Jianzhou.
North Korea gathered a large number of troops to attack the rear of the Jurchen and Yeh Nala tribes, cutting off their last supply.
Wang Shouren and Qian Ning personally led 3,000 battalions and five battalions deep into the mountains, more than 300 miles deep into the Jurchen foreign tribes.
This battle had displayed the might of the Great Ming Empire and allowed the Thirteen Countries affiliated to the Great Ming Empire to see the strength of the Great Ming Empire.
In less than three days, the thirteen countries affiliated to the Ming Empire had gathered more than twice the original annual tribute and prepared to go to the Ming Empire to pay the tribute.
Forbidden City!
The Imperial Palace's Political Announcement Hall!
Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne and carefully read the list of annual tributes presented by the envoys of the affiliated kingdoms.
On both sides of the court, civil and military officials wept with joy.
The Great Ming Lord, although he was a youth, he had already spread his wings!
In this battle alone, the dignity of the Ming Empire was displayed!
Liu Jian stood in the middle of the hall and cupped his hands."Your Majesty, there are a total of 12 affiliated kingdoms that have paid tribute to our Ming Dynasty. Other than North Korea, the other 12 affiliated kingdoms have made up for the lack of tribute.”
"Moreover, it has more than doubled its original annual tribute!”
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly, his face devoid of any expression. He said with dignity without anger,""Which affiliated kingdoms are they?"
"Your Majesty, the kingdoms of Annam, Liuqiu, Sulu, Hemaoguo, Meroju, Polo, Gumalang, Fengjiashilan, Zhenla, Dieli, and Riluo.”
Although Liu Jian was old, his voice was exceptionally bright.
Every time he called out one of the countries, the hearts of the envoys would tremble.
They had been ordered by the king to pay tribute to the suzerain, but they also knew how they had treated the suzerain all these years.
The 12 foreign officials stood in their original positions, trembling in fear. Their heads were lowered, and they did not even dare to glance at the Emperor on the Dragon Platform.
Zhu Houzhao fixed his eyes on these foreign officials and casually placed the list of gifts on the dragon table. He snorted coldly and said,"Humph!"
"A group of people who are just following the wind! Do you think that by paying twice the annual tribute, I will forgive you?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the official outside the arena knelt down in fear and said,"Great Emperor, please forgive us. We have our own difficulties.”
"Because of the bandits and natural disasters in the border areas these years, the taxes are pitifully low. I hope the Great Emperor can forgive me.”
"In the future, we definitely won't dare to be late.”
On the dragon throne, Zhu Houzhao's eyes narrowed. He had long heard about the bandits.
But now, using it on them was just an excuse!
However, Zhu Houzhao did not have the intention to destroy these kingdoms one by one.
To them, Zhu Houzhao had a better use!
"On account of you knowing your mistakes, I can give you a chance.”
"Go back and tell your king that in the future, if there is a lack of tribute every year, my army will definitely come personally, trample on his country's gate, and kill his people!”
"When you return, you will follow North Korea to destroy the Jurchen tribe in Jianzhou. Leave no one alive!”
"Yes, sir."
The envoy replied with a trembling voice, bowed, and left the throne room.
In their hearts, the majesty of the Great Emperor was too terrifying.
Even if they stayed in the throne room for a moment longer, it was as if a mountain was pressing down on their hearts, making them unable to breathe.
In the palace, after Zhu Houzhao issued the decree, the assistant of the cabinet, Li Dongyang, slowly walked out of the court and cupped his hands."My emperor is wise!"
His words caused all the officials in the court to look at Li Dongyang in surprise.
Under everyone's gaze, Li Dongyang cupped his hands and said,""Your Majesty's heavenly might has intimidated the neighboring countries of Zhou State, and your ingenious plan can also reduce the casualties of our Great Ming soldiers to the minimum.”
"My emperor is wise."
When Li Dongyang said this, all the officials in the court nodded in approval and were ready to agree.
Zhu Houzhao smiled like a big brother next door and fixed his eyes on Li Dongyang.
"The old man praises you. In my opinion, the old man is a smart and capable person!”
Zhu Houzhao's words confused Li Dongyang.
He didn't say anything, how could he be smart and capable?!
Just as Li Dongyang was feeling puzzled, the smile on Zhu Houzhao's face was replaced by a dignified look.
Zhu Houzhao's cold eyes looked around at the civil and military officials in the court and said solemnly,""Today, I want to tell you something else.”
"I want to be a wise ruler who can govern the world. What I need are capable ministers who can govern the world, not people who suck up to me!”
Zhu Houzhao stood up and left the hall, leaving Li Dongyang standing there in shock.
The emperor's words seemed to be directed at him alone, but they were also a warning to the entire court.
He was a Saint Monarch, so he didn't need anyone to suck up to him!
Although Li Dongyang and Liu Jian were both Pavilion Elders, they were secretly fighting for the position of Chief Assistant.
Even though Liu Jian was now the Prime Minister, Li Dongyang had never given up.
Today, Zhu Houzhao's words were to tell them.
Fight for power and profit, please go elsewhere!
……
Inside Yangxin Hall.
Zhu Houzhao came to the palace and placed the annual tribute list on the table.
This time, the twelve kingdoms affiliated to the Ming Dynasty had paid a total of more than five million taels of silver.
Including the silver in the Ming national treasury, the total had reached eight million.
Right now, the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the East and West Chambers were all rebuilding and expanding.
However, in terms of firearms and soldiers, they had always used the firearms of the Yongle Era.
In fact, ever since the Yongle Dynasty, Zheng He's voyage to the West had never appeared again.
It was not that the emperors did not want to return to their former glory, but that the Ming Dynasty's national treasury could no longer take out enough silver to support the voyage to the West.
After several generations, it was still unknown if the warship Zheng He used to sail to the West could be used.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the list of gifts placed in front of him and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, as if he was thinking about some important decision.
After a while, Zhu Houzhao said with a dignified expression,""Men, pass on my decree. Immediately summon the Divine Arms Battalion's deputy general, Qi Jingtong, and the Minister of Works, Li Sui, to see me!”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。