Hegemony cannot be challenged!
This is the essence of empire.
Otherwise, it will only allow ambitious countries to see opportunities and opportunities to challenge hegemony.
Emperor Zhu Da suddenly laughed, and his smile looked a little proud!
Although he has been testing the British bottom line from the beginning, in fact, he knows where the British bottom line is!
The British have never established their "hegemony" in a true sense, because from the beginning, the imperial model chosen by the British was Carthage, not Rome, nor China.
Central military empires like China and Rome would destroy any challenger at the expense of the empire, because they knew very well what kind of threat the challenger would bring to the empire.
The hegemony of the empire is based on the deterrence of other barbarians. Once a barbarian challenges the empire and the two empires do not give the most direct response, then challenges will appear one after another, and eventually the empire will fall into a state of exhaustion.
During the continuous barbarian invasions, the authority of the empire will also be damaged, the empire's financial resources will be overdrawn, and eventually the empire will collapse.
But what is a Carthage-style empire? It has never been a military hegemony. It is business and trade. Their hegemony is to serve business and trade. This means that they will weigh the gains and losses, and they care more about order than order.
It's profit.
This is also the reason why Britain will give in, because their chances of winning against the four countries are too low, so they made a rational decision.
This decision is rational for Britain, but for the empire... it is fatal!
"When the empire's deterrence is gone, challengers will flock to it!"
After making this judgment, Emperor Zhu Da smiled.
"The day when Britain's hegemony ends will be the day when we avenge our shame."
Is this revenge for Tokyo?
of course not!
It's for the Opium War, it's for China, it's for... it has nothing to do with Japan!
When Iwakura and the others bowed with expressions of gratitude, Emperor Zhu did not explain this misunderstanding, nor did he need to explain it. In fact, he was also warning them that the imperial hegemony would not allow any challenge.
Last time, when Ming Dynasty faced a challenge, it could destroy Toyotomi at the cost of the destruction of the empire. In the future, when Japan betrays, Ming Dynasty will definitely destroy the entire Japan!
A powerful empire must first have an imperial mindset!
This imperial mentality will never condone any challenger!
Of course, under the careful design of Emperor Zhu Da, Japan can never betray, because from now on, there will be no Japan!
And Britain... has not grown into a real empire at all. Of course, it cannot be said that,
While sneering, Emperor Zhu Da said in an extremely calm tone.
"Now is the time!"
When Britain's imperial hegemony was shaken and disintegrated, it was the time when Ming Dynasty's imperial hegemony and world order were rebuilt!
It's just that the Ming Dynasty's "order of the world" is no longer East Asia, but the entire world.
"My dear friends, now the world has entered a time of great strife. No one can stay out of it, and the same is true for Japan. However, Japan is now independent..."
Before Emperor Zhu Da finished speaking, Okubo Toshimichi said directly.
"Your Majesty, Japan is already universally recognized as the land of the Ming Dynasty, how can it be independent?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, for Japan, it is an honor to be able to merge with the Ming Dynasty. In this era of great strife, it is an honor to advance and retreat with the Ming Dynasty and share the glory of the empire. Japan will never be able to stand on its own!"
After Kido Takayoshi stood up and expressed his stance, Iwakura Tomomi and Ito Hirobumi also expressed their attitude. Their attitude was very clear-supporting the alliance.
In fact, the reason why their attitude is so clear is not only for the interests of Japan, but also for personal interests. After suffering the painful lessons of the British and American invasion, they are naturally inclined to believe that an independent Japan cannot survive in the world. On the other hand,
The tragic death of the emperor left Japan without an emperor - of course, if it must be established, an emperor can still be established, but the problem is that even if an emperor is established, as "ministers of the country's subjugation", they will have no role in the new government
, let alone being in a high position, not being held accountable is already an act of extrajudicial mercy.
In contrast, by merging with the Ming Dynasty, they can be appointed by the Ming Emperor. They are ministers of the alliance and have contributed to the Ming Dynasty. Even the death of the emperor is not only not a crime, but even a merit!
Hebang!
For them, this is the best choice for them.
Um……
Emperor Zhu Da nodded slightly, feeling proud in his heart. What is the highest achievement of strategy? It is to let others give up the country.
"I am very moved by your love for China. However, Japan has been alienated from China for many years, and rashly uniting the country will not only cause dissatisfaction among a few people inside, but also lead to a backlash from the United Kingdom, so I think it can
Let’s set up the Governor’s Mansion first, what do you think?”
In fact, the reason why Emperor Zhu Da established the Governor's Palace was to treat them differently.
Is it possible for Japan to want to be like the Ming Dynasty?
There is an unequal order within the empire itself. Nation-states generally treat the population within the territory equally, which means that whether they live in the center or at the border, they have the same rights.
But the empire is different. The central and border areas are treated differently. A typical example is the Roman Empire. The Italian region is tax-free. Not only do other provinces in the empire not have this kind of treatment, but they also serve as resource suppliers.
The Roman Empire seemed to be integrated, but in fact most of the areas outside the city of Rome were the targets of Rome's colonial industry and economic plunder. As big as the Roman Empire was, the colonies were almost as big, and the "cities" in the provinces were responsible for agricultural and mining operations.
Products, slaves, taxes, etc. were transported to Rome. The establishment of the Roman Empire itself was based on the oppression of people outside the empire.
Not to mention that this was the era of the Roman Empire, the United States in the 21st century also bears the shadow of the Roman Empire, but at most it is less oppressive. Take Guam as an example, it is an overseas autonomous territory of the United States, and its residents have U.S. citizenship.
, but cannot vote in national elections.
Therefore, of course, there will be no equality within the future Ming Empire.
Everyone is equal in the empire?
What are you dreaming about in Spring and Autumn Period?
If you want to become a Ming Dynasty citizen, you must first bleed for the Ming Dynasty!
"Your Majesty is wise and wise. It is prudent to establish the Governor's Palace first to promote education. I believe that from now on, all primary and secondary schools in Japan must teach Chinese. There must be linguistic unification first, and only then can there be imperial unification!"
Seeing that Kido Takayun, known as one of the three heroes of the Reform, took the initiative to promote Chinese education, Emperor Zhu Da felt extremely proud.
Due to a strange combination of circumstances, Japan's Restoration was not only interrupted, but each of these "Heroes of the Meiji Restoration" also turned into Meichen, or "Japanese traitors". The world is changing a bit fast!
Among the three heroes of the Restoration, Kido Takayun and Okubo Toshimichi have become ministers of the Ming Dynasty. There is only Saigo Takamori left, who is plotting rebellion in Kyushu.
While feeling proud, with this name in mind, Emperor Zhu Da said.
"Now that Japan's external troubles have been eliminated, but its internal troubles have not yet been resolved, in your opinion, how should Tokugawa and Saigo be dealt with!"
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!