The cultural division between the north and the south gave Zhu Yuanzhang, who founded the Ming Dynasty, a headache. The North-South List case in the early Ming Dynasty better reflected this opposition.
The Ming Dynasty originated in the south. Both the imperial examination and the orthodox interpretation of Confucianism were based on the Neo-Confucianism of the Southern Song Dynasty. The core of the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty were mainly officials from Jianghuai and Zhejiang provinces and scholars from Zhejiang and Zhejiang.
But the nobles in the north have integrated the cultural heritage of Youyun's old land, showing a more pragmatic Confucian culture.
When the Ming Dynasty was established, Xu Da was still on the way to the Northern Expedition. The Ming Dynasty had to face these problems, how to open the psychological barriers between the northern Han people.
The only way is to recognize the orthodox status of the Yuan Dynasty. Only in this way can the mentality of the northern gentry be smoothed out. And by putting the Ming Dynasty in the perspective of its successor, the contradictions left by the Yuan Dynasty can also be logically attributed to the Ming Dynasty. A circle.
In the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang adopted this method to deal with the contradiction between the north and the south, and many policies were also biased towards the north.
After the country settled down, it carried out a large-scale immigration policy to reshape the order of belonging.
The emperor Zhu Di later moved the capital directly from Nanjing to Beijing.
But did Ming Dynasty completely resolve the conflict between the North and the South?
Actually not.
The political center of the Ming Dynasty was in Beijing, but the economic center was in the south.
The Ming Dynasty's policy of placing more emphasis on land tax and light on commercial tax made the old Zhu family pay more attention to the rule of the north, while most of the gentry in the south had long put aside their dependence on cultivated land and actively participated in commerce.
There are also land annexations in the south, but the southern gentry are more obsessed with protecting their clan and their hometown, and their wealth comes from the interests of business and trade.
Economic differences determine ideological inconsistencies. The commerce-based economies of the south and the north are completely different from the old tradition of growing grain in the north.
At the same time, the unity of business interests created an alliance between the southern gentry. In the Ming Dynasty, there was the Donglin Party, the Chu Party, and the Zhejiang Party. Without these conditions in the north, it was naturally impossible to form an alliance in which the same parties fought against different parties. In the north, there was only the eunuch party where the imperial power continued. Eunuch group.
There has always been antagonism between the north and the south, but it was concealed by the appearance of partisanship.
The dispute between the North and the South was not resolved until the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
At this time, Lin Bixiu openly said in front of Deng Zilong that he was a survivor of the Song Dynasty. Naturally, he did not recognize the Meng Yuan Dynasty. By the way, he also did not recognize that the Ming Dynasty obeyed the destiny and inherited the orthodoxy. Naturally, this made Deng Zilong very unhappy. .
The orthodox status of Ming Dynasty has long been engraved in the hearts of this generation.
This was also before Chongzhen, there was actually no soil for rebellion in the Ming Dynasty.
The previous uprisings, or rebellions, were more of a behavior in which ordinary people were forced to choose to become bandits to save themselves when they had no way out.
It was only after Hou Jin repeatedly entered the customs to plunder that he gradually shaken the people's hearts.
You know, northerners are relatively more pragmatic in their thinking.
The orthodox Ming Dynasty can no longer protect them, so they naturally have to rely on those who can protect them.
That’s why when the Manchus and Qing Dynasties moved southward in large numbers, there was only slight resistance in the north, but the main resistance was still concentrated in the south.
Therefore, the people in the Confucian Mansion in Shandong could shamelessly switch from the Ming camp to Dashun and then to the Manchus in a short period of time.
At this moment, Lin Bixiu knew that he had made a mistake. Thinking of the unequal status of the two parties, he immediately lowered his head and admitted his mistake: "Master Deng said it, but the villain said it wrong." ’
Deng Zilong also wanted to contact the Yi people as soon as possible at this time, so naturally he didn’t want to get into trouble.
People have gone overseas and live in Manila, so he is too lazy to continue to reprimand him.
"Tell me, what is the name of the Yi people behind you."
Deng Zilong did not feel at all that he was standing on the land occupied by the Yi people at this time. He still had the usual attitude of Ming people towards the Yi people and said disdainfully.
"This is Lieutenant Miguel of the Kingdom of Spain Navy, the captain of this transport ship"
Lin Bixiu began to introduce, while Deng Zilong listened.
As for the lieutenant Lin Bixiu mentioned, he didn't know what this official position represented, but since he was the captain of this ship, he regarded him as a military attache at the level of Ming Dynasty Baihu.
By the way, the Western military rank system appeared in the 15th and 16th centuries. It did not have complete military ranks such as commander, general, colonel, and lieutenant at the beginning, but appeared one after another in the long history that followed. of.
According to current views, the first officers to appear were lieutenant-level officers, followed by marshals, and then generals and colonels.
In the early days of the military rank system, there was even a military rank such as "chief captain", and the status of this military rank even exceeded that of marshal.
Captain is derived from the Latin word "chief", which means military commander. This title first appeared in France in the Middle Ages. It was the title of the commander of an independent military region. The commander of a military region was called chief captain.
"I heard Mr. Wang say that Mr. Deng was sent by the Ming Dynasty to encircle and suppress the pirate Lin Feng?"
After Lin Bixiu introduced Miguel's identity, Wang Wanggao introduced the identity of Deng Zilong.
After the introduction, the Yi people said a few words to Lin Bixiu that they did not understand, and Lin Bixiu began to translate.
"Yes, according to the imperial decree, I led the fleet to Luzon because there was news before that Lin Feng escaped here."
So, in the next time, the two sides The issue of Lin Feng was discussed in depth, and it was unanimously agreed that Lin Feng was the chief culprit in destroying maritime traffic safety in East Asian waters, and they should be eliminated.
“I am very happy to talk to General Deng here. Since we are talking about the joint encirclement and suppression of the Lin Feng Pirate Group, Lieutenant Miguel invited General Deng to Manila City to meet with Governor Ravisari and Savai Let the commander discuss it."
Lin Bixiu translated again.
Miguel's invitation made Deng Zilong a little embarrassed.
But soon, he made a decision.
He really has to go on the trip to Manila, otherwise he would be suspected of showing cowardice.
As for his attitude towards the barbarians, Deng Zilong also made a decision, that is, he would discuss cooperation in encircling and suppressing the Lin Feng pirate group, and did not mention anything else.
Now, it is not good for the Yi people to know that Ming Dynasty has plans to intervene in Luzon, otherwise it will be detrimental to Ming Dynasty.
So, Deng Zilong immediately laughed heartily and said: "In that case, let's go and discuss how to cooperate to encircle and suppress Lin Feng."
Soon, the two sides agreed to leave for Manila early tomorrow morning. Today Just rest here for the day.
Deng Zilong invited the Yi Lieutenant Miguel and others to have a meal in the camp. After dinner, he summoned Wang Wanggao and another captain.
“When I go to Manila City this time, I will take the Dafu boat there. You should stay here and contact other people.
Also, continue to explore the surrounding terrain, especially the outskirts of Tortoiseshell City. , the map must be drawn as soon as possible
Only then will we know how to surround Lin Feng and prevent him from escaping to other places on the island. "
After Deng Zilong finished speaking, the two captains stood up and clasped their fists in agreement.
"While I am away, Wang Wanggao will be in charge here. "
Deng Zilong continued.
At this time, Wang Wanggao said: "Sir, counting the days, Admiral Yu should have received our news. I think the navy fleet will arrive soon. Will arrive. "Deng Zilong nodded. During these days on the island, in addition to sending people to draw maps of the surroundings, he was also counting the time on his fingers.
Whether it is ancient times or modern times, the so-called war planning, calculations, and tactical deductions are actually just calculations of troop strength and time.
Based on the known intelligence, calculate the time and choose to take action when your own military strength is strongest and the opponent's strength is weakest. Try to defeat the opponent's main force in one fell swoop and destroy the opponent's confidence in fighting.
Confidence is still very important in combat.
It is good to subdue others without fighting, but that requires absolute strength.
The reality is that if you want to show your combat power, you must use your sword to scare your opponent with thunder, so that he will not dare to act rashly, or even choose to retreat and submit.
The so-called tactical victory of one city or one place that most people value is not worth mentioning in the eyes of military strategists.
As for the so-called accumulation of small victories into big victories in China, that only happens under special circumstances and is relatively accidental.
Throughout the history of war, it is normal for the main force to win a decisive battle and thereby establish victory in one fell swoop.
The so-called winning by surprise is too risky and is not the best choice for military strategists.
Although such a victory may come at a very small cost.
So, Deng Zilong made up his mind that the best result of going to Manila City this time was to delay the barbarians' attack on Tortoiseshell City as long as possible on the grounds of waiting for the arrival of the Ming Navy.
When the Ming Navy arrives, relying on the momentum created by its huge fleet, it will be a natural progression for the Ming Dynasty to take root in Luzon.
Of course, by the way, when he went to Manila this time, Deng Zilong also wanted to see the situation in this new city and understand the strength of the barbarian army.
In the early morning of the next day, the weather was good, accompanied by the warm autumn wind, and the Yi merchant ship led the way. Deng Zilong boarded the Dafu ship and followed closely to the city of Manila.
This is actually only more than three hundred miles away from the Manila Galleon, but after three days of sailing, the fleet arrived at Manila Bay near evening.
Shortly after entering the bay, a guide boat came out to guide the two ships to the shore and dock at the pier.
After Miguel hurriedly disembarked with Lin Bixiu, he came to greet Deng Zilong, and at the same time sent people to ask the tax collector on the dock to prepare a room for the Ming Dynasty officers and soldiers to rest. At the same time, he also sent people into the city to notify the people in Manila. Governor Ravisari, the supreme military and political governor, and Commander Savera, the supreme commander of the armed forces.
In the best hotel near the pier, Miguel and Garcia picked up Deng Zilong and stayed in the most luxurious room here.
After all, Deng Zilong now represents the Ming Dynasty official, not just the commander of a Ming Dynasty naval fleet.
This is the Spanish understanding. Although there are actually battles between civil and military officials in the West, they are not as high-level as the Ming Dynasty.
In fact, most of the people in power in the West at this time were aristocrats. The aristocrats not only held huge power in the government, but many aristocrats also put their hands into the army.
Just like the nobles in the early Ming Dynasty, they can almost influence the national power.
Because in the West, the senior officers of the army are all nobles, so the Spaniards also understand the Ming Dynasty in this way. They think that Deng Zilong can lead a fleet here, and he is obviously one of the nobles in the Ming Dynasty. .
Actually, they are right to understand this.
Although the Ming Dynasty only had three titles: duke, marquis, and uncle, the following hereditary commanders, hereditary thousand households, and hereditary households can also be understood as titles that can be passed down, similar to Western viscount and baron titles.
Therefore, the hereditary military positions in the Ming Dynasty were often called Wu Xun. They were actually part of the Xun nobility, but they just couldn't get on the stage.
On the night when Deng Zilong was resting in the hotel, the Governor's Palace in Manila, Governor Ravisari, Commander Savela, and other officials in the city gathered together to discuss how to deal with the Ming people.
They didn’t blame Miguel for inviting the Ming generals here. They had already arrived in the Philippines, so it would be strange if they didn’t contact him.
Similar to Deng Zilong's considerations, they did not know that Ming Dynasty had plans to get involved in the Philippines, but they considered the problem from the worst perspective, but they were the first to tell the result.
"Everyone, the Ming Dynasty is too close to here. I heard that the king here was still canonized by them.
What I am most worried about now is that the Ming Dynasty's army will not leave after it arrives. This is very harmful to us. It is extremely disadvantageous to control this place."
Governor Ravi Sari said.
He proposed that this worst outcome is actually what all Spaniards in the Philippines are most worried about.
After knowing the history here and the strength of the big country in the north, it is impossible not to be afraid.
Although they conquered the Inca Empire with a population of tens of millions and an army of more than 100,000 with less than 200 musketeers, the Spaniards also knew how lucky it was when they reviewed this operation.
It can only be said that God is on their side.
Had it not been for the lucky chance of capturing the monarch of the Inca Empire, the war would never have ended so easily with their victory.
The Ming Dynasty in the north was obviously a super empire countless times more powerful than the Inca Empire.
Moreover, they had no chance to capture the other party's emperor.
Yes, they already know that the Ming Dynasty did not have a king, but an emperor.
Although this is not accepted by them, anything that is not approved by the Pope does not count.
“We don’t have enough troops here. Even if we only leave the minimum number of soldiers elsewhere, we can only mobilize six to seven hundred people. Even if we arm the crew members of the merchant ships currently on the dock, our strength will be limited. There will be no more than 1,200 people."
Commander Xavera said.
He automatically ignored the recently formed armed force formed by local people, although now this army is barely visible.
But the Spaniards also knew that this place seemed to have once belonged to the Ming Dynasty.
“Remember the leader named Suleiman we killed? I heard that he is a descendant of the original King of Luzon in the Ming Dynasty, so he has great appeal here.”
Lavisali said again: "If people from the Ming Dynasty ask, this matter will also be troublesome."
When they arrived here, they found that the huge Luzon Island did not establish a decent political power. Think of it as something without an owner.
So after killing several of the most fiercely resisting tribal leaders, they thought they had gained sovereignty here.
As for the Luzon Kingdom, we only learned about it later.
"The Sulu country in the south seems to be like this. Their king was conferred by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty."
Lavisali added at the end.
“If I had known better, I should have dealt with the Sulu people earlier.”
Savera said with some regret.
"Fortunately, the king's gold seal should have been minted into gold coins in Mexico by now."
Lavi Sari said this with a smile, which actually showed what they meant. He just refuses to admit that there was any king here. (End of this chapter)