Besides his personal talent, Li Jinglong was also related to the imperial family, which led to a different perspective on certain things.
Li Jinglong was quite excited and continued, "During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Western Regions were filled with numerous small kingdoms. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Central Plains were in turmoil, and the Western Regions were even more out of control. Even during the prosperous Tang dynasty, although there was a Protectorate of the Western Regions to guard the area, some kingdoms in the Western Regions still refused to submit. Furthermore, after the Song dynasty, the Mongols came to rule there for a long time."
That makes perfect sense. The customs and traditions of the Western Regions were inherently different from those of the Central Plains. Furthermore, although many dynasties attempted to manage the Western Regions, the results were often minimal. Moreover, after the Mongol cavalry swept across the land, much of the Western Regions came under Mongol rule.
The present-day Tatars and their Khanates still occupy the Pamir Plateau. The Mongols' influence on the Western Regions actually far exceeded that of the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, the hearts of the people there were not necessarily loyal; historically, the Ming Dynasty's influence on the Western Regions was generally limited. Even during the Qing Dynasty, there were several rebellions in the Western Regions, requiring both generals and the emperor to lead expeditions.
Conquering a territory is not enough; managing it well is also crucial. Although the Ming Dynasty may not seem to rely entirely on the Silk Road now, places like the Western Regions cannot be lost.
This area is also an excellent strategic buffer zone. If it cannot be brought under the control of the Ming Dynasty, it will be a potential threat.
Therefore, one piece of Lan Yu's jade is certainly worth considering. However, it's just a superficial consideration, merely to give Lan Yu some face. The real matters to be considered are those more mature and prudent ones.
Zhu Yunying then spoke up, saying, "The Western Regions cannot be stabilized overnight; long-term governance is necessary to achieve any results. Even in the north, despite my personal supervision of the construction of Beiping and the Ming court's presence there, the people's hearts have not yet fully submitted to the Ming Dynasty after more than thirty years of its founding."
To completely incorporate a region into one's territory is not simply a matter of sending troops to conquer it. Conquering a country is difficult, but governing it is even more difficult. Neither of these are simple matters, and neither can be undertaken with the slightest carelessness or negligence.
Many civil and military officials understood what Zhu Yunying had said. The hearts of the people in the north had not completely submitted. This was not just true for scholars and aristocratic families, but also for some ordinary people. Deep down, they did not identify as Han Chinese and had no sense of belonging to the Ming Dynasty.
The Mongols ruled for nearly a century, followed by successive reigns of other ethnic groups such as the Jurchens and Liao peoples. Many Han Chinese have essentially forgotten their Han identity, and their customs, habits, and ways of thinking have largely become those of the nomadic peoples.
Even after Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor) forcibly removed Mongol clothing and attire after establishing the Ming Dynasty, some people still wore them privately. After all, the Ming Dynasty was only in its early thirties, while the influence of the Mongols over a century had far exceeded that of a single generation.
"This time, we must send military garrisons to garrison the Western Regions," Zhu Yunying said slowly. "Military households should go first to cultivate and reclaim wasteland. Only by laying a foundation there can the court gradually relocate people and enrich the Han population. The Western Regions are wild and inhabited by foreign tribes. The court still needs a great general to oversee them. Who do you think is capable of undertaking this important task?"
"Your Majesty, I request permission to be sent to govern the Western Regions!"
"Your Majesty, I believe this minister is the most suitable for this position!"
"Your Majesty, I am the most suitable candidate!"
As soon as Zhu Yunying finished speaking, the military officers became excited. It seemed like a mission to lead the garrison troops in reclaiming wasteland in the Western Regions, a tough job of guarding the Northwest. But these military officers were all veterans who made their living on the battlefield.
Moreover, leading the garrison troops to reclaim wasteland also required eliminating or suppressing rebellious foreign tribes and vassal states. This meant that while a major war was unlikely, small-scale battles were still possible.
Moreover, that might not be a matter of a day or two; it could take three or five years. If they stay there a long time, when the court decides to punish the Tartars and completely rule the Western Regions, the general in charge will inevitably be a general who is familiar with the Western Regions.
This is an investment in the future; enduring some hardship now is nothing. Besides, for these generals, leading troops into battle is their duty; going on campaign doesn't necessarily mean suffering!
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