The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 47 The Factions of Great Qin

November 11, Taichu Palace.

Yang Shengping, special envoy of the Great Qin Mission, Second Assistant to the Cabinet and Minister of Rites, and Grand Scholar of Jinshen Palace, got off the carriage. After adjusting his official uniform a little, he did not immediately follow the imperial guard officer who led the way into the palace gate, but turned back. Looking at the huge bronze statue of Emperor Taizu in the square, he stared at it intently and remained silent for a long time.

The entire statue is 16.20 meters high and weighs 65 tons. Emperor Taizu of Da Qi stands sideways, looking deeply into the distance with his right hand raised high, seeming to continue to lead the people of Qi and move forward towards the solid and ambitious goal in the distance.

"This is a great and wise emperor."

Yang Shengping had sincere respect for the founding emperor of Da Qi. He almost single-handedly created this powerful and wealthy empire, and spread the empire's prestige far and wide, becoming the master of this vast ocean.

Although our country, the Great Qin Dynasty, lords over China and claims to be a great country in the East, it controls hundreds of millions of people and has millions of soldiers.

However, the enlightened officials of Da Qin, led by Yang Shengping, knew very well that in terms of overall national strength, Da Qin was far inferior to Qi. Not to mention the gap in financial resources, even based on military strength alone, the millions of Da Qin officers and soldiers may not be as powerful as Qi. opponent of the Chinese army.

After returning home, those generals of the Qin army who were trained at the Qi Navy and Army Schools were all shocked by the Qi army's powerful firepower, sufficient logistical support, advanced weapon systems, and professional combat command skills.Although the size of Qi's army is only over [-], and it is stationed in the mainland and many overseas territories, it seems that its military strength is weak and not large-scale.

However, the generals of the Qin army who were familiar with the command and mobilization system of the Qi army did not dare to have the slightest contempt for the small number of Qi soldiers.Because Qi State implements a universal military service system, all citizens of appropriate age are obliged to serve in the army.Moreover, Qi also has what may be the largest and most effective wartime mobilization mechanism in the world.

It is said that once Qi State enters a state of war, their army can quickly expand from 4 to 8 people within a month. After three months, this number will become 20 to 50, and after half a year It will reach [-].

In addition, Qi also has many vassal states and overseas territories. When a large-scale war breaks out, they will undoubtedly assume the obligation to send troops without hesitation and follow the Qi army on the battlefield.

Of course, our Da Qin's calculation of Qi's military strength is not to use them as imaginary enemies and adopt radical anti-Qi policies.As two Han countries with the same ancestry and origin, the Great Qin Dynasty is actually not willing to antagonize the Qi State, let alone have a war with the Qi State, even if they continue to support the Northern Ming Dynasty for many years, even if they are within the traditional sphere of influence of our Great Qin State. They are poaching people from within and making small moves, even though they often accuse me, Da Qin, of implementing conservative and harsh trade policies.

The current strategic focus of our Great Qin is in the north and northwest, and on the Tartars and barbarians who are eyeing the Central Plains.Throughout the dynasties, the Huru border troubles in the north have always been the life and death enemy of the Central Plains dynasty. If they are not careful, they will take advantage of it, seize China, and enslave hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

As for the Qi State, all they want is to benefit from trade in goods.

Moreover, trade with Qi also promoted the market prosperity of Da Qin.Tea, porcelain, silk, medicinal materials, raw silk, cotton, tung oil, bristles, mineral products, etc. were exported in large quantities by Qi merchants, in exchange for countless gold and silver, and also contributed millions of taels of silver to the imperial court in shipping taxes.

When I came to Qi State this time, in addition to asking Qi State to restrain Beiming from invading Da Qin's territory, I also needed to obtain corresponding financial support from them.To this end, in addition to continuing to maintain several foreign trade ports such as Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Shanghai, Penglai, and Qinzhou that were previously open to Qi, Daqin also added three cities along the Yangtze River, Yangzhou, Anqing, and Wuhan, as well as Ningbo, Jimo (now Qingdao) The two coastal cities in Jimo District were opened to Qi State merchants and allowed to engage in import and export trade in the above-mentioned areas to meet the needs of Qi State's trade expansion.

With the frequent economic and trade exchanges with Qi and Qin, the relationship between the two sides has become increasingly close, and the government and the public have also been deeply influenced by Qi.Some sea trade merchants, enlightened scholars, and many officials who studied in Qi State have suggested to the imperial court that they should innovate and follow the example of Qi State, focus on science and technology, promote practical learning, and set up factories, and carry out a vigorous "industrial revolution" in Daqin. ”, thereby getting rid of the current ignorant and backward production relations and production methods, and achieving the goal of enriching the country and strengthening the army.

However, this move met with fierce opposition from many conservative forces in the court.They believe that the laws of their ancestors are immutable, firmly advocate the maintenance of traditional culture and the existing education system, and oppose borrowing from Qi culture and systems.The Chinese civilization has been passed down for thousands of years and has its own adjustment mechanism. As long as it implements benevolent governance and practices etiquette and justice, it can maintain the unity of the inside and outside of the court, and the unity of the top and bottom.

As for the so-called technology, utensils, and even Qi's railways and steam locomotives, they are nothing but "wonders of ancient and modern times, and peerless ingenuity."

Moreover, some "people with lofty ideals" also looked at the essence through phenomena, studied the logic of the establishment, development, and operation of Qi State, and concluded, "Qi people's merchants and government officials, businessmen and officials protect each other, and businessmen support their troops. .”

As for our thousands-year-old Chinese tradition, "China has been a homeland for thousands of years. Government orders are unified by one person, wealth is attributed to one person, the hierarchy of honor and inferiority is very strict, and the flow of scholars, farmers, industry, and goods is separate. How can such people presume to participate in the affairs of the country?"

The conservatives believe that it is not advisable to build factories, promote industry, and expand foreign trade. They say that "the emphasis on agriculture and suppression of business is to teach diligence and simplicity, so as to expand the source of wealth, to emphasize scholars and suppress business to encourage virtue, and to establish the foundation of governance. In fact, suppressing the interests of merchants is to extend the power of the imperial title."

Well, to put it bluntly, Da Qin has a social order in which officials are superior to businessmen, and even the authority of the court is based on the suppression of business. It cannot be like the Qi State, where officials and businessmen are integrated, subverting the power of officials and gentry. The "distinguished" status has lost its decency.

As a student of Qi for three years, Yang Shengping was deeply aware of the huge gap between Qin and Qi, and he was an out-and-out liberal in the Qin court.On different occasions, he strongly advocated that the court should carry out a thorough reform and imitate the government of Qi, implement reforms, and become rich and powerful like Qi.

The mainland has outstanding people, natural treasures, and resource endowments that are far superior to those of Hanzhou. Qi State can rise rapidly in just a few decades. As a country with the same culture and species, if the Qin Dynasty can slightly reform and introduce some of Qi State's advanced experience and technology, There is no reason to continue to lag behind Qi.

However, in the ancient land of China, the power of the conservative and stubborn forces exceeded everyone's imagination. They insisted that "the way to build a country is to respect etiquette rather than power. The fundamental purpose lies in the human heart and not in skills."If "the righteousness is not extended, in a few years, all the people in China will be driven back to the barbarians (Qi)."

In the court, the conservative faction launched a frantic suppression and attack on the liberal faction who advocated reform and reform.Yang Shengping's 30-year career has been marked by ups and downs.Just before he served as the special envoy for this visit to Qi, he was demoted to the post of governor of Qinghai. He felt depressed and frustrated all day long with the biting cold wind blowing and looking at the cattle and sheep everywhere.

If Emperor Qianyuan of the Qin Dynasty had not needed an official who was knowledgeable in foreign affairs and familiar with Qi's internal affairs as an envoy to visit Hanzhou, Yang Shengping would not have been called into the court, and he would have been promoted to the position of Second Assistant to the Cabinet and Minister of Rites. .

"In order to maintain good relations between Qin and Qi and continue to maintain the century-old friendship between the two sides, I have ordered the Ministry of Ethics and Education of the Cabinet to increase the number of students studying in Qin to 800 starting next year."

After Yang Shengpingli met with Emperor Taiping in the Yongchang Hall of the Taichu Palace, he greeted Emperor Taiping politely on behalf of Emperor Qianyuan of the Qin Dynasty, and briefly described the current situation of the Qin Dynasty, the people's livelihood in the country, and the war in the northwest and Mobei.At the same time, he expressed his sincere gratitude to Qi for its financial and military support to Qin.

Emperor Taiping, on the other hand, behaved more calmly. In addition to greeting Emperor Qianyuan, he also expressed serious concern about the dispute between the old and new factions within Daqin. He hoped that the friendly relations currently maintained between Qi and Qin would not be based on the insistence of "individuals". Thoughts, likes and dislikes will be harmed, let alone the merchants and traveling citizens of Qi.

Afterwards, Emperor Taiping said that in order to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Qi and Qin and eliminate barriers, the Qi cabinet government would allocate some education funds to support Daqin students who are interested in studying in Qi.

"Thank you very much for your majesty's generous act." Yang Shengping bowed his hands and saluted: "When my envoy returns to Nanjing, he will definitely ask our emperor to select intelligent and resourceful people from the Imperial College and the supervisors of various prefectures and counties to go to your country. Study tour abroad.”

Emperor Taiping smiled slightly and nodded.

Since more than 30 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Taizu, we began to sponsor Qin students to study abroad. Over the years, thousands of Qin students have been trained.Although many people finally stayed in Qi and became Qi's talent reserve.But those Qin students who returned to the mainland, after several years of study and life, will more or less develop a sense of closeness to Qi and a sense of awe.

These people either entered the Qin court and became pro-Qi liberals, or they engaged in industry and commerce and became potential comprador businessmen.Through them, Qi indirectly expanded its influence in Qin, and also had a huge impact on Qin's politics, military, and economy.

"Your Majesty, our Da Qin royal family previously requested a marriage with the Da Qi royal family in order to maintain the close friendship between the two countries, but so far, your cabinet has still not responded." Just as the interview was about to end, Yang Shengping suddenly asked. : "This envoy is quite puzzled by this, so I specially played it to Your Majesty to listen to the Holy Judgment."

"Oh." Emperor Taiping was startled when he heard this, then smiled and said softly: "The cabinet has submitted this matter to me. However, I do not agree to the marriage."

"Your Majesty, do you dare to hear the reason behind this?" Yang Shengping felt a little unhappy in his heart.

What do you mean, do your Qi royal family look down on my Qin royal family?

"Close relatives do not marry." Emperor Taiping said: "Your envoy needs to know that I and the emperor of your country are cousins. For the sake of our descendants, it is not appropriate to marry. I will write a letter to the emperor of your country to explain the reason."

"Close relatives don't marry?" Yang Shengping looked at Emperor Taiping in surprise.

"Well, our medical community in Qi has proven that intermarriage between close relatives will lead to many hidden diseases in the offspring." Emperor Taiping said with a smile: "If you want to strengthen the closeness between the royal families of the two countries, marriage is also possible, but you need to find another method besides the three generations of collaterals. The children of the clan thought they were intermarrying.”

I remember that when he was a child, Emperor Taizu once laughed at the two Habsburg dynasties in Europe, saying that those two royal families all married to relatives, and the offspring they gave birth to were either fools, crazy, or seriously ill. Defective person.

For the sake of future generations, and even more so for the health of the royal family, it is best to strictly prohibit incest marriages within three generations.

Although the current marriageable royal children of the two countries are no longer close relatives within three generations, when Emperor Taiping thought of Emperor Taizu's warning, he still subconsciously refused to marry his direct descendants (grandchildren) with the Qin royal family.

"Your Majesty, Chang'an Royal Medical College reported that the situation of the eldest princess of Le'an is already bad. I'm afraid... there won't be much time left." The envoy of the State of Qin had just left, and a royal secretary stepped forward with a solemn expression.

"Get ready to drive." Emperor Taiping stood up immediately and sighed slightly, "Call the queen to come with me to see my aunt off for the last time."

(End of this chapter)