Daming 1805

Chapter 122 The Gift of the Duke of Persia

On May 34rd in the [-]th year of Taiping of the Ming Dynasty, it was eight o'clock in the morning at Huangzhuang Village in the Cape of the West.

After receiving the news from Shen Fu, Zhu Jingyuan learned that Lucia had accepted the conditions to split up the Xianbei area, so he couldn't help smiling and sighing softly.

"Now we can really look forward to a long-term peace, maybe it really isn't a 20-year truce..."

There is a high probability that the war can be avoided. The early aircraft that Zhu Jingyuan rushed to prepare has no chance to be used on the battlefield of Lucia.

At the same time, after Lucia accepted its fate, more than half of Da Ming's negotiating goals were completed.

The follow-up negotiations on Yinzhou may involve more land area, but the importance is far from the previous one.

The overall nature of Yinzhou is still an overseas colony. The previous Ottomans and the current Lucia talked with Daming about the surrounding areas of the two sides, which are directly related to the stability of the homeland.

Shen Fu, who delivered the letter, couldn't help but nodded with a smile and said:
"Lucia is willing to split the Xianbei region, and then we will become a vassal state in Kazakhstan, and the western part of China will be completely worry-free..."

Zhu Jingyuan nodded slightly after hearing this, and at the same time turned to look at the world map on the wall.

After the conditions negotiated this time are actually implemented, all directions of the entire territory of the Ming Dynasty will be surrounded by the vassal state.

All land vassal states are strategic buffer zones.

The most important of these are Dashi, Persia, Khiva, Kazakhs, and the newly split Western Xianbei by Lucia, which mainly isolates Lucia and the Western countries.

The maritime domain is the Great Wall of the Sea.

Among them, the more important ones are Liugui (Kamchatka), Kuwu (Sakhalin Island, Thousand Islands), Japan's Four Domains, Ryukyu, Luzon, Borneo, Java, and Old Port.

After the relevant provisions are implemented, the stability of the Ming Dynasty will reach a new peak.

After the formal reconciliation between Daming and Lucia, as long as the Ming Dynasty does not collapse on its own, there will be no large-scale wars in Shenzhou and surrounding areas.

The most important task after the Great Ming Dynasty is how to properly control these vassal states and ensure the stability and prosperity of the entire civilization system.

Zhu Jingyuan thought so in his heart, and at the same time reminded Shen Fu casually:
"Shen Shaoqing, I will trouble you to preside over the next negotiation, the details of Lucia's split and establishment of the Xianbei feudal kingdom, as well as the naval technical support for Lucia and the sale of warships, and I, a layman, will not interfere.

"I only have one request. After Lucia's split, the Taixi part of Lucia's own country will also withdraw from the anti-Ming alliance, otherwise no support will be given. If they have any objections, let him look at the name of this organization before speaking."

Shen Fu solemnly agreed:

"I understand that Lucia's withdrawal from the anti-Ming alliance is the prerequisite for any support from Ming."

Zhu Jingyuan discussed some details with Shen Fu, and was going to go to the craftsmen to follow up on the design of the warship.

Just at this time, the guards on duty outside ran in to report:
"His Royal Highness, Suleiman, the son of the Duke of Persia, asked to see him and brought two gifts."

Zhu Jingyuan had a little impression of Suleiman, and remembered asking him for land in the Baku area, so he nodded and let him in.

Not long after, Suleiman entered the lobby with a box in his arms, but he was followed by two little Persian girls.

After Suleiman took the two little girls to salute, facing Zhu Jingyuan's suspicious eyes, he immediately explained carefully:

"His Royal Highness, my father specially sent the map and land deeds of the Baku area, and also found two tasteless Persian orchid twins, and gave them to His Highness as tea-serving maids. Please accept it with a smile."

When Zhu Jingyuan heard the map and the land deed, he subconsciously thought of Jing Ke's assassination of the King of Qin, and he would see him with a dagger.

Although it is impossible for Suleiman to do that kind of thing, it is necessary to take precautions.

Zhu Jingyuan asked the guard to take the box from Suleiman's hand, opened it separately outside the entrance of the lobby, checked it carefully and waited for the time.

Zhu Jingyuan in the lobby looked up at the two little girls behind Suleiman.

The two children looked like Persians, and they seemed to be around twelve or thirteen years old. They were almost identical in appearance, and they were twins.

This age can only be regarded as a child, and the body is not fully opened, but it is already quite lovable.

The main reason is that the eyes are very big, giving people the feeling of being very clever, and they are not particularly afraid when they see themselves, and they seem to be a little curious and yearning.

Seeing Zhu Jingyuan looking at the two children, Suleiman took the initiative to introduce their situation to Zhu Jingyuan:

"They are twins, who just turned 12 this year, and their Persian names are Anahita and Fleshta, which means river goddess and angel.

"If there are any taboos, His Highness can give them another name.

"These twins, as native Persians, don't have oily ears, and they probably won't have body odor in the future, which is very rare.

"After my father found out, he specially searched for it and sent it to His Highness as a small gift."

After Zhu Jingyuan finished listening, he subconsciously asked:
"Discovered? How did you find it? How did you send it to me? Where are their parents and family members?"

Suleiman seems to have been prepared:
"Their parents are businessmen in Tehran, and they feel very honored to be able to serve as maids for His Royal Highness the Emperor and Grandson of the Ming Dynasty.

"The two children are also very happy, and you should be able to tell that they are not slaves being bought and sold.

"The two sisters are already well-known in Tehran, and many Persian nobles want to propose marriage to themselves or their children.

"But they were all pushed away by their father because they were young, and their father should have wanted to sell them for a price.

"So my father succeeded by taking out the identity of His Highness, but their parents want a photo of Your Highness."

Zhu Jingyuan was a little dazed. He thought that Suleiman would be vague and make up random orphans or bought slaves.

As a result, the child has a complete background, or is Tehran more famous?And then the parents still want pictures of themselves?
These two children really don't look like they have suffered hardships, otherwise it would be impossible to give birth to such a juicy child. A child who is really suffering can tell it at a glance.

And they don't seem to be afraid when they go to a strange place, they are indeed a bit like children from a merchant family.

But Zhu Jingyuan still asked back in astonishment:

"But they are only 12 years old? They are all children who haven't grown up yet, and now they are here to be my handmaidens?
"Furthermore, according to Ming's rules, they can only be maidservants, and they won't even have the title of concubine for the rest of their lives."

Suleiman immediately replied:

"Of course my father knows the rules, and has explained it to the other's parents and themselves.

"But the daughter of a merchant from a small country in Persia, it is an honor to be the maidservant of His Royal Highness the Emperor of Ming Dynasty.

"Now that I'm still young, it's just right for me to be taught by the mother of the palace for a few years, so as not to mess up the rules in the palace."

Zhu Jingyuan couldn't help sighing this time and said:
"The Duke of Persia is very thoughtful, but I really don't want this kind of maid, after all, they are actually slaves..."

Suleiman was a little confused and a little nervous.

Originally, I thought it was a trivial matter, just sending two maids to Prince Daming, and these two maids were quite distinctive.

There should be no possibility of failure, but never expected that His Royal Highness the King of Food would not want it?

Suleiman said a little puzzled:
"Your Highness, you are being polite. They are just two maidservants. When you open the door and set up a household in the future, there will always be servants at home.

"Besides, your maids are indeed your slaves, but ordinary people dare not treat them as slaves."

At this moment, Shen Fu beside him also interjected:
"Your Highness is a prince. It is normal to have a few orchids in the palace, especially the tasteless orchids, which are the pursuit of many nobles."

Zhu Jingyuan was stunned for a few seconds, and slowly understood Shen Fu's meaning.

These different types of female slaves are like collecting achievements for the dignitaries of Ming Dynasty.

Various types of female slaves, regardless of whether you need them or not, or even whether you like them or not, you must have several at home...

After realizing this, Zhu Jingyuan's expression became a little ugly.

This is a very bad atmosphere.

Zhu Jingyuan didn't want a handmaiden who was given by others, one reason was that he didn't want to let anyone around casually.

There is no absolute guarantee for the origin, mentality, and cleanliness and reliability of these maidservants.

More importantly, Zhu Jingyuan himself supported the abolition of slavery.

The two maids in the family have been sent to the artisan school, and they don't want to accept ordinary girls as maids in the future.

In the future, when I have a palace, the people who use it at home should also be mainly hired workers.

Zhu Jingyuan himself came from later generations, and he himself did not like slavery.

But this is not a Madonna mentality, Zhu Jingyuan has never been brainwashed by Bai Zuo.

Zhu Jingyuan had long understood that the abolition of slavery was driven by profit.

Zhu Jingyuan's desire to abolish slavery is the same logic as Emperor Shizu's abolition of human-powered sedan chairs and prohibition of Ming people from being slaves.

The purpose is to let more people go to factories as workers instead of staying in the homes of powerful people to serve others.

At the same time, avoid a large number of young and middle-aged people attached to rich and noble families, which will affect the stability of the Zhu Ming Dynasty.

Why was Jiangnan able to resist taxation during the Wanli period?The large number of young and strong servants in those gentry families is the key reason why they dared to resist.

According to the official statistics before Chongzhen, throughout the Ming Dynasty for more than 270 years, the number of Dingkou has always been the same as that in the late Hongwu period.

Always at the level of more than 6000 million.

This is not logical at all.

Later historians estimate that the actual population at the end of the Ming Dynasty should be around 5000 million.

At least half of the population has been concealed.

Suleiman looked at Zhu Jingyuan and seemed to be even more angry, and he was really a little panicked.

He just couldn't figure out why Zhu Jingyuan was upset about sending the maid away.

Shen Fu soon understood that Zhu Jingyuan had proposed the abolition of slavery in the court:
"Your Highness... wants to abolish slaves, but abolishing slaves does not happen overnight, and Hu Ji is definitely not within the scope of early abolition of slaves.

"Persia itself is even more of a foreign domain, and the imperial court promised that it will not withdraw or reestablish the domain. As long as Persia does not abolish slavery, it will not affect Ming Dynasty.

"Taking a step back, His Highness will truly support and preside over the abolition of slavery in the future, and you can start by liberating the slaves in your own family."

Zhu Jingyuan took a deep breath:

"This king understands Mr. Shen's meaning, but a better way is to use only hired workers from the beginning, without servants.

"The court can also abolish slaves from all sources, and can also ask Persia, which is a vassal, to also abolish slaves."

Both Shen Fu and Suleiman froze, not knowing how to persuade them.

Suleiman was very annoyed and puzzled, why does His Royal Highness the King of Food not play cards according to common sense everywhere.

As an emperor's grandson and a prince, why should he support the abolition of slavery?Isn't this against yourself?

But Suleiman had no way to argue with Zhu Jingyuan about the meaning of abolishing slavery, and he was not qualified to do so, so he could only persuade him from another angle:

"Then... how about letting them work in your house as hired labor as His Highness said?"

Zhu Jingyuan stared:

"If you are only 12 years old and you are employed as a hired worker, that is considered child labor. I do not support children under the age of 16 working as workers."

Suleiman and Shen Fu were completely speechless, His Highness's way of thinking is too different, why can't a child be a worker?
Suleiman no longer knew how to persuade, so he could only try his best to be emotional:
"Your Highness, they really want to follow you, no one is forcing them, my father and their parents have said well.

"I came here by boat from Persia all the way, and I dreamed of living in Daming with you..."

Zhu Jingyuan laughed dryly:
"Who am I? Anyone who wants to follow me can follow me? Did I ask you to send the two of them to the Western Cape?"

Suleiman immediately shut up, it seemed that Zhu Jingyuan was quite disgusted with the way of persuasion just now.

But after Zhu Jingyuan finished speaking, he immediately began to reflect on himself. The words just now completely entered the identity of the grandson prince.

As a traveler from the new era, I cannot abandon the most important modern mentality, and cannot be assimilated by the indigenous world, otherwise I will lose my advantage.

Zhu Jingyuan muttered a few words in his heart, and quickly adjusted his mentality:
"It's not impossible for them to follow me. Keep your freedom and become an overseas student, and help me manage my land in Persia in the future."

Suleiman let out a long breath, and almost knelt down habitually again:
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your fulfillment! On behalf of my father and the parents of Sister Anahita, I would like to thank you for your fulfillment."

Zhu Jingyuan waved his hands helplessly:

"Okay, okay, can the two of them speak the elegant dialect of the Ming Dynasty? Can they understand the characters of the Ming Dynasty?"

Suleiman immediately explained:

"Yes, their family is a businessman, and their parents can read, write, speak, and speak in the elegant dialect of Ming Dynasty. The two children have been learning from their parents since they were young."

Zhu Jingyuan nodded slightly, and asked the guards to bring back the checked map and title deed, and opened it for a closer look.

Suleiman stood by and explained carefully.

Zhu Jingyuan had exposed Suleiman's petty thinking of giving the border to himself, so the land now does not include the border at all.

Zhu Jingyuan only wanted the surrounding areas of Baku, but the Duke of Persia did not only give it to Baku, but extended a lot from the peninsula where Baku is located.

Going south along the coast of the Caspian Sea, after arriving at the plain on the south coast of the Caucasus, it extends westward for some distance, and the whole is similar to a rectangle.

In the end, a total of 250 square kilometers of land was allocated, equivalent to [-] million mu, roughly equivalent to the entire Hainan Island.

Except for the area around Baku, most of it is the coastal plain. If it is placed in the eastern part of Daming, it can be divided into three prefectures.

Now all these lands have been given to Zhu Jingyuan himself, which can definitely be regarded as an extraordinarily huge land.

Can this be considered corruption?This of course counts as corruption.

Get the land given by the vassal state, arrange people to operate and manage it in the vassal state, and only give the proceeds to the person.

This is also one of the ways for officials of the Ming court to profit from the vassal states below.

And very difficult to control.

Of course, ordinary ordinary officials can't get such a huge land.

Even ordinary princes and minister-level officials are impossible.

My current status is very special, I am a feudal lord who has actually been sealed, and a little bit of land can't get into my eyes at all.

There are other reasons that make them willing to spend money.

Zhu Jingyuan frowned looking at the map and the land deed:

"It's too much, it's enough to build a country, I just want to buy around Baku..."

Suleiman immediately explained:

"Only the area around Baku, my father really can't afford it.

"And this piece of land still belongs to the Persian Kingdom, not to the Great Food Kingdom.

"The population and taxation of the land still belong to the Persian state.

"My father believes that His Highness's investment and management will definitely make Persia profitable.

"So my father doesn't think this investment will lose money..."

Zhu Jingyuan nodded slightly in his heart, his investment would indeed make Persia profitable, and both father and son of this generation of Persian kings are shrewd people.

Sitting on the Persian Gulf, I went to Baku to open an oil field, which is really a development for Persia.

After such a change of thinking, Zhu Jingyuan finally took over the land:

"Okay, then I accept it."

(End of this chapter)