Episode 151 No. 2 Changping Road

Under the exposure of the August sun, more than 30,000 prisoners of the former Qing army and now citizens of the Ming Dynasty sat quietly at No. 2 Changping Road. Because there were too many people, not only did the small square in front of the official residence be full, but also the long distance between the east and west sides of Changping Road was impassable.

The official residence of the first assistant is No. 2 Changping Road, and a few hundred meters to the east is No. 1 Changping Road - the Forbidden City. Although these "new citizens" of the Ming Dynasty who were meditating were so close to the Forbidden City, and the easternmost procession was already close to the gate of the Forbidden City, their meetings were still centered on the official residence of the first assistant and did not go to besiege the palace. Although that would have a greater attention-grabbing effect.

This shows that these new citizens of the Ming Dynasty are not stupid, although they are new to the city, they know the rules very well. Or maybe someone gave them advice. It is true that there is no law prohibiting gatherings at the gates of the Forbidden City, but all the large and small gatherings in Nanjing, whether to express their opinions or vent their grievances, have basically targeted government institutions such as the official residence of the first minister.

Because it is different from the Qing Dynasty, the tradition of the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years, the royal family is basically "idle and idle, and does nothing", and it is very transcendent to play cricket alchemy and be a carpenter. And the specific management of the country and dealing with the common people are the group of state apparatus below, that is, the cabinet and the government, those ministers and officials at all levels. In fact, this is also a traditional understanding in the hearts of the Chinese people: the emperor must love the people, mainly because the corrupt officials below are not good. Generally, the peasants in the past dynasties killed officials and rebelled, and they were all "only against corrupt officials, not against the emperor". It is the rebellion of knowledgeable warlords and nobles, and most of the banners they play are "traitorous ministers and Qing monarchs". Because they know that in this way they can unite the common people who are foolish and loyal.

After the Ming Dynasty changed the law to implement constitutional government and put an end to China's thousands of years of ignorance and people's policy, the people of the Ming Dynasty were no longer as ignorant and ignorant as before, and their political literacy was unprecedentedly improved. With the continuous enlightenment of the Ming people, the people of the Ming Dynasty have a similar understanding to the common people in the West: the government is just a group of housekeepers hired by all taxpayers. Not only must the housekeeper be prevented from stealing the master's money, but also if the housekeeper does not do a good job and does not satisfy the master, the master can scold him at any time. Of course, there is no universal suffrage yet, and the people only have two cards in their hands: "judicial **" and "press supervision". If you add the card of "universal suffrage", then this "housekeeper" can not only be scolded at any time, but can fire squid at any time.

But on the contrary, the idea of respect for the royal family remained. This is not because of foolish loyalty, but mainly because of that reason: after the constitution, the royal family basically no longer cared about the management of the country, and there was no chance to make the people angry. And the work of "concrete administration", which offends people, is carried by the cabinet government. In addition, the Ming royal family has learned the royal family of Western countries to a full extent, no matter the specific things, but always appear as a kind and people-friendly image, which has won the sincere love of the people, and has become the national symbol of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the feelings of the people.

In Zhu Yourong's father, Emperor Deyong, is a fan of Cao Xueqin, in his words, that is:

"Wang Xifeng is in charge of the entire Jia Mansion, which makes everyone hate. Jia's mother didn't care about anything, but was loved by the top and bottom. Let the cabinet be Wang Xifeng, and we will be Jia's mother. ”

Therefore, now these new citizens of the Ming Dynasty have learned very quickly, and they know that the palace cannot be surrounded, and if it is surrounded, most of its people will not side with you. And the first assistant official residence can be surrounded casually. Of course, there is another rule that they also understand, that is, to surround and encircle, you must leave a way at the door, and you can't hinder the normal entry and exit of the official residence. Otherwise, the highest administrative body of the state will paralyze you.

……

Now the "butler head" of the Ming Empire: Shen Rongxuan, has now encountered the most tricky incident since the Nanyang Massacre. Although this matter is big, it is relatively easy to make decisions, and it is to fight. But now it's a real dilemma. Obviously, Emperor Guangwu didn't care about his 150,000 captives. But he knew that Nanming's side cared a lot about their thousands of captives. Moreover, Emperor Guangwu knew that more than half of the Qing army captives had become citizens of the Ming Dynasty, so he played this hand. Otherwise, he would have changed normally.

"Now we are trying to put pressure on the Northern Qing Dynasty," Shen Rongxuan leaned back on the table, biting his pen, and looked at the three ministers opposite, "one through the League of Nations, the second through Japan, and the third through the Red Cross and international public opinion." However, everyone can also imagine that the first and third should not have much effect on the Northern Qing Dynasty. They have always been used to playing hooligans in the League of Nations, and they also know that they have no international image for a long time, so it can be said that dead pigs are not afraid of boiling water. The key is in this line in Japan. He Gong, what do you think? ”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Northern Affairs all sat on the sofa opposite Shen Rongxuan. Foreign Minister He Ziguang frowned and said:

"Ge Lao also knows that the relationship between Japan and us has always been not very good, and it has always been on the side of the Northern Qing Dynasty. …… This also has to do with the fact that we are also a naval power and that we have always maintained a tough stance on the Korean and Ryukyu issues. I don't think it's possible for Japan to completely reject this...... After all, Japan is different from the Northern Qing Dynasty, it regards itself as a modern civilized country, and it has always insisted on 'breaking away from Asia and joining Europe', so it must at least demand itself according to the standards of Western civilization. In this matter, Japan should also make a gesture at the very least...... If His Majesty had sent a telegram to the Emperor in his personal capacity and asked for mediation, the Emperor might have appealed to Emperor Guangwu in accordance with etiquette. But ......"

"But," said the Minister of Northern Affairs, "it's only 'probable.'" It is entirely possible for Japan to perfunctory our past on the grounds that 'this is the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty and it is inconvenient for us to interfere'. In the past, Japan has been obstructing us like this. ”

At this point, several people nodded in agreement. Two years ago, when Zhu Yourong first succeeded to the throne, he sent a letter to the emperor, asking the emperor to appeal to the emperor of the Northern Qing Dynasty to treat the captured southern escapees humanely, or at least not to execute them. However, at that time, Japan made Zhu Yourong feel a little gray on the grounds that "this is the internal affairs of the Qing Dynasty, and it is inconvenient for us to interfere."

The Home Secretary said:

"Even if Japan makes a gesture, it will definitely be limited to making a gesture, and it will not really put pressure on the Northern Qing Dynasty."

The Foreign Secretary muttered:

"Not necessarily, it's different now than before, the Strait of Malacca is in our hands, and that's Japan's blood vessel. Also, most of the oil in the South Seas is in our hands. If we can really give Japan some benefits this time, Japan may be a favor. For example, Japanese companies should be allowed to participate in the exploitation and operation of Nanyang oil, or the quota for the export of pure tungsten strips to Japan should be relaxed......"

The Minister of Northern Affairs immediately shook his head and said:

"No, definitely not. Both of these are to drink water to quench thirst. The South Seas are our own backyard, and we can't let Japan put its claws in. Britain, France and the United States will not be reassured. We are a moderate democratic-dominated country, while Japan is a Spartan, dangerous country that is a state of inconsistencies. People can tolerate us entering the South Seas, but they will never tolerate Japan entering the South Seas. Also, pure tungsten strip is also the most critical strategic material, now we have a quota for export, Japan has to resell a lot to the Northern Qing Dynasty, if we are relaxing the quota, then we have to arm the Qing army to the teeth with our own hands. ”

Shen Rongxuan pondered for a while and asked:

"Do you think the war plan of the high command may be set to launch the Northern Expedition?"

The three ministers looked at each other, and suddenly they all thought that Shen Rongxuan had the point. Now the high command is still negotiating, and there is no result yet. But if the war is to be waged within a year, it is time to consider some "short-sighted" deals. Pure tungsten is very expensive, with a price per kilogram comparable to gold. Even if Beiqing gets a large amount of pure tungsten all at once, it will not be used all at once. It must be stored and used slowly, bit by bit, on the blade. In a year and a half, the amount of pure tungsten that can be converted into combat effectiveness is very limited.

Shen Rongxuan said to the Foreign Secretary:

"No matter what, we're going to give the Japanese line a try. This is the only country that has the weight to speak in Beiqing. I went to communicate with the high command and find out in advance the specific time limit of the Northern Expedition. He Gong, it depends on you to communicate with the Japanese side first. If the high command decides to go on a northern expedition this year, then even if we directly negotiate secretly with the Northern Qing Dynasty, write checks and make promises, it is not impossible. ”

Foreign Minister He Ziguang nodded and said:

"Please rest assured."

At this time, Shen Rongxuan's chief secretary knocked on the door and came in, and whispered:

"My lord, the people who gathered outside, the water they brought has basically been drunk, and now most of them are drying in the sun, and several people have fainted from heat stroke...... Now, do we want to send someone to send those people who are suffering from heat stroke to the hospital? Or just bring it in for treatment? ”

Shen Rongxuan asked:

"Which one looks better?"

The chief secretary hesitated for a moment and said:

"It should be carried into the official residence for treatment, which is more beautiful."

Shen Rongxuan nodded and asked him to arrange to do so. When the secretary came to the door, he stopped him again:

"Tell the kitchen to burn a few tons of mung bean soup and send it out for the people at the rally."

The secretary looked embarrassed:

"My lord, this ...... A few tons of mung bean soup can't be prepared in a short time...... How about bringing them water? Now they are all thirsty, and having water is a big problem. ”

Shen Rongxuan waved his hand and said:

"Okay, just boil the water. However, they have to be exposed to the sun, and the salt in their bodies is lost, so the infirmary adds some salt to the water in the required proportion. In addition, let the ice cellar pry a few pieces of ice out and put them in a bucket. …… There were so many people gathering outside, and there must have been a lot of ice water sellers around. But ice water is expensive, and they will definitely not be willing to buy it. Our free ice water is sure to be a hit. Go for it. ”

The foreign secretary was still clichéd, and complimented him with a smile and two sentences such as "love the people like sons". Shen Rongxuan smiled, waved his hand and said:

"He Gong, our own people don't use it for nothing...... This is a good opportunity. The people at the rally fainted from heat stroke, and before the Forbidden City could react, we grabbed the opportunity. If the palace rushes to deliver ice water to the people before us, then we will follow suit, but it will have no effect at all. Hehehe! ”