Chapter 589 National Destiny (First update, please subscribe)
"Long live the Union!"
Cheers echoed on Zhuque Street in Yingtian Prefecture. The news from Paraguay also triggered a celebratory parade in Yingtian, with people walking on the streets. Ming flags fluttered above people's heads, and people cheered happily with banners celebrating the Ming-Paraguay Union.
At this time, the police who usually maintain order were standing on the roadside with a smile on their faces.
It's a good day.
It is something worth celebrating.
The surging sea of people walked towards the Imperial Palace, and soon they reached their destination. When people arrived at the palace, Emperor Zhu was standing on the balcony on the second floor.
“This is what the people want!”
Zhu Xianhai waved to the crowd with a bit of pride, and countless people there shouted "Long live Zhu Xianhai".
Amid the cheers of "Long live His Majesty the Great Virtue" and "Long live the Ming Dynasty", Zhu Xianhai left the balcony. As soon as he entered the house, Zuo Zongtang, Wang Jiuling, Qian Degong, Sun Hu and other civil and military officials were there bowing.
"Long live the emperor!"
"Stand up!"
Zhu Xianhai waved his hand.
Zuo Zongtang stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, Paraguay's voluntary annexation into the Ming Dynasty is truly a happy event that has never happened before. This should be announced to the world so that all the people can celebrate with the country!"
"Allowed!"
The following memorials were all typical procedural memorials, and all Emperor Zhu needed was "approval".
Finally, he turned his attention to Salvador Jovellanos. The former President of Paraguay was definitely a hero. How could he not be a hero if he knew the current affairs?
"Salvador Jovellanos stepped forward to listen to the seal."
"I am here!"
Salvador Jovillanos quickly stepped forward and knelt on his knees in front of Emperor Zhu.
"You have made great contributions to the union of the Ming Dynasty and Paraguay. Although you have no military merits, your contribution of land is not inferior to your military merits. I confer you the title of Count of Montelindo."
The noble titles of the Ming Dynasty were duke, marquis, earl, viscount and baron. Earl was in the middle, neither high nor low. Such rewards would neither cause controversy nor dissatisfaction from the military. Of course, Salvador Jovellanos was a soldier himself - he was also the commander of the 63rd Infantry Regiment of the Ming Royal Army. This regiment was the Paraguayan Army. Although there were only more than 800 people, since it was a incorporated country, the army must of course be incorporated as well.
Emperor Zhu, holding a Chinese-style sword, tapped Salvador Jovila's shoulder with it, completing the canonization.
The ritualization of this enthronement process is not the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, but is borrowed from the European system. Unlike the enthronement on a piece of "paper", this enthronement process is completed by the emperor himself, which is more ceremonial. Moreover, the recipient of the enthronement has to swear allegiance to the emperor - the emperor himself!
Count Montelindo, kneeling on the ground, of course had to swear an oath of allegiance, stating that he would "eternally uphold the royal dignity and be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor for generations."
In this way, the new Count of Montelindo was born. Of course, he then followed the naturalization law and asked His Majesty to grant him a surname and name.
"Well, I grant you the surname of the country, Xiantu, to honor your contribution of offering the land."
Is this name vulgar?
It's so vulgar, but so what?
As long as the native family is happy, it's good enough. Besides, these foreigners... no, naturalized Europeans are not very educated people. If you give them names that are too educated, they will not be able to understand them.
Just like his own "unknown uncle", he gave himself the top title of uncle of the country - Zhu Guozhong.
I don't know how many times Zuo Zongtang and Wang Jiuling have complained about this name. According to Chinese tradition, this name is unlucky!
It's not only bad luck, it's a curse!
Guozhong?
You think you are Yang Guozhong... When you choose a name, you only think of the most popular one among the king's uncles, and don't look at history at all!
These European barbarians are really uncultured!
Alas, to pacify the barbarians and bring them back to Xia is a long and arduous journey!
When Emperor Zhu was sighing in his heart, he couldn't help but look at Zhu Guozhong a few times, and naturally thought of Elizabeth again.
That woman is now concentrating on taking care of the children and running the company. She would rather be the emperor's lover than a concubine. It's really true that on such a happy day today, I have to go and celebrate with her.
It seems that the French teacher she found for her son is quite good, a typical European beauty with blonde hair and blue eyes. Why not invite her to join us for fun today?
Zhu Guozhong, the uncle of the Ming Dynasty, who was standing in the front row among the ministers, was looked at several times by the emperor. He couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. Could it be that he was discovered by His Majesty?
What did you find?
Of course, the king's uncle found a new Chinese teacher for him—Sakiko Yamakawa. Yes, she is a Japanese girl. Although she is only 12 years old, she is good at teaching foreign languages!
Well, she was not an ordinary Japanese woman, but a student sent by Japan to the Ming Dynasty - there were 50 students in the Japanese delegation, including five female students. It must be said that it was no accident that Japan defeated the Qing Dynasty.
However, although Yamakawa Sakiko changed her fate and was unable to study in the United States, but came to Ming Dynasty, the medical care level in Ming Dynasty is definitely far superior to that of the United States.
Moreover, Yamakawa Sakiko also had a mission, to befriend the Foreign Minister Zhu Guozhong. After all, this was the Minister in charge of foreign affairs! If he said a few good words for Japan and Ming Dynasty provided some help to Japan, then Japan would be like a cow taking a plane - awesome to the sky.
So, while studying, Yamakawa Sakiko also became the personal foreign language teacher of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. As for how she learned, only Uncle Zhu knew.
In fact, the news that Paraguay voluntarily joined the Ming Dynasty had a shock that was unimaginable to the outside world. Iwakura was stunned for a long time before speaking.
"Is it true that no shots were fired?"
"There really was no shooting! They just voted to join!"
Ito Hirobumi said while holding a newspaper.
"Sir, look at the news in the newspaper. 98.5% of Paraguayans agree to join the union and join the Ming Dynasty. This is the way to win without fighting!"
Looking at the newspaper, Okubo Toshimichi said.
"Oh, this Ming Dynasty is different from what we imagined. It is unbelievable that they would conquer another country without fighting. We must be careful of this Ming Dynasty and not accidentally defeat them. Otherwise, we might end up in a confederation."
"To be honest,"
Hirobumi Ito said carelessly beside him.
"We are no match for them in politics or fighting. If the Ming Dynasty really wants to annex Japan, we have no way to resist. Therefore, the most important thing right now is to learn how to enrich the people and strengthen the country, and then make Japan as soon as possible. Only in this way can we avoid the Japanese voluntarily annexing the Ming Dynasty in the future."
"Baka!"
Kido Takayoshi said with some excitement.
"No matter what time it is, the Japanese will never take the initiative to merge Japan into the Ming Dynasty. How can you say that, Ito Hirobumi?"
"Oh, why not?"
Ito Hirobumi sneered.
"When the Paraguayans fought to defend Paraguay, they never thought that one day Paraguay would be incorporated into another country, and it was their own request. But if you read the newspapers, you will know that this is the best choice for them."
Looking at Takayoshi Kido, Hirobumi Ito said.
"In this world where Westerners are all fierce and aggressive, if Japan cannot become strong as soon as possible, then one day we will be annexed by other Western countries like Uruguay. By that time, the people will really be living a life worse than death. Do you want Japan to be occupied by barbarians like China? Let the Japanese become a colony of Western countries? By that time, it would be better to let the Ming Dynasty rule us, at least..."
Before Ito Hirobumi could finish his words, Iwakura Tomomi interrupted him and said.
"Well, if that's the case, then let's investigate together! After all, this investigation is related to Japan's national destiny!"
(End of this chapter)
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