Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 258 Huangming Federation?

The one who currently has a legitimate reason to go to war is the southwest, Toungoo in Outer Yunnan.

They invaded the Ming Dynasty and had previously conquered Lanna and other Ming vassal states, but these were all in name only.

But in fact it is not enough, because there is no enthusiastic support for foreign wars internally.

After all, that means financial pressure, and it also means that the dormant "public opinion" may have waited for its opportunity.

If things go a little bit wrong, or even if things are artificially created, who can be sure that the achievements that have been consolidated will not regress?

In the western warm pavilion of the Huangji Palace, sitting in front of Zhu Changluo were Tian Le, Li Wen, Xing Jie, and Wen Chun who was preparing to retire.

The other is Li Chengliang.

"Let me make my meaning clear first, so you don't have to guess." Zhu Changluo said clearly, "It's time to fight a battle, win a big victory, and a big victory that will have obvious benefits for the country."

Xing Jie and Li Wen both looked at him, while Wen Chun lowered his head and just listened.

"After six years, this is the best we can do in terms of domestic affairs." Zhu Changluo said without hesitation, "We will continue to focus on domestic affairs, making endless changes and appeasements. Now that the Ministry of Revenue has some silver in reserve and Zongminghao has some grain in reserve, we will have no problem fighting a war. Uncle, are you worried that we will have no legitimate reason to fight?"

Xing Jie admitted it, bowed and said, "With the power of the Privy Council to assist Your Majesty in commanding, the soldiers obeying orders, and no worries about money and food, victory is not difficult. But if it comes to benefiting the country, it involves education. Outside Liaodong, the land is barren; although there are precious mines and fertile fields in Outer Yunnan, transportation is a big problem. Having a legitimate reason to fight will ultimately benefit education."

Zhu Changluo nodded.

This is of course a long-term perspective.

At present, the Ming Dynasty and the Khanate were generally in a stage of peaceful tribute trade. Although the Jurchen tribes fought among themselves, they still maintained a submissive state towards the Ming Dynasty.

Not to mention North Korea.

Zhu Changluo looked at them and said, "Taizu once decided that some countries would not be conquered. I looked at the old records. At that time, Taizu was deeply worried that if a war broke out, Korea would definitely send 100,000 soldiers to invade our borders. You, Lord Jie, have assisted Korea in the past, but you don't think so now, right?"

Xing Jie did not object.

When the Ming Dynasty was founded, it was necessary to inform the surrounding foreign vassal states. In the letter, Zhu Yuanzhang certainly had to show off. But at that time, Zhu Yuanzhang's estimate of the strength of some of the surrounding vassal states was also biased.

Korea and the Central Plains have such a long history, and the Central Plains dynasty did not seem to have really gained much advantage. This is one of the reasons why Zhu Yuanzhang decided not to conquer some countries.

Overall, the accounts cannot be calculated and there is no need to do so.

For the Ming Dynasty, it seems to be enough to stabilize the northern defense line and the southwest and manage the core territory with peace of mind.

But Zhu Changluo certainly would not be satisfied with this. After all, the land that is now barren may not be barren in the future. Under his promotion, the technological buds of Ming Dynasty have already appeared.

So he said: "It is important to have a legitimate reason to fight, but how to deal with the situation after victory is the basis for educating and stabilizing the local area and making the Ming Dynasty profitable. The Ming Dynasty should still manage the provinces well, but there should be a new relationship between the foreign vassal states and the Ming Dynasty. For example, the Korean people now recognize the Lee family as the ruler of the country. For them, what is so strange about the change of dynasties?"

Xing Jie looked at Zhu Changluo, hesitated for a moment and asked: "Your Majesty, Korea has always been submissive. Your Majesty, start with Korea... I don't quite understand."

"Without Korea, it would be difficult to launch another expedition to Japan." Zhu Changluo said succinctly, "Without Korea, Liaodong would be isolated and unable to control the Tatars and the Jurchens. How much money, food and lives did the Ming Dynasty spend in the Korean War? My father lost a lot in that battle, and I want to make it back."

"...If we go on an expedition to Japan, how can we benefit the Ming Dynasty?"

Xing Jie was still old-fashioned, so it was necessary for Zhu Changluo to unify the Privy Council's thinking at this time.

There is no need to mention Tian Le and Li Wen, but Xing Jie is the one who has just returned to the center.

The key points are two: the new vassal state system and maritime trade.

"This battle is not easy. If the soldiers move and encounter a little obstruction, there will be internal and external troubles." Zhu Changluo said solemnly, "But after this hurdle is passed, I will be able to change the internal affairs and serve the vassal states smoothly. In the future, the Ming Dynasty may only have two or three more provinces to send officials to govern, but this brilliant Ming Federation will be an integrated economy and trade within and a common enemy abroad."

There were many people with the surname Zhu in the vassal states, and some others were tightly bound together through marriage, economic and trade means. Zhu Changluo should take the lead in building a federal system that is a little closer than the tributary vassal system.

To adapt to this system, the internal efficiency, vision and awareness of the Ming Dynasty must be raised to a higher level. If Zhu Changluo wants to further break the current system within the Ming Dynasty, he really needs higher prestige and stronger military strength to suppress it.

At least they have to endure and adapt first.

But we need to see the benefits in the future.

The North Korean part is indeed barren at present, but its strategic location is crucial. Only when Liaodong and the core area of ​​the western coastal area of ​​North Korea are connected together can there be a foundation for further releasing deterrence to the periphery.

Now, after the Korean War, the Ming Dynasty has a clear understanding of Korea's strength.

Regardless of the justification, North Korea is not the problem.

The only obstacle in that direction was the increasingly prosperous Jianzhou Jurchens.

"We haven't found out the details yet, but the Ula tribe must have suffered a great loss and came to complain." Zhu Changluo said, "In this case, summon them to the capital and I will personally investigate."

Tian Le finally spoke: "How does your majesty want to deal with it?"

Zhu Changluo smiled and said, "I don't need to do anything. If Nurhaci and Bujantai can come in person, the King of Korea and Gwanghaegun will not dare to leave Korea easily. I will mediate for them. Let the Jianzhou Jurchens do it. If he can do something else during the succession of the Korean throne, he won't have to return empty-handed next time he aids Korea."

"...The next aid to North Korea?"

"That's right. Korea has lost its territory and fallen into chaos again and again. How many Korean people still have support for the Lee family?" Zhu Changluo nodded. "Nurhaci is a tyrant. His son has been in the capital for so many years. I believe he will listen to my advice. If he does, I will recognize him as the ruler of the country. But don't build his country next to my bed!"

After saying that, he looked at Li Chengliang and said, "Marquis Ningyuan, do you think Nurhaci can listen to advice?"

Li Chengliang bowed his head and said: "The Haixi Jurchens hope that Your Majesty can subdue him. As long as I am here, he must listen to your advice."

Xing Jie looked at Tian Le and Li Chengliang, then at the emperor: "Then where is your majesty going to allow him to establish his country?"

"Japan," Zhu Changluo said, "to be precise, it's Eastern Japan. Whether he is willing to be my vanguard general or not depends on his decision. If he is not willing, I can really point my spearhead at him and plow his hole again!"

Instead of putting all our efforts into wiping out the Jianzhou Jurchens first, it would be better to use him now while we have the upper hand and are growing stronger.

To be honest, they all felt lucky to be able to rule the Central Plains later.

In this case, half of Japan should be able to satisfy their appetite. It just depends on whether they are willing to leave the familiar white mountains and black waters.

But it doesn’t matter. Zhu Changluo could at least promise him East Korea first, and use it as a springboard to visit Japan.

The most terrible thing at this point in time was that the King of Korea was seriously ill and could not leave, and the Crown Prince of Korea, Li Hui, did not dare to leave at all.

Since they cannot appear at the negotiation table, they will of course become the target of division.

Zhu Changluo himself had no psychological burden about swallowing up North Korea.

"Let's make plans in this general direction." Zhu Changluo looked at them, "Take this opportunity to accept the Haixi Jurchen tribes first. If we can mobilize the Jianzhou Jurchens, the Haixi Jurchens can only rely on the Ming Dynasty! Reassure them, let them form an alliance and establish a country, and send one of their daughters to be their concubine. After I disband the Khan's court in the future, I will have their fertile land with water and grass."

Use Nurhaci and his descendants to rule the various tribes on the grassland in the future.

It is impossible to annihilate them all, and there is no need to do so. Once the firepower is up, the problems of the grassland tribes are no longer serious. Zhu Changluo's next step is to go there to dig coal and iron.

When the Little Ice Age came, if they could preserve their tribes through trade, why would they fight to the death?

First north and then south, so even though there was a recent victory in Outer Yunnan, Zhu Changluo and Tian Le did not consider sending troops to Outer Yunnan immediately.

The maritime trade industry also needs some more development.

(End of this chapter)