The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

This was Min Xi's first time to go to Wenyuan Pavilion to meet the Prime Minister. Before, he had always met Zhang Juzheng outside or at Zhang's house. Although he didn't say what the matter was, Min Xi already had an idea in his mind, knowing that it was probably about the establishment of an ocean-going fleet.

The weather was very cold, but Wenyuan Pavilion was unusually warm, with the charcoal fire burning brightly. After all, Wenyuan Pavilion was where the cabinet was located, the administrative center of the entire Ming Dynasty. All those who lived here were the backbone of the court and had noble status, so how could they be allowed to suffer the cold?

Min Xi was led into a small room. There was no one inside. The desk was piled with memorials, and the bookshelf against the wall was full of books.

"The Prime Minister has left for something and will be back soon. Please take a seat first." The official made tea for Min Xi and left respectfully.

Min Xi picked up the teacup and sniffed it. It was Liu'an Guapian. He had just taken a sip when he heard a noise outside the door. He turned around and saw Zhang Juzheng coming in. Min Xi put down the teacup and bowed respectfully: "This subordinate greets Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Juzheng saw Min Xi and raised his hand to signal: "Sit down. I asked you to come here this time. You should know why, right?"

Min Xi sat down and asked carefully, "Is it because I want to form an ocean-going fleet?"

"It seems that you know everything, so I won't waste any more words. I want to know what you think?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

Min Xi said: "From Daming, sailing southeast, passing Luzon, Java and other islands, there is a piece of land in the middle of the sea that has not yet been discovered by the world. It can also be said to be a huge island. It is isolated from the world, sparsely populated, and home to many strange animals. That piece of land has extremely rich mineral resources, such as coal, iron ore and gold."

Zhang Juzheng knew his background and knew that what he said was true. He looked up at him and asked, "So what are you going to do?"

Min Xi said: "We took people there to mine and bring back the minerals. The indigenous people there have poor production conditions and do not know how to mine minerals. We only need to use some basic living supplies to exchange those things with them."

"How many ships and men are needed?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

Min Xi said: "Of course the more ships the better, but at present we have limited ships suitable for ocean voyages. I have two galleons myself, and the court bought three galleons from Baron Fernando. The shipyard has also built some battleships in recent years. I wonder if we can get ten ships together."

“How many people are needed for ten ships?”

"A fully staffed ship requires about 20 people, and 10 ships would require more than 200 people. However, since we are going to a new continent, the risks we may encounter are unknown, so we can have more people, 300 or 400 people is not too many, but the ship must be fully equipped with guns and cannons."

"How dangerous is it?"

"I think it is safer than going to the South Pacific and the West Pacific. After all, there are fewer pirates there. If you choose the right time, there will be fewer storms. There are also various small islands for supplies along the way, so food and water will not be a big problem." Min Xi said.

"That said, the danger is not that high."

"If we just go there, it's not that high. But I also want to take the opportunity to go to South America. We have to cross the ocean to the east. The sea there is quite wide and there will be some danger."

"Where is South America?"

"It's the new world that the Europeans discovered. They called it America. It's made up of two continents, the northern and southern continents. The southern one is called South America."

"That land has already been occupied by Europeans. What are you going to do?" Zhang Juzheng asked.

"There is a plant called sap in South America. It can be made into something elastic and has a wide range of uses, such as wheels and water pipes. I want to find it and bring it back."

Zhang Juzheng heard this and said: "It seems that it doesn't matter if these things are not used. Why take the risk to look for them?"

Min Xi shook his head: "Sometimes, its use is indispensable. For example, some machines I will make in the future need to be driven by rubber, which cannot be achieved with tendons."

"Is it necessary?"

"I absolutely must!"

“You build machines to make money?”

Min Xi shook his head: "No, I build machines to change the world and improve people's living standards."

Zhang Juzheng stared at Min Xi for a long time before saying, "Then you decide for yourself. My only request is that you come back safely." He could understand Min Xi's persistence. He knew that the goal that Min Xi was working hard to achieve was similar to his own goal. They were similar people.

"I will."

"Then when do you plan to leave?"

Min Xi hesitated for a moment and said, "If it's still possible, I would like to go next year. But I'm worried about your health."

Zhang Juzheng said bluntly: "Are you worried that I won't be able to hold on until you come back?"

Upon hearing this, Min Xi quickly stood up and knelt down: "I dare not think so!" Min Xi would never dare to say such treasonous words.

Zhang Juzheng sighed and said, "Don't hide anything from me. I know what you are thinking. You are just worried that when I die, the monkeys will scatter. Then I will try my best to live for two more years until you come back."

When Min Xi heard this, he felt like crying. He had never thought that one day he would talk about such a topic with Zhang Juzheng. It was also the first time that he truly felt that he and Zhang Juzheng were on the same side.