Episode 1 The Soviet Army Enters Southern Xinjiang
Episode 1 The Soviet Army marches into southern Xinjiang
On March 18, Zhu Yourong paid homage to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and gave a royal banquet in the three seas in the north, middle and south in the evening, and then held a dance to entertain ministers, envoys and reporters from various countries to celebrate his 23rd birthday.
The next day, the 19th, the Queen's special train set off to Changping in the north to pay homage to the tombs of the Thirteen Emperors of the Northern Ming Dynasty.
After that, some ministers and generals with important responsibilities in the government went back. Zhu Yourong and his relatives stayed in Beijing for another half month. During this period, Zhu Yourong worshiped at the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth, and the Temple of Sheji.
Met with envoys from various countries who were stationed in Beiqing one after another
, met with domestic and foreign media, and met with the royal family of the former Northern Qing Dynasty. With the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, these Manchu noble titles were naturally invalidated. The Ming Dynasty promised to recognize their vested interests. But these vested interests mainly refer to property, including
Movable and immovable property.
As for titles, most of the middle and low-level Eight Banners nobles have since become ordinary citizens and no longer enjoy privileges. Some particularly important nobles, such as Sundijade, more than a dozen iron-hatted kings, and other princes, princes, and princesses
A small number of high-level nobles such as Princess, Baylor, Beizi, and Duke can still be downgraded and retain their titles as appropriate. However, they can no longer use the original Manchu titles.
Use the title of the Ming Dynasty. In other words, "Baylor", "Beizi", "Gege", "Gulun", "Heshuo", "Doro"...these names can no longer be used and must be replaced by their corresponding names.
Chinese names. Moreover, regardless of whether they were hereditary or descending, now they are all descending. In this way, within a few decades, the country's financial burden will be greatly reduced.
Zhu Yourong spent several days re-canonizing them one by one.
The former Emperor Jiade, Aixinjueluo Yuchou, is now granted the title of Duke of Yan, with an annuity of 500,000 mingyang.
The following twelve iron-hatted kings are each granted the title of Marquis and receive an annual salary of 200,000 Mingyang.
Ordinary princes and county princes are all canonized as earls and receive an annuity of 100,000 mingyang.
The princess and the princess are respectively canonized as the county princess and the princess, with an annuity of 70,000 and 50,000 mingyang respectively.
Baylor and Beizi were respectively canonized as viscount and baron, with annuities of 70,000 and 50,000 mingyang respectively.
The re-canonization of the Eight Banners royal family ends here. As for the numerous Zhenguo Gong, Fuguo Gong, Zhenguo General, Auxiliary General, Fengguo General, Fengen General, Yun Duwei, Qingche Duwei, etc.
etc., they are all ordinary citizens and will no longer be canonized.
At the same time, they all enjoy the same citizenship rights as everyone else and can move freely or emigrate overseas.
It is estimated that the Ming government will spend about 7 million Mingyang every year on these newly added "pension aristocrats". Since they all reduce their titles, in about twenty years, that is, one generation later, the state's expenditure will be reduced by nearly half.
In twenty years, only about a million will be spent every year. By the 21st century, the country will basically get rid of the annuity burden of the former Qing aristocrats.
However, although the Ming government had to pay millions more in annuities every year, it still reaped a lot from the Qing treasury. The gold, silver, foreign exchange, foreign bonds, etc. stored in the underground vaults of the Qing Empire Bank were counted, and a total of
Equivalent to 29.6 billion yuan, equivalent to twice the fiscal revenue of Ming Dynasty in 1935. The financial pressure caused by the war was greatly relieved.
…
Of course, if those Qing Dynasty dragons and sons and grandsons who have not been awarded titles are not willing to have only a "citizen" title on their heads and have money in their hands, then the Ming royal family will also allow them to spend money to buy titles, and the highest price they can buy
Earl. Of course, it is just a noble status and does not have an annuity. The products are divided into three specifications: "hereditary", "descendant" and "immortal".
The first type is "free property". As long as you buy it, this noble title can be passed down intact from generation to generation. But it is also the most expensive. A hereditary earl costs millions.
The second type belongs to "limited property rights". Although it will be downgraded by one level each generation, if it is an earl, it can also be passed down to three generations. This is much cheaper, and an earl can win it for more than 200,000 yuan.
The third type belongs to "lifetime property rights", which can only be used by the purchaser himself and cannot be passed on to future generations. This type is the cheapest, with an earl costing hundreds of thousands.
This plan was hatched by Zheng Gongyin, an old money geek, who persuaded his niece. Not only the Manchu royal family could buy it, but also wealthy people among the people. Selling a title is different from selling an official position. Selling an official position is selling the country's public power, which is extremely harmful.
.And the title is just a noble title, it does not hold any public power and does no harm to society. Moreover, the large income from the sale can also subsidize the national finance and make up for the losses caused by the addition of so many new nobles.
Zheng Gongyin estimated that because the Qing Dynasty had just been wiped out, the wealthy former Qing nobles and rich men were still in panic. They would try to keep a low profile and would not do anything that attracts attention. No one would spend money to buy any titles in the short term. However,
After a long time, for example, a few years later, they discovered
Now that no one is coming to trouble them, and they feel safe again, their high spirits and vanity will expand again, and they will have a strong desire to regain their social status. At this time, those who are waiting for a price will
The title is full of temptation for them.
…
Now it’s time to deal with the Manchu harem concubines.
Nowadays, the concubines in the Forbidden City's harem, in addition to the concubines of the previous dynasties, are mainly from the Jiade and Guangwu dynasties.
The number of concubines in the Qing Palace was originally very small. In addition, Jiade and Guangwu had not been emperors for a long time, and they were not very good-looking, so basically they were still the original Fujin, Fujin, and even the three concubines.
The six concubines are not full, let alone the nobles below, who agreed to stay. Excluding a queen and an imperial concubine that Guangwu took away, there are more than thirty concubines left. Including the previous dynasty
There are about fifty old concubines.
Jiade's concubines are easy to deal with, and they still live with Jiade. Of course, Emperor Jiade is now the Duke of Yan, and his women can no longer be called "concubines", so they all become "the Duke's wife".
The concubines and concubines in Guangwu were more difficult to deal with. Zhu Yourong made the decision and gave each of them a sum of money to allow them to live outside the palace. Those who were willing to remarry remarried, those who were willing to return to their natal family returned to their natal family, and those who had children could follow their children.
…
Zhu Yourong is also worried that these concubines who have no skills and have been married will be in a very miserable situation after they go out. She is also a woman herself, and she always feels unbearable when she thinks about it, but she has no choice but to give them as much money as possible.
.
Who knew that Zhu Yourong's worries would later prove to be completely unnecessary. Their status as "emperor's concubines" not only did not become a burden, but instead became an asset.
Those young concubines were naturally willing to remarry, and they immediately became a hot commodity, and were quickly married off by the wealthy businessmen of the Ming Dynasty. They were married as "concubines of the Emperor of the Northern Qing Dynasty", so cool!
Even those who are older have become the targets of major Chinese and foreign news media, publishing companies, and advertising companies. The last concubines of the most mysterious empire in the East are now suddenly free to enter society. How curious! It is simply
It’s a rare thing to live in! And these concubines were all rich officials,
The upbringing they received since childhood was also very good. For a time, the outside world was very exciting: they published books, wrote autobiographies, conducted interviews, spoke for luxury brands, and served as consultants for Qing Dynasty dramas for film companies.
Being invited by a wealthy businessman to be a tutor for his children... Not only did he have no worries about his livelihood, but he also made a lot of money.
In the following few years, books like "The Story That Emperor Guangwu and I Have to Tell" have been occupying the bestseller lists. Of course, this is a story for another day.
…
On April 5th, Qingming Festival, Zhu Yourong once again led the royal family and relatives to Changping to pay homage to the Ming Tombs. Xiang Xiaoqiang also went. On the train back, Zhu Yourong leaned against Xiang Xiaoqiang and said sadly:
"That's right... I'm going back to Nanjing, and you have to stay in Beijing for a while longer... We have to say goodbye again..."
Xiang Xiaoqiang was also very sad. He said sadly:
"Sigh... It will take at least a month or two for the Military Control Commission... The People's Guard is still in charge here. I hate being here if I hate it. I am the head of the People's Guard, and I can't leave the responsibility to my deputy.
Why don't you go back to Nanjing by yourself and rest? What will people think of me? Oh...Rongrong, don't be too sad. I'll try to go back as soon as possible."
Zhu Yourong didn't speak, just nodded quietly and looked at the table. Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged her and gently stroked her back.
Zhu Yourong gently leaned her head in his arms. Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged her and was not in the mood to tease her. He just kissed her a few times and looked at the scenery outside the window in despair.
"Otherwise..." Xiang Xiaoqiang said with a bitter smile, "Aren't you going to Mount Tai to worship Confucius when you go back? You will also go to Qufu to worship Confucius. You can simply arrange more programs in Shandong, climb Mount Tai, visit Qufu, and go to Jinan to see
Baotu
Quan, go to Qingdao and Weihai to inspect the new military ports... Anyway, have fun and spend the past two months happily. When I get everything settled in Beijing, I will go to Shandong to find you when I go south, and we will go back together.
Nanjing."
Zhu Yourong's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. He lowered his head and said nothing, as if he was holding back something on his mind.
"What's wrong, honey?" Xiang Xiaoqiang stroked her hair, lowered his head and smiled, "Is this a bad idea?"
Zhu Yourong groaned in his arms for a long time, and finally sat up straight, brushed his messy hair from his forehead, and said seriously:
"Well, the war is over, and it's time for you to marry Princess Liaoyang. I think it's best for you to get married in Beijing before I go back."
Xiang Xiaoqiang was also surprised. He didn't expect that she would suddenly mention this matter. But having said that, Zhu Yourong was right. Now is indeed the best time to have this wedding. The war had just ended, and there were so many Eight Banners disciples in the north.
Qing officials, officers and soldiers need to be comforted. At this time
Such a wedding couldn't be more timely. Moreover, I am still serving as the chief of the Beijing Military Control Commission, Zhu Yourong has not gone back yet, Fourteenth Princess is also in Beijing, and everyone is in Beijing. This wedding happens to be held in Beijing, which is better than in Beijing.
The effect was much better in Nanjing.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhu Yourong smiled and said softly:
"Look...what are you still worried about? Sister Liaoyang is so beautiful, you don't want to marry her home sooner."
Alas, that's right! Xiang Xiaoqiang said to himself, hadn't he coveted Shi Shi Ge Ge n for a long time? Haven't he been looking forward to this day for a long time? For such a long time, Shi Shi Ge Ge had not allowed himself to touch her, which made it difficult for him to touch her.
I only dared to watch from a distance and didn't dare to play around. Now, as long as the marriage is done, Shi Shigege will be my wife, and I can do whatever I want...
Thinking of this, he nodded and sighed:
"Oh, that's fine! Mr. Yu, Beijing really needs such a wedding now. Mr. Private, we can't delay it any longer. After we finish the wedding with Princess Liaoyang this time, it will be our turn next time. You see,
You are already 23, and you will have long nights and dreams if you drag this on. If you don’t believe me, once my marriage to Princess Liaoyang is over, those ministers will have to think about how to marry you off."
Zhu Yourong lowered his head and smiled. Both of them recalled the incident involving the Prince of Siam last year.
…
At this time, Wei Zijin knocked on the door outside the carriage.
Zhu Yourong asked her to come in. After Wei Zijin came in, he bent down and handed Zhu Yourong and Xiang Xiaoqiang each a document.
The two looked at each other, opened the documents, and began to read each other.
What Zhu Yourong received was a memorial from Shen Rongxuan from Nanjing. What Xiang Xiaoqiang received was a secret telegram from the Beijing headquarters.
As they looked at each other, both of them frowned.
Xiang Xiaoqiang raised his head and said:
"Your Majesty, the Soviet army entered southern Xinjiang two hours ago. Is your share also...?"
Zhu Yourong looked at the memorial and nodded attentively.
"The Soviet army entered southern Xinjiang from Kazakhstan and has now occupied Kashgar."
Xiang Xiaoqiang frowned and muttered:
"Supposedly, we have already assigned southern Xinjiang to the Soviet Union and promised to hand it over after the war ends... Now the Soviet Union has not even said hello to us, so it just took it by itself. Is it because they are afraid that we will default on our debt?"
Zhu Yourong raised his head and said to Wei Zijin:
"Zi Jin, please tell the train to speed up and ask your Excellency to return to the headquarters immediately to take care of military affairs."
"yes."
After Wei Zijin went out, Zhu Yourong showed a gentle smile again, leaned gently on Xiang Xiaoqiang's shoulder, and said:
"Of course, this is not a serious matter... You can just pay attention to the situation in the northwest when you go back... The cabinet is responsible for negotiating with the Soviet Union. Don't worry, haha... Your marriage to Sister Liaoyang is not going to happen.