in2ebook Chapter 679 This is not good, is this appropriate?
Chapter 679 This is not good, is this appropriate?
"You can retain your own language, religion, and customs, but in the general direction, you must be consistent with the court," Zhang Shikang added.
Although maintaining national identity is important, Zhang Shikang believes that it would be boring if all people were cut from the same mold and had the same customs.
In short, it is very important to enhance national identity through education.
As the territory of the Ming Dynasty continued to expand, Zhang Shikang believed it was necessary to establish an institution or government office specifically responsible for ethnic assimilation.
"If that's the case, I think I can go back and report. My brother has no reason not to accept the Marshal's proposal."
After careful consideration, Boluochi bowed to Zhang Shikang.
Sanger also stood up and saluted:
"I think so too, but Marshal, our trust is based on you, Marshal, not the Ming Dynasty.
With all due respect, we Mongols do not have a favorable impression of the Ming court.”
Zhang Shikang actually knew about this. When Nurhaci just rose to power decades ago, he put a lot of pressure on the Mongolian tribes, especially the Mongolians south of the Gobi Desert.
In order to jointly resist the Jurchens, the Mongolian tribes and the Ming Dynasty were ready to form an alliance, but the court at that time was too weak and too poor.
He not only agreed verbally, but also dragged the Mongols to resist the attacks of the Jurchens.
The Mongols really did go to war, but they fought several tough battles and many of their people died, but the court showed no appreciation or reward.
Not only that, the imperial court later became incredibly poor. When Nurhaci attacked the Mongols, the imperial court stood by and watched, which made the Mongols extremely disappointed.
Since then, Ligdan Khan of the Chahar tribe also wanted to form an alliance with the court, but Chongzhen was too busy with his own affairs and disappointed the Mongols again.
By now, the imperial court had already developed a crisis of trust in the eyes of the Mongols.
If it weren't for Zhang Shikang's reputation, these Mongols probably wouldn't have surrendered so easily.
"Hmph, you defeated generals, how dare you criticize the court?" Lu Xiangsheng was unhappy when he heard this and snorted coldly.
Zhang Shikang was not angry at all. Only people like Lu Xiangsheng could do that. The court has abused me thousands of times, but I have treated the court like my first love. It is natural for the Mongols to feel resentful.
"I understand your thoughts, but the imperial court was really poor at that time, with internal and external troubles.
Unlike now, there are hundreds of millions of taels of silver in the national treasury, but there is no place to spend it.
I hope you can understand this.”
Zhang Shikang's casual words made the eyes of Boluochi and others light up. Those who reacted slowly were even trying to figure out whether his words were true or not.
After all, hundreds of millions of taels of silver, that would be a huge mountain of silver!
If this is true, then the court's promise to build a city for them must not be empty talk. After all, building a city would cost a huge amount of gold and silver.
But the trust between them was far from being resolved by a simple understanding. Just when both parties were feeling awkward, Malza said:
"The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty relies heavily on the Grand Marshal. Since we trust the Grand Marshal, we should also trust the court."
Malza had actually been patient for a long time, but their tribe was not like the Naiman tribe, where their words were not taken seriously. He waited until he felt the time was right before he dared to speak.
Seeing everyone nod, Malza continued:
"As long as we establish a connection and trust with the Grand Marshal, our trust with the court will deepen over time."
Even Zhang Shikang nodded in agreement when he heard this, thinking that the beating this guy received yesterday was not in vain, he is actually a talented person.
Seeing Zhang Shikang nod, Malza became even more excited.
"Therefore, I will decide on behalf of my brother that the Zarut tribe will present ten beautiful women and fifty fine horses to the Grand Marshal as a tribute to him."
After saying that, he glanced at Zhang Shikang with a coquettish look, and seeing his surprised expression, he immediately added:
"My niece is eighteen years old this year. She is beautiful and graceful. She is the flower of our Zarut tribe. My brother is worried..."
"Stop! What's going on?" Zhang Shikang quickly waved his hands.
He was really confused by the Mongolian man's straightforwardness. He thought to himself that he was talking quite normally just now, so why did he suddenly start giving away beautiful women and horses?
Is this bribery, or is it done in front of Lu Xiangsheng? Can it be so blatant?
"Marshal, please accept this. This is a gift from the Zarut tribe, and you cannot refuse.
Only if you accept the Zarut tribe's kindness, my brother and the entire tribe will be able to trust the Marshal." Malza explained seriously.
He really thought so. The Zalantu tribe was weak and the imperial court was too far away. Only by following the footsteps of the great marshal could the Zalantu tribe become more prosperous.
In the inherent concept of Mongolians, if you want to establish a connection with someone, there is no more direct way than marrying your daughter.
With Malza taking the lead, several small tribes such as Frege also spoke one after another. There were as many as ten beauties and as few as four or five, and there were as many as forty or fifty horses and as few as twenty or thirty.
Most of them acted as if if Zhang Shikang didn't accept it, it meant that he looked down on them and didn't trust them.
As more and more tribes talked about it, even Lu Xiangsheng realized that this was no longer just a simple matter of bribery.
At the political level, if mutual trust requires such a bond to maintain, then this bond is necessary.
If we can really conquer Mo Nan and fulfill the Marshal's idea, it will be a great thing for the court.
"Marshal, the Naiman tribe is also willing to offer a princess, ten beauties, and fifty horses. I hope you will accept them." Boluochi also spoke.
"My youngest daughter, now seventeen years old, is very fond of Han culture and often asks me to find Han books for her to read. If the Marshal does not mind, I am willing to offer her to him as a concubine.
In addition, I would like to offer fifteen beautiful women and fifty fine horses on behalf of my Khan." Sangge also said.
Wow! Zhang Shikang exclaimed, wow, these tribes suddenly had 70 or 80 beauties.
But Zhang Shikang glanced at Boluochi and then at Malza. They were both as strong and sturdy as calves. How could their nieces and daughters be pretty?
Ah, bah! How could I think like that!
Zhang Shikang, oh Zhang Shikang, have you forgotten your grand ambitions and are you going to degenerate into a person who indulges in sensual pleasures?
Just as he was despising himself, Lu Xiangsheng stood up and said:
"I hope the Marshal will not disappoint the kindness of the tribal envoys and put the Ming Dynasty's country and people first."
Zhang Shikang's head was buzzing, and he wondered how come you, Old Lu, a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, also betrayed him?
His family is already in turmoil with only eight or nine wives, and now there are dozens more. Even if his family can handle it, his kidneys will not be able to bear it!
"This isn't good, is this...is this appropriate?"
This time, Zhang Shikang stuttered a little, completely losing his calm and composed demeanor.
"It's suitable, very suitable!" everyone said in unison.
……