Zhu Biao stood in front of his father and said: "Not to mention the Japanese country, let's just talk about Goryeo. Although he accepted the canonization of the Central Plains Dynasty, he has long adopted a royal system similar to the Central Plains Dynasty. He has the character of "outer king and inner emperor" I feel that the culture is also similar to that of the Central Plains, where Confucianism is prosperous, imperial examinations are prevalent, and laws are complete."
"Father, these small countries are no longer the savages they once were. They are growing step by step. Our Ming Dynasty is not weaker than the Han and Tang Dynasties, but the surrounding threats are far stronger than the Han and Tang Dynasties."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned in thought, and Zhu Biao slowly talked about his worries about the future, not only for Goryeo, but also for the Japanese pirates and Mongolia. Zhu Biao naturally knew that when Chinese civilization was truly being overtaken, even though the Ming Dynasty still had a leading advantage, But it's not higher.
China entered the period of feudal unified dynasty early during the Warring States Period. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, farming civilization, etiquette culture, scientific and technological level, etc. have been far ahead of the world, enough to defeat all the surrounding barbarians.
Although the Han and Tang Dynasties had shortcomings in the large-scale formation of cavalry, tactics and logistical support compared to the Xiongnu and Turks who came and went like the wind, when these shortcomings were filled with the growth of national power, they could basically defeat their opponents. , This is how Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty drove the Xiongnu to the north, and this is why Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty became the Khan of Heaven.
Although the Xiongnu Turks were powerful, their weapons were considered sophisticated even if they were made of bronze. As for tactics, there is no need to mention them. The smelting technology of the Han and Tang Dynasties was far beyond that of other civilizations in the world. The sophisticated iron weapons could easily cut off the opponent. The bronze weapons and hard armor set off the weakness of the opponent's leather clothing, and the superb tactical skills can make them play around.
Although the Huns and Turks were actively absorbing the civilization of the Central Plains to arm themselves, and although there were many scum who transported tea, salt, and iron tools to them, this was far from enough, so they were eventually destroyed.
Generation after generation, the grassland nomadic regimes have continuously absorbed the civilization of the Central Plains to improve themselves, and the gap between them and the farming civilization of the Central Plains has become smaller and smaller. By the Khitan period, it had already formed a semi-Confucian dynasty, as evidenced by the existence of the Liao regime for more than two hundred years, which maintained nomadic characteristics and coexisted with farming civilization.
The rise of Mongolia and its three western expeditions established a huge empire. No one could surpass the number of countries the Mongols destroyed and the breadth of their territory. Countless civilizations were absorbed, and even the unified Central Plains Dynasty was established in less than a century after the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty.
Although the Yuan Dynasty is not a formal Confucian dynasty, its understanding of the Central Plains dynasty far exceeds that of other nomadic regimes. Therefore, the gap between the Mongolian tribes and the Ming Dynasty is almost non-existent. This is completely different from the generation gap in civilization and technology formed by the Han and Tang Dynasties against the Huns, Turks and other nomadic regimes.
Therefore, the Ming Dynasty was defeated by the newly powerful Mongolian Oara tribe only 80 years after its founding. After the defeat of Tumubao, the Ming Dynasty's national power declined. In fact, the loss of Tumubao was still within the Ming Dynasty's acceptance range.
It only caused the Ming Dynasty's attitude towards foreign enemies to change from Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di's active offensive and tough attitude to suppress foreign enemies to passively relying on the Great Wall to build a nine-sided town defense. It could no longer launch large-scale active attacks. The offensive and defensive posture of Ming Dynasty and Mongolia changed.
Zhu Biao's meaning is very simple. The Ming Dynasty wants to recuperate, but that does not mean that it will stick to its territory honestly from now on, but that it should actively expand abroad. Of course, it does not mean crazy militarism, just like Mongolia, Goryeo and Japan. Caught in civil strife, Ming was fully capable of disrupting the situation.
Implement a policy of supporting the weak and suppressing the strong among its ministries, balancing the forces of all parties, and allowing the civil war to continue. When they are almost exhausted and the local people's resentment boils, they will intervene in the name of the heaven that cannot bear the suffering of the people of the vassal state. Among them, if it operates slowly for decades, great achievements can be expected.
As for the subsequent appointment of the vassal king, it doesn't matter. In this era, it can be said that all kinds of frosts are competing for freedom. The East Asian Yuan Dynasty destroyed Mingxing, the internal strife of Goryeo and Japan continued, and the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia split into two countries, the East and the West. Each expands.
The Ottoman Empire in West Asia was expanding crazily, becoming increasingly powerful, and conquered the Balkan Peninsula. There were many small countries in Southeast Asia, and dynasties in India were also developing.
The most threatening area, Western Europe, has begun its Renaissance. Although there is the Black Death, Western Europe, especially Italy, is at the center of the Renaissance and has achieved fruitful results. The church is still strong, but its decline is already foreseeable.
The Hundred Years War between Britain and France in Western Europe has also begun, and the Principality of Muscovy in Eastern Europe is also gaining momentum.
Countries all over the world are seeking development. If you slow down a little, you will easily be unable to catch up. Zhu Biao naturally does not want to fall behind others. Since he wants to lay the foundation for everything, he naturally has to start from the surrounding areas.
But Zhu Biao is a very honorable prince, but all his authority comes from his father, Emperor Ming Zhu Yuanzhang. Without Zhu Yuanzhang's support, he would not be able to leave the East Palace.
It is impossible to plot Europe now, but Mongolia, Goryeo, and Japan are both in an era of chaos. It would be a pity if Ming Dynasty gave up this opportunity.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his son with some confusion. He didn't know why he paid attention to those wild places. Isn't the country he conquered enough for him to enjoy?
Zhu Biao slowly knelt down: "Father, my worries may seem ridiculous to you, but they appear in my heart all the time. I became your eldest son, and was pampered and appointed as your eldest son. The Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, I love the empire my father has given me, so I don’t want her to be threatened in any way.”
Zhu Yuanzhang's first reaction after hearing this was to wonder if someone had given his prince a victory-abhorrence technique. Otherwise, how could such a well-behaved child have random thoughts every day?
In fact, this is no wonder Zhu Yuanzhang. The idea of the Celestial Kingdom is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. According to records in various books, places outside the Central Plains are just small wild countries. Their emperors may not have enough to eat. How can they afford the Central Plains Dynasty? pose a threat.
If Zhu Biao was worried about Mongolia, then Zhu Yuanzhang could understand it. After all, the threat from Mongolia was visible to the naked eye.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his son's eyes carefully to make sure that his mind was clear, and then he had a headache. He was so busy and busy now that he had no time to focus on those small countries.
But Zhu Yuanzhang still knows his son well. This is his best prince. Throughout history, there is probably no one who is more outstanding. Moreover, he has read a lot and has been like an adult since he was a child, so his worries are not necessarily Incorrect.
Goryeo and Japan were indeed much more powerful than those during the Han and Tang Dynasties. Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said to his son: "Biao'er, are you serious? Do you want to control the political situation of those small countries and then incorporate them into the territory of the Ming Dynasty?"
Zhu Biao nodded: "It won't consume too many resources in the early stage. I will naturally know the current financial situation of my country. When everything is ready, my country will be rich and powerful."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it and realized that it would be a good idea to use these small countries to train the prince. After all, all the Ming Dynasty needed to do was to send a few envoys to cause trouble, and then let the pro-military Duwei Mansion contact a few rebellious ministers and traitors. Cause conflicts.
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