Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 131 The Secretary of Prosecution and Comfort
One day later, in the evening.

Between the sky and the earth, there is a gray sky.

Although the heavy snow has stopped, the coldness has not abated, but has become a bit colder.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu were sitting cross-legged on the left and right sides of the dragon couch, discussing matters around the heater in the middle.

"I plan to order Li Xing, the Young Superintendent of the Internal Affairs Bureau, to lead a fleet to escort Shi Jinqing and his entourage to Jiugang after the beginning of spring, to announce the decree and canonize Liang Daoming as the Xuan comfort envoy of Jiugang, and to start establishing the Xuan comfort envoy of Jiugang." Zhu Di said.

Zhu Gaoxu knew that the Xuanwei Envoy Division, referred to as the Xuanwei Division, was the local administrative agency used by the Ming Dynasty to manage border areas.

Their chiefs are called Xuanwei envoys, who come from the third rank and are equivalent to senior officials in later generations. They are mainly selected from local prominent families or dignitaries and can be hereditary.

Because the Xuanwei Division was under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty, its chief, Xuanweishi, had to be canonized by the imperial court.

At the same time, the imperial court also had the responsibility of mediating and protecting the Xuanwei Division.

Historically, during the Yongle period, Narota sent an envoy to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty and "begged for orders to fulfill his duties." Zhu Di then gave him a crown, clothes and seal, and named him the Xuanwei Envoy of Myanmar.

In fact, Xuanweisi is a type of Tusi, and Tusi includes Xuanweisi.

The so-called chieftain is an organization established in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties to manage ethnic minority areas in the northwest, southwest and other ethnic minority areas. Its chiefs are served by ethnic minority leaders and are hereditary.

In terms of hierarchy, there are Tufu, Tuzhou and Tuxian, which are collectively called Tusi, and the chief of Tusi is called Tusi officer.

During the Hongwu period, it was stipulated that "those who come and return from the southwestern barbarians will be awarded by their original officials."

According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty: Chief Preface to Chieftains": "The titles of his native officials are Xuanwei Division, Xuanfu Division, Recruitment Division, Appeasement Division, and Chief Official Division. Based on the amount of achievements, they are divided into levels of superiority and inferiority. And the names of prefectures, states, and counties are often there.”

The imperial court had the power to appoint and remove native officials at all levels, that is, "the replacement must be ordered by the imperial court. Even if they are thousands of miles away, they will all go to the palace to confer their duties."

Lower than the Xuanwei Division are the Xuanfu Division, the Recruitment Division, the Appeasement Division, and the Chief Officer Division. Their chiefs are respectively called: the fourth-grade Xuanfu Envoy, which is equivalent to the department level in later generations; the fifth-grade Zhaoshi Division. The envoys and appeasement envoys are equivalent to the deputy director level in later generations; the chief officers of the sixth rank are equivalent to the middle level between the deputy director general and the main director in later generations.

Generally speaking, officials in the military and civilian government, Tuzhou, and Tuxian counties are subordinate to the Department of Certification and Certification of the Ministry of Civil Affairs at the imperial court, and subordinate to the Department of Chief Envoys and Envoys at the local level.

The Xuanwei Division, the Xuanfu Division, the Appeasement Division, the Recruitment Division, and the Chief Officer Division were subordinate to the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War in the imperial court, and to the Command and Envoy Division of the Capital in local areas.

Chieftains must pay tribute to the court regularly. The tribute period is divided into one tribute every year, one tribute every two years, and one tribute every three years. Those who arrive on time will be given a full reward.

"Why did dad want to set up the Xuanwei Department in Old Port?"

Zhu Gaoxu pretended to be confused.

He actually hoped that Zhu Di could set up a capital command department in Old Port, similar to the Nurgan capital department, where the imperial court would send a group of officials to carry out construction.

"Your Imperial Grandfather once said: 'The way to guard the border is to show force, but especially to guard it with caution.' It is very important to establish an army on the Ming Dynasty's border. This can not only show the majesty of the imperial court, but also prevent risks."

Zhu Di explained: "When riots broke out in Old Port, Liang Daoming could mobilize force to suppress them openly, and he could lead troops to resist the invasion of overseas island countries such as Majapahit."

"Indeed, the establishment of the Xuanwei Department can enable the imperial court to learn about border issues and respond quickly, thereby reducing hidden dangers on the border."

Zhu Gaoxu agreed with this and said: "If the Majapayi Kingdom attacks Jiugang, it will be equivalent to declaring war on our Ming Dynasty. At that time, the Ming Dynasty can justifiably send troops to destroy the Majapahit Kingdom."

"In addition, the Xuanwei Division is also responsible for paying tribute to the imperial court."

Zhu Di remembered something and went on to say: "In the 28th and 29th years of Hongwu, the Burmese-Chinese propaganda envoy Bu Lalang was invaded and occupied by Luchuan chieftain Silun, so he sent an envoy to Beijing with tributes to complain. Your emperor then sent Li Sicong, Qian Guxun and others mediate the conflicts between the two parties."

Under normal circumstances, the Xuan comfort envoys should prepare high-quality tributes and send envoys to Beijing to pay tribute with talismans cast by the Ministry of Rites.

Paying tribute can be said to serve multiple purposes for the imperial court. Not only can it maintain the exchange relationship between the Xuanwei Department and the imperial court, increase the revenue of the treasury, but it can also be used to observe the Xuanwei Department's attitude toward the imperial court, and it can even serve as an apology for the sins of the Xuanwei Department. way.

In the Yongle period of history, Narota, the Burmese ambassador to comfort, once made mistakes because of being aggressive, but then he obediently sent envoys, paid tribute, and apologized.

Although the establishment of the Xuanwei Division helped the imperial court consolidate its borders and reduce separatism, Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that the Xuanwei Division, which had many advantages, gradually disintegrated and collapsed in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.

"Dad, I think the emperor's lenient, tough and appropriate policy towards the chieftain has hidden dangers."

Zhu Gaoxu hesitated for a while, but finally decided to take this opportunity to explain the shortcomings of the chieftain system to Zhu Di.

"Emperors of all dynasties were good at using the strategy of 'using barbarians to control barbarians' to govern the frontiers. Your imperial grandfather was proficient in this method. He made the barbarian nobles become ambassadors to govern the local natives and demonstrate the benevolence and generosity of the court."

"Furthermore, by canonizing the power of neighboring chieftains, restrictions can be formed between the chieftains. This can not only show the benevolence of the court, but also take advantage of local conflicts to maintain stability and prevent the local barbarians from continuing to rebel."

Zhu Di first explained the benefits of using barbarians to control barbarians, and then asked: "Since this policy has been implemented, no hidden dangers have been seen. How do you explain it?"

"Dad, please imagine if the chief of the Xuanwei Department of Party A killed the chief of the Xuanwei Department of Party B and his eldest son, and also occupied the land of the Xuanwei Department of Party B. How will the court deal with it after learning about this?"

Zhu Gaoxu did not directly mention the hidden dangers, but chose to illustrate them with examples.

Zhu Di said: "Of course we will send someone to question Party A's envoy Xuan Wei."

Zhu Gaoxu said: "If Party A's envoy returns the land to Party B in despair, and then sends an envoy to Beijing with a letter to apologize, how should the court deal with it?"

"The so-called 'like what is good and what is bad is the same as human nature' means that everyone makes mistakes, whether they are Han people in the Central Plains or people on the border."

Zhu Di magnanimously said: "Since the man has accepted his guilt, he will not ask for his explanation. The letter talisman should be returned to Party A's Xuanwei envoy, and he should be ordered to pay tribute once in three years."

"Father, this action seems to show kindness, but if you think about it carefully, it only treats the symptoms but not the root cause." Zhu Gaoxu said.

Zhu Di asked doubtfully: "What do you mean by this?"

"The Xuanwei envoy who made a mistake may just be afraid of the power of the imperial court and not sincerely reflect on his mistakes. He may make similar mistakes in the future." Zhu Gaoxu replied: "Even the other sons of the bullied Xuanwei envoy from Party B will think that the imperial court rewards and punishes them. It’s unfair, but they raise their troops to rebel.”

Zhu Di said coldly: "Who dares?"

"Now that the imperial court is in great power, of course no chieftain dares to rebel."

Zhu Gaoxu said respectfully: "But if the successors in future generations are extremely weak, there will be chieftains who dare to disobey the imperial court."

Historically, during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Mengyang Xuanwei envoy Silun and Chief Meng Mi captured the Myanmar Xuanwei Division. The Burmese Xuanwei envoy Mang Ji-year-old son Mang Ruiti fled to Siam for refuge.

After the Ming court tried to mediate with gold and red cards but failed, it ignored Mang Ruidi's request to inherit his father's duties.This made Meng Yangxuan comfort extremely proud, while Mang Ruiti was very frustrated.Mang Ruiti then established himself as king and completely stood on the opposite side of the Ming Dynasty.

"What you said is not unreasonable. The system of the early dynasties of the past dynasties will have some shortcomings in the middle and later stages."

Zhu Di is an enlightened king, so he will naturally think of more things through the examples given by Zhu Gaoxu.

"What Dad said is absolutely true. Due to the influence of various factors such as road traffic, the remote areas lack enough communication with the imperial court. The system of the Xuanwei Division will inevitably cause a lot of troubles in the future." Zhu Gaoxu continued. .

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, and then asked: "Gao Xu, do you mean to suggest that I gradually abolish the hereditary system of chieftains, appoint appointed officials with a term of office who can be transferred, and then conduct household registration checks, land measurements, tax verification and other matters?"

"Your Majesty the Father is wise, and this is what I mean."

Zhu Gaoxu was really amazed at Zhu Di's strong understanding and said excitedly: "After returning to the native land, we can reduce the rebellion of the barbarians and strengthen the imperial court's control over the border areas."

Zhu Di thought: "The vast remote areas of Guangxi and Yunnan are sparsely populated and the level of reclamation is extremely low. There are even many places that maintain their primitive and barbaric appearance. If they want to be rehabilitated, they must cooperate with a large number of immigrants to cultivate them. "

"Haier believes that the court can slowly take action to change the situation."

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "But Old Port is different from Guangxi and Yunnan. There are tens of thousands of Chinese people there, and the native people are many ignorant and uncivilized. You can first establish a capital command and envoy department, and after more than ten years of reclamation, directly establish prefectures and counties and send out It is managed by officials."

"That makes sense. We can discuss this later."

Zhu Di thought for a while and said.

After a pause, he looked strange and asked: "Gao Xu, since three months ago, you have sent your spies to visit various counties and villages in Yingtian Mansion. I thought you were sending people to visit the people. But I didn’t expect that most of the people visited by the spies were women, what’s going on?”

Zhu Gaoxu immediately raised his hands and saluted: "My child originally planned to tell my mother the results of the investigation first. Since my father asked about this matter, my child will count the income and present it to my father for review first."

He used statistical charts to make a list of the mortality rate of a woman's childbirth from the age of 14 to 20, as well as the probability of the child dying or being deformed.

As he spoke, Zhu Gaoxu took out something like a memorial from his left sleeve pocket and presented it to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di was very curious about what Zhu Gaoxu wanted to do when he sent spies to visit the village women, so he immediately took the memorial and opened it to read.

The statistical charts continue the ancient habit of reading from right to left. The horizontal row headings are age, total number of statistics, number of deaths, total number of babies born, and number of infant deaths or deformities. The columns from top to bottom are 14 to 20 years old. There are seven columns for the age, and the numbers written in Chinese characters are in the table where the two meet.

The total number of women who gave birth to children at the age of 14 was 520, of whom 260% died (520). There were 380 babies born, of which more than [-]% died or were deformed ([-]).

The total number of 20-year-old women who gave birth to children was 320, of whom less than 51% died (320). There were 61 three babies born, of which less than [-]% died or were deformed ([-]). .

At the end of the memorial, there are two graphs, one is a graph comparing the age of a woman with the mortality rate at childbirth, and the other is a graph comparing the age of a woman with the death or deformity of the baby she gave birth to.

"People often say that giving birth to a child is like walking through the gates of hell, but early pregnancy can be so harmful to people?"

After reading the concise and easy-to-understand statistical charts, Zhu Di asked in surprise: "Gao Xu, are these numbers accurate?"

Zhu Gaoxu replied: "The spies dare not lie. The child has also checked the files on women's births, infant deaths or deformities stored in the Imperial Hospital, and has even sent people to visit most of the stable women in the capital. The number on this statistical chart should be Believable.”

Anyone who looks at this chart will understand the relationship between a woman's childbearing age and maternal mortality, as well as the death or deformity of her child.

Although teenage women have the ability to have children, their bodies are not fully developed at this time, and there are risks such as high miscarriage rates, fetal malformations, premature births, and infection rates.

Zhu Di suddenly fell silent. He already understood that Zhu Gaoxu had at least two purposes for making this statistical table.

First, after seeing this statistical chart, Queen Xu would no longer worry about the Crown Princess not being pregnant, because the Crown Princess is not yet fifteen years old.

Second, with this statistical chart, he can issue decrees to encourage people to avoid early marriage and early pregnancy, and reduce the mortality rate of mothers and children. In this way, it can promote population growth.

Although this is done for the good of the people by the imperial court, the people may not necessarily appreciate it.

It is not easy to change the traditional concept among the people and make people delay getting married for two or three years.

Zhu Gaoxu saw Zhu Di's concerns and said: "Dad, this matter is very involved. I think that we cannot let the local yamen force people to carry out late marriages. We should let the local yamen organize local women stabilization and conduct a high-profile investigation, so that the local people can We will realize the dangers of early pregnancy and then persuade people to marry later, and the effect will be more significant."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "What you said is very reasonable. I plan to send a Jinyi Guard Qianhu Station to various places and ask the local government to cooperate in investigating the matter. Once the definite results are obtained, they will be spread to the world."

"Your Majesty, Father, is kind!" Zhu Gaoxu complimented.

Zhu Di paused and suddenly asked: "Did you invent this simple and clear statistical chart that is easy to understand at a glance?"

Although he didn't know what words to use to describe the advantages of statistical charts, he knew that this kind of statistical charts were particularly suitable for use by the six departments such as the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works.

"Yes." Zhu Gaoxu said respectfully: "Haier believes that textual narratives involving large numbers of counts are very suitable to be displayed with this kind of statistical charts."

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(End of this chapter)