The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yan Chengjin thought about it carefully before saying, "I only know this. Your Majesty wants to ask, are there any such staple foods in the West?"

Emperor Hongzhi nodded quickly and said regretfully, "When Emperor Wen was in power, all nations came to pay tribute, but these staple foods were not included in the tribute.

It's a pity that the people have been hungry for a hundred years."

He couldn't help but blame the eunuch Sanbao in his heart. Such good things have not been brought back after seven visits.

It's really a waste of the court's money.

"Your Majesty, this can't be blamed on the eunuch Sanbao." Yan Chengjin showed a thoughtful look: "Potatoes and other things have only been introduced to France not long ago."

Even now, potatoes have not been introduced to Europe.

It's just fooling your majesty.

When Zheng He sailed to the West, corn was not introduced to Europe.

So, Europe was not as rich as the Ming Dynasty, and food was extremely scarce.

The European countries that Zheng He saw were not as prosperous as Sumatra and Malacca.

Emperor Hongzhi said with regret: "Liu Jin went to France with great difficulty, but he didn't bring back potatoes. I am angry here, so I want to beat him with 50 boards."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Yan Chengjin said happily in his heart: "Liu Jin is a talent. If he is not beaten to death, why not let him go again?"

Outside the hall,

Liu Jin lay on the bench. I was not afraid when I castrated myself, so why would I be afraid of this beating?

He grinned, looking happy and very disdainful.

As long as I get through this beating, I will still be the most powerful eunuch in the East Palace.

"Liu Banban, what are you laughing at?"

"Why was His Highness dragged out too?" Liu Jin asked in surprise.

"Eat the board."

Zhu Houzhao lay on the bench in a sullen mood. The thunder was loud but the rain was small. The beating was over in the blink of an eye.

...

In the duty room of the Ministry of War,

Qin Hong crossed his legs and looked through the book sent back by the Nine Frontiers.

The most unstable area is the three sides of the Hetao area, where Tatars often invade, and they need to be checked.

As for Xuanfu and Datong, just take a quick look.

"When the Duke Baoguo builds the Great Wall, the Hetao area will be stable."

The reason why the Tatars did not invade Xuanfu was that it was close to the capital and it was easy to provoke the Beijing army.

Another big reason was the Great Wall.

It blocked the Tatars' route to the south, and the gap was guarded by the Ming army.

"Minister, an urgent report from Songjiang Prefecture."

The civil servant of the Ministry of War hurried over.

Qin Hong's eyes condensed slightly, and he said nervously: "Is it a victory report or?"

The civil servant looked panicked and did not dare to answer directly, but handed him the urgent report.

Qin Hong opened it and took a look, his heart was extremely cold, as if he was sitting on an ice mirror.

Zuo Zongyi had just left the port of Songjiang Prefecture when a large ship was robbed by Japanese pirates.

He was originally looking for the seven large ships.

Now, another ship has been sent to the Japanese pirates.

"How to report to His Majesty?"

It is impossible to deceive His Majesty.

The military supervisor will also send the news back to the Imperial Household Department, and Xiao Jingding also received the news.

Qin Hong is like an ant crawling on dry wood, being put on the fire, unable to get down.

If it is an official appointed by His Majesty, there is no need to worry.

But Zuo Zongyi is the person he recommended.

"Quick, go to Huagai Palace!"

Although he will still be punished for reporting to His Majesty one step earlier than Xiao Jing, it will not be too severe.

At most, he will personally lead the eight ships back.

Huagai Palace,

Xiao Jing just went back to the Imperial Household Department to drink a cup of tea and rest his feet. After seeing the urgent report sent back by Songjiang Prefecture, he spit out a mouthful of tea and hurried over.

"Your Majesty, the urgent report from Songjiang Prefecture!"

Emperor Hongzhi took the memorial, glanced at it quickly, his chest heaved slightly, and then angrily hit the imperial desk with a palm, and the pen, ink, paper and inkstone all jumped up.

"Another ship was robbed! Are you going to find a ship for me or send one?!"

Xiao Jing knelt on the ground with a plop: "I will die!"

"What does it have to do with you? Don't take everything on yourself. Tell Qin Hong to come to see me." Emperor Hongzhi said angrily: "Tell the cabinet and the six ministries to come."

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War is here." Mou Bin came in to report.

A moment later,

Qin Hong strode into the hall. When he saw Xiao Jing, he knew that he was a step too late. Your Majesty must have read the memorial.

It's not easy to be the Minister of War. It's not as comfortable as the other five ministries.

"I will die! Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"What's the point of punishing you? I asked the Ministry of War to find a ship, but you sent one." Emperor Hongzhi glanced at him: "Why don't you say anything!"

"I will personally lead the charge to catch these Japanese pirates." Qin Hong's heart tightened. He waited for a long time but didn't hear His Majesty's response.

At this time, a burst of dense footsteps came, and Li Dongyang and others walked into the hall quickly.

Liu Jian picked up the urgent report on the ground, his face was shocked.

"The Japanese are cunning, and the Ministry of War was careless this time." Ma Wensheng said seriously.

Li Dongyang bowed slightly and said: "Being able to learn the news that the court has dispatched troops to the sea, and to respond in advance, Songjiang Prefecture must have the Japanese pirates' internal response, this is the trouble."

If it was so easy to wipe out, it would not have dragged on from Emperor Zhang to now.

Emperor Hongzhi's anger subsided a little, Zuo Zongyi was still trapped in Songjiang Prefecture, and Jinshan Guards were almost completely destroyed.

This battle was fought, and even the number of Japanese pirates was unknown.

"Who else in the court can take this important task?"

Li Dongyang and Liu Jian and others looked at each other.

Zuo Zongyi is a first-class general in the court. Even he was defeated, it is really hard to recommend.

The court's naval commanders have always been weak.

"Otherwise, I will take charge myself?" Ma Wensheng stood up.

You are so skinny, like a malnourished old man.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn't bear to hit him, so he advised: "The court still needs Ma Gong to take charge. Anyone can go, but Ma Gong can't go."

Ma Wensheng smiled slightly, feeling extremely satisfied.

Emperor Hongzhi walked a few steps in front of the emperor, thought for a while and said: "Go to Xuan Yan Chengjin."

Eastern Palace,

Zhu Houzhao was lying on the bed drawing cartoons, his butt facing the sky, but it didn't stop him from drawing.

Liu Jin, with a severely disabled body, stayed beside the imperial couch and acted as an art director: "Your Highness, I think it would be better to draw Dian Wei as Liu Jian."

Thinking of Master Liu's thin body and Dian Wei's burly body, Zhu Houzhao thought this was a good idea, "Why?"

"Think about it, don't Master Liu and Dian Wei have the same temper? It is said that it is easy to draw the shape, but difficult to draw the spirit. Master Liu is the most suitable." Liu Jin smiled and flattered.

Zhu Houzhao was happy and clapped his hands, saying, "You are more careful. No one can compare to you except Lao Gao. It's a pity that Lao Gao is a dog who refuses to be my warrior. Fortunately, I still have a fool who has many ideas."

As soon as Yan Chengjin walked into the hall, he heard Zhu Houzhao scold him for being a dog.

Although I am not a human, you can't call me a dog.

It is said that few people who have been beaten with fifty boards in the court can survive for two days.

He came to confirm how many days Liu Jin can live.

"Master Yan is here. I meet Master Yan!" Liu Jin got up and knelt in front of him, full of energy.

It seems that Liu Wentai's medical skills have improved.

After thinking, Yan Chengjin said, "Your Highness, why don't you give Liu Jin a name? How about Xiao Qiang? This name is the best in the world, and it must belong to Eunuch Liu."

Very few eunuchs in the palace have names, such as Xiao Jing, whose name is Kegong, which sounds like a respected old Confucian scholar.

"Great!" Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "This word sounds good. How did you come up with it, Lao Gao?"

Yan Chengjin wanted to give this honorific title to Liu Jin from the bottom of his heart, without any other intention.

Liu Jin was overjoyed and kowtowed to thank him.

"Your Highness has no injury on your buttocks, why do you wrap it with such a large gauze?" Yan Chengjin asked.

Zhu Houzhao was very excited: "No need to go to the Zhanshi Mansion, I just want to lie dead in bed for a few more days."

It is true...

Yan Chengjin opened his comics and almost finished the first volume, so he could publish the first volume.

Let Lao Wang Bookstore carve the painting on iron and print it with iron characters. The outline will be clearer than the wooden engraving.

At this time, Xiao Jing rushed into the hall in a hurry: "Lord Yan, His Majesty invites you to the Huagai Hall."

"What's the matter?"

"The Ministry of War was defeated in the suppression of the Japanese pirates, and a large ship was robbed."

Yan Chengjin was stunned for a moment, a little surprised that another large ship was lost. I am afraid that it is enough for the Japanese pirates to form a fleet.