A strong country must be domineering. This may not be true, but it is a reality.
The bigger the fist, the more right it is. If you are called unjust, then you are unjust. If you are called provocative, then you are provocative. No matter what you are said to do, you will not be allowed to defend yourself or explain yourself.
The emperor has been instilling this idea, and although the civil officials do not quite understand it, the army has gradually developed a fierce and domineering temperament.
The tolerance of the Celestial Empire is far less real than real money.
Moreover, for the populous Ming Empire, if the crisis of the Little Ice Age was not handled properly, civil unrest would be inevitable and extremely destructive.
To be able to sit firmly in the position of Minister of War, Xiong Tingbi needed more than just talent. He would have been transferred away long ago if he had not been able to implement the emperor's will.
"Long live the wise and wise emperor. The Burmese people have suffered from the cruel and harsh rule of the Mang clan for a long time. The royal army's attack is truly an act of compliance with the will of heaven and the people." Xiong Tingbi remained calm and echoed the emperor.
The emperor smiled and nodded, pointing to the sand table. He said, "Contact Siam to attack Burma. It might help. But don't tell them too soon to prevent leaks."
Xiong Tingbi agreed verbally but did not take it seriously.
In his view, with the Ming army's current weaponry and actual combat power, victory was certain even without Siam's involvement. If Siam sent troops to attack Burma, it would inevitably occupy some Burmese territory, so it would be better for the Ming army to occupy it all.
The emperor also wanted to get the most out of his meal, but the tropical and subtropical jungle environment and the complex ethnic situation made him wary.
If the territory was too large and the troops stationed were too few, the emperor was worried that he would be constantly harassed by the Burmese. There was no such term as guerrilla warfare at that time, but similar tactics had already existed.
"The key to conquering Burma isn't to defeat the main Burmese army, but to secure the captured territory at the lowest possible cost." The emperor looked thoughtfully at Xiong Tingbi and reminded him, "The Tang Dynasty occupied Goryeo but couldn't hold it for long. This is a lesson we should learn."
Xiong Tingbi was startled and quickly bowed in response.
Not to mention the distant Tang Dynasty, even in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, most of the Three Xuan and Six Wei were lost in the southwest, which was also a lesson and experience.
"Supporting the weak and suppressing the strong—in some newly occupied or controlled territories, the principle of balance is still applicable," the emperor pondered. "The Jiannu even knew how to utilize the Han people of Liaodong. Isn't the Ming Dynasty any better?"
The emperor didn't explicitly mention the Burmese traitors, but Xiong Tingbi understood. This wasn't the first time the emperor had expressed his feelings, and the cabinet was also discussing specific policies after entering Burma.
The emperor did not propose or clarify the term "colony." Moreover, it did not apply to the Three Xuan and Six Wei territories that were to be recovered.
As for Borneo, the emperor did have such an idea, but he hadn't yet figured out the specifics, so he had to take it one step at a time.
The emperor turned around and looked at the large sand table in Liaodong again, narrowed his eyes slightly, and did not give any further instructions.
Xiong Tingbi took his leave, but the emperor stayed in the side hall, and the thought just now came to his mind again.
Liaodong was rich in fertile black soil, but developing it was not easy. The most critical issue was population. Immigration work had been ongoing, but the progress did not satisfy the emperor.
The landless and landless people in Henan, northern Zhili, and Shandong, as well as those in Jianghuai, were mostly canal workers, which seemed to be a lot.
However, the government’s call and the preferential policies it introduced were not enough for the people who were reluctant to move.
In history, going west, crossing the Guandong Pass, and going to Southeast Asia became a trend. In the eyes of the emperor, the common people left their homes because they could not survive there.
Therefore, the emperor thought that it would be more effective to develop Liaodong as soon as possible and attract large landowners, big families and other targets.
Because whether it is to enclose land or establish large farms, the common people do not have the manpower, financial resources and material resources.
However, in the emperor's mind, the problem of "land annexation" was still difficult to solve.
In recent years, land has been gradually returned to the state, and almost all the fiefdoms of the princes have been reclaimed. Now that restrictions are being relaxed, the severity and consequences of land annexation in the face of capital make the emperor hesitate.
If the land is only rented but not sold, the taxes are set very low, and the term is set at a few years or even dozens of years, would it be attractive to those big capitalists and landlords?
The emperor changed his mind and thought for a while. He felt that it might be feasible, but he was not sure.
"Your Majesty." Li Chengcheng brought tea and served it attentively.
The emperor nodded, sat in the chair, drank tea, and was still immersed in his own thoughts.
……………….
Shenyang.
Mao Wenlong put down the newspaper in his hand, frowned slightly, tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and looked thoughtful.
The Ming Dynasty's national policy was changing, and this wasn't a recent phenomenon. At least in Mao Wenlong's opinion, it had been going on for at least two or three years. But the most obvious change was the actions taken this year, along with the undisguised propaganda.
Compared with ordinary people, officials of Mao Wenlong's level must know more information, which is more confidential.
He knew some information about Southwest's plan to attack Myanmar, but it was of course kept confidential and he would not leak it to anyone.
Liaodong had been pacified and the She'an rebels had been eliminated, but the emperor had already dispatched troops and continued military operations, which was beyond his expectations.
But from the newspaper "Da Ming Forum", one can clearly understand the emperor's thoughts and plans within a few years.
First, they pacified the Liao and exterminated the slaves, then suppressed the rebellion, and then they pioneered and advanced, securing more land for the people of the Ming Dynasty. Well, in the emperor's words, it was called living space...
The emperor had already pointed out the direction of expansion for the Ming Empire, advancing north and south. As a soldier, Mao Wenlong, knowing there were battles to fight and military achievements to be gained, naturally supported it with both hands.
However, Mao Wenlong also saw the difference between future expansion and the past. The emperor would not only conquer with guns and cannons, but also settle and cultivate the new territories, firmly grasping them.
To achieve both the goal of conquering the city and holding it firmly, the requirements for the army will naturally be higher, and the court's investment will naturally be huge.
The emperor had such a grand ambition and was clearly confident in his ability to realize it. Mao Wenlong also knew that the court's finances had improved significantly, enough to support orderly military operations in both directions.
Speaking of order, Mao Wenlong's understanding is to fight to support the war, rather than to advance the occupation without restraint. In the military operations in the north and south, it is obvious that the benefits of the south are greater.
Mao Wenlong gave a wry smile and shook his head in frustration. Although the north was vast, it was a desolate, cold, and sparsely populated land, incomparable to the south.
Due to different conditions, the advancement in the north must of course be steady and slow, because the court's investment is limited and the number of people moving is also limited.
However, in order to maintain a stable occupation, there must be no sufficient population, and no arable land. Everyone knows that transporting grain from afar will not achieve the goal.
"Marshal, the generals have arrived at the conference room." The captain of the personal guards came in to report.
Mao Wenlong put his thoughts aside, nodded, stood up, changed his clothes, and strode out.
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