Volume 3: Confrontation! The Run of Civilization Chapter 465: Ming Dynasty Strictly Bans Drugs
"I have urgently summoned all the ministers to hold a grand court meeting today because Xu Xianchun, the deputy commander of the Royal Guard stationed at Yangon Port, brought me something!"
At 12:30 a.m. on February 8, as soon as the emperor's carriage entered the capital, Zhu Youdong immediately rushed to the Huangji Hall, without even having time to eat lunch.
The emperor didn't eat, and of course the officials didn't eat either. However, in recent years, the Ming Dynasty's government has become increasingly strict, and no official dared to jump out and make trouble.
No one dared to get angry, but everyone was also wondering: What happened to the emperor? Although the emperor was an iron-fisted emperor, he was generally reasonable and would never make trouble for the ministers. Why was the court held so urgently? Could it be that something big happened in the country?
But what was the big deal? In recent years, the Ming Dynasty had been growing stronger and stronger. It dominated East Asia and had basically conquered Mongolia. Man Gui's Western Expedition had also been receiving frequent reports of victory. Even if they were suddenly defeated, could the Yarkand Khanate still defeat the Ming Dynasty? Was it necessary to hold an emergency court meeting?
When the emperor arrived at the throne and said this, the ministers present were even more shocked: What is this thing? Is it worth convening such an urgent court meeting?
"This substance is called opium. It is extracted from the fruit juice of a plant called poppy and then refined. This substance appeared in China very early. According to textual research, it is certain that this substance had already entered China when Zhang Qian of the Western Han Dynasty opened up the Western Regions. Afterwards, this substance appeared in the history books of the Later Han, Tang, and Song dynasties. But!" Zhu Youdong suddenly emphasized his tone when he said this: "In the records of previous dynasties, this substance was used as a medicine. What is the effect of this thing as a medicine? It can relieve cough, diarrhea, bleeding... relieve pain, and it can relieve all pain!"
Huh? Your Majesty, are you trying to promote this thing?
Indeed, opium was introduced to China very early. But in the historical plane, it was used as a painkiller for a long time - in fact, the whole world used it as a medicine for a long time. Opium was not smoked by the Chinese until the late Ming Dynasty, when the Dutch occupied Taiwan and imported Indian tobacco leaves, pipes and opium into China.
At that time, the import of tobacco leaves caused panic in the Ming Empire, and Emperor Chongzhen was the first emperor in Chinese history to issue a clear order to ban smoking. However, due to insufficient understanding of this thing, tobacco was banned, but pure opium smoking became rampant.
Fortunately, in the historical plane, Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch who had occupied Taiwan, and the supply of opium was temporarily cut off. This cut lasted until the 19th century.
Of course, in this dimension, let alone the Dutch, the Spanish did not have time to stay in Taiwan for long before they were driven away by Zhu Youdong's navy. Therefore, at this time, there was no opium for sale in the Ming Empire.
"My Lords, what I want to say is that although this substance has a lot of value in medicine and is indeed necessary to use, it is a great harm to ordinary people! For our Ming Dynasty, this is a demon that is enough to plunge our Chinese people into an abyss of no return!"
The officials below immediately started to make a noise, not caring about the court etiquette at all, and began to whisper to each other unconsciously. Fang Zhenghua, who was standing beside Zhu Youdong, glanced at the emperor and found that the emperor had no intention of stopping them, so he did not stand up and shout for silence.
After the ministers talked for a while, the hall became quiet again, and Zhu Youdong said loudly: "If this thing is used for daily use, it will make people feel ecstatic and forget themselves. Therefore, in the ancient Greek "Iliad", this thing is called forget-me-not... However, this thing is extremely addictive. Once addicted, unless you have an extremely tenacious mind, you can't quit it at all. When addicted, the person will burst into tears, his hands and feet will be exhausted and unable to move. Even if a sharp knife is placed in front of him and a leopard or tiger is approaching from behind, he will only bow his head and die without being able to move at all. Moreover, long-term use of this thing will cause damage to the human body. Those who have taken opium for a long time will have hunched shoulders and shrunken necks, and their complexion will be emaciated, and they will be as dying as a sick man..."
After these remarks, the buzzing sound in the hall began again. However, considering the expressions of the ministers at this time, it should be said that they were really beginning to be surprised at this time.
There is no doubt that the medical attainments of the emperor have been admired by all the doctors in the Ming Dynasty over the years. Therefore, it is completely credible that the emperor said that this thing would cause consequences to the human body. Only because it is credible, it seems terrible.
After the hall was quiet again, Zhu Youdong continued, "This substance has recently appeared in large quantities in Yangon Port, the Governor's Office of Central and Southern China. The Spanish have also built several opium dens in Yangon Port and in Shalian, which is separated from Yangon by a river, to attract the Han people of Yangon and local people to smoke. The vicious hearts of the Spanish are obvious!"
"ah?!"
As soon as the emperor said this, the emotions of the ministers exploded instantly!
But Zhu Youdong did not let them release their emotions this time. Instead, he pressed his hands down, and after quieting the hall, he continued, "My lords, once you become addicted to this drug, you will do anything to continue taking it. It is not uncommon for people to disown their parents and abandon their wives and children. Even for a little money for drugs, it is common to hold a sharp knife, hack and kill family members, and sell all the family property to get a little poison. Moreover, long-term use of this drug will gradually break down the body, and finally turn people into zombies that are neither human nor ghost! It is said that this drug has been popular in Yangon Port for more than three months... If this drug is popular throughout the Ming Dynasty , within three years, the Ming Dynasty will lose all human relations and all people will become sick! The country will no longer have silver to use, and no soldiers to defend against the enemy!"
Xu Xianchun was in a corner of the hall at this time. When he heard what Zhu Youdong said, he was already sweating profusely - in fact, Zhu Youdong told him more on the way back.
He went there in plain clothes just before leaving to find out the real situation.
On the way to send the Ottoman Empire envoy to Ming Dynasty!
As a minister who had followed Zhu Youdong for more than ten years, Xu Xianchun was completely convinced and loyal to the emperor, so he believed what the emperor said! It was because of this that he was really scared.
No matter what, I must quit smoking from now on. Well, it doesn't matter if I quit alone, but in the whole Yangon Port, there were hundreds of Han Chinese who smoked opium more than a month ago, right? Even if I rush back now, it will take at least three months to go back and forth. How many more people have smoked opium?
Especially his colleague Luo Sigong, who has been staying in Yangon for some time. Has he become completely addicted?
Thinking of this, he felt annoyed: Damn it, when I return to Yangon, I will go to that Spaniard named Fernando and see how I will deal with you in all kinds of ways!
He was filled with fear and anger. Next to him, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Yangon who had come back to ask the emperor for someone, was shaking with anger: Have these years been easy for me? I finally managed to build up such a scene, but such a disaster slipped in! Although this thing entered the port after I left. But I am the chief officer! I cannot escape responsibility for anything that happens! Damn it, I will leave as soon as possible after the meeting, and I will leave the people behind for now. I will immediately organize people in Yangon, contact the Burmese and Mon people, and raid the Thanlian on the other side of the river!
"My Lords, I have made it very clear how dangerous this thing is. Today, I will first set a few rules for you!"
"Your Majesty, I respectfully request your approval."
"First, this substance is a poison that will bring disaster to the country and the people. Officials and citizens across the country are strictly prohibited from taking it! Since my order arrived, if anyone is found taking it, the first time, words will be engraved on both buttocks and sent to a designated place for drug rehabilitation. The second time, behead!
Second, anyone in the Ming Dynasty who dares to sell this drug, no matter how much drugs they sell, will be killed without mercy once there is irrefutable evidence! Anyone who dares to resist arrest will be killed on the spot!
Third, the Ministry of War immediately organized a troop to follow Hong Chengchou and Xu Xianchun southwards. After arriving in Yangon State, they arrested the local Spaniards who were selling opium. They crossed the Yangon River and captured Thanlyin. All the local Spaniards involved in selling opium were killed!
Fourth, the Ministry of War and the Central and Southern Governor's Office will immediately consult and formulate a plan after the meeting. I want to take Luzon and expel the Spaniards there within this year! If the local Spaniards dare to resist, kill them all! "
"Your Highness, I will obey your Majesty's orders!"
