Ziguang Pavilion in the Nanjing Imperial Palace, with delicacies from the mountains and seas, beauties singing and dancing, and joy everywhere.
Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Hengjia, hosted a banquet here for the envoys of three newly surrendered vassal states. In order to show the national power of the Ming Dynasty to these three countries, he deliberately set up armored soldiers and ceremonial guards.
The three envoys were ushered into the palace by the ceremonial officers. They saw that the palace was tall and majestic, endless, and obedient. This is where the emperor of the Ming Dynasty lives. How many palaces are there? It is indeed the celestial kingdom that controls all nations! And
When I saw the soldiers guarding them, they were all in high spirits and full of murderous intent. Most of them were veterans who followed Zhu Hengjia in the Northern and Southern Wars. They had been on the battlefield and had seen blood, so they naturally had murderous intent.
The huge palace was silent, subtly displaying the majesty and domineering power of the imperial power.
The three envoys were so coerced that they did not dare to raise their heads, so they bowed respectfully and said, "I bow to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty and wish my Emperor good health and may the Ming Dynasty live forever!"
"Okay, okay, flat body!"
On the dragon throne, His Majesty the Great Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty, with a kind face and a smile, looks like a Maitreya Buddha.
"You envoys have come a long way to work hard, and when you arrive in Ming Dynasty, you will feel like you are home. Don't be restrained, eat and drink freely, hahaha".
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After a good drink, the envoys from the three small states of Kazakhstan, Bukhara, and Khiva had a profound understanding of the food culture of the Celestial Empire. The Celestial Empire is vast and rich in resources. We can fly in the sky, swim in the water, and eat whatever we want! After dinner, we discussed military cooperation.
Zhu Hengjia was a pragmatic person and refused to treat every meal in vain. He hoped that the guests would repay the banquet and give the Mongolian tribes in the desert a hard blow from the west.
As a result, it is easy to eat but difficult to talk!
The Bukhara Khanate was previously defeated by the Kazakh Khanate and became a vassal of the Kazakhs. Aziz Khan lost his position in Darfur again. The Fergana area was severely punished by the Ming army and did not recover.
These remaining soldiers were defeated and unable to cooperate with the Ming army.
The Khiva Khanate has been facing the threat of the Rakshasa people from the north. It is difficult to protect itself. How can it have the strength to support the Ming Dynasty?
The only Kazakh Khanate with some strength is now in disarray. The elders and sultans of Big Yuzi, Zhongyuzi, and Xiaoyuzi do their own things and do not listen to the orders of Tou Ke Sultan. Although Tou Ke is the son of Yangir Khan, he is a purebred
Even though he had the blood of the Golden Family, he could not absolutely control the Three Tents. In history, although he formed a forbidden army, conquered the east and west, and finally unified the Khanate, the power of the great nobles of the Three Tents has always been a factor that hindered the strength of the Khanate.
After his death, Da Yuzi, Zhong Yuzi, and Xiao Yuzi eventually split into three parts, each with its own Khan, which made people sigh.
"Your Majesty, we, the Kazakhs, and the Dzungars are feuding, and Sultan Touq is very willing to send troops eastward to help the Ming Dynasty conquer the Dzungars. But~"
The Kazakh envoy Tolebi paused and said with a blushing face: "It's just that Sultan Touq has not yet been respected as Khan by the elders of the three tents, and there are still many separatist forces that are dissatisfied with Sultan. The internal instability is really unable to help the Ming Dynasty attack.
Junggar!"
Zhu Hengjia stared at Tolebi for a few times and developed a liking for the young man. According to the information from the Concierge House, Tolebi was from the Wusun tribe of Dayuzi. He was an important minister of Tou Ke Sultan. He was smart, capable, and helpful.
The Sultan compiled a code of law and unified the khanate, which was a great contribution.
When we met today, it turned out to be true. He spoke in a very concise manner. He declined China's request for help in the war, but also told his own difficulties and asked for China's assistance.
The three younger brothers are pitiful, one is more miserable than the other. The eldest brother is also not easy to attack. If people are in such a difficult situation, you can't force them to send troops with a knife.
Zhu Hengjia suppressed the disappointment in his heart and did not show it on his face. In heaven, one must be magnanimous and must not lose face! He secretly reminded himself and smiled more and more kindly.
"I know your difficulties. I am responsible for the crusade against Mongolia in Mongolia. Come, come, come. You have come from afar to work hard. I would like to toast you all."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Although military cooperation was not achieved, the stubborn Emperor Guangwu would never treat anyone to a meal in vain. If he couldn't earn back the money spent on the treat, wouldn't he be making a loss-making deal?
He turned his mind to business cooperation.
These three countries are all located on the Silk Road, especially the Bukhara Khanate, which is quite wealthy. If we can trade with these three countries, as soon as the trade routes are opened, taxes and money will come rolling in!
There was no other way. This emperor who was so happy with his achievements had been facing the contradiction between his huge ambitions and his finances that could not make ends meet. Although the three provinces of Duogan, Uszang, and Tiannan were added, military expenses were huge, and they had to go to these three provinces every year.
Each province subsidized a large amount of money. The Ministry of Household Affairs said that if the Ming Dynasty wanted to achieve a fiscal surplus in Duogan and Uzang, it would take at least ten years, and Tiannan Province would need five years. Before that, money had to be subsidized every year.
.If more trading ports can be established, it will definitely increase the imperial court’s fiscal revenue!
"The friendship between the Ming Dynasty and the three countries of Er has a long history. I want to set up land customs in Seran, Da Shigan, Fergana, and Darvas so that the products of all countries can be exchanged and the people and subjects can benefit. How about that?" Emperor Guangwu said with a smile.
Questions from the ground.
China wants to open trade routes with us?
Happiness came so suddenly, and the three envoys couldn't believe it for a moment. No matter whether they are ancient people or modern people, they are not stupid. They all understand the principle of financial resources rolling in when trade routes are opened.
After looking at each other for a while, the Kazakh envoy Tolebi spoke, "Your Majesty wants to open the port to trade with the vassals, which is really a blessing to the people of China and the vassals. I will definitely ask Sultan Toke to facilitate this matter when I return!" p>
"I am also willing to do my best to facilitate this matter," the envoys from Bukhara and Khiva said in unison.
Seeing that these people agreed, Zhu Hengjia felt very happy, and finally felt that the money for the drink was not in vain!
Another thought, these three countries are all located in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty. Although they cannot provide much help to the Ming Dynasty in conquering Mongolia in the desert, their geographical location is important. With them as a buffer, the northwest border of the Ming Dynasty will not be threatened by the Rakshasa people. Well, it is necessary to give them a certain amount of support and let them serve as my forward base to deal with the Rakshasa people.
Zhu Hengjia thought to himself and felt that it was necessary to support these three little brothers.
Just how to support it? Militarily, he was preparing to attack the Mongolian Mongols led by Junggar, but he did not have the extra troops to help them resist the Rakshasa people; economically, the national treasury was almost at its bottom. In order to finance the expedition to Junggar,
Military pay, my royal meal has been reduced to four dishes per meal, and there is no money; it seems that I can only give them some support politically, or in terms of reputation!
Verbal support, Emperor Guangwu is a great expert on this matter!
With a stroke of a pen, Ke Sultan was crowned the King of Kazakhstan, Aziz Khan was the Duke of Bukhara, and Bahadur Khan was the Duke of Khiva.
One king and two princes sounds extremely glorious, but in fact it did not cost the Ming Dynasty a tael of silver. However, it is still beneficial to these three people. At least it shows the people of the three countries that their monarchs are recognized by the Ming Dynasty."
Orthodox".
With everyone happy, Emperor Guangwu began to tighten his trap against Mongolia in the desert.