Under the gaze of the whole hall, Zhong Jinwei pointed at the map with a thin stick and said: "As far as I know, this area in America is the richest, similar to the Jiangnan area of the Ming Dynasty."
When the vassal princes and clans heard this, they didn't care whether they were reserved or not, and surrounded the screen where Zhong Jinwei was. Those who moved slowly looked at the backs of the circle of people, and had no choice but to jump around and look at the map.
I hope to see where Zhong Jinwei is talking about for the first time.
The Wenhua Hall suddenly became chaotic and disorderly.
He Ruchong, the Minister of Rites, was helpless when he saw this, so he had to come out to maintain order again. But this time, it was not just his cough that had the effect. It took a lot of effort to quiet down the hall.
Zhong Jinwei also felt that this method was not very good, so he asked the chamberlain to arrange the screens in a semi-arc shape. When he pointed to the map, other chamberlains could see the place he pointed to, and then they could also correctly point to the map on his side.
Point it out so that all the feudal princes and clans can see it clearly.
The place Zhong Jinwei pointed to was the Mississippi River Basin, where the land is fertile and is an important producer of crops.
After seeing this, the feudal princes and clans secretly remembered it in their hearts, thinking that if they arrived in North America, they would rush here as soon as possible and occupy Jiangnan in North America.
Then Zhong Jinwei pointed at the Panama area with a thin stick and said: "This place in America is the most valuable. Because this place is the narrowest, and it is also easiest to dig a channel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As long as you own this place, you are equal to owning it.
A cornucopia, sit on the ground and collect money, and the money will keep flowing!"
After Zhong Jinwei's description, the vassal princes and clans immediately fixed their eyes on the Panama area on the map, wondering whether it would be better to eat here first, or the Jiangnan area?
This time, everyone including Emperor Chongzhen who was sitting on the throne was moved by it. He even wondered if he could send troops to occupy that area, which would give him a lot of money!
But he just thought about it for a moment, and then put the idea down. If the good place was occupied by himself, then these feudal princes and clans would have to have a lot of opinions, which might affect the feudal overseas policy. This
This is the last thing Emperor Chongzhen wants to see.
Zhong Jinwei looked into the eyes of those feudal princes and clans and knew that they wanted to take these places as their own.
He smiled secretly in his heart, first returned the thin stick to the chamberlain, and then said loudly: "These two places are good, but their disadvantages are also obvious."
"What's the harm?" Prince Fu was surprised when he heard this and asked quickly.
"Because everyone wants to eat fat! Your Majesty has ordered that princes are not allowed to fight with each other, but don't forget that there are Westerners. They will also come to rob these two treasures, and maybe even now
We are already preparing to seize these two places. Therefore, before the princes want to occupy these two places, they should first think about their own abilities and whether they can afford it."
Zhong Jinwei's words were like a bucket of cold water poured on the heads of the feudal princes and clans. But think about it, of course some people are jealous of good places.
Many feudal princes and clans began to secretly plan how to increase their own strength so that they could withstand the attacks of Westerners and seize these places before other feudal princes.
But Zhong Jinwei's next words made them hesitate again: "Of course, there are many good places in North and South America, but I can't remember where they are. Anyway, I have heard that there is a lot of gold, silver, iron, etc. in North and South America.
mineral."
After Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, he no longer cared about these feudal princes and clans and let them make their own decisions.
Then he walked back to his original position, bowed to Emperor Chongzhen and said, "I have said all that I should have said."
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen turned his attention to Wen Tiren, the first assistant.
Wen Tiren's voice had just rested for a while and it was much better. After seeing Emperor Chongzhen's signal, he turned to the vassal clan in the palace and said, "Who still has questions?"
At this time, the vassal princes and clans had their heads full of things about feudal overseas affairs, and Wen Tiren and Zhong Jinwei had just talked about it quite comprehensively, so they couldn't remember anything else to ask.
Therefore, after Wen Tiren finished speaking, no one said anything.
Wen Tiren waited for a while, but when no one spoke, he reported to Emperor Chongzhen that the meeting was over.
The final words of course came from Emperor Chongzhen: "The matter of the feudal king's overseas affairs needs to be kept secret. I will send factory guards to keep an eye on it. If someone leaks the secret and causes trouble in this matter, I will never agree to it."
Wang Chengen, the admiral of the East Factory, and Luo Yangxing, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, appeared out of nowhere and replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best!"
Emperor Chongzhen raised his hand and asked the two biggest spy chiefs of the Ming Dynasty to step back, and then continued: "After you go back, arrange for people to report to the capital in advance, and prepare to go to America to find out. The follow-up matters, at the appropriate time, I will
Someone will be sent to inform you."
The meeting of the vassal kings officially ended after Emperor Chongzhen's words fell. The time, place, people, and content and significance of the meeting of the vassal kings were remembered by future generations of students, because they would take relevant questions in every major history exam.
content.
Although the feudal king's meeting has ended, subsequent related small meetings will continue to be held.
In the afternoon of that day, Zhong Jinwei and Wen Tiren gathered in the Wenhua Hall to discuss with Emperor Chongzhen what to do next for the vassal clan's feudal overseas affairs.
"Wen Qing, how are the arrangements for the first fleet heading to North America?" Emperor Chongzhen first asked Wen Tiren.
"I have transferred some ships with ocean experience from the southeast to Tianjin Guards to obey orders, and the crew members' families have arrived with the ships and will be settled in the capital." Wen Tiren bowed to Emperor Chongzhen and then replied.
This is to use the crew members' families as hostages to prevent those crew members from never coming back or having something bad happen to them.
Emperor Chongzhen nodded when he heard this. He went to North America to investigate in the early stage and verified whether the place where large-scale supply points were to be built along the way was really suitable. It did not require too many ships. It was also possible to use this emergency method. Moreover, the chief assistant also considered it.
Issues of confidentiality and loyalty have been taken care of.
Thinking of this, he looked at Zhong Jinwei and asked him: "Master Zhong, do you have any specific ideas on how to assimilate the indigenous people in North America?"
Zhong Jinwei glanced at Wen Tiren and then replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "I have some ideas, and Mr. Wen will also arrange some people to work together to discuss some appropriate measures."
Emperor Chongzhen said "Oh" and asked Wen Tiren: "Wen Qing, who are you planning to arrange?"