Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

The establishment of the Buddhist Sangha attracted Zhu Youjian's attention.

He was very keen to see the reform of Buddhism and hoped that the religion of the Ming Dynasty could be of assistance in its external expansion.

In particular, Buddhism has spread widely, and Han Buddhism has an influence not only in China, but also in Korea, Japan and other places.

Theravada Buddhism had a tremendous influence in Southeast Asia, and Zhu Youjian looked forward to incorporating Buddhist sects from all over the world after the reform of Buddhism in the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, conquering Southeast Asia could not rely on Buddhism, and Zhu Youjian was more eager for good news from the front.

At this time, Zhu Xieyuan had already selected the elite troops of the Beijing Garrison and the Great Wall Army to march south. Zhang Shize, who had been cultivating his territory in Guangxi for several years, was preparing to lead the attack as the vanguard.

However, before deploying troops, it is necessary to first use courtesy before resorting to force, and send people to contact forces in various parts of Annam.

Zhang Jingxin, as an envoy sent by the Court of Colonial Affairs, once again traveled to Annam.

Looking at Gaoping City ahead, Zhang Jingxin had mixed feelings.

He knew that the emperor had sent him to Annam to stir up trouble, and even implied that he could lead his warriors to capture the Annamite king and his officials.

However, he felt that doing so was impolite and too risky, and he had not yet made up his mind to carry it out.

Now the entire court is focused on conquering Annam, leaving us with no choice.

With these mixed feelings, Zhang Jingxin said to her guard captain, Zhang Shan:

"Zhang Shan, this journey is extremely dangerous. Are you afraid?"

"If the Mo family of Gaoping harbors disloyal intentions, we may be trapped in this situation."

Zhang Shan, with his handsome face, laughed heartily and said:

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid a fight won't even break out!"

“You know what I do in the capital. If I were afraid of dying, I wouldn’t have come.”

"Compared to my colleagues, I am already very lucky."

Zhang Jingxin fell silent upon hearing this, recalling the scene when she first met Zhang Shan.

At the time, Zhang Shan was rehearsing a wrestling match, and he was going to perform as Zhao Yun.

He chose him as the military officer of the mission because of his handsome appearance and imposing stature.

This gave him the opportunity to become the head of the mission's guard.

Over the past year, Zhang Shan had spent his free time training his guards, knowing that beneath his handsome appearance lay a burning ambition.

If it weren't for the kindness he had shown Zhang Shan, he might have gone alone and killed the Annamite king and his ministers when he was on his mission to Thang Long.

Thinking back to the situation, Zhang Jingxin still felt lingering fear and regret. They had genuinely been capable of assassinating the Annamite king and his ministers, but he felt it was against etiquette and decorum, so he restrained Zhang Shan.

Upon his return, the court, focused on the war in Annam, did not blame him.

However, Zhang Shize, Li Yun, and others did not give them a friendly welcome, and they heard many strange rumors during their mission.

Thinking about this now, Zhang Jingxin felt a pang of regret. He hadn't expected the Liaodong War to end so quickly, and the emperor to be so generous, bestowing titles upon dozens of meritorious officials.

If he had agreed to Zhang Shan's proposal earlier, he might have already captured Thang Long. His name would also be on the emperor's list of rewards.

Therefore, he had made up his mind for this mission. If the Mo family of Gaoping did not obey, he would agree with Zhang Shan's suggestion to assassinate and coerce them.

Regardless of the circumstances, we must find a pretext for the court to start a war, and we cannot allow the court's campaign against Annam to be halted because of us.
-
The preparations and military buildup of the Ming army in Gaoping had already attracted the attention of the Mo family and their ministers.

Especially after Zhang Jingxin's mission to Gaoping last year, inquiring about their harassment of the Ming border, Mo Jingkuan, the head of the Mo clan, was quite alarmed.

Because of the Ming Dynasty's attitude, it was clear that they wanted to launch a military campaign against them, and given the Mo family's current situation, they were simply unable to resist.

His son, Mo Jingwan, said:

"Father, the Ming envoy has come again. How should we deal with this?"

"Last time, Father feigned illness to avoid going to court. Is he going to reprimand us this time?"

"Why don't you go to the Ming Dynasty, Father? I can help stabilize the hearts of the people in Gaoping."

These words seemed to imply a sacrifice to ensure the old father's safety, which angered Mo Jingkuan, who pointed at him and said:

"What do you, a mere child, know about calming people's hearts?"

"If I leave Gaoping, how many people will remain loyal to us?"

"After that defeat seven years ago, how many people in the Mo family still have their hearts and minds?"

Mo Jingwan's face turned pale as he recalled the battle seven years ago, still feeling lingering fear.

At that time, Trinh Quy led his troops to capture Cao Bang, killing the retired Emperor Mok Kinh Cong and the Crown Prince of Mok Dynasty, among others. He and his father managed to escape and later surrendered to the Le Dynasty before returning to Cao Bang.

He absolutely did not want to fight or face the Zheng family.

The Ming Dynasty, which was even stronger than the Zheng family, was naturally even less willing to face them.

Recalling the Ming envoy's previous reprimand for their border raids, Mo Jingwan said:

"Why don't we hand over the people who harassed the Ming Dynasty and give the Ming Dynasty an explanation?"

"If it weren't for them, this disaster wouldn't have happened."

He felt quite indignant when the matter was mentioned.

He has no credit for the spoils of those raids, yet he now bears the responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Mo Jingkuan's face darkened, and he wished he could punch his son a few times.

Because it wasn't just his generals who harassed the Ming Dynasty; in the second year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, he also raided Leizhou.

Although they escaped without success, the Ming Dynasty still remembered them.

If the people who were harassing the Ming Dynasty were to be handed over, how could he possibly escape punishment?

At this moment, Mo Jingkuan truly regretted his past actions, feeling remorseful for not being respectful enough to the Ming Dynasty, which had led to this disaster.

However, given the circumstances, he had no other choice. He summoned the generals who had previously raided the Ming Dynasty and said:

"The Ming Dynasty knows everything you've done."

“Last time, the Ming envoy demanded that I hand you over, but I made an excuse to refuse.”

"The envoy has come again, clearly for the same reason."

"You know what to do, so you can proceed with the expedient measures."

This implies that these people could assassinate the Ming envoy, and he could pretend he didn't see it.

If the Ming court questions him in the future, he will find a way to deal with it.

These people clearly understood the meaning behind Mo Jingkuan's words.

Although they did not want to bear the crime of assassinating the Ming envoy, they had no choice but to act according to Mo Jingkuan's wishes.

After all, the matter of the Ming envoy's questioning was common knowledge, and they all knew that the Ming Dynasty would not let them off the hook.

Mo Jingmao, Fenyi, and others joined forces and mobilized a thousand soldiers, intending to ambush and kill the Ming envoy outside the city.

In their view, these people were more than capable of annihilating the Ming Dynasty delegation, without a doubt.

What these people didn't know was that the guards of the delegation sent from the capital were all equipped with new firearms.

Moreover, when Zhang Jingxin was sent on a diplomatic mission, his rank was comparable to that of a king or marquis, and he was allowed to bring five hundred guards with him.

Five hundred newly armed soldiers, equipped with modern firearms, couldn't even defeat a thousand Jurchen soldiers in defense, let alone the thousand Annamite troops. Under Zhang Shan's command, these men were undoubtedly routed, and even their commanders, Mo Jingmao and Fenyi, couldn't escape and were captured by Zhang Shan.

"Haha, two big fish again. They are the ones who have been harassing the Ming Dynasty."

"Special Envoy, now we have a handle on the Gaoping Mo clan. If they do not obey, we will attack them first."

Zhang Jingxin smiled, equally excited.

The previous battles left him, a civil official who had never fought in a war, quite uneasy.

Unexpectedly, the course of the war was quite different. The Ming army only fired a few rounds of muskets before the Mo army on the other side collapsed.

The Ming guards defeated the enemy army without losing a single man.

Even the enemy's commander was captured; none of them escaped.

Only then did he understand the fighting strength of a large battalion in the Ming Dynasty.

With such troops stationed in Thang Long, they would be fully capable of launching a surprise attack on the Annamite palace.

No wonder Zhang Shize and Li Yun were quite annoyed and made some strange remarks about him after he gave up this opportunity last time.

It turns out that these people all knew the strength of the Ming army, and he was too hesitant.

Seeing this battle now, Zhang Jingxin immediately realized that her previous understanding was flawed:

The emperor wasn't sending him to his death to find a reason to start a war; he genuinely believed that the Ming Dynasty's five hundred warriors, if used properly, had the power to destroy the country.

Facing the Mo family, whose strength was far inferior to that of the Zheng family, he had no need to worry and could easily overwhelm them.

With this understanding, Zhang Jing thought to himself:
"Raise the mission's flag and send a prisoner to Gaoping to deliver a message, requesting Mo Jingkuan to come out of the city to welcome them."

"If he doesn't obey, then declare war immediately and ask General Zhang to send a large army over."

This was something that had been agreed upon long ago; if his negotiations failed, Zhang Shize would immediately send troops.

Before Zhu Xieyuan arrives, favorable conditions must be created for the Ming army to march south.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan immediately carried it out. He chose a location outside Gaoping City to set up camp and planned to hold the fortified position.

Then they sent a captured member of the Mo clan to deliver the message.

After entering the city, this member of the Mo clan naturally told Mo Jingkuan about the battle that had just taken place.

Mo Jingkuan was completely dumbfounded. He never expected that the Ming army would have such strength.

After the Mo clan was driven to the north by the Zheng clan, their power was already scattered. The larger ones numbered several thousand, while the smaller ones numbered only seven or eight hundred.

Mo Jingmao and Fenyi were already two quite powerful forces, otherwise they wouldn't have dared to harass the Ming Dynasty. Unexpectedly, these two armies collapsed at the first contact and were easily defeated by the Ming army.

His forces had already weakened after the battle seven years ago, and if they were to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, they probably wouldn't even be able to take down these five hundred soldiers.

In the end, despite his fear, Mo Jingkuan feigned illness and refused to leave the city. His son, Mo Jingwan, was sent out to welcome the Ming delegation.
-
"You are Mo Jingwan, the current heir of the Mo family?"

Looking at the welcoming party, Zhang Jingxin, riding on her horse, said with a rather arrogant air.

By this time, he understood that the two sides were close to breaking off relations, so he naturally stopped treating each other with courtesy.

As long as the Mo family does not agree to the Ming Dynasty's conditions, the two sides will go to war.

Mo Jingwan was the crown prince of the Mo Dynasty, and he was naturally quite dissatisfied with Zhang Jingxin's claim to be the heir apparent.

However, he was also aware of the battle taking place outside the city and knew that the Mo clan of Gaoping had no power to resist the Ming Dynasty. He could only swallow his shame and say:

"Your humble servant is Mo Jingwan. Please allow the envoy to enter the city and rest for a while."

Zhang Jingxin completely ignored his words and asked bluntly:

"Where is Mo Jingkuan? Why didn't he come out of the city to greet us?"

"Does this mean I must enter the city and personally pay him a visit?"

Mo Jingwan repeatedly said he dared not, and then explained Mo Jingkuan's reasons.

Upon hearing that Mo Jingkuan was feigning illness again, Zhang Jing, recalling the emperor's attitude towards his ministers feigning illness, said without hesitation:
“He fell ill when I last came here, and he is still ill now. It is clear that he is seriously ill and unable to handle affairs at all.”

“Mo Jingkuan is not up to the job of Governor-General of Annam.”

"You are the heir of the Mo family. I will recommend you to succeed as the Governor-General of Annam and take charge of Annam affairs."

Mo Jingwan never expected such a good thing to be waiting for him. He naturally wanted to take over his father's position, but even if he succeeded, he would not be able to control the power of the Mo family.

This left him hesitant for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Zhang Jingxin gave him no chance to choose, and took out the imperial edict to read aloud:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

“Ancient rulers enfeoffed princes to protect the state. The Mo family of Gaoping surrendered their land and submitted to the Ming Dynasty, serving it with utmost loyalty. Therefore, they were enfeoffed as princes in anticipation of their arrival.”

"I admire the loyalty of the Mo family and hereby bestow upon Mo Jingwan the title of Marquis of Gaoping, a military minister who follows the mandate of Heaven and assists the emperor, and is loyal and capable. He shall receive a stipend of 1,500 shi (a unit of grain) to honor him and to ensure that his descendants will enjoy hereditary honors. You shall be diligent in this endeavor!"

He immediately filled in Mo Jingwan's name, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Gaoping, and then stared at the surprised, bewildered Mo Jingwan, who didn't know how to react, and said:

"Marquis Gaoping, receive the imperial decree!"

"If you disobey the imperial decree, you will be a traitor to the Ming Dynasty."

Mo Jingwan was forced to accept the imperial decree and become a prince of the Ming Dynasty.

Mo Jingwan naturally knew what the title of Marquis of Gaoping represented, and the fate of the Count of Ryukyu was already known to the surrounding vassal states.

However, the Ryukyu Counts on the islands were willing to go to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to enjoy wealth and rule the Mo clan of Gaoping, but they were unwilling to abandon their land and go to the Ming Dynasty.

He said somewhat hesitantly:

"Should I, the Marquis of Gaoping, move to the capital?"

What should Gaoping do then?

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Jingxin knew that Mo Jingwan was already interested, and smiled as she said to him:

“You are a nobleman of Shuntian, and the vassal state is an inner vassal state. The court does not require you to stay in the capital indefinitely. It is sufficient to send your heir to study there.”

"However, your situation is special now, so sending your father over is also an option."

"After the crown prince is officially appointed, we will send him there."

Upon hearing these words, Mo Jingwan understood that the Ming envoy was helping him to strip his father of his power and send him to the Ming Dynasty.

That way, no one will be able to stop him from taking power, and Gaoping will be under his control.

The Ming Dynasty had no intention of forcibly occupying Gaoping; it appeared to be merely a punishment for those who had harassed the Ming.

Thinking of his father's actions, he steeled himself and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty's favor is so great, how could I dare to disobey?"

"Thank you for your kindness!"

He bowed towards the direction of the capital and accepted the imperial decree that he would be granted the title of Marquis of Gaoping.

Then he led the Ming delegation into the city, and with the help of both inside and outside forces, successfully captured Mo Jingkuan and seized his power.

From then on, the Gaoping Mo clan was transformed into marquises of the Ming Dynasty and reformed according to the regulations of the Court of Colonial Affairs for internal and external vassal states.

Meanwhile, Mo Jingwan succeeded as the new Governor-General of Annam, and at Zhang Jingxin's request, he issued a proclamation to attack the Lê Dynasty's rulers and officials.

They also invited the Ming Dynasty to send troops to restore the Mo family's territory.

Zhang Shize, who had been waiting anxiously, couldn't wait to send out his troops, starting from Cao Bang and heading straight for Lang Son.

The long-planned war in Annam has finally begun and entered its formal implementation phase. (End of Chapter)