Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

(I blacked out last night and only woke up this evening. I'm sorry I can't do the third update today, I'll make it up to you tomorrow at the fifth.)

Inside the Second Astronomical Hall.

Zhu Qiyu glanced around and got straight to the point: "Today's court assembly will only discuss one matter: how to accommodate the envoys from various countries during the New Year's Day court audience."

"Li Shi, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, please explain the situation first."

Li Shi stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, as of yesterday, a total of seventeen envoys from various countries and tribes have arrived in the capital to request to participate in the New Year's Day court ceremony."

The entourage consisted of 2,273 people.

They have all been housed in the Huitong Hall, where they are being provided with food and lodging as usual.

According to the rites of tribute as recorded in the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty".

On the day of the New Year's Day court ceremony, envoys from various countries should line up below the steps of the Fengtian Hall according to their relationship with the emperor and their rank, and pay their respects together with the officials.

After the court ceremony, the Ministry of Rites hosted a banquet in his honor.

After the banquet, each envoy may present their official credentials and offer local specialties.

After verification by the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial, the gifts were returned in accordance with custom.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "What do you all think?"

After a brief silence, one person stepped forward: "Your subject, Yang Ming, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, has a memorial to present!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Speak."

Yang Ming said loudly, "I believe that the matter of the New Year's Day court celebration should be handled expediently and should not follow the old precedent."

The atmosphere in the hall tensed slightly.

Yang Ming continued, "The Battle of Tumu Fortress severely damaged the imperial court's vitality."

Although the Oirat Mongols have retreated, the borders are not yet pacified, and the soldiers of the Nine Border Regions remain vigilant and ready for battle.

If we were to hold a grand ceremony to pay homage at this time, allowing foreign envoys to see our nation's predicament, it would likely damage our national prestige.

Furthermore, the Oirat envoys were also among them.

Esen is an enemy of our dynasty. His envoy came to the capital to pay homage. I believe his intentions are sinister.

If they were to glean insights into our dynasty's strength and weakness from the court, they would have something to rely on when they launch another invasion of the south.

These words immediately sparked a great deal of discussion in the hall.

Another person stepped forward: "Your subject, Wang Xuan, Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, seconded the proposal of Censor-in-Chief Yang."

Your Majesty, the national treasury is currently empty, the refugees have only just settled, and the capital garrison has not yet been fully rebuilt.

Holding a grand court ceremony at this time would be extremely costly.

They stayed until New Year's Day, and then left the capital after the Lantern Festival.

The entire process, lasting a month, cost no less than several hundred thousand taels of silver.

Moreover, the Oirat envoy was staying at the Huitongguan.

Whenever I think of this matter, I feel as if I have a thorn in my side.

In the Battle of Tumu Fortress, tens of thousands of soldiers of our Great Ming Dynasty perished on the battlefield, and the Emperor Emeritus is still trapped in the enemy's court.

Now, however, the Oirat envoys are being treated to good food and drink in the capital, and are being allowed to attend court ceremonies and offer congratulations.

What are the thoughts of the soldiers of our Great Ming Dynasty?

What do the people of the world think?

After saying this, he knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to expel the Oirat envoys from the capital."

Other envoys from various countries may also politely decline and offer their congratulations after the court has stabilized.

An uproar erupted in the hall.

Some nodded, some shook their heads, and some whispered among themselves.

Zhu Qiyu's gaze swept over the assembled officials: "Is there anyone else who wants to speak?"

"Your subject has a memorial to present!"

One person stepped forward; it was Zhang Lun, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Zhang Lun bowed deeply and said, "Your subject does not agree with the words of Censor-in-Chief Yang and Attendant Wang."

Censor Yang said that holding a grand ceremony to celebrate the emperor's arrival would make foreign envoys see the emperor's predicament and would damage the country's prestige.

"May I ask, what exactly constitutes the dire straits of our dynasty?"

Yang Ming was taken aback, and before he could answer, Zhang Lun continued, "In the Battle of Tumu Fortress, 500,000 troops were wiped out, and the Emperor was taken captive to the north. This is truly a disgrace to our dynasty."

However, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have firmly defended the capital, repelled the Oirat Mongols, and driven them out of the pass.

The capital is now at peace, the city is recovering, displaced people have been resettled, and the borders are secure—this is the might of our dynasty!

Where does this talk of being in dire straits come from?

Wang Jishizhong said that the expenses were enormous, and I have also done the math.

When envoys from various countries paid tribute, the local products they presented were of considerable value.

North Korea presented horses, ginseng, and paper as tribute.

Ryukyu paid tribute with sulfur and copperware.

Annam paid tribute with ivory and rhinoceros horn.

Champa paid tribute with spices.

Jade was presented as tribute from Hami.

The Uriyangkhai presented horses as tribute.

The Tatars offered horses, furs, etc. as tribute.

Which of these things isn't valuable?

Although the imperial court's return gift was generous, it might not have resulted in a significant loss in the long run.

Moreover, the tribute trade itself was one of the sources of revenue for the imperial court.

The real loss would be to shut out customers!

Zhang Lun grew increasingly agitated as he spoke: "As for the Oirat envoys, I believe it is precisely the right time to let them witness the majesty of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

After saying this, Zhang Lun also knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I beg you to hold the New Year's Day court ceremony as usual, and to host a grand banquet for the envoys of various countries, so as to demonstrate the power and prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

The hall erupted in uproar once again.

The two factions each held their own views and refused to yield to each other.

Zhu Qiyu raised his hand and pressed down, and the hall gradually quieted down.

He looked at the few people who had remained silent and asked, "Young Master Yu, what's your opinion?"

Yu Qian stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the court ceremony can proceed as usual, but strict precautions must be taken."

The Court of State Ceremonial, the Ministry of Rites, the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard each performed their duties to ensure that no mistakes were made during the court audience.

Zhu Qiyu then looked at Chen Xun: "Grand Secretary Chen, and what about you?"

Chen Xun slowly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the suggestion of Junior Guardian Yu is the most prudent."

The morning celebrations will proceed as scheduled, which will both demonstrate national power and reassure the troops.

As for preventative measures, those will be handled by the relevant authorities.

Zhu Qiyu nodded, then looked at Jin Lian: "Minister Jin, you're in charge of the money, tell me, can we save some of this silver?"

Jin Lian stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has already reviewed the old accounts."

In previous years, the tributes presented by envoys from various countries were valued at approximately 110,000 to 120,000 taels of silver.

The imperial court's rewards and the expenses incurred by envoys in the capital often exceeded 200,000 taels of silver.

A low murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

Jin Lian continued, "But after reviewing the old records of the Court of State Ceremonies and the Ministry of Rites, I found that there were many false records."

After eliminating these wasteful expenditures this year, the total amount of gifts and expenses can be kept below 160,000 taels.

Upon hearing this, many people in the hall were stunned.

Many people know what so-called waste is.

Jin Lian continued, "The Court of State Ceremonies and the Ministry of Rites settle this score every year."

It's just that no one has brought out the account books before.

If we follow what Wang Jishizhong said and send back the envoys from various countries, then the local products they presented should naturally be returned as well.

The court may also lose tribute trade in the coming years.

Korea, Ryukyu, Annam, Siam and other countries sent envoys to pay tribute every year in order to maintain trade relations.

If we turn them away this time, will they come back next time?

Wang Xuan's expression changed slightly, but he couldn't find the words to refute her.

Zhu Qiyu chuckled softly: "Minister Jin has done a good job of settling this score, I like that."

The Tumu Crisis indeed dealt a heavy blow to the imperial court.

But it's the tendons and bones that are injured, not the spine.

Injuries to muscles and bones can be healed, but a broken spine means you can't stand up again.

I am also uneasy that Esen's envoy is in the capital.

But I cannot send them away just because I feel uncomfortable.

That's not the demeanor the Ming Dynasty should have.

The New Year's Day celebrations will proceed as usual.

As is customary, envoys from various countries lined up to offer their congratulations, and the Ministry of Rites hosted a banquet in their honor.

The Court of State Ceremonies and the Hall of Reunion should make proper arrangements and not neglect them.

In addition, after the New Year's Day court ceremony, I will summon the Korean envoys to the Wenhua Hall alone.

Tell the Korean envoy to make preparations.

The officials bowed and said, "Your subjects obey the decree."

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "You may leave."