"Your Excellency, the Governor-General! I...I am a student...I have one more...one more 'topic' I don't understand, and I earnestly seek instruction from the Governor-General!"
Hearing Governor Wang Zhe instructing for tea to be served, Shi Wende felt a sudden surge of anxiety and had to cautiously call out.
In a formal eting like this, once the host starts serving tea, it signifies the end of the visit, akin to sending the guest away. Yet, he hadn't even ntioned the purpose of his visit! And the chance of eting the Governor-General again to raise this issue seed almost impossible...
"Oh? You still have a 'topic' you don't understand?"
Governor Wang Zhe raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze sowhat cold. He picked up the tea presented to him, took a gentle sip, and moistened his throat before speaking lightly.
"Si Cheng, stand up and have a sip of tea. If there's anything else you don't understand, feel free to ntion it briefly."
The implication of "ntion it briefly" was that only a brief ntion was allowed. Shi Wende respectfully saluted, then stood up, cupping the teacup in both hands, and spoke softly.
"Governor-General, if there is a foreign kingdom from Dongfan, arriving by sea at our Ningbo Shipping Bureau, seeking to offer tribute to the Imperial Ming...will the court accept it or not? Is there a criterion for judgnt?"
"A foreign kingdom from Dongfan? Dongfan Yi? Seeking tribute?"
Upon hearing this, Governor Wang Zhe was slightly taken aback, recalling the records of Dongfan, and asked puzzledly.
"I rember, in our province's archives, there are records of the eunuch Sanbao traveling to the Western Ocean. It describes 'traversing the East and West Oceans, none dared to offer tribute afterwards, only Dongfan evaded far away.' Moreover, 'Dongfan is very close to Quanzhou. The land is full of deep mountains and great marshes, with scattered settlents. There is no lord, and there are fifteen societies, the largest numbering a thousand, the smallest five or six hundred...'
"The Dongfan Yi, however, are rely wild n of the mountains and marshes, living in societies. From Yongle to Xuande, they've never offered tribute... Why have they suddenly appeared now?"
"Well... Shi Wende, are you sure they are Dongfan Yi? Not so deceitful sea rchants impersonating foreigners to present tribute?"
"Go...Governor-General! As a student...I am absolutely certain! They are indeed Dongfan Yi, from the Jilong Society in the northern part of Dongfan Island. They admire the transformation by our Ming Dynasty, hence they've co a thousand miles to offer tribute, without a doubt!"
Hearing the Governor's question, Shi Wende broke out in a cold sweat that soaked through his clothes. He never expected that Governor Wang Zhe, at his age, could recall the descriptions in these literary records so clearly. The mory of these advanced scholars is truly terrifying...
"As for the foreigners on the ship... They all look with deep-set eyes, high cheekbones, broad mouths, dark skin, and bare feet... It's apparent at a glance, they're definitely not so sea rchants posing as substitutes!"
Shi Wende declared confidently and decisively, insisting they must be Dongfan Yi.
As for how these Dongfan Yi ca? Naturally, he sent ships from Min to Dongfan, then recruited them from the villagers' societies of foreigners! In recent decades, many Min and Zhe people have ventured out to sea, with so settling on Dongfan Island, clearing land in the rainforest, and intermarrying with foreigners. In the western and northern parts of the island, more and more societies of intermarrying tribes have erged, capable of communicating with Min and Zhe people...
And the simple reason Shi Wende expended resources to recruit these people is to strive for an opportunity to offer tribute to the court in the na of "Dongfan Yi." Subsequently, obtaining a Golden Leaf Docunt of the Ming vassal state or at least a Validation Docunt for the lesser tribes' tribute!
Thus, his Chongming Shi clan could send a branch of clan mbers with sea ships and sailors to migrate to the Jilong Mountain area of Dongfan, making a superficial separation from the main family on Chongming Island. Then, with the branch using the identity of Dongfan Yi, they could maintain sea trade with the Validation Docunt...
This way, the main family could transition into scholars, and the branch could beco tributary foreigners, resolving the dual dilemma. With mutual support between the main family and the branch, one as a rchant and one in sea trade, they would both have legitimate identities. It seems almost too perfect! Unfortunately, this plan, however eloquently devised, in front of Governor Wang Zhe was...
"Ha! Dongfan Yi coming to offer tribute?… Is this a request for docunts for tribute trade validation? Or perhaps a bolder attempt to seek the Golden Leaf Docunt for confernt as a vassal state?"
Governor Wang Zhe, with a cold gaze, glanced at Shi Wende before speaking in a somber tone.
"Si Cheng, your initiative to lead foreigners to offer tribute… truly reflects your 'dedication and effort' in 'spreading cultural transformation'… But the standard by which the Imperial Ming judges and asures the qualifications for vassal tribute… is not sothing suddenly appearing foreigners and tribes can easily attain!..."
"To offer tribute to our Imperial Ming, one must first adhere to protocol, following the docunted precedents! Are these foreigners and tribes recorded in the ancestral teachings of the Imperial Ming? Are they included among the fifteen nations exempted from conquest by the Grand Ancestor? And even broader, among the more than one hundred tribute countries accepted by Taizong, do these nas feature?… If not listed by the Grand Ancestor or Taizong, by what right do they co to offer tribute to our Imperial Ming?"
"You must understand, since the passing of Xuanzong, neither Yingzong, Xianzong, nor the current Emperor has conferred new vassals! The Golden Leaf Docunts for vassal states are only replaced and renewed, never newly conferred!"
"As for those Validation Docunts awarded for trade with foreigners... in these three generations, not one has been granted to any new overseas tributary foreigners!… This is the honor awarded by our Imperial Ming, intended to bestow real benefits and official status! Only those border barbarians who have experienced cultural transformation are entitled to receive Validation Docunts and ease!"
After delivering this lecture on the "Ming Tribute Standards" and critiquing the "eunuch misconduct," Governor Wang Zhe picked up his tea, moistening his throat again. He then opened his mouth again, displaying the terrifying mory of a second-grade Advanced Scholar official flourishing among millions.
"Six years ago, when the current Emperor ascended to the throne in the first year of Hongzhi (1488). Haixi Hushin Guard Commander Fan Longha, Mao Lian Guard Commander Su Shih, Hu Lan Mountain Guard Commander Kuchu, Ye'er Ding River Guard Commander Jahu Chi, Yishi Left Guard Wild Man Woman Nuzhi Governor San Chi Ha, Su Pingjiang Guard Nu Zhi Commander Yiliba, and Tuolunwu Guard Wild Man Commander and other officials Sayin Ha... the seven Nuzhi tribes all ca to offer tribute, bringing horses and sable fur as tribute. The court granted a feast, bestowing silk and colorful garnts before sending them back!
"This is the Liaodong frontier, a crucial right arm for the Great Ming! The tribal Nuzhi are known for their fierce and unyielding nature, and they are easily swayed by the Northern Barbarians, hence it is necessary to permit their tribute with generous rewards in return!"
"In the sa year, the Ningyuan Pacification Commandery of Sichuan which is located to the west of the Long River, sent Zhengsai Village headman Zha Ba Yanqian, Zagu Pacification Bureau head Gake, a delegation from the Sichuan-Tibetan Tribes, and Song Siji, the leader of the Monastic Tribe... The West Sichuan Tribes and Wusi Tibetan Barbarians ca to offer tribute, bringing pulu as tribute. The court bestowed silk and colorful garnts and currency bars in return!"
"This is the southwestern frontier, the strategic back region of the Great Ming! The Sichuan-Tibetan Tribes sit high in the mountains, impeding Sichuan, hence they should be permitted to offer tribute with generous rewards!"
"In the sa year, Ahema King of Samarkand dispatched Envoy Ala Dalai; while Han Dong Left Guard Commander Zhi Ke sent Commander Ge Gan as envoys. These two tributary states offered tribute of jade, horses, cals, etc. The court granted a feast, bestowing silk, colorful garnts, and the Golden Leaf Docunt, sending them back..."
"This is the Northwest Silk Road, the left hand of the financial resources of the Great Ming! The states of Samarkand maintain the Silk Road, supporting Shaan to collect taxes, hence it is necessary to permit their tribute and confernt for pacification!"
"In the sa year, the Taozhou Guard of Shaanxi, inhabitants of the Qing Stone Mountain, Southern Capital, the Qingshapo tribe Zha Ji, Zhanabolin Seven Tribes Lu Jie... Three Northwest Gansu Ningxia tribes ca to offer tribute, bringing armor and horses as tribute. Yet the court still bestowed a feast, gifting silk, colorful garnts, and currency bars!"
"This is the Northwest frontier, the important left arm of the Great Ming! By splitting and wooing the Northwest tribes, we weaken the Northern Barbarian's power in the Northwest, hence generous exchanges are permitted to win their allegiance!"
"Northeast, Northwest, Southwest—currently permitted to offer tribute, are the border barbarians vital yet difficult to subdue, where pacification triumphed over warfare! Providing additional pacification to a border folk reduces rebellion and weakens the Northern Barbarian's power! This tribute order supports national benefits!"
"As during the Yongle Xuande Period when excessive overseas tribute was permitted without regard to the court's annual inco, it was rely due to the eunuch's misconduct in futile foreign campaigns! It cannot be repeated! Now, true gentlen gather in the court, and under no circumstances will eunuch treachery once again influence the sacred governntal directions!"
After proclaiming this and denouncing the "eunuch misconduct," Governor Wang Zhe, with a cold smile, fixed his gaze on Shi Wende's eyes, and sternly reproached him.
"As for your inquiries about 'overseas tribute'… or any 'Dongfan Kingdom'… our Zhejiang Mariti Bureau does not accept! Tribute is not allowed!"
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