Volume 3: Confrontation! The Run of Civilization Chapter 560: Discipline in Foreign Affairs
On January 16, 1627, the first State Council meeting of the ninth year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Empire was held.
After the routine affairs were discussed, the Privy Councilor Ma Chengzhao stood up and said, "Your Highness, the Regent, Zhu Shengmiao, who was responsible for delivering arms to the Indians in America, has returned. After listening to his report, I feel that this is a serious matter. The next step needs to be clarified at the State Council meeting."
Zhu Youdong has been touring the country for a year. During the year, when Zhu Youxiao was the regent, everyone was nervous and vigilant at the beginning. But gradually, everyone felt that the regent did a good job - he was responsible for major issues and was willing to delegate power on some small matters. More importantly, in the past year, the regent did not place anyone in the court or local institutions!
Well, this makes everyone feel relieved. Then everyone is willing to cooperate with the work of the regent.
Of course, compared to the emperor, His Royal Highness the Regent still has many shortcomings: when everyone is faced with some new situations and doesn't know what to do, the Regent can't come up with a solution as quickly as the emperor. So often, he has to send out cavalry to seek instructions from the emperor - but this is nothing, the emperor is still the emperor when he is on tour, it is impossible for him to not interfere in state affairs.
All in all, we have cooperated pretty well over the past year.
After listening to Ma Chengzhao's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded: "Then let him in."
Led by the guards, Zhu Shengmiao entered the room that represented the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty. Although he had experienced all kinds of storms in the Pacific Ocean and had experienced life and death in the jungles of America over the years, his throat still tightened after entering the room.
"Left and right, bring a stool over so he can sit and talk."
After Zhu Shengmiao sat down, Zhu Youxiao smiled at his nervous expression and said, "I heard that you are a descendant of the King of Chu? Which generation are you?"
"Your Highness, the Chu King's generation name is Meng Ji Jun Rong Xian, Ying Hua Yun Sheng Rong. I am of the Sheng generation name."
"Oh? Our family is Gaozhan Qijianyou, and Houzaiyi Changyou. So, you are still my uncle. My lords, please wait a moment. I will pay my respects to the elders first."
"Your Highness, I am sorry for the loss of my subject."
"No, although in terms of position, I am the regent and you are the lieutenant of the state, but the seniority cannot be mixed up."
After Zhu Youxiao performed the uncle-nephew ceremony to Zhu Shengmiao in a proper manner, Zhu Shengmiao's originally nervous mood suddenly relaxed. His mouth was able to secrete saliva normally, and his throat was naturally no longer dry.
After all, he was born in the business world, so he was very good at talking. In addition, he had traveled a lot over the years, so he had a wide range of knowledge. Once he got rid of his nervousness and returned to normal, he naturally explained the situation in America very clearly and smoothly.
"Hmm..." After a moment's silence, Zhu Youxiao looked up and asked, "Commander Tian?"
"I am here."
"I seem to have seen a report sent by your Jinyiwei a few years ago, saying that Spain had to sign an armistice agreement with the Ottoman Empire because of the chaos in its American colonies?"
"Yes, Your Highness. This information was sent by Cui Chengxiu, a captain of the Imperial Guard stationed in Ottoman Empire. It should be true."
"So that means, that, that what in America?"
"Your Highness, it's Tia and Liu Ke."
"No matter what, those two natives in America are still useful. It is their actions in America that have distracted Spain's energy. Not only has it allowed the Ottoman Empire to catch its breath, but the Ming Dynasty also doesn't have to see Spain's power grow."
"Your Highness is right."
"So, the support for the American rebels has to continue. Three ministers, what do you think?"
"Your Highness, we have no objection to what you said. The American Volunteer Army does need continued support."
"That's it, then. Um, Ma Shumi, you guys negotiate a rule with the Ministry of War on this matter, decide on the amount of support, and then send it over for a meeting."
"Your Highness." Ma Chengzhao stood up quickly. "After listening to Lieutenant Fengguo's report, I felt that the American Volunteer Army was in great danger, so I asked to discuss this matter at the State Council meeting."
"Oh?" Zhu Youxiao said with a slight exclamation, and then immediately changed his expression to a humble one: "I don't know much about military affairs, please ask the Privy Councilor to explain it to us in detail."
"Yes, Your Highness, everyone. According to Lieutenant Feng Guo's report, the American Volunteer Army has expanded to tens of thousands of people. Such a large army must have a base, so it is right to build a base. But their mistake was to choose the southern tip of South America as the location of the base. Your Highness, everyone, the overall outline of South America is a triangle. The southernmost part is extremely narrow and long, and most of it is grassland. If Spain deploys its new army in Europe after building a base in such a place, the Volunteer Army will not be able to defend it."
"Your Highness, all the superiors. I am not familiar with military affairs. It was only after I returned to Ming that I realized the danger of the situation after listening to Commander Ma's analysis. Especially after I returned to Ming, I heard that Theo had already stopped the war. It was only a matter of time before Spain sent new troops to America. Therefore, I beg Ming to increase its support for the American rebels."
"Hmm..." Zhu Youxiao didn't have the habit of tapping the table with his fingers like Zhu Youdong did. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Lieutenant Fengguo, how do you think this increase in strength should be done?"
"Your Highness, the support of heavy weapons is necessary. In addition, our navy also needs to be deployed. After all, after we have a base, some places must be defended, and we can't do without cannons. After the Spanish ended the war with the Ottomans, they were able to withdraw their fleet, so our navy is also needed..."
"Send out the navy?" Yang Hao, the Minister of War, stood up suddenly and said, "Lieutenant Fengguo, do you know what you are talking about? Before today's meeting, you took away three batches of weapons from my warehouse. The first batch was taken by the Emperor from the inner treasury, so I won't say anything. You haven't paid for one of the two subsequent batches yet!"
"Grand Marshal, didn't I just return to Ming? The money for the third shipment of weapons will be transferred to the Ministry of War's bank account later."
"That's about right." But Yang Hao stood up again as soon as he sat down: "Although the army's weapons are large in quantity, they are generally cheap. I heard that there is a lot of gold and silver in America, so it's barely enough to pay the bill. But if my navy is deployed once, the cost will be huge. Can the American rebels afford it?"
"Sir, I'm telling you frankly that the rebels can't afford the naval expenses. However, the fundamental purpose of our support for the rebels is not to make money, but to let the rebels mess up Spain's colonies in America and contain its development. Therefore, I think that even if the accounts are a little ugly, as long as the rebels can do their job, a moderate loss is acceptable."
"Lieutenant Fengguo."
"What advice do you have for me, Commander Tian?"
"Haha, I don't deserve your advice." Tian Ergeng pulled the corner of his mouth, then raised a piece of paper in his hand: "Are you having an affair with the female leader of the rebels, named Diya?"
"……Well."
Looking at the silent Zhu Shengmiao, Tian Ergeng's expression became even colder: "You are the transporter of the American rebel army's military equipment, and you are actually involved with the rebel leader. I think it is doubtful whether you are still completely on the side of our Ming Dynasty!"
"Commander Tian, I did have a private affair with Diya, but as a descendant of our great ancestor, I know my surname and my clan very well. I guarantee with my family's lives that I have never done anything to betray my family or flatter them for fame."
"As a member of the Imperial Guard, I don't believe in swearing or vowing." After saying this, Tian Ergeng turned his head and said, "Your Highness, I think we can discuss whether to increase support for the American rebels, but this Lieutenant Fengguo is really not suitable to sit here."
"..." After pondering for a while, Principal Zhu You sighed and said, "Grand Sikou."
"I am here."
"Although the American rebels are supported by our Ming Dynasty, they are not our own army after all. Lieutenant Fengguo has a private relationship with the enemy leader. According to military law, it is not an exaggeration to say that they are getting married before the battle. So, first put Lieutenant Fengguo in the prison of your Ministry of Justice and keep him under strict supervision to ensure his life is safe. Then, Tian will take command."
"I am here."
"The Imperial Guards must conduct a detailed investigation of all crew members traveling to and from America. If Lieutenant Fengguo really did something that harmed the interests of our Ming Dynasty, I will show no mercy!"
"I accept your Highness' orders."
"Your Highness." Following Xiong Tingbi's call, the guards outside the door came in and held up Zhu Shengmiao. Zhu Shengmiao shouted at the top of his lungs: "Your Highness, I did something wrong. I have no excuse for the crime I deserve. But I swear that I have never done anything to let down the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, the American rebels are indeed in danger and need strong support from the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, the rebels will be destroyed, and the layout of the Ming Dynasty in the Americas over the years will also be destroyed!"
Looking at Zhu Shengmiao who was still shouting loudly after being dragged out of the venue, Zhu Youxiao sighed deeply: "This useless guy!"
Then he quickly adjusted his mood: "My Lords, although Lieutenant Fengguo did something wrong. However, if the Jinyiwei finds that the American rebels are indeed in danger after investigation, we will still increase our support. After all, we invested so much in the early stage, it would be a pity if it was all lost. Besides, my brother told me before he went on a tour. Those men in northern Shaanxi have been training for a full year now, right? It seems that it is time for them to go on the field."
