Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 367: Mediating Between Countries

"Dingling...Dingling..."

"Uuuuuu——"

Seaports, as one of the important gateways for world trade in later generations, cannot produce much value in this era, because having seaports will only lead to countries that do not have pillar industries and will become overly dependent on foreign goods.

However, if it is a suzerain country like the Ming Dynasty, it does not seem to be a big burden to rely on, at least in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

When the bells and horns rang in the early morning, the brand new pier in Dagu La had already begun to become lively.

On the pier of the harbor, several large ships slowly entered the harbor. The cables were raised, water splashed, and the sea water was glowing with dazzling light.

Net after net of fish was pulled ashore, and each boat brought tens of thousands of catties of fish.

These fish are processed by people wearing local costumes, then processed into salted fish with expensive salt, and finally hung to dry.

On one side of the pier, due to the liberalization of policies, businessmen who could only wear coarse linen clothes in the past also changed to silk clothes.

A month ago, they followed the fleet that sailed to the West into the East and West. After visiting Aceh, they went north to the Ming Dynasty's Dagu Laxuanwei Division, where they began to trade some goods of low value.

Due to the lack of ability of the royal family, the country's palace coups were frequent and wars continued at home and abroad.

"No, your place is barren and cannot support such an army." Zheng He shook his head and refused, but he was afraid of attacking Daura Sutra, so he consoled him:

"The imperial court will station 5,600 people. These 5,600 soldiers and horses can protect Bago at critical moments and maintain smooth waterways. You only need to be responsible for the management of the land and leave the sea to the imperial court."

"Yes..." Rasudari nodded frequently. Seeing this, Zheng He also exchanged a few words and returned to the acropolis of Xihaiwei.

For Rasudhari, the tax revenue of two thousand guan was enough to raise an army of four hundred.

"As long as Da Gu La still exists, Da Gu La will always be a minister of the imperial court."

The person who kept praising the Ming Dynasty was the Xuanwei Envoy Luo Sudali of the Daku La Xuanwei Envoy.

"I said that the imperial court will only bring you civilization, knowledge, and prosperity. What do you think?"

As they came and went, the Dakula Pier became more lively, and this scene was seen by everyone on a sentry tower not far away.

Facts have proved that Rasudhari's choice was not wrong.

Because of this, Rasudhari accepted the canonization of the Ming Dynasty, and would rather join the Ming Dynasty's system as a hereditary Xuanwei envoy who was demoted from the king to the Ming Dynasty's Dagu Laxuanwei envoy.

The acropolis of Xihaiwei is made of concrete and stone. After all, limestone and iron ore powder are available in many places, so it is not particularly difficult to make ready-made cement.

As Zheng He walked down the sentry tower, he explained everything to Rasatari. At the same time, he also said: "The imperial court has built a dock in Manmo in the north. I believe it won't be long before the Great Jinsha River (Irrawaddy River) can be directly connected." Communicate with Yunnan Dusi."

Rasudhari was also very worried that the army would capture him and take him to Nanjing in the future. However, when he thought about the situation he was facing, he thought about it and would rather believe in the Ming Dynasty than the Bamar people in the north and the Tai people in the southeast.

Economically, Zheng He led part of the army and local civilians to build the Dakula Port and set up the West China Sea Acropolis under the Ming Dynasty's naval governor's office.

This is just the economic aspect. What makes Rasudhari most happy is the military stability after the arrival of the Ming army.

"After the imperial court's Xihaiwei is established here, you can let the people under your rule plant the imperial rice seeds and sell them to the officers and soldiers of the Xihaiwei every year for profit."

In the early days of the country, the Mon people were still able to conquer the outside world. However, with the continuous influx of immigrants into the country and the lack of ability of the rulers themselves, the political situation in Bago was unstable, bandits were rampant, and a prince was even assassinated by Shan immigrants. things happen.

When Zheng He led part of the army to build a port for Dagu La, Chen Xuan had already led a large group of soldiers and horses to roam the territory of Da Gu La. While eliminating the bandits and barbarians, he also conveyed the news to other countries that Da Gu La The Assassination Xuanwei Division was an important member of the Ming Dynasty's Three Prosperities and Six Weases system.

Because of these many benefits, Zheng He supported Dagu La so much, and Rashadhari welcomed the arrival of the imperial fleet so eagerly.

"If you have anything to do, you can contact Xihaiwei. If Xihaiwei can't take charge, contact Yunnan Dusi. After all, the three announcements and six comforts are under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Dusi."

Bago, which has a population of hundreds of thousands, cannot even provide two thousand soldiers in armor, which makes it difficult for Bago to deal with the North-South issue.

Under the protection of the Western Sea Guards, the safety of the Dagula Port was guaranteed, and Rasudari could use the ship fees to enrich the economy of the Dagula Xuanwei Envoy.

Of course, this is an ideal state, but even if it cannot be achieved, Dagu La can still collect no less than two thousand guan in ship tax every year.

The wall of Xihai Acropolis is one foot three feet high, eight feet wide, and two miles in circumference. Two-thirds of it is currently under construction.

Dagu La's specialties include ivory, spices, wood and other things. Naturally, there is no shortage of merchants. Therefore, combined with the two, the arrival of the Pacific Fleet has brought thousands of economic benefits to Da Gu La. .

A month ago, when the Ming army arrived at the port of Dagula, Zheng He immediately summoned Rasatari, and after understanding the situation in Dagula, he discussed with Chen Xuan how to help Rasudhari stabilize the political situation in Dagula.

With Dagu La as a horse boy, once careerists appear in Burma, Luchuan, Babaidadian and other places, they will have to face a north-south pincer attack from the Ming army. This makes Sanxuanliu, which does not have much strategic depth, Many chieftains had to be honest.

Xihaiwei has a city wall outside, and warehouses, residences, and schools are built inside to store money and grain, and collect goods for sorting and transshipment.

After a month of construction by Zheng He and others, Dagu La Port has more than 100 parking spaces for large and small ships. Each ship parking space is charged according to the number of days. The cost of leasing and docking for a day is 200 yuan.

"I have admired the Celestial Empire for a long time, so I took the initiative to pay tribute to the imperial court. Now it is my dream to become an official of the imperial court and receive the protection of the imperial court."

He also has another identity, that is, the king of the Kingdom of Bago.

However, as time went by, the Ava, Shan, and Bamar people in the north put increasing pressure on him, and many ethnic groups in the south also frequently attacked Bago, causing Rasudhari to fall into a diplomatic dilemma.

In the eighteenth year of Hongwu's reign, Rasudhari gained the support of the people and became the new king of Bago. He sent 700 people to conquer the Immortal Guards and expanded the scope of Bago's rule.

"In five days, the imperial army will gather to go to Punggala Kingdom. We will only leave a thousand people to build the West Sea Acropolis for the time being. When we return, we will station a full number of guards and horses."

On the three-foot-high concrete sentry tower, when Zheng He, who was wearing a white round-neck robe, turned around to ask a man who was wearing the robe of a second-grade Ming military attache but looked like a local, the man also spoke quickly and passed by. The Siyi Pavilion official translated:

"To be able to entertain angels and be protected by heavenly soldiers is something I can only dream of in my dreams."

In addition, merchants who trade in Dagu La Port also need to pay taxes to the Da Gu La Xuanwei Department. The tax rate is one in ten taxes like the Ming Dynasty.

In other words, if these more than 100 ship slots are full, it will bring 20 guan of income to the Grand Cola Port, which will be more than 7,000 guan in a year.

Zheng He and Rasatari were talking about the supply problem after the establishment of the Western Sea Guards. Rasatari quickly said: "I have received the favor of the imperial court, so I should be responsible for the supply of the officers and soldiers."

In this regard, the tribes in the Xuanwei Division such as Burma and Babaidadian became much more honest. This not only stabilized the external environment of Dagula, but also made the situation in the southwest of the Ming Dynasty much more stable.

Bago is a local separatist regime established after the collapse of the Bagan dynasty. The main ethnic group is the Mon.

This city is not that big. After all, there are 5,600 Ming troops stationed in the acropolis. It would be difficult for the entire Indochina Peninsula to recruit troops to capture it, let alone if a large army really sieges the city. Wang Xuan from the upper reaches will immediately attack Able to drive down the river from Manmo.

Therefore, after a brief inspection, Zheng He returned to his residence, a simple wooden house.

Here, he saw Chen Xuan making tea and looking at sea charts.

"Back from the south?"

Zheng He was not surprised to see Chen Xuan. After all, when he set out, he said he would be back in a few days.

"They are all shirtless bandits, not very interesting."

Chen Xuan took a sip of tea, then pointed to Arakan in the north and asked: "Isn't the imperial court planning to build a port in Arakan?"

"It's not necessary. Dakula is enough. Arakan and Myanmar's Xuanweisi are separated by mountains. Dakula has the Jinsha River that can directly connect to Manmo, which is more convenient."

Zheng He sat aside and took off his shoes, soothed his feet and relaxed:

"The Bangkara (Sultanate of Bangladesh) in the north took the initiative to send a ship half a month ago to ask if we were visiting the area."

"I sent people from the West Factory to the local area to investigate the information, and it turned out that there was something wrong with their enthusiasm."

"Are you going to ambush us?" Chen Xuan's eyes shone, obviously feeling that his military exploits were coming, but Zheng He's words disappointed him.

"No." Zheng He shook his head and said: "Banggara is being threatened by the powerful country in northern India, the Zunapur (Jaunpur Sultanate). I hope the court can mediate and even be willing to allow the court to build the Chadi Port (Chittagong). Official factory.”

"This is a good thing!" Although Chen Xuan was a little disappointed, he still said happily: "It's too far from Dakula to Ceylon. If there is Banggala in the middle as a transit, things will be much easier."

"I think so too, so I am planning to set up an official factory locally. If King Bangala is willing..."

Although Zheng He said this, he had already thought of King Bangala's joy when he heard the news.

Along the way, every coastal country saw the size of the fleet and nodded to their requirements.

Even those who have a tough attitude will bite the bullet and agree after the bombardment of the Ming army's daily training.

Therefore, when setting up guard posts and official factories along the voyage to the West, Zheng He was only worried about how to set up official factories and ports in Horumos. He never worried about the rest.

"Although this voyage to the West is interesting, there are too many chores. It feels no different from my errand to dredge the canal in Zhili."

Chen Xuan lamented that he had not had a good time, or that he was not as good as his old partner Yang Qiu and his family. Under the leadership of Yang Zhan, the first voyage to the West could also be credited with the annihilation of Chen Zuyi and the forced landing of Manchu Boyi and other countries.

When they arrived at their own place, as Yang Zhan's reputation for encircling and suppressing Chen Zuyi spread, all the countries inside and outside the Manchuria Strait knew how powerful the imperial fleet was, and no one dared to stir up trouble.

I just help the locals fight bandits and bandits every day, which is really boring.

"Haha..." Looking at Chen Xuan's sigh, Zheng He smiled and said, "Maybe when you get past Xixiaoxiyang, it will be time for you to show off your talents."

"I hope..." Chen Xuan shook his head and took a sip of tea.

Afterwards, the two returned to talking about some of the interesting things they had encountered along the way, and time slowly passed while they were talking.

Soon, the day came for the departure of the Pacific Fleet.

Early in the morning, Rashadhara led the people of Dakula to the port to help carry the vegetables, fruits, dried salted fish, grain and other supplies needed by the Ming army onto the ship.

For various countries, the supply trade of the Ming Dynasty's Western Fleet can also bring considerable income.

Although Dagula Xuanweisi was a territory of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He still paid five thousand guans of Ming Dynasty new money to buy supplies.

The supplies they need this time are not much. They only need to maintain the fleet for two months. No matter how much they need, Dagu La will not be able to satisfy them.

Although it was only 5,000 guan, and most of it went into Rasadhari's pocket, for the tens of thousands of people near the Grand Kuala Port, the business of more than 2,000 guan made each of them profitable. The bowls are full and the smiles are on the faces.

"Uuuuuu——"

As the horn sounded, hundreds of warships and armed merchant ships sailing to the Western Ocean slowly anchored from the sea south of Dagu La Port.

The northeast monsoon current in July was no longer strong enough, but even so, the fleet still headed north tenaciously.

When entering the waters of Rakhine State, Rakhine State did not let go of this good business of supplying the fleet.

Although the goal of the fleet was to go to Chadi Port in Bangkara for replenishment, in order to take care of the vassal states, Zheng He still sent several empty ships to the port of Rakhine State for replenishment.

After ending this episode, when Zheng He and the others entered Bangkara Bay and entered Chadi Port with Bangkara boats leading the way, Chadi Port had been completely cleared, and countless ships were available for the Ming army to supply. Armed horse boats and merchant ships from private merchant gangs docked.

Since the size of the ships of the Ming fleet far exceeded the capacity of Chadi Port, most of the warships and horse ships were anchored at sea.

"This Banggara looks as prosperous as our Central Plains. I guess it is also a civilized and polite country."

Chen Xuan slowly lowered his feet from the cannon, and while muttering to himself, the whole view of Chadi Port in the distance was also exposed to their eyes.

It was noon at this time, so when Zheng He slowly sailed into Chadi Port by boat, a town port with a Muslim style slowly appeared in front of them.

On the pier, most of the people from the Bangkara Kingdom who came to welcome the fleet wore white robes. The women covered their faces with gauze scarves, only exposing their eyes, while the men had their heads wrapped in white cloth, revealing the thick hair on their faces. beard.

The town houses behind them are mostly white and blue, and the mosque in the distance can be vaguely seen.

"It is strange that the king, officials and people of this country in Banggara are all lustful."

To the soldiers and civilians of the Ming Dynasty, as long as their heads were wrapped in white cloth and their faces were covered, they seemed to be people with lustful eyes. Naturally, Chen Xuan thought so too.

Although Zheng He can be regarded as a man of color, he believes in Buddhism more than religion.

As the ship docked, hundreds of Ming army armored men stepped down the ship's ladder in clear colors and lined up on the pier to defend Zheng He's safety.

Chen Xuan was on the boat to ensure that Zheng He could be rescued in time when he encountered danger.

Under the watchful eye of Chen Xuan, Banggara came to welcome Zheng He with more than a thousand cavalry. The national strength of a thousand cavalry should not be underestimated. This also made Zheng He, who was welcomed, anxious about the next step. The mediation issue is very troublesome.

Under Zheng He's gaze, an honor guard team slowly walked out of a team of more than a thousand cavalry.

A man in his forties wearing a crown of eight gemstones and a silk robe walked up to him, guarded by Bangala soldiers wearing brightly exposed armor.

He was followed by a Han man. When he saw Zheng He, the Han man took the lead in bowing: "Banggara Overseas Chinese King, please see your lord..."

"I didn't expect that I, an overseas Chinese from the Ming Dynasty, could actually be involved in Banggara. It's interesting." Zheng He smiled heartily, and at the same time, the gorgeous man in his forties beside Wang Gui also started to speak his native language.

After he finished speaking, Wang Gui and a businessman next to Zheng He translated in unison: "This is the Shah of Bangala Kingdom, also known as King Aiya Siding."

The two of them looked at each other after translating. Zheng He smiled and said, "Just translate for the king. I have someone who can translate."

"Yes..." Wang Gui returned the greeting, and Zheng He also said:

"Hello King, I am Zheng He, the envoy of the Chinese Empire to the Western Seas. I accept your invitation and come here on behalf of the Emperor of Heaven."

After Zheng He spoke, Wang Gui translated his words, but Aiyasi Ding was obviously more concerned about the fleet brought by Zheng He. He looked at the fleet crowded with Chadi Port and anchored at sea with lingering fear, and sighed. road:

"I have never seen a fleet as large as yours. Your fleet should have ten thousand people, right?"

"Including merchants, there are almost more than 24,000 people." When Zheng He answered, Aiya Siding couldn't help but be speechless.

The more than a thousand cavalry he pulled out to welcome Zheng He were almost half of the cavalry in Bangladesh. If Zheng He's army were all heavily armored soldiers like the ones behind him, then he might be able to capture Chadi in a short time. Port, and can even carve up Bangladesh with the country of Jaunpur in the north.

"You are a confident and generous man. With such an army, you can still maintain such etiquette."

Aiyasi Ding praised Zheng He, but Zheng He smiled and said: "This is nothing. In the Celestial Empire, there are millions of troops like this."

"Millions?!" Aiyasi Ding's eyes widened. He didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty, which called itself China, was so powerful. You must know that his country only had an army of 20,000 to 30,000 people.

"Really?" He asked Wang Gui, hoping to get an answer from Wang Gui. Wang Gui nodded and told him that the Ming Dynasty had tens of millions of people and millions of troops.

After all, the stronger Ming is, the more he will be taken seriously in Bangladesh.

"It's really unimaginable that there can be such a powerful country in the world."

Aiyasi Ding sighed, in his impression, a country with a population of several million and an army of one hundred thousand is already an absolutely powerful country. He did not expect that there are actually tens of millions of people and millions of troops in the world. s country.

Thinking of this, he was even more confident in Zheng He: "I sincerely invite you to rest here with me for a night, and then go to the capital of our country. I will entertain you well in the palace, and also ask you to mediate the dispute between our country and the northern countries." contradiction."

Aiyasi Ding was a little worried that Zheng He would refuse because he was worried about trouble, but it turned out that he underestimated Zheng He and underestimated the Ming Dynasty's ambition to explore the West.

"You can rest assured that I, the Emperor of China, advocate peace. During my voyage to the West, I have also mediated conflicts in many countries. Although I don't know much about the situation in your country, I believe that as the king, you are so considerate. The country must be an innocent victim."

Zheng He's polite words, although a little false, at least comforted Aiya Siding.

Soon, Aiyasi Ding invited Zheng He to sit on the sedan with him on the back of an elephant, and walked towards the temporary palace in Chadi Port under the escort of more than a thousand cavalry and hundreds of Ming army cavalry.

They walked through the main road of the town and could see a clear river flowing all the way to the town's port. In the anchorage area of ​​the port were hundreds of horse-drawn boats with Ming Dynasty flags docked.

"Your ships are the largest I have ever seen."

Aiyasi Ding did not forget to close the relationship, and Zheng He also responded with a smile: "The largest ship in our country cannot enter the port, otherwise I can ask you to go up and have a look."

Aiyasi Ding took a deep breath. He didn't know whether what Zheng He said was true or not, but judging from the large ships parked in the harbor, maybe the Ming army did have larger ships.

Being able to invite Zheng He to mediate the conflict between himself and the country to the north is simply his luck.

Thinking of this, Aiyasi Ding became even more enthusiastic towards Zheng He. After arriving at the temporary palace, he also took Zheng He with him and talked with him passionately about the power of the distant Ming Dynasty and why the Ming Dynasty was called China.

"I live in the middle of the world and am responsible for maintaining peace around me. In the eyes of the emperor, all the surrounding countries are his subjects. If there is a conflict between the subjects, China will naturally mediate. This is why I am willing to come."

"So that's it."

After listening to what Zheng He said, Aiyasi Ding felt that Daming was a bit arrogant, but when he thought about the strength that Daming showed, he felt that this was appropriate.

When the same thing happened to him, he could probably only organize a fleet of a hundred people to mediate some minor matters, but the emperor of Ming Dynasty could organize a fleet of more than 20,000 people and hundreds of large ships to mediate some small matters. Mediating from thousands of miles away, such strength is indeed something that Siya Siding has never heard of before.

Because of this, Aiyasi Ding couldn't help but become curious about the Ming Dynasty. While Zheng He promised to help him mediate the conflicts between the two countries, he also sincerely invited Aiyasi Ding to go to the Ming Dynasty when the fleet returned. He also hoped that the fleet could return to the Ming Dynasty. An official factory was built in Chadi Port to supply the fleet.

Aiyasi Ding had no reason to refuse Zheng He's demands, so he promised to give a piece of land in Chadi Port to Zheng He to build an official factory after the mediation.

Because of his generosity, Zheng He also decided to help him solve the problems in the northern country. After all, he had been listening to Chen Xuan's nagging a lot these days.

If the country in the north doesn't listen to reason, then Zheng He will have to ask Chen Xuan to go to the north and talk to it...

(End of this chapter)