Although Cen Yuying's words were vague, the Empress Dowager Renxi still understood what was happening in Vietnam.

In addition to Cen Yuying, the Yunnan Governor Tang Jiong and the Guangxi Governor Xu Yanxu have complicated and simplified content, but they are generally consistent with Cen Yuying's statement, as if they have been discussed. And Xu Yanxu also mentioned that there was a situation where the Gui army entered Vietnam to help the Black Flag Army fight against the French army.

She can be said to be angry at this obvious act of "provoking a border," but what she is most worried about now is that the situation in Vietnam has deteriorated, leading to a full-scale conflict between Qianguo and France. That's why a court meeting was held today to listen to the opinions of the ministers.

After the court meeting began, Empress Dowager Renxi first ordered the eunuchs to read all the memoranda of Cen Yuying, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, Tang Jiong, the governor of Yunnan, and Xu Yanxu, the governor of Guangxi, and the submission of the French minister Baohai to the prime minister's yamen, and then asked the ministers to express their opinions on the current situation in Vietnam.

What Lin Yiqing didn't expect was that this time the ministers expressed their opinions, and the voice of the main battle was much quieter than before, but the voice of the main battle prevailed.

Although Qianguo and Vietnam have a regional relationship linked by mountains and rivers, border people are related by blood, and there is a long-term suzerain-vassal relationship, the relationship between Qianguo and Vietnam is relatively loose from both a historical and a practical point of view. Among the few remaining vassal states of the Qianguo, the relationship between Vietnam and the Qianguo was relatively distant. According to his investigation of previous archives, in the nearly 50 years between the first year of Gia Long (the 7th year of Daqian Gia Khanh, 9002 AD) and the 4th year of the Shengping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion (9050 AD), Vietnam paid tribute a total of 13 times, although the tribute period was different, compared to the 49 times in Korea. The 38 in the Ryukyus and the 23 in Siam were estranged because the Nguyen dynasty had always strongly advocated independent relations. Vietnam has always been a mentality of taking advantage of the Great Qian Empire, and when something happens, it seeks to settle with the Great Qian Dynasty, and writes a letter calling itself "Xia Guo", but once the matter is settled. He called himself the "Southern Dynasty" and the Great Qian Dynasty the "Northern Dynasty", which was "obedient on the surface and riding on the wall on the inside", which was hateful. Guo Yunxian also said: "The former legal person is strong in trade with Vietnam, and the Vietnamese people have not tried to ask for their lives, and a corner of Saigon will be lost here." And the minister of Yue once said: "Although the Chinese Dynasty pays tribute when it is old, the Chinese Dynasty also sends it." It is not the right to self-control than the right to autonomy. This is the words of the Yue people's accusation. It is clear that he is deliberate and does not regard China and North Korea as the superior country, but abandons the same country. ”

Guo Yunxian believes that under the condition that Western colonialism has risen and gradually dominated the world, the long-standing suzerain-vassal relationship between the Daqian Empire and Vietnam has lagged far behind the times, lacking a deep political and economic background. From a political point of view. When the Vietnamese Sugong mission set out and returned to China before, it was judged from the concerns of the Vietnamese monarchs and ministers. These are all minor matters, which are not enough to jointly deal with such a major event against the invasion of Western powers. As for the economic exchanges between the two countries, they are also restricted by the fact that they are both backward agricultural countries, and there are often only some low-value agricultural and mineral products exchanged. For example, the checkpoints on both sides of the Red River, centered on Baosheng, occupied by Liu Renyi, were the main channels for economic and trade exchanges between Qianguo and Vietnam, but they could only collect more than 50,000 taels of silver in taxes every year. It is only one-sixth of the 300,000 taels of silver collected by Haiyang Zuojin in Haiyang's tax card annually, which shows that the entire trade volume between Qianyue and Vietnam is also very limited. Therefore, the suzerain-vassal relationship between the Daqian Empire and Vietnam has become only some insignificant etiquette to maintain the dignity of the suzerainty of the Daqian Dynasty, and whether or not to maintain this suzerain-vassal relationship is of great practical significance to the two countries. It is therefore necessary to approach relations with Viet Nam in a different way.

listened to Guo Yunxian's reasoned and well-founded tirade. Empress Dowager Renxi asked Guo Yunxian how to deal with Vietnam, and Guo Yunxian's suggestion was to "accept the territory of the Yue into the territory of the Great Qian, think that the three southwestern provinces are bound, recognize the French occupation of Nanqi, re-sign a treaty with France, and make it clear to the whole world" in order to prevent future troubles.

Guo Yunxian's suggestion was immediately opposed by Jing Lian, Minister of Military Aircraft, Jing Lian believed that although Vietnam had all kinds of inconsistencies, after all, it had been paying tribute for many years, and the Great Qian Dynasty wanted Vietnam to pay tribute not for practical gain, but to maintain the dignity of the Great Qian Dynasty, and Liu Renyi, the leader of the Black Flag Army, was not only a Vietnamese official, but also donated officials in the Great Qian Dynasty, and the French army attacked Liu Renyi, that is, it was trampling on the dignity of the Great Qian, which could not be tolerated no matter what, so it was necessary to deal with it with a tough attitude, and could not back down on the issue of Vietnam.

In view of Guo Yunxian's view of "valuing practical gains," Jing Lian emphasized the advantages of "valuing face," that is, it will help enhance the international prestige of the Great Qian Empire and "make the nations dare not look down on it." He also took France as an example, saying: "Although France was not defeated in the Franco-Prussian war of war, it claimed to be the first power in the European continent, but it was a big loss of face because the army of a small Prussian state invaded the mainland, and although the navy later reversed the defeat, it was eventually despised by the other countries." It is necessary to maintain the face of this suzerain, otherwise, it will lead to the serious consequences of "the power of heaven is gone, and the hearts of the army and the people are disintegrated".

When Empress Dowager Renxi heard Jing Lian's words, her face changed, and she immediately asked what should be done if she dealt with it toughly? Jing Lian's suggestion was to directly send troops to support Liu Renyi in the fight against the French army, "ordering Cen Yuying and other loyal and brave governors to lead the army into Vietnam and level the entire territory of Vietnam, so as to deter the Taixi countries and make them dare not have the intention of offending the country." ”

Regarding Jing Lian's nonsense, the angry Guo Yunxian immediately asked Jing Lian, "The legal person has declared that he is willing to reconcile and does not want to surrender to the army, and the matter of Hue is the unauthorized behavior of the ministers, so you want to use this to start a war with the legal person, what is your intention?" Empress Dowager Renxi was also "furious at the court" and asked Jing Lian, "Do you want to put my mother and son on the fire?" Jing Lian was so panicked that he knelt down and kowtowed, saying "guilty", and was immediately driven out of the hall by the order of the Empress Dowager Renxi.

Seeing Jing Lian pushing out the two palace guards in embarrassment, Prince Jing secretly sweated.

He is actually clear about what happened in Vietnam, and there is a reason why he acquiesced to the actions of Cen Yuying and others.

It's just that he can't say why......

After Jing Lian was driven out, the ministers of the main battle saw that the Queen Mother was really angry, and they were all dumbfounded, and at this time, the Empress Dowager Renxi's anger was not extinguished, and she broke out directly to Prince Jing.

"Sixth Master. Do you know about the three southwestern provinces funding Liu Renyi? Empress Dowager Renxi had a gloomy face, and a cold voice came out from behind the curtain, which frightened the little Emperor Guangxu, who was sitting on the throne in front of the curtain, trembling.

"Back to the words of the Queen Mother, the minister really doesn't know." Prince Jing gritted his teeth and decided to leave his pawn to protect the car.

After he read Cen Yuying's recital. knew that the governor of the southwest was likely to put the responsibility on the imperial court, and he was the minister of the king who presided over the government, so this black cauldron naturally had to be borne by himself, which was not the result he wanted, but he asked if he knew it under the anger of the Empress Dowager Renxi, and he came to categorically deny it.

"Sixth Master, you are in charge of the Military Aircraft Department, Prime Minister Yamen, there is such a big thing going on here. You don't even know how you are doing this. Empress Dowager Renxi raised her eyebrows, her apricot eyes widened, and she asked sharply.

"Back to the Empress Dowager, the minister has not received any reports about Vietnam from the three southwestern provinces before, and I really don't know the situation of the exchange of troops." Prince Jing couldn't help but defend himself, "Vietnam and France have made a treaty without authorization. It was not reported, and the minister did not know the details. Later, when the French envoy came to ask about the situation between Vietnam and the DPRK, the minister replied that "Jiaozhi is Vietnam, which is a vassal state of China and North Korea", and there was no loss, and the legal person had to retreat, and he did not explain the internal situation of the Vietnam Treaty in detail. It is not a deliberate deception. ”

"That is, they deliberately deceived the sixth master." Empress Dowager Renxi snorted heavily. turned to Prince Chun, "Seventh Master, do you know about Vietnam?" ”

Prince Chun was taken aback coldly, and immediately knelt down and fell to the ground. "Back to the words of the Queen Mother, the minister really doesn't know!"

Seeing that the Empress Dowager Renxi blamed the two princes for being deceived by the ministers, Guo Yunxian seemed to understand something, and deliberately wanted to divert the attention of the Empress Dowager Renxi, so she started a round, "Our Lady of the Empress Dowager, this time Hue formed a army, and the French lord is also known as the subordinate deception, and he is investigating himself, and the distance is too far away. The minister thought that the mountains of Vietnam were far away, the voice was difficult to communicate, and there was no telegraph, and the Xinjiang minister dealt with it on the spot, and reported to the court afterwards, which was not improper, but because of trivial things and caused a big trouble, it was indeed the fault of the Xinjiang ministers, and the two princes did not notice it for a while, not for no reason, but also asked the queen mother to understand. ”

"Such a big matter, as soon as they discussed it, they said that it would be done, and they didn't ask the court for instructions, they poked out the basket, but they asked the court to carry the black pot! The last Dian case was made by him Cen Yuying! How much trouble did you cause to the court? Don't a few of them know? The roar of the Empress Dowager Renxi echoed in the hall, stopping Peng Yulin, who originally wanted to go out to defend Cen Yuying and the others.

As the Empress Dowager Renxi was talking, her face suddenly changed, she pressed her abdomen with her hand and bent over.

Peng Yulin peeked at it, knowing that the Empress Dowager Renxi's liver qi was angry, so he quickly lowered his head and dispelled the idea of defending Cen Yuying and others.

Speaking at this time, not only will you not be able to help Cen Yuying and the others, but you will probably be involved in it!

The ministers in the main hall seemed to have similar thoughts, and no one spoke anymore, all of them lowered their heads and stared at the ground in front of their feet, and Prince Jing and Prince Chun, who were kneeling on the ground, were even more arrogant.

Seeing that all the ministers did not speak, Empress Dowager Renxi's face turned pale, she took a deep breath, and said loudly: "Spread the decree!" Jing Lian dismissed the Minister of Military Aircraft! Go on all errands! All the ministers of military aircraft will be fined for half a year! The minister of the king of parliament punished the prince with two supplications! Set an example! ”

Hearing the Queen Mother's announcement of the punishment decision, many ministers were trembling.

"I'm not feeling well, so let's discuss it here for today's meeting!" Empress Dowager Renxi glanced at Lin Yiqing, who was also standing among the ministers with her head down, got up and was supported by Li Jintai, and went away.

Although Lin Yiqing hung his head, he could still feel the gaze of the Empress Dowager Renxi looking at him, and his heart couldn't help but move.

After the Empress Dowager Renxi left, Prince Jing and Prince Chun got up, and the ministers sighed and turned around and left the hall.

"Han Peng, why don't you say a word about Vietnam?" Prince Jing walked up to Lin Yiqing and asked with some reproach.

"Lord, the Queen Mother is in a bad mood today, you have also seen it, I just have a good idea, at this time, I am afraid that there will be no good results." Lin Yiqing smiled bitterly.

"You don't dare to speak, I'm miserable!" Prince Jing paused and said, "The matter in Vietnam can be big or small, if this can't be done, I'm afraid that all of us won't have a peaceful birthday!" ”

"Don't worry, Lord Guo's method is actually very good, my thoughts are similar to that of Lord Guo, just now the Queen Mother did not say that Lord Guo's method is not good, it is equivalent to agreeing with Lord Guo." Lin Yiqing knew that Prince Jing wanted to know his opinion. smiled and said, "If I have the opportunity, I will help Master Guo say a few more words and ask for a will for the prince, and this matter will be done." ”

Hearing Lin Yiqing say that his thoughts were the same as Guo Yunxian's, Prince Jing was relieved. At this time, when he saw a eunuch walking around, he stopped talking, just nodded to Lin Yiqing, and left.

Lin Yiqing returned home and told Shimazu Yoko about the situation of the court meeting, Shimazu Yoko smiled slightly and said: "It seems that the situation of 'external emphasis on internal light' has reached the point where it must be rectified. That's why the Queen Mother is so angry. ”

"It's a 'heavy on the outside and light on the inside', Yoko is really powerful, it can be said to hit the nail on the head." Lin Yiqing grasped the key to the problem when he heard Yoko Shimazu's words, and couldn't help but admire.

When summarizing the gains and losses of the relationship between the central and local governments in previous generations or previous dynasties, Chinese historians often use analogies such as the relationship between light and heavy, dry branches, and beginning and tail. The so-called "internal" refers to the central government and centralized power, while the "external" refers to local governments or local decentralization. At a time when centralization is weakened and decentralization is on the heavy side. It is called the outer weight and the inner lightness, and vice versa. Emphasizing the outside and neglecting the interior may lead to a situation of division and division. Promoting the collapse of the unified dynasty is the lesson of the Han and Jin generations; Although there is no worry about separating the country from the inside to the outside, it has caused the localities to lose their ability to appease and resist insults, and in the case of internal and external troubles, there is a danger of leading to the destruction of the country. Therefore, the ideal goal pursued by ancient statesmen was to balance the light and the heavy. That is, under the premise of centralization, so that the localities have a moderate decentralization. But it's not easy to do that. Light and heavy dimensions are an unstable state of equilibrium. Once mishandled, it will lose its balance, either to the outside of the heavy and the inside light landslide, or to the inside of the heavy outside light tilt. Therefore, in ancient history there has always been a cycle. Cycle. Of course, each cycle is not a simple repetition, but an improvement or improvement after learning the lessons of the previous generation.

In addition to using internal and external metaphors, the relationship between the central and local governments can also be called the relationship between the trunk and branches, the beginning and the tail, and the relationship between the root and the end. The measures to weaken the princely kingdoms in the middle of the Xihan period are called strong trunks and weak branches or large and small branches; The phenomenon of feudal towns in the late Jin Dynasty was described as a tail that could not be lost. However, whether it is inside or outside, whether it is the trunk branch, the root and the end, and the beginning and the end, the main aspects of the contradiction are always on the inside, in the stem, in the root, and in the beginning. For successive rulers, maintaining the long-term unity and stability of the dynastic regime was the highest political goal, so the importance of local stability exceeded the concern for the locality, and the ruling policy tended to favor the highly centralized end, and only granted the local authorities the minimum necessary power to maintain the minimum standard of living of the common people. The rule of the Han Dynasty, which is the envy of future generations, is only to achieve "political peace and litigation, and the people have no grievances".

However, a high degree of centralization was not always maintained, and when local events caused peasant uprisings, i.e., the inability to meet the level of food and clothing, or civil strife due to the uneven distribution of ruling power, the central government had to delegate a certain amount of power so that the local governments could suppress uprisings and rebellions in order to maintain the survival of the dynasty. However, every time the power is shifted downward, it does not just stay at the midpoint of the importance of the dimension, but swings to the end of the extreme decentralization, so the split situation appears, the troubled times come, the unified dynasty collapses, and various forces enter the chaotic stage of the Central Plains, until the most powerful person seizes power and establishes a new dynasty, so the unification re-emerges, and the rule of the world begins. The new rulers accepted the lessons of their predecessors and sought a better way to centralize power, and the pendulum swinged to the other end of the highly centralized power, and a political history of the Central Plains Dynasty swung back and forth between the two ends of the external heavy and the internal light and the internal heavy and the outer light, and at the same time moved towards extreme centralization step by step.

From the perspective of specific dynasties, the Qinhan and Han dynasties can be counted as periods of light and heavy. Qinzhi's rapid demise was not due to the heavy local power, but because the government was too harsh, so there were "traitors" at that time, but there were no "rebels". It was not until the last years of Donghan that extreme decentralization occurred, which caused warlords to divide their territories and caused a situation in which the three kingdoms were in power. After the unification of Xijin, "feudalism" was implemented, and the phenomenon of emphasizing the outside and neglecting the interior became intensified, prompting the Xijin Dynasty to fall early in the Eight Kings Rebellion. Since then, the confrontation between the Eastern and Southern Dynasties and the Northern Dynasties of the Sixteen Kingdoms has been in a cycle of disorder, and the troubled times have lasted for 400 years since the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the early period of the Jin Dynasty, the light and the heavy were once again in a situation of mutual maintenance, and of course, after accepting the lessons of the late Han Dynasty, the centralization of power was further strengthened. However, in order to quell the Tianbao Rebellion, the government of the Jin Dynasty had to move its power down again, and in the later period of the Jin Dynasty, it turned from ruling the world to the troubled times, and some of the feudal towns supported their own troops and formed a separation, while the decentralization of other feudal towns could be compared to the state pastor of the late Han Dynasty. After the fall of the Jin Dynasty and the feudal towns, the situation of total division reappeared, and from the middle of the Jin Dynasty to the reunification of the Ji Dynasty, the chaotic situation continued for two centuries.

The ruler is not ignorant of the disease of internal importance and external lightness, but compared with the external weight and internal lightness, he would rather choose the lesser of two evils.

In particular, extreme decentralization can lead to the division of the country, cause socio-economic and cultural damage, weaken the ability to resist foreign invasions, and affect the development process of the whole society. (To be continued.) )

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