Chapter 2821
In the original history, Zhu Youli was not a firm person. After Chongzhen's death, he saw that the situation was over and did not choose to be buried with the dynasty. Instead, he took Tai'an King Zhu Youbi, Dongyuan King Zhu Hongsu and other small clans in Shandong to surrender to the Manchus.
Of course, there was not much choice left for Zhu Youli at that time. There was no place to escape. He could either commit suicide and be buried, or wait to be slaughtered by the peasant army of Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, or surrender to the Manchus in exchange for retaining the nobility. Treatment, the last option can at least survive, it can be regarded as a helpless move.
However, surrendering to the Manchu Qing did not allow him to live for a few more days. Just two years later, Shunzhi ordered the execution of all the Ming royal families who surrendered, including Zhu Youli.
In this time and space, Zhu Youli's luck is obviously much better, and Haihan has a new option out of thin air. Haihan not only provided business resources to Prince De's Palace, allowing it to obtain huge profits through business activities, but also provided opportunities for the children of Prince De's Palace to become officials in Haihan Kingdom, which was absolutely impossible in the Ming Dynasty. thing.
It would have been a good life to be a hereditary vassal king with no worries about food and clothing in the Ming Dynasty. However, the problem is that the life of the Ming Dynasty has expired and there is no way to reverse the decline. A vassal king like King De has no title, but no longer has the matching title. I can't blame him for finding his own way out.
What's more, Zhu Youli was not a bloodline of Dewang, but the son of Zhu Changshu, the Wenyu king of Jicheng. Because all the heirs of Dewang were kidnapped by the Qing army in the Battle of Jinan, he inherited it by accident. This position of vassal king naturally has no so-called sense of honor for this title that is not worthy of the name.
Rather than guarding the dilapidated Prince De's Palace and lingering, it would be better to cooperate with Haihan. The lower limit can at least provide food and clothing for the whole palace. As for the upper limit, it depends on future generations.
But he also knew very well that this special cooperative relationship with Haihan was based on his title of King De. Otherwise, he would be just one of the thousands of members of the Zhu family in the Ming Dynasty. Why? Let Haihan invest so many resources to support himself.
So when the Ming court planned to reduce the vassal status of the restless King De, Zhu Youli became anxious. He knew that he did not have enough influence on the Ming court, so he had to ask Haihan to mediate in order to get the Ming court to terminate its actions.
Chen Yixin said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, we will use diplomatic means to put pressure on the capital, and we will also consider military means if necessary. If the Ming Dynasty does not want to start a war with my country again so soon, then I think the capital should be able to tell who is the one." Which one is more important? ”
Zhu Youli wanted more than just such a few verbal promises, and immediately asked: "What if your country's methods fail to make the court change its mind and the decree reaches Jinan?"
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In fact, Huo Mingxian had tentatively asked this question last time at Qingdao Port, but Haihan's answer was obviously not the reassurance Zhu Youli needed, so he asked it again in person this time.
Chen Yixin said: "Even if the decree reaches Jinan, you can choose not to accept it. If you don't accept it, it will be regarded as not taking effect. If it does not take effect, there is still room for maneuver."
Chen Yixin's words are obviously a bit unreasonable, but they also illustrate the current situation of the relationship between the two countries. The Ming court obviously cannot prohibit Haihan from colluding with powerful figures within the Ming Dynasty, so it can only draw fire from the bottom and let powerful people like King De who rely on Haihan lose their original power. social status.
Of course Haihan could ignore Ming Ting's attitude and continue to do what he wanted to do, but if Zhu Youli refused to comply, there would still be a relatively large psychological barrier.
Zhu Youli hesitated and said: "Even if the king does not accept the decree, it will still be effective..." Chen Yixin waved his hand and said: "If you think it will be difficult to resist the decree in person, then find a way to intercept the decree from the capital on the way. Come down, no matter what method you use, just make sure it doesn’t reach Jinan.”
Zhu Youli said: "This...I am afraid that I am not strong enough, but will do bad things."
Chen Yixin shook his head slightly and said: "Your Majesty, it is a taboo for those who want to do great things to look forward and backward. You are afraid of wolves and tigers and do not dare to take risks. Then how can I trust you and invest more resources in supporting Prince De's Palace? You If we don’t dare to resist, then what’s the point of our country putting pressure on Ming Ting?”
Zhu Youli defended: "I am not timid, I just want to find a safe way to resolve the crisis. It would be best if the court can cancel the plan to reduce the vassal without damaging the harmony."< br>
After hearing this, Bai Kesi finally said: "My lord, I advise you to think carefully. Is there any other way to go at this time? If you are willing to be reduced to a civilian, then you don't have to do anything. But I want to remind you. , the reduction of the vassal state is not the last resort of the Ming Dynasty. It seems that you dare not resist, and our country has not made a strong statement, then we can charge you with foreign affairs after the vassal reduction. Is it still useful to ask the emperor for mercy or ask us for help?”
Zhu Youli's face couldn't help but twitch. It was obvious that Bai Kesi's words had hit his weak spot. Prince De's palace was in a difficult situation. He cooperated with Haihan to find a way out, and Bao De Wang's title was to protect a way out. But if this retreat is cut off by Ming Ting, and he blocks Haihan's way out, there will really be no way out.
Seeing that he was moved, Bai Kesi continued to persuade: "As the saying goes, wealth can be found in danger. Since the prince wants to find a good way out for future generations, then stop thinking about winning and being afraid of losing. You just need to cooperate with our country wholeheartedly. , our country will try to keep your family safe. You must know that it is not only you who want to keep your throne right now, but also us, and there is no reason for Mingting to let you go!" br>
Zhu Youju suddenly felt relieved. In fact, he never understood what he was most worried about, whether it was losing his position as vassal king or losing his use value. But after interviewing senior officials from Haihan, he realized who had the same interests as him, and what he was worried about was becoming an abandoned son who was sacrificed.
From a practical point of view, the entire Prince De's palace, including Zhu Youli, was of no value to the Ming Dynasty, and was even a small burden to the Ming Dynasty.
Although the salary for Prince De's Palace has been reduced again and again after the Battle of Jinan, the existence of Prince De's Palace will still occupy national resources. The man in the Forbidden City may have regretted the arrangement of finding Zhu Youli as his heir. If he had done it in the first place, Po Xia Donkey, let the Manchus take the blame, and end the title of King De, so how can all the messy things happen next.
So now that we have caught the cooperation between Prince De's Mansion and Haihan, it will undoubtedly provide the best reason to cut down the vassalage. At the same time, it can also scare the monkeys and beat other Ming Dynasty dignitaries who are still waiting to see.
The escape route that Zhu Youli wanted to protect did not actually exist at all. There was no choice now, only one way to go.
(End of chapter)