Chapter 84 The storm is coming
He Xi thought over and over again and suppressed his emotional part. Finally he came to a conclusion. In this matter, Yao Guangxiao's strategy may be in line with the Ming Dynasty's current strategy, but it must not distract the Ming Dynasty's strength because of the Nanyang issue. It is also in He Xi's interests, and he must not give up maritime interests, especially those in Nanyang.
Although it is very cruel to Southeast Asian countries, including Java. But I'm sorry, it's impossible for He Xi to think from their point of view.
And in a sense, He Xi also wanted to thank Java, because Java gave Ming an excuse to enter Nanyang. Because of the existence of Java, it was possible for many small Southeast Asian countries to accept the leadership of the Ming Dynasty.
Just like the current Ukraine issue, those who really want the war to continue continue. Only the United States.
As long as the war exists, the United States will make money. It's the same today.
He Xi said: "I will dedicate this policy to Your Majesty."
Yao Guangxiao said: "Sir, wait a minute, there are still many problems with this plan. It still needs to be discussed in detail."
He Xi said: "What's the problem here?"
Yao Guangxiao said; "First, this battle requires a force of troops stationed in Nanyang for a long time. For a long time, the imperial court will not directly support Nanyang. This general must not only be able to do both land and water, but also have both civil and military skills. Otherwise, , unable to defend the situation in Nanyang."
He Xi thought for a moment and said: "It doesn't matter. Ming generals are like stars, and they can always find the right one. And it doesn't have to be so rigid. You can decide on a few people to be responsible for Nanyang affairs. One person can catch the boss, not necessarily one. People have so many talents.”
Yao Guangxiao said: "Your Excellency is wise, so it is not a bad idea. I have another thought here, that is, tens of thousands of troops are going overseas. The reason why it does not affect the court is that customs taxes are used. Only with the support of customs taxes can we do such a big thing. Once the Nanyang war breaks out, I don’t know, can this maritime trade still make money? Can tariffs still be collected?”
He Xi said: "It doesn't matter. I have my own thoughts on this matter. However, I can't tell you now. I will wait a few days and have a definite result before I tell you. If I am not wrong in my prediction, the customs tax may It will be less, but the money earned by the court will not be less at all.”
Because the arms business is the most profitable.
And who is the largest arms dealer in Ming Dynasty? It's the imperial court.
He Xi has always been worried that the military industry will not bring profits and will affect industrialization. But now I found out that it was not the case, let alone anything else. Today, the speed at which the Ministry of Industry is building weapons has exceeded what Ming Dynasty needs. Now it is because the Ming Dynasty has always had military operations and losses, and coupled with the change of equipment, it has actually begun one after another.
The biggest weapon among weapons is armor. And armor is a durable item. If preserved properly, it may not be impossible to pass it on for hundreds of years. What will happen to these production capabilities in the future? In particular, the Taiping Iron Works project is about to be completed. Although there are no revolutionary technological reforms, large-scale concentrated production still brings low costs and a large number of products.
Fight a war in Nanyang and all these problems will be solved. Providing arms to all the small countries in Southeast Asia is not a problem for the Taiping Iron Works.
However, since the imperial court is conducting business, it will naturally not pay customs duties.
Although Yao Guangxiao didn't understand what He Xi had in mind. However, he had gotten to know He Xi very well after spending so many days together. Since He Xi said so. Just have full confidence. And He Xi would not deliberately hide it from him. We will definitely know in the future.
No more questions.
Yao Guangxiao said: "Since your Excellency has an idea, I can rest assured. However, the biggest resistance to this plan is probably some people above the imperial court. When the country is determined, it will be an expedition thousands of miles away to a barren land. No matter how you look at it, it's all It’s not a blessing to the country.”
He Xi secretly thought: "Sure enough, the biggest problem is always an internal problem, not an external problem. External problems are easy to solve, but internal problems are difficult to solve."
As long as the Chinese people are united, nothing will be a problem.
Because it is more difficult for China to unite than any external problems.
The idea that China is a heavenly country has both advantages and disadvantages. Precisely because Ming Dynasty is supreme, internal problems will always outweigh external problems. In certain matters, internal interests must be rebalanced at the expense of external interests.
It is precisely this problem that makes many ministers choose to kill political opponents first before talking about other matters, or even join forces with outsiders when the country is in crisis.
This means that before fighting against external factors, one must first settle within.
China's internal problems will always outweigh its external problems.
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After Fang Guan came to the capital after a long journey, he originally wanted to move around, but as soon as he entered the inn, he was placed under house arrest.
Fang Guan can only be like an ant in a hot pot, unable to see anyone. We can only wait for the outcome of this matter.
Fang Guan's arrival in the capital means that the news of being suppressed by Zhu Yuanzhang spread.
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In the East Palace, the prince is having a sutra feast.
The Jingyan is a lecture given to the emperor in order to keep the emperor in a lifelong learning attitude.
Zhu Yuanzhang once attached great importance to this sutra feast. When he had time, he took the initiative to ask civil servants to give him lessons. However, the later scholar-bureaucrats added the saying "Qiwo Sacred Heart" to Jingyan, but there was nothing in this era. The lessons depended on Zhu Yuanzhang's interest.
Sometimes it’s history, sometimes it’s scripture. Even sometimes astronomy. Usually when Zhu Yuanzhang had a problem, he called people together to ask about this aspect. Rather than the other way around.
It's just that after Zhu Yuanzhang met He Xi again and gained many things from later generations, and the new knowledge system, he was no longer interested in Jingyan.
However, the prince's schoolwork is very tight. Even though the prince is now an adult, he still has schoolwork, such as scripture feasts.
"Ask! A gentleman who is sick and says to his wife 'desired' must respond accordingly. Qiu Ye also heard: Those who have a country and a family do not worry about being widowed but worry about inequality; they don't worry about poverty but worry about insecurity. There is no poverty in Gaijun, and there is no widowhood in harmony. , there is no danger of being upset. This is the case. Therefore, if people from afar are dissatisfied, they will cultivate their virtues and come here. Once they have come, they will be at peace. Now you and Qiu are also like Master. If people from afar are dissatisfied and cannot come, the country is falling apart and cannot be defended, and the plan We are going to fight within the country. I am afraid that Ji Sun's worries will not be in Zhuan Yu, but within Xiao Qiang!"
This time it was Liu Sanwu who taught the prince a lesson. Liu Sanwu did not say anything new. Instead, he retold this passage from The Analects of Confucius.
This section is Confucius' answer to a disciple's question.
Ran You said, there is a very important place, but if I don't take it now, I'm afraid it will worry my descendants. The above passage is Confucius’ answer. The core is to cultivate virtue and bring people from far away, rather than go to war to conquer.
The prince's attainments in Confucianism were much better than that of He Xi. You could tell what Liu Sanwu meant just by looking at the title of the article.
The prince said: "I heard that in the previous dynasty, Huazi Moguo killed the envoys and raised a large army to attack them. In the Han Dynasty, anyone who openly offends a strong Han will be killed no matter how far away. Shouldn't this dynasty follow suit now?"
Liu Sanwu said, "If the Yuan Dynasty did not practice virtue, it would perish within a hundred years. The Han Dynasty conquered the Xiongnu and reduced the world's household registration by half. The affairs of the world depend on virtue rather than prestige. Your Highness should practice virtue extensively and convince the people of the world, then the people of the world will No one dares to offend the power of the imperial court, but pursues profit from thousands of miles away, which makes the people miserable. Even if they win, what will happen? Today we have the South Ocean, and the Ming Dynasty will have the West. Although the world is big, the desires of the people in the world are endless. Once there is a change, I am afraid of disaster. Within the Xiao Wall."
The prince pondered for a moment, he knew what Liu Sanwu wanted to say.
The war in Nanyang was of no benefit to the prince. There are also disadvantages.
The fact that the Ming vassal kings divided their vassals overseas has now come out. After all, it is difficult to keep such big news from King Jingjiang secret. Because of this incident, he fought in Java. If you win, your brothers will benefit; if you lose, you will lose the majesty of the court.
It doesn't seem to be of any benefit to the prince.
However, the prince pondered for a moment and asked: "Master Liu, it's not easy to be the prince. My father gave me the world's wealth. I can't be too harsh on my brothers. Moving from the Ming Dynasty to overseas is already too much. If I talk here alone, I'm afraid I will be criticized by my father."
