Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 304

It's September, and the Korean Peninsula is filled with autumn.

Mount Kumgang is the highest peak on the peninsula. It follows the changing seasons, but each has its own reputation.

The spectacle in spring is like a pure and transparent diamond, so it is called Mount Kumgang; in summer, it is called Mount Penglai because it is comparable to Penglai; It is called Jiegu Mountain.

At this time, Mount Kumgang was covered with red leaves and white mist shrouded the mountainside, making it look like a fairyland on earth, so Mount Kumgang changed from Penglai Mountain to Fenggak Mountain.

A fast horse came from far away from the north and had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery here. It rushed directly from the side of Mount Kumgang to the royal capital.

The news of Daming's recovery of Jianzhou spread to Seoul, and ordinary people didn't feel too strongly about it, but those in power in North Korea suddenly became panicked.

Although the progress of the Eastern Expedition Army led by Wang Yue was slow, the fact that the army directly destroyed the Jurchen base camp in Jianzhou with the overwhelming momentum of Mount Tai proved that the Ming army was extremely powerful.

Although Tuo Luo escaped successfully, he had already lost his legs. Not to mention calling on the remnants to counterattack Daming, he might not even be able to guarantee his own safety.

Just like this, Jianzhou in the north of North Korea has fallen into the hands of the Ming Dynasty, and the powerful Eastern Expeditionary Army is now like a sharp sword hanging over North Korea.

"Defeated? Is this how you lose?"

"Aren't the Jianzhou Jurchen very strong?"

"Although Jianzhou Jurchens are strong, Daming is even stronger!"

……

Knowing that the Jianzhou Jurchens were easily defeated by the Ming Dynasty, the officials of Zhuhe could not accept it for a while, but some officials had begun to re-examine the powerful Ming army.

In the minds of many people, Jianzhou women are really a powerful force.

Not to mention that the Jianzhou Jurchens are good at riding and shooting. Since they evolved from nomadic people, they have strong mobility.

In response to Xianzong's call, North Korea also dispatched a large army to help the Ming Dynasty sweep away the Jurchens in Jianzhou, their neighbor. However, due to the extremely strong combat power and maneuverability of the Jianzhou Jurchens, their army ultimately returned without success.

Now that the Ming army wants to wipe out the Jianzhou Jurchens, judging from their experience, it is naturally the same as the situation back then.Although the Ming army will gain some gains, they will eventually retreat and return to Shanhaiguan.

But who would have thought that the situation this time is completely different from what everyone thought.The Ming Dynasty's Eastern Expeditionary Army achieved an unprecedented victory, and even successfully destroyed the Jianzhou Jurchen base camp, thus regaining the entire Jianzhou.

That's why the current situation is developing in a direction that is extremely unfavorable to North Korea. The Jianzhou Jurchen, which was originally considered a buffer zone between them and the Ming Dynasty, disappeared.

"What shall we do now?"

"What else can I do, naturally continue to surrender to Daming!"

"If the Ming Dynasty pursues us for not sending troops this time, what should we do?"

……

Since Jianzhou has fallen into the hands of the Ming Dynasty, and now North Korea borders the Ming Dynasty, it is difficult to guarantee whether the Ming Dynasty's Eastern Expeditionary Army will suddenly enter the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, everyone has begun to worry about the Ming Dynasty's army going south.

Since North Korea implemented the New Deal, North Korea's military strength has been reduced to [-].

Even if there are only [-] left, the quality of this army is worrying.The strength of an army of [-] is huge. Judging from the fact that it is very difficult for the army to fight a few bandits, the overall strength may not be as good as that of Jianzhou Jurchen.

The fact is also the same. Judging from the performance of the Korean army in history, let alone contend with the Ming Dynasty, I am afraid that it will not be able to withstand the Eastern Expeditionary Army.

Amid panic throughout Seoul, many officials also began to "find another way out."

Many North Korean officials have already prepared for the worst. Once the Ming army invades North Korea, will they choose to surrender or surrender?
Fortunately, North Korea has a deep relationship with Ming Dynasty, and even some important officials are of Han blood, so they are also ready to embrace Ming's thick thighs.

Some extremely smart North Korean officials found another way, and immediately sent their confidantes to Sanzhi Island to get in touch with Xu Shiying, Governor of the East China Sea, so as to prepare a way out for themselves.

In the few days since the news came out, the entire upper echelon of North Korea seemed to be in a state of panic. Out of worries about the war, they all looked for their own way out.

Koreans love pine, so some pine forests for people to watch have entered various mansions, and they have also entered the palace.

This year's autumn looks stronger than previous years. Even the most verdant pine trees in the backyard of the palace have fallen a few dead needles under the pine trees.

Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace.

This Ming-style palace is very noisy, and the factions headed by Yin Bishang and Zuo Yizheng Li Kepei are arguing with each other.

Li Kepei, the leader of the Left Council, was originally a staunch peace advocate. He had previously insisted not to send troops to help the Ming and Qing Dynasties suppress the Jurchens in Jianzhou, and even threatened that the Ming army would return without success.

But now they were slapped in the face. The Ming army achieved an unprecedented victory, and even incorporated the entire Jianzhou into the Ming Dynasty.

Now North Korea is undoubtedly standing on the wrong team. Because of this wrong decision, it has cast a bad consequence.

Zuo Yizheng and Li Kepei knew that he had made a mistake, but he calmed everyone down by saying: "Ming Taizong has already called our North Korea a country that will not be conquered. Even if Emperor Hongzhi is so cruel, we can't conquer our North Korea just because of this!"

"That's right, we are a country without conquest!"

"Conquering Jianzhou because of deer tendons is the work of a tyrant!"

"We in North Korea worship Confucianism, and not sending troops is also in line with the holy way!"

……

When the officials present heard Li Kepei's words, they all nodded in agreement.

Although the Ming emperor was very powerful, the emperors of all dynasties did not dare to ignore the ancestral system.It is wrong for them not to send troops now, but it is also against the ancestral system to conquer North Korea just for this reason.

What's more, Hongzhi's conquest of Jianzhou this time was against Confucianism, so they did not do anything wrong in North Korea.

"Don't forget, when Tuoluo sent people over earlier, we gave them a letter of credence!" Bing Cao Li Shi saw the gang leader and faction enjoying themselves, and couldn't help pouring cold water on them.

Although these people say that they are for righteousness, I am afraid they have already believed it, but in essence they are a group of rats who are greedy for life and fear of death, and only seek profit.

During the negotiation process with the Jianzhou Jurchens, they signed letters of credence with the Jianzhou Jurchens just for a little convenience.

It would be fine if Daming returned it without success, but now that Daming has regained Jianzhou in one fell swoop, once the letter of credence falls into the hands of the Emperor of Ming, how can he let it go?
This……

The officials present seemed to have just remembered this past event, and couldn't help but look at each other in blank dismay.Zuo Yizheng and Li Kepei's face was gloomy, but he said with a bit of luck: "Let's not say that the credential may not be found, and it may not fall into the hands of Daming. Jianzhou Jurchen has always been a good neighbor, and now they take the initiative to surrender to North Korea. , we in North Korea have no reason to reject people thousands of miles away, I believe Daming will not be so fussy."

"Yes, they have always claimed to be a state of etiquette, so how could they be so fussy?"

"If Korea is conquered because of this matter, then Ming Dynasty will be worthy of being the country of the suzerain!"

"I believe Daming will be tolerant, it is impossible to blame us for this matter!"

……

Officials such as Li Cao Jinzhan have their own logical judgments, and they all agree with each other.

Seeing the brazen logic of this group of people, Li Shi showed a self-deprecating smile on his face. Sure enough, he couldn't wake up a group of people who deliberately pretended to be asleep.

It would be fine if the credential did not fall into the hands of the Daming Emperor, but once the credential was obtained by the Daming Emperor, then the Daming Emperor would definitely not let it go.

Not to mention that the emperor could not be bound by the ancestral system at all, and now that North Korea is so disobedient to the will of the Ming emperor, it will definitely be "rectified" by that emperor.

Yin Bishang, the leader of the government, did not pay attention to these clowns, but said to the king Li Yu above: "Your Majesty, this matter may lead to war, so you must not be careless. I think you can take the initiative to explain the reason to the Emperor of Ming. I believe that the Emperor of Ming will definitely Understand your majesty's difficulties, then there will be no worries about war!"

"No! No one in the world knows the cruelty of Emperor Hongzhi. Now he takes the initiative to admit the facts to Daming and give him a reason to raise troops. This move is clearly to make North Korea suffer from military disasters! For the current plan, we can send an elite small army to sneak into Jianzhou , Get back the letter of credence from Tuo Luo." Zuo Yizheng Li Kepei did not deal with Yin Bishang, so he stood up and strongly opposed it.

The king of North Korea, Li Ju, was an indecisive person, and he was also worried that voluntarily admitting it would lead to military disaster, so he immediately decided: "This matter is as Li Qing said!"

Bing Cao Li Shi saw that the king Li Ji once again chose to believe in his teacher, but he sighed helplessly, knowing that North Korea was planting mines for him.

At the end of September, the red leaves all over Mt. Kumgang look very prosperous.

What was supposed to come finally came, and the Emperor of Ming Dynasty sent envoys to the capital to deliver the decree.

Although Li Ji is the ruler of the Korean peninsula, facing the imperial decree of the Ming Emperor, he also kneels respectfully and greets him: "My servant, King Li Ji of Joseon, respectfully invites you to be safe!"

"Saint Gong'an!"

The person who issued the decree was Zhang Sui, the new inspector of Liaodong, and Dang even began to list all kinds of inappropriate actions of the Korean king Li Yu.

Finally, the final content of the imperial decree is: "I know that the King of Korea and Daming have a heart of love for thousands of years, but the various actions of the King of Korea have made people suspicious, and even some important officials in the court advised me to use swords. For now The suspicion between the two countries has been built together for thousands of years, so I invite the king of North Korea to come to the capital immediately to tell me the reason, and explain the reason to me face to face, so as to eliminate the suspicion of the monarch and his ministers, this is yours!"

This imperial edict seemed very polite, but it also contained a naked threat.The important ministers in the court advised the Ming Emperor to build weapons. This was probably fabricated by the Ming Emperor, but who dares to rule out that the Ming Emperor would not do this?

Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty supported millions of troops, but the Eastern Expeditionary Army is still staying in Jianzhou.

As long as an order is given and the Eastern Expeditionary Army moves south, what will the North Korean side do to resist?
Although the Ming Dynasty purchases 150 sets of bows and arrows from North Korea every year, it is far from meeting the needs of [-] soldiers, and this already corrupted army may not even have the courage to face the Ming army.

What's more, Ming Dynasty has recently upgraded its bows and arrows, and they are asking for Xuefeng Dao but can't get it.Now the Ming Dynasty's weapons are at an absolute advantage. Once North Korea raises troops against them, it will be a dimensionality reduction blow.

After half a month, the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace became noisy again.

"Our intelligence has learned that the Ming Dynasty has obtained credentials!" Bing Cao Li Shi glanced at Zuo Yizheng Li Kepei resentfully, but he directly exposed all illusions.

Zuo Yizheng, Li Kepei and other officials knew that a catastrophe had occurred, but they were not prepared to take the responsibility on themselves, but chose to remain silent.

When King Li Ju of North Korea saw the development of the situation, he knew that he had made the wrong choice.

Since his ascension to the throne, he has always wanted to be a virtuous minister in the history books, so he relied on his teacher Li Kepei for many things, but he never thought that he would end up like this.

The king of North Korea, Li Yu, took a deep breath and asked seriously: "My dear friends, the emperor's imperial edict has been issued, how do you think this king should respond to the emperor?"

This……

Faced with this question, the officials present could not help but look at each other in blank dismay.

Although North Korea has always regarded itself as a vassal state, the throne also needs to be conferred by the Ming emperor.It's just that the king of North Korea went to the Ming capital in person.But it is tantamount to sending one's own life into the hands of the Ming Emperor, which is undoubtedly an adventure.

As the actual helmsman of the Korean Peninsula, when has he ever done such a dangerous thing, but put his noble life in the hands of others?

Unfortunately, Emperor Hongzhi was still a well-known tyrant, and no one could guarantee whether Emperor Hongzhi would hold a Hongmen banquet.

If North Korea refuses to go this time, not to mention that the earlier letter of credence has given Ming an excuse to send troops, and now it will give Ming even more reasons to send troops.

Even if the Ming Dynasty did not send troops to conquer, if the Ming Dynasty announced that it would sever relations with the Joseon royal family, the status of the Joseon royal family would become precarious in the country.

You must know that the current control of the Korean royal family is not strong, but they are generals who seize the throne, but it is difficult to guarantee that the generals in the army will take the opportunity to riot.

In fact, there are many nobles in North Korea who are very close to Ming Dynasty. In order to restore the friendship between the two countries, these people are likely to support the military generals in overthrowing the Lee Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, a gentleman will not stand under a dangerous wall. I beg your Majesty to refuse!"

"Once the Ming army goes south, are you going to personally lead the troops against the Ming army?"

"Even if you die, it doesn't matter. Anyway, as a minister, how can you put the king in danger?"

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty did not directly raise troops today, but he gave us an opportunity. I sincerely request your Majesty to go to the capital!"

"Your Majesty, don't make the same mistake again this time! We are the ones who made the mistake in the book of state, and only the King can stop the swordsmen by going to the capital!"

"My lord, everyone in the world knows that Hongzhi is a tyrant, but if the king disobeys his will now, he will definitely raise his troops and go south. Who can stop then?"

……

Faced with this difficult problem, the courtiers present expressed their opinions. Although the officials headed by Zuo Yizheng Li Kepei still opposed it, the officials who advocated going there gained the upper hand.

Now, if they defy the will of Emperor Ming, the whole country will be destroyed.However, they can only push the North Korean king Li Ji to go, then they will have a glimmer of life in North Korea, and they can keep their current wealth.

The king of North Korea, Li Ji, seemed unwilling to ask: "Is there really no good strategy that can stop the war without requiring me to go to the capital?"

Faced with this problem, officials including Zuo Yizheng and Li Kepei shook their heads silently, but they knew that they could either give their lives to the Ming Dynasty or go to the Ming Dynasty capital.

As for the king of North Korea, Li Ji, he must either be a subjugated king, or recognize the reality and obediently go to the Ming Dynasty to recognize his elder brother.

(End of this chapter)