Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 319: Sukhothai Envoy Requests Ming to Send Troops to Save the Country
Therefore, in almost every emperor's career, officials from all over the country would report countless "auspicious signs" such as the arrival of the phoenix, the auspiciousness of the unicorn, the clearing of the Yellow River, and the falling of sweet dew.

In the eyes of later generations, these are all natural phenomena and have no necessary connection with the so-called "auspicious signs".

However, emperors of every dynasty have been fond of this practice, hoping that more and more auspicious signs will appear during their reign so that they can use them to praise themselves.

Historically, the kingdom of Bengal paid tribute to the Qilin in the 12th year of the Yongle reign.

Although Zhu Di may not really believe that the giraffe is the Qilin in mythology, he is also happy to be associated with the auspicious aura of the spiritual animal.

After all, Emperor Yongle, like Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, lived his entire life under the shadow of having gained power illegitimately.

Politically speaking, Zhu Di continued to implement the policy of reducing the power of the princes.

In order to strengthen centralization, he set up the Cabinet and the East Factory.

In order to strengthen control over the north, Zhu Di ordered people to dredge the Grand Canal.

At the same time, the Forbidden City was built in Beiping Prefecture, and the capital was eventually moved to Beijing.

From a military perspective, Zhu Di personally led five expeditions to Mongolia and occupied Annan.

In order to actively manage the frontier, he established the Nurgan Commandery to govern the northeast region.

Hami Guard was set up to manage the northwest, and Guizhou Provincial Administration was established to manage the southwest.

Zhu Di also adopted an active management attitude towards the South China Sea region and U-Tsang.

Not only did Zhu Di set up military and political institutions such as the Dusi and Weisuo in Tibet, but he also appointed local Buddhist and secular leaders as officials.

The ties between the imperial court and the U-Tsang region were strengthened by enfeoffing Buddhist and secular leaders and regular tribute.

In terms of diplomacy, Zhu Di commissioned Zheng He to sail to the West.

While strengthening friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries, it also promoted economic and cultural exchanges between the Ming Dynasty and overseas countries.

From a cultural perspective, Zhu Di ordered Xie Jin, Yao Guangxiao and 2169 others to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia.

In the 38th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, the Qing Dynasty compiled the Siku Quanshu.

The Sikuguan compiled a large number of lost books from the Yongle Encyclopedia, 385 of which were included in the Sikuquanshu.

However, in the process of compiling lost works, Qianlong always adhered to the orthodox Confucian ideas.

He believed that "the essence has been exhausted and the dregs can be discarded", and he did not compile any Buddhist, Taoist, opera, novel, etc.

Any words that might violate the law were deleted without mercy.

Some scientific and technological works were lost as a result, such as Deng Yufu's "Lunar Calendar", which has 200 volumes and is more detailed than "Qimin Yaoshu".

There were also some military inventions that were discarded and not recorded for fear that they would be learned by foreigners.

There are even scattered fragments that have been collected and lost, such as "Jianjin Hebi" and "Jin Shi Huichen".

Or important local chronicles such as the signed classic "Yuan Yitongzhi" were all abandoned under Qianlong's order.

The reason why Zhu Gang came up with the idea of ​​compiling the "Hongwu Encyclopedia" was not to snatch Zhu Di's future achievements.

He hoped that more existing scientific and technological works could be discovered and receive attention from Zhu Yuanzhang.

In Zhu Gang's view, this first great book in history is the real "auspicious sign" for the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, he turned to Wang Jinghong and said, "Tell my father that Bengal is located in the Ganges Delta and occupies the most fertile land in the entire South Asian subcontinent.

In addition, the area has a dense network of waterways and convenient transportation, and is rich in jute, rice, cotton and gold.

Due to its special geographical location, Arab caravans traveling between the East and the West often stopped in Bengal, so the local business was also very prosperous. Most importantly, the country was surrounded by powerful enemies and was in urgent need of help from the outside world.

As the saying goes, when you show courtesy to others, you must ask for something in return.

As long as we can find a way to include Bengal in the Kanko trade system, we can promise the same conditions as for the Ryukyu Islands."

Xu Miaoyun, who had been silent all this time, suddenly asked, "Bengal is so rich, how does it compare to the Jiangnan of our Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Gang nodded and said, "Bengal is now the richest country in South Asia, with strong economic strength.

As a country facing the ocean, it has accumulated huge wealth through trade, and its military strength is among the best in South Asia.

Bengal now had a strong naval force that not only controlled the Bay of Bengal, but they also launched trade and exploration activities to further afield.

In addition, silk, cotton and other commodities produced are exported to overseas countries. Unfortunately, they have been controlled by East India, so that the people of the country cannot enjoy a prosperous life. "

Queen Ma, who had already sensed something was wrong, asked in surprise, "Tan'er, you have never been to Bengal, how do you know so much about the country's conditions here?"

Zhu Gang, who had already thought of his words, said with emotion: "As the saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Although the Jiangnan Aristocratic Family Alliance colluded with the Japanese pirates, they also obtained a lot of information about overseas countries.

All of these were passed on to me by Yao Guangxiao through the intelligence network established by the Hidden Dragon Guard and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The most important thing for the Ming Dynasty right now is to verify this information by taking advantage of the opportunity of the envoys from the 62 Southeast Yi countries coming to pay tribute.

After all, if the descendants of the royal family want to conquer overseas, they cannot do so without knowing both themselves and the enemy!"

In this way, Zhu Gang gave popular science lectures on the situation of vassal states in Kunning Palace, and Wang Jinghong passed the relevant information to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao through the eunuchs in the palace.

"We heard that before Sukhothai was established, most of the small Thai states in the middle and lower reaches of the Chao Phraya River and the middle and lower reaches of the Mekong River were under the rule of the Mon Chenla people.

Therefore, in the early days of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhenla gradually declined, and its subordinate Thai states became independent one after another.

"Mongsu" in the middle reaches of the Chao Phraya River also became an independent state in the second year of Jiaxi.

"Mongsu", who was surrounded by the Mon people, called themselves "Mongsu Ketai" to emphasize their Thai identity.

I wonder if what we said is true?"

After listening to the translator's report from the Honglu Temple, the Sukhothai envoy immediately fell to the ground.

"The Sukhothai Dynasty began to decline after the death of the third king, Ramkhamhaeng.

The succeeding generations of kings were mostly cowardly and incompetent, and were obsessed with Buddhism.

Seeing this, the Meng and vassal states outside the capital broke away from the control of the Sukhothai Dynasty.

In addition, Sukhothai's economic strength is not as strong as that of Lahu.

The enemy is already at the gates of the city, please send troops to help!"

Zhu Biao, who was looking through the list of tribute from vassal states, found that he could not find the country of Luohu at all.

So he quickly called Wang Jinghong and asked him to go to Kunning Palace to find out the situation.

“In fact, Luohu is Siam, but we and other overseas countries call it differently.

Ask the Prince to ask the Siamese envoy if he is Prince Nakhon Ying of Suphanburi?
If the other party admits this identity, we in the Ming Dynasty must handle this matter carefully."

According to historical records, Nakhon Si Thammarat took advantage of the discord between King Ramesuram, who ruled Ayutthaya, and his ministers to seize the throne of Ayutthaya.

Although this event would not happen until the seventh year of Yongle, making friends with the future King of Siam in advance would be beneficial to the Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)