The island country hanging alone in the sea finally felt the power of the powerful mainland.
On the World Island, in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, nomads and farming peoples have been coming and going since ancient times.
This battle brought at least a hundred years of peace.
"Military, diplomacy, trade, culture." The day after Zhu Houcong feasted, the emperor appeared in person at the court meeting. "Now, the geopolitical management of China's solid territory has just begun."
By this time, the emperor began to talk about new concepts as a matter of course.
Under the new situation, there must be Ming emperors and ministers with new thinking.
The world is unified, not exactly the same, but seeking common ground while reserving differences.
What should be shared, and what should be retained and respected?
Zhu Houcong wanted to remind them not to slack off, especially in the military aspect.
The point is: although the Ming Dynasty's flintlocks and artillery are already very powerful, after eradicating the serious troubles at their heart and winning peace for at least a hundred years, only machine guns can truly tame the fierce steppe cavalry.
This is something that can only be arranged within the Ming Dynasty and determined as a long-term national policy.
foreign……
"Now that the main force of the Khan Court has been defeated, it is time for the remnant Korean soldiers and Jurchens to plow the land. Chagatai, Jiaozhi, Tubo, and Waiyunnan. After knowing the affairs of Japan and the Khan Court, I will leave these small matters to you.
Let’s deal with it.”
Zhu Houcong then said seriously: "The Northeast must focus on development, otherwise North Korea, Jurchens, and grasslands will not be enough to intimidate in the future. To the west, Houtao and Guanzhong must become hubs. A Western Region Protectorate should be established in the Ili Valley to focus on maintaining an absolutely friendly Ming Dynasty.
It is a vassal state that connects the east and west. To the southwest, Burma must be in your hand, and Cochin must be in your hand. In this way, it will form an angle with the Nanyang Protectorate."
He looked at Zhu Zaiyi: "After the major national policy meeting next year, the prince will participate in national policy. During the remaining days of my stay, the monarch and his ministers will steadily work hard in this direction. Cultivate talents, develop science and technology, sell goods to the world, and enrich the country and the people.
!”
From now on, it is a process of using a variety of methods together to completely construct the first stage of the Huanghuang Ming Dynasty.
The reason why it is only the first stage is because the technology has not reached that level yet and it is impossible to advance to the global stage.
Zhu Houcong has solved the current major foreign threats and is also weakening the potential hidden dangers of Jurchen and Japan.
But the hidden dangers from Europe are beyond our reach at the moment.
Fortunately, he is not yet forty and still has time to continue to emphasize the importance of strengthening sea power.
There are still a lot of things to do in Ming Dynasty, but the rest is really just hard work, accumulated over time.
After the great court meeting, all the officials also had things to do.
The pursuit and strangulation of the remnants of the Khan Court has not yet been completed.
According to the subsequent situation, we need to study how many khanates were divided on the grassland, who should be ennobled, and where the Beiting Protectorate should be located.
The same is true in Japan.
After a year of mobilization, the people of the Ming Dynasty first understood why they were surrounded by enemies on all sides, and then quickly defeated the strongest enemy. The remaining chickens and dogs would probably be frightened by the news, and it would be difficult to achieve anything.
The New Year has not arrived yet, but the power of Ming Dynasty has spread all over the world, so you can really consider looking for new opportunities in life.
North Korea, Japan, Nanyang... so many people were identified during the process of the new law, and most of them really did not want to stay away from their homeland.
But for thousands of years, population migration has never stopped.
In the past, most people were forced to migrate due to natural disasters, man-made disasters or forced migration by the court.
This time, due to the needs of relatives, officials, and businessmen, many people were naturally brought there.
The next year will be about dividing the cake.
The conditions in grasslands, Northeast China, Korea, Japan, and the Western Regions are indeed even worse.
However, Yan Chunsheng, who had set out from Japan to return to Beijing at the end of September, came back. Duke Xingguo was ordered to recruit soldiers for the Western Expedition. His purpose was clear: if Duke Xingguo could conquer the Ili Valley, he would be crowned king and establish a vassal state.
Those who will go with him will be the founding heroes of the country in the future.
Maritime trade in the Ming Dynasty has flourished, but the land Silk Road will not be abandoned either.
Therefore, going to those remote vassal states may not be an opportunity to be free and change your destiny.
Once the war machine starts, it is not easy to stop.
Fortunately, the Northern Expedition ended smoothly, and the Japanese side also came to an end.
Next, the Southwest Frontier Army and the Nanyang Marine Division, which had adopted a defensive strategy for more than a year, began to take action.
The goal is very clear: Myanmar, controlled by the unwilling Mang Rui Ti, must also restore the destroyed Lanna dynasty; the North and South Cochins have never truly surrendered.
They are all great rivers, fertile soil and future granaries.
Each of the major border areas and the three naval forces has opportunities to make meritorious deeds.
The emperor who settled in the capital no longer had to worry too much about the remaining matters and could only wait for the results.
Even Yang Shen no longer has to worry too much: eradicating the Northern Troubles may not be possible simply by settling scores, but Burma and Jiaozhi are both prosperous places. Now that the Ming Dynasty is so strong, both civil and military officials and businessmen are shining brightly.
Zhang Jing became the Prime Minister and Minister of State of North Korea. Although he was assisting the King of Liao, he was almost half the leader of the country.
The same is true for Xia Yan. The intention is for him to be the Prime Minister and Minister of State of Japan and to assist King He.
As for the Marquis of Xining and the Marquis of Dongying... they are already the dukes of the vassal state. In a vassal state where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, how carefree can you be as long as you don't have any objections to the Ming Dynasty?
When the Japanese cherry blossoms were in bloom, more powerful Japanese women were sent over to "select husband-in-laws and borrow seeds."
Among them, there were fifty people sent to the palace by Yan Shifan.
Of course most of them were just pretending to be palace maids, but it really made Zhu Houhuang numb and his kidneys were numb.
He had no choice but to fight for half a lifetime and create such a foundation. He didn't enjoy it, and it also hindered the stability of the clan and its diplomatic relations.
It's just that the emperor's energy and interests were mainly focused on Wu Chengen.
Without him, it is time to prepare for the officials and people of the Ming Dynasty to see a longer picture.
"...Isn't that true clairvoyance and ears?" Wu Chengen was really dumbfounded.
"Just like what Tao Zhenren said, many people seek immortality and ask, if they can really achieve Taoism, wouldn't everything they do be magic and magical? Today's science is not the Dao? The Dao delves into the depths and uses its principles to create tools,
What’s wrong with being able to have the wonders of magic and magic?”
Anyway, Zhu Houcong just smiled and "instilled" concepts, even though the content he talked about seemed like science fiction.
But this time, he needed Wu Chengen to be comprehensive and integrate many scientific and technological directions and the general principles of some specific products.
This is an important task he has set for himself for the rest of his life: to use the prestige he has established to let future generations have a special blueprint.
How much can be accomplished depends on the ability of future generations.
"...I still don't quite understand."
"It doesn't matter, the time is still long." Zhu Houcong thought for a while and said, "After the major national policy meeting, I will go back to Huguang to pay homage to my parents. You can accompany me. Maybe you can take the train south along the railway and you will have some insights."
This year, he turns forty.
After the major national policy conference elected a new generation of important ministers, he was planning to spend this year in Huguang.
After the emperor became like this, he should gradually let go of his hands and let his son continue to exercise. He could just watch.
With his achievements and prestige, he no longer has to worry about rebellion. On the contrary, we have to take a look at what new problems will arise if Ming Dynasty gradually leaves his direct decision-making.
After his son became the Duke of Japan, Yan Song, who was already sixty-eight years old, was finally able to get over his addiction.
However, Tang Shunzhi will be promoted to the General Staff with his merits, and Hai Rui will also participate in national policy. Zeng Xian, Tang Shu, Xu Jie, Gao Gong... so many "young people" are watching, Zhu Houcong is also watching, and Yan Song can only be loyal to the emperor conscientiously.
, glow and heat.
Really just let him be fulfilled. Yan Song's life was completely squeezed by Zhu Houcong, and even his son also used his majesty and domineering power to Japan, which was more "sincerely surrendering to the strong".
Yan Song is not at a loss either.
Probably during his tenure, he will be able to add another achievement in the future: the Ming Dynasty conquered Burma, Jiaozhi, and Chagatai.
The achievement of opening up new territories seems to belong only to this group of veterans in the first thirty years of the emperor's reign.
As for the younger generation, there are not many such opportunities.
In early December, after the major national policy meeting, Zhu Zaiyi once again took charge of the country.
And after more than twenty years, the emperor once again visited the south.
This time, it was not considered a huge battle, after all, they only walked along the railway. The main purpose of the emperor's southern tour was to visit his hometown after many years of absence, and to pay homage to his deceased father and mother who were buried together there.
The steam engine has not stopped continuing to improve, and its efficiency is now higher.
"It's still very slow now and we still have to explore."
On top of the "imperial chariot", it was still warm inside the carriage.
Zhu Houcong pointed outside: "The south of the capital is flat, but even so, what should I do if the tracks are covered with snow when driving in winter? It is rainy in the south, and what should I do if the roadbed is muddy and subsides? But looking forward, technology can always improve and overcome
, and can be constantly summarized based on experience. Ruzhong, if you can reach from Beijing to Nanjing or even Guangzhou in one day, what will happen to the world without shelter from the cold, summer, rain and snow?"
Wu Chengen was sitting not far from the emperor, looking out of the glass car window, feeling a little lost for a moment.
That's really unimaginable.
"This is just running on the ground, not flying in the sky." Zhu Houcong was also a little distracted, recalling the scattered pictures in his memory, "It is not impossible to go from the capital to the Nanyang Protectorate in one day. Today is not the same as before.
Compare that, so the Ming Dynasty can control a larger territory, let alone the future?"
"...His Majesty has a far-sighted vision, which I admire greatly..."
Zhu Houcong smiled: "Go back to your carriage and have a rest. Then look outside and think more."
Along the way, except when he stopped at some major stations, he would not get off the bus to disturb the people or local officials.
The car doesn't go very fast, but you can make few stops along the way and keep moving.
Accompanying him were Sun Lan and Lin Qingping.
They wanted to pay homage to their parents, and Sun Lan was the queen, so they should come together. Lin Qingping, like him, was revisiting her old place, while Wen Suyun was left in the palace to take care of the harem.
In addition, there are the Japanese beauty sent by the Korean Shuangshu and Yan Shifan.
After all, you can't escape the novelty.
"In the past, when I went to Beijing to ascend the throne, I traveled many days along the way."
Wu Chengen left, and Sun Lan and the others came over from the two carriages at the other end.
Lin Qingping looked at the emperor with a smile. Her son was in Kunming and she had a grandson. The war in Outer Yunnan and Jiaozhi was starting during the dry season, but her son was not in any danger. He was just waiting to become the lord of the vassal state later.
Sun Lan was still young and listened curiously to Zhu Houcong's stories about the past.
As for the "nobles" from Korea and Japan, they naturally serve the emperor, empress, and concubines here.
But for them, getting on a train and traveling all the way was an experience they had never imagined. It was both shocking and awe-inspiring.
Back then, it took Zhu Houcong nearly twenty days to arrive in the capital. With so many people traveling together, he was already traveling very quickly.
But now that Zhu Houcong was going back to Anlu, he only needed five days to reach Huguang first, and more time to transfer to the carriage from De'an Station in the north of Wuchang to the Xianling Mausoleum and Qiandi.
The return of the dragon to his hometown is a big event for Huguang.
Among those who were ordered to go to De'an Station to greet the driver was Zhang Juzheng, who finally passed the national examination this year and will go to Beijing to take the examination next year.
Zhang Juzheng was also a little uneasy after not seeing the emperor for many years.
At that time, the article was published in Ming Pao in the name of Taiyue, and the official circles naturally knew: How could such public opinion be guided without the emperor's approval?
Zhang Juzheng has not lost his sacred heart!
Of course, there are also reasons why Zhang Juzheng is talented in learning.
Now that the prince is in charge of the country, and when Huguang came to welcome him, the plans for his escort and the sacrificial ceremony, the emperor also approved an opinion: call that boy Zhang Juzheng.
Zhang Juzheng stood outside De'an Station in the twelfth lunar month, just as a member of the welcoming team for the gentry and elders.
I have been waiting for most of the day and it is very cold.
Because when you come from Xinyang, you have to climb a slope. With the current locomotive, it is not easy to climb this slope.
When this section was built, it was specially designed. It was in a herringbone shape and was specially designed to climb some hillsides.
In addition, it is now the twelfth lunar month of winter. For the sake of the emperor's safety, it is natural to check more and proceed slowly.
When the royal chariot finally arrived at De'an Station, it would rest at the inn here today.
After meeting the local officials in Huguang, the emperor indeed called Zhang Juzheng over alone.
Zhu Houcong looked at him for a while and couldn't help laughing: "I'm just in my twenties, and I have grown a decent beard."
"...Students bow to Your Majesty, Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live Your Majesty!"
"Get up." Zhu Houcong asked him to get up and said directly, "Don't dare to be careless in front of me. Do you know why I asked you to accompany me?"
"Yes. In the past few years, students in Jingzhou have not been blind to what is happening outside the window. The students know everything about the livelihood of the people in Huguang and the pros and cons of local governance."
Zhu Houcong nodded, communicating with smart people is simple.
He wanted to know about the current local situation. People like Zhang Juzheng, who had grown up in front of him since childhood, would never hide anything.
He has a bright future. He has the status of teacher and student with the emperor. He has grown up with the prince since childhood. He will definitely be in a high position in the future. There is no need to worry about offending any local officials.
"Okay, then follow me to Qiandi first. After the New Year, you will come back to Beijing with me, so that you won't be delayed in taking the exam."
Zhu Houcong looked at Zhang Juzheng expectantly.
Another task in the second half of his life is to help this boy deeply understand and identify with his own ideas and ambitions, and to help his good son continue to do some things.
After next year, he will enter the officialdom, and Zhu Houcong will not hesitate to give him advice.
Even Zhang Juzheng did not miss Zhang Juzheng's imagination about the future between him and Wu Chengen.
Young people should have more ambitious goals.
"I have laid the foundation for understanding the principles of nature, things, and humans. What I saw in the dream is absolutely not false and will definitely come true. But I can't see it anymore. Uncle, I hope that you and the prince will come to me in the future.
, saying that China has been able to master the power of thunder and lightning for the first time!"
"...Your Majesty, it's a new year and a new year, why do you say this?"
"That's true. It's just...this world belongs to me now, but in the future, it will still be yours after all."
Zhang Juzheng was shocked: No matter how you say it, it should belong to the prince in the future, how can you say it belongs to us?