Chapter 934: Watch Your Uncle Playing with Monkeys
There are many different opinions on the historical process of the world's transition from feudal dynasties to modern systems. Historians say that the system of consultation existed as early as ancient times, and that feudal dynasties also had a tradition of the monarch and his ministers sitting together to discuss philosophy.
This is just one part of the system.
In Jiang Qingzhi's view, the most critical node and symbol of this evolutionary process is the great leap forward in productivity.
From slash-and-burn farming to the invention of various agricultural tools.
From Stone Age to Bronze Age, to Iron Age...this is another milestone.
But the most critical node and an important symbol of mankind's entry into modern society is the steam engine.
The productivity development brought about by the steam engine was an exponential leap.
The explosion of productivity gave mankind unlimited resources for the first time.
However, what humans do most with this resource is killing.
Conquering, killing...this is the reward that the explosion of productivity brings to mankind.
Before that, that is, on the eve of the explosion of productivity, countries and nations were exploring a way out in the darkness.
Japan is one of them.
The so-called Emperor of Wa has been a puppet for many years, just like the Zhou Emperor in the Central Plains. When the princes mentioned this emperor, they would bow their hands and then treat him as a fart.
The same is true for the Japanese Emperor.
The shogun of the shogunate changed one after another, but no matter who came to power, the first thing he did was to firmly suppress the Japanese emperor.
This is the case with the Ashikaga clan.
The Ashikaga shogunate enjoyed great success for many years, but in recent years it has shown signs of decline and its power has been shrinking. At present, it is said that it is wandering around seeking refuge.
Qin lost his deer, and the world chased it.
As the Ashikaga clan declined, a new round of fighting began within Japan.
In the end, the monkey successfully counterattacked.
After the monkey unified Japan, the first target he set his sights on was the Ming Dynasty.
Just like in the previous Tang Dynasty, the Japanese were salivating at the rich and vast Central Plains. They could not wait to raise a large army and attack the peninsula first, hoping to gain a foothold and further attack the Ming Dynasty.
Of the three major expeditions of the Wanli Emperor, the most expensive was the rescue of the peninsula.
It can be said that it was the losses caused by the rescue of the peninsula that led to the early end of the Ming Dynasty.
Now, the envoys from Japan have arrived.
He looked quite respectful, even admiring.
Jiang Qingzhi narrowed his eyes. Xu Wei was a little surprised by his boss's attitude and whispered, "Master, this is an envoy..."
Jiang Qingzhi took out the medicinal cigarette. Boll was not there, so Sun Bu Tong came in quickly to light it for the boss.
Jiang Qingzhi took a puff of herbal smoke and said, "For many years, Japan has regarded itself as a disciple of the Central Plains. During the Former Tang Dynasty, it wanted to turn the tables and become the master, but was defeated in the Battle of Baijiangkou. It then lay dormant for many years. Why did the envoy come again today?"
As soon as Jiang Qingzhi opened his mouth, he mentioned the feud between the Central Plains and Japan during the pre-Tang Dynasty.
Xu Wei said calmly: "Speaking of which, the Central Plains has been very kind to Japan and has never asked for anything in return."
"The Japanese are ungrateful and keep repaying kindness with enmity!" Zhang Juzheng added.
Why do these two seem to be supporting each other?
Jiang Qingzhi smiled.
These words were the tone, and Sanjo's heart trembled. He said, "Before the foreign minister came, His Majesty said that the past should be let go. As a disciple of the Central Plains, everything in our country comes from the Central Plains. From culture to architecture, to cities, and even food, clothing, housing and transportation... It was the Central Plains that taught us all, and our country... is grateful."
This attitude is quite humble.
The so-called courtesy to others must require something.
Jiang Qingzhi said, "Really? What about the Japanese pirates?"
Xu Wei sneered, "The Japanese pirates have been causing trouble in the southeast for many years, why is Japan indifferent?"
Zhang Juzheng smiled and thought that from the boss to Xu Wei, everyone had a word to say, and he led the topic to the domestic situation in Japan.
"That is..." San Tiao sighed and said sadly: "People say that family disgrace should not be made public, but there is no need to hide this matter. At present, there are some rebels in the country who do not obey the king's rule and raise troops to cause chaos. Your Majesty cannot...control them, and those defeated people fled the country and came to the Ming Dynasty to avoid disaster and beg for food..."
——Those Japanese pirates who made the Ming Dynasty uneasy were just the defeated ones.
There was a sharp edge in these words... Just the defeat would cause chaos in the Ming Dynasty. What if a large army came?
The three points were testing Jiang Qingzhi's attitude and his confidence.
Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "How many people did I kill when I went south to suppress the Japanese?"
Xu Wei said: "I'm afraid it's impossible to count them, but the Jingguan is here, so I can write to the local authorities and ask them to count them."
Zhang Juzheng said: "The court was very excited, and everyone said that we should send a large army across the sea to attack Japan and capture its king to plead guilty in front of the emperor. But some people said that Japan was a country that was not to be conquered by Emperor Taizu Gao... According to our ancestors' teachings, we should not act rashly!"
"Otherwise..." Xu Wei sneered, "The army would have already set out to Japan!"
The two think tanks are cooperating with each other to squeeze out the three items, which is also a test.
Jiang Qingzhi was smoking a cigarette and seemed to be leisurely, but in fact he was also observing three things.
A strange light suddenly flashed in Sandiao's eyes, and then disappeared in an instant.
But it did not escape Jiang Qingzhi's attention.
Is this joy?
Do not!
He seemed somewhat proud, as if Xu Wei and Zhang Juzheng's words had hit the nail on the head.
Jiang Qingzhi was thinking about San Tiao's purpose. San Tiao said, "I don't know about this matter... Can Chang Wei Bo make the decision?"
coming!
The drama is coming!
Jiang Qingzhi smiled, and naturally he was too disdainful to answer this question.
Zhang Juzheng had the best appearance, looked dignified, and had the authority of an official, so it was most appropriate for him to be the first to speak.
Zhang Juzheng said sternly, "Your Excellency is now in charge of the new policy and is in charge of all government affairs, including foreign affairs."
Sanjo suddenly wanted to slap himself.
Yes!
The handsome and majestic young man in front of him is the only famous general in the Ming Dynasty!
He had just defeated his old enemy in the north in the much-anticipated battle. When the news of the victory reached the capital, everyone cheered.
How can such a person remain submissive?
When he thought about the attitude of the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple when they mentioned Jiang Qing, he felt three great regrets.
I'm wrong!
At this moment, a servant came in and reported, "My lord, the two princes are here." Princes?
San Tiao's heart was shocked.
Emperor Jiajing had only two sons, and the future emperor would inevitably come from between them.
The two princes came in and were the first to…actually the first to salute, "Meet my uncle."
Where is Jiang Qingzhi?
He actually sat there, smiling and saying, "How come you are free today? Especially the fourth one."
King Jing glanced at San Tiao and said, "Father ordered the two of us to come to Xin'an Lane to obey the orders of our cousin uncle."
This is to observe how Jiang Qingzhi deals with the Japanese envoys.
Jiang Qingzhi seemed to see the Taoist's malicious expression as he said, "Wait and see your uncle play with monkeys."
Jiang Qingzhi smiled, and the two princes walked over and sat down below him.
The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was not a puppet like the Japanese emperor. Emperor Jiajing fought with his ministers for decades and never gave in, which even caused some discussion in Japan.
Some people say that this shows that the emperor is unpopular, and some people say that this shows that it is a tradition for officials to be domineering...
Such a powerful emperor actually asked his two princes to learn from Jiang Qingzhi.
Judging from the attitudes of the two princes, they have always been so respectful to Jiang Qingzhi.
This person!
He is a genuine powerful official!
Yan Song is absolutely incomparable!
Sanjo took a deep breath and said, "I, the foreign minister Sanjo, greet your highnesses."
Prince Yu said calmly, "Your Excellency, you have come from afar, and it is hard for you to come."
King Jing said nothing.
Sanjo calmed his mind, but the think tank waiting outside was dumbfounded.
Wrong judgment!
If they had previously judged that Jiang Qingzhi was the most powerful official in the Ming Dynasty, then the three previous tests would have been unnecessary and might even have angered Jiang Qingzhi.
Jiang Qingzhi is not angry now, but he must be dissatisfied.
In this way, the purpose of this trip... would become a dream if Jiang Qingzhi said a word.
Thinking of the general's situation, the think tank ignored the rules and said with a dry cough: "Emissary, His Majesty is eagerly waiting in the country!"
Outside the door, Mo Zhan said coldly: "Disrespectful!"
A warrior suddenly got furious and roared, "What? Do you still want to humiliate us?" As he spoke, the warrior drew his sword.
Japan was in chaos at the moment, with various forces attacking and fighting each other.
In troubled times, warriors have the highest status, and this is especially true in Japan.
From the moment they landed, the Ming officials and civilians mocked them for being short and crude. The warriors were filled with rage, which was ignited outside the entrance of Xin'an Lane.
At this moment, the warrior drew his sword, and said, "Come, let me learn the swordsmanship of the warriors of the upper country!"
Alpaca... The think tank was furious, and the three inside were even more so. He was about to bow his head, but this warrior ruined the atmosphere.
"Stop!" San Tiao was furious and was ready to go out and deal with the samurai, but Jiang Qingzhi said calmly, "Mo Zhan."
"Uncle." Mo Zhan stood with a sword in his hand and squinted at the warrior.
"Then let him see what the swordsmanship of the superior country is."
"Yes."
As soon as he finished speaking, the warrior swung his sword.
"This is a sneak attack!"
"Despicable!"
"..."
The guards outside were shouting and cursing.
But the think tank found that no one looked worried, and thought that the warriors accompanying this time were all good fighters around the general, and it would be no problem for them to fight ten people alone.
Underestimating the enemy like this... I'm afraid something might happen.
If Jiang Qingzhi's people were hurt, everything he was planning would be in danger.
"Stop!" the think tank shouted.
The knife flashed by regardless.
Choking!
As the sword was drawn, the think tank's eyes blurred and he felt a flash of light.
Then he saw Mo Zhan retreating with the tip of the knife pointing downwards. He turned his wrist and the knife made a flower. Blood slid down the blade and dripped onto the ground.
Mo Zhan put away his knife.
He turned around and looked at Sun Chonglou opposite him, as if nothing had happened.
The warrior stood still at this moment, his cheeks trembling. Suddenly, his legs trembled and the clothes on his chest and abdomen suddenly tore apart.
laugh!
Blood spurted out from the rupture.
The warrior slowly knelt down and bowed his head...
The internal organs immediately poured out from the chest and abdomen.
He's a skilled swordsman beside the general, but... he couldn't block a single blow?
Moreover, Mo Zhan was the one who struck back.
Do not dodge or evade when being attacked by surprise.
The last come first.
This knife technique...
The think tank looked at Sun Chonglou again. He looked like a giant spirit, looking at his neck with ill intentions.
The think tank subconsciously put his hand in front of his neck and took a step back.
Inside, Jiang Qingzhi shook off the cigarette ash.
He said slowly: "Where were we talking about just now?"
(End of this chapter)
