Jingming

Chapter 473 Attitude before Heaven and Earth

The prince had reported that he was safe, and Yang Shen breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the secret message could be reported to Lu Bing on the way, it would naturally be reported to the emperor as well.

Presumably Lu Bing had already escorted the prince on his journey. Here in the capital, envoys from various vassals were gathering more and more, and Zhu Houcong had already moved into the Zhai Palace near the Temple of Heaven and Earth.

On Yan Song's side, they were rehearsing the ceremony where the emperor would personally offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.

"There can't be any mistakes!" Yan Song took the Minister of Etiquette and Liaison and seriously faced the Ming envoys who had been sent to various vassals and now returned to China. "Each glass liter contains soil collected from each vassal. If it is an accurate pound under the current new standard, the extra soil should be mixed together, and after spreading it, the soil wall should be even, ten inches long and five inches wide, and the three colors of the three chen must be pure!"

This time to worship heaven and earth, the ceremony was naturally redesigned. After all, the purpose was different.

Zhu Houcong lived in the Zhai Palace, and Yang Shen and Xia Yan accompanied him in the Wuliang Hall, the main hall of the Zhai Palace.

It is called this name because the temple uses brick arches to bear the load and does not use beams.

In front of Wuliang Hall, there is a bronze man pavilion. The bronze figure in the pavilion is not very tall. According to the previous measurement standard, it is one foot and five inches. The bronze figure holds a sign in his hand with the word "Fast" written on it.

Zhu Houcong here is a vegetarian and not close to women, but now the issue that the monarch and his ministers are talking about is "country".

"The source of this calamity for the prince is on my side." Zhu Houcong looked at Xia Yan, "The situation in Japan has changed. In Gong Jin's opinion, how long should they be allowed to fight each other?"

If it weren't for the fact that the Ming Dynasty was about to throw away the shackles of the so-called "country without conquest" and there were rumors of an imminent large-scale conquest of Japan, naturally they would not start gambling there.

The thieves chiefs who were named by the Emperor of Heaven to be captured broke the jar and prepared to use the banner of resisting foreign enemies to gain momentum. Only then did the Japanese rebellion that they had stopped to avoid being attacked from both sides reappear.

Ryukyu was attacked by a mere guardian, and now the entire east side began to become more chaotic.

Xia Yan was very happy: "As your Majesty said, those people are looking for their own way to death. In the past, the disaster of Ningbo was unforgivable, and now it is the invasion of Ryukyu, Korea and even the Chinese Empire. This time the division has a reputation, I think it can be done. Calmly reorganize the army and destroy the country with great power. First straighten out the sea and land routes to Tsushima. As for Ryukyu...the longer the Japanese pirates cause trouble, the more Ryukyu people will eat pots of wine when the king's army arrives."

Yang Shen frowned slightly: "Go to Tsushima Island by sea and land?"

"Given the current situation in North Korea, do they still have the energy to eradicate the Japanese invasion? When the Ming Dynasty goes on an expedition, it is natural that they cannot just rely on sea transportation to transport military supplies and food and grass. Is North Korea willing to let the Ming Dynasty use the road, and will it allow the Ming Dynasty to bring money to buy food and grass nearby? This is not just the reason why North Korea has a lot of troubles, but it also makes Ming Dynasty unable to take action, and makes the war in Japan more intense."

In the Zhai Palace, the monarchs and ministers of the Ming Dynasty were very "bad".

Zhu Houcong nodded: "The other vassals have just two or three years to think about how to improve political conduct and people's livelihood according to the standards required by the superior country."

It’s not a matter of taking action immediately. There is time to make corrections.

Does this count as the mercy of the Emperor of Heaven?

But the envoys from various countries who finally knew what kind of convention they were going to make this time were in a panic.

In the Datong Pavilion not far from the Temple of Heaven and Earth, envoys from various vassals were having a heated discussion, but some of them still used the interpreters of the Ming Dynasty Lijiaobu sect.

There is no way, Ming Dynasty Mandarin is the common language. Let them communicate in their own dialects. Can they have a clear conversation?

As a result, the situation seemed very awkward, and my speech was very restrained and cautious.

"It's not just about weight and length?"

The interpreters could not help but include "Ming Dynasty official goods" when they relayed it: "Not only the weight, length, but also the number of these must be based on the new standards determined by the superior country before trade with the Ming Dynasty can be carried out?"

An envoy replied: "It has to do with whether you are qualified to trade. This is really..."

The interpreters said: "Now wood, guano, stone...many things can be sold to the upper country. If it is to continue trade, then..."

But the focus of the vassal envoys was not just on the measurement standards related to trade qualifications, but on another matter.

"Why must we ensure the food, clothing, housing and transportation of those slaves before we can continue to be crowned kings?"

Regarding such questions, the interpreters of the Ministry of Rites and Communications of the Ming Dynasty would truthfully explain it.

The purpose is also to collect their opinions.

Both Li Qi and Yin Yuanlao remained silent on such a topic.

Among the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, Korea and Jiaozhi were all more thoroughly transformed into kings. They called themselves Little China.

They knew very well that the slave's statement was wrong.

Even if this is true, it cannot be said like this in the Ming Dynasty when Confucian civil servants were in power.

Naturally, someone asked the interpreter directly: "Does it mean that farmers and fishermen must bear less burden before His Majesty the Great Emperor can canonize our king?"

The interpreters said the standard answer handed down by the Ministry of Etiquette and Foreign Affairs: "This is your Majesty's initiative. There is an old saying in China that the people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the most important. Your Majesty, with the dignity of the emperor of the heaven, issued this to the vassals. This initiative is an act of kindness that should be performed by benevolent kings throughout the ages, and it is also for the long-term peace and stability of the feudal lords and the longevity of the country."

Li Qi and Elder Yin looked at each other, then lowered their heads silently.

"His Royal Highness Li of North Korea, Mr. Yin, what do you have in mind?"

They didn't want to talk much, but a small country in Nanyang asked them.

The Mo family and Li family envoys from the northern and southern divisions of Jiaozhi also looked at them.

Why is Li Qi so talkative?

Elder Yin had no choice but to cough: "His Majesty's initiative is just right. As the ruler of the country holds a high position, he should work for the welfare of all people."

"Can……"

The envoys from various countries in the Datong Pavilion gathered for talks, looking like they had no choice but to huddle around and turn around in a circle of circling fish when the general situation came.

The ministers of the Ming Dynasty were still watching.

This is the Ming Dynasty at this time.

At their doorstep, if Daming had any ideas, they could only face this kind of celestial pressure.

The convention to be concluded by the Ming Dynasty was divided into two main parts.

First of all, it is necessary to at least use the standards of the Ming Dynasty in the process of trade between the two parties. Only then can one be qualified to continue trading with the Ming Dynasty.

Secondly, we must follow the initiative of the Emperor of Heaven, from official customs to civil affairs and people's livelihood, and pay attention to the rights and interests of ordinary people. Only then can we continue to be recognized and canonized by the Emperor of Heaven.

The real meaning behind these two parts is: If you don't comply, the Ming Dynasty will not recognize it as a vassal state in the future.

No trade was allowed, no envoys were established, and it was not within the vassal system of the Ming Dynasty that restricted other vassal states from invading their land and people.

Outer Yunnan, Jiaozhi...their situations have shown the effectiveness of Ming Dynasty's restrictions.

Although secret confrontations and minor frictions are never absent, at least they no longer dare to easily launch a war to destroy the country.

Everyone knows that maybe Daming is waiting for an opportunity.

But now, the Ming Dynasty linked the action of canonization and whether to recognize the clan with the effectiveness of their governance and peace of the people, and the chain reaction it brought is really intriguing.

On the other side of Tubo, the envoys of the three Dharma kings and the five Dharma kings looked at the others uneasily and calmly.

Ming Dynasty did reveal its fangs unabashedly, but who was the first?

Among them, the envoy of the Merciful Dharma King and a certain eminent monk knew it well.

Although Tubo is not in the first place, everyone is in the ranking sequence.

In this regard, he looked down upon the current emperor of Ming Dynasty.

It's normal to have ambitions, but wanting to unify the Ming dynasty is really a bit arrogant.

Therefore, Tubo must not become the first, second, or third. After the Ming Dynasty suffered a lot in handling the affairs of the vassals, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty should also understand the truth: For thousands of years, which Chinese hero has not wanted to do this?

Whether you want to do it or not and whether you can do it are two different things.

The question now is: If such a convention is not concluded this time, will the canonization be withdrawn immediately? For a vassal state to first sign a convention and then fail to do it, when and in what form will the next step be triggered?

…    Late autumn and early winter, this season is often full of harvest atmosphere.

According to the new calendar of the Ming Dynasty, on October 1st of the solar calendar in the year 2382, Beijing City of the Ming Dynasty was surrounded by the solemn Temple of Heaven and Earth in the new city area.

Today is the day when the Emperor of Heaven personally offers sacrifices to heaven and earth. Today there are only ceremonies.

As for this ceremony, in addition to the officials of the Ming Dynasty in Beijing, the principal and deputy envoys from various countries were also present.

One of the ceremonies was the unveiling of a bronze figure standing on the circular platform in the middle of the Daxiang Hall of the Temple of Heaven and Earth.

The three eaves of Daxiang Hall, with upper green, middle yellow and lower green, symbolize heaven, earth and all things.

Under the Daxiang Hall, there is also a three-story round platform.

According to the new measurement units of the Ming Dynasty, this Daxiang Hall has a relatively precise size: 3802 meters high and 2402 meters in diameter.

This is a Mingtang style building.

The so-called Mingtang-style building is a place for Mingzhengzong and missionary education. It is a ritual building of the highest standard. The internal layout of the building should have double outer circles and inner squares.

Specifically speaking of the Temple of Heaven and Earth, the outer circle on the first floor is the Piyong on the inside. The outer area of ​​the Temple of Heaven and Earth is circular, with square walls and four gates. On the second floor, which is round on the outside and square on the inside, is the circular platform and outer wall of the Daxiang Hall, as well as the square rooms divided inside it.

The largest square room in the Daxiang Hall is called the Taishi. The areas due south, north, east, and west of the Taishi are called Mingtang, Xuantang, Qingyang, and Zongzhang respectively. The ground floor and the middle floor have a unique layout of "five rooms, nine rooms, twelve halls, and eight rooms", which respectively imply the four seasons, twelve months, twelve hours, and the stars in the sky, forming a strong symbolic meaning.

Now, the Emperor of Heaven has arranged to unveil a total of eight bronze figures on the second round platform that symbolizes "earth".

Each bronze figure is the same height. In the words of Yan Song, who is the host, "Its height is three hundred and ninety-two and seven, and its weight is ninety-nine and eighty-one kilograms, exactly the same. The inner abdomen is hollow, breathing in the awe-inspiring energy of heaven and earth; Holding a bucket in your hand, it contains a square meter of fertile soil, weighing a kilogram of earth, taken from all directions!"

What the bronze man held in his hands was first a small pavilion-like container. Inside, there was a standard transparent glass bucket filled with soil.

The envoys of various vassals knew that the Ming Dynasty diplomatic envoys took some local soil when they returned to Beijing.

However, now that there are so many vassal states, there are only eight bronze figures here.

What was then unveiled was the back earth wall, a screen wall located in the Mingtang leading to the Taishi.

This screen wall, which is ten meters wide and five meters high, is made of metal as wide and glass as the surface, blocking all kinds of soil behind it.

These soils are roughly divided into four areas: sun, moon, star, and bottom. The color of the soil in each area is different. The three-color metals used to outline the sun, moon, and stars are gold, silver, and copper.

It can be seen that the arcs and branch lines are all rounded or aligned.

Zhu Houcong recited loudly: "This year, I will announce to the world that the first year of the Republic recorded in Huanghuang Qing History will be called AD 2382."

"This year, I will take the fertile lands of all the vassal states, and use the measurement and balance in accordance with the laws of heaven to offer the lands of China and the eight directions to heaven and earth."

"I have inherited the destiny and guarded the country for twenty and two years. I have never slacked off in governing the country and bringing peace to the people. The great unity of the world dare not forget the teachings of the sages. The monarchs and ministers are of one mind, and the rich and powerful people from all over the world swear to share their aspirations."

"Today, the sects and vassals jointly offer sacrifices to the heaven and the earth. I accept the support of all the people and report the results of twenty-two years of serving the country..."

Inside and outside the Ming Hall, the Ming Emperor recounted the achievements he and his ministers had made over the past twenty years.

What made the envoys of various vassals feel different in the sound of the communication was the rich numbers in what the Emperor of Heaven said.

Yang Shen naturally heard it clearly, but he also sounded a little dazed.

In the sixteenth year of Zhengde, when the emperor was still a boy, he naturally heard many numbers from his father, who was the chief minister at the time.

How much land and people were hidden back then? Although this was only the result of the old system, after it was reported to the world from the emperor's mouth, it still seemed that the land and people of the Ming Dynasty had expanded a lot.

Fiscal revenue, business scale, water conservancy projects, steel and other important industrial product output, straight mileage...

In the ears of the vassal envoys, this was the emperor's intuitive explanation of the national power of the celestial dynasty.

They don't know whether these numbers are true or false, but even if the astronomical figures are halved and then halved, it is still unreachable for them.

Zhu Houcong made a "report" like a "work report" and finally came to the end.

"All the people in the world are still not enough to have enough food and clothing, to have the old and the young supported."

“Inside and outside China, the development of vassals and vassals is uneven, and three or five enemy chiefs are going against the current.”

"I have understood the three principles of heaven, matter, and man, and with the ambition of benefiting all people in the world, today I not only tell heaven and earth, but also inform our enemies and friends in all directions."

"The Ming Dynasty of the People's Republic of China is a great civilized country. The dignity of a superior country is not due to the country's wealth and military strength; it is actually due to the fact that the people are the most precious and the people from all over the world are at home!"

"Anyone who goes against the will of the people and becomes an enemy of a civilized country will be punished by the people."

"I admire the teachings of the civilized country and take those who have mastered them as the first to practice. I will not hesitate to help."

"All nations and peoples, please listen to my instructions."

"The four seas are harmonious but different, and they don't have to be the same. However, the harmony between China and the outside world, the exchange of needs and wants, and the people living and working in peace and contentment are the foundation of hundreds of benefits."

"If you enclose territory in all directions for your own self-importance and forget about the people, it will lead to chaos in the long run, harm the country and neighbors, and bring disaster to the lives of the people in the region. This is the first of hundreds of harms."

"Today, I will bring the envoys from all countries to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, and then we will make a business agreement and a peace plan together. In everything, we will put the people first."

"Since I regard China as my suzerain, the people of my sect and vassal are all my subjects."

"Those who harm my people will be killed no matter how far away they are!"

"Those who bless my people will be generously rewarded!"

To the envoys of the various vassals, after saying so many pragmatic things and promoting the strength of the Ming Dynasty, it was obvious that the Emperor of Ming Dynasty was aggressive and scornful in all directions.

Everything today reveals one meaning: surrender.

If you want to seek a canonization to strengthen the legitimacy of the royal power, you must accept that your people are also the people of the Ming Dynasty.

If you ask for canonization but do not follow the requirements of the Ming Dynasty and "put the people first", you are also a criminal who harms the people and should be punished.

If you want to break away from the status of a vassal of the Ming Dynasty, you will directly become the enemy of the Ming Dynasty and create instability around you.

Zhu Houcong put down the ritual inscription, which was not neat and tidy, turned around and walked out of the Mingtang, where he accepted the kneeling of all the officials inside and outside.

At this moment, his eyes were calm, but his domineering aura was not concealed at all.

Times have never restricted him, but he has determined that he is doing what he should do.

There is no need to dwell on right or wrong. At least compared to too many "kings" outside the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Houxun will definitely bring about some faster development.

Using better technology and systems to achieve better development is the hard truth.

The real business will start tomorrow.

But today, let’s express our attitude first.

After offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, Zhu Houcong no longer needs to continue fasting.

That night, he drove back to the palace and gave a banquet to all the vassal envoys!

(End of this chapter)