Signed to Zhu Cihong, Prince of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 272 Chapter 272, the territory of the Ming Dynasty is really small, Ci Hong proposed to expand

Zhu Cihong felt that the topic should have ended there, but unexpectedly, Chongzhen spoke again.

"Lang'er, do you know? I sometimes... feel like I can't understand your thoughts anymore."

Zhu Cilang paused, thinking that if you, an "ancient person", can keep up with the three views of a modern person like me, then it's not my problem, but your problem.

Zhu Cihong said sincerely: "Father, my son's idea is actually very simple, just to make Daming stronger and stronger."

In normal times, such an answer would have been enough to deal with Chongzhen, but today's Chongzhen was obviously not satisfied, and continued to ask: "In your opinion, what exactly does it take to be considered a truly powerful Ming Dynasty?"

After Zhu Cihong heard Chongzhen's words, he gradually put away his smile and became serious.

On the left wall of the imperial study room was a complete map of the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Cihong stood up and walked to the side of the complete map of the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

"Father, what does the territory of Ming Dynasty look like?" Zhu Cihong asked.

Chongzhen said: "The Ming Dynasty has a vast territory and a territory of thousands of miles. It is the strongest country in the world!"

There was obvious pride in Chongzhen's voice.

Zhu Cihong said: "I still want to ask my father one more question, is the present Da Ming the strongest Da Ming?"

This question made Chongzhen's face change, and he said after a while: "No."

The answer is quite obvious. In terms of territory, when Zhu Di conquered Annan and attacked Mongolia, the Ming Dynasty had the most vast territory, with nominally controlled land reaching 97 million square kilometers.

But now, even if Qinghai and Tibet are included, the land that Daming can control in name is only 500 million to 600 million square kilometers.

If only the two capitals and thirteen provinces are counted, how much land did the Ming Dynasty really control? It covers an area of ​​more than 300 million square kilometers, which is about the same as Qin Shihuang’s Qin Dynasty.

In other words, nearly 1700 years from the establishment of the Qin Dynasty to the present, the core area ruled by the Huaxia people has always been so large, and there has been almost no change!

Zhu Cihong said calmly: "The current Daming is really too young, Father. When I look at this map, I often feel a kind of embarrassment that I can't breathe. I am a majestic Huaxia, how can I live in such a small place?" , instead of exploring the outside world!"

Chongzhen was a little unhappy: "What do you mean by being too small? The territory of Ming Dynasty is so vast, is there any country in the world that is more powerful than Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Cihong shook his head and said: "In fact, there are. In the west, there is an empire called Ottoman Turkey, and its territory is exactly the same as that of Ming Dynasty."

Chongzhen snorted and said, "Of course I have heard of the name of Ottoman Turkey, but that's just a rumor that Yidi boasted about himself."

Zhu Cihong said sincerely: "If the son-in-law tells the father, is it not a rumor?"

Chongzhen had a look of disbelief.

Without hesitation, Zhu Cihong took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and spread it out in front of Emperor Chongzhen.

Chongzhen froze for a moment, only to realize that what Zhu Cihong took out was also a map.

At the top of the map is written "World Situation Map in 18 Years of Chongzhen".

This is a very standard modern map, except that it is not marked with modern national boundaries, but a map of the world situation in the 18th year of Chongzhen (1645 AD).

Chongzhen stared at the map in front of him for only a few seconds, and then he was shocked.

After a while, Chongzhen said: "Is this Ottoman country really so vast?"

It can be clearly seen from the map that the territory of the Ottoman Turkish Empire is actually almost the same as the two capitals and thirteen provinces in the Central Plains of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Cihong nodded and said, "That's true, but Osman is not Daming's most urgent opponent today."

Chongzhen moved his eyes to the north, and suddenly said after a while: "This Russian tsarist state is even bigger than Daming?"

Zhu Cixi said sternly: "That's right. Father, please take a look. Now the Russians are constantly advancing eastward. They are now located in the north of the Junggar tribe. But although the Junggar Mongols can prevent Russia from going south, they cannot stop Russia from advancing eastward. If If Russia continues to advance eastward, sooner or later they will reach the location of Buryat Mongolia, that is, north of Mobei."

Chongzhen lost his voice for a moment.

In Ming Dynasty's contemporary world view, the north of the desert occupied by the Mongols is already the northernmost place in the world. Chongzhen never imagined that there is such a vast land north of Mobei?
After calming down, Chongzhen couldn't help but said: "I know Mobei. It is an extremely barren and desolate place. Even if Russia occupies that place, what is the use?"

Zhu Cilang said: "Father's words are wrong. The north of Mobei is indeed desolate, but don't the Russians know it? As long as they can gain a firm foothold in these places, the next thing they have to do is of course-go south! They will Go south to attack Mobei, Mongolia, and after occupying Mobei, we will continue to go south to attack Monan, and after occupying Monan, it's time to attack Daming!"

What Zhu Cihong said is not some conjecture, but the "Yellow Russia" plan that the Russian Empire has planned for many years in history and has been constantly advancing.

In that plan, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, Hebei and all provinces in Northeast China should be included in the territory of the Russian Empire!

If it weren't for the internal strife among the imperialist powers that hindered each other, if it wasn't for Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War that broke out in the Northeast, and if it wasn't for the First World War that caused the Russian Tsarist state to collapse, then this plan might have come true.

Chongzhen's face became ugly, and he said after a long time: "Is this what you think?"

Zhu Cixiang said sincerely: "Yes. I always believe that the Ming Dynasty cannot be passively beaten, and cannot wait for these enemy armies to press hundreds of miles outside the Ming Dynasty capital before considering a solution. The Ming Dynasty should Take the initiative to expand, take the initiative to fight out, acquire more territory, and keep enemies away from the country. Ming Dynasty should be more proactive in destroying and conquering other countries. This is the best way to truly make Ming Dynasty strong! "

Chongzhen shook his head and said: "You have a very good idea, but you have to know that if the territory is too far away from the mainland of Ming Dynasty, it will be very difficult for Ming Dynasty to maintain its local rule."

Among other things, it is like Annan (northern Vietnam). Why did Ming give up this place after occupying Annan for decades? It is because the cost of maintaining the system there is too high and it is not cost-effective, so he voluntarily gave up.

Now hearing what Zhu Cihong said, he even wants to conquer the barren lands of Qinghai-Tibet and Mobei, which makes Chongzhen feel that it is completely unrealistic!

When Zhu Cihong heard this, he immediately laughed.

"Father, the world is no longer what it used to be. You will soon know what the child is relying on to speak of such ambitions in front of you!"

(End of this chapter)