On the side of the Huangpu River, the fleet has been assembled, and Zhao Ming personally sent him off.This trip to the Western Ocean is of great significance, as it is a turning point for the Ming Dynasty to re-set foot in the sea and compete with the Western powers for maritime supremacy.Two hundred years ago, the Ming court once had a powerful navy, and Zheng He went to the West seven times to spread the prestige of the Celestial Empire.But two hundred years after that, the Ming Dynasty did not have such a feat, not only did not go out of the sea, but also let the Western colonizers hit the doorstep.Now, Zhao Ming has restarted ocean voyages, but he has been left behind for a hundred years, and his past advantages are gone, but he is a big step behind.At this time, going to the Western Ocean is equivalent to starting all over again, and it must be difficult, but this is the last chance for the Ming Dynasty to join the Great Voyage, achieve rejuvenation, and re-establish the Celestial Empire, even if there are more challenges, Zhao Ming has to do it.Zhao Ming attaches great importance to this matter, and also knows that there are many difficulties along the way, unlike two hundred years ago, when there was only one self on the sea, and now there are many maritime powers, and pirates are rampant, which is far more dangerous than two hundred years ago, so Zhao Ming ordered the experienced Cheng Bi to personally command the fleet to travel.At this time, the group led the horses and walked, and Cheng Bi said to Zhao Ming: "Don't worry, Dashuai, Yu has gone to the Wa Kingdom and the South Seas many times, and what kind of charts have been sent by business, I expect to be able to complete the feat and arrive in the West." ”This time, Huaxing China Merchants Shipping Company, a total of 40 armed merchant ships, will depart from Shanghai, along the southeast coast, first to Annam and Champang, then through Malacca, to the lion country in southern India, after resting, to the Mughal Empire, and then along the coast to the west, to the Safavid Dynasty in Persia, the Ottoman Turkish Empire that ruled the Middle East, and finally to the Abyssinian Dynasty in East Africa, that is, the Ethiopian Empire.Before the Great Voyage, the center of the world, that is, China, India, Persia, Arabia, and the West since Rome, can basically be called a wild land.Previously, the two Silk Roads on the road and the sea in China, the established trade system, that is, these regions.Zhao Ming sent Cheng Bi to lead the fleet to re-route this route, with the aim of reintegrating these regions into China's trade system, which can be said to be an ambitious move."
Ben Shuai is sending you off!"
Zhao Ming is obviously not at ease about this voyage, although Zheng He has been to the Western Ocean seven times, but after all, more than two hundred years have passed, and now it is equivalent to starting again, and it is necessary to go so far, let alone now, even after a few hundred years, it is not an easy thing, it is really bottomless.Zhao Ming and Cheng Bi walked in front, and the generals and officials followed behind, walking along the riverside.Although the armed merchant ships of the China Merchants Shipping Company, each ten zhang long and three zhang wide, equipped with artillery, with a tonnage of about 300 tons, is larger than Columbus's flagship "Santa Maria", which has a displacement of only 120 tons, a length of 23.66 meters, and a beam of 7.84 meters, Zhao Ming is still a little uneasy.After all, he has not sailed in the ocean for two hundred years, and after thinking about it, Zhao Ming still instructed softly: "Mr.
Cheng, when you go to sea this time, remember that safety comes first, and whether you make money or not is second!"
”Cheng Bi said with a smile: "Dashuai, Cheng is a businessman, there are so many shareholders behind China Merchants Shipping Company, if he doesn't make money, Cheng is tantamount to committing a crime, and I'm sorry for the trust of shareholders." ”Zhao Ming didn't expect Cheng Bi to say this, it seems that he is not afraid of this voyage at all, which makes him feel a little surprised."
It seems that Ben Shuai is too worried!"
Zhao Ming shook his head and continued to walk forward.Cheng Bi Zhengse said: "Please be relieved, Yu has already studied the charts, although the distance is far away, as long as there is the guidance of the charts, it is not a big problem."
Moreover, the company's fleet, which has been going to Korea for a long time, has a certain amount of experience, and there is also the service of the White Domain, so it will definitely succeed immediately!
”Zhao Ming saw that he was full of confidence, and nodded with a smile, "In that case, that Ben Shuai is giving you two tasks!"
”Cheng Bi stopped, hugged his fists and said, "Please command!"
”Zhao Ming also stopped, and Zhengse asked, "Do you know what Ben Shuai asked you to sail for?"
”Cheng Bi said: "The intention of the big marshal is to open up the market for Huaxing Company, and at the same time break the monopoly of the Dutch on ocean trade and reduce the dependence on the Dutch for shipping." ”Zhao Ming nodded, "Yes, in addition to opening up the market this time, the main thing is to understand the route and prepare for replacing the Dutch."
Therefore, when the fleet sails according to the charts on this voyage, it is important to pay attention to the Dutch strongholds along the route, and it is best to find out the situation of the Dutch strongholds.In addition, if we can, we will also establish some bases for the future supply of merchant ships, as well as the sale and purchase of goods. ”Shen Bi bowed his head and said: "Don't worry, the fleet along the way will pay attention to the situation of the Dutch and find out their details." ”Zhao Ming continued: "There is one more thing.The Dutch have contradictions with Spain and Portugal, but at the moment they are not real opponents of the Netherlands.I recently discovered that in the northwestern corner of the continent of Europa, there is an island nation called England, which is a sworn enemy of the Netherlands in the struggle for maritime supremacy in Europa.Now the power of the Kingdom of England should have been active in the Tianzhu area, and after the fleet arrives in the Lion Country, you can inquire about the power of the Kingdom of England, and it is best to get in touch with it, and propose that the commander is willing to ally with England to fight against the hegemony of the Dutch. ”Counting the time, at this time, the British had already fought with the Dutch, and Zhao Ming planned to drive the Dutch out of Taiwan and even occupy Batavia and Malacca in the near future, when the merchant shipping company formed an ocean-going trade capacity.After all, the Netherlands is the hegemon of the sea, and Zhao Ming feels that it is necessary to find an ally who can be courageous."
Kingdom of England!"
Cheng Bi read it silently, and then saluted, "Don't worry, the handsome man has written it down!"
”At this time, the group continued to walk forward, and in a short time, they had reached the vicinity of the pier.There were many boats and sea boats parked along the river, most of them three-masted ships, and many porters on the shore were carrying heavy goods to the boats, and the surrounding soldiers and guards were boarding.Zhao Ming roughly estimated that at this time, more than 100 large ships were moored on the side of the wharf, which proved in disguise the ability of Shanghai Port to open a port, which could accommodate 100 large ships to load and unload goods at the same time.Seeing this, Zhao Ming smiled and said, "Okay, since you're ready, let's get on the boat!"
”Shen Bi solemnly clenched his fists, "Don't worry, Dashuai, Yu will live up to his mission!"
”After speaking, Cheng Bi and a group of people boarded a magnificent five-masted ship, about 15 zhang long, the rudder at the tail was towering, and the five tall masts stood very spectacularly.This lucky ship is not an ordinary lucky ship, but a sealed ship that canonized Ryukyu in the Ming Dynasty and demonstrated the prestige of the country, which is larger than the No. 1 lucky ship, as Cheng Bi's flagship.Cheng Bi boarded the ship, everyone stood at the bow of the ship and waved goodbye to Zhao Ming, Zhao Ming watched the fleet lift anchor and raise the sails, and in the shouts of the sailors, they went down the river and slowly walked away.
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