On September 1, the second year of the Republic of China, Zhao Xuening went south to Mindanao to inspect the construction of local farms in the Davao area.
The local Spaniards and Japanese soldiers had been packed up and sent to Luzon Island to engage in dangerous work. What remained were some Chinese and a large number of indigenous people. Lanfang officials organized them to build farms and prepare household registrations, starting from scratch. Build the foundation of governance.
The new township chiefs who were soldiers had a high enthusiasm for action and execution ability. In two or three months, they had taken over all the land reclaimed by the Spaniards in the Davao area and resumed agricultural production.
Five planned township-level farms have been built, and more than a dozen are under construction.
As for the local indigenous people, after seeing the powerful combat effectiveness of Lan Fang's army and the raids against the Spanish, these indigenous people were slightly afraid of Lan Fang.
In accordance with Zhao Xuening's instructions, Lanfang officials took Spanish captives to communicate with these natives, and handed some of the Spanish captives to them for their disposal, thus gaining the favor of these natives.
Then the two parties agreed that they would pay taxes to Lanfang, and Lanfang would provide them with military protection. They could discuss any other exchanges, business, etc.
The two sides reached a consensus on this matter, so more than a dozen indigenous tribes close to the Davao area reached an agreement with Lanfang officials. This means that although Lanfang's current actual control area on Mindanao is only in the Davao area, it has control over more than ten surrounding areas. The indigenous tribes also have a certain influence.
Zhao Xuening is very satisfied with this status quo, so he is also very satisfied with the new Mindanao Governor Feng Yan who has successfully created this status quo.
Feng Yan is a veteran of the Endeavor Sect and one of the first subordinates to follow Zhao Xuening.
He was the captain of the army battalion during the Lanfang Company period and was a mid-level and senior officer. However, he was shot in both legs after a battle and did not recover well. He suffered from ailments and was unable to adapt to the high-intensity battlefield life, so he was forced to retire.
Zhao Xuening paid close attention to him and arranged for him to attend an administrative training class. He graduated successfully a few months later and started working on the farm for three years. He was considered a senior administrator in the Lanfang regime that had just founded the country. .
When he was appointed governor of Mindanao, Zhao Xuening also took his military background into consideration.
In addition to the many indigenous tribes north of Davao, there is also a small independent kingdom in western Mindanao. It is actually more difficult for Lanfang to expand its power in Mindanao. A governor without a military background may not be able to cope with this situation.
After the inspection was over and on the way back to Davao City, Zhao Xuening and Feng Yan walked together and explained what they were worried about.
"Here, I'm not worried about whether you can handle administrative work well. We have all seen your administrative abilities for all to see. What I'm worried about is whether you can properly handle the relationship with this small country.
Sun Tzu said in the Art of War that the first step is to attack the enemy, the second step is to attack the enemy, the third step is to attack the army, and the third step is to attack the city. The reason why we won the battle with the Dutch and the Spanish was not simply to attack and siege the city. The final resort, not the primary resort.
To deal with the Dutch, we used the method of disintegration to make their power available to us. To deal with the Spanish, we directly crushed them after we were strong enough. We also used the relationship with the British to ensure victory diplomatically.
We treat big countries like this, and we should treat small countries like this. What must be determined is that although we can defeat them with force, it is very difficult to conquer them. The Spaniards spent two hundred years and could not conquer them with force. If we and Spain We are all the same and will end up no better than them.
From ancient times to the present, China has had two ways of governing: the kingly way and the hegemonic way. Hegemony can flourish for a while, but it cannot last long. The kingly way is the way that can truly stand on top of the world for a long time. Therefore, we must use strategies and facts to conquer them. Rather than simply using force.
Force is a guarantee and a last resort. It cannot be used until the last moment. Once used, the enemy must be driven away. Otherwise, there will be endless disasters. Can you understand my worry? "
Feng Yan listened carefully to Zhao Xuening's words and nodded.
"I understand your concerns. We have just fought several battles. The army and the people are very tired. We cannot start another war in the short term. Therefore, when facing Maguindanao, we should not use force, but strategy and strategy. Diplomacy."
"What are you going to do?"
"Develop ourselves, build farms, obtain harvests, make the people rich, and then start trade with them so that they can see our prosperity with their own eyes."
Feng Yan said slowly: "They envy our prosperity, so we will teach them how to live and produce in our way. If they don't have money or technology, we can lend it to them. At that time, we can use trade to control all aspects of their business, including food production.
In the end, after they are completely accustomed to our life, if they are willing to join us peacefully, then they can join us peacefully, but if they have evil intentions towards our prosperity, then the Lanfang army will teach them a profound lesson. "
"Yep!"
Zhao Xuening smiled happily: "Economic means backed by force are the best way to conquer a small country. Guan Zhong has taught us this thousands of years ago. Unfortunately, not many future generations have understood this. "
"You are really knowledgeable."
Feng Yan looked at Zhao Xuening with admiration: "I can always learn new things by following you."
"Read more books, and don't read dead books, read alive books."
Zhao Xuening blinked and said with a smile: "The crystallization of wisdom of thousands of years ago is hidden between the lines, waiting for truly smart people to discover it."
"I see."
Feng Yan nodded seriously.
A few days after returning to Davao City, just as Zhao Xuening was preparing to return to Manila to continue working overtime, he suddenly received a formal response to his proposal from Japan.
The Japanese brought the response from the shogunate to Manila, from Manila to Davao, and delivered it to Zhao Xuening.
This response was not sent in the name of shogun Tokugawa Ieharu, but in the name of shogunate veteran Nakadanuma Yiji.
The above stated their approval of the second plan proposed by Zhao Xuening, and required Zhao Xuening to strictly abide by the previous rules of the shogunate without exceeding them in the slightest.
The shogunate still only accepts trade with the Dutch. If there are any problems and the general summons him, Lanfang must send a person of sufficient importance to Japan to interview and apologize. The etiquette must not be lacking.
In the final analysis, one sentence - whatever the Dutch did back then, Lanfang should do the same now. If there is a problem, Lanfang will be held responsible, not Japan.
The wording of this response was relatively not so polite. Although some rules can be seen in the wording and sentences, overall, Zhao Xuening still saw arrogance and arrogance.
You tell me that it is normal for the Qing Empire to reply to me in this tone. It is indeed the oldest empire. It has been proud since ancient times. It also has the capital. Where does your small island country get the capital?
Your territory is not as large as the territory I control. Why are you pretending to be a big-tailed eagle?
Zhao Xuening was very unhappy.
But it has to be said that at this stage, he is seeking more from Japan. Japan's population is several times the population under his control. This market is really impossible to give up, so it is necessary to lower his profile and coax the Tokugawa shogunate. things.
He is not a person who can't bow his head. If he feels unhappy, he still needs to earn money.
Don’t be quarrelsome with anyone, but don’t be quarrelsome with money.
Looking at the large amount of Spanish silver dollars, Zhao Xuening conveyed an order to Morris, asking Morris to form a new East India Company in the name of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.
All the staff of Lanfang's East India Company were from the Netherlands. If there were not enough Dutch people, other Europeans from Lanfang would be used. Chinese and local aborigines did not participate in the affairs.
All ships traveling to and from Japan will fly the flag of the Netherlands and the East India Company. Lanfang-related elements should not appear to avoid protests from Japan.
Afterwards, Zhao Xuening thought for a moment, thinking of the "advanced experience" of the Dutch who had successfully opened the door to Japan, and decided to write a letter to Tokugawa Ieharu in a relatively humble tone, and also brought a large number of gifts to express himself. "Thanksgiving".
Subsequently, Zhao Xuening wrote to Morris, asking Morris to pay attention, and asked the new East India Company to strengthen its relationship with the senior officials of the Japanese shogunate headed by Tanuma Yiji, remember their birthdays and the birthdays of their family members, and send more gifts.
As the saying goes, etiquette is not surprising when there are many people. This saying is as applicable in China as it is around the world. Only by building a good relationship with the Tokugawa shogunate can we build a good trade relationship.
It's not a big deal. You have to bow your head when it's time to bow your head. Only when you can bend and stretch can you be a husband.
Finally, Zhao Xuening also decided to agree to Japan's proposal to purchase a batch of muskets and artillery produced in Lanfang.
He was not at all worried about the Japanese learning these techniques.
Without key machines, corresponding mechanical talents and infrastructure, and without a large investment of resources, even if they have skilled craftsmen who can successfully imitate and hand-make some high-quality firearms, they will never be able to mass-produce them and equip them for the army.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Bi Maokang, the right minister of the Ministry of War, could already use a hand-made flintlock gun. However, until the Opium War, the main firearm equipment of the Qing army was still a matchlock gun.
Any excellent weapon is meaningless if it cannot be mass-produced and installed in the army. The manual production of individual craftsmen cannot be compared with the industrial production model of the machine age.
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PS: Today I still ate sesame rice noodles. Because I added four slices of luncheon meat, it was very comfortable to eat, so I will add two more chapters.
PPS: Please give me some monthly votes or recommendation votes. If you have any, please vote for me~
PPPS: Although there is no holiday for foreign festivals and there is no need to celebrate, I still want to say that we should not celebrate all these festivals as Valentine's Day. Regardless of whether you are in love or not, I would like to propose here - let us spend a holiday together. Christmas in Bo Yuntian!
