Ever since the news of Burma's victory reached the capital, the Jianxinzhai White Jade Tower, where Gao pragmatism lives, has become more and more crowded. Especially when Liu Shizeng entered Burma as a border official and a negotiator, the excitement became even more uncontrollable, and the White Jade Tower was bustling with traffic. , the huge garden is often overcrowded.
The charm of the Yunnan War Baobao has been boasted for so long, and now it is time to see the truth. It is obvious that the Chen Party, to which Liu Shizeng belongs, has fully surrendered to the Real School. It is obvious that the well-informed people in the capital cannot hide it, so they all come to Baiyulou to report every day.
No matter how varied the reasons for coming are, in the final analysis they are all for the benefit of the Yunnan War Treasure Notes.
Gao pragmatism does not reject anyone who comes, but no matter who comes, he only talks about what he said when he issued the Yunnan war treasure banknotes over and over again. As for the rest... I'm sorry, I have no comment.
In fact, doing this is inconsistent with Gao's pragmatic style. However, things at this time are more complicated, and he is at the center of the storm. If he makes any move, big trouble may occur.
The negotiations with Myanmar were indeed secretly led by Gao Pingzhi. There is nothing to hide about this. Who doesn't know? You don’t even know this. If you are still fooling around in the capital, why not go home as soon as possible and guard those acres of land?
The trouble with Gao Pragmatic is that since he is the leader, he must coordinate the balance of all interested parties. This is the difficulty.
On Zhu Yijun's side, there are three main points of attitude that are relatively clear: First, Myanmar does not need to annex, but Myanmar must resume paying tribute, and must recognize the validity of the Three Proclamations and Six Solaces and Restraints system as it did earlier; secondly, Myanmar's annexation or cannibalization The people in northern Myanmar must spit out their condolences; finally, Myanmar must pay reparations according to Gao Pragmatic’s previous plan. The larger the amount, the better, but there is no clear limit.
The cabinet's request was similar to this, but Zhang Siwei privately gave Gao Pragmatic a "task", asking him to try to weaken Myanmar's ability to fight again.
This article does not conflict with the highly pragmatic idea, and what is more tolerant is that there are no clear requirements, such as how many troops Myanmar can maintain. In fact, from Gao Pragmatic's point of view, the uncle is still too "shameful" and unequal treaties are not his expertise.
These official requirements are not very troublesome. What is really troublesome is the distribution of interests among the holders of the Yunnan War treasure banknotes. This time, the Yunnan War treasure banknotes were sold for hundreds of thousands of taels. According to the pragmatic pre-war deception, the profit could be doubled, but it is obviously impossible to expect Myanmar, a poor place, to pay several times the amount of money. It is difficult, so it is almost certain that the compensation will be in installments, and it is impossible to just accept cash.
If there is no money, then they have to use the output to pay off the debt. However, once Myanmar returns northern Myanmar to the various Xuanwei Departments, its ability to repay will be even worse, because the mountainous areas in northern Myanmar are the main producer of Myanmar jade. out. Not only jade, rubies and sapphires are also powerful specialties of Myanmar. If northern Myanmar is lost, it will take decades for Myanmar to repay this huge sum of money by growing food.
And growing food is not very reliable, because Huang Zhiting changed the plan to pacify Myanmar, and now the old Bago land has fallen into her hands. This land accounts for almost one-third of Myanmar's agricultural output. Obviously, it is impossible to return it. given to Myanmar, so even Myanmar’s grain production is facing a sharp decline.
Moreover, Gao Pragmatism not only intends to cut off the southern part of Myanmar, nor does he intend to let Myanmar return only northern Myanmar to each country, he also intends to cut off the 800 Dadian and other places in eastern Myanmar, thereby " The Bago-Siam and Babaidadian-Nanzhang-Annam lines have been completely opened.
As a result, Myanmar only has its basic base, which is equivalent to the area centered on the Toungoo-Bagan line. As a result, Myanmar has almost completely lost its ability to repay.
If this is really done, Zhang Siwei's request will definitely be achieved, but the interests of "investors" will be completely ruined, and high pragmatism is especially needed to balance it here.
On this day, Gao Jingshi finally did not become a homebody. Instead, he returned to his residence in Zhaohui Jinggongfang, the capital, under the protection of a group of servants. Then he took a short rest, changed his clothes, and went to see Zhu Yijun. .
He always didn't have to wait long to see the emperor, and soon the emperor summoned him to the Wenhua Hall - the emperor was in a good mood today and was giving lectures in the Wenhua Hall.
Wenhua Hall was the most familiar place in the palace for Gao Pingshi. He waited here for a while. After the emperor finished reading his lecture and resigned, he immediately summoned him.
It was said that he was summoned, but in fact Zhu Yijun really had nothing to say to him. He actually went out in person and stood on the steps waiting for him. When he saw Gao pragmatic coming, he even walked down the steps and walked in with his arms. Gao Pingshi was dragged in by him without even being polite.
The two of them were not studying here, but went to the Bunren Hall, the side hall. As soon as they entered, Zhu Yijun sat down by himself, and at the same time asked Gao Pangshi to sit down at will, just like he did a few years ago.
The emperor could do this to show his holy family, but he was pragmatic, but he couldn't really live with it. After all, his current status was different from his original status, so he thanked him politely before taking his seat.
After sitting down, Zhu Yijun asked with a smile: "How are you, are you almost bored to death by your creditors?"
Gao Pingshi looked exhausted mentally and physically, and sighed: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, I really have a big head right now."
"What do Liu Shizeng and the others say? How much money does Myanmar estimate it can repay in a year?"
Gao Pragmatic smiled bitterly and said: "This poor place in Myanmar is really awesome. The money, food, cloth, silk and other items in their treasury are only worth more than 200,000 taels."
Zhu Yijun's smile suddenly froze, and he asked anxiously: "What should we do? How much food can they collect every year?"
Gao Pragmatic's smile became even bitterer: "To be honest with the emperor, if converted into silver, Myanmar can only collect about 170,000 taels a year."
Zhu Yijun said in astonishment: "Myanmar has been ruthless in the southwest for decades, but it is still far inferior to Suzhou?"
This... Your Majesty, the people of Suzhou will probably roll their eyes after hearing your analogy. You must know that in later studies, Suzhou was regarded as a "super-regional central city" in the history of the Ming Dynasty. The only one in Europe that can compare its economic status with it is Constantinople - or Istanbul? Even Venice, Genoa and Florence are not enough.
But Gao Pragmatic continued to attack the emperor. He sighed: "This is still Burma at the moment. If Burma is dismembered, I doubt that it can collect at most 50,000 taels of silver a year."
"Fifty thousand taels!" Zhu Yijun stood up in shock and said with wide eyes: "Then according to the huge profit you promised before, Myanmar will have to pay back almost thirty years even if it doesn't eat or drink?"
"That's about it." Gao Pragmatic sighed: "And after the dismemberment of Myanmar, they lost a lot of valuable specialties. I doubt that their finances can break even at most. It is very dangerous to squeeze out ten thousand taels every year."
"What can we do?" Zhu Yijun was very worried: "We have to lose this money? This is a big group of people." Then suddenly thought of something, and asked tentatively: "I heard that there are two people in Myanmar. This palace...can it be demolished?"
Gao pragmatic had expected this, and replied: "I haven't seen the palace in Toungoo City yet, but the palace in Bago City is more famous in Myanmar, and now it happens to be in the hands of Huang Zhiting. I have got her. A report sent for evaluation.”
"How do you say, how many things can be dismantled and how many can be sold?"
Gao pragmatic sighed: "The palace looks resplendent, like a golden palace, but it doesn't occupy a large area, and secondly, the splendor is actually fake. The so-called gold is just plated with a thin layer of wrought copper, Jinghua After seeing it, some people made calculations and found that it would probably be worth less than 10,000 taels of silver if it were completely peeled off."
Zhu Yijun was greatly disappointed. He put his hand on his forehead and said, "Is there any treasure inside?"
"I have found a batch of treasures. They have been packed and counted, and are ready to be transported to the emperor at a convenient time. However, Your Majesty, the Bago Palace is not a place where thieves often live. It is a bit like our palace in Nanjing, so there are not many things in it. , there may be some novelties, but overall the number is very limited.”
Zhu Yijun originally wanted to say, "I don't want these things," but after thinking about it for a while, he was unwilling to bring it up. In the end, he simply didn't mention it. Instead, he changed the topic and said, "Should we knock down Toungu City and take a look at the royal palace in Toungu City?" How is it inside?”
"I don't think it makes much sense, and it's unreasonable for our Ming Dynasty to really rob the palace of the Burmese people... There is still a difference between that place and the Bago Palace."
Of course there is a difference. One is a royal palace, and the other can only be regarded as a palace. The political symbolic meaning is completely different. Zhu Yijun can explain it clearly.
"What should we do? Do you have any ideas?" Zhu Yijun asked helplessly, and added: "Myanmar is really a poor and remote place where unruly people come out, and they are still resorting to militarism."
Good question, I've been waiting for this.
Gao pragmatically looked like he was thinking, and said: "I have thought about it, and there is only one way - don't divide Myanmar so harshly, and leave some territory for him."
Zhu Yijun said in astonishment: "But what the cabinet means..."
"Of course I know what the cabinet means." Gao Pragmatic said sternly: "But Your Majesty, do you think Myanmar can make a comeback by retaining a little more territory?"
This time Zhu Yijun did not answer immediately, but thought for a while before asking: "What place do you think is better for it?"
Gao Pragmatic did not hesitate and answered directly: "Northern Myanmar."
Zhu Yijun didn't seem to find it strange, and just asked: "What's the reason?"
"The reason is that returning northern Burma to those Xuanweisi is actually useless. It is better to leave it to Burma, which will not only give him blood, but also give me the blood of Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Yijun narrowed his eyes slightly: "What do you mean by this?"
Gao pragmatic smiled and said: "Return northern Burma to a few Xuanweisi. Apart from writing memorials and shouting about the wisdom of the emperor, what use do they have? Will they pay taxes? Will they pay compensation? Or will they? Increase the tribute without asking me, the Ming Dynasty, for any reward?"
Zhu Yijun's eyes rolled, and he realized that the truth here was really what it was. Northern Burma was returned to the Xuanwei Division. The Xuanwei Division only needed to express its sincere verbal thanks and nothing would happen. The Ming Dynasty could only gain a reputation, but this time The military salary expenditure is a sudden loss.
On the contrary, leaving northern Myanmar to Myanmar so that Myanmar can pay back more money is a practical approach. The only trouble is, this will give Myanmar a breather, and will it continue to cause trouble after it recovers...
After Zhu Yijun raised this issue, Gao Pragmatic shook his head and said: "I think it is meaningless to dismember this kind of thing. Your Majesty, whether it makes a fuss or not, the key lies in whether I, the Ming Dynasty, can keep it safe at all times." The ability to deliver a thunderous strike against it.”
Zhu Yijun nodded slightly and asked, "Then how do you plan to maintain it?"
"My idea is to surround it." Gao Pragmatic stood up, found the map of southern Xinjiang on the desk, opened it, and gestured: "I think that 800 days can be given to Siam to block the east of Myanmar. The way out; then separate the old Bago land, restore the country for the Mon people, continue the rise and fall, rebuild the Dakula Xuanwei Division, and block the southern part of Myanmar; and even if the northern part of Myanmar continues to remain in the hands of Myanmar, we still have to control the Mon people. Establish a defense line along the arc of Yang, Mengmi, Ganya, Mubang, and Mengding..."
"Why this line?" Zhu Yijun asked puzzledly: "Since it is left to Myanmar and you occupy this line, don't you only retain a little more than half of it in northern Myanmar, and almost all the big cities are returned to us? Besides, this line Several places are also the Xuanwei Division. We want to station troops there, but what if the Xuanwei Division doesn't agree?"
Gao Pragmatic said without mercy: "It doesn't matter whether they agree or not. These people have already rebelled before. How can we convince the public if we don't give them some punishment? Don't let Liu Shizeng talk to them about this matter. Let Liu Wei and Deng Zilong go directly." Talk, I want to see who dares to disobey."
Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment and coughed dryly: "This... is just a garrison, right? I mean, direct removal seems too harsh. After all, they are not slow to bring order to the chaos this time."
Gao pragmatic rolled his eyes and sighed: "The emperor wants to be benevolent and righteous, but I have nothing to say. In fact, I intend to take the opportunity to evacuate these Xuanwei families."
Zhu Yijun was a little embarrassed and explained: "I'm also afraid that there will be some evil moths in the remote countryside. It will be impossible not to fight against them when the time comes, and it won't be cost-effective to fight."
Gao pragmatic pursed his lips and thought for a while, then said: "It's okay... but the garrison must be maintained, and there is another more important thing, the Xuanwei Division itself in these places must hand over its military power, and I, the Ming Dynasty, must Unified command—well, we can set up another military position, or let General Yongchang take charge of it."
Zhu Yijun thought for a while, seemed to agree with this statement, nodded and said: "The area that General Yongchang has to take charge of is large enough. I'm afraid it's not easy to manage it at the same time, and it's easy to get distracted. It's better to set up another general or guerrilla."
It doesn't matter. Gao Pragmatic didn't go into detail and just continued the previous topic: "In this way, Myanmar is surrounded on three sides, southeast, north and south, like a noose around its neck. As long as I, Daming, don't doze off, it will There can no longer be any big threat. In addition, we also have an excuse to limit its military strength..."
"Oh?" Zhu Yijun asked, "Where does this rhetoric come from?" It seems that His Majesty the Emperor doesn't like the word "excuse" very much.
Gao Pragmatic didn't care, and explained: "This is easy, just say that it owes us so much money, and now the surrounding areas are controlled by our Ming Dynasty, no one will attack it, so why do we need so many soldiers and horses? Why don't we have less? Raise some soldiers and save more money to pay off debts."
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but laugh, but he smiled and remembered one more thing. He frowned and asked: "That's not right. Although Siam paid tribute to me, the Ming Dynasty, they have been in debt for a long time. Now you are paying eight Baidadian was also given to them, what if they refuse to obey the order?"
Gao Pingshi coughed lightly and said, "This matter... something unexpected happened."
"Huh? What accident?"
"Annan has another expeditionary force this time. Does your Majesty remember it?"
"Remember, what happened to them?"
Gao Pragmatic touched his nose: "The Ruan Huang who led the army was afraid that the Siamese people would not cooperate, so he simply put the King of Siam under house arrest. Now, except for the 30,000 people in Siam who are still undecided in the hands of Crown Prince Naresuan, The rest are already under Annan's control."
Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment, but soon he couldn't help but laugh out loud, shook his head and said: "Even your defeated generals can easily subdue them? What a bunch of losers."
----------
Thanks to book friends "Too Fat to Fly", "Book Friends 160701215716404", "ASolaF", "Ling Qi Zhao Bi Xin", and "Blue Eagle 008185" for their monthly ticket support, thank you!
