Chapter 941: Imperial Decree for the Royal Family

Latest website: "Your Highness is wise. Take Luzon, for example. The Franks have always been creating conflict between the natives and the Overseas Song People. If we leave these natives to their own devices, there is no guarantee they won't continue to bully the Overseas Song People. We must station troops to supervise them." Zhou Yi nodded repeatedly upon hearing Zhao Xu's explanation.

After a pause, he continued, "Moreover, establishing a Protectorate can also prevent Westerner forces from infiltrating the Southern Region."

Zhao Xu revealed a look of approval. After his criticisms, the horizons of Chang Wei and Zhou Yi were now much broader than before.

They could see deeper issues.

Just as he said, another function of the Protectorate was to protect the Southern Region and resist foreign forces.

The Westerners had been colonizing the Southern Region for so long that they had inevitably cultivated a group of pro-Westerner forces.

He would not allow these people to continue colluding with the Franks.

"Well said. Then, from now on, prepare for the Southern Protectorate. For the time being, it shall be managed by your Marine Corps. First, incorporate Luzon into the Protectorate's scope of supervision," Zhao Xu said.

Like Zhou Yi, he was actually not very reassured by the natives of Luzon.

In this era, Luzon was basically close to a primitive tribal state.

There was no civilization to speak of; it was not even as good as Jiaozhi or Piaoman.

Precisely because of this, the Central Plains dynasties considered themselves the Celestial Empire, believing those around them were nothing but barbarians.

Therefore, if a Protectorate was not set up over their heads, he feared these natives would massacre the Overseas Song People at any moment.

In the contemporary era, such a tragedy had already occurred in a country south of Luzon, namely the Yajia region controlled by the Stedan people.

And this was even with human civilization having entered the twentieth century.

It was these blood debts in history that made him believe that he and the Great Song under his rule did not need to be polite and act like a humble gentleman.

He introduced the Protectorate, firstly to substantively control the Southern Region, and secondly, with the idea of reviving the legacy of the Han and Tang dynasties.

The Book of Han records: "Nanyue killed our Han envoy, so it was slaughtered into nine commanderies."

"The King of Wan killed our Han envoy, so his head was hung at the northern gate."

"Chaoxian killed our Han envoy,"

"and was immediately exterminated."

Those who offend our mighty Han shall be punished, no matter how far away they are!

These records, in just a few words, manifested the supreme prestige of the Great Han.

During the peak of the Great Tang, there was even the heroic feat of a Tang envoy who, after being robbed, borrowed troops to slaughter an entire country.

Today, the Great Song is soaring upward; how could he let people bully the Song People right under his nose?

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhou Yi was excited upon hearing this.

Yan Wang handing the Southern Protectorate to the Navy was a sign of his trust.

After discussing this matter, Zhao Xu further ordered Zhou Yi to dispatch the Marine Corps to take other cities in Luzon, including Cebu and Mian Island in the south, so as to control the entirety of Luzon.

The main force of the Franks and the native armies had been annihilated in this battle; these places could be said to have empty defenses and would not require much time to take.

"There is one more urgent matter. You must immediately dispatch a group of soldiers to take over the rubber plantations in Manila, and then send a Steamship to Lincheng to send a Telegraph back to Yancheng, ordering the Commerce Department to send Merchant Ships to Luzon to transport Rubber," Zhao Xu said, his tone somewhat excited.

After entering the era of the Electric Power Industry, Rubber could be said to be a bottleneck resource for industrial development.

Now that Luzon had been taken, the Great Song's Rubber problem could finally be alleviated.

If they were to also take the rubber plantations in Yajia and Malai, the Great Song's Rubber resources would be very sufficient, or even abundant.

When he was in Yizhou, Yan Wang had once ordered the captured Rubber Tree seeds to be sown.

Now, these seeds had sprouted and grown into seedlings.

Since that event, he had been clear about the importance of Rubber to the Great Song.

In the future, their Warships might also need to use this material for some parts.

So he said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. This subordinate will personally keep an eye on this matter."

As the two were talking, it suddenly became noisy outside.

Before long, Pan Zhang arrived at the Governor's Mansion, followed by a squad of soldiers.

A middle-aged man with a dark complexion and a feathered hat was being escorted by two soldiers.

Catching sight of this scene, Zhao Xu and Zhou Yi came down from the third floor.

"Your Highness, this is the King of Manila, Baduge," Pan Zhang said.

"Saguleya..." Upon seeing Zhao Xu, Baduge was full of terror, his mouth babbling something incessantly.

Zhou Yi frowned and looked at a Song Person beside Baduge, asking, "What is he saying?"

This Song Person was the very one who had translated for Ferrero.

He hurriedly and respectfully said, "He says he begs Your Highness to spare him, and he will definitely serve the Great Song people just as he served the Franks."

"Hmph, is he worthy?" Pan Zhang sneered. "Your Highness, this subordinate has investigated clearly. This King of Manila was supported by the Franks and his position is illegitimate. His lineage was originally nothing more than a general under the Manila royal family; he only has today because he colluded with the Franks to usurp the throne."

After a pause, he continued, "Moreover, during his time as king, he cooperated with the Franks in doing many evil deeds."

"So that's how it is. Then this matter is easy. Does the former royal bloodline of Luzon still exist?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Yes, he is it," Pan Zhang suddenly pointed to the translator beside him.

Zhao Xu and Zhou Yi were both surprised.

"What is going on here?" Zhou Yi was puzzled.

Pan Zhang said: "The Franks were also uneasy about the king they supported, so they left behind a branch of the royal bloodline as a check and balance. To prevent this royal bloodline from being killed, they were kept in the Governor's Mansion as servants."

"But isn't he a Song Person?" Zhao Xu said.

At first glance, this person's appearance was similar to that of a Song Person, so he had assumed he was one.

"He is not a legitimate son of the royal family, but born of a concubine. His mother was a Song Person. Precisely because of this, he knows both the Frankish language, the Luzon language, and the Great Song language. It is also for this reason that Ferrero called upon him whenever he needed a translator," Pan Zhang said.

Zhao Xu nodded slowly, looked at the translator who had been keeping his head down, and smiled. "What is your name?"

"Bate'er," the young man said cautiously.

"From today on, you are the King of Manila. Your royal status is restored," Zhao Xu said sternly.

Bate'er was completely stunned, almost unable to believe his own ears.

If it were anyone else, he would naturally think this was nonsense.

But this person was the Yan Wang of Great Song, and the fate of Luzon lay solely in his palm.

"But my father is still alive, and my three older brothers are the legitimate heirs..." Bate'er hesitated.

"I have already said it; you are the King of Manila. How to deal with your father and your brothers is your business from now on. Of course, if you lack confidence, I will consider them instead," Zhao Xu said indifferently.

"I have confidence, but why did Your Highness choose me?" Bate'er said hurriedly.

Because his mother was a Song Person, his and his mother's life at home was not pleasant, and they were frequently scolded and beaten by his father.

They treated the mother and son as nothing more than slaves.

"Do not overthink it. I do not know you, nor am I clear on your abilities; it is only because of that bit of Great Song bloodline in you. As for whether you can handle the position, that remains to be seen by your performance," Zhao Xu said. "Now, let us first discuss what you should do under the Dongtu system of Great Song after you become king."