The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 321 The Situation in the Southwest

Soon Zhu Xiong Ying began to discuss how to deal with the chieftains in the southwest. The best way was to use economic means. It would not be easy to completely subdue these tribes in the deep mountains and forests. If they were really pushed to the brink, they would simply retreat into the deep mountains and forests. Taking them down would not be such an easy task.

At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly remembered someone: Bo Ya Lun Hai Bie.

Bo Yalunhai had previously visited the southwest and met with the King of Liang. This matter could be used as an opportunity to scheme against the King of Liang.

After everyone finished eating, Zhu Xiong Ying summoned Xi Ping Hou Mu Ying alone.

When Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping saw Zhu Xiong Ying's appearance, he was extremely puzzled. Could it be that the Crown Prince had some other arrangements?

At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Mu Ying in front of him and said with a smile.

"Uncle Mu Ying, there's no need to rush. I've called you here to discuss matters in the Southwest. I'm planning to add a powerful army to the Southwest, as our control over the region isn't particularly secure yet!"

"Therefore, I am thinking of continuing to send an army to be stationed in the southwest region, just in case!"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping smiled and nodded.

"If we can further strengthen our troops, I am confident that we can defend the southwest region and completely eliminate the threat of these chieftains!"

In his view, the imperial court did not pay much attention to the southwest region, but thinking about it, that was normal; the Central Plains was where they were truly concerned.

My first commander was his greatest enemy, which was understandable in itself. However, under Zhu Xiong Ying's leadership, both the northern enemies and the internal enemies have been dealt with, and there is basically no need for any trouble. It is now more suitable to manage the southwest region, especially since he heard that the other generals have won many battles and even conquered Goryeo and Japan. He believes that his abilities are no less than the others, so he naturally needs to treat them well.

At this moment...

Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"Since we are going to manage the Southwest region, we will need to invest a lot of manpower. I plan to transfer a group of people from the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy to accompany you to the Southwest!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Ying was extremely surprised. Although Zhu Xiong Ying wanted to support his development in the southwest, it was unnecessary to recruit people from the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy. These were places where the country had a talent pool. If all the talents from these places were taken away, it would probably be detrimental to the court.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but there is absolutely no need. These are all highly respected scholars. If I were to take them all away, I'm afraid the court would have a hard time freeing up manpower within six months!"

“Everywhere needs talent right now, and it wouldn’t be good if I took them all away.”

Hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying was extremely satisfied. As expected, he was the person Zhu Yuanzhang valued most, guarding the southwest region. He was considering the entire Ming Dynasty, not just his own small territory.

However, considering that these were Zhu Xiong Ying's own ideas, those scholars, especially some old pedants, could only hold onto the Four Books and Five Classics to read. Although many people had accepted the new imperial examination system he had established, these people were still unwilling to accept it and even opposed it in a roundabout way, which gave him a great headache. In any case, these people were still considered scholars, and their status in the hearts of scholars across the country was still quite good.

Moreover, they hadn't made any major mistakes; they simply had different ideas from his. So he planned to simply transfer these people away, especially since the people in the Northeast and many parts of the Southwest were still uncivilized. He would send them directly to educate the local people.

Confucianism still has considerable use in assimilation, which can be considered making the best use of its resources.

Did Mu Ying suddenly realize something after Zhu Xiong Ying revealed this? Although he was very envious of Zhu Xiong Ying's new imperial examination system, he knew very well what was going on.

These things are not something I can use for the time being. Although they can make the southwest region stronger, a stronger southwest region now would only allow the power of those chieftains to grow. It would be better to assimilate them first and make them more aligned with the Ming Dynasty before making any other plans.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Xiong Ying said.

"I've heard that there are quite a few mountain products in the southwest region, and many of them are high-quality. That must be true, right?"

Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping was stunned when he heard this.

"That's true. There are many rare and precious items among the mountain products of the Southwest region. The Southwest is full of mountains, which means they have many things that we in the mainland don't have. They often dig up things and let passing merchants sell them. Unfortunately, the merchants offer very low prices, so they can't get a good price at all!"

Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"We plan to renovate the roads connecting the Central Plains to the southwest, and add more post stations in the process!"

"We could even set up a team specifically to manage these matters. If the imperial court were to establish and manage these caravans, do you think they could make some money?"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping hurriedly nodded. This time, he had also brought a lot of good things for Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. These good things were very common in the local area, but they could be sold for a good price in these places. If they hadn't come lightly and couldn't bring much, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping would probably have brought some more to exchange for more military funds.

He was very excited at this moment and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, if these places could be entrusted to me for management..."

At least the military budget for the southwest region is no longer a concern.

Moreover, the imperial court could also take this opportunity to gain a considerable amount of revenue.

However, these trade routes and goods are controlled by the chieftains in the southwest. If we do this, they will probably earn less money, and I worry that they will cause trouble.

Hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said, "I'm not afraid of them causing trouble, I'm just afraid they won't do anything at all."

We should indeed adopt a more conciliatory approach towards those chieftains.

Not all policies are conciliatory.

Some people cause trouble, so they should be made an example of.

You have absolute decision-making power in this matter.

If any chieftains in the southwest rebel or harm the interests of our Great Ming, you may act first and report later.

Upon hearing this, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Zhu Xiong to grant him such great power.

(End of this chapter)