The Struggle of the Reborn Prince

"Okay, a new era has come!" Zhao Tong said loudly after reading the battle report of the navy rushing back to Beijing. His excitement was beyond words. He knew that this victory was the result of the development of science, technology and productivity. From then on, he used bows to

The days of crossbows and broadside fighting will never return,

Hot weapons were the main theme of this naval battle. From then on, sails were used as power instead of oars, and in tactics, gunfire was used instead of hand-to-hand combat. A new era of naval warfare began, with cannons and giant ships dominating the sea.

Arrived early.

"Second Master, it's late at night, please be gentle and don't call in the guards!" Jianxi, who was dozing off at the side, was woken up by the emperor. He didn't hear what was said clearly, but he was startled.

"Haha, the navy won a great victory. Under the command of Lao Cheng, the Dengzhou and Haizhou naval forces worked together to kill Xiemao Ali, the commander of the Jin navy. The Chinese army took control of Atuhan and wiped out more than 20,000 enemies; they destroyed and sunk the enemy, large and small.

We have more than 400 warships, captured 200 warships below the flagship, and more than 10,000 soldiers. None of our warships were sunk, and there were very few casualties." Zhao Tong ignored the jubilant advice.

Admonition, still read, "The Mingzhou Navy is a bit weak, but not bad. They have to escort the transport fleet and engage in fierce battles with the Jinshui Army's rear troops. They severely injure the enemy and destroy hundreds of large and small warships. Chi Zhanhui takes advantage of this.

We fled with more than 30 warships in the dark night. Five of our warships were damaged, seven transport ships were lost, and hundreds of officers and soldiers were injured or killed. I think we passed the test!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty Navy will definitely become famous all over the world after this war, and will spread all over the world to show off your Majesty's power!" Jian Xi smiled and congratulated after hearing this. He knew that the emperor was concerned about the war in Goryeo these days, especially the navy after the emperor ascended the throne.

After spending huge sums of money and countless efforts to reorganize the army, it was the first large-scale battle. The victory or defeat was not only related to the Goryeo War, but also related to the political direction of the next stage of the Song Dynasty. This victory was of far-reaching significance.

"Haha. Although it's a bit exaggerated, I'm still very happy after hearing it!" Zhao Tong laughed, slapped Jianxi and said, "Go, get me something to eat!"

"Second Master is so happy today, would you like to make some more side dishes and drink some wine?" Jian Xi came up and said.

"Yeah. Good idea!" Zhao Tong nodded and said, but when he heard the sound of drums, he changed his mind again, "Let's forget it. It's already Haishi and the cooks have all gone to sleep. Don't disturb them anymore.

Just look for some leftovers in the kitchen!”

Jian Xi sighed and went out. After a short time, he came back with the food he had collected, but there was one more wine bottle than usual. He found that the emperor was frowning at the urgent report sent back by Zhao Yong, and seemed unhappy.

Seeing the joy, he didn't dare to say a word. He put half of the roasted leg of lamb on the fire cage, and the wine was warming in the stove. Looking at the emperor's increasingly thin face, he was wearing old clothes and felt a little sad. Being an emperor is not as good as being a prince.

It's time.

"I'm glad, bring me the map of Korea!"

"Okay, Second Master, would you like to have something to eat first?" The emperor suddenly seemed to have thought of something and said happily.

"Stay a little longer. Let's get down to business first!" Zhao Tong said without raising his head. Feeling happy and helpless, he spread the map on the long table and ordered people to replace the candles that were about to burn out and add two candlesticks.

Make the hall brighter.

"Second Master, our navy has won a great victory. Did something happen to Brother Yong?" Jian Xi held the candlestick and looked at the emperor and the map thoughtfully, and couldn't help but ask.

"There's nothing going on in the war. Zhao Yong has already replenished his supplies and is ready to start the counterattack!" Zhao Tong responded casually.

"Since the war is going well, why aren't you happy yet?" Seeing his happiness, he asked again.

"This bunch of powerful Korean enemies haven't retreated yet, so they have their own little plans to plot against us!" Zhao Tong clicked on the map and said.

"Haha, the sticks actually wanted to take advantage of the second master, but their calculation was wrong!" Although Jianxi didn't know why the emperor always referred to Goryeo as 'stick' in private, he also knew.

It's definitely not a good thing to say, she said with a smile.

"You are getting better and better at talking. You started to compliment me without knowing why, and your face is getting thicker and thicker!" Zhao Tao said with a sideways look, but his eyes only meant joking, not blaming.

"Hehe, Second Master, you should think about it while eating. If you starve because of the stick, we will suffer a big loss!" Jianxi has been following the emperor for thirty years, and he can still tell the difference between his eyebrows and his smile.

He said.

"This mutton must have come from Mobei!" Zhao Tong said after taking only one bite.

"That's right, you didn't issue an edict to supply Shaanzhou goats as usual except for the Emperor and the Queen Mother. Instead, only mutton produced in Mobei is served everywhere in the palace. This is natural!" Jianxi nodded.

"What's the reaction in the palace? Do they all have opinions?" Zhao Tong asked with a smile.

"Of course, in the past, the palace used mutton produced in Fengyi County, Shaanxi Province, which is known to be the most tender. Mobei mutton is dryer and has a stronger smell. It is inevitable that some people will not like it!" Jian Xi said. Last year, the emperor suddenly suddenly

After issuing such a decree, although it was cheaper than Shaanzhou sheep, it also made many people in the palace dissatisfied.

"Well, the texture and taste are a bit like tea. Aren't you also dissatisfied? The upper and lower parts lose a lot of the benefits!" Zhao Tong asked as he tore off a piece of meat and chewed it.

"Second Master, now all purchases in the palace are done through guilds. Only low-priced and high-quality products are selected and sent to the palace. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not involved. Inspection and payment are divided into two departments. Even if you want to reap the benefits, someone needs to be there.

Give it away, and besides, who dares to take advantage of the second master's offer!" He exclaimed in joy. Everyone knows that the emperor is a good businessman. He is familiar with all kinds of ways and can see the tricks in it at a glance. He is not as easy to fool as the past few.

.

"Well, it's good to know. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a special status. Many people want to establish relationships with you. Giving money and gifts is indispensable. Don't be greedy for petty gains and suffer big losses!" Zhao Tong nodded, but still hammered away.

Tell him a few words.

"Second Master, since it doesn't taste good, just change it. Why force it?" Jian Xi said.

"It's not that simple. There is a reason why Mobei sheep are used in the palace, and they also hide knowledge!" Zhao Tong pointed to the wine glass and asked Jianxi to pour the wine.

"What is there to know about what to eat in the palace!?" Seeing Xie said in surprise.

"Of course, let's not talk about other things now. I'm just talking about whether the sales of Mobei sheep in the capital have increased significantly!" Zhao Tong took a sip of wine and asked if he was happy.

"Yes, last year Mobei sheep flooded into the capital in large numbers. Although the price was 30% lower than the price of Shaanxi sheep, few people paid attention to it. This year is different. The price has increased by 10%, and the sales volume has also increased significantly. Listen to Zheng

The big shopkeeper said that our hall alone had trafficked tens of thousands of dollars from Mobei.

There are more than 10,000 of them, and there is only one month left before the Spring Festival. There is not much stock left. We are urging the northwest to collect them!" Jianxi suddenly figured it out and said with a smile, "Haha, I understand, the Mobei sheep used in the palace are these.

You are giving them free publicity, the Tatars should thank you very much!"

"Yes, the palace alone consumes tens of thousands of sheep every year, and the ups and downs have been practiced since ancient times. The people below do not know why, but they also follow suit, but it is not only the Tatars who benefit, but also our Song Dynasty!" Zhao Tao said

Churou said.

"Second Master, why is this? It's obvious that the Tatars exchanged the cattle and sheep in their hands for our real money and silver!" He was so happy that he couldn't turn his head around and asked doubtfully.

"Tatars mostly make a living by nomadic life. Cattle, sheep, and horses are their property. But if they can't sell them, they can only kill them and eat the meat. It's just food, but people also need food, salt, tea, and weapons to survive.

If the livestock cannot be sold, there will be no money to exchange for the necessities.

, can only be achieved through war and plunder!" Zhao Tong said, "Now that we have spent money to buy their sheep, they will use the money to buy grain, tea, salt, etc. The money still falls in the Song Dynasty, it is just an exchange

It took a while, but who would think about going to war after eating and drinking enough?"

"Oh, I understand, this is just like the trade war we had with Xixia back then, forcing them to move closer to us, making them dependent on the Song Dynasty, and they would not easily betray or provoke a war!" Jian Xi said suddenly.

"That's good, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Trade is only one of the means. We also need to be strong ourselves, otherwise we will only attract the covetousness of bandits!" Zhao Tong said.

"The second master is very clever. I heard from people in the Ministry of Rites that the chiefs of several large Tatar tribes will come to the capital in person to pay tribute to His Majesty the New Year this year. They just ate some mutton in the palace and subdued them!" Jianxi said with a smile.

.

"Haha, if only things in the world were as simple as you think!" Zhao Tong also smiled, and it was obvious that there was a bitterness in his joy.

"Second Master, is there something going on in Korea?" Jianxi asked cautiously. He could "talk about world affairs" with the emperor, but he never dared to participate in specific affairs.

"It's okay to tell you!" Zhao Tong sighed, "Zhao Yong's reinforcements have been deployed according to the plan after arriving in Goryeo. In order to strengthen the defense line in Bochuan, he wants to transfer the Marine Brigade in Baozhou and let the Goryeo army

We took over Baozhou, but the Koreans refused to take over, claiming that it used to be the land of the Jin Kingdom. In order to avoid having to prove their truth in future negotiations, they gave up Baozhou, which made Zhao Yong very embarrassed!"

"Humph, the Koreans really have a good idea. I think they just didn't take advantage of it enough. They knew that Baozhou was an important military base and the front line to resist the reinforcements of the Jin Kingdom. In order to avoid their own losses, they let the Song Dynasty take the lead. And once the war is over

Our army will inevitably withdraw, but Baozhou will never be handed over to the Jurchens. They can justifiably take it back again, effortlessly and with great benefits!" Jianxi curled his lips and said.

"Haha, you idiot has figured out what's going on, but they think they are smart!" Zhao Tong was amused by Jianxi.

"Second Master must have a countermeasure!"

"Since they don't want it, of course we can't waste that precious land. Let's make it the first overseas enclave of our Song Dynasty!" Zhao Tong picked up the wine glass, took a sip and smacked his lips and said...