Regarding the current confrontation with Qin and the matter of destroying Qin, senior officials within the Han Dynasty have already reached a consensus. Destroying Qin is not a problem now. The question is how much price the Han is prepared to pay. The intention of King Gao Yuan of Han was very clear, he wanted to destroy Qin at the minimum cost.
This is not because Han officials are hot-headed and arrogant, but based on the comprehensive comparison between the two sides in terms of economy, military, and management. Han has the overall upper hand in all aspects. More importantly, Qin may Facing the biggest civil strife since the founding of their country, the Han Dynasty is now a leader in politics and people, and everyone is united.
Gao Yuan is waiting for a suitable entry point, and for this, Gao Yuan does not mind waiting for a while longer. He is not short of time. Compared with time, he now values ??the lives of Han soldiers.
Although artillery has been developed, they are still not suitable for large-scale land warfare. The decisive force is still cold weapons. And in Gao Yuan's eyes, the Qin people are almost becoming his subjects now. In the future, Qin will be destroyed. During the battle, if one more person survives, he will be able to help the big man in the future.
This understanding, of course, comes from Gao Yuan¡¯s concept that is completely different from that of this era.
"As for the expansion of the navy, we need to put it aside for the time being." Gao Yuan's eyes fell on Kou Shuguang, looking at Kou Shuguang's disappointed look, and then said: "Our ocean-going navy should also take a break now. , your next focus is to stabilize our rule in a series of new territories such as Fuso, Ryukyu, and the Malay Peninsula, and completely turn them into our raw material production areas. With your current military strength, you are enough to do all this. Sailing to farther oceans requires greater financial and material resources to support it. Obviously, the current big man has no time to take care of it, and it is impossible to invest so many resources in it. Kou Yizheng wants to go to the deep blue, and must Wait until our Han Dynasty unifies the Central Plains."
"Yes!" Kou Shuguang nodded helplessly. Now that the king has spoken, it is the final conclusion.
"But this doesn't mean you have nothing to do." Gao Yuan said with a smile: "In the next two years, the Navy will demobilize a group of veterans as soon as possible and recruit a large number of new recruits. Make good use of this time to recruit all the new recruits. Practice it.¡±
"Your Majesty, the current naval officers and soldiers are in their prime of service. They are all so talented and fierce. Why should we demobilize them? Do you know how difficult it is for us to train this group of people?"
"Of course I know." Gao Yuan chuckled: "Kou Yizheng, look further, don't you want to go to the deep blue? Don't you need more sailors in the future? If you don't train now, will you come to the battlefield to sharpen your guns? "?"
Kou Shuguang sighed: "Actually, this problem can be solved by building a few more large ships."
The ministers in the room all laughed. It seemed that Kou Shuguang still didn¡¯t give up.
"You Kou Shuguang, don't you know how much it costs to build an ocean-going ship? You also know how much it costs to feed him, right? Stop talking about these useless things." Gao Yuan said with a smile: "Don't feel for these soldiers. It¡¯s a pity that after they retire, they will not be useless, and they will earn several times more than when they served.¡±
Yan Shenghao looked at Kou Shuguang's puzzled expression and explained with a smile: "Shuguang. After these naval officers and soldiers retire, are you still afraid that they will have no future? There are so many maritime merchants now, I'm afraid they will compete for them. They have rich experience and are familiar with everything on this waterway. They have seen blood and are not afraid of war. For maritime merchants, they are hot food. I can guarantee you that once there are a lot of them. When the news of the retirement of naval officers and soldiers spreads, the naval base camp in Cangzhou will immediately be crowded with maritime merchants who come to recruit. I guess Yang Qing will be very annoyed by then, because there must be maritime merchants who find him through various channels. go."
"When these soldiers arrive on merchant ships, they will quickly teach what they learned in the navy to the sailors on merchant ships, including being aggressive and passionate." Gao Yuan said with a smile: "We will train a group of these ourselves. Bring us another batch of retired soldiers, and then our navy will have no shortage of manpower. Moreover, we currently do not have the financial resources to sail further, but that does not mean that maritime merchants will not dare to go, as long as we have enough. There is no shortage of people who take risks.¡±
"The king has decided to sell the latest batch of forged cannons to maritime merchants at a high price." Yan Shenghao continued with a smile.
"This won't work."
"My lord, you can't."
As soon as Yan Shenghao said these words, there was a voice of opposition in the study room.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid that these maritime merchants will rebel against me?" Gao Yuan laughed, "Do you think this is possible?"
Wu Qi hesitated for a moment, "Your Majesty, rebellion is not possible. TheseTraders should also be aware that without big men, they are nothing. However, artillery is a weapon for the military and the state. It would be inappropriate to sell it to civilians rashly. Let¡¯s not talk about anything else. Keeping it secret alone is a problem. We have not installed it on a large scale. What about the model troops? What if they were stolen by Qin and Chu? "
"Wu Yizheng has overthought this matter." Wu Kai is now in charge of the Ministry of Industry. After what happened last year, Wu Kai is more concerned about the affairs of the Ministry of Industry, and he is also interested in some military industries managed by the Ministry of Industry. Got some understanding. "It's not like you can imitate artillery just by looking at it. With the current industrial level of Qin and Chu, even if we give them a complete set of blueprints, they can't make it. They can't pass the level of just smelting iron and steel. ¡±
"It is enough to equip each merchant ship with one artillery piece. And only our retired sailors can operate these artillery pieces. There is no big problem with confidentiality. These maritime merchants use their own money to explore the way for us, etc. When we are able to go out on a large scale, we will not be blind." Gao Yuan said proudly: "Besides, selling the artillery to them will be a huge profit, right?"
Wu Kai chuckled: "No, I will naturally open my mouth when the time comes, and I won't be afraid that they won't buy it! This is much better than selling it to the Navy."
"Your Majesty, our National Security Bureau must place one person on each maritime merchant ship." Cao Tianci suddenly said on the side.
"You can do this yourself, don't ask me." Gao Yuan glanced at him sideways. "But one thing is, you don't want to make people feel uncomfortable."
"Yes, I understand."
"Okay, that's all for talking about this matter, and you have made the topic askew." Gao Yuan said calmly, "Let's talk about Fusang. Fusang itself, I mean it is divided into four counties. The county chief They must be sent from our homeland, and the deputy will be selected locally. Of course, the premise is that we have enough respect for our big men. Lao Yan needs to worry more about this matter. After all, this is a matter that goes far away across the ocean. The candidate must be chosen carefully, he must be capable, and he must be willing to pursue a career, and he must not be forcefully selected.¡±
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. We, the Han Dynasty, are definitely lacking in people who have adventurous spirit and want to do something in their career. Although they are going far across the ocean, they are still the chief of a county. Besides, we are now on the ocean, and I am a sea captain. , there is constant maritime trade, which is very different from before. If you can teach someone outside, it will be a joy for some people!" Yan Shenghao said with a smile.
"Well, Minister Huo." Gao Yuan looked at Huo Xiaolin again. The Ministry of Rites was changed to the Ministry of Culture and Propaganda. It turned out that Xun Xiu, the old minister of the Ministry of Rites, retired and followed Jiang Jiaquan to the bank of Dayan Lake to debate the academic dispute between the two. Now the Ministry of Culture and Propaganda The minister was replaced by Huo Xiaolin, the former Minister of Rites. "Fusang must be a land of alienation. After all, military occupation is an expedient measure. It is a long-term plan. If you want to make these places fully consider our Greater China, you must start from education. The Ministry of Culture and Propaganda must work on this. Great effort."
"Please give me some advice, Your Majesty." Huo Xiaolin nodded.
"Using our culture to erode their culture, and eventually let their civilization completely disappear, leaving only ours, is equivalent to digging up their roots. This is the strategy for long-term peace and stability. No matter how powerful the army is, It's impossible to accomplish. Only our culture can do this, and you are naturally the vanguard." Gao Yuan knocked on the table and looked at everyone in the room, "Don't think that scholars are powerless in this matter. Only they can do it.¡±
"Minister Huo, there will be a group of students graduating from Jicheng University next year. I think these passionate young people will be your best candidates." Yan Shenghao reminded with a smile: "For these things, these young people may be more suitable."
"Any officials or students who are willing to work there must be given preferential treatment. My Minister Wang, you can't save money on this. The salary must be doubled." Gao Yuan smiled and looked at Wang Wudi.
This time Wang Wuyi did not argue with Gao Yuan, and said happily: "They traveled across the ocean and may not come back even once in several years. Naturally, the salary cannot be treated badly."
"There are also levels of officials. The officials sent out will be one level higher than the corresponding level." Gao Yuan said to Yan Shenghao.
"yes!"
As soon as the arrangements were made, Gao Yuan clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Let's stop talking about the business. This year is a good year, with good weather and good weather. God is also very kind to us. Even natural disasters have not visited us. It is worthy of a big celebration." , I have discussed with Minister Huo that we should have a big celebration during the Chinese New Year. "
¡°The Cultural and Propaganda Department is making relevant plans, and they will be submitted to the Political Affairs Hall and the King in two days,¡± Huo Xiaolin said.
"How much does it cost?" Wang Wudi poked his head and stared at Huo Xiaolin.
"Pull me down"Minister Wang! Gao Yuan snorted: "I know you are a tough guy, so I had no intention of plucking your hair from the beginning." Just put your heart in your belly! "
When Wang Wu heard this, he laughed happily, leaned back and said with a smile: "It turns out that the king wants to use his personal money. This is great, great."
"I'm very poor, and you still haven't paid me the salary you owe me!" Gao Yuan said angrily: "Where can I get the money?"
Everyone in the room laughed all of a sudden. Who doesn¡¯t know that the king is now one of the richest people in the country. In the second half of this year alone, Mingbo Company made the king an unknown amount of money. However, the quarrel between the king and Wang Wuyi has become a rare relaxing scene when the ministers are discussing matters, so everyone is happy to watch the show.
Wang Wudi suddenly stood up, cupped his hands towards Gao Yuan and said, "I suddenly remembered that there are still some important official affairs in the ministry that have not been handled, so I resigned to the king." After leaving these words, he immediately turned around and left. Behind him, There were bursts of laughter. (~^~)