1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 2649
Zhu Zian's thoughts are actually a bit unfounded. No matter in terms of geographical area, population size, industry types, and social conditions, the Ming ruled area is far more complex than North Korea.However, if Haihan wants to take over the legacy of Ming Dynasty as the new ruler, it is far more difficult than controlling North Korea. It is not appropriate to use the simple and crude method of dividing the north and the south to achieve his goal. Haihan has no intention of continuing to use the plan to deal with North Korea On Daming's side.

Regarding this issue is too sensitive, Zhu Zian will not ask questions, and of course it is impossible for Shi Chengwu to take the initiative to discuss with him.The focus of the exchange between the two is still tacitly focused on North Korea.

In fact, Zhu Zian had almost never cared about North Korea as a neighbor before this, but during the period after the Hangzhou imperial examination, the amount of information about North Korea he came into contact with has far exceeded the sum of the previous years.And most of the information, he had never read in the mansion newspaper issued by the imperial court before, so it can be said that it was an eye-opener.

Although Zhu Zian's contact with North Korea so far has only been on Jeju Island, an overseas enclave belonging to North Korea, and has not even set foot on the mainland of North Korea, but he believes that even the grand master in charge of foreign affairs of the Ming Dynasty Even the Minister of Lusi came here personally, and his understanding of North Korea may not be better than his own.

In the past 200 years, Ming only regarded North Korea as a vassal state that accepted its asylum, but did not control this country as deeply as Hai Han.Zhu Zian didn't understand why Hai Han did this at first, but after learning enough information, he realized that Hai Han's real purpose was still for economic benefits.

Salt, iron, coal, shipping... Haihan currently controls the lifeline industries of North Korea, which means that North Korea is continuously sending its own output into Haihan's pocket.Such a North Korean country is not so much an ally of Haihan, but a long-term laborer working for Haihan is more suitable.

It was hard for Zhu Zian to imagine how much wealth would flow from North Korea to Haihan every year. If Daming could control North Korea like this back then, would the resources exported by the vassal state be able to help Daming tide over the difficulties?

But thinking about it carefully, this is of course unrealistic, because both Ming and North Korea were in trouble at that time, even if the two countries were tied together, they could not defeat one of the Manchu Qing or Haihan.Moreover, Daming simply does not have the same ability to develop and utilize resources as Haihan. Even if the entire Korean peninsula is merged into Daming at that time, the final result may still be the same.

Two days later, the joint fleet arrived at Ganghwa Island near the mouth of the Han River.Compared with Jeju Island, which is isolated overseas, the history here is much richer.Because this place is only a hundred miles away from Seoul, the history here has a lot to do with the rulers of North Korea.

Since the [-]th century, Ganghwado Island has been designated as the place where princes and ministers were exiled. Yeonsangun and Gwanghaejun who were overthrown by the palace coup were all exiled here.

During the Dingmao Rebellion in 1627, the Hou Jin army drove all the way to the vicinity of Seoul, and the Korean army was unable to resist. King Li Ji led all the civil and military officials and royal family members to flee to Ganghwa Island for refuge, and finally signed an alliance with Hou Jin here.

After that, the Joseon royal family followed suit and simply raised Ganghwa Island to a higher level as one of the accompanying capitals of the dynasty, and built a palace and various living facilities on the island, just in case there was another war. During the asylum period, it will not be too embarrassing.

Of course, now that Haihan is stationed in the north, the evil neighbors in the north will no longer have the opportunity to invade Seoul, so the refuge function of Ganghwa Island should not be used, and it has only been used as a place in recent years. The palace exists.

In order to show respect for North Korea, the joint fleet did not sail directly into the Han River, but will stay at Ganghwa Island for two days for rest.In this way, the Koreans also have sufficient time to send the news to Seoul, so that the king can prepare for the fleet that will visit Seoul.

Because of the relationship with the accompanying capital, Jianghua Island is one level higher than the ordinary "fu". It is called Jianghua Left Behind Mansion. Si Xian and Da Si Jian are half a step higher.

High level, less work, sufficient funds, and you may not have to deal with your boss face to face all year round. This is definitely a position that many people dream of, but not just anyone is qualified for it.And Jin Shangjiu, who is currently staying behind, is one of the confidantes of King Li Yi.

In his early years, Kim Sang-jiu was a diplomat at the North Korean embassy in Zhoushan. At that time, Li Yi went to Sanya to study abroad, and he also contributed to the arrangement.Later when Li Yi returned to the country, Jin Shangjiu naturally became the son's supporter.

After Li Yan ascended the throne, he was grateful for the help provided by Jin Shangjiu back then, so he was sent out to be a magistrate. Li Yi arranged for Jin Shangjiu to fill this vacancy.

Because of his previous work relationship, Jin Shangjiu had some friendship with senior Haihan officials such as Shi Diwen and Wang Tom. Therefore, Shi Chengwu, Wang Anguo and others led the fleet to visit this time. For him, he is the son of an old friend. This friendship is natural It is to climb.

Jin Shangjiu went to the port to meet Shi Chengwu and his party in person, and then held a routine banquet and entertainment. During the banquet, he recalled the experience of communicating with Shi Chengwu and his father's generation back then, and by the way, he also bridged the distance.

The next day, Jin Shangjiu arranged for them to visit the local royal palace.As a member of the mission, Zhu Zian also accompanied him.

As a child of the Ming royal family, Zhu Zian was naturally full of curiosity about the royal palace of Joseon, but after seeing the real thing, he was greatly disappointed.These so-called palaces were nothing more than a few small houses. Compared with the palaces he had seen in the Forbidden City, they were really different. Even compared to the Palace of Prince De, which was destroyed before the war, there was still a big gap.

Most of these court-style palaces are made of wood, and their shape is in the same line as Chinese-style buildings. However, these houses are thin in structure, but they all have a disproportionately huge roof, which looks top-heavy.

When he stopped to rest, Shi Chengwu asked him how he felt about this place.Seeing that Jin Shangjiu was not nearby, Zhu Zi'an responded, "I heard that the palaces on the North Korean side were all imitations of the Central Plains, but today I saw the real thing. It must be that the Koreans only learned superficially. The palace has its shape, but it has no spirit, like a child wearing a coat, which is really funny."

Beside him, Bai Letong replied with a smile: "North Korea is a vassal state of the Central Plains Dynasty. According to the usual practice, the palace of this vassal state cannot be taller than the palace of the main state, so it can only be built shorter. But in order to look more dignified, it is Build a big roof so that it can be distinguished from ordinary houses.”

(End of this chapter)