Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

"Recommend a North American Governor?"

"Who would be so desperate as to go to such a wild place?"

When the court ministers learned that the emperor asked them to recommend a governor-general for North America, they all began to discuss the matter.

In their view, the vassal states granted to King Han and King Qing were already barbaric lands.

North America is even farther away than the Han and Qing vassals, and being an official there is tantamount to exile.

Therefore, most of them did not take this matter seriously, even though the position of Governor-General of North America was determined to be a frontier official with the imperial sword.

Most of those who were qualified to serve as governors and governors-general had no intention of serving in North America.

Only Geng Ruqi, who had just returned to Beijing, was very concerned about this:

"Governor General of North America, this can also be called Governor-General."

"And there is also the Imperial Sword, which allows us to do things at our convenience."

Geng Ruqi attached great importance to this power.

Having been deceived by local officials in Shanxi, he knew very well how great power it was to possess the imperial sword and have the power to decide the life and death of subordinate officials.

What particularly excited him was that the North American Governor's Office currently had no officials and needed to be established from scratch.

This means that if he becomes the Governor-General of North America, he will not be subject to any constraints and will not encounter officials who dare to fool him.

So, after careful consideration, he quickly wrote a memorial and presented his policy outline in North America to the emperor.

As a former governor with the title of Censor-in-Chief, Geng Ruqi could also be considered a minister in the court.

His memorial was soon sent to Zhu Youjian.

Zhu Youjian, who had already ignored and forgotten him, just remembered that there was such an idle minister in the court, and now he wanted to recommend himself for the position of Governor-General of North America.

Looking at his memorial and the brief outline of his policy, Zhu Youjian called the East Factory and the Jinyiwei to ask:

"What is Geng Ruqi's current reputation?"

"What do the court officials think of him?"

According to Zhu Youjian, the main duties of the East Factory were to supervise the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the noble ministers in Beijing and to maintain the safety of the royal family.

Geng Ruqi, as a minister, was also under supervision. The new East Factory Commander Wang Wenzheng said:
"Geng Ruqi was dismissed for not governing his subordinates strictly, and many officials in the court complained for him."

"But some officials believe that he was over-promoted and does not have the ability to serve as a governor."

Geng Ruqi, the governor, was transferred from the position of Chief Censor. Before he became the Chief Censor, he was the deputy military envoy of Zunhua who was imprisoned.

Although the Deputy Censor-in-Chief was of the same rank as the Chief Censor, his transfer from a local Deputy Censor-in-Chief to the Chief Censor was undoubtedly a promotion.

He was a persecuted official promoted by Zhu Youjian in order to appease the Donglin Party.

This appointment was nothing in the Tianqi era. The government and the people were used to the chaos and disorder of official transfers.

However, after Zhu Youjian implemented the Mokan system and the Ministry of Personnel further institutionalized various transfer rules, some officials criticized this.

Those who benefited from the Mokan system instinctively rejected promotion and regarded the promoted officials as outliers.

This is the case with Sun Chuanting and Lu Xiangsheng who were promoted by Zhu Youjian, and the same is true for Geng Ruqi. These people are not very well received in the officialdom today.

The slander Geng Ruqi suffered after he was dismissed as the Governor of Shanxi was that some people used him to attack over-promoted officials.

Even Zhu Youjian reflected on himself and thought that he was indeed ill-considered when he promoted Geng Ruqi above him.

It is not a good idea to put incompetent people in high positions:

"Not everyone is Sun Chuanting!"

"Geng Ruqi's ability is indeed a little lacking."

Despite coming to this conclusion, Zhu Youjian did not reject Geng Ruqi's self-recommendation.

Because the Governor's Office of North America is now a complete shell, a prefect who knows a little about military affairs can take charge of the affairs of the Governor's Office.

Before being promoted, Geng Ruqi had already served as the military governor and was in charge of the Governor-General's Office of North America, which was more than enough for him.

Therefore, what Zhu Youjian was more concerned about was whether Geng Ruqi was honest and whether he could transport back the gold he needed.

He asked Zheng Shiyi, the head of the Jinyiwei:
"Did Geng Ruqi declare his assets?"

"Has the Royal Guard investigated his financial situation?"

Zheng Shiyi had already checked the matter before coming here, and reported back:
"Geng Ruqi was imprisoned during the Tianqi period for corruption, and was convicted of embezzlement of 6,300 yuan."

"Later, the case was re-examined and most of the money was returned."

"Geng Ruqi returned the money to his relatives and friends. Most of the family's wealth now comes from the salary accumulated over the past two years."

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly and said with interest:
"So Geng Ruqi is still an honest official!"

"It seems that this person is suitable for digging for gold in North America."

After making this decision, Zhu Youjian said to the eunuch who was accompanying him:
"Call Geng Ruqi here. I want to ask him in person how to expand North America."

"Tell him to prepare well and allow him to meet with the emperor with the documents."

Soon, a young eunuch went out to convey the emperor's order and brought Geng Ruqi to the palace.

Geng Ruqi nervously and apprehensively carried the documents he had collected about North America, knowing that whether he could be employed again depended on this opportunity.
-
North America is far away overseas, and planning cannot be separated from maps, so Zhu Youjian summoned Geng Ruqi to the Wuying Palace.

After Geng Ruqi arrived, Zhu Youjian said:
"sit."

"Please explain your plan for expanding into North America in detail."

Soon, two young eunuchs carried a table and placed it in front of Geng Ruqi.

Someone also brought a mat and spread it on the ground for Geng Ruqi to sit on.

Geng Ruqi saw this and knew that this was the kneeling etiquette promoted by the current emperor. He replaced kneeling and standing with kneeling, and placed a few tables in front of him to facilitate recording and checking documents.

After Zhu Youjian paid more and more attention to data and original records, the tablets used by officials in the past could no longer record these.

So some officials began to make cheat sheets and stick them on their tablets.

After Zhu Youjian discovered this, he simply introduced folders and asked officials to bring the documents over.

At the same time, the etiquette of kneeling and sitting was promoted, and each person was assigned a desk to conveniently place documents on.

This ancient system of sitting and discussing the truth was highly praised by ministers, who believed that it satisfied the ministers' need for respect after the emperor put forward the theory of needs.

Geng Ruqi had heard of this, so he bowed in thanks and immediately knelt down.

Holding the draft of his own policy outline and other documents, he said to the emperor:
"I think the most important thing for the development of North America is the shipping routes."

“Whether it’s exploring new routes or improving ports on routes, they should be given top priority.”

“Then follow the river deeper into the interior of North America.”

"I plan to set out next year and set up a temporary governor's residence on the Yukon River waterway that has been explored."

This plan cannot be said to be novel, but it cannot be called wrong either.

Zhu Youjian nodded and agreed:

“Exploring shipping routes and improving port facilities should really be the top priority.”

"With this understanding, you can serve as governor for at least one year."

"Anything else you want to add so that you can complete your term?"

A term of office is three years. Geng Ruqi listened to the emperor's intention and immediately proposed a second plan:

"The second is to establish a stronghold and develop agricultural, industrial and commercial industries." "Whether it is farming, working, or using it as a place for business, the people in the stronghold must have a livelihood and be able to take root there."

"I heard that there is a gold mine in the Yukon River. We can let the people go to pan for gold and focus on developing the metallurgical industry."

Zhu Youjian was somewhat surprised and said with interest:
"From what you said, it seems that you are recruiting people to go and pan for gold?"

“Why don’t you set up a guard post specifically to take charge of this matter?”

Geng Ruqi had never thought about this before. After hearing the emperor's proposal, he thought about it and said:

"The accumulated problems of the guards are well known to everyone."

"Although your majesty's reforms have cleared up the deep-rooted problems, they cannot be completely reversed in a short period of time."

"The reason why I did not use the soldiers from the garrison to pan for gold is that North America is remote and the soldiers from the garrison might flee."

"Secondly, the military law is strict and soldiers must obey military orders. If there are corrupt generals, the gold mined will be seized by them."

"I think it would be better to recruit the landless refugees and let them go to the Yukon River to pan for gold. The Governor's Office would divide the land and collect rent and taxes from them."

This method made Zhu Youjian frown, and then he began to ponder.

Because his plan was to set up a guard post specifically responsible for gold, modeled after the Armed Police Gold Corps.

However, Geng Ruqi's two concerns were indeed reasonable, forcing him to consider them carefully:

“Gold mining in garrisons may indeed have drawbacks.”

"But it's not enough to just use the public. They might even hoard more gold."

"In this way, the discovered and easily exploited gold mines will be directly under the charge of the guards under the Governor's Office."

"In other places, we will let the people contract the land as you said and collect rent and taxes from them."

"These people also have to serve as military and civilian households, and obey the orders of the garrison when they are attacked by natives or wild beasts."

This method combines both methods at the same time and is more perfect than Geng Ruqi's idea of ​​relying solely on the people to pan for gold.

He had never thought of using the garrisons to pan for gold before, but after thinking about what the emperor said about the garrisons being under the jurisdiction of the Governor's Office, he also thought that using the garrisons to pan for gold was indeed a good idea and could increase the control of the Governor's Office.

This convinced him:
"Your Majesty is wise. You should use both the military and civilians."

"Let the guards mine the gold mines that can be confirmed, and then let the people explore the nearby veins."

Seeing that he accepted this, Zhu Youjian nodded and said:
“You can tell that gold mines were discovered in North America and that the metallurgical industry was developed with great emphasis, which shows that they put a lot of effort into it.”

"This second point is also considered passed, and you can serve for two years."

"But what you are going to do with the third point and whether you can complete your term depends on your performance."

After hearing these words, Geng Ruqi knew that his greatest test had come. He calmed down and said in a deep voice:
"The third plan I have formulated for the North American Governor's Office is to conquer the natives and help the vassal kings who go to North America to establish their own fiefdoms."

"Use the feudal lords to lead the people to migrate and let them settle down and establish their own businesses in North America."

“In the future, once the routes are improved and the bases are consolidated, this will be the first priority.”

"The disaster victims from all over Ming need land from North America."

This plan was Zhu Youjian's original intention to establish the North American fiefdoms. He forced the vassal kings to establish fiefdoms in order to relocate the people without even exploring the route clearly.

Now that Geng Ruqi had fully understood this, he clapped his hands and said:
"it is good!"

"Mr. Geng, if you can understand this, I can rest assured that you will be handed over the North American Governor's Office."

"From today on, you are the Governor General of North American Military Affairs and the Manager of Food and Pay. You are fully responsible for North American affairs and I grant you the Imperial Sword."

"You will also be responsible for recruiting officials for the North American Governor's Office."

"If you have any other requests, feel free to ask."

Geng Ruqi got what he wanted and was immediately excited.

He knew that North America was far overseas and officials could be appointed directly by the emperor.

Now that the emperor has issued the appointment, his appointment as Governor-General of North America cannot be changed.

So he fell to the ground and thanked her:

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"I will do my best to help your majesty expand North America."

Zhu Youjian nodded, signaling him to stand up without any formalities, and then ordered the young eunuch beside him:

"Bring a stick and give Governor Geng a seat."

"Today, I want to have a detailed discussion with Mr. Geng about developing North America."

Ask the young eunuch to take out the kneeling legs and place them on the mat.

This is a wooden device commonly used by ancient people when kneeling. It can lift the heels and protect the heels and calves from heavy pressure.

Zhu Youjian had seen related cultural relics in later generations. Now that the kneeling ceremony was being promoted, it was natural for the supporting legs to be made as well.

The reason why it was not given to Geng Ruqi before was because there was no need to use the support pole when kneeling for a short period of time.

Moreover, Zhu Youjian regarded the grant of a chair as a higher honor, similar to the grant of a couch he had given before.

Geng Ruqi was even more excited after receiving this courtesy. Although he was not used to using the stilts, he knelt down with the help of the eunuch next to him and explained the details of the development of North America to the emperor.

When Zhu Youjian heard that he was planning to recruit subordinates from the dismissed officials in Shanxi and to recruit refugees from Shanxi, he all nodded and told him to go ahead.

Given the current situation in North America, only these convicted officials and desperate refugees are willing to go there.

He just doesn't trust some people and has to use them.

Of course, necessary precautions were also necessary. Zhu Youjian planned to promote Shang Kexi to deputy general, in charge of North American military affairs.

At the same time, some hereditary officials were sent there to form the North American guards.

After deciding these, he said to Geng Ruqi earnestly:

"As the saying goes: once, twice, but never three times."

"Counting this time, this is the third time I've given you a chance."

"I hope Mr. Geng will not let me down and make sure to develop North America!"

Geng Ruqi's eyes welled up with tears when he heard this. From a death row prisoner to a censor-in-chief, and then because of his incompetence in the Independent Commission Against Corruption, he was transferred to the governor of Shanxi, and became the governor of North America after being dismissed. He knew that the emperor had treated him well enough.

If he were a mean and ungrateful emperor, he would be demoted to a commoner even if he was not sentenced to death.

So he said firmly:

"Your Majesty's kindness, this old minister is deeply grateful."

"If I cannot open up North America, I will die there."

The implication of these words is undoubtedly that if you fail, you will exile yourself and never return.

Thinking that Ban Chao opened up the Western Regions and returned to the court in his old age, Zhu Youjian felt his firm determination.

Moved by this, he gave the order:
"Reserve some land in North America as fiefdom for meritorious officials."

"You, as well as other meritorious officials like Shang Kexi, can choose places among the various vassal states to open up fiefdoms."

"I hope you can make more achievements and obtain a higher title and a larger fiefdom."

Geng Ruqi was immediately granted the title of baron and allowed to choose any piece of land within a hundred miles.

The same thing happened to Shang Kexi and other soldiers who had made contributions in exploring the route. They were exiled to North America. (End of this chapter)