Daming Jingtai: I am the eternal benevolent king

Chapter 353: It is easy to relax policies but difficult to tighten them

The courtiers felt that surgery was harmful to the heaven and earth. How could people dig up their own bodies and put things into their flesh and blood? It was simply inhumane.

But the emperor was very supportive and raised countless teams.

In the 16th year of Jingtai's reign, there was too much opposition from the people. The emperor abolished some departments and then completely went underground.

Due to public opinion, many surgeons have to change careers to study Chinese medicine or become military doctors in the military.

Nowadays, most of those serving are people from India, Timur, Europa and other countries.

They were all granted Han citizenship, married Han women, and settled down in the capital.

No one knows how many such doctors the emperor has maintained. After all, the internal funds are the emperor's private treasury. Only the emperor himself knows how much money is spent.

However, according to a drunken gaffe made by a palace official, it was said that the emperor had at least tens of thousands of Western doctors studying surgery, and this number was increasing every year.

This blood transfusion technology took eight years to gradually perfect.

Fortunately, the slaves used were extremely evil slaves. If the people of the Ming Dynasty were used, the emperor would probably be spitted to death.

"Your Majesty, blood transfusion technology is useless."

Yao Kui said: "The ministers in the court do not bleed, and the common people cannot afford to cure it. It is useful in the army, but where does the blood come from?"

"All in all, it's a useless technology."

"Your Majesty, I advise you not to invest money in research. This is too sinister. How can anyone exchange blood since ancient times? Listen to me, my skin is getting goosebumps."

Zhu Qiyu was used to the objections from courtiers.

"This matter will be discussed later."

Zhu Qiyu couldn't explain it clearly to them. When surgery develops, they will know how cost-effective the money invested now is.

Yao Kui was speechless, knowing that the emperor would not listen.

"My lords, I am thinking, is increasing the population a good thing or a bad thing?"

Many of the central government's policies are aimed at increasing the civilian population.

"Your Majesty, I feel that increasing the population will do more harm than good."

Peng Shi said bluntly: "The main reason is that the Ming Dynasty's ability to resist disasters is too weak. Once there is a three-year drought or a multi-year famine, the huge population will destroy the dynasty in an instant."

"The veteran still believes that it is better to maintain the population at a constant level."

"According to surveys conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in recent years, the life expectancy of the elderly has been extended by about three years, which is because they are living a good life."

"The average life expectancy of people in Ming Dynasty was between 40 and 45 years old, but now it has been pushed to between 43 and 48 years old."

"This is a terrible phenomenon."

"This means that in the past three years, tens of millions more people have been living on their own."

Peng Shi smiled bitterly: "If the population remained at 300 million, life in the Ming Dynasty would be relatively prosperous, but the number of births has doubled in recent years. With the central government's promulgation of population-friendly policies, the population has increased several times."

"Veteran estimates that in the 30 years since the Ming Dynasty was in Jingtai, the population will have reached a terrifying 800 million!"

"And among them, mainly infants and young children, there may be 400 million infants and 200 million elderly people. With only 200 million young and middle-aged people working, the ability to withstand stress will be even weaker. Once there is a natural disaster or man-made disaster, it will be like Yi Zixiang Food."

Peng Shi's words aroused the awe of the courtiers.

Geng Jiuchou said: "Mr. Peng Ge is right, but he still missed one thing."

"Part of Ming Dynasty's food supply was purchased from India. Once foreign trade is cut off, Ming Dynasty will immediately return to its original state."

"Folks' meat consumption has increased, and animal husbandry is the most food-consuming industry."

"Wealthy people use coarse grains to feed their animals, but poor families can also rely on a combination of coarse and fine grains to fill their stomachs."

"The gods have been kind to us over the past few years, and we have a good harvest every year."

"But it's getting colder and colder in the north, and there are indeed grain harvest failures. Because the cultivated land in the north is vast, it's hard to see, so it doesn't show up."

"Once the disaster year comes, the ecology running in the Ming Dynasty will immediately collapse, as fast as a blood collapse."

"So the veteran believes that the population cannot be increased."

“Not only cannot it increase, but it must continue to move outward.”

Geng Jiuchou's words made the courtiers all nod in agreement.

“It’s difficult to immigrate now.”

Li Xiandao: "It was easy in the past few years because we slaughtered a lot of places and freed up a lot of land and real estate, which can be used directly without development."

“Immigrants now need to open up new lands.”

"Who is willing to cultivate new land? Even if there are sufficient farm tools, it will take at least ten years, right? Or even twenty or thirty years, and one generation will be gone!"

"Those who are willing to leave have been moved away, and the rest are those who are unwilling to leave, just lazy people waiting to die."

"But we live a good life. Those lazy idlers can't marry Han women, but they can marry Yi women."

"When a Yi girl gets married, not only do she not dare to push her husband to do better, but she also has to work hard without complaining, otherwise he will be served with a stick."

Li Xian sneered: "Last year, the center started forced immigration. Many people resisted with death. How many people were killed? What happened after they were moved? They didn't cultivate land at all, but tried every means to move to richer places."

"In order to prosper the economy, the Ming Dynasty allowed people to move."

"But this movement has encouraged these people with ulterior motives to escape from new places and go back to their hometowns to continue eating and waiting to die. Such moths can be found everywhere."

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to immigrate unless the central government enforces it."

Shang Ren immediately objected: "We must not force it anymore. The world has finally reached peace and the people have lived a peaceful life. If we force immigrants to immigrate again, it will cause anger and resentment. This is no longer possible."

"Yes, coercion is no longer an option. Now even conscription and immigration are no longer an option."

Li Xian smiled bitterly: "In recent years, the central government has taken away all the second sons of the people's families. Does it still force the people to contribute their third and fourth sons? Doesn't this force people to rebel?"

“Look, veteran, it’s getting harder and harder to immigrate and open up new lands.”

“The civilian population must not be allowed to grow anymore.”

Peng Shi said: "Isn't the King of Chu going to vassal the country? The scarce population is just the right time. We should capture all the lazy people and those who have escaped and send them to Africa."

Li Xian nodded, thinking this was feasible.

Zhu Qiyu listened carefully and said slowly: "Is there such an idea? The central government will set up a reclamation company, hire people to cultivate a piece of raw land, and then recruit immigrants to come and eat the ready-made food."

"Your Majesty, how much do you plan to invest?"

Li Xian asked: "If we invest too much, we will give the land to the people in vain, which will be a loss. It is okay to lose money in the past few years, in order to quickly occupy new land."

"Nowadays, the Xindi is all rotten land on the corner. The reclamation is completely at a loss and cannot be given away. The point is that the people have become rich and are unwilling to go to the Xindi."

This is true.

The four provinces of Mongolia, Yuerhai, Turks, and Tatars are so cold that you can vomit blood. In winter, it is warm at minus 40 degrees, and minus 50 degrees is normal.

What's the use of reclaiming land?

Good places have been reclaimed. Heilongjiang and Jilin are rich black soils. Millions of acres of fertile land have been reclaimed. There is definitely no shortage of people.

Just build a road, garrison troops, and send officers there to convert the barbarians, and that's it.

Immigration used to be too burdensome.

"So, immigration is no longer possible for the time being?" Zhu Qiyu said in a low tone. It is not a good thing for people to be too rich.

It’s best to just let the people barely eat enough and not even eat enough.

When they are full and their life is too good, they will cause trouble.

Ten years ago, there was little complaint among the people about the forced immigration split because they were too poor. When the central government promised some good policies, they were willing to go to new lands and work hard to cultivate new lands.

Now that the family has enough to eat, why should we leave? Why should I reclaim wasteland? Why?

"Find a way to promote immigration." Zhu Qiyu was helpless.

No idea.

Moreover, with the birth and advancement of industrialization, there will be a siphon effect, urbanization, and the population of border provinces will become smaller and smaller.

Therefore, Zhu Qiyu hoped that the people would have more children. If there were enough children, there would definitely not be enough food in the local area, so he could only immigrate to the border provinces.

However, the plantation economy depends on the weather, and there are still many years of disaster. Just one famine will bring the seemingly prosperous people back to their original shape.

That's it.

The courtiers returned to the government office for business.

However, Zhu Qiyu received a military report saying that Fan Guang's Western Expeditionary Army was seriously homesick. They no longer wanted to fight in the Western Regions and wanted to go home. The homesickness among the army was extremely high.

This was sent directly from the Department of Military Affairs, with crooked names on it and the autographs of many officers.

Zhu Qiyu must pay attention to this matter.

He invited Xie Qian and Wang Hua to come.

At the same time, he was also thinking, is this Fan Guang losing his military morale? So the lower-level officers jumped over the rank to report?

Zhu Qiyu was worried that he would completely lose contact with the lower-level officers, so he opened a special line for the Military Staff Department, which was a channel for direct communication between the emperor and lower-level officers.

The emperor strictly ordered that no concealment of information be allowed in the military affairs department, and any act of concealment would be punished by the clan.

Reports have not come in many times over the years, but each time it is a major event.

"Your Majesty, this is a big deal."

Xie Qian said with great seriousness: "The Western Expeditionary Army was war-weary and fearful of foreign lands, so they jumped over the rank to report. If this matter is not taken seriously, the ministers are worried that the Western Expeditionary Army will rebel on the spot."

Wang Huadao: "Maybe it was because Duke Yi was defeated and saw his comrades buried in a foreign land that there was a strong sense of resistance in the army."

In fact, Ming soldiers were very profitable.

Let’s not talk about military merit and titles. Official positions are inherited from father to son. The guard system has been basically abolished. Officers and soldiers are recruited.

Military pay and subsidies, food and clothing expenses are all the burden of the military.

All money captured on the battlefield belongs to the individual, and the central bank does not need it. They only need to go to the inn and send the money back.

The emperor treated soldiers preferentially, constantly improved their social status, erected monuments for soldiers who died in battle, and placed disabled soldiers in their homes. After retirement, they not only received retirement pay, but were also assigned to work at the grassroots level.

The Ming Dynasty had 1700 million soldiers, but only 200 million had been on the battlefield. Most of them immigrated through conscription.

Therefore, being a soldier of the Ming Dynasty is glorious and wealthy. You can marry one daughter-in-law a year with military pay. Counting various subsidies, you can marry two wives a year.

"If it's not important, the military officials won't give it to me." Zhu Qiyu said.

The military has a Military Discipline Department, a Military Officials Department and a Military Court. The Military Discipline Department is affiliated with the Military Aircraft Department, and the Military Officials Department and the Military Court are affiliated with the Ministry of War.

"Do you think we should bring the army back?" Zhu Qiyu asked.

"Your Majesty, I think that if we order this group back, the border guard generals will cry to the central government and seek opportunities to return home."

Xie Qian considered it carefully and said: "But if we don't send an imperial edict back, the ministers are worried that the Western Expeditionary Army will rebel on the spot, and the Ming Dynasty's westward march strategy may be affected."

"It's better to change the name to reward the Western Expeditionary Army for their military exploits and allow them to go home for the New Year."

Zhu Qiyu thought it was okay, but it would cost a lot to transport the army back and forth, which was a net loss.

But it won’t work if I don’t adjust it back.

The emperor has been dressing himself up and giving preferential treatment to the soldiers over the years. Now the soldiers are collectively sparse and asking to return to their hometowns. If the emperor doesn't agree, won't his character collapse?

The key point is that there are many Mongolians, Jurchens and Saurons in this Western Expeditionary Army. Once the emperor ignores them, they will soon collapse.

Not only should I not ignore it, I should also be quick and reply to the letter as quickly as possible.

"If the precedent of returning home for the New Year is set, what about the generals stationed on other frontiers? Will they also have to be rotated every year?"

Wang Hua felt that this name was not good enough.

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Using this name, we will issue a policy next year. The border guard generals will be on duty every three years. The generals will be allowed to take half a month of family leave, and the central government will provide a family visit subsidy."

"Your Majesty, how much does this cost?" Xie Qian's expression suddenly changed.

This kind of frontier refers to the Mongolian capitals, Yuerhai, Turks, and Tatars. The normal rotation is ten years, but changing it to three years is a huge expense.

"It's not just about spending money, what if he escaped along the way?" Wang Hua said.

Deserters were numerous at any time.

"Let's think of a way. In a few years, there will be a population in northern Xinjiang, and it will be good to build a health center." Zhu Qiyu had a headache.

There are 70,000 people in Fan Guang's army for the Western Expedition. If they all come back and send another 70,000 people over, it will cost more than fighting a big battle.

Sun Yuanzhen also heard about the collective evacuation and quickly came to Yangxin Hall.

"Your Majesty, this precedent cannot be set. Who doesn't have some difficulty guarding the border? If you miss your family, you will go away together. Then why are you a soldier?"

"When you have difficulties, just complain about suffering and tiredness. What kind of soldier do you want to be?"

"Your Majesty, you have set a precedent this time. Soldiers from all border provinces will gather together and ask to go home."

"I won't tell you how much it cost to send these people there. Now that they're gone, what if the barbarians on the border rebel?"

"Bitter? Why not suffer? What's there to think about home? If you really miss home, send your whole family to the Western Regions, just as immigrants."

Sun Yuanzhen was furious.

If Shangshu had not gone to the military affairs department, he would have sent it to the Ministry of War first, and he would have vetoed it directly. If you miss your family, you have to endure it. If you are a soldier, you have to fight to get paid. If you miss your family, you will break the law.

"Sun Qing, don't be angry."

Zhu Qiyu smiled wryly and waved his hand: "Guarding the border is really hard. This time I saw my comrades buried in a foreign land. It was a psychological shock. It's normal to want to come back."

"The fact that they dared to cross Fan Guang and cry directly to me shows that the suffering is really unbearable."

"The center should also understand."

"Indeed, it will cost a lot to transfer 70,000 people back and another 70,000 people, but I can afford the money."

"Over the years, I have given preferential treatment to all social classes. The lives of the people have visibly improved. The status of generals has been improved. Officials are well fed and well clothed no longer need to be hidden."

"What I manage is reputation."

"I may not have credibility in the world, but I have a clear conscience towards Ming people and always do what I say. This is the credibility I have accumulated for twenty-three years."

"They want to come back. I would rather slow down the pace of opening up the Western Region. If we delay for two years, I will bring them back."

"In the future, the duty rotation system will also be changed. The duty rotation system will be changed every three years, and generals will be given half a month's annual leave during this period."

Zhu Qiyu just finished speaking.

Sun Yuanzhen knelt on the ground: "Absolutely not, Your Majesty. It will be a hard life to go to the border provinces to guard. Once they are allowed to come back, they will definitely flee on the road."

"The peaceful social environment of Ming Dynasty will be greatly affected."

"Besides, the duty is once every ten years, the military pay is three times that of the local level, and they are given the opportunity to marry and have children locally. This is the best policy."

"What kind of annual leave is there? The princes don't have annual leave, so what do they take?"

Sun Yuanzhen said resolutely: "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has plenty of money now and can spend it freely, but what will happen in ten or twenty years?"

"It is easy to relax the policy, but difficult to tighten it."

"Just talking about agricultural taxes over the years, how much has Ming Dynasty collected?"

"Even twenty years after Jingtai, the Ming Dynasty no longer collected taxes from the private sector!"

"Why? I can't collect it anymore, so I might as well give it all away!"

"But!"

"Now we have business to support us. What if one day business collapses? People don't pay taxes. How can we support the center? How can we support the army?"

Sun Yuanzhen burst into tears: "Your Majesty loves the people, and the whole world knows it."

"But people can't love like this!"

"They only have their own interests in mind, and how can they have any interest in the interests of the family and the country?"

"If Your Majesty sends people to collect taxes now, there will be rebellions everywhere and wars will break out. You are not loving the people, you are indulging them!"

Zhu Qiyu frowned, he was right, the people really had no conscience.

The central government used to receive tax-free tax. If they collect it after it expires, they are all evading taxes. The ten years of benefits given by the central government should be forgotten.

In recent years, agricultural taxes have not been collected at all.

That is, Zhu Qiyu relied on collecting commercial taxes to maintain the center, otherwise the Ming Dynasty would be destroyed.

Xie Qian also knelt on the ground: "Sun Shangshu's words are extremely true. It is easy to relax the policy, but it is difficult to tighten it."

"People are greedy and want to live a better life day by day."

"is it possible?"

"No, life is full of ups and downs. How can there be any good things that go smoothly every day?"

"Your Majesty wants to make the people rich and hide wealth among the people, but can this so-called wealth be used in wartime?"

"Let's just talk about immigration. Now when people talk about immigration, they become angry."

"But they don't want to think that the central government can not charge them agricultural taxes because the new land can support their lives!"

"They don't care how difficult it is for the center, they only want to ask for it from the center!"

"These are the people!"

"No one is willing to dedicate themselves to their country. They only care about their own interests, regardless of the central government's difficulties."

Xie Qian cried and said: "Your Majesty, you have done too much for the people. If you do more, you will not be loved by the people, but will be cast aside by the world!"

Zhu Qiyu was stunned.

Isn’t it a professional skill of your civil servants to advise the king to treat the people well?

Why do you now want to persuade the emperor to be more violent and cruel? What happened?

Wang Hua also knelt on the ground: "Please, Your Majesty, don't think about the people in everything, think about the Ming Dynasty!"

"It sounds like I'm a saint, am I?" Zhu Qiyu felt that he was cruel enough. He opened up Baiyue and Northeast China, overhauled the Chi Road, and killed 20 million slaves.

The happy and harmonious families among the people were divided and divided again by the emperor. Immigrants from all over the world were removed, and every family was tormented by the emperor.

At the end of the quarrel, the emperor became an eternal sage?

"Yes!" The three of them said in unison: "You are the Holy King."

"Then I'll take it seriously."

Zhu Qiyu said happily: "The Western Expeditionary Army will be transferred back. Let's discuss the rotation period. I'll give it to you."

"Send the imperial edict quickly and tell the Western Expeditionary Army to return to Zhambul and wait to go home and celebrate the New Year!"

However, when this imperial edict came out, it was rejected by the cabinet.

Li Xian came angrily and did not allow the Western Expeditionary Army to return to Beijing. Not only could they not be transferred back, but they also severely reprimanded and killed all the troops in Shangshu.

Zhu Qiyu coaxed Li Xian away with good talk.

Tune back.

The imperial edict was sent out overnight and quickly delivered to Wang Yue. Wang Yue was ready to return to Beijing to report on his duties, and then went to Baiyue to take charge of the army.

The imperial edict asked him to wait and lead his army back to Beijing.

Wang Yue's first thought was that something had happened in Beijing.

In the end, I found out that Fan Guang's Western Expeditionary Army went out collectively and cried to the emperor that they wanted to go home. They were immediately dumbfounded.

The Western Expeditionary Army was limited by its transportation capacity. Only 70,000 people left Zhambol, and the cost of transporting the military here was more expensive than transporting it to Borneo.

Seventy thousand people were mobilized back and forth, resulting in losses of more than one million.

The emperor is really willing to give up.

Wang Yue's first thought was to kill all the troublemakers.

If he takes them back, they are destined to never be reused again.

Fan Guang was stunned when he received the imperial edict. He was on the shore of the Aral Sea. Although he knew that the generals were homesick, he did not expect that they would dare to go behind his back and go out together.

Although the imperial edict did not reprimand him, this must have become the biggest stain on his career. The east coast of the Aral Sea has become the base of the Ming army. The cost of transporting food here from Zhambul is more expensive than that from the capital to Zhambul. He has been on the Western Expedition for a year, and when he first achieved results, he was stabbed in the back by his subordinates. The anger in his heart can be imagined.

The imperial edict issued a strict order to abandon everything currently and immediately return to Zhambul, with Wang Yue leading the troops back to Beijing.

Fan Guang was furious.

But fierce cheers came from the army, and no one expected that the emperor actually took care of them and really let them go home for the New Year. Finally, they no longer had to worry about dying in a foreign land.

In Fan Guang's army, there were not only Ming people, but also many Meng, Jurchens, and Sauron people. They would betray the Ming Dynasty without any hesitation.

But because the emperor's decree came, everyone burst into tears and kowtowed excitedly in the direction of the capital.

"It seems that I have really lost people's hearts." Fan Guang looked at the Aral Sea and sighed in his heart. If he was given another two years, the Aral Sea to Jiangbul would be the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

His Majesty wanted Caspian Sea, so he dedicated Caspian Sea to His Majesty.

Unfortunately, I gained the Sacred Heart, but lost my military spirit.

The next day, the Ming army withdrew from the Aral Sea and returned to Zhambul.

The Timur Khanate and the Golden Horde Khanate were both confused. What was the Ming army doing?

Over the past year, they had fought many battles with the Ming army, with victories and defeats, but it was undeniable that the Ming army's weapons were too powerful.

They originally wanted to wait for the Ming army to be tired and then sneak attack the Ming army.

Unexpectedly, the Ming army sang loudly all the way, and their momentum was like a rainbow. Occasionally, they made sneak attacks without opening their eyes, but they were all beaten back by the Ming army.

Others were dumbfounded. Is Daming sick? In order to reach the Aral Sea, how much money would be thrown in and how many lives would be lost?

Along the way, only the tombstones of the Ming army and the bastions built by the Ming army were left. They were all abandoned and strategically shrunk, occupying key areas to prevent other forces from counterattacking the Western Regions.

It took seven months to call from Zhambul and only seven days to get back.

Wang Yue is already waiting here.

After resting for a day in Jiangbul, Wang Yue personally led his troops back to Gansu, and boarded a ship from Gansu to return to Beijing. The soldiers were jubilant along the way, but as they approached the capital, some generals began to get scared.

They knew how much money had been spent on the Western Expedition, so they gave up and suffered huge losses. They were worried that they would be secretly executed when they returned to Beijing.

Wang Yue paid attention to the morale of the troops at all times, worried that the Western Expeditionary Army would mutiny, and kept comforting them on the road.

There were many local opera boats on the road, singing operas for the Western Expeditionary Army. This was a troupe hired by the emperor with money, so that the Western Expeditionary Army would not be too lonely on their way back to Beijing.

The boat stopped at Fangshan.

When the Western Expeditionary Army came ashore, an imperial edict was sent to reward them in Fangshan for three days, and then enter Beijing. The emperor personally issued an order to meet the heroes of the Western Expedition.

Wang Yue was relieved after seeing the imperial edict. Fortunately, the central government was on guard, otherwise the fearful Western Expeditionary Army would most likely mutiny in Gyeonggi, with disastrous consequences.

Before the banquet, another imperial edict came, which barely suppressed the morale of the soldiers.

During these three days, Wang Yue stayed with the generals throughout the whole process, and also asked the leading officers to be his personal guards, responsible for his food, clothing, housing and transportation, and to calm their hearts.

On the fourth day of October, the Western Expeditionary Army entered the capital from Deshengmen. The emperor appeared in person, commended the generals, and met with the generals who had jointly signed a separate edict to comfort them before it was finally over.

That night, Wang Yue entered the palace and said, "Your Majesty, you scared all the ministers to death!"

"I have no idea. I have been summoned by Shangshu. If I stand by and watch, the 70,000 expeditionary army will rebel on the spot. Can we still send out an expeditionary army in the future?"

Zhu Qiyu helped him up: "Although it is a big expense, it will also leave consequences. At least the soldiers' hearts are still with me."

After all, the political significance of this matter was too great, and the emperor could only hold his nose and accept the loss.

Wang Yue became anxious: "Your Majesty, what I'm worried about is their entry into the capital!"

"This is 70,000 soldiers, with one strong hand holding ten!"

"What if someone makes trouble and rebels in the capital? What will the capital do? What will you do?"

"On this journey, Wei Chen didn't dare to sleep. He had nightmares every day."

Zhu Qiyu smiled bitterly: "I didn't think it through well. I should have paid the travel expenses after arriving in Gansu and disbanded on the spot."

"The main reason is that these 70,000 soldiers are cavalry, and they come from all ethnic groups. I am worried that releasing them hastily will cause harm to the place."

"But I also want to win over the morale of the military and achieve deeper political effects, so that the military and civilians around the world can see that I have them in my heart."

Zhu Qiyu has always believed that the military is his base.

Wang Yue felt that the emperor was doing something unnecessary.

The people of the Ming Dynasty lived so comfortably, who would be dissatisfied?

Go and see how people in the Western Regions live! Not even as good as Ming Dynasty’s dog.

"After all, Fan Guang neglected military morale."

Wang Yue felt that Fan Guang was inappropriate. He was clearly on an expedition and the general was homesick. Why did he continue to fight west?

If you want to fight, you have to appease the general.

"No wonder Fan Guang. It was Fan Guang who wanted to capture Caspian Sea and offer it to me. Don't I always want the West Sea? He just wanted to capture Caspian Sea and give me good news during the Chinese New Year."

Zhu Qiyu said: "That's all, it doesn't hurt to give up some this time. In two years, the Western Region will regain its health and we can go out again."

"Goodbye, the Ming Dynasty should nibble away bit by bit. After completing the construction of the Western Region, let's start the Western Expedition. Don't do this again. The ministers can't stand this stimulation." Wang Yue said angrily.

Zhu Qiyu smiled.

There was no mutiny among the 70,000 expeditionary troops. It was the joint efforts of the cabinet and Wang Yue who constantly appeased the troops, constantly rewarded them, and sent opera troupes to sing operas to appease them.

After the emperor's edict, the political effect was extremely obvious, and the hearts of the 70,000 soldiers were with the Ming Dynasty.

They temporarily stationed in the capital camp, and after receiving the rewards, they returned to various provinces and prefectures, and they really went home.

"What do you think of the Western Regions?" Zhu Qiyu asked about business.

"Back to Your Majesty, Wei Chen feels that the Western Region is too desolate. It is very desolate from west to north. Wei Chen feels that there is no need to open up."

Wang Yue told the truth and wanted to persuade the emperor not to go west.

The expeditionary force is the best example. When you are far away from home, you don’t want to fight.

"I know it well."

Zhu Qiyu did not listen to the advice: "The slaves were released at the beginning of the year and integrated with the locals. Do you think these people will rebel?"

"will not!"

Wang Yue said: "Your Majesty, the Uighurs are hospitable and have no offensive power. They are an enslaved ethnic group. They have never been kings and hegemons. They are all pitiful people."

"Last year, due to special circumstances, all the survivors were children. They were all fostered in Akito families. This year they all can speak basic Chinese."

"It's actually not difficult to speak Chinese. As long as you don't feed them, they will learn it naturally."

"His Majesty has hired another Uyghur beauty this year, which can be regarded as recognizing the people in this place and reassuring them."

"The Ming Dynasty actually controls this place without any difficulty."

Wang Yue's confidence mainly comes from the fact that this place is too poor. In the past, it was rich because of the Silk Road. Now the Silk Road is cut off, and the tea-horse trade and the Maritime Silk Road are the main themes.

Zhu Qiyu did take in a little beauty. She was only eleven years old. She was too young and she kept her in the palace.

"But Your Majesty, if you want to have complete control, you must first take down Duosi. The land of Duosi is so poor that it will probably lose money every year."

Wang Yue and the central ministers had the same attitude, they didn't really want this territory.

On the contrary, Baiyue Land is extremely wealthy, and actual control is the most cost-effective.

"Let's take it in a few years. Just send troops up first and force them to speak Chinese." Zhu Qiyu didn't want this mess either.

"I originally planned to let these generals stay in the Western Region, but they are still homesick."

"The Central Committee will figure out a solution for the Western Region matter."

After talking about the affairs of the Western Regions, Zhu Qiyu turned his attention to Siam: "Wang Yue, I'm afraid you will have to stay in the land of Baiyue for ten years. I will protect you as a prince."

Wang Yue was slightly stunned. If he only occupied the land of three Myanmars, three years would be enough.

"Your Majesty wants to conquer India?" Wang Yue felt that it was not possible. It was too far and there were too many people. There was nowhere to put it.

Zhu Qiyu talked about the occupation of Bengal, the enfeoffment of Sri Lanka, and the China River Plan.

Wang Yue's eyes widened: "Your Majesty, you are trying to dig up the roots of India!"

"Nonsense, I just made the Western Region rich."

"Look at how expensive this troop deployment is. If there is a main river and the territory is pushed to the Caspian Sea, it will be the same thing."

Zhu Qiyu said: "So, you went to Siam, the task is the heaviest."

"Ou Xin and Li Zhen are all at your disposal. I will send you Tao Lu, Xu Ning, and Wang Xin, which is enough for you."

"At sea, Liang Yue and Wang Wei can help you."

Wang Yue knelt on the ground and said, "I promise to satisfy Your Majesty."

I chatted with Wang Yue for a long time about business matters.

When it came to personal matters, Zhu Qiyu smiled bitterly: "Wang Yue, you have given birth to a good daughter."

"Ah?" Wang Yue's heart skipped a beat. He had also heard that the Queen seemed to want her daughter to be the Crown Princess, and the Fourth Prince was also interested.

"I am not an outsider to you. Let me tell you the truth."

"The queen values ​​your daughter and wants to be the princess of the eldest son. Concubine Tan also values ​​your daughter and wants to be the princess of the second eldest son."

"Guess who your daughter is attracted to?"

Wang Yue sweated, why was his daughter so restless, teasing three princes at the same time?

"I'm attracted to the fourth child!"

Zhu Qiyu smiled bitterly: "Don't apologize yet, just listen to what I have to say."

"The queen is wishful thinking, the prince has a crush on Yang Chun's daughter, Concubine Tan is also wishful thinking, the second son has a crush on Geng Yu's daughter."

Wang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, the daughter will marry the fourth prince.

"But guess what?"

"The queen and Concubine Tan want everything. The boss and the second son are competing for a wife. They all want your daughter to be the concubine."

"Concubine Hu ran to the palace and cried to me, saying that the fourth child would not marry her unless she was your daughter."

"Your daughter is even more ruthless. She won't marry anyone other than the fourth child."

"Your daughter, Wang Yue, is really capable. Three princes and three princesses circled around her. I was having fun watching it, but they all came to bother me. What do you think I should do?"

Wang Yue knew the emperor's virtues very well, and he would never consider it a big deal to have fun.

He was also familiar with the three princes. They all studied with him and were considered his disciples.

This is heaven-shaking wealth.

Wang Yue gritted his teeth and knelt on the ground: "Wei Chen has three daughters!"

Zhu Qiyu was confused, are you still ruthless? Three daughters, become the concubines of the three kings? You really don’t consider yourself an outsider.

"How old is your little daughter? Who should you let wait?"

"Besides, I'm interested in your eldest daughter. Don't say it's useless. Please give me some advice."

Wang Yue is really greedy. He wants to be the Crown Princess, and he also wants to be the Princess. Are all the benefits going to your house?

"This is a royal secret, and I dare not say anything about it."

"Come on, you will be my in-laws soon, why don't you dare to say anything? Say it!" Zhu Qiyu also had a big head.

Of course she is the Crown Princess! The future queen!

"Your Majesty, who is that Yang Chun?" Wang Yue didn't know this person either.

"A Jinshi."

As Zhu Qiyu spoke, he showed Wang Yue the poem written by Yang.

"Is this written by Yang Chun?" Wang Yue felt that Yang Chun was so girly. This poem looked like it was written by a woman, which was strange.

"It was written by Yang Chun's daughter. Take a look at this information about Yang Chun's daughter."

After Wang Yue read it, he was shocked. In recent years, the Ming Dynasty has produced many extraordinary talents. This Yang might be like Li Qingzhao of the Ming Dynasty.

He, Wang Yue, was very talented in poetry, and his daughter was also talented in literature, but not so outrageous.

It seems that the daughter cannot compete with the Yang family.

Don't forget, the Ming Dynasty had rules for changing queens. The current Empress Dowager Sun deposed Empress Hu and made her the empress because she was so obsessed with Emperor Xuanzong.

Forget about the second prince, among the emperor's four sons of the same age, the fourth is the most capable.

If you can't choose the prince, choose the fourth son.

The key point is that the daughter and the fourth child also like each other, why not help the daughter?

"Wei Chen thinks that marrying the fourth prince is the best choice." Wang Yue said.

Sure enough, it was Wang Yue who, after weighing the pros and cons, chose the fourth child. He seemed to support the freedom of marriage, mainly because the Yang family could not be moved.

The Yang family was indeed defiant, and the moment they met the prince, he was stunned.

The most awesome thing is that this woman is still holding it. The queen tested her several times, but she didn't spit out her words, which made it clear that she didn't like the prince.

Such a noble woman really drove the prince crazy, and even the emperor turned his attention. What a strange woman.

Yesterday, I begged his mother to come to the emperor and ask him for advice. The emperor told them that I had no idea.

"This marriage was decided by you." Zhu Qiyu said.

Wang Yue immediately realized that it was a trap: "Wei Chen is your minister. Thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness. How can Wei Chen dare to resist?"

"Don't be ridiculous. It's obviously you who told me about it. You're attracted to the fourth child." Zhu Qiyu didn't accept his words.

Wang Yue suddenly shuddered. He immediately thought that Empress Tang and Concubine Tan would deal with him!

Don't mess with women! Especially a woman who is a mother!

"Your Majesty, there are no ministers!" Wang Yue became anxious.

"Feng Xiao, did you hear that?"

"Wang Yue said it himself. He fell in love with the fourth child and wanted to betroth his eldest daughter to the fourth child."

Zhu Qiyu said innocently: "I am asking for marriage for my three sons together. The choice lies with the woman's father. It was you, Wang Yue, who chose the fourth child, not me."

Wang Yue was so angry that he wanted to stand up: "Your Majesty, how could you cheat on Wei Chen? It was obviously you who set a trap for Wei Chen!"

"When you speak, you must provide evidence. When did I cheat? When did I set up a trap?"

"The palace servants who serve me like this in Yangxin Palace can all testify for me."

Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "Feng Xiao, go to Yanxi Palace to announce the good news!"

"Your Majesty!" Wang Yue cried loudly, "I was wronged and killed."

"Wang Qing, are you so happy that you cry? I'm happy for you too!" Zhu Qiyu's voice was loud and he couldn't hold back his laughter.

"You've tricked me to death!" Wang Yue cried even harder.

When the news spread to the harem, it exploded.

The Queen and Concubine Tan came to the Yangxin Palace in an aggressive manner and asked Wang Yue for an explanation. What's wrong with my son? Why should I be betrothed to the fourth child?

Concubine Hu came to express her gratitude happily.

Wang Yue ran away earlier. He swore that he would not return to Beijing for ten years. If he never returns, the emperor is too stupid.

Zhu Qiyu was in a good mood: "The fourth child's marriage has been finalized, aren't you happy at all?"

Empress Tang, Concubine Hu, and Concubine Tan were sitting in a row.

"I am happy for my fourth son." Empress Tang said through gritted teeth.

In fact, Concubine Tan was the most devastated. She chose Wang Yue's family background for her second son. Her brothers at home could help her a lot, and they would be the biggest help when they went out to join the feudal clan.

Who knew it would be cheaper?

"Although I am happy for my fourth son, I would like to know what's wrong with Song'er?" Concubine Tan asked through gritted teeth.

"Not only are you wondering, my dear concubine, I can't figure it out either."

"I also questioned Wang Yue, dear concubine, what do you think Wang Yue answered?"

Zhu Qiyu said in a serious way: "He said that the second child is not good at literature and martial arts, and he is not willing to marry his daughter to the useless second child."

"I was very angry at the time. What's wrong with my second brother? Aren't the four brothers as bad as each other?"

"Just because the fourth brother stands out a little bit, why do you compare him to the three elder brothers? Does he have to be superior? How does it make sense!"

The expressions of the three women changed immediately. The emperor put Wang Yue and the four princes into it and scolded them together.

But the most angry person was Wang Yue. Why did he scold the prince like this?

"My beloved concubine, what do you think Wang Yue said?"

Zhu Qiyu came over and grabbed Tan Yunxian's hand: "He said that among the four idiots, one must choose a relatively smart one."

"My four sons were called fools by him, so I decided to kill him."

"My beloved concubine, it's difficult for me too!"

The faces of the three women were extremely dark. How could my son be so stupid?

Concubine Hu, who was originally very happy, wanted to die after hearing this. It was not that her son was outstanding, but he was just a little better compared to her three stupid brothers.

It is equivalent to the penultimate and the penultimate, fifty steps and a hundred steps.

It felt like I had eaten a mouthful of shit.

"I must deal with the Wang Yue family!" Empress Tang was furious. The prince is a half-king. Can you laugh at him?

If the world spreads that the prince is a fool, how can the prince become a fool? Doesn’t the prince want to lose face?

"How about the fourth child stop marrying the Wang family and find another marriage!" Concubine Tan was angry.

Concubine Hu's impression of Wang was extremely bad.

Zhu Qiyu realized that he had done something bad: "Okay, okay, don't be angry. I have already dealt with Wang Yue and sent him to Baiyue."

"His daughter is still good. I saw it and liked it very much."

"His father is not a thing. We just don't have any contact with him. When our daughter-in-law marries into our family, her surname is Zhu. We should not look down upon her."

"Isn't that right, my beloved concubine?"

Zhu Qiyu gently patted Concubine Hu on the shoulder.

"Your Majesty said so." Concubine Hu said absentmindedly.

"My beloved concubine has a kind heart, I know that."

I have a kind heart, but when this Wang family enters the family, I must discipline her well.

Concubine Hu thought bitterly.

"Okay, Wang Yue is not a thing. I have dealt with him. Dear concubines, please don't be angry. I am so angry that I am the one who feels sorry for you."

Zhu Qiyu said with a smile: "Let the Qintian Supervisor choose the date in two years. The four princes will get married together and organize it together, which will make it more lively."

The three girls rolled their eyes, not knowing you yet, mainly because they found it troublesome and felt they were losing money.

If you don’t believe me, make a bet and you will definitely have to accept the gift.

"You said our son should receive a gift when he gets married?"

Zhu Qiyu stroked his beard: "If you are accepting a gift, it's best to untie the knot... Hey, what are you doing? Listen to me, why are there no rules at all!"

"If I were ten years younger, I would definitely beat you up. You just turn around and leave while your husband is talking. What kind of tutoring do you have! How did I teach you?"

"Just because your sons are older now, I'll save you some face and let you go."

"Feng Xiao, do you think what I said is correct?"

Feng Xiao hid his face and sighed, Your Majesty, would you like to have some face?

(End of this chapter)