The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 423 Playing with the enemy and raising the enemy
When Zhu Biao announced the plan of enfeoffment in the court, the ministers were unexpectedly calm.

There was no surprise, no discussion, and no objection, as if everyone had known all this for a long time.

Zhu Biao was high up in the sky, and no one could see his expression clearly.

One could only vaguely see that his face was very calm, as if he had expected all this.

Chen Jingke understood in his heart that at this point, the matter was already clear.

Anyone who is not stupid knows the whole story.

The retired emperor granted large fiefs in exchange for the support of the noble group for the reform.

All the previous doubts have been answered.

The noble group is neither blindly loyal nor selfless; instead, they have greater interests waiting for them ahead.

Those articles that guided public opinion in newspapers last year were obviously intended to build momentum for the great feudalization.

If it were in the past, the ministers would definitely oppose it.

How could the emperor make such a big decision on his own?

Besides, the enfeoffment of princes of different sexes happened many years ago. How could the Ming Dynasty go backwards in history?

But after experiencing so many things, especially the purge of nobles that happened not long ago, the officials began to think calmly about this issue.

Of course, they can't be calm.

The promise made by the retired emperor and the fact that the current emperor started laying the groundwork so long in advance all show that the great division of fiefdoms is inevitable.

Everyone knows the character of the emperor, and there is no point in singing against him.

Instead of opposing it, it is better to think about how to remedy the situation.

If you think about it carefully, perhaps the large-scale enfeoffment is really a good idea.

For the Ming Dynasty, the hidden danger of the noble group was solved.

Externally, the princes can play the role of "respecting the king and expelling the barbarians".

It can also educate the barbarians more effectively and ultimately realize the ideal of a greater China.

Without saying too much, the great feudal system is enough as long as it can allow the Ming Dynasty to continue for another four hundred years.

As for the everlasting dynasty...

It's enough to just say it, do you really believe it?
It is not easy to last for four hundred years.

From now on... trust in the wisdom of future generations.

What's more, in a few hundred years, all the surrounding areas will be part of China, so even if the meat is rotten, it will remain in the pot and will not be given to outsiders.

In this way, the ministers completed self-persuasion.

When Zhu Biao announced the plan of enfeoffment, they accepted it very calmly.

But this does not mean that they accepted it unconditionally, and then someone came forward and proposed several limits.

"For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, we must determine which lands can be divided and which lands cannot be divided."

“And this provision must be written into the Great Ming Law and the Imperial Ming Ancestor Instructions.”

This suggestion hit the mark exactly what Zhu Biao wanted, and he immediately asked someone to bring out a map of Shenzhou (Asia).

Discuss with the ministers on the spot which areas need to be listed as unrestricted areas.

It was finally determined that it extends to the Beihai Sea in the north, to the Yili River (Ili River Valley) in the west, to the plateau in the southwest, and to the Indochina Peninsula in the south.

Zhuya Island, Penghu Islands, Temasek, etc. are also unrestricted areas.

The eastern border is not divided in this way. There are really few large islands suitable for survival, so it is assumed that this entire area is unrestricted.

To the northeast, with the Yalu River as the boundary, the peninsula belonged to the Kingdom of Korea.

The remaining islands, including Jeju Island, Tsushima Island, etc., all belong directly to the imperial court.

As for the Kingdom of Korea's assimilation plan, the conditions are not yet ripe and it needs to be implemented slowly.

All I can say is, let’s wait and see how the situation develops.

As for the more distant Kuye Island, Ezo Island, etc., they will be divided among the princes in the future.

This so-called unsealed land is actually just a rough outline, not as detailed as in the previous life.

Moreover, this boundary line was drawn by Chen Jingke several years ago, and it was only spoken through Zhu Biao's mouth now.

To be honest, both Zhu Lao and Zhu Biao felt that this territory was a bit too big.

Apart from anything else, it is too difficult to rule a cold and bitter place like the North Sea, so it would be better to divide it up.

Including the Western Regions and the Plateau, what’s the use of such barren lands?
Divide it out cleanly.

Chen Jingke convinced them with two reasons:
"First, its strategic value. The plateau is the gateway to the southwest and the largest water source in China..."

"The Tang Dynasty was so powerful back then, but it was defeated by Tubo because of its unique geographical conditions."

"The Western Regions control the passage to the west and are the throat of the Ming Dynasty."

"As a supreme country, how can the Ming Dynasty put its throat in the hands of others?"

"When it comes to the safety of the country, even the prince cannot be trusted."

He originally thought that Old Zhu would be very angry when he heard this, but he didn't.

Lao Zhu strongly supports this decision.

"A good ironsmith must be strong himself. How can we hand over our lifeline to others? These places must be directly controlled by the court."

"But why are you so obsessed with the North Sea?"

Chen Jingke paused and said, "For water, the North Sea is the world's largest freshwater treasure house."

"One day in the future, when our productivity develops to a certain level, we may be able to build a canal from Beihai to the Central Plains."

"Use the water from the North Sea to alleviate the drought in the north."

This……

Upon hearing this plan, Lao Zhu and Zhu Biao subconsciously glanced at the map.

A canal from Beihai to Zhongyuan? What are you talking about?

Chen Jingke knew that this plan was indeed a fantasy at the moment.

Just like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, who in ancient times would have believed that such a grand project could be completed?

You can't say that I'm a time traveler.

He couldn't think of a better reason, so he just acted like a rogue:
“This is my hope for the future.”

"In the future, when our productivity reaches a certain level, our descendants will want to build a canal and find that the North Sea has been divided up."

“They will definitely feel helpless.”

"I don't want to be scolded by my descendants."

Seeing that he said so, Old Zhu and Zhu Biao didn't say anything else.

If you don’t want to block it, then don’t block it.

Anyway, the environment in the North Sea is too harsh and it is indeed not suitable for establishing a feudal state.

It wouldn’t be a big problem if it was directly controlled by the court.

At worst, we can just treat it as a place of detention.

I have no way to achieve effective rule, and no one else can take it.

I will beat whoever takes it.

I will withdraw after driving the enemy away.

It can also serve as a training ground for the troops, and I believe the military will like this situation very much.

Thinking of this, Lao Zhu's heart moved and he said:

"Yes, the North Sea must be preserved."

Zhu Biao was a little confused and asked, "What did you think of?"

Old Zhu said: "Think about it, in the future, all the surrounding areas are vassal states, so the army of the Ming Dynasty will have nothing to do, right?"

"A country without external enemies will always perish."

"If an army does not fight for a long time, it will become a mere decoration."

"Besides, the military merit system, how can you get military merit without fighting? The soldiers will not agree to it."

"We must leave a direction for the army to practice."

"The North Sea is good. This cold and bitter land is not suitable for establishing a kingdom."

"The Ming Dynasty can build a military town there and transfer troops there to garrison in turn."

Zhu Biao also said happily: "Good idea, the Rakshasas who are often active there are not very strong, so they are most suitable for training the army." Chen Jingke's eyes lit up, Old Zhu was indeed worthy of being Old Zhu.

The trick of playing with the enemy and raising bandits is used so skillfully.

“We can build a military town in Beihai and develop around it.”

"When the time is right, we will divide the counties and send officials to govern them."

So the matter was settled, and the bitter and cold North Sea became an unrestricted place.

The ministers were unaware of this. They were both satisfied and troubled by the scope of this unrestricted land.

The satisfying thing is that such enfeoffment really brings the attribute of "respecting the king and expelling the barbarians" to the extreme.

Even if the vassal states developed, it would be difficult for them to pose a direct threat to the Ming mainland.

The troublesome thing is that the area of ​​unsealed land is too large.

They have similar ideas to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.

It is understandable to leave Yilishui behind, after all, it is the throat leading to the Western Regions, but what is the use of the plateau and the North Sea?
However, Zhu Biao also had an excuse to perfunctorily deal with them:
"The plateau is the land of the Tubo vassal state. How can the imperial court divide it up at will?"

"As for the North Sea, it is a bitter and cold place. Sending anyone there is tantamount to exile. How can the Ming Dynasty treat its meritorious officials harshly?"

This reason is quite convincing.

The feudal lords on the plateau have surrendered with great difficulty, and we cannot force them to rebel just because of the division of fiefdoms.

As long as they behave themselves, just pretend they don't exist.

As for the North Sea... forget it, everyone has heard the story of Su Wu herding sheep countless times.

If you put yourself in their shoes, no one would want to go there.

Once these two issues are resolved, the rest will not be a problem.

The ministers collectively passed the resolution.

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang personally stepped forward and wrote the unconfined land into the Ming Dynasty's ancestral precepts.

The Ministry of Justice also included this map in the Ming Dynasty Law.

In addition to not granting the land, the ministers also put forward another condition.

The princes of vassal states must come to Ming Dynasty to receive instruction.

This was exactly what Zhu Biao wanted, so he took advantage of the situation and allowed the prince of the vassal state to study in the Ming Dynasty.

The descendants of princes who have not studied in the Ming Dynasty are not allowed to inherit the throne.

As for what to learn, the teaching materials have actually been prepared long ago.

In addition, fundamental laws, currency, etc. were also raised in the court.

When the ministers saw how well prepared the emperor was, they understood that this was a premeditated plan.

This actually made them feel relieved.

Moreover, many of the policies Zhu Biao put forward were beyond their imagination.

Establishing a vassal system according to this rule is really a good thing for the Ming Dynasty.

The specific method of division of fiefdoms was not discussed at the court meeting.

Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood. First determine the general policy, and then improve the rules and regulations.

It won’t be too late to divide it later.

However, Zhu Biao also made it clear that the first step was to divide the country in Southeast Asia.

Five principalities, five dukedoms, and ten earls.

As for who will receive the specific vacancies, please wait for further notification.

After the court was dismissed, the news of the great enfeoffment quickly spread throughout the world.

Naturally, there was a lot of discussion about this in both the government and the opposition, but thanks to the previous publicity, there were not many people who opposed it.

Everyone is full of envy for the nobles.

This is a real prince.

Being able to build an ancestral temple can bring honor to one's ancestors.

The noble group, which had just experienced the Great Purge and was still in shock, felt relieved after hearing the news.

Everyone understood that the Great Partition meant the end of the purge and that those who survived were safe.

But the lesson this time is unforgettable enough.

The remaining nobles became low-key and honest, and after the academies of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel were built, they sent their children to study there.

Many people who were on rotation also took the initiative to ask to go in and study.

Lao Zhu was very satisfied with this. People need to be criticized from time to time.

For the vast majority of soldiers, the news of the great enfeoffment was undoubtedly a stimulant.

The highest dose.

Everyone's eyes turned red and everyone looked like an enemy.

As the internal situation had stabilized again, Zhu Biao ordered each army to return to its own defense zone.

In fact, this order was mainly given to Zhu Gang and Zhu Di.

As soon as the two men led their troops back to the defense zone, they were collectively visited by their subordinates.

"Brothers, our swords are thirsty for blood. Let's fight."

Without saying a word, Zhu Di led an army of 100,000 to attack Langjuxu Mountain.

Yesugeer of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, who had long been crippled, led the remaining troops to flee overnight, not even daring to harass others along the way.

You know, without the burden of logistics, Zhu Di only did four things: eating, sleeping, building bunkers, and fighting the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

The Northern Yuan Dynasty was really scared by the attacks in recent years.

This time, he looted the Langjuxu Mountain, imitated Huo Qubing's performance of offering sacrifices to heaven, and then returned leisurely.

On the other hand, Zhu Gang had a lot more to consider.

According to the plan, he will send troops to recover the Western Regions by the beginning of next year at the latest.

Before that, the security issue of the Hexi Corridor must be resolved.

The biggest threat to Hexi was undoubtedly the Oirat (Wala).

The Oirat were very cunning, and since the defeat of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, they had behaved very submissively.

Especially the year before last, Zhu Gang sent people to have a "friendly exchange" with them.

The result was that Oirat became more humble.

In recent years, the Ming Dynasty has focused its main energy on the Northern Yuan Dynasty and has not paid much attention to them.

This gave Oirat space and time to grow.

In particular, a large number of Northern Yuan people fled to Oirat to seek refuge in order to avoid the war.

As one side gained strength while the other lost, their strength grew very rapidly.

Population and cavalry represent the courage of a force.

Zhu Gang knew very well that the powerful Oirat was not very respectful to the Ming Dynasty in his heart.

Of course, they did not have the courage to be enemies with the Ming Dynasty.

They would rather get along with the Ming Dynasty on an equal footing. On the surface, I recognize you as the suzerain state, and then everyone will not interfere with each other.

Zhu Gang was not a brainless person. He knew very well how the grassland tribes grew stronger in history and how they threatened the Central Plains dynasty.

When you are weak, you surrender and hide far away to recuperate.

Then he seized the opportunity to become the overlord of the grassland, and then went south to plunder.

In his opinion, the force on the grassland that best meets this standard is Oirat.

Since you are a threat, you can't stay.

Whether for the safety of the Hexi Corridor or for the future safety of the Ming Dynasty, the Oirat must be crippled or even eliminated.

Therefore, his soldiers were eager to fight because of the great fiefdom, so he also took the opportunity to declare war on Oirat.

As the King of Sai, he should have the power to execute first and report later.

Afterwards, the army was divided into three groups and attacked the Oirat tribe.
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This world is developing on multiple fronts. While there is turmoil in the Ming Dynasty, there is also unrest outside.

For example, the Prince of Yan launched a war against the subcontinent as expected.

(End of this chapter)