Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

"Your Majesty, throughout history, China has always been a leading country in the world."

"But then we were surpassed by the Western barbarians. Hundreds of years later, the Western powers even blasted open our country's gates, ushering in a century of humiliation!!"

At this point, Wei Wu further explained the Gregorian calendar to Zhu Yuanzhang before continuing:

"The period from 1400 to 1699 was later known as the Age of Exploration, when nations around the world communicated, developed, and progressed through the oceans."

"But the Ming Dynasty only opened the sea during the reign of Emperor Yongle. Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi reigned for less than a year, and then Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji came on the throne."

"But in the eighth year of Xuande, Zhu Zhanji once again banned maritime trade, and the ban was even stricter than before."

"After closing its doors to the outside world, the Ming Dynasty was isolated from the outside world. China was caught up and surpassed by the West, which began with the Age of Exploration."

After Wei Wu finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and fell into deep thought, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Anyway, a moment later he pointed to the location of Korea in the future.

"This place is so close to the Japanese pirates, separated by only a strait. Wouldn't it be more convenient to cross the sea from here?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Wu immediately explained:

"This place is now called Goryeo. In the 25th year of the Hongwu reign, Lee Seong-gye overthrew Goryeo and proclaimed himself king. I beg you to grant me the name Joseon."

"This strait is 600 miles away from the Japanese pirates at its farthest point, and only 300 miles away at its closest point. It is indeed more convenient to land on the island."

Wei Wu didn't know why Zhu Yuanzhang asked this, but he was sure it was not because of the military dispatch.

After all, even if it was a vassal state, it would be impossible for the Ming army to pass through its territory openly.

No one can guarantee that this army will not turn around and attack them.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang did not intend to send troops, but had other purposes.

"Xiao Wu, the matter of the Japanese pirates is not urgent for now. The southwest is still under attack. Although the situation is good, it is not advisable to start a war on two fronts."

"After the Southwestern Dading army returns to the court, we will discuss the issue of the Japanese pirates. Before that, we want to send people to the Japanese pirates first."

"First, to investigate the situation and understand ourselves and the enemy. Second, to find the exact location of the gold and silver mines, so as to be fully prepared for future expeditions."

Wei Wu responded immediately after hearing this.

"Uncle Zhu, you know better than me how to arrange national affairs. Just make the decision on this matter."

"I just want them dead, their country destroyed and their race exterminated. But I know this is no small matter. The more preparations we make, the fewer casualties our Ming soldiers will suffer!"

"Before that, I have to figure out how to develop a steam engine. Then the sea will belong to the Ming Dynasty!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard a new term, he immediately grasped the key point.

"Xiao Wu, what is this "chicken" you're talking about? What's its function?"

"The steam engine can replace livestock and manpower, making cars and ships move on their own. It's amazing."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he had made a mistake. It was not that chicken but this machine.

But then he continued:

"How can we make vehicles and ships move without the use of livestock and human labor?"

Wei Wu thought about it, and then gave a description that Zhu Yuanzhang could understand.

"Uncle Zhu, have you ever seen a boiling kettle? Wouldn't the lid be lifted up by the scalding steam?"

"The steam engine uses this principle to convert water vapor into driving force by burning coal or wood."

"It's just that the process is a bit complicated, and I'm not sure if I can really make it."

Wei Wu's words were certainly not without purpose, as he really had drawings of the steam engine.

And it was a blueprint of a reciprocating steam engine. After all, he was a time traveler and had a system with him, so he didn't need to go through the development process again.

However, some parts of the steam engine have certain requirements for the quality of steel, so steel must be made first to build it.

Steelmaking requires a blast furnace, which in turn requires refractory bricks. To produce these, steam engine parts must be cast.