1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1504 Powerful Means
Kim Sang Hun thought to himself that I had so many things to worry about, which could be explained in a few words.The major event of the alliance between the two countries is not a child's play that can be finalized in a few words.However, the current move of the Haihans clearly does not intend to reach a consensus between the two countries through lengthy negotiations, but to force North Korea to accept its unilaterally proposed alliance conditions.Although Kim Sang Hun also admitted that these conditions sounded as if the North Korean side not only did not suffer, but could gain some advantages, how dare he agree to such a major event that will affect the future and destiny of the country so rashly?At this moment, Jin Shangxian also fell into the embarrassing situation that Luo Dongxian once faced on the front line in Liaodong.

Tom Wang's attitude was aggressive, and Jin Shangxian was forced by the opponent's power, so he didn't dare to refuse directly. He could only say tactfully: "General Wang, the establishment of diplomatic relations and alliances involves all aspects, and it is only appropriate to take a long-term approach..."

When Tom Wang heard that this guy was going to start Tai Chi, where would he let him continue, he immediately stopped him: "The war in Liaodong is tight, and the coalition soldiers of our country and Daming are fighting against the Jin army all the time. A few dozen more lives may be sacrificed, for the military affairs, is it that Lord Jin is so hard-hearted to see that the soldiers who resisted Jin sacrificed in vain in order to wait for the alliance between the two countries?"

Jin Shangxian thought that I couldn't bear this crime, and immediately waved his hands and said, "This official has no intention of this, General Wang, don't misunderstand!"

Wang Tom didn't give him a chance to continue talking, and continued to interrupt: "Master Jin dare not agree, should he still have doubts about the strength of our army? I don't think it is worse than this, let our army fleet in this Han River. The performance of martial arts, please watch the king and ministers of your country together. As the saying goes, seeing is believing, after you have seen it with your own eyes, you will probably no longer doubt the prospects of this cooperation.”

"This..." Although Jin Shangxian had heard about the Haihan people's plan from Luo Xian, it was undoubtedly a great risk for the king and other ministers to go out of the city to watch the Haihan army drill.If the Haihan people are uneasy and good-natured, and take this opportunity to wipe out the high-level officials of the North Korean state, wouldn’t that be a catastrophe for the country?

Tom Wang had speculated about the possible reaction of the North Korean side in advance, and now he had guessed the scruples in Jin Shangxian's heart, and explained to him: "All our troops will board the ship and leave the river bank later, and the nobles of your country can decide for themselves. A safe distance, you can watch it on the shore. Of course, if anyone is willing to board the ship to watch, I also welcome.”

Shen Zhixiang, who had been by the side without interjecting, also said at this time: "At that time, this official will stay on the shore and watch the exercise of the Haihan Fleet with your country's monarchs and ministers."

Shen Zhixiang offered to stay ashore, naturally to reassure the North Koreans.After all, they are definitely more willing to trust Daming officials than the new Haihan people.Although Shen Zhixiang is only a military attache, in Seoul, his credit is much more effective than the Haihan Fleet.

Jin Shangxian's expression changed a little when he heard Shen Zhixiang's protection. He did trust Shen Zhixiang more than the Haihan people, even if Shen Zhixiang's current position was obviously inclined to the Haihan side.The same words are said from Shen Zhixiang's mouth, and the credibility is higher.

The North Korean side is most worried about the threat of force caused by the troops of the Haihan Fleet under the city, but if the other party is willing to take the initiative to withdraw from the river bank and conduct a so-called demonstration, the hostility has been reduced a lot.Jin Shangxian thought about it a little and agreed, but he still said that he would go back and report to the king himself to decide.

Seeing that Jin Shangxian was finally relieved, Tom Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief.His mission this time is not difficult, but it is by no means simple. If the strength and timing of this kind of force threat are not well grasped, it will easily evolve into a situation where it is difficult to ride a tiger.It is not difficult to use force, but it is difficult to make North Korea submit to Haihan's force without using force, and agree to the alliance demand put forward by Haihan.

But before Kim Sang Hun left, he had one more thing to tell the other party: "Master Kim, there is something I have to remind your country. Since your country has a covenant with the Jin people before, there must be their ambassadors living in the city. Sir, my fleet has made such a big noise, and most of them have already reached their ears. If you want to be safe, I suggest you try to control them first. The more they know, the better for your future national security. The more unfavorable it is. The reason for this, you can decide for yourself."

Jin Shangxian bowed and said: "General Wang is right, after this official returns to the city, he will immediately go to supervise this matter."

Regardless of whether Haihan finally ally with North Korea or not, this matter will not allow Hou Jin to know much about the inside story, unless the North Koreans are determined to form a group with Hou Jin and take this opportunity to show their loyalty to him.Of course, this possibility is very slim. At least at this time, North Korea, which has not experienced the "Bingzi chaos" that would have occurred in history, still has a relatively strong sense of resistance, and will not surrender to Houjin with sincerity.If the North Koreans realize that they really have a chance to overthrow Hou Kim's oppression, they won't be too cowardly to do anything.

Wang Tom ordered Jin Sangxian and his entourage to be sent back to the shore in a small boat, and Shen Zhixiang also went with him. His next task was to accompany Jin Shangxian to Seoul, and strive to persuade the North Korean monarchs and ministers to accept Haihan's proposal as soon as possible, and go outside the city to see Haihan. Fleet combat exercises on the Han River.As for the content of the exercise, Tom Wang has already agreed with Shen Zhixiang, and he will then serve as a commentator next to the North Korean monarchs.

Liu Shang, who had been on the sidelines but didn't play a role, didn't feel sorry. He knew that although he was quick-tempered, the powerful aura of a meeting between high-level officials of the two countries just now was far more effective than a glib tongue.It is precisely in the momentum that Tom Wang has an obvious advantage in that he can steadily suppress the opponent.And being able to witness such an important negotiation, even as an entourage, has an inexplicable sense of honor. In Haihan's words, he is witnessing history with his own eyes.

If the alliance between the two countries succeeds in the future, it is very likely that there will be this record in the history books in the future. On May 1636, [-], the Haihan Navy Commander Tom, the commander of the Haihan Navy, led his fleet to Seoul, the capital city of Korea, and presided over the signing. Haehan concluded a contract of strategic alliance with North Korea.Then he Liu Shang may also be recorded in the name of the attache and become a part of history.

Civilian officials like Liu Shang are unlikely to make a fortune in the battlefield, and this occasion may be one of the few opportunities that can be recorded in history.For a small person like him from a commoner background, this may also be regarded as some form of honoring the ancestors.And Liu Shang also keenly noticed that after he came to the north, the time when he could really be valued by high-level officials and given specific tasks was almost always in the diplomatic field.

Liu Shang doesn't really know much about the Haihan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his past work, he had little dealings with this department, which is equivalent to the comprehensive functions of the Department of Rites, Siyi Pavilion, and Honglu Temple, and he had never had any experience with this department before. interest.However, with the progress of the war in the north recently, the time to deal with the Ming Dynasty, North Korea and other countries has gradually increased, and the full-time personnel of the Haihan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the northern region can be counted on one hand, so it is often necessary to transfer Liu Shang. Responsible for some foreign affairs activities, and his performance during the completion of these tasks has also been recognized and appreciated by the senior management.High-level officials seem to be optimistic about his ability to negotiate in foreign affairs. If he works hard in this direction, it seems to be a good way out.

Jin Shangxian returned to the city, and as expected, according to Wang Tom's suggestion, he first dispatched troops to surround the Houjin embassy in the city, and temporarily placed the people in the embassy under house arrest, and then went to report to the king about the negotiations outside the city just now.And Shen Zhixiang also took the opportunity to persuade the king of Joseon, let him see the drill of the Haihan Fleet before making a decision.

Although King Li Yu of Joseon was a little afraid when he needed to face Hou Jin, he was not a peaceful person in his bones, otherwise he would not have launched a palace coup and ascended the throne.Hearing that he could watch the Haihan Fleet rehearse on the Han River, he immediately became interested. Since the other party was not here to fight, why would it hurt to go and see.Even if you know that the other party is using this to put pressure on you, you can at least see if the other party has any good stuff. Since both Luo Xian and Shen Zhixiang boast that the Haihan Army is invincible in the world, you must be able to see some clues from the performance.

So an hour after the Haihan fleet left the river bank outside Seoul, the North Korean side determined that there were no Haihan soldiers stationed on the river bank, and the Sungnye Gate in the south of Seoul slowly opened, and the king's guard of honor and guards filed out, guarding the The carriage that Li Yu rode in.The ministers of civil and military affairs followed closely behind and marched to the south bank of the city.

According to Shen Zhixiang's suggestion, the team didn't go very far out of the city. They stopped at a place that was nearly a mile away from the river bank, and then found a place with a slightly higher terrain and a better view to use as a viewing platform.Originally, there was a wall that was not too high in front of it, which blocked the view a bit, but after the guards got the order, they ripped off that section of the stone wall, which was much more efficient than the meeting between the two countries this time. .

After the Koreans on the shore were ready, Shen Zhixiang set off a fireworks flare as agreed.Wang Tangnan saw the signal bomb exploded in the air in the distance on the boat, and ordered to start as planned.

The military exercises of the Haihan Fleet are mainly divided into marching, assault, encirclement, and the most exciting artillery targeting.For this reason, the fleet also specially brought an old warship contributed by Dongjiang Town from Liaodong as a target ship. At this time, the empty ship had been anchored in the middle of the river.

When the "Majesty", spitting out soot and steam, drove the fleet at full speed and advanced on the river in a battle formation, the visual impact of the scene did not require Shen Zhixiang's explanation at all, as long as the eyes were not blinded. The people who were there, can naturally see that the speed of this Haihan Fleet is far beyond their cognition.With their knowledge, they naturally cannot understand how Haihan kept such a large ship at a high speed, but there is no doubt that no matter who encounters such an opponent at sea, I am afraid it is difficult to escape under his pursuit.Of course, everyone's focus was actually mainly on the sailboat that was moored in the middle of the river and used as a target ship.

According to Shen Zhixiang's explanation, the Haihan Fleet will stagger past the ship at the highest speed, during which the target ship will be bombarded with the naval guns equipped on the ship.To verify the combat capability of the Haihan Fleet with actual results.And the most interesting part of the North Korean monarchs and ministers is also with this.

Those who have not seen the artillery shelling of the sailing warships will inevitably be shocked by the intensive firepower output of the ship's side, and the North Korean monarchs and ministers who acted as spectators this time are no exception. The "Majesty" took the lead, passing by the south of the target ship specially to fully present the shelling process.

The guns that sounded on the side of the ship, the smoke rising from the muzzle, and the debris of the ship's board splashed and scattered on the target ship formed a very impactful battle scene.The Korean monarchs and ministers who had been talking about the Haihan Fleet before were all quiet at this time, and they watched the series of shelling of the target ship by the "Majesty" with their mouths open.

The battleships that followed followed continued to fire on the target ship without a pause. The heavy shells pierced the hull of the hull through large and small holes, and then splashed a splash of water on the river surface.In fact, by the time the third battleship passed the target ship, the ship had already been beaten to such an extent that the two large holes torn out by heavy artillery in the bow continued to pour into the river, causing the hull to tilt significantly.

Shen Zhixiang was still sparing no effort to explain to the North Korean monarchs and ministers that this was just the result of using ordinary shells. The damage will be much more serious.Of course, as to how serious it will be, it is actually beyond the scope of the North Korean monarchs and ministers' imagination.They watched the target ship turn into a half-sunked broken ship in an instant, and in their hearts, they were silently comparing their own surface combat ships to it, and the generals were even quietly considering whether there was a possibility of confronting it. .

Of course, the result was very disappointing. Not to mention the bombardment of such a large ship, even if it hits directly, few ships in the North Korean army can withstand it, and it is not even as strong as the target ship.

Shen Zhixiang said in a timely manner: "The Jinren navy was not strong at first, and only a few years ago was able to rely on the rebels who escaped to get better. However, after the Haihan people arrived in the north, they have wiped out the Jinren navy. From now on, I will no longer be able to threaten my Daming territory from the sea. Your country will not have to worry in the future, the Jinren Navy will raid Seoul from the sea."

When everyone heard this, they didn't feel comfortable in their hearts, and they all came up with an idea - the Jin people can't come, but the Haihan people can come if they want!Who can stop such a powerful fleet?Who would dare to stop it?
Unconsciously, the North Korean monarchs and ministers no longer doubted the authenticity of the Haihan Fleet’s claim to be invincible at sea, but began to worry about whether this powerful armed force would take shelter or threaten North Korea in the future.

(End of this chapter)