The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 143: Layout of North Korea
The thin Yuan Chonghuan and the fat and kind-hearted envoy of Lingyang Jun sat together, and the fat and thin complemented each other.

Yuan Chonghuan had already given the Korean envoys a gift of five hundred taels of silver.

With money as a bridge, the relationship between the two became much more harmonious.

"Your Excellency, have you met Xu Xiake?"

Yuan Chonghuan's Ming Dynasty official language was not very authentic and was full of Lingnan flavor.

He was worried that the North Koreans wouldn't understand, so he kept gesturing with his hands.

"Mr. Xu is a geomancer of the Ming Dynasty, well-versed in feng shui and divination. I've heard there's a large mine in Musan County, North Korea. He'll help you mine the ore and ship it to Yanji Port. The Marquis of Ping Liao will send someone to meet you at the border, and he'll buy it at a high price, with no cheating. I won't let you suffer any loss!"

The North Koreans nodded repeatedly.

He naturally knew Xu Xiake.

As soon as Xu Xiake arrived in Korea, he searched for minerals everywhere. Because of his short stature and language barrier, he was arrested several times as a Japanese spy.

"Marquis Ping Liao wishes to blockade Jianzhou and prevent the Jiannu from receiving supplies. I hope your country will fully cooperate."

The messenger said with a slight embarrassment:

"To be honest, our country and Jianzhou have a long history of mutual trade... Blocking Jianzhou would be difficult to achieve."

Yuan Chonghuan said anxiously: "Even if it is difficult, we must do it! Ping Liaohou will naturally give you benefits!
"Lord Ping Liaohou is magnanimous. We will forgive your previous support for the Jiannu. However, from now on, you must not trade with the Jiannu. Not a single ore or grain of grain is allowed to be imported into Jianzhou!"

The messenger nodded reluctantly.

Yuan Chonghuan didn't have much confidence in Liu Zhaosun's blockade strategy, so he didn't say anything more. He turned around and pointed at the map and said:
"South of Dandong, at the mouth of the Yalu River, Daxia Island, Shenmi Island, and Jiao Island, look, they're right here."

On a freehand-style map of Liaodong, Liu Zhaosun had already marked the location of the trading port he wanted.

According to Liu Zhaosun's idea, Pi Island, which was originally occupied by Mao Wenlong in history, will soon become his own naval base.

"Look." Yuan Chonghuan pointed at the map, looking like a southern businessman.

"These islands are completely deserted. It would be a shame to leave them in Lord Lingyang's hands. We should lease them to the Ming Dynasty and use them to pursue the Jiannu and also as a trading post."

The Koreans looked at Yuan Chonghuan with expressions of concern for the mentally retarded.

Of course, he didn't believe that Ping Liaohou occupied Pi Island in order to pursue the Jiannu. From this position, he would never be able to reach Hetuala.

"I'm afraid..."

The North Korean envoy was somewhat hesitant.

Mining is barely acceptable, since Ping Liaohou promised to pay.

Renting an island is indeed a bit sensational.

If things go wrong, he might be impeached by the officials in Wangjing.

"I'm afraid this isn't appropriate."

Yuan Chonghuan slammed the table and stood up, angrily saying: "Why not!"

"Has the Marquis of Ping Liao ever submitted a petition to your Ming Emperor?"

"Wouldn't you have heard of the emergency and followed the rules?"

"Sir Yuan, you are acting so recklessly and bullying foreign nations. Aren't you afraid of being impeached by the censors? I heard that the censors in the Ming Dynasty are very powerful."

Yuan Chonghuan clapped his hands and laughed: "Didn't I just say that we rented it to pursue the Jiannu? The rent will not be small. Besides, what are a few censors? Anyone who dares to speak nonsense will be dealt with by Eunuch Wei!"

The messenger asked in surprise, "Who is Eunuch Wei?"

So Yuan Chonghuan started from the story of the captives presented in the capital, and exaggerated the relationship between Jiu Qiansui and Ping Liaohou to the Koreans.

The messenger was sweating profusely.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and asked with a stiff face, "North Korea is weak and has no money to pay the army, nor any extra food. Please bring your own food when you arrive."

Yuan Chonghuan saw that the envoy was very understanding and patted him on the shoulder with a smile:

"Don't be alarmed, Your Excellency! This is a happy occasion."

"General Liu and Jin will be married soon. Next March, Jin will return home, accompanied by the army. Jin lost her father at a young age, and Marquis Ping Liao hopes that Korea will give her a respectful reception and not neglect her. Kaiyuan will then present a grand gift to thank Korea."

Hearing about the great gift, the envoy felt relieved.

This is more like relatives chatting.

"Please prepare in advance."

"Of course. The Marquis of Ping Liao has condescended to come to Korea in person, bringing honor to our humble country. Yuan Ducha, rest assured, I will not fail to show courtesy when the time comes."

"Excuse me, Inspector Yuan, how much is the rent for the three islands? And how long is the lease?"

Yuan Chonghuan held up five fingers.

"I'll give you five hundred taels of silver every year for a fifty-year lease!"

~~~~~
On that day, Yuan Chonghuan signed an alliance treaty with Korean envoys, establishing in black and white the terms of mining and trade. The first year of Taichang was the Jiwei year, known in history as the "Jiwei Alliance."

Snowflakes fell from the dark night sky, making rustling sounds as they hit the fish's scales.

In the twelfth month in Liaodong, snow falls as soon as it is promised.

Yuan Chonghuan handed the gifts sent by the Korean envoys to Ping Liaohou, which were two large bamboo baskets wrapped in Korean paper, like two jars.

"what?"

"What about Ganhonglu (Note 1) and kimchi?"

Yuan Chonghuan looked confused. The Korean envoy spoke too quickly before leaving and he didn't hear clearly.

Ping Liaohou also refused to demolish it.

He led Yuan Chonghuan on horseback back to the city. Before they reached the city gate, the snow had turned into floating willow catkins and quickly accumulated into a thick layer on the ground.

The two separated at the intersection, and Yuan Chonghuan returned to the government office to continue working.

Liu Zhaosun braved the snow and returned home at the beginning of the night.

Yang Qing'er and Jin Yuji had retired early. He poured himself some hot water to wash and soak his feet, warming his frozen body slightly. He pushed open the half-closed door, where a candlelight still flickered, and a novel lay scattered on the bed.

Gently shake off the snow on the armor.

He rose early and went to bed late, overcame all difficulties, and conquered Liaodong, just to protect the man in front of him.

A corner of the quilt was lifted, revealing a white area underneath. The Korean girl was soundly asleep and still talking in her sleep.

Her rosy face looks gentle and pretty, different from her usual heroic appearance.

Liu Zhaosun smiled slightly and covered her with the quilt that had slipped off. Jin Yuji was sleeping soundly and did not wake up.

He couldn't help but want to pinch her face again.

The fire in the house had long been extinguished. He quickly got up, added charcoal to the stove, turned back and went out to take the gift from the horse's back, and gently opened it. It turned out to be a jar of wine and pickles.

"Ayayang-kun is really stingy, but the kimchi smells good, Jin Yuji should like it."

He gently covered the jar, returned to the desk, and picked up the copy of "The Romance of Yue Fei" that Jin Yuji had just read by the dim candlelight.

I flipped through a few pages and heard the sound of a low night watchman's drum on the street. It was already midnight.

Fatigue came over him, his eyelids felt heavy, he closed the book, took off his armor, and lay down gently beside Jin Yuji.

Just as he closed his eyes, he felt hazy and saw Jin Yuji's arms climbing up from behind and resting on his neck.

Liu Zhaosun knew that she was just pretending to sleep, so he pinched her fingers deliberately, causing Jin Yuji to scream in pain.

"Jingzhe is getting married, don't make a fuss."

"Why do we have to wait until we get married..."

Jin Yuji's eyes were half-sleep, her gaze like the floating light of the autumn moon, as she stared at him intently.

"To, to straighten you out, so that others won't gossip about you."

After a pause, he continued, "Many people are watching me, so I can't be careless."

Perhaps because Jin Yuji had a pitiful life experience, he didn't want her to suffer any more injustice, or perhaps he was worried about Kaiyuan's future, always fearing that everything would be destroyed in the next second.

"I don't know why, but ever since the bloody battle at Hunhe, I've always been terrified, as if something big is about to happen..."

Jin Yuji used her fingers to stop Liu Zhaosun from muttering. Her breathing gradually became heavier. Suddenly, she hugged him tightly from behind and said softly:
"I'm not afraid of gossip! That day, Madam Gaoming said she entered the bridal chamber with you. If she could, why can't I? The last few times, Master was evasive and used excuses to delay. Could it be that he really has an affair with you? Today, I must test it to see if it's true..."

I don’t know how Jin Yuji tested the authenticity that night. The author did not see it clearly and does not remember it. This is a mystery and I dare not create another story.

The next morning, heavy snow fell and Kaiyuan City was covered in silver.

After Liu Zhaosun finished washing up, he looked up at the heavy snow falling in the yard. The snow in the yard had already reached his calves.

"Oops."

The mountains are now blocked by heavy snow, and it is very dangerous to ride a horse in the mountains, not to mention walking. It will take at least ten days or half a month to reach Kuandian.

During the Battle of Sarhu, Liu Zhaosun walked the mountain roads around Kuandian many times and knew the various dangers on the road.

"It seems that Kang Yingqian's wish has finally come true. He won't be able to leave Kaiyuan before the New Year. I wonder how Qiao Dazui is doing now."

Liu Zhaosun reached out to catch a snowflake. The city wall in the distance was covered with heavy snow, and there was white snow everywhere.

He could only accept the reality silently and enjoy this rare long vacation.

Just as I left the courtyard, I heard bangs coming from the street, like muskets exploding.

Liu Zhaosun was shocked. Which army would appear in Kaiyuan at this time?
Just as I was wondering, I looked up and saw a few children setting off firecrackers in the distance.

He smiled faintly, it seemed that his battlefield syndrome was getting worse.

The Chinese New Year is coming in a few days, and there are more and more vendors selling candied haws and cakes on the street, attracting many children.

Having experienced two bloody battles, the people of Kaiyuan cherish this rare tranquility. Kaiyuan is also a commercial city, and the people are busy preparing New Year's goods and visiting relatives and friends, and the streets are very lively.

Liu Zhaosun estimated that many people would come to visit him during the Chinese New Year to wish him a happy new year.

During the last seven days of the 47th year of the Wanli reign, he spent time with Yang Qing'er and Jin Yuji.

The three of them were either playing mahjong or tossing pots and drinking.

Every day before going to bed, he would tell stories to Jin Yu Ji. She had already finished reading the large stack of vernacular novels that Liu Zhaosun bought from the capital last time.

These days Ping Liaohou has been lecturing on "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio".

Jin Yuji was so frightened that her face turned pale, but she still kept pestering Liu Zhaosun and kept asking him to update.

"Sir, is Nie Xiaoqian a ghost or a demon? She can still remember after drinking Meng Po soup..."

"Neither a ghost nor a demon."

"Oh, why do you say that?"

Liu Zhaosun pinched her ear and said with a smile:
"Just like you, both are celestial beings."

The days passed quickly.

New Year's Eve came in a blink of an eye. Kaiyuan City was bustling with noise and the sound of firecrackers and drums continued.

The city was filled with the sounds of flutes and drums, and the air was thick with spring smoke. Everyone wanted to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new. The 47th year of the Wanli reign had been tragic, and everyone hoped for a better year.

On New Year's Eve, the family gathered together to have a sumptuous dinner. Bumbutai was still young and could not hold on any longer, so she went to bed early.

Ping Liaohou played mahjong with two girls all night long. He was very bad at it and soon lost all his silver. Jin Yuji also lost five cents. In the end, Yang Qing'er won all the money.

The three of them chatted, drank tea, played and joked. After an unknown amount of time, the sound of a night watchman's drum was heard in the city, and it was already morning.

Liu Zhaosun walked out of the courtyard with the two maids.

The east was bright at dawn, and the morning stars were halfway up the sky. It was already the first year of Taichang.

Note:
1. Ganhonglu: A fine wine produced in Pyongyang, North Korea. Made with dried persimmons, apples, ginger, pears, and dates, it has a reddish hue and is very appealing. Its flavor is also unique, and while it has a high alcohol content, it's harmless. Its mellow flavor leaves a lasting impression.

(End of this chapter)