In the afternoon of that day, a cabinet meeting of the six ministries and nine ministers was held in the Wenhua Hall, and the feudal overseas affairs of the feudal clan were officially put on the agenda.
Zhong Jinwei was present to listen in, standing at the head of the hundred officials. The other officials were arranged on both sides. There was a screen between them with a replica of the world map hanging on it.
Many of these officials had never seen this map of the world, and were surprised that it was so detailed, and even the islands in the sea were marked there.
Because of the existence of the map, many people began to guess what the theme of the meeting was, with curious expressions on their faces.
As soon as the meeting began, Emperor Chongzhen looked at Wen Tiren, the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, and said: "Qing Wen, please introduce it to all your ministers first."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wen Tiren agreed, stood up from Yuci's seat, walked to the map and stood there, ready to speak.
When the other ministers saw it, they found out that the chief minister already knew about the matter. It seemed that the emperor had already discussed with the chief minister before announcing the matter. Judging from the momentum, it should be a big event.
"Colleagues, we discussed the matter of the King of Tang a few days ago. After the suggestion of Marquis Zhongxing and the approval of His Majesty, we now have a proper strategy. However, the matter is of great importance, so we will discuss it here." Wen Tiren seemed calm at this time and announced unhurriedly.
road.
When other people heard this, they thought that this was the matter. It didn't seem so serious! It was just a vassal king. After the cabinet had discussed it, a decree was made. Doesn't the affairs of the vassal king need to be so grand?
In the minds of most people, the current feudal clan is, to put it mildly, just a pig kept in captivity during the Ming Dynasty.
But they were immediately shocked by Wen Tiren's next words: "The Ming Dynasty's national policy towards feudal princes and clans will undergo major changes. In the future, all feudal princes and clans will be feudal overseas. For now, it is mainly North America."
When Wen Tiren said this, he turned sideways and pointed at North America with a thin stick he had prepared on his side, and drew a circle to show others clearly where this place was.
At this time, everyone in the Wenhua Hall was startled at first, and then regardless of order, they all approached the world map and started to look at it.
It has never happened before that the vassal clan was feudalized outside the Ming Dynasty.
And where was North America? They were very curious and wanted to see clearly where it was.
The assistant minister Qian Xiangkun was close to the screen. Although he was older, he was still vigorous. Therefore, he first looked at North America, and then asked his student Wen Tiren doubtfully: "This is not the land of the Ming Dynasty, how can I let the Ming Dynasty do it?"
The feudal clan of the vassal king was established here?"
He Ruchong, the Minister of Etiquette in charge of the Zongren Mansion, listened to Wen Tiren's answer with great concern because this matter related to his authority.
Wen Tiren did not answer the question immediately. He just said to his teacher: "Master Qian, please wait a moment. The student will explain it in detail later."
Qian Xiangkun understood that he was in a hurry, and now was not the time to talk about the chaos. He had already read the map, returned to his seat and sat down, waiting for Wen Tiren's explanation.
Zhong Jinwei saw a large group of people of all ages gathered around the screen, pointing at the map, like primary school students seeing something strange, talking about it, and felt a little funny in his heart. Some common characteristics of human beings, such as the current curiosity about new things,
It's the same for adults, children and the elderly.
However, there are still differences due to different ages. These people did not look at it for long before returning to their positions and waiting for the chief assistant's further explanation.
Wen Tiren glanced at his teacher and said: "This is North America. It is a no-owner's land at present. There are only some primitive tribes living a life of drinking blood and growing hair. But the land is fertile and the products are rich. Everyone
Colleagues can take a look and see that the location of this place and the Ming Dynasty are actually very similar. It can be seen..."
Before Wen Tiren finished speaking, he was interrupted by Qian Xiangkun, the assistant minister of the cabinet: "Chief Assistant, how do you know that far away from the ocean, there is fertile land and rich products, but it is only occupied by low-level barbarians?"
He was the oldest and a mature and prudent person. He took a look at the map just now and felt that it was a bit unreliable to be so far away from the Ming Dynasty. And after hearing Wen Tiren's explanation in such detail, he couldn't help but ask.
Xu Guangqi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, listened on the side and naturally knew what was going on, because he had seen this map earlier.
He turned to look at Marquis Zhongxing, whom he had not seen for a long time. Seeing him looking at him with a smile, he responded with a smile. He thought that after the meeting, he would invite Marquis Zhongxing to come over and see what he had been worrying about during this period.
Will it satisfy Hou Zhongxing?
Sure enough, Wen Tiren over there answered his teacher: "This world map was presented by Marquis Zhongxing who returned from overseas, and the situation in various places was also reported by Marquis Zhongxing."
At this moment, everyone in the palace focused their attention on Marquis Zhongxing, and they understood why Marquis Zhongxing attended the meeting.
However, even if Marquis Zhongxing came from overseas, logically speaking, it would be impossible for him to know such detailed information. Qian Xiangkun was still full of doubts. He asked Zhong Jinwei: "Marquis Zhongxing, have you been to North America?"
At such a young age, Zhong Jinwei wants to travel around the world, draw such a detailed map of the world, and understand the local customs. It is obviously impossible. No wonder Qian Xiangkun asked, and other people also have this doubt.
Zhong Jinwei did not expect that they would ask so carefully. This question was not easy to answer. If they had been there, they would have asked questions one after another. If they had not been there, how did they know these things, and their authenticity would be questioned.
People doubt.
Fortunately, the authorities were confused and bystanders were clear. When Emperor Chongzhen saw this situation, he came to the rescue and said: "Master Zhong is from overseas. It is not surprising that he knows more things than us. Qian Qing does not need to worry about this, and I do not want to let the vassal clan go to war."
Just move out."
As soon as Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, Wen Tiren added: "Your Majesty's intention is to send out pathfinders to North America to verify the situation. After a suitable waterway is found, the vassal clan and family can be moved to North America."
The two of them knew Zhong Jinwei's incredible origins, but other courtiers did not, so they quickly bypassed matters involving this aspect to prevent these people from continuing to be entangled in this issue.
Wen Tiren said this, and the ministers in the palace felt that it was quite safe. Even if the situation in North America was misremembered by Zhongxing Hou and was different from what the chief minister said, it would not have much impact on the Ming Dynasty.
These people are all human beings. There is no need for Wen Tiren to explain the benefits that feudal feudal clans will bring to the Ming Dynasty. At least the countless fertile fields that nominally belong to the feudal clans can be taken back to the imperial court. Based on this alone, regarding this matter,
They are all happy to hear and see.
As for what will happen after the vassal princes and clans are feudalized overseas, who among these people will care! Even if these vassal princes and clans are asked to line up and jump into the sea to commit suicide, some people in this palace may not have any objection.
Wen Tiren didn't see anyone speaking again and asked questions, and he didn't wait for them anymore, so he continued: "If you want to send people to North America to explore the road first, you must also let people from the vassal clan go with them to make them believe it. After all,
This matter has the greatest impact on them. Therefore, His Majesty’s intention is to issue an order to all the vassal kings across the country to come to the capital to discuss this matter.”
He Ruchong, who had been silent just now, heard this and said loudly: "Absolutely not."