories of things to imagine are silk and tea.

Silkworm farming and mulberry planting have already begun here, and they will gradually develop into a large-scale industry.

Tea cultivation has also begun in full swing, and it is expected to achieve large-scale, effective, and sustained high yields in the future.

Seeing that Zhu Huan was still preoccupied and had not relaxed, Zhu Gaoxu continued to speak.

"As for the wrought iron and other necessary supplies, I will take care of that."

These problems will surely be alleviated within a month, just like food!

"Your Highness, I should trust you, but I am in charge of these funds and supplies. I must see the goods enter the warehouse; otherwise, I will never feel at ease."

Zhu Huan did not believe Zhu Gaoxu's words so easily.

The salt before him truly shocked him and filled him with admiration for Zhu Gaoxu.

But food and iron have completely different significance.

He needed to prepare a backup plan, in case Zhu Gaoxu failed to resolve the issue, he would have no choice but to use the backup plan.

But when Zhu Huan saw the glare from Zhu Gaoxu, he felt helpless and finally changed his mind.

"Your Highness, I believe you can definitely solve this."

Seeing Zhu Huan's expression, Zhu Gaoxu decided not to make a fool of himself.

He believed that one day, he would gain the trust of these people to the point that they would believe him even if he said he could.

With those modern tools, he refused to believe that he couldn't control these people.