prosperous age

Historically, Emperor Wanli married Wang Xijie, who was thirteen years old, when he was fourteen years old, but their marriage was not perfect.

In the tenth year of Wanli, which was the fourth year after her marriage, Wang Xijie gave birth to the eldest daughter, Princess Rongchang Zhu Xuan'an. When she was pregnant, Empress Dowager Cisi Li and Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty respectively ordered the dispatch of eunuchs to Mount Wutai and Mount Wudang to pray for an offspring.

Afterwards, she suffered repeated miscarriages and was ultimately unable to give birth again, which led to the subsequent "dispute over the foundation of the country."

In the 21st year of Wanli during the "Struggle for the National Foundation" incident, Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty rejected the request of his ministers to appoint his eldest son as crown prince on the grounds that Wang Xijie was still in her prime and might give birth to a legitimate son.

It was not until the 26th year of the Wanli reign that Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty issued an edict to formally confer the title of Crown Prince on the eldest son. He explained the reason for the previous refusal as the eldest son's weak health and Wang Xijie's repeated miscarriages at a young age, so the conferment was postponed to wait for the birth of the legitimate son.

The fog of history makes it unclear whether Wang Xijie's lack of offspring was due to her early marriage. No one can tell.

However, since Wei Guangde has raised the issue, it must be resolved.

However, it is easy to explain that the emperor was not yet of the marriage age set by Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang.

What's wrong with having some privileges as an emperor?

However, now we need to find a proper way to postpone the emperor’s wedding.

Now Wei Guangde has also thought of a solution, which is naturally to take advantage of the Wanli Emperor's wedding to hold a grand ceremony with all nations coming to pay tribute, so as to restore the Ming Dynasty's influence on the surrounding areas.

The event of "all nations coming to pay tribute" was first recorded in the Tushan meeting in Zuo Zhuan; the lyrics were first seen in the "Book of Sui·Volume 15·Music Records": "Every year in the first month, all nations come to pay tribute, and stay until the 15th day. Outside Duanmen, Jianguomen and the inner part of the gate are built, stretching for eight miles, and are used as a theater."

After the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty (including Wu Zhou) and the Ming Dynasty all saw a situation of "all nations coming to pay tribute".

The basic connotation of the tributary system is considered to be to establish an international peace situation with the Chinese Empire as the center under the constraints and protection of Chinese imperial power, and to promote the progress and prosperity of all countries.

In the tributary system, various regimes in ancient East Asia recognized and adhered to the relationship form and interaction principles centered on China. Their fundamental goal was to establish a security community including China and neighboring regimes.

Although the ancient Chinese dynasties constructed and maintained the tributary system not for the pursuit of economic benefits, they pursued the principle of "giving more and taking less" when dealing with tributary states, thus gaining less economically and losing more. Therefore, some people believe that "all nations coming to pay tribute" also made the dynasties that regarded themselves as the Celestial Empire pay a huge economic price.

But as an emperor, he still worked tirelessly on it.

The Song of Taiqing written during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty reads: "All nations come to pay tribute, congratulating the wise ruler for unifying the Chinese and the barbarians. All over the world, from north to south, from east to west."

During the Yongle period, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty sent Zheng He, Yin Qing, Wang Jinghong, Hou Xian and others on missions to foreign lands. Among them, Zheng He's voyages to the West were particularly prominent.

Zheng He led a huge fleet across the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, even reaching as far as Africa, greatly expanding the Ming Dynasty's tribute system.

However, the situation of all nations coming to pay tribute did not last long. After Zheng He's last voyage to the West during the Xuande period, "someone from afar occasionally arrived, but not as often as during the Yongle period."

Today, the Ming navy has the ability to recreate the Yongle Dynasty's voyages to the West, and naturally it can also bring those kings to the Ming Dynasty to pay homage.

"Your Majesty, for your wedding, you may as well issue an imperial decree to the vassal states and order their kings to come to the capital to congratulate you. After all, since the reign of Emperor Yongle, there has been no more grand ceremony of nations coming to pay tribute."

When Wei Guangde finished speaking, the one who reacted most violently was Empress Dowager Li. Who wouldn't want her son to go down in history?

"Since the reign of Emperor Yongle, there has been no more prosperous era with all nations coming to pay tribute" kept echoing in her ears like a devilish voice.

In the dynasties of history, only the founding emperor could be called "ancestor", so there was only one person who could have this title, but there were two in the Ming Dynasty.

Although Emperor Yongle became "Emperor Chengzu" because Emperor Jiajing wanted to send his father's tablet to the Taimiao, he also took great pains to do so.

Not only is the current Ming emperor's lineage descended from Emperor Yongle, but his own civil and military skills are also very impressive.

Of course, if we think about it carefully, although Emperor Yongle was very powerful, he still did not seem to surpass Emperor Taizong of Tang, so the change of "Emperor Chengzong of Ming" to "Emperor Chengzu of Ming" was somewhat of a hindrance.

After all, although Emperor Yongle made considerable achievements in his campaigns and sent his navy to the West, there was still a big gap between the Ming Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty.

The power of the Tang Dynasty is truly incomparable to that of the Ming Dynasty. Even though Emperor Yongle sailed to the West to create a prosperous scene where all nations came to pay tribute, there was still a gap between him and the Tang Dynasty.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty would not admit this.

However, Emperor Jiajing still used this as an excuse to forcibly change Emperor Yongle's title from "Emperor Chengzong of Ming" to "Emperor Chengzu of Ming", which shows how important it was for the emperor to create a situation where "all nations came to pay tribute".

However, a hundred years had passed since the voyage to the West, and Empress Dowager Li was not sure whether the glory of the early Ming Dynasty could be reproduced, so she asked hesitantly: "Lord Wei, can the prosperous scene really be reproduced?"

"Can the Ming Dynasty still build treasure ships?"

Just as Empress Dowager Li finished speaking, Empress Dowager Chen suddenly asked.

"Uh"

Wei Guangde was stunned by Empress Dowager Chen's questions. He knew about the treasure ship, which was the iconic ship during Zheng He's voyages to the West. There were many speculations about the treasure ship in later generations, but due to the lack of documentary materials, they could only be speculated.

Some say that the treasure ship may have a displacement of up to 4,000 to 5,000 tons, while others boast that it is over 10,000 tons.

Of course, the more reliable statement is that the treasure ship weighed "five thousand tons", based on which it is estimated that the displacement was around two thousand tons.

In fact, in this era, a ship over 100 tons was considered a large ship.

At this time, giant ships with up to five or six decks and a displacement of nearly 2,000 tons had already appeared in the West, but their number was very small, and they could be called sea behemoths.

But for the Ming Dynasty, "treasure ship" is undoubtedly synonymous with a sea monster.

“Your Majesty, I don’t know about the treasure ships. I heard that the treasure ships moored at Liujia Port in Taicang have been completely destroyed and no one has seen them for a long time.

Although it is somewhat difficult to bring back treasure ships, the tribute ships and large Fu ships owned by the Ming Dynasty's South China Sea Navy can fully meet the requirements of sailing to the West."

Wei Guangde said honestly, but finally added: "In fact, letting the navy sail to the West again is more to give Your Majesty more time to prepare for the wedding."

Wei Guangde previously stated that the young emperor Zhu Yijun would be married next year. His age did not meet the wishes of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, but he could use the emperor's wedding as an excuse to send invitations to neighboring countries and recreate the prosperous scene of all nations coming to pay tribute, thus postponing the emperor's wedding.

This is the fundamental purpose.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty had just won a decisive victory in southwestern Myanmar. The Southeast Asian countries had also suffered from Myanmar for a long time. With the power of this battle, Wei Guangde did not believe that the surrounding vassal states would dare not give face to the Ming emperor.

Even the Arab countries in the Middle East and the countries in East Africa might follow the Ming navy to the Ming Dynasty to meet the Ming emperor.

It should not be difficult to recreate the scenes of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty.

As for the expenditure, Wei Guangde had an idea in his mind. As long as he strictly abided by the bottom line of tribute trade, a little loss would not matter. The key was that the imperial court would have the opportunity to make up for it.

Then, as the navy moved westward, the imperial court could organize a batch of silks, satins and porcelains that were piled up in government treasuries and transport them to the West to make some money first.

The Ming Dynasty court has always been short of silver, but the treasury in Jiangnan has a lot of textiles and handicrafts collected from taxes. This is the disadvantage of taxation in kind.

Products were collected as taxes based on the size of the workshop, but there was no way the court could use up so many products.

When the imperial court wanted to convert physical objects into cash, losses were inevitable.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng's change of taxation in kind to taxation in silver was beneficial to the court, and it could also effectively prevent workshop owners from paying taxes with inferior or unsalable products.

"This matter is of great importance. So, Lord Wei, you should go back and immediately organize the former court to discuss this matter.

We still need to reconsider this matter and also listen to the opinions of the previous dynasty.

This matter cannot be delayed and must be carried out as soon as possible.”

Empress Dowager Chen made the final decision. She was worried that if only the three of them decided on this matter, it would be embarrassing if the ministers of the previous dynasty opposed it.

"Your Majesty, Lord Wei, please draft the edict for the Ministry of Rites." At this time, Feng Bao, who had been standing solemnly beside them, suddenly asked.

Although Feng Bao was also excited when Wei Guangde mentioned "all nations coming to pay tribute", when he thought about the things on his hands, he immediately knew that he could not just settle the matter like that, so he hurriedly asked the Imperial Household Department what to do.

"Lord Wei, what should we do with the decree given to the Ministry of Rites?"

Empress Dowager Li also asked hurriedly.

"If the Imperial Household Department believes that there are no omissions, then the report will be sent to the six departments for filing, and then the Ministry of Rites will be informed to start preparations.

As soon as I return to the cabinet, I will convene the six ministries and nine officials to discuss this matter and inform the palace as soon as possible.

Actually, this matter cannot be delayed. After all, a voyage can take at least two years, and at most three or four years."

Wei Guangde was searching his memory at this time. He vaguely remembered seeing a small number of records about voyages to the West in the Hanlin Academy, but the documents were very messy and were not placed together, but scattered among many documents.

Wei Guangde didn't know that this was done intentionally by someone in order to make it difficult to find information about Zheng He's voyages to the West.

"Okay, then I'll have to trouble Elder Wei."

Queen Mother Chen said.

After Wei Guangde said goodbye and left Ciqing Palace, Empress Dowager Chen said slowly, "I am too impatient and forget that Your Majesty is still young and has not yet reached the age set by Taizu."

"However, Wei Guangde's proposal seems to be good. Our Ming Dynasty has not seen such a prosperous era for more than a hundred years."

Empress Dowager Li immediately responded.

The same meaning applies. This is beneficial to Emperor Wanli at this time, so Empress Dowager Li fully supports her.

"This is a big deal, Feng Bao."

Empress Dowager Chen called out.

"The slave is here."

Feng Bao hurriedly stepped out and bowed.

If Feng Bao was in front of the emperor, he could still call himself "minister", but in front of the empress in the harem, he could only call himself "slave".

"Take this memorial to the Prime Minister and tell him what Lord Wei said. I want to hear his opinion."

Empress Dowager Chen ordered.

"The slave obeys."

The memorial was transferred from Empress Dowager Chen to the palace maid, and finally to Feng Bao, who then hurriedly bowed and took his leave.

Wei Guangde walked quickly towards the cabinet, sorting out the next steps as he walked.

When he got back, he gave a note to the nine ministers, asking them to put aside all their official duties and come to the cabinet to discuss the matter in the afternoon.

However, the notes to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue would have more content. The Ministry of Revenue needed to check the amount of in-kind taxes in the accounts and determine how much to give to the Navy.

The Ministry of War needs to mobilize ships and prepare for this long voyage.

Thinking that the main force of the South China Sea Navy was still in Southeast Asia, Wei Guangde thought of requisitioning Yuegang, or even transporting goods to Jiugang from ships along the southeast coast, and then loading and unloading goods onto Western ships from there, which could save a lot of time.

The Ming Dynasty's maritime transport capacity is clearly insufficient. Apart from the dilapidated ships of the Denglai Navy, only a small number of ships of the Nanhai Navy are still there along the coast of the Ming Dynasty.

The wedding of Emperor Wanli could be delayed for three years at most, which should be enough.

Wei Guangde hurried back to the cabinet to write a note, and Feng Bao left Ciqing Palace and immediately asked someone to prepare a carriage, and he went straight to the outer city.

Along the way, the carriage sped along, causing passers-by to exclaim in surprise on the busy streets of Beijing.

In response to this, Feng Bao in the car had no expression on his face, as the Empress in the palace was still waiting for news.

Half an hour later, Feng Bao arrived at the Prime Minister's residence and someone immediately invited him in.

Zhang Juzheng was very distressed during this period. He was bound by filial piety and was also unwilling to accept the new policies. He himself didn't know whether this was right or wrong.

Fortunately, the memorials that continued to impeach him have disappeared in the past two days, but five people have been punished as a result.

Zhang Juzheng knew that this "love-stealing" incident had severely offended the upright officials in the court.

There are also many people who used to be considered good friends, such as Ma Ziqiang and others, who may now look at him differently.

"Eunuch Feng is here?"

At this time in the mourning hall, Zhang Juzheng received the news and asked his son to stay. He stood up, tidied himself up briefly and went out to meet the guests.

Although still in mourning clothes, Zhang Juzheng was now much thinner than before and looked very tired.

He was tortured both physically and mentally, making him unable to sleep or eat well during this period.

"Brother Shuanglin."

In a flower hall, Zhang Juzheng saw Feng Bao waiting again and immediately bowed to greet him.

"Uncle, you've lost weight."

When Feng Bao saw Zhang Juzheng for the first time, he almost couldn't recognize him. Zhang Juzheng now had sunken eyes, sallow skin, and a tired look on his face. He was completely different from the handsome man with a beautiful beard who appeared in the court before.

"Ugh."

Zhang Juzheng just sighed softly, then said seriously: "I wonder why Brother Shuanglin came here this time?"

The emperor had previously ordered that Wei Guangde would temporarily take charge of cabinet affairs, so Zhang Juzheng did not think that there would be no decision to be made in the court.

Wei Guangde still has the ability to handle affairs, unless it involves new policy reforms.

Previously, Fujian went to the Ministry of Industry and wanted to take away the measuring instruments made by the Ministry of Industry, but the Ministry of Industry made excuses.

There is no other way but to find him here.

Zhang Juzheng knew that this was mostly intentional by the Ministry of Works. It was not to oppose the new policy, but Wei Guangde's intention to delay time and wait for him to leave the house to do his business.

Therefore, he had no choice but to let people wait patiently.

As for the delay, the capital will naturally complete the formalities when the time comes so that he can return and report back.

Now, Zhang Juzheng can't issue any government orders.

"Take a look at this. It is the memorial that Shandai sent to the palace today."

Feng Bao did not hesitate and directly took out the memorial submitted by Wei Guangde to the palace and handed it to Zhang Juzheng. (End of this chapter)