Volume 4: Hot! The whole world is a warring state Chapter 697 Emperor Huan of Ming Dynasty
Two and a half years ago, when the news of Zheng Zhilong's death in America came, Zhu Youdong urged Fangshan Academy of Sciences to speed up the research on electricity, while asking Zhu Youxiao to design the Ming Dynasty's own battleships on the blueprint. At the same time, he was also thinking about how to use the Ming Dynasty's existing battleships to deal with the enemy's battleships.
As a time traveler, he naturally thought of torpedoes.
In an era when there were no internal combustion engines, thermal torpedoes were out of the question. The idea Zhu Youdong provided to Fangshan's scientists was the "white-headed torpedo" that used high-pressure air to drive the propeller to rotate, thereby moving the torpedo forward.
Of course, as a non-science and engineering time traveler, he could only propose a concept. The specific operation still had to be completed by Fangshan's scientists and craftsmen. In short, after more than two years of hard work, Daming's own white-headed torpedo had almost seen the dawn of practical use.
"General Inukai, this white-headed torpedo is propelled by high-pressure air, so the airtightness of the product determines its effectiveness in actual use. According to the large number of experiments conducted by Fangshan Academy of Sciences, it can be basically guaranteed that after the torpedo is launched, it can move at a speed of 6 knots per hour, and the maximum range is about 200 to 600 meters."
"This..." When he first heard about the mines that could maneuver themselves, Inukai Dongji was very excited. But after listening to Zhu Youdong's explanation of this set of data, his teeth felt a little sour.
There is no way. In the historical plane, when the white-headed torpedo appeared, mankind had just entered the era of ironclad ships , and most naval battles were still conducted within a kilometer. In this plane where the technology tree has been strangely developed by the time travelers, Spain and the Ming Dynasty both have cannons with a range of more than 10,000 meters. This white-headed torpedo is so slow and has such a short range...
"I also know that this torpedo is a bit slow and has a short leg. So at the beginning of last year, when the scientists in Fangshan started to do experiments, I asked the shipyards in Changsha and Binhai to start building a batch of 2,000-ton high-speed torpedo boats. The maximum speed of this batch of torpedo boats can exceed 23 knots..."
"Your Majesty, if there is such a torpedo ship, then these white-headed torpedoes can be used."
Looking at the excited Inukai Touji, Zhu Youdong felt ashamed: in the historical plane, the torpedo boats specially used for torpedo attacks, whether they were small boats of one or two hundred tons, or torpedo cruisers with a displacement of nearly 10,000 tons built by the Japanese in the 1930s, their speed exceeded 30 knots - this is called high speed.
But what can he do? As a poor student who doesn't even know the working principle of the four-stroke engine, he has no way to guide Fangshan's scientists to make an internal combustion engine in advance. And the ship powered by a steam turbine is destined to have a large hull - the volume of a steam engine is very large.
"Anyway, this is all I can give you right now." He patted Inukai's shoulder gently and said, "I know it's difficult for you, but at this moment, I'll just have to trouble you to work harder."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It is my duty to serve you. Not to mention that you have given me new weapons to fight against the enemy's giant ships, even if you didn't, I will still fight to the death for the Ming Dynasty and for your Majesty!"
"Don't talk about death lightly." Zhu Youdong sighed and said, "I believe you can see that I only let the six major newspapers report the deeds of Zhu Congquan and Shangqiu, but did not let them publicize it. Although the pensions for his wife and children are very generous, enough for him to live a carefree life. But I did not allow reporters from the newspapers to interview them... This is because I do not want to promote such a tragic and heroic way of fighting. If the technology and equipment are not as good as others, we will find a way to make up for them. If the people are gone, and the technology and equipment catch up, who will use them? "
"Your Majesty's love for the soldiers is deeply appreciated by me. Your Majesty, rest assured that I will try my best to reduce our casualties when I lead the army into battle. But please also know that if it comes to a critical moment, any soldier of the Ming Navy is determined to die for your Majesty."
"I trust the navy. So be it. In the next battle, as General Inukai said, the enemy will definitely bypass Singapore and break into the South China Sea. Our trade routes will definitely be greatly threatened, and the centrifugal force of the vassal states on the Ming Dynasty will also increase. However, no matter how the vassal states put pressure on the navy, the task I give you is to first ensure the safety of the two shipyards in Changsha and Binhai. Although the fortress guns in these two places have all been installed, it will still be difficult to cope with them without a navy. Therefore, once the enemy attacks these two places, I need the navy to fight with all its strength. In addition, you can decide when and where to fight the enemy. No matter how many casualties the enemy's plunder in the South China Sea has caused us, and no matter how much pressure all parties put on the navy, I will support you."
"Yes, I understand. In that case, I will take my leave."
"Go ahead. Do your best. You are already a vice admiral and a baron. When our battleships are in service and you lead them to win two battles, your rank and title will be raised."
After Inukai Dongji left, Zhu Youdong rubbed his forehead, relaxed a little, and then said to Fang Zhenghua next to him: "What's the next schedule?"
"Your Majesty, according to today's schedule, we were supposed to go to the newly renovated telegraph room in the Qianqing Palace and the telegraph room in Fangshan to conduct a wired telegraph experiment. But just now, word came from Xiyuan that the emperor is now awake and has eaten three bowls of rice. The gentlemen in the Imperial Hospital said that this might be a last breath. So..."
"Hurry and go to the West Garden."
"As you wish."
Zhu Yijun, the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was already 76 years old this year. At this age, he had lived 19 years longer than in the original historical plane.
However, whether it was because Zhu Youdong had been appointed as the regent early on, freeing him from the heavy work, or because of the time traveler, the medicine of the Ming Dynasty had made great progress. After all, at this age, his life span had come to an end.
In the past two years, Wanli had been suffering from many illnesses, both serious and minor. Zhu Youdong personally diagnosed and treated him despite his busy schedule, and organized his outstanding disciples to work together to develop treatment plans. However, he was unable to resist the failure of multiple organs throughout the body.
Since last month, Wanli had been in a coma and had difficulty taking medicine. Now, everyone knows what his sudden improvement in consciousness and spirit means.
"Grandpa Emperor~"
Looking at Zhu Youdong who was crying, Zhu Yijun smiled carefreely: "Silly boy, you are almost 40 years old, and you have been the emperor for more than 20 years, why are you still crying? Grandpa is gone, there is no regret, it is a happy funeral."
As a doctor, Zhu Youdong was used to seeing life and death, so although he was very sad, he was not hypocritical. After calming down a little, he said, "Grandpa Emperor, do you have anything to say? I will do my best to take care of him."
"You have done a great job in national affairs. Grandpa has nothing to say. Although the Western bandits are making trouble for a while, my Ming Dynasty will turn the situation around sooner or later. Grandpa is not worried about this at all."
"Yes, in three to five years at most, my grandson will be able to drive the Western bandits out of Asia."
"Okay, remember to burn the letter for Grandpa when the time comes." Wanli took a deep breath and said, "As for family affairs, Grandpa's sons, except for your father, have all been enfeoffed. As the kings with real power, whether they do well or not is their own business, and Grandpa can't control so much. Although you are a decisive child, you still care about family affection, and Grandpa is very relieved about this. There is only one thing..."
"Please give me your instructions, Grandpa Emperor."
"Concubine Zheng, she has been with Grandpa all his life. Grandpa is wondering if she can be given the title of Grand Empress Dowager?"
"My grandson has agreed to this matter and will do it immediately."
"Don't be too anxious. After all, the country has just been defeated. If the Western bandits continue to press, some fools may jump out and follow them in making trouble. It's not good for you to force this matter at this time."
"Don't worry, Grandpa Huang. I will do it right away and it will be done."
"Then Grandpa has no regrets." After laughing silently towards the sky for a while , an unprecedented fatigue swept over him. Wanli stretched out his skinny hands and placed them on Zhu Youdong's head: "Do your best. In your hands, the Ming Dynasty will surely continue to create greater glory. My grandson, you should be like Yao and Shun!"
On December 18, 1639, Emperor Wanli Zhu Yijun passed away.
As the saying goes, the final judgment is made after one's death. Although Wanli had abdicated for many years, it was only after his death that the court officials began to consider how to give him a temple name and posthumous title.
In this dimension, due to Zhu Youdong, the Ming Dynasty did not suffer the defeat at Sarhu, nor did it suffer the situation of "many righteous people in the court" of the Donglin Party after the death of Emperor Wanli. Moreover, during the reign of Emperor Wanli, the Ming Dynasty also included Taiwan and Siam. After the reorganization of the Yellow Book, the problem of refugees in the Ming Dynasty was basically solved, and the entire national situation got rid of the previous trajectory of national destruction and began to climb up again.
Therefore, Wanli’s temple name would definitely not be “Shenzong”, and his posthumous title would not be “Xian”.
The temple name of Shenzong, on the surface, means that this monarch has the virtues of Yao. But in fact, it is a praise in name only and a criticism in reality. Because, whether it is Song Shenzong or Xixia Shenzong, history has not given them a good evaluation. Moreover, the word "Shen" is really hard to find a good interpretation. Although the word "Xian" has a better meaning such as "Only the heaven of the illustrious, especially the illustrious behavior. The brief compilation is recorded, and the track can be followed.", in fact, "Xian" means "bright". And "bright" means the sun, the moon, the yin and the yang. This actually means that the first half of Wanli was okay, but the second half was rubbish.
The second half of Emperor Wanli's reign was about handing over the country to the current emperor. How could the second half be rubbish?
Therefore, after a period of discussion, the cabinet directly suggested that Wanli be given the temple name of Gaozong and the posthumous title of Hezhe.
However, after thinking about it, Zhu Youdong rejected it.
The reason is very simple. After the name Gaozong, the dynasty will generally have problems: after Tang Gaozong, the Tang Dynasty no longer had the name of the country. Let's not mention Song Gaozong Wanyan Gou. As for Qing Gaozong, the most prolific doggerel poet in history, Hongli? Since the late Qianlong period, our Qing Dynasty has inevitably declined... Anyway, Zhu Youdong doesn't like the name Gaozong.
Finally, the cabinet recommended that Wanli be given the temple name of Zhongzong and the posthumous name of Huan.
Zhongzong means the monarch who revived the country. The outstanding representatives of this temple name are Zhongzong of Han, Emperor Xuan, and Liu Xun. Huan means conquering the land and conquering the distant land, being respectful and moving the people, and conquering the land and conquering the country. For example, Duke Huan of Qi and Emperor Huan of Han, although there are many controversies, they are actually very good monarchs.
This time Zhu Youdong was satisfied.
Therefore, after Zhu Yijun's death, his temple name was designated as Ming Zhongzong, and his posthumous title was Emperor Ti Tianchang Dao Zhuangyi Wen Hongguang Wenwen Wu Anren Zhi Xiaohuan.
After Wanli was judged dead, as the members of the Imperial Teacher Party grew old, the central institutions of the Ming Dynasty also underwent a major change.
