In fact, at this stage, it does not matter whether Ryukyu really belongs to the territory of the Ming Dynasty.
Because this is not an issue that needs to be treated with caution and needs to be taken out separately.
The reason is that the surrender of Ryukyu is only a matter of time, not whether.
The name Ryukyu was first seen in the Sui Dynasty, Liuqiu, and was later called Ryukyu.
The name of the country Ryukyu, like Korea, was officially determined after the old man called the place Ryukyu in the imperial edict to Ryukyu.
As for why people in Ryukyu admire the Ming Dynasty so much, we have to mention the extraordinary wisdom of the old man.
In the edict to Ryukyu, the old man also used the word "barbarian" as the name used by Chinese monarchs for the surrounding small countries.
But it is more of a diplomatic concept of peace and equality, which means that our country does not look down on you because you are poor.
Don't worry, I won't hit you. We will be good friends from now on. You are the younger brother and I am the elder brother. If you have the opportunity, come and sit at home and entertain yourself with good wine and food.
If you have any difficulties, please tell me and I will help you if you can. We are good neighbors and helpers.
If you admire the culture of the Celestial Dynasty, you can send students to learn from it, and I will let famous teachers teach Confucianism.
Your place is a good seaport. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to build big ships, I will send people there. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to build a city, I will send people there. Your treasury is too tight, so that doesn't matter. I will send ships to pay tribute to my Ming Dynasty.
Stopping at your place and allowing you to collect taxes.
Don't worry, the people sent don't need to pay you. The taxes you collect are also yours, I don't want them. I just see that you are too poor and want to help.
Brother, how can I eat meat at home and watch my brother drink porridge at home?
Ming Dynasty's diplomacy towards Ryukyu was generally in this state.
We must know that the Chinese dynasties in the past dynasties rarely used such peaceful methods towards neighboring vassal states, and more often used threats and intimidation.
Are you coming to make an offering? If not, our soldiers will pass by!
Whether you come or not, I have no control over the soldiers under my command who have no place to fight!
This peaceful method directly moved Ryukyu to a complete mess.
Because he was always bullied. Why did he first appear in the Sui Dynasty book? Because Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty bullied him. And because he was close to Japan, he was bullied by people there.
Grab some this year, kill some next year...and so on.
Therefore, starting from the Hongwu Year, Ryukyu has paid tribute every year. Moreover, every king must be canonized by the Ming Dynasty, and the canonization edict directly indicates Ryukyu's status as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.
There is a difference between a vassal state and a vassal state!
The Ming Dynasty enthroned the leader of the Ryukyu Kingdom to rule Ryukyu, and he was a monarch and minister in name. The Ming Dynasty did not interfere in Ryukyu's internal affairs.
He said he would not interfere, but the Ming Emperor had supreme authority in Ryukyu.
For example, twenty years ago, there was a civil war between the three kings in Ryukyu. After hearing this, the old man directly issued an edict, to the effect that you are still fighting in your place? Isn’t it good to live a good life by farming? The common people who fought back and forth died and the fields were barren.
We felt bad when we saw it.
The three families, who had originally been beaten into pieces, immediately stopped their troops after seeing this edict.
After Ryukyu established its identity as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese language was used domestically, Chinese characters were used, coins of the Ming Dynasty were used, and even the reign name of the Ming Dynasty was used.
For such a vassal country, it is a logical thing to include it within the territory of the Ming Dynasty.
But it's not appropriate to announce it verbally, especially in full public view, with such solemnity.
Because these vassal states around the Ming Dynasty are now very wary of the Ming Dynasty. Who knows if the emperor of the Ming Dynasty goes crazy one day and will send troops?
You said you won't send troops?
This is what Korea thought at the beginning, and Chengxing was saved. The Japanese side has become a mess, and the Ming Dynasty is operating behind the scenes. In Burma, people used to have a pretty good life, but now there are corpses everywhere.
~
"I have long known the intentions of the Ryukyu Kingdom and your soldiers and civilians!" Zhu Yunxi smiled gently, "For you and me, whether to surrender to the Ming Dynasty or not is actually a matter of an edict!"
As he said that, he smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry!"
The Ryukyu envoy wanted to say more, but was suddenly pulled aside by Li Jinglong calmly.
"Today is the ceremony for the canonization of the King of Burma!" Li Jinglong said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, close to the ear of the envoy, "You can't steal the limelight of King Burma. When today is over, long live the meeting."
Summon you alone!"
"I would be very grateful to Mr. Cao Guo for your advice!" The envoy thought for a moment and then woke up and said quickly.
Zhu Yunxi ordered someone to fill the Ryukyu envoy with wine, watched him drink a glass, then turned around with a smile and continued on his way.
As soon as he arrived at the table of Annan's envoy, he saw Li Wenliang kneeling down and saluting, saying, "Your Majesty, I would like to congratulate you, Ryukyu has surrendered, and the Ming Dynasty has gained a new territory!"
Zhu Yunxi smiled faintly and observed this Annan envoy. He was in his forties and had an elegant face. He looked no different from ordinary scholars in the Central Plains.
But suddenly, among the ministers following Zhu Yunxi, Xin Yande, the general secretary of the General Affairs Department, who was walking in the south study room, said directly, "What your envoy said is different. Ryukyu has long been a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. How can we get a new territory from Daming Lake?"
Li Wenliang wanted to congratulate the Ming Dynasty, and he could have said ten thousand nice things. But he seemed to say something casually, which was slightly ambiguous and thought-provoking.
"Although Ryukyu is small, it is still a country!" Li Wenliang seemed a little drunk, his eyes were a little hazy, "After all, it is not a place where the Ming Dynasty existed in ancient times!"
In fact, what he said just now was not meant to be sarcastic, it was just that he did not think it through carefully.
According to the general diplomatic etiquette, the daimyo ministers who were the hosts laughed after hearing this. At most, they could say afterwards that the envoy was rude and it was a huge victory.
But it was Xin Yande who Li Wenliang met.
"Oh, isn't it something that has existed since ancient times during the Ming Dynasty?" Xin Yande said with a smile, "What does it mean that it has existed since ancient times? The land of Annan was originally a place that China has existed since ancient times. It is a county in the Celestial Dynasty. Could it be that you are your envoy and represent your lord?
Millions of soldiers and civilians of the country will return to our Ming Dynasty?"
"Haha!" There was a burst of chuckles from all around.
Li Wenliang looked around and saw the Ryukyu envoy smiling openly, and he felt angry immediately.
"My lord, what I mean is that the Ryukyu Kingdom is isolated overseas and has only been a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty for only thirty years!" Li Wenliang showed no sign of weakness, "Besides, why is the Ming Dynasty different from the same species..."
"What does it mean to have the same roots and species?" Xin Yande asked loudly.
"This..." Li Wenliang was deliberately vague, "Haha!"
What he said was extremely sinister. If you think about it carefully, he was talking about not only Ryukyu... but also Myanmar, Korea, etc.
In the words, Ming's greed for territory is clearly revealed.
"Your ambassador and the Ming Dynasty are not of the same origin, so why do you wear my Chinese clothes, use my Chinese etiquette, and read my Chinese sages' books?" Xin Yande asked again, "Why does your country imitate our country's policies in every way?
"
Li Wenliang's face turned red, "The learning of saints can educate all people in the world, not the private learning of one country..."
"In this case, your envoy has not studied the Spring and Autumn Period, and does not know that when the barbarians and Di people enter China, they will conquer China?" Xin Yande sneered.
Before Li Wenliang could speak again, Xin Yande said again, "What your noble envoy said just now is that they have the same roots and species!"
"My Ming Dynasty is the sea, and the vassal states in the world are rivers. Wherever there is a sea, there is a river, and the river will definitely flow into the sea!"
"That's why it's said that the sea is so big that it can accommodate all kinds of rivers! Our country, China, has today's territory. It's only because of the fusion of people with different roots for thousands of years that we have today's territory!"
"If you come to our country and learn our Chinese laws, you are a Chinese. Any place where saints teach and promote Chinese ethics is the soil of China!"