How spectacular would it be for two masters of a vast empire with a combined land of more than 30 million square kilometers to meet? Will it be exhaustive, and it will not be able to describe?

In fact, this was not the case at all, Zhu Houxi chose a hill not far from the coast, and he asked Wang Yue to roast a sheep by himself.

Wang Yue's cooking skills are naturally no problem, this sheep is also fat and tender enough, the fruit wood is charcoal-roasted, the fragrance wafts far away, and a small amount of seasoning sets off the original aroma of mutton.

Zhu Houxi was very satisfied, but he still had a little question, "Wang Yue, did you kill this sheep with your own hands?" ”

Wang Yue snorted: "I'm not so confused, I asked the former governor of Egypt to kill me." ”

Zhu Houxi nodded and said with a smile: "Really careful, since people can appreciate their faces, we can't lose our hospitality." Intrigue and battlefield fighting aside, as a representative of the two civilizations, I must give Suleiman the Magnificent enough respect...... By the way, ready to drink? ”

"Ready!"

Wang Yue said: "I personally made the orange juice, pressed the fresh fruit, and only added a little ice and honey." ”

Zhu Houxi smiled happily, "Come, give me some first, see how it tastes?" ”

Wang Yue had no choice but to turn his head and get him a bowl, Zhu Houxi drank and nodded frequently, "Yes, I see you, you will not be an official in the future, you can support yourself by becoming a cook!" ”

Wang Yue was so angry that he wanted to beat him, and he wanted me not to be an official, why didn't you abdicate first?

Thinking about meeting Suleiman soon, and meeting Charles V tomorrow, and then the three emperors have a conversation, at this time, Wang Yue is inconvenient to do it, so he can only write down the accounts and calculate them slowly later.

Just as they were talking, Zhu Zaiyuan accompanied an old man who had already walked over, this old man was wearing a huge turban, his figure was not burly, and he was even a little thin, but the bridge of his nose was high, his eyes were deep, and he didn't dare to look at each other.

No need to ask, this is the most powerful emperor of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman I!

Zhu Houxi took the initiative to catch up and hugged his fists with a smile.

The smile on Suleiman's face was even brighter, and he actually bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty Emperor Ming, I wish you good health and peace and happiness."

Obviously, this greeting was taught by Zhu Zaiyuan, and Zhu Houxi laughed loudly: "Suleiman the Magnificent, I also wish you a long and healthy life, and a prosperous country." ”

After the interpreter conveyed the meaning of the two emperors, Suleiman became more and more happy, and even took the initiative to reach out and take Zhu Houxi's arm, and walked towards the mountainside.

"Your Majesty Emperor Ming, I heard that your country respects the old and loves the young, I am older, and the middle position of today's banquet should be left to me."

Zhu Houxi smiled: "That's natural, but we also said that the courtesy is still exchanged, of course I have to give it to the emperor today, but when the three emperors meet, I hope the emperor will give some face!" ”

Suleiman paused, and said with a stiff face: "I came at the request, and many people persuaded me not to take risks. ”

Zhu Houxi laughed loudly: "Could it be that the emperor also thinks that I will do things and play scoundrels? ”

"No!"

Suleiman said very simply: "I believe that His Majesty Emperor Ming is a humble gentleman, and I believe even more that a monarch who rules a vast territory will have a broader heart. ”

This was said at a high level, and Zhu Houxi smiled and said: "Thanks to the praise, it's just a matter of the national body, and I can't make concessions." ”

Suleiman muttered, "Your Majesty the Ming Emperor, what if I'm not willing to give in? ”

"No!"

Zhu Houxi smiled and said: "Since the emperor is willing to come, he just wants to meet and talk." In fact, I think that after we have talked about it, the emperor will feel that some small things do not need to be taken care of. ”

Suleiman squinted his eyes and said with a smile for a while: "His Majesty Emperor Ming is unwilling to give in!" Well, I'll do whatever I want, so let's talk about it. ”

The meeting of the emperor is really sloppy. The slightest mistake will affect the national character.

Before the Ming Dynasty, there was only a tributary system, and other countries were all vassals of the Ming Dynasty, which was easy to deal with. But in the face of the Ottoman Empire, in any case, such a huge country cannot be regarded as a vassal.

It's not easy to win a little initiative.

"The Emperor, please be seated."

Zhu Houyu gave up the main position and asked Wang Yue to accompany him, as for Zhu Zaiyuan, he could only obediently take over the roast mutton.

"Let me guess." Suleiman looked at Wang Yue and said with a smile: "You are the Taishi of the Ming Dynasty, Lord Wang Yue?" ”

Wang Yue smiled, "The Great Emperor really has good eyesight. ”

Suleiman said lightly: "It's nothing, after all, the only one who is qualified to sit here is Master Taishi, in my eyes, your status is the same as that of His Majesty Emperor Ming." ”

Wang Yue couldn't help but laugh and said, "The Great Emperor is trying to drive a wedge between our monarch and minister!" ”

"No, no, no!" Suleiman waved his hand and said easily: "I don't think so, although I also wonder why the Ming Emperor can tolerate a powerful courtier." ”

Suleiman talked and laughed, but Wang Yue knew that the confrontation between the two sides had already begun, or from the moment Zhu Zaiyuan went to invite Suleiman, their contest was doomed.

"Emperor, I don't know if His Royal Highness King Yu said it, the Ming Dynasty has a long tradition of civil officials governing the world......"

Suleiman nodded, "I did hear about it, but I want to know more, I wonder if the master is willing to give advice?" ”

Wang Yue said with a smile: "I can't talk about teaching, I can only talk about communication...... I don't know if the emperor has thought about it, what is the duty of the Ming Emperor? ”

"Duty? Why not power? Suleiman wondered.

This time, Zhu Houxi took over the words, "How can you be embarrassed to leave the nine heavens and win the destiny of heaven." The four seas and mourn the people, and the heart is sad. As the emperor of the Central Plains, the son of heaven, and the father of billions of trillions of people, he naturally wants to be a servant for the common people in the world. Whether it is a peddler or a pawn, or a farmer and a businessman, I must treat everyone equally...... Strive to make a bowl of water even, reward merit and punishment, and dare not be sloppy. ”

Suleiman struggled to comprehend these words, his brow furrowed slightly, it was clear that he was not the same emperor as Zhu Houxi. Relying on hundreds of years of expansion, the Ottoman Empire had a huge territory, many ethnic groups under its rule, and the degree of complexity was no worse than that of the Great Ming.

But when it comes to governance, it's very different.

The Ming Dynasty was a typical bureaucratic governance, from the central center to the localities, from the various political envoys to the prefectures and counties, level by level, and penetrated into every corner of the empire.

Although there are many criticisms of the imperial power not going to the countryside, there is no need to deny it. However, if you compare with the countries of the world in the same period, and even with the countries of later generations, there are many who cannot reach the height of the Ming Dynasty.

As for the Ottoman Empire, although the Grand Vizier was the prime minister and presided over the entire administrative system, the empire was still dominated by a feudal fiefdom system.

That is to say, the land belongs to the emperor, and according to the military merits, it is divided into generals, and once the lord dies, these lands must be recollected by the emperor for the next round of distribution.

In addition to the fiefdoms, there were many tribes, all of which maintained considerable independence, as long as they paid tithes to the empire.

In addition, around the empire, there are a number of vassals...... Let's basically put it this way, the Ottoman Empire is like a cabbage, the center of the empire is the strongest and most tightly controlled imperial power, and then as the distance gets farther and farther away, the control keeps weakening until it disappears completely.

And what sustained the huge territory was the empire's powerful military power, both internally and externally, and the Ottoman Empire was at war almost every moment.

Generally speaking, the Ottoman Empire still did not get rid of the genes of the nomadic empire, the feudal forces in various places were strong, and it was good to face a male lord like Suleiman......

Obviously, in the Ottoman Empire, the emperor did not have to be responsible to all the people, nor did he have to keep all the farmers and merchants in his heart. As long as the emperor can control the lord of the place, it is enough, as for what the lord will look like, it is not for the emperor to consider.

"The Emperor asked me why I should tolerate a strong courtier...... I can tell you that there is no way, this is the national situation of the Ming Dynasty. There are so many government affairs, and all aspects are pressed on me. I must rely on civil officials, and rely on their assistance to successfully control the world and govern the people. ”

Zhu Houxi laughed at himself, "The emperor may not know that in the Ming Dynasty, there are still many people who advocate the reality of the hypocritical monarch. In other words, it is enough to let me be a tablet, and the power of the court will be handed over to the civil officials......"

Zhu Houxi complained frantically, who knew that instead of laughing, Suleiman also complained with him.

"In the Ottoman Empire, no matter what, it can't reach the level of control of the Ming Dynasty. Although I decreed that the land should be handed over after the death of the lord, in fact more and more local nobles took possession of the land and gave it to future generations. The nobility and the tribe joined forces to control local power. They don't want to overthrow me as an emperor, they want to snatch my throne! ”

Suleiman stood up angrily and roared angrily, "I will not let them get their wish, I will continue to wage war, use war to consume their strength, no matter what, no one will be allowed to dare to challenge my majesty!" ”

After being furious, he sighed again: "It's easier said than done." Once defeated, it will fall into turmoil...... For example, this time the army defeated Vienna, the losses were very large, and there was no stability in all places, especially in Africa, which was almost out of control. Your Majesty, what do you have to teach me? ”

This is to ask for sin!

Zhu Houxi smiled, "Emperor, I don't know if you are interested, like our emperor of the Ming Dynasty, subject to civil officials?" ”

"This ...... Are civil servants powerful? ”

"It's hard to say...... However, in order to seize power, I defeated a shoufu, took down dozens of old ministers, drove them back to their hometowns, and beat the butts of more than 100 people. ”

Suleiman temporarily put away the anger he had just had, and he wondered, "That's it?" ”

Zhu Houxi exaggerated: "What else? This almost shook the country's foundation. ”

Suleiman couldn't cry or laugh, he didn't kill a few people, and he shook the country's foundation?

Look at the Ottoman Empire, where the throne alternates every time...... All powerful princes will join them, and whoever can get the support of the Praetorian Guard will be able to take the throne.

In turn, the other brothers will be slaughtered, including their children and relatives, all of them will be slaughtered, and more than 100,000 people will not die, which can be regarded as too peaceful.

As an emperor, how can you not understand the difference.

The Ming Dynasty is an evolved and mature form of government, and for all countries, the most difficult transition to the throne has been basically solved here in the Ming Dynasty.

It will not lead to bloody killings because of the alternation of imperial power, or even cause the empire to split and decline...... And the princes can also be saved, they are also the sons of the emperor, why should they kill each other?

Isn't it good to share the blessings and live and multiply?

This question is what Suleiman has been thinking about all the way, perhaps it is precisely because of this that he is willing to come to see Zhu Houxi!

"Your Majesty Emperor Ming, Master Taishi, your country must spend a lot of money to raise so many officials, right?"

Wang Yue nodded, "The Great Emperor is really keen, we have been carrying out all kinds of reforms in finance and taxation...... At present, we have implemented the uniform service of Juntian, as long as the people of the Ming Dynasty, regardless of men and women, all enjoy a piece of land, and this land is not allowed to be bought and sold. ”

Suleiman's eyes lit up, and he had done this trick before, in the Ottoman Empire, this was called perpetual tenant system, which meant that the land was leased to tenant farmers in perpetuity, which could be inherited from generation to generation.

However, due to the existence of feudal fiefdoms, the perpetual tenant system will certainly not be able to be implemented in every corner of the empire.

"Master Taishi, in addition to the field endowment, what other sources of taxes does Daming have?"

"That's a lot, in addition to the field endowment, we have a salt monopoly, which can provide tens of millions of silver dollars in tax revenue every year. In addition, we have a very large industrial economy, and the output of commodities has to pay taxes, and when it enters the circulation link, it has to pay business tax...... Foreign trade has to pay tariffs, financial transactions, and stamp duty, all of which add up to about 70 percent, or more than 200 million yuan. ”

"In addition, we also have a bank and treasury bond system, and for some major projects, we will issue treasury bonds to raise funds......"

Su Laiman listened to Wang Yue's introduction, and gradually breathed heavily, this difference is too big!

He had the urge to cry, Wang Yue said it easily, but he knew that these commercial tax items, with the bureaucratic level of the Ottoman Empire, could not be collected at all.

Daming has six departments and nine qing, and a large number of subordinates. But under the Great Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, there were only two viziers, one for taxation and one for justice.

That is to say, the Ming Dynasty has six departments, and the Ottoman only has the household department and the criminal department, and the management level of the two sides is completely two-dimensional.

What emperor doesn't want to increase his income and has more financial power!

But the problem is that it can't be done!

In order to support the use of foreign troops, Suleiman even imposed a "groom tax", and the gap in the financial level of the two sides is obvious.

Suleiman pondered for a long time, and suddenly said meaningfully: "Your Majesty Emperor Ming, although I don't want to admit it, but the things you are worried about are what I can't ask for!" ”

Zhu Houxi was dumbfounded, and shook his head helplessly for a while, "Since this is the case, let's rest for a while and taste the roast whole sheep prepared by the Taishi." ”

Suleiman nodded, and at this time, Zhu Zaiman was in a mess, distributing mutton to the three people, and Wang Yue poured Suleiman a glass of orange juice.

"Emperor, we have a saying in the Ming Dynasty, which is called asking the canal to be as clear as possible, for there is a source of living water. Civilizations need to learn from each other. If you are complacent, you will only make yourself more decayed. I'd like to know, does the Emperor have any thoughts of changing? ”

Suleiman muttered: "I do have the idea of perfection, and the practice of the Ming Dynasty is worth learning from. I need a group of talents, I don't know if Taishi is willing to help? ”

Wang Yue smiled and nodded, "There is no problem with this, I can set up a translation hall in your country to exchange knowledge between the two sides." ”

Suleiman laughed: "That's a good idea, but I have a better idea." ”

"Please!"

At this time, Suleiman raised his head, looked at Zhu Zaiyuan, and said with a smile: "I want His Royal Highness King Yu, I want him to be my son-in-law, and I will marry my two daughters to him." Let him be in charge of translating books, introducing talents, and assisting me in my reforms. ”

Before Zhu Houxi could react, Suleiman added, "If His Majesty Emperor Ming is willing, I am willing to give the African territory as a dowry to His Royal Highness King Yu!" ”