The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 296 Bowang Hou

If it were before, Zhu Yuanzhang would definitely ask:
You speak so well of Chinese civilization, why do you still feel like you are facing a formidable enemy when facing those two religions?
Besides, how should we arm our minds? You can't wear an iron helmet on your head, right?

I have known Chen Jingke for such a long time and attended many classes intermittently.

Both my horizons and my thoughts have been broadened a lot.

He soon figured out the reason for himself.

Why should we face a formidable enemy?
Because Daming is indeed not ready yet.

With a population of more than 70 million, only a small portion actually have a clear understanding of the concept of China.

Most ordinary people have little understanding of the country, ethnic group, or civilization.

Although in recent years, the imperial court has consciously popularized the concept of "Huaxia".

Zhu Xiongying also established a comfort envoy system to carry out ideological education work.

As for Buddhism being a foreign religion...that's not a problem at all.

As for how to arm your mind, Chen Jingke has actually given the answer before.

enlightenment.

The collision between Buddhism and Chinese civilization did not result in a fierce struggle.

But because the time is too short, the effect has not yet appeared.

When the trend is established, if you act forcefully, others will say you have your own opinion.

Zhu Biao said confidently: "Don't worry, we won't let you down."

So far, Chinese civilization has completely digested Buddhism.

Buddhism took the initiative to absorb the essence of Chinese civilization, and after self-improvement, it became a part of Chinese civilization.

When the people all identify with their Chinese identity and feel proud of it, it will become very difficult for foreign religions to brainwash them.

Zhu Xiongying asked: "What needs to be changed?"

"Now that we understand the situation outside and are determined to go out, we should tell everyone some of the situation."

Zhu Biao shook his head and said, "Give me the book. It's more appropriate for me to handle this matter."

He acted strong and the officials were only in awe and had no other ideas, nor did they dare to have other ideas.

Let the people understand the history of their own civilization and increase their sense of identity with the civilization.

After Tianzhu was conquered and the hometown of Buddha Sakyamuni was brought under the rule of the Ming Dynasty, all problems were solved.

Zhu Biao is the kind of person who has achieved great success, and is full of prestige in both the government and the public.

"I can't care about this now. When I get back, I will order the Imperial College to include it as a required subject."

Buddhism is a polytheistic religion with moderate teachings.

"So there's no information in there about the outside world."

Therefore, we must be vigilant against these two religions.

However, this situation is unique in the entire history of human civilization, and there will never be another example.

The spread of Buddhism to the east was just a spontaneous act of Buddhist sages, just for the purpose of preaching and had nothing to do with politics.

Chen Jingke said: "When the teaching materials were compiled, the mission had not returned yet, and we did not know much about the situation in the outside world."

Later, Taoism learned from the institutional system of Buddhism and eventually formed its own religious system.

If those two religions were allowed to be introduced into the country without any precautions, it would probably cause a lot of trouble.

Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan absorbed the essence of Buddhism and Taoism to improve Confucianism, laying the ideological foundation for the rise of Confucianism.

Moreover, even if the Chinese concept is really popularized by the whole people, it is inevitable that there will be some people who have no fathers and no mothers and are left to their own devices.

Zhu Xiongying said directly: "I have already asked people to compile relevant books, but I didn't publish them just because I didn't want to arouse everyone's resentment."

Zhu Xiongying naturally understood this truth and immediately said that he would send the teaching materials to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Xiongying is still in the stage of building up his strength and should not be too strong.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiongying and said:
"This is the mission of you two, father and son, do it boldly."

Although Zhu Xiongying's status is unshakable, there is no need to be stubborn.

Moreover, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism are different.

They have the support of armed forces behind them, and their missionary missions have political purposes.

If you act too forcefully when your prestige is insufficient, others will think you are difficult to get along with, and they will feel resentful.

"In this way, everyone will be mentally prepared, so that when they really have to face external information, they will not be at a loss."

At this time, Chen Jingke said: "The teaching materials compiled by Taisun can be slightly modified and some content added."

The purpose of advancing eastward is not to live in peace with us, but to exterminate us culturally.

But Christianity and Islam are different. They are monotheistic religions, and their teachings are more extreme and aggressive.

That is purely to create difficulties for yourself and has no meaning.

"And if we take the initiative to publicize this matter, we can selectively tell them what we want them to know."

“If you don’t want them to know about it, mention it less or not at all.”

"For example, we can emphasize that neither Christianity nor Islam allows worshiping ancestors."

"Everywhere they go, they destroy their culture and force them to believe in their gods or be killed."

"Then find some great scholars to criticize this fatherless and motherless behavior."

"When this understanding is deeply rooted in people's hearts, everyone will naturally have a dislike for both religions."

"When civilizations collide, because of this preconceived aversion, it will be useless to let them talk about it."

Just imagine when Western missionaries boasted about how great their gods were and how many benefits there were to believe in them.

The Chinese people suddenly said: I heard that your gods do not allow sacrifices to ancestors. Is it true or false?
That scene must be very interesting.

Zhu Biao thought: "It makes sense. Blindly concealing it is not a good thing. It's time for them to understand the outside information."

"Is there anything else I need to pay attention to?"

Chen Jingke thought for a while and said: "Educating the people and strengthening the concept of Chinese civilization is equivalent to putting on armor for us."

"But armor alone is not enough. No matter how strong the armor is, it will be broken one day."

"Offense is the best defense, so after putting on armor, we also need sharp weapons."

Zhu Xiongying's eyes lit up and he asked: "Where do weapons come from?"

Chen Jingke said: "Religion."

Zhu Xiongying asked doubtfully: "Religion?"

Zhu Biao showed a thoughtful expression.

Chen Jingke nodded and said: "Yes, it is religion. The best weapon against religion is religion."

"Before Christianity and Islam meet each other, it can be said that they are invincible."

"But when they met, no one could do anything to the other, and then they fell into an endless tug-of-war."

"We can also use the same tactics to deal with them."

Zhu Xiongying suddenly realized it and said excitedly: "Yes, why didn't I think of this method?" "The Ming Dynasty has two religions, Buddhism and Taoism. Let them take the initiative and have a try with Christianity and Islam."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "They are not good people either. Be careful of backlash."

Zhu Xiongying sneered and said: "Hey, just give me two whips if you disobey. What the Three Martial Arts and One Sect can do, our Ming Dynasty can do it more thoroughly."

Zhu Biao is concerned about another thing: "Buddhism and Taoism are too gentle, and I am afraid they are no match for the two Western religions."

Chen Jingke nodded and said: "It is true. It has been domesticated for too long, and Buddhism and Taoism are indeed somewhat unqualified as a religion."

"But it's not a big problem. The whip can turn them into docile sheep, and it can also turn them into man-eating wolves."

"It depends on how the court plans to use them."

Zhu Biao said with deep approval: "Okay, find a time and I'll call the Buddhist and Taoist families over for a talk."

Chen Jingke said: "No, let them beg us."

Having said this, he said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty must take action once."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately understood what he meant and scolded with a smile: "Hey, you brat, you have to do dirty work and think of us."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Emperor Hongwu is so powerful that he can scare the Buddhists and Taoists to paralysis with just one sentence. He is the most suitable person for this job."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Don't flatter us, we won't do this."

"Tell me, how far can we go?"

Chen Jingke said: "Beat them hard to death, just give them a breath."

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at him and said: "You are the one who really eats people without spitting out their bones, yet everyone praises you for your kindness."

Chen Jingke knew he was joking, so he didn't explain, but flattered him:
"It's only because of your majesty's wings that I am what I am today."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "Haha, if you don't learn well, you will become more and more good at flattering."

Everyone also laughed, and the tense atmosphere in the hall was swept away.

Then the four of them discussed together how to teach, how to defeat both Buddhism and Taoism, and how to let both Buddhism and Taoism go out.

After he had a clue about the matter, Zhu Xiongying saw that the time was almost right, so he took the initiative to bring the topic to the Hexi Corridor.

He recounted what Chen Jingke said on the city gate tower.

Chen Jingke added: "The Western Region is our land channel to go out. Only by mastering this place can we take the initiative in foreign affairs."

"The Hexi Corridor is the bridgehead of the Western Regions. If you want to pass through the Western Regions, you must master this place."

"And Hexi is also an important grain production base, which can provide nearby logistics support for the army in the Western Regions."

"Xidan Mountain in Zhangye is the most suitable for raising horses. Hou Huo Qubing, the earliest champion, set up a military horse farm here."

"It was also the most important horse breeding place during the Tang Dynasty. According to records, at its peak, 70,000 horses were raised here at the same time."

"After the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains lost its control over this place, and the racecourse was abandoned."

"If the military horse farm is re-established, it will be able to provide at least more than 10,000 war horses to the court every year."

"It is a great complement to the Ming Dynasty's horse administration and can also relieve the pressure on the people."

"Securing this place is far more in line with Ming's long-term interests than sending an army deep into the grasslands."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's not that we don't know the importance of Hexi, it's just that there are too few Han people here to maintain a long-term garrison."

"It was for this reason that Feng Sheng was asked to withdraw his troops."

Zhu Xiongying interjected: "Today is different from the past. In recent years, the imperial court has been migrating people there."

"As far as I know, there are already more than 5,000 households in Jiayuguan, enough to support a permanent army."

"And in order to deal with desertification in the Hetao and northern Shaanxi Plateau, we are about to adjust the population distribution there."

"You can move some people to Hexi."

"In the first two years, the imperial court may need to support some grain and grass supplies."

“When those people take root, Hexi will become prosperous again.”

"By then we should have finished recuperating, and it will be time to send troops to the Western Regions."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a long time, but still did not make a decision, but asked Zhu Biao:

"What do you think?"

Zhu Biao said: "In the next few years, the imperial court will focus on recuperation and rest, will not launch a large-scale war, and will be able to support the development of the Hexi Corridor."

"But the premise is that the army must ensure the safety of the people and cannot be harassed by Beiyuan."

Zhu Xiongying said: "This matter is simple. The fortress plan will be implemented in Hexi first. If Beiyuan dares to come, they will knock out all their teeth."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Then I have no objection."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Okay, that's it. Let's just... well, Biao'er, you can do whatever you want."

Zhu Biao did not refuse, and immediately said: "Okay, I will call Wei Guogong and others to discuss and formulate a comprehensive plan."

Then several people discussed the Hexi strategy and improved many details.

By the way, we also talked about how to implement the Western Region strategy.

Chen Jingke made a suggestion: "Leave full power over the strategy of the Western Regions to the King of Jin for implementation, and the court only needs to provide support."

Zhu Biao was also very supportive and said: "The third brother wants to establish his own feudal kingdom in Suiye River. I believe he will be happy to accept this task."

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally had no objections, and he was even very satisfied with Chen Jingke's suggestion.

He did not arbitrarily suspect or suppress other clan members because of his position.

In fact, Chen Jingke had his own little agenda when he asked Zhu Fan to go to the Western Regions.

There is a strong religious atmosphere there, and violence is the easiest solution.

But it cannot be completely destroyed, otherwise reconstruction will be very troublesome.

Zhu Fan is the most suitable person to implement this plan.

With his identity as the King of Sai, he doesn't have to be afraid of taking the blame and dares to take action.

Secondly, his ability is really outstanding and he can master the balance well.

After that, everyone traced back the history of the Western Regions during the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Zhu Yuanzhang and others basically talked about Banchao, the Protectorate of the Western Regions, the Anxi Army, and the garrison.

Chen Jingke highlighted one person:

"Bo Wanghou Zhang Qian was the first person in China to open his eyes and see the world since written records began."

“He doesn’t just watch, he actually does it.”

"Without his pioneering efforts, China would never have set its sights there."

"With his achievements, he is fully qualified to have his own biography in the history books."

"It's a pity that his behavior is inconsistent with Confucianism and his achievements have been covered up."

Zhu Xiongying immediately said: "Then add him, and Ming Dynasty will write a separate biography for him."

Zhu Biao did not object and said: "Writing a biography for him is not impossible. It can also inspire the people of the Ming Dynasty to go out bravely."

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully: "We were still thinking about what kind of title we should give Zhao Zhi, why not just give him the title of Bowang Hou."

(End of this chapter)