golden scales

When Zhu Cihong saw Jin Yingyuan for the first time, he didn't realize that he was a foreigner at all.In this era when regional communication is almost zero, people in every place have their own unique features, apart from their accents.But this Ryukyu native has a standard appearance from the Central Plains, and with the same court clothes as Ming Dynasty, he looks like an ordinary Ming official.

"Your Highness..." Taking advantage of the unprepared officials in front of him, Jin Yingyuan strode forward, knelt down in front of Zhu Cihong, kowtowed, his voice choked.

The etiquette officer was about to scold him for his rudeness, but Zhu Cihong raised his hand to stop him.

"Speak well." Zhu Cihong said while walking forward slowly.

Jin Yingyuan remembered the deputy envoy's advice and hurriedly followed.Before he could open his mouth, Zhu Cihong had already said: "The imperial court already knows about the death of the former king of Erguo, and I will ask the courtiers to send a condolence letter."

Jin Yingyuan almost burst into tears: "Foreign ministers thank Your Highness for your kindness."

"I probably know something about Ryukyu, but it was all sorted out by the Imperial Academy of Ming Dynasty based on the classics. I'm afraid it may be different from the real situation in Erguo." Zhu Cihong said, "I'll ask you first."

"Please, Your Highness, the foreign minister must know everything and say everything!"

"Your statement says that the Satsuma clan of Japan invaded and occupied Erguo's territory, kidnapped the people, imprisoned the country's ruler, and even surrendered the Erguo king to serve as the governor of the country. Is there any evidence?" Zhu Cilang asked.

Jin Yingyuan was stunned for a moment, and said: "Your Highness, this matter is absolutely true, but there is a false statement that the discipline and foreign ministers will be struck by lightning."

The officer of ceremonies turned pale when he heard it, coughed dryly, and signaled that it was impolite to say such cruel words in front of the crown prince.

Zhu Cihong didn't care, and continued: "What I want is evidence, such as the transfer of state documents. If he wants to occupy the country, he always wants to give you a statement, and that's it."

"Satsuma's surname is Shimadzu. It is true that these documents were issued. The small country ignored it, so he sent troops to fight." Jin Yingyuan said bitterly: "Our country only cultivates culture and does not know military equipment. It only has the king's guard. Although it fought bravely , was finally defeated by it.”

Zhu Cihong knew that this was also a common problem among East Asian vassal states.Emphasis on literature over martial arts.

The size of Japan's land determines that their war potential is extremely small, and because their war potential is small, it also determines that their tactical thinking is weak, and they have no other choice but a quick battle.In the eyes of China, a major warring country, this is simply vulnerable, but Japan can always make some moths, which makes people itch unexpectedly.

"Send these documents to Daming, otherwise I will not be able to speak in front of the Holy Son of Heaven and the court." Zhu Cihong said.

"Spring and Autumn", as the spiritual constitution of Confucian scholars, has clear regulations on "righteous warfare", emphasizing that "teachers are famous".With the accumulation of time.Not only Confucian scholars, but even ordinary people think that only a good name can make a good name. If you only emphasize the important strategic position of Ryukyu, you can get huge economic and trade benefits... Not to mention that the court officials do not support it, even the common people will not recognize it, and even the possible Profitable businessmen will be afraid of reputation and dare not act rashly.

After all, Daming is a civilized world, which is different from Donglu.

"Obey!" Jin Yingyuan was very excited after hearing Zhu Cihong's words.This was the first time he got the meaning from the official mouth of the Ming Dynasty to interfere with Satsuma's occupation of Ryukyu.Just follow Daming's past practice.Often, an edict is sent to both sides to strike.Such edicts are sometimes useful.For example, the end of the Ryukyu Sanshan era was due to an imperial edict issued by Emperor Taizu Gao.But for the Japanese who were like wolves and tigers and dared to fight with the Ming army, the imperial edict might not be enough.

"When the documents are ready, I will ask the Holy Son of Heaven to issue an edict ordering the Satsuma clan to return the land to the people of Er." Zhu Cihong said.

Jin Yingyuan's heart trembled, he was really afraid of something.He hastily said: "Your Highness! The Satsuma Fan is extremely vicious and disobedient. He once fought against the Ming Dynasty, how could he retreat because of a memorandum of edict? Your Highness, please persuade the Holy Son of Heaven to send heavenly soldiers to punish the stubborn!"

"Presumptuous!" The ceremonial officer finally couldn't help it: "You have no eyesight. It is unreasonable for you to despise the sacred decree!"

Jin Yingyuan was so frightened that he quickly fell to his knees and confessed his crime.

Zhu Cilang asked him to get up, continued to walk slowly, and said casually: "Was Han Yu's "Crocodile Essay" useful?"

The ceremonial officer was taken aback for a moment, he had already understood what the crown prince meant, and did not dare to continue to attack.

Zhu Cihong glanced sideways at the ceremonial officer, and said to himself: You are wise, if you dared to have such an attitude in front of the Qing emperor, you would have been chopped off.

Jin Yingyuan is not Chinese after all. Although he has read the Four Books and Five Classics and can speak fluent Chinese, he knows very little about "ancient prose" outside the exam.Although he had heard of Han Yu, whose writing was eight generations old, he had never heard of "Crocodile Essay", and he didn't know what role this article played.

Seeing Jin Yingyuan's confused expression, Zhu Cihong said casually: "When Han Changli was demoted to Chaozhou, there were crocodiles infesting under his rule. So Han Changli wrote a proclamation ordering the crocodiles to leave Chaozhou."

"Is it really useful?" Jin Yingyuan didn't believe it: the crocodile couldn't read.

"It is said that it is useful." Zhu Cihong smiled: "I think, if it is really useful, it is also the credit of the last sentence in the article."

"The foreign minister is vulgar, please advise Your Highness." Jin Yingyuan was in a cold sweat, and secretly made up his mind to go back and study hard.

"Mr. Changli finally said, if you crocodiles dare to be arrogant and rude to the ministers of the emperor, refuse to evade, and continue to harm the people, then..." Zhu Cihuang thought for a while, and said in a deep voice: "The governor chooses talents to serve the people. Use a strong bow and poisonous arrows to deal with crocodiles, and you must kill them all. I have no regrets!"

Jin Yingyuan's head was in a daze, and he heard: "Use a strong bow and poisonous arrow...you must kill everything..." His face flushed with excitement.

"So, the Japanese are better at speaking and writing than the crocodiles. If they really dare to 'be proud of the orders of the emperor', then--they have no regrets!" Zhu Cihong's words were sonorous, and he had clearly made up his mind.

No one can guarantee that their country will always go uphill, but as a responsible person at the helm, it is obligatory to remove thorns from the roadside for future generations.Even if those thorns seem harmless at this time, who would have thought that a small island country could bring such profound trauma to Tangtang Huaxia?

"Our country, from top to bottom, must be the pioneer of the previous country, and never forget the kindness of Ming Dynasty!" Jin Yingyuan bowed.

"The folk proverb says: sharpening a knife is not a mistake in chopping wood. When you return to your home country this time, you will not only sort out the documents that Satsuma invaded and insulted the royal family, but also do a few things by the way to ensure that I will carry out the Ming Dynasty in the future. Make preparations for the ugly class." Zhu Cihong said.

"Our country obeys orders!"

"First, if I, Ming Dynasty, send out heavenly soldiers, how should I proceed? Is the sea chart complete? Can Erguo support food, grass and military equipment?

"Secondly, know yourself and your enemy and fight a hundred battles without danger. How many troops and weapons does the Satsuma Domain have? Are the government orders well-organized and the people harmonious? How much is the stone and rice, how many horses, and how many years has the country been fighting? These things must be inquired clearly.

"Thirdly, when the heavenly soldiers are stationed in Erguo, are they fluent in language? Can the documents be understood? If the language is not fluent, and the writing is strange, it must be prepared in advance. If ten people match one officer, more than [-] will need to be able to send [-] troops. matter, can the country prepare for it?"

Jin Yingyuan kept everything in mind, and hurriedly said: "What Your Highness said is the key point. Our country will do its best to do it. It's just a general rule. The population of our country is only tens of thousands. How can so many people say it?" Chinese official language? I’m afraid it’s not easy.”

"Don't panic." Zhu Cihong said: "As long as you run a few more times, the sea chart will be there naturally. If your country can't prepare food, grass and military equipment, our army can also prepare it by itself, but we need ships to go to Ryukyu first, and this warehouse is convenient. Be ready. The enemy's intelligence needs to be inquired as soon as possible. Now that I am in the dark and he is in the open, there must be no defense. It should not be difficult. As for general affairs, there are few people in our country, but our country is full of talents. When you return to the country, I will send five How about a thousand students going to Ryukyu together to learn the Er dialect?"

Jin Yingyuan broke down in tears, knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

Before Jin Yingyuan stepped down, You Shiwei had already come to take over.Although the veteran was wearing a court uniform, Jin Yingyuan's aura of battle-hardened presence was enough to make Jin Yingyuan feel envious: Compared with the hundreds of domestic guards, Daming's military strength is so powerful that it is compelling to look up to.

You Shiwei didn't even look at Jin Yingyuan, he just stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the Second Division reported that the three Niulu troops of Donglu Zhenghuang Banner were defeated in Jinzhou on July [-], but Jinzhou City was in dire straits. To defend, we have to set up camp to defend against the enemy, and ask His Highness for instructions on the strategy."

Zhu Cilang watched the ceremonial officer take Jin Yingyuan down, and pulled his mind from the Ryukyu in the East China Sea to the Liaoxi Corridor where the north wind was already blowing.He took a look at the military newspaper and asked You Shiwei, "You Du fought outside the pass, what do you think?"

After You Shiwei was immersed in the staff department, he no longer had the vigor of the day, and became more mature and cautious.He said: "The minister was in Ningyuan back then, and he knew very little about Jinzhou. The General Staff Department meant that instead of building Jinzhou City, we should shrink the defense first, focus on harassment, and attract the main force of the Eastern Captives, so that the Liaodong Division has a chance to rest and consolidate. .”

"Then...to complete the battle?" Zhu Cihong turned a few pages and saw the opinion of the General Staff Headquarters.

"Exactly." You Shiwei said: "Your Highness, although your ideas are radical, you still have the spirit. If our army can recover Liao and Shen, then Jinzhou does not need to deploy heavy defenses. If our army cannot recover Liaoshen, then Jinzhou can be repaired I'm afraid I can't keep it."

Zhu Cihong smiled lightly: "You are indeed young."

Young people are full of vigor and fighting spirit, not to mention that the young people in the General Staff are all hoping to emulate "Ban Dingyuan" and abandon their pens and join the army. Anyone who rushes slower than others will be ashamed to speak.However, this kind of person is also prone to make the mistake of eager for quick success, especially the lack of overall perspective.

If it was in the Tianqi Dynasty or the early years of Chongzhen, it would not be a problem to set up an army of 30 in Liaodong. However, the Eastern Palace now pursues the line of elite soldiers and does not fight uncertain battles. In this way, huge amounts of food, grass, and military pay are all for entering the army. Pressure and lack of coordination will inevitably lead to chaos in the country as a whole.This kind of important military affairs that affects the whole body can only be done slowly.

"Wait until the second division is formed first." Zhu Cihong said: "There is also the matter of military service. How is it being promoted in Shandong?" (To be continued...)

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