To naturalize in the Ming Dynasty means to become a Ming citizen. This is a customary practice and there is no formal document or certificate.
However, the Nationality Law fills this gap, granting legal recognition and requiring formal ceremonies, such as oaths and naturalization documents.
This is not just for a sense of ceremony, but to make it more solemn and dignified. Don't think that becoming a Ming Dynasty person is that simple, the Ming Dynasty does not accept everyone.
Li Guozhu understood it, and Dong Yingju also understood it.
Setting a threshold and taking an oath of citizenship does not guarantee that naturalized people will be loyal to the Ming Dynasty. Let alone naturalized people, even Ming people, who knows if they will betray their country and surrender to the enemy?
But they didn't know that the promulgation of the Nationality Law actually had another deeper meaning, which would become the reason for the Ming Dynasty to declare war on other countries in the future.
Because no one had ever heard of the term "extradition", even though the practice of hunting down traitors had existed for a long time.
As long as the Ming Dynasty is strong enough and its army is invincible, traitors will have no place to stand. No matter where they flee, they will be brought to justice and punished according to the law, serving as a warning to those who come after them.
"First, you'll be naturalized, then examined. In two years, you'll be able to speak Chinese. In five years, you'll pass the exam, and you'll officially join the Ming Dynasty." Dong Yingju smiled, stroking his beard with his hand, and said, "Does Lord Li understand the profound meaning of 'Long Live the Emperor'?"
"I understand." Li Guozhu cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, this is a wise strategy. We can implement it first in this county."
"Very good." Dong Yingju nodded. He was just saying hello first. Even if the emperor's order was not good, who would dare to disobey it?
After a pause, Dong Yingju continued, "The emperor has sent a medical officer with a prescription for treating malaria, and he has arrived in Mekong Province."
Li Guozhu's eyes lit up and he praised, "This is a great event. It relieves the people's worries and allows the immigration work to proceed smoothly."
In the southwest, the heat is unbearable, mosquitoes and flies breed, and the most prevalent disease is malaria.
Furthermore, due to the limitations of science and technology, people were not clear about the cause of malaria, with some attributing it to miasma and others to unclean things.
The emperor naturally knew that it was mosquito bites, and he also knew the special medicine to treat mosquito bites.
Quinine was not available for the time being, although he had tried to get it through missionaries and planned to select a place in Southeast Asia to plant cinchona trees.
The plant that can be immediately applied in practice seems to be Qingsong, commonly known as Stinky Song.
Of course, the emperor didn't know how to extract pine needles, and he didn't think it was possible with current technology. But he could ask his doctor to try either juicing or boiling pine needles in water, to see which method would work best.
At the same time, now that we know the cause of the disease, mosquito nets, perfumes, mosquito coils, etc. that can prevent mosquitoes can also be of great use.
At the emperor's instruction, the Imperial Hospital and the Medical College conducted experiments and research in this regard, and finally verified that squeezing juice from Qingsong was effective.
Don't underestimate this method of preventing and treating malaria; it removes a major obstacle to expanding territory in the warm and humid lands of Southeast Asia. It will not only reduce injuries in the military but also alleviate the concerns of immigrants.
Dong Yingju laughed heartily and said, "I have reviewed the medical officer's plan for prevention and treatment. This disease is preventable and curable. If it is implemented, the malaria in Southeast Asia will no longer be a terrible problem."
Li Guozhu hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "I wonder if this method of prevention and treatment is kept secret?"
After a pause, he added, "It's not for outsiders, but for the merchants traveling to Southeast Asia. It gives them an extra layer of protection."
Dong Yingju smiled and said, "Any citizen of the Ming Dynasty can tell me. Even if it's a barbarian, I don't think I can keep it secret for long."
There is no need to keep it secret, and it can't be kept secret for long. After all, if the people know how to do it, it is impossible for outsiders to learn it.
Li Guozhu immediately felt relieved, thinking that even if he didn't tell the Maritime Merchants Association, he would be able to get a preventive measure from his adoptive father.
You know, the Maritime Merchants Association will be the first to know about the emperor's grand ambitions and the first to take action.
He got the position of county magistrate in Mekong Province just to gain some experience, and it wouldn't last long.
Li Dan and Yan Siqi have set their sights on the vast territory of Southeast Asia. Under the emperor's instructions, they use trade as a pretext to infiltrate and spy until they occupy a larger territory.
According to the emperor's promise, whoever achieved great achievements would be rewarded with titles and given a certain amount of fiefdom by the court.
This was the first time in history that a merchant was granted a true title and a real fiefdom. Even the founding heroes of this dynasty were rarely given such treatment.
Obviously, the emperor was optimistic about the pioneering spirit of the maritime merchant group, so he gave them convenience first, hoping that they could succeed and become a role model for others.
"Liaodong has been pacified, and the whole country is celebrating. Mekong Province also wishes to congratulate the Ming Dynasty and the Holy Emperor." Dong Yingju smiled broadly, revealing a sense of ease and satisfaction unlike any other. "You've seen the arrangements within the city, haven't you?"
Li Guozhu nodded quickly and said, "The lights and decorations are extremely grand. The county town under my jurisdiction also has a similar festive atmosphere, but not as great as the provincial capital."
Dong Yingju laughed and talked with Li Guozhu for a while before letting him leave.
Dong Yingju was the only one left in the hall. He pondered for a long time, picked up his thoughts that had been interrupted by Li Guozhu, picked up his pen and paper, and began to write a secret memorial to the emperor.
There were some things that Dong Yingju didn't tell Li Guozhu. It wasn't because he didn't trust him, but because it had nothing to do with Li Guozhu.
The emperor asked Dong Yingju about the situation in Mekong Province, mainly the situation in Champa to the north and the situation in Southern Nguyen to the north of Champa.
At that time, Annan was divided into two parts, north and south, and they fought for years. The Zheng clan in the north and the Nguyen clan in the south had victories and defeats against each other, and no one could defeat the opponent in one fell swoop and unify Annan.
The Champa Kingdom was already weak and on the verge of extinction, but the Southern Nguyen Dynasty was unable to spare any effort, so it was allowed to exist submissively.
However, the Ming Dynasty expanded and cultivated land in Mekong Province, sandwiching Champa in the middle.
Under such circumstances, it would be even more difficult for the Southern Nguyen to take action. They were not stupid either. Keeping Champa as a buffer would be much less stressful than facing the powerful Ming Dynasty directly.
In Dong Yingju's view, the temporary maintenance of Champa would be more beneficial to the development of Mekong Province. After all, the current expansion direction of Mekong Province is mainly towards the south, all the way to the sea.
The port at the southernmost tip of the Indochina Peninsula was of great significance. As a transit point to Siam and the Malay Peninsula, it provided greater convenience for merchants heading to Southeast Asia.
At the same time, this is also what the navy requires, so that it can better control the South China Sea and resist the Western barbarians.
"Your Majesty, if Mekong Province can add another 100,000 immigrants next year, the cultivated land will be enough for three years. With over 10,000 naval and land forces, we can sweep across the barbarians and be invincible..."
Dong Yingju put down his pen, thinking that with Liaodong pacified, the imperial court should be able to give greater support to Mekong Province.
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