This is naturally the key point, demonstrating that His Majesty the Emperor has made up his mind. Even though those areas present various difficulties for development, the Emperor will eventually develop them to build a stronger foundation for the food security of the Ming Dynasty.
At this point, Zhu De said directly, "We can talk about those places later. Liaodong is the key. We need to control Liaodong in order to control Goryeo and Japan. Furthermore, if the Tartars invade from the grasslands to the south, we can quickly send troops to Liaodong."
"Yes!" Zhu Yunying immediately chimed in, having already discussed these matters with Zhu Yuanzhang. "It's just that those places have very poor infrastructure, are freezing cold, and are almost like wilderness. If people were to be relocated there, the people would likely find it difficult to live in peace. Although there are garrisons stationed there, they are mostly composed of soldiers."
Chang Mao suddenly shuddered. The retired emperor and the emperor were working together, clearly intending to smoothly introduce some policies, some things that His Majesty the emperor had instructed him to do a few days ago.
Xu Huizu and the others were also frowning at this moment. They were well aware of the situation in Liaodong and knew that it was a harsh and cold place that ordinary people would not want to go to.
Zhu Yunying continued, "If we relocate the people, there will likely be countless deaths and injuries, and there will likely be considerable public resentment. But for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's rule, the Liaodong region must be restored."
Chang Mao knew that this was the time to step forward. He could bear the infamy; he was a reckless scoundrel who didn't care about reputation. But his nephew, the emperor, had to be a wise and powerful ruler; no one could allow his nephew's reputation to be damaged.
"Your Majesty, if you wish to conquer the South Seas, you can plunder their people!" Chang Mao stated directly, laying his cards on the table. "Our Great Ming will plunder their people and weaken their nation, making it easier to conquer their country!"
Chang Mao's words were very straightforward: the countries of Southeast Asia might not be something that could be conquered and governed in a short time; there would inevitably be considerable resistance. So let's be more decisive and weaken those countries, for example, by seizing their people; in this era, human resources are proof of strength.
This suggestion immediately made Xu Huizu frown. It was definitely a vicious technique, a brutal plan that would surely provoke opposition from countless civil officials and scholars if it were to be revealed.
But upon closer reflection, this policy doesn't seem so bad. Although it's quite unfriendly to the Southeast Asian countries, it's relatively friendly to the people of the Ming Dynasty, and it won't cause too much resentment or public anger within the Ming territory.
At this point, others seemed afraid to speak up, because if they agreed with or supported such a policy, they would inevitably be criticized.
Chang Mao glanced anxiously at the others, gritted his teeth, and continued, "His Majesty previously intended to cultivate new fields and establish public and private fields. In my opinion, if we seize the people of the Southeast Asian countries to cultivate land in Liaodong, our Great Ming's arable land will surely increase."
The others couldn't help but look at Chang Mao a few more times. It wasn't that they had changed their minds after three days, but rather that they felt that based on Chang Mao's past performance, this guy was absolutely incapable of coming up with such schemes, even vicious ones.
So, looking at the emperor who seemed uninvolved, and considering the relationship between the emperor and Chang Mao, it's possible that Chang Mao already knew about these matters and that the emperor instructed him to make the proposal.
Old Zhu couldn't help but scold, "Everyone says you're a scoundrel and a wastrel, but we think they underestimated you! You are a Duke of our Great Ming Dynasty, the Emperor's uncle! The Emperor has given you vast tracts of fertile land, yet instead of sharing the Emperor's burdens, you insist on making the Emperor bear this infamy!"
Chang Mao was stunned. Although there were many fertile fields in the manor, there was no such thing as 'tens of thousands of acres of fertile fields'. Could this be a reward from the Emperor Emeritus?
The quick-witted Chang Mao immediately knelt down and said pitifully, "Your Majesty, all the fertile land is in Liaodong, all black soil. But I can't find anyone to cultivate it, so I can only watch helplessly!"
Old Zhu scolded, "You're all spendthrift brats! We gave you so much land, and you can't even manage it yourself. Who can you blame?! Even if the emperor gave you thousands of acres of cultivated land, would you just sit back and eat it all?!"
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!" Chang Mao said without fear, "Your Majesty, I am incapable of failing your grace. But I think that opening up land is a difficult task, and the people of the Ming Dynasty would never want to go to Liaodong."
Old Zhu looked at Chang Mao and said, word by word, "I know that Liaodong is bitterly cold. You remember this well: never mistreat the people. If you dare to mistreat the people, even if the emperor stops you, I will not forgive you!"
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