Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

"Japan is a great place!"

Staring at the Japanese archipelago, Zhu Youjian sighed.

The people of this place are very well-suited to be workers. Later generations became known for their craftsmanship, and many immortals emerged who devoted themselves to a particular craft for decades.

Given stable jobs, Japanese people are happy to dedicate their lives to their craft. This makes them excellent workers for capitalists.

In particular, the values ​​of loyalty, honor, and self-sacrifice upheld by Japanese samurai made them very suitable as subjects and slaves.

The long-standing grudge of Japanese pirates invading the Ming Dynasty meant that the Ming Dynasty did not need to have too many concerns when dealing with Japan.

Zhu Youjian could confidently cultivate fast-growing Japanese slaves in Japan to counter the fast-growing white-feathered people cultivated in England.

"The only problem is that Japan is still under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. I have already appointed Tokugawa Hidetada as the King of Japan, so it is a country that has been unified in form."

"If the technology spreads in the future, Japan, as a base for workers, will be the first to benefit from it."

"Japan must be dismantled and divided into several countries."

Stroking the Japanese archipelago on the map, Zhu Youjian murmured to himself.

He knew the potential of Japan, a country with a future population of over 100 million and a GDP that would consistently rank among the top three in the world.

Such a country, located next to the Ming Dynasty, would definitely be a major threat.

Therefore, when Zhu Youjian was enfeoffing members of the imperial clan, he saw that only the Matsumae Domain was located on Beihai Island, so he immediately arranged for the Prince of Han to go there. He was even willing to put on a show of war in order to separate this island from Japan.

Even when establishing the three-chain defense line, they insisted on launching a campaign against Japan.

The purpose was to restrict Japan, or even to divide Japan, thus eliminating the threat to the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty had no need for powerful nations around it, much less for people of different civilizations.

Japan's culture is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. However, due to its unique geographical environment, it also has many differences from China.

Due to the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes, life in this area is unpredictable, and a culture of pathos and gambling mentality is prevalent.

According to the theory of long-lived and short-lived species, this is the standard thinking of short-lived species.

Even though Japan has consistently had the highest life expectancy in the world for many years, this mindset has not changed; it has been ingrained in the very bones of this nation.

They and the Ming Dynasty were completely different kinds of people.

Allowing such people to grow up would definitely pose a threat to the future of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youjian would not sit idly by because of moral constraints.

Especially after realizing Japan's population potential, his desire to conquer the region intensified.

Because the population here can help the Ming Dynasty bear the pressure of the Industrial Revolution.

If capitalists want to use slaves as workers, they can let them use Japanese slaves.

If you want to use child labor for certain jobs, you can also use short Japanese slaves instead.

Among the Japanese, brave and courageous warriors could be recruited as soldiers for the garrison, serving as a vanguard for world expansion.

……

Any job that the people of the Ming Dynasty were unwilling to do could be replaced by Japanese slaves.

It can be said that the Wa people played a very important role. As a short-lived species, they could greatly make up for the deficiencies of long-lived species.

The Ming Dynasty could also conduct targeted training, such as cultivating fast-growing white-feathered people in England and then using fast-growing Japanese slaves as a countermeasure.
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With this thought in mind, Zhu Youjian summoned relevant officials from the Court of Colonial Affairs and the Privy Council and inquired:
"Has a plan been made to conquer Japan?"

What is the most ideal outcome?

What is the most ideal outcome?
These people could tell from just one listen that the emperor's view of Japan had changed.

Although they did not know the reason, they still reported the facts to the emperor.

Zheng Zhihu, in his capacity as Chief of Naval Staff and Deputy Director of the General Staff Department, stated:
"The ideal outcome, of course, would be the complete occupation of Japan."

"He distributed Japanese lands to meritorious officials and established multiple inner domains."

"The second option was to subjugate the Tokugawa Shogunate, sign a treaty with rules, and transform it into a subordinate foreign domain like Korea."

"At worst, we can use the navy to force the Tokugawa Shogunate to submit, accept the Ming Dynasty's investiture, and continue to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, just like last time."

"According to the current classification of vassal states by the Court of Colonial Affairs, they are vassal states that have submitted to the outside world."

"But His Majesty said that within the Divine Land there can only be internal vassal states and external vassal states, and the court does not accept this result."

"If such a situation occurs, we will continue to organize our fleet and continue to attack Japan."

This demonstrates the Privy Council's attitude: Japan must be defeated.

Neither total conquest nor total submission is an option to allow Japan to continue as it is now.

This suited Zhu Youjian's intentions perfectly. He nodded with satisfaction and inquired:

"Among the ministers in the imperial court and on the frontier, are there more who hold the first view or the second view?"

"What are your opinions on granting fiefdoms to nobles in Japan?"

This question undoubtedly indicates that he supports the first outcome.

Zheng Zhihu said excitedly:
"We naturally support the partitioning of Japan."

“Governor-General Hong of Andong, Admiral Mao of Dongjiang, and other meritorious officials such as Governor-General Sun of Liaoyang all support this result.”

“Japan could easily grant dozens of dukes, marquises, and earls to serve as an inner vassal state of the Ming Dynasty forever.”

Huang Lijie, the head of the Court of Colonial Affairs, also revealed:
"The Duke of Cheng complained that his fiefdom was bitterly cold and wanted to move his vassal state to Japan."

“After communicating with the King of Han, the Prince of Fu also expressed his intention to take up a fiefdom in Japan.”

"Many princes in the capital believed that Japan and the Ming Dynasty had similar climates, making it suitable as a fiefdom."

This was something Zhu Youjian hadn't expected. He shook his head and said:

"Japan's three main islands have a total area of ​​only 120 million square miles."

"If we grant a kingdom, we won't even have enough duchies left."

"It is inappropriate to confer titles upon so many nobles."

Huang Lijie observed the emperor's attitude and then said:

"I have heard from Prince Fu and other princes that they are willing to reduce the size of their fiefdoms by one level."

"The Prince of Fu requested that the price be no lower than that of a duchy, and the Duke of Cheng also expressed his willingness to lower it to 200,000 li."

This request forced Zhu Youjian to give it serious consideration.

As the closest relative of the imperial clan, Prince Fu was someone Zhu Youjian intended to send away to his fiefdom after he had many children. However, this matter was delayed because Consort Zheng passed away two years ago.

The court officials disliked Prince Fu even more. As the victors in the struggle for the succession, they were eager to drive Prince Fu out and cut off his chances of inheriting the throne.

They would certainly be very happy if Prince Fu went to Japan to assume a fiefdom and become a member of the imperial family.

Moreover, Prince Fu's willingness to reduce the size of his fiefdom and his request were quite humble, so the court had no reason to refuse.

After pondering for a moment, Zhu Youjian drew a line in northern Japan and said:
“Northern Japan can be assigned to Prince Fukushima, and the Aizu Domain and its northern part can be renamed Fukushima.”

"In addition, arrange a vast area in the Americas for the descendants of the Prince of Fu to cultivate." "The Fu family is not large now, but there will inevitably be members of the imperial family who will need fiefdoms in the future."

"The Prince of Fu is my uncle, and he must not be treated poorly."

A large piece of land was allocated in northern America as compensation for the reduction of the Prince of Fu's fiefdom.

Anyway, there are plenty of places like this, covered in ice and snow, so Zhu Youjian would never treat the imperial clansmen unfairly on the surface.

He even included Sado Island in his plan, as it is the location of the Sado Gold Mine. The plan was for the Imperial Assets Committee to collaborate with Prince Fu and other nobles to share the profits from the gold mine.

Huang Lijie and the others were very happy to hear this.

Because of the emperor's instruction, the major problem of the enfeoffment of Prince Fu was resolved.

It also demonstrated the emperor's attitude that Japan could be turned into an internal vassal state.

The vassals present all had the opportunity to choose a fiefdom in Japan, far superior to any other region—

Putting aside other factors, the distance from the capital of the Ming Dynasty was a point that nobles valued highly.

Only those who lived close to the capital and frequently traveled there could wield sufficient influence in the noble council and become ministers of the Court of Colonial Affairs.

Sun Chengzong had this idea; he originally planned to choose a fiefdom in the north.

However, in order to gain more support for his strategy of conquering Japan, Hong Chengchou tried his best to explain the advantages of granting fiefdoms in Japan to the meritorious officials in Liaodong.

This place is not only closer to the capital, but also has an existing population and arable land. Taxes can be collected without much investment in development.

Moreover, since the ruler is a foreign tribe, the court will most likely not reclaim the territory in the future. As the first member of the royal family to establish a fiefdom overseas, the court must consider whether the enfeoffment policy will continue if it wants to touch the King of Han in the north.

Given that the emperor intended to formalize the enfeoffment system into law, the possibility of abolishing the Han vassal state was virtually nonexistent.

In Japan, the feudal system allowed for the attainment of a true hereditary legacy. The risks of weakening the feudal domains were minimal, and the benefits were immediately apparent after their conquest.

Under his encouragement, many meritorious officials in Liaodong, such as Sun Chengzong, were tempted by this idea. Apart from Cao Wenzhao and others who chose to be enfeoffed in Heilongjiang and Jinning, the others were all waiting to go to Japan to take up their fiefdoms.

The Prince of Fu's journey to Japan to assume his fiefdom was driven by these individuals. They needed members of the imperial family to take the lead and shift the strategy towards Japan.

Now, the Emperor's attitude is clear: Japan can be divided, and it must be divided into several parts.

The court will do its utmost to settle Prince Fu.
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After allocating fiefdoms to the Prince of Fu, Zhu Youjian said:
"Japan is a large country, and its strength should not be underestimated."

“Those who are willing to go to Japan for fiefdoms can recruit soldiers now and train troops in Korea.”

"Whether they are from the Ming Dynasty, Korea, or Japan, they can all be recruited."

"This matter was entrusted to Governor-General Hong Chengchou of Andong, with assistance from Korea."

"When Japan is divided in the future, the Korean nobility should receive a share."

Not forgetting the King of Joseon in the capital, Zhu Youjian summoned him to this good deed. He hoped that there would be as many conflicts as possible between Joseon and Japan, so that they would never be able to unite.

At the same time, Zhu Youjian also had opinions about the Japanese nobles, and he asked his ministers:
"Besides the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan also had feudal lords in various regions."

"What do you think should be done with these feudal lords?"

The ministers pondered upon hearing this, and Sun Chengzong said:
"For vassal lords who submit to the Ming Dynasty, the court can confer titles and relocate their fiefdoms, just as it would in Annam."

“A vassal who does not submit to the Ming Dynasty shall be regarded as an enemy.”

"I believe that with the fighting strength of the Ming army, once we set foot in Japan, we will be invincible."

This was the judgment of a meritorious official who won the Battle of Liaodong, and the assembled officials unanimously agreed.

Having fought against Japan during the Wanli era, they believed that Japan's strength was not a concern.

As long as the troops can be transported to the island, there will be no dispute over the outcome.

Seeing their attitude, Zhu Youjian understood that Sun Chengzong and other meritorious officials from Liaodong really wanted to use Japanese land as their fiefdom.

This place needed capable nobles to suppress it, and the meritorious officials of Liaodong were indeed very suitable.

After careful consideration, he decided to relinquish control, allocating the northern part to Prince Fu and deciding on the other parts based on future performance.

At the same time, he also established a policy to divide the Japanese people:

“Japanese nobles and samurai can be incorporated into the Chinese community and referred to as the Huazu.”

"Ordinary Japanese people can be called Wa people, or Wa ethnic group."

"When you conquer Japan, you should pay attention to incorporating the Chinese and making them the rulers of the Wa people."

"The Japanese people must repay the sins of the Japanese pirates who invaded the Ming Dynasty, and will be treated as special slaves."

They plan to formulate special policies in the future to treat the Japanese as special slaves, that is, as a fast-growing species.

The courtiers, unaware of the true situation, assumed that the emperor was angry about the Japanese pirates' invasion and had therefore demoted them all to slavery.

Later they understood that the Japanese pirates would have to pay the price for their brutality.

Under Zhu Youjian's instruction, the Japanese slaves did not recover for a long time. They were exploited by the Han Chinese in their homeland and were regarded as the lowest-class slaves in the Ming Dynasty.

The only way to change one's fate is to join the Ming Dynasty's military garrison, serve as a military household, make contributions to the Ming Dynasty, and seek the status of a soldier.

Their figures, along with the Ming army, spread throughout the world. Eventually, through assimilation by the military garrisons, they were integrated into the Ming system.

All of this was deliberately done by Zhu Youjian. He had a complete plan and theory for dealing with Japan.

Only after this theory was revealed in the future did people realize that in addition to long-lived and short-lived species, there were also fast-growing species.

The fast-growing Japanese and the fast-growing Baiyu people were hailed as two major fast-growing races, and they became one of the main forces in the confrontation between Eastern and Western civilizations.
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Only after the plan to hedge against short-lived and fast-growing varieties was determined did Zhu Youjian allow this issue of "Hanlin" to be published, promoting the theory of long-lived and short-lived varieties.

The court officials welcomed this immensely, as most of them were elderly and needed this theory.

The idea that the people of the Ming Dynasty were an immortal race perfectly suited their needs. The older the people were, the more they liked this theory.

According to the legend of immortal beings, the older one is, the more noble their status.

Families with older members are also more likely to form marriage alliances with other families.

This made filial piety a profitable thing, and the older the family had, the easier it was to form marriage alliances with other families.

Elderly people who do not want to see "longevity bring many humiliations" are fervent supporters of this theory.

Zheng Sanjun, the Minister of Justice, proposed that turning a long-lived species into a short-lived species is a form of depravity, and suggested that the behavior of short-lived species be defined as depraved behavior and included in the crime of depravity.

Such acts as prioritizing profit over righteousness, betraying trust, engaging in violence and aggression, gambling, and violence... are all short-lived behaviors and constitute crimes of depravity. The Ministry of Justice should enact specific laws to punish such behavior.

Furthermore, he wanted to directly classify vagrants as degenerates, and whether or not they needed to be exiled should be decided by the Ministry of Justice through a lottery system.

They hoped to seize control of the powers related to exile and refugees, thereby increasing the power of the Ministry of Justice.

This is another major move by him after vying for law enforcement power, causing further turmoil in the imperial court.

The Imperial Guard also felt a sense of crisis after the last incident.

They immediately proposed strengthening the prevention and monitoring of short-lived species and cracking down on short-lived species activities.

The struggle for enforcement power over short-lived species became the focus of the dispute between the two government departments.

They all hoped to gain the emperor's support and possess greater power. (End of Chapter)