The rise of the poor

Zhao Wenhua's question left Zhou Chong speechless for more than ten seconds, and her face visibly turned red. The audience below the stage was also completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

As time went on, Zhu Pingan felt the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and the atmosphere in the hall was also very oppressive.

After coughing for more than ten seconds, Zhou Chong finally coughed once, organized his thoughts, and slowly said, "My three strategies are to solve the problem at its root. Once the Japanese pirates are eliminated, all other problems will cease to be problems."

Although my three strategies cannot solve the problems of food shortages and salinity issues, I can solve the problem of Japanese pirates. Once I solve the problem of Japanese pirates, everything will be fine. Is there anything wrong with saying that?

Zhou Chong looked at Zhao Wenhua.

Zhao Wenhua twitched the corner of his mouth, chuckled, and said nothing more, but he said everything.

"Lord Zhao, is there any other question?" Zhou Chong asked Zhao Wenhua.

"That's all." Zhao Wenhua waved his hand.

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. Today, I have summoned you all here to unify the overall situation of the anti-Japanese pirate campaign in Jiangnan."

Zhou Chong's gaze swept over everyone. "The first priority is to increase the number of warships. Each governor along the Jiangnan coast shall establish a navy! The total number of warships shall not be less than one hundred, and the naval strength shall not be less than three thousand men, the more the better! When I do not issue any orders, each of you naval forces shall be stationed in key locations within your respective jurisdictions, patrolling the waterways and defending against the Japanese pirates; when I issue any orders, each naval force shall assemble according to my orders and obey my command!"

"Your Excellency, building a navy is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Constructing warships and recruiting sailors will take time. Furthermore, both require a large sum of money. I wonder how much timber, craftsmen, and silver Your Excellency can allocate for us?"

Hu Zongxian stood up, cupped his hands, and asked Zhou Chong for instructions, hoping that Zhou Chong could provide assistance in terms of supplies and money.

Zhou Chong said with a firm expression, "Lord Hu, fellow governors, I know that building a navy is not something that can be accomplished overnight, and it takes a lot of money and time. However, if we want to wipe out the Japanese pirates, we must build a navy. The sooner we build it, the sooner we can use it and wipe out the Japanese pirates. Otherwise, the Japanese pirates will be invincible on the water! Only by building a powerful navy can we completely wipe out the Japanese pirates."

Seeing that Zhou Chong did not answer the question about whether he could provide assistance, Hu Zongxian pressed him again, "Governor-General, we will naturally obey the order to build a navy. However, building a navy requires a large sum of money. I wonder how much timber, craftsmen, and silver you can allocate for us?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, we are already struggling to maintain our current forces, let alone build a navy. To build a navy and increase the number of warships, Fujian-style ships are indispensable. These ships are as tall as buildings, with pointed bottoms, wide tops, and raised bows, allowing them to fire arrows, stones, and cannons from above. Smaller enemy ships will be easily sunk upon encounter, and the enemy will find it difficult to attack from below. They are truly a powerful weapon in naval warfare. However, Fujian-style ships require a lot of materials and complex craftsmanship, taking a long time and costing a great deal of money. The cost of a single Fujian-style ship varies from two thousand to tens of thousands of taels of silver, depending on its size. If we rely solely on our own resources, we are afraid we cannot afford such a large sum. We hope that Your Excellency will allocate resources and funds to help us build more warships and establish a navy."

Another governor stood up and echoed, saying that building more warships and forming a navy was too costly, and the governor alone could not solve such a large funding gap.

Currently, the imperial court is facing a financial crisis and cannot allocate funds. However, the governor-general, authorized by the court, can withhold taxes and allocate some materials and silver from them to help the governors build more warships and establish a navy.

"I understand that the governors need to build more warships and establish a navy, and that they lack funds. However, as the governor-general, I oversee the entire situation, including the provisions, supplies, and pensions of both the main and guest troops, the construction of cities, and so on. There are countless places where money is needed. In addition, I also need to take the lead in establishing a navy as the main force, which will cost a great deal of money. At present, I really cannot allocate silver and materials to support the governors."

Zhou Chong shook his head, indicating that the governor-general could not help him and that the governors would have to rely on their own efforts to build their naval forces.

"Ah, this..." Hu Zongxian frowned, shook his head, and sighed deeply.

"Unable to allocate resources?!" Upon hearing this, the governors all looked disappointed. If the governor-general could not provide support, then it would be difficult for them to build a navy.

Zhou Chong looked at Hu Zongxian and the others and nodded slowly, encouraging them, "I know this is difficult for you, but building a navy and increasing the number of warships is of utmost urgency. You must not delay for any reason. All governors must overcome the difficulties, build more than a hundred warships, and build a navy of more than three thousand men."

"We can only do our best," the governor said somewhat awkwardly from below the stage.

"Not just do your best, but give it your all!" Zhou Chong said to everyone with a serious expression. "At that time, I will inspect the progress of your warship construction and naval formation from time to time, and reward or punish you as appropriate!"

The governor below the stage looked troubled.

"Lord Zhu."

Just then, Zhou Chong suddenly called out Zhu Ping'an's name.

"Your Excellency the Governor." Zhu Ping'an stood up and cupped his hands, wondering why Governor Zhou had suddenly called him out.

"I heard that you ordered Yu Dayou to establish the Zhejiang Navy. How many ships does the navy have now, and how many soldiers?"

Zhou Chong asked in front of everyone.

Zhu Pingan then understood why Zhou Chong had singled him out. It was because Zhou Chong knew that he had established a navy and was using him as a positive example. The governor of Zhejiang, Zhu Pingan, had already begun to establish a navy. If Zhu Pingan could do it, why couldn't they? That was roughly the purpose.

"Your Excellency, I ordered General Yu Dayou to establish the Zhejiang Navy a few months ago. Currently, the navy has twelve large Fujian ships, thirty medium and small Fujian ships, and more than eighty light boats. As for the troops, three thousand strong and healthy men from fishermen have been recruited. They have been training for several months and are not yet ready for battle. In another month or so, they can train against pirates and small Japanese ships in the coastal waters." Zhu Ping'an briefly explained the situation of the Zhejiang Navy.

Zhou Chong nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, then glanced at Hu Zongxian and the other governors, clapped his hands, and said, "Very good, very good. You have all heard it. Lord Zhu has already trained the Zhejiang navy, with over a hundred warships of various sizes and a naval force of three thousand! In just over a month, they will be ready for battle! If Lord Zhu can build a navy, why can't you gentlemen do the same?! Difficulties can be overcome! Therefore, I believe that you gentlemen can all build a navy like Lord Zhu!"

Immediately, several governors turned their gazes to Zhu Ping'an, their eyes filled with the same look they had when their parents mentioned the neighbor's child when they were children.

You can!
Only you can do that!
Zhu Pingan looked helpless for a moment. "Comrades, don't look at me like that." (End of Chapter)