I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 535 Is Tolerable or Unbearable

Japan's forcing Ryukyu to pay tribute violated the Ming Dynasty's taboo.

Moreover, they also sent people to take charge of Ryukyu government and control Ryukyu trade, politics, economy, and culture, which made Zhu Youxiao a little angry.

After hearing this, he looked at the cabinet scholar Ye Xianggao aside and asked expressionlessly:

"Ye Aiqing, this happened in the Wanli Dynasty, and you must be aware of it. I ask you, did the imperial court receive a request for help from Ryukyu at that time, and why did it not send troops."

Ye Xianggao had been the sole prime minister in the Wanli Dynasty for seven years, so he naturally knew the ins and outs of this incident.

When the emperor said this, he knew that the emperor wanted to get to the bottom of the matter, and he was afraid that this matter would be difficult to resolve.So he thought for a while, stepped out of the queue, bowed to Zhu Youxiao and said:
"Your Majesty, when Japan invaded Ryukyu, everyone in the government and the public, and even His Majesty Emperor Shenzong, knew about it. Although the purpose of Japan's Satsuma clan was to annex Ryukyu, it was more to covet the profits from Ryukyu and our tribute to the Ming Dynasty.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Ryukyu has come to pay tribute and is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty.However, due to its special geographical location, it borders Japan and North Korea to the north, the Ming Dynasty to the west, and Nanyang to the south. It is the "bridge of all nations". All ships coming and going use Ryukyu as a transit. The country has made a lot of profits, and even "ten times as many as in the Tang Dynasty" statement.

However, luck and misfortune depended on it. Such huge trade profits naturally aroused the covetousness of Japan. Japan invaded Korea because the Ming Dynasty blocked trade with Japan, and Japan wanted to use the name of the Ryukyu Kingdom to start paying tribute to the Ming Dynasty. "

Ye Xianggao's words immediately made Japan's intentions clear.However, Zhu Youxiao was very dissatisfied when he heard it.

"Then how did Ming Dynasty respond? Did it just sit back and watch our vassal country being humiliated by Japan?"

"Your Majesty even said that when Japan invaded Korea, the Ming Dynasty sent heavenly soldiers to defeat Japan twice, so that Korea could be saved. But Ryukyu is also like Korea, obeying the Ming day and night, for fear of being disrespectful. Please also ask the Ming Emperor to be considerate of the Ryukyu people and send heavenly soldiers Go to Ryukyu, expel Japan, and preserve our country."

The meaning in Zhu Youxiao's words gave Ren Yueci a glimmer of hope, and he immediately answered the question.

"Your Majesty, in the 38th year of Wanli, Japan used Ryukyu to pay tribute, which was discovered by Ming Dynasty. Then Emperor Shenzong issued an edict not to refuse Ryukyu's tribute that year, and stipulated that Ryukyu would pay tribute again after ten years (one tribute every ten years), and it was discontinued. Thoughts about Japan.

As for why no troops were sent to Ryukyu, the truth is that the situation in Ryukyu and North Korea is different.North Korea is on the side of Liaodong and across the sea from Shandong. It is naturally easy to send troops to conquer it. However, this is not the case with Ryukyu. It is a small country and is located on the sea. Its geographical location is separated from the Ming Dynasty by mountains and seas. It is as large-scale as aiding North Korea. In conquest, the risks taken are difficult to predict.

Moreover, the Shimadzu clan sent troops so quickly that they captured Ryukyu in more than a month. The Ryukyu king Shang Ning was also taken to Satsuma and detained by the Shimazu clan.

At this time, it was too late to send troops to rescue, and the imperial court could only issue a document forcing Japan to release Shang Ning and return home.It also limited the Ryukyu tribute period and adopted the policy of "one tribute every ten years" to crush Japan's attempt to use Ryukyu for profit. "

"What Mr. Ye Ge said is true. When it sent troops to Korea, the imperial court spent a lot of money on expeditions. If it had sent troops to Ryukyu again, it would have been difficult to move the Ministry of Revenue."

After Ye Xianggao finished speaking, Liu Yishen immediately answered and continued to explain.

His words were the main reason why Ming Dynasty did not save Ryukyu. It was too expensive to send troops and Ming Dynasty had no money.

Zhu Youxiao was not a fool. Naturally, he knew that the words of Liu Yishui and others revealed a meaning, that is, the court had no money. This was not a hint to himself, not to be impulsive.Now it is extremely uneconomical to send troops to Ryukyu because of the complaints of this Imperial College student.

However, the accounts in Zhu Youxiao's mind are different from those of the cabinet members.

In the view of Liu Yishen and others, Ryukyu is isolated overseas and has no effect at all.But Zhu Youxiao's view is exactly the opposite.

Ryukyu was the Ming Dynasty's first stop out of the Pacific and to the Americas. It was also the last island chain to resist maritime attacks in the future. Its geographical value was extremely important to the Ming Dynasty.

What's more, Ryukyu is also the first stop for Japan's southward trade.

As long as Ryukyu is occupied, it will be very easy to block Japan or occupy Japan in the future.Therefore, whether it is for the safety of Ming Dynasty or to deal with Japan, Ryukyu must be controlled.

But Zhu Youxiao sighed secretly as he looked at Liu Yishen and others.

These principles are obvious to him, a person who traveled through time in later generations.

But for Liu Yishen and others, it is like a fantasy and difficult to understand.After all, they have not experienced the difficulties of later generations of China, so naturally they cannot empathize with them.

"Ryukyu is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. I have been respectful since the founding of the Ming Dynasty and have not dared to exceed the rules. But now it is really unbearable for me, and I have always known that Japan has the heart of a tiger and a wolf. If this matter is not properly resolved, It will make further progress, and it is not impossible to annex Ryukyu in the future.

Some things won't weigh as much as three ounces if they don't go on the scale, and they won't weigh a thousand pounds if they go on the scale.

Japan is a small country. During the Wanli period, Japan wanted to use North Korea to attack the Ming Dynasty, and then attacked Ryukyu in an attempt to humiliate and conquer Ryukyu.What do you think I am in the Ming Dynasty? There were Japanese pirates who invaded our country before, and later they sent troops to attack our country. I really want to humiliate them when I want to, which is intolerable. "

"His Majesty?"

When Liu Yishen heard this, he wanted to persuade him further, but Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and signaled him to be silent first.He himself turned to Ren Yuici and said with firm eyes:

"Ren Yue Ci, I already know about this matter, but it is of great importance and I cannot just listen to your words. The court needs to further investigate the whole story. But if this matter is really what you said, then I, the Ming Dynasty, will definitely do it for you. Ryukyu wants justice."

Ryukyu is the younger brother of Ming Dynasty, and the younger brother’s situation was ruined by outsiders.Da Ming, as the eldest brother, naturally has to find it for his younger brother. Otherwise, how will he be the eldest brother in the future? How can he make people like the vassal country willingly follow his eldest brother in the future.

And in Zhu Youxiao's view, Daming, the eldest brother, cannot rely on the image of a country of etiquette to maintain.

The so-called big brother, the image of the Celestial Kingdom, is mainly about power. To put it bluntly, it depends on fighting.All disobedient people were defeated, and other countries did not dare to make mistakes.Only in this way will these countries sit down and listen to your reasoning. Otherwise, everything you say will be nonsense.

Thinking back to the overlords of China's past dynasties, such as the Qiang Han, the prosperous Tang Dynasty, etc., it is nothing but this.

What's more, Zhu Youxiao has a bad feeling for Japan itself. Only by trampling this kind of country that loves small righteousness but loses big righteousness will they truly respect you and listen to you.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao has only one choice for Japan, and that is to fight.Now it's just a question of how to fight and how to fight.Hearing that the emperor made it clear that he would stand up for Ryukyu, Renyueci was very excited. He secretly thought that this risk was definitely worth it. Ryukyu was saved, so he kowtowed again and said in thanks:

"Everything the student said is true, your majesty will know after a quick check. Your majesty can listen to the student's words, which is enough to show that the Ming Dynasty and even your majesty have the world in mind, and you are worthy of being the lord of Ryukyu. The student is here to thank your majesty for the people of Ryukyu."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Ren Yuexi and the other Ryukyu students who were kneeling, and couldn't help but nod, so he waved his hands and said:
"Well, that's the end of this matter. Someone will definitely come to you to find out the situation in the future. Just report the truth and don't hide anything. In the future, it will be easy to study in the Imperial College. As a Ryukyu student, you can risk your life. I am very pleased to ask for help from Ryukyu. When I learn something from the Imperial Academy, it will be of great use in the future."

People like Ren Yuici are still very valuable to Ming Dynasty.

After all, he could still go to Ming Dynasty to study despite being coerced by Japan, especially he could explain the truth to himself in person.That proves that his loyalty or favorability to Ming Dynasty is far better than other people in Ryukyu.It is natural to intensify the training of these people. After all, the rule of Ryukyu after the Ming Dynasty will rely on these people.

When Liu Yishen and others present saw what the emperor said, they knew in their hearts that this matter would not go away.

But the emperor did a lot of "ridiculous things", and they were used to it.

Besides, although some people, such as Liu Yishen, felt that this matter was still a bit too hasty, he hoped that the emperor would not make hasty decisions. After all, soldiers and important national affairs must be monitored.

But there are still some people, such as the great scholar Ye Xianggao, the Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, and others who think it is nothing.

This matter is both big and small.The reason for keeping a low profile during the Wanli period was because there was no money, but now that the Ming Dynasty's national and financial resources are much better than before, it is natural and logical to resolve this kind of matter.

After this matter was over, Zhu Youxiao was no longer interested in chatting with other international students. After a few words of encouragement, he asked everyone to leave, and then asked Liu Zongzhou to take him to Beiyuan to see the teaching venues of Western Studies.

The number of teaching places in Beiyuan is far inferior to that of Nanyuan.This is mainly because the subjects taught are still too few compared with Nanyuan.

The Chinese studies taught by Professor Nanyuan of the Imperial Academy of the Ming Dynasty were still based on Confucian orthodoxy.However, under Zhu Youxiao's efforts in reform, the content of his teachings is also very different from the past.

In the past, the teaching content of the Imperial College was mainly based on the "Four Books" and the "Five Classics". The standard textbook was the "Complete Collection of Four Books and Five Classics". In addition, one must also study the "Complete Collection of Xingli", "Shuo Yuan", "Da Ming Laws and Orders", "Imperial Imperial Edict" and so on.

Most of these contents are prepared for the imperial examination.However, under Zhu Youxiao's suggestion, Sun Shenxing, Liu Zongzhou and others also reformed the teaching content.On the basis of Confucian classics and legal provisions, arithmetic, astronomy, geography, archery and other subjects were added.Teaching is also planned. Every morning, Jijiu will give the lecture; in the afternoon, there will be lectures, repeated lectures, endorsements, lectures, and compositions, hosted by doctors and teaching assistants.

The more important point is that at Zhu Youxiao's suggestion, the Imperial College also established a lecture system, which meant that some great Confucian scholars, Confucian scholars, and scholars would be invited from time to time to give lectures.

This system has existed since the Ming Dynasty. The Donglin Party often invited some people to give lectures before, and the results were remarkable.

Therefore, when Sun Shenxing saw that the emperor actually asked the Imperial College to carry out lectures, he was immediately overjoyed.

The Imperial College was the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty. Anyone invited to give lectures would naturally be a recognition of this person and the Confucian school behind him.This dispute between the great principles of Confucian classics and the orthodoxy of Confucianism and Taoism cannot be ignored by all Confucian scholars.

So now that the Imperial College is completed, who will be invited to give lectures for the first time in the future and what they will give have become the focus of everyone's attention.

It can even be said that this was the reason why Sun Shenxing wanted the emperor to come to the Imperial College.

I just want the emperor to take this opportunity to say something about the tone and standards of Imperial College teaching.Only in this way can the public opinions be calmed, and he and Liu Zongzhou will be cleaner.

Therefore, Liu Zongzhou has always wanted to find an opportunity to mention the requirements and standards for teaching.He originally wanted to find an opportunity to ask later, but he didn't expect Zhu Youxiao didn't want to wander around Nanyuan anymore. Instead, he proposed to go to Beiyuan, which caught him off guard.

I saw him thinking about it for a while, then he forced himself to hand it over and said:
"Your Majesty, this place is still quite far from Beiyuan. Maybe Your Majesty should first take a look at the teaching content and subjects of Nanyuan, and then go to Beiyuan, so that you can have a comparison."

When Zhu Youxiao heard this, he immediately understood that there was something in Liu Zongzhou's words.

With Jinyiwei and Dongchang as his eyes and ears, he naturally knows exactly what the officials in the capital are thinking.It's just that the more Liu Zongzhou and others behave like this, the less impatient he becomes.

Because the civil servants had their own calculations about the standards for giving lectures and who to invite to give lectures, and he naturally had his own plans as well.

"It doesn't matter. There is less space in Beiyuan and it looks faster. After seeing Beiyuan, come to Nanyuan and then you can have a good look."

When Liu Zongzhou saw what the emperor said, he couldn't say anything else and could only lead the way.

Nanyuan is not far from Beiyuan. Liu Zongzhou took Zhu Youxiao and others after walking for a while.

Although Liu Zongzhou was a minister of the Imperial Academy, he did not know much about Western learning.But just because he doesn't understand, it doesn't mean that no one else understands.Therefore, when he arrived at Beiyuan, the person who introduced Zhu Youxiao also changed and became Li Zhizao, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites and a supervisor of the Imperial Academy.

This man Zhu Youxiao is also well known. The "Map of All Nations Kun" that he hung in the Qianqing Palace was made by Li Zhizao based on Matteo Ricci's map.The introduction to Europe, America, Africa and other places is also somewhat detailed. He can be regarded as one of the few people in the Ming Dynasty who has both Chinese and Western skills.

Moreover, like Xu Guangqi, he was also worried about national affairs and loyal to the Ming Dynasty.

In order to deal with Jianlu, he personally went to Macau, purchased [-] red barbarian cannons from Portugal, and personally escorted them to Beijing.In addition, he also urged the imperial court to hire Portuguese instructors to come to Beijing to teach gunnery in Licaolan.

It can be said that the development of Krupp artillery and the training of Beijing camp artillery are all due to his contribution.It's just that Zhu Youxiao has never summoned him before due to various reasons.

So now that he saw him coming in front of him, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but said:

"Li Aiqing, although I have never summoned you alone before, I will always keep your contribution in mind."

　I'm really ashamed of the lack of updates in the past two days.I will make up for the three updates tomorrow and tomorrow. Thank you for your support.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)