The Resurrection of the South Seas of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 826 The Conception of the Chieftain System (seeking subscription for monthly ticket)
Du Wenhai and his party were brought to the bank of Xuanwu Lake.

From a long distance away, soldiers of the Imperial Guard began to stand guard on both sides of the road.

These elite soldiers wore breastplates, their expressions were cold and alienated, and their sharp eyes were full of murderous intent.

There was also a musket with a bayonet attached to his back, and a sense of oppression came over his face.

Du Wenhai and his group felt inexplicable pressure as they were glanced at from both sides of the road.

The source of the pressure they feel is, on the one hand, the awe of imperial power.

On the other hand, it also came from the murderous aura of these Imperial Guard soldiers.

The Ming army who were selected into the imperial guards and became a member of Zhu Hongyu's imperial guards were basically elite soldiers who had made great achievements on the battlefield.

These people have blood on their hands!

Being watched by such a group of bloody killers, the pressure is not insignificant.

Especially Buffalo Boli and others, they even felt their necks were cold, as if they were being targeted by some ferocious beast.

There was a sound of piercing through the air, and two muskets with bayonets intersected to block the way of Du Wenhai and others.

A guard officer in charge of duty said.

"Please accept the inspection. After the inspection is completed, you can go in to face the saint!"

It was the emperor they were going to see.

For the safety of the emperor, these imperial guards on duty must search them.

Du Wenhai and others were searched quickly, and the weapons and various sundries on their bodies were left where they were.

Then he was allowed to go in and face the saint!

A group of people walked through a quiet forest path and came to a pavilion by the Xuanwu Lake.

The others were told to wait at a distance, and Du Wenhai was allowed to go up to see him alone.

After two years, Du Wenhai saw the emperor he had been thinking of again!
At this time, Zhu Hongyu was wearing a white uniform, with the tattoo of a five-clawed golden dragon stretching its teeth and claws, which set off his tall and straight figure and his handsome face.

The clothes made of silk were worn on him, and the high-end texture was very strong.

"The last general, Du Wenhai, sees His Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Du Wenhai came outside the gazebo, then knelt down and bowed down, shouting long live.

Zhu Hongyu got up from his seat, walked quickly to Du Wenhai, stretched out his hand to help him up, and spoke.

"The Qing family has traveled thousands of miles to find out the route to the New World for Daming. Thank you for your hard work!"

Du Wenhai shook his head when he heard this.

"The last general is deeply favored by the emperor, these are what the last general should do."

"It's not hard!"

Zhu Hongyu motioned for a seat for Du Wenhai, and after Du Wenhai sat down, he began to inquire about the route to the New World.

"According to your estimation, how long would it take to go back and forth to the New World?"

The reason why Zhu Hongyu asked this was because although it took Du Wenhai and others two years to go here, these two years were not of much reference value.

Because their main purpose of traveling to and from the New World this time is to explore the route. In the process of exploring the route, the fleet also needs to build piers and settlements in the places they pass along the way, in preparation for further large-scale immigration by the imperial court in the future.

Therefore, it took only two years for a round trip.

If the effort of exploring the route and building settlements on the docks are excluded, then the time required can be reduced to the greatest extent.

Du Wenhai heard the words and said.

"Your Majesty, if the fleet moves forward at full speed and only provides necessary supplies, it will take about three to four months to go back and forth to the New World."

The three to four months mentioned by Du Wenhai is the result of his own estimation, but the specific answer should be more or less the same.

Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly when he heard the words, expressing his agreement.

As far as he knows, in the [-]th century, it took about four to five weeks, or more than a month, to cross the Atlantic from Europe to the New World.

Because it is the seventeenth century now, and the Pacific Ocean is much wider than the Atlantic Ocean, it takes three to four months to cross the Pacific Ocean once, which is also a relatively reasonable interval.

If Daming becomes familiar with this route in the future, then this time may be reduced even further.

Three months, perhaps the answer with the most reference value!

Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly, and asked Du Wenhai another question.

Including the difficulties they encountered on their way east, whether they found San Francisco, and the super-large gold mine in San Francisco...

Du Wenhai answered one by one, and then spoke.

"Report to Your Majesty, the gold reserves we discovered in San Francisco are quite huge. Even if we only use the most basic gold panning methods, we can pan out dozens of catties of gold every day in that golden river..."

"This is because we are short of manpower, otherwise the output will only be more amazing."

"There are even people who can often pick up dog's head gold around the camp."

"This time, when the last general came back, he brought some gold dust and dog head gold as a gift to His Majesty."

Zhu Hongyu's eyes lit up when he heard this.

After pondering for a while, Zhu Hongyu spoke.

"That's good."

"Where are those golden dust and dog's head gold?"

Du Wenhai said.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Jinsha and Goutoujin were left at the inspection place and could not be brought in."

Zhu Hongyu turned his head and ordered someone to bring in Du Wenhai's gift.

Not long after, someone brought several bags of gold sand and boxed dog's head gold to Zhu Hongyu.

Zhu Hongyu opened the bag and reached out to grab a handful of gold dust.

Then loosen the fingers slightly, letting the golden sand flow down the fingers...

Seeing the golden luster, Zhu Hongyu also had a smile on his face.

The golden color is really the most touching wink in the world.

Putting Jinsha down, he opened the box again and took out the dog's head gold inside.

Looking at the shape of the dog's head gold and its brilliant gold color, Zhu Hongyu couldn't help but speak.

"That's good, that's good!"

"Using gold as a lure will definitely attract the people of Ming Dynasty to develop the New World."

Zhu Hongyu cared more about Daming's development of the New World than gold.

After all, he was also an emperor, so he wouldn't be unable to walk at the sight of a little gold.

The future of the country and the nation is what he really cares about.

The New World really cannot give up no matter what.

Zhu Hongyu then asked Du Wenhai about the aborigines in the New World, and Du Wenhai told the situation of the Indians.

"The aborigines in the New World are mostly in the state of primitive tribes. They live on nomadism, fishing and hunting. Although they have certain farming methods, they are extremely backward."

"During the time Weichen stayed in the New World, although some natives of the New World took the initiative to establish friendly relations with Ming, there were also those who did not know Wang Hua and attacked our camp."

Zhu Hongyu pondered for a while, then asked.

"If the imperial court wants to develop the New World on a large scale, is it possible for me to use the natives on the New World?"

Now, the development of the settlements and docks along the route to the New World by the Ming Dynasty, in addition to the manpower carried by the eastbound fleet itself, more actually spent money to hire the local aborigines to work.

The original manpower of the eastbound fleet was at best to serve as a supervisor.

Of course, it is inevitable to use force to frighten these natives before hiring them to work.

Otherwise, these natives would not do business honestly with Daming.

After all, as the saying goes, if you can grab it, why spend money on it?

The development of settlement docks along the route proves that Daming’s idea of ​​employing natives to work and using native strength to develop the local area is correct.

This idea will also be used by Da Ming in the development of the New World.

In addition to encouraging immigrants at home, Daming is also planning to use the power of the natives on the New World.

The two go hand in hand, so that Da Ming can complete the development of the New World at the lowest cost and the fastest speed.

Du Wenhai heard the words and said.

"Your Majesty, most of the natives in the New World are nomadic, fishing and hunting primitive tribes. Most of them are predatory and unable to communicate."

"But what you need to know is that the aborigines in the New World are not monolithic."

"If I, Ming, want to use the power of the natives to complete the development of the New World, rationally use the contradictions between the natives and make profits from it, it may be the best choice."

Du Wenhai didn't understand what he said, but Zhu Hongyu understood what he said.

To put it bluntly, it is to sow discord among the natives, instigate wars and internal strife among the natives, and then cultivate forces among the natives who are inclined to Ming, so as to ensure that Ming can gain a stable foothold in the New World.

As for sowing dissension and inciting fights among the natives...

In fact, it is very simple. Daming just sells a batch of arms to the natives.

There are already conflicts between the natives and the natives. Although the relationship is not the same, it is certain that they don't like each other.

As long as Daming sells a batch of arms to one of them, resulting in an imbalance of force between the two sides, then one can imagine what will happen next.

Even if Da Ming doesn't need to stir up dissension, the two sides can work together.

Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly, then asked.

"The Qing family has chosen a target?"

Du Wenhai nodded and replied.

"Not far from the camp selected by our army, there is an indigenous tribe that is friendly to Ming Dynasty called the Eagle Tribe."

"Its population is large and its strength is strong!"

"At the end of the day, when the manpower was organized and the settlement of San Francisco was built and reclaimed, some primary industrial products such as ironware and cloth were used to hire some people from this tribe to participate in the labor. The efficiency was very good."

"This time the general will bring people back to Daming, and the chief of his tribe will also send people to return to Daming with the general, preparing to pay tribute to His Majesty."

"The imperial court may choose to support the Eagle Tribe to represent Ming's interests."

Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly when he heard the words, and had the initial impression of the Eagle Tribe that Du Wenhai was talking about.

He had to admit that the chief of the Eagle Tribe was really a very smart person.

After pondering for a while, Zhu Hongyu spoke.

"I can accept the tribute from the Eagle Tribe, and it's not a problem to confer the title of chief of the Eagle Tribe, but can the Qing family guarantee that the Eagle Tribe can be used by me, Ming?"

Du Wenhai said.

"If the imperial court adopts the chieftain system for the indigenous tribes in the New World, maybe the Eagle Tribe can be used by me!"

Hearing this, Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly and fell into deep thought.

What is the chieftain system?
To put it bluntly, it is the hereditary political rule of the indigenous chiefs.

It is a system that has existed since the Yuan Dynasty!
It developed to its peak during the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty used the chieftain system, and the chieftain needed to obtain official positions conferred by the imperial court to ensure the legitimacy of his rule.

Subtly, the Southwest and other places with few people and many people have been completely turned into land belonging to Ming Dynasty, so that Southwest places such as Yunnan and Guizhou began to truly recognize the rule of the Central Dynasty.

Although the chieftain system has various hazards, and even chieftain rebellions occur from time to time, it is indeed a very good policy to stabilize the newly occupied land with a small population and ensure the imperial court's rule over the place.

If the imperial court can apply the chieftain system in the New World, it may have good results.

If it is in the mainland of Daming, then the chieftain system really needs to be reformed and abolished.

But the current situation in the New Continent is different from that in Daming.

In the native land of the Ming Dynasty, the reason why the natives should be changed is because after 300 years of rule by the Ming court, the local minorities and natives have subtly regarded themselves as the common people of the Ming Dynasty.

Even when the Qing Dynasty entered the customs and half of the Ming Dynasty fell, the people in the southwest could persist in resisting for decades. It can be seen that the rule of the Ming Dynasty has been deeply rooted in the local people.

In this way, the imperial court naturally does not need the chieftain to continue to be a middleman to help the imperial court maintain its rule.

Naturally, the chieftain system should be abolished, and the land should be reformed.

To put it bluntly, the chieftain has lost its use value, and the central court is about to cross the river and demolish the bridge.

However, the current situation in the New Continent is that in the entire New Continent, there are only a few thousand people in Ming Dynasty, and they only exist along the coast.

As long as you leave the camp, you will be surrounded by barbarians and natives.

Compared with the savagery of the New World, the Tusi system, which was outdated in the Ming Dynasty, was more advanced.

Facing Du Wenhai's proposal, Zhu Hongyu did not reply immediately, but spoke after pondering for a while.

"I need to think about this matter carefully and discuss it with the cabinet."

Du Wenhai heard the words and knew that the emperor had listened to his suggestion, not just perfunctory.

Natural emotion in my heart!

Zhu Hongyu spoke again.

"Go and bring the envoy sent by the Eagle Tribe to see me!"

Since the Eagle Tribe sent people from thousands of miles away, Zhu Hongyu naturally didn't mind taking the time to meet them.

He is laying the groundwork for Da Ming's New World strategy!
Not long after, Buffalo Boli was brought in front of Zhu Hongyu, and after bowing down and saluting, Zhu Hongyu also ordered him to give him a seat.

Looking at the aborigine in front of him, who was wearing a fur skirt and had colorful feathers on his head, no different from the aborigines in his impression, Zhu Hongyu said with a smile.

"Good warrior, if I guessed correctly, you must be a very brave warrior!"

Zhu Hongyu's words were translated to Bison Boli by a translator.

Buffalo Boli said happily.

"Of course, I, Buffalo Boli, am the strongest warrior in the tribe. I once beat a bison to death with my fist."

Hearing this, Zhu Hongyu said very kindly.

"Haha, not bad, really not bad..."

……

With the return of the eastbound fleet, the news that the fleet discovered a large-scale gold mine in the New World also spread like wildfire, and quickly spread throughout Nanjing.

In restaurants and teahouses, in the streets and alleys, countless people are discussing this matter.

Whenever, "gold" is a word that can easily provoke people's nerves.

When it comes to gold mines, many people who usually have a flat personality can't hold back.

In a tavern, a group of men were sitting around a table drinking.

On the table is a plate of peanuts, a plate of whale meat, a plate of duck neck, a roast chicken, half a roast duck... very rich.

The wine they drink is not cheap Shaoxing rice wine.

These people's economic conditions may not be very good, but they must dare to spend money.

The summer weather in Nanjing City is scorching hot, the leading man took off his jacket and coat, revealing chunks of strong tendons.

The man touched the beard on his chin, and said with a smile.

"Have you all heard about it? The fleet sent to the New World recently came back. They found gold mines in the New World, and when they came back, they brought back a boat full of gold."

"Oh, that good guy, it's so shiny, I don't know how many people's eyes have been blinded by it."

A thin-looking man on the side heard the words and said.

"Did the fleet to the New World bring back gold? Didn't that mean that the fleet went out to sea to find the elixir of life for the emperor?"

It can only be said that Qin Shihuang's influence was indeed great.

After so many years, as long as an emperor sends a fleet to sea, especially eastward, the rumors of finding the elixir of life will be rampant.

Even when Emperor Yongle sent Zheng He on seven voyages to the West, folk rumors included not only looking for Jianwen, but also finding the elixir of life for the emperor.

"Where are you going? Our emperor is still very young. He is less than 30 years old. He is in the prime of his life. It doesn't seem like he needs the elixir of life."

"If you ask me, this fleet may go to the New World for gold."

"..."

A group of people were discussing in a hurry, and it could be seen that they were all very interested in the gold mines discovered by the imperial court in the New World.

"Do you think this gold mine is real?"

A person on the side asked.

The big man who spoke first heard the words, and said in a very firm tone.

"That's needless to say? It must be true."

"My second uncle's cousin's sister's husband's younger brother is a sailor on the eastbound fleet. I heard from him that everyone on their ship came back with dozens of taels of gold on them."

"Tsk tsk, that's gold, they don't have to worry about it for the rest of their lives!"

A middle-aged man on a table beside him also spoke.

"This brother is right. If I look at it, this thing is probably true."

"My cousin was working in the palace and watched with his own eyes the cartloads of gold dust and large pieces of dog's head gold being transported to the palace."

"In this new continent, I'm afraid there really is a big gold mine!"

Hearing the words, the big man also spoke.

"Damn it, it's so fucking enviable, it's gold."

"..."

Very quickly, the topic of a group of people turned to gold panning.

"If I can also go to the New World to pan for gold, I will definitely bring back a lot of gold."

"Yes, yes, after all, this New World is really a good place..."

I don't know who started it first, a group of people even discussed the topic of going to the New World to pan for gold.

The man who spoke first spoke.

"I'm almost 40 years old this year. I have a baby and a wife at home, but I've been dawdling on the streets all these years, and I haven't been able to save some money for them."

"Now that I think about it, I'm sorry for them."

"Brothers, I have decided. When the court recruits people to go to the New World next time, I will sign up and go to the New World with the fleet to pan for gold."

"I've worked hard outside for a few years, so I can save some money for my mother-in-law and children at home."

When the rest of the people heard the words, they all spoke in agreement.

"Yes, yes, if you go to the New World to pan for gold, brother, remember to bring your brothers with you."

"That's right, big brother, it's good for the brothers to take care of them together."

Unknowingly, a wave of gold rush appeared in Nanjing.

Many people yearn to go to the New World to pan for gold!

Moreover, at the same time, the imperial court also started preparations for sending the eastbound fleet for the second time.

When exploring the route, Daming sent 6000 people.

Then the team going to the New World for the second time will be at least ten thousand people.

In addition, the Ming court will also send an advance fleet to replenish supplies and manpower to the dock settlements along the route, and continue to operate this North Pacific route.

……

Royal study.

Zhu Hongyu convened all the members of the cabinet to discuss the feasibility of implementing the chieftain system in the New World.

"From the current point of view, if the imperial court wants to quickly stabilize the situation in the New World and turn the natives in the New World into friends, it might be a good idea to implement the chieftain system in the New World."

Zhu Hongyu picked up his teacup and took a sip before opening his mouth to express his opinion.

However, as soon as Zhu Hongyu's voice fell, someone stood up and expressed his objection.

"Your Majesty, if the imperial court wants to implement the chieftain system in the New World, how can the imperial court make the natives of the New World accept the imperial court's policy?"

Xu Bin raised a very important question.

If Ming wanted to implement the Tusi system in the New World, the biggest difficulty was not on Ming's side, but on the indigenous side.

The aborigines lived well in the New World by themselves, so why did they accept Daming's canonization and come to make this uncomfortable for themselves?
It takes a lot of trouble to take the initiative to find a big daddy on your head!
After Zhu Hongyu heard the words, after pondering for a while, he also felt that he had taken it for granted.

The reason why the chieftains in the Southwest accepted the canonization of the Ming court was because the Ming army subdued them.

They had no other choice but to accept Daming's chieftain canonization.

However, the situation in the New World is different.

Daming's power in the New World was limited, and it was impossible to organize a large-scale combat force in a short period of time to complete the task of conquering the aborigines.

Just as Zhu Hongyu was pondering, Bai Wanxi who was beside him suggested.

"If my Ming Dynasty uses trade as a coercion, if I don't accept the canonization of the Ming Dynasty, and become the chieftain under the rule of the Ming Dynasty, I can only conduct general commodity trade."

"Only those who accept the canonization of the Ming Dynasty and become the Chieftain of the Ming Dynasty can conduct arms trade."

"In this way, it may be possible to force the indigenous tribes on the New World to submit."

Throughout the ages, no matter when, such a big business as the arms trade is an extension of political means.

In many cases, the arms trade is linked to political means.

For example, with regard to the arms trade in the New World, Daming is using the arms trade to promote his own political goals.

Another example is Wu Sangui's side. Daming is also using the arms trade to encourage Wu Sangui to march to the Indian subcontinent.

Facts have proved that this trick is quite effective!
Zhu Hongyu nodded slightly when he heard this.

"Maybe it works!"

"Let's try it out boldly. Anyway, the New World is completely black to me, Da Ming. No matter how bad the situation is, it won't be too bad."

When everyone heard the words, they agreed one after another.

"By the way, the next time the imperial court sends a fleet to the New World, the military force in the fleet must be strengthened."

Zhu Hongyu has always understood that military power is the most important factor for external expansion.

Without military power as a base, external expansion is just a joke.

Zhu Hongyu pondered for a while, then asked again.

"Now that we're talking about the chieftain system, let's just discuss how to reform the land in the southwest and how to govern Burma after the army has captured it!"

Zhu Hongyu has been thinking about reforming the southwest for a long time.

It's just that because of something before, it has not been ordered to be implemented.

Now, the coalition forces are victorious in the war in Burma, and Zhu Hongyu is going to use the prestige of the coalition forces in Burma to push this matter forward.

If the imperial court wants to reform the land and return it to the natives, it will definitely harm the interests of the local chieftains.

If there is not enough force to deter and deter, it is not so easy to complete the matter of reforming the land and returning the country smoothly.

After Zhu Hongyu finished speaking, Wang Ruxian stood up and said.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is urgent for the imperial court to implement land reform in the southwest, but after the land reform, how to arrange the southwestern chieftain also needs to be considered."

Zhu Hongyu nodded his approval.

Although there is a deterrent force from the imperial court, if the chieftain is not given a certain amount of benefits to appease the chieftain after the reform of the land, there will definitely be troubles in the place.

The most typical example is the reform of the Manchu Qing Dynasty to return to the land!
During the Yongzheng period, the Manchu and Qing dynasties carried out land reform in the southwest. After the imperial government decree was issued, the chieftains in the southwest did not dare to resist the imperial court for the first time.

However, the resentment in people's hearts is not so easy to eliminate.

The two rebellions in Jinchuan and Jinchuan during the Qianlong period were the counterattacks of the local chieftains against the Qing court.

Zhu Hongyu was sure that after he ordered the land to be reformed, the local chieftain would not dare to disobey his order.

But as time goes by, the place will definitely make trouble for him.

To put it bluntly, this is the human heart.

Zhu Hongyu pondered for a while, then spoke.

"After the imperial court reforms the land and returns to the locals, the first official can be temporarily appointed by the original chieftain."

"In addition, the imperial court can also give some financial compensation to those chieftains who gave up their hereditary official positions, and allow their children to participate in the imperial court's imperial examinations, and increase the number of imperial examinations for the southwestern provinces as compensation."

The economic compensation is that Zhu Hongyu is going to cut off Burmese meat to feed the chieftains of Daming.

For example, after the war, the imperial court could open up to the chieftain and allow the chieftain to participate in the settlement of Myanmar's land, various industries, and more importantly, population trade.

The compensation for the number of imperial examinations is to ease the difficulty of some imperial examinations by increasing the number of admissions in the imperial examinations of certain southwestern provinces.

Of course, the premise is that the Ming court will allow the chieftain's children to take the imperial examination and become officials in a different place.

Although the scope of imperial examinations has expanded and the number of admissions has greatly increased after the restructuring of the imperial examinations in Ming Dynasty, there is still a fixed number of places in the imperial examinations every year.

And the imperial court's increase in the number of imperial examinations for the Southwest is clearly a comfort to the chieftain, and anyone with a discerning eye can see it.

Although those chieftain children will most likely be arranged for Myanmar after passing the imperial examination.

But this can still be regarded as the court's preferential treatment for chieftains!
Because, from now on, Daming's officialdom is open even to chieftains.

They don't need to continue to enclose the UFC, and there is no way to rise at all.

"If the court has done this, and there are still people who are shameless, then there is no need to give him face. The court is short of manpower to develop the Southwest."

Zhu Hongyu didn't think he was a good-tempered person.

He doesn't mind a certain degree of compromise in politics, but if someone regards his compromise as weakness, Zhu Hongyu will let him know how painful it is to be hit by the iron fist of autocracy!
When all the people heard the words, they all bowed to promise and praised the emperor for his wisdom.

Zhu Hongyu nodded again, and then raised the next topic.

"Nowadays, the coalition forces are victorious in frontline battles, and the imperial court's victory over Myanmar is already a fact."

"After the end of this war, how the imperial court can effectively rule Myanmar is the big issue facing the imperial court at present."

"In this regard, my idea is to reproduce the imperial court's policy in the southwest, and first implement the chieftain system to appease the local area."

"After the Sinicization of the local area is completed, we will reform the land and return it to the local people, and completely turn Myanmar into Han land."

One thing to know is that Myanmar is not the Myanmar of the Burmese king.

Mangbai was at best a representative elected by the tribal chiefs and powerful warlords in Burma.

The interest class formed by them is the real master of Myanmar.

At some point, Mangbai can indeed represent the whole of Myanmar.

But when it came to the critical moment of life and death, Mangbai, the so-called Burmese king, was abandoned if he said he was abandoned.

But now, it has reached a critical moment of life and death for Myanmar.

As long as Mangbai loses another game and loses the capital Nay Pyi Taw, he will be abandoned by the real "masters" of Myanmar.

And the real "masters" of Myanmar will also extend an olive branch to Daming.

They happily welcomed Master Wang into Burma, and voluntarily elected Son of Heaven as their new representative.

And if Ming Dynasty wants to complete effective rule over Burma, it cannot do without the support of these interest classes in Burma.

The chieftain system is the benefit that Zhu Hongyu is going to use to appease these people.

A simple translation is that you admit that you are the people of the Ming Dynasty and help the Ming Dynasty complete the actual rule of Burma, and the Ming Dynasty will give you official positions that can be inherited from generation to generation.

Of course, reformation is inevitable.

But no matter how inevitable things are, they are also things in the future!

Let's talk about the future.

Zhu Hongyu knew this, and the ministers in the cabinet naturally knew it too.

(End of this chapter)