Chapter 426 The future Ming Dynasty in the emperor’s heart
Chapter 426 The future Ming Dynasty in the emperor’s mind
This is the first time that the emperor has made a clear statement that the credit for something can be given to a king with a different surname.
Yan Song could only look at the emperor with dull eyes.
The merit of being crowned king means a narrow escape from death! Your Majesty, you are just trying to keep me from entering the State Palace as fast as you can, do you really want to make the Yan family extinct?
Zhu Houcong also blocked Yan Song's mouth again: "For this big plan, there will be re-election this year. It's time for Wei Zhong to enter the State Palace and receive gifts and hand over matters to the Ministry."
"... Your Majesty is very kind, I... I beg your Majesty to take back these words! How dare I, my father and my son, have such delusions?"
Yan Song left the table and knelt down, his voice choked with sobs and a mixture of emotions.
Is this because I sold my son's life to become a high-ranking official?
And this one is too eye-catching. How virtuous and capable is the Yan family to covet such merit? What do other old and new ministers think?
However, Yan Shifan just kowtowed with great kindness: "Your Majesty trusts me. I will sacrifice my life to serve your Majesty and achieve this great cause!"
"Shut up!" Yan Song scolded him, but now he could only say, "Your Majesty wants the dog to go on an errand, and the dog must die for it. As a minister, how can you be willing to die after your father has promised you a reward?"
No matter what he thought in his heart, Yan Song could only act righteously with the promise of the title of king on the left hand of the emperor and the promise of the minister of state on the right hand.
"Get up first, everyone gets up first."
Zhu Houcong sighed endlessly.
To be fair, in history books and literary and artistic works, these two guys are greedy, but when it comes to the word "loyalty", they are extremely loyal to the emperor. They carried the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty on their shoulders.
Now... we need to use some means to allow them to continue to maintain their status without allowing them to cause harm to the people.
Zhu Houcong looked at them with a smile. To be honest, he didn't have any good intentions.
If Yan Shifan was really capable of accomplishing this great thing, his chances of rebelling against the Ming would be very small. After all, he knew the strength of the Ming and the capabilities of the Ming Emperor.
But since he has been crowned a king in that troubled place, he must be arrogant, extravagant, and extortionate.
As for the Ming Dynasty... when he has made the Japanese people suffer unspeakably, and then someone else will be able to implement benevolent policies, preach the truth, and act kingly, then he will belong to the virtuous emperor of the Celestial Dynasty.
This may not be a strategy.
With Yan Shifan's ability, if he is given support in the early stage, there must be great hope that he can actually accomplish this thing, and it may be accomplished at a small cost.
So Zhu Houcong began to tell the father and son seriously: "This matter is not that dangerous, and it can be solved in one fell swoop. What I just said was based on the needs of the national economy, not what you father and son should do based on high officials and generous salaries.
"
After all, I mainly spoke to Yan Song.
The Warring States Period ended in Japan, and I remember that Japan later arrogantly wanted to attack Korea and the Ming Dynasty, but was beaten back.
Therefore, if the Ming Dynasty only intervened in Japan's affairs, North Korea would not necessarily feel comfortable with the Ming Dynasty maritime merchants directly intervening in Tsushima Island, which caused North Korea to lose some benefits from Japan's re-export trade.
After all, it is very likely that it will completely cut off the Japanese pirates' harassment of North Korea and the threat to North Korea after Japan rises as a dominant force.
Anyway, they also said that there are now "only" twenty-five ships a year licensed to trade with Japan.
Is this small profit a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the Jiuliancheng border city that Ming Dynasty promised to develop?
On the contrary, if North Korea did not have foreign aggression from the Ming Dynasty and Japan, the fight would only become more joyful.
As for Japan, what they are planning to do now is to take advantage of the opportunity of civil strife on Tsushima Island, an island that Japan's mainland forces have no time to take care of, to do business there.
Although there is still a risk of supporting one of the forces and being attacked by the hostile forces, it is just a small island. The Ming Dynasty Navy can transfer some generals to the Great Wall Maritime Trading Company and assign one to two hundred people to listen to Yan Shifan's dispatch. He himself has some weapons.
Juren's background is not too dangerous.
After that, he used Tsushima Island as his base. He first relied on doing business to maneuver among various forces in Japan. In the process, he tried to control the Sou clan on the island, and finally found good opportunities in the nearest Ouchi.
In the confrontation between the three forces of Nizi and Maori, it expanded its power to southwestern Japan.
By that time, the Ming Dynasty Navy will probably have a completely new look. And if the forces in eastern Japan counterattack, they will take action against the Ming Dynasty merchants again.
At that time, the navy of the Ming Dynasty followed the sea routes that the Xu family had already known, and even arranged some generals there bit by bit before that. Could it be that they couldn't defeat Japan in one go?
"Your Majesty has a wonderful plan! This plan is very feasible!" Yan Shifan, a spirited young man, was very excited. The steps for the title of king seemed to be clearly laid out in front of him, "I will definitely be able to handle this!"
Zhu Houcong said to Yan Song again: "The Ming Dynasty and Japan have been excluding tribute for ten years. You have received the courtesy and ministerial affairs, and you can also send envoys to Japan. It is no longer necessary to mention the so-called emperor of Japan, and it is a fact that the Ashikaga clan of the shogunate is weak. There is no unification.
Lord, although the diplomatic embassy cannot be established, it can be used to establish good relations with various families in the Ming Dynasty if the trade is suitable. In order to avoid damaging the national dignity, we are not allowed to come to the Ming Dynasty, but we can all go to Tsushima Island."
He smiled evilly: "How to adapt to the changing situation in Japan so that it can fight endlessly is also a lesson. The hatred between the various families is getting deeper and deeper. When the Ming Dynasty wants to take real action, they cannot unite together hastily and without grudges.
This is where only Zhongqian can help the world. After success, it is even more necessary to be like the Duke of Guizhou guarding the southwest, so that Japan will surrender to China from now on, and there will be no possibility of trouble again."
Yan Song finally felt a lot better, but he still insisted: "Quinzi died for your Majesty, which is where loyalty lies. Even if he has meager achievements, he cannot be rewarded generously! If I accept the gift and pay for the ministry, if Quanzi is rewarded for his merits, he will be rewarded.
If it passes, the government and the public will be in an uproar. Isn’t it true that Japan is worried about the separation of the Yan family? How can Japan, a small country, be able to harm the Ming Dynasty? Why does it need to be guarded by important ministers for generations? Your Majesty is far-sighted. Even if you have such a great strategy for the future, you cannot be a dog!"
Zhu Houcong was silent for a moment.
Of course Japan can't do that today, but there are things in his heart that he can't let go of.
It happened to be the so-called Warring States Period in Japan, where conquests were endless and people were devastated. If there were huge changes in the troubled times, everything would be different.
Only through thorough assimilation from national identity to governance system can we avoid future disasters.
No matter what, Zhu Houcong's decision on that direction will not waver.
Of course, he never thought about actually handing it over to a single hero.
"Wei Zhong doesn't need to say more. It's too early to talk about those things now." Zhu Houcong smiled again, "There's no rush to start this matter. Yan Shifan, first follow the interpreter from the Ministry of Etiquette and International Relations to learn Japanese.
The Japanese language on the border. During this period, give birth to two children. It is a thorough plan and you will avoid any worries."
Yan Song could only smile bitterly when he heard what the emperor said.
You said it’s not that dangerous? We’ll leave that for now.
However, since there is no escape, and my son is too overwhelmed by his future achievements, we really need to seize the time to get him married.
Unexpectedly, Yan Shifan chuckled: "Your Majesty's assistant is trying to persuade my father. In fact, I raised one outside and it has been broken for six or seven months. I still don't know how to explain it to my father. Fortunately..."
Yan Song's face turned red and he was furious: "You rebellious son..."
Zhu Houcong could only marvel: Yan Shifan, you deserve to be the one.
"...That Jiaozhi woman really has an appetite for her son, but her background is really humble, so her son doesn't dare..."
"You still dare not? Haven't you forgotten the teachings of your father? Your Majesty, our family is unfortunate..." Yan Song's tears finally burst out.
To be honest, this also has Yan Song's problem.
In other words, he felt that there was also a problem with the emperor.
When the child was only a few years old, His Majesty had a special regard for his son. But after Yan Song came back from being sent to Jiaozhi, Yan Song did not immediately feel that His Majesty had a clear plan for his son.
He was almost sixty years old. If he passed away, his son would only be able to rely on his wife's family. Yan Song was actually paying attention, hoping to see a sign that the emperor was interested in his son, and then propose a suitable marriage.
Who would have expected that after such a delay, this young man would actually do something to ruin the family tradition!
"...Now that the deal is done, it's better to find a marriage as soon as possible. If the child is young, give birth quietly first, and after two or three years, pretend to be only one or two years old, then recognize the ancestor and return to the clan." Zhu Houcong, "Wei Zhong, if it is
If you have a grudge against me from a good family, I will give you another favor. When your direct grandson reaches the age of six, he will also enter the Imperial Academy."
"...I...I would like to thank your Majesty for your kindness!" Yan Song wiped his tears, and now he was in a state of emotion. The emperor's kindness was indeed very great.
My daughter has not yet been married, and the child from another family is about to be born. How many good families are willing?
But since he is a descendant of the Yan family, he will naturally recognize his ancestors and return to the clan in the future. Instead of cheating a good marriage first, it is better to make it clear in private. With this grace, the emperor's regard for the Yan family will be somewhat increased.
Some points.
You know, imperial studies can only be done by princes, clans and relatives, and the emperor is also the teacher of imperial studies.
This means that the third generation of the Yan family will first have the status of a disciple of the emperor in the future, and their relationship with the next generation of the royal family, clan, and kinship will not be bad.
He glared at his son fiercely and prepared to go back and deal with him again.
This guy just took the initiative to express his willingness to do such a dangerous thing. In addition to greed for merit, there is also this reason, right?
Zhu Houcong helped Yan Shifan solve this farce-like problem, and he couldn't help but wonder what happened to him.
With Yan Shifan's stupid head, he shouldn't have failed to understand how serious a problem it was to have an extramarital affair and an illegitimate child before getting married. Knowing this, he still tried so hard to hide it for several months. His extramarital affair in Jiaozhi fascinated him so much?
I'm afraid there are other reasons. In any case, Yan Shifan's honor always has some inferiority complex in his heart. But in Jiaozhi, he played a role that even Mo Dengyong had to bow his head in humiliation. Over there
The woman who came here probably had the tenderness to "surrender" to him, and this gave Yan Shifan a double degree of great satisfaction?
I'm afraid he will be very happy if he goes to Japan.
From this day on, Ming Dynasty also officially began to plan its strategy towards Japan.
As the Ming Dynasty once again entered a year of major changes, there was a secret competition for vacancies that were expected to be vacated in the policymaking department, especially among the ministers of state. Naturally, the secret competition began long in advance.
Among them, it is necessary not only to have the support of other courtiers to be selected and enter the preliminary list, but also to have the support of the emperor to be selected in the end.
Zhang Fujing's status had already been promised, and Yan Song's possibility also received a tactful reply from the emperor in some subsequent tests. Yang Shen, Liu Tianhe, and Yang Shen could all take a step forward and be ranked in the State Palace.
Under this background, Yan Song had a greater possibility, and because he was ordered to prepare for his son's marriage, he eventually quickly became in-laws with a right minister from the Ministry of Etiquette.
In a vague pattern, the emperor seems to be promoting the establishment of a power network for Japan in the future.
There is no shortage of civil servants and generals.
This means that the emperor's plan for Japan is not to accept it as a solid territory, nor to just set up a protective palace to make profits like in Nanyang, but to truly promote Ming culture and education there.
This is easy to understand, after all, they are too far apart.
Since this goal is to be achieved, then in the eyes of the Ming Emperor, there is only one choice for the future of Japan: to replace it with the Ming Dynasty and formally establish a new master.
That is the true master of a country!
Including Yan Song, no one thought it was something that could be touched.
So, which prince will it be?
The clan system has already been reformed, and the vassal king resides in Beijing.
But soon, there will be a new approach. Can the vassal king seal the land outside the territory, with solid land, soldiers and people?
The emperor's eldest son, King Yue, is already thirteen years old. I'm afraid this day won't be too far away.
Therefore, it is no wonder that the emperor was not so sensitive to the establishment of a government office in the East Palace.
Because in the future, no matter which prince he is, he is likely to get the support of some people. Because whether to stay in the Ming Dynasty or follow some princes to establish themselves outside the region, the civil servants and military generals have more choices.
In other words, you can almost see who the emperor chooses.
Once selected, after leaving, he would not only remain a minister of the Ming Dynasty, but also an important civil and military minister that the princes of the vassal could rely on, and hold a high position of power in the newly unified foreign country.
Even if they are just junior members of the family, they go to the branch to help, killing two birds with one stone.
In the thirteenth year of Jiajing, His Majesty the Ming Emperor finally revealed more of his thoughts about the future of the Ming Dynasty.
Internally, the new laws and policies have basically been rolled out in an all-round way, and we just need to continue to implement them and see actual results. After the military reform, I am afraid that the country will be rich and the military will be strong.
Externally, I decided to flee far to the north of the desert and take a brief trip to the west with the intention of resurrecting.
Protectorates were established in Nanyang, Portugal came from thousands of miles away, and the benefits of maritime trade became new expectations of the Ming Dynasty's monarchs and ministers.
The war in outer Yunnan has been suspended, but the conflicts between the Bamar, Mon, and Shan ethnic groups still exist.
The two dynasties of Jiaozhi, North and South Li, and Mozambique stood side by side, and the diplomatic embassy still relied on the maritime trade to stir up disputes. Xia Yan knew very well that the emperor's ultimate goal was to become a solid state there.
The three border cities in Liaodong, the three Duoyan tribes, and the Jurchens all have new uses and guidance in the Ming Dynasty's strategy of developing the Northeast.
As for North Korea and Ming Dynasty, they are waiting for the fierce battle between their crown princes.
Japan started planning again.
These are the basis for important ministers in high positions to start planning the future for themselves and their family heirs.
But for the younger generation, they are still preparing to enter a new stage of their lives.
Next February, I will try again.
In Huizhou, which has become part of Jiangning Province, 22-year-old Hu Zongxian is ready to set off.
Because the rural examination was taken every year, he passed the examination earlier. This was the biggest benefit that the new law brought to the new generation of scholars.
He was not very confident about himself, so he planned to go to the capital in advance to ask more people for advice.
But Sichuan's Zhao Zhenji is very confident.
Because although he ranked fourth in the Sichuan Provincial Examination seven years ago, when he went to visit Yang Tinghe after he returned to his hometown, Yang Tinghe gave him a high evaluation and gave him new suggestions.
"I will serve as a weapon for the country, so be careful not to catch me."
With Yang Tinghe's evaluation and six years of listening to Yang Tinghe's continued study of new learning, Zhao Zhenji is still studying hard in Sichuan and is not in a hurry to go to Beijing.
His ancestor had been the Prime Minister of the Southern Song Dynasty, and his ambitions and goals were also that of the Prime Minister and Minister of State who has emerged today.
With accumulated experience, Zhao Zhenji believed in Yang Tinghe's judgment: in the early days of the new law, the court lacked a deep understanding of the new law and new learning. The stage had passed, and the chances of rising to the top were becoming less and less. The current structure of the court has also brought about a new seniority order.
The group from the eighth year of Jiajing period were too close to Tang Shunzhi and others...
Therefore, separated by two worlds, the fourteenth year of Jiajing would be the most suitable year for Zhao Zhenji to enter the emperor's field of vision.
He wants to enter the emperor's sight with a stronger attitude!
At this time, Hai Rui, who had already entered the emperor's sight, had already received many olive branches in the capital, but he listened to the emperor's teachings and studied with peace of mind.
He felt the emperor's expectations for him, and his father was so kind. Hai Rui was worried that he would fail to live up to his holy expectations.
Talent is limited, so you have to work hard and be careful.
In Wuzhou, Guangxi, at the home of the Guangxi military officer, Qi Jingtong hurried home, still wearing armor.
"Father!" Different from the original, Qi Jiguang is already nine years old.
"Is your grandmother okay?"
"As far as my father is concerned, my grandmother is in good health, but she often misses her hometown."
Qi Jingtong nodded.
From the time Zhang Fujing arrived in Shandong, Qi Jingtong had a different official career.
He knew that his talent was not very good, so even though his destiny changed, he still named his son Jiguang after he had a son.
In the past, the Qi family had the honor of being the hereditary Dengzhou Guard and commanding Qian Shi because of the kindness of their ancestor Qi Xiang Taizu. The emperor specifically asked about Qi Jingtong during his southern tour in the past, and Zhang Fujing told him about this.
Later, he was transferred to the Chief Military Officer of Guangxi and became an important general. When he went to the capital to attend the military reform meeting, the emperor privately asked about his son's current situation.
There were many affairs in Guangxi, Jiaozhi gave back the land of the Three Prefectures, and the hidden danger of banditry in Tengxia was still there, so Qi Jingtong had been very busy. As for the emperor's concern, he only thought that it was the emperor's polite kindness to him.
But he never slackened on his son's training.
As a result, now, the imperial letter from Beijing forced him to rush back in person.
"Get ready and go to Beijing with the governor."
Qi Jiguang was a little confused: "Enter Beijing? Why?"
Qi Jingtong was excited, but he still acted sternly: "This is His Majesty's will! After entering the capital, he will be taken care of by the Marquis of Xinjian, and he will study at Jinyi Health School!"
"...Xin Xin Hou?"
"Your Majesty is so kind, you must be attentive!"
Qi Jingtong didn't understand why, but he was taking care of the elderly Wang Shouren, and yet he was always there to teach him by words and deeds. How could this not mean that Wang Shouren was no longer a disciple in the art of war and knowledge? The last such figure was Tang Shunzhi!
There is a vague feeling that Qi Jingtong is not capable enough to teach his son well.
The emperor actually issued an edict specifically for this matter through the imperial letter, and Qi Jingtong immediately rushed back from the three prefectures on the Jiaozhi border.
The first is to send the Governor of Guangxi to the capital to attend a major national policy meeting, and the second is just for this matter.
Qi Jiguang, who was only nine years old, naturally didn't understand it even more, but he could only start packing his bags.
In the Forbidden City, Zhu Houcong was giving a lecture. In front of him, in addition to the Crown Prince Zhu Zaicong and the Yue King Zhu Zaiyan, there were also Prince Rui Zhu Zaiyan, Prince Su's grandson Zhu Biniu, Lingbihou's grandson Tang Shilong, and there was an additional prince accompanying Zhang Juzheng.
As he looked at these young faces, his thoughts were a little different than ten years later.
By then, they will all be adults, and the court will be different.
During the period when Zhu Houcong focused on domestic affairs and technological progress, and continued to lay a solid foundation, external affairs focused more on diplomatic, economic and cultural means.
The Ming Dynasty was very different at that time, but there must have been new problems.
For example... the quarrels surrounding the princes, the rigidity and corruption after the new system was established...