Zhu Yijun asked what he envisioned, but Liang Menglong glanced at Wu Dui, and Wu Dui smiled and said: "Da Situ often said before that the land in the Western Regions is extremely important and cannot be occupied by outsiders forever. I, the Ming Dynasty, will not only stabilize the northern Xinjiang, To open up Manchuria and pacify the southern barbarians, we must also control the Western Regions to consolidate the Silk Road and provide the world with an inexhaustible source of wealth."
Zhu Yijun was startled for a moment, a trace of doubt appeared on his round face, he blinked and subconsciously said "Oh?"
Liang Menglong smiled and said: "As for the explanation of the Western Regions, I have only heard it from the mouth of Da Situ for decades."
Zhu Yijun became even more curious. He leaned forward slightly and said, "Really? How do you say pragmatically?" He spoke smoothly and said the name he usually used when communicating with Gao pragmatically. Fortunately, his relationship with Gao Pragmatic was well known to everyone, and even though the ministers had different feelings, they also pretended to be deaf and dumb in a tacit understanding.
"Since the Emperor has inquired, I will briefly describe the views of the Great Situ. There may be some omissions. The Emperor may wish to ask the Great Situ in detail in the future." Liang Menglong said respectfully.
Zhu Yijun laughed and waved his hand: "It doesn't matter, it's whatever Liang Aiqing said."
"Yes, Your Majesty. But before talking about the importance of the Western Regions, I would like to first explain the definition of the term Western Regions, because according to Da Situ, this definition is often a bit vague. The Western Regions we speak of are actually Narrow sense and broad sense.”
After a pause, seeing that the emperor and the ministers were listening attentively, Liang Menglong stood up and walked to the Kanyu map, pointing to an area on the map and drawing: "The Western Region in a broad sense refers to the vast area west of the Hexi Corridor. Land; in a narrow sense, the Western Region refers to the land west of the Hexi Corridor, south of the Tianshan Mountains, north of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and east of the Congling Mountains, centered on the Qaidam Basin. Da Situ named it "Southern Xinjiang" '.
The idea of Great Situ just mentioned is mainly related to the Western Region in a narrow sense - Southern Xinjiang. When I mentioned the word 'Western Regions' later, I was referring to this area. "
When he said this, everyone's eyes were immediately drawn to the location of later Xinjiang on the Kanyu map, and then they all nodded to express their understanding.
So Liang Menglong continued: "So what significance does the Western Region have to our Chinese dynasties, so that all dynasties have tried desperately to hold the Western Region in their hands? In fact, it is mainly its strategic role. Next, I will follow its history I will explain it to everyone during the changes, so that the emperor and you will not waste time thinking about it."
As for history, we are all knowledgeable people. You can’t say that others don’t know it. I can only say that to save everyone from having to think about it, I will explain it to avoid wasting time.
"From ancient times to the present, China's most powerful foreign enemy is the northern nomads, namely Mobei. Such as the Huns, Turks, Mongols, etc. The consistent style of nomadic rulers is to contact the tribes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to gain control of the Central Plains The control of the western and northern regions. Therefore, when China was strong, we separated them with the Western Region, which would help weaken the Central Plains from the invasion of nomads, and even prevent it from getting bigger.
The first person to launch this strategic plan was Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. After taking control of the Western Regions, and through the development of successive emperors of the Han Dynasty, the Western Regions had completely fallen into the hands of China. After losing the Western Regions, the Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty also Sure enough, he began to decline step by step. Although during the Three Kingdoms period, the world was in chaos for decades, the Central Plains Dynasty still easily inherited its rule over the Western Regions.
During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Western Regions fell into the hands of foreigners, and the Han Dynasty had always been passive. By the time of the Sui Dynasty, although the Sui Dynasty had begun to gradually control the Western Regions, due to its short existence, it perished before it had time to implement its plan to conquer the Western Regions.
Next came the Tang Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty was also the dynasty that once again perfectly implemented its strategic plan for the Western Regions after the Han Dynasty. When the Sui Dynasty collapsed, the Western Regions fell into the hands of the Turks. Then the Turks, Tubo and other foreign tribes came into contact, exerting a huge curb on the new Tang Dynasty.
After stabilizing the domestic situation, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty began to implement a complete conquest of the Western Regions and successfully incorporated it into the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was also called the "Khan of Heaven" by them, and enjoyed great popularity in the Western Regions and even among foreign races. highest status.
However, with the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, the Hexi Corridor eventually ceased to exist. Although the Tang Dynasty never gave up on regaining the Western Regions, it eventually lost the Western Regions completely during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.
After the Tang Dynasty lost the Western Region, it was successively occupied by various foreign races, including the Uighurs, Khitans, and Mongols. As the number of people of different ethnic groups increased, other religious cultures began to appear here.
All of the above, coupled with the fact that the subsequent Song Dynasty was originally weak in cavalry, was never able to regain this place - not even Xixia. The Western Region could not be recovered, which also put the Song Dynasty, which originally lacked offensive capabilities, in a strategically passive position.
The later Yuan Dynasty, because it was originally a political power established by the nomadic Mongols, was naturally very convenient to rule here. This can be ignored... Then we came to our dynasty. "
Everyone's expressions became serious. This was not because they became very sensitive when it came to this dynasty. Sensitivity was just one of the reasons. In fact, when they were in their position, they could talk freely about many things - of course, still Pay attention to the distinction between king and minister.
Another reason that really made them serious was that after Liang Menglong said the above, everyone heard an issue that had been ignored intentionally or unintentionally in the past: The reason why the Ming Dynasty has been fighting a tug of war with the Mongols for two hundred years seems to be It is also closely related to the fact that the Ming Dynasty did not occupy the Western Regions.
Sure enough, Liang Menglong suddenly stretched out his hand and slapped the map of the Western Regions, and said: "Your Majesty, everyone, just imagine this: If our government occupied the Western Regions, would the Hexi Corridor be like a branch stretching out from the Western Regions? An arm, or a claw?"
Even Liang Menglong himself did not expect that the person who took the lead this time was actually the emperor himself. Just as Liang Menglong finished speaking, Zhu Yijun, who was quite sensitive in terms of strategy, immediately concentrated and said: "What Da Situ... and Liang Aiqing mean is that this hand can pose a threat to the Mobei grassland on the flanks if it goes north and east, and it can threaten Qinghai-Tibet if it goes south. If the plateau acts as a deterrent, can it even affect places further west?"
Before Liang Menglong could answer, Zhu Yijun stretched out his hand to stop him and said in deep thought: "Oh, and... with the Western Region in my hands, it can also prevent the other party from daring to threaten the Central Plains, lest I send troops from the Western Region and let them be surrounded. Even my lair was ruined by me, right?"
Liang Menglong was overjoyed and immediately praised: "My emperor is wise! This is exactly what Da Situ said."
Zhu Yijun was satisfied after hearing this, and said to himself: After all, pragmatism and I are the most connected. At that moment, he couldn't help but raise his chin, but after being excited for a while, he remembered the business again and said, "These are all considerations from the perspective of military affairs, right? Liang Aiqing said it very well, I have learned from it." Liang Menglong didn't even say anything. dare.
Zhu Yijun asked Wu Dui again: "Based on my understanding of pragmatism, he must have economic considerations, so I can help Wu Aiqing explain. For example, the benefits of the so-called 'Silk Road' to our Ming Dynasty Where—it’s not just selling some silk, right?”
One additional sentence here: The term "Silk Road" was not coined by the Chinese. In fact, this term was proposed by a German in the original history, and it was quite late. Anyway, it certainly did not exist in the Ming Dynasty. The reason why it exists now is because of the butterfly effect caused by Gao Pingshi's repeated mentions in the past two decades.
Just like Zhu Yijun could casually say the word "economy" just now - "economy" has been around since ancient times, but in the past it was more like the abbreviation of "managing the world and benefiting the people". And now the word "economy" in the Ming Dynasty has also changed into the understanding of this word in later generations due to the influence of high pragmatism.
Wu Dui smiled and cupped his hands and said: "Da Situ said a lot about this, and it is difficult for me to repeat it in detail in the limited time. Can I just talk about it briefly?"
"It's okay, thank you Wu Aiqing." Zhu Yijun nodded in approval. After all, they had things to discuss later. The details of these things could be discussed with Gao Jingshi later.
Wu Duidao: "Da Situ said that the Silk Road originated from Zhang Qian in the Han Dynasty. However, the primary purpose of the Han Dynasty in opening up the Silk Road was actually just one word: horse.
Your Majesty, everyone, we Han people have been short of good horses since ancient times, and there is no doubt that we are thirsty for good horses. Just as we now need to personally control the old land of Chahar, the Han Dynasty also needs good horses from the Western Regions to strengthen their cavalry to fight against the Huns.
What is foreseeable now is that with the Chahar Ranch, our country will have an excellent horse farm in the future. But as the saying goes, 'Confucius climbed to the east mountain and made Lu small, and climbed Mount Tai to make the world small.' The horse farm is obtained, but where are the good horses?
Da Situ believed that good horses were still in the Western Regions. Over the years, Jinghua Trading Company has gone through a lot of hardships and obtained a small number of good horses from the Western Regions, some of which are tall and strong, some are nimble and quick, or some are powerful. Therefore, our dynasty should introduce fine horses from the Western Regions and breed them diligently in Chahar to cultivate one or several kinds of fine horses suitable for the needs of our Ming Dynasty and build an invincible cavalry force.
Then with this cavalry, combined with the fleet to dominate the land and sea, we will be able to defend the Chinese civilization in the east and show the power of China to all nations. "
These words made Zhu Yijun's heart surge. He patted the imperial case and said, "Well said! I also heard that he worked hard to purchase a batch of fine horses from the Western Regions. Unfortunately, those horses are not in the capital, and I haven't had a chance to see them yet. It's a great pity." . However, he actually bought these horses so that the Ming cavalry could dominate the world in the future. I only found out today that he really worked hard and planned carefully."
The emperor sighed with emotion, and no matter what they thought in their hearts, the elders could only follow him with a few compliments at this moment. Then Zhu Yijun said: "These good horses must not be easy to obtain, so he wants to open up the Silk Road and exchange them for our silk and other things, right?"
"Your Majesty is wise, that's exactly what it is." Wu Dui nodded in agreement, but then said: "But it's not just good horses. Your Majesty knows that grapes, pomegranates, walnuts, flax, beans and other foods were actually introduced to China from the Western Regions. ?
In addition, there are many countries in the far west of the Western Region, and there are many special products among them that can also enrich our country's supplies. Among them are not only high-end goods used by the palace gentry, but also things that can benefit the common people. In short, exchanges between the East and the West are beneficial to both sides. "
After a pause, Wu Dui added: "Oh, by the way, Da Situ said that the far west of the Western Region is rich in gold and silver, and our goods are expensive and abundant. Once the trade routes are consolidated and taxation is established, After the customs, it is just another customs.”
To be honest, Zhu Yijun just listened to the previous words. In his mind, they were mostly "icing on the cake". There is actually no essential difference between this kind of thinking and Qianlong's "Our kingdom is rich in products and has everything, and we did not borrow goods from foreigners to exchange what we need" - after all, apart from excellent war horses, the ancient Chinese did not feel much about themselves Something that is in urgent need but only others have.
However, in the end, Wu Dui's "last strike" suddenly hit Zhu Yijun: the Ming Dynasty was really short of money, and in the more than 20 years of reform of the pragmatic school from Gao Gong to Gao pragmatism, he witnessed with his own eyes the "money The fact that it can communicate with gods.
In the final analysis, what is the most important part of the reform of the Practical School? Is it government administration or military? No, it's finance.
It is precisely because of more than 20 years of practical reform that the Ming Dynasty has created a new financial system [Note: This is what Zhu Yijun thinks is new, but in fact, Gao Pragmatism thinks it is not enough], which has allowed the Ming Dynasty to be able to do so in recent years. Fight wherever you point, win wherever you fight!
In the final analysis, civil service reform and military industry reform all rely on financial reform. Without financial reform, all other reforms are in vain, because as long as the court has no money, nothing can be changed!
Precisely because he has seen how important the power of finance is, Zhu Yijun was overjoyed when he heard that the Silk Road was expected to become another customs. He immediately stated his position without even consulting other cabinet elders: "This policy is extremely important. Wu Aiqing today After calling the right person, you must carefully discuss it and fully discuss it with Da Situ. Then you will report to me in detail, don't ignore it."
"I obey the order." Wu Dui immediately accepted the order solemnly.
When everyone heard it, they had different opinions. But one thing is certain: even if Gao Jingshi wants to join the cabinet, Wu Dui's position must be secure, otherwise he and Gao Jingshi will have to discuss this matter? And since Wu Dui's position is secure, Liang Menglong, who was also involved in this matter, is naturally secure as well.
In other words, because of this "Western Region Plan", the two big bosses of the Gao Dang faction of the Practical School secured their positions at the same time. The one cabinet boss who may be eliminated has been determined to be among the remaining four. among.
However, at this time, Zhu Yijun suddenly realized that there was something "off topic" and frowned: "Although the matter in the Western Regions is important, what does it have to do with the Ordos issue mentioned before?"
"Of course there is a connection, and the connection is huge." Liang Menglong immediately took over the topic and said: "Da Situ's plan is that the expedition to the Western Regions should not use the Ming Dynasty's official army as the main force. The role of the Ming Dynasty's official army is the core. The real The main force should be Tumut and Ordos. In other words, our strategy for the Ming Dynasty to regain the Western Regions is... to drive away tigers and devour wolves. Then, let the Ordos tiger originally entrenched in the Hetao move to its nest."
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