I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 92 Lifanyuan

Xu Jie, Yan Ne and Guo Pu could not help but look at each other, and then listened silently to Li Chunfang's quite simple words.

"Emperor Taizu established the tribute and cooperation system. At that time, the country was just established and the world was not at peace. In the north, the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty were eyeing them, and in the east, the remnants of Fang Guozhen fled overseas with evil intentions.

Korea was also in constant internal turmoil and had many changing dynasties. Japan was ambitious, greedy and brutal. In view of this, Emperor Taizu stipulated that Korea should pay tribute every two, three or ten years, show grace and generous rewards, and grant the right to engage in maritime trade.

At that time, it was just as Lord Xu said, to win over distant people with both kindness and severity.

Now that the Holy Emperor is in power, the world is at peace, and the northern barbarians and eastern Japanese are no longer a threat.

Just now, Mr. Guo said that we should spread virtue to overseas vassal states, impart moral principles, improve education, and change customs. This is indeed what our Ming Dynasty should do.

I was powerless before, but now I can do it. But how can I do it? Can I do it just by paying tribute every two, three or ten years, giving the sages scriptures and encouraging them? "

Xu Jie, Yan Ne and Guo Pu remained silent.

No one is a fool, how could anyone believe such words.

Including the previous words, such as Taizu's establishment of tribute and the Kanhe system were stopgap measures forced by the situation, which are all nonsense, and whoever has the right to speak can say it loudly.

Li Chunfang has always been cautious. Now that he dares to speak publicly in the cabinet meeting room, it is conceivable that he must have the endorsement of the Crown Prince and the Emperor.

Since the emperor has endorsed it, then it is correct.

You do not believe?
Then the emperor will send you to meet Emperor Taizu and ask him everything clearly!

Li Chunfang continued, "If you want to educate and change the customs of overseas vassal states, you have to visit them frequently.

They encouraged their students to come to the Ming Dynasty to study, learn the Four Books and Five Classics, and learn the teachings of sages. The outstanding ones could enter the Imperial Academy and even take part in the imperial examinations of our dynasty and become officials.

During the reign of the Former Song Dynasty, many people from Japan and Goryeo entered the Imperial College, took the imperial examinations, and became officials in the court. If the Former Song Dynasty could do it, why can't the Ming Dynasty do it? Is the Ming Dynasty worse than the Former Song Dynasty? "

Xu Jie was as silent as water.

Yan Ne and Guo Pu looked at each other and did not refute.

It's hard to refute.

Who dares to stop the teaching of the sages' classics to overseas vassal states and spread education? This is the way of the sages. If you dare to stop it, the Confucian scholars of the world will scold you to death.

Of course, if you ask Confucian scholars from all over the world to go to overseas vassal states to teach the teachings of sages and educate the people, they will fight you to death.

Since no one wants to go, just let them come.

It was a great event for Confucian scholars to come to the Ming Dynasty to receive teachings from great Confucian scholars and enable these students from vassal states to understand the teachings of the sages and the great principles of heaven.

Xu Jie, Yan Ne and Guo Pu all felt that they were being manipulated.

People suddenly stand on the commanding heights of morality and justice, and it is difficult to speak out against it.

"Of course, this matter involves a wide range of issues, including tribute from overseas vassal states, the entry of officials and civilians into the country, study, schooling, and examinations, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the local governments. Everyone wants to take care of it, but in the end, no one will."

Li Chunfang was right in saying this.

In the Ming Dynasty, there are things that everyone should be involved in, but in the end no one will care about them.

"It's a complicated matter, and involves a lot of things, but we can't just ignore it."

Yes, before it was just tribute and trade, but now it has risen to the great cause of spreading the teachings of saints and educating the world. If we sit back and do nothing, the news will spread, and those who make a living by talking and writing will be restless.

After several rounds of impeachment, the cabinet ministers were defeated and they became famous.

"What should we do? I suggest that we simply set up a government office to take over the tribute and trade affairs of overseas vassal states, as well as the rest of the immigration, school enrollment, and imperial examinations.

To put it bluntly, it is involved in all matters concerning overseas vassal states and the Ming Dynasty.

He was in charge of matters related to overseas vassal states paying tribute to the court and conducting trade, and coordinating matters related to the entry, study, and imperial examinations of scholars and citizens of overseas vassal states. He should go to the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Rites to coordinate a set of regulations and then follow them.

As long as there is such a government office that can handle things, and overseas vassal states know to go to it when they have problems, that’s all that matters.”

Yan Ne and Guo Pu thought about it and decided not to make any comment.

Xu Jie had completely different ideas in his mind. After witnessing Zhu Yijun's power in the past two years, he knew very well that this grandson was very good at setting up an inconspicuous organization and then quietly seizing power.

First it was the Coordination Office, then the Supervision Office, and he quietly obtained the financial and military power that even the crown prince did not have.

Now he has proposed to set up an institution in the cabinet through Li Chunfang. This is unprecedented, so what he is planning must also be unprecedented.

Xu Jie must figure this matter out!

However, Xu Jie had no concept of sea control, diplomatic power, free trade and colonies. After much thought, he only thought that Zhu Yijun wanted to take this opportunity to seize the power of Ming Dynasty's foreign trade.

However, Xu Jie soon thought that the Crown Prince only needed to take control of the commercial power. He could completely separate the trivial matters such as tribute from overseas vassal states and education from them and hand them over to the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple.

Why do you want to take on these thankless tasks?

Is there some mystery here?
There is no need to think about it, there must be a mystery behind Zhu Yijun's behavior.

This Crown Prince has the same character as his grandfather. He will not easily do anything that does not benefit him.

Why can’t I see through it?
Xu Jie was a little discouraged.

Could it be that I, a disciple of Wang Yangming, a world-renowned scholar, and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet with thirty years of experience, can no longer keep up with the pace of the Crown Prince, who is only twelve years old?

Seeing that Xu Jie hadn't spoken for a long time, Yan Ne couldn't help but ask, "Lord Li, what is the name of this government office you are talking about?"

"The Lifanyuan is responsible for handling the affairs of the various vassal states. This court is related to etiquette and state system, and should not be underestimated. It should be managed by the cabinet ministers. However, the affairs are complicated and numerous, which will delay the cabinet ministers from handling state affairs.

I am young, so I volunteered to take over the responsibilities of the Lifanyuan. What do the three ministers think? "

Now Yan Ne and Guo Pu understood everything.

So today we watched you perform a one-man show by yourself.

The memorials from Fujian Governor Huo Ji, Zhejiang Governor Cao Bangfu, and Provincial Governor Pang Shangpeng were the beginning, and you, Li Chunfang, were ready to launch the memorial. This memorial involved tribute from the vassal states, and no cabinet elder dared to make a decision or draft it lightly.

When we get to the council hall, you'll tell us everything you've discussed with the Crown Prince, which is to set up the Lifanyuan to take charge of overseas vassal affairs, and then you'll recommend yourself to take over the Lifanyuan.

Xu Jie had already figured it out. His only thought now was to find a way to get people into the Lifanyuan so that he could keep track of the Crown Prince's movements at any time.

It’s not okay to always be so passive.

The Lifanyuan was an official government office, and it was easier to staff than the Coordination Bureau, which was run by the emperor and the civilians, or the Supervisory Office, which was responsible for military affairs. Xu Jie needed to find a few capable people.

Yan Ne and Guo Pu didn't think of this step for a while.

However, they also understood the whole story and looked at each other with helpless expressions.

Soon, the Xiyuan Silijian received the draft memorials presented by the cabinet. Chen Hong flipped over one and his face lit up with joy. He looked around and put it aside.

After he had reviewed all the memorials that needed approval, Chen Hong put the memorial in his sleeves and quietly came to the side door of the Wanshou Palace.

He looked around and found that his godfather Huang Jin was not there, and he was secretly happy.

Seeing that Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Yijun were sitting in a side hall eating dinner, they had just finished eating, rinsed their mouths and washed their hands and faces, and Li Fang was busy in the distance. She was even happier, and walked gently to the side, and said with a bow from a distance: "This servant greets His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"What's the matter?" Emperor Jiajing glanced at him.

"The cabinet's memorial on abolishing the maritime ban and opening the country to allow trade has been submitted."

"Well, what should I say?"

"The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Lifanyuan to manage overseas vassal states, and recommends Li Chunfang, the Minister of Personnel and the cabinet minister, to be in charge of the Lifanyuan."

"Okay. I understand. Go down."

"Yes." Chen Hong glanced at Zhu Yijun.

Well, why doesn’t the Crown Prince react at all? Didn’t all my efforts today go in vain?

(End of this chapter)