There is no need to deny the importance of the Hetao region to the Ming Dynasty, but the Ming Dynasty rulers had a blind spot in this regard and gave up the extremely important Hetao region.
This created a gap in the entire northern defense system between Datong and Ningxia, causing continuous harassment and losses to the Ming Dynasty.
Of course, even if Dongshengwei was restored, the transportation and consumption of supplies for the garrison defense would be a huge difficulty. This should be the main reason for abandoning Hetao.
But Zhu Tongmeng wouldn't say it now, nor would he ask. It wasn't the right time to think about this before the fate was even decided.
"I've said enough." Zhu Youxiao smiled, took a sip of tea, and continued, "One last thing to add, and that's the tea-horse trade in Xuanfu. The rules need to be changed, step by step, and we can't rush things..."
Xuanfu, also known as Zhangjiakou, gradually formed a border trade market of "tea-horse trade" in the area of Yuanbao Mountain outside Dajingmen starting from the fifth year of Longqing.
Livestock, furs, medicinal herbs, woolen fabrics, and silverware from the Mongolian grasslands, and silk, tea, porcelain, and sugar brought by inland merchants were traded here, contributing to the prosperity of Zhangjiakou.
For Zhu Youxiao, mutual trade was not only a means to win over and appease the Mongolian tribes, but also a profitable business.
Although he has a long-term plan for the eight traitorous locust merchants, it does not mean that he will let them continue to make money from border trade.
To put it bluntly, Zhu Youxiao wanted to use his "imperial merchants" to monopolize border trade. As for the eight major merchants, they could only feed the leftovers to the dogs.
It is a similar operation to "presenting a letter and raising a flag", but Zhu Youxiao prefers to call this method "import and export license".
"Implementing a licensing system shouldn't have any impact on current border trade, and will actually increase the court's revenue. It's just that the merchants will behave differently."
Zhu Youxiao smiled meaningfully, examined the lines on his palm, and said slowly, "After Zhu Qing has trained his elite troops, we can implement the sales plan based on headcount. For now, let's first find out the situation of the Mongolian tribes and prepare!"
"Your Majesty has great foresight, and I admire you very much." Zhu Tongmeng was really convinced. This interconnected plan, involving military, politics, and business, with multiple approaches, is there any fear that he cannot subdue the Western Tartars?
Zhu Youxiao smiled and pressed his hand, then handed the two documents to the palace maid to pass on to Zhu Tongmeng. He said, "This is the general strategy and policy, as well as the list of capable officials I have selected. Mr. Zhu, you can rest for a few days, and I will summon them to discuss matters again. As for whether they will be suitable for future use, Mr. Zhu can decide for himself."
Zhu Tongmeng took the document and put it away. Another palace maid brought him a secret box. Seeing that the emperor had no further instructions, he tactfully bowed and took his leave.
The imperial study became quiet again. Zhu Youxiao tapped the armrest of the chair lightly, lowered his eyes slightly, and seemed to be thinking about something.
Sun Chuanting, Zhu Tongmeng, Wu Yongxian, Lu Xiangsheng, together with Yang Zhaoji, the general of Jizhen, You Shiwei, the general of Xuanfuzhen, Sun Zushou, the general of Datong, and the newly appointed general of Ningxia Ma Shilong and He Huchen, the general of Yansuizhen, the northern border line can be said to be full of famous officials and brave generals.
That’s right, Lu Xiangsheng will assist Zhu Tongmeng in going to Xuanda to reorganize the army as the right councilor and deputy envoy.
The reason He Huchen, the former general of Dengzhen, was transferred to Yansui Town was not because he was not loyal and brave, but because he was not good at naval warfare. The northwest was his hometown, where he could better display his strengths.
The new general who took over the position of Dengzhen General was Zhang Keda, a newly promoted general stationed at Zhazhoushan, who had a long record of victories in defeating Japanese invaders. Zhang Keda was not only a skilled warrior, but also a learned and accomplished official, demonstrating the spirit of a Confucian general.
With so many capable men and generals, after half a year, the military towns should be strong and powerful, and be able to have a good chat with the Mongolian tribes, right?
Zhu Youxiao calculated the time and felt that he had finally arranged the nine important border towns properly. As long as he ensured sufficient food and wages, he would not have to worry too much about the future work.
How did Zhuge Liang die? He died of exhaustion!
A qualified and wise leader should not be too meticulous and do and manage everything personally.
We must understand the principle of "grasping the big and letting go of the small", be able to identify and employ people, and concentrate our time and energy on resolving major contradictions in order to firmly grasp the initiative in our work.
Xunzi once said: If the ruler likes to be concise, everything will be detailed; if the ruler likes to be detailed, everything will be in chaos.
Zhu Youxiao believed that selecting talented and capable people was the key to being a monarch. If all the ministers were mediocre, it would be useless even if you worked yourself to death.
Just like Chongzhen, ah, he is really the typical person who can be remembered for everything.
Zhu Youxiao smiled to himself and looked at the time. Although it was a little early, there was nothing to do, so he stood up and walked out to the East Palace Wang Liangfei.
Concubine Wang Liang of the Eastern Palace and Concubine Duan Chun of the Western Palace were personally chosen and canonized by the Emperor along with Empress Zhang Yan, and they were considered to have the longest qualifications.
But a palace maid who served the cat stole the limelight. Although no one said it, everyone felt unhappy in their hearts.
Empress Zhang Yan wanted to act magnanimously as a model for the country, while Concubine Duan Chun had a gentle nature, and neither of them expressed it very obviously.
In comparison, Concubine Wang Liang seemed impatient and irritable, which was also due to her personality.
Zhu Youxiao was not in a hurry. He even gave some common sense to Zhang Yan, Wang Liangfei and Duan Chunfei, asking them to be more active and exercise more. Only when they are healthy and mature will they have more opportunities.
Zhu Youxiao not only talked about it, he also designed several simple sports equipment and asked craftsmen to build them and install them in various palaces.
Zhang Yan and Concubine Chun were still a bit reserved, too embarrassed to exercise on the equipment. The most obedient and active one was Concubine Wang Liang.
After another day of sweating profusely from her workout, Concubine Wang Liang hurried to take a bath. She calculated the time so that she could dress beautifully and take a nice bath to welcome the Emperor.
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