Not only in Singapore, but soon, from Manila to Batavia, from Bangkok to Saigon, almost all overseas Chinese were talking about such topics, whether they were Qing people or Ming people who lived in Southeast Asia in the late Ming Dynasty.
The villagers all seemed a little excited when they talked about this topic. For these overseas wanderers, they know better than anyone what fleet bombardment means.
No matter where they come from, when they meet, they are no longer hostile to each other because of their different places of origin. They even actively greet each other and chatter about when the Ming Dynasty will open a consulate in their place.
.
Qing Dynasty?
It’s true that many of them came from the Qing Dynasty, but the Qing Dynasty failed to live up to its expectations. When did the Qing Dynasty protect its own people? But it was different in the Ming Dynasty. As soon as they came over, they dared to open fire on their own people!
If nothing else, it’s just for this point.
Mingren will certainly not suffer a loss!
People's eyes are sharp, and they will always make the best choice for themselves. Of course, for the Westerners occupying Southeast Asia, they are definitely not so happy. Among people's rumors, of course they are more concerned about the British
After all, human actions were fired under the eyes of the British Empire!
"Cowardly!"
"Are you that cowardly?"
"What else can they do to our Ming Dynasty! Go and ask about our Ming Dynasty. Who among the foreigners doesn't know that the emperor of our Ming Dynasty was the one who led troops to France to fight the foreign devils. Even the French palace was destroyed by our Ming Dynasty.
It’s burned.”
"The palace was burned down for us, that would be so exciting,"
"No, in the Qing Dynasty, I just let others burn down the palace. But in the Ming Dynasty, we burned down other people's palaces."
"Are you saying that the British are really so cowardly?"
"What are they doing?"
As people were talking about these topics, the air throughout Southeast Asia seemed to have changed. No one knew what this change meant, but it was certain that it meant change.
This change was unexpected by many people. Not to mention overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, even Zhu Xianhai, who had just ascended the throne, was stunned for a long time after hearing the news before speaking.
"You didn't start a fight with the British!"
"The British didn't dare to fire!"
"That's good, let's negotiate!"
When the military cannot solve the problem, let's use diplomatic negotiations. In fact, for now, Zhu Xianhai is not willing to break up with the British. It's not that he is unwilling, but it's just that the time has not come. When the time comes, let alone the horses.
Even Singapore and even Australia have to be taken down.
For Zhu Xianhai and Emperor Zhu Da, who had just ascended the throne as Emperor Shengde, what happened in Southeast Asia was simply a trivial matter worth mentioning. After all, the Ming Dynasty was now in a state of prosperity, and even the British had to make concessions.
The British will definitely not break up with the Ming Dynasty over the trivial Kedah Sultanate. Of course, everyone will definitely make some agreements, such as delineating the sphere of influence and protecting Ming expatriates in the colonies.
.
In short, for the Ming Empire, the sound of Kedah's artillery was not worth mentioning at all.
But such a trivial matter, which was not worth mentioning, caused an unprecedented turmoil in East Asia. Governor Li of Xuzhou was stunned for a long time after hearing the news.
Then, he said to himself in his heart.
"Is this still the British Empire?"
Indeed, for everyone, the Ming fleet's action of firing artillery to seize land under the nose of Britain is simply a bit unbelievable!
In shock, Governor Li thought about it all night. He thought a lot that night, not only that the Ming Dynasty could force the British fleet to retreat, but also that they could force the British to recognize the treaty they signed with the feudal states.
Governor Li thought more about the conversation with Liu Kunpeng that day. It must be said that the conversation that day had a profound impact on him.
Who doesn't want to have rights without any restrictions? He is just a mortal.
Then Governor Li summoned Zhao Tianfeng. They talked a lot together that morning, mostly about Nanhua. At the end, Governor Li asked.
"You mean that when Nanhua was first built, there was nothing there."
"Yes, there were only about a thousand people at that time, and there were wastelands all around. We could import foreign workers, set up factories, and start businesses. But the key was to have people. When Nanhua was first built, the Zhu family sent people to it at all costs.
Members of the Communist Party of China have gone to study in Europe and the United States, and the country has become increasingly prosperous in recent years, which has a lot to do with it!"
Looking at the Governor-General, Zhao Tianfeng, the most capable minister of foreign affairs in the Governor-General's Yamen, said directly.
"Your Excellency, the purpose of running the Western Affairs in these years is nothing more than four words - enriching the country and strengthening the army. But if you want to enrich the country and strengthen the army, you have to send people to study abroad. Otherwise, even if we build an iron factory or a shipyard,
It’s just a matter of discarding the basics to get rid of the weak. After all, without talents, these factories will still be rootless. After all, we can’t do anything without relying on foreigners!”
In fact, in the past few years, when he was engaged in foreign affairs, what Zhao Tianfeng disliked the most was the officials - there were either officials or workers in the factory, and there were few real technicians. Technical personnel...basically all were foreigners, and those people
What about officials? They are all laymen. How can laymen manage professionals well?
He had said this to the Governor many times, but what was the use? In order to cultivate talents, he even set up apprenticeship schools in several factories to cultivate talents, but there were still some shortcomings.
It's not that there are any shortcomings, it's that he doesn't pay attention to it at all. Sometimes even Zhao Tianfeng himself doubts whether the original choice was right or wrong?
How can we carry out Westernization without talents? How can we enrich the country and strengthen its army?
Perhaps he could follow Nanhua's lead and learn their way of setting up factories and doing business, but without talent everything would be nothing.
"If you want to make the country rich and powerful, you still need someone!"
"Yes, talent is the foundation, my lord, what does the Zhu family rely on to achieve today's foundation? It is educating people. At that time, his subordinates were just a group of coolies, but what about today? Relying on nurturing talents, it has become a powerful country, my lord,
All Zhu used was ten years of work!"
ten years!
But it’s only ten years!
Governor Li fell into silence. In these years, he was proud and even proud of his foreign affairs. The shipyard he set up in Haizhou was able to build large ships. The cotton mill made millions of taels of profit every year. As for the railway, it also repaired more than 3,000 yuan.
In this country, no one can match such achievements. Even foreigners say that "Master Li's achievements in several years are no less than ten years in other countries." But so what?
"Hey, ten years..."
Listening to the governor's sigh, Zhao Tianfeng thought for a while and said.
"Instead of sighing, sir, it is better to catch up. From my perspective, if you want to study abroad now, you don't even have to go to Europe and the United States. There are language differences between European and American countries, but there is no language barrier to study in Nanhua, and the cost of studying abroad is much less than in Europe and the United States.
We can definitely send some overseas students to Nanhua to study there, and after they return home, they can naturally be used by adults!"
Although Zhao Tianfeng defected from Nanhua, he has always been paying attention to Nanhua, and he has been learning about everything there through various channels.
"There is also a university in Nanhua?"
"Sir, Nanhua University was founded in Nanhua four years ago. Currently, there are no less than fifteen local colleges and universities with a full range of subjects."
"Hey, I'm far inferior to the Zhu family! I just hate that there are too many ties between the DPRK and China. Every time I mention sending overseas students abroad, they always object in various ways,"
With a long sigh, Governor Li narrowed his eyes. He seemed to think for a while, and then said as if he had made up his mind.
"Well, in that case, I will send people to study abroad in Nanhua as you said, right..."
After thinking about it, Governor Li said.
"Let Jing Fang go with us! Let him go there and experience it!"