New Shun 1730

"Yes, yes, yes! Duke, you are concise and to the point, that's exactly what I meant. I also sent warships to Songjiang before. The Dutch have a trading house there, and I have seen that our dynasty already has a navy."

After talking about some of the preparations he had made before, Duke Qi praised: "In addition to tariffs, the more ships you have, the more confident my Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be when speaking to the outside world. This matter is done beautifully. Anyway, everyone thinks that the French came to our dynasty to discuss how to deal with Luosha together, and sent ships to Sweden. If you send warships to Songjiang, they will not think of taking action against Nanyang."

I originally thought that Liu Yu had found a hot potato for me. When I heard that it only took three years of warships to suppress the Dutch in Nanyang, it meant that in addition to talking nonsense or cutting off trade, there was another option, so I naturally felt relieved.

Thinking that the emperor had the heart to manage Nanyang, it was also my credit for doing a better job on the Dutch this time as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If we consider the emperor's attitude, of course the emperor did not want the Dutch to massacre, nor did he want the Dutch to expel those people back to Fujian. If the second possibility can be done as much as possible, the emperor will be happy, and it can be regarded as a task, and the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be highlighted.

There are some things that the emperor cannot say directly, and it is impossible for him to take the blame.

This matter still needs to be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Just like if the Dutch say that all the overseas survivors should be sent back, if the emperor says that it is not allowed, it would be a bit immoral. If the Dutch really learn from the Spanish in Luzon, the emperor will not be able to hold his face.

Thinking about several things that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should do, and thinking about setting up the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the Nanyang is pacified, and giving the emperor a satisfactory explanation, Duke Qi also has a plan in mind.

Any department, from the perspective of Dashun as a whole, the significance of the existence of this department, in theory, is to make Dashun better and better.

And if it is a separate department, the significance of the existence of the department, from the perspective of "showing righteousness with merit", that is, the higher the official rank of this department, the more officials, and the more funds it controls, the more meaningful and successful it is.

Without a high enough official rank, not enough officials, not enough power, and not enough funds, how can you prove that your department is important?

As for what was accomplished, that is not important.

Although Dashun changed the six ministries into six governments, it was just a change of soup but not of substance. Considering that there are various departments under the six ministries, such as the Zhifang Department, the Chejia Department, the Wuku Department, etc. under the Bing Government, the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should also be a template in turn.

If the tariff power can be seized, this tariff department must be there.

And there are only a few people who can discuss diplomacy with Dashun.

Therefore, there must be the England, Guyana, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, Rakshasa, etc.

The establishment of a new department is either to manage new things from scratch, or to seize power from the old department.

Not counting new things, if we only consider seizing power in the old department, it is not difficult.

The Customs Department, the Li government could only manage half of it, and the other half was in the emperor's treasury. As long as the emperor agreed, there would be no problem.

Macau, at most, could be taken from the Guangdong Jiedushi, which was not difficult.

The Dutch only went through the motions and came to the capital to "pay tribute" once. After that, they did not come, and the court did not ask them to come again. It was just normal trade.

As for the reception of envoys from various countries, the Li government did not want to take care of these things. When the Luosha envoys and the French envoys came, the people of the Li government were unwilling to deal with them. On the one hand, they felt humiliated, and on the other hand, they did not want to take the blame - who knows if someone will report it one day, saying that they have fallen from the dignity of the Celestial Empire and are not in accordance with etiquette.

At that time, the Li government did not want to take the blame, so it pushed the job of receiving the envoys of the foreign countries. Now, the right to receive non-tributary countries is also easy to take away.

By the way, through this boundary survey, we can also seize those who are responsible for the boundary survey. This can be coordinated with the newly established Privy Council to divide up the people who survey the boundary and take away some of the power of the Military Government's Zhifang Division.

Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still an empty shell, but when it is handed over to the emperor in the future, it will be fully equipped.

It is not difficult to ensure that you can answer the emperor's questions, or that the departments under your command can answer them.

"Shou Chang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs talents to communicate with Western countries and control tariffs."

"Talents from the imperial examinations are not enough. They don't understand Western languages, let alone tariff issues, so we have to choose people from Wude Palace or Jinghai Palace."

"Wude Palace teaches Taoism, and Jinghai Palace teaches technology. I think this matter needs to be reported to His Majesty, and Jinghai Palace will train these people for future assessments."

"Your translation and brief history of Western countries also need to be published as a book as soon as possible to serve as a textbook."

"It just so happens that His Majesty is also worried about how to place the group of people who are going to Europe with me this time, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a good place. If you don't have the ability, just go and learn."

"For those who are capable, His Majesty still hopes that they will learn the art of military formation and become officers in the future. Those who are a little inferior can be thrown into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

When it comes to people like Dang Xuanming who went to Europe with him, Duke Qi also has a headache.

I thought I would see the military formation techniques of the Westerners and submit a petition for military reform after returning, but I never thought that the Dashun army had already reformed before I got home.

As for technology, the Duke of Qi was not Peter, and he did not go to the shipyard to learn real skills, and the children of the nobles who followed him did not learn any technology.

Moreover, the Celestial Empire has always looked down upon technical craftsmen and asking them to learn is an insult to them.

He sent a group of noble men out for a tour, but in fact Mao didn't learn anything. A few studious ones were left in French and Russian academies of science or military academies, while the rest who came back only watched the excitement for a few years.

But there was no merit, but hard work. The emperor also had a headache about the placement of these people after they returned.

Duke Guo of Qi felt that it was just right that after these people traveled around Europe, they would know a few words of Western language.

You might as well throw it into Jinghai Palace, find some Western teachers, learn Western language for a few years, and then just stuff it all into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anyway, waiting for Nanyang to be sure, this Ministry of Foreign Affairs is just a decoration.

It just happens that we can arrange for these people to have something to do and receive some salary. They are all members of Xungui's family, and it can be considered as a benefit for their own people.

Hello, I'm hello, everyone, except the emperor's internal funds or the national treasury.

Liu Yuxin said what you said, are you treating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a dumping ground for defective products?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs originally needs foreign-related languages. In the end, wouldn’t the so-called family connections be all a small circle of close relatives?

"Okay. I'll do the hiring of teachers. I'll also do the translation as soon as possible. As for the candidates... I'm afraid they still have to be approved by His Majesty?"

Qi Guogong said: "That's natural. The merits and demerits of performance along the way, whether they can be used, and whether they have learned anything, all have to be reported. Your Majesty must first select some people, and the military corrections can be used to fill them as officers. The remaining Only then can I throw it to you.”

Liu Yu thought that as long as he didn't throw it into the navy, as for diplomacy, it didn't really matter.

A weak country has no diplomacy. Without a strong navy, it cannot reach Southeast Asia, so there is no diplomacy.

If the navy is strong, diplomacy will naturally become simpler.

Anyway, for at least the next ten years, Dashun's general diplomatic line has been set: unite with France, attack the Netherlands, contain Britain, and reconcile with Russia.

The general line has been laid. Dashun does not need diplomatic geniuses like Su Qin and Zhang Yi, but only people who can follow the steps.

The minutiae are not as important. It would be fine to make do with a group of noble bastards as diplomats.

"My lord, there is one more thing. You may have to send them to various European countries in the future. You have to think about it. Going to Europe at this time is no different from being exiled for three thousand miles. They are afraid that they will be reluctant. When the time comes, , It will definitely offend some people.”

Duke Guo of Qi laughed and said, "What's wrong with this? Before this time, it might have felt like being exiled for three thousand miles. Having been there once, it can only be regarded as being outside the capital, not so wild. The basic necessities of life, food, clothing, housing and transportation are not the same as those of this dynasty. It’s very different, but it’s not like Zhang Qian was trapped in the Huns or Su Wumu was trapped in Beihai.”

"If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is really established in the future, those who are capable will become ministers of various departments, and those who are not capable will become ministers. None of them can rise to the rank of nobility, and now they will not be able to achieve military success. If they are given a way out, they will not hold grudges. ?”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet revealed its character, it is just empty-handed. However, Qi Guogong has already thought about the future positions of lieutenant in various departments and foreign minister.

"This matter is settled. I will inform Your Majesty to decide on the candidates and duties first, and then we will talk about the rest. If the Swedes can come, I will talk to them about this matter; if the Dutch really have intentions, I will take care of it. . Please stop interfering. That man named Lian Huaiguan, please ask him to come to my house in a few days."

Liu Yu hurriedly said: "My lord, this person came from Batavia. If I go through the Southeast Asia in the future, this person will be useful. Although it is not like a spring breeze, it will not chill the lives of these overseas immigrants." Heart."

Although these Dashun nobles all looked kind and cheerful when talking to him, Liu Yu knew very well the attitude of these people when facing civilians.

That kind of indifferent attitude is almost innate.

Under the etiquette system, the feudal hierarchy was very serious. Even Huai Guan was not even a scholar, and he went to sea to make a living. Even if he had some reputation in Batavia, after entering the capital, in the eyes of these nobles, he was... A little ant.

Although Liu Yu didn't want Lian Huaiguan to do big things by himself, he had been slightly frightened before.

However, there is a limit to everything. I am afraid that if Lian Huai Guan comes to the capital to see him, the nobles will look at him like a piece of grass, and their hearts will become cold, thinking that he is just a dog anyway, I might as well be a dog for the Dutch, and that will be the end.

It's not impossible for this kind of thing to happen, Liu Yu thinks it's better to give him a warning.

"Hahahaha... Shou Chang, Shou Chang, do you know what the cheapest thing in the world is?"

Liu Yu shook his head, and four words popped out of Qi Guogong's mouth.

"Corporal Courtesy and Xian. Firstly, he does not spend money, and secondly, he does not give away benefits. He saw the stone lion, the big red door, and the gilded ring at my door. The entrance and exit etiquette is strict, the servants obey, and the hall is spacious. Naturally, a kind of insignificance and humility will arise. With these, As long as I am a little nicer, it will be a great honor for them."

"Bottom, bottom, only where there is top is there is bottom. If there is no top and bottom, people have no dignity, how can you treat the virtuous and the corporal? If there is no respect, you can only talk about benefits. If you are beneficial, others will listen; but the superiors and inferiors are strict, The strict etiquette makes a big difference."

"You, you, you only know the bottom, but you don't know the top, let alone the wonderful use of the difference between up and down. You should learn these things well."

Liu Yu smiled bitterly in his heart, sighed slightly and said: "I'm afraid that he is used to being undisciplined in Nanyang, and his heart is unrestrained. Seeing that there are many etiquette in the country, he feels unhappy."

Qi Guozheng said seductively: "The imperial court spent money and sent out armies and warships during the Nanyang strategy. What did you do as the imperial court? Although your Majesty established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was only outside Nanyang. Nanyang was still part of the Celestial Empire. Is it possible that the Celestial Empire sends troops and money, but the Celestial Empire's rules are not applicable in Nanyang? You also know in your heart that without the imperial court, it will be difficult for China, Britain, France and the Netherlands to gain a foothold outside. There are many people in Southwest China. Chieftain, is it possible that you will not change your ways?"

"That's how the Celestial Dynasty is. It doesn't know the rules and only wants favors. Did you know that Jing Haijun was envoys? How is Annan now? In the Song Dynasty, the north and the south were still different and each had their own hatred. It was only after Ming Dynasty that the world was reorganized. What kind of country do you want? of Nanyang?”

"If he really wants to serve tens of thousands of Chinese people in Nanyang, how can he abandon it just because he doesn't like the Chinese etiquette? If he doesn't want to have either the Netherlands or China above his head, then what's the use?"

"If you feel that the etiquette of the Celestial Empire is cumbersome just after meeting me, I would like to ask if he is summoned by His Majesty in the future, will he be unable to go to court because of the Emperor's summons? I am trying him. If he even finds this cumbersome and looks irritated and displeased, "Sex, it's best not to let His Majesty summon you. If His Majesty doesn't like it, it will be difficult to talk about Nanyang affairs."

"You only know the words Xian and Shi, but you don't know that the essence of these four words lies in courtesy and courtesy."

"The Celestial Dynasty is the Celestial Dynasty, and China is China. The word "Celestial Dynasty" belongs to the word "Li". If he has the ability, he can drive away the Dutch in Nanyang, whether it is tribute or trade. If he does not have such ability, it is necessary. When the Celestial Empire sends troops, it must abide by the rules of the Celestial Empire. Your Majesty...doesn't want to go back to China after conquering Southeast Asia."

This was a private conversation between the two of them. Liu Yu had nothing to take into consideration. He carefully considered Qi Guogong's words and nodded: "I didn't think too much. What the Duke said makes sense. If you don't even have the etiquette to meet the Duke of Qi, I feel like I can’t bear it. If I were summoned by His Majesty, it’s hard to say what would happen.”

Duke Guo of Qi sighed, looked at Liu Yu for a long time, and said quietly: "Shou Chang, Shou Chang, Jin Shui Bridge asked the question that day. His Majesty can listen to you, not because you have the ability, but because your father is the current Duke Yi Guo. You You have benefited from this rule, and since you were born, there have been very few people kneeling down. But this is not the case in the world."

"When Nanyang enters the Celestial Dynasty, the rules must be observed. Whoever has to bow to an official and whoever does not have to kneel, these are the rules. I still say the same thing, if he has the ability to do things by himself, the Celestial Empire will not interfere, and if there is no trade, there will be no tribute. It doesn’t matter; if he doesn’t have the ability to do it on his own, he has to follow the rules of the heaven.”

"There is no circle without rules. Rules can be changed, but if they are to be changed, the heaven must change them. The new rules must replace the old rules. Instead of the north having the rules of the north, the south having the rules of the south, and the south having the rules of the south."