Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 453 Bangchi and Japanese Dog
"The old man is thinking about his railway again..."

After the Lantern Festival, Zhu Gaoxu, who was in the front bedroom with a toothache, looked at this handwritten letter sent from Beijing and written by Wang Yan, and couldn't help but think of the old man's honest and cunning expression.

He put his thoughts back and looked at the table in front of him.

In addition to a table of delicious food, the rest were several concubines headed by Guo Yan, as well as seven boys, six girls, and thirteen children.

Among these children, Zhu Gaoxu got along with Zhu Zhanhe and Zhu Zhanqi the most, so his eyes focused more on them.

Zhu Zhanqi is ten years old and is in the third grade of primary school. He is currently studying in Chaoyang Primary School with several younger brothers.

Although everyone at the school knew their identities, Zhu Gaoxu arranged for them to study there and sent additional troops.

Those who studied there were mostly officials' children, and Zhu Zhanqi and the others were not Zhu Gaoxu's key training targets, so the officials' children did not have much burden.

In comparison, it was more difficult for Zhu Zhanhe. He had to hide his identity wherever he went. He was able to hide in Jiangning Middle School for so long because of Zhu Gaoxu's strict orders.

"After graduation next year, I would like to arrange for you to go to the National Defense University. What do you think?"

Zhu Gaoxu's arrangement for the vassal king was very obvious, mainly towards the southwest. For the concubines who had never set foot in the southwest, it was undoubtedly a very scary place.

As soon as Zhang Fengyi said his words, everyone looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

Moreover, current medical technology is much better than in history. Now Ming medicine has basically reached the level of the mid-19th century, and all technologies have basically reached the level of the late 18th century.

"Gu Cheng, Marquis of Zhenyuan, passed away on the ninth day of the first lunar month at the age of eighty-five..."

The difference is that in terms of per capita resources, they are still at the beginning of the fifteenth century, so many domestic conflicts have not broken out.

"You are fifteen years old and it's time to be independent."

Unfortunately, as soon as he arrived here, he received bad news.

The older Zhu Zhanhe grew up, the more he admired his father, especially his calmness when facing the throne. Therefore, going home from school every week to meet Zhu Gaoxu was basically the happiest thing for him.

Now they will head to Beijing soon, so they will be the only one left in Nanjing.

Others cannot change what Zhu Gaoxu decided. All his future sons will have to be canonized overseas and in the southwest to consolidate the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

These things are the future legacies left by Zhu Gaoxu to Zhu Zhanhe.

"You don't have to think it's far. When the steam engine ship comes out in the future, it will only take a month to travel from Beijing to Beizhou Xuanwei Division."

There is no problem with what Zhu Gaoxu said. Judging from his observations, Zhu Di definitely lived longer than in history. Although he was tired, his body had no hidden diseases. There was no problem in surviving until Zhu Zhanhe graduated.

At least since the first year of Yongle, local flooding has become smaller and smaller, let alone large-scale flooding.

Zhu Gaoxu continued to speak. After hearing this, Zhang Fengyi looked at Zhu Gaoxu cautiously: "Your Highness, I would like to ask Brother Qi where they are vassal..."

Gu Cheng was an undoubted local pillar for the Ming Dynasty. Without him, Guizhou's sinicization might not have been so smooth.

Although the management of the Yellow River has cost nearly tens of millions of money and food, as far as this project is concerned, if it is properly maintained, it will not be a problem to last for 50 years.

"But you don't have to worry. Your grandfather and father are still young, so you can just study in peace."

For his own reasons, Gu Cheng did not participate in the Battle of Jingnan, so his descendants did not suffer the massacre by Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Zhanqi was as sensible as ever. Although he was only ten years old, he comforted him:
"I've read about them in books. Those places are good. I'll come back to see you then."

"Okay, I'm studying in Nanjing and you go to Beijing. What will I do if I'm alone?"

"I would like to submit to Your Majesty, please ask Gu Tong, the eldest son of Gu Chang, to inherit the title of Marquis of Zhenyuan, posthumously grant Gu Cheng the title of Duke of Xia, and give him the posthumous title of Wu Yi."

The atmosphere of the family banquet was a little depressing for a while, and Zhu Gaoxu also stood up after eating and explained:
"You guys eat more, dad is going to deal with government affairs."

"Yes……"

Zhu Zhanqi thought that steam engine ships could be developed quickly, so he coaxed Zhang Fengyi and others.

"Brother Qi and the others are young. They will have to attend middle schools and military academies in the future. Otherwise, they will be tied to a local government and may be easily deceived by bad people."

Zhu Zhanhe graduated from the military academy in the fifth year and was only twenty-two years old. Counting three years of local study, he was twenty-five at most.

Zhu Gaoxu said, and at the same time continued: "There is no one in Nanjing. I am always worried. It is good for you to be here. When the time comes, I will let Zheng He stay in Nanjing. If anything happens, he will look for you."

"Mom, don't worry, I think those places are pretty good."

Historically, Zhu Di lived until the 22nd year of Yongle. There was no reason why he could not bear the burden until that time.

"The remaining heirs of the Gu family will all be given the fourth rank of martial arts..."

When Zhu Gaoxu came to the entrance of Chunhe Hall, he received the news from Yi Shiha, which made him feel a little dazed.

Such remarks obviously hurt the hearts of Zhang Fengyi and others, and they all bowed their heads and shed tears.

"Hue south of Cochin, Cheche, Jingding, Mengyang, Jiangtou in Yunnan, or overseas Ceylon, Luzon and other places need to be guarded by the vassal king. These places are all good places to become a vassal."

Zhu Gaoxu talked about Zhu Zhanhe at the dinner table because he knew that Zhu Zhanhe was interested in the military academy.

Not only that, the import of silver and copper coins from overseas solved the problem of money shortage during the Yongle period. Various water conservancy facilities built in the past ten years ensured that the people would not suffer from floods.

In response, Zhu Gaoxu took over the memorial and read it all. When he saw the list of his heirs, he felt relieved.

The children nodded, and Zhu Gaoxu also nodded and left the front bedroom, and soon returned to the Chunhe Hall to deal with the memorial.

"Now that we have anti-malarial powder, it is difficult to get sick in those places, so you don't have to worry too much."

"You definitely don't have to worry about these places. The civil and military officials below will manage the local area well."

"If you are really worried, the Beizhou Xuanwei Division and Dongzhou Xuanwei Division are good places to go."

Zhu Gaoxu arranged Gu Cheng's posthumous affairs. Since he had already given Tongshan to the Gu family earlier, he did not give much material help.

Several of Gu Cheng's heirs had little ability to lead troops in war. In his early years, Gu Cheng wanted to send his heirs to the National Defense University, but as a result, several of his heirs couldn't bear the hardship and dropped out of school.

Sending them to the battlefield is irresponsible to them and to the sergeants.

Let's arrange it like this. If any of the Gu family's children have outstanding military talents in the future, they can still attend the National Defense University by virtue of their rank.

After explaining everything, Zhu Gaoxu returned to Chunhe Hall and sat down.

It's a pity that bad luck did not leave Chunhe Hall. Only three months after Gu Cheng's death, bad news came again from the southwest.

Ningyuan Marquis He Fu died at home at the age of seventy-four. His son He Fu inherited the title and posthumously gave it to Cai Guogong, with the posthumous title "Zhonglie".

In the same month, Duke Qiu Fu of Qi State passed away at the age of seventy-two. His son Qiu Song ascended the throne and posthumously gave him the posthumous title of "Zhongxiang" to King Shucheng.

The next month, Baoding Marquis Mengshan died at the age of seventy-one. His eldest son Meng Ying attacked the Marquis of Baoding and posthumously gave him the posthumous title of "Zhongyong" to Duke Teng.

In just half a year, four veterans died one after another during the Hongwu period, which seemed to announce the end of the old era.

Due to the deaths of He Fu and Gu Cheng, Zhu Gaoxu could only mobilize Xu Sheng, Liu Zhen, Zhang Chun, Zhang Fu, Chen Mao, Meng Ying and others to go south to Yunnan to prepare the army and return to the country.

The reform of the country was delayed for several months. It was not until the winter of the same year that an army of more than 100,000 troops began to launch a thorough reform of Yunnan.

Compared with the reform and return movement in the southwest, overseas is actually very lively.

"Last year, the total amount of gold mined was 64,237 cents, and 190,000 jins of copper ingots were purchased overseas, which can be used to mint nearly 40,000 guan. However, most of the Chinese coins are circulated among the people, so..."

In Seoul, inside Changdeok Palace, listening to the words of Hucao official, 49-year-old Li Bangyuan nodded with satisfaction, and then clenched his fists.

"This gold can be exchanged for 640,000 copper coins, but how long can this alleviate the money shortage?"

Li Fangyuan slowly opened his eyes and asked Jin Huan, the Hucao minister in front of him. Jin Huan was the minister he sent to the Ming Dynasty to study for many years and returned.

Jin Huan was sent to Shandong eight years ago and studied in primary school for five years. Because he was unwilling to stay in the Ming Dynasty as an official, he could not continue to study in middle school.

After his return, he immediately rectified many of Hucao's systems for Li Fangyuan, and actively dispatched gold mining teams to occupy Kunlun Continent.

Although he was a civilian official, they regarded him as a military attache among the two squads because he supported the expedition to Kunlun.

Facts have proved that he made the right choice. In the past few years, Zhongwuwei of Kunlun Continent has earned at least 160,000 taels of gold for North Korea, which means that he has earned at least 1.6 million taels of wealth in three years.

You must know that the taxation under the Korean aristocratic system was corrupt, and the maximum grain income was more than 4 million dan. In the worst years, grain was collected at the standard of dou per knot, and the annual income was about dan.

Due to the increase in the land of Yangban nobles and monks and temples, although the area of ​​cultivated land in North Korea has greatly increased, food income has actually decreased.

Before Jin Huan took charge of North Korea's Hu Cao, in the worst year of North Korea, the national income was only 354 taels of gold, 233,600 taels of money, and 339,120 rice. Nine stones, Tian Mi is only fifteen thousand five hundred and eleven stones.

Such finances could only support 20,000 soldiers and horses at most, and this was the reason why the Ming Dynasty was unwilling to attack North Korea.

As far as North Korea's finances are concerned, it can maintain the strength of three guards at most, and the domestic food is also insufficient, so it needs to be imported from the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty's attack on North Korea is equivalent to poverty alleviation, at least hundreds of thousands of dollars and millions of stones of grain are repaid every year.

Fortunately, all this was finally alleviated. After Jin Huan and a group of more than a hundred students who returned from the Ming Dynasty implemented reforms, many systems in Hucao were improved.

Although Li Fang is far less courageous than Zhu Di and his son and dare not completely overthrow the previous system, North Korea's annual tax deductions of various types have reached 400,000 yuan. Counting overseas gold, at least it has stepped out of the scope of poverty.

However, as time passed, Li Fangyuan also saw the flow of gold and silver mining in North Korea.

The gold mined by North Korea from overseas always flows into the Ming Dynasty under various circumstances. In the past three years, in addition to the several thousand taels of gold in its own Changdeokgung Palace, the remaining more than 100,000 taels of gold have flowed into official trade with the Ming Dynasty.

This time the gold can be exchanged for 640,000 gold, but it will not be long before it flows to the Ming Dynasty again.

Li Fangyuan knew it very well, but there was nothing he could do, because the Ming Dynasty now only needs one Liaodong Dusi, which is enough to destroy North Korea.

"Based on our country's trade deficit with China and the amount of food per capita in our country, we need to import at least one million shi of grain and millions of kilograms of oil from China every year." "These 640,000 guan, even if we use the work-for-relief method If it is distributed, it will only last about a year and a half at most, and the final result will still be used by the people to buy food and oil, and eventually it will flow to the Celestial Empire. "

"But please rest assured, Your Majesty, as long as Kunlun Continent's investment is large enough, I believe this situation will be overcome soon."

Jin Huan's eyes flickered, and Li Fangyuan calmed down after hearing this: "You can do whatever you want."

"Yes!" Jin Huan lowered his head and kowtowed, then exited Changdeok Palace and returned to his house.

When he returned to the house, he did not have time to take off his official uniform, but hurried to a courtyard in the backyard.

In the yard, a man was quietly making tea.

Seeing Jin Huan's arrival, he poured a cup of tea, extended his hand for Jin Huan to drink it, and then continued: "What's the news?"

"The king is indeed dissatisfied with the Celestial Empire, but North Korea's materials are poor and its military strength is insufficient. Even if it is dissatisfied, it is useless."

Jin Huan explained everything, and then said: "Hu Qianshi, I need more New Deal North Korean officials to fight against the Yangban."

"Well..." Hu Ji responded when he heard the words, picked up the teacup and took a sip before speaking:

"You select five hundred people, and I will arrange for them to study in primary schools in Denglai State."

"But I want to remind you that North Korea must closely follow the footsteps of the imperial court, otherwise I can't guarantee when the people in the Sixth Army Commander's Mansion will take action against North Korea."

"Yes! I understand..." Jin Huan lowered his head very low, and then when he saw that Hu Ji didn't speak, he got up and left the courtyard.

After he left, several Xichang warriors walked out of the main room behind Hu Ji. They sat around Hu Ji and looked at the direction in which Jin Huan left.

"This guy's heart is mainly about North Korea, followed by the imperial court. In other words, there is no imperial court at all. He just wants to use the power of the imperial court to move the two shifts, reform the system of North Korea, and then make North Korea rich and powerful."

Liu Mian made a judgment, and Hu Ji also nodded and said: "His Highness said that as long as he does not do anything that harms the interests of the imperial court, we can still cooperate."

"North Korea, Japan, and those countries in Southeast Asia are the imperial court's greatest support for the development of Kunlun Continent."

"It's better to put their power in Kunlun Continent to consume it than to let them fight among themselves and finally need the court to mediate."

"It's a pity that Japan's Ashikaga Yoshitsugu is too timid, otherwise North Korea could go further in developing Kunlun Continent."

The vassal states are undoubtedly the biggest thugs of the Ming Dynasty in Kunlun Continent. The Ming Dynasty does not need to export people, money or food. It only needs to provide resources to cooperate, and it can obtain a steady stream of gold and silver. It can also use commodities to penetrate various countries, allowing the handicrafts and industries of various countries to develop. The military industry all relied on the Ming Dynasty and completed deep binding.

The combined population of these vassal states is between 20 and 30 million, and the terrain is very complex.

The current territory was enough for Daming to spend time digesting. If he continued to eat, he would only suffer from indigestion and vomit it out.

Supporting them to develop Kunlun Continent is indeed a good move. At least from the perspective of the Korean Kingdom, Ming Dynasty only needs to provide supplies in exchange for gold, which is a good deal.

There is no shortage of food in the Ming Dynasty now, and it can even be said that the price of food is cheap. The price of food in the Jiangnan area has dropped to 320 yuan per stone. The output of farmers from ten acres of land can only be three to two. Just buy a few good-looking ready-made clothes. You have to spend all you have gained in a year.

Instead of keeping the food, it is better to sell it to Japan and North Korea at a high price so that they can rely on the Ming Dynasty for food.

"Ambassador Hu will handle matters in Japan. I believe Ashikaga Yoshitsugu will find it difficult to resist the temptation."

After Hu Ji finished speaking, his thoughts flew to the city of Kyoto, nearly a thousand miles away.

As he guessed, Hu Ji was indeed busy easing the relationship between the shogunate and Kansai and Kanto in these years.

After several years of hard work, Kansai, which relied on the Ming Dynasty trade to earn price differences, was the first to be stabilized, followed by the unprofitable Kanto.

Fortunately, with the discovery of the Kunlun Continent gold mine, Guandong was also faintly excited, and Hu Hui was now preparing for their trip to Kunlun Continent.

Kyoto City, the once prosperous capital of Japan, I don’t know since when, the style gradually moved from imitating the Tang Dynasty to imitating the Ming Dynasty.

In the streets and alleys, all the high gate courtyards are basically the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty Jiangnan area, and this is the latest trend in Japan.

The Golden Pavilion, which was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's favorite residence, was also demolished and rebuilt, and replaced by a tall building from the Ming Dynasty.

Due to the use of cement donated by Hu Hui, this high-rise building is four stories high and has a huge space. Sitting on the highest floor, you can overlook most of Sanjobo Gate Residence.

In the past, most of the people here were shogunate officials, but today it is mainly occupied by the Kanto princes.

Envoys sent by the Uesugi, Takeda, Oishi and other families in Kanto are now sitting in it, and here they no longer sit in the traditional kneeling position, but in the Ming style sitting position.

Facing these guys, the five-foot-tall Ashikaga Yoshitsugu was born with pride. It was only when he looked at Hu Ming beside him, who was more than half a head taller than him, that he faintly showed his inferiority complex.

"Everyone, I believe you have received news from North Korea about North Korea's gold mining in Kunlun Continent, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

Sitting on the chair next to Ashikaga Yoshitsugu, Hu Hui said to the dozen or so Kanto guardians in front of him:

"I said that I came to Japan to promote peace in Japan, and everyone in Kanto has not benefited from mutual trade. This is something I know very well."

"For you, the gold mine in Kunlun Continent is undoubtedly an opportunity, an opportunity for mutual benefit."

"We are summoned here today mainly to discuss gold mining and sending troops."

"I know you cannot trust the Lord of Ashikaga, but please believe me and believe in the Celestial Empire."

"This time I have applied to the imperial court for the amount of twenty 5,000-horse ships, which can be chosen by you in a balanced way. Then we will decide how many troops each country will send to avoid disturbing the balance."

"Besides, there is no need to worry in the direction of Kansai. If there is a rebellion in Kansai, the heavenly army of the Chinese Empire will send troops to suppress it to maintain peace in Japan."

Hu Xi finished everything and finally looked at the representative of the Uesugi family.

"We want five!"

The Uesugi family occupied five ships as soon as they opened their mouth, which instantly made the guardians of the Kanto countries look embarrassed.

There are nineteen of them here, and Uesugi has taken five ships, which means eighteen people are fighting for fifteen ships.

"We want two!"

"We have three ships!"

"us……"

In a few words, the envoys sent by the guardians of various countries competed with each other. The quota of twenty horse ships was snatched up in an instant, and the number they reported was added up to a total of thirty-two ships.

"This is a bit difficult to handle. The number of thirty-two ships, this..."

Hu Hui looked embarrassed, and Ashikaga Yoshitsugu immediately smiled and said, "Ambassador, please tell the court that Japan really needs these thirty-two ships to maintain peace."

"This..." Hu Xi said with an ugly face: "Although the power of horse ships is not as huge as the fortune ship and treasure ship, thirty-two horse ships are enough to destroy some small countries. Even North Korea only has a quota of fifteen ships. Your country wants to Thirty-two ships are really needed..."

"Besides, your country still has five ships left by the previous king. The total is thirty-seven ships, which is too many."

Hu Xin expressed resistance, and Ashikaga Yoshitsugu immediately lowered his head and sobbed after hearing this: "Only in this way can we achieve peace in Japan. I hope the ambassador will be considerate of Japan."

"Ambassador, please be considerate!" Envoys from various countries stood up and knelt down, kowtowed and begged.

"I have to discuss it with the Ministry of Etiquette, but I'm afraid it will take a lot of money and food to manage the relationship..."

Seeing that Ashikaga Yoshitsugu and other countries were protecting him like this, Hu Hao could only remind everyone tactfully, and everyone expressed their willingness to contribute money and efforts when they saw this.

After a while of wrangling, everyone presented more than 4,000 Guan to Hu Hui. Although this is not too much for a country, it is definitely a lot for an individual.

"Then I'll work hard, and I hope I won't let you down."

Hu Xi stood up and bowed, and the guards from various countries also breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and sat back in their seats.

Seeing this, Hu Hui also said: "Each horse boat can basically carry five hundred people. Take a look..."

"No problem!" After all, we are guarding a country, so sending five hundred warriors is not a problem.

Similar to Uesugi, the shogunate and other big forces, sending 2,500 samurai is nothing.

The more warriors sent out, the more slaves were captured and the more gold was mined.

For the guardians of the Kanto countries who lack gold, silver and means, overseas gold mining is indeed a way out, and it can also expand territory. No one will want to refuse.

After deciding everything, Hu Hui exchanged glasses with everyone during the banquet, and finally returned to his home in Kyoto drunkenly.

He vomited all over the floor and was very embarrassed. Fortunately, the maid changed his clothes and washed him with her own hands, so he finally regained consciousness.

A Qianhu official who was guarding him watched the maid leave, and sat next to Hu Hui until he woke up.

"Ambassador, those guys from Kansai, aren't we going to continue to incite?"

Qianhu official asked Hu Hui. Hu Hui took a sip of hangover tea and felt a little comfortable. Then he got up and staggered to the desk. After calming down, he began to grind ink and pick up a pen.

While writing the memorial, he said to the officer:

"Although Kansai has silver mines, they are not fools. As long as Kanto's strength in Kunlun Continent increases, they will naturally follow them to Kunlun Continent."

"The key now is whether we can control this degree in the future to prevent Japan from becoming stronger in the future and endangering our Chinese coast..."

Hu Hu endured the pain and finished writing the memorial. After describing the general affairs of Japan clearly, he handed the memorial to Qianhuguan.

"You send someone to Nanjing. I can't survive anymore. I have to lie down and rest. Don't call me tomorrow."

"it is good!"

After helping Hu Hui to lie down on the bed, Qian Huguan left his bedroom with the memorial, and the memorial was also escorted by a sea ship and sent to Nanjing in the Ming Dynasty...

(End of this chapter)