We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Just as the ministers thought, Li Che's emphasis on the sea was absolute, and his investment in the sea had no upper limit at all.

Just because he is in the perspective of God, he can see the essence of the world's development through space and time.

The vast ocean has blocked China for five thousand years. Most rulers fear it like a tiger, and only a few have the courage to explore overseas.

Because of this, when change came, we were unable to ride on the east wind and instead became the flag of the old world blown down by the wind.

This is not only Li Che's obsession, but also the common regret of 1.3 billion compatriots in the previous life.

"I know that over the past few months, I have spent a great deal of money and manpower on building a navy, investing money without regard for the cost. Although everyone may not say it, they must be suspicious in their hearts."

Li Che's eyes swept over everyone, and everyone dodged wherever he saw them.

"I want to tell you that although the cost here is huge, it's all worth it!"

"My Daqing has been known as 'China' since ancient times. What is China? It is the center of the world! I don't know how big the world is in your eyes, but I know that it is far bigger than you can imagine!"

Li Che pointed outside the house. Outside the window was the endless sea.

"Out there, beyond the ocean, lies a vast expanse of land, with countless islands, tribes, and nations. They possess high-yield crops, advanced navigation technology, and even many more valuable things. If we could obtain just a small portion of Fengguo's resources, we could greatly enhance our national strength."

"And what about their military strength? Compared to the Fengtian Army, they are no match for it!"

"What about their culture? Compared to the thousands of years of thought and influence of various schools of thought in the great Chinese nation, it can only be considered barely adequate."

"If that's the case, how can such incompetent people and such an incompetent country occupy fertile land and enjoy the unique gifts of nature? Why can the hardworking people of Daqing only barely get enough to eat and wear?"

Everyone looked at Li Che in silence, but they clenched their fists unconsciously.

Li Che also knew that what he said was not in line with Daqing's values, but he had to say it, and he had to make these navy believe it.

There is no Confucianism or benevolence and righteousness on the ocean. All they believe in is fists and robbery!

Whether it was colonization, plunder or slave trade, the plunderers' golden throne was forged with the blood and tears of the indigenous people.

Of course, Li Che could also choose not to rob and choose to educate.

But if you don't grab it, someone else will.

In a few hundred years, European fleets will follow the sea currents to America and Africa, where they will obtain huge amounts of original capital.

In the end, they will use cannons to blast open the gates of the Eastern Dragon, and the shameful history will be repeated.

Li Che must ensure that Fengguo becomes a plunderer rather than a colonized person.

The future world pattern will not be "one superpower and many strong countries" or "two superpowers in opposition".

It should be "one king and multiple ministers". The places where the sun shines are either Daqing's territory or Daqing's vassal state!

For this great ambition, what does it matter to him whether the indigenous people live or die?

Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Sheng, who had expressed doubts at the beginning, spoke first:

"Your Highness's wishes are the will of our Fengguo Navy. I am willing to die for Your Highness!"

With Li Sheng leading the charge, everyone could only echo: "We are willing to die for His Highness!"

Li Che looked at everyone and smiled helplessly: "Forget it, history will prove that I am right."

"Finally, I want to say this: I don't like being the butcher and the meat. Now that I serve the country, I have a choice. Why not be the butcher?!"

. . . . . .

In the following period, Dalian Port became even busier.

The project of building new ships was temporarily suspended, and all craftsmen were devoted to the work of modifying warships.

The first thing the shipbuilders had to solve was the problem of installing cannons on the warships. For this purpose, Li Che transferred Chen Gui over.

The key to installing artillery on a sailboat is to balance firepower, maneuverability and structural strength.

Historically, it was the design of gun ports, slide rail buffers and strict operating specifications that made wooden sailing ships mobile sea fortresses, promoting the transformation of modern naval warfare patterns from boarding battles to long-range bombardment.

Ming Dynasty sailing ships fixed their cannons on thick wooden bases, using the weight and structure of the hull to absorb impacts, but this approach had significant side effects on the hull.

Li Che's idea was to install the artillery on a wheeled gun carriage, move it backward along a wooden slide after firing, limit the recoil distance by pulleys and cables, and then reset it manually.

Moreover, the wooden hull has a limited capacity for guns, and excessive armament can easily lead to a decrease in ship speed or structural damage. Ten guns are already the limit for an ordinary Fu ship, and other warships have even fewer.

Only the dragon boat, with a length of sixty meters, was large enough to accommodate thirty cannons, fifteen on each side.

In addition to the side copper cannons, it can also carry small-caliber mortars for medium and short-range attacks.

If the enemy ships get closer, they will retaliate with muskets, then bows and crossbows, and then grenades and baton poles.

If they get any closer, it will be a boarding battle, but Li Che does not think that the enemy at sea can force the Fengguo Navy to this extent.

This voyage only reaches Southeast Asia, and we are unlikely to encounter any country with more advanced navigation technology.

In addition to firepower, Li Che also asked the shipbuilders to thicken the warship's planks and add more sails.

Special treatment was also given to the cabin, especially the isolation of a single room for storing gunpowder, which was designed to prevent the gunpowder from getting damp and to prevent spontaneous combustion and explosion.

When it comes to warships joining the fleet, the more the better is not the case.

Li Che was very particular about quality and only selected large ships that were in good condition and could withstand the wind and waves of the sea.

A total of 27 warships that met the standards were selected. These warships were all capable of carrying more than 100 people, but also had to leave some space for storing cargo.

In addition to the terrifying carrying capacity of the dragon boat and some miscellaneous small boats, it also requires about two thousand sailors to operate.

For the first great voyage, the fleet's member size was tentatively set at 5,000 people, and each naval soldier was the elite among the elite.

The captains of each ship will be temporarily served by the former Poyang Lake pirates under Li Sheng. Regarding this point, Li Che still maintains the principle of not employing people if he doubts them, and trusting people if he employs them.

Li Che also numbered each warship in the fleet, from one to twenty-seven, and engraved the numbers on the hull and bow.

That dragon boat did not have a number, so Li Che gave it a meaningful name: Dingyuan!

Dingyuan is Li Che's vehicle and the flagship of this voyage. It is responsible for combat and command tasks, and is also responsible for giving an unforgettable deterrent to the countries it passes through.

When it returns from studying abroad, it will definitely join the battle to attack Japan.

Li Che couldn't wait to see the Dingyuan tearing apart the Japanese warships, completely rewriting its originally tragic ending in this world!