eldest son of Ming dynasty

There is a long and narrow area in Zhonghai Xiyuan, with a galloping path in the middle, where horses can walk. At the end is a flat land, about four or five acres in size. Beyond the flat ground is Ziguang Pavilion.

Ziguang Pavilion has always been used for the emperor to receive vassal states and foreign envoys. The architectural form is a two-story pavilion with 5 rooms in the front and 7 rooms in the back. It has a total height of 18 meters and a total area of ​​more than 400 square meters. The roof is a verandah roof. Covered with green glazed yellow tube edge tiles.

Historically, Emperor Jiajing hid in Xiyuan while refining elixirs. In his spare time, he liked to review the Imperial Army's bows and horses here. Later, he became addicted and even built a high platform on the back, but it does not exist now.

Now there are two white marble stairs, which are not high, only a few steps, and you can walk up to Ziguang Pavilion.

Today, Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao is wearing a black crown robe with a white jade belt around his waist. He is sitting majestically on the dragon chair. From the end of his sight, he can see people in "fancy clothes" paying homage to him under the guidance of the chamberlain.

At the door of Ziguang Pavilion, the little eunuch put his hands flat in front of his abdomen, raised his posture, and shouted with great energy:
"The envoy of Xuan Japan has come to see you!"

"The envoy of the Xuan Lu Song Kingdom comes to see you!"

"The envoy of Xuanmanjiala Kingdom comes to see you!"

……

The envoys who came to see the emperor had already gone through some 'training' from the Ministry of Rites. For example, they knew that they could not look directly at the Ming emperor when they were meeting him, as this would be considered offensive.

According to the process taught at the beginning, the inscription officer of the Ministry of Rites will shout out the name, and then the envoy will come forward and kneel down, "Japan Ashikaga Shogun Ambassador Matajiro, present the credentials of Japan and the tribute, and sincerely pay tribute to Emperor Masanori of the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty, stay safe!"

Zhu Houzhao looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar appearance of the Japanese in front of him in a funny way. He really couldn't appreciate it, "I'm in peace. Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Great Emperor!"

Because it is a formal reception, there are etiquette regulations for this. The emperor cannot come whenever he wants, otherwise, where would you put the majesty of the country?You are ridiculous yourself, but you still expect others to respect you?
Therefore, conversations in such formal occasions are actually meaningless. They are just a formality. What should be said and what should not be said have been decided in advance.

And because of the large number of people, after all, there are North Korea, Ryukyu, Yibula, Hami, Luzon, etc., so this ceremony lasted for about half a day. In addition to the previous preparations, Zhu Houzhao was pressed here since he got up early in the morning. Tossed.

In the evening of the second day, the emperor held a banquet and set off fireworks in the large open space in front of Ziguang Pavilion to entertain envoys from various countries.

There were various lanterns and candles floating on the lake nearby, and a high platform was set up in the middle of the open space, and people from outside were invited to enter the palace to perform performances.

Today, in addition to foreign envoys, there are also important ministers, especially nobles such as Dukes and Marquises who are here to surround the emperor as an extension of the royal family.

All in all, there is singing, dancing, and bright lights. This grand occasion always reminds people of the Yongle era.

The young emperor straightened his back and watched the gorgeous fireworks flying into the sky with a bang, feeling vaguely like he was in another world.

This kind of scene of people from all over the world having fun together is rare in the history of more than 2000 years. Unfortunately, there are not enough technical means to freeze and preserve it.

Because Queen Xia was about to give birth to a child, standing next to the emperor was Wang Zhi. She, Wei Ningbo and others, accompanied these envoys to the capital.

On both sides of the emperor were the envoys.

At the beginning of the banquet, the leader of the Yongxiebu tribe was the first to stand up. He picked up a large bowl that served as a wine glass, and said to Zhu Houzhao: "On this special day, on behalf of the people of the tribe, I would like to offer a cup to His Majesty the Great Emperor! Thank you. His Majesty the Emperor has given you cattle, sheep and utensils!"

This was one of his own, so Zhu Houzhao naturally gave him face. After finishing a glass of wine, he rubbed his hands and asked, "Commander Yibulu, welcome back to the capital. We haven't seen each other for two years. I have always been thinking about you and you." Tribe. Speaking of which, after the defeat of Fire Sieve, how are you now after escaping to the grassland? Are you honest?"

Yibuza bowed and saluted, "Back to His Majesty the Great Emperor, I heard that Yibuza is full of resentment and is occupying more grassland, training soldiers and horses, and preparing to take revenge on the Ming Dynasty."

For Yibula, he definitely hopes to eliminate Huoshai again tomorrow.

Otherwise, if the fire sieve is established, he will be the first to eliminate the traitor.

Of course, this is not a problem, but rather their common interests. "Yes." Zhu Houzhao nodded, he raised his eyebrows and said the important words in an understatement, "I have already considered it. It is estimated that next year at the latest I will send an army of [-] to sweep the grassland. If necessary... Do you think so? Also by the way, did you wipe out the two tribes of ten thousand households that were unwilling to surrender?"

It's not frightening either.

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was full of confidence in his words, and he seemed to be able to bring out a hundred thousand troops with ease.

The key is that what he said is true.

Such a Ming Dynasty is really terrifying.

"It all depends on His Majesty the Great Emperor."

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help laughing, and then said, "I think I still want it. It's unbecoming. I sent you to ask for surrender, but they didn't even respond. There are so many soldiers and horses from the two tribes roaming on the edge of the Great Wall all year round. , what do you mean? You can't come to greet me with a sword, right?"

Well, I want to say that after Dayan Khan's death, they will not lead troops to parade on the Great Wall... but it is impossible for him to correct the emperor on this occasion.

"If you have a channel, tell them. I'm uneasy if they do this."

"Yes!"

With a smile on his face and hidden murderous intent, this is how this young emperor feels to others now.

Wang Hao in the crowd looked at this scene and couldn't help but think of the scene when he and the prince swore an oath in the Xiefang Palace. In the past 12 years, they have never forgotten it.

Not long after, a voice came from the dragon chair.

"Dear envoys. I have spent so long preparing this banquet. It is not just for us to eat and drink. I think that all of you are also important ministers of the king or general, so your time is also precious. So. In fact, on behalf of Ming Dynasty, I have two things to say to you today."

"First, the Ming Dynasty's sea ban policy has been completely lifted. From now on, the Ming Dynasty will actively embrace the ocean and be willing to live in friendship with all countries. It allows its own people to go out, and allows foreigners to come in, and allows trade, and it must encourage trade, if possible , I am even willing to help you build the port, even if it is financial and military support, it is not impossible.

This is a very important policy shift for the Ming Dynasty. If you are willing to be friends with the Ming Dynasty, you must grasp this shift carefully.What has changed specifically, and what are the main differences from the past? If you don’t understand, you can ask me now, or ask Ping Haibo or any of my ministers.I have been doing this for several years, and this national policy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

I will only mention one of the obvious points, which is that there is no need for tribute trade or prospecting trade.This point affects Japan the most.Ma Dajiro, you must convey my meaning to General Ashikaga accurately. From now on, Ming Dynasty will have free exchanges with Japanese officials and people. Trade is not a problem, and the principle followed is that both parties are willing to do so, and neither party is allowed to buy or sell by force. . "

Matajiro heard about it on the way here, and he disapproved of this the most, because the Kanhe trade was very profitable for Japan. They took a few broken knives and wanted to exchange them for a lot of gold, silver, and silk.

If Kanhe trade is stopped, what's the point of playing tricks?

He had also used bribery, but everyone told him that now the emperor of Ming Dynasty had changed. The emperor decided such policy matters with one word, so why bribe him?
"His Majesty the Great Emperor!" Ma Dajiro stood up from the table, "General Ashikaga admires His Majesty the Great Emperor very much. This time he sent his ministers to the Ming Dynasty. He most hopes to repair relations and strengthen exchanges with the Ming Empire. Among them, the most important thing is It’s the exploration trade! Please take back His Majesty the Great Emperor’s order. We, Japan, are willing to serve the Ming Empire as the supreme kingdom of heaven. We will be friendly from generation to generation and never betray!”

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Is there anything else? I told you all."

Ma Dajiro was not polite, "I have one more request, please allow His Majesty the Emperor. After the Ming Dynasty opened the sea, many Japanese businessmen went to the sea to do business in the Ming Dynasty, in order to enable Japanese citizens to have a place to stay after wandering at sea. General Ashikaga beseeches His Majesty the Emperor to grant us a coastal port to benefit the people of our two countries!"

Zhu Houzhao's face immediately darkened, and he even sneered, "You want me to give you land? Oh, how can you give the land of your ancestors to others? Besides, I haven't settled the debt with you yet for Japan allowing Japanese pirates to invade the coast. Still want to get involved in my Ming Dynasty land? Do you think the ships you saw in Ningbo are not big enough?"

The emperor spoke majestically. Ma Da Erlang was forced to bow his head under the eaves. Of course he would not be very satisfied. But Zhu Houzhao didn't care about him. He stood up, put his hands on his hips, pointed at him condescendingly and scolded: "It doesn't matter. When you go back, Tell General Ashikaga that I will build a bigger ship. I am not afraid of too many Japanese pirates, so what does it matter? Just kill them one by one.

Ah, over the years, I see that he has no intention of taking care of these Japanese pirates. I also don't care. Ming Dynasty is the superior country of Japan. He doesn't care. I can take care of it for him. I can rush to the lair of the Japanese pirates and take care of it for him! ! "

Ma Da Erlang felt aggrieved. He even wanted to get angry after hearing these arrogant words, but he slowly calmed down and said, "Please calm down, His Majesty the Emperor."