Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Under the new crooked neck tree.

A gust of autumn wind blew by, and the fallen leaves fell.

Jiang Xinghuo picked up a leaf and said thoughtfully.

"Actually, since we mentioned the Angel House and the Consulate, here we have to mention the tribute system of the Ming Dynasty."

"Tribute system?"

Zhu Gaoxu was slightly startled, but he didn't think anything was wrong.

After all, this thing has been running well since his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang until now.

Jiang Xinghuo further asked: "Do you understand the Ming Dynasty's tribute system?"

Zhu Gaoxu swallowed and spat, ah this.

I have heard the names, including the more familiar North Korea and Annan. As for the other countries, how can I remember them?

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu who was a little confused, Zheng He said to him at this time: "The general also knows that I came from a good family in Shandong and my ancestors also served as officials. I have heard about it since I was a child. I once heard my ancestor mention it."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu, who still had to insist on pretending for the last three classes, said with a certain tone.

"Oh, even though you and I don't know each other, I don't know that you are still knowledgeable."

After taking a look at the two people who were pretending, Jiang Xinghuo's eyelids drooped slightly.

"You might as well tell me what you know."

At the same time, there was a little more speculation in my heart.

Zhu Gaoxu must have known this person, and this person was not only knowledgeable, but also very interested in overseas affairs. He was not like an ordinary martial artist.

But if you want to guess the identity based on this, it will be too difficult to guess.

After all, the other party looked like Guan Gong, and there was no record of a similar figure in history during the Yongle period.

But Jiang Xinghuo is not in a hurry. If they get along with each other for a few more days, the other party will naturally reveal his flaws.

Now that he is only three classes away from being released from prison, Jiang Xinghuo has already vaguely felt that with Li Jinglong most likely going on a mission to Japan, the storm that he, a senior time traveler, has brought to the historical line has become bigger and bigger.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu smiling innocently at him, Jiang Xinghuo felt even more uncomfortable.

In fact, the day he met Jiang Xuan, that is, the day Jiang Xinghuo guessed Zhu Gaoxu's identity, Jiang Xinghuo stayed up all night. Naturally, he was shocked at first. Everyone was shocked. Who would have thought that the inmate and disciple turned out to be the second prince? ? !

But then I started to feel a little complicated when I thought about my fate in history as the founding disciple.

Zhu Gaoxu.

Famous acquaintances in history.

After all, after giving lessons to Zhu Gaoxu for so long, and the two of them getting along for so long, Zhu Gaoxu tried to save him again and again without asking for anything in return. After all, he was his teacher, so he couldn't really turn a blind eye. Watching the other person embark on that path of no return, right?

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?

Therefore, in fact, from the beginning of this class, Jiang Xinghuo tried to use his own way to interfere with the historical line and change Zhu Gaoxu's fate.

Jiang Xinghuo felt that the probability of Zhu Gaoxu becoming the prince was really low. If he could not become the prince, he would have to find a way to save his life, whether it was becoming a prince or establishing a country overseas.

But again, everyone has his or her own ambitions.

Jiang Xinghuo also knew very well that even if he tried to persuade him as a teacher, Zhu Gaojiu would definitely not be able to give up when facing the temptation of huge interests such as fighting for the throne. No one else would be able to give up the hope of becoming emperor, let alone Besides, this hope is not small at all.

So, if you want to save Tie Hanhan's life, and if you want to prevent this little master of seeking death from seeking death, you naturally need to find some other way.

Jiang Xinghuo already had some ideas in his mind.

These thoughts are not only related to whether Zhu Gaoxu's fate can be changed, but also related to what Jiang Xinghuo will do in the future.

That is, like all changes throughout the ages.

Transforming the Ming Dynasty also requires a test field.

If you want to plant the seeds of developing creativity in this experimental field and cultivate the seedlings of enlightenment into towering trees, you must have enough power to support it.

In Jiang Xinghuo's heart, there was a crazy idea.

He needed a field large enough to support, ideally, a population of hundreds of thousands, and the basic resources needed to support the first industrial revolution.

Jiang Xinghuo wants to do a great experiment that has never been seen in human history.

The title of this experiment is,

——Is it impossible for the seeds of capitalism to emerge in the Chinese system, as scholars say?

In other words, can Jiang Xinghuo do it, generate new manufacturing power and force the innovation of manufacturing relationships, enlighten the spread of new thinking and confront old thinking?

If it can succeed in the experimental field, it means that this most amazing experiment in human history so far will completely change the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty and the future destiny of the Chinese nation!

"Use a city as a laboratory and hundreds of thousands of people as experimental subjects to verify this controversial sociological proposition, and then promote the national transformation of the Ming Dynasty. Just thinking that I am responsible for the fate of these hundreds of thousands of people makes me... People feel that the burden on their shoulders is as heavy as a mountain.”

"However, this is probably the only way."

Jiang Xinghuo thought silently in his heart.

But no matter what, when Jiang Xinghuo realized that it was really possible for him to use Zhu Gaoxu's fiefdom or a deal with Emperor Yongle to obtain a test field to complete this great experiment.

Jiang Xinghuo's heart was filled with emotions he had never experienced before.

This emotion was like the kind of horror he had seen in his previous life where aliens raised the entire human race, and the mastermind behind it was hidden among all living beings.

From a fundamental point of view, although Jiang Xinghuo is a time traveler, he does not have the mentality of a bullshit saint who regards all things as stupid dogs. Jiang Xinghuo is a miserable person who has endured seven lives of suffering.

Therefore, Jiang Xinghuo couldn't help but feel instinctive fear about what he had to do, as well as the mission and responsibility that this matter also had to bear.

But then came the anticipation.

If we don't go out and find a experimental field, work hard, and then transform the Ming Dynasty, are we going to die in prison and give lectures all our lives?

There are only so many truths. If you talk too much, won’t it make people bored?

Zhu Gaoxu is willing to pay money to be fresh now, but will he still be willing to pay money when his ears start to ring in the future?

It's not Jiang Xinghuo's style of doing things to rely on one's laurels until death.

"Practice is the only criterion for testing truth." Having said so many truths, are we going to be like Mr. Chang, who spends his whole life talking empty words but not doing anything practical?

After a series of inner questions, Jiang Xinghuo understood that being released from prison was inevitable.

Being released from prison also means that he will lose a lot of things. For example, he will no longer be able to make money by giving lectures comfortably. For example, he will say goodbye to many inmates who will not go out with him to see the outside world.

But just like dialectics, a larger world will also meet more people, see more things, have more contradictions, and have more expectations.

Taking this step bravely is much better than shrinking into the comfort zone of prison!

As for whether I will do something wrong after going out?

Of course, if you do too much, you will make more mistakes, but how can anyone not make mistakes? People across the world also make mistakes sometimes, just learn to correct and learn lessons.

Do it, think about it, and encourage it!

It sounds complicated, but Jiang Xinghuo's mind suddenly changed in just a moment.

With the future path determined, Jiang Xinghuo's attention returned to the present.

The man in front of him dressed as the red-faced Guan Gong was talking about the tribute system.

"I once heard from my ancestors that Emperor Gao, the great ancestor of the Ming Dynasty, designated fifteen countries that would not be conquered because of tribute. This means that all the barbarians in the four directions are limited to mountains and seas, and live in remote corners. The land is narrow and the people are poor. It’s not a threat. If it doesn’t disturb the Ming’s borders, the Ming Dynasty won’t have to launch conquests. Only the Hu Rong (Mongolians) in the northwest have been at war with the Ming Dynasty for many years. They need to select generals and train troops, and they need to carefully prepare their borders at all times.”

Zhu Gaoxu continued: "I only know that there are North Korea, Japan, Annan, the Little and Big Ryukyus, etc. that are very close to each other. I don't know what others are there?"

Zheng He recounted his treasures: "There are also the Kingdom of Chenla (now Cambodia), the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand), the Kingdom of Champa (now southern Vietnam), the Kingdom of Sumatra (now Pasai, Sumatra), and the Kingdom of Xiyang (now the Kingdom of Ketu). Romandel Coast), Java Kingdom (today's Java Island), Panheng Kingdom (today's Malay Peninsula), White Flower Kingdom (today's northwest Sumatra Island), Sanviqi Kingdom (today's Palembang, Sumatra Island), Balni Kingdom (today's Palembang, Sumatra Island), Brunei)."

"Among them, those who pay tribute regularly include Lee Korea, Annan Kingdom, Chenla Kingdom, Siam Kingdom, and Champa Kingdom. Those who pay tribute irregularly include Japan and Ryukyu Kingdom. As for other countries, whether they pay tribute depends on whether they have the Ming Dynasty fleet. Passed by or sent an envoy."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded slightly and said, "It seems that the Ming Dynasty's tribute system basically includes the surrounding area."

"That's the way it is."

"But I think there is room for improvement in this tribute system."

After hearing Jiang Xinghuo's words, the two of them didn't make a fuss. Speaking more seriously, Jiang Xinghuo pointed out that Jiang Shan said that a hundred times of decapitation is not too much, more than once is not too much, and less than once is not too much.

To put it bluntly, everyone knows that the tribute system is not very practical and is only used to save face.

"How does Mr. Jiang think it should be improved?" Zhu Gaoxu asked curiously.

“Three Ring Diplomacy.”

Jiang Xinghuo said simply.

Of course, this three-ring diplomacy is not the other three-ring diplomacy. Fatty Qiu was the setting sun of the British Empire. He would choose strategic contraction because he could not sustain the airs of the empire on which the sun never sets.

The improvement suggestions put forward by Jiang Xinghuo were based on the actual needs of Ming Dynasty, which was equivalent to dividing closeness and distance.

Well, figuratively speaking, it means demarcating different levels of spheres of influence.

In fact, this practical need can be divided by just listening to the other party's description of the tribute situation of the fifteen non-conquest countries.

"The first ring, that is, the core ring, is naturally Annan (now northern Vietnam), Lee's Korea, Japan, and the Big and Little Ryukyus closest to the Ming Dynasty."

"These countries are also the ones most influenced by Chinese culture. For the sake of actual national interests, Ming Dynasty should all occupy or deeply control them."

Zhu Gaoxu was very interested in fighting.

Now that the Battle of Jingnan is over, there is obviously no war to fight in the country, and if you want to fight a war, you can only look outside.

In addition to attacking Mongolia, it is natural to attack these surrounding countries.

But the "Huang Ming Ancestor Instructions" happened to say, "Lest future generations rely on China's wealth and power, be greedy for temporary military success, raise armies for no reason, and cause harm to human lives, remember this." Zhu Yuanzhang's words are here, unless there is a mountain of gold and silver Otherwise, it would be difficult to send troops to conquer.

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu was actually looking forward to Mr. Jiang saying something that would allow his father to listen and the war would continue.

"For example, North Korea was the province of Zhengdong during the Yuan Dynasty. As long as the Ming Dynasty wanted to attack it, it would be able to defeat it based on North Korea's combat power that could collapse at a stroke. Moreover, as long as local people are reused, it would not be difficult to rule."

"Japan. I've said it before."

"Ryukyu, I'm afraid the kings and princes are eager to merge into the Ming Dynasty and come to Nanjing to enjoy the blessings."

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded. It was true. The princes of these countries stayed in Nanjing and refused to go back. The Ming Dynasty was much more prosperous and wealthy than the Ryukyu Islands. To them, it was no different from paradise.

"As for Annan, the Red River Delta in the north is not bad. The cultural differences in other places are too different and it may be difficult to rule. The best way is to force them to cede territory. Without the red river delta, this sacred land, Annan will naturally not be able to pose a threat to the Ming Dynasty. "

Jiang Xinghuo paused slightly and continued.

"The second ring is Chenla Kingdom, Siam Kingdom, Champa Kingdom, Balni Kingdom (Brunei), Mianheng Kingdom (today's Malay Peninsula), plus Luzon. These places are where the Ming Dynasty needs to deal with They have strong influence because they are like pockets, protecting the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli Shitang Sea and the route to the west.”

“These countries must have Ming’s garrisons and embassy, ​​and they need to provide Ming with ship repairs, fruits, vegetables, food supplies, and other necessary supplements.”

"According to the sea power theory we talked about in this lesson, this second ring is the back garden of the Ming Dynasty fleet, and it is absolutely not allowed to be touched by others."

Zheng He and Zhu Gaoxu nodded repeatedly after hearing this. This is indeed the truth.

How can you allow others to snore on the side of the couch?

“The third ring is Sumatra (today’s Pasai, Sumatra), Western Kingdom (today’s Coromandel Coast), Java (today’s Java Island), Waiheng Kingdom (today’s Malay Peninsula), and White Flower Kingdom. (Today’s northwest Sumatra), Sanviqi Kingdom (today’s Palembang, Sumatra), plus the Kingdom of Ceylon, these were the limits of the Ming Dynasty’s local influence, and they were also the maritime boundaries that protected the Ming Dynasty’s sea power.”

"Similarly, even if these countries do not have Ming Dynasty embassies, they still need Ming Dynasty consulates, or some angels or consuls, who are also responsible for the diplomatic affairs of several nearby countries. Ming Dynasty should have a basic military deterrent against them."

"You can think about it, if the tribute system was changed to be so hierarchical, would it be much clearer if it could clearly divide the core interests, main interests, and peripheral interests of the Ming Dynasty? And similarly, the three rings are far from the limit. After this, if Ming Dynasty can get out of the limitations of the traditional world, it will inevitably find that there is a larger world outside waiting for Ming Dynasty to explore and plunder."

"By then, it might be the fourth or fifth ring."

Hearing Jiang Xinghuo's words, the two of them couldn't help but feel relaxed and fascinated.

Beyond thousands of miles of sea, how vast a world is waiting for Ming Dynasty to explore?

Thinking about it this way, the intrigues that were limited to a corner of Chinese tradition made some small families angry.

Seeing the expressions on the two people's faces, Jiang Xinghuo knew that the seeds of curiosity about the overseas world had been planted in their hearts.

"Okay, these are all the contents of the third volume of "The Theory of National Destiny", which is about land power, sea power, geopolitics and foreign relations."

Jiang Xinghuo clapped his hands.

"get out of class is over."