Chapter 170: Repay the court with shit, rewarded with jail time

Author: West Lake in the Rain

Chapter 170: Repay the court with shit, rewarded with jail time

Move the timeline forward a little.

When Zheng He entered the palace to report what he had learned about the prison literacy class, Zhu Di was dealing with another important matter with Dao Yan.

"What's going on with Annan? Is he like the shogun in Japan, using the name of the king to defraud Ming Dynasty's canonization?"

Facing Zhu Di's question, Dao Yan turned his rosary and said: "Your Majesty, I feel that the envoys of the Chen Dynasty in Annan are indeed very suspicious. They are hesitant and unwilling to say more about many things. While Ming Fengtian was in trouble, there must be something inside Annan.

Something unexpected happened."

Dao Yan's words were straightforward, and the relationship between the two did not need to be hidden. They were both comrades in the rebellion together.

Dao Yan pointed directly at the core of the problem: "Of course, the key to this matter is definitely not what happened inside Annan. Annan is not Japan. Annan directly borders the Ming Dynasty. It is very convenient to find out what information needs to be found."

"The key to this matter is whether the internal changes in Annan are good or bad for the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Di pondered for a few breaths and then said.

"According to common sense, if there is indeed a change of power within the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, as long as they still surrender to the Ming Dynasty and continue to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, then the Ming Dynasty will recognize this change of power."

"What's more, is it a country like Annan that took the initiative to submit to the Ming Dynasty's tribute system as early as the founding of the Ming Dynasty?"

This means that the relationship between Annan and the Ming Dynasty is actually good. In the year when the Northern Expeditionary Army led by General Xu Da captured the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Yuzong, the seventh king of the Chen Dynasty in Annan, sent a high-level envoy team to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty.

After becoming a vassal state, Zhu Yuanzhang also took advantage of the opportunity to confer Annan on the throne and promised to include Annan in the ranks of countries without conquests. The Ming Dynasty would also provide military protection to Annan when necessary.

Of course, Japan is also a country without conquests

Ahem, what is the ancestral teaching of Taizu about whether to conquer or not? In Zhu Di's case, as long as he has benefits for the Ming Dynasty that far exceed the cost of troops, then he can be regarded as his father Zhu Yuanzhang.

Anyway, Zhu Di's violation of Zhu Yuanzhang's ancestral precepts is not a question of one or two.

"This Hu Cha claimed that the Chen family was an extinct heir, and he signed himself to be responsible for Annan's state affairs and begged for a title." Zhu Di stretched out his hand and knocked on the memorial. "Don't think about it, there must be something wrong. Now you might as well tell me, if Annan gives

Given Da Ming’s excuse, what should Da Ming do, or should he do nothing?”

"I thought that the Ming Dynasty must do something. In fact, Annan is an excellent place to test Jiang Sheng's theory." Dao Yan vowed.

After hearing this, Zhu Di was startled.

Jiang Xinghuo gave so many lectures and talked about so many theories. Which theory did you, Dao Yan, specifically talk about?

Dao Yan also realized this and added: "Nation-state and world island wars, as well as the export of Ming values."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, this was no problem.

Dao Yan said: "Although Annan is not completely the same species as Ming Dynasty, there are many descendants of mixed Han and local people in the north of Annan, and most of them are local natives in the south. But only in the north, they can still be barely regarded as the same species.

of."

"In addition, the important thing is that Annan and the Ming Dynasty actually share the same script. Annan also used the Ming Dynasty script. The education received by the local nobles was also traditional Confucian education."

"So, unlike Japan, which has its own special culture, Annan is more suitable for the assimilation of the Ming Dynasty than Japan. In other words, this is the first step for the Ming Dynasty to step out of the main island of China and come to nearby small islands, and it is also the practice of nation-state

It’s the first step to see if it can take shape.”

Dao Yan narrowed his eyes and imagined.

"If the assimilation in Annan can be successful, it means that the external assimilation of Chinese civilization is feasible. Moreover, it can attract people from other regions to yearn for the Ming Dynasty and become a part of the Ming Dynasty, which is to export the values ​​​​of the Ming Dynasty."

"In this way, with this foundation, the Ming Dynasty can expand southward."

"At the same time, a series of ports along the Annan coast also contributed to the Ming Dynasty's exploration of the Western Ocean."

Zhu Di nodded approvingly.

If you want to expand your territory, Annan is indeed a good choice.

After all, there are many Han Chinese or mixed-race Han people in the northern area of ​​Annan, and their culture is completely influenced by Chinese culture, so assimilation is relatively easy.

"Now that this matter needs to be done, what step does the master think Ming Dynasty needs to take?" Zhu Di continued to ask.

In fact, Zhu Di already had some concerns in his mind, but at this time he still habitually wanted to hear Dao Yan's opinion.

Dao Yan simply said: "There are only three methods."

"First, directly send troops to occupy the entire territory of Annan. The advantage is that it can expand the territory at once. The disadvantage is that it requires long-term garrisoning, which makes it difficult for the local area to support itself and the military expenditure is huge."

"Second, if you send troops to occupy the entire territory of Annan, support the new regime and then withdraw, you can claim some of the fields and ports in return for the Ming Dynasty sending troops. The advantage is that the Ming Dynasty does not need to continue to pay the cost of occupation, and can get a few of the best areas of Annan.

For example, the fields near the Ming Dynasty and the ports that provided the Ming Dynasty navy with supplies and repairs to the Southeast Asia."

"Third, send troops to occupy a larger part of Annan. This larger part of the area is the limit that Ming Dynasty's troops can control without causing too much supply burden. The remaining areas will still be left to Annan, but new ones will not be supported.

The political power and occupied fields were directly controlled by Ming Dynasty. The advantage was that Ming Dynasty could get the fields it wanted. The disadvantage was that Annan would regard Ming Dynasty as an enemy from now on. If Ming Dynasty's national power declined, Annan would bite him and try to take back all the lands.

Walking fields.”

Zhu Di nodded, Dao Yan's analysis was very comprehensive.

"What approach does the master think Ming should take?"

Looking at Zhu Di, Dao Yan smiled: "I'm afraid your Majesty has already made a decision in his mind."

Zhu Di also laughed.

"Master knows me!"

After laughing, Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "I just say, either don't do it or do it absolutely!"

"If I really want to hit Annan, then I will never let Annan have another chance to bite back. I will definitely kill him with a stick while he is sick."

"As for the puppet regime, I am not the kind of person who likes to make wedding dresses for others. After occupying the entire territory of Annan, I want Annan to become the 14th chief envoy of the Ming Dynasty from now on and be completely included in the Ming Dynasty."

"Even the name, I just thought of it."

"——Chief Envoy of Cochin!"

"It's a good name." Dao Yan nodded slightly, "The former name of Jiaozhi is not inferior to Annan."

The so-called Jiaozhi originated from the establishment of the three counties of Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen and Rinan after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty destroyed the South Vietnam Kingdom. Later, when the Han Empire established the Thirteen Governors Department across the country, the seven counties including Jiaozhi were divided into Jiaozhi Governors.

This department was also known as "Jiaozhou" during the Three Kingdoms period.

Just as the two were chatting about the treatment of Annan, Zhu Gaosui, wearing a bullfighting uniform with a pumpkin hammer hanging on his waist, came in with a salute.

Zhu Gaosui said softly to Zhu Di.

"Father, Zheng He has returned from the imperial edict and is seeking an audience outside Fengtian Hall."

Zhu Di was sitting around the stove with Dao Yan at this time. In his early years, when Zhu Di crawled on ice and slept in the snow during the northern expedition to Mongolia, he suffered from the old cold leg problem. Nowadays, every autumn rain and cold, he cannot do without the stove to keep him warm.

Zhu Di waved his hand: "Let Zheng He come in."

"yes."

Not long after, Zhu Gaosui led Zheng He into the palace.

"Your Majesty, Zheng He, your minister, is here to see you!"

Zheng He bowed and said.

"Get up, no need to be polite."

Zhu Di was in a good mood and asked Zhu Gaosui to bring a chair over to give Zheng He a seat.

The flames in the stove were crackling, and they thought it was a night chat around the stove. Zhu Di took a few sips of the hot tea, turned around and asked.

"There is no rush to talk about the imprisonment."

Zheng He was startled.

Zhu Di pointed at him and said with a smile: "I know Jiang Xinghuo's ability. The two ministers still don't believe in making a bet with me. Looking at your expressions, I know that the two ministers will lose. Jiang Xinghuo must have a way to make those two ministers bet."

A group of illiterate people can read, right?"

"Indeed, it's Jiang Xinghuo's fault."

Zheng He's words were stopped by Zhu Di raising his hand. Zhu Di said with a smile: "Let's not talk about Jiang Xinghuo's method. First, let's talk about your experience of going to the thousands of miles of stone ponds in the sea in the south? I have never been to the sea.

Don’t you know what it’s like to sail on the ocean?”

Dao Yan wanted to know Jiang Xinghuo's method, but fortunately, Dao Yan had been practicing for many years. Even though he was curious, he was able to calm down and looked at his disciple.

Well, Zheng He is a Bodhisattva ordained disciple of Dao Yan. He is both a closed disciple and Dao Yan's direct subordinate in the intelligence system.

Therefore, Dao Yan actually knew most of Zheng He's knowledge, and his curiosity about maritime affairs was not as serious as Zhu Di's.

As for why Dao Yan did not report to Zhu Di what Zheng He had passed on to Dao Yan at sea, ahem, Dao Yan naturally had his own purpose.

Zheng He also smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the sea is indeed incomparable with the land. In fact, it is not very far from Quanzhou to Wanli Shitang with smooth wind and water. A month's round trip is enough. The key is that sometimes the sea conditions are different.

.”

"What's the difference?" Zhu Di was very curious.

Zheng He said softly: "I have now made a round trip to Wanli Shitang. However, no matter where I am in Wanli Shitang, although the wind and waves are much smaller now, there will be strong winds every few days. Although the power of this strong wind is smaller than

If you don't go up to the dragon to absorb water, the victory is that it is frequent, and it will come once every three to five. If you are unlucky, you will easily lose your way. The warship of the Daming Navy that I was riding on encountered it, and the wind and waves were high, which also caused the fleet to
To be continued...