Chapter 173: Every sip and every bite is predestined by heaven. The gold and silver paid as compensation to the court will eventually become my wedding dress and end up in my hands.

"Third Master, you seem to know all the foreign countries very well?"

On the way back to the study in Prince Jin's Mansion, Yao Guangxiao asked the question that was in his mind.

Zhu Gang probably never went out to sea, so why did he know so much about overseas?

This was indeed the question in Yao Guangxiao's mind.

After all, looking at the life of Jin Wang Zhu Gang, he was either fighting in the grasslands or defending the people in the vassal states.

Until he returned to the court this year, he should not have been to overseas countries, so how did Zhu Gang know this?
"I have fought against the Northern Yuan Dynasty, you should know that."

Zhu Gang spoke without even turning his head.

"The Third Master is so powerful that he has made the grasslands tremble with fear. This is known to everyone in the world."

Yao Guangxiao did not praise, he just stated the facts.

Zhu Gang suppressed the grassland even more harshly than the imperial court.

They would fight at will and leave at will, making the people on the grasslands scalp numb. Even the nomads who roamed around could not escape Zhu Gang's pursuit.

It can be said that the current Beiyuan is just a grasshopper among grasshoppers in autumn, which can only jump for a few days.

And this is all Zhu Gang’s achievement.

"Since the great battle with Kuyuk Temur, I have captured many dignitaries of the Northern Yuan Dynasty and also seized many treasures handed down from ancient times."

"The most massive items are gold, silver and jewelry. There are so many of them."

"I can also imagine how much silver the Central Plains paid them in compensation?"

"It's ridiculous to say that the Liao Dynasty was destroyed by the Jin Dynasty, the Jin Dynasty was destroyed by the Mongols, and the Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Mongols, which established the Yuan Dynasty."

"This is all a matter of fate. In the end, it is for others, and it is also for me."

Zhu Gang sat in the first seat in the study of Prince Jin's Mansion, then asked Yao Guangxiao to open the window. He looked at the falling snow outside and chuckled softly.

"Wedding dress?"

Yao Guangxiao was still confused and didn't understand what the word "wedding dress" meant.
"Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng won the war, but signed the humiliating Treaty of Tanyuan."

"It's called the Peace Clauses."

"Every year, we pay tribute to the Liao Kingdom, including 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 pieces of silk, a total of 300,000 taels of silver and silk."

"There is also Xixia, which also has a similar agreement, but the annual tribute varies according to different periods, but it is usually gold, silver, and silk."

"Then there is the Jin Kingdom, or the Jurchens. After the Jingkang Incident, the Jin Kingdom demanded that the Song Dynasty increase its annual tribute. The Song Dynasty agreed to pay the Jin Kingdom 500,000 taels of silver and 500,000 pieces of silk every year."

"Including Mongolia, the predecessor of the Yuan Dynasty. Mongolia rose and began to invade the south, and the Southern Song Dynasty also paid tribute to Mongolia in exchange for temporary peace."

“That’s a lot of payouts, too.”

"The whole world in one dynasty pays tribute to the four countries. It is worthy of being the Song Dynasty. One Song is equivalent to giving."

A sarcastic smile appeared on Zhu Gang's lips, and he shook his head slightly.

"The Song Dynasty had no shortage of warriors and loyal patriots."

"But unfortunately, the king has become weak-willed and has lost his courage."

"In addition, the emphasis on culture over military affairs has led to the rampage of scholars and officials. In comparison, the military strategy is worrying. What can be done?"

Yao Guangxiao also nodded slightly without refutation.

The Song Dynasty was destined not to be a unified dynasty, as the Northern Song Dynasty had not yet recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Later, the Southern Song Dynasty was able to survive in a corner of the country and remained a separatist regime throughout its life.

If the north fell, even if there were talented generals like Zong Ze and Yue Fei, they could have marched straight into the north and recovered the lost territory.

But unfortunately, he has not met a wise leader, and Wanyan Jiumei is also ignorant. How can she allow others to sleep soundly beside her bed?

This also caused the capable ministers and generals, loyal to the emperor and patriotic people of the Song Dynasty to sigh deeply.

"As for why it was made into a wedding dress."

"The Liao Dynasty was destroyed by the Jin Dynasty, which was destroyed by the Mongols, who destroyed the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty."

"It can be said that all the countries that Song paid compensation to were destroyed by Mongolia."

"This also allowed Mongolia to accumulate a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry, and faced with these flashy treasures, the Yuan people did not give them up when they fled."

"So you are just making wedding clothes for me."

"That's why I must fight on the grasslands, and I will not lose in every battle."

"That's real gold and silver, so we built a monetary system in the world to stabilize the operation of the world."

Zhu Gang spread his hands again, placed them on both sides, and laughed softly.

All the accumulations of the Liao, Jin, Song and Western Xia dynasties fell into the hands of Mongolia.

In addition, Genghis Khan traveled across East Asia and conquered a vast area.

This extends from the northern part of the Central Plains in East Asia (including Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, etc.) to many countries in Central Asia, such as Khwarezm, parts of the Golden Horde, and many principalities in Eastern Europe.

So you can see clearly how rich Mongolia is.

It’s a pity that the descendants were not up to the task and ended up making a wedding dress for Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Gang with their bare hands.

And with the blessing of so much gold, silver and jewelry, as well as the labor provided by the old friends from the grassland, Taiyuan today was created.

To put it bluntly, it was under the impetus of gold and silver that the mission-oriented reform was completed.

As for these gold, silver and jewelry, Zhu Gang will transport them all to the capital in the near future to maintain the operation of the Ming Baochao.

After all, for Taiyuan, the emperor is just the emperor, but Zhu Gang is different, he is their God.

Their worship of Zhu Gang surpassed that of the emperor and even that of gods.

So even if one day, foreign races come again, even if Zhu Gang is no longer around, even if the country is destroyed and the family is ruined, Taiyuan is the only place left.

All those who can fight will fight, until the very last soldier, the old, the weak, women and children, all swearing to fight to the death rather than surrender.

This is the legacy that Zhu Gang left for Taiyuan. When the country is destroyed and the family is ruined, one should put the country first, and have no regrets even if one dies a thousand times.

Although born at the wrong time, he still maintains his integrity. Such magnanimity is hard to find and will never fade.

"So Your Highness learned about the overseas countries from the grassland?"

Yao Guangxiao also understood what Zhu Gang meant, so he asked softly.

"Ah."

"Have you ever heard of Marco Polo?"

Zhu Gang nodded and asked softly.

"Never heard of it."

Yao Guangxiao simply shook his head.

"Marco Polo, this is a Venetian who once visited the Central Plains."

"In the 12th year of the Yuan Dynasty, Marco Polo set out from Venice and headed for the Far East. They traveled through the Middle East and arrived at the capital of the violent Yuan Dynasty, Dadu, which is today's Beiping Prefecture."

"He also gained Kublai Khan's trust and served in the Yuan Dynasty. During this period, he left behind many books, so I was able to know about things outside the Central Plains."

Zhu Gang then looked at Yao Guangxiao and said.

But in fact, where are the books?
Or maybe there was, but Zhu Gang didn't discover it.

But this Marco Polo became Zhu Gang's best excuse. Marco Polo was born into a wealthy merchant family in Venice, and his life became famous in the world because of "The Travels of Marco Polo".

Therefore, Marco Polo is the best excuse to deal with Zhu Yuanzhang. After all, even if Marco Polo has disappeared in history, he will definitely leave some clues.

It’s actually not difficult to check it out.

But who would have thought that Zhu Yuanzhang was a bit cruel and never asked any questions from beginning to end.

Zhu Biao and his brothers also trusted Zhu Gang sincerely and never doubted him.

This caused the excuse that he had already prepared to suddenly become empty. If Yao Guangxiao hadn't asked about it today, Zhu Gang might not have been able to remember it.

But it’s okay. As long as one person knows it, more people will know it and it can confirm the authenticity of the matter.

After all, Marco Polo must have appeared in the traces of history, so this period of history can stand up to scrutiny.

"I see."

Yao Guangxiao suddenly realized.

No wonder Zhu Gang was so enthusiastic about overseas, it turned out that someone had already visited the Central Plains.

"I will definitely not let you down."

Yao Guangxiao, who had figured it out, bowed again.

"What is in the book will always be in the book. Even if you understand it clearly, it is just empty talk and a blind spot."

“So only by walking this road firsthand can we understand how far this road is.”

"After all, Marco Polo did not do this for political and strategic purposes, but the Ming Dynasty is different. We need to look at overseas countries from a political and strategic perspective."

"If we want to annex them and assimilate them, we must be fully prepared. So whether it's cultural infiltration or the distribution map of overseas territories, including the culture of various countries, we must know everything about it."

"Because they are not of my kind, their hearts must be different, and their hearts must be killed."

"Each generation has its own cause, and what I want to do is very simple, that is to leave behind a world without aliens."

"You don't have to say anything. I know it's difficult, but as long as I have this goal, my descendants will do their best to fulfill my last wish."

"Even if the Qin dynasty lasted for six generations, it would eventually perish in the second generation and become a tool for others."

"I will definitely pacify the world and let the people of the world fight for it. It is also our family that is fighting."

Zhu Gang folded his hands in front of his chest, still smiling.

"I will do my best, and use all my life's efforts, to help you achieve your wish."

Yao Guangxiao bowed and kowtowed again.

"it is good."

"But the most urgent thing is to take good care of yourself."

"In a few days, I will find you a wife, and then we can go out to sea again."

"I will do my best to support you, so you don't have to worry about the court at all. With me in charge, there won't be any trouble."

"As for the poor, corrupt scholars and dissolute young men, we will let you take whoever you like."

"At the same time, I have something to give you. If you come across it while you are overseas, you must bring it back to Ming Dynasty."

"Because of these, the population of Ming Dynasty will increase dramatically, and Ming Dynasty will become more and more prosperous."

"When the time comes, we will be able to mobilize all the troops in the country to conquer the world and achieve hegemony."

Zhu Gang looked at Yao Guangxiao again and gave instructions.

"what?"

“It can actually increase the population?”

Yao Guangxiao was shocked.

"I will give you a booklet when the time comes. Look for the crops in the booklet and bring them back to Ming."

"I will also give you enough gold, silver and jewelry to use, as well as a fleet of escort ships to protect your safety. They will be equipped with the most advanced firearms and the best armor."

"If you want, you can destroy a country."

"But we must bring back these high-yield crops, as many as we can."

It was difficult for Zhu Gang to explain clearly to Yao Guangxiao, so he just waved his hands and then spoke seriously.

These high-yield crops were generally introduced to the Central Plains in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, and had a huge impact on the agriculture of the Central Plains, leading to a surge in population in the later period.

Like corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peanuts.

Corn is native to Central America, especially Mexico, and is cultivated by local indigenous people.

Corn is highly adaptable and can be grown in most parts of China, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the north, as well as the hilly and mountainous areas of the south.

Sweet potatoes are native to South America, especially from Peru to Colombia. They were an important crop in the Inca Empire.

It was introduced to the Central Plains during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was first planted in Fujian and then quickly spread to other provinces, especially in the southeast coastal areas and hilly areas in the southwest.

Potato, the wild ancestor of potato is mainly distributed in Peru and Bolivia in the Andes Mountains.

The domesticated potato was brought back to Europe by Spanish conquerors in the early sixteenth century and then gradually spread to Asia.

It was also introduced to the Central Plains during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was initially planted in Sichuan and other places, and later distributed throughout the country, especially in high-altitude and cold areas, such as the mountainous areas in the northeast, northwest and southwest.

Peanuts are native to eastern Argentina and southern Brazil in South America. They are mainly grown in the North China Plain and South China, becoming an important oil and food crop in the Central Plains.

Of course, we can’t escape from peppers, these spicy ingredients that stimulate the taste buds.

After all, life without chili peppers was too hard to endure. Although there was spicy food in the Ming Dynasty, the spiciness was always different and could not satisfy Zhu Gang.

Chili peppers, capsicums, are native to Central and South America, especially in Mexico and Peru.

It was also introduced in the late Ming Dynasty and was initially used as an ornamental plant or medicinal material, and was later used as a seasoning.

In addition to the above-mentioned main high-yield crops, there are many other crops that did not exist in the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Gang also wrote them all down.

The purpose was to give Yao Guangxiao a general direction and the habits of these things, so that Yao Guangxiao could bring them back to the Ming Dynasty.

After all, compared with the late Ming Dynasty, the population in the early Ming Dynasty was indeed pitifully small, so it had to increase dramatically.

Instead of pinning hopes on the Indochina Peninsula, the goal was to find these high-yield crops from around the world, thereby driving a rapid population growth throughout the Ming Dynasty.

In this way, the problem of food shortage can be solved, at least in the short term.

So this is also of utmost importance.

"Third Master, so how many shi can these high-yield crops reach?"

When Yao Guangxiao saw Zhu Gang's serious expression, he immediately became curious.

How high are these high-yield crops that can make Zhu Gang so serious?

"A yield of more than ten dan per mu shouldn't be a problem."

Zhu Gang thought about it and then spoke.

Take potatoes as an example. When potatoes were first introduced, the current planting techniques, varieties and planting areas are different from those in later generations, which will also affect the yield of potatoes.

For example, the per-acre yield of rice in the south is about 500 kilograms, while the combined per-acre yield of summer wheat and autumn millet in the north is about 2 dan. In comparison, the yield of potatoes, even if it is only introduced in the early stages, will be terrifying.

So it is necessary to introduce these high-yield crops.

At the same time, the introduction of rubber trees is also a top priority.

(End of this chapter)