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In the imperial study, Minister of Rites Tan Qiubai said, "Prince Qin, when Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty occupied Jiangnan, he followed the strategy of building high walls, storing up food, and delaying his claim to the throne. He accumulated strength for several years, and only launched the Northern Expedition after he was strong and well prepared. That's why the Northern Expedition was unstoppable, and the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty were driven thousands of miles away in one fell swoop. Now, it's only been a year since my king settled in Nanjing, and he has launched the Northern Expedition before the south has been cleared. Isn't it too hasty?"
His meaning was more conservative than Yang Tinglin's. Taking into account the fact that countless Han people in the north had fallen to the barbarians, Yang Tinglin supported the Northern Expedition as soon as possible. He just had doubts about Yang Shen's strategy of taking advantage of the summer harvest time difference, thinking that it was too hasty. Qin Mu himself admitted that it was a bit hasty, but from what Yang Tinglin said, he supported the Northern Expedition this year.
Tan Qiubai's intention was obviously to accumulate for a few more years and then launch a northern expedition after Qin became stronger.
Sima An, the chief minister of the cabinet, immediately shook his head and said, "I don't agree with what Minister Tan said. Although we can learn from the past, we should not blindly apply the strategies of our predecessors. As the saying goes, it's the times and the situation. The situation that our Great Qin is facing is very different from the situation that Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty faced at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. If we blindly apply Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty's strategy of building high walls, storing up grain, and delaying the declaration of kingship, it is really unwise."
Sima An's words made Qin Qiubai secretly unhappy, and he immediately asked: "Please enlighten me, Lord Sima, what is the difference between the two?"
The other ministers in the imperial study also turned their eyes to Sima An, wanting to see if he had any unique insights.
Sima An said calmly: "The difference is that, first, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, there were no high-yield crops such as corn and sweet potatoes, and the development of Huguang was far from reaching the level of our dynasty. Under the careful governance of our king, the grain output of Huguang has now surpassed that of Jiangnan, at least on par with Jiangnan. Therefore, it took the Ming Taizu several years to accumulate grain, but it only took one or two years for our dynasty.
The second point is to build a high wall. The reason why Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty built a high wall was because there were still threats from Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng and others in the south. Looking at the world today, although there are still two provinces in the south, Guangdong and Guangxi, which have not been incorporated into the rule of the Qin Dynasty, their threats are not worth worrying about. Moreover, the high wall built by Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty is still there. Is it necessary for the Qin Dynasty to build another wall
The third point is to delay in proclaiming himself king. If the King of Qin had not made a vow early on that he would not proclaim himself emperor until he drove the Tartars out of the Central Plains, and had the imperial seal to vindicate the will of heaven, it would not have been too early for him to proclaim himself emperor.
The most important point is that the Qing Dynasty is not the corrupt Mongol Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Shun Emperor was licentious and immoral, and all officials were mediocre and incompetent. The longer the time drags on, the more beneficial it is to the Ming Dynasty.
The Qing Dynasty faced by the Qin Dynasty was different. To be honest, Dorgon and others could be called great talents and should not be underestimated. Although the Qing Dynasty also had many internal contradictions, these internal contradictions would be resolved quickly without the strong pressure from our dynasty.
Let's look at Dorgon's current administration in the north. He focuses on the development of people's livelihood. In addition, the north has experienced many years of war and the people are in a stable mood. If Dorgon is allowed to run the government for a few more years, it will be difficult for our dynasty to launch a northern expedition again!
In a word, the present is completely different from the end of the Yuan Dynasty. If our dynasty cannot take advantage of the Qing Dynasty's instability and drive it out of the Central Plains, I am afraid that the Song and Jin dynasties will be divided into the north and the south and rule again. "
In Qin Mu's opinion, Sima An's far-sighted remarks can definitely be regarded as the guiding policy of the Qin Dynasty.
Indeed, Dorgon was not Emperor Shun of Yuan Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Shun of Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols had already become extremely corrupt, so it would not be a problem to keep him for a few more years.
The current Qing Dynasty is actually in an upward stage. Although it has suffered several defeats and heavy losses, it is not corrupt and rigid internally. There are many talented people around Dorgon. If he is allowed to stay for a few more years, it is hard to say who will attack whom.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to the Qin Dynasty to launch a Northern Expedition as soon as possible; if we wait a few more times, it would be beneficial to the Qing Dynasty.
We must have a clear understanding of this general direction.
Now, not only was Tan Qiubai unable to say a word of opposition, but other ministers in the Imperial Study also stopped opposing the Northern Expedition as soon as possible.
Seeing that no one objected, Qin Mu immediately said to the Minister of Revenue Liu Boquan: "Minister Liu, then let's raise food and grass as soon as possible."
"Yes, King Qin."
"Regarding the raising of food and grass, I think we don't have to focus entirely on the domestic situation." Qin Mu continued, "I believe everyone knows about the massacre against the Han people in Luzon. The Western barbarians dared to come to the doorstep of our Great Qin to commit such atrocities. They must be severely punished. Let the Royal Navy vent its anger on them with cannons.
Another point is that the climate in Nanyang is warm, the land is fertile, the products are abundant, and rice can be harvested three times a year. This season, many places in Nanyang have already harvested the first crop of rice. Letting the navy march south to Luzon can not only punish the Western Barbarians, but also replenish food and grass for the northern expedition. What do you think of this, ministers? "
After Qin Mu finished speaking, he swept his eyes towards the ministers sitting there. Yang Tinglin was not afraid and said, "King Qin, Mencius said: What makes a gentleman different from others is his mind. A gentleman keeps his mind with benevolence and keeps his mind with courtesy. A benevolent person loves others, and a polite person respects others. Those who love others will always be loved by others; those who respect others will always be respected by others.
Now the Western barbarians are slaughtering the Han people, which is inhumane. My king should send troops to punish them, but if he sends troops for the purpose of plundering, then what is the difference between him and the Western barbarians
I think that my king is the ruler of a superior country. If this precedent is set, it may lead people to do evil. People will be deceitful and never satisfied, and will be abandoned by their friends and relatives. When the heart changes, the world will change. We should know that everything in the world is reflected in the heart.
Therefore, a gentleman, seeing evil, would avoid it as soon as possible, while a villain, seeing evil, would be arrogant and self-reliant and would not take it seriously. Therefore, a gentleman sees good, speaks good, and does good, is well-educated in literature, observes it with courtesy, is benevolent and loves others, and if he persists in this way for a long time, he will be at ease wherever he goes... "
"Minister Yang!" Qin Mu saw that he was talking nonstop and couldn't help interrupting him, saying, "Minister Yang is well-read, so you should know about Yan Zi's mission to Chu, right? I remember a passage from Yan Zi's reply to the King of Chu, which roughly expressed this meaning:
When Qi sent envoys, wise men were sent to wise rulers, and incompetent men were sent to incompetent rulers. In other words, we should adopt different methods to deal with different people.
The Doctrine of the Mean also says: "A gentleman governs people by treating them the way they treat him. Now the barbarians in the West are unkind, the natives are rampant and brutal, and they kill our Han people. If I continue to talk about benevolence and righteousness to them, wouldn't that be like trying to get the skin of a tiger?"
Qin Mu is not a peasant by birth. In the past, he was known as a child prodigy and a talented man. If you try to convince him with the words of saints, he will refute you with classics and logic, leaving you speechless.
In short, Yang Tinglin didn't say anything else, and everyone else also knew that the King of Qin had made up his mind and it was almost impossible to change his will. Saying anything more would only anger him.
Seeing that no one objected, Qin Mu continued, "When I was in Ningbo, I met with Li Jun, the son of the King of Korea, and sent people to accompany him to and from Korea. According to Li Jun, everyone in Korea is thinking of China as their superior country, and is ashamed to be a vassal of the barbarians. Before the Northern Expedition, I intend to send 10,000 troops to Korea to help them drive out the Tartars, and then use Korea as a base to force Liaodong and attack the Qing Dynasty from the north and south. Do you think this is feasible?"
The number of troops to be mobilized for this Northern Expedition would be at least 200,000 or 300,000. In comparison, sending 10,000 troops to Korea was nothing, and with Korea providing food and fodder supplies, it was very cost-effective. Even the most conservative ministers had no objection to this.
Sima An was the first to express his agreement, and others followed suit. Qin Mu asked, "Who do you think is the most suitable person to lead the troops to Korea?"
The Minister of War He Liang replied: "I think Ningyuan is the most suitable."
Zuodu Yushi Shao Hua added: "I also agree to appoint Ning Yuan as the commander, and I recommend another person as the deputy general."
"Who would Shao Qing recommend?"
"King of Qin, not long after Aobai surrendered to the Qin, all 47 members of his family who stayed in Yanjing were killed by Dorgon. The hatred between Aobai and Dorgon and others cannot be resolved. He was once the most courageous warrior in the Qing Dynasty and is more familiar with the internal situation of the Qing Dynasty than anyone else. I think it is most appropriate to use Aobai as deputy general, rely on Korea, and send troops to Liaodong."
Qin Mu nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "Okay, let Aobai be the deputy general."
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ps: This monthly ticket... .. is so miserable, my heart is broken, brothers and sisters, please give me a monthly ticket, so that I can restore my confidence.
Urgently seeking monthly tickets!
Urgently seeking monthly tickets!
Urgently seeking monthly tickets! (To be continued...)
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