Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 165: Controversy over Attacking the West
Hall of Martial Arts.

"Prince, tell me what you think about conquering the Western Regions?"

Seeing that everyone was silent, Zhu Di had to name them.

Zhu Gaoxu cupped his hands and said: "Father, I believe that if our Ming Dynasty can win the Western Region, it will increase the country's power for at least a hundred years."

Zhu Di was overjoyed when he heard this and said, "What do you mean by this?"

The honorable ministers in the palace were suddenly shocked when they heard this. This was the first time they heard such a statement of "increasing the state of Zuo for a hundred years".

"During the Pre-Han Dynasty, after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty took control of the Western Regions, and after several generations of emperors opened up the Western Regions, the Western Regions had completely fallen into the hands of China. During the Han Dynasty, after the Xiongnu lost the Western Regions, they gradually declined. Even though the world was in chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, The princes were divided, and then the Wei and Jin Dynasties were briefly unified, but they still easily inherited the rule of the Western Regions."

Zhu Gaoxu respectfully said: "Since the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Western Regions have been separated from the control of the Central Plains Dynasty and once again fell into the hands of the grassland people, causing the Central Plains Dynasty to be passive. After the founding of the Sui Dynasty, although it had begun to gradually control the Western Regions, it had not yet had time to implement the control of the Western Regions. The plan of conquest will be destroyed at the hands of all the rebel kings in the world.”

"Just when the Sui Dynasty fell, the Turks invaded the Western Regions. Soon after, the Turks united with the Tubo and other tribes, posing a great threat and destruction to the Tang Dynasty that was established on the Sui Dynasty."

"After stabilizing the domestic situation, Tang Taizong began to conquer the Western Regions. After some efforts, he successfully incorporated the Western Regions into the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Taizong was also called the 'Tian Khan' by the prairie people, and he began to establish a strong relationship between the Western Regions and the prairie people. enjoy the highest status.”

"It is a pity that after the Anshi Rebellion broke out, the Hexi Corridor was no longer owned by the Tang Dynasty. Although the Tang Dynasty never gave up its attack on the Western Regions, it eventually completely lost the Western Regions during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty."

“Since the Tang Dynasty lost the Western Region, it has been ruled by Khitan, Uighur, Mongolian and other forces, and because these forces controlled the Western Region, the northern part of the Song Dynasty became a horse farm for nomadic tribes to come and leave whenever they wanted. And occupying the Western Regions was one of the reasons why the former Yuan Dynasty was able to destroy the Song Dynasty."

"Therefore, looking at the history of the Han and Tang Dynasties, the more complete the right arm of the Xiongnu is cut off, the longer the Central Plains Dynasty will control the Western Regions, and the safer the Central Plains will be. Therefore, I think that if the Ming Dynasty can conquer the Western Regions, it will bring more people to the world. Strive for at least a hundred years of peace."

When Zhu Gaoxu said this, he deliberately chose to pause.

Seeing this, Zhu Di asked, "Do you mean you agree with me to conquer the Western Regions?"

Zhu Gaoxu stood up quickly, bowed to Zhu Di and said: "To be honest with my father, I agree with conquering the Western Regions, but I request my father to send troops to beat up the Oara and Tatars before sending troops to the Western Regions, so that they will surrender." After that, we will use troops on a large scale against the Western Regions.”

Zhu Di asked in a deep voice: "Why?"

"Father and Emperor, sons and ministers looked at the history of the Han and Tang Dynasties and discovered a pattern of strategic development of the Central Plains dynasties."

Zhu Gaoxu immediately explained: "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty counterattacked the Huns, opened up the Western Regions, and established the four counties of Hexi. Although a generation paid a heavy price, this price was in exchange for the development direction of the Central Plains dynasty and the establishment of the future orthodox dynasty of China. territory.”

"During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Central Plains was torn apart. At that time, almost all countries in the Western Regions participated in the manipulation of various political regimes in the Central Plains."

"The period between the Sui and Tang Dynasties seemed to be a repeat of the history between the Qin and Han Dynasties. First, the Sui Dynasty unified and suppressed the Turks, and then there was turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty. The Central Plains forces had no time to take care of the grasslands and the Western Regions, causing the Turks to take this opportunity to grow. After all, all forces in the Central Plains were In other words, unifying the Central Plains is the primary goal."

"Therefore, the strategic development rules of the Central Plains Dynasty discovered by Erchen are divided into three steps."

"The first step is to establish a unified political power in the Central Plains. This is the basis for the implementation of all subsequent strategies."

"The second step is to conquer the northern grasslands and gain stability on the northern border, because history has proven that the northern grasslands pose a fatal threat to the Central Plains dynasty."

"The third step is to conquer the Western Regions. For the Central Plains Dynasty, conquering the Western Regions is equivalent to adding a guarantee for the long-term stability of the country, and it is also in line with the development direction of the Central Plains Dynasty."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed again and said: "Father, I think that our Ming Dynasty should conquer the Oara and Tatars first and make them honest, so that we can free up our hands to conquer the Western Regions."

Everyone in the palace, except Liu Jing, was secretly surprised after hearing Zhu Gaoxu's remarks. They did not expect that the prince had great vision in military strategy.

In the original history, there were three important reasons why the Ming Dynasty did not conquer the Western Regions.

First, although the Beiyuan regime withdrew from the Central Plains, it still maintained strong military strength. The Ming Dynasty had long placed its military focus on the northern defense line, and it was difficult to invest too many military resources in the Western Regions.

Second, in the early days of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the Western Regions were ruled by the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, which also belonged to Mongolia. There was also the powerful Timurid Empire in the west of the Western Regions. The Ming Dynasty faced huge military pressure when it entered the Western Regions.

Third, compared with the Han and Tang Dynasties, the political and economic status of the Western Regions during the Ming Dynasty declined greatly, causing the Ming court to lose the motivation and interest in managing the Western Regions.

This is because before the Song Dynasty, the political center of the Central Plains dynasty had long been in the Guanzhong area and the Heluo area of ​​the Central Plains. Since it was close to the Hexi Corridor, in order to ensure the strategic security of the center of governance, the Han and Tang regimes actively expanded their territory to the Western Regions, intending to create a larger strategic depth, so it pays special attention to the control of the Western Regions.

In the Ming Dynasty, the capital was first in Nanjing and then moved to Beijing. The political center of the dynasty moved significantly eastward compared with other dynasties. At this time, the area west of Jiayuguan, far away from the political center of gravity, saw its political status greatly reduced.

On the other hand, since the Tang Dynasty, countries such as Xixia and Mongolia have risen, and the Central Plains dynasties have lost most of their northwest territories, and the overland "Silk Road" trade has declined sharply.

The Song Dynasty turned to open up the "Maritime Silk Road". Coupled with the Central Plains Dynasty's economic focus shifting to the Jiangnan region, the economic significance of the Western Regions to the Central Plains Dynasty was declining.

These two points determined that the Ming Dynasty did not have much interest in the Western Regions. Therefore, the historical Ming Dynasty's management strategy for the Western Regions changed from active attack and intensive management in the early Hongwu period, to gradually changing to relying on garrison defense at Jiayuguan in the middle and late Hongwu period.

At this time, Zhu Di raised his hand to signal Zhu Gaoxu to sit down, looked at Xu Huizu expressionlessly and said, "Does Duke Wei have a different view?"

"Your Majesty has a question, and I dare not not answer it."

Xu Huizu said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I object to sending troops to the Western Regions."

Zhu Di did not show any anger, but said calmly: "Tell me the reasons for your objection."

"Yes."

Xu Huizu then said: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Western Region at this time has been divided by several forces. Among them, Turpan occupies the hometown of Gaochang, and also controls most of the original Western Region, while the Oara, Kyrgyz and other tribes It is entrenched to the north of Tianshan Mountain."

"All forces in the Western Region are fighting against each other. Yilibari alone has had many wars with Wala. Many external forces from the west of the Western Region have also taken the opportunity to enter the Western Region to compete for territory."

"According to my understanding, the population of the Western Region at this time was only a few tens of 10, and the level of farming was low."

"Even if the Ming Dynasty controls the Western Regions, it will have to invest a lot of manpower and material resources to develop it. Otherwise, relying solely on supplies to support the border troops guarding there will undoubtedly be a drop in the bucket. Therefore, I believe that conquering the Western Regions will not be worth the losses for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Di took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, and then asked: "Is this the only reason for objection?"

"To be honest with your Majesty, I have another reason." Xu Huizu stood up and bowed, and said bluntly with some embarrassment.

Zhu Di smiled and said, "That's all, let's talk about it together."

"Your Majesty, the reason why the Han and Tang Dynasties actively explored the Western Regions was because after controlling the Western Regions, they could gain huge profits through the silk trade."

Xu Huizu respectfully said: "For decades, the Western Regions have experienced frequent wars and withered industries. At this time, they are far less prosperous than during the Han and Tang Dynasties. Even if the Ming Dynasty controlled the Western Regions, it would be difficult to obtain tangible economic benefits from the Western Regions. .”

"Besides, our Ming Dynasty now has the advantage of opening up the sea and has maritime silk trade routes. In contrast, if we want to restore the prosperity of the Han and Tang Dynasties to the Western Regions where all industries have faded, without the efforts of one or two generations, I am afraid that it will be impossible hard to accomplish."

"What you said is not unreasonable."

Zhu Di nodded slightly.

Then, he looked at Li Jinglong and asked, "Gong Cao Guo, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that for our Ming Dynasty, at present and in the future, the most powerful foreign enemies of our Ming Dynasty will always be the grassland people in the north."

Li Jinglong said respectfully: "If the grassland rulers want to go south to attack our country, the Ming Dynasty, their first contact must be with the tribes in the Western Regions, because only in this way can we further encroach on the western and northern parts of our country."

"Because of this, the land of the Western Regions is particularly important. If the Ming Dynasty takes the Western Regions, it can cut off the grassland people and weaken the strength of the Oara and Tatars. Therefore, I agree with your Majesty's attack on the Western Regions. If your Majesty uses troops in the Western Regions, I am willing to Do the work of dogs and horses."

"That's all, let's not worry about whether to send troops to the Western Regions for now."

As Zhu Di spoke, he immediately stood up, put his hands behind his hands and said: "Now that Hami has changed, and I want to calm down the chaos in Hami, all the ministers can offer their advice and suggestions. Prince, you speak first."

Zhu Gaoxu said respectfully: "Father, I believe that the imperial court should take the opportunity to hold the six Mongolian guards west of Jiayuguan to account. It is best to take down the officers of three or four of them and replace them with the sons of our distinguished ministers to guard them!"

At the beginning of the Hongwu period, Zhu Yuanzhang sent Xu Da to the Northern Expedition and successfully captured Dadu. Emperor Yuan Shun led his ministers and clan back to the Mobei grassland.

However, the Northern Yuan Dynasty was still powerful at that time. Only on the northern front, in addition to the expansion of Timur (Wang Baobao) occupying the northwest, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate dominated the Western Regions, and various Mongolian princes and nobles occupied the Hexi Corridor.

In the fifth year of Hongwu, after the Ming Dynasty effectively controlled the Hexi Corridor, it built Jiayuguan and used the east of Jiayuguan as the actual control range of the court.

From that time until the third year of Yongle, in order to consolidate the northwest frontier, the Ming Dynasty successively entrusted seven Jisi Guards to the west of Jiayuguan, south of Qilian Mountain, north of Qinghai, and west to Dunhuang and Hami.

These seven guards are Anding Guard, Atuan Guard, Quxian Guard, Handong Guard, Shazhou Guard, Chijin Mongolian Guard, and Hami Guard.

Because the Seven Guards are located to the west of Jiayuguan, they are collectively called the "Seven Guards of Guanxi". And because most of the people in charge of the Seven Guards are Mongolian, they are also called the "Seven Mongolian Guards".

Zhu Gaoxu knew that because of Zhu Di's successful succession, the Seven Guards of Guanxi appeared earlier than in the original history, which extended the rule of the Ming Dynasty to the vicinity of the Western Regions. The establishment of the Seven Guards also played an important role in the stability of the northwest frontier of the Ming Dynasty.

However, in view of the complex situation in the area west of Jiayuguan and the Ming Dynasty's military deployment focusing on the northern defense line, Zhu Yuanzhang adopted the strategy of "using barbarians to control barbarians" against the Seven Guards of Guanxi.

The so-called "using barbarians to control barbarians" seems clever, but in Zhu Gaoxu's view, it is just a relatively loose management system.

Because of this method of restraint, local people were appointed as officials. The court did not send troops and took care of its own defense. There was no farming. The court did not collect taxes from the Qiwei, and local taxes belonged entirely to the locals.

Zhu Gaoxu believed that "using barbarians to control barbarians" was equivalent to handing over all personnel, military and financial power to the leaders of the Seven Guards of Kansai.

This will inevitably lead to the Ming court's lack of effective jurisdiction over the Seven Guards of Guanxi, causing the Seven Guards to gradually become alienated from the Ming Dynasty due to the involvement of surrounding nomadic tribes and various forces in the Western Regions.

Therefore, he would like to suggest that Zhu Di take advantage of the chaos in Hami to accuse the remaining guards. It would be best to replace Tuotuo with the descendants of the Ming Dynasty's honorable ministers to take charge of Guanxi, just like he had intervened in Hami affairs before. The basis for conquering the Western Regions.

Because Zhu Di discussed this matter with Zhu Gaoxu yesterday, he did not show too much surprise after hearing what Zhu Gaoxu said.

But it was the first time for other people in the hall to hear Zhu Gaoxu's views, including Liu Jing, the uncle of sincerity, and they all felt quite shocked.

The strategy of "using barbarians to control barbarians" against the Seven Guards of Guanxi was a rule set by Emperor Taizu Gao, but Prince Zhu Gaoxu wanted to fundamentally change this strategy.

Zhu Di looked at Xu Huizu and said, "Wei Guogong, what do you think of the prince's suggestion?"

"Your Majesty, I object."

Xu Huizu had to stand up and bow to Zhu Gaoxu to express his guilt and said: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I do have different views."

Zhu Di smiled and said: "Wei Guogong doesn't have to be like this. The Ming Dynasty will not be punished with words. With me here, how can the prince blame you?"

"I don't dare." Zhu Gaoxu immediately stood up and bowed.

"Everyone sit down. It's normal to have objections. If you don't have any objections, it's just a matter of opinion."

Zhu Di raised his hand and pressed it, motioning Zhu Gaoxu and Xu Huizu to sit down. At the same time, he said: "Wei Guogong, tell me why you object?"

"Your Majesty, when Emperor Taizu adopted the strategy of 'using barbarians to control barbarians', he once said: 'Firstly, divide their forces and kill them so that they will not be in trouble; secondly, they can make foreign barbarians attack each other and save China's military expenditure.' In this regard , I deeply agree.”

Xu Huizu explained: "Your Majesty, the brilliance of Emperor Taizu's 'use of barbarians to control barbarians' is that it can make the seven guards restrain each other and fight with each other. In this way, the seven Mongolian guards will be unable to succeed, and it will also save the court a lot of military expenses."

When he said this, he raised his hands and clasped his fists, cupped his hands slightly towards Zhu Gaoxu and said: "His Royal Highness may be worried that the Seven Guards of Guanxi will be alienated from the imperial court in the future, but I think that His Highness is overly worried."

"I would like to hear the details." Zhu Gaoxu nodded.

Xu Huizu said: "I dare not."

Then, he continued: "Emperor Taizu allowed the guards in Guanxi to trade with each other in Suzhou City once a quarter to carry out tea and horse trade. Because the herdsmen in the northwest would suffer from diseases if they did not have tea, and they could not produce their own tea there, so they had to rely on Trade was obtained in the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the tea-horse trade made the northwest factions dare not offend the imperial court easily."

(End of this chapter)