Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 388: Ming Dynasty can also have takeout, on the conquest of the Western Regions [Please subscribe]

Compared to the Zhu family who watched "Reverse Life" for the first time, Liu Kuan, who had watched it three times, was not so depressed.

After hearing Zhu Yunhuan's question, he said, "Of course it's because people need it. In later generations, many people working in big cities are too busy to go home to cook, or even go to restaurants to eat, so they order food online and have it delivered by delivery riders."

"This not only saves them some time for eating, but also gives the delivery rider an order, which is a double benefit."

"If you look deeper, it's actually the result of the further refinement of social division of labor after a highly developed society."

After listening to Liu Kuan's talk, Zhu Yunhuan and some other princes and grandchildren who were studying in the Great Hall began to think habitually.

Zhu Yunhuan was Zhu Biao's third son, also born to Chang. According to the customs of the Ming Dynasty, he was twelve years old this year.

He studied at the Daben Hall for six or seven years. Not only did he learn a lot of natural science knowledge from Liu Kuan, he also got used to thinking about problems according to Liu Kuan's guidance.

Although Zhu Yunhuan was less talented than Zhu Xiongying, Liu Kuan had explained the problem clearly just now, and he understood it after a little thought.

At this moment, Zhu Biao thought of the various accidents and problems encountered by the protagonist in the movie while delivering food, and couldn't help but sigh: "Delivering food in the future may seem easy, but making more money is not easy."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought differently. "What's so difficult about it? If a rider has been in a city for a long time and is familiar with the routes and the homes of the people, delivering food will be very simple."

"Otherwise, why did the previous video call it one of the jobs with low barriers to entry in the future?"

Zhu Tan, who had traveled extensively in the Ming Dynasty over the past two years on his errand, said, "Actually, quite a few people in the Ming Dynasty also order takeout. In major cities like the capital, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, there are now numerous restaurants and eateries, and there are also many wealthy families."

"Some wealthy families want to eat at a certain restaurant, but don't want to go there themselves. They'll have their servants go there and order the food, and then have the servants bring it back, or have the restaurant's waiters deliver it."

"I heard that in the old days of the Zhao Song Dynasty, in the city of Bianliang, there were errand runners who specialized in delivering food and wine to wealthy families, and they could make a living from this."

"As the Ming Dynasty continues to develop, even if the prosperity of our cities cannot reach that of later generations, we will certainly surpass the Zhao and Song dynasties."

Afterwards, the Zhu family discussed other aspects of the movie before giving up.

"Just like before, all the princes over twelve years old, including Xiongying and Liu Kuan, please come with me to the side hall for a chat." Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and said.

"Yes."

Zhu Biao, Liu Kuan and others responded and followed Zhu Yuanzhang to the side hall.

Zhu Huilan picked up her tablet and, at the request of the concubines and princesses, played a video of a martial arts hit song from the past for them to watch...

The side hall was arranged the same as it was at this time last year.

After everyone was seated, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We have already made arrangements for the affairs of Gaori and Riguo. We are just waiting for the right time to come. In order to completely bring these two places under the rule of our Ming Dynasty, there is no need to be too anxious."

"The Western Regions, on the other hand, have been part of China since the Han and Tang dynasties. Since the end of the Tang dynasty, they have been separated from the Central Plains dynasty for hundreds of years. Barbarian influences have flourished, and the Han people of the past have long since become barbarians."

"Now that our Ming Dynasty is at its peak of power and prestige, it's time to reclaim the Western Regions and restore the rule of the monarchy to all its tribes."

"Tell me, how should we take this Western Region?"

A more detailed map of the Western Regions was hung on the screen in the hall, and all the princes looked at it at once.

In fact, these princes knew that Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao must have already made a plan on how to take over the Western Regions. Now Zhu Yuanzhang asked them just to train their thinking in handling state affairs and test them.

While the others were still pondering, Zhu Tan, relying on his quick wit, spoke first: "Father, I believe the best strategy for taking the Western Regions is to force them to surrender."

Zhu Yuanzhang said expressionlessly, "Please elaborate."

Zhu Tan said, "As far as I know, since the Ming Dynasty reformed industry and commerce and attached importance to trade, many merchants have gone to the Eastern Chagatai Khanate to do business."

"About four or five years ago, while my father was implementing the 'replacing rice with mulberry' policy in Japan, he also instructed Guangmingwei to guide merchants to persuade the people of Japan to plant more cotton."

"Now that the policy of 'switching rice to mulberry trees' is showing considerable success in Japan, I imagine the similar policy of 'switching wheat to cotton' in the Western Regions is also making considerable progress."

"If that's the case, Eastern Chagatai will probably rely more on the Ming Dynasty and the various Central Asian powers for food."

"Furthermore, I also know that the imperial court has repeatedly sold swords, armor, and other equipment that were replaced by the garrison troops to Eastern Chagatai, causing that country to rely heavily on our Ming for its military equipment."

"In this situation, I believe that as long as your father issues an imperial decree, the Black Khan of Eastern Chagatai will obediently submit a petition for submission, regardless of whether he is willing or not."

After Zhu Tan finished speaking, he looked around at his brothers with a complacent expression, thinking: Father's layout in the Western Regions is obvious to us, but you still need to think about it slowly. It's time for me to get the chance to show my abilities.

Although they had no hope of competing for the position of crown prince, some of them aimed to become vassal states overseas, while others wanted to do things that interested them in the country, but if they were appreciated by Zhu Yuanzhang, they might get more support in the future, so they still had to compete.

However, Zhu Tan had not been pleased for a few seconds when King Zhu Zhen of Chu spoke.

"Father, I believe that although the imperial court has many plans in the Western Regions, as my tenth brother said, it is possible that an imperial edict can force them to surrender, but it is more likely that they will completely surrender to Timur, or even form an alliance with Timur and become the enemy of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Tan hadn't expected Zhu Zhen to contradict him, and frowned. "Sixth Brother, I'm afraid you're overthinking it. That lame Timur has usurped the Western Chagatai Khanate for less than twenty years. Although he dominates Central Asia, how can his national strength and military compare to the Ming Dynasty?" "Besides, the Eastern and Western Chagatai Khanates have been at war for years, and their hatred runs deep. How could the Eastern Chagatai Khanate possibly unite with them to fight against the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Zhen glanced at Zhu Tan.

Zhu Tan has been smart since he was a child. Now he is twenty years old. Under Liu Kuan's several years of teaching and the tempering of various tasks assigned by Zhu Yuanzhang in recent years, he has become a handsome young man.

Unfortunately, I have too little experience and cannot see things comprehensively enough.

He smiled and said, "Tenth Brother is right, but unfortunately the analysis is not comprehensive enough and overlooks a key point."

"It is precisely because Timur is not as powerful as the Ming Dynasty that the two Chagatais in the East and the West put aside their hatred and jointly resist the Ming Dynasty."

"The key is religion. Although both the Eastern and Western Chagatai Empires were founded by Mongol nobles, they are now heavily influenced by Islam and have long lost touch with Chinese culture."

"Even if the Black-Helled Huozheh Khan knew that our Great Ming army was strong, he wouldn't dare ignore Islam and submit to our Great Ming. His country has now merged politics and religion. If he submits to our Great Ming, Islam will have no choice but to surrender power. How can he do that?"

"On the contrary, Western Chagatai and Eastern Chagatai are both deeply influenced by Islam. There are no major obstacles for the two to communicate, unite, or even merge."

"Tenth brother, think carefully about which side that Black Fire Khan is more likely to lean towards."

Zhu Tan was silent.

He had to admit that he had previously ignored the religious factor.

But he was unwilling to let Zhu Zhen steal the show, so he came to his senses and said, "Sixth brother, tell me, how should the Ming Dynasty conquer the Western Regions? Don't talk about using force, or else the Eastern Chagatai will not ally with the Western Chagatai."

Zhu Zhen stood up, facing Zhu Yuanzhang, and clasped his fists, saying, "Father, I believe that the only way for the Ming Dynasty to conquer the Western Regions is by force—we can take advantage of our previous plans and attack them by surprise."

"Only in this way can we quickly reclaim the Western Regions and destroy the Mongol nobles like Hedeerhuozhe Khan, who have close ties with Islam, so that they won't have time to communicate with the Western Chagatai and seek assistance."

"After we recapture the Western Regions, the imperial court can allow Islam to be pardoned and controlled by the imperial court, just like Buddhism and Taoism. If they refuse, we can expel them."

"We should send more monks and Taoists to the Western Regions to preach, especially monks. After all, hundreds of years ago, the Western Regions had a large population of Buddhists, and even today, this number has not been cut off. There is a solid foundation."

"After resolving the religious issues, we will implement benevolent policies. As my brother-in-law suggested, we will try to increase the income of the local people."

"Finally, by building more schools and instilling Confucianism in the Western Regions, we will surely bring them back to the Ming Dynasty!"

After hearing what Zhu Zhen said, Zhu Biao and Liu Kuan couldn't help but smile and nodded.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Sixth Brother's insights are very good. They are almost the same as what Biaoer and I discussed. It seems that you have been in charge of Japanese affairs for the past two years. Your horizons have indeed broadened a lot and your thinking has become more comprehensive."

Zhu Zhen humbly said, "It is all thanks to my father's wise teachings and the role models of my brothers that I have been able to make continuous progress."

On the other side, Zhu Tan secretly curled his lips and thought: To say that Sixth Brother has a broad vision and comprehensive thinking is just criticizing me for not having a broad vision and comprehensive thinking, isn't it?

Am I that bad?

Zhu Yuanzhang happened to look over at this moment and said, "Old Ten, don't be arrogant just because you think you're smart. You're still young and have a lot to learn."

Zhu Tan did not dare to contradict Zhu Yuanzhang, and immediately bowed his head and said, "Father, your teachings are true, and I will remember them."

In my heart, I was thinking: I must go to overseas as soon as possible! From now on, I will be free!
Zhu Zhen and Zhu Tan explained the affairs of the Western Regions in such detail that the other princes naturally had nothing to say.

Zhu Yuanzhang then used some major events within the Ming Dynasty to test the princes.

After chatting for more than an hour, he let the princes leave, but left Zhu Biao, Liu Kuan and Zhu Xiongying behind.

Zhu Yuanzhang first said to Zhu Xiongying, "Xiongying, you have been training in the imperial army for a year last year. I believe you have some understanding of the grassroots affairs of the army."

"But you won't need to be a general in the future, nor will you need to be a vassal state overseas like your uncles. As far as military affairs are concerned, you need a more comprehensive understanding."

"Therefore, we would like to take advantage of the opportunity of conquering the Western Regions to allow you to gain some experience—not on the front lines, but to assist in supervising logistics affairs in Shaanxi and Gansu. Are you willing?"

According to Ming Dynasty customs, Zhu Xiongying is already sixteen years old this year, and a year of military life has made him more mature, and he already looks like an adult man.

Hearing this, he clasped his fists and said, "Grandson is willing!"

"Okay." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded. Seeing Zhu Biao beside him about to speak, he guessed what Zhu Biao was worried about, so he said, "Don't worry, Xiongying will go to Shaanxi and Gansu. We will provide a good enough medical team to ensure his health."

Liu Kuan was actually a little worried that Zhu Xiongying would have an accident, but after hearing what Old Zhu said, he felt relieved. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire Old Zhu's courage and willingness to sacrifice.

　Second update.

Good night~
　
(End of this chapter)