Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Move the timeline forward a little.

When Zheng He entered the palace to report what he had learned about the prison literacy class, Zhu Di was dealing with another important matter with Dao Yan.

"What's going on with Annan? Is he like the shogun in Japan, using the name of the king to defraud Ming Dynasty's canonization?"

Facing Zhu Di's question, Dao Yan turned his rosary and said: "Your Majesty, I feel that the envoys of the Chen Dynasty in Annan are indeed very suspicious. They are hesitant and unwilling to say more about many things. While Fengtian was in peace in the Ming Dynasty, there must be something inside Annan. Something happened."

Daoyan's words were straightforward, and the relationship between the two did not need to be hidden. They were both comrades in the rebellion together.

Dao Yan went straight to the core of the problem: "Of course, the key to this matter is definitely not what happened inside Annan. Annan is not Japan. Annan directly borders the Ming Dynasty. It is very convenient to find out what information there is."

"The key to this matter is, will the internal changes in Annan be beneficial or harmful to Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Di pondered for a few breaths and then said.

"According to common sense, if there is indeed a change of power within the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, as long as they still surrender to the Ming Dynasty and continue to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, then the Ming Dynasty will recognize this change of power."

"What's more, a country like Annan that took the initiative to submit to the Ming Dynasty's tribute system as early as the founding of the Ming Dynasty?"

This means that the relationship between Annan and the Ming Dynasty is actually good. In the year when the Northern Expeditionary Army led by General Xu Da captured the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Yuzong, the seventh king of the Chen Dynasty in Annan, sent a high-level envoy team to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. The vassal state was established, and Zhu Yuanzhang also took advantage of the situation to confer it, promising to include Annan in the ranks of countries without conquests, and the Ming Dynasty would provide it with military protection if necessary.

Of course, Japan is also a country without conquests.

Ahem, what is the ancestral precept of Taizu about whether to conquer or not? In Zhu Di's case, as long as there are benefits to the Ming Dynasty that far exceed the cost of troops, then he can be regarded as his father Zhu Yuanzhang.

Anyway, Zhu Di's violation of Zhu Yuanzhang's ancestral precepts is not a matter of one or two.

"This Hu Cha claimed that he was the heir of the Chen family. He signed himself to be in charge of Annan's state affairs and begged for a title." Zhu Di stretched out his hand and knocked on the memorial. "Don't think about it, there must be something wrong. Now you might as well tell me, if Annan gives Given Daming’s excuse, what should Daming do, or should he do nothing?”

"I thought that Ming Dynasty must do something. In fact, Annan is an excellent place to test Jiang Sheng's theory." Dao Yan vowed.

After hearing this, Zhu Di was startled.

Jiang Xinghuo gave so many lectures and talked about so many theories. Which theory did you, Daoyan, specifically talk about?

Daoyan also realized this and added: "Nation-state and world island war, as well as the export of Ming values."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, this was no problem.

Dao Yan said: "Although Annan and the Ming Dynasty are not completely the same species. There are many descendants of mixed Han and local people in the north of Annan, and most of them are local natives in the south. But only in the north, they can still be regarded as the same species. of."

"In addition, the important thing is that Annan and the Ming Dynasty actually share the same script. Annan also used the Ming Dynasty script. The education received by the local nobles was also traditional Confucian education."

"So, unlike Japan, which has its own special culture, Annan is more suitable for the Ming Dynasty to assimilate than Japan. In other words, this is the first step for the Ming Dynasty to step out of the main island of China and come to nearby small islands, and it is also the first step to practice the nation-state. The first step to whether it can take shape.”

Dao Yan narrowed his eyes and imagined.

"If the assimilation in Annan can be successful, it means that the external assimilation of Chinese civilization is feasible. Moreover, it can attract people from other regions to yearn for the Ming Dynasty and become a part of the Ming Dynasty, which is to export the values ​​​​of the Ming Dynasty."

"In this way, with this foundation, Ming Dynasty can expand southward."

"At the same time, a series of ports along the Annan coast also contributed to the Ming Dynasty's exploration of the Western Ocean."

Zhu Di nodded approvingly.

If you want to expand your territory, Annan is indeed a good choice.

After all, there are many Han Chinese or mixed Han people in the northern area of ​​Annan, and their culture is completely influenced by Chinese culture, so it is relatively easy to assimilate.

"Now that this matter needs to be done, what step does the master think Ming needs to take?" Zhu Di continued to ask.

In fact, Zhu Di already had some concerns in his mind, but at this time he still habitually wanted to hear Dao Yan's opinion.

Dao Yan simply said: "There are only three methods."

"First, directly send troops to occupy the entire territory of Annan. The advantage is that it can expand the territory at once. The disadvantage is that it requires long-term garrisoning, which makes it difficult for the local area to support itself and the military expenditure is huge."

"Second, if you send troops to occupy the entire territory of Annan, support the new regime and then withdraw, you can claim some of the fields and ports in return for the Ming Dynasty sending troops. The advantage is that the Ming Dynasty does not need to continue to pay the cost of occupation, and can get a few of the best areas of Annan. For example, the fields near the Ming Dynasty and the ports that provided the Ming Dynasty navy with supplies and repairs in the Southeast Asia."

"Third, send troops to occupy a larger part of Annan. This larger part of the area is the limit that Ming Dynasty's troops can control without causing too much supply burden. The remaining areas will still be left to Annan, but new ones will not be supported. The political power and the occupied fields were directly controlled by Ming Dynasty. The advantage is that Ming Dynasty can get the fields it wants. The disadvantage is that Annan will regard Ming Dynasty as an enemy from now on. If Ming Dynasty's national power declines, Annan will bite him and try to take back all the fields. Walking fields.”

Zhu Di nodded, Dao Yan's analysis was very comprehensive.

"What approach does the master think Ming should take?"

Looking at Zhu Di, Dao Yan smiled: "I'm afraid your Majesty has already made a decision in his mind."

Zhu Di also laughed.

"Master knows me!"

After laughing, Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "What I'm saying is, either don't do it or do it!"

"If I really want to hit Annan, then I will never let Annan have another chance to bite back. I will definitely kill him with a stick while he is sick."

"As for the puppet regime, I am not the kind of person who likes to make wedding clothes for others. After occupying the entire territory of Annan, I want Annan to become the 14th chief envoy of the Ming Dynasty from now on and be completely included in the Ming Dynasty."

"Even the name, I just thought of it."

"——Chief Envoy of Cochin!"

"It's a good name." Dao Yan nodded slightly, "The former name of Jiaozhi is not inferior to Annan."

The so-called Jiaozhi originated from the establishment of the three counties of Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen and Rinan after the destruction of the South Vietnam Kingdom during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Later, when the Han Empire established the Thirteen Governors Department across the country, the seven counties including Jiaozhi were divided into Jiaozhi Governors. Department, also known as "Jiaozhou" during the Three Kingdoms period.

Just as the two were talking about the treatment of Annan, Zhu Gaosui, wearing a bullfighting suit and a pumpkin hammer hanging on his waist, came in with a salute.

Zhu Gaosui said softly to Zhu Di.

"Father, Zheng He has returned from the imperial edict and is seeking an audience outside Fengtian Hall."

Zhu Di and Dao Yan were sitting around the stove at this time. Zhu Di had suffered from the old cold leg problem when he crawled on ice and slept in the snow during the northern expedition to Mongolia in his early years. Nowadays, every autumn rain and cold, he cannot do without the stove to keep him warm.

Zhu Di waved his hand: "Let Zheng He come in."

"yes."

Not long after, Zhu Gaosui led Zheng He into the palace.

"Your Majesty, Zheng He, your minister, is here to see you!"

Zheng He bowed and said.

"Get up, no need to be polite."

Zhu Di was in a good mood and asked Zhu Gaosui to bring a chair over and give Zheng He a seat.

The flames in the stove were crackling, and they thought it was a night chat around the stove. Zhu Di took a few sips of the hot tea, turned around and asked.

"There's no rush to talk about the imprisonment."

Zheng He was startled.

Zhu Di pointed at him and said with a smile: "I know Jiang Xinghuo's ability. The two ministers still don't believe in making a bet with me. Looking at your expressions, I know that they will lose. Jiang Xinghuo must have a way to make those two ministers bet." A group of illiterate people can read, right?”

"It's true, it's Jiang Xinghuo's fault."

Zheng He's words were stopped by Zhu Di raising his hand. Zhu Di said with a smile: "Let's not talk about Jiang Xinghuo's method. First, tell us about your experience of going to the Wanli Stone Pond in the South Sea? I have never been to the sea before. Don’t you know what it’s like to sail on the ocean?”

Dao Yan wanted to know Jiang Xinghuo's method, but fortunately, Dao Yan had been practicing for many years, and even though he was curious, he was able to calm down and looked at his disciple.

Well, Zheng He is Daoyan's Bodhisattva disciple. He is both a closed disciple and Daoyan's direct subordinate in the intelligence system.

Therefore, Dao Yan actually knew most of Zheng He's knowledge, and his curiosity about maritime affairs was not as serious as Zhu Di's.

As for why Dao Yan did not report to Zhu Di what Zheng He had passed on to Dao Yan at sea, ahem, Dao Yan naturally had his own purpose.

Zheng He also smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the sea is indeed incomparable to the land. From Quanzhou to Wanli Shitang, it is not very far with smooth wind and water. A month's round trip is enough. The key is that sometimes the sea conditions are different. .”

"What's the difference?" Zhu Di was very curious.

Zheng He said softly: "I have now made a round trip to Wanli Shitang. However, no matter where I am in Wanli Shitang, although the wind and waves are much smaller now, strong winds will occur every few days. Although the power of this strong wind is smaller than If you don't go up to the dragon to absorb water, the victory is that it is frequent, and it will come once every three to five. If you are unlucky, you will easily lose your way. The warship of the Ming Dynasty that I was riding on encountered it, and the wind and waves were high, which also caused the fleet to Some of the boats there almost capsized. The key problem is that Ming Dynasty lacks nautical charts for many areas, and it is now difficult to locate at sea."

"Sea positioning?"

"That's right!" Zheng He nodded, "I used the method of star-catching, but sometimes, especially at night, the fog on the sea is very heavy, and the line of sight is limited, and I can't see the stars in the sky at all, so on the sea Navigation is very dangerous, especially on the sea at night, and you need to be more careful. If you are not careful, you may deviate from the route. After all, on the chart, a slight deviation can cause a mistake of thousands of miles."

"I have never heard of these statements." Zhu Di squinted his eyes slightly and murmured.

Zhu Di turned around and asked Yan: "Does Master Dao Yan know the art of star pulling?"

Dao Yan shook his head, he really didn't go out of his way to understand.

Zhu Di and Zheng He finished chatting about what they had seen in Shitang Wanli in the south, and then continued to talk about the various news Zheng He had heard about overseas. Knowing that the sea is so boundless and that overseas countries are completely different from the Central Plains, Zhu Di greatly broadened his horizons and knowledge.

After all, it is impossible to read the Yuan Dynasty classics about overseas content as intuitively as listening to Zheng He's personal experiences.

"It seems that the Ming Navy's ships and related navigation technology still need to be adapted to long-distance voyages and improved. It is best to create a better positioning method than the star-finding technique."

After hearing what Zheng He said, the Ming Navy now had to rely on the star-drawing technique passed down from the Song Dynasty and the Semu navigators if they wanted to sail far or to the Western Ocean. Zhu Di couldn't help but sigh.

After all, it is not the same thing to always rely on outsiders. If you want to go underground to the West on a large scale, you must have your own method.

Zheng He hesitated for a moment and finally told the truth.

"Your Majesty, it would be very difficult for Ming Dynasty to do this."

"Why?" Zhu Di asked with a frown.

Zheng He smiled bitterly and said: "The Song Dynasty only dared to sail close to the coastline when conducting overseas trade. Otherwise, the sea is vast and boundless, and it is easy to lose your way. How can you easily achieve positioning on the sea? The best way is to use the star-finding technique. "

"oh."

Zhu Di nodded and said suddenly.

"Why don't you ask Jiang Xinghuo?"

Zheng He's expression froze.

You must know that Jiang Xinghuo often creates trouble for him.

Regarding the matter of contacting Jiang Xinghuo, Zheng He was unwilling to do so, let alone a close contact.

It's not that Zheng He doesn't believe in Jiang Xinghuo's abilities.

Zheng He believed too much in Jiang Xinghuo's extraordinary abilities!

The problem is that Jiang Xing Huoguang moves his mouth!

As a result, Jiang Xinghuo said that he would go to Wanli Shitang to look for bird droppings, and Zheng He would have to break his legs and not come back for two months.

Zheng He was also ridiculed by some villains as "repaying the court with shit", which almost made Zheng He angry.

Therefore, Zheng He really didn't want to ask Jiang Xinghuo.

Otherwise, you don’t know how many troubles Jiang Xinghuo would cause for you if you just talk.

Zhu Di laughed and said, "Okay, let's talk about what you saw in the literacy class in the imperial prison."

After Zheng He finished describing, Zhu Di nodded. Obviously, he was not too surprised that Jiang Xinghuo could solve the literacy problem.

"so."

Zhu Di mused: "Jiang Xinghuo has the last four classes and is about to be released from prison."

"Originally, Mr. Cao Guo is on a mission to Japan, and there is a shortage of someone to act as a mouthpiece for me. If you don't know about it now, it will be hard on you. You should go to jail."

Zheng He's lips moved with difficulty.

In the end, it's like when the leader says "please give me a hard time", you can only reply with "good leader".

Zheng He said: "My lord, I obey the order."

If you bring shit back to the court, you will be rewarded with jail time.

Jiang Xinghuo, I really thank you!