Chapter 125: A longer-term strategic vision to take over the Indochina Peninsula.

"Your Highness, I will pay your salary for that year."

As soon as Zhu Biao left the imperial study, Hu Weiyong looked at Zhu Gang and said.

"I don't even know how much my annual salary is. How can you pay for me?"

Zhu Gang waved his hand and said, "Prime Minister Hu, you don't have to worry about me. It's just one year's salary, and it has never been paid. You can deduct it as you like."

"Your Highness cannot suffer losses in vain, and it is the fault of this old minister."

"Otherwise, how could His Highness be fined?"

Hu Weiyong also shook his head, and then looked at Zhu Gang and said, "Although I don't know how much the salary is, I still have some small fields in Fengyang, which should be able to make up for your loss."

"That would be disrespectful."

Zhu Gang did not refuse, but smiled and nodded.

"Old minister, please retire."

Although a hint of pain flashed across Hu Weiyong's eyes, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. After paying his respects, he left the imperial study.

"These few small plots of land are probably a lot of wealth."

As soon as Hu Weiyong left the imperial study, Mu Ying turned around and looked at Zhu Gang.

"At least it can be compared to several thousand dan of grain, and it will last for a long time. After all, it is just acres of land."

Zhu Chong also spoke.

"Transfer it to Tian Chou Si. I have no use for these things. It would be better to exchange them for some silver."

Zhu Gang waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "It's a gift from Prime Minister Hu anyway, so why not refuse it?"

"Right."

"It's a bargain for nothing. You didn't pay anything. It's a huge profit."

He Wenhui also smiled.

"Let's talk about this expedition."

Zhu Gang was unwilling to spend more time on this matter, so he said, "The southwest is too far away from Taiyuan, so it would be too costly to transfer the troops from Taiyuan to you."

"So I want to transfer the Shenji Camp to you. In this way, equipped with the most advanced firearms of our Ming Dynasty, we can definitely sweep across Tibet. What do you think?"

After saying this, Zhu Gang looked at Mu Ying and Zhu Chong again.

"can."

Mu Ying nodded heavily.

As for Deng Zhen and Tang Ding standing aside, there was a flash of excitement in their eyes.

Taiyuan's Shenjiying and its fire cavalry are almost famous across the grassland, and their widespread lethality is enough to scare any enemy.

Therefore, with the help of the Shenji Camp, they have more than 90% confidence in this battle.

Of course, this assurance does not mean victory, because this battle must be won, but rather minimizing casualties.

"But you must also be prepared. After all, no matter how strong the Shenji Battalion is, this is U-Tsang after all. It is not a vast and flat grassland. There are continuous mountains in it, which will limit its combat power to a certain extent."

"Besides, we are on their home turf, so we must be careful and cautious and make sure to win this battle."

"After all, I'm guaranteeing you with my life, so this battle must not only show the power of the Ming Dynasty, but also the momentum of our young generation."

"We must make it clear to Tubo and U-Tsang that the Ming Dynasty will always be an unreachable mountain, unless we are prepared to die."

Zhu Gang slowly stood up, an indescribable aura emanating from his whole body.

U-Tsang refers to the Qinghai-Tibet region, located in the southwest.

This is a region famous for its high altitude, with an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters. In later generations, it was known as the "Roof of the World".

Although the overall terrain is a plateau with a certain degree of flatness, there are large open areas, especially within the plateau, such as the northern Tibetan Plateau. These places are relatively flat and are called "plains on the plateau" or "high plains."

However, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is not completely flat. It is actually composed of a series of tall mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, Kunlun Mountains, Tanggula Mountains, etc.
These mountains include many peaks, such as Mount Everest (also known as Qomolangma), the highest peak in the world.

Therefore, the terrain of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is diverse, including both vast and flat plateau surfaces, as well as undulating mountains and deep river valleys.

Therefore, even though the Shenji Battalion is equipped with powerful firepower, it is difficult to exert its due combat power and can only play a supporting role.

However, with the sharpness of the Ming cavalry, it was more than enough to conquer Tubo and penetrate U-Tsang.

After all, even if Zhu Gang had not participated, according to historical records, Duke of Wei Deng Yu and Mu Ying led troops to Gansu and Qinghai-Tibet, advanced in three routes, attacked Sichuan and Tibet, and penetrated deep into the heart of Tubo.

He pursued the enemy to Kunlun Mountain, captured and beheaded ten thousand people, seized more than 200,000 horses, cattle and sheep, persuaded various countries to surrender, and opened up thousands of miles of territory.

"I understand. We must win this battle. The Ming Dynasty must win!"

All the generals, including Zhu Chong, knelt on one knee in front of Zhu Gang and spoke seriously.

"Everyone, when you conquer Tubo, I will ask for your merits and titles of nobility."

"And you will soon become the backbone of our Ming Dynasty, just like your fathers."

A hint of satisfaction flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes again, and he continued to speak solemnly.

"Kill the enemy for the country, don't seek merit!"

Mu Ying, He Wenhui and other generals trembled all over, but still replied.

"Everyone, get up."

In response, Zhu Gang gently waved his hand, and these young generals slowly stood up and sat down again.

"Brother Wenhui, Brother Ping'an."

After everything settled, Zhu Gang looked at He Wenhui and Ping An and called out.

"what?"

He Wenhui and Ping'an were slightly stunned and wanted to get up.

But he was interrupted by Zhu Gang, who motioned him to sit down and answer.

"After this battle, the court needs a general to be stationed in the southwest to stabilize the situation in the southwest for the court."

"As for this candidate, apart from my eldest brother, only Brother Wenhui and Brother Ping'an can be qualified."

"So I would like to ask the two brothers to stay in the southwest and implement my plan."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment, then looked at He Wenhui and Ping An and continued, "Moreover, this is the imperial court's century-long plan against U-Tsang. Only the closest and most trusted people can be competent for this task. Moreover, everything is linked together. If one move is wrong, the whole game will be lost."

Hearing this, He Wenhui and Ping An fell into deep thought, with a hint of hesitation in their eyes.

This is a heavy task. If you are not careful, it may ruin Zhu Gang’s painstaking plan, so it is not easy to take it on.

However, Zhu Gang made the decision regarding He Wenhui and Ping An after careful consideration.

After all, He Wenhui and Ping An are both brave and strategic, and can definitely be used as good generals or admirals.

But Ping'an's temperament is more reckless and less cautious than He Wenhui.

Therefore, Zhu Gang wanted the two to complement each other and work together for great plans.

"Third brother, why don't you let me take charge of the southwest?"

Seeing this, Mu Ying thought for a moment and said, "Wenhui is in poor health, Ping'an is a bit reckless, and I am the most suitable person present, so why not let me do it." It is indeed true that He Wenhui has always been in poor health.

Because in the original history, Daoshe, the famous founding general of the Ming Dynasty, also known as He Wenhui, died in June of the ninth year of Hongwu at the age of only 36.

Compared with the He Wenhui in history, although the current He Wenhui is in poor health, he is at least not dead.

However, after this battle, it is still unknown whether He Wenhui is dead or alive.

"Brother, stop making trouble. We can eat and drink now, and we are in good health."

As soon as Mu Ying finished speaking, He Wenhui retorted.

He then reached out and patted his chest to prove that he was really healthy.

"I am a little reckless, but the interests of the country come first, and I can still distinguish between the important and the unimportant."

Ping An's face also turned red, and he argued cunningly.

Obviously, Ping An's words were a bit rash and directly broke Ping An's defense.

"Brother Mu, when Lao Tang and I came back, we brought a doctor from Taiyuan with us and sent him to Brother He's house to help him recuperate."

"Otherwise, how could Third Brother choose Brother He when he was recruiting soldiers this time?"

Deng Zhen also spoke with a smile.

"Yes, this is all thanks to Your Highness, otherwise I might have passed away a few months ago."

He Wenhui also smiled with some emotion.

"Your brother is sitting here, but you keep calling him Your Highness. Isn't that inappropriate?"

Zhu Chong reached out and pinched He Wenhui's shoulder, raised his eyebrows and said.

"Although this is the imperial study, it's not a formal occasion, so there's no need to be so formal."

Zhu Gang also glanced at He Wenhui unhappily.

"It's my fault. Come to my house later to drink. I will punish myself with three cups."

He Wenhui's old face turned red and he bowed repeatedly.

"The wine in your house is not tasty at all. I still prefer Third Brother's wine."

Tang Ding immediately looked at He Wenhui with disgust.

"I can prove this. The wine in the Third Master's house is indeed unique in the world."

Zhu Chong also nodded.

"I'm getting married soon, and you guys are going to go to war, so I'll ask the Ministry of Rites to put it on the agenda, and then we can have a few drinks together, brothers."

"But as for the southwest, I don't want you to be stationed there, because I have other uses for you."

"So I can only ask my two brothers to share the country's worries."

Zhu Gang smiled at first, but then he said seriously: "After all, apart from my eldest brother, only the two elder brothers can control the southwest and U-Tsang."

"it is good."

He Wenhui and Ping An looked at each other again, then clasped their fists and said in a serious tone.

"Then you don't have to go to court these few days. I will send someone to your house to teach you."

"Before you go out to fight, you should memorize all my plans and use them properly."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang nodded and smiled.

As for why Mu Ying was not used?
Because Mu Ying's role should not be in the southwest, but in Yunnan.

After Yunnan, there is the Indochina Peninsula that Zhu Gang is targeting, so Yunnan must be conquered, and the most suitable candidate is Mu Ying.

The Mu Mansion in Yunnan prospers together with the country.

This was also Mu Ying's path to becoming a duke.

As for why they wanted to take over the Indochina Peninsula, we have to mention that since the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Central Plains had fallen into a small ice age.

The cold weather caused by climate change during this period had a significant impact on agricultural production, which in turn had an impact on the social and economic structure and political stability.

The Little Ice Age usually refers to a period of relatively low global temperatures lasting decades to hundreds of years.

But this was the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. The people, who were already suffering from war, had to endure a decline in grain production due to severe cold weather and irregular rainfall, which added a lot of pressure.

Therefore, in order for the people to survive and for the grain production to be abundant, it is necessary to take over the Indochina Peninsula and incorporate it into the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

After all, it is well known that the grain production of the Indochina Peninsula has occupied a very high position in later generations, and it is also one of the most important regions for rice production in the world.

Since the region mainly has a tropical monsoon climate with high temperature and humidity, coupled with numerous rivers and abundant water resources, it is very suitable for the growth of rice.

Therefore, as long as the Ming Dynasty could take over the Indochina Peninsula, it would be able to get a great buffer on the food issue and even become prosperous.

Moreover, the geographical feature of the Indochina Peninsula is that it is surrounded by the sea on three sides and connected to the mainland on one side.

The Indochina Peninsula is located in the southeast of Asia, bordering the South China Sea to the east, the Gulf of Thailand to the south, the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea to the west, and the Ming Dynasty and India to the north and northwest.

From a longer-term strategic perspective, taking over the Indochina Peninsula will not only strengthen maritime power, but also consolidate the Maritime Silk Road.

They even used the Indochina Peninsula as a springboard to advance into the South Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia to achieve further expansion.

Moreover, controlling the Indochina Peninsula is equivalent to controlling the key strait, which is the throat of the Western Sea.

There is another great benefit, that is, by controlling the Indochina Peninsula, the Ming Dynasty can develop inland transportation and resource development more quickly.

By utilizing the rich natural resources of the Indochina Peninsula, we will build roads, canals and other infrastructure to connect the Indochina Peninsula with inland areas such as Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, thereby promoting economic integration.

So no matter what, Zhu Gang would never let go of this piece of fat meat in Indochina Peninsula.

"What are you thinking about?"

Just as Zhu Gang was thinking, Zhu Biao's light voice rang out.

"I want to raise a national flag for Ming Dynasty. What do you think?"

Zhu Gang thought about it and blurted out.

Ancient dynasties did not have a national flag in the true sense because they were limited by their world view, that is, their thinking.

They believed that they were the center of the world and that the surrounding countries were foreign countries or barbarians. Therefore, under this worldview, there was no need to develop a special national flag to distinguish themselves from other countries.

Although there was no national flag, each dynasty had its own representative flags and colors. For example, flags that combined the five elements with specific colors and totems were used to symbolize imperial power and dynastic characteristics.

These were more often used for court ceremonials, military emblems or royal symbols.

There is also the influence of Confucian culture, which emphasizes cultural inheritance and moral governance rather than the sovereignty and boundary awareness in later concepts. Therefore, no national symbols such as the national flag have been developed.

But the benefits of the national flag are also obvious.

Firstly, it can enhance people's sense of identity. After all, the national flag, as a symbol of the country, can strengthen people's sense of belonging and identity with the country.

Especially in a large country like the Ming Dynasty with such a vast territory, a national flag can definitely help to rally people's hearts and promote unity among the people and their sense of identity with the Ming Dynasty.

Then there are its military and political uses, as well as its cultural dissemination, whose influence is absolutely far-reaching.

That is why Zhu Gang proposed another national flag for the Ming Dynasty, thereby establishing sovereignty and border awareness.

(End of this chapter)