Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 375 Exchange of needs

"Your Majesty, the vassal Korea has sent envoys to pay tribute. The court should take this matter seriously."

In the Dongnuan Pavilion, the second assistant Qian Qianyi bowed and said: "North Korea chose to return to the Ming Dynasty to pay tribute at this time, because it must be aware of the power of our dynasty in Liaodong..."

You are so talkative.

Zhu Youxiao, who was sitting on the throne, saw Qian Qianyi talking endlessly and flattering him overtly and covertly. Although there was no change on the surface, he secretly laughed in his heart.

Mr. Shui Tailiang is really good at understanding people's hearts.

The vassal Korea sent its envoys back to the Ming Dynasty to pay homage. The envoys were currently docked in Denglai. If such a thing happened, it would be necessary to summon the ministers of the cabinet to discuss it.

Putting aside the plan to trade with North Korea, if you really want to talk about it, among the many vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, North Korea is the most like the Ming Dynasty.

Whether it is culture, etiquette, official system, etc., many of them learned from the Ming Dynasty, which also makes North Korea known as Little China.

In addition to Korea, Ryukyu was next. However, it was invaded by Satsuma in 1609 (the thirty-seventh year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty). After that, the Ryukyu Kingdom gradually became the puppet government of Satsuma. In Zhu Youxiao's eyes, it was simply a waste!

From now on, the maritime power of the Ming Dynasty will surely set foot on the land of Ryukyu, drive away the non-Ryukyu native forces, and let the Heavenly Kingdom take charge on its behalf!

If you want to actively integrate into the Age of Navigation, the strategic maritime locations near the Ming Dynasty must be fully controlled by the Ming Dynasty, so that the benefits can be maximized.

Whether the vassal belongs to Korea or Ryukyu, it occupies a very special geographical location. Because of the influence of the so-called Heavenly Kingdom thinking, the territory outside the Ming Dynasty is considered to be barren, which makes it have no intention to explore externally.

Just like Ryukyu and other strategic maritime locations, even if they were occupied by people from the Japanese islands, they didn't pay much attention to them. Zhu Youxiao didn't know what to say.

According to Zhu Youxiao's overall vision, he wanted to gradually bring the unconquered countries established by the Ming Dynasty into the actual control circle of the Ming Dynasty.

As for the Japanese island adjacent to North Korea, there is no need to think too much about it. Even if a group of vassals are transferred to the vassal, the top group must be wiped out. When assimilation reaches a certain level, it must become a province under the actual control of the Ming Dynasty.

It's really ridiculous that a small and tiny place dares to call itself the Emperor. The little dwarf doesn't deserve this name! !

"What do Zhu Qing think?"

Zhu Youxiao calmed down, looked at Zhu Guozuo and said, "This pilgrimage by the envoys of the vassal North Korea is my first pilgrimage since I ascended the throne. How do you think the Qing family should receive it?"

"I feel that the imperial envoy should be punished for going to Shandong."

Facing everyone's attention, Zhu Guozuo stepped forward and said: "According to the governor of Shandong, the eldest son of the King of Korea will lead the Korean envoy this time. Our dynasty should show the dignity of the previous dynasty, so I think that the Ministry of Rites should be in charge. He was assisted by Honglu Temple and went to Shandong to pick up the North Korean envoys who came to Beijing to worship."

This specification is not low.

Zhu Youxiao raised his eyebrows slightly. Zhu Youxiao knew about the eldest son of the North Korean king who led the team this time. In the original timeline, he was named the crown prince in the fifth year of Tianqi, but his end was not very good. Chongzhen After ten years of chaos, Bingzi was condemned to the Qing Dynasty to serve as a hostage. His eight-year life as a hostage made him deeply influenced by Hu Feng, and he died of illness shortly after returning to North Korea. There are many theories about his death.

During the same period, the interior of North Korea was actually very similar to the Ming Dynasty. There were many factions and fierce power struggles. The contradictions between the Westerners Party, the Great Northern Party, the Southerners Party, and the Little Northern Party were complicated. They wanted to bring North Korea under the actual control of the Ming Dynasty. , you must be fully prepared. "In that case, let's condemn Huang Liji, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, to serve as a special imperial envoy, responsible for receiving everything." Zhu Youxiao gathered his mind and thought for a moment before saying.

The eldest son of a vassal country has not yet been canonized as the crown prince. Let the Minister of Rites be responsible for the reception, which is enough to give North Korea face.

Speaking of which, after the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Saarhu, the vassal Korea did not send envoys back to the Ming Dynasty to pay tribute. The impact of that disastrous defeat was far-reaching. It was by no means as simple as killing a group of elite troops and losing some territory. The most important thing was What's more, after this defeat, Ming Dynasty's majesty was severely trampled to the ground by Jianlu.

In particular, the many forces adjacent to Liaodong, in addition to the vassal Korea, such as the Inner Khalkha, Karaqin, Chahar, and Horqin grassland tribes, all have their little thoughts active.

This is also the reason why Emperor Wanli was very anxious during his last period. Once he could not combat the arrogance of Jianlu, the loss and impact on the Ming Dynasty would be too great.

"Your Majesty, I feel that this matter is inappropriate."

Bi Ziyan stepped forward at this time and said: "According to the report from the governor of Shandong, this time the eldest son of the King of North Korea returned to the Ming Dynasty with his envoy. In addition to wanting to pay homage, he also wanted to exchange information with me. I feel that there should also be someone from the Ministry of Household Affairs. Come along."

After all, I couldn't hold it back.

The corners of Zhu Youxiao's mouth raised slightly. He was waiting for Bi Ziyan to come out and say this. Zhu Youxiao knew very well what his plan was for the North Korean envoy to come to Ming Dynasty this time.

But let's be clear, some things are not suitable for him to say.

"If this is the case, then let Li Zongyan, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, be the deputy imperial envoy."

Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment, looked at Bi Ziyan and said: "If it involves related matters, Li Zongyan will handle it. The cabinet should draw up a list as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Bi Ziyan was busy bowing and saying goodbye.

As Tianjin's opening up to sea trade has become an established fact, the Ming Dynasty Center has quietly undergone some changes in some aspects. Although this change is small, it still exists. For Zhu Youxiao, the most important thing at the moment is What matters is scaling up this change.

The huge interests of the Ming Dynasty's external maritime trade cannot be allowed to continue to be privately occupied by vested interest groups on the southeast coast. Maritime trade led by the central court must have influence as soon as possible.

"Your Majesty, do you want to discuss the exchange of goods with the vassal Korea?"

Sun Ruyou stepped forward at this time and expressed his worries, "After all, my country has a vast land and rich resources, and North Korea will eventually..."

"Let the cabinet discuss these matters first."

Before Sun Ruyou finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhu Youxiao with a wave of his hand: "However, since North Korea proposed to exchange information, as the sovereign state, I think we should consider it. Even if the court finds it troublesome, it can be left to the private groups. Participate in it, okay, I still have government affairs to deal with, you can go down and discuss it first."

How could Zhu Youxiao discuss the issue of interoperability? This was what he wanted to promote. He asked the Thirteenth Bank of Tianjin to handle this matter. Firstly, it was to speed up the efficiency of sea trade, and secondly, it was to build a circle of interests.

Only by getting this matter done and allowing more people to see the benefits of maritime trade can Ming Dynasty unswervingly proceed with the opening of the sea and build momentum for future maritime expansion!

(End of this chapter)