Chapter 370 Governor General and Admiral
Inner Temple.

Yan Shaoting muttered to himself and couldn't help but complain.

Lao Zhang and I just said that if all nations come to pay tribute, the Ming Dynasty will have the opportunity to control all countries in the world.

We have arrived at the old Taoist priest's place.

The nations became a myriad of nations.

Although the meanings seem similar, they are actually very different.

Ten Thousand Nations, this means that they are on an equal footing with the Ming Dynasty.

As for all nations, in the old Taoist priest’s mind, all the nations were regarded as vassal subordinates inferior to the Ming Dynasty.

But it's pretty good.

At least the cake was fed into the old Taoist priest's stomach.

Yan Shaoting immediately said with absolute certainty: "As long as the court is united and does not change its mind every day, and there are capable ministers to supervise this matter, then this matter will be accomplished, and Your Majesty will sit high in the Huangji Palace (below), and enjoy the envoys of all nations coming to pay homage to you!"

Zhang Juzheng also saluted and echoed: "I hope that all nations will come to pay tribute to me. My emperor is the common ruler of all nations and will spread the kingly way and benevolent governance of the Central Plains!"

The two of them walked one in front and one behind, echoing each other.

On the Taotai, Jiajing's face was already flushed, as if he had really seen the scene of all nations coming to pay tribute that Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng had described for him.

Jiajing couldn't help but tilt his head and look sideways, smiling at Lv Fang: "Lv Fang, do you think that day will ever come to pass in our Ming Dynasty?"

Lu Fang was always serving by their side. He naturally listened to and remembered what Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng said, and thought silently on the side.

At this time, I met the emperor and asked him.

Lu Fang immediately turned around and nodded, smiling and said, "How could I understand what the master was discussing with Yan Binke and Zhang Daxueshi? But when I was not yet in the palace, my family did buy firewood and rice from the few merchants in the town. If they raised the price, my family would still take money to buy things back even if they cursed a few words. If the family had no money, they could only carry grain or cloth woven by my mother to exchange."

What is a smart person.

Old Lu is a truly smart man.

Yan Shaoting glanced at Lu Fang who was talking about his family's past events and couldn't help but praise him in his heart.

Jiajing's smile grew even wider. "Yes! Yes! That's what you said. Our Ming Dynasty is vast and rich in resources. The products we produce are of the best quality and the lowest price. We must produce more firewood, rice, oil, salt, ginger, vinegar and tea in the future, and sell them at a low profit so that all the overseas countries can't do without the products produced by our dynasty. If these people don't listen, we will cut off their livelihoods!"

However, Lu Fang said at this time: "It's just that I still have some doubts after listening to what guest Yan said just now. I am really stupid and can't figure it out for a while..."

Talking.

An awkward and self-deprecating smile appeared on Lu Fang's face, but he glanced quickly at Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting understood and immediately bowed and said, "Eunuch Lu, if you have any questions, just tell me and I will tell you everything I know."

Seeing that Lü Fang was still confused about this matter, Jiajing waved his hand and said, "You ask him first, and I will see more clearly whether this is a good idea or not."

Lu Fang bowed and saluted towards Jiajing.

Then he turned around and bowed to Yan Shaoting.

"Guest Yan, I just can't understand. When our dynasty opens the sea, it is only for trade with overseas princes, nobles or big merchants. But if we want to control all the countries overseas as you said, we need to sell our goods to the people of those countries. And the people of those countries overseas are probably not as many as our people. Where can they get the money and food to buy our goods?"

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but nodded in his heart.

Lu Fang asked a good question.

Sometimes an idea may be a good idea, but if it is not handled properly, a good idea can turn into a bad thing.

Yan Shaoting pretended to think about it, and after a moment's silence, he spoke: "What Eunuch Lu asked is indeed to the point, but this matter is actually easy to handle. In my opinion, there are only three strategies to solve it."

Before Lü Fang could speak, Jiajing immediately asked, "What are the three possible solutions?"

Yan Shaoting immediately turned around and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, one strategy is to send envoys to various countries to bring gold and silver to corrupt the local princes and officials, so that our merchants and goods can pass through the local areas.

"The second policy is to open more exchange markets in each of our Maritime Customs Offices. If private merchants encounter local people who have no money to buy goods overseas, they can exchange them with any valuable goods. Our merchants can bring their goods back to the exchange markets opened by the Maritime Customs Offices to exchange them with other merchants.

Third Strategy: When our dynasty sends envoys, we should also send subordinate officials and soldiers to assist and escort them. We can investigate the raw materials of a place, such as spices, wood or minerals, and exchange the local goods with the largest quantity with the goods brought by our merchants. The court will purchase them at a price and give the merchants gold, silver and banknotes to facilitate their business. "

If there were people from later generations present.

They will certainly exclaim that the first strategy Yan Shaoting mentioned at this moment is a typical hawkish diplomacy style.

As for the second and third strategies, they are bulk futures trading and barter.

Jiajing frowned and said hesitantly, "The court sends officials to overseas countries? This has never been done before in the history of the Central Plains."

What Jiajing said was correct.

Although there have been officials sent as envoys from the Central Plains in every dynasty, they have never been stationed in one place permanently.

Yan Shaoting smiled faintly: "But various countries have sent envoys to stay in our dynasty. Nowadays, there are still many envoys from foreign countries staying in Beijing. Although if our dynasty has envoys stationed in overseas countries, the situation is different. These officials need to understand the situation of various countries, and they need to cooperate with our officials and people to trade with various places. If a country is in turmoil, it is necessary to report to the court as soon as possible. At that time, our powerful navy warships can arrive immediately to quell the turmoil and promote our dynasty's kingly way of benevolence and righteousness."

Familiar or not?

If there were people from later generations present, they would definitely nod their heads enthusiastically.

What Yan Shaoting said was something that all the kids on the street had seen.

but.

It seemed that he had thought of the old Taoist priest's concerns before the old Taoist priest opened his mouth.

Yan Shaoting said first: "Of course, the safety of the envoy is the most important. I suggest that we select literate people from the Five Military Commands and the army, and then recruit officials to go to sea and serve our country for the prosperity of our dynasty."

Do you expect the existing officials in the court to go abroad as envoys and stay in one place permanently?
That would cost those people their lives.

In the eyes of these people, whoever became an envoy going abroad would be exiled by the emperor.

Do not!
It's worse than exile!
Because exile can still take place within the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Go abroad as an envoy?
I don’t even know which direction the Ming Dynasty is in!

But it’s different when you activate the Five Military Commanderies and the people in the army.

After all, these people are determined to obey military orders. Moreover, sending military personnel as envoys overseas can better maintain the interests of the Ming Dynasty.

After all, even those soldiers who are literate and educated tend to have bad tempers.

not to mention.

Yan Shaoting thought about it and if he remembered correctly, there was actually a large number of military personnel serving as envoys during a certain period.

Jiajing was still considering the priorities and pros and cons of this matter.

Lu Fang took a look and said in amazement: "Master, this is a good idea. If we let the soldiers of our Ming army go to other countries, they can protect the people of our Ming Dynasty who go out to sea for trade. Our Ming Dynasty will definitely be more reliant on the outside world!"

Although this statement seems to be praising the Ming army.

But in fact, it was also telling Jiajing that it was impossible for civil servants in the court to go abroad and reside permanently.

However, Jiajing did not speak immediately. Instead, he looked serious, which was rare for him, and pondered the issue at hand.

Yan Shaoting was not in a hurry either. Instead, he calmly turned his head to look at Zhang Juzheng who was still kneeling on the ground beside him.

Originally in my plan, this matter needed to be put off until later, because it was the same old saying.

Before fighting the outside world, you must first make peace with the inside.

There are still various problems in the court at present, and it is far from the time when everyone can work together to do this.

But since Zhang Juzheng is willing to take the lead, then this burden may as well be placed on his shoulders.

As for the credit?

As long as you are the one who came up with the idea and you are the one who knows best how to handle this matter, then you will not be left out of the credit.

And Zhang Juzheng also saw Yan Shaoting staring at him.

There was a hint of gratitude in his eyes.

Because if my guess is correct, Yan Shaoting will definitely recommend this matter to me.

And he also saw another opportunity in this incident.

Once the benefits generated by this matter in the future are great enough, those who went out to sea as envoys will definitely be given important positions once they return to the court.

And it is much easier to train these people than to cultivate the reformists bit by bit under the noses of everyone in the court.

Use overseas interests to force the imperial court to reform.

moment.

Zhang Juzheng understood Yan Shaoting's true intention.

Even though Yan Shaoting didn't think of this, he saw this possibility.

But it was just at this time.

Jiajing spoke slowly: "This matter is of great importance. Once I agree to your suggestion today, the court will definitely change its policies. Who will be used in this matter? How will the various departments of the court weigh the pros and cons? I..."

Jiajing is not a fool.

I also see the benefits and disadvantages of this matter.

It can be said that once I nodded in agreement.

Then a new force will emerge in the court.

Any official who is appointed to this matter will certainly firmly control the interests and power brought about by this matter, and then there will be many more struggles in the court.

Just when the old Taoist priest was hesitating.

Yan Shaoting also spoke at the right time: "Your Majesty, this matter is a matter of eternal concern for our dynasty, so there is no need to rush. I think that we can first send capable officials from the court to the south to supervise the navy and overseas trade. After all, the court has already opened the sea, and it is not appropriate to divide the overseas affairs among the various departments, which will inevitably create constraints.

It would be better to assign all overseas affairs to one person, who would supervise the navy in building warships to protect overseas trade. Then, we could select capable people from the navy to protect merchants at sea, and station them in the South Sea countries first, and then gradually extend them to the countries west of the Pamir Mountains and the European countries. When things are done, they can be changed to envoys of our Ming Dynasty."

Jiajing smiled knowingly and looked at Yan Shaoting with an ambiguous look: "I remember that the mission of the Ming Dynasty's foreign trading company is now yours."

With Yan Shaoting's words, Jiajing felt that Yan Shaoting was trying to give him jobs and power.

however.

Yan Shaoting immediately shook his head again and again the next second, and then clenched his fists with a bitter look on his face: "Your Majesty, I have too many responsibilities in the court now, and I am already overwhelmed. If Your Majesty allows, I would like to hand over all the foreign trade and sea-opening affairs."

Jiajing narrowed his eyes and said, "Oh? Although I know you are not someone who clings to power, are you willing to hand over the tasks that you have accomplished to others?"

Hear this.

Yan Shaoting immediately held his head high and chest out, swung his official robe in front of him with his right hand, and knelt on the ground.

But his head was still held high.

"Your Majesty, I am an official in the court, and I am doing all the work that Your Majesty trusts me to do. Even if these tasks were initiated by me, how could I have done them without Your Majesty's grace? As long as it can bring prosperity to our dynasty, even if I am asked to stay at home from today, I am willing to do it!"

Jiajing didn't expect that Yan Shaoting would have such a big reaction just from a slight probing remark.

He couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Could it be that I am overthinking it?

He couldn't help but stretch out his hand: "Get up, this is not what I meant."

Yan Shaoting did not stand up, but instead clasped his hands and said, "I know that Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, and you are not a king who is suspicious of me. However, if Your Majesty agrees with my advice today, I would like to make another suggestion, and I hope Your Majesty will agree as well."

At this moment, Jiajing was quite pleased with Yan Shaoting's reaction.

He immediately waved his hand and said, "Just tell me."

Yan Shaoting's expression relaxed a little, "I think that if Your Majesty really approves what I am suggesting today, the court should appoint a minister in charge of maritime affairs in the southeastern sea area to handle all maritime affairs, so as to facilitate coordination between all parties, weigh the pros and cons, and report directly to Your Majesty."

Seeing that Yan Shaoting was serious.

Jiajing finally became convinced that he had just overthought.

His tone became more and more gentle: "What you said makes sense, but..."

Talking.

His gaze still fell on Yan Shaoting.

If we really talk about adding a minister to govern maritime affairs in the southeast, Yan Shaoting is the best candidate.

But there are so many things going on in the court.

I don't want to let him go south.

This kid is full of clever ideas. If we let him go south and encounter problems, who can he consult?

Yan Shaoting's eyes turned at this time, knowing that the old Taoist priest had probably been persuaded by him.

This Governor-General and Secretary of the Admiralty's story will probably come true.

So Yan Shaoting pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Your Majesty, are you thinking about who should be appointed as the Governor-General and Minister of Maritime Affairs?"

Jiajing nodded and said: "Although this is a new position, if it is added, it will be in charge of all overseas affairs of our dynasty, so we must carefully select talents."

This has to do with his becoming the common ruler of the world to whom envoys from all nations come to pay homage!
How can the Governor-General and the Secretary of State for the Admiralty be chosen casually?

Yan Shaoting smiled slightly at this time.

"His Majesty."

"In fact, it is not difficult to select the post of Governor General and Sea Lord."

"I think the best candidate is both far away and near..."

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Note: In the Ming Dynasty Records, the Records of Emperor Shizong Su of the Ming Dynasty, Volume 513, the Fengtian Hall was renamed Huangji, the Huagai Hall was renamed Zhongji, the Jinshen Hall was renamed Jianji, the Wenlou was renamed Zhaoge, the Wulou was renamed Wuchengge, the Zuo Shunmen was renamed Huiji, the You Shunmen was renamed Guiji, the Fengtian Gate was renamed Huangji, the Dongjiaomen was renamed Hongzheng, and the Xijiaomen was renamed Xuanzhi.
(End of this chapter)