Chapter 347

Zhu Yijun had not expected at all that the business of the Yanxinglou Exchange could be so hot, far exceeding the Emperor's expectations. Moreover, those who got their hands on the ship vouchers all gripped them tightly, holding their positions and observing, not intending to sell at all. That's right, apart from the subscription, these wealthy households could not possibly take out the vouchers for trading, making it quite difficult for Yanxinglou to collect its share.

As the Emperor, as Zhang Juzheng's disciple, he reflected on the problems in the system design for the first time. Finally, he discovered that it was his own problem. The number of ship vouchers currently on the market was really too small. Holding them in hand, whether waiting for a price increase or waiting for dividends, was a steady and profitable business. Why sell?

"Longjiang, Songjiang, Mizhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou—the five major shipyards of Great Ming. The craftsmen are working overtime day and night. They have to expand production and maintain production, and they have already reached their limit. I can squeeze out at most thirty three-masted clippers a month to issue ship vouchers, which is far from enough. At the Quanchu Guild Hall, the Doctor of Physical Sciences Zhang Siwen reminded me, telling me that this scale of ship vouchers is simply not enough to support trading." Zhu Yijun's fingers tapped continuously on the table.

Zhang Siwen also participated in this closed-door meeting at the Quanchu Guild Hall. At that time, Zhang Siwen stated that such a small number of ship vouchers could not mathematically support trading. At that time, everyone including Zhu Yijun and Zhang Juzheng, even with the most optimistic estimate, could burn high incense if these fifty three-masted and five five-masted ships could be subscribed within a month.

Practice proved that these fifty-five ships did not even last a day.

"Where exactly is the problem?" Zhu Yijun's fingers tapped faster and faster. He suddenly stopped his fingers, looked at Feng Bao, and said incredulously: "Why do they believe in me so much? Aren't they afraid that I will cheat them?"

The proprietor behind Yanxinglou had eyes reaching the heavens. It was either the Senior Grand Secretary and Grand Tutor of the Quanchu Guild Hall or Zhu Yijun, the ruler of Great Ming living in the Western Garden. Zhu Yijun and Zhang Juzheng seriously underestimated the credibility of the two of them in the capital and in the world, which was why they judged that these fifty-five ships would take a month to finish subscription.

"Your Majesty, in fact, although these lowly scholars scold fiercely, Your Majesty keeps his word as a gentleman. The lowly scholars know this very well in their hearts. Even the Westerners know that Your Majesty values credibility and keeps promises." Feng Bao finally understood the key to the problem, flattered him, and also stated a basic fact, which was credibility.

When a country loses its great credibility, the hearts of the people become suspicious.

The credibility of the imperial dynasty is not concrete, not objective, and even illusory, but it truly exists. Great Ming Emperor Zhu Yijun never breaks his word. The only time he broke his word was the three-way restraint of the Tax Audit Bureau. After Zhang Juzheng returned to the court, the Emperor immediately issued an edict that the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau of Investigation, the Censorate's Provincial Governors, the Investigating Censors, the Censors, and the Surveillance Commission could participate in it.

When Zhang Juzheng was not in the court, let alone His Majesty not trusting the scholars, even the scholars themselves did not trust themselves. Everyone knew what kind of goods everyone else was. His Majesty had not yet married at that time. With the adults not at home, a child first considered self-preservation, which was understandable.

Zhang Juzheng returned to the court, and everything returned to the right track. Everyone opened their eyes. His Majesty's broken word was only a performance when he was young and immature. After His Majesty married and took personal control of the government, he did what he said. His Majesty's credibility was truly very firm, hard as iron.

Promises need to be fulfilled.

"I didn't expect them to believe in me so much. No, I have to cheat them!" Zhu Yijun raised his eyebrows and said happily.

Feng Bao opened a memorial and placed it before His Majesty, smiling and saying: "Your Majesty, they believe that Your Majesty can lead them to make money. After all, Your Majesty never asks the outer court for silver. You truly have a way to generate wealth."

On this point, all the civil and military officials in the court were very certain. His Majesty truly had a way to generate wealth. His Majesty's attainment in gathering wealth was truly at the level of an earthly immortal. The Great Ming national treasury no longer begging the inner treasury for food was Zhang Juzheng's credit. That the inner treasury did not beg the national treasury for food was because the inner treasury had more money than the national treasury.

The situation of the national treasury and the inner treasury begging each other for food was gone forever.

"This can only be done by slowly expanding production." Zhu Yijun actually had no good way. After thinking for a long time, there was only slowly expanding production. Only then would this exchange have enough ship vouchers to trade and circulate.

This was the reason why the wealthy households believed in the Emperor. When the Great Ming Emperor encountered this problem, the first thing he thought about was expanding production, and then issuing more ship vouchers, rather than directly letting the Ministry of Revenue's Treasure Note Bureau open up and print them, printing as many as they could sell, cheating as much as they could. His Majesty was always very conservative in such matters, preferring to have a price but no market rather than engaging in fraud.

Zhu Yijun clearly wanted to cheat them, but still refused to issue vouchers indiscriminately. This was the source of His Majesty's credibility.

Of course, this had a lot to do with the very healthy national treasury. It was not poor to the point of having to drain the pond to catch all the fish, so it could sustainably drain the pond to catch the fish.

Zhu Yijun was reviewing memorials in the Western Garden. Under the Law of Merit Assessment, the Great Ming Empire's bureaucratic machine also exposed many problems. After more than seven years of repairs and patches, it was operating very steadily and with extremely high efficiency. Although it was ten thousand miles away, it was carried out from morning to evening, and the political system was solemn because of it.

The imperial court finally looked a bit like an imperial court. This was Zhang Juzheng's credit. He always concurrently held the position of Minister of Personnel. This was also the reason why Wan Shihe could reach his hand into the Ministry of Rites every day. Wan Shihe really did not need to worry too much about the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.

At this time, the Minister of Justice Wang Chonggu was hosting a banquet at the Quanjin Guild Hall. The Quanjin Guild Hall was exceptionally lively today. Those Shanxi merchants had all come to the guild hall to send their filial piety.

The former party leader Ge Shouli set the rules that the annual ice gifts and charcoal gifts were halved. Wang Chonggu did not change this rule after becoming the party leader. Look, summer was coming, and it was time to send ice gifts again. This time, the Shanxi merchants all came to send ice gifts. 500 taels per family was enough for the expenses of the Quanjin Guild Hall.

Of course, such a small amount of filial piety could not express the gratitude of the Shanxi merchants toward Wang Chonggu.

A Shanxi merchant stood up, held up his wine glass, and said loudly: "It's still our Assistant Grand Secretary Wang. Just a little bit of news leaking from his fingers is enough for us to eat and drink our fill, and it's big fish and big meat. We Shanxi merchants can have today, all thanks to the great kindness and virtue of Assistant Grand Secretary Wang!"

"A toast to Assistant Grand Secretary Wang!"

"A toast to Assistant Grand Secretary Wang!"

The Shanxi merchants present all stood up, held their wine glasses high, and after drinking in one gulp, they turned them over to show that the wine was finished.

This time, the Shanxi merchants received the news in advance. Because the Shanxi merchants were prepared, they ate their fill. If it weren't for those bastards from Xitucheng coming over to grab, the ship vouchers of the exchange could have been wrapped up by them.

Wang Chonggu sat at the head table. He stood up, looked around, and said with a frown: "Doing business is doing business. What's the meaning of coming to blows in the exchange?! If there is any private fighting in the future, don't blame me, Wang Chonggu, for turning my face and not recognizing people. Harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth. If it weren't for the fact that the Shun Tian Prefecture Assistant was patrolling nearby with yamen runners today, if a human life case had occurred, none of you would have been able to run!"

Wang Chonggu was very dissatisfied with the fighting incident that happened at Yanxinglou today. The merchants who traveled outside the Great Wall were none of them good people. They all came from blood and went through blood. Outside the Great Wall, horse bandits, Northern Tatars, other merchants, and white-haired winds were all dangerous. Everyone was incredibly fierce. When grabbing money, naturally, they used fists and feet.

It was fortunate that it was the capital and no one carried lethal weapons. Otherwise, Wang Chonggu would definitely have run to the Western Garden to plead guilty.

"Assistant Grand Secretary Wang's lesson is correct. I was the first to make a move today. I punish myself with three cups. Assistant Grand Secretary Wang, please calm your anger, please calm your anger." A merchant stood up and apologized repeatedly. Wang Chonggu had reminded them more than once to keep their tails tucked in the capital. This time, if the other party hadn't made a move first, they wouldn't have fought.

Wang Qian looked at this scene and said sarcastically: "Hmph, before, when Father took the silver out of the spun wool business, you all complained, always feeling that Father made you earn less money. Why, stopping you from jumping into the Tonghui River was also Father's fault?"

"Now you are all full of flattery. Why don't you complain about my father anymore?"

Wang Qian was burning with anger in his heart. When Wang Chonggu took out that 10 million silver and gave it to the Emperor as life-saving money, the Shanxi merchants had bigger tempers than anyone. Now they were as obedient as quails. Wang Qian naturally wanted to take this opportunity to put this matter on the table.

"Son, remember, cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents. Your father cut off everyone's path to wealth. Don't they see me as a sworn enemy? Sigh." Wang Chonggu smiled without warmth. It seemed like self-mockery, but in reality, it was teasing these Shanxi merchants who had different attitudes before and after.

"Assistant Grand Secretary Wang, you speak too seriously, too seriously! From now on, we will naturally follow the Assistant Grand Secretary's lead! Absolutely no two words! We punish ourselves with three cups!" The merchants looked at each other. It was fortunate that they were all their own people, all merchants under the Quanjin Guild Hall. Wang Chonggu was just lecturing them. If they weren't their own people, Wang Chonggu's methods would truly be killing without seeing blood.

"Those dozens of people who jumped into the Tonghui River were all old acquaintances. And that Chen Laosi, he was a wealthy merchant competing with us Shanxi people for the tea business. We fought for more than ten years. He suddenly jumped into the Tonghui River. It really makes people sigh. It's still Assistant Grand Secretary Wang who sees clearly, sees clearly." A merchant said with a bit of rabbit dying and fox grieving.

The spun wool business leading to dozens of people jumping into the Tonghui River was a big event, and the ship vouchers were also a big event. After these two big events, all the slight complaints and doubts everyone had about Wang Chonggu completely vanished. In their hearts, they were only grateful!

Following Assistant Grand Secretary Wang, there is meat to eat!

"Alright, say less nice words. Just don't complain so much in the future."

"Today, I announce one thing. Shanxi children, regardless of noble or lowly, can all study at the Quanjin Guild Hall's family school. Last year's surplus of the Quanjin Guild Hall was all used to expand the family school. In the future, you can all send your children here to read more books, so as not to be mocked by others that we Shanxi merchants are a group of savage men who don't know the rites." Wang Chonggu waved his hand and continued: "You eat well and drink well. I have things to do. If you cause trouble after drinking, you will be sent to the Ministry of Justice prison. You'll be honest after being locked up for a few days!"

The Shanxi merchants bowed again and said in unison: "See off Assistant Grand Secretary Wang!"

This fighting incident really couldn't be blamed on the Shanxi merchants. The Shanxi merchants were queuing, but those wealthy households from Xitucheng insisted on cutting the line, pushing and shoving, cursing and swearing, saying that the Shanxi merchants were a group of country bumpkins who didn't know the rites. It was only after this back and forth that they fought, so Wang Chonggu didn't blame them excessively.

Wang Chonggu hummed a little tune and returned to the backyard. Clearly, he was in a very good mood. He sat in the Wenxing Pavilion, holding a cup of tea, shaking his head and taking a sip.

"Father, in a very good mood?" Wang Qian leaned over with a full face of smiles.

"This errand this time, I consider myself to have handled it well. First, the imperial court needs a large amount of silver to open the seas, just like a bottomless pit, no matter how much you fill it, it won't be full. Second, the Shanxi merchants, through these two matters, finally became honest, and their silver was taken out, which can be considered doing things for the country. In the future, even if His Majesty really wants to deal with us, he has to remember this sentiment, right? Third, it's myself." Wang Chonggu was indeed in a good mood.

"Father also made money on this matter?" Wang Qian frowned, full of doubt.

Wang Chonggu slapped Wang Qian on the shoulder, making Wang Qian wince. Wang Chonggu then said angrily: "Bah! Thinking about money every day! Our family's money, even if you spend it for ten lifetimes, you won't be able to spend it all! No matter how much you spend, you won't earn as fast as your old man. Does your old man have to keep grabbing silver into his own pocket when handling matters?"

"What a lack of ambition!"

"Father's lesson is correct, but Father also said himself, the third is himself. What does this mean?" Wang Qian rubbed his shoulder. His father was right. His family's money, even if he spent it for ten lifetimes, he wouldn't be able to spend it all. As the second wealthiest young master in the capital, Wang Qian's spending was not just extravagant, it was debauched. But the money he spent was just a fraction of what his father earned.

Wang Chonggu thought for a moment and asked: "Do you know what is the smelliest thing I have smelled in my life?"

"Ah?" Wang Qian widened his eyes. The smelliest things in the world turned around in Wang Qian's mind. He shook his head and asked: "What is it?"

Wang Chonggu put down the teacup, looked at the sky outside the window, his eyes narrowed slightly, and said slightly distractedly: "It is that rotting and stinking youthful spirit."

"Ah?!" Wang Qian was stunned.

Wang Chonggu leaned on the back of the chair and said leisurely: "The spring breeze is proud, the horse's hooves are fast, looking at all the flowers in Chang'an in one day. This is Meng Jiao's 'After Passing the Imperial Examination'. He passed the imperial examination in the 12th year of Zhenyuan and wrote this seven-character quatrain. Just this poem, how many people's epitome is it throughout the ages? No one, after passing the imperial examination and just becoming a successful candidate, thinks about being a treacherous official, a sycophantic official, or a thieving official. Everyone is full of lofty ambitions to cultivate themselves, regulate their families, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Everyone is full of youthful spirit to govern the state and bring peace to the nation."

"Alas, alas."

Wang Chonggu said two "alas" in succession. He thought of Yang Bo, who had died five years ago. When Yang Bo finally left the imperial court, he carried a question from His Majesty: Was Yang Bo a gentleman or a villain? Yang Bo himself could not answer this question. Perhaps before he died, when Yang Bo was having a moment of clarity, he was still thinking about this question. Looking back on his life, what kind of appearance had he lived into?

Neither loyal to the imperial dynasty, nor loyal to the monarch, and even less loyal to his own heart, not loyal to the sages' books in his heart, the literature in his heart, the benevolence and virtue in his heart, and the principles of all things in his heart.

If the youthful Wang Chonggu had known that he would be in this state when he was old, he would have been heartbroken, regretful, and wished he could kill himself. In the end, he had lived into that appearance that he extremely hated and found disgusting. Wang Chonggu felt that the smelliest thing was his own rotting and stinking youthful spirit, his youthful ambition.

"Not anymore!" Wang Chonggu clapped his hands and said happily: "Oh my, your father has thought about it carefully. The things your father has done since the Wanli period are both loyal to His Majesty, loyal to the imperial court, and even more loyal to myself!"

After being kicked out of the Zhao Wenhua Hall by Zhang Juzheng in the first year of Wanli, Wang Chonggu did many things: settled 190,000 displaced tenant farmers, filled the holes in the Xuan-Da Great Wall, established the Yongding Wool Official Factory, the Xishan Coal Bureau, supervised the construction of the Great Project to repair the central axis of the Imperial Palace, the Royal Academy of Physical Sciences, pagodas, the Lecture Hall, practiced his political promises to settle the vagrant memorial, presided over the affairs of the supervisory officials, gave successful candidates and scholars opportunities to practice, and the recent matters, repaired a new cornucopia for His Majesty.

The key is that this new cornucopia is also of great benefit to the Great Ming's opening of the seas. Great Ming has some internal contradictions that cannot be relieved, so it can only relieve pressure externally. And opening the seas requires a large amount of silver. Relying solely on the imperial court, opening the seas would just be a reflection in the mirror, but tying everyone to the chariot of opening the seas makes it a great plan for the country.

Wang Chonggu said with a full smile: "Very good, very good. As the old saying goes, judge by actions, not by heart; if you judge by heart, there is no perfect person. No matter why I did these things, I still did them, right? In the future, when the Spring and Autumn Annals judge, I, Wang Chonggu, can also mix in a bit of praise and blame, instead of being nailed to the pillar of shame as a treacherous official, to be spat upon by people for generations."

"Father, why don't I have any youthful spirit?" Wang Qian thought for a long time and found that he had never had any great ambition to bring peace to the world.

"Blame your father. You have never worried about food and clothing since you were young, and you haven't suffered any hardships. It's also good not to have any ambition. After your father is gone, you just hand over our family's silver to His Majesty. His Majesty, he values credibility and keeps promises. Just hand over the silver to His Majesty. Just the dividends are enough for you to be carefree and happy for a lifetime." Wang Chonggu glanced at Wang Qian and said without much concern.

Wang Chonggu was actually afraid that Wang Qian would develop ambitions he shouldn't have. If he was stable, the family's silver would be enough for him to toss and turn. After all, His Majesty had to look at his achievements and give Wang Qian some preferential treatment. If Wang Qian thought about carrying forward their family and making it bigger and stronger, that would be ruining things.

"Father, our Great Ming merchant ships all carry firearms. Will this form an obstacle to maritime trade?" Wang Qian raised his own question. He found it very strange. The fifty-five ships Great Ming subscribed to this time were all armed merchant ships. Carrying weapons to trade—would the overseas foreign states be willing to trade honestly?

Wang Chonggu thought for a moment before shaking his head and saying: "Great Ming, it's not that we want them to like us; it's that we want them to fear us."

The mission of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean was to proclaim the Son of Heaven's edicts, and if they did not submit, intimidate them with force.

Intimidating those who do not submit with force—this was Zheng He's mission. He went to proclaim the national prestige. This also fit Great Ming's attitude toward overseas foreign states. It's not that we want them to like us—they won't like us anyway—it's that we want them to fear us. Only when they fear us can Great Ming get what it wants.

Great Ming possesses a commodity advantage, so they have to trade with Great Ming. If they are unwilling, then kick open the door in the name of free trade and continue trade exchanges. Using trade means to plunder the wealth of the world is one of the means to relieve internal contradictions externally.

"Father's words are very pertinent!" Wang Qian thought about it, and this was the logic. Great Ming was never meant to be liked. As the Celestial Empire, these overseas foreign states had no reason to like Great Ming at all. Just like when the Romans existed, the Westerners always tried every possible way to break through Rome, and after Rome disappeared, they jumped out one by one, claiming that they were the real Rome.

"Father, Andahan and Tumanhan seem to have started fighting." Wang Qian placed a letter from outside the Great Wall on the table. This was a letter sent to the imperial court by Sanniangzi. Andahan now did not dare to provoke Great Ming much. Picking the soft persimmon, Andahan's military edge pointed at Tumanhan.

Wang Chonggu finished reading the letter, stood up abruptly, and said: "I'm going into the palace. Don't wait for me. You go to the Quanjin Guild Hall and hand this letter to the Senior Grand Secretary, then go to the Quanzhe Guild Hall and inform the Minister of War."

Wang Chonggu immediately got up. Today was the day to send ice gifts, but the party leaders of the three main guild halls in the capital, upon learning of the infighting among the Northern Tatars, immediately entered the palace. Great Ming had been waiting for Andahan and Tumanhan to start fighting.

"Your ministers pay respects to Your Majesty. Is Your Majesty's holy body at peace?" When Zhang Juzheng arrived at the Zhao Wenhua Hall, the Great Ming court officials had all arrived. Naturally, they had received the news. This was an emergency court meeting.

"Exempt from courtesy, exempt from courtesy." Zhu Yijun waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for excessive courtesy. After he sat down, he passed down Sanniangzi's letter, looked around, and said: "Lady Zhongshun has sent a letter. Andahan is advancing like a hot knife through butter, and Tumanhan can only resist desperately."

"The timing of Andahan launching the attack is very clever. It's not summer, and it's not autumn, but the transition between spring and summer." Qi Jiguang finished reading Sanniangzi's letter and had to say that Andahan, this guy, was worthy of being the Tatar king who had troubled Great Ming for twenty-five years. His military talent was indeed very excellent. The timing of the war was at the transition between spring and summer.

Summer on the grasslands comes later than in the capital. This season is exactly when lambs are being born. Andahan launching an attack at this time is pushing Tumanhan with strength. Tumanhan just escaped death, escaping from the Great Xianbei Mountain pass from Great Ming's hands. If he had another year to gain a firm foothold, Andahan would have to pay a greater price.

Now, this timing is just right.

"General Qi, how long do you think Tumanhan can hold out?" Zhu Yijun did not think highly of Tumanhan. Tumanhan was newly defeated, his morale was weak, and his strength was insufficient. At the same time, the timing chosen by Andahan was indeed just right.

"Tumanhan can hold out for a long time." Qi Jiguang frowned and said: "Your Majesty, Tuman is, after all, surnamed Borjigin and is the suzerain Great Khan of the Northern Tatars. And in this battle, Andahan can only win quickly. Once he cannot win quickly, Tumanhan can hold out for this year, and Andahan will have no way to deal with Tumanhan. This is also the reason why Andahan chose this time to attack."

"Andahan is a traitor to the grasslands."

Qi Jiguang was talking about how the hearts of the people determine success or failure. Andahan and Tumanhan are both surnamed Borjigin and are both of the Golden Family, and Tuman is the suzerain Great Khan, while Andahan is a traitor to the grasslands. Andahan even stopped believing in Eternal Heaven and converted to Buddhism. Under this situation of the hearts of the people, if Tumanhan is allowed to drag it out, this will be a war of attrition.

"General Qi, do you think we should help Tumanhan or Andahan?" Zhu Yijun thought for a moment. In terms of military talent, compared to believing in himself, Zhu Yijun trusted Qi Jiguang more. In the military field, Qi Jiguang's judgment was much more accurate than Zhu Yijun's.

Zhu Yijun had self-knowledge about his own military talent.

Qi Jiguang looked at the terrain map, looked at it for a long time, and said: "Help Tumanhan. Help him hold out through this most difficult period. As long as it drags on until autumn, Andahan will never be able to win again. By that time, Great Ming can act as the referee. Whether we let Tumanhan win or Andahan win, it does not conform to Great Ming's interests. Only when they fight to the death can Great Ming fish in troubled waters and reap the fisherman's profit."

"Good." Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng and asked: "What does the Grand Secretary think?"

"Your Majesty, your minister does not understand military affairs..." Zhang Juzheng looked at the Great Ming Emperor and said very sincerely. In terms of military talent, Zhang Juzheng and His Majesty were at the same level, almost zero. Making hindsight comments was fine, but letting him judge the direction of the war from the complex situation was something he truly could not do. Strategically, he agreed with Qi Jiguang's statement.

Let them fight. The more lively they fight, the better. Fight to the death, and Great Ming can act as the referee, can adjudicate the grievances and hatreds between them, and can reap the fisherman's profit.

Anyway, Great Ming's cavalry had not yet formed combat effectiveness, and continuing to fight outside the Great Wall was unrealistic. It was better to stand by and watch, holding a grass stick to fight crickets.

"I agree with General Qi." Yu Dayou thought about it and chose to agree with Qi Jiguang's judgment. Andahan really could beat Tumanhan to death. If Andahan really won, Great Ming wanting to recover the Ordos Loop would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"Your minister seconds the motion." Tan Lun also believed that they should help Tumanhan. Dogs biting dogs, a mouthful of hair. Let them tear each other apart. Neither of them being able to win is the key.

"Is Tumanhan's son, Buyan, still in the capital?" Zhu Yijun looked at the Minister of Rites Ma Ziqiang. Buyan had been in the capital for half a year and had never had the opportunity to have an audience with the Emperor. Buyan came to seek peace.

Ma Ziqiang immediately said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Buyan is indeed living in the Four Foreigners' Hall. He is still clamoring today that he wants to have an audience."

"Good, let him have an audience today." Zhu Yijun immediately gave instructions. Tumanhan was being beaten, and the Great Ming Emperor was finally willing to meet Tumanhan's envoy.

As for how to help Tumanhan, we will see what Tumanhan needs. Great Ming can provide help, but this help is definitely not free.

"Minister Wan, how is the compilation of the 'Record of Overseas Foreign States' going? If one volume is compiled, give me one volume to read." Zhu Yijun was still very concerned about the 'Record of Overseas Foreign States'. Wan Shihe had been presiding over the compilation for more than half a year, and before that, he had been formulating the standards for compilation.

Wan Shihe thought for a moment and took out two volumes from his bosom. While waiting for Buyan, Zhu Yijun briefly flipped through these two volumes of records. Wan Shihe, this scholar, was worthy of being a scholar.

Wan Shihe compiled two volumes. The first volume was Annam, and the second volume was Luzon. According to Wan Shihe, these two places had been the inherent territory of Great Ming since ancient times.

According to Wan Shihe, Annam and Luzon were both descendants of the Central Plains, having migrated to Annam and Luzon due to war.

Since the people were Central Plains people, the territory was naturally the inherent territory of the Central Plains dynasty.

Wan Shihe was defining the history of overseas foreign states. Anyway, they did not have their own historical records. Great Ming could write them however it wanted.

"Minister Wan has put his heart into it." Zhu Yijun was very satisfied with the compilation standards of the 'Record of Overseas Foreign States'. Regardless, let's shout out the claim first.

"Your Majesty, Buyan is waiting outside the hall." A small eunuch walked in and reported respectfully.

Defining history is defining the present. Begging for monthly tickets, Awoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(End of chapter)