Daming 1805

Chapter 414 Punishment Unknowable, Power Unfathomable

Niu Jian stayed in Moscow for one night, and took another plane to the west the next day.

Starting from Moscow, Niu Jian's special plane can actually fly directly to London.

But Niu Jian is Zhu Jingyuan's personal representative, so he had to go to Paris after arriving in Taixi.

French Crown Prince Regent Louis Charles also went to the airport to greet him in person.

It has been three years since the Yinzhou War ended. Thanks to the efforts of Prince Charles, France has barely stabilized.

At the same time, from the capture and elimination of rebels to the continuous and in-depth reform of the Ming Dynasty, the Crown Prince of Charles has basically controlled the situation inside and outside the French court.

Louis XVI, who was not strong in the first place, actually retired with peace of mind.

Louis XVI tossed his locks at Versailles, Charles led the French people at the Palais Royal.

The son of Crown Prince Shire and Liu Muyu was born at the end of last year.

Louis XVI also promised to force Charles to get married.

At the beginning of this year, I made a formal promise again, and I will officially abdicate when my grandson turns one year old.

In fact, it does not matter whether Louis XVI abdicates now.

Charles was already "King of Paris" His Majesty.

In the new airport just put into use on the outskirts of Paris, Charles wore a set of pure royal robes, and looked at the eastern sky with a telescope in a specially prepared open-air rest area.

Under the prompting of the entourage, Charles found the flying machine flying far away.

Then, while observing with a telescope, he praised in Daming Yayan as if he was talking to himself:
"Bigger aircraft, faster aircraft, the key is the number of Ming's manufacturing, which is hundreds of thousands of levels.

"In the future, it will take less than a day to cross the entire Shenou continent and send tens of thousands of soldiers from Yingtian Mansion to Paris!"

When the surrounding officials and servants heard the crown prince's words, most of them were quite excited and praised, but some sighed and worried with complicated emotions.

Charles put down the binoculars and glanced around:
"Da Ming can travel tens of thousands of kilometers to attack distant enemies, and of course it can also travel tens of thousands of kilometers to support distant allies.

"Since the French don't want to fight now, they should be good strategic partners of Ming Dynasty..."

When Shire persevered in educating his entourage and subordinates, Niu Jian's plane finally landed steadily.

After the supporting facilities were ready, Niu Jian got off the plane first.

Niu Jian raised his head and looked around, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity in his heart.

Because the aircraft factory in Paris, France, the surrounding architectural styles are completely Ming style.

The terminal building where the plane stops is a new-style concrete frame structure with traditional cornices and bucket arches.

When Zhu Jingyuan was going to build the World Garden, Shire supported Zhu Jingyuan's craftsmen who built the French palace.

If Shire wants to carry out more in-depth Ming reforms, it must build Ming-style civilized buildings, and Zhu Jingyuan and Daming will not refuse to provide him with suitable master craftsmen.

Since two years ago, most of the new official buildings of the imperial court in Paris, as well as the buildings of joint ventures between Shire and Zhu Jingyuan, have all used Ming-style exteriors.

The new airport is certainly no exception.

The service staff at the airport also changed into Ming-style attire.

As a result, the members of the mission from Daming, headed by Niu Jian, felt a little bit out of time and space.

But also a lot more comfortable.

A new round of Minghua reform, completely Minghua's shape and rules, replaced the original Thai-Western tradition.

The most important thing is to change their clothes again.

Paris is still the center of fashion, but the direction and trend of the center of the world has changed again.

For the envoys from Ming Dynasty, it would be much more comfortable visually and psychologically if there were no men wearing stockings.

Niu Jian stepped out of the plane, looked at the surrounding environment, and the French officials waiting not far away, with a smile on his face.

Immediately walked down the gangway quickly, greeted him with a smile on his face.

Charles took the initiative to pick him up, but he couldn't show off.

In the eyes of outsiders, the friendship between Shire and Zhu Jingyuan has really reached a very personal level.

From time to time there will be some strange rumors...

The atmosphere at the scene was very harmonious, and both sides greeted each other.

Niu Jian greeted Zhu Jingyuan instead, and Shire also asked Niu Jian to greet his best friend on his behalf.

Then go to dinner together and have an informal meeting by the way.

The way of dining this time adopted the semi-buffet style that Zhu Jingyuan had entertained Charles in Xintianfu.

The food and drinks are not completely clear, but Ming style and French style are combined with each other.

French food is not British food, and it is considered the most outstanding in Thailand, and the combination is also unique.

After Xia Er took the food, he directly took Niu Jian to sit at the same table as himself.

After eating a little bit, Charles was a little anxious and asked a question he cared about.

"Mr. Niu, my best friend came to tell us that Daming is going to open up the related technology of Daming's [-]-ton warship to the Thai and Western countries. You can talk to Mr. Niu about the relevant details.

"Da Ming has made new breakthroughs in shipbuilding, right?"

Niu Jian was even more straightforward with Shire:

"Indeed, Ming Dynasty has already completed the relevant technologies for new warships with 420 tons and [-] mm caliber guns, and the construction of this level of warships has officially started, so the relevant technologies for [-] tons warships can be opened to the Thai and Western countries.

"The requirements for other countries will be more complicated. They will be divided into direct export of components and weapons, export of finished warships, and partial technology transfer and full technology transfer. They are required to open up various key basic industries to Ming Dynasty.

"Da Ming's request is actually not malicious, and it's not just to create benefits and markets for Ming manufacturers, but also to integrate the Thai and Western countries into the Ming system from the economic level, and eliminate the possibility of conflict through economic exchanges.

"The communication between Daming and France is already deep enough, so the request to France is very simple.

"Da Ming can directly send a team of craftsmen to guide France to complete the design and construction of a warship that is basically the same level as the [-]-ton warship of the Ming Dynasty, including the required technology transfer that can achieve the corresponding capacity indicators.

"If France is ready to accept it, if the next generation of warships is determined to be built in this way, the two sides can immediately discuss and sign a specific cooperation agreement on arranging personnel.

"Of course, France still needs to pay for normal workers' remuneration and subsidies, as well as the consideration for technology transfer agreements.

"Based on the relationship between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Dashi, these prices will definitely be very reasonable."

When Shire heard Niu Jian talk about the [-]-ton warship, the expression of the Crown Prince, who had been in control of France for two years, almost lost control.

However, he also quickly returned to his own thinking, and began to continue to confirm the more important things he wanted to guide:

"I'm not sure, my friend arranged for Mr. Niu to come over, is there any intention to promote the shipbuilding competition among the countries of Thailand and the West?
"Of course I am willing to cooperate, but the current situation in France can only be regarded as a state of waiting.

"A small amount of shipbuilding, as a means of restoring and exercising French industry and workers, is an option.

"But if it enters a real shipbuilding competition, it is really not something that France can afford at the moment."

This question is a bit sensitive, and other people must not be able to ask it like this, and they will not be able to ask anything.

But Shire and Charlotte are probably the only ones among the Tessi who can do this.

Niu Jian was not worried when he heard this kind of inquiry, Zhu Jingyuan had analyzed various possibilities for himself before coming here.

Tell yourself that the arrangement that may require him to make up his mind has been decided as far in advance as possible.

It is really impossible to decide on the spot, or you can delay it for a day and send a telegram to inquire at night.

Shire's question happened to be basically what Zhu Jingyuan told him.

Niu Jian smiled and complimented:
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Dashi are truly close friends, and Prince Dashi has indeed given special instructions on this matter.

"If you want to deliberately promote the shipbuilding competition among Western countries, it can be said that objectively it may happen, but subjectively it does not.

"Providing the technologies needed by Western countries may indeed promote the implementation and start of a new generation of warships.

"However, Ming also does not want the countries of Thailand and the West to enter a state of 'militarism'.

"His Majesty the Ming Emperor, the court, and Prince Dashi all hope that the mainstream of this world will still be peace and development.

"So Ming will not ask France to deliberately build more warships, nor will it take the lead in promoting an arms race."

When Charles heard the phrase "peace and development", he subconsciously wanted to jokingly ask: Then why did Ming continue to build larger [-]-ton warships.

But as soon as this question popped up, Charles himself gave a reasonable answer.

This is an escalation of deterrence that corresponds to strength.

The most advanced warships of Ming Dynasty are one level higher than those of all countries in Thailand and the West, which is of course reasonable.

Whether or not the Ming Dynasty is militaristic depends not on the start of construction of such warships, but on how many ships will be built.

Even if a dozen or so ships are built, it is not considered militaristic.

Charles pondered and pondered for a while, moved closer to Niu Jian, lowered his voice and asked in a low voice:

"Mr. Niu, give me a reference. If I want my best friend, His Royal Highness Prince Dashi, to come forward and convene the nations of Thailand and the West to sign an agreement to limit the tonnage and number of warships under the framework of the League of Nations, will my best friend support it?" ?”

Niu Jian was a little surprised when he heard this question, which was specially arranged by Zhu Jingyuan.

Niu Jian quickly sorted out the language:

"Regarding the issue of limiting the tonnage and number of warships, Da Ming neither opposes nor supports it.

"If the countries of Thailand and the West want to engage in such an agreement, then Ming will not participate.

"Because Daming will not allow any external force to restrict Daming's own naval construction plan."

Zhu Jingyuan's naval treaty after World War I in his previous life was formed based on the special circumstances at that time.

Although the First World War destroyed Germany, it also destroyed Britain's world hegemony.

Britain's actual losses were very serious, and its production capacity and finances were no longer sufficient to maintain the size of its two-strong navy.

Hood cut it down to one.

The point is that the UK has also encountered unprecedented challenges.

The industrial production capacity of the United States surpassed that of the United Kingdom at the end of the nineteenth century.

During World War I, the United States reaped war fortunes and became the biggest creditor of all countries in Europe and America.

After World War I, the United States had both production capacity and abundant funds.

Although the shipbuilding technology is slightly weaker than that of the United Kingdom, it is enough to build a large fleet that is not far behind.

At this time, the U.S. shipbuilding plan was unprecedentedly large, with six Lexington-class ships and six South Dakota-class ships.

In the early 20s, during the two years from 1920 to 1921, twelve large warships of [-] tons were directly started.

This number directly collapsed all other naval countries.

But correspondingly, at this time, the United States has not yet obtained the hegemony, and the world hegemony is still Britain and France.

The international status of Americans is still regarded as nouveau riche by Old Taixi.

Brits want to be respectable, Americans want to be respected.

Therefore, the British proposed to sign an international treaty to give the United States the same status as the United Kingdom, but not more.

In this way, both the United Kingdom and the United States can accept this plan.

As for the Japanese, they are in a typical militaristic state. They do not have the strength to directly challenge the United Kingdom, but they also want to gain status.

He has also obtained a high enough status in the treaty. Simply looking at the navy has surpassed the old Western powers like France, so he can also accept this condition.

The French are really unable to do what they want in the navy. France and Italy are even rich in their shares, and will not suffer substantial losses due to the treaty.

So this treaty can really be signed.

In this world now, no matter in terms of status or strength, the Daming family dominates.

And it's a state that other countries can't match.

Under such circumstances, it is of course impossible for Daming to put down his face and sign a treaty restricting himself with a group of secondary countries.

Because Daming can't get any benefit from it.

This is the behavior of a cat negotiating with a mouse to tie a bell to itself.

Just like the world after the end of the Cold War, the United States will not "superior" think about pulling "how powerful" to sign a nuclear disarmament agreement.

Of course Zhu Jingyuan wouldn't do that either.

Charles also understood that it was impossible to do this, and of course he didn't think about doing it, so he continued to explain his thoughts at this time:
"I understand, I understand the position of Mr. Niu and Daming.

"With Daming's status, of course exceptions can and should be made.

"We don't expect to limit the design and construction of Ming Dynasty's warships.

"But it seems to me that an agreement is not just a restriction of behaviour, it can also be an affirmation of rights.

"The agreement can have a plan that does not damage Ming's status, and can once again consolidate and confirm Ming's status.

"Da Ming can act as an organizer and a witness, leading us to discuss an agreement.

"While controlling the size and number of warships from various countries in Thailand and the West, make the exception of the Ming Dynasty clear as a premise."

Charles felt that his assumption was reasonable.

But Niu Jian shook his head directly:

"This kind of agreement, Da Ming cannot be the organizer, and Da Ming will not appear in the agreement text.

"Da Ming's initiative to organize an agreement to limit the scale and quantity of ships built by the Thai and Western countries will not do any good to Ming's reputation.

"His Royal Highness, if you think about it carefully, you should be able to understand the logic of this."

Charles was obviously taken aback, and then quickly realized what:
"Eh... Da Ming's organization of this kind of agreement... means that Da Ming is worried that the Taixi shipbuilding competition will pose a threat to Da Ming?

"So use this kind of political and diplomatic means to limit the development of the Thai-Western Navy?

"Perhaps some non-mainstream newspapers would analyze it this way, but no normal politician would consider it this way."

Niu Jian explained to Charles again according to Zhu Jingyuan's intention:
"This kind of non-mainstream newspaper affects the influence of the people, and His Royal Highness Prince Dashi believes that the deterrent effect of weapons and military power on the people and public opinion is equally important.

"So Daming will not participate in this kind of agreement, and it is even more impossible to organize this kind of agreement.

"If you want to do it, you can do it yourself. Unless you do it too far, Daming won't intervene."

Shire understood Zhu Jingyuan's meaning, it was indeed Zhu Jingyuan's thinking logic.

But new questions soon emerged:
"But... Didn't Mr. Niu say that he doesn't want to see the countries of Thailand and the West 'going to war'?

"Isn't this intended to limit the expansion of the military power of the Thai and Western countries?"

Niu Jian thought for a while, how to explain this question to Shire and other Westerners:

"This kind of warning is completely different from the agreement.

"This kind of warning is not on paper, and the actual power of interpretation and judgment conditions are completely in Daming's hands.

"Moreover, for countries that Ming believes violated such warnings, the response may be a direct military strike."

Charles was stunned again for a few seconds:
"Punishment cannot be known, and power cannot be measured, so the people will fear the superior?"

Niu Jian nodded slightly:

"You can understand that the nature of the League of Nations, as well as the relationship between Ming Dynasty and most of the Thai and Western countries, does not apply to the normal vassal relationship, nor does it apply to the relationship between the court and the people.

"It is closer to the relationship between several lone hunters in the wild era, or pirates, pirates who have been hostile or even fought. This may be easier for you to understand.

"Da Ming is the most powerful of the pirates, he once defeated all other pirates by himself.

"Although everyone has ceased fighting, they are all pirates, and the other pirates are not dominated by Daming.

"So of course Da Ming has no obligation to uphold justice and order for you.

"Whether Da Ming will provide any protection to any other pirates, and whether to punish another disobedient pirate will only be based on whether it is in his own interests, not on justice and justice.

"Da Ming has not received your offerings and allegiance, and of course he will not let the rules of protecting you limit himself, will not provide you with any promises and guarantees, and will not provide witnesses and guarantees for transactions and cooperation between other pirates.

"Da Ming is working hard to establish order in this pirate group, turning lone pirates into members of his own team, but it is still not to the point where he can establish a civilized country.

"At the very least, this group of pirates did not pay taxes to Daming on a regular basis. At present, at most, they have established stable contacts and common principles of conduct among the group, which is far from the level of a country.

"France is already close to joining the Da Ming organization, so we can explain these words to His Royal Highness, and it is no longer unpredictable to His Highness.

"Your Highness already has a deep understanding of Daming's culture, but the key point of the sentence just now is actually the second half of the sentence.

"Nowadays, the law is made to determine it, and the tripod is set to show it. The people know that they dare not transgress the law to sin against themselves, and they can't bend the law to show favor. The power is transferred to the law, so the people are not afraid of the superior.

"Clarify the specific rules and ensure that no one will be punished beyond the rules, nor will anyone be helped beyond the rules, then people will choose to follow the rules and do things instead of paying special attention to the attitude of managers.

"In a standardized modern society, everyone acts according to clear rules, which is of course the best state. Managers also have relatively clear rules to refer to when dealing with things.

"But in an environment where there are no laws and systems, and no clear affiliation relationship, for a strong person in a simple group, there is no obligation to set clear rules for those who are not his subordinates.

"When Daming signed this agreement, the criteria for judging related matters were transferred from Daming to the agreement itself.

"When you make decisions, you won't be careful about whether the meaning analysis will harm Daming's interests.

"In particular, this agreement was signed with the participation of Thai and Western countries, and it is even more impossible for Ming to participate and sign it.

"And now Da Ming will not stand up and make laws for you...

"So, you can do it yourself."

(End of this chapter)