Zhu Yuanzhang can see my dreams

Chapter 316: The Duke's Appearance
The Goryeo envoy Zheng Mengzhou came to the Ming Dynasty again and carefully reported the details about the destruction of the Japanese.

And he wanted to ask the Ming Dynasty for support for some firearms and gunpowder raw materials.

Only in this way can we better eliminate the Japanese pirates.

Now Zheng Mengzhou is really getting something for nothing, just asking for 500,000 kilograms of raw materials.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang pushed it to Wang Buli.

Wang Buli was sitting on a recliner, listening to Zheng Mengzhou's report. He spread his hands and said, "We are friends, so I have to tell you the truth."

"I hope Your Excellency will give me some advice." Zheng Mengzhou asked humbly.

"Without money, it's hard for me to help you!"

Wang Buli didn't need to fan himself in the Armory Bureau, as someone else fanned him.

Zheng Mengzhou opened his mouth slightly, somewhat surprised by Wang Buli's straightforwardness.

Are you asking for a kickback from him?

"My Lord, this is the jade pendant I have carried with me for many years."

Wang Buli stretched out his hand to stop him and said, "Old Zheng, am I the one who wants your money?"

"Your Majesty, please make your words clearer."

Zheng Mengzhou heard a rumor in Goryeo that Li Zisong spent a lot of gold to buy the old items from the Yuan Dynasty from the son-in-law Wang Buli.

The most precious treasure, an eagle made of colored glaze.

It is rare to find such large colored glass on the market, and the colored glass sold by the Ming Dynasty is generally not large in size.

The main feature is convenient transportation.

So Zheng Mengzhou was a little suspicious that Wang Buli also wanted to ask him for money.

But he came here privately this time and didn't bring that much money, nor could he bring any goods back to cash in.

Now this channel is in the hands of the powerful minister Li Renren, and the most important thing is that Li Renren also plans to send him to Japan for negotiations.

It's just that he wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife again, and make him die!
Who asked him to follow Lee Seong-gye to defeat the Japanese pirates?

Zheng Mengzhou came here secretly just to gain some bargaining chips to support himself from the Ming Dynasty.

"Now our two countries have normal trade, and you just opened your mouth and asked for a large number of firearms and so much gunpowder raw materials." Wang Buli glanced at him:
"Of course, we must first deal with the affairs of the Ming Dynasty before we can spare the energy to take care of the surrounding small countries. How can Your Majesty have extra money to give you now?
To be honest, our Ming Dynasty is currently engaged in military operations in the northwest, and we will have to give many rewards to the soldiers afterwards.

Moreover, the next step was to send troops to Yunnan, and all the remaining money of the court was piled up on this war.

My Armory Bureau has only approved one thousand strings of cash for me to research new firearms.

Even so, I still had to shamelessly go to the Minister of Revenue to make a fuss, and he barely approved an additional 4,000 strings of cash for me, and I still don’t have the extra money.”

Zheng Mengzhou currently does not understand the situation in the Ming Dynasty, and the channels have been controlled by powerful officials.

"My Lord, I came here to ask for help from the Ming Dynasty."

Zheng Mengzhou then conveyed the meaning of the powerful minister Li Renren. They suffered a great loss last time and it was estimated that the Japanese pirates would come again.

But Lee In-im kept urging him to go to Japan, and Jeong Mong-ju planned to leave after Lee Seong-gye defeated the Japanese pirates again.

"I understand your situation very well." Wang Buli tapped the back of the chair slowly and said:

"Old Zheng, do you need support for clearing the court?"

"Ah?" Zheng Mengzhou's eyes suddenly widened.

"A few days ago, the Minister of War was talking to me about spending money like water and having no money. If you can join forces with the people of Goryeo and offer a high price, I will do my best to help you convince the Minister of War to send a group of troops to Goryeo."

"What does Prince Consort mean?"

Zheng Mengzhou asked back subconsciously, but in fact he knew very well what Wang Buli meant.

The Celestial Empire will help you, a small foreign country, to purge your ruler!
Of course, the prerequisite is that you need to pay money to hire the Ming Dynasty's troops.

"I have never thought of this method before. I need to think about it carefully."

"Old Zheng, the relationship between us is definitely stronger than that between Japan, right?"

"Correct."

Zheng Mengzhou then heard Wang Buli lower his voice and say:

"Don't worry about not being able to pay. After clearing out the corrupt officials, we can unite.

Let's attack Japan together. All the money and silver looted by the Japanese pirates over the years was taken to Japan. Do you really think we don't know that they have the support of the daimyo behind them?

At that time, we can add two and one to make five. You, Goryeo, can just provide some manpower and material resources to go to Japan to earn a large sum of money and come back to avenge the Japanese pirates who killed the Goryeo people for so many years. It can also make your Goryeo political environment clearer. Old Zheng, think about it carefully. "

Zheng Mengzhou originally wanted to continue to play the victim and beg for things to increase the chances of winning the battle against the Japanese pirates.

Now, listening to Wang Buli's instigation, he fell into deep thought.

After all, it sounds like it has a lot of control.

Internally, it can be said that the Ming Dynasty helped fight the Japanese pirates, and once they entered the Goryeo royal city, they suddenly launched an attack and raised the slogan of clearing the court of corrupt officials.

Does Li Renren still have the courage to resist the heavenly soldiers?

“This is not something that happens overnight.”

"Your Majesty, can you agree to this?"

Wang Buli saw that he was lost in thought and continued to tempt him:
"I am here to mediate between the two sides of the dynasty. Why would you disagree with that?

By then, the Prince of Yan stationed in Beiping will have a very good relationship with me. The journey to Goryeo with him will be short, and he can also train his troops there.

If you cooperate with each other, why worry about not accomplishing great things?"

Zheng Mengzhou nodded slightly. This was the truth.

"I wonder when the Prince of Yan will go to Peking to take up his fiefdom?"

"In two or three years, by then the King of Goryeo will be older and understand more.

How can it work if the powerful minister is in the court and everyone follows his mood instead of the king's? "

Wang Buli’s analysis is correct. The King of Korea is still young, but once he enters adolescence, the rebelliousness in his heart will grow stronger and stronger.

It is not easy at all to be the powerful official Li Renren.

It is entirely feasible for Zheng Mengzhou to unite a group of people and raise the slogan of "clearing the court of corrupt officials".

He's already moved.

"In the next two to three years, you will have enough time to collect some money for the deposit. You can plan for the long term."

Zheng Mengzhou nodded again, there was plenty of time.

The only inconvenience is that he cannot leak the secret midway, and he will need to find another excuse when the time comes. He is not afraid of party disputes.

He had never considered asking for foreign aid.

After all, the Ming Dynasty is not like the Yuan Dynasty.

The current reputation is very good, and there is no intention of staying in Korea.

If it is easier to invite a god than to send him away, then they would not be the saviors of Goryeo, but foolish people who invited a wolf into the house, and would go down in history as traitors.

This is what Zheng Mengzhou is worried about.

But the Ming Dynasty was too lazy to control Goryeo, mainly because Zhu Yuanzhang disliked Goryeo because there were more mountains than fields, and it would be easy to lose money once it was controlled.

The Ming Dynasty would never do such a loss-making business.

"My Lord, there is a lot of room for manipulation in this matter. I will go back and convince Lee Seong-gye first."

Zheng Mengzhou expressed his concerns again
Wang Buli thought for a moment and said, "Old Zheng, don't worry too much. Even if the Japanese pirates come again, they want to get their place back. They are the ones who are anxious.

You guys wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, continue to lure the enemy deeper into the interior, let them go deep into the interior, then we will send out all of our troops to kill them."

Zheng Mengzhou still looked hesitant. The idea was good, but they would still be the ones fighting.

"My Lord, please help me no matter what." Zheng Mengzhou knelt down in front of Wang Buli and said, "Only by defeating the Japanese pirates again can I stand more firmly in Japan."

Wang Buli leaned back in the recliner and didn't let him get up first. Instead, he was thinking about what to do.

He currently does not have any gunpowder raw materials, and the limited inventory in the Armory is not worth Zheng Mengzhou taking back.

"Old Zheng, you're really making things difficult for me." Wang Buli sat up again:

"It's no use asking me for help in this matter. His Majesty sent you to me just to let you see the current predicament."

Zheng Mengzhou raised his head, with deep disappointment in his eyes.

I'm afraid it's all in vain this time.

"But I think if Goryeo fails to win this time and continues to send envoys to Japan, I don't think your life will be in danger."

"I hope you can teach me."

"Ming Dynasty and Goryeo are engaged in maritime trade. In fact, most of the goods are sold to Japan through Goryeo. Li Renren and his men have made a lot of money, and the Japanese daimyo have also enjoyed it."

Wang Buli snapped his fingers and said, "The silver and money they have plundered over the years have found a place to go. Maybe in two or three years, when their silver and money are all gone, they will continue to send the pirates to plunder and make money.

When that time really comes, we will switch positions between offense and defense. After all the Yuan soldiers in Yunnan are wiped out, the Ming Dynasty will focus on the north.

Just imagine, I'm not afraid of anything!"

Zheng Mengzhou thought about it for a while and strongly agreed with the big picture that Wang Buli had drawn.

But it was too far away for him at the moment. He just wanted to increase his bargaining chips in the next war against the Japanese pirates. "Please write me a note, saying that the Armory Bureau does not have that much inventory at the moment. I still want to plead with the emperor. Only after this step is taken well can we move on to the next step."

Zheng Mengzhouye came to his senses. No matter how much he begged Wang Buli, it was all just lip service.

Because of this plan, he could find someone else in Goryeo to replace himself.

As long as they are not pro-Yuan, it’s fine.

So Zheng Mengzhou, who was unwilling to give up, said goodbye to Wang Buli and went to the palace again, hoping to meet the emperor.

"My Lord, this beggar is worse than the beggars in the city."

Listening to Zhong Niu's complaints, Wang Buli laughed twice.

Goryeo is currently divided into two factions. Although Zheng Mengzhou has opened up the trade route, all the profits have been earned by the pro-Yuan faction.

The Ming Dynasty's goal was to bleed the Mongols through trade.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that they are doing trade happily now. When the time comes, I will let you see how the Ming Dynasty officials engage in smuggling across the border.

"If you want to beg for food, how can you do it without giving me some benefits?" Wang Buli pointed at the busy craftsmen at the side:

"You want me to save all the food from my brothers' mouths and give it to him to increase his bargaining chips? What a fucking wishful thinking!"

After the description just now, Wang Buli felt that he could do it by cooperating with the fourth brother.

After all, finding a silver mining industry in Japan is not something that can be done overnight, there must be a reason.

The road has been drawn to Zheng Mengzhou, and it depends on what he does with it.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Wang Buli had kicked Zheng Mengzhou back again, he ignored it.

You didn't even have a letter of credence on this diplomatic mission, so receiving you on a private visit is already a huge honor for us.

Wanting a second time is really wishful thinking.

The main reason was that Zhu Yuanzhang was currently immersed in great joy and had no time to pay attention to him.

Deng Yu and Mu Ying led troops to Gansu and Qinghai-Tibet, advanced in three routes, attacked Sichuan-Tibet, penetrated deep into the heart of Tubo, pursued the enemy to Kunlun Mountain, captured and beheaded 20 people, seized more than horses, cattle and sheep, persuaded various countries to surrender, and opened up thousands of miles of territory.

"Hahaha." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed uncontrollably:

"This mountain sickness has indeed been overcome. I am so happy. When Deng Yu comes back, we must have a good drink."

Zhu Biao was also extremely excited.

Every emperor would be delighted to expand territory.

"Good good."

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely excited.

He kept pointing to the northwest in front of the Ming map, trying to fill in the blank space on the map.

“If an official makes a mistake, we don’t have to send him south.

Send them directly to the northwest, and tell them to make amends for their crimes and govern well before they can return."

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a state of excitement. For an emperor, expanding the territory was a big deal.

Not only in the northwest, in the future he will also go step by step to more northwestern areas and have them all fly the flag of the Ming Dynasty, instead of controlling them remotely and letting them become local emperors.

"Pass on my order, issue an imperial decree to commend Deng Yu and grant him a red python robe and a jade belt."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and sent someone to write an imperial edict. Even if Deng Yu had not returned yet, it would be sent directly to the front line to motivate the soldiers.

"Dad, do you want to try the transportation thing that the Minister of War mentioned here?"

"Ok?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was still thinking about what Lin Rong said. This method of making money by taking advantage of one's position sounded like something that was suggested by Wang Buli.

But if this kind of thing is carried out well, it can benefit the soldiers and the country.

But if it is not implemented well, there will be a danger of the emergence of a "Li Zicheng".

No matter how he thinks about it, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had always been cautious, did not agree immediately. Instead, he thought that the method proposed by the Minister of Revenue Yang Siyi was quite good and could be implemented.

Salt tax is a very profitable business.

It would not be the case that by the Chongzhen period, not a single cent of money could be collected.

"At present, there is no need to transport more food and fodder. Their cattle, sheep, and captured food are enough for them to eat."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slightly: "If it really comes to the point of implementation, we will have to wait until we attack Yunnan."

"That's right." Zhu Biao also had a happy look on his face: "Dad, when the army comes back, should we also announce my brother-in-law's achievements and confer a title on him?"

"Ah."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, there was no rush for this matter.

Although he had asked Hu Weiyong to discuss what title to award Wang Buli some time ago, he also deliberately leaked the news to test Wang Buli's reaction.

As a result, this kid didn't react at all, pretending not to know.

"Not urgent."

Zhu Yuanzhang still looked at the blank map with his hands behind his back:
"I have given it some thought. Just based on the achievement of altitude sickness, it is not enough to confer a title. Also, we cannot publicize it. If the enemy troops in the northwest become wary, that would be bad.

I plan to wait and take over Yunnan in one go, and when I confer the title on Lan Yu, I will also confer the title on Wang Buli.

This way, we can be more secure.”

"Dad still considers it more comprehensively."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not say much, and immediately ordered that the matter of expanding the territory be announced to the world immediately, and that people should prepare a welcoming party for Deng Yu and others, and also hold activities such as offering sacrifices to the heavens.

The Ministry of Rites needs to get busy.

Lan Yu knocked on the door of the Armory Bureau with wine and saw Wang Buli sitting on a recliner and wasting his time. He sighed in his heart again.

"Military advisor, have you heard the victory news?"

"No." Wang Buli looked at Lan Yu who was a little drunk and asked, "Why, Brother Lan, you are happy for others, so you can't control yourself and drink while on duty?"

"Happy, I am really happy!"

Lan Yu sat aside and sighed again: "Expand the territory by thousands of miles!"

"I am really happy and envious."

"Are you still feeling a little sad?"

Facing Wang Buli's ridicule, Lan Yu did not get angry, but nodded calmly: "We are soldiers fighting for military merits, why not?"

"We just want to trample the Yuan court and seal the Wolf's Lair."

Lan Yu took another sip of wine and said, "Unfortunately, given the current strength of the Ming Dynasty, my chance to lead the army alone will have to be delayed for another ten years."

"Ten years. By then, we will be much older."

"Perhaps in ten years, the sword in your hand, Lan Yu, will be even sharper."

Wang Buli gave him a rare pep talk: "Ten years of hard work will make a sword sharp when it is unsheathed. When the time comes, you will kill the Northern Yuan emperor with one strike. Who would dare not praise you?"

Hearing Wang Buli's consolation, Lan Yu tilted his head and thought for a moment, then couldn't help laughing out loud:
"Military Advisor, you are so mean. You always try to make us happy like this!"

"Hey, your strength is here."

Wang Buli patted the tipsy Lan Yu and said, "Look, you are always anxious!
Anyway, destroying the Northern Yuan Dynasty will not be accomplished overnight. By that time, all the generals in the court will be old, and you will be the only one in your prime. Who else can be the commander-in-chief in the court?

Now that the war in the northwest has come to an end, it will be time to head south next year.

You should perform well and strive to be crowned a marquis in this battle. When you destroy the Northern Yuan Dynasty, you will definitely be a duke!"

"The appearance of a duke!"

"Yes, I think you have the appearance of a duke." Wang Buli pointed at him and said, "Do you believe it?"

"Hahaha."

Lan Yu laughed again. In fact, his goal had always been to achieve his brother-in-law's status.

"I like this word." Lan Yu put down the bottle in his hand and said, "Military Advisor, no one else believes in me, only you believe in my strength."

"Hey, we are heroes appreciating heroes." Wang Buli became lazy again: "Others don't believe that I have the ability of a military advisor, only you, Lan Yu, believe it."

"Hahaha."

Lan Yu laughed out loud with great satisfaction.

When he first met Wang Buli, he just thought that he was a good candidate for military service.

I never thought that after getting in touch with them, I found out that being a soldier and fighting in wars was just a superficial phenomenon, and no one saw the deeper level.

Everyone else was confused by Wang Buli's size and thought he was just a simple-minded man with strong limbs.

Of course, Wang Buli was just telling a white lie.

He came into contact with Zhu Di earlier, and the fourth brother discovered earlier that Wang Buli had the potential to be a military strategist.

He actually wanted Wang Buli to go to the north with him. They really appreciated each other.

Wang Buli also had the same plan. When Zhu Di went to Beiping to establish his fiefdom, he would find a way to follow him.

(End of this chapter)