Chapter 278: The Ming Dynasty cannot lose the Ryukyu Islands, just as the West cannot lose Jerusalem
After a pause of half an incense stick, Zhu Gang spoke again: "Furthermore, the Yuan army's wrong decision on the timing of its expedition was also one of the key factors that led to the failure of the expedition against Japan.

I remember that the Yuan Dynasty had twice led its troops eastward, but without exception they chose the summer season to send out the troops.

Little did we know that at this very moment, a typhoon was raging and the sea conditions were extremely dangerous.”

At this point, Zhu Gang couldn't help but shake his head slightly, with a look of regret on his face.

"Finally, I have to mention that the Mongols have never been proficient in naval warfare.

Their combat strategies and methods were all carefully planned with land confrontation as the core.

However, you need to know that there is a huge difference between naval warfare and land warfare.

The tactical skills required and the military equipment used are completely different.

The Yuan army was located in the vast ocean and lacked effective command, dispatch and coordination.

Therefore, they were unable to fully display the powerful combat capabilities that they originally possessed during the fierce battle on land."

It is not easy to truly see into a person's inner thoughts. The difficulty lies in the fact that some people are particularly good at concealing their true intentions and various signs of emotional expression.

They will cleverly use false appearances to confuse others, thereby causing others to have wrong perceptions and judgments.

Duke of Wei Xu Da obviously noticed something was going on, and at this moment he was looking at Taiqi with a suspicious look.

Xu Da said slowly, "I have heard His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin mention that you are the brother of the King of Zhongshan, Sadu of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

However, after listening to what you said just now, I felt that you seemed to have a deeper understanding of Japan.

Could there be some connection between them that is unknown to outsiders?"

As soon as Xu Da finished speaking, Zhu Gang ordered Zhang Long, the commander of the Hidden Dragon Guard, to bring the pen, ink, paper and inkstone.

“The Ryukyu Islands are like a shining pearl inlaid in the vast ocean.

To the east, it borders Japan, and to the west, it is adjacent to the vast South China Sea and the turbulent Min Sea.

It is like an indestructible checkpoint, firmly guarding Japan's throat leading to the magnificent Western Pacific Ocean and even the mysterious Indian Ocean.

Once the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Ming Dynasty start all-round and in-depth cooperation, it will undoubtedly be like an extremely sharp sword piercing the vital points of Japan, posing an unprecedented huge threat to its maritime power.

For this country surrounded by the sea, the loss of maritime power is like being stabbed in the heart; it is extremely painful and has extremely serious consequences.

In addition, the Ryukyu Kingdom also occupies an important position in Japan's military layout.

If this country unfortunately falls into the hands of Japan, it will inevitably become a frontier battlefield for Japan to deploy large-scale military forces and establish numerous military bases.

At the same time, the Ryukyu Kingdom will be transformed into Japan's first solid strategic defense line against attacks from the South China Sea and the Fujian Sea.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the Ryukyu Islands are located exactly halfway between Japan and the Ming Dynasty.

The issue of its final ownership not only involves the geopolitical strategic competition between Japan and the Ming Dynasty in the Western Pacific, but also has a significant impact on the entire country.

If the Ryukyu Kingdom wholeheartedly leans towards the Ming Dynasty, then Japan's influence in this region will inevitably be greatly weakened and squeezed.

There is no doubt that the Ryukyu Islands are as important to Japan as an indestructible line of defense, and can be called the "second national gate" in Japan's security defense system!
The strategic significance of this geographical location is self-evident if the Ryukyu Islands part ways with Japan.

The consequences will then be like an unstoppable storm.

It brought immeasurable and unimaginable huge impact and heavy losses to that tiny island country. For this reason, Japan will never sit idly by, let alone let the situation develop indifferently.

They will certainly do their utmost and take all measures to prevent any form of cooperation between the Ryukyu Kingdom and our Ming Dynasty."

However, even though Zhu Gang had carefully drawn a simple and clear map of the situation on paper.

However, the Ming Dynasty had previously failed to pay sufficient attention and concern to this area.

As a result, the generals and nobles present still know very little about this, and can even be said to be completely confused.

Finally, Lan Yu, who was a straightforward and outspoken person, could not help but ask: "Where are the South China Sea and the Min Sea?

What vital role do they play in the Ming Dynasty?
Besides, which of the so-called Great Ryukyu Kingdom and Small Ryukyu Kingdom is closer to Japan?"

Lan Yu's question was direct and sharp, and it was obviously a common doubt in many people's minds.

Zhu Gang took a deep breath and gently rubbed his temples, allowing his confused thoughts to gradually become clear.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared into the distance.

It was as if one could see through the endless void and see the direction of the future situation.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Gang reached out and picked up the pen on the table.

Then he began to redraw the intricate map of the situation on another piece of snow-white paper.

"As the most vast marginal ocean around the Ming Dynasty, the South China Sea is like a dazzling pearl inlaid on this vast land.

It not only has a unique geographical advantage, but also contains immeasurable shipping value and vital military significance. "

Zhu Gang muttered to himself, and the strokes of his brush became more firm and powerful.

"So in my opinion, the South China Sea is of utmost importance to the national defense and security of our Ming Dynasty!
First of all, the location of the South China Sea is extremely strategic, and it is an indestructible iron wall on the southern border of the Ming Dynasty."

As Zhu Gang spoke, he gently traced the outline of the South China Sea on the map with his finger.

"The South China Sea is vast, with a total area of ​​more than 3.5 million square kilometers.

Among them, the sea area controlled by our Ming Dynasty is as much as more than 2.6 million square hectares.

In this way, as long as we can effectively control this vast sea area, the defense depth of our Ming Dynasty can be increased by thousands of miles!
Such measures are undoubtedly of great significance in resisting the invasion of powerful enemies and safeguarding the stability of inland territories."

There was a gleam of wisdom in Zhu Gang's eyes, as if he had foreseen all the possible changes in the future.

He then continued: "Moreover, the South China Sea has long been known as the 'Mediterranean Sea of ​​Asia', especially the NSQD and its surrounding waters, which are only a short distance away from the Strait of Malacca, known as the 'Gateway to Asia'.

This place controls the east-west transportation hub, and its strategic position is self-evident.

If there is any mistake, the consequences will be disastrous!"

At this point, Zhu Gang couldn't help but frown, with a look of deep worry on his face.

Perhaps affected by his emotions, Xu Da and others also showed solemn expressions.

(End of this chapter)