Just listen to Zhong Jinwei report to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, in this matter regarding Ryukyu, if we, the Ming Dynasty, are to make great efforts, we must first find out what benefits we, the Ming Dynasty, can gain? This is the most practical and the most critical."
Emperor Chongzhen was stunned for a moment after hearing this, blinked his eyes, and said matter-of-factly: "Master Zhong, Ryukyu is a vassal state of our Ming Dynasty. If it is invaded by Japanese pirates, we should naturally take charge of it. Otherwise, which country will be willing to accept our Ming Dynasty as its suzerain state in the future?"
After hearing this, Zhong Jinwei asked an unexpected question again: "Your Majesty, may I ask what the benefits of the suzerain country are?"
Emperor Chongzhen looked at Zhong Jinwei and was stunned. He felt that it was a very common thing, such as eating, which is a natural need of people, but Master Zhong asked the question why people need to eat.
Zhong Jinwei could guess what they were thinking. He turned to look at the other colleagues in the hall and found that they had similar reactions.
So, he answered to himself: "The suzerain state is actually, to put it bluntly, the boss of the vassal state. The transfer of power in the vassal state requires the approval of the suzerain state and regular tribute to the suzerain state. At the cost of this, if
When a vassal country has an issue, the suzerain country has the responsibility to help it resolve it. Your Majesty, is this roughly the case?"
Emperor Chongzhen nodded and replied to Zhong Jinwei: "It's almost like this."
"On the surface, it seems that becoming a suzerain country is indeed good. But in fact, our Central Plains Dynasty only cares more about status and will not interfere with the transfer of power in vassal countries. Even if it is a tribute, it is of symbolic significance. More
Instead, the vassal states paid tribute, and the Central Plains dynasty would return ten times the amount to them. So much so that the vassal states never tired of paying tribute, and even took the initiative to ask for tribute frequently."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, he asked Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, is this true?"
Emperor Chongzhen still nodded. The actual situation was indeed as Master Zhong said, so he did not deny it.
When Li Tengfang, the Minister of Rites, heard this, he couldn't help but remind Zhong Jinwei: "Dong Xingguo, this is a king who will not rule the barbarians, who will not reject those who come, and who will not pursue those who leave."
Hearing the sound, Zhong Jinwei turned to look at Li Tengfang, waved his hand and said: "Master Li, I don't care if these are not cured or not. I just want to ask Master Li, is this strategy of dealing with vassal countries really good? Will it bring great benefits to the Ming Dynasty?
What real benefits?”
As soon as Li Tengfang heard this, just as he was about to bring out the rules of etiquette advocated by Confucianism, Zhong Jinwei had already turned around and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, this kind of relationship is actually more respected by the vassal countries, at least in this period.
This is the case in form. But this kind of respect is based on the strong foundation of Ming Dynasty."
Speaking of this, Zhong Jinwei raised his voice and said: "Isn't Japan also a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty? But when they are strong, they covet the land of the Ming Dynasty, so how can they respect it?"
As soon as Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, Wen Tiren caught the opportunity and immediately interjected: "Mr.
An example is that North Korea sent troops and launched the Saarhu War together with the Ming Dynasty."
Zhong Jinwei was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then immediately answered: "Okay, I admit it's a bit extreme. But when I say this, I don't mean to completely deny the current diplomatic strategy of the Ming Dynasty, but I want to propose some improvements."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, the others gave up their thoughts of refutation and were ready to hear how he could improve.
Zhong Jinwei turned to look back at Emperor Chongzhen and said seriously: "Your Majesty, if the suzerain country wants to last for a long time, first of all, its strength must always be stronger than the vassal country. Otherwise, it is not uncommon for the suzerain country to become the main country. Therefore, the suzerain country's foreign policy,
The goal must be to strengthen oneself, otherwise it will bring disaster to the country and the people!"
This hat was slapped a little too hard, causing those who originally wanted to argue to swallow their words.
But what Zhong Jinwei said was correct, so Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly in agreement.
Zhong Jinwei was recognized and continued: "Therefore, based on this purpose, the tribute policy can be slightly improved. Different strategies should be adopted for different vassal states."
"Oh, Master Zhong, please be more specific." Emperor Chongzhen asked quickly after hearing this.
"For example, Ryukyu's geographical location determines that it may become a transit point between North America and the south of the Ming Dynasty in the future, so they can be asked to open the port for free or at the lowest cost. The goods of Ming merchants can be traded freely in Ryukyu, or charge the lowest tariff, etc.
.”
After Zhong Jinwei said something, he continued to give an example: "For example, Japan has a lot of sulfur, and the Ming Dynasty needs it, so it can ask Japan to pay tribute to any amount of sulfur. Of course, the Ming Dynasty will also give it a reward, the same price or higher.
It doesn’t matter, but this reward requires skill..."
"Wait a minute, Master Zhong, you said this reward requires skills, what skills?" Emperor Chongzhen asked immediately when he heard something he didn't understand.
Zhong Jinwei had no choice but to pause his narration and replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "For example, giving the Japanese some luxuries, or other high value-added but not very practical things. It makes others look like Ming's rewards are more valuable, but in fact,
It won’t change Japan’s national strength much, or it may lead it to luxury.”
When Zhong Jinwei saw Emperor Chongzhen nodding, he continued: "One principle is that for powerful vassal states, or those with ulterior motives and restless vassal states, various measures should be taken to suppress them; while for some weak and obedient vassal states, such as
North Korea can be given appropriate support. In the final analysis, it is to strengthen the strength of the Ming Dynasty through exchanges with vassal countries and eliminate potential threats from vassal countries."
Zhong Jinwei's statement was only a mild improvement, both in terms of dignity and face, and did not arouse the resentment of Wen Tiren and other old-style Confucian officials.
Therefore, after he finished speaking, no one objected to his suggestion.
Emperor Chongzhen thought for a moment and said with a smile: "This is very good. There are still details. Master Zhong might as well compile a memorial. The court will discuss it again and formulate a customization."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Although Zhong Jinwei didn't like writing memorials very much, he had no choice but to accept the matter when it came to his own head.
When Emperor Chongzhen saw that Zhong Jinwei had agreed, he suddenly remembered that he seemed to have been talking for a long time and had not answered the initial question.
So, he couldn't help but smile and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, how should we deal with Ryukyu's request for help?"