eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 826 Anyone who hurts my people will be killed!

Chapter 826 Anyone who hurts my people will be killed!

Twelve years after Zhengde, the imperial court also used troops many times, but never on a large scale.

Even if the Yarkand Khanate was conquered, the number of troops sent before and after was less than 20,000.

In the end, the friction between Mangara and the Francons was only a local conflict and did not develop into a war between the two countries.

These small European countries cannot afford to raise many soldiers and horses. At most, the Indian Governor-General can bring some "Imperial Alliance Army" over. Can you believe that the Indians are going to fight?

While the Ming Dynasty dispatched an expeditionary navy, it supported Mankara to continue to resist. When it failed, the Ming army also fought two battles.

But that's not a lot of people.

Later, military ports were set up in Luzon and Mankara. Naturally, the local vassal states did not dare to insist on refusal, and there was no military conflict.

But then again, no one is really willing to give up their land to others, and they are still willing to do so.

Thinking this way is just selfish.

As for what Zai Yao said about the local people striving to become citizens of the Ming Dynasty, this is even more nonsense.

Who cares about you being the emperor among the people, not to mention overseas ones? Even the people in the interior don't know who the Zhu family emperor is. He only cares about whether his belly is full or not.

The reason is not valid.

But it’s not that things can’t be done.

As a later visitor, Zhu Houzhao understood the importance of Manchuria, that is, the Strait of Malacca, but the Philippine Islands was not deeply involved.

However, after departing from Quanzhou or Tainan Port, the voyage distance to Malacca is more than 1,500 nautical miles, which is a small 3,000 kilometers.

For such a long journey, if there were no stops along the way, the risk would still be great under the conditions of ships and navigation technology in 1525, and it would be difficult to respond promptly to any problems.

It would definitely be different if there was a Shitang Port in the middle.

"...The Ming Dynasty has not really used troops against local countries in Nanyang."

The emperor said this.

Gu Renyi then said: "Your Majesty is right. The Ming Dynasty has always regarded itself as a country of etiquette and shown its kindness and generosity to others. This time we should also show our Ming Dynasty's demeanor as a great country."

"That's not what I mean." Zhu Houzhao smiled and waved his hands. "What I mean is that because they haven't used troops yet, the small countries don't know the Ming's methods. I don't care who Suleiman II listens to. But he cannot do anything that harms Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty had food there, 2.8 million shi! It’s not a small amount, it’s a year’s tax for some small provinces, so don’t make any mistakes! Otherwise, how much more would it cost to transport so much food?

The Ming Dynasty still had silver there. In order to invest in the construction of the port, it successively shipped 400,000 taels at the end of last year. The local people were rioting and would not fail to remember this deal.

The Ming Dynasty still has a port that is in operation there. If it is open for business, safety cannot be guaranteed. Who will dock there again? The common people were rioting, and this matter spread from one person to another. If stability cannot be restored for a long time, it will damage the commercial value of Shitang Port!

The most important thing is that the Ming Dynasty also had a guard station there with 5,600 soldiers! They traveled across oceans and traveled to foreign countries for me, for Ming Dynasty, and for you! If the local people see food and money in the port, will they take risks? Don’t we care about their lives? Absolutely not! "

Logically speaking, no one would provoke Daming.

But you are so desperate, who cares about you?

If I don’t eat this meal, I will die. What will I do in three months?

Zai Yao's blood boiled when he heard this, "Father! I am willing to take a boat to support Governor Zhu Feng! If we can't put down all the mobs who invaded our Shitang Port, I swear not to return to China!"

After listening to the emperor's words, Yan Song knew what the emperor's attitude was, and he also knew the key to this matter. Suleiman II was asking for help, and did not say that he would not obey the Ming's control. In this case, he might just send troops. Take advantage of others' danger.

"Your Majesty, the military situation is so fierce that there can be no delay. I think that Sulaiman II should be restored in this way. First, in view of the importance of Shitang Port in the Ming Dynasty and the seriousness of the local riots, our country decided to send troops immediately to provide the port and the local people of the Ming Dynasty. Protection. 2. Since Suleiman II is a subject of the Ming Dynasty, he is part of our Ming Dynasty. However, the riots lasted for too long and had a great negative impact. Therefore, he was ordered to quell the chaos among the people and restore order as soon as possible. Considering that it cannot be delayed for too long, Therefore, instead of adopting his suggestion of borrowing money to quell the rebellion, we should quickly combine our Chinese soldiers and his troops into one, and hand them over to the governor of Luzon, Zhu Feng, for control!"

Zhu Houzhao's head turned quickly. There was no humanitarianism these days. After previous discussions, there were two main reasons for not sending troops. There were many small countries in Nanyang. Ming's blatant occupation of Luzon would arouse fear in others. In addition, sending troops was a matter of national importance. Important matters should always be carefully discussed and discussed.

The more we discern the truth, the clearer it becomes. Now it seems,

Shitang Port is very important.

The plain farmland immediately behind Shitang Port is more important.

Since it cannot bear the losses, it can only send troops to protect it.

Zhu Houzhao touched his chin and said, "You said both of these two things well. But it's too complicated, and it's too scheming. There are so many smart people in the world, who are you trying to deceive? Yan Song, Fan Yuchang, I ask you, You all have your own people there, and I’m not worried about Zhu Feng and Shitang Port for the time being. But outside of the military port, there are also many people from the Ming Dynasty in various parts of Luzon, right?"

The two people looked at each other and nodded, "Your Majesty is right. Nowadays, the land of Nanyang is a place for trade, and there are farmlands everywhere outside Shitang Port. Therefore, whether in the city or in the countryside, our Ming people can be seen. According to my estimate, there are no fewer than 30,000 people who have migrated from Fujian, Guangdong and other places."

"One general's achievements lead to thousands of bones being withered. We people have been discussing the national prestige and national humiliation for a long time. Have we ever thought about the common people who were hijacked by the mob?"

The ministers nodded one after another, with worries on their faces.

Zhu Houzhao made up his mind and showed a decisive look, "I don't care how you respond to Suleiman II's letter asking for help. Now I want to give him and the local rebel leader a letter each, that is, clearly Tell them in vain that no matter why they suddenly caused such a riot, no matter what, no one of our Ming people must be harmed by any party! Otherwise, I will send troops to conquer Luzon Island! The same is true for the letter to Luzon Governor Zhu Feng , firstly, I want him to find ways to protect the safety of my people, and secondly, if there are casualties, send troops immediately!! If I know that he is indifferent to the life and death of the people of Ming Dynasty, I will chop him with my own hands!"

At this time, with the wisdom of the ministers in court, of course they would not ask: What if there is really no Ming casualty?

How to do?

Who said to immediately break his legs and send him over? Isn't this a case of injury?

And actually speaking, it is unlikely that there will be no casualties.

The people of the Ming Dynasty rely on the national power of the Ming Dynasty. In the process of contacting all kinds of people from other countries, they are inevitably the "proud of the country and the people". Moreover, if you live a prosperous life one by one, others are as poor as ghosts, and everything is in chaos. , don’t want to try to steal two of you? Can there be no casualties in this process?

Therefore, although the emperor said 'if there are casualties', the court's strategy was actually to send troops to intervene.

"In short, I don't care what Sulu, Wenlai, Nanwang and other vassal states think. This time I will set an iron rule in Nanyang: Anyone who hurts my people will be killed!"

This sounds very encouraging.

The young man Zai Yao was the first to kneel down, "Father is wise!"

"Your Majesty! Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!"

"Gui calyx,"

"Chen is here!"

"Immediately order the admiral of the Navy, Zheng Bu, to lead the three guardsmen to go south at the right time. Remember, hurry up. If the season is missed and delayed until next year, I will cause trouble for him."

"Yes!"

In the past few years of war, there is no need to worry too much about military pay and food.

When going to Luzon, you can order Taiwan to prepare some military rations, and there are also grain reserves in Shitang Port itself. If Zhu Feng let these provisions go wrong, he would probably be frightened into committing suicide out of fear of crime.

There is also no shortage of military pay.

The Ministry of Accounts already has more than 40 million taels in deposits, and it is a trivial matter to allocate 3 million taels urgently.

There is also the smuggling of official silver...and dirty silver.

Zhu Houzhao was still thinking about it. This matter was definitely not a small matter, otherwise Zhang Cong would not have taken out such a memorial and suddenly presented it at this time.

Since he knew that the matter was not trivial, he should also know that some people could be kept, but some of the dirty money he had swallowed would have to be recovered more or less from him.

I won’t say all of them, but 70% to 80% of them must be there.

Even if it is all spent and there is not that much money left, those corrupt officials will still have to raise it by selling their property!

So the silver is fine.

In fact, the Ming Dynasty's small-scale use of troops no longer has a lot of opposition in the court. This is of course because Zhu Houzhao controls the court more tightly. On the other hand, it is true that the people will not live in poverty.

With the promotion of high-yielding crops and the clearing of land annexation, the Ming Dynasty has been relieved of a great burden. Although agricultural productivity has not improved qualitatively, the construction of water conservancy projects and the diligence year after year have made the Ming Dynasty's grain storage warehouses possible. Everyone is full.

Furthermore, Hetao, Sichuan, Jingxiang and Taiwan have released more than 40 million acres of cultivated land, and they are all very good farmland. Therefore, if the Ming Dynasty has a total annual grain harvest, it will be at least double that of the Hongzhi period.

This is also reflected in the national annual income. Counting only food, in the eighteenth year of Zhengde, the summer and autumn of the Ming Dynasty exceeded 60 million dan, which was twice the peak. Moreover, you must know that the imperial court is gradually reducing the 'food tax' of.

Yes, reducing the collection of grain and gradually converting it to silver has already begun in Jiangnan. The prosperity of business has brought silver to be widely used, and naturally there are conditions for the conversion of tax revenue from true to low.

Therefore, the silver taxation should not be far away.

As for the food harvest not being enough, there is no need to worry about it.

Because of the Japanese Silver Mountain, sea trade revenue, salt, tea, iron taxes, customs taxes, etc., the Ming Dynasty's annual silver income exceeded 40 million taels.

Silver, if you keep it for three to five taels, it's money, but if you keep it for 35 to 50 million taels, it's actually just a metal. You have to spend it. Spending money is money. Raising salaries for officials is one thing, and tax reductions and exemptions are another way.

Over the years, anyone who has suffered a disaster has issued a decree to exempt them from taxes for three years. If there is a major disaster like a flood, the court will also provide some subsidies.

Zhu Houzhao has never been a miser. Otherwise, if he had been digging for ten years every day, how could he only have 40 million taels of silver?

Over the years, Ming Dynasty can be regarded as a real frivolous country, so even if there is a war here, the people will not feel it.

Then the DPRK and China will naturally not object too much.

After all the ministers left, Zhu Houzhao left Zaiyao behind.

Zai Yao is the prince born to the noble concubine Xian. He received her education since he was a child, so he is sensible, sensible, and very filial to him.

After all, Zhu Houzhao has been good to them since he was a child. A fifteen-year-old child is not yet old enough for his parents to lament that "it won't be fun when he grows up," so Zhu Houzhao still likes him quite a lot now.

Seeing him entering the palace, he stayed to have a meal with him.

"What are my arrangements? Tell the truth."

Zai Yao smiled slightly, "Father abandoned Yan Song's power plan and used this move to protect the lives of my people in the Ming Dynasty. This is truly a way to govern the country with Tao instead of magic. I really didn't think of it before, and I admire it in my heart."

"Then, does your mother know that you are going to fight with the army?"

Zai Yao answered honestly, "Back to my father, I haven't told my mother yet."

"Then you have to tell her." Zhu Houzhao winked at him, "You are only fifteen years old and you are going to fight. She will be worried."

"I understand. I plan to ask my father for permission first, and then go and talk to my mother."

"Are you being naughty? I don't know you yet? Your mother is a virtuous person. As soon as I agree, she will say no to you?" Zhu Houzhao pinched a piece of cake and put it in his mouth.

Zai Yao was seen through and scratched his head, "Nothing can escape the eyes of my father."

"But... you are always worthy of praise for your willingness to work for the country."

"Thank you, father!" Zai Yao's face was tender and tender, with some shadows of Zhu Houzhao when he was young. "Son, I have thought about it. I am the prince of Emperor Zhengde. If I don't go to war, I will never embarrass my father if I go out!"

"You are ambitious. It's a pity, I originally had other errands for you."

"I wonder what kind of errand Father is talking about?"

"Don't worry about it. Just do one thing well and don't get distracted. Okay, go to your mother's side."

The virtuous concubine will not mess around, she will just endure it silently.

"Yes." Zaiyao saluted.

Looking at his back as he turned away, Zhu Houzhao thought of a sentence, "Wait!"

"Father?"

The emperor stepped forward, held Zai Yao's shoulders, and said: "Protecting the wealth and lives of the people of the Ming Dynasty is not a technique or a Tao. This is what I, you, and the court should do at any cost."

Zai Yao's eyes flashed, "Father..."

"Okay, let's go."

……

……

The other errand Zhu Houzhao said is indeed true.

Zai Yao is still smart, and this matter is simple. Just go to Sichuan and see what the situation is like in Xia Yan's place.

But now he can't...

Zaihe?

Zhu Houzhao shook his head. He didn't know what he was holding back now.

Moreover, he is no longer dealing with Zhang Cong, and there is Zhang Cong in Sichuan. Sending Zaihe over always feels like adding fuel to the fire. Maybe the people below will misunderstand and think that the emperor wants the eldest prince and Zhang Cong to fight to the death.

Then... Zai Yan?

"Youzhi. Youzhi!" Zhu Houzhao wore a big emerald green ring on his thumb, which was dazzling in the air.

"Your Majesty, my servant is here."

"Go and introduce the second prince to the palace."

"Yes!"

"Oh, by the way, what is he doing lately? Why is he always so quiet?"

You Zhi didn't dare to hide it, "Your Majesty, the people below said that the First Highness and the Second Highness had a serious quarrel. I think... the Second Highness was sad."

"It's so sad. Didn't the two of us fight a lot since we were kids? What's the point of quarreling? Go and call him."

"Yes."

Although Zhu Houzhao said this, he still murmured in his heart that Zai Yan was different from his elder brother.

However, he is the middle child and has always been influenced by his eldest brother and is completely in his shadow.

Zhu Houzhao didn't know what was going on in Sichuan yet. He just sensed that local officials might be bullying the emperor, and he didn't understand what Xia Yan was involved in.

But it is always related to Zhang Cong.

Zhu Houzhao touched his beard and asked the second brother to go, so that he could see what he meant by being sandwiched between the boss and Zhang Cong.

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That’s it for today! After all, it’s New Year’s Eve, so let the author take a breath.

Tomorrow is 2024, I hope good things happen to everyone!

(End of this chapter)