Chapter 964 (First update, please subscribe)
In this first month of 1881, the earth-shaking changes that took place in China had little impact on most people of the Ming Dynasty. However, for other Ming people who were ordinary but had the world in mind, the drastic changes in China affected the Qing Dynasty.
Death is undoubtedly joyful.
In fact, as early as a few years ago, many Ming patriots who aspired to China joined the "Xinghan Hui". Even Li Xuzhou's rebellion against the Qing Dynasty last year was "promoted" by the young officers of the "Xinghan Hui". Those Ming dynasties and
International students joined hands and contributed to the anti-Qing cause.
When the news of the fall of the Qing Dynasty reached the Ming Dynasty and caused fierce reactions in various parts of the Ming Dynasty, the official reaction of the Ming Dynasty seemed to be very calm. It seemed that everything was normal. It was very normal, because the high-level officials of the empire had already prepared for this day.
Even during the "Xuzhou Military Remonstrance", the imperial consul warned other countries not to interfere.
In a word, the empire's senior officials have not only been prepared for this day, but have also been looking forward to it for a long time.
"According to Li Xuzhou's request, we plan to provide him with a loan of 70 million yuan to be used for various expenditures before and after the establishment of the new government, of which 10 million yuan will be used for refugee relief..."
When Zuo Zongtang made a report, Emperor Zhu Da just nodded slightly. These loans and aids had been decided as early as the end of last year. After all, supporting China was Ming Dynasty's unshakable obligation.
"There is no need to repeat these. I already know it. In addition, I think we should increase funding for education. In my opinion, compared to guns, China needs the largest number of schools and the largest number of people.
Regarding education, let the China Education Foundation negotiate with them to fund a school in each county, send teachers, and provide teaching materials. If education flourishes, China will prosper. If you want to strengthen the country, you must strengthen education!"
The Huaxia Education Foundation was founded eight years ago under the instruction of Emperor Zhu Da. It aims to provide educational assistance to the homeland of China and Southeast Asia. In the past eight years, the foundation has established more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools in various places.
What has always limited the scale of aid has never been funds, but the suppression of the Manchu authorities.
Now that the Manchus no longer exist, it is natural to increase assistance. After all, in Emperor Zhu Da's plan, China in the future will also be a participant in that world war.
"I understand."
Zuo Zongtang nodded and then said.
"Your Majesty, the telegram sent back by the consul in Xuzhou stated that after the Xinghan Army captured the capital, the capital Li Shaoquan has decided to make Xuzhou the capital!"
"Oh! Make Xuzhou the capital!"
This news actually surprised Emperor Zhu Da for a while, and then he said.
"This Li Xuzhou is truly worthy of being called Li Xuzhou. He actually makes Xuzhou the capital of the country... He really lives up to his name of Xuzhou!"
"Your Majesty, I have no choice but to make Xuzhou the capital of the country. Although the capital is good, there are more than 1.6 million people in the capital to govern the people and more than 1.2 million bannermen. Those bannermen, the Li family, have a hatred for the world. Those people are here.
How can the Li family sleep peacefully? And Nanjing is now the capital of the Kingdom of Heaven, Xi'an is remote, and Shaanxi has become increasingly barren since the late Tang Dynasty. In comparison, Xuzhou is the most suitable place for establishing its capital.
The Li family has been operating there for more than ten years. Secondly, the local industry and commerce are prosperous. Thirdly, it is close to the port. It is only 400 miles away from Haizhou. It is reasonable to use Xuzhou as the capital."
Although Zuo Zongtang's analysis seemed very reasonable, after nodding in agreement, Emperor Zhu Da said again.
"From my perspective, I'm afraid things are not as simple as they appear on the surface."
As soon as His Majesty finished speaking, Wang Youling followed.
"Yes, the Prime Minister Zuo only saw Xuzhou as a suitable capital, but he didn't see Li Shaoquan's ferocious spirit. Xuzhou is only a hundred miles away from Huai'an, and to the south is the territory of the Kingdom of Heaven. How can we allow others to snore next to the couch?
"
Turning his gaze to His Majesty, Wang Youling said.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Li Shaoquan's purpose is to force the Ming Dynasty to agree to his marching south to unify the Central Plains."
This is probably Li Shaoquan’s true intention!
"Unify the Central Plains!"
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Zhu nodded slightly and said.
"If he has this ability, it's not impossible!"
"Your Majesty, our original intention was not..."
When the words came to his lips, Zuo Zongtang said as if he suddenly realized something.
"It seems that His Majesty has decided!"
"This time is not that time. From now on, the level of governance of the Kingdom of Heaven is still much worse than that of the Li family. If China wants to stand on the world, it does not rely on the help of you and me. God helps those who are strong, whether it is the Kingdom of Heaven or the Li family,
There will always be a strong competition between them..."
The "gu" that has been raised in China for so many years has finally achieved some success. Emperor Zhu Da is naturally happy to see the unification of the Central Plains.
"Only in this way will the Central Plains have the opportunity to participate in world competition in the future. After all, the world is so big that our family cannot eat it. The more we Chinese eat, the less outsiders will eat!"
From this point of view, Emperor Zhu Da was so broad-minded that almost no monarch of the past dynasties could compare with him. After all, how could he allow others to snore on the side of his bed... This was the common sense throughout the ages.
"Your Majesty, the truth is this. However, we must also consider the impact on the other side."
Zuo Zongtang looked at His Majesty and directly expressed his worries.
"Immigration, Your Majesty, with the stability and construction of the country, when the people live and work in peace and contentment, the number of immigrants moving to Ming Dynasty will inevitably decrease day by day. This will seriously affect the introduction of immigrants to our Ming Dynasty. Without a steady stream of immigrants, what will our Ming Dynasty do?
To enrich the vast colony?"
Although the four- to five-million-person immigration rate ended with the end of the four-year "Dingwu Famine" in 1879, more than a million immigrants still flowed into the Ming Dynasty every year.
What did these immigrants bring to Ming Dynasty?
Of course, there is a steady stream of labor force - in the five years from 1875 to 1880, more than 20 million new immigrants not only provided sufficient population for the Ming Dynasty's rapidly expanding territory, but also provided sufficient population for the Ming Dynasty's rapidly developing industry.
labor force.
Both the former and the latter are crucial to Ming Dynasty. However, what is different from the past is that Ming Dynasty attracts immigrants more to enrich its colonies. In the past few years, Ming Dynasty has attracted more immigrants in African colonies.
The number of immigrants has exceeded 10 million, but even so, compared to the vast colony, the population is still too small.
"Your Majesty, if there are no immigrants from the mainland, how can we enrich our five million square kilometers of colonies in Africa? Although it is a colony, the local resources are related to the lifeblood of our Ming Dynasty!"
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!