Chapter 1603 Differences between closeness and distance
Author: Hecheng Fengyue
Chapter 1603 Differences between closeness and distance
"Nanzhang has always been respectful and has never disturbed the border. The people of the two countries have smooth communication and are as close as one family. Please also ask the envoy to tell His Highness the King that you and our two countries can continue as usual."
The Nanzhang Kingdom was Laos in later generations.
However, unlike the ambitious Annan and the unruly Myanmar, the Nanzhang Kingdom is very law-abiding.
When studying the strategy for the Indochina Peninsula, neither Zuo Menggeng nor the Central Committee thought of taking the Nanzhang Kingdom as their own.
It's not that everyone's hearts have become kinder, but that this place is too poor.
Real backwaters.
To use force and govern such a place is simply not worth the gain.
If you really want to covet the resources here, normal trade will be enough.
"The empire has just regained the southwest and will soon invest a lot of money in development. We can purchase some scarce minerals, timber, etc. from your country. Please rest assured that this is a purely commercial behavior and does not require your country to expend national power and manpower.
Tribute. Similarly, in the future, the borders between your country and our country will be fully open, and if your country needs any goods, you can purchase them without hindrance."
Zuo Rong and Fu Zonglong, as military and political representatives respectively, negotiated with Nalin Duore, the envoy of Nanzhang Kingdom.
The goodwill and tolerance shown by the empire really made everyone in Nanzhang Kingdom extremely happy.
To be honest, the Ming Dynasty's treatment of the Nanzhang Kingdom could only be described as average. In border trade, the people of Nanzhang encountered many difficulties from corrupt officials.
Now that the empire actually treats Nanzhang Kingdom equally, how could they not understand what this means?
Lin Duoge was a very talented official, and he was keenly aware of something.
"I dare to ask His Highness the King of Wu, Fu Shengzheng, since the country plans to vigorously build the southwest, there must be a need for more labor. Can we Nanzhang people come to work?"
Nanzhang is densely forested and has limited plains, so the output is not much. However, the population is large, so the pressure to survive is very high.
For this reason, Nanzhang officials are also quite troubled.
However, neighboring Annan and Myanmar are not easy to mess with, and there is little room for expansion in Nanzhang.
If the people of Nanzhang can be allowed to work within the empire and earn a share of food rations, it will greatly alleviate the domestic pressure.
What Lin Duoge didn’t know yet was that this kind of behavior was very common in later generations and was called transnational labor.
Fu Zonglong thinks this method is very good.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, not only was the Central Plains in great turmoil, but the Southwest also never calmed down.
In addition, the environment here is harsh and unsuitable for survival, so the population has dropped sharply.
Of course, the country will not sit back and watch the southwest continue to suffer, and has prepared 14 million yuan in advance development funds.
But just having money is not enough. Someone has to do the work before various projects can be carried out.
The domestic labor force will not give priority to the southwest under any circumstances. After all, the northeast, northwest, and Nanyang are the main areas.
Then Southwest will have to find a way on her own.
Now that sleepiness has come to the pillow, how can Fu Zonglong let it go?
"We are worried about a shortage of labor force. It would be great if your country could provide some support. Please rest assured that the wages will be the same as those of the locals. But there are two points that I hope the envoy can finalize after he returns."
When he heard that the empire allowed people from Nanzhang to work across the border, Lin Duoge was extremely excited. When he heard that there were conditions, he quickly raised his ears and listened carefully.
"First, after all, there are many differences in language and customs between our two countries. After workers from your country come, please be more careful to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Second, the laws of the empire will treat everyone equally. If workers from your country come over,
If there is any adultery or illegal behavior in the future, we will deal with it as usual."
That's what happened.
Lin Duore couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
He thought it was such a huge restriction.
In his view, what Fu Zonglong conveyed could simply be called kindness.
How could the original Ming Dynasty be polite to the people of these vassal states?
Don't say that everyone is treated equally. If there is any slight disobedience, it is normal to be beaten to death.
People in Nanzhang don’t think there’s anything wrong with this.
Being looked down upon now, Nanzhang people will only be grateful.
Lindore happily returned to the king with a new agreement.
He had a hunch that Nanzhang seemed to be ushering in a new era.
At the same time, on the Batavia side, Xu Erjue also reached a consensus with the Siamese envoy.
"The relationship between Siam and the Empire has always been harmonious. When the empire's merchants and caravans arrived in Siam, they were all taken care of. Since Burma is now our common enemy, we should fight together. I just don't know how strong your country's military is. How can it stand up to a fight?
?”
Xu Erjue asked a soul question.
There is no problem if Siam wants to join the Empire in conquering Burma.
But can Siam's army be able to fight?
After all, Siam has been suppressed by Myanmar for nearly a hundred years.
Today's Siam belongs to the Ayutthaya dynasty. Forty-five years ago, they got rid of the rule of Myanmar and achieved independence.
The current king is called Pasakthorn, and he is relatively wise in his administration, which has improved Siam's national power. However, facing the pressure from Myanmar, it still faces many difficulties.
Sure enough, Siamese Prime Minister Naskun was extremely ashamed when he heard Xu Erjue's question.
"No matter what, we will do our best to help the empire."
The subtext is, we can't defeat it.
Since you can't defeat me, then things will be easier to handle.
So Xu Erjue asked Temasek's military to prepare a military performance for Naskun and others.
Under the heat weapon that destroyed the heaven and earth, everyone in Siam was stunned and their souls were out of their bodies.
They couldn't imagine that there were such terrifying weapons in this world.
In addition, the power displayed by the National Defense Force made Naskun and others jealous.
"If your country is willing, the empire can help you train its army and provide weapons. When you capture the Mawlamyine area, the empire will also recognize your territorial sovereignty."
In the face of a great good thing, Naskun knew very well that the empire must ask for something.
"I wonder how Siam can repay the empire's love?"
Of course Xu Erjue had conditions.
"First, Pattaya allows the Imperial Navy to be stationed. Second, Chiang Mai allows the Imperial Army to be stationed. The corresponding military expenses will be borne by each country."
Like the Nanzhang Kingdom, Siam was not included in the empire's elimination plan.
The Siamese people are kind-hearted and have a rather aloof attitude. They have always obeyed the orders of the Central Plains dynasty and are open to the empire.
It can be said that among the countries in Indochina, Siam is the most welcoming to imperial merchants.
In view of this, it is necessary to support Siam and set an example for Indochina.
At the same time, stationing troops in one south and one north can effectively deter Annan and Cambodia on the one hand, and suppress Myanmar on the other.
As long as Siam agrees, the empire will completely bring Indochina into its sphere of influence.