Previously, when Shen Qiyuan served as the ambassador of North Korea in Daming, this Diaoyutai had also been to many times, and when he came here again after a few years, Shen Qiyuan was still fascinated by these cleverly conceived lakeside buildings.

But the changes in the city of Beijing shocked him even more than the Diaoyutai Banquet Building, if when he left Beijing a few years ago, the gap between Hanyang and Beijing was about the difference between the manor of a landlord in the countryside and the garden of a prince and nobleman. Then the prosperity of Beijing today is beyond the scope of his comprehension.

It should be said that although the king and the other two classes of nobles were under the control of the elbows, the changes implemented by Shen Qiyuan in Korea still achieved a lot of achievements. At least the losses caused by the Manchu invasion to Korea have gradually begun to make up.

Although most of the compensation obtained by following the Ming Dynasty to rob Japan fell into the hands of the Ming Kingdom, Korea still left a lot of benefits, especially the preferential treatment obtained in the trade between North Korea and Japan, which made the industry and commerce in the Gyeongsang Province in the south of Korea have been greatly developed, and this is also Shen Qiyuan's hometown, which is the foundation of his promotion of reform.

Thus, although Shen was politically persecuted by the Joseon king and the old-fashioned aristocracy, he still had extremely strong supporters in the southern Gyeongsang-do region. And Shen Qiyuan also believes that his reforms in recent years have been quite effective, at least North Korea is constantly recovering.

But when he saw the wood-like chimneys in Tianjin, he realized that the fruits of his reforms really didn't seem to be much. The rice fields and woods outside Tianjin have been bulldozed one by one, and one gray and white building after another is being erected on the original rice fields and woods, these cookie-cutter buildings even make it impossible to tell who is who, and the black smoke coming out of the chimney makes the pedestrians on the street all over their bodies covered with dust, and it looks like the whole city is very dirty.

But who cares about the dust on their bodies? Pedestrians in this city are in a hurry, and they seem to have a lot to do. Even if you meet an acquaintance on the way, you just nod your head, and after a few words of greeting, you will pass by by by mistake. From the faces of these pedestrians, Shen Qi could not see any cautious and worried expressions from afar, everyone had a flat smile on their faces, and they were extremely calm when they stopped talking.

This kind of demeanor full of confidence in his own life is something that Shen Jiyuan has never seen in North Korean civilians. In fact, during his stay in China as North Korea's ambassador, he did not expect so many civilians to have such a look.

After all, North Korea and Daming are both class societies in the same lineage, and the class division of the four peoples of Shinong, industry and commerce also represents their respective class status. These four social classes had to distinguish between their own living customs and daily necessities, and if the latter three deliberately disguised themselves as scholars in ordinary life, it would be a crime.

And the dominant power of the superior over the subordinate is tacitly accepted by the whole society. Therefore, even if a commoner walks honestly on the street, he must watch and listen to all directions, and avoid the officials or the children of the powerful in time. Under such strict social rules, unless a commoner walks around his home, he must live as carefully as a rabbit.

Therefore, in addition to those scholars and large families with relatively solid family backgrounds, we can see some lively demeanor. The faces of the middle and lower class people are either numb and have lost the ability to express their expressions, or they nod their heads with humble expressions forever. It was a miracle for Shen Qiyuan that these Ming people straightened their bodies so upright and walked on the road without worry.

Of course, Shen Qiyuan was at most amazed in his heart, and then wrote it in his diary, knowing that this was an impossible miracle for North Korea. After all, the system of the four peoples in North Korea and the distinction between good and low are more stringent than those of the Ming Dynasty, which has almost become the political correctness of some of the two classes of nobles, and any two classes of nobles who want to touch the two systems will be abandoned by the entire two classes.

However, in such a catastrophic year, the ordinary people of Tianjin can still maintain such a flat expression, which is obviously related to these workshops in the city. It is also rare for him to see strong men begging along the streets, and even strong women and young men are rarely seen. All in all, as long as you are a healthy man and woman with full hands and feet, you will definitely be able to find a job to support yourself.

When Shen Qiyuan left Tianjin and took the train to Beijing, he always felt that there was a formidable power hidden in this expanding city. This is not his knowledge of the power of machines, but simply the awe of the first perception of a new industrial city by a man in the agricultural era.

For this Diaoyutai banquet, Shen Qiyuan did not have much expectations for the food, after all, he came to seek the emperor's political support. If he can't get the emperor's support, even if his front is full of delicacies, it will be difficult for him to swallow.

But when the eunuch brought the dish to him, he was still taken aback. The dignified Emperor Ming entertained guests, but only served three dishes and one soup, and only one meat dish. Although the appearance of the dishes looked good, he also felt that Chongzhen was a little too stingy.

But when he looked up and quietly glanced at the emperor's table, he found that the emperor only had two dishes and one soup in front of him, and one less meat dish than him, so he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

Zhu Youzhen seemed to realize the embarrassment of the other party, so while picking up the soup bowl, he said to him casually: "Shen Qing doesn't have to be polite, I made a wish to God because of this year's disaster, and if the disaster does not subside, I will quit meat." Even the specifications of this banquet guest are simplified, don't dislike my poor hospitality. ”

Shen Qiyuan hurriedly avoided the table and saluted the emperor and said: "Your Majesty's benevolence, how dare the ministers complain." However, North Korea is also a vassal state of China, and the people of the mother state are in danger, so how can the subordinates be able to eat meat? I also ask Your Majesty to allow you to remove the meat, and let the ministers pray for the blessings of the victims..."

Zhu Youzhen stopped drinking the soup, and after looking at Shen Qiyuan for a few seconds, he smiled and said, "Since Shen Qing has such a mind, I naturally want to fulfill it." ”

Zhu Youzhen made a gesture to Wang Chengen beside him, and Wang Chengen hurriedly stepped forward to take the meat dishes on Shen Qiyuan's dining table and handed them to the eunuch who was waiting on the side. Shen Qiyuan re-entered the table at this time and raised a glass to congratulate Chongzhen.

After three glasses of rice wine, Zhu Youzhen turned the topic to the topic, and asked Shen Qiyuan: "Shen Qing, as the leader of the DPRK, is equivalent to my first assistant of the Ming Dynasty, and the affairs in his hands must be very busy. Why did you come to Daming in person to pay tribute this time? Isn't this the task of the Six Judgments? ”

Shen Qiyuan immediately put down his chopsticks and said: "The reason why the subordinate personally led the team to pay tribute this time is that the grain transportation is very important, and the subordinate does not dare to fake his hands to others; The second is that the subordinates want to ask His Majesty for an idea..."

Then, Shen Qiyuan explained to Chongzhen the reform measures he had implemented in China over the years and the many problems he had encountered. At last there was a faint nod, and the king of Joseon and the old ministers were ready to move, trying to oust him from the position of governor.

After patiently listening to Shen Qiyuan's tirade, Zhu You's prosecutor looked at him with interest and asked, "Then what ideas are you going to let me give you?" ”

Shen Qiyuan was silent for a while, and then said tremblingly: "If Your Majesty can restrain the merchants of the Ming Dynasty and let them not interfere too much in the affairs of the lower state, the lower ministers will be able to carry out the reform." As long as they can obtain sufficient tax revenue, the lower states can also train new armies like the upper kingdoms, so as to contribute to the upper kingdom's efforts to deal with the captives. ”

Zhu Youzhen pondered for a moment before he said to him: "If my businessman of the Ming Dynasty doesn't interfere, can your reform continue?" I don't think so. North Korea has been carrying out reforms for three or four years, and I would like to ask you, if it weren't for our Ming army stationed in Hanyang, would your reform continue? ”

Shen Qiyuan was speechless for a while, and it took a long time to reply: "They all rely on the heavenly soldiers to deter lawless ministers, otherwise the subordinates would not be able to achieve this level now." However, the lower states have always been loyal to the kingdom of God, and there is no rebellion in the hands of their ministers..."

Zhu Youzhen waved his hand at him, and then said: "I naturally know the loyalty of North Korea. However, most of our Ming military expenses came from taxes paid by merchants, and the army stationed in Hanyang was no exception. Although you have produced a little food, you have to transport everything else from the country, and the cost is not small.

If it weren't for the last time Jianyu invaded Korea, the Korean organization of resistance was unfavorable, and even the king of Korea was forced to land by the Manchus, and my Ming would not have sent troops to protect Korea.

It's good that you want to reform Korea and make it rich and strong, but we can't wait that long, and the Manchus won't let Korea have an army that can threaten him. So. We'd better be realistic, and take care of our Ming army first.

North Korea is now giving away some commercial benefits is actually nothing, as long as my Ming can survive, your current investment will eventually be rewarded. Think about it, when the Japanese invaded the Korean Peninsula, if it weren't for the money and efforts of my Ming Dynasty, would the North Korean Sheji Temple still exist?

Now it's time for North Korea to repay my Ming Dynasty, open the market for me Ming merchants to trade, the Korean people can get cheap daily use, and I, Ming Daming, can also earn the cost of feeding the army. When our Ming Dynasty accumulates enough strength to eliminate Jianyu and recover Liaodong, the security of the north of Korea will be guaranteed.

At that time, it will not be too late for North Korea to talk about tariff autonomy again. Shen Qing needs to remember that once my Ming businessmen can't make money, then the cost of my Ming army stationed in Hanyang will have to be borne by North Korea, is this really good? ”

Shen Qiyuan was dull for a long time, and only then did he expect Ai Ai to reply: "But if the reform can't be promoted, I'm afraid that the king and the two classes will have to let the ministers step down." The minister's personal honor and disgrace are small, but if the two groups of them who have surrendered to the Manchu Qing are in charge of the government, the minister is worried that the DPRK will do something detrimental to the interests of the upper country. ”

Zhu Youzhen thought for a while, and then said to him: "At this moment, I still want to get close to the Manchu Qing, such a fool naturally can't preside over the political situation in North Korea."

However, there are too many partisans within your North Korea, and I thought you should find a partner to co-chair the situation. ”

"Partner?" Shen Qiyuan looked up at the emperor with some confusion.

Zhu Youzhen said without scruples: "North Korea can also follow Japan's example, the king is responsible for the important affairs of succession in the palace, and the internal and external affairs of North Korea should be decided by one person who leads the government."

This position of leading the council is for a period of five years, and when the time comes, another person will take office. As long as you can find a political partner who is willing to cooperate with you, I will ask the Minister in Korea to vouch for you.

That way, you don't have to worry about the king and the two classes pushing on you. Isn't it good that the constant substitution of the leader and the government will also help the grievances of the two classes below and the people not to be concentrated on you alone? ”

Shen Qiyuan froze suddenly.

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