Was the Western Region important to the Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Yuanzhang told Zhu Yunwen with his actions that the Ming Dynasty did not care about the Western Regions. Guarding Jiayuguan meant guarding the northwest of the Ming Dynasty and did not need to go too far.
It's not that Hami has never been conquered by the Ming Dynasty, but as a result, the Ming Dynasty did not occupy Hami, nor set up officials, nor even bothered to use any restraint measures. Whoever wants to be there can stay there.
This is related to the fact that Hami is too far away, difficult to control, has difficult logistics, and easily becomes an isolated city. However, Zhu Yunwen believes that the fundamental reason why Hami and the Western Regions were not recovered during the Hongwu period was that Zhu Yuanzhang did not pay attention to the Western Regions.
During the Han and Tang Dynasties, when Chang'an was the capital, it was necessary to ensure the security of the Hexi Corridor. In order to preserve the Hexi Corridor, the vast area of the Western Regions was needed as strategic depth while suppressing the enemy's living space.
However, the Ming Dynasty was definitely located in Nanjing. This choice destined the strategic status of the Western Regions to decline. Whether the Western Regions were in chaos, peace, decline or prosperity would not directly affect the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was insignificant. .
Zhu Yuanzhang spent his whole life staring at the remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty in the northeast, true north, and northwest. He paid very little attention to the Western Regions and the west of the Western Regions. The only things worth recording in history may be two things:
Song Sheng defeated Hami once, took some prisoners, and then went back.
Fu An took more than a thousand people as envoys to Samarkand and became prisoners. They never returned to the Hongwu Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang, such a talented and ambitious monarch, especially did not pay attention to the Western Regions. One can imagine the understanding and attitude of the imperial officials. Although taking back the Western Regions has the power of restoring the Han and Tang Dynasties and the spirit of revitalizing the Chinese nation, how to govern the Western Regions? Is the Western Region important? What is important? Where, the court officials simply did not have an accurate understanding.
To put it bluntly, many officials believed that the Western Regions were a burden. After the war, they could just arrange for a few local officials to obey the court's orders. There was no need to garrison troops or to return home.
There are no longer a few people who hold this view. Of course, they are not mentally retarded idiots who don’t want the land or the people who don’t want it, but they consider it for the Ming Dynasty. What these officials understand is:
The Western Region is too far away from the capital, and it is too difficult to manage. Something happened there. I tried my best to send news for more than 20 days, and it took more than three months to wait for the capital to react. Nothing happened there. deal……
The most important thing is that everyone thinks that the Western Region is barren, and the food and grass needed for the army to be stationed depends entirely on the pass. The food sent to Jiayuguan is already tiring and tiring for the people. If it is sent to Hami, Turpan, Verumu, or even farther away, Yili Adding several thousand miles to the logistics route in Licheng would more than double the difficulty?
When I went there, I sent 300 kilograms of grain. When I got it there, there were still 90 kilograms left. So what, we have to eat on the way back. How about you give us 200 kilograms of grain to eat on the way? We can't starve to death when we go back. On the way?
In this war in the Western Regions, how much people's power was mobilized by the imperial court, and how many turmoils were caused in the process. There were no less than three rebellions against the imperial court. If the burden of the Western Regions had been maintained, how many rebellions would have occurred?
Is it really necessary to have a useless piece of land that costs a lot of money and is difficult to manage?
Xie Jin, Tie Xuan, and Mei Yin paid little attention to the governance of the Western Regions. They only talked about the capital and military management. One of the reasons was that they did not really think about returning the native land to the Western Regions. Even if they emphasized the value of the Western Regions, they Didn't see the value either.
Zhu Yunwen gave up the discussion on the governance of the Western Regions and said instead: "Since you have no intention, let's talk about the affairs in the court." Zhou Liwen, the censor, wrote a letter to impeach the Qingzhou magistrate Huang Zicheng, who had made no achievements, and ordered the people not to go to sea to do business. , what do you think?"
Xie Jin and Tie Xuan remained silent.
After Huang Zicheng fell from the cabinet to Qingzhou, he did some things at first, such as writing letters to contact his old friends Qi Tai, Jing Qing and others, hoping to turn over and return to the capital. However, after several assessments, Qi Tai and Jing Qing were already well-known in Henan. If not The people begged hard and did not want the court to transfer these two people. Zhu Yunwen had already asked them to return to Beijing. Even so, they still enjoyed the treatment of ministers and were appointed as prefects to govern Kaifeng Prefecture.
But what about Huang Zicheng?
He really doesn’t have one in Qingzhou
What a deed!
Jie Jin felt very sorry, Tie Xuan also lamented, Mei Yin didn't care, and Yang Shiqi was quite peaceful.
Everyone knows that Zhu Yunwen sent Huang Zicheng to Qingzhou for the purpose of training and training. After all, that is Qingzhou, where King Qi is making trouble and the White Lotus Sect is making trouble!
The place has been destroyed. As long as we rebuild Qingzhou, restore its popularity, and appease the people, it will not be difficult to achieve political achievements. What's more, to the north of Qingzhou is Laizhou Bay, and a few hundred miles further north is Tianjin Port. Going south from Tianjin Port, you can rest in Qingzhou and exchange goods here. This unique condition was ruined by Huang Zicheng.
Huang Zicheng's style is the same as that of many local officials. If you have something to do, do it. If you have nothing to do, don't bother me. If you can hide, then hide. If you can't, then put it off. Put it off day by day. When it can't be put off anymore, then deal with it.
The laziness, indolence and inaction of local officials are problems in the governance of the imperial officialdom.
Zhu Yunwen decided to pull Huang Zicheng out and act as a model.
Tie Xuan didn't say anything. He was in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War and it was not convenient for him to talk to his colleagues. Mei Yin remained silent, and Huang Zicheng did not return to the Governor's Office of the Fifth Army. Yang Shiqi looked at Xie Jin, that means, the emperor is asking you something, what do you say?
Xie Jin rolled his eyes at Yang Shiqi, have you forgotten that you are also a member of the cabinet? You are asking the two of us...
When Zhu Yunwen saw that several people were silent, he took out the memorial to impeach Huang Zicheng and said seriously: "Let me say that if officials have managed the place for three years and have made no achievements and the people's lives have not improved, then the officials should not be included in the merit examination. Give him Zhongping. What use do I need from such officials? Go take a cow from the countryside and put it in the prefect's yamen, I'm afraid they will do better than him!"
Jie Jin had no choice but to step out and say: "Your Majesty, if officials govern the local area and seek changes in everything, they may harm the people. The government should not interfere too much with the people. Although Huang Zicheng has made no achievements, he has not neglected his duties..."
"If you don't make any achievements, isn't it a dereliction of duty?"
Zhu Yunwen asked coldly.
Jie Jin shook his head: "There is no such provision in the merit examination of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Quancha. If the emperor wants to use this to punish Huang Zicheng for dereliction of duty, he should first incorporate this article into the merit examination and let all officials know about it. "
Zhu Yunwen was defeated by Xie Jin. He threw down the impeachment memorial and shouted: "In that case, I will give Huang Zicheng a chance. Two years later, the population of Qingzhou will not increase, the yield per mu will not increase, and the people's income will not increase." If it increases, I will send him to Khotan, where he will be in charge for ten years, and I will give him permission!"
Xie Jin shuddered. During Hongwu's reign, he was often offered contracts, but the top ones were all three thousand miles away. If he had to arrange a trip to Khotan, the distance would be too far. He chanted "Eight Thousand Miles Road to Clouds and Moons." It's absolutely reliable...
Zhu Yunwen said to everyone: "The administration of officials is directly related to the people's livelihood and the foundation of the country! At the beginning of next year, the court will intensify scrutiny from top to bottom, from the capital to the localities, from the chief envoy to the county government. If there is any bullying, Citizens, unauthorized tax increases, rural bullies, corruption, collusion with officials, etc. will all be severely punished and will not be tolerated!"
Xie Jin, Yang Shiqi and others quickly responded.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Mei Yin and frowned: "Hasn't there been news from the Navy yet? Chen Hui went on an expedition in September, and it's already November. Even if he didn't attack Tsushima Island, there should be news, right? "
Mei Yin shook his head: "Your Majesty, Qindao Navy has not sent any news. We received news about merchant ships in the past few days. The waves in the East China Sea are huge and the wind is not strong, so it is not suitable for sailing. Maybe Chen Hui and others are resting in Jeju Island, waiting for the right ship. If we have the opportunity, we can head east to Tsushima Island.”
Zhu Yunwen thought for a while. Although going to Jeju Island in winter is smooth sailing, it also comes with risks. If high waves cause damage, it would be more than worth the loss. So he said: "Arrange someone to ask about North Korea. It is not convenient to transfer by sea." News comes from the road, we can’t go without any news about the Navy for a long time.”
Mei Yin agreed, then remembered something and said, "Your Majesty, the Guangzhou Guard and the Jiaozhi Guard have reported that a Qingyuan pirate group has appeared in Nanyang. It is quite powerful. Although it has not robbed merchant ships, it is still a hidden danger. It is Aren't you going to send navy to destroy them?"
"Qingyuan Pirates?"
Yang Shiqi squinted, the name seemed familiar. I remember when I robbed Chen Zuyi together
Yangjiang pirate group.
Zhu Yunwen took a rare step back: "There is no time to pay attention to the Qingyuan Pirates now. The top priority is to attack Tsushima Island and transfer the main force of the navy to guard the coasts of Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian to avoid harassment by Japanese troops."
Xie Jin reminded: "Your Majesty, the navy from Aizhou Port and Jiugang Port can mobilize one unit. It will not be a problem to wipe out a pirate group. If we just sit back and watch it grow, it will be detrimental to the overall situation of Nanyang."
Zhu Yunwen said disdainfully: "It's just a small pirate group, so what if we let it grow a little bit? When he annexes all kinds of bandits and pirates, wouldn't it be better for us to eat them in one bite?"
"this……"
Xie Jin and Yang Shiqi were a little confused. If Chen Zuyi was active, Zhu Yunwen would have ordered an all-out attack. It seems that this Qingyuan pirate group is still too weak to be able to get into the eyes of the emperor.
The officials retreated.
Zhu Yunwen stood back, took out a secret letter from his arms, read it again, and murmured in a low voice: "Zhu Quan, Zhu Quan, are you a little too courageous? That's all, you can just wander around Nanyang, okay We don’t have much time left, and when I have my hands free, it won’t be too late to clean up the situation.”
"Your Majesty, Commander Liu is asking for an audience."
The servant reported outside the door.
Zhu Yunwen put away the secret letter and allowed Liu Changge to enter the palace.
Liu Changge saluted and handed over the document: "Your Majesty, there is news from Liaodong."
Zhu Yunwen took the document, read it carefully, frowned, and said, "Let the cabinet draft a document and write it to Shi Yangwen, the commander of the Liaodong capital, and ask him to train troops and be wary of internal disputes among the Jurchens. No matter how chaotic the Jurchens are, the Liaodong capital will There can be no chaos."
Liu Changge was a little uneasy: "Your Majesty, if Ji Gang is transferred to Liaodong, trouble will inevitably occur. This is already the third case of cannibalism between the Jurchen tribes. Now he has reached out to the large savage Jurchen tribe. If things are revealed, , those Jurchens who surrendered to the Ming Dynasty are afraid that they will be disheartened, which will be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty's control of the Northeast."
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said: "Ji Gang just moved the corner of his mouth. The internal fighting and massacres among the Jurchen tribes are ultimately their own internal conflicts. To take a step back, even if the matter is exposed, it has nothing to do with the Ming Dynasty. , what Ji Gang said is true after all.”
Although the current Jurchen tribe is not powerful, there are many things between weak tribes and weak tribes. Frictions occur from time to time. In addition, some people are disobedient and do not want to be controlled. They think that wherever they go is their territory. , What is the Ming Dynasty and not the Ming Dynasty?
For such people, Zhu Yunwen did not intend to spoil them.
