Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 171 Goodbye Liu Chenglong

After resting in Guangning City for two days, Zhang Xiao and his party set off again and arrived in Liaoyang City smoothly.

In the governor's office, Li Hualong, the governor of Liaodong, was already hosting a banquet in honor of Zhang Xiao and his party.

"Li Futai, congratulations on being promoted to the right minister of the Ministry of War." Zhang Xiao congratulated Li Hualong.

"This position of minister is not that easy to fill. As soon as the new governor of Liaodong arrives, Li will probably go to the southwest soon. Zhang Zhan, you are in the capital, have you heard any news about Yang Yinglong? ?" Li Hualong asked.

"I have indeed heard that Yang Yinglong has not openly raised the flag of rebellion, but his actions are no different from rebellion. The imperial court is now deploying troops to the southwest, but currently it is only Yang Yinglong's family who is rebelling, and the other chieftains It’s better to side with the imperial court, otherwise the overall situation in Southwest China will be really corrupted.”

"A mere Yang Yinglong dared to do this. It seems that the hundreds of years of foundation of the Yang family in Bozhou will be destroyed in the hands of this person. I heard that the imperial court originally wanted to punish Yang Yinglong, but later he was pardoned because of the Korean War. By chance, I didn’t expect that this person would dare to rebel without being grateful for the grace given by the court. After I came to the southwest, I must eradicate all evil. "

"Li Futai and Yang Yinglong have some confidence in their arrogance. After all, the Yang family has been operating in Bozhou for hundreds of years, and the Yang family's Hailong Village is also easy to defend and difficult to attack. After Li Futai takes office in the southwest, he must attack steadily. Yang Yinglong is not a bandit who can be defeated with only a few thousand officers and soldiers. He has also been fighting for many years and has a relatively clear grasp of the details of the Ming army. "

"This is natural. Zhang Zhanshi, I have one more thing to tell you here. The news of your arrival should have reached the Jianzhou Department early. Shuerhaqi from the Jianzhou Department has been in Liaoyang for three days and said I came to Liaoyang for business, I’m afraid I’m here to wait for you.”

"Oh? Shuerhaqi is here? The news from the Jianzhou Department came so quickly." Zhang Xiao was also a little surprised.

After coming out of the governor's office, Zhang Xiao called Li Rubai and Yang Hao to discuss matters.

"Captain Shu, I'm just telling you a joke, don't mind it. In fact, the imperial court still has thousands of troops stationed in North Korea. This time it set up a military headquarters in North Korea and sent an officer corps to the court to help North Korea train its troops. This is mainly because The North Korean army is too weak, and the court cannot always take care of North Korea, so it wants to send some military and political officials there to help North Korea re-train its army. If it can make peace with North Korea, it has no other meaning at the moment. The thousands of troops stationed in North Korea can also be withdrawn."

Shuerhaqi was still talking endlessly, but after hearing Zhang Xiao's words, his throat suddenly choked, and he didn't know what to say.

"Everyone, judging by the time, the Ministry of Construction probably knew the news about our arrival in Liaodong after we arrived in Guangning. The fact that Shuerhaqi appeared in Liaoyang City obviously wanted to find out our purpose of going to North Korea this time. ." Zhang Xiao said.

"Oh? Is this really possible?" Shuerhaqi suddenly became interested.

"Oh? Shu is a barbarian from the frontier, so he can't just go to Beijing at will, right?"

"Captain Shu, Chu Ying is currently studying in the capital. As an uncle, do you also want to visit?"

"It's business. I've been discussing mutual trade with Li Futai these days. Now my Jianzhou Department is producing more and more ginseng, and I still want to get a suitable price from the imperial court. After all, although the ginseng on this mountain is Although it is quite a lot, it is not easy to pick and transport it, and the price given is too low, and it is difficult to explain it back." Shuerhaqi said.

"Li is now waiting for the new governor of Liaodong to come and take over. That is to say, after the Japanese conquest campaign is over and the army returns north, I feel a little more relaxed. In recent years, the Mongols have continued to invade, and the Jurchen tribes have attacked each other. , Liaodong's soldiers and horses seem to number in the tens of thousands, and they are really not enough scattered over such a large area of ​​​​Liaodong. They have worked hard in the past few years and finally defended Liaoyang City without losing their official positions. Being able to achieve some military exploits, Li is already satisfied," Li Hualong said with emotion.

"Of course that's good. Oh, by the way, I heard that the imperial court wants to establish a permanent management office in Korea and station troops in Korea. What happened? If there is any change in the Japanese country, it won't bother the imperial court to take action. I The Jianzhou Ministry has already been on the alert. As long as the imperial court gives the order, it will help the imperial court drive the Japanese into the sea again. It is not necessary to station troops in Korea. "

"This all happened in the early years. Later, when I came to the capital to serve as an official, I was not so familiar with the two brothers Nurhaci and Shuerhaqi. That is to say, we met again in North Korea during the Japanese expedition." Li Rubai explained.

"There's nothing wrong with it. The imperial court has always treated you two brothers equally. You two brothers worked together to achieve such a cause. If you are willing to come to Beijing to pay tribute, the imperial court will also give you more rewards." Zhang Xiao Continue to confuse.

"Captain Shu is here well." Zhang Xiao said.

"Captain Shu is quite well informed," Zhang Xiao said jokingly.

"Is Governor Shu in Liaoyang on official business these days? What a coincidence, I met Governor Shu in Liaoyang City," Zhang Xiao said.

"We still have to meet. The Ministry of Jianzhou wants to come to explore our intentions. We met last time and came to explore their intentions. Your Majesty's order to us is to act according to the circumstances, and now we are acting according to the circumstances. General Zizhen, you He is relatively familiar with Shuerhaqi, let's go meet him together." Zhang Xiao looked at Li Rubai.

"It doesn't matter. Since we are old friends, we can talk about some things. Our team has traveled far and needs a few days of rest. Since Shuerhaqi wants to explore our intentions, he will come to visit." Zhang Xiao said.

"Long time no see Zhang Zhanshi, long time no see General Li, and Yang Shenzheng, oh, my name should be Yang Jinglue now." Shuerhaqi greeted everyone.

Sure enough, on the second day, Shuerhaqi came to visit.

"If that's the case, should we meet in person?" Yang Hao said.

"How can you say that you are entering the capital at will? Your brother is the governor of Jianzhou, and you are also the governor of Jianzhou Guard. It's just that now Governor Nu has the title of General Longhu. If Governor Shu wants to pay tribute to the capital, he can use It is enough in the name of the Governor of Jianzhou Guard, and that is fair and reasonable.”

"Oh. So that's what it looks like." Shuerhaqi looked relieved.

"Yes, that's it. There is no need to be too nervous in the Jianzhou Department, the court still believes in your loyalty."

"General Li, Shuerhaqi originally wanted to write a letter to discuss something with you. Now that we have met directly, Shu has something to say directly." Shuerhaqi said to Li Rubai.

"What do you do with Governor Shu?"

"General Li, Shu has a daughter who is only 28 years old and has never been married. How about marrying the general and raising a child?" "I'm over forty, and Commander Shu, your daughter is only a teenager. It's not suitable, right?" ”

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. My daughter grew up in the mountains. Being able to marry a general and raise her as a child will be a great blessing in her life."

"This matter is of great importance. Let me write a letter to my father and then I will reply to Governor Shu."

"Oh, it really depends on the fate of the parents. It depends on whether the boss can agree. Shu has several daughters. If they are not suitable at this age, they can be replaced. By the way, is Zhang Zhan married? Do you have any ideas?" Shuerhaqi asked Zhang Xiao.

"Thank you, Governor Shu. Such a good thing is not a blessing." Zhang Xiao quickly declined. There was no other way. This matter could not be treated politely. If they really become relatives, I will definitely be in bad luck if something happens in the future.

After exchanging pleasantries with Shuerhaqi, Zhang Xiao and his party left Liaoyang and headed towards North Korea.

After entering North Korea, Zhang Xiao carefully observed the situation along the road. The new graves on the roadside indicated that the trauma caused by the war was far from being eliminated. The numerous holes in the cities along the way showed the brutality of the war that year. But no matter what happens, the order of production and living in North Korea has been restored. North Korean children passing by were a little scared when they saw Zhang Xiao and his group, but they watched from such a distance that they didn't panic and run around. Zhang Xiao also discussed with Li Rubai that after entering North Korea, military discipline should be strictly observed to avoid unnecessary trouble. So Zhang Xiao and his party arrived at Wangjingcheng in North Korea neatly and smoothly.

The North Korean monarchs and ministers were already waiting neatly at the city gate. Zhang Xiao picked up the edict and read the emperor's edict to the prostrate monarchs and ministers. After the North Korean monarch took over the edict, the group followed the North Korean monarchs and ministers to attend the banquet.

This banquet was obviously much better than the previous ones. Not only was there more food and wine, but the program was also much richer. Of course, these programs were not very attractive to Zhang Xiao. Zhang Xiao took a few symbolic glances and continued to eat the banquet.

"Liu Xiang, this plate of meat looks quite novel. What kind of meat is this?" Zhang Xiao pointed to the plate of red meat in front of him.

"Envoy Zhang Qin, this is whale meat."

"Oh, so this is whale meat. I have never eaten it before, but it is cooked well." Zhang Xiao praised politely.

For a while, the host and the guests were enjoying each other again. After the banquet dispersed, Zhang Xiao came out of the palace and walked forward for a few steps. He always felt that there was someone behind him. When he looked back, he saw Liu Chenglong accompanying him all the way.

"What's the matter with Mr. Liu? Why don't we wait until tomorrow?" Zhang Xiao said helplessly, looking at Mr. Liu who was more attentive than the last time we met.

"Zhang Qinchen, the king's order is for me to obey your orders at any time. If you need anything, I will take care of it immediately." Liu Chenglong explained.

"Okay, okay, I know what your king means. There was a lot of talk at the banquet just now. Let's talk about some things at my residence." Zhang Xiao said,
"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey Liu. Envoy Zhang, Liu will be your guide."

"Is it still the same mansion as last time?"

"No, no, no, it was done hastily before, but now that North Korea is at peace, Envoy Zhang will naturally want to live in a better place."

In this way, Zhang Xiao was taken to a more luxurious mansion by Liu Chenglong.

"Zhang Qin, are you satisfied with this room?" Liu Chenglong asked.

"Of course I am very satisfied. Everything in the house is also very complete, and even the servants have been arranged so much? If Your Majesty finds out about this, I am afraid he will say that I am arrogant in North Korea."

"Anyway, Liu knows very well how much contribution Zhang Qinqi made to the cause of Korea's recovery. This house is only more conspicuous in Korea, but it is nothing in the Ming Dynasty."

"Okay, since Mr. Liu kindly invited me, Zhang will not be respectful." Zhang Xiao entered happily.

Liu Chenglong led the way, and Zhang Xiao followed closely behind. They walked into a quiet secret room before the two stopped.

"Envoy Zhang Qin, what is the purpose of the Ming Dynasty's permanent administration in this country? Does your Majesty no longer trust the loyalty of North Korea?" Liu Chenglong asked directly in the secret room.

"Liu Xiang, the matter is not that serious? What Ming Dynasty wants North Korea to cooperate with is all on this piece of paper. Please read it carefully, Liu Xiang."

Liu Xiang took the thin paper and took a glance at it. His eyes changed. After reading the entire content, Liu Chenglong was already a little panicked.

"Is China going to treat North Korea as a province?" Liu Chenglong asked bluntly.

"What Liu Xianghe said is that the Ming Dynasty has no intention to interfere in the affairs of the North Korean royal family, and the Ming Dynasty will not interfere with how North Korea governs its people. But now the North Korean military is too weak. If something happens again, the court will be very worried." It's hard to provide assistance many times. I heard that the Korean state also sent envoys to the Jianzhou Ministry? Before Toyotomi Hideyoshi entered the army, the Korean state probably didn't look down on these Jurchen tribes at all, thinking that they were just meritorious service by the border troops. Great place.”

"Our country sent envoys to the Jurchens in Jianzhou just to demarcate the territory. There is no other purpose. Please rest assured, Ming Dynasty. As for the military training, if General Li's officer corps is really stationed, will our army have to listen to it in the future? What’s the order from the officer corps? What should we do with the Ming Dynasty troops still in North Korea? Are we going to recall them?”

"The officer corps is only responsible for training troops, and the North Korean land army is still commanded by North Korea itself. However, North Korea's navy will be under the unified command of the Ming Dynasty. When the time comes, the Ming Navy will be stationed in ports such as Incheon Port and form a joint alliance with North Korea's current navy. The fleet mainly defends against the Japanese navy and the French navy. This time the Japanese invaded, your navy's performance was really poor. If your navy didn't lose so miserably, so did the Japanese navy. More than 100,000 troops cannot be transported to North Korea calmly, so North Korea is unsafe without the protection of the Ming Navy." Zhang Xiao explained.

"The matter of military power can be discussed later, but why would the Celestial Empire want to cede our land? Jeju Island has been owned by our country for a long time. If the Ming Dynasty is short of war horses, the horse administration of Jeju Island can be started again, so why bother the Celestial Empire to take care of it? This island?”

"Jeju Island is a critical place. If the Chinese army wants to protect North Korea, it must have a foothold of its own, and it does not have to be ceded. The two countries can reach an agreement. The Ming Dynasty will lease Jeju Island to North Korea, and North Korea can also pay the rent. The country is not at a loss, isn’t Tsushima Island under your rule now?” Zhang Xiao explained.

(End of this chapter)