"Use barbarians to control barbarians."
"A plan for the ages."
"Once the steppe has been pacified this time, I will return and discuss this colonial policy properly with His Majesty and the others."
"Control shall be the priority, not governance," Zhu Ying said gravely.
This completely defined the national policy of colonization.
In the future.
During the Ming Dynasty's campaigns of conquest, it would no longer waste manpower and resources governing those foreign nations. Instead, it would focus on plunder and control.
Though both involved control.
Once this colonial policy was implemented.
It would be entirely different from direct governance by the Ming Dynasty.
Colonization!
With memories from two lifetimes, Zhu Ying naturally understood this well: use barbarians to control barbarians, rely on foreign peoples to restrain foreign peoples, while all their resources would belong to the Ming Dynasty.
Of course!
In the future.
Under this colonial policy, those colonies would be plagued by constant disorder, but that would not affect the Ming Dynasty in the slightest. The ones dying would be their own people.
"Your Highness is wise."
The generals all bowed to Zhu Ying.
Clearly.
The moment they heard of this colonial policy, they understood its importance.
"Move quickly to bring the Oirats entirely under control."
"This time, I will settle the north in a single campaign. Once the Oirats are dealt with, we must seize this chance to deal with Uriankhai as well." Zhu Ying swept his gaze across them and spoke.
"We obey your orders," the generals answered in unison.
For them.
Or perhaps for the entire Ming army, this Northern Expedition was easier than any before it.
Compared to the past, the Ming Dynasty's suppression of these barbarians was utterly overwhelming.
This showed just how earthshaking the changes in national strength had been after Zhu