Episode 141 Reclaiming the Homeland vs People's Happiness
Episode 141: Recovering the Motherland vs. People’s Happiness
The topic of regaining the motherland vs. the people's happiness, the Northern Expedition, or the war of unification, was used as a formal issue at a national meeting and was required to be discussed seriously. This was the first time.
In the past, the ministers and generals of the Ming Dynasty had more or less had this idea, or thought about this issue. Some people seriously thought about it and analyzed the possibilities, but there were also many people who just thought about it in their minds.
Forget it. Most people just regard it as a slogan, and always put two sentences before a high-sounding speech: "...In order to live up to the grace of God and conquer the Central Plains as soon as possible, we will do whatever we can...", which seems to be the same as
It feels almost like "Intrachonal will definitely come true".
However, since the last imperial meeting to discuss which side the Ming Dynasty should take in the Spanish War, the issue of the Northern Expedition came up and was discussed incidentally. However, this was not an established issue that time, and there was no requirement to discuss anything.
But it was that discussion that made many ministers seriously face this issue for the first time, and also allowed the royal family and Shen Rongxuan to see the result of the "50-50" opinion.
So, they all knew something in their minds. Today, a few days later, the "Northern Expedition" as a formal issue was finally unavoidable and appeared in front of all the ministers and generals head-on.
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As soon as Shen Rongxuan announced the topic of the meeting this time, there was an uproar. Several ministers opposed it. However, there were also a considerable number of ministers who supported it. Among the more than a dozen cabinet ministers, less than half of them spoke positively, that is, a few
For heavyweight departments, the ratio of approval and disapproval among these ministers is still half to half.
Zi. As for the other military generals, they habitually did not interrupt, but watched from the side. Because the tradition of the Ming army was not to participate in politics. They all understood the reason for calling them here today. It was not to let them and those ministers
They also debated enthusiastically, but asked ministers to express their professional opinions when they encountered military problems.
But as military generals, they all agreed with the Northern Expedition. This issue was raised by Xiang Xiaoqiang and the two chiefs of general staff before the exercise. At that time, Xiang Xiaoqiang mainly made suggestions based on political and popular support.
They listened and were half convinced by him. After the fortress exercise, they also saw the military feasibility. In this way, although the army did not hold any meetings, the idea of "the Northern Expedition is feasible" soon spread quietly
It spread among the top brass of the Ming army.
Xiang Xiaoqiang is also from the army. Like the commanders on the left and right, he is sitting in his seat, drinking tea and listening to the ministers debating. Although what they are debating is exactly what he dreams of, he is still not impatient or impatient.
Because Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that he agreed with the Northern Expedition
, Zhu Yourong agreed with the Northern Expedition, and although Shen Rongxuan looked gentle on the surface, he was also a hawk like himself, so he should also agree with the Northern Expedition. So today in Ming Dynasty, the three most influential people on national policy have stood on the side of the Northern Expedition.
One side.
The military generals should all agree with the Northern Expedition. Then the cabinet ministers are left. And the ministers now seem to be half in favor and half against. That is to say, even if the ministers present are asked to vote by a show of hands, the Northern Expedition will be decided.
Yes.
But meeting now to allow everyone to fully debate is not just a formality, but such a big national policy issue that affects the future life and death of the Ming Empire, so we cannot be cautious. Among these Northern Expeditionists, Zhu Yourong and Xiang Xiaoqiang are both young people , and these commanders are soldiers and are not used to thinking about issues from an overall political perspective like politicians. Among them, Shen Rongxuan is the only one who can be called a politician. And no matter how powerful Shen Rongxuan is, he is just a People have limited vision and minds, and there will always be things they fail to consider and calculate. Shen Rongxuan knew that matters that determine the fate of the Ming Empire must be fully discussed by the cabinet, otherwise it will be too hasty.
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Among the cabinet ministers, the representatives who supported the Northern Expedition were the Minister of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Minister of Industry. The representatives who opposed the Northern Expedition were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Commerce.
Because the words "recover the motherland" and "bei Ding Zhongyuan", no matter whether people in the Ming Dynasty really think so, they have been saying it for hundreds of years. "Recover the motherland" has become like "be loyal and filial" Like "propriety, justice, integrity and shame", it has become a basic moral concept of the people of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the biggest advantage of those who support the Northern Expedition is that they stand on the moral high ground from the beginning.
As for those who oppose the Northern Expedition, they are divided into two types. One kind says: Well, I am not opposed to the Northern Expedition, but I do not support the Northern Expedition of our generation. Because if our generation goes to the Northern Expedition, the conditions will be immature, so what will we do? We are not sure what will happen to our Ming Empire once it fails... Since the historical mission of the Northern Expedition has been passed down from generation to generation, why should our generation be so anxious? When we are not sure of victory, we should This historical mission is passed on. Wouldn't it be safer to wait until our descendants are sure of victory and the historical time is ripe to regain the motherland in one fell swoop?
The representative of this kind of person is the Foreign Secretary.
The other is to directly state: I am opposed to the Northern Expedition at all. When our military strength is sufficient to defend our country, and when the Manchu Qing Dynasty does not take the initiative to attack us, we take the initiative to provoke a war against the Qing Dynasty. It is not in the interests of the people of Ming Dynasty to drag the entire Ming Dynasty into a large-scale, long-term, unpredictable war. People do not want war. Especially people who live in a democratic and prosperous environment like us. , let alone war. They hope to continue their current happy life. Once the war fails, the people will not even have what they have. The people of Southern Ming will become slaves like the people of Northern Ming.
"When 'national unity' and 'people's happiness' conflict," said the Minister of Commerce and Industry, "we should undoubtedly put 'people's happiness' in the highest position. Because in the final analysis, the fundamental purpose of 'national unity' is also to People's happiness... We don't have a referendum now, but I think you will definitely not deny that once we hold a referendum on this issue, the votes against the Northern Expedition will definitely be overwhelming. Do you believe it?"
The representative of this kind of person is the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
After the Minister of Commerce and Industry raised this point of view, the venue fell into silence. No one spoke for a long time.
Obviously, the moral advantage of the Northern Expedition faction was cut in half at once. It must be said that the views of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are more practical and more in line with the new international trend after the World War. It can be said that they stand on another side. On the new moral high ground, that is: the happiness of the people always comes first.
It's hard to argue with this.
And as the Minister of Commerce and Industry said, once a referendum is held, they will definitely win the support of the people. On this issue, the anti-Northern Expeditionists dare to hold a referendum, but the Northern Expeditionists do not.
This is a trump card used by the anti-Northern Expedition faction.
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Xiang Xiaoqiang was sweating a little behind his back. He moved his buttocks on the chair and looked left and right. Several ministers opposite him glanced at him expressionlessly. Although their faces were expressionless, Xiang Xiaoqiang could clearly feel the sarcasm in them. . They seem to be saying: Are you stupid? Are you speechless? Can’t you influence His Majesty? Then your actions are arbitrary! Once you coerce His Majesty to ignore public opinion and launch a war arbitrarily, then the entire Ming Dynasty will see clearly. :You, Xiang Xiaoqiang, are the Mussolini of the Ming Dynasty.
He glanced at Zhu Yourong, who was in the first seat. Zhu Yourong's eyes were also flickering and evasive. Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that this girl always put the people's happiness first. This time the new views of the anti-Northern Expedition hit her right in the face. In her heart. Although she is not persuaded by others now, she can at least see that Zhu Yourong is upset.
As for Shen Rongxuan, he was also sitting there, sipping tea with his head down, not speaking. As the chief minister, he must stand in a neutral position and guide both the left and right to speak freely. Once he jumps out on his own, he clearly supports a certain person. If there is only one party, then the meeting will not be able to continue the discussion.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Shi Shi Ge Ge looked at each other. Shi Shi Ge Ge also lowered his head, pursed his lips slightly, and said nothing. Xiang Xiaoqiang looked around again, thinking quickly in his mind.
I haven't argued with someone for a long time... In this situation, it's my turn to speak...
He took a deep breath, coughed, and began to speak with a smile.