Daming talker

Chapter 716: Battle between the Two Parties on the Riverbank
Due to work reasons, Shen Yan had too much contact with the North Korean delegation, especially Yin Zhuoran, so he also had some understanding of the party struggle situation in North Korea.

When the Japanese army invaded Korea, the leader of the Northern Party, Yi Sanhae, advocated that the king flee from Seoul, a term called "spreading migration", which was fiercely criticized by the Western Party.

Later, the King of Joseon did leave Seoul and flee northward, but he exiled Yi Sanhae, who advocated "migration", and reused the leader of the Western Party, Yoon Doo-su, by his side.

Shen Yan felt quite confused about the King of Korea's actions. It was even more confusing than many things in the Ming Dynasty court.

Although Yin Zhuoran looks like a coward in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, he is a backbone of the Northern Party in Korea and one of the "Eight Vajras" of the Northern Party under Li Shanhai.

Now the King of Joseon is relying on the leader of the Western Party, Yoon Doo-su, and is using the leader of the Southern Party, Ryu Seong-ryong, to cooperate with the Heavenly Soldiers in the country, so the Northern Party has been marginalized.

Therefore, considering the situation of the small Korean court, Shen Yan could judge that what Yin Zhuoran said today was not a lie.

The heavenly soldiers refused to march south, the king could not return to his country, and the Ming Emperor turned a blind eye to it. Someone must be held accountable for such a diplomatic failure, and Yin Zhuoran is the most suitable person to be held accountable.

Therefore, Shen Yan asked Ye Mengxiong, the Grand Marshal of the Ministry of War, to make special arrangements before the government office was closed at the end of the year, and helped Yin Zhuoran to obtain various certificates as quickly as possible. These were all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War.

With these certificates, Yin Zhuoran could enjoy public-funded post rides and government military escorts along the way.

Moreover, Shen Yan also wrote a work report to Lin Tianshuai, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites who was far away in Korea, and informed him of Yin Zhuoran's matter in advance.

Otherwise, without Lin Tianshuai's knowledge, even if Yin Zhuoran arrived at Jiuliancheng, he would not be able to cross the Yalu River.

Yin Zhuoran was moved to tears by this. He had served as an angel in the imperial court twice, and this time he had lived in the capital of the Ming Dynasty for almost a year, so he had a deep understanding of this.

Apart from the fixed courtesy procedures, it seemed difficult for him, a Korean envoy, to do anything. For example, his request to hold a tribute market in Huitongguan for a few more days was not approved.

But this time, he decided to surrender to Lin and gave up his official position in the Li Dynasty. Instead, he got things done more smoothly than anyone could imagine.

All the formalities and certificates were completed within just three days, and he was also given the title of foreign clerk in the Communications Department of the Ministry of War and foreign counselor in the Shogunate.

As long as he returns to China and meets Lin Jinglie, he can be converted to a regular employee.

Not everyone in the Korean delegation was willing to follow Yin Zhuoran. Many of those belonging to the Western Party and the Southern Party factions still wanted to return to the small court of the Joseon Dynasty.

In the end, only three people followed Yin Zhuoran. They left the Ming capital when ordinary people were preparing for the New Year and went to Jiuliancheng on the Yalu River.

It happened that on New Year's Eve, Yin Zhuoran arrived at Shanhaiguan.

The father of Li Shanhai, the leader of their Northern Party, had been an angel many years ago, so he had passed through Shanhaiguan, and Li Shanhai's name came from Shanhaiguan.

Today, in this very meaningful place, Yin Zhuoran encouraged his followers and painted a big picture with Lin Tianshuai's name.

On the next day, which was the first day of the first lunar month of the twenty-first year of the Wanli reign, the group continued their journey back east.

During the Chinese New Year, Tong Yangzheng, the deputy general stationed in Kuandian Fort, visited the Korean king and his ministers who were living in Kuandian Fort and presented them with the imperial calendar for the new year.

(Again, this Tong Yangzheng is not the same person as the more famous Tong Yangzheng with pigtails in history.)
Previously, the Japanese pirates approached the Yalu River and even crossed the Tuman River in the northeast direction. The atmosphere in Kuandian Fort was also very tense.

Fortunately, after the invincible Lin Jinglüe entered the court, it took only two months for him to push the battle lines thousands of miles away in the east and west.

From Kuandian Fort to Jiuliancheng, you can celebrate the New Year with complete peace of mind.

After completing the routine and programmed conversation with the King of Korea, Yi Sun, Tong Yangzheng said goodbye after completing his mission.

During the visit, His Majesty the King of Korea also wrote a Chinese poem in his own handwriting and presented it to Deputy General Tong on the spot. It is said that the poem was quoted from the work of Zheng Che, the most famous poet in Korea today.

"The universe is still full of life, and the rivers and lakes are filled with white hair. Don't cry bitterly in the morning, just sing a long song after getting drunk."

But Deputy General Tong pretended not to understand. As a warrior, it is normal for him not to understand the meaning of poetry, right?
No one can ask an uneducated military attaché to have a correct reading comprehension of foreign poetry, right?
Anyway, Lin Jinglue said that if he dared to let the King of Korea leave Kuandian Fort, his entire family would be exiled to Ningguta Road in Nurgandusi!

I just don’t understand why it is Ningguta?

Tong Yangzheng had just walked to the gate with the scroll in his hand when he saw Yoon Doo-su, the Left State Councillor of the Joseon National Court and leader of the Western Party, chasing him out.

Deputy General Tong was not surprised by this. Many things were not convenient to say in official occasions, especially when the monarch was present, and could only be communicated in private.

Yin Doushou asked with a little hope: "Has His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming sent an envoy to comfort our king?"

Tong Yangzheng shook his head expressionlessly, "I have not received any such notification, and no one has told me to prepare for the reception."

Even if the imperial court wanted to send an envoy to offer condolences, it was customary for them to do so before the New Year. Now that it was already this time, and no envoy had come to offer condolences, it meant that there was definitely no chance.

Yin Doushou asked unwillingly, "Has His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming issued any decree or any reply to our country's memorial?"

Tong Yangzheng still shook his head expressionlessly, "So far, I haven't received it yet."

Yin Doushou was extremely disappointed, and kept muttering to himself, "It shouldn't be like this. It shouldn't be like this."

The two requests of "the king returning home" and "the heavenly troops marching south" have been clearly put forward. Whether you agree or not, there should be a response, right?
Tong Yangzheng didn't quite understand why the emperor was so indifferent to the Korean monarch and his ministers and didn't even say a word.

Even if an imperial decree was issued to reprimand the Korean monarch and his ministers, it would be better than the current situation of ignoring everything.

It had nothing to do with him anyway, so when Tong Yangzheng turned around to leave, Yin Doushou stopped him again.

"During the New Year and Spring Festival, our king is living in a foreign country. Although he cannot return for the time being, he wants to go to the Yalu River to worship his ancestors facing south." Yin Doushou requested again.

Logically speaking, if you make a request, you should also give a gift.

However, most of the personal belongings of the king and his ministers had been looted by Lin, and Yin Doushou was reluctant to waste them before getting a clear consent.

However, seeing the Korean minister pleading hard, Tong Yangzheng felt a little sympathy in his heart and replied: "I can't make the decision, but I can ask the governor for instructions on your behalf."

This was the greatest concession Deputy General Tong could make. Any more would be impossible. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life in Ningguta.

Tong Yangzheng then wrote a letter to the governor Hao Jie for instructions, but Governor Hao did not dare to make the decision, so he wrote to the Minister of Strategy Lin who was thousands of miles away for instructions.

Minister Lin replied kindly, "The war is still going on. For safety reasons, the king should not act rashly to avoid any unexpected events.

But considering that worshipping ancestors is a normal human behavior, we can send a minister from that country, escorted by the Ming army, to the riverside to offer remote worship.”

After all the back and forth requests for approval, it was almost the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. During the Lantern Festival, the Left Councillor of Joseon, Yin Doushou, was entrusted by the king to go to the Yalu River in Jiuliancheng to offer sacrifices, accompanied by Tong Yangzheng, the deputy general of the Ming Dynasty.

Opposite Jiuliancheng is Uiju in Pyeongan Province of Korea, which has now become the most important transit station for the Ming Dynasty’s troops entering Korea.

On weekdays, food and supplies would flow across the river from here continuously, but recently it is the Spring Festival, so the amount of food and supplies crossing the river is a little less.

Yin Doushou stood on a high platform on the river bank, looking at the land opposite, feeling inexplicably sad.

The other side of the river was clearly their own territory, but the king and his subjects could not return.

Yin Doushou asked Tong Yangzheng, "Can I cross the river and take a look?"

Tong Yangzheng answered very clearly: "No."

The North Korean court proposed the riverside sacrifice, but in fact they were also thinking of finding an opportunity to sneak across the border.

But Yin Doushou fell into despair when he saw that all the ships had been requisitioned by the garrison in Jiuliancheng and no ship was allowed to sail on the Yalu River without permission.

Neither the king nor his subjects had the ability to swim to the other side.

At this time, the other side of the river was actually peaceful, with no trace of war. Far away from the river, diligent farmers had already begun to prepare the land in advance for the upcoming spring ploughing.

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But unfortunately, all this has nothing to do with the rulers and ministers of the Joseon Dynasty for the time being.

Until now, Yin Doushou still doesn’t understand what Lin Jinglie wants to do?
Could it be that they want to disregard their dignity, violate the policies of their ancestors, and brazenly annex the territory of Korea, especially the three northern provinces that have already been recovered?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
The northern territories were taken by the successive kings of the Joseon Dynasty who worked hard to expel the Jurchens and pushed the national border to the Yalu River and Tuman River!
You, the Ming Dynasty, did set up garrisons on the northern territory of Korea at one point, but who can you blame for being driven away?

Just as Yoon Yi-jeong was gritting his teeth, he suddenly heard someone shouting, "Yun Doo-soo!"

Yin Doushou looked in the direction of the voice and saw an acquaintance staring at him. It was Yin Zhuoran, a corrupt official in the Household Department and one of the Eight Great Vajras of the Northerner Party!
He immediately put away his patriotic feelings and entered the state of a Western Party leader. He began to criticize Yin Zhuoran and asked him, "How dare you, an incompetent person who humiliates the country, return to the court?"

Yin Zhuoran retorted, "It is precisely because of traitors like you who have taken over the king's side that the state affairs are in this state!"

Yin Doushou refuted bluntly: "Li Shanhai was the leader of the government before, and the country was ruined because of Li Shanhai! Fortunately, your Majesty was wise and exiled the treacherous leader Li Shanhai, so there is a chance to turn the tide!
And you, Yin Zhuoran, as a core member of the treacherous gang, have only managed to temporarily escape sanctions because you are far away in the capital of the Ming Dynasty!

Seeing you come back now is like walking into a trap! You are a dying man, and you still dare to bark here!"

Then Yin Doushou ordered several Korean soldiers around him, "Catch the traitor Yin Zhuoran who escaped without permission and report to the king for punishment!"

Tong Yang was watching with great interest from the outside. The political struggles in the small court of the Li Dynasty were so simple and crude, almost as bad as the Liaodong generals vying for favor in front of Li Chengliang.

Anyway, as the deputy general of the Ming Dynasty, he would not interfere in the internal strife of the small Li Dynasty court. He could just watch the fun.

After Yin Zhuoran was tied up, he suddenly turned to look at Tong Yangzheng, "General, are you just going to watch me like this?"

Tong Yangzheng asked in surprise: "What else can we do except watch?"

Yin Zhuoran said proudly: "I am a foreign clerk in the Communications Department of the Ministry of War of the Ming Dynasty, and a foreign counselor in the Liaodong Korean Minister's Office. I am about to cross the river to be received by Lin Jinglüe and then become a regular employee!"

Deputy General Tong was stunned. Is this true? Are you from Lin Jinglie's group?
At this time, another person came over and showed Tong Yangzheng his badge while saying, "I am Yu Zhongliang, the personal guard of the Duke of Jinglüe, and I am here to take Yin Zhuoran across the river."

Tong Yangzheng: “.”

Why didn't you tell me you had this identity earlier? Why are you pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger?
Yin Doushou shouted angrily, "How can he cross the river?"

Yin Zhuoran said, "Pah!" "Do you think I came to Liaodong just to see your true face? You'd better be trapped in Kuandian Fort for the rest of your life!"

Upon hearing that it was Lin Jinglie who wanted to meet, Tong Yangzheng quickly dispersed the Korean soldiers and personally untied Yin Zhuoran.

New and old grudges were intertwined. Thinking of the exiled old benefactor Li Shanhai, the confused Yin Zhuoran suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Yin Doushou and started beating him.

Yin Doushou was caught off guard and unable to break free, he could only wave his hands around to fight back.

In terms of age and physical strength, the middle-aged Yin Zhuoran obviously has an advantage over the elderly Yin Doushou, so he easily gained the upper hand.

After being beaten mercilessly, Yin Doushou collapsed to the ground.

Yin Zhuoran was still not satisfied and kicked him a few more times.

Tong Yangzheng then shouted, "Stop hitting me! I'll kill you if you continue!"

But Yin Doushou, who was lying on the ground, had his eyes rolled back, his face turned blue, and his breathing decreased. At first, he could still hear a slight gasp, but gradually there was no sound.

Tong Yangzheng quickly put his hand under his nose, but found that Yin Doushou had no breath. He immediately pinched his Ren Zhong acupoint and pressed his chest to give first aid, but he still did not recover.

Deputy General Tong was a little confused. No way? Was he really beaten to death? Did his words come true? Did this old man have some disease?
My duty today was to "escort" Yin Doushou to the riverside for sacrifice, but he just disappeared like that?

Holy shit! Yin Zhuoran never thought that he could kill the leader of the Western Party with just his fists and feet!
Is this the way the current stage of the party struggle between the Northern Party and the Western Party ends?
With his passion fading, Yin Zhuoran felt that something might be wrong and turned around to leave, but was stopped by Deputy General Tong's personal soldiers.

"Don't leave!" Deputy General Tong shouted anxiously, "You must stay and give an explanation!"

Yin Zhuoran replied: "I am the assistant counselor of the Jinglüe Shogunate!"

Tong Yangzheng said angrily: "You are just a temporary worker waiting to be used. Are you going to just walk away after beating someone to death?"

Lin Jinglie's personal guard Yu Zhongliang suddenly came up again, took out a new badge and hung it around Yin Zhuoran's waist.

Then he turned to Tong Yangzheng and said, "He is now a formal employee. This badge was brought by the governor. I will take him across the river to Yan'an County to meet the governor."

Deputy General Tong asked, "We killed the Korean vassal here, and you're leaving just like that?"

The young Yu Zhongliang said calmly: "Let me introduce myself again. I am the personal guard of the Duke of Jinglüe. I am nineteen years old and grew up in the Lin Mansion compound in Suzhou City.

My father, Yu Gongjing, was the chief of the guards of the Lin Mansion compound in Suzhou City, and one of the four great kings of the Suzhou brothers.

General Tong, are you sure you don't want me to leave?"

Tong Yangzheng was speechless. It was really not a good day to go out. What kind of people did he meet? He could only wave his hand and said, "Take Yin Zhuoran and get out!"

(End of this chapter)