Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

After discussing the matter of building a temple for Huo Qubing, Zhu Youjian asked them:
"How are your palaces and ancestral temples coming along?"

"Can we hold a ceremony to mark the founding of the kingdom?"

Several people looked troubled. King Zhu Shao of Han said:
"I first established a fiefdom on the island of Beihai, and then I was busy with funeral arrangements."

“The capital is still under construction, and the palaces and ancestral temples will be built together with the city.”

"It is still under renovation. I am temporarily residing at the Korean Pavilion on the south side of Beihai Island."

I gestured on the map to show the location of the capital of the Han Kingdom and the Han Palace where I currently reside.

Zhu Youjian took a look and discovered that the Han Guan was probably located in what is now Hakodate, where the Matsumae Domain had previously established a base.

After the Han people arrived, they relocated the local people to this place as a temporary settlement.

The Han royal family, soldiers, and civilians are mostly here now.

The planned capital of the Korean domain was located in the area of ​​Sapporo in later generations. The surrounding area was a plain, suitable for cultivating farmland.

The location is neither too far nor too close to the sea, which is both safe from enemies coming from the sea and convenient for going out to sea.

It can be said that its location is quite advantageous.

The focus of Hanfan's development will later remain in this area.

They still adhere to the agricultural mindset and want to cultivate more arable land.

This practice of building the city and the royal palace together is the same as the practice of the king setting up a town at the beginning of the dynasty.

Because of the destruction caused by the Yuan Dynasty, many cities did not have city walls when the Ming Dynasty was established. Those princes who went out to govern, especially those who were stationed in border regions, built their mansions and cities together. It could even be said that the cities were built to match the princes' mansions.

Therefore, many royal palaces were located in the very center of the city, occupying a large part of the city.

The same applies to the capital that Han Fan is now establishing; he wants to plan as a whole and build both together.

Zhu Youjian appreciated the Prince of Han's actions and praised him, saying:

"King Han did not build palaces and shared weal and woe with the soldiers and the people, which can be called a model of opening up the vassal states."

"You should focus on building the city. Once it is completed, I will personally bestow its name and send an imperial envoy to preside over the celebration."

"Han Fan is the foremost fiefdom after the enfeoffment, and it must become a model for all the fiefdoms!"

King Zhu Shao of Han was overjoyed upon hearing this.

As the first vassal king to support the emperor's decision to establish vassal states, the Han vassal state gained a great advantage.

Leaving aside the fiefdoms on land, the North Sea Island itself is a legacy for generations to come—

Although this place looks desolate now, the climate is actually quite good. The winter temperatures are similar to those in Beijing and Pingliang, and it's not that cold.

If developed properly, it can become a granary, supplying grain to various parts of the Han Kingdom.

It can be said that it has certain development potential.

Furthermore, being isolated overseas, it posed little threat to the imperial court.

It is neither too far nor too close to the capital, so the possibility of it being weakened by the imperial court in the future is very small.

As long as they don't do anything reckless, they can continue to rule the North Island indefinitely.

As a prince with little ambition, Zhu Shao was very satisfied with this place.

Especially when he saw the current state of Qingfan, he felt a sense of satisfaction from time to time:

Look, you were just a step too slow and got stuck in that rotten place, Ice and Fire Island.

Even with the emperor's consolation and compensation of the land north of the Arctic Circle, the area ruled by the Qing dynasty remained utterly barren.

Many members of the Gyeongbu royal family lived in the Han Palace and did not go to their fiefdoms.
-
At this moment, Prince Qing, Zhu Zhuo, tearfully recounted:

"Your Majesty, it is too cold in Qingfan."

"I have not yet decided where to build the capital."

"Please, Your Majesty, show me the way and give Qing Fan a livelihood."

They vehemently described the harsh environment of Icefire Island, arguing that it was not a place for humans to live.

He had suffered greatly in Ningxia before, but he never expected that Qingfan's current situation would be even worse.

No wonder the emperor allowed the Qing princes to double their fiefdom and even give them the authority to govern the lands within the Arctic Circle.

The land, spanning over four million square kilometers, sounds vast, but it is actually very difficult to develop, as most of it is snowfield.

Whenever Prince Qing thought of the year-round snow and ice in his fiefdom, he couldn't help but feel a deep sadness.

They felt that it was too difficult for them, which explained why many members of the royal family were unwilling to go and establish fiefdoms.

Zhu Youjian had already bestowed many favors upon Qing Fan as compensation. Hearing his tearful complaint, he frowned and said:
"The Qing Kingdom has been established as a fiefdom for three years now, and they still haven't decided where to build their capital?"

"What kind of behavior do you have, Prince Qing?"

"Is it because you are unwilling to open up the territory?"

Upon hearing these words, Prince Qing, Zhu Zhuo, was immediately startled.

The current emperor is usually very easy to talk to and is quite amiable to the imperial family.

However, when it comes to etiquette and law, they are extremely strict.

In particular, the enfeoffment system was one of the three major systems he established, and countless members of the royal family and nobles were forced by him to establish their own fiefdoms.

If the emperor deems you unwilling to be granted fiefdoms, you'll face dire consequences.

Therefore, Zhu Zhuo hurriedly explained:
"I was one of the first feudal lords to establish his own fiefdom, so how could I be unwilling to do so?"

“Qingfan was really poor and didn’t have many ships.”

"We encountered storms last year and the year before, and lost several boats."

"We haven't even explored the area yet, and we haven't decided on the location of the capital."

"Once the decision is made, I will immediately mobilize people to build the city and strive to hold the opening ceremony as soon as possible."

This statement was timely, and Zhu Youjian was quite satisfied with it.

However, he still warned:

"The court was aware of Qing Fan's situation and provided appropriate compensation."

"If Prince Qing is unwilling, he must bring it up as soon as possible."

"I can choose another fiefdom for you, but it must be outside of the Central Plains."

“This place, which has been developed for three years, is perfect for settling other vassal kings; they should be very happy about it.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing trembled all over; he had no desire to be enfeoffed outside the Central Plains.

Although Qingfan said it was remote, it was actually only seven or eight thousand miles away, much closer than places that were tens of thousands of miles away.

To be banished to the lands beyond the Central Plains—that is the true wilderness—is something Prince Qing would absolutely not agree to.

In particular, his Qingfan fiefdom had been developed for three years. Although the progress was slow, as the emperor said when he bestowed the fiefdom, he could make a fortune just by hunting for furs.

He is quite wealthy now, and his income increases every year.

My earlier crying was just a habit; I hoped the emperor would treat me well.

Now that he heard the emperor was considering changing his fiefdom, he was so frightened that he dared not act recklessly again.

After threatening Prince Qing with the threat of relocating his fiefdom, Zhu Youjian reassured and instructed him:
"Although Qingfan is cold, it is not suitable for large-scale farming."

"However, the conditions for fishing, hunting, and trade are good, and there is great potential for development."

“This area of ​​the sea is rarely fished. According to the two-hundred-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, the surrounding area is all your sea farm.”

"Selling the catch after fishing will definitely bring in a lot of money."

"I will order the grain merchants of the four seas to purchase without limit, for the Ming Dynasty needs food right now."

Having promised this policy, Zhu Youjian instructed the Qing, Han, and Jiangling principalities to actively develop the fishing industry.

They live near the fishing grounds of Beihai Island and can catch a large number of sea fish every year.

The mainland of the Ming Dynasty is currently suffering from a disaster, and it would be a good opportunity for Sihai Grain Company to purchase salted fish for disaster relief.

Both Prince Qing and Prince Han were overjoyed upon hearing this. Zhang Tongchang, the Duke of Jiangling, then volunteered:
"The climate in Southeast Asia is hot, and ice is in great need."

“Several of our vassal states can harvest ice and transport it to Southeast Asia.”

They expressed their willingness to offer help and share their expertise in the industry.

This pleased the Prince of Han and the Prince of Qing even more, while Zhu Youjian smiled and said:
“You can form an ice cube alliance or an ice cube association and set a minimum price.”

"Don't compete and lower prices just because you both have ice; in the end, no one will make much money."

"The vassal states should help each other, form industry alliances, and protect their advantageous industries."

From the perspective of cultivating industries, we should encourage them to find advantageous industries that are difficult to develop in other regions. Just like the single-crop plantations in Southeast Asia, they focus on the development of a few industries.

Zhang Tongchang and the others were all moved when they heard this. They didn't have many conflicts at the moment and were willing to cooperate with each other.

Zhu Youjian took the opportunity to involve the inner court in the matter, forming a joint venture to jointly develop the industry.

Zhang Tongchang and others were also very welcoming, as they too needed the emperor's tiger skin.

With the emperor and his ministers enjoying themselves, Zhu Youjian remembered something and pointed it out to Prince Qing:

"The further south you go on Icefire Island, the warmer it gets. You can find a bay in the south surrounded by plains and establish your capital there."

"The bay must be sheltered from the wind and waves and be able to anchor ships."

“Once the North American shipping route is open, many ships will pass by there. Qingfan must do a good job in building ports and docks on the eastern islands.”

“You can provide supplies to passing ships, and you can also sell the furs you hunt to them.”

“As long as the shipping routes are open, the Qing Kingdom can develop maritime trade, and you, Prince Qing, will definitely not be poor.”

Inform them that Shang Kexi is returning from North America and will soon be returning to Beijing.

He traveled to North America via the North Pacific route and returned via the equatorial route.

Once this shipping route is opened, it will bring development opportunities to the areas along the way.

The Qing Dynasty was situated on this shipping route, and developing trade there would surely bring them profits.

Prince Qing had little hope, but the emperor gave him so much guidance.

This made him feel embarrassed, and he found it difficult to express his true needs.

King Han, knowing his thoughts, took the initiative to speak:

"I have heard that gold mines have been discovered in North America."

"The Han and Qing kingdoms are the closest to there. Could we send people there to pan for gold?"

"It's a good opportunity to send the unruly natives there as well."

That's interesting. Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and agreed.
"You can form a company and contract the local gold mining spots."

"The specifics of how to negotiate with the local gold mining companies will be left to our subordinates to discuss."

"However, if you do this, your domestic gold mines must also be opened up on an equal footing, and government enterprises must be allowed to enter."

After thinking about it, King Han and King Qing realized that they didn't think their fiefdoms could have such a large gold mine.

Besides, they desperately need money to expand their territory; even if it means selling off future gold mines, they have no choice but to accept it for now.

Even if they don't acknowledge it, the government's enterprises will definitely enter the gold mines in the future. It's better to take the initiative now and gain some benefits.

Therefore, the two immediately agreed to open up gold mining in their fiefdoms and to sign agreements with government enterprises.

Zhu Youjian nodded and instructed the two to accelerate the construction of their vassal states after they made money.

He also granted the same preferential treatment to the vassal states of Jiangling and Ningyuan, allowing them to send people to pan for gold.

The development of the gold mining industry accelerated the improvement of the North Pacific shipping routes.
-
Then, he asked Zhang Tongchang, the Duke of Jiangling:
"Has the capital of the Jiangling Duchy been chosen yet?"

Have you encountered any difficulties?

Zhang Tongchang was a reliable person. Although he was busy with the war in the Northeast, he sent his clansmen to survey the entire island.

He also had a clear idea of ​​the plans for the Duchy of Jiangling.

Upon hearing the emperor's question, he immediately replied:

"It has been chosen; the location is set in the bay southeast of Kuwu Island."

"It's warmer there, and the surrounding area is plains."

"The problem now is, how should I build my ducal mansion?"

This is an interesting question because the ducal residences in the Ming Dynasty were also standardized.

But that was clearly not what Zhang Tongchang was asking; he did not intend to build such a mansion in his fiefdom.

After all, his palace in the vassal state was the center of the vassal state's rule. It was necessary to be able to hold court assemblies so that he could receive his subjects.

The existing ducal residences in the Ming Dynasty were clearly insufficient to handle this, and the palace needed to be redesigned.

Zhu Youjian was relatively generous to his vassal states because they were unlikely to pose a threat to him.

Especially after understanding things through the Zhu Yujian incident, he became even more generous to these vassal states.

After thinking it over, I decided to say:

“The style of palaces in vassal states can all be modeled after those of the vassal kings.”

"However, the maximum area shall not exceed 500 mu, and no one shall exceed the limit or overstep the limit."

“The vassal states’ court assemblies can be held in the Chengyun Hall, once every five days, just like the imperial court.”

"The emperor and his ministers must first pay homage to the emperor, and only then can the emperor receive the homage of his ministers."

He ordered someone to retrieve the planning map of the Prince's Mansion and give it to them for reference.

(Floor plan of the Prince's Palace during the Ming Dynasty)
The layout of this prince's mansion is actually modeled after the palaces of the Forbidden City.

The Hall of Successful Mandate is equivalent to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with the Gate of Successful Mandate in front of it and the Ancestral Temple next to it.

The style of these buildings is fixed.

Zhu Youjian allowed other buildings to be altered, permitting them to modify them within the established system.

Zhang Tongchang and Li Zunzu were both overjoyed when they heard this.

Because the emperor allowed them to build the Chengyun Hall, it meant that he allowed them to receive the homage of his subjects in their vassal state.

Although they had to pay homage to the emperor first during the court ceremony, it also allowed them to experience the majesty of being a ruler and establish a relationship between ruler and subject with their ministers.

Li Zunzu asked:
"Your Majesty, how should we, your subjects, pay homage to the Emperor when we are in a vassal state?"

"Should it face the direction of the capital, or should the throne be set up inside the palace, with seats for the officials placed on the steps below?"

Zhu Youjian shook his head and said:
"You may all sit in the seats in the very center of the Chengyun Hall; there is no need to prepare a separate seat for me."

"Simply hang my portrait on the wall behind the seat. Replace the portrait when the emperor changes. Keep the existing portrait in the Cunxin Hall."

As he spoke, he pointed to the group of people and laughed:
"You've come at the perfect time!"

“Sun Yuanhua brought back several painters from the West, who were quite skilled at portrait painting.”

"You must keep your portraits this time, because I want to hang them in the Jianji Hall."

"I hope that in the future the Jianji Hall can be filled with these decorations, and that the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty can be spread all over the world."

This was also to strengthen ties with the vassal states and to keep the emperor constantly reminded of the many vassal states that existed.

They are both a threat to imperial power and a guarantee of future imperial power.

With the rise of ministerial and civil rights, monarchs had to unite in order to maintain their power.

The Ming emperor was the core of these monarchs, and the feudal lords had to uphold the emperor's position.

According to Zhu Youjian's estimation, the power of the vassal states was far inferior to that of the imperial court, and given their large number, it was certain that in the future, the rulers of the vassal states would be the first to be overthrown by powerful ministers and parliaments.

If such a thing happens, it will serve as a lesson for future emperors. The emperor will also need to send troops according to the rites and laws to protect the lives and positions of the monarchs and unite them.

It can be said that the future emperor and the feudal lords will be interdependent. Neither the Ming emperor nor the feudal lords can do without the other. (End of Chapter)