Chapter 61: The Discussion of South Beijing
What Zhu Xiongying said is not unreasonable.
Today, the territory of the Ming Dynasty is unprecedentedly large, not much worse than that of the Yuan Dynasty.
There is Japan in the east, Java in the south, and it has reached the southern hemisphere. As far west as Central Asia, some of the vassals of King Yan have already reached Europe. As for Siberia and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, if you only need to send one envoy, they will all be the subjects of the Ming Dynasty.
Generally speaking, the south is more important than the north.
There is no obvious threat to the north anymore. Both inside and outside the Great Wall are Ming Dynasties.
Even though Mobei is owned by King Yan, Mobei is essentially the buffer zone between Ming Dynasty and King Yan. Even to a certain extent, Mobei was better in the hands of King Yan than in the hands of Ming Dynasty.
If nothing else, it’s a population issue.
Mobei's population capacity is quite limited, even with the reform of animal husbandry, more output has been achieved. is also like this. Of course, when there are so many people on the grassland that the grassland can no longer support them, they will naturally expand.
Ming Dynasty is short of people. However, the herdsmen on the grassland were mismatched with the manpower needed by the Ming Dynasty.
What Ming Dynasty needs are farmers and workers. Even technicians. But are there any on the Mobei grassland?
Impossible.
Even if He Xi promoted education in Ming Dynasty, it would be difficult. What He Xi could do was to establish more than a dozen universities throughout the Ming Dynasty. The highest institution of higher learning in many provinces was just a middle school. Many counties do not have a primary school.
Education funding is truly a bottomless pit.
The people needed to develop industry are workers. Even literate technicians. The personnel needed for foreign settlements are farmers. And it is impossible for the Mongols to use it directly. Moreover, Mongolians are not accustomed to such a life in their bones.
The Mongols have been like this for thousands of years. I can't live without money. Just go outside and rob.
They are used to herding, and they are also used to fighting, rather than being used to being workers and farmers.
Even when these people arrive in Beijing, they are still problem people. It can even cause problems in the social structure.
But it's different in Central Asia.
Although there are many places in Central Asia that can be cultivated. But more places are suitable for farming and grazing. Moreover, King Yan is short of people, and there are not enough Han people, but Mongolians who believe in the Yellow Sect or the Immortal Heaven are also acceptable.
After all, the Mongols in Mobei have been getting along with the Han people for a long time. Naturally, there are many influences from the Central Plains culture. Even among the Mongolians, there are many so-called reading seeds.
When he arrived in Central Asia, he naturally became the loyal guardian of King Yan.
It can also be regarded as supporting King Yan's conquest in Central Asia.
There is almost no strategic threat to the north. But it's different in the South. Southeast Asia, and even newly acquired Southeast Asia. Lots of questions. Needless to say, there are some things that Zhu Xiongying and He Xi have a tacit understanding of.
External expansion, enclosing vassal states and establishing a country are the lowest-cost methods. But it's definitely not a long-term solution.
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have ingrained this concept into their bones.
That is, the world will be one, and the world will be one.
The world is determined to be one. He Xi changed many traditional concepts, but this political concept has not been shaken. Therefore, He Xi himself may have been able to maintain the situation of the Ming princes and countries. But that doesn't mean that's what other people think.
As for other people, this also includes Zhu Xiongying.
Zhu Xiongying's thoughts about Nanyang are just like He Xi's thoughts about Annan and Southeast Asia. Perhaps Zhu Xiongying has more thoughts.
Whether it's the Ming Dynasty's efforts to open up Nanyang, or Zhu Xiongying's attacks on the kings of Nanyang, etc. Staying in Nanjing is much more convenient than staying in Beijing.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty should know that as long as the telegraph is developed in the future, the problems between Nanjing and Beijing will not be too big, not to mention that the railway between the north and the south is about to be opened. From now on, there will also be It’s only ten days. How much different can it be?”
The North-South Railway was also the first railway project that He Xi vigorously promoted during his tenure.
In recent years
The development is also very fast. Of course, there are many large rivers to pass through, and the repair of bridges is a huge problem. But except for the evil bridge, the other sections are almost the same.
Zhu Xiongying said: "That is something in the future."
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
Zhu Xiongying said: "Since they are the two capitals, the north and the south, we should keep them side by side from now on. But in winter, we live in the south to escape the cold, and in the summer, we live in the north to escape the heat. Anyway, the train travel only takes about ten days, so it won't waste much time."
"This is what you said, uncle."
He Xi was silent for a while.
He knew that Zhu Xiongying had his own thoughts and reasons for what he said.
The divide between North and South is already deep.
After a war between the North and the South, the gap between the North and the South deepened. The problem is even greater when trying to bridge the North and the South. For the sake of reform, He Xi wanted to turn the new vested interest groups into the ruling group of the Ming Dynasty.
However, the war between the North and the South has been fought.
But the political struggle between the North and the South is not over yet.
Above the Ming Dynasty, there is no Xi. He Xi suppressed Shi Hui and suppressed all kinds of chaos. But after He Xi retires, many things will emerge.
As the emperor, Zhu Xiongying naturally wanted to bridge the north and the south. Of course, with today's situation, the North and South Beijing are in conflict for half a year. Maybe it's a good idea.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, this is not a long-term solution."
Zhu Xiongying said: "Take it easy first."
He Xi understood Zhu Xiongying's subtext.
Zhu Xiongying resisted Beijing because He Xi had too much influence in Beijing. Zhu Xiongying had to be afraid. Although all the above reasons are real.
But many times, the unspeakable reasons are the real reasons.
He Xi knew that Zhu Xiongying was afraid of him. Zhu Xiongying also knew that He Xi was not completely at ease with him.
It's just that the knot between the two parties can only be hidden under words and will never be spoken out.
He Xi said: "Your Majesty is right. I think you are right too. Dual capitals in the north and south should have been the national policy of the Ming Dynasty. However, I have an idea and I don't know if your majesty can agree to it."
Zhu Xiongying breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Uncle, just say it."
He Xi said: "My life's work began in Nanjing, but it was accomplished in the north. In a year or two, I will retire. It will always end in the north. Before the north-south railway was built. North-south transportation. It’s inconvenient. I want to go to Beijing to prepare for the establishment of the second Congress and then retire with dignity. Your Majesty, your majesty, should allow you to do this."
Zhu Xiongying couldn't say anything negative.
He Xi did not deny the two-capital system he proposed, but only suggested that he temporarily move to Beijing. He also vaguely hinted that if he didn't agree to this matter, things would be difficult to handle in the future.
Seems like a simple thing. But many things have inertia.
Moving the capital cannot be done without a strong man. He Xi can do it. On the one hand, He Xi's achievements and qualifications are not second-guessing in the entire Ming Dynasty. On the other hand, there is a powerful force that actually wants to return to Beijing. It is the group of people who followed He Xi to conquer Nanjing. These people are based in the north and are willing to return.
There are also many forces who want to keep the capital in Nanjing.
Once, He Xi moved the capital to Beijing. And it lasted for two years. He Xi retreated and did some tricks. If Zhu Xiongying is unable to move the capital within one or two years, it will be very difficult to move the capital next time.
The system of inspections in the North and South Beijing became a dead letter.
Ideas are ideas, reality is reality. The cabinet controls executive power, and no matter what decision is made above, He Xi can twist it into what he wants.
Moreover, due to emotions and reasons, He Xi has already taken a step back. Zhu Xiongying can no longer press forward step by step.
He Xi has not retreated yet.
However, after he had said so many words and wasted so much time, the whole matter was still under He Xi's control. Zhu Xiongying is inevitably a little depressed.
Zhu Xiongying gave a bitter smile and said, "Uncle, since I said so. How can I deny it?"
He Xi said: "Your Majesty, between you and me, there are some things that can be discussed. When I come to this era, there is nothing in this world that I want. No matter how big this world is, it can't be compared to Can we use the mobile phones and computers of later generations?"
"I have received great favor from my father-in-law, and I will hand over this world to you completely. But as long as you don't move on the things that are left behind, this world will be yours. After all, no one wants to make trouble in the world."
"I believe that Your Majesty is also inheriting the legacy of Emperor Taizu. If you want to follow the correct principles, you can achieve great results."
Zhu Xiongying felt a little uncomfortable when he heard He Xi's words. But he was even more afraid of He Xi.
Regarding He Xi who was about to retire, Zhu Xiongying felt complicated in his heart. He wanted to respect He Xi and gain support from the forces behind He Xi. He also felt that if this was the case, everything he did would be influenced and restricted by He Xi. Even if He Xi retires, his influence is everywhere. .
It's like leaving a tangible He Xi and leaving behind an intangible He Xi.
This is why strong men who want to take control of power are keen to overthrow the previous policies and employment, whether in ancient times or modern times.
Zhu Yingxiong was also wandering in his heart.
On the one hand, he was afraid of He Xi's power and wanted to go on peacefully. But inside, there was a wildfire burning.
I want to break through He Xi's influence and the shackles of He Xi, and I don't want to live in the shadow of He Xi.
It's just that He Xi has too much influence on him.
It has reached the point where everything is in vain.
He Xi gave him a good face, but he wanted to take advantage of her. But He Xi threatened him and he felt uncomfortable. Instead, he felt that this was He Xi's style. It fit He Xi's impression in his mind.
Instead, he suppressed some thoughts that he shouldn't have in his heart.
Zhu Xiongying said: "Uncle, you are right. That's what I think."
He Xi said: "That's good, that's good."
