The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Duke Cai's Mansion.

The yard was busy, and an eleven or twelve-year-old girl was allowed to sit on a stool, looking at the busy people, still a little confused.

The people in the house were also very interested in this little Taoist nun in Taoist robes, but because they didn’t know the details, no one dared to go up and say hello.

Then the girl stood up and used her own small steps to measure the width of the yard. After walking around, she tried to record it. She just plucked her fingers and didn't look very smart. She was a little distracted for a while.

When Zhang Zhou appeared behind her, she didn't notice it. When she looked sideways and saw a tall figure standing in front of her, she was startled. When she found out it was Zhang Zhou, she quickly saluted and said, "I have seen the master."

Zhang Zhou touched his chin.

I don’t have a goatee, and I always feel that my appearance is much different from that of a Taoist priest. When I hear the girl call me master, I always feel that I should go out immediately, drive her in a carriage, and send her to where she needs to be.

"Are you measuring the width of the yard?" Zhang Zhou asked.

"Yes." The girl nodded, as if she could not lie in front of her elders based on her previous education.

"Is there any result?" Zhang Zhou asked again.

The girl shook her head and said: "I'm not sure. I just feel that the structure here is different from the courtyard where I lived before. It seems that I know some truths well, and I asked the master for advice."

Zhang Zhou said: "Look at this courtyard, it was built by a famous Taoist. He completely followed the methods of Zhouyi when building it. With his accomplishments, he should be on par with your father."

"Is it...master?" The girl was confused.

What kind of Taoist celebrity is there, and what kind of Taoist priest is on par with his father? In today's world, who else is the Taoist priest who can be as famous as the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master, besides Zhang Zhou?

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "This man's name is Li Guang. I took over this courtyard after his death. If you want to study the layout of this courtyard carefully, I can give you the drawings of the courtyard. You can take it out and study it carefully." Do some research.”

The girl didn't seem to understand what it meant to be human, and she didn't even know whether what Zhang Zhou was saying was true or ironic.

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said: "Thank you, master, for the tip. I will definitely study it carefully when I get back."

"Ah."

Zhang Zhou walked towards the Moon Gate, nodding as he walked.

But I was thinking in my heart, will there be more academic masters in the family in the future? Or a female academic?

Her attitude towards learning is worthy of praise, and she is smart, but it seems like... she has not learned the right path, and a girl wants to learn Taoism and make some achievements in it. Isn't that like a fantasy?
"I'm leaving the capital at noon. I didn't see you bringing any luggage. I'll either go back to get it or prepare one for you," Zhang Zhou said.

"The apprentice will stay with the master from now on." The girl said.

Zhang Zhou said: "I'm not your teacher. You just come to me temporarily to help with chores and figure out the relationship. But since you work for me, I will treat it as hiring you, with a salary of two taels of silver per month, taking care of food and housing. , after I come back from Yongping Mansion, you can stay as you please."

The girl was confused again.

Obviously no one had ever talked to her like this before, and she seemed unable to adapt to Zhang Zhou's way of speaking and logic.

……

……

North Korea, Hanyang City.

On this day, Tang Yin and Xu Jing finally received a letter from the capital of the Ming Dynasty. This made Xu Jing very excited. He sent the letter to Tang Yin overnight because he had no power to open it. He also hoped that this letter would allow them to return to the Ming Dynasty. .

"This winter... is really difficult." Xu Jing said, "But it would be nice to go back. If we go south, it won't be so cold. The area I'm visiting is not so deserted. This place... is too desolate."

No matter how prosperous Hanyang City was during the Hongzhi period, there was still a gap between it and the main cities of the Ming Dynasty.

In addition, the business system here is backward, and most of the time, things are exchanged for things, which made Xu Jing feel extremely bored after the initial excitement.

After all, he came from a wealthy family, and he grew up in a wealthy place like Jianghuai. Naturally, he could not adapt to the cold and bleak life in a foreign country.

Tang Yin opened the letter and asked, "Is it because the North Koreans have neglected us recently that you are so eager to go back?"

Ever since Tang Yin put pressure on the leader of North Korea to provide a large number of troops and food, the monarchs and ministers of North Korea began to cry for poverty. In addition, Tang Yin and Xu Jing had been living here for half a year, and they could not accept these two worms. From the beginning The supply of fine clothes and fine food gradually lowered the standards... Although the treatment for them was still not bad, it made Xu Jing complain all the time.

I'm not worried about your poor conditions, but I'm worried about your capriciousness. If we were given this kind of treatment from the beginning, we wouldn't be able to say anything.

You’ve enjoyed the good stuff, and now you’re using the spread, and you just want to get rid of us?
Xu Jing said: "Okay, let's just leave it like that. Enough is enough, and it's time to go back."

Tang Yin had roughly finished the first half of the letter and said, "It's not that easy. Even if we go back, we will have to bring the North Korean army with us to fight to Liaodong."

"A war?" Xu Jing was a little worried.

Tang Yin said: "It should be. This doesn't mean that we may have to stay in Liaodong permanently. As for your and my errands... they will all change after we return."

"What's the errand?" Xu Jing asked hurriedly.

Tang Yin handed the letter to Xu Jing. Xu Jing hurriedly looked for information about his new official position in the letter, but after looking around, he couldn't find what Tang Yin said.

Xu Jing looked up at Tang Yin and asked, "Bohu, are you a roundworm in Cai Guogong's belly? How did you know?"

Tang Yin said: "I got news earlier that I might be transferred to Jizhou. It is said that the general system of Jiliao will be increased. As for whether to let me go back to be the governor of Jizhou or to be the general system of Jiliao, I don't know. Clear. But the premise is that I must bring the North Korean soldiers there and have my own troops. "

Xu Jing smiled bitterly and said: "Bringing North Korean soldiers to defend our land? Isn't this inappropriate? What should we do if this group of people rebels?"

Tang Yin didn't seem to have any more opinions on this, and shook his head and said: "Take the soldiers and horses back, even to farm, just like the Jurchens, they will eventually break up and disintegrate. It is indeed impossible for people who are not my race to do so." But the Koreans seem to respect us more than the Jurchens.”

"Is there any difference?" Xu Jing disagreed.

Whether it was the Koreans or the Jurchens, their loyalty to the Ming Dynasty was only nominal, but in reality they all had their own ulterior motives.

Each has its own administrative system.

……

……

The next day.

Tang Yin and Xu Jing went to Gyeongbokgung Palace to find Li Yi, hoping to convey the Ming Dynasty's intention. But as soon as they entered the palace, they realized that something was wrong. Then a figure appeared in front of them, it was Pu Yuanzong whom they had not seen for many days.

"Mr. Tang, why are you here? Are you here to inform us about the war? Our Lord has been waiting for you for a long time."

Park Yuanzong was very polite.

Tang Yin said: "What's the matter?"

When something goes wrong, there must be a monster, and Tang Yin noticed that Pu Yuanzong was not in a good mood that day.

Pu Yuanzong smiled at first, and then looked at some guards not far behind him. He probably wanted to remind Tang Yin that some words were inconvenient to say here. After all, this was the palace of North Korea, and there were many pairs of eyes staring at it.

Then Tang Yin signaled Xu Jing to block the North Koreans behind, while he and Pu Yuanzong walked in front.

With no one watching, Pu Yuanzong whispered: "I heard that the Ming Dynasty fought another great victory in the northwest, plus the previous one in the north of Jizhou, there were two... The news also came here early this morning. Yes, my ruler and ministers were shocked, and they all said that we had missed the opportunity.”

Tang Yin said: "What opportunity was missed? If you are asked to send troops, even if you listen, will the war in the northwest have anything to do with you?"

Pu Yuanzong said helplessly: "That's not what I said. Thinking about it, even if we are waving flags and shouting from the side, it shows our attitude. But now..."

Park Won-jong's eyes clearly showed that he wanted to ask for something.

Tang Yin no longer needed to give Pu Yuanzong any face at this moment, and said coldly: "You want me to speak for you? Or even show that you have already sent troops?"

"This... has no such intention. This is to deceive the emperor and ignore the superior. My lord cannot do this." Pu Yuanzong said, "But the current situation is very complicated and it is difficult to say."

Tang Yin showed enough momentum and said: "I am about to inform you that our Duke Cai will soon lead troops to Liaodong."

"what?"

Park Yuanzong was startled and asked hurriedly, "Are you here because of my affairs in North Korea?"

Tang Yin said: "The Ming Dynasty built hundreds of sea ships. From now on, most of the goods transported between the imperial court and Liaodong will be transported by sea. From now on, customization will be formed. From what I think, if Cai Guogong really wants to go to Liaodong, he may also be targeting Liaodong. Jurchens, aren’t your biggest problems in Korea also Jurchens?”

"Yes, yes." Pu Yuanzong almost wiped his sweat.

Although he nominally listened to Tang Yin's words, in the end he was also a minister of the Joseon Dynasty and the second in command of the Joseon Dynasty.

This would make him sell North Korea directly and completely join Tang Yin's family, which seemed unrealistic.

Hearing that Zhang Zhou was not targeting North Korea, he was somewhat relieved.

Tang Yin said: "Twenty thousand soldiers and horses are not enough. Now we need thirty thousand soldiers and horses. Food and grass must also be prepared. Whether you sell iron or go bankrupt, this is not within the scope of my consideration. I want you to send troops now." , it’s not okay to fool around like before.”

"This... may need to be discussed with my master." Pu Yuanzong said.

Tang Yin said angrily: "Whose side are you on? You were waiting and watching before. I can understand it. Now I have put a knife on your neck, but you are still so calm? What are you discussing?"

"But...but...how can I make the decision in this kind of thing?"

Park Yuanzong was also aggrieved.

Although he is the most powerful person in North Korea, he is still nominally the second-in-command. He has to obey the leader of the country. After all, he is still a nominal minister.

Tang Yin said: "Then take me to see the person who can make the decision quickly. If he doesn't listen again, you should give him some advice. This matter can't be delayed any longer."

Pu Yuanzong looked back at the followers who had caught up.

That look in his eyes clearly said, and you have also seen it, I am not conspiring with the envoys of the Ming Dynasty. He is clearly asking me a difficult problem, and I am also arguing with reason.

……

……

Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The courtiers of North Korea were all put outside to wait. Only four people, Tang Yin, Xu Jing, Pu Yuanzong and Liu Ziguang, were allowed to stay inside, as well as the leader of North Korea, Li Yi.

"Mr. Tang, I have understood what you said." Li Yi lowered his head and admitted his mistake and said, "We will dispatch 30,000 troops and horses right now, but those who can be mobilized from the royal city may not even be 10,000. When they arrive, there are only seven or eight thousand soldiers and horses, and the rest of the troops have to be mobilized from each road. As for food and grass, they can only rely on them, because since last year, our drought has not been eliminated, and we are also very short of food. "

Tang Yin said: "This time we are sure that we can mobilize all the troops and horses to Liaodong within ten days, right?"

Li Yi said: "Ten days is a bit difficult, fifteen days...fifteen days at most. After all, not all the troops and horses are mobilized from the north, but also from the south. When the news is passed, it will be too late for them to mobilize their troops again." How many days.”

Xu Jing smiled and said: "No matter how late it is, ten days should be enough. Your territory is not that big, so why delay?"

Li Yi looked at Xu Jing and said pitifully: "We don't have that many horses. We need livestock to transport food and other supplies, and they can't move fast. If it's just people walking, they can only bring some dry food at most. Regarding the dispatch of troops to Liaodong, The help will not be great. I believe that what His Majesty hopes now is that we can provide more help. "

"Then fifteen days." Tang Yin said, "Before the end of the year, the troops and horses must arrive in Liaodong. I will personally lead the troops."

Liu Ziguang hurriedly reminded: "Master Tang, most of our soldiers and horses can only understand our own language and cannot understand your dispatch, unless there is someone to help you. How about you... recruit more people who understand the Central Plains language?" Someone to help you?”

It doesn't mean that he won't accept Tang Yin as the coach, but he just wants to send more people to help Tang Yin.

In fact, it is also telling Tang Yin that you are just a nominal commander. We are in charge of marching and other matters. If you want to dismantle our army or even sell it, our generals will not let you succeed. Don't make any plans before it's too late.

Tang Yin said: "I have been here with you for so long, I haven't learned anything else, but I have learned some of your words. I just need to match me with someone who can speak both languages, and paraphrase them in the middle."

"This...I'm afraid this won't work..." Liu Ziguang said hurriedly.

Pu Yuanzong hurriedly gave Liu Ziguang a hand.

He seemed to be reminding Liu Ziguang, are you dying? Find someone or not. Those soldiers are also our compatriots, and the coach is also this Tang Yin. What do you really want to do with this?
Li Yi said: "Mr. Tang, how about this? Let Mr. Pu go with you and let him assist you. What do you think?"

"Ok?"

As soon as these words came out, even Pu Yuanzong couldn't help but turn around and look at Li Yi.

What does this mean?
Are you going to "distribute" all the heroes who helped you ascend to the throne? Nominally leading 30,000 troops seems to be a very heavy job, but as long as you, Park Yuanzong, are not in Hanyang City, you will not be able to dictate to the leader of the country and North Korea's national affairs, which is equivalent to losing the right to speak. (End of chapter)