Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Chapter 959

"Even if we sell the technology to them, they won't be able to make it. It's better to sell the finished product directly and make a profit from them."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement with Wei Wu's speculation.

"Yeah! I think so too, but I hope Yao Guangxiao sells technology instead of finished products."

After hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, Wei Wu was unable to react for a moment, and then asked with a puzzled look:

"Huh? Why?"

"Silly boy, you have to look at the whole picture."

Seeing the expression on Wei Wu's face, Zhu Yuanzhang replied with a smile, and then began to explain to him.

"If the White Lotus Sect mastered the manufacturing technology, would they try their best to manufacture the cannon?"

"Yup!"

"Do they need a lot of iron to make cannons?"

Hearing this, Wei Wu suddenly realized and finally understood what Zhu Yuanzhang meant.

But before he could speak, Zhu Yuanzhang took the initiative to speak out.

"It's hard to find them, but if they're iron, it's much easier to track them down. We can just send someone to keep an eye on them and follow the clues."

Zhu Yuanzhang said this because ironware in the Ming Dynasty was a resource controlled by the government, and it was only in recent years that it was slightly relaxed.

However, control is control. As long as the court wants to investigate, it can easily trace the flow of iron to the identity of the buyer.

Following this line of thought, Wei Wu also thought of some key issues.

"Uncle Zhu, I'm afraid the Northern Yuan Dynasty has become powerful and is now preparing to gather strength to wage war against us."

"Give your opinion."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not show any surprise at Wei Wu's words, but just responded lightly.

Then Wei Wu continued:

"It can now be concluded that Yao Guangxiao has defected to the Northern Yuan Dynasty. However, it is a well-known fact that the Northern Yuan Dynasty is short of iron."

"The fact that Yao Guangxiao was able to sell weapons to the White Lotus Sect is sufficient to prove that the Northern Yuan Dynasty had a surplus of weapons."

"I think all the money Yao Guangxiao earned from selling artillery and technology to Japan should have been converted into iron and sent out of the Great Wall."

Having said that, Wei Wu turned around and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang. He believed that Zhu Yuanzhang must know about this.

Facts proved that Wei Wu's guess was correct. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded as soon as he finished speaking.

"That's right. When you told me that Yao Guangxiao sold artillery technology to Japan, I ordered someone to investigate."

"Some time ago, some people did buy a lot of iron ore in batches, and the same situation occurred in various regions."

"Unfortunately, by the time the Jinyiwei went to investigate, too much time had passed. They could only find out that the iron ore was transported by water."

"However, based on what we know now, we can probably guess where the iron ore was finally shipped out of Ming Dynasty."

Hearing this, Wei Wu couldn't help but narrow his eyes, and then slowly said:

"You mean, Jindi?"

"Yes."

As soon as Wei Wu finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in response, and then continued:

"The artillery pieces replaced by the border defense can be sold to Japan. It's easy to get the iron ore out of the country."

"It's been quite a while since we sold our technology to Japan. It's easy to imagine that the Northern Yuan Dynasty is no longer short of resources."

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang speak so easily, Wei Wu was a little surprised and couldn't help asking a question.

"Uncle Zhu, you don't seem worried at all?"

"What is there to worry about? We were able to establish such a huge Ming Dynasty when we were penniless. Why would I be afraid now?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, his unparalleled confidence changed his entire aura.

However, Wei Wu did not think there was anything wrong. After all, the emperor in front of him was recognized as the most legendary emperor.

What's wrong with him being a little proud and confident? Throughout history, can you find an emperor who started from scratch and was comparable to him?

When thinking of Zhu Yuanzhang's rise to power, Wei Wu couldn't help but sigh that Zhu was really awesome.

Before Wei Wu could sigh for long, he suddenly felt someone patting his shoulder. After coming to his senses, he turned around to look.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a smile on his face, and said proudly in the same tone:

"Besides, we have you, the Duke of Zhenguo, as our assistant. Is there another extraordinary person like you in this world?"

"Ming has you, the Academy of Science and Technology, and technology and knowledge far beyond this era. They should be the ones who should be worried."

"The weapons in the hands of those clowns are nothing but obsolete gadgets. How can they be qualified to compete with the Ming Dynasty?"

After hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, Wei Wu was completely stunned. He was not surprised by the word "Duke", but what the hell was this word "Zhen"?

The title of Duke of Zhenguo did exist in the past. The earliest one was during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, when Zhao Ji conferred the title of Duke of Zhenguo on his son.

The Duke is the highest rank among the titles, and the Duke of Zhenguo can be regarded as the first rank among the dukes, with an extraordinary status.

But that was the Song Dynasty, and the emperor conferred the title on his own son. From the beginning, it was not a system of meritorious titles.

There was no such title as Duke Zhenguo during the Hongwu reign, and there was only one Duke Zhenguo in the entire Ming Dynasty.

It was Zhu Houzhao, that shameless and unreliable guy, who gave himself the title of Zhu Shou when he led his troops into battle.

As a result, his shameless behavior made him a laughing stock in history and he was ridiculed by later generations for hundreds of years.

Although the title of Duke Zhenguo is indeed domineering, even if it is to be conferred, it should be given to members of the royal family.

How could he possibly give the title to a minister like himself? What was Zhu Yuanzhang thinking?

Just when Wei Wu was full of doubts, Zhu Yuanzhang guessed his thoughts from the expression on his face.

"The Ming Dynasty does not have the title of Duke of Zhenguo, but I am the emperor. If I say it exists, it must exist even if it doesn't!"

"Xiao Wu, it's no exaggeration to call you the cornerstone of the Ming Dynasty. You are truly worthy of the title of Duke of the State."

"I believe that once the people know of your achievements, they will not have any doubts about it. Therefore, this matter is settled."

Zhu Yuanzhang had said this, and Wei Wu also understood that he could not refuse the position of Duke of Zhenguo.

Since that’s the case, just admit it openly, and then he raised his head high the next second.

"He's just a Duke of Zhenguo! If you don't care, then why should I be afraid? I'll take it!!"