Sixteen years after the reign of Wanli, Zhu Yijun had already attended morning court a few times, but there were basically no major issues.
Daming was no different from the later generations. Small matters were called big meetings, while big matters were called small meetings.
Basically, after a small meeting, the big meeting would announce the results.
Unless it was a fight between factions, the big meeting would become a battlefield. But with Zhu Yijun's current control of the court, such a situation would basically not occur.
This time, however, the big meeting was different because there was really something important to talk about.
The etiquette of morning court was the same. When Zhu Yijun sat on the dragon throne, the officials felt that things were different.
Usually, during morning court, Zhu Yijun was always smiling. After all, Daming basically had no problems other than a flood here and a drought there.
Although there were more disasters, Daming's national treasury was also rich.
Including last year's taxes, Daming's Ministry of Revenue had accumulated 37 million taels of silver.
In the past, this amount of money would definitely shock everyone.
There was also a lot of grain stored in granaries, especially when it came to buying surplus grain.
With the promotion of new crops in the northern provinces, although there were disasters in some places, there was still a bumper harvest.
In order to stabilize grain prices, Zhu Yijun spent a lot of effort.
Of course, this was also to stockpile resources in preparation for the upcoming war.
Everyone in the imperial court knew that this young emperor of theirs was definitely not someone who would sit still and do nothing.
In the past few years, the military reform was in full swing, and Wa La's horse breeding was even more shocking.
Just last year alone, the capital army expanded by 20,000 cavalry. This number was almost equal to all of Daming's cavalry.
In addition, all the military towns in the northwest were expanding their cavalry. The emperor's goal was self-evident.
It was said that the military department had recently developed a new type of bow called the composite longbow. All the archers in the capital army were changing their equipment.
Countless amounts of silver were thrown into it. With such preparations, if the emperor said that he did not want to go to war, he would probably be a fool.
Although he hadn't done so in the past two years, the ministers all knew that their emperor had always wanted to learn from the First Emperor and chase after the dead.
They even learned from Emperor Wu of Han, sealing Wolf Storey Mountain. No one could forget the slogan of the Imperial Martial Lecture Hall. Seal Wolf Storey Mountain, fight your way to Wolf Storey Mountain, and seize the title of Champion Marquis.
The emperor had not mentioned it in the past two years, but the young generals in the army were all clamoring for it.
This was especially true for the soldiers who had participated in the battle against Wala. All of them wanted to get rich.
Forty taels per head. How many people would become rich overnight? The officer, on the other hand, wanted to be conferred the title of marquis immediately.
The key was that there were role models in the army!
Those who had been conferred nobility in the Northwest War were as dazzling as the sun.
The armors these people wore in the army were all different. The shiny breastplate, the custom-made helmet, each of them reflected their noble status.
Walking in the military camp, he hated the other officers who didn't have the title of nobility.
No official dared to go against the Emperor on this matter. If they tried to persuade the Emperor, they would probably have to go home the next day to hug their children.
Zhu Yijun felt that this wasn't enough. Qianlong had spent 70 million taels of military expenditure to conquer Jinchuan.
He was going to fight a big one. He estimated that even 100 million taels of military expenditure was not enough.
Food also had to be hoarded, hoarded, and hoarded. Fighting a war was to fight for money!
However, there was one thing that made Zhu Yijun not know whether to laugh or cry. The land tax collected this year was basically all in silver.
It was said that some merchants would rather spend silver to collect food and then let the commoners pay the tax in silver.
In order to use up the silver in their hands, it could be said that they were crazy.
The gentry and Honours were the same. All of them paid their taxes in silver.
Zhu Yijun's gaze swept across the faces of the ministers and said, "The commerce is flourishing day by day. Fujian's Moon Harbor has already become an important maritime trade center for the court. Last year, a minister submitted a petition to open a port in the north.
"To share the burden of the busy maritime trade in Moon Harbor. Let's discuss this matter today!"
After this topic was thrown out, the faces of the ministers all became serious.
Everyone knew about the rumors in the capital before the New Year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was buying goods from overseas. The He family bought the goods with silver, then sold them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for silver, and then exchanged the silver for the silver in everyone's hands.
This transaction was tens of millions of taels of profit. Everyone was extremely envious.
Honours, nobles, and nobles of the north all wanted to get involved.
It wasn't difficult. They just had to go to the port to buy goods and then sell them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. All they had to do was to ship them over.
With a flip of their hands, they would be able to earn money. This kind of good thing had to be done quickly!
If they didn't want to exchange for silver, they could also exchange goods from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Not to mention other things, just the soap, shampoo, and perfume from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were selling very well.
If they were to be shipped out of Shun Tian Prefecture, it would be a large sum of money. Who wouldn't want to make money?
However, Moon Harbor belonged to the nobles of the south. It was basically impossible for the Honours and nobles of the north to get involved.
Opening a port in the north. Once this memorial was submitted, it was immediately supported by the officials of the northern faction.
Even the nobles and nobles of the Honours were running around in support of it.
Money moved people's hearts!
However, the nobles of the south weren't willing to do so. They were having a great time making money. If they were to open a port in the north, what would happen to them?
Originally, everyone was already worried about the silver. Just the He Family alone was spending money to buy goods. Coupled with the large amount of goods from the inner factories, this was a huge blow to the nobles.
Now, the imperial court wanted to open a port in the north. If this port was opened, would they still be able to survive?
The discussion was full of tension from the start. Some were in favor of the idea while others were against it.
The nobles of the northwest were also in favor of the idea. Their imitation goods had been selling like hotcakes recently. Using the Ministry of Internal Affairs's connections, they had sold a batch to the Japanese Empire and North Korea a few days ago.
"Your Majesty, I believe that opening a port is an important matter. We have to be cautious."
"The Japanese pirates are ferocious. If the imperial court opens a port in the north, wouldn't it attract the Japanese pirates to the north?
The north is where the capital is. If the capital is in turmoil, the rest of the world will be in turmoil. Your Majesty must be aware of this. We have to be cautious when opening a port in the north! "
The nobles scoffed at this argument. It was simply nonsense.
Not to mention the 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers and 150,000 Imperial Guards in the capital, there were 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers stationed in Ji Province alone.
Japanese pirates? Even if the Japanese Empire came with all its might, they would probably be beaten back before they could even get out of Shandong.
Pirates? Why don't you tell him to come and show me? As soon as he said that, he was immediately beaten up.
The person who stood up was someone from the military. It was Liu Wei of the Five Armies.
"If the Japanese pirates dare to invade, I am willing to mobilize 50,000 troops to annihilate them!"
The moment these words came out, the military could not stand it anymore. 50,000 troops? Didn't they only mobilize 50,000 to attack Walla?
You want to mobilize 50,000 troops to attack the Japanese pirates? Are you trying to get promoted?
"Your Majesty, 80,000 troops is enough!"
"Your Majesty, 50,000 troops is enough!"
"Your Majesty, 30,000 troops!"
The officials looked at each other. Since when did the Daming Generals have such a desire to fight?
Zhu Yijun was very satisfied with them standing up. However, he pretended not to hear what they said.
A bunch of idiots who only knew how to spout nonsense. These fellows probably wanted to use the sea trade to make a fortune!
These newly promoted military nobles were very poor. Now that there was a chance to make money, they naturally wanted to fight for it.
It would be hopeless if they went to a place with strong traditional power. However, there was a chance if they went to a newly opened port.
Even if they did not do any big business, just getting a share of the soup would be amazing.
Recently, the Honours' families had a trend of marriage alliances. Their partners were basically these newly rising young generals.
It was fine if their own descendants were useless. They had a way to do it. Marriage alliances!
It was fine if the new generals did not have a strong foundation, but they were talented. The old Honours valued their talents. They had a strong foundation.
Both sides basically hit it off and the marriage alliance took off.
At first, Zhu Yijun did not notice. Even after he noticed, Zhu Yijun did not stop it.
Forcefully stopping this matter would only cause discord among the new Honours. Since they wanted to marry, then so be it.
The Daming's Honours had basically been supported until the end of the Ming Dynasty, and there had been no rebellions.
With Zhu Yijun's tacit consent, these people's marriage alliances took off.
After this situation occurred, these new people in the court dared to speak up. They were all Zhu Yijun's direct subordinates and came from the Royal Martial Arts Lecture Hall.
Now that they had the support of the old Honours, there was nothing they didn't dare to say.
As for the old Honours, you can say it. If anything happens, we will protect you.
Faced with these unreasonable people, Zhu Yijun slammed the table and said angrily, "Back off. This is the court. What do you think this place is? A vegetable market!"
"It's decided to open a port in the north. The cabinet will find a few suitable places and then discuss it."
After saying this, Zhu Yijun flicked his sleeves and said, "Court dismissed!" Then, he strode to the back.
After leaving the main hall, the angry expression on Zhu Yijun's face disappeared. Today's morning court was just an act.
Zhu Yijun did not really expect any results from the discussion.
As for the location of the port, Zhu Yijun had already chosen it. It was the Tianjin Port.
Firstly, the facilities there were complete and the location was superior. Secondly, Daming's first Royal Navy was there.
Thirdly, Zhu Yijun had great use for it. It would be the naval base for Zhu Yijun to start the Korean War.
The navy's first battle would start from there. It would also be the navy's logistics base.
Returning to Wenhua Hall, Zhu Yijun saw that Li Shenxing had arrived. He said to Zhang Jing, "How are the preparations for the draft?"
"Imperial Majesty, the preparations are almost done!" Zhang Jing nodded and said.
"Then let's begin!" Zhu Yijun said, "You and Li Shenxing can discuss and decide on the candidates."
This time, the draft was basically made up of businessmen from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Rather than saying that it was to choose a beauty for Zhu Yijun, it was better to say that Zhu Yijun was giving them an identity and strengthening his control over them.
It was much easier to deal with a noble than to deal with an official.
After Zhang Jing left, Zhu Yijun looked at Li Dan and said, "I asked you to contact Li Dan. How is it going?"
Li Dan was a point that could not be avoided. Zhu Yijun really wanted to recruit this person.
Anyway, if you want to do sea trade, then do it. I will support you.
Don't talk about sea trade, you can even be a pirate. I support you.
The Queen of England had been honored by pirates. Zhu Yijun could also do this kind of thing.
Once Li Dan was subdued, Zhu Yijun could directly choke the neck of the Daming sea merchants and make them obedient.
Daming didn't have the ability to go to sea, and the sea merchants could only take out goods.
Whoever had the right to sea transport was the boss. Zhu Yijun was very clear about this.
A few days ago, Yin Zhengmao from the navy sent a memorial to Zhu Yijun, asking for another expansion of the Royal Navy. This time, the expansion target was 50,000 people. It was very ambitious.
It was said that the first batch of 10 warships had been launched at the Royal Shipyard. After the trial, all kinds of weapons and equipment began to be installed.
After the warships were installed, the Daming Royal Navy began to take shape.
At this time, Zhu Yijun was ready to summon Li Dan. The purpose was also very simple.
If you are obedient, then you will be subdued. If you are not obedient, then you will be destroyed.
Of course, in Zhu Yijun's view, the possibility of Li Dan being disobedient was very small.
In history, Li Dan had a good relationship with the Ming Dynasty government, especially after Daming beat up Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
After the He family and Li Dan were connected, Zhu Yijun handed this matter over to Li Shenxing.
"Your Majesty, I have already made contact with Li Dan's messenger."
Li Shenxing quickly said, "We agreed to meet in half a month. I will convey the imperial court's intention to Li Dan."
"You should understand what to do, right?" Zhu Yijun looked at Li Shenxing and asked with bright eyes.
Li Shenxing quickly said, "I understand. Li Dan has submitted to the emperor and begs for forgiveness in front of Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yijun nodded in satisfaction. This was what he wanted. As for the imperial court taking the initiative to enlist him, it was impossible.
Daming's face couldn't be lost. It didn't matter if you didn't submit.
Being humble was not Daming's bearing, nor was it his own.
If he was really humble, it would make people look down on him. This kind of thing couldn't be done.
Now, Zhu Yijun also had this confidence. As for whether the Royal Navy could fight, Zhu Yijun wasn't worried at all.
Daming's navy wasn't that weak now, nor was it that weak.
With his own warships and cannons, the possibility of not winning was very small. Even if there was a small setback, it didn't matter.
Anyway, Daming's navy had to go out sooner or later. It was good to use Li Dan as practice.
"Then do it!" Zhu Yijun nodded and said to Li Shenxing, "Don't let me down!"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I won't let you down!" Li Shenxing hurriedly bowed.
Looking at Li Shenxing's back, Zhu Yijun didn't know if Li Shenxing could do it. After all, Daming hadn't started fighting with Toyotomi Hideyoshi yet. If Li Dan was too arrogant, then he wouldn't surrender.
In this era, the fist was the strongest. Everything else was fake.
"Zhang Jing, pass an order to Song Yingchang of the Royal Shipyard to expand the size of the Royal Shipyard. Before the end of the year, I want to see the size of the Royal Shipyard tripled."
Zhu Yijun said in a serious tone.
What Invincible Spanish Fleet with 100 warships? What Invincible Navy with the sun never setting? Zhu Yijun wanted to build a Royal Daming Navy with 1,000 warships.
With Daming's size and strength, he could afford it!