1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 2077
The purpose of Haihan's deployment of naval power in the waters of Jeju Island is of course not for daily training, but to carry out reconnaissance on the Kyushu area of ​​Japan, so as to provide information for the formulation of future combat plans.But the deeper reason is that it has something to do with the future power transfer of North Korea. Of course, it is not appropriate to directly explain this to the North Korean monarch and ministers in the official document sent to Gyeongbokgung Palace. situation, in order to control the insider to a minimum, so as to achieve the purpose of confidentiality.

After the cooperation from last year to this year, Kim Sang-heon is one of the few high-ranking North Korean officials that Hai Han can trust, so he can reveal some relevant information to him.

"We have no interest in Jeju Island, and we will not ask your country for anything other than a supply port." Tom Wang knew what Kim Sang-heon was worried about, so he told the truth straight to the point: "We will expand All the military actions taken have nothing to do with the ownership of Jeju Island."

Jin Shangxian was a little relieved when he heard this explanation, but he still boldly asked Wang Tom for confirmation: "Then can I understand the general's words as a kind of official promise from Haihan?"

"Of course." Wang Tom nodded and gave an affirmative answer: "Regarding this point, Lord Jin can convey my words to His Majesty the King."

Since the goal of the Haihan people is not Jeju Island, it is a relief for Jin Shangxian. The purpose of his trip is to clarify this matter, and he can go back to deal with business immediately.However, he still couldn't help being a little curious about the real purpose of the Haihan people sending armed forces to the area, so he took the initiative to ask Tom Wang.

"It's a long story." Wang Tom said: "Simply put, it has something to do with your country's neighbors."

"Japan?" Jin Shangxian's reaction was quick, and he immediately understood Wang Tom's meaning: "Unexpectedly, the Japanese dare to provoke your country! So your country is planning to go to war with the Japanese?"

The relationship between Japan and North Korea is fighting and fighting. In history, Japan has invaded North Korea several times. The largest scale is the Imchen Japanese Invasion in the Wanli period. It was fought intermittently from 1592 to 1598. It was declared over at the end of the year.

After the Japanese army landed in Busan and invaded North Korea, they captured the capital of North Korea, Seoul, within [-] days, and captured Pyongyang two months later.At that time, if the Ming Dynasty hadn't sent tens of thousands of troops to North Korea to participate in the war, there was a high probability that the North Korean country would be crushed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army, and even Guozuo might not be able to keep it.

After the war, Japan stopped for several years, and then resumed bilateral trade with North Korea, and the Tsushima Fan established an official business office in Busan in southern North Korea. The two countries are slowly repairing the rift left over from the last century. .But before that, Kim Sang-heon had never heard of any quarrel between Japan and Haihan, so Tom Wang's answer surprised him somewhat.

Wang Tom said: "The current situation is not very clear, so we are only taking some precautionary measures. Your country does not have to worry about being implicated in the war."

Jin Shangxian blushed, knowing that Tom Wang had seen through his thoughts, and quickly argued: "Our country fought against the bandits last year and has not yet recovered. If we want to start a national war again, I am afraid that we will not be able to do it. country's hind legs."

Kim Sang-heon's words were not entirely for evasion. Although the coalition forces organized by Haihan successfully repelled the Qing army that invaded North Korea last year, a large number of states and counties in the northern region were still involved in the flames of war. The subsequent casualties plus the tens of thousands of people taken away by the Qing army, plus the cities and farmland destroyed by the Qing army, the actual loss can be described as quite large.At that time, the coalition troops who came to North Korea to help the war were not in vain. North Korea had to pay the corresponding military expenses after the war. The expenses of Haihan's family alone had drained North Korea's treasury.

Today, although the political situation in North Korea has stabilized, the financial situation has not been fundamentally alleviated. The government still owes a huge loan to Haihan Bank, which will take several years of tax distribution to repay.If Haihan needs North Korea to participate in another large-scale war at this time, it is difficult for Kim Sang-heon to have any other way to deal with it other than screaming bitterly.

For North Korea, the choice of participating in the war will bring troubles to the country even as much as the possibility of losing Jeju Island.The historical shadow of being invaded by the Japanese army in the last century still has not completely dissipated from the heads of North Koreans, and Kim Sang-heon, who witnessed the Imjin Japanese Invasion, will inevitably be quite sensitive to Japan, an opponent, and the degree of fear of it is comparable to that of North Korea. China's northern neighbors are stronger than each other.

They can't fight, and they don't want to fight. Even with Haihan's support, it may be difficult to change the attitude of the North Koreans in a short time.After all, this country is different from the allies such as Annan and Portugal that Haihan made in his early years, and he doesn't have much experience in fighting with Haihan to eat meat.If it were high-ranking officials from other allied countries who heard that Haihan was going to use force against a certain place, they would probably immediately sign up to participate without hesitation, so as not to miss the opportunity to obtain war dividends.

Seeing that Jin Shangxian was unwilling to take the initiative to take over the matter, Wang Tom couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the moment. He thought that Mr. Jin's vision was too short-sighted. He only knew how to focus on North Korea and didn't know how to participate in international affairs.Of course, this is indeed difficult for North Korea, which has always been a vassal state of China. After all, they only need to be loyal to China at the diplomatic level. Possibility of external expansion.

Qian Tiandun, who was sitting next to him and had been silent for a long time, finally spoke at this time: "Lord Jin, has it never occurred to you that your country will become a regional power one day, won't be bullied by its neighbors, and can even expand its power outwards?" territory!"

Jin Shangxian didn't expect Qian Tiandun to mention such a big goal when he opened his mouth, and he was stunned for a while, not knowing how to respond.As a country that has been invaded by foreign enemies for decades, North Korea really has no confidence to talk about the goal of becoming a regional power. As for external expansion, Kim Sang-heon has never even dreamed about it. unrealistic situation.

Looking at Jin Shangxian's expression, Qian Tiandun roughly guessed his feelings, then shook his head and said: "If Mr. Jin thinks that the peace of Korea can be maintained by the protection of our garrison in the future, then of course it is true, but your country is actually There should have been better prospects for development. As an ally of our country, sending troops to fight is just commonplace. I hope that your country can perform in this regard in the future, and don't let us be too disappointed!"

Jin Shangxian was a little hesitant at this time. He could feel that the two high-ranking Haihan officials were deliberately luring him to express his position, but this was not an errand of paying money, people, and food, but calling for North Korea to participate in the war. How could he just say so? agree to come down.But listening to Qian Tiandun's tone, if he doesn't express his determination right now, it seems that he will miss some good opportunities later.

Is it good for North Korea to go to war with Japan now?Kim Sang-heon believes that apart from being able to avenge the hatred of the year, the actual benefits should be very limited.The price that North Korea has to pay for this will probably be much higher than the harvest.

Wang Tom smoothed things over and said: "Your Excellency, you don't have to feel embarrassed. We are not asking your country to participate in future wars led by our country, but as an ally, we still hope that your country can provide our army within its capabilities. Necessary logistical support."

When Jin Shangxian heard that the other party finally brought the topic back to the business, he did not force himself to express his position on the spot. He was relieved at the moment, and quickly responded: "I will report to His Majesty immediately after returning to Seoul about the temporary supply port. I believe it is very important. Arrangements will be made soon."

Compared with being dragged to join the war, it is much simpler to just provide the port for temporary use, and this will not cause too much psychological obstacle for North Korea.The Haihan people have made it clear that they will not have any ideas about Jeju Island, and Kim Sang-heon believes that the other party should not make false statements about such a major matter.

As for whether the Haihan people are really planning to go to war against Japan, and what kind of scale it would be, Kim Sang-heon is of course curious, but he doesn't dare to ask any more questions now.He understands the truth that too much talk is bound to be lost. Just now, when he said a few more words, he was almost forced by the other party to make a statement. He didn't want the other party to lead the rhythm.

However, the topic of this meeting did not end here. Tom Wang raised a new question to Kim Sang-heon: "Master Jin, your country has been open to trade with Japan for many years. I think Mr. Jin should be very clear. Who are the big figures in the country who occupy a relatively large share of these cross-border trades, can Mr. Jin share with us information about this?"

Jin Shangxian said: "Most of the trade between our country and Japan is carried out in Busan. As for the share, there is no clear statistics... Can the general explain why you want to ask about this?"

Wang Tom said: "We suspect that Japan is infiltrating into your country's officialdom through trade channels, and maybe some big shots will also be involved. Of course, Mr. Jin has always been very happy to cooperate with us, so we trust Mr. Jin , will ask you to assist us in investigating this matter, I believe Mr. Jin will not hide anything from us, right?"

Jin Shangxian quickly responded: "Is there such a thing? The general suspects that he has gained the most from the trade and was bought by the Japanese?"

Wang Tom said: "We are not yet sure how far the matter has developed. We just suspect that the family business of some officials is a channel used by the Japanese. But if it involves big figures in the court, such as officials at the same level as Mr. Jin , then please tell us, Mr. Jin. This is not just an ordinary exchange of money, it may even affect the future stability of your country!"

Hearing what he said carefully, Kim Sang-hsun hurriedly explained himself first: "My Andong Kim family is three hundred miles away from Busan, and I have no property in Busan, let alone deal with the Japanese in private."

Tom Wang waved his hand and said, "Master Jin misunderstood, we are not suspicious of your family, otherwise we would not have asked you about this in person. Think about other officials who have this suspicion, such as often confronting you Cui Judgment?"

Jin Shangxian hesitated and said: "Master Cui is from the Cui family in Jeonju. Jeonju is in Jeollabuk-do, and the distance to Busan is farther than that of Andong. It should be... no?"

Tom Wang was dubious about Jin Shangxian's answer. The distance of three or four hundred miles is not a big problem for businessmen. It is precisely because of cross-regional circulation that business can generate more profits. Otherwise, how can Western businessmen not be far away? Thousands of miles traveled around half the world to trade in the East.Although North Korea's trading environment is relatively closed, it should not be closed to the extent that businessmen only stay in their hometowns to do business.However, Kim Sang-heon did not take advantage of this issue to step on his political opponents, which made Tom Wang a little impressed.

"What about the others?" Tom Wang continued to ask, refusing to give up.

Jin Shangxian said with a look of embarrassment: "I have always been in charge of the affairs of the Li Cao Yamen. Most of the trade-related matters are in charge of the Hu Cao Yamen. I really don't know the inside story."

Kim Sang-heon's answer undoubtedly disappointed Wang Tom and Qian Tiandun. They hoped to directly obtain key information through official channels, so as to judge those who may have colluded with Japan among the top officials in North Korea's officialdom, and thus investigate North Korea's internal affairs. Whether anyone was involved in the attack on the eldest son Li Yi, and Kim Sang-heon is one of the few sources of intelligence they can fully trust.

But the help that Jin Shangxian can provide is almost zero, and he can't even completely cleanse his own family, let alone meet Wang Qian's expectations.If intelligence personnel from the Military Intelligence Bureau are sent to Busan, it will be difficult to investigate the required information in the unfamiliar environment there in a short period of time, and the Executive Committee probably will not have enough patience for them to spend a few months To slowly investigate the relevant clues.

Although Jin Shangxian failed to provide any useful information, it was not easy for people to come all the way to the Datongjiang base, so after discussing the business, Wang Qian and Wang Qian hosted a banquet in honor of Jin Shangxian and his party according to the rules.However, Jin Shangxian was anxious to return to Seoul to return to his command, so he only stayed at the Daedongjiang base for one day, and set off for the south before dawn the next morning.

"The old man is a good man, but his mind is too rigid." Tom Wang yawned while waving to the sailboat that had just left the pier.The time for Jin Shangxian to leave was really too early, the entire Datongjiang Base was not yet ready for morning exercises.

Qian Tiandun said: "Jin Shangxian is not as honest as you say, is he? He is an old fritter who has been in the officialdom for decades. The Imchen Japanese Rebellion, the Dingmao Rebellion, and the Qing army's invasion last year, He is also a witness. He has never seen any scenes, so it is so easy to dismiss. You think it is rigid, but I think he is slippery. I talked with him for so long yesterday, but I didn't even get any useful information. "

(End of this chapter)