Chapter 899
Doing Research
Of the three solutions Yu Qian proposed, only two are currently feasible: one is to cut costs, and the other is to increase revenue.
However, there is actually another readily available solution: to preserve Japan's silver mines and ensure the progress of mining operations at the Omori silver mine.
Japan is now making moves, even at sea, so how could it possibly let go of that silver mountain within its territory?
They probably don't know yet that the mountains in Omori Township are silver mines, but once they do...
Pan Yun only mentioned it briefly, but Yu Qian immediately sent people to Zhejiang and Fujian to lead the navy to focus on cracking down on pirates and protecting Ming Dynasty merchant ships and people.
Yu Qian said in a deep voice: "We must win this battle, otherwise the consequences will be endless, and in the future, our Great Ming will be inferior to vassal states at sea."
Jingyuan was furious: "What kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to provoke my Great Ming? Your Majesty, I request permission to send troops."
Zhu Qiyu recalled Yu Qian's evaluation of Jing Yuan and Jing Yuan's resume, and shook his head and said: "The Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant has only fought in the grasslands and mountains before, and is not good at naval warfare, let alone the sea. I cannot let you go."
Among the high-ranking generals in the court who had a record of defeating Japanese pirates, only Wang Ji was recorded.
Wang Ji is currently in Luchuan.
Besides him, there were only local officials in Zhejiang and Fujian who were responsible for defending against Japanese pirates.
Yu Qian lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before suggesting that the emperor should only send a supervisor, and instead appoint a local official in charge of defending against Japanese pirates to lead the troops.
These local officials who were responsible for defending against Japanese pirates trained their troops at sea year-round and were familiar with ships, soldiers, and pirates. With a little guidance, they could easily become great generals.
Zhu Qiyu immediately appointed two military supervisors to go south.
Pan Yun heard the news at the Imperial Observatory, a slight smile appeared on his lips, he wrote a letter to Commander Chen, and then rolled up his sleeves to go to the Ministry of War.
Because the silver mine in Omori Township was a gift she presented to the country, the Imperial Advisor paid close attention to the matter. Upon learning that Japan harbored rebellious intentions, he immediately went to the Ministry of War and requested to be included in the modification of the artillery.
"I have fought against the Japanese pirates several times on the high seas. Their cannons and muskets are quite powerful. If our Ming army wants to compete for hegemony at sea and protect our Ming merchant ships and people, then our firearms cannot be inferior to theirs."
Pan Yun is now the Imperial Advisor. She neither participates in politics nor handles financial research. She simply conducts firearms research in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works, following behind the master craftsmen and offering suggestions from time to time. No one will resent her.
The officials were even pleased with the outcome.
Everyone knows that Taoist priests are natural-born engineers; gunpowder is produced by blasting it out of their alchemy furnaces.
The Imperial Advisor is more interested in weapon crafting than in alchemy, right?
They were genuinely worried that the emperor was taking elixirs with Pan Yun, but she hadn't mentioned it once in almost a month since she became the imperial advisor.
At this time, Zhu Qiyu was only seventeen years old, a time of youthful vigor and boundless energy.
He wasn't worried about his lifespan at all, and his thoughts never even drifted towards taking elixirs.
Pan Yun thus naturally became a permanent resident in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works.
Among the engineers who designed the cannons, the highest-ranking official was a seventh-grade rank, while the lowest-ranking were unskilled craftsmen.
Their promotions were extremely difficult, but fortunately they didn't care and were engrossed in improving the cannons.
For them, the most difficult thing was to get budgets from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works.
Pan Yun became like brothers and sisters with them in just one day.
The simple-minded engineering officials complained to her: "Every time we submit a report asking for money, the ministry says that the Ministry of Revenue has limited funds, that it has to pay military salaries, breed horses, and prepare bows and arrows, and that there is no money for us to build cannons."
"The Ministry of Works is also included."
"But when something goes wrong, they complain that our cannons are too heavy, the barrels overheat too easily, and the firing range is too short... Without money, we don't even have the chance to try."
Pan Yun: "What kind of cannons were used in this northern expedition?"
"They are part of the Ming Dynasty's resources. The newest batch was developed with a large allocation of funds after Lord Yu was promoted to Vice Minister of War. I must say, their striking range is much greater than before. According to the soldiers who returned, they made great contributions in the ambush at Datong."
Pan Yun nodded: "It has established a great achievement." It turns out that Yu Qian funded the research and development. No wonder he used the cannons so much. That cannon array directly destroyed the morale of the Oirat.
Pan Jun smiled slightly and patted the cannon pipes under his command: "I know you're having trouble with the materials, so I'll lend you a hand."
A seventh-rank official asked, "Imperial Preceptor, haven't we already started fighting along the southeast coast? Is it too late for us to manufacture these weapons now?"
"With the lifting of the maritime ban, the competition at sea will only intensify. Our Ministry of War and Ministry of Works should focus on developing advanced weapons; as for when to use them, that is the military's responsibility."
Everyone thought it made sense, and they enthusiastically threw themselves back into the work.
"Naval artillery needs to be stable on the ground, yet capable of turning and moving, and its firing range needs to be long enough..."
Pan Yun immersed himself in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works, occasionally providing psychological counseling to the emperor when he came to see him, and also teaching him some ways of being a ruler.
She didn't care whether her ideas about how to be a ruler were right or wrong; she just followed her own whims and made things up.
She had a cold and aloof demeanor, and even when she fabricated stories, they seemed plausible, so the emperor always believed her.
And so, by the twelfth lunar month, the new emperor's work was on track, and good news kept coming in.
Wang Ji lived up to expectations, once again defeating Sijifa, recovering Mengyang, and driving Sijifa to Burma.
Seeing that the Ming army showed no signs of defeat, and having received news of the new Ming emperor's ascension to the throne with the support of the Zhu imperial family and officials, and with no unrest occurring, Burma began to consider retreating and returned to Burma with a plan.
This time, Wang Ji did not pursue the enemy, nor did he stay on the border with a large army as before. Instead, he retreated to Mengyang, wrote to the emperor, and suggested that the emperor support Si Renfa's son to succeed to the throne and end the war through peace talks.
Upon receiving this book, civil officials responded enthusiastically, urging the emperor that the Ming Dynasty had sacrificed too much for the Battle of Luchuan, and if the conflict continued, the troops stationed in various regions of Luchuan might become homesick and even less willing to fight.
The civil officials suggested sending officials to educate the people, saying that the war should not be fought.
The military officers were initially hesitant, but upon hearing that officials would be sent to educate and reform them, they immediately agreed wholeheartedly.
They should be sent to see if those barbarian lands are easy to civilize.
Yu Qian said, "Although we should send Han officials, we should try our best to avoid conflicts with the local chieftains. We should listen to the chieftains' opinions on local affairs, prioritize the lives and property of the people, and educate them gradually."
The officials wholeheartedly agreed.
So who would be suitable?
In the imperial court, someone mentioned, "In terms of education, besides Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are more convenient. Why not consult the Imperial Preceptor?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Yun immediately asked the officials, "Are you planning to establish the Daoji Division in Luchuan?"
Everyone's foreheads twitched.
Yes, if a Taoist administration office were established in the local area, Taoist priests would naturally go there, but...
Can Taoist priests really educate and enlighten people?
Pan Yun smiled and said, "If there is a Taoist disciplinary office in the area, I think the Taoist priests stationed there would be willing to help the Han officials fulfill their educational responsibilities."
The problem fell to the Daolu Division, which was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites.
The officials in the Daolu Division were all delighted, grinning from ear to ear. Of course, they had no problem with it at all. As long as the Ministry of Rites agreed, they could immediately select five, six, seven or eight Daoists to send to the Luchuan Daolu Division.
Every year, a lot of Taoist priests pass the ordination exams, and the Taoist Registry is almost overwhelmed with them.
They urgently need to expand their territory. (End of Chapter)