eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 696 Return to Beijing
Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied with the process of summoning Xing Guan.

There is even a feeling that such talents are discovered too late.

Because industry and market are the truly important factors.

Later generations will remember the birth of the steam engine in Britain. However, before the emergence of the steam engine and the spinning jenny, the British had already had a century of industrial development.

To put it simply, the steam engine has improved productivity today and can produce a large amount of products in a short period of time, but what is the use if it cannot be sold?Such a machine will be thrown into the warehouse by the businessman the next day and become unnoticed.

So from big machines to big development, this is not a complete logical chain.

The entire logical chain should be a stable political environment, a business-oriented social environment, huge market demand, and a mature sales network, followed by the emergence of big machines and then great development.

Because of the development of large machines, it has brought about the innovation of various tools and improved military power, which in turn ensures the stability of the market.

More importantly, large-scale production requires precise collaborative division of labor and various types of talents. In this process, talent training is also completed.

This is a positive cycle.

This was true for the British, and it was also true for the industrialization of the United States and Germany. It was also true for several countries that successfully industrialized later.

Otherwise, if outdated machines like steam engines have been around for hundreds of years, why are there still only a few countries in the world that have achieved industrialization in the 21st century?
What excited Zhu Houzhao was that there was an official from the Ming Dynasty who was instilling in him the importance of developing the cotton textile industry.

It shows that the social changes brought about by his practice of opening up the sea have successfully influenced a new group of contemporary officials. Maritime business, trade and the changes brought about have begun to shake people's initial concepts, and they gradually realize that this is also a powerful force. way.

During this southern tour, he thought there was only one Guan Yanqing who shouted "emphasis on Confucius and Mencius but not on miraculous skills", but he did not expect that in the end there was Xing Guan who talked about industry with him in Ningbo.

In addition, these are far more than pure concepts, behind them are a group of real interest groups.

In the past ten years, from the emperor to Ping Haibo and other nobles, to many local officials aiming for career advancement, and to every businessman and civilian, a large influx of silver has made this group rich. and depended on this trade route.

"...I remember that when I left Shandong, I appointed Guan Yanqing as the prefect of Hangzhou, right?"

The emperor was picking off flower petals in his palace in Ningbo while chatting with You Zhi.

You Zhi didn't expect that the emperor would still remember such a little prefect.

"Yes, His Majesty also told him that if he does well after one year, he will report to His Majesty."

"Well..." Zhu Houzhao became rarely entangled. He had a thought of bringing Xing Guan back to the capital.

But Wu Wending really needs such a person by his side.

The British engage in cannon with their left hand and trade with their right hand. These two hands are indispensable.Therefore, Wu Wending and Xing Guan cannot be without either of them.

As for Guan Yanqing, he is still young. He was a county magistrate before, but now he is just the magistrate of Hangzhou. It is not a good idea to encourage others.

So Zhu Houzhao looked slightly sad.

I'm in a bad mood, plus I've been out for so many days.

On August [-], the [-]th year of Zhengde, the emperor issued an order to return to Beijing.

If we don’t make any stops on the way during this period, we will be able to reach the capital by the end of August.

On the tenth day after the departure of the emperor's emperor, Wu Wending led [-] warships and a total of more than [-] soldiers to officially set sail from Ningbo Port.

Their direction is northeast!
……

……

Autumn has entered the capital in late August and early September.

Yang Yiqing and Wang Hao were woken up in the middle of the night, and they reminded them that the emperor would simply enter Beijing tomorrow and not disturb the people too much. At the same time, all the officials in Beijing would enter the palace in the afternoon and wait for orders outside Fengtian Gate.

Zhu Houzhao got up early today. He chose to enter the city early in the morning to try not to attract the attention of others.

Because his team was so huge, there were thousands of divine guards guarding him along the way, in addition to ten beauties presented by foreign envoys.

Having just returned to Beijing, there were many things going on, and Zhu Houzhao's mind was not yet on them.

It was already a little cold in the morning during this season, which made him completely sleepless. "Jin Gui, please work harder. Call Xie Pi and Jing Yang over and pick up the important memorials from these two months and bring them to me." Look. Bring them in batches so that I can start reading them right away."

Jin Gui naturally responded, but he still added, "Your Majesty, it's not too late for half a day. Isn't it too late to read after you have rested?"

Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands and said, "No, I don't want to sleep. Go quickly. I have already sent an order to see the ministers in the afternoon, so you still have to see them. Ah, You Zhi, besides the breakfast for me, don't forget them."

"Yes!"

The two people around him immediately followed the order and left.

Zhu Houzhao walked around twice in the Nuan Pavilion of Qianqing Palace. After not seeing each other for many days, he actually missed him. Then he climbed up on his soft bed and casually turned over the things on it. Outside, there was gradually some light, and it must be day soon. Bright.He estimated that today's Fengtianmen discussion would mostly be about Japan.

So I still murmured: It would be great if Xing Guan was here.

The actual situation was more intense than he expected.

The emperor went on a tour and announced two foreign wars, with almost no careful discussion with the ministers of the court and the central government.

This always seems to be hasty.

The sun gradually rose, and at noon, many dignitaries in Beijing had gathered outside the Meridian Gate.

While waiting for the palace door to be opened, cabinet ministers Wang Bing and Yang Tinghe, Shaofu Ling Gu Renyi, and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gu Zuo were all attacked and launched a fierce attack.

Although Yang Yiqing and Wang Hao didn't speak, it was still an attitude to ignore them.

For example, Mao Ji, the minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who has a relatively upright personality, was not polite. He said sarcastically, "The military is the most important thing for the country! Your Majesty has always been a steady and cautious character. The use of troops in the northwest can be said to be the hometown of the Han and Tang Dynasties. Why did he suddenly want to attack Japan because of a case when he arrived in Ningbo?! At first, I didn’t know why these few people were accompanying me, but now I understand, they are the ones who are most in line with the holy will!"

Gu Zuo will be a little more boring.

But Gu Renyi didn't like him, "What does Mao Shangshu mean by this?! Are you saying that His Majesty's expedition to Japan was negligent?!"

"Don't accuse me of such charges! What I'm talking about is not His Majesty, but you! Have you fulfilled your duties as ministers and assisted the monarch! Or are you just trying to please the monarch all day long?!"

"you!"

Gu Zuo stopped him and shook his head slightly, "Yi Shan, there is no need to argue like this. Just be honest with yourself."

"What a clear conscience!" Mao Ji continued to fire, "The island country of Japan is thousands of miles away, and the wind and waves on the sea are even more ruthless. If anything goes wrong, I will be the first to intervene. You two have a clear conscience. people!"

The palace door slowly opened at this time, revealing You Zhi's face. The emperor knew that it was not peaceful outside, so he called him, "Everyone, the emperor is already waiting. Either wipe the saliva on your mouth and come with us." Palace?"

"Humph!"

Mao Ji snorted and walked in front.

Yang Yiqing, who was lagging behind, asked Gu Zuo beside him: "Why did your Majesty send Ningbo Magistrate Xing Guanwei to join the army again?"

This thing is a bit strange. It is normal for a military general to have a supervisor by his side when he goes on an expedition. It is also normal to find a civil servant to control the military general. It is the only way to make such a prefect join the army.This is a bit strange.

Yang Yiqing has rich political experience, so he is keenly aware of this.

On this occasion, there was no time to elaborate, so Gu Zuo said: "It has something to do with the word industry that His Majesty mentioned."

"Industry? Is it also related to Japan?"

"Have."

"Oh……"

It seems that the emperor has a deeper overall consideration.

Although it was inappropriate to start doing it directly without consulting them, it was enough to just have this idea in mind. Expressing it directly to the emperor would be too long.

The emperor summoned the high officials in Beijing, basically the cabinet and the six ministries and nine ministers.Including He Jian, the Minister of the Ministry of Husbandry, Wang Jing, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Liang Chu, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Mao Ji, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Wang Hua, the Minister of Rites, Zhao Shen, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, etc.

The temperature was pleasant in the early autumn afternoon. Zhu Houzhao did not give each of them a seat this time, but asked them to stand.

After saluting, the emperor also got straight to the point, "Is there any military report from Jinglubo?"

"Back to Your Majesty." Wang Jing, Minister of War, reported back, "There was a military report three days ago. Our army has left Hami and arrived at the gate of Turpan and must be left outside the city. This battle is led by deputy general Ma Rong. Our army is overwhelming and can conquer the city in half a day. , captured countless.”

"This is good news. Jinglubo deserves to be a famous general in the world." The emperor laughed, but he glanced at everyone and found that none of them made any movement, "...I know, you want to talk about the Eastern Conquest of Japan, right? ?Mao Ji, you don’t understand?”

Mao Ji is not a villain. He can only do things for others, so why don't he dare to admit his own thoughts? He immediately stood up and said: "I really don't understand how humble ministers are bold. Japan is alone overseas, but no one wants to The barren land we are going to, and why Your Majesty insists on deciding on the strategy of going out in just a moment, I have been thinking about it for the past few days and can't figure it out!"

Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon chair and chuckled, "I've said it for you. You want to know if I have a conflict of wills. You are a coward. Take your own words for granted. I tell you, I am nothing. I also recognize these four words: "pushole" and "conflict of spirits"! Under the world, is it the king's land, and on the shore of the land, is it the king's ministers. These sixteen words are good and pleasant, but they are just for us to talk about, some People just don’t recognize it, and the leader is Japan!
In your words, that is a small country not worth mentioning, haha.It is such a country that dares to covet the Ming Dynasty. I am conquering it just for this reason. What is wrong with this? !Can you rely on your sharp tongue to ensure that Japan will no longer use despicable means to blackmail our Ming Dynasty officials?Do you know what those people did to my Ming officials?They believe they have the handle, and they are arrogant and arrogant. I get furious every time I think about it. Shouldn't this be punished? ! "

The emperor's tone was extremely stern. He really said that he was angry every time, "I have endured it all the way. The Japanese envoys in Ningbo are all local daimyo. The envoys of the Ashikaga family of the Muromachi shogunate are in Beijing, right? Okay? , I will issue an order today to submit a declaration of war to the Muromachi Shogunate!"

This sentence is not said casually. Local daimyo are not the official representatives of Japan. Although the central government is weak, it is the central government after all.This needs to be paid attention to and cannot be messed up.

Mao Ji did not expect that the emperor would be more enthusiastic, "Your Majesty!!"

"Stop talking!" Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, "I tell you, even if you don't agree with this matter, I will still do it! And it will be done!"

(End of this chapter)