In Chinese history, during the period of the Central Plains dynasty, they would conquer the barbaric areas. On the one hand, they would ensure the security of the empire's borders, and on the other hand, they would promote the empire's prestige. Moreover, the empire's handling principle was not to actively launch wars. It was the advance envoy to persuade him, which was in line with the traditional Chinese practice. Therefore, the parliament's foreign policy on the northwest and southwest regions was not very controversial; on the northeast border, the Russians took the initiative to invade the territory, and the emperor was responsible for defending his territory, and it was also Of course, there is nothing to say about the country's face. Both plans passed the Congress's decision relatively smoothly.
Only the South China Sea issue is the focus of the controversy. Although after several years of development, the concept of opening up sea and benefiting the country and the people has been basically established, and protecting the interests of overseas businessmen has also been recognized by many people. The Chinese army attacked Japan and Luzon, which was also under the pretext of protecting overseas Chinese. This time, it directly launched a war of power against the Netherlands in Asia in order to protect national interests.
Of course, there is no problem in Europe, but not everyone can accept this statement in China. Although in this era, the Chinese people's concepts have begun to change a little, and the ocean consciousness and overseas consciousness have also been strengthened. But the traditional concepts formed over the past thousand years are not so easy to change in one go. Although this time, national interests were used as an excuse, anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was actually for the sake of It is a bit incredible to go out to do business in the sea, open up the sea route, and fight with others.
Although cabinet officials also listed in response to the question from the congressmen, such as the Dutch blocking the Strait of Malacca and preventing Chinese and foreign merchant ships from entering and leaving, which affected China's foreign trade, intercepted China's fleets passing through India, attacked the Luzon region, and also allowed the China was embarrassed in front of businessmen from various European countries, and even caused the Dutch to invade Taiwan and help the Qing court to reveal all the past, but it still couldn't convince many members of parliament.
After all, since the Song Dynasty, the Chinese people's martial spirit has been deteriorating. The heroic spirit and courage of the Han and Tang dynasties have all disappeared. They replaced the Confucian doctrine of the mean and the Neo-Confucian natural principles and human desires. Opening a word is benevolence, righteousness and morality, as long as It is to actively launch wars to the outside world, which means to rush to war. Although the founding of the Chinese Empire has given this era a shot of heart-warming agent with its powerful military power, hundreds of years of tradition cannot be changed at once.
If someone invaded China from land, or in the traditional northwest and southwest borders of China, it might be better, but this happened at the sea. Although the Chinese people's awareness of the ocean has been enhanced, most people think that , The ocean is still different from land, the ocean cannot be regarded as China's territory. It is really unreasonable to launch a war purely for the sake of the ocean and obtaining overseas trade.
Relatively speaking, it is better in the Senate, because the Senate is composed of retired soldiers, retired officials, recognized as noble morals and knowledge, and outstanding people from all walks of life. First, they have seen the world, have strong knowledge and experience, and are concerned about overseas situations. More understanding, the ocean awareness is stronger. Secondly, it is because of the origin. Retired soldiers and retired officials generally support the decisions of the emperor and the government. Some people may not understand the purpose of such a decision, but they see that it is the emperor. The resolutions made by the cabinet will be unconditionally supported.
In the House of Representatives, the plan to resolve the South China Sea by launching a war has been questioned by many members of the House of Representatives. Although the members of the House of Representatives come from all walks of life, traditional intellectuals also account for a lot. Since the House of Representatives is more popular, the House of Representatives may not understand concepts such as marine strategy and geopolitics. Traditional moral consciousness still has a large market here.
Because of these traditional Confucian scholars, they were originally dissatisfied with some of the empire's policies, and in their noble mission of admonishing the king, they made a general statement and refuted the various principles proposed by the cabinet one by one.
Of course, the rebuttals of these members are not just about benevolence and righteousness without any practical reason. First of all, the Malacca region is not a traditional sphere of influence in China. At most, Zheng He stayed there when he went to the West, but it was not Chinese. Territory. Although these areas were indeed vassal states of China two hundred years ago, this vassal relationship has been cut off for nearly two hundred years. We cannot use the vassal relationship two hundred years ago to make a statement. The Netherlands is in Badavi The stationed in Asia has been in the past fifty years and has established a residence agreement with local indigenous countries. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Strait of Malacca is Dutch. Therefore, the Netherlands blocked the Strait of Malacca and prevented Chinese merchant ships from passing through. It cannot be used as a reason to send troops to attack the Netherlands.
In addition, the only way to India and Europe is not the only way to Malacca Strait. There are other sea routes to bypass it. There is no need to defeat the Netherlands and seize the Malacca Strait. Therefore, these rebuttal opinions are indeed difficult to convince again.
The Dutch invaded Taiwan and helped the Qing court, but Taiwan had been recovered by the empire, and the Netherlands did not directly send troops to help the Qing court, which was to sell some weapons to the Qing court. It is indeed not a big deal, and it is far from the point of sending troops to conquer. Now that the empire has broken off diplomatic relations with the Netherlands and is no longer in trade with them, that's enough.
Moreover, although there are many merchants among the House of Representatives, and some have interests overseas, it is said that expelling the Netherlands and seizing the Strait of Malacca will benefit them, but most of the Chinese merchant ships are now traveling in the waters of South China. There are not many people going to India and Europe, so most Chinese businessmen are not very excited to seize the Strait of Malacca and open up the lifeline of Europe, so there are not many MPs supporting the cabinet plan.
After the Senate and House debated separately, the final voting process finally began. Finally, the cabinet's overseas expansion plan was passed by a slight advantage in the Senate, but it was rejected with a relatively obvious gap in the House. The two houses added together and the final result was rejected, and the Senate and House of Representatives asked the cabinet to re-formulate overseas plans.
When the news of the vote of Congress reached the cabinet, Shang Yi was still in the cabinet. When he heard this result, Shang Yi had to smile bitterly and speechlessly, feeling a sense of being trapped in his heart. If this were still in the past, it would be great that he could One word is a matter of sacredness, one word is determined. From this perspective, dictatorship is not completely nothing.
Of course, since you have chosen this constitutional path, you should be mentally prepared for this situation. Unless you turn Congress into your own rubber stamp, it is impossible for any resolution to be passed. From a long-term perspective, Look, this is not a bad thing, because it means that the members of Congress are indeed thinking independently, not following the crowd. This is also the result that Shang Yi hopes to see, but this result is his turn. Of course, I feel a little uncomfortable, but Shang Yi does not intend to change this political system. What needs to be changed are political strategies and methods.
Shang Yi was disappointed with the result of the vote of Congress, and other members of the cabinet were also very disappointed. Bijing's plan was formulated after nearly a month of hard work, repeated discussions, investigations, and persuasion. That's it. It was simply rejected by Congress, and everyone felt very unhappy.
Wang Fuzhi shook his head and sighed repeatedly, and said to Shang Yi: "The emperor, it is all incompetent that the overseas expansion plan has not been approved by the parliament. It is really worthy of the emperor."
Shang Yi waved his hand and said, "Wang Aiqing, don't say that. I know that you have done your best, and they are all very correct decisions. It is not your fault that you have not been approved by Congress."
Li Gefei bowed Shang Yi and said, "Emperor, Malacca is still the key to the throat between Asia and Europe. Once it is contained by the Netherlands, it will be very unfavorable for China. Moreover, the Dutch have always been peeping at our Chinese wealth, and now it occupies Batavia, the key way to stop me from going to Europe. If it has been a long time, the benefits of maritime trade will be owned by the Netherlands, and it will be of little benefit to China but not harmful to China.”
Li Yan also said: "Yes, Song Taizu said, "When you lie beside the bed, how can you allow others to sleep soundly? The Dutch are so close to you, and the wolf's ambitions will sooner or later become a major disaster for our China."
After hearing this, other cabinet ministers also joined in. This was not just because the cabinet's plan was denied by Congress. After all, the cabinet members have been following Shang Yi for a long time, and their thinking and strategic vision are high. Due to the level of MPs, they are also very clear about the importance of controlling the Strait of Malacca and maritime trade. After the plan was denied, it was not only a pity, but also for China, it also lost a great opportunity to dominate the South China Sea.
Li Gefei said again: "Your Majesty, can you just let it go? If the Congress does not agree, it cannot be implemented?"
Shang Yi shook his head and said, "Dear everyone, I know that you are not feeling well, I am the same as you, but this is the resolution of the Congress, and I and the cabinet must respect it. This is the rule that was set early in the morning. It will also be written into the Constitution." After a pause, he said, "I know you all want me to come forward and change the resolution of Congress. Now I can do this, but have you ever thought about it ,Once I do the first time, there will be a second and third time. From then on, it will set such a precedent for future generations. The emperor can change the resolutions of the parliament at will, so we still need it Is it necessary to establish a parliament again? Is it necessary to separate the three powers? Then why not go back to the original cabinet of the Ming Dynasty, and forget about the emperor's criticism of the dividends. Are you all willing to go to that point?"
After hearing this, the cabinet ministers were silent. Although the parliament has taken away the legislative power, compared with the Ming Dynasty, the power of the cabinet has indeed increased a lot. In most of the time during the Ming Dynasty, the cabinet was It is a tool in the hands of the emperor, and of course no one wants to go back to the past.
Shang Yi said again: "And this time Congress did not deny all the cabinet plans. Except for overseas expansion, all other plans have been passed. This result is quite good. Didn't Congress ask you to make plans again? .”
After hearing this, the ministers of the cabinet all had some energy. Wang Fuzhi said: "Then how should we formulate the next plan? Please tell me."
Shang Yi thought for a while and smiled, "Don't be busy for now, let's put this matter aside."
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