The Ming Dynasty and Mongolia have been at war for two hundred years. It is impossible to calculate how much hatred has accumulated. Perhaps in the minds of most Ming people, Mongolia is an old enemy and a mortal enemy. Their hatred is so deep that the Mongols will be exterminated unless they are defeated. It’s not over – even if the person who thinks this way is actually in the mainland and has never seen half a Mongolian in his life.
This is the inertia of thinking caused by two hundred years of hostility.
But in fact, in the border areas that are really bordering the Mongols, both the people, officials, and border troops are tired of the endless wars. If it is not due to inertia, unless they are the kind of people who really have a blood feud with the Mongols. , otherwise few people would be willing to keep fighting.
It's just that the imperial court has always insisted on fighting, and the Mongols are not honest and always come to rob them from time to time. They have no choice but to fight back.
This is the truth that Gao Pragmatic recently learned from ordinary people in Datong and Deshengbao.
For Gao Pragmatic, a person who has too many memories of his past life, war or peace is not a problem. The only question is which one is more beneficial.
The war can keep the border troops on thousands of miles of border lines from Jiliao, Xuanfu, Datong to Shaanxi in a continuous state of alert, thereby maintaining better war literacy. In case of police in other parts of the country, whether there is a rise of wild boar skins or the emergence of rogue bandits, this large number of border troops can be mobilized at any time, and their combat effectiveness is relatively guaranteed.
Harmony can ease the national finances and ensure the smooth advancement of various reforms; it can also prevent border provinces from war, restore vitality and achieve development.
According to Gao's pragmatic view, war is like treating the symptoms, while peace is like treating the root cause. One is to treat the problem wherever it occurs, and the other is to lay a solid foundation for the body to prevent disease from occurring.
This choice is not difficult for Gao Pragmatic, just like the story of the three Bian Que brothers.
According to "He Guanzi Shixian No. 16", Wei Wenhou asked Bian Que for advice and asked him which of his three brothers had the best medical skills. Bian Que answered truthfully, saying that among his three brothers, the eldest brother had the best medical skills, the second brother had the second best medical skills, and he had the worst medical skills.
Wei Wenhou was puzzled and asked why you think you are the worst in medical skills, but your reputation is famous all over the world, while your two brothers are unknown?
Bian Que replied: "My eldest brother treated the disease and eradicated the root cause of the disease before the disease occurred. His superb medical skills are not known to outsiders, only his family knows, so he is not famous; my second brother treated the disease at the beginning of the disease." He started to treat the symptoms when they were superficial. Although the disease was cured by the medicine, the villagers thought that he was just a doctor who could treat minor illnesses, so his reputation was not great. However, I always treat patients when they are in critical condition and in extreme pain. Treatment, using acupuncture, internal and external medicines, and even surgery, can turn the condition into a peaceful one and gradually make the patient recover. Therefore, everyone thinks that my medical skills are miraculous, so I am famous all over the world."
Traditional Chinese medicine has been adhering to the idea of "treating the disease before it's too late" for thousands of years. It believes that "the superior doctor treats the disease before it's there, the traditional Chinese medicine treats the disease of desire, and the inferior doctor treats the disease already." This may be where it comes from.
It is certainly a good thing to always maintain a frontier army with combat experience, but compared with strengthening the internal governance of the regime to make the people rich and financially healthy, it is actually not that important, at least not so critical.
In particular, after all, it is still the Longqing Dynasty. It is not the end of Chongzhen, the bandits have not entered Beijing, and the wild boar skin can only "defend the border for the country" under the rule of the Ming Dynasty.
But if Gao Pragmatic talks to Huang Mengyu about this truth, it will be meaningless. For a person of Huang Mengyu's level and status, only the emperor's attitude is crucial, and everything else is just a cloud.
Because he is just a slave of the emperor.
So Gao pragmatic laughed, and said with a hint of mystery: "The late emperor did say that 'he who repeats the horse market will be punished by death', but the time of the late emperor was very different from today's world, and it cannot be generalized."
Huang Mengyu was stunned for a moment, showing an apologetic expression, but hesitantly asked: "This... I, Old Huang, don't have much knowledge, please ask Gao Shi to read the instructions clearly."
Gao Pragmatic looked helpless and said: "During the late emperor's time, the Northern Captives were very powerful, and our dynasty encountered Japanese pirates who were plundering, so it was difficult to concentrate our strength to fight against the Northern Captives. If we showed even a little timidity towards the Northern Captives, the Northern Captives would definitely not be satisfied. In exchange of tribute and trade, if one of them fails, they can only sign an alliance under the city. Huang Zhenshou, think about it, given the temperament of the late emperor, do you think he can accept it? Of course not! So he can only show strength and insist on it. If you are willing to reconcile with Beilu, then Beilu will not know what is true or false in our court, and will only see that I am of the same mind, so naturally they will not dare to make mistakes, at least they will not dare to press too hard, right?"
In order to sell his views to Huang Da, Gao Shidu could find such a good reason for Jiajing's mentally retarded diplomacy, which is rare.
"Oh..." Huang Mengyu suddenly realized, and asked: "So what now?"
"Now, after Jinshang succeeded to the throne, the Japanese pirates are gradually embarrassed. Although there are still occasional violations, they are no longer serious problems. Qi Nantang has even been transferred to Jiliao to guard the border. It can be seen that the focus of our country has shifted to the northern border. . As for the Beibei, they have been suffering from disasters for many years and their strength has been greatly reduced. Look at the current situation, not to mention another Gengshu Incident, the Beibei have rarely even succeeded in plundering, and this time they were even beaten on the flank by Ma Zongrong. Collapse... It can be seen that Beilu and I have exchanged offense and defense."
Huang Mengyu said in surprise: "In that case, why do we still want to negotiate peace with him?"
Gao Pragmatic smiled bitterly and said: "Could it be that Huang Zhenshou didn't know that Mongolia is no better than other countries. It is easier to defeat but harder to destroy. Even if our country turns from defense to attack, it will be difficult to defeat them. In this case, my Ming Dynasty has been tired all year round. What’s the point of using all the country’s strength to maintain the northern frontier?”
"This..." Huang Mengyu scratched his head: "It makes sense."
Seeing that he was still a little hesitant, Gao Pangshi added: "What's more, it's hard to be foolproof if you guard against thieves for a thousand days. If the Northern Captives attack the pass again at any time, no matter the frontier army or the princes in the court, there will be no guarantee." Is there anyone responsible for this? For example, you, Huang Zhengshou, can you guarantee that the defense of Datong is really impregnable? Even if I attack with all my strength without warning, nothing will go wrong?"
"This... it still depends on the ministers and generals. How can I, Old Huang, take care of it?" Huang Mengyu shook his head and said.
"That's it." Gao Pragmatic said seductively: "Look, if the situation just mentioned happens, although the primary responsibility lies with the border ministers and generals, you, Huang Zhenshou, are the eunuchs guarding Datong after all, and you were beaten by the northern captives. We are outside Datong City. Of course, there will always be someone from the border ministers and generals who will come out to take the knife, but won’t you, Huang Zhenshou, also have to take the knife? Are you unjust? "
Huang Zhenshou was shocked: "Oh, that's so unfair! You can't blame me if the battle doesn't go well..."
"I can't blame you, but you are the eunuch guarding Datong. If the governor, governor and other generals are all convicted, can you run away?"
Huang Zhenshou suddenly felt horrified, and a chill ran down his spine. He gasped: "Then... it's better to make peace, it's better to make peace!"
It’s a joke, I’m just a supervisor. I just watch these people not to do stupid things, and I don’t care how they fight. If something happens, I will suffer with them. Of course, it’s best not to have such unfortunate things happen. .
Gao pragmatically nodded and said: "So, only if the peace talks are successful and the Ming and Mongolian sides exchange tribute and trade, and Huang Zhen guards your position, can you truly be considered as safe as Mount Tai - the northern captives dare not invade the south, and you Huang Zhen guard What else could go wrong?"
