Liu Jian is in a very bad mood these days. He knows that this matter is very troublesome. The trouble is that the Ming Dynasty may not be able to afford it.

Just because of a young Japanese pirate, they caused so much trouble. The money and food losses caused by Japanese pirates every year are so huge. There are so many Japanese garrisons along the southeast coast, which support more than 100,000 people. This is not to mention the losses caused by the Japanese plunder.

Now we have to be on guard against the Folang Ji people. The treasury is empty. What can we use to make up for the shortcomings?

However, if the court showed weakness, it would be absolutely impossible. Although it might have promised that Folang Jiren would not suffer any losses, it would have greatly harmed the prestige of the Ming Dynasty. If anyone in the cabinet compromises on this matter, he would probably have to prepare to write a letter to resign tomorrow and beg for old age to return home.

Now Zhu Houzhao asked about the countermeasures of the cabinet, Liu Jian had to say: "Your Majesty, I think it is better to refuse. I have to supervise them to practice well and be alert at any time. If it is really not possible, I will transfer some border troops from Liaodong and Xuanfu to assist in defense. The ambition of the Folang Ji people, the court should decisively reject any requests of the Folang Ji people. From today on, the cabinet will have two scholars on duty at any time, and the Nanjing garrison must also be arranged. If there is any news in Jiangnan, the Tongzheng Department can report directly and be prepared to respond at any time..."

Liu Jian proposed many measures without hesitation. Zhu Houzhao nodded repeatedly when she heard this, and then looked at everyone and said, "What do you think?"

Everyone has nothing to say. It’s not that these people are incompetent. They have never encountered enemies from all dynasties that have come from the vast ocean. Even if they are just Japanese pirates, they are just scabies. However, the Folang Ji people are completely different. They have a national entity as a support, and they are not like Japanese pirates. They grab it and run away. They have political appeals, strong force, and know how to make plans. Such things have never happened in history, and they have never even learned from the past.

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but shake his head, sighed, and said, "Since that's the case, then expel the envoy of Folangji. I want to see what kind of courage this Folangji man has and dares to invade my border."

So everyone nodded and, after they had agreed, they took the initiative to leave, and Zhu Houzhao asked Ye Chunqiu to stay.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Ye Chunqiu and stroked his forehead with headaches, "Hey, I heard that there are many rumors outside, and many military and civilians actually felt afraid. Alas... It's really bad. It would be great if I knew Folangji's nest. I could lead the army to fight directly to Huanglong, but now I'm invisible. It's really annoying."

Ye Chunqiu pursed his lips and said, "Your Majesty, let's study it again."

Zhu Houzhao waved her hand, looking distracted, and said in a bad mood: "Forget it, I don't have the intention anymore, so I'd better take a break and think about it."

Ye Chunqiu bowed and said goodbye. As soon as he left the warm pavilion, someone said that Liu Jian ordered Ye Chunqiu to sit in the cabinet.

When he arrived at the cabinet, he met Liu Jian, and it was still an old topic. Liu Jian asked Ye Chunqiu some things about Folang Ji.

Ye Chunqiu did not hide it and said everything he knew: "The Folang Ji people are located thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty, with all nations standing in front of each other for thousands of years, and have great disputes with the cannibals. Therefore, all countries advocate force, but they are different from the Tatars. Although the Tatars are martial, they rely on war horses. They do not know how to alchemist or build ships. However, the Folang Ji people often admire craftsmen and are best at magical skills. The muskets and cannons they make are extremely powerful. The soldiers of their country will conduct harsh practices when they are summoned to the army..."

After listening carefully, Liu Jian felt thoughtful, and finally he couldn't help but twist his beard and said, "Hey, our Ming Dynasty has been peaceful for too long. If it were Taizu or Emperor Wen, how would he care about these clowns?"

Ye Chunqiu actually nodded and said, "If it were Emperor Wen, there would be a huge fleet like Zheng He, just Folang Ji people would not be a problem."

Liu Jian looked at Ye Chunqiu deeply, smiled bitterly, and then said, "Chunqiu, do you want to fool me again, want to build a ship? Not to mention the sea ban, do you know how much money and food was spent to voyage to the West during Emperor Wen? The money and food were small, but the construction of ships required wood, so it was inevitably necessary to use manpower. How much labor was requisitioned, climbing the mountain to log wood, or building ships for the court. If so many people really went to cultivate, how much food could these people grow? The people's strength... After all, it's better not to spend it. The people are in trouble. If the local government recruits people in the name of shipbuilding, it would not be a good thing."

Ye Chunqiu knew that Liu Jian was considering the overall situation, but he couldn't help but say: "But if you don't build a ship, what's the loss for these Japanese pirates and the Folang Jimen? Some money and food can be saved, but some can never be saved."

Liu Jian only smiled faintly, did not argue with Ye Chunqiu, but said, "You are a young man and don't understand. Some things can't be changed by saying something."

Ye Chunqiu smiled, and didn't think that Liu Jian was relying on his seniority. He just knew that Liu Jianshen was in this civil service system, to some extent, was powerless. Even the chief minister had too many concerns no matter what he did, and he had to look back on everything. Now that the Ming Dynasty has come, it is like a staggering old man, involving too many constraints.

What should be said was also said, and Ye Chunqiu was about to say goodbye. At this moment, a Tongzheng envoy came over and said, "Duke Zhenguo, I have something to report here, don't leave."

Ye Chunqiu was a little surprised, so he stopped.

The Tongzheng envoy bowed to Liu Jian and then said, "The Honglu Temple has already started to give gifts to the envoys of the Folang Ji, but Wang Hanzhong said that although the two countries have misunderstandings and are difficult to interact with, no matter what, can you ask the Duke of Zhenguo to send him a gift?"

Xie Qian, who was beside him, found it funny and said, "Where will I send him?"

Na Tongzheng envoy said, "I'm going to Tianjin Wei to board the ship."

Liu Jian stroked his beard, but looked at Ye Chunqiu, which was to ask Ye Chunqiu what he meant.

Ye Chunqiu pursed his lips and said, "That Ambassador Wang seems to have always been interested in his subordinates. I wonder what the princes said?"

Liu Jian said: "Of course, it depends on what you mean."

Ye Chunqiu was silent for a moment and said, "Since he wants me to send it, my Ming Dynasty is a country of etiquette, so why not give it to you."

After saying goodbye to Liu Jian and leaving the palace, Ye Chunqiu returned to the mansion and rested for a day. As expected, Wang Hanzhong called someone to urge him early the next morning. Ye Chunqiu put on his court clothes, greeted Old Lady Ye, and then took a bus to Honglu Temple.
Chapter completed!