Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 211 Counties and Western Regions

Fengtian Temple.

The morning dynasty is continuing.

Zhu Di's question seems simple, but in fact it is not easy to answer.

Because everyone in the civil and military circles of the Manchu Dynasty knew that if they wanted to govern the Western Regions, they would naturally start from three major aspects: politics, law, and military.

According to the imperial court system, the western regions of counties and counties must be managed by three local departments, namely, the Department of Administrative Affairs, the Department of Punishment and Prosecution, and the Department of Capital Command and Envoys.

The Department of Proclamation and Envoys is responsible for the civil affairs, finance, land, household registration, money and food, official evaluation, and communication between the governor and the counties of a province or several governments.

The Department of Criminal Investigation and Enforcement is divided into the Department of Experience, the Department of Zhaomo, and the Department of Prisons.The director of the war department is responsible for collecting documents and investigating criminal charges, and there is one person each for the record and the governor; the director of zhaomo is responsible for brushing the case files, and there is one person for zhaomo and one person for the inspection; the director of the prison department is responsible for inspecting prison affairs, and there is one person for the prison director.

The Du Commander Division is a local standing military command office, commanding the various military posts within its jurisdiction. Its chief commander, the Du Commander Division, is the highest local military officer and is under the management of the Imperial Five-Army Dudu Mansion.

Zhu Di knew the above established systems, as did all the civil and military officials.

Therefore, when Zhu Di asked "how to govern the Western Regions", he meant something else.

Qi Tai was eager to show off and quickly said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the most important thing in governing the Western Region is to stabilize the hearts and minds of all departments."

Although what he said was very concise and implicit, both Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu understood the two key messages: "first things first" and "people's hearts in all departments".

It has been nearly 600 years since the Western Regions broke away from the rule of the Central Plains Dynasty. If the Ming Dynasty wanted to complete the Western Regions with counties in the true sense, it would not be possible to establish effective rule there by setting up two or three provincial-level local yamen.

Especially in the vast area south of the Tianshan Mountains, there are dozens of tribes, large and small, from all directions, and there are even feuds between different tribes.

These tribes were photographed by the Ming army's combat power. Although they have surrendered now, their strengths are uneven, ranging from high to low.

Once the Ming army retreats, there will inevitably be another dispute in the Western Regions, and the Ming army cannot stay there forever.

And within each tribe, there are nobles and commoners.

For the Ming Dynasty, everything has its own priorities. Although the Western Expeditionary Army conquered the Western Regions and quelled all the disobedient forces in the Western Regions, this was only a conquest by force.

Qitai is worthy of being a famous official in history who offered "replacement fiefdoms" to Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen to deal with the Ming vassals. As early as when Zhu Di decided to use troops in the Western Regions, he thought of all the various things that the imperial counties and counties would encounter in the Western Regions in the future. kind of problem.

When he heard Zhu Di's question at this time, the manuscript he had prepared for a long time finally came into use.

When the ministers heard Qi Tai's answer, more than [-]% of the courtiers nodded subconsciously, seeming to agree.

Zhu Di asked: "How to stabilize people's hearts?"

Qi Tai replied calmly: "Your Majesty, I have three strategies that can calm the hearts of the Western Regions."

"Let's talk about it." Zhu Di ordered.

"Yes."

Qitai bowed and said slowly: "Your Majesty, the land north of the Tianshan Mountains is rich in water and grass, and the land is fertile. It can be used to build a wide range of guard posts, farm and farm in peacetime, and go out to fight in wartime. At the same time, from the densely populated mansions in the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty County, people were gradually moved there to allocate fields to the land for production and living. This was the strategy of farming and relocating."

"For the dozens of tribes living in the vast area south of the Tianshan Mountains, the imperial court can appoint the original tribal leaders as commanders of guards or thousands of households to manage the original tribal subjects for the imperial court. As long as the imperial court can ensure that the status of the leaders of each tribe is not If they change, they will not have two minds. This is a strategy to stabilize the leaders of each department."

"Furthermore, the Western Regions have been in war for many years and the people at the bottom are living in poverty. I suggest that the court can exempt the indigenous peoples of the Western Regions from land taxes or business taxes, and at the same time subsidize various farming tools, build roads and canals, so as to benefit the people and promote the recovery of residents in various areas of the Western Regions. Produce, recuperate and recuperate. This is a policy that benefits the people."

After listening to the three strategies proposed by Qi Tai, Zhu Di stroked his beard with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Qi Qing's three strategies can be said to be the most benevolent and righteous for the people of the Western Regions and the leaders of various ministries!"

When he said this, he paused, looked at the ministers in the palace, and asked loudly: "What do you think, sir?"

"Your Majesty, if the imperial court adopts Shilang Qi's three strategies, the hearts of all the tribes in the Western Regions will surely be lost!"

Jin Zhonggong, the Minister of War, said.

"My minister agrees."

Subsequently, the six ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, Zhang Yan, and the Minister of Rites, Zheng Ci, expressed their support.

Just when Zhu Di decided to announce the adoption of Qitai's three strategies, Zhu Gaoxu stood up, bowed and said: "Father, I think there is something wrong with these three strategies."

Zhu Di was surprised and asked: "What's wrong?"

"Father, I emigrated to guard the border and stationed troops and fields to guard the border. This strategy was used by both the Han and Tang Dynasties. It can be seen that this strategy is a good strategy for governing the Western Regions. I have no objection to this. However, the strategy of stabilizing the leaders of various ministries is obviously inappropriate. If it is implemented If it continues, it will inevitably have a negative impact on the subsequent imperial court's governance of the Western Regions."

Zhu Gaoxu spoke eloquently: "My son believes that now we should take advantage of the eradication of all disobedient forces to destroy the rule of the nobles in the vast area south of the Tianshan Mountains, and then send officials to the area south of the Tianshan Mountains to govern them like the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty. There, of course, the rules must be set according to local conditions, and the rules for governing prefectures and counties in the mainland cannot be copied."

"Because those nobles from various ministries have been cruelly oppressing and exploiting the people at the bottom. If I, the Ming soldiers, raise their troops to eradicate them, they will definitely gain the support of the people at the bottom."

"When the imperial court dispatched a large army to attack the forces of Timur and Kudada, they took a wait-and-see attitude. After our army killed Timur with artillery, they still did not give up. Until my father defeated Alutai and wiped out the Mobei. It was only after the news spread to the Western Regions that these tribal leaders surrendered."

"It can be seen that these tribal hereditary nobles are shameless, uneducated, treacherous, and very good at conspiracy. They blindly exploit the people's bones and suck their marrow, but they are not good at governing them. Otherwise, the Western Region would not have been in chaos for so many years, and the people have been suffering to this day."

"If the imperial court wants to allow them to serve as hereditary military commanders or thousands of households after they choose to surrender, then over time, when their tribes develop and grow, they will inevitably have second thoughts and create a situation of raising tigers. After all, Yi and Di beasts Also, fearing power but not being virtuous.”

When Qitai heard this, he was suddenly shocked.

He knew that what Zhu Gaoxu said was correct. The leaders of the various ministries in the Western Regions were cunning and insidious. Today, he saw that the powerful ministers of the Ming army surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. If the Timurid Kingdom rises tomorrow, they will inevitably surrender to the Timurid Kingdom.

Zhu Di and the ministers in the palace also had new ideas after hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words.

Especially Zhu Di, he had already thought that An Lushan and Shi Siming, who brought trouble to the Tang Dynasty, were tigers raised by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.

"As for policies that benefit the people, such as exempting the aboriginals from the Western Regions from land taxes or commercial taxes, and subsidizing agricultural tools, from the current point of view, they are certainly conducive to stabilizing people's hearts and resuming production. However, if the imperial court adopts this preferential treatment policy there for a long time, They will inevitably take this kind of preferential treatment for granted in the future. As long as the imperial court starts collecting taxes, it will inevitably provoke civil unrest and lead to renewed unrest."

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "Not only that, subsidizing farm tools, building roads and canals, etc., requires spending money from the treasury, but the court does not collect land taxes or commercial taxes there. This is extremely unfair to the people in the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty. Father. , according to the opinion of my ministers, the taxes in the Western Regions can be exempted for three years. After three years, all regulations will be restored to the same as those in the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty."

"In short, Erchen believes that from the story of the Han and Tang Dynasty's governance of the Western Regions, we can only adopt the strategy of emigrating to the Western Regions and stationing troops and fields to guard the borders. When the number of Han people there increases to millions in the future, Erchen believes , then the Western Region will no longer be the frontier of the Ming Dynasty, but will become the current hinterland."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "Okay! A good one will become the 'now hinterland'!"

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has great foresight. If His Highness hadn't noticed something was wrong, the imperial court would have adopted Chen Xian's strategy in the future, which would inevitably lead to catastrophe. I don't think well, so please punish me!"

Qi Tai bowed and came out of the queue, knelt down and kowtowed.

Zhu Di said: "Qi Qing also wants to serve the country. Why should I punish you? Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Qi Tai stood up and returned to the class, Zhu Di looked at the ministers in the palace and asked loudly: "The prince has supplemented Qi Qing's three strategies. I think it is feasible. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, I have no objection." Zhang Wei, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was the first to answer.

Zheng Ci, the Minister of Rites, said: "Your Majesty, the prince is far-sighted and mature in planning for the country. I would like to express my approval for the prince's supplementary strategy."

"Your Majesty, I also second my proposal." Xia Yuanji and Zhuo Jing spoke out one after another.

In this way, several supplementary points proposed by Zhu Gaoxu were unanimously approved by the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.

"Since no one has any objections, then the affairs of the western regions of the counties have been settled."

Zhu Di made the final conclusion on this discussion.

He paused, looked at Fang Xiaoru, Huang Huai and other cabinet advisors, and ordered: "The cabinet will combine the strategies proposed by the Crown Prince and Qi Tai to draft a strategy for me to govern the Western Regions."

"I will receive the order." Fang Xiaoru and others said in unison.

Afterwards.

We will be in the same hall.

"Dear envoys, His Majesty the Ming Emperor has now dismissed Wang Jinghong from his post as patrol envoy, leaving him idle at home. It can be seen that the power of God is furious."

King Bo Ni was half lying on the bed, coughed slightly, and then said slowly.

The envoy of Kezhi State said: "Yes, it is confusing."

"If Wang Jinghong no longer serves as the state envoy, Ming Dynasty's foreign national policy may change. What should we and other small countries do? Isn't the West going to be in chaos again?"

The Manlajia envoy answered.

King Bo Ni said: "This is all caused by Ya Lie's incident. The kingdom's envoy cannot be changed. In these years, it was the Ming Dynasty fleet that sailed on the sea day and night. The strong did not bully the weak, and the big did not bully the small. This was the reason why we enjoyed such a peaceful situation. . If the envoy is changed and the foreign policy changes, the entire Western Ocean will surely fall into chaos again, and we will no longer be able to trade peacefully with other countries on the sea."

The envoy of Kezhi State said: "King Bo Ni is right. We should strive to ensure that the Ming fleet does not change its commander."

"The most important thing is that the Ming Dynasty does not change its national policy of being friendly to all nations." Manlajia envoy said.

King Bo Ni said: "Therefore, I am willing to use my weak body to go with you to see His Majesty the Ming Emperor."

After half an hour.

King Bo Ni, who wanted to see Zhu Di, actually saw Zhu Di in the room.

"His Majesty."

King Bo Ni made a gesture to stand up and salute, and spoke in standard Chinese.

"You are sick, please don't be polite and lie down quickly."

After Zhu Di helped King Bo Ni lie down, he explained: "I heard that you were sick, and I came over to see you right after leaving court. I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I didn't let anyone shout out."

King Bo Ni struggled to insist on saluting and said: "How dare you, little king, violate the etiquette and be disrespectful?"

"It's okay. After I left the court, I just got the report and I'm late." Zhu Di continued to explain.

King Bo Ni said: "Your Majesty's words are serious. I feel cold, how dare you work on your Majesty's great dignity?"

Zhu Di sat beside the bed and said comfortingly: "Your country of Bo Ni is far away in a hot place. You must not be used to the changeable climate of the capital. It must be that the spring is cold this year. I have brought you the best royal palace in the Ming Dynasty. Doctor. Don't worry, you will get better soon."

"To be honest with Your Majesty, Xiao Wang came to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to see Your Majesty last winter. Later, he was unable to return home because of the cold. He has been recuperating to this day. After living in the capital for so long, Xiao Wang has become accustomed to it, and he really doesn't want to leave. .”

King Bo Ni smiled slightly.

Zhu Di also smiled and said: "Okay, then live in peace. You can stay as long as you want."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My gratitude cannot be expressed in words."

King Bo Ni cupped his fists and cupped his hands.

Zhu Di added: "Recuperate with peace of mind. If you need anything, just ask."

King Bo Ni said: "Your Majesty, the little king has something hanging in his heart, and I won't be happy if I don't express it."

"Tell me." Zhu Di nodded.

He had already guessed what King Bo Ni would say.

"How the Ming court handles Ya Lie has attracted the attention of overseas countries. It will cause many troubles. Let overseas countries do business with the Ming Dynasty with peace of mind. I sincerely ask your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible."

King Bo Ni said respectfully.

"I know."

Zhu Di patted King Bali's hand and said softly: "You are well rested. I will go see the envoys from other countries."

After half an hour.

Inside the Imperial City.

In the square in front of Duanmen.

"I'm taking you all around the imperial city today to relax your mind. I'm afraid you might get bored after staying in the same hotel for a long time."

Zhu Di led a group of Nanyang envoys, accompanied by Zhu Gaoxu and Jin Yiwei, and walked slowly in front of Duanmen.

"Your Majesty, the splendor of the Ming Dynasty Imperial City is really amazing, and the ancient civilization is even more admirable, so we have a request for your Majesty's permission."

The envoy of Kezhi Kingdom said respectfully in less fluent Chinese.

"Please speak." Zhu Di nodded.

The envoy of Kezhi State said: "Our countries all want to invite Mr. Wang Jinghong to visit again to strengthen exchanges between the two countries. In this way, we can not only learn the culture of the Ming Dynasty, but also exchange knowledge with each other. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone." "

The Manlajia envoy echoed: "Associating with the fleet led by the kingdom's envoy makes us feel very close to the Ming Dynasty."

Hearing this, Zhu Di stroked his beard and said, "I'm still thinking about this, and we'll talk about it in two days. Look, there's a better view over there. Let's go, I'll take you to see it."

(End of this chapter)