"...Trade tea and horses in Beisheng Prefecture (located at the border between northern Yunnan and Tibet), that is, Yunnan trades tea for horses, and Tibet trades horses for tea. The specific mutual trading methods were proposed by the Ministry of Revenue, and the tea required for the opening of the market was
, either purchased from Yunnan Province, or purchased from other provinces, whether it is possible to trade with each other according to Xining's regulations, please consider it."
"Although the horse market has never been opened in Beisheng Prefecture, Beisheng Prefecture is located on the northern edge of Yunnan, bordering Tibet and Mongolia. The horses produced are equal to those outside Xining. His Highness's prestige promotes the feeling of internal and external, Mongolia and Tibet.
I express my sincerity and express my gratitude by trading with each other. This is a manifestation of the naturalization of barbarians and should be commended."
"There are no rivers in Beisheng Prefecture, and transportation is inconvenient. The province does not produce much tea. To purchase tea in other provinces, you have to carry it on your shoulders and trek through thousands of mountains. The number is very limited, and it is difficult to compare it with the Xining example..."
"The Tibetan ### lama and the Mongolian Gandu Taiji secret envoy sent to congratulate His Highness on the recovery of Yunnan and requested tea and horse trading in Beisheng Prefecture. However, they did not want to make it public. It was obvious that they were the two sides between the Ming Dynasty and the Qing court.
This is not credible! Furthermore, the Tibetans have requested to temporarily cede the Jindian and Zhongdian areas outside the Jinsha River so that Tibetans and Mongolians can live as herders for the sake of good relations and trade. We should be cautious about this..."
"... We needed horses for the army, but we sent people to Gansu, but Xining couldn't buy them. Now, Tibet is willing to open the market for trade. I want to ask the ministers for their opinions, and it is convenient to allow the market to open."
From political, economic and military considerations, Zhu Yongxing certainly agreed with the tea-horse trade. However, he had to discuss and study it carefully with his subordinates on how to operate it.
As my minister said, when the war between the Ming and Qing Dynasties became more delicate again, Tibetan ### lamas and Mongolian Gandu Taiji could not bear the unequal exchange of "tea slaves" introduced by the Qing court from the Ming Dynasty, but they also wanted to
Using private transactions to cover up official intentions so as not to offend the Qing court was indeed a double-edged sword.
But Zhu Yongxing didn't care about this. In this situation, asking others to stand in line and express their position would not only be difficult for others, but also would lose a lot of help in resisting the Qing Dynasty. From military considerations alone, the short legs of the cavalry units will have to be solved sooner or later. In the future, with
The key to the battle for supremacy between the Eight Banners in Manchuria was the source of the war horses.
The Yunnan horse is native to the Wumeng Mountains in western and eastern Yunnan Province. It is distributed in Dali, Heqing, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Binchuan and other places. It is a short-footed horse breed. Its most notable feature is its short stature and strong body.
, hardworking, good at carrying loads, able to travel long distances, and very suitable for long-distance transport on rugged mountain roads. But galloping on the battlefield is obviously not its specialty. Therefore, there is a source of obtaining war horses. Zhu Yongxing and the military are eager to facilitate
The success of the "tea-horse trade".
However, many civil servants still adhere to the Ming Dynasty's thinking and idea of "the fake market is easy to control and control, and it is the best way to control it", and they have many requirements for the conditions of the "tea-horse mutual trade".
Of course, tea is a unique crop of the Central Plains civilization, and the northern ethnic minority areas are completely unsuitable for the growth of tea. Due to problems with their dietary structure, the northern ethnic minorities are much more dependent on tea than the Central Plains ethnic groups. Therefore, they have a complete understanding of tea.
They regard tea as a political commodity and strategic material, and regard tea as a weapon to neutralize or control the northern nomads. This kind of thinking is understandable.
But Zhu Yongxing does not completely agree with this. He believes that one-sided control of the supply of tea can control the nomads. This is obviously too idealistic. The strong national power is the only way to maintain prosperity and security. He believes too much in his own right.
The monopoly of resources actually makes it easy to adopt rash policies, making border tribes tired and resentful of using tea as a means of blackmail, and they are no longer willing to exchange hard-working cattle and horses for life in exchange for pitiful tea leaves.
"I feel that the 'tea-horse mutual trade' is a bit narrow." Although Zhu Yongxing has no specific method yet, he feels that the scope of the transaction can be expanded, the circulation of goods can be accelerated, and cultural and commercial exchanges with Tibet can be enhanced. "Tibet and Mongolia are not only
There are horses. There are also leather, wool, antler, musk and alluvial gold. We are not limited to tea. Porcelain, silk satin, cotton spinning, ironware, etc. are also loved by Tibetans. Of course, tea can only be exchanged for
The price of horses can be slightly discounted compared to Xining. As for other commodities, you can bargain, barter, or convert them into gold and silver before buying them."
After ascending to the throne and becoming king, Zhu Yongxing also followed the local customs, saying that he was a loner and a widower. Some traditions can be changed by the emperor, but some traditions do not have to be abandoned now. The concept of superiority and inferiority has been deeply ingrained, and Zhu Yongxing can only change it slowly, and
It's not a drastic move, which will cause a lot of controversy.
The Xiaochao meeting did not discuss the final results, including the location of the market, the specific rules, the management agency to be established, the exchange rate of the currencies of both parties, the resolution of the dispute, the management agency to be established... Mutual trading must be carried out, but there are so many
There is no solution to the problem, but it cannot be sorted out in a short time.
"It is not advisable to run everything government-run. Except for tea horses, some loose space should be left for the operation of other commodities; don't take it for granted behind closed doors, you can find some businessmen to discuss together." Zhu Yongxing does not want to create a completely monopolistic bureaucracy.
Before supervisory agencies and measures are established, the fewer areas involved, the fewer opportunities for official corruption.
After the general policy is determined, the market must be opened. Not only is the exchange of tea and horses beneficial to the military, but also through the circulation of goods in the market, it can deepen exchanges with Tibet, and extensively recruit merchants to engage in various trades.
Invigorating the local economy also has some benefits for the people.
Opening the city in Yunnan first is also an attempt and experiment, taking the opportunity to perfect the various rules involved. In order to activate Sichuan's economy and speed up the construction of Sichuan in the future, we will open the city in Yazhou. It will be a familiar road and there will be very little trouble.
.
The war is far from over, but Zhu Yongxing has already seen the hope of victory. Because the war is shifting towards a competition of comprehensive strength, in terms of economic acumen, diplomatic connections, historical trends... I am afraid no one is more powerful than Zhu Yongxing.
Trading tea and horses with Tibet and Mongolia is just one of the things. The British come to visit, which is another opportunity for Zhu Yongxing to use his means to strengthen himself.
Although James had done a lot of homework before, after traveling from Saigon to Haiphong, passing through the Annan Ming Tong District, southern Yunnan Province, and arriving in Kunming, he was still extremely surprised by the vast area occupied by the Ming Empire. This was already
A territory equivalent to several Great Britains, doesn’t it prove that the outcome of the war between this empire and the barbaric Tatars is difficult to predict?
Coastal border relocation, what a stupid and short-sighted policy, the vast coastal defenses abandoned by the Tatars. Does this prove that the empire is gradually gaining the upper hand? After all, the main ethnic group on this vast continent is the Han. If it is awakened, the balance of war will turn towards
It seems obvious which way it is tilted.
It must be said that the conclusion drawn by James, or the judgment he came up with, was not accurate. Overall, the war was still about a strong enemy and a weak one. It was just that in the southwest battlefield, the Ming army took the strategic initiative.
During this period, some foreign businessmen came to Kunming, but not all of them got the opportunity to be summoned by Zhu Yongxing. After the Manchus began to ban the sea, the goods available in Macau, the largest foreign trade port, dropped sharply. Although the Portuguese authorities in Macau
They still expressed their support for the Qing court, but they could not get the favor of the Manchus. The profit-seeking nature of the merchants made Macau's merchants from various countries begin to look for other trade routes.
If it weren't for the Qing Dynasty's maritime ban, the British might not have made such a determination. But the goods obtained in Macau couldn't satisfy even the Portuguese merchants, so the British couldn't see any benefit in currying favor with the Qing court. Regardless of the future wars between the Ming and Qing Dynasties
What is the outcome? At present, the Ming army is still the dominant side in the Indochina region (Indochina), and it also controls the goods they need. Seeing this clearly, the British are determined to seize the current opportunity to do business with the Ming army
.
Just as James' judgment of the Ming and Qing wars was rough and inaccurate, he also knew too little about Zhu Yongxing. He could not know the true meaning of the imperial court staying behind. According to the British understanding, Zhu Yongxing was the regent prince, young and energetic. Until
During the interview, James was surprised to discover how shrewd and knowledgeable the young Prince Regent was.
"You can have as much as your Majesty the Prince wants!" James's eyes shone. Seeing that Zhu Yongxing seemed to be considering his proposal, the British man's cheeks turned red with excitement: "As long as His Majesty the Prince wants it, it doesn't matter how many ships and cannons he wants."
Zhu Yongxing smiled faintly. Before summoning the British guy, he also did his homework. Coupled with the memory in his mind, he believed that this was an opportunity for the navy to grow.
The Netherlands, a small country with an area of just over 40,000 square kilometers and poor natural resources, has had a period of dazzling glory in history. Since the 17th century, the Netherlands, which got rid of Spanish rule through the bourgeois revolution, has experienced a period of dazzling glory in just a few decades.
In terms of development, it surpasses many European countries. The Dutch merchant fleet has more than 16,000 ships, accounting for three-quarters of the total tonnage of European merchant ships and one-third of the world's transportation ships. It is known as the "Sea Coachman".
In the late sixteenth century, Britain defeated Spain's maritime hegemony and broke the colonial monopoly of Spain and Portugal. Britain stood out and gradually developed into a late but powerful colonial power. However, the Netherlands squeezed out British merchants everywhere.
And relying on its abundant capital, it basically monopolized the trade of various countries, which made the struggle between Britain and the Dutch colonial power inevitable.
In 1651, the British Parliament passed a new "Navigation Regulations", which stipulated that all goods imported into Britain must be carried by British ships or shipped to Britain by ships from the actual place of origin. This means that other countries with shipping capabilities are not allowed to intervene.
The Netherlands has always been a trade intermediary country and a center for the distribution of goods around the world with its large merchant ships, large volume, high efficiency, and well-organized ships. The new British navigation regulations are obviously aimed at the Netherlands, attacking its intermediary role in British trade with other countries.
The struggle between the Netherlands and Britain became unprecedentedly intensified. The Netherlands opposed the British navigation regulations and the British refused to abolish the navigation regulations. This led to the first Anglo-Dutch War from 1652 to 1654.
Zhu Yongxing knew that Britain had won the first Anglo-Dutch War, but the Netherlands was not willing to fail. Calculating the time, although it was not very accurate, it was only a few years before the second Anglo-Dutch War.
During the war, both sides used blockade warfare and plundering warfare. The British, in particular, issued privateering licenses and looted Dutch merchant ships they encountered like pirates. Therefore, the British were able to sell the looted goods to Zhu Yongxing at a very cheap price.
, ships, and the artillery on the ships. Similarly, the Dutch could provide similar things to Zhu Yongxing, but when Zheng Chenggong was about to regain Taiwan, Zhu Yongxing did not want to have anything to do with the Dutch.
"As long as His Excellency the Prince allows us to anchor in the Ming Dynasty's port, repair the ships, replenish fresh water and food. We promise not to disturb the Ming Dynasty's ships. If someone violates this sacred promise, our country's law-abiding businessmen are willing to watch His Excellency the Prince hang the criminals."
.If you are worried that this will cause displeasure to the Spanish and Dutch, then we can also accept a secret supply port, such as Saigon. Or other ports that will be opened in Ha Tien."
"The lonely king is not worried about the Dutch and Spanish. It's just that the huge help provided to France and the close relationship between the two countries make it difficult for me to give your country too many benefits." Zhu Yongxing was ambiguous about James' proposal, although it seemed that
It was very embarrassing, but I didn’t say anything to death.
"Guns, artillery, everything the French can sell to His Excellency the Prince, we in the UK have them, and the prices are cheap." James felt jealous and resentful that the French were able to take the lead and establish good relations with the Ming Empire, but for the sake of
For his own interests, he could only offer a high price, "There is no problem with the craftsmanship and technology, it is better than the French."
"We can buy French goods on credit, and the French also provided us with interest-free loans and assisted our army in fighting." Zhu Yongxing shook his head gently with emotion. "Although our two countries have not signed an alliance agreement, in fact,
But it’s almost the same.”
James knew that Zhu Yongxing was not exaggerating, but the French had gained a lot for their efforts, including the secrets of mirror manufacturing, the manufacturing of large mirrors, preferential policies for Saigon, and coastal defense. There was also one of the Borneo Islands, and the berthing rights of Da Nang...
With its maritime strength, Britain can definitely do better than the French.
After the Netherlands was defeated in the First Anglo-Dutch War, the Netherlands was still concerned about the Navigation Regulations and had been seeking opportunities to regain control of the sea. In January of this year, the Netherlands formed an anti-British alliance with France and Denmark.
France and Denmark began to provide various assistance to the Netherlands. In other words, France had become an enemy of Britain and must be suppressed.
"What the French can do, we will do better. In this way, we can show to His Excellency the Prince that we are more sincere than the French. But we will not be as greedy as the French. As long as His Excellency the Prince gives you a little favor, we will
I'm so grateful." James admires Zhu Yongxing's negotiation skills, or rather it's not skills, but taking advantage of the situation.
Although the French were of great help, their maritime power was far inferior to that of the British, and Zhu Yongxing urgently needed to take advantage of the Qing Dynasty's coastal border relocation to launch amphibious operations. This was not only to contain the Qing army's land forces, but also to seize and fill Sichuan and expand the river.
The population required by Xian.
Since the Zheng family had no hope, Zhu Yongxing turned his attention to France and Britain. However, Zhu Yongxing still had some concerns about borrowing troops from Western Yi. Facing James' increasing efforts, he fell into deep thought and weighed the pros and cons.
James was very nervous and did not look away from Zhu Yongxing. According to Chinese etiquette, doing so was rude, but Zhu Yongxing was thinking, and Yang Guoxiang opened his mouth, but did not interrupt in the end.
"The ships and artillery must be purchased on credit, without interest, and must be settled within two years -" Zhu Yongxing raised his head and slowly stated his conditions. When James nodded, he continued: "We will cooperate to establish a shipyard in Ha Tien, guns and artillery."
Factory, you are responsible for providing relevant technical personnel. And..."
"Your Excellency, do you need a strong black slave?" James took advantage of Zhu Yongxing's speech and made another sales pitch, "It is better for farming than cattle and horses. It is an animal similar to an orangutan and can also learn human speech.
"
Although James offered to send free samples from the East India Company, Zhu Yongxing politely declined and tried not to show any disgust.
"No problem. Your Excellency, you can rest assured to leave it to us. Do you need a translator?" Although he was surprised and strange that Zhu Yongxing asked for some mathematics, chemistry, and physics teachers, James agreed and said that he would help Zhu Yongxing get him.
The price of the talent he needs can be easily negotiated at that time.
What a naked robber! Zhu Yongxing felt that he had fallen, even bargaining with the robbers, talking and laughing freely. Or, he would also establish a country that pursues colonialism, and he would also become a naked robber.
It should have already happened. Zhu Yongxing smiled bitterly to himself. He had done so much to conquer Annan, attack Nanruan, and invade Zhenla. He didn't seem to feel any guilt in his heart, but felt that it was natural.
"A quarter of the exported goods, this is the limit, no more is possible." Zhu Yongxing put away his thoughts and began to sweeten James, "In Haiphong, Saigon enjoys the same preferential treatment as the French, and they cooperate to build the port of Ha Tien.
, and enjoy the right to berth..."
Although there are several colonial countries in Asia, after weighing the balance, Zhu Yongxing felt that only Britain and France could become temporary allies, that is, they could use each other and benefit from each other.
Spain was declining, and its anti-Chinese behavior in the Philippines also made Zhu Yongxing very angry. If it weren't for the current weakness of the navy, he would even have the urge to send troops to seize the Philippines. Of course, this is already a future plan, and it needs to be settled after the country is pacified.
Implemented.
The Netherlands and Zheng Chenggong are about to regain Taiwan, and Batavia is also plotting to recapture it. It is unlikely that the Ming army will go to war with the Netherlands, but the hostility of the Dutch is inevitable. What's more, they also helped the Manchus in history