The Dutch's offshore advantages, naval development, strength in Asia, and their profit-seeking nature all determined that they did not dare to go to war with the Ming Dynasty.
The emperor's judgment was very accurate. Although it was based on history, it still made his ministers admire him.
The emperor's authority grew day by day as he pacified the Liao, eliminated the slaves, crushed rebellions, subdued the Mongol tribes, and intimidated the Western Barbarians. Coupled with his thunderous crackdown on corruption, the emperor's reverence for him was genuine, not superficial.
The expansion of Guangzhou Commercial District opened for business. Amidst the festive atmosphere of gongs and drums and firecrackers, the imperial edict also reached Zheng Zhilong's hands.
"Your humble servant accepts your order and thanks you. Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long, long live the emperor!" Zheng Zhilong knelt down and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the emperor!"
The foreign affairs activities of the Ming Dynasty were uniformly managed by the Ministry of Rites, mainly the Ministry of Guests and Guests, the Four Barbarians Hall and the Huitong Hall.
The Ministry of Rites was responsible for receiving foreign envoys visiting the Ming Dynasty; the Siyi Hall was responsible for communicating with foreign envoys, as well as the selection and training of translation talents; and the Huitong Hall arranged accommodation for diplomatic envoys.
In addition, there is another important institution, the Honglu Temple, which is mainly responsible for preparing for large-scale ceremonial and diplomatic activities of the country.
Although the Ming Dynasty had already used diplomacy as a means to present the country's image and had made greater progress than previous dynasties, in the eyes of the emperor, it still seemed weak.
Of course, under the current circumstances, it is not necessary to establish a separate Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Therefore, the emperor merged the Chief Guest Office, the Four Barbarians Office, and the Huitong Office under the Ministry of Rites to establish a special diplomatic department headed by the Left Vice Minister, and re-divided the subordinate institutions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of International Economics, the Department of Translation, the Department of Boundary and Maritime Affairs, the Department of Treaty and Law, the Department of Protocol, etc., unify the management of the entire foreign affairs work.
Zheng Zhilong made great contributions in the negotiations with the Portuguese and worked tirelessly in the construction of the Guangzhou trading house. The emperor promoted him to the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a fifth-rank official.
From a low-ranking official, he was promoted to the fifth rank in just a few years. Although this speed was not the first or second fastest, he was still outstanding and attracted much attention in the officialdom.
Zheng Zhilong's promotion also facilitated his negotiations with the Dutch. The East India Company, a joint venture between a Dutch noble and wealthy businessman, was not yet at the national level, and the emperor was too lazy to receive it.
"Congratulations, Mr. Zheng."
"Congratulations, Master Zheng."
As soon as the imperial envoy left, a group of officials came forward with smiles on their faces to congratulate Zheng Zhilong.
"Thank you, Master Zhang."
"Thank you, Master Li."
Zheng Zhilong humbly returned the greeting without any arrogance, but he was actually so excited that he could hardly control himself.
The emperor's secret decree had already been issued, and negotiations with the Dutch were not too difficult.
Pay the toll for passing through the strait, guarantee the freedom of navigation of Ming merchant ships in the South China Sea, and the conditions for stationing in the two major trading areas of Guangzhou and Shanghai...
The toll tax could not be waived; it was the emperor's decision. However, the exact amount depended on Zheng Zhilong's negotiation skills. Ensuring the safety of Ming merchant ships in the South China Sea was no problem; the Dutch were even afraid of being intercepted while sailing through East Asia.
It is even easier to move into the commercial district. You only have to pay for rent and food, and how much commercial goods you can buy depends on your ability and funds.
The emperor has long since changed the Ming Dynasty's system of not trading with foreign countries. We welcome you to do business with us.
Whether it was the Japanese, the Western barbarians, or even countries such as Korea, Ryukyu, Siam, Brunei, and Luzon, there were merchants stationed in the trading post area.
The emperor had not mentioned the tributary system for several years. In practice, this was equivalent to abolishing this system that had been upheld by the Central Plains dynasties for hundreds of years.
"I will host a banquet at Mingxiu Tower tonight and look forward to welcoming all my colleagues." Zheng Zhilong warmly saw off his colleagues and returned to his office. He then showed a look of joy and excitement and walked back and forth in the room.
A fifth-rank doctor was clearly not the end of Zheng Zhilong's life. He also knew that whether he could be promoted to the position of general manager of the Guangzhou Commercial District depended on negotiations with the Dutch.
Although it was not difficult, the more he could achieve, the happier the emperor would be. Zheng Zhilong was well aware of this.
The great tyrant of the sea in history was now excited and motivated for a fifth-rank official position. If the emperor saw this scene, he would surely be filled with emotion.
Whether it was officials or common people, the emperor tried his best to give them hope and a future. Only in this way could they have enthusiasm, display their talents, and work hard for the future.
The emperor was also unfailingly generous with his rewards. He could bestow wealth, official positions, and even fame upon his subjects. This was certainly the reason for his subjects' loyalty, but it was also a great incentive.
At this time, the naval generals and soldiers were as excited as Zheng Zhilong.
All the ransoms paid by the Dutch for prisoners of war were used as rewards for defeating the Dutch. Generals and soldiers who fought bravely were promoted and awarded medals.
The military uniform was made of straight woolen cloth, and the rank on the epaulettes was in the royal yellow color, which was an exception. The Ming Dynasty emblem on the wide-brimmed hat shone in the sun.
Along with the rewards and promotions came the military uniforms designed by the emperor himself. These uniforms were worn on formal occasions, and were not intended to be worn for combat, but for majesty and beauty.
The emperor had his own plan to gradually change the equipment of the officers first and then the soldiers, which was to make the Ming army more powerful, more spirited and more morale-boosting.
"Hong Xu, step out!" Shen Yourong, wearing a new military uniform, ordered in a deep voice.
Hong Xu walked proudly to his superior, saluted straightly with a serious expression.
Shen Yourong smiled slightly, took the exquisite medal, and put it on Hong Xu's chest with his own hands.
The medal is beautifully crafted, but it is neither gold nor silver. However, it represents honor, which cannot be bought with money.
Under the enthusiastic gazes of the crowd, Hong Xu finished his salute, and when he turned around to return to the team, he could no longer hide his wide grin.
"Gan Hui, step out!"
"Zheng Zhihu, step out!"
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For soldiers, honor is more important than money, just as for officials, promotion is more important than bonus.
The generals who were awarded medals all held their heads high and chests puffed out, as if they were afraid that others would not be able to see the shining medals on their chests.
There were many people who were awarded medals. The emperor had enough medals and was willing to give enough honor to the warriors who fought for the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, grant the name of battleship No. 053 to be 'Yongji', battleship No. 026 to be 'Hu Ben', and battleship No. 106 to be 'Lielang'..."
After the awarding of medals, the naming of the warship made the generals excited, and more people were envious.
Like the army, this was a collective honor. While others named their ships numerically, our warships were named after the emperor, with their bows painted red, standing out like a crane among chickens. How impressive!
Even outsiders who don't know much about the inside story can see that such a warship is different.
"...Fought bloody battles to annihilate the barbarians, and your achievements spread across the seas. I am deeply gratified. I hope you will continue your efforts..."
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long, long live the emperor!" After the imperial decree was pronounced, the naval officers and soldiers knelt on one knee and shouted "Long live the emperor", the sound shaking all directions.
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