Unless Xiao Yu claimed to be noble, how could any Central Plains dynasty ever look directly at those foreign barbarians in the East and Southeast? When the dynasty was prosperous, it was important to have "congratulations from all over the world". Those small countries and natives were regarded as the decoration of the prosperous times. They sent a delegation to Beijing to present some local products and congratulations, and to praise the heavenly kingdom for its majesty over the world and its blessings from all directions. , satisfy the vanity of everyone in the dynasty, and then return happily with a reward ten or a hundred times better than the congratulatory gift...
In Xiao Yu's opinion, those monkey-like natives from the East and Southeast Asia probably had only these uses.
As for its territory, although it has a warm climate and abundant water, it has not been cultivated and is full of smoke and snakes and insects. Is that a place where people can stay? Not even for free...
His Majesty Li Er was a little dissatisfied: "You are a veteran of two dynasties and a pillar of the country. I have many questions to ask you about state affairs. How can you be so stagnant in thinking and unwilling to make progress?"
Xiao Yu looked confused. Although he was older and less energetic than before, he always paid attention to all important matters in the court and never slacked off. How could he be scolded as "thinking about fat" and "not thinking about progress"?
He said with shame: "I am stupid, please ask Your Majesty to clear up my confusion."
His Majesty Li Er took a sip of tea and said slowly: "The navy's conquest of the two oceans not only deterred other countries, opened waterways, and promoted foreign trade, but also leased ports and land in various places, recruited merchants, and refugees, and formed countless national centers. The country enjoys "extraterritoriality", making it our land. At the same time, in order to prevent those people who immigrated to foreign countries from forgetting their roots after two generations, they invested heavily in building countless schools and recruited many students from home. Teach Han studies. Now, those children who have immigrated overseas can enjoy orthodox teaching. I don’t know how many small foreign countries are interested in it. They have implored the Tang Dynasty to send students to help their countries open Confucian schools and open up the people’s wisdom.”
Xiao Yu naturally knew about this matter, but he still didn't understand what His Majesty Li Er meant: "This matter is complicated and not easy to accomplish. There were many students in the Tang Dynasty, but when they went overseas and left their homes and careers behind, what happened to their wives, children, children, land and properties? Care? After going overseas, the people and the land are unfamiliar, and accidents are inevitable. How to arrange life, and how to ensure safety? There are so many complicated things, so please think twice."
In his opinion, the Tang Dynasty could just live its own life, why should it pay attention to the requests of those small foreign countries?
They are all monkey-like natives who cannot read a word. What can they teach even if they are sent to the students? What benefit did they bring to the Tang Dynasty by opening up the people's wisdom?
Totally thankless.
His Majesty Li Er shook his head and sighed, saying: "You, you, you are the prime minister of the country after all, how come you have such little vision?"
He pointed to the desk and said, "You can take out the bottom copy of the pile of memorials on the left and let's discuss it later."
"Here."
Being criticized as "short-sighted" made Xiao Yu a little unhappy. He stood up and took out the memorial in accordance with the instructions of His Majesty Li Er. He came back and sat down. When he opened it, he saw a line on the title page, "Your Majesty Su Dingfang petitioned to assist the countries in the two oceans in the war. Sinological education." "...
A general who wields a sword and wields a stick and charges into battle, actually cares about such matters in the cultural circle?
Full of suspicion, Xiao Yu unfolded the memorial and read ten lines at a glance. He frowned in deep thought and was deeply shocked.
The first sentence of the memorial is "Since ancient times, our country has dominated the world and led the world, all because of the culture of the scholars"...
The clear meaning at the beginning points out the source of the endless inheritance of China. It is precisely because the Chinese culture constructed by the theories of various scholars has been passed down from generation to generation that the bloodline of Yan and Huang continues to this day. Regardless of whether the country is north or south, the cultural heritage of the same origin and the same species makes China full of strong centripetal force and cohesion. When faced with foreign invasion, it can burst out with extremely strong power to drive away the Tartars and protect China.
Even if one day the dynasty is overthrown or even invaded by foreign tribes, as long as the cultural heritage continues, the Miao descendants will not be annihilated and become the genus of Hu Di, and may even be assimilated and tamed in turn.
Especially since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has only been respected, and the Confucian system built by Confucius and Mencius has been promulgated throughout the world, which has further strengthened the unity of culture and given the Chinese people a solid barrier from the inside out!
"The barbarians in the two oceans are all foreigners who do not know etiquette and loyalty, and are like animals. If they are educated with Chinese culture and help them open up their people's wisdom, then their people will all know Confucius and Mencius, and Chinese etiquette is in their blood. It has been passed down from generation to generation without interruption, and it has given rise to cultural identity. Over time, it has become subtle. Although its country does not belong to the Tang Dynasty, its people are all Chinese people."
"...After three generations, everyone will speak Chinese, and everyone will use some Chinese characters. How can there be any distinction between Chinese and barbarians in the four seas? This is to subdue others without fighting!"
After reading this, Xiao Yu was filled with praise and admiration!
He said excitedly: "Lands can be conquered, but they will eventually be lost; once people's hearts are attached to them, they will not be lost for a hundred generations!"
Pointing to the memorial, he said: "How can Su Dingfang, a famous general in the world, have such true knowledge and insights? This is Bifang Jun's plan!"
His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard and nodded in approval. The monarch and his ministers couldn't help but sigh.
Thinking back to those days, Fang Jun spared no expense in building Huating Town and brought the entire Nuo Dadan flat under his control. He recruited more than 100,000 refugees and spent countless amounts of money and food every day. Finally, he laid a huge foundation and supported an unprecedented scale. Invincible navy.
At that time, some people ridiculed him for having so much money that he couldn't spend all his money. In order to flatter His Majesty, he created a "Royal Navy" and would sooner or later burn up all his wealth...
Until now, after understanding the situation between the two oceans, we know that he has already laid out this situation, and even the century-old plan for the two oceans is all within Fang Jun's conception.
Perhaps the handling of specific affairs is not as good as that of experienced and mature people such as Xiao Yu and Cen Wenwen, but who in the government and the public can match this vision, structure, and courage of having a high-level position and planning for the world?
Thinking again about Fang Jun who has just passed his prime years, how amazing and talented he is...
Xiao Yu closed the memorial, stood up and put it on the desk, then returned and knelt down opposite His Majesty Li Er, saying sincerely: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, should take this memorial to the political hall and let all the prime ministers and ministers discuss it together, and then formulate detailed strategies. Teachers will cooperate with the implementation. Once all the expectations are realized, the culture of China will be benefited by the people of the two oceans, and the power of China will dominate the world. Hundreds of millions of barbarians in both oceans will appreciate the grace of the Tang Dynasty. Shocking the past and the present!"
The foreign land of the foreign country is too far away. Even if its territory can be included in the territory, after ten or a hundred years, it will eventually be gained and lost again. It cannot be conquered for a long time, but instead breeds hatred due to war and killing.
But using culture as a sword, one can spread the power of the Tang Dynasty to all directions without bloodshed, so that generations of people will be bathed in the rule of Chinese culture. They will naturally yearn for the Tang Dynasty. Even if they cannot be ministers, they can be integrated with each other forever and for thousands of years.
Furthermore, when all the countries in the two oceans speak Chinese, write Chinese characters, and study Confucian classics, how can we distinguish between China and foreign countries?
With the inclusiveness of Chinese culture, one day we can completely assimilate them into one clan...
These achievements are really no less than that of Emperor Qin who unified the six kingdoms and Wu of Han who drove away the Xiongnu!
But at the same time, Fang Jun, who proposed this strategy, will surely achieve great success and be famous forever. This makes Xiao Yu feel a little sour, feeling both envy and jealousy... However, thinking that this guy is now being suppressed by His Majesty, his future is not bright. , and then I felt slightly better.
Otherwise, if such talented and beautiful people take control of the court and implement national policies at such a young age, when will the children of the Jiangnan gentry come to the fore?
His Majesty Li Er thought for a while and said: "Let's discuss this matter during the first meeting. There is no need to leak it for now."
Xiao Yu nodded and said yes.
When His Majesty Li Er saw that the tea was lukewarm, he ordered someone to make a new pot and asked, "The prince went to Da Ci'en Temple today to pray for Queen Wende. What do you think of this?"
Xiao Yu thought quickly in his mind and said: "The prince's pure filial piety should be a model for the world. However, the prince's move to Da Ci'en Temple this time will inevitably lead to stagnation in government affairs, and no one will share your worries for your majesty. Why not choose another prince to temporarily take over the prince's duties?" "
The East Palace itself is a small court. Although it is small and has all the internal organs, it usually helps the emperor in handling government affairs. Now that the prince is stationed at Daci'en Temple, whether intentionally or not, this responsibility has become vacant. As long as your majesty nominates someone to take over temporarily, then this person will most likely be your majesty's preferred candidate for the new crown prince.
But how could His Majesty Li Er be fooled?
He said with a smile but not a smile: "All the princes are virtuous, but I am in a dilemma. Which prince of the Song Dynasty do you think is suitable for the temporary crown prince's duties?"
Xiao Yu said hurriedly: "This is His Majesty's family matter, how dare I say anything? No matter who temporarily takes over the duties of the prince, I will do my best to help."
This is being cunning and not making a decision under His Majesty Li Er's questioning, but it is also a statement in a sense - Yi Chu is His Majesty's family matter and I will not interfere with it.
Of course, God knows whether they are involved in private affairs...
His Majesty Li Er shook his head and laughed: "You, you are always unwilling to suffer some losses...Okay, you can mention this matter at the meeting on the first day of the new year, and the ministers can discuss it together and brainstorm ideas."
Xiao Yu agreed.
However, he can be sure that even if the matter is placed in the political hall, no minister will express any opinions on it. Whoever dares to be in the limelight will have to face attacks from the other faction or even two factions...
It's just that the prince's move to Da Ci'en Temple happened to avoid the current trend of slandering the king of Wei in the court, which made his original plan of "killing two birds with one stone" suddenly frustrated. He could only attack the king of Wei, but could not blame the prince, which was disappointing. .
*****
In the Daci'en Temple, the prince drove in and, accompanied by Xuanzang, the abbot, settled in the Buddhist temple in the backyard.
The prince and his family members settled in the East Palace, while Fang Jun accompanied Xuanzang to drink tea in the monastery.
Seeing Fang Jun looking at him up and down, even with Xuanzang's Zen mind as immovable as a mountain, he couldn't help but be puzzled. He asked with a smile: "The look in the eyes of Duke Yue makes me look like a mountain spirit. I just don't know if it's possible." Can you tell what kind of monster I am?"
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t understand the impact of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war on us? I don’t know whether I am really stupid or extremely bad when I cry out to support Ukraine and defeat Russia.
(End of chapter)
