Chapter 89 A hundred years of worry
Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction to Zhu Di was both expected and reasonable.
The country is easy to change, but the nature is hard to change.
Although He Xi has arrived, a lot has changed. But a person's nature is difficult to change. The prince is like this, and so is King Yan. The prince's nature is tolerant and respectful of Confucianism. Although he is not a corrupt Confucian himself, he also has strong methods. But he did not waver in using Confucianism to govern the world.
And Zhu Di is the same.
Although Zhu Di had ambitions for the throne. But which prince doesn't have ambitions for the throne? Zhu Di, on the other hand, preferred to run on the battlefield and march across the grassland with his army. It cannot solve the problem of Ming Dynasty.
A thought suddenly came to Zhu Yuanzhang's mind: "It would be great if He Xi was his son."
It has to be said that under the transformation of many modern thoughts, Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts are very different from those of people of this era, but have more in common with He Xi. This is what Zhu Yuanzhang can do. Ordinary people may not be able to digest so much knowledge.
First, Zhu Yuanzhang came from a lower class background and was fundamentally different from the scholar-bureaucrats. On the contrary, it can be connected with many ideas of later generations. Secondly, Zhu Yuanzhang really started learning after he was twenty years old. It can be said that Zhu Yuanzhang started learning after missing the best time to study.
This naturally has its disadvantages. Without a foundation, it would be very difficult for Zhu Yuanzhang to learn anything. But Zhu Yuanzhang overcame this. In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang learned quite well. Although some profound and subtle aspects of Confucianism are not very clear. There is also certainty about mathematics and finance. However, the overall framework of the Ming Dynasty was set by Zhu Yuanzhang and was used in the Ming and Qing dynasties. From this point alone, it cannot be said that Zhu Yuanzhang was uneducated.
Zhu Yuanzhang had long been practicing the lifelong learning advocated by later generations.
It was very difficult for Zhu Yuanzhang to learn these modern knowledge from scratch. But for Zhu Yuanzhang, it may not be as difficult as the Four Books and Five Classics. After all, many things in later generations were clearly written. It's hard to understand. There is only a logical connection. Knowledge connection. But this is not the case with subtle words and great meanings. The problem with Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is that there are many opinions scattered in the classics without a system. You must have your own understanding to be able to connect.
If you can do this, you can understand it. Can't do this. It's just reading to death.
Most of the books of later generations will not be so difficult to read. However, whether you can understand it after you write it clearly is another matter.
After Zhu Yuanzhang studied in the past few years, he still didn't understand some things of later generations. But I have deeply believed in one thing, that is, social development must be moving forward. Therefore, Ming Dynasty cannot follow the old path. How to take the new road?
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know.
But the prince represents the traditional dynasty's governance system, which is not acceptable. King Yan didn't even understand this.
The only one who can solve this problem is He Xi.
It's just that it was impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang to pass on the Ming Dynasty to a foreign surname. At first he couldn't pass his own test. He is an ancient man after all. He was thinking more about the succession of the Zhu family dynasty from generation to generation. Secondly, he couldn't pass the world level.
When a truth is recognized by people all over the world, it is the truth. In the Ming Dynasty, this truth was the Zhu family world. Not to mention anything else, if Zhu Di was not Zhu Yuanzhang's son, it was unclear whether he could capture Nanjing. Even if he captured Nanjing and killed Emperor Jianwen, it would not be the end, but the beginning of another war.
Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely tangled in his heart.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that changing the world was a big project. It's not something he can complete in his remaining lifespan. Even He Xi may not be able to complete it in his lifetime. You must be prepared for this kind of thing. Otherwise, everything he does now will be overturned after his death.
So what's the point of what he did?
Some even ask for trouble.
Sometimes, Zhu Yuanzhang also thought about it, otherwise he wouldn't bother.
Enough is enough. Let’s sort out the land issues again. Open the sea for trade and seal the country overseas. Waiting for several major policies to be finalized. There is no problem with the determination of the Ming Dynasty to continue its reign for hundreds of years. Let the next generation deal with future matters.
But after much thought, Zhu Yuanzhang still couldn't help it.
People at different levels have different pursuits. Ordinary people can only afford food and clothing. A little higher. He just wanted to stand out at Zhu Yuanzhang's level. His pursuit of great success was no longer an ordinary achievement for an emperor.
But a higher level of self-realization.
Therefore, many things He Xi brought had a fatal attraction for him. Fatal temptation.
Suddenly a horse flew up, and he dismounted from his horse dozens of meters away. He ran quickly with the urgent document in his hand. Five steps away, he knelt down on the ground and raised the urgent document with his hands above his head. King Yan stepped forward to take it off and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang with both hands.
Zhu Yuanzhang opened it and took a look. With a thought in his heart, he said: "Get off and go to Liaodong."
King Yan said: "But what's going on over there in Goryeo?"
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said: "There is no big thing over there in Goryeo. It's just that Lan Yu wants to fish. But it's another big thing. You should follow."
Lan Yu’s small actions on the Goryeo battlefield. Zhu Yuanzhang saw clearly. It’s just that I didn’t mention anything. He has always been interested in Japan. Whether it is not to leave hidden dangers to future generations, or for Japan's gold and silver. Japan has long been in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, from a country that was never conquered to a country that must be conquered.
It's just that when the court does things, it must be done in a legitimate manner. So it's made of blue jade. Zhu Yuanzhang should not know it now. When will we know? Naturally, Long Yan will be furious. How to punish Lan Yu depends on the need. However, the majesty of the Celestial Empire is paramount. Now that the deal is done. All we can do is keep fighting.
By the way, Zhu Yuanzhang can also get rid of the countries that he did not conquer before. Redefine the internal and external vassal states. Formulating a new international order will not only regulate other vassal states, but also regulate a large number of vassal states named Zhu in the future.
However, none of this is as important as the high-yielding crops in America.
No matter what time it is, food is always the top priority.
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Zhu Yuanzhang went to Liaodong this time. Didn't go overland. Instead, take the sea route.
This is also the result of Zhu Yuanzhang's careful consideration.
Every move of the emperor had a profound meaning.
Although shipping has been booming in recent years. But for people all over the world, the sea still feels dangerous. But for the transportation in these eras of Ming Dynasty. Shipping by sea is actually not dangerous and is even quite safe. Because although shipping has natural dangers. But as long as you find the right reputable shipowner, there will generally be no problems.
Then again.
In ancient times, when going out, was the biggest risk the risk of nature? No, it's a human risk.
The sea is certainly a danger from pirates and Japanese pirates. But in fact, with the Ming Dynasty, there are more and more ships. Ships are getting bigger. Some of the bans imposed by Ming Dynasty Coast Guard are of no use to those businesses with strong backends. If nothing else, take Jinghai Company as an example. They have always had artillery on board. It's just that the caliber is not large. But it's more than enough for ordinary pirates. After all, the only place that can produce artillery on a large scale now is the Taiping Iron Works. There may be a Liaodong Iron Works in the future. But they are all government-run.
Pirates can't touch it.
Moreover, generally, there is not just one sea-going ship leaving the port, but more than a dozen or dozens of ships traveling together. The risk of piracy is low. But it's different on land. Every day is only a hundred miles, and at every stop there is the risk of a black shop. Everywhere you go, you have to make connections. It's not just Hyundai that has Roadmaster.
There will only be more in ancient times. No less.
This is why the imperial court has been so powerful in suppressing bandits in recent years. There are many people doing this kind of business of blocking roads and robbing people without any technical content. It’s more of a black and white take-all. If I kill you, I won’t see anyone alive or dead, and even if I report it to the officials, the officials won’t be able to find out.
For wealthy families, land routes are safer than sea routes. But for small businessmen. The sea route is safer than the land route and the cost is much lower. Even in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang suspected that someone was manipulating the fear of the ocean. There's just no evidence.
Of course, going to a chaotic place like Nanyang is another story. That's because Nanyang is a chaotic place. rather than seaway dangers.
Since Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to open up the sea, he regarded maritime policy as one of the basic national policies. He naturally has to lead by example. In fact, when he came to the north, he wanted to come via the sea route. However, there is a big problem with sea lanes, that is, once on board, the news is cut off. He completely lost control of Ming Dynasty.
Ten days and a half month is not a short period of time. The risk is too great.
So Zhu Yuanzhang chose to go from Tanggu to Niuzhuang. Not considered a far-flung waterway. And the Bohai Sea is just a small pond compared to the real sea.
He also leads by example.
It's just that his idea will not be accepted by many people.
