Jingming

Chapter 456 Yan Song was taken advantage of
Lu Bing is the emperor's brother-in-law and his brother-in-law. It is not surprising that he has such a holy family member.

Yan Song looked at Tang Shunzhi with deep envy in his heart: This kid is not bad either.

"If there is nothing important these days, Your Majesty will not see you at night. Ying Dezhen surprised me, Your Majesty really does not want to wait until tomorrow."

Tang Shunzhi smiled and bowed: "On my own, your majesty will only discuss it tomorrow. Please invite the elders to come together, and your majesty will be able to relieve the redundant work. It is the merits of the elders."

Yan Song was polite.

When he wanted to ask Solo alone for something at night, it was not like he had never received the reply "We'll talk about it tomorrow".

"Your Majesty is enlightened in the country and self-disciplined in himself. He is truly a wise king through the ages." Yan Song lamented, "Ying De has never seen the court before the Jiajing Dynasty. After nightfall, if there is no summons, how can the important ministers enter the palace to see you? Just look at now , In the previous dynasty, there were people who were busy with official duties until late at night. You and I came here to see you, so as not to appear to be making a mistake."

"Oh? I heard that Su Zhigong has the most senior officials in the country. Didn't the former Minister of State, Su Zhigong, invite you to see him?"

Yan Song glanced at him meaningfully: "If it is not an important military and state matter, why disturb your Majesty at night? Now it is just a rough plan of culture and education, and it will be submitted to the emperor. Ying De invited me late at night, and even brought me with him. Not only For this reason?"

In Zhiyuan Zhai, Tang Shunzhi smiled slightly and put down the tea cup.

After looking at Yan Song, he first raised his hands and saluted: "Mr. Yan, your son, Uncle Dong Ying, will go to Japan again. Next year, he may use a large number of troops against Japan. I discussed the Japanese strategy with General Counselor Xia, but I heard that Mr. Yan didn't care about it. ?”

Although he felt that it was a bit abrupt to invite him together, didn't Yan Song come without knowing his true purpose?

Everyone has their own calculations.

Yan Song said seriously: "I am in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture. If I am not called upon to participate in important military affairs, how can I say anything?"

"My husband, Yan Guo, is very clear about private matters, and the younger generation admires him."

"...This person is bound to do his duty."

Yan Song looked at him, wondering if he came to see him for military matters?

So when the father-in-law on duty at Yangxin Hall was asked to report just now, why did he only say that it was related to the reform of the imperial examination and the cultural and educational strategy?
Tang Shunzhi added: "Now the ministers are discussing the cultural and educational strategy. Isn't it related to the hidden dangers of the kings and vassals in the future? Your Majesty named the prince the Bo of Japan. It can be seen that the prince will help the Japanese leader in the future. He will probably be the emperor of Japan. King. It is indeed annoyance to Your Majesty to come to see you at night. But Your Majesty is enjoying a family relationship with the concubines, princes, and princesses. I will come to see you together with the elders of the country. I will present the matter of your Majesty’s Holy Judgment later, so Your Majesty can think more deeply. .”

Yan Song's heart moved.

Previously, he was in charge of the Ministry of Culture and Education. After Tang Shunzhi became the Minister of State and took charge of the Ministry of Culture and Education, Yan Song, who was very familiar with the official affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Education, was still in the lineup to draft the reform plan for the imperial examination system and the Ming Dynasty's cultural and educational system.

Now that Tang Shunzhi mentioned this, Yan Song suddenly remembered some of the strategies related to what Tang Shunzhi said.

"...could it be the part about studying abroad?"

Tang Shunzhi shook his head: "No. This is the reason. Yan Guolao naturally knows that in the future, the vassals will support their troops, which will be a hidden worry for two or three generations. If you don't obey him, you will not dare to expect the position of general assistant in the future; the old man of the country has high hopes. , the only son was granted a vassal title. It would be most appropriate for the two of us to discuss this matter together."

"...So that's what Ying De said."

Yan Song finally understood why he had to come by himself.

My son will probably really take root in Japan in the future, and Yan Song is also very expected to sit on the throne of chief assistant.

Tang Shunzhi said that he did not expect to be promoted to the position of General Assistant because everyone knew very well that His Majesty was training him as the next General Staff Officer.

Therefore, the two giants of the future civil and military elites are invited to meet together. One, out of consideration for the future stability of the Ming Dynasty, wants to use the cultural and educational strategy as a guide to formulate the next regulations; the other has "interests related", shouldn't he also make a good statement?
What followed was just small talk.

Zhiyuan Zhai did not appear to be indifferent, but it did not discuss specific details in advance.

The words should be reserved for the emperor.

Although Zhu Houcong agreed to them, he still asked Lu Bing to go back first, and then went to Wensuyun Palace to take a bath before changing clothes and coming to Yangxin Palace.

When I saw the two of them, my first sentence was indeed very direct: "If the draft comes out, just submit it first. Since the two of them came to see each other at night, it must be some other important matter. Let's talk about the main point."

The promised night arrangement between Wen Suyun, Carolina and their children was ruined, so Zhu Houcong glanced at the two of them.

"I am terrified." What Tang Shunzhi wanted was to invite him out after he had made a circle in the harem.

According to His Majesty's attitude towards children, if you go to the harem, you will naturally meet the children.

Tang Shunzhi asked the emperor to consider some issues, which were related to his children.

"How to transform the study of imperial examinations into the study of encyclopedias, how to establish scientific research regulations for the Academy of Sciences, universities and graduate schools, how to modify the examination syllabus and compile encyclopedia textbooks, how to promote education and educate young children, how to advance to higher schools and take exams, I will We have discussed a draft first." Tang Shunzhi said, "But there are two things in it that I would like to ask the Holy Will first."

"speak."

"First, in the future, in addition to being granted visas by examination and selection, the lords of the vassal states and the legitimate sons of important ministers will order the students studying abroad in the Ming Dynasty to study abroad in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Houcong's eyes narrowed slightly and motioned for him to continue.

Tang Shunzhi added: "Secondly, the Academy of Sciences, the Polytechnic Research Institute of various universities, and the Qiao Research Institute of various enterprises should allow those who have successfully studied abroad from foreign vassals to serve, and whether they should be allowed to return to the country in the future."

Yan Song remembered what he had to say and said seriously: "I believe that the princes of the vassal states and the legitimate sons of important ministers should be ordered to study abroad in the Ming Dynasty. If the foreign vassal elites hold important scientific research positions in the Ming Dynasty, they should be registered in the Ming Dynasty and will not be allowed to return to the country."

Zhu Houcong was no longer the young man he was more than 20 years ago. After sitting in the position of emperor for so many years, he immediately understood what the two people really wanted to discuss with him first.

After taking a look at Tang Shun, Zhu Houcong smiled and said, "Ying De, you were so arrogant back then, but now you are extremely cautious."

Tang Shunzhi said sternly: "In general, we should be decisive, but we also need to make arrangements for details. The combination of right and wrong is also the essence of the art of war."

"The Art of War?" Zhu Houxuan looked at his eyes and nodded slowly, "I understand. What you really want me to discuss tonight is the future vassal system."

"When the world is united, cultural and educational affairs are also very important." Tang Shunzhi said solemnly, "If we use troops against Japan next year, how to manage education in the future will be a matter of concern to all the kings and the gentry, merchants and common people who are willing to go to the feudal country. A reassurance."

As expected, Zhu Houcong thought of the children he had just met at Wen Suyun's place.

Carolina's son, Lao San'ao Wang, is already sixteen years old this year, and Wen Suyun's son, Lao Qi, is already nine years old.

Before that, there were 13-year-old Lao Si and Wang at the sports ground. Lao Wu, born to Zhang Qinghe, and Lao Liu, born to Tana, were already twelve years old. The eighth daughter of the Lanna Dynasty, Achara Kamala, was born in the 15th year of Jiajing's reign, and is now six years old. She was already 33 when she gave birth to the ninth son of the emperor in the 17th year of Jiajing's reign, and she raised the youngest son in the palace. The ninth son of the emperor.

There will be no drama about nine sons seizing the legitimate sons, but what Tang Shunzhi now wants Zhu Houcong to consider is: after the vassals are divided in the future, how can these vassal states ensure their relationship with the Ming Dynasty in terms of large systems and small details.

It is naturally impossible for the Ming Dynasty to shoulder the financial pressure and send troops to guard it. Each vassal king must have his own military strength to govern the place for the Ming Dynasty clan leader.

It may be fine for one or two generations, but later on, he will still be the leader of a country who is far away from the Ming Dynasty and has real military power. Will he be willing to let the Ming Dynasty get more benefits?
Once given the opportunity, and everyone has their own base, will they be interested in the Chinese throne?
"The two unanswered questions you have are asking: Do you want them to send protons? Do you want them to block the vassal country's weapons and technology?"

Zhu Houcong refined the key points of Tang Shunzhi's expression, and Tang Shunzhi bowed down by default.

Sending protons to study abroad would only make the vassal country more afraid.

Blocking military and industrial technology will make the vassal state more afraid: Ming's combat power will always be stronger than theirs.

Zhu Houcong shook his head: "The proton idea is too old and doesn't make much sense." This idea was popular during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. But if countries really want to fight, will they care about these things?
"Blocking technology is neither kingly nor easy to make Ming arrogant and self-contained in the future."

Tang Shunzhi raised his head: "I believe that with border trade and culture alone, the Ming Dynasty will benefit more due to its vast land, rich resources, and prosperous culture and education. Over time, if the vassal states are unwilling to accumulate over time, problems will definitely arise. It will be different then and now. The masters are all descended from the clan. When the same roommate engages in fighting, the friendship between clan members gradually weakens."

"With a layer of clan friendship, many things will have an extra layer of leeway. The vassal system is similar to that of China, so etiquette and trade will be more important in the future. As long as the contradiction is not irreconcilable, the gains and losses of raising troops will be measured. China is based on Brotherly countries regard this as the most important thing and should value peace. China is vast and rich in resources, so it is natural to move faster; the vassal states have a weak foundation, and as long as they are becoming more prosperous, they will not easily destroy the system."

Zhu Houcong thought reasonably: "The day will come when we no longer have any idea which vassal state should be fighting and making friends with each other, and there is no need to stick to any clan. Brothers fighting against each other is nothing new, and it is inevitable. Come over here. , you want to know my bottom line, right?"

"...I am ashamed." Tang Shunzhi lowered his head again.

"Tell me what you really think, what do you think we should do?"

Yan Song didn't speak.

The emperor's statement means that the princes and civil and military officials who will be enfeoffed in the vassal state in the future will have a higher degree of freedom and will not be subject to as much control as the Ming Dynasty.

Tang Shunzhi said: "In this case, China's various systems are implemented in foreign vassals, and I will set standards on etiquette, culture, education, commerce and other matters. This year, all countries will send envoys to Beijing to lay the foundation for making a convention. I think , since China and all the vassals will all come from the same source in the future, we should imitate the clan government and have a consultation, mediation, and punishment yamen between countries. Being able to discuss some issues behind closed doors like a national policy meeting is also a way to prevent problems before they happen. .”

Zhu Houcong looked at him in surprise.

Isn't this a small United Nations?

Tang Shunzhi thought ahead. With a platform to mediate conflicts between countries, he could at least not use direct force as the first method he thought of.

"In addition, China is the suzerain, and even if it does not regard the vassals as foreign enemies, it still needs to take precautions. Although it is not a long-term solution to support military personnel in various countries with national funds, since trade is booming, imitating the Nanyang Protectorate will be a must for military strategists. The territory is so contested that every country has a military and commercial fortress, which is also of great use."

"Hasn't this been planned for a long time? Places like Malacca and Tsushima Island." Zhu Houcong looked at him doubtfully, "There is one in every country?"

Military bases are spread all over the country, and financial pressure will also be great.

In Zhu Houcong's idea, it was enough to have a layer of vassal barrier and three or four enclaves directly controlled by the Ming Dynasty.

Tang Shunzhi said: "At the beginning of the new feudal vassals, they must rely on China. It is reasonable that the vassal state's treasury should also share some of the generals' salaries and military supplies. It may be abolished in the future, but at least for two or three generations. , to help the lords of the vassal states secure their territory."

Zhu Houcong looked at them.

Abolition?

Regardless of the field, will abolition not involve the interests of many people? How can it be so easy to cut?
Looking at Yan Song's group's "I just came with him, it was not my idea" expressions, Zhu Houcong knew that this was probably a consideration made by the staff at the Military Affairs Council based on the interests of the generals.

Once the system currently envisioned is fully developed, the Ming Dynasty will be able to say that its surroundings are peaceful and there will be no war.

At that time, what will the Ming army do? Take off your armor and return to the fields?
Maintaining a sense of presence is a must.

Since there is a high probability that there will be no war in the country, the only place where Ming generals can make great achievements in the future will be in foreign vassals where the native people still "disobey the king".

It was said that it was to help the princes who were entrusted to various vassal states to secure their territory, but in fact it was to establish a rule that the military security needs of each vassal state would be outsourced to the Ming Dynasty: the Ming dynasty's treasury would naturally continue to have military expenditures, and each vassal state would also have to prepare a "Protection fees".

Considering the characteristics of this era and the Ming Dynasty's perspective, Zhu Houcong felt that this was indeed not a bad idea.

First of all, it is natural to control each vassal state stably - as long as the generals stationed abroad can always have two sources of income, there is no need to give up one, and instead risk being punished and only be loyal to those who may "give The leader of the foreign vassal kingdom has gained too much.

The Ming Dynasty's military, which possesses military power, will become the most active peacemaker between Ming Dynasty and the vassal states.

Secondly, this approach will undoubtedly receive the full support of the entire Ming military. As long as the Ming Emperor always adheres to this routine unwaveringly, then the Ming Emperor will always receive the unwavering support of the army, so that Zhu Houcong does not have to worry about his descendants being incompetent and being hijacked by civil servants.

Finally, this question can also help Ming Dynasty not have to worry about the military threats of vassal states in the future - your own security forces are all sent by Ming Dynasty, what can you use to fight Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Houcong sighed: "The lords of the vassals must want to have troops that they can control. Even if they can only enjoy wealth and wealth, the foundation of the vassals outside the country must be based on the Ming Dynasty's standards to share military expenses, so naturally they can only collect taxes from the people. This method is naturally excellent, but it goes against the purpose of being kind to the people of the vassals. If there is resentment in the people's hearts, it will ultimately damage the foundation."

Who can guarantee that the leader of every vassal state will not have ambitions?
If military power is not in one's own hands, the struggle overt and covert will be stronger.

If you want to build your own military power and have to bear the military expenses of the Ming Dynasty's garrison, you will naturally have to collect heavy taxes from the people.

"I believe that Your Majesty needs to make a ruling as soon as possible and make a basic plan. The vassals will have their own plans in the future. As long as they follow the basic plan and focus on each other, the financial plan will be the most relaxed and will not harm the people."

Zhu Houcong looked at them.

That is to say, the future kings of each vassal state must recognize one thing directly from the source: do not think about resisting the Ming Dynasty one day and hand over military power to the Ming Dynasty. With the Ming Dynasty's trade channels and institutional advantages, we can expect to build a richer country in the outer vassals. When countries clarify their internal affairs and their relationship with the Ming Dynasty, they will have an extremely stable status and wealth. Only one share of the military expenses was paid to the Ming Dynasty garrison, and the tax policy would not be set so high, making the people of the vassal state miserable.

A kind of beauty that "when I think of calling daddy, I suddenly feel that the world is vast".

The truth is also true: With the Ming Dynasty here, do you still want to stand up and disobey?
If you have disobedient thoughts, then Zhu Houcong's direct descendants and grandsons will probably be very happy in the future: Are you disobedient? Then let me change it and let my own son be the king.

As long as the interests of the Ming Dynasty's military and the civil servants of the vassal state are protected from losses, it probably doesn't matter who the leader of the vassal state is.

Zhu Houcong thought about it and could only look at Tang Shunzhi without saying anything.

I have to say that nowadays there are not so many messy international views, public opinions and moral baggage. There is indeed beauty in being rough.

Since the Ming Dynasty has the ability and opportunity to sweep through, it can directly realize the essential unification of force and the flourishing of civil affairs and culture.

"...So, in that vassal country, it was me, the Ming Dynasty, who played the bad side, while the leader and ministers of the vassal country played the bad side?" Zhu Houcong concluded.

Tang Shunzhi laughed and said: "Your Majesty's move is very appropriate. The king and father of the superior country should be strict. With the restraint of the Emperor of Heaven, the border troops stationed in various vassal states will not harm the people without reason, but will punish you. The generals stationed there will not harm the people for no reason. Just like being an official, there is no danger of self-respect of supporting troops. If it undermines the original intention of the Ming Dynasty to garrison the vassal screen and harms the people for no reason, the vassals will submit a memorial to the government of that sect, and the emperor of Ming Dynasty will order his replacement. "

"...Zong Guofu." Zhu Houxun couldn't laugh or cry, "I understand what you mean. After all, it has little to do with the cultural and educational reform draft you are about to submit now. This matter is not urgent. I will think about it carefully. of."

"I have disturbed Your Majesty at night, and I would like to ask His Majesty to punish you."

Zhu Houcong glanced at them, and then said: "Why doesn't Xia Gongjin come by himself? If the three of us come together, I will put aside other things."

Tang Shunzhi gave a bitter smile: "Since the news about the use of troops against Japan spread, General Staff Xia has been very distressed. In this matter, only the navy has room for meritorious service. Generals inside and outside the Five Prefectures who know the news go to Wuying Palace to look for Xia every day. General Staff. The matter is serious and General Staff Xia is trying to stabilize them. I have no choice but to use the cultural and educational reform draft to present the ideas of Ming ministers and others to His Majesty and ask for His Majesty's sanction. Therefore, I have some reassuring words. "

"...They are all red-eyed people."

"The new prince, Zhike has given two more earl positions." Tang Shunzhi said honestly, "Your Majesty, I have been sharpening my skills for many years. The soldiers are the most in need of reassurance. Your Majesty has great plans and strategies, and the Ming Dynasty is determined both internally and externally. Then we dare not forget the battle. In this case, a long-term strategy is indeed needed.”

"He won't tell you, so why don't you tell him?"

Tang Shunzhi said helplessly: "Who allowed your majesty to promote ministers faster than the Ming Dynasty? This proposal may be against the odds. General Counselor Xia asked me to report on my behalf, also taking into account the prosperity of my holy family. And if I can accomplish this, , naturally all the armies praised him."

"...Old fox." Zhu Hou said sarcastically and looked at the two of them.

Yan Song broke out in cold sweat.

Only then did he realize that it was actually more than that simple.

Is it because I'm old that I couldn't think it through right away?
Why did you come with Tang Shunzhi because of the invitation from the future General Staff, thinking that you, the future General Assistant, could not be unaware of some important changes?

Being used!
(End of this chapter)