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Volume 13 Reviving the Ming Dynasty Chapter 661 Diplomacy

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    The Ming Dynasty has been going on for more than two hundred years. Although there have been big disputes in the court, and there have even been people who beat people in the presence of kings, there has never been anyone using such vulgar words to curse people.  .  These officials who can stand in the palace and discuss national affairs with the emperor are people with extremely profound self-cultivation and culture. It is completely impossible for them to demean themselves and use foul language to curse others.  But today Tang Feng changed this fine tradition and started his remarks with a sentence that only a rough man could say.

    Tang Feng glanced at the officials who still wanted to finish speaking for the foreign envoys, and said in a cold voice: "I dare to ask you, which country are you ministers? Who gave you the salary you received? How come you didn't?  Are you just talking for these outsiders?" When those officials were asked this question, they really didn't know how to answer.

    Tang Feng looked at the envoys again: "Let me ask you, is what General Wu said the truth? Did you tell me something about Ming Dynasty in the restaurant, and then such an incident happened?"

    "This" Several people hesitated for a moment, but were intimidated by Tang Feng's momentum and had to nod and admit it. Then Pu Zhiyong said again: "But we were drunk at the time and made a slip of the tongue. We couldn't take it seriously.  ¡­¡±

    "Really? But I only know how to tell the truth after drinking! The reason why you talk like this must be because you are dissatisfied. And the reason why you are dissatisfied is because I, the Ming Dynasty, have not treated you as kindly as before.  I will give you countless benefits. Is that what I said?" Tang Feng told the truth without any concealment.

    He is very aware of the Ming Dynasty's long-standing style. When a small country comes to pay tribute as a vassal state, no matter what they bring is bamboo poles or wood, as long as they have this distraction, the Ming court will generously reward the other party.  .  This has caused countless small countries to flock to the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years. This is completely taking the Ming Dynasty as the main enemy.  If something really happened, these small countries would not help Ming Dynasty at all. Therefore, Ming Dynasty only gained some face-saving benefits, but in fact it suffered a huge loss.  Today Tang Feng wanted to completely break through this layer and let the court know how much he had deceived himself and others, thereby fundamentally changing the Ming Dynasty's foreign attitude.

    Several envoys were speechless for a while. They did not expect that Ming court officials who always valued their own face would suddenly say such self-slapping words.  But this left them speechless and unable to argue, because they did think so.  They have been able to get benefits all the time, so they take it all for granted. When one day these benefits no longer exist, they will feel resentful. This is a typical villain mentality.

    Tang Feng¡¯s sharp insights and the silence of the envoys made some officials begin to reflect.  Is the behavior I took for granted before really the right thing to do?  Is it really appropriate for the Ming Dynasty to treat those small countries so favorably?  Of course, there are only a few people who have this idea after all, and more officials still dismiss it. They think that Tang Feng is not a gentleman, and it has lost the face of our huge country. How can he be with these small subordinate countries?  What do you think about these?

    Seeing that they didn't answer, Tang Feng said again: "As a vassal country, you have the protection of the Ming Dynasty. Whenever the country is in trouble, the Ming Dynasty will definitely help, but what do you give me the Ming Dynasty every year? Apart from some  Worthless rags, just a few words of flattery that even a ghost would not believe. Do you want to get benefits from Ming Dynasty just based on these? I can tell you clearly today that Ming Dynasty will not be like this again in the future.  , If you want to gain something, you have to give something!"

    When several envoys heard this, their expressions changed.  Their country already had a small population and relied heavily on Ming's support and help. Now that Tang Feng suddenly said it so bluntly, it was difficult for them to accept it for a while.  But this was above the court, so they didn't dare to be presumptuous, so they could only sit there in a daze with pale faces.

    "An Guogong, is it inappropriate to do this? Our Ming Dynasty is rich all over the world" An official couldn't stand it anymore. What's this? He doesn't have the aura of a great country, but he is actually arguing about gains and losses with these small countries.  , it was really embarrassing, so he wanted to give him some advice.

    But Tang Feng would not give him this opportunity at all. He raised his hand and interrupted the other party naturally, and then said: "I know what you mean, Mr. Wen. It is true that we are going to the country, but  But there is no obligation to help these small countries for free. Can just a few letters of credence and a few words of flattery be worth the countless money and food of our Ming Dynasty? Now many of our own people do not have enough food and clothing, how can we continue to do so?  What about others?

    "If these small countries sincerely regard themselves as vassal states and abide by the way of being vassals, that's all. But in fact, they are just obedient and violative. Their land is still their own, their citizens are also their own, and everything they produceIn your own country, have you ever given me any help to Ming Dynasty?  No, they just ask for it.  And when they got a lot of money and food from me, Daming, they would not feel grateful at all, they would only regard it as what they deserved, and even laugh behind my back at how stupid Daming was for being cheated by them.  He was fooled in just a few words.  Let me ask, does our Ming Dynasty want such subjects?  "

    Everyone was stunned. These thoughts occasionally occurred to them, but they were quickly covered up by the virtue of a gentleman and the so-called dignity of the heavenly kingdom.  Now that Tang Feng had taken off his disguise, everyone was shocked.

    "This what this gentleman said is really a bit too much. We in Japan have always been respectful to the Ming Dynasty. But we have never had the kind of thoughts you said. Please take back what you said.  That's what you said!" Jiumu couldn't help it at this time and hurriedly defended his country.

    "Really?" Tang Feng got angry when he saw this little naughty boy. This country represents the mentality of small countries around the Ming Dynasty. When he is weak, he will pretend to be a grandson and make himself as pitiful as possible.  Pitiful, thereby gaining sympathy.  But once there is a problem with the Ming Dynasty, or the Chinese nation, they will become extremely fierce again.  Historically, hundreds of years later, when the Chinese nation was in its greatest crisis, it was these little fools who committed heinous crimes.

    But it is impossible to say this now, but Tang Feng still has a lot of rhetoric: "Since you said that your Japan is very respectful to the Ming Dynasty and has never done anything disrespectful, then I dare to ask your Excellency, during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty  Who are the people looting along the southeast coast?"

    "Thisthis is just the behavior of an individual and has nothing to do with Japan."

    "Humph, if your emperor hadn't acquiesced, would they have done such a thing?" Tang Feng sneered.  Then he added: "By the way, it seems that the shogun in charge of your country is now. A country that doesn't even respect its own king, will it still respect the Ming Dynasty?"  As soon as the words came out, Tang Feng felt a little embarrassed. He was doing the same thing, but he knew that what he did was not wrong.

    Jiumu was really speechless at this time. In fact, he also knew what happened back then. If it weren't for the connivance of the famous names in various places at that time, the Japanese pirates would not have been rampant in the southeast of the Ming Dynasty. Many of them were from various countries.  The army under the daimyo did it.  Unexpectedly, this Ming official even understood this. It seems that this person is indeed extraordinary.  This immediately made him pay attention, and he had to let the adults in the middle school keep some snacks.

    Seeing that no one was arguing with him anymore, Tang Feng saluted the aloof emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I think that from now on, my Ming Dynasty will not have to provide too much assistance to these small countries. Unless they can express enough sincerity.  .¡±

    "It's accurate!" the little emperor Zhengyuan said in a sweet voice after seeing his mother nodding.  The Queen Mother understood very well that Tang Feng was doing all this for the country. As a woman, she was indeed more practical than men in some things.  And now that Tang Feng's status is above the imperial power, do they still dare to object?

    Tang Feng smiled with satisfaction and praised: "Your Majesty, your Majesty!" Then he turned around and said to those people: "Have you all heard it now? I, the Ming Dynasty, will not easily assist you from today on, and I hope you will use this when you return home.  Tell your monarchs the truth and tell them to be prepared. In addition, if you have any complaints, please do so in a place where no one else is. If they are noticed by my Ming people again, maybe the relationship between the two countries will not be what it is now.  That¡¯s it!¡±

    The envoys did not expect that things would turn out like this, and all of them had dark faces.  But they had to accept Tang Feng's teachings humbly. Who told them that they were in the capital of the Ming Dynasty now?

    Several people have already begun to complain. If Pu Zhiyong and the others hadn't come up with this tone and angered the Ming Dynasty, how could the current situation have happened?  How can I explain to the king when I go back now?  Pu Zhiyong was also full of regret and resentment, but once the Ming Emperor had said something, there was no possibility of changing it.  He can only endure it now and see if there is any way to change everything in the future.  In addition, he felt that he should still earn some face, so he said: "My lord, what we said before was hurtful. How come you diverted it into state affairs? Now it is your people who hurt us.  , there has to be a matter of right and wrong, right?"

    Tang Feng smiled. Since they insisted on holding on to this point, there was no need for him to give them any more face.  So he said: "Okay, then I will give you justice." Then he looked at Wu Sangui and others and said: "As an official of our Ming Dynasty, it is indeed wrong to hurt a foreign envoy in a restaurant. Now it is time to beat you according to the law.  Thirty imperial staffs, are you convinced?"

    Wu SanHow could Gui and other young generals dare to say no in front of Tang Feng? He nodded quickly and said: "The generals and others are at fault and should indeed be punished. I don't dare to have any complaints."

    "Okay." Tang Feng nodded slightly, and just when everyone thought that was the end, he said again: "However, several envoys in the capital of the Ming Dynasty said that I was wrong, but the following ones have also committed a big crime. Although you  He is not a minister of my Ming Dynasty, but he is a minister of my Ming Dynasty. In terms of discussion, he should be controlled by my Ming Dynasty law. As a minister, it is wrong to speak out about the emperor's fault, let alone to insult our Ming Dynasty. Mr. He, this crime should be punished  How to judge?"

    He Shilang from the Ministry of Punishment was startled for a moment, then he came back to his senses and said with a wry smile: "If my minister of the Ming Dynasty dared to speak like this, even if he is not deceiving the emperor, it would still be a serious crime. According to the law" After pondering for a while,  He then said: "According to law, you should be given a cane!"

    When the envoys heard this, their expressions changed again. They didn¡¯t expect that they would be implicated as well. This was too much of a loss.  If you really want to talk about it, those generals were beaten for a few days and only lay down for three to five days. But they don't have such great physiques. They are afraid that they will be beaten to death. This is not the result they want at all.  .

    At this time, the Ryukyu envoy also hurriedly opened his mouth to argue: "Sir, we come to Ming Dynasty to represent our respective countries. We" At this point, he couldn't explain the reason for the moment.  .

    Tang Feng unexpectedly followed his words and said, "That's right. You are envoys after all. Sometimes you only represent the country, and we can't really punish you. Although you are wrong, it is also your country's fault."

    "Yes, yes, sir, you are right!" At this time, the few people no longer cared to carefully study the meaning of Tang Feng's words, they just wanted to leave themselves alone, so that they would not have to suffer the punishment of the spine stick.

    Tang Feng nodded and said: "Since you said this, do you agree with my opinion? You are outsiders, so our Ming Dynasty will not condemn you for this. But" At this point, he looked at Wu Sangui and others,  Then he said, "Wu Sangui and others were originally punished because they hurt my ministers from the Ming Dynasty. But now that you don't admit this, they naturally don't have to be punished."

    "Huh?" Several envoys were stunned, and then realized that they had been tricked by Tang Feng's words. Now, he did not need to be punished, but the same murderers who beat him would be fine.  In this way, all his actions and rhetoric here today will be in vain, and the country will no longer be able to receive assistance from the Ming Dynasty.

    Seeing that they were all dumbfounded, Tang Feng said again: "Furthermore, Wu Sangui and other generals are doing something for the country. Not only are they innocent, but they have made meritorious deeds. Your Majesty, please reward them so as to inspire the patriotism of our Ming soldiers.  A role model for everyone.¡±

    Now even other officials were a little confused by Tang Feng's logic.  How come after a few moments, Wu Sangui and others not only did not make any mistakes and did not need to be punished, but also achieved meritorious service?

    Until this time, everyone knew that Tang Feng was still protecting his own people, but with his current status, it was not difficult to protect certain people. Even the emperor could not do anything about him.  So although everyone was not very convinced, no one dared to object anymore.  And those envoys had lost their temper after being tortured by Tang Feng. After being defeated time and time again, they no longer dared to argue with Tang Feng. Not only did this person have sharp words, but he also had the home field advantage.  Not an opponent.  They had no choice but to retreat after sighing.

    A diplomatic dispute ended in this way, which relaxed the atmosphere in the court.  But some people still felt that Tang Feng was doing something wrong. For example, a doctor from the Ministry of Rites came out boldly: "Your Majesty, I think that although An Guogong's actions today have the prestige of our Ming Dynasty, they are also a bit arrogant.  Japan, Ryukyu, Korea and other countries all have a deep connection with our Ming Dynasty. Today, Duke An Guo teased them like this and even proposed not to provide them with assistance. I am worried that they will no longer surrender from now on. When the time comes,  I, Ming, will be greatly disgraced."

    Tang Feng couldn't help but shake his head after hearing this. These officials only care about face, but don't pay attention to reality at all. How can the Ming Dynasty be truly strong?  It seems that I have to teach them a lesson today.  So without waiting for others to agree or object, he was the first to retort: ??"Master Yan, what you said is wrong! You keep talking about face, but you don't know that this is the most useless thing. I, Ming Dynasty, even  The past dynasties all paid attention to this point externally, but what benefits did they actually gain? The relationship between countries is not a relationship between two gentlemen. What we want is the greatest benefit. As for the other party¡¯s thoughts, we don¡¯t care at all. Could it be that  If they call us the suzerain country, will Ming Dynasty get any benefits? No, they will not pay us a tael of silver as a tribute. On the contrary, we willGiving them a lot of assistance, is this what we want to see?

    "And once we are weak, they will turn their backs and deny us. What more do we want from such a ungrateful country? As for your worry that they will abandon our Ming Dynasty, it is even more unfounded. As long as I have a Ming Dynasty  If we are strong enough, they will only come to seek refuge with us, and they will not really leave us. And even if they really want to ignore us, when we become stronger, we can also take their land and use it as a colony, which will be more appropriate then.  I am greatly benefited."

    The ministers were speechless for a moment after hearing his groundbreaking diplomatic theory.  Everyone has long believed that to convince people with virtue, all you need is face, but Tang Feng is a person who only seeks profit, which completely subverts everyone's worldview.  But some young people also realized something from it. Real gains are indeed more beneficial to the country than face.

    "Weak countries have no diplomacy. We in the Ming Dynasty want to make the barbarians sincerely join us and not dare to have dissent. What we need is not benevolence and morality, but extraordinary strength." Finally, Tang Feng made his own conclusion.
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