The first major change and strategic policy of the Ming Dynasty started with Zhu Zhanji.
The emperors of Hongwu and Yongle devoted their whole lives to opening up new territories, especially Hongwu. If the war in the late Yuan Dynasty had not severely damaged their vitality, Zhu Di would have been able to level the grasslands without having to wait for Zhu Di's fifth northern expedition to Mongolia.
When Zhu Zhanji arrived, the Ming Dynasty's national policy changed from offensive to defensive. Most of the territory outside the three high-ranking official cities in Shaanxi and Gansu Mountains was abandoned. The Nuergandusi that Zhu Di had conquered also evacuated a large number of government agencies, which resulted in the Ming Dynasty having greater control over the Northeast.
Decline in magnitude.
Annan, the Chief Envoy of Cochin who spent countless money and food to conquer Annam through several southern expeditions, Zhu Zhanji ordered the complete withdrawal of Annan on the grounds that one side had not been peaceful and had repeatedly visited the king's army for several years. Annan's general Le Li announced the establishment of the Later Le Dynasty.
, Annan became independent from then on.
This place, which had been the inherent territory of the Central Plains Dynasty since the Han and Tang Dynasties, was separated from it.
After Zheng He's death, court officials immediately used the ancestral system set by Zhu Yuanzhang to advise the emperor. Zhu Zhanji listened, and he immediately ordered to stop sailing to the Western Ocean and never review it.
He also ordered the sailors and other personnel on the fleet to be disbanded, and the officials and soldiers on the ship were also transferred. They never went to sea again in their lives.
Since then, Zheng He's fleet, which was so powerful all over the world, has disappeared. Hundreds of state-of-the-art treasure ships have been moored in the port, experiencing wind and rain, unattended, like a pile of rotten wood.
Starting from Zhu Zhanji, the vision of subsequent emperors and ministers was always limited to the eighteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, and their control over other places became increasingly weak.
Liaodong is no exception. Because Zhu Zhanji did not pay attention to military affairs and went without war for many years, the armaments in Liaodong were greatly relaxed, and a large number of empty posts and empty posts appeared.
During the Zhengtong period, the tribes in the Baishan and Heishui tribes in the northeast finally seized the opportunity to rebel. The Ming army at that time was not much stronger than it is now. Although it was suppressed in the end, it gave the imperial court at that time a blow.
After discussing with the ministers of the DPRK, Zhu Qizhen decided to follow the example of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty and let the wealthy landowners recruit their own troops.
As many people as you recruit, you will be given an equivalent official position. If you can recruit more than a thousand people, you will be given official positions such as garrison and chief qian. This is how the generals, large and small, in Liaodong came to be.
If you want to open the sea now, you must create a clever name to deceive others. After all, the Ming Dynasty cannot withstand the second Japanese rebellion.
Moreover, the current Ming Dynasty does not have the strength to go to sea at all. Now the entire Nanyang is under the control of the great pirate Li Dan, and after Li Dan there are fleets from Western countries. In this regard, the Ming Dynasty is not as good as any other party. It is really too weak.
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It is necessary to build a fleet that can truly be used in naval battles, so that it can be qualified to go to sea to compete with the Western powers and Li Dan for maritime hegemony.
The warships used to go to sea cannot be built in a year and a half. With the training of sailors and sergeants, I am afraid that there will be no success in two or three years.
It seems that we have to find a suitable person to go to sea. First, say hello to all the pirates, big and small, especially Yan Siqi. He has a high chance of winning over him.
The ministers had no objections to the establishment of the governor of Denglai. They were not mediocre. The geographical location of Denglai was indeed excellent.
"Your Majesty, is Governor Denglai under the jurisdiction of the Chief Envoy of Shandong?"
"The two prefectures of Denglai are not controlled by the local yamen, but are directly controlled by the Ministry of War and me. The civil servants and generals of Denglai and the two prefectures, no matter how big or small, will need my order in the future!"
Just kidding, how could I not take care of such an important place personally? Besides, it has already been separated, how could it be classified into local areas?
Wang Zaijin looked happy, this is really good news.
He asked again:
"Then who should be the first governor and chief military officer?"
Zhu Youxiao said slowly:
"Yuan Ke, the chief minister of Shangbao Division, will be appointed as the governor, taking charge of all military and political affairs in Denglai!"
"As for the chief soldier, let's take this position across from him for now!"
The name Yuan Keli is very popular. Who among the officials in the DPRK does not know this person?
This man was upright, not afraid of power, not cliquey, and asked for orders for the people. Even Emperor Wanli, who always lived in the deep palace, had heard of his name, so he received an edict from the emperor as a local official, which is rare.
of.
The ministers all nodded secretly in their hearts, this person is worthy of the post of governor.
After Zhu Youxiao discussed with the ministers, Yuan Ke was granted the title of censor of Zuoqiandu and governor of Denglai, and was given the sword Shang Fang. All major military and political affairs in Denglai and Denglai were under his jurisdiction.
Appointing two governors and replacing a councilor in succession showed the emperor's determination to the ministers.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
Zhang Ruitu, the Minister of Rites, who had been silent, did not give the emperor a chance to relax. Seeing that the important matter was over, he hurried forward and played again.
"What's the matter with the Ministry of Rites?"
Zhang Ruitu bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, the envoy sent to Mongolia has returned!"
"Looking at the joyful look on your face and the fact that you played the music at this time, I guess you are happy to play it? Tell me, what was the reaction of the tribes in Monan?"
"Your Majesty's Holy Wisdom is indeed a happy memorial!"
Zhang Ruitu first bowed his hands and saluted, and then said:
"Today's Monan is in chaos. Lin Dan Khan has returned from the last disastrous defeat. The strength of the Chahar tribe has been greatly damaged. His prestige in the grassland is no longer what it was before!"
"In order to ensure his position in the grassland, he has annexed several tribes, and he has also formed an alliance with the Khalkha tribe in Mobei. When necessary, Khalkha will send troops to help him unify Monan again."
"I don't know what kind of agreement the two parties reached."
"Lin Dan Khan's actions have caused his prestige to decline again. Now many tribes are ready to break away from him and have formed alliances on their own. They have reached a consensus and will jointly resist Lin Dan Khan."
"There are other stronger tribes that are not to be outdone. They are taking the opportunity to attack other tribes to increase their own strength."
"The past conflicts and grievances between the various ministries have all exploded. Now there are many factions in the Monan grassland, and they are at war with each other. It only takes a spark to start this raging fire."
"When the envoys of the Ming Dynasty arrived, all the leaders of the ministries greeted me respectfully. They all promised that they would never go south to invade our border town of the Ming Dynasty in the future!"
"Under the persuasion of the envoy, many tribes expressed their willingness to imitate the Aohan tribe and join the Ming Dynasty. They only asked Your Majesty to give them some food, clothing and cloth, and receive the same treatment as the Aohan tribe, and give them a circle outside the Great Wall.
The land is for their tribes to live in and is protected by my Ming Dynasty!"
"The envoys sent to Mobei, Tatar, and Tumote have not returned to Beijing yet, but it can be seen from their replies that things are progressing quite smoothly!"