Chapter 557

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After staying in Pengzhou City for three days, Xiao Ming returned to Qingzhou.

He came to Pengzhou this time simply to see this “Dragon’s Rise” land of Liu Bang. Like many others, he also harbored a dream of the Han Dynasty. The iron and blood and glory of the past always made his blood boil every time he dreamed at midnight, now at the pinnacle of power. He, too, desired such a prosperous era.

However, he also understood that this path was still long. The domestic problems in Great Yu Empire were now a tangled mess, and expanding territory was still far off, but the victory in the Battle of Pengzhou gave him hope.

To secure internal stability, he must first address the problem of numerous vassal kings. Only by controlling a unified Great Yu Empire would he be able to contend for resources in the cutthroat world of the Age of Exploration.

He had originally planned to stay in Pengzhou City for a week, but another piece of news arrived, forcing him to return early.

According to this year’s shipbuilding plan, the Dengzhou Shipyard officially delivered twenty-four warships to the fleet a few days ago. Coupled with the previous fifteen warships, the Dengzhou Army now possessed thirty-nine warships.

For him, these thirty-nine warships would truly ensure his unhindered movement in the East Asian waters and could further guarantee the safety of the shipping lanes.

His return to Qingzhou this time was naturally not to observe the warships, but for the naval cadets from Bowen Academy who were preparing to depart for Dengzhou.

Warships were dead, but naval cadets were alive. Weapons could only unleash their maximum power when wielded by people. Therefore, before each batch of naval cadets boarded the ships, Xiao Ming would personally come to Bowen Academy to meet them.

Firstly, he wanted to make himself familiar and strengthen his presence. Secondly, it was to increase the loyalty of the soldiers.

After all, once a warship entered the sea, it was like a wild horse unbridled. In the Age of Exploration, many regular warships were eventually led onto the path of piracy by their captains, and this was not what he wanted to see.

“Your Highness, there are a total of one hundred sixty or seventy cadets boarding the ships this time.”

Yue Yun also rushed back from Dengzhou for this matter. Looking at the energetic cadets, he couldn’t stop smiling. For him, there was nothing happier than expanding the fleet.

All the cadets about to depart for Dengzhou stood in three rows. These cadets would play extremely important roles on the warships, such as captain, first mate, second mate, navigator, boatswain, and other management positions.

As for the ordinary sailors and gunners on the warships, they did not need specialized training at Bowen Academy; they only needed to be recruited and trained in Dengzhou.

“From today onwards, you will become members of the navy, but this does not mean you are qualified now. For me, only soldiers who can bravely protect Great Yu Empire’s maritime borders and shipping routes are qualified to be called true naval soldiers. And now is the time to test you.” Xiao Ming said loudly.

Xiao Ming nodded. The soldiers were increasingly resembling modern soldiers.

Yue Yun watched Xiao Ming’s speech with a smile. After Xiao Ming finished speaking, he led the naval cadets in saying to Xiao Ming, “Our glory is loyalty!”

Whether in Bowen Academy or the military, the loyalty of soldiers and officials to Xiao Ming was paramount. Precisely because of this, Xiao Ming made this phrase a common saying among generals and soldiers. It was a subtle suggestion, making loyalty an instinct for every general and soldier.

After meeting each of the cadets boarding the ships this time, Xiao Ming dismissed the naval cadets. At this point, Yue Yun said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness must already know about the Tongzhou port incident. The Prince of Wei cut off supplies to the port, which has caused some difficulties for the warships’ patrols.”

Xiao Ming nodded gently. “The Prince of Wei’s envoy made that very clear to me. Since he won’t give, we’ll take. After returning this time, you will lead the fleet to bombard Tongzhou and cooperate with the Dengzhou Army to take Tongzhou City.”

“Your Highness, I have wanted to do that for a long time. Why should we tolerate the Prince of Wei’s petty anger?” Yue Yun said with a smile.

Xiao Ming sighed and said, “Before, it was about maintaining superficial harmony. Now, the gloves are completely off. By the way, taking Tongzhou is one thing, but don’t forget the most important thing: keep a close watch on Goryeo.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Yue Yun bowed.

After instructing Yue Yun on the two matters, Xiao Ming walked towards the royal residence. Along the way, he occasionally encountered children of powerful families whom he could only have seen in Chang’an before.

Since the chaos in Chang’an, more and more Chang’an nobles had fled to Qingzhou. It was precisely for this reason that there had been a surge in merchants and children of powerful families in Qingzhou.

However, these children of powerful families were now like phoenixes with plucked feathers, worse off than chickens. Before, they relied on their connections in Chang’an City, but upon arriving in Qingzhou, they suddenly became solitary figures.

At first, they were very unaccustomed to it, but soon, for survival, they became merchants.

Even Princess Pingyang was now diligently doing business in the Chamber of Commerce. However, with the title of princess, her business grew larger and larger.

During this time, she was busy building white sugar workshops and opening dye houses, enjoying herself immensely.

Xiao Ming hadn’t expected that the chaos in Chang’an would bring such prosperity to Qingzhou. Because these nobles, even when fleeing, carried a large amount of gold, silver, and valuables with them, and spending this silver in Qingzhou greatly stimulated local consumption.

According to Pang Yukun, the price of even residential houses within Qingzhou City had more than tripled.

Thinking all the way, Xiao Ming returned to the royal residence. At this time, Fei Yue’er and Concubine Zhen were laughing in the pavilion in front of the pond.

After the initial grief, Concubine Zhen’s emotions gradually recovered, which relieved Xiao Ming. Although Concubine Zhen was only the mother of the former Xiao Ming, she had genuinely helped Xiao Ming ever since he arrived here.

He maintained the most basic respect for such a kind and benevolent woman.

Glancing at the two, Xiao Ming did not disturb them but went directly to his study.

War continued, but technological development could not stagnate. After all, Qingzhou’s technological level was not yet comprehensive enough, so he would compile scientific materials whenever he had free time.

This time, Xiao Ming wanted to introduce the Bessemer steelmaking technology. With the advent of steam engines, more and more industries required steel, and the original crucible ironmaking method could no longer meet the current demand.

Xiao Ming had not promoted this technology before because there was no qualified oxygen blowing equipment before the advent of the steam engine. Now with the steam engine, he could utilize it to solve this difficulty.

Arriving at the study, Xiao Ming picked up his brush and began to describe the unfinished part. He had already completed a portion a few days ago, and now a quarter of the drawings remained.

Once these drawings were completed, they could be delivered to the steel workshop for the production of steelmaking equipment. Once the Bessemer steelmaking technology broke through, Qingzhou’s steel quality would soar, and gun barrels would also be able to withstand higher-strength gunpowder.