Chapter 228: Those Who Block Me Will Die
Chapter 228: Those Who Block Me Will Die
As the Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Liu Jian’s suggestion, to some extent, represented the attitude of the entire civil official system toward the emperor.
In the past, the First Emperor of Qin sent Xu Fu to sea in search of elixirs of immortality. People looked down on this because the First Emperor acted for his own selfish interests.
But now, Emperor Hongzhi was sending people overseas to find grain seeds. This… was a great act of merit.
To be honest, when Fang Jifan said these words, if Emperor Hongzhi did not issue an edict to seek the grain seeds, the news would likely spread, and the soldiers and civilians of the world would think their emperor cared little for the people’s welfare.
Exactly how to obtain the seeds remained unknown. Would they find this legendary country, establish trade relations, or demand tribute? Or would negotiations fail, leading to a violent confrontation? No one knew.
But at the very least, they needed to know where this country was, confirm its location, and gradually make plans. Even if it couldn’t be achieved during Emperor Hongzhi’s reign, he had sons, and they would have grandsons, generation after generation, endlessly…
Yet clearly, Emperor Hongzhi was fated to toil; he would absolutely not push such a troublesome matter onto his descendants.
Evidently, the entire Great Ming would soon cast a covetous eye on this far western country.
Fang Jifan sighed inwardly. If… there really was such a far western country, its ruler must be sneezing incessantly by now. Tens of millions of eyes, gleaming green with hunger, were grinning, baring their teeth, sharpening their blades eagerly.
Another implication of Liu Jian’s words was… at any cost.
Emperor Hongzhi already understood. “Does this country know of our Great Ming?”
“Yes, they do,” Fang Jifan nodded. He had to give Emperor Hongzhi greater hope…
Usually, once a story started, the rest was easier. So Fang Jifan said without hesitation, “That Hu merchant said that when Zheng He went on the Voyages to the Western Oceans, he once reached Bulawa. That country also had dealings with Bulawa and thus learned of our Great Ming’s prosperity from them, growing even more wary.”
“…”
The country of Bulawa was Somalia in Africa. Zheng He had reached there during his voyages.
Emperor Hongzhi asked doubtfully, “Bulawa?”
Xiao Jing, standing nearby, hurriedly whispered, “Your Servant, while reading about Zheng He’s deeds, heard this name. The people of that country are as black as charcoal, and their land lies deep in the Western Ocean.”
Suddenly, everyone was overjoyed, their faces beaming with delight.
If that far western country was like a mythical island, elusive and obscure, leaving them completely in the dark, it would be truly difficult.
But since there was news of this country in Bulawa, it became manageable. Hadn’t Zheng He been there before? If their ancestors could go, surely they could too!
The grand enterprise—no, the livelihood of millions—was right before their eyes.
The flame of hope burned brighter. Many grew excited, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively.
“Your subject believes we should immediately oversee the construction of large ships, follow Zheng He’s example and set sail, first search for traces of Bulawa, then follow the clues. That far western country cannot be far away.”
“Your Majesty, if Zheng He had continued westward back then, perhaps… during Emperor Wen’s time, the Great Ming would have already obtained the fine seeds.”
Many sighed, as if each person had narrowly missed a huge treasure.
The Voyages to the Western Oceans instantly gained a new significance. Before, these voyages merely brought about foreign nations paying tribute. Gradually, people realized that while this brought empty fame, it wasn’t substantial, so opponents called it a waste of manpower.
The voyages also brought exotic treasures and wealth.
But many stomped their feet in protest. The Great Ming did not prioritize commerce. If one did not treat money as dirt, how could they call themselves a scholar or a Scholar-Official? How could the imperial court engage in trade?
But now, they were seeking grain seeds—tools for survival. With these seeds, it could even lead to a peace and prosperity surpassing that of Yao and Shun.
In the blink of an eye, solving the people’s hunger problem—since food was the paramount necessity of the people—who would dare oppose it?
Emperor Hongzhi’s face glowed, his eyes shining with hope.
He rallied and said, “Minister Ma.”
Ma Wensheng, Minister of War, stepped forward. “Your subject is here.”
“The Ministry of War must immediately follow Zheng He’s old methods to oversee the construction of warships and train soldiers…” Emperor Hongzhi paused for a moment, then added, “The Ministry of Revenue should provide all necessary funds from the Public Treasury. If it’s still not enough, some can also be drawn from the Imperial Privy Purse.” This time, he was very generous.
There was nothing more to say. Money was a small matter; this was an issue of great right and wrong.
Hearing this, Fang Jifan smiled inwardly!
In an instant, a new series of Voyages to the Western Oceans began. This time, the Great Ming would set sail with even greater determination, hoisting their sails and heading into the deepest parts of the ocean. They would encounter countless cultures and peoples, engage with numerous countries, learning from their strengths. If one day they truly found corn, it might not be as miraculous as Fang Jifan had described, but at least there would be some consolation; it should be worth the cost.
As for Fang Jifan’s exaggerations, the worst that could happen was being dragged out and beaten.
But what did that matter? He, Fang Jifan, acted for the country and the people, long nurtured by core values. Even if beaten until his own father didn’t recognize him, it would still be worth it.
Of course… Fang Jifan glanced sideways at Liu Daxia.
Liu Daxia had been delighted moments before. Such miraculous Pearl Rice and corn existed in the world!
He had even thought about writing a lofty article to praise this matter, thus living up to his reputation as a Noble Person.
But gradually, his face stiffened, especially when Emperor Hongzhi ordered Ma Wensheng, the Minister of War, to build warships according to Zheng He’s methods and prepare for the eighth Voyage to the Western Oceans. His face instantly turned as pale as paper.
A bad feeling.
Ma Wensheng fell silent. He hung his head and said nothing.
The hall grew quiet.
Emperor Hongzhi clearly did not know that all the materials related to Zheng He’s voyages had been destroyed. Perhaps, for Liu Daxia, this was a moving and praiseworthy deed, worthy of grand documentation—the most glorious moment of his life.
As the Son of Heaven, with so many important matters in the world, some archived documents from the Ministry of War being burned was not a major issue.
So Emperor Hongzhi was now brimming with ambition. He even thought that within five years, his fleet would reach Bulawa and find traces of that far western land.
Heaven bless!
But seeing Ma Wensheng hesitate and remain silent for so long, Emperor Hongzhi began to sense something was wrong. He couldn’t help but ask, “What is it, Minister Ma? Why do you not speak? Is there something improper about the court seeking the seeds?”
Actually, Ma Wensheng had originally opposed the voyages, but now he fully supported them. In the current court, who would dare not support it? That would be like making an enemy of tens of millions of soldiers and civilians, an act almost as grave as desecrating the Zhu family’s ancestral tombs.
But…
Ma Wensheng’s face grew increasingly grim. He stammered, “The shipbuilding diagrams of Zheng He, and all the maritime documents… have been burned!”
“Burned…” Emperor Hongzhi felt as if struck by lightning. He even thought he had misheard. His face instantly darkened.
The hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Almost everyone could empathize with the emperor’s feelings.
Countless funds and grain, the hard work of generations, the ingenuity of countless skilled artisans—all gone up in flames.
This burning meant that any future voyages would face countless added obstacles.
It was crucial to understand that the seven voyages were achieved step by step. Each voyage went deeper into the Western Ocean, gathering more data and intelligence. Then the warships were improved to withstand greater storms before venturing further.
Nothing could be accomplished overnight. Without the experience of predecessors, the current Great Ming was like a blind and deaf person regarding the sea. Everything would have to be relearned from scratch.
How much time would that take? How much effort? And how much in funds and grain?
“How… could they be burned?” Emperor Hongzhi had always been gentle with his officials, but now his voice clearly rose. He stared fixedly at Ma Wensheng. He was truly angry, his dragon countenance enraged, his whole body trembling with fury.
Because of this burning, everything was lost!
“What exactly does the Ministry of War do? Besides, weren’t all the documents supposed to be copied?”
“…”
Ma Wensheng could not answer. He had no answer.
Indeed, all documents were supposed to be backed up. Unless someone deliberately intended otherwise, it was absolutely impossible for them to be destroyed in an instant.
Everyone knew this.
At that moment, many who were aware of the truth turned their gazes toward Liu Daxia.
This had been Liu Daxia’s most glorious moment. He had often boasted about it to others, albeit privately. But if investigated, with the Brocade Guard’s capabilities, everything would quickly come to light.
Yet how could he have anticipated such a situation today? Now he trembled all over, never expecting that the deed which had once built his reputation as a Noble Person would now become his downfall.
His pale face was bloodless, his legs shaking. Though Ma Wensheng said nothing, Liu Daxia knew that this fire had not only consumed Zheng He’s life’s work but was now burning him as well.
At that moment, he instinctively looked up and found Fang Jifan watching him with a faint, mocking smile.
Fang… Ji…fan…
Was it him? Did he want to harm him? Otherwise, why bring this up so suddenly? Matters overseas were vague and uncertain; couldn’t he say whatever he wanted…
“Explain this clearly to me!” Emperor Hongzhi’s roar echoed through the Hall of Prudent Cultivation, making everyone tremble involuntarily.
Everyone had a bottom line, unrelated to whether they had a good temper or not.
The Chenghua Emperor’s bottom line was his elixir of immortality. Whoever prevented him from refining it, he would have them killed.
For Emperor Hongzhi, his bottom line was the countless Wang Sans hidden in his heart. Whoever stood in his way would die!
Emperor Hongzhi’s face was terrifyingly livid, his gaze fixed intently on Ma Wensheng.
Ma Wensheng clearly realized the seriousness of the matter. Finally, he muttered three words: “Liu… Da…xia…”