King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 798 Understanding the Holy Will
Several years earlier, Portugal and Spain had been defeated at sea, resulting in the loss of Luzon and the Indonesian islands, now occupied by Ming forces.

Zhu Jinghong wants to establish the Nanyang Xingdusi and has already begun setting up government offices in order to strengthen his control over this region.

To this end, in the past two years, all the officials and prisoners who were not sentenced to death were packed up and sent to the South Pacific islands by him to provide supplies for the development of the local area.

It is not actually accurate to say that they are consumables. After all, if these people can survive, they will indeed be able to build a family business in the future.

Of course, these things are not important to Britain and France, after all, it is Portugal and Spain whose interests are harmed.

However, the Ming court also wanted to establish the Annan Xingdusi, which made them very resistant, because the India they occupied bordered Southeast Asia.

From a geopolitical perspective, conflicts between neighboring countries are inevitable, and the establishment of the Annan Xingdusi to strengthen control over Southeast Asia exacerbated the conflict with Britain and France.

As the Ming Dynasty expanded, conflicts with Western countries such as Britain and France would intensify, and these Western merchants and envoys would naturally regard the Ming court as an enemy.

Witnessing with their own eyes how powerful the enemy was, which was much more powerful than they had imagined, all the Western Yi people present felt very uncomfortable.

There is no generation gap in the army and the Ming army is larger than the Ming Dynasty, and the wealth is richer than the East...

It can be said that at present, the Ming Dynasty is the unquestionable "great power" in the eyes of the West.

They are fortunate that the Ming Dynasty is now far away from their homeland, and their own country and nation are safe.

But this has brought about a new problem. As their homeland is far away and it is inconvenient to mobilize resources, it is difficult to guarantee their interests in India.

In the Northwest War a few years ago, Britain and France also sent troops to participate in the war, knowing that the Ming army was very difficult to deal with.

It can be predicted that as the situation in the southeast heats up, there may be a major war in the future.

The foreigners scattered among the crowd seemed to be thinking about something, while the envoys from various internal and external vassal states became more and more awed.

"Brother Song...it's a blessing for both of us to live in such a prosperous era!" Feng Yuan in the crowd couldn't help but sigh.

They were at least a hundred meters away from the city wall, so it was impossible for them to see the emperor, but that did not prevent them from feeling the atmosphere around them.

Compared with Feng Yuan, Song Ziyu, the top scorer in the imperial examination, was more excited because he felt that heroes are made by the times and he would accomplish something during the Qiansheng period.

Song Ziyu replied: "The holy king is in power, and the whole world is in awe. I am so lucky to be here at this time!"

In fact, to be honest, Song Ziyu, like traditional literati, felt a little regretful about the powerful emperor Zhu Jinghong.

But this does not prevent him from saying this sincerely at this moment: human nature is inherently complicated.

Back on the city wall, Zhu Jinghong and Baochai were chatting about old times.

"Your Majesty, when we first got married, I knew you had great ambitions, but I... didn't think you would achieve much!"

"Your Majesty has been on the throne for nearly half a year now. Thinking back on this journey, it still feels like a dream!"

Hearing Baochai's soft words, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "Back then, I was caught between the two of them. No matter who I worked for, I was afraid that I would not end up well, so I had to do it myself, but I was also forced to do it!"

"Once you embark on this journey, there is no turning back. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, you have to face it head on!"

You can only face it head-on. These five short words are precisely the most difficult part.

Going to the northwest, Liaodong, and the sea would require risking one's life to win the hearts of the army and build up power, so that he could suppress the court officials as soon as he ascended the throne.

While the two of them were chatting here, the other concubines were watching the lanterns and fireworks. It was indeed a rare and spectacular sight.

"Sister, the tribesmen sent a message two days ago, saying that they wanted to see His Majesty but had no way to do so, and they wanted me to help them..."

The person who spoke was Nuomin. At this moment, her expression was full of worry, because this kind of thing was indeed not easy to deal with, and the key was that she couldn't grasp the right measure.

"I also received the messages!" Qi Qige replied calmly.

"What are you going to do, sister?"

"Do you know why they want to see His Majesty?" Qi Qige asked back.

"Why?" Nuomin had never thought about these.

Qi Qige replied: "It's nothing more than coming here to talk about the difficulties and then asking for benefits from Your Majesty!"

Then she looked at Nuomin and said seriously, "This is a political matter. It is an iron rule that the harem cannot interfere in politics. We'd better not break the rules!"

"Secondly, these things will definitely make His Majesty unhappy. If things fail to get done, it will offend him. Isn't that asking for trouble?"

Nuomin nodded. She was a very smart person and understood the key points immediately.

"But... our Namu tribe is indeed suffering. Your Majesty is the father of all the people in the world. Why do you still impose such heavy taxes?"

"This is because this is..."

This was the emperor's original intention. Only by making it difficult for the tribes to survive and weakening them institutionally could the stability of the Ming Dynasty be ensured.

At that time, the Dzungar Khanate relied on the fact that the mountains were high and the emperor was far away, so they could ignore the Ming court's various conscriptions and finally launch a large-scale armed rebellion.

Of course, these things are hard to talk about, so she swallowed her words halfway because they were very dangerous thoughts.

Sighing, Qiqige continued, "Let's not worry about these things. Just raise the child with peace of mind and let him live a peaceful life!"

This is the safest way to survive in the harem. Qiqige and Nuomin are daughters of vassal states. They don't even have the qualifications to compete for many things. It is much more pragmatic to lie down as soon as possible.

While the two of them were chatting, Yingchun and Tanchun were also talking on the other side, Baoqin and Keqing were watching the lanterns, and only Zhen Qin held Yinglian and refused to let her leave, wanting to plot something big.

After about ten minutes, Zhu Jinghong and his party returned to the palace, which was also in accordance with the system.

When his family dispersed at this time, the officials guarding the palace could also go home. As for the people on the street, they would have to stay for a long time and would not disperse until late at night.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye. After finishing his morning work, Zhu Jinghong went to Daiyu's place and played chess with her for the first time.

"It's hard for Your Majesty to sit still. The music, chess, calligraphy and painting here are really boring!"

It was Daiyu who suggested playing chess. Zhu Jinghong had been sitting there for half an hour now. She knew that she was really putting him in a difficult position.

Zhu Jinghong stroked his beard, stared at the chessboard, and said calmly: "Although playing chess is boring, being with Lin girl is... not unbearable!"

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, yet you have to suffer so much injustice here. I am guilty!"

"I will pardon you!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile after dropping one of his pieces.

Daiyu also smiled slightly, then took the jade piece and dropped it on the chessboard: "Your Majesty, you lose!"

"Ok?"

Zhu Jinghong looked at it and found that he had indeed lost. He clapped his hands generously and stood up and said, "It seems that I will never be able to improve in chess in this lifetime!"

"That's right, but it's a pity that Sister Bao's reputation will be ruined by His Majesty?"

Taking the teacup from Zijuan, Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile, "What do you mean?"

"Your chess skills were taught by Sister Bao. She can be called a chess expert, but she brought Your Majesty to this..."

Zhu Jinghong didn't take Daiyu's teasing to heart at all. Instead, he continued, "Yes, I am a stupid person. I am really not as good as you sisters!"

Directly admitting his shortcomings would not make Daiyu feel that Zhu Jinghong was lame, but would make Daiyu admire his broad-mindedness even more. "Your Majesty, I dare not accept your words!" Daiyu was convinced, and this was not a joke.

While the two were chatting and laughing, Yu Hai walked into the hall and reported that the Southern Pacification Office had something to report.

For an audience with the emperor, the itinerary would generally be arranged three days in advance, except when the emperor summoned him, of course, except in emergencies.

As the emperor's household servants, the Southern Pacification Division could report directly to the emperor, but unless there was a major situation, they would not appear before the emperor in person.

"Who's here?" Zhu Jinghong asked.

"It's the commander Li Wenzhao!" Yu Hai replied.

The Southern Pacification Office had two main tasks: one was to supervise the Northern Pacification Office, and the other was to collect foreign intelligence. Li Wenzhao, the commander-in-chief, was in charge of the latter.

So he must have come to report on what's happening overseas. I guess there's chaos in those places again.

Every day Zhu Jinghong would receive various reports, some good, some bad, and some not, so he became numb to these situations.

Originally he planned to have lunch at Daiyu's house, but now he might not be able to make it in time, so Zhu Jinghong could only apologize and leave.

After Daiyu sent Zhu Jinghong away, Zijuan came over and whispered, "Madam, there are some things I don't know whether I should say or not!"

"Just say what you want to say!"

"You seem... not worthy of being so rude to the Lord!"

The twenty-four offices of the inner court and the imperial guards were private royal servants, so the emphasis was more on the stronger dependent relationship between master and servant.

Zijuan is now on duty in the inner court, so she has to call the emperor "Master".

"Although the Lord is kind and merciful, if you always act like this, I'm afraid that over time, it will easily create resentment!"

These words would never be said by anyone other than a close relative or confidant. Although Daiyu did not quite agree with this, she would not blame Zijuan for her nonsense.

Daiyu has a scale in her heart on how to get along with the emperor, and she knows exactly what to say and when to say it.

"Okay, I know... I'm sorry for worrying you!"

Then Daiyu ordered: "Let's serve the meal half an hour later today. Maybe we can wait until he comes back!"

As for Zhu Jinghong, Li Wenzhao had been summoned into the Qianqing Palace and was kneeling outside the threshold of the east warm room.

This time he came to report on the situation in the southeast, and more specifically, the affairs of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

The imperial court intends to set up the Annan Xingdusi, which will be stationed within the borders of Ayutthaya. Currently, a garrison city and military camps are being built.

The troops recruited by the imperial court were still in the process of training and could only be stationed there one by one after the construction of the camps was completed.

Li Wenzhao reported that because of the construction of garrisons, the Dacheng Kingdom's land expropriation and taxation had caused public resentment, and there was now some chaos in the country.

Sitting on the throne, looking at Li Wenzhao outside the door, Zhu Jinghong slowly asked: "So what you mean is that someone in Dachengguo will start an uprising? And then the situation will get out of control?"

Li Wenzhao carefully organized his words and replied, "I dare not make a rash judgment, but the current situation in Dacheng State is indeed not very stable!"

He only stated the facts. How to judge was the emperor's business. He had no qualifications or ability to say more.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Jinghong said: "Pay more attention to this, and report immediately if there is any situation!"

"Yes!"

"There is one more thing I want to report!"

Zhu Jinghong said: "Speak!"

"According to reports from overseas spies, the Western countries of England and France have made moves to send more troops to India, and most of them have already been deployed eastwards!"

"Spain and Portugal have also deployed more warships to the islands, and have close exchanges with Britain and France!"

Playing with the short knife in his hand, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "It seems that there will be no peace on the sea in the future!"

If the Ming Dynasty wants to rise and fight for its own interests, others will have to give up their interests. The contradiction already exists and is difficult to reconcile.

Therefore, Zhu Jinghong was mentally prepared for the future war and had been preparing for it.

But it is foreseeable that the war will not break out in the next two years because both sides have not completed their preparations.

The enemy had traveled a long way, and the situation was generally favorable to the Ming Dynasty, so Zhu Jinghong was not afraid to wait. The longer it dragged on, the more favorable it was for the Ming Dynasty.

After listening to Li Wenzhao for a while, Zhu Jinghong said, "I understand. We should pay more attention to it and report immediately if the situation changes!"

"I accept the decree!"

"Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty, I have nothing else to do!"

Zhu Jinghong stood up from the throne and said as he walked: "It's just right that you are here. I have something for you to do!"

The emperor's arrangement of matters alone was a favor to Li Wenzhao, so he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please give me your orders. I will do my best to complete it, even if it means my death!"

Zhu Jinghong smiled and asked, "Do you know who Bai Shouzhong is?"

As a die-hard member of the "Xiang Wang Party", Li Wenzhao naturally knew who Bai Shouzhong was. Bai Shouzhong was the former academician of the Jixian Hall and one of Zhu Jingyuan's important supporters.

As early as three years ago, after Zhu Jingyuan lost power, this guy took the initiative to seek relocation, and now serves as the prefect of Ganzhou in Hunan.

This old wily fellow, although he was once a die-hard supporter of Zhu Jingyuan, did a very good job of keeping secrets, as if he had done nothing else except revising the book.

After Zhu Jingyuan's series of crimes were uncovered, the Northern Pacification Office began a secret investigation, implicating many people but failing to find Bai Shouzhong.

It was not until yesterday that the Northern Pacification Office reported that they had discovered the plot to murder him ten years ago, and the plotter was none other than this Scholar Bai.

Of course, only a few people knew this secret. Li Wenzhao in front of him was not clear about it, but it did not prevent him from knowing that the person with the surname Bai was the enemy.

Li Wenzhao replied, "I know that he is a disciple of the late King Rui Ai, and he has been disrespectful to Your Majesty. And as far as I know, he was an official in his early years, and he plundered and robbed many people, making the people suffer!"

Bai Shouzhong is a speculator, so his character is naturally very bad. To be precise, most of King Rui's party are like this, and those with the surname Bai are the "best" among them.

By the time Li Wenzhao had finished answering, Zhu Jinghong had already walked to his side. He stopped and said, "A man like this is still alive and well. Tell me, isn't this infuriating?"

"Your Majesty, this man will surely be punished by God!" Li Wenzhao replied.

"God's punishment... that's a good idea. Since God has punished me, I will not punish you again!"

After saying this, Zhu Jinghong walked out of the palace. He planned to stay in Daiyu's palace.

Zhu Jingyuan is already dead, so it is impossible for a major case to be brought up on his behalf. Those of his followers and old friends who should be dismissed from office should be dismissed, but people like Bai Shouzhong should not be let off.

Since Li Wenzhao is here today, and he lets his Southern Pacification Division take action, it is almost the same as letting the Northern Pacification Division take action, so naturally they will deal with whoever they meet.

This kind of thing is easy for Li Wenzhao. He understands the emperor's intentions and will make proper arrangements.

(End of this chapter)