The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 591: Southern Monkey Rises with a Thousand-pound Stick

Northern Goryeo, North Pyongan Province, Anju.

When Zhao Xi, the prefect of Pyongyang County, rushed here in a panic, he almost thought that Dingmao Huluan had come again.

The Dingmao Rebellion refers to the war in which the Qing general Amin attacked Korea in the south in 1627.

The Koreans have a very deep memory of this war and have been secretly recording it as Dingmao and refusing to change it.

The reason why Zhao Xi thought so was that most of the soldiers he saw were wearing cotton armor, carrying Qing bows, and most of them had two or three war horses, a very typical early Qing Dynasty cavalry heavy infantry outfit.

"There's no need for the prefect to be alarmed. These are the Jibei cavalrymen under the command of General Chen, the Minister of the Three Provinces, the Duke of Jiading, and the former general."

Seeing the people coming from Pyongyang, Deng Chenchang, who had just entered northern North Korea, pretended to be harmless and said with a smile.

As the emperor's first confidant when he started his career and his cousin who grew up with him, Chen Guangyao has been unknown in the officialdom of Dayu over the years.

The reason was that he was arranged by Mo Zibu to take charge of the three northeastern provinces.

The administrative divisions of the three northeastern provinces at that time were quite different from those in later generations, mainly in Heilongjiang and Jilin.

As for Liaoyang Province, it is about the same size as Liaoning in later generations. At most, the four Han counties in the northern part of the peninsula will be incorporated into it in the future.

As for Jilin and Heilongjiang, the changes are huge. The two provinces are now actually divided by Heilongjiang. The areas west and north of Heilongjiang, including the later eastern Inner Mongolia region and most of the Greater Khingan Range, belong to the jurisdiction of the Heilongjiang General.

It is divided into three divisions: Qiqihar Military Control Commissioner, Nenjiang Military Control Commissioner, and Aihui Military Control Commissioner.

In addition to the Jilin area of the Republic of China, the main areas of Jilin are located east and south of Heilongjiang, including Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Miaojie, Sakhalin Island, and Ezo Island in Hokkaido, Japan, all of which belong to the jurisdiction of the Jilin General.

It was divided into four districts: Jilin Military Control Commissioner, Ningguta Military Control Commissioner, Khabarovsk Military Control Commissioner and Beihai Military Control Commissioner (stationed in Vladivostok, in charge of Sakhalin Island and Ezo Island).

The general's jurisdiction mechanism implemented by the Qing Dynasty in the Northeast was very useful. If it were not for the large-scale transfer of indigenous peoples from the Northeast to the Central Plains as cannon fodder, it could have effectively curbed Russian infiltration.

Therefore, after Mo Zibu restored Dayu, he basically continued to use the system, except that the titles of General-in-Chief and Deputy General-in-Chief were replaced with more ancient and Han-style titles such as Military Commander.

As for why the Ming Dynasty's Duzhihuisi was not used, it was because the word "Sisi" was expanded and used in larger administrative regions such as Nanyang and Dongyang.

Chen Guangyao was stationed in the northeast, and naturally had many wild Jurchen soldiers under his command. Moreover, when Deng and Chen Chang were sent to take back North Korea this time, they certainly could not use the Imperial Guards, the Beijing Camp, and the Zhenjun District, which were obviously from China.

So Chen Guangyao gave Deng Chenchang 5,000 Jilin North Xiao (Dragon) Cavalry Guards recruited from the Outer, Greater, and Lesser Xing'an Mountains.

These three guards are the most elite troops in charge of the entire lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River, and are drawn from the jurisdictions of the two military governors of Birobidzhan and Ningguta.

Among the 5,000 people under their command, less than 30% are Han people, and the rest are all people of various ethnic groups in Outer Northeast China and some bannermen and Mongolians. They are very typical heavy armored dragoons in high-altitude areas.

Since their opponents were Cossacks and rogue adventurers from the Russian Empire, their firearms equipment was not very advanced.

Moreover, due to supply and climate reasons, flintlock rifles were expensive to use and had a low firing rate in Outer Northeast China, so there were not many firearms, but only a large number of iron armor, bows and arrows, steel swords and spears.

As for the braids on their heads, only a small number of them had them, and they were Jurchens of lower status in the army.

This is their custom. These people can only get half the salary of others, cannot speak Chinese and have no room for advancement.

Deng and Chen often deliberately let them appear in large numbers in order to scare these North Koreans.

The effect was indeed good. The Ming Dynasty was reluctant to beat its obedient son, but the Jurchens jumped up and beat him indiscriminately. This caused a great psychological trauma to the Koreans, which has not been eliminated until now.

Therefore, even though Zhao Xi figured it out, he was still a little scared.

In addition to the psychological trauma of the past one or two hundred years, Zhao Yi suddenly discovered a fact, that is, if the emperor wanted to punish Korea, he did not need to mobilize troops from the mainland. With just these few wild Jurchen troops, he could destroy Korea.

But figuring it out is one thing, accepting it is another.

For Korea, which calls itself "Little China" and "a prosperous country in the East Sea" and believes that it is the orthodox Chinese civilization, it is still difficult to accept being threatened by its suzerain country using such wild Jurchen barbarians.

After hesitating for a long time, unable to suppress his dissatisfaction, the governor of Zhao County summoned up the courage to say to Deng Chenchang:

"I, a humble official, truly do not understand why our country, Korea, reveres the superior country so much, regarding it as our parent nation and the Great Emperor of China as our reborn parent.

In the past, Emperor Wanli saved my life. The people of Haidong have always remembered the great emperor's kindness. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, blood sacrifices were made to the emperors. Even now, events are recorded in the Chongzhen era. Even you, the people of the upper class, can't do this."

Speaking of this, Zhao Xi began to wipe away tears, his emotions becoming somewhat uncontrollable. "Such a loyal vassal, what crime did he commit? What crime did he commit? Why did he have to suffer this hardship?
There must be a treacherous minister who is deceiving His Majesty the Great Emperor. A treacherous minister has appeared in the court!"

In fact, Zhao Yi's original clan was the Pyongyang Zhao family. He was a descendant of Zhao Jun, a founding hero of the Joseon Dynasty. His family had been entrenched in Pyongyang for hundreds of years and had deep roots.

So he couldn't help showing some disgust. In addition to being somewhat unhappy about his already budding nationalism, he was also because China's actions would definitely cause damage to their interests.

After Zhao Xi finished speaking, a group of Pyongyang Korean officials and scholars who came with him also began to sob. The Catholic rebels had broken through many cities before besieging Pyongyang.

Even the present-day Anzhou was recaptured by Deng Chenchang and his army. During this turmoil, most of their families suffered considerable losses. Thinking about it now, they feel quite aggrieved and even a little resentful.

As they cried, they began to complain indirectly, saying that these Korean scholars were not good at fighting, but they had learned all the weird skills of the literati.

It’s a pity that the Koreans cried at the wrong grave. If an official from the mainland really came, he might really feel ashamed.

But who is Deng Chenchang? He is notoriously cruel and shameless.

In the past, he killed hundreds of thousands of his fellow countrymen, who were also high-ranking families in Beihe, Jinghan, for fame and fortune. How could he be moved or embarrassed by a few tears from the Koreans?

Deng Chenchang just watched them cry with a normal expression. He kept crying until Zhao Xi stopped crying in embarrassment. Only then did Deng Chenchang show a half-smile on his face.

"What a brilliant play put on by the Zhao Commandery Magistrate. He has even dragged himself up to the level of His Majesty, and he's quite courageous."

Hearing Deng Chenchang say this, Zhao Xi's face changed immediately. But before he could say anything, a scholar whose mother and wife were killed in the Catholic rebellion could no longer bear it. He stood up and shouted at Deng Chenchang:
"How heartless, sir! What we are saying is not the truth, so why are you saying it's an act?"

The scholar fiddled with his white robe, which was similar in shape to a Taoist robe, and said indignantly:
"Sir, please tell me, we are not just performing. Where in the world can we find a loyal vassal like Haidong who is still using the Chongzhen era name?"

Deng Chenchang clapped his hands frivolously, and said in a tone of admiration, "You do have some of the courage of a Confucian scholar. However, your words may fool others, but they can't fool me, Deng Chenchang."

As he spoke, Deng Chenchang's tone began to become somewhat sinister. "If Korea was truly a loyal vassal of the Ming Dynasty, how could it have finally succumbed to the Qing Dynasty? The Ming Dynasty saved the entire Haidong region from the Japanese pirates and was like a reborn parent to us. Shouldn't you have refused to betray us even if it meant you had to disembowel yourself?"

How could someone, after being beaten by robbers, join the robbers in beating their parents? Are there such filial sons and loyal vassals in the world?
Since the Jiashen Year, the Han Dynasty has fallen, and millions have died for the country. Loyal vassals of Haidong, sons of the Ming Dynasty's rebuilding, how many of you have died for your country?

I think besides Choi Hyo-il and Lim Kyung-eop, only Prince Bongnim still has some conscience."

Deng Chenchang was so angry that he poked the scholar's face with his finger, "Even Lin Qingye was killed by you guys in the end. How can he be loyal to you at all!
"You claim to be loyal, but it's all talk. Eight million people, eight hundred miles of land, and only two or three martyrs for their country. You're just talking nonsense, but you dare to claim credit for it!"

Choi Hyo-il and Lim Kyung-yeop were both true loyal ministers of Joseon. The former had planned to assassinate Hwang Tai-gil, but after his plot failed and the Qing Dynasty entered the Pass, he died after fasting for seven days in front of the tomb of Emperor Chongzhen.

The latter persisted until the Southern Ming Dynasty and remained loyal. He was finally ordered to be killed by King Injo of Joseon who was afraid of being pursued by the Qing Dynasty.

These two men were truly devoted to the Ming Dynasty and fought until their entire families died. They were indeed great men and loyal ministers, but unfortunately, there were only a few of them among the millions of people in the entire Korea.

"As for using the Chongzhen reign title, what are you trying to do since the death of Prince Fenglin? Others may not understand, but don't I understand?"

Deng Chen often pointed at his nose and said, "I know what you are thinking, because I am an Annan monkey and you are Koreans. We are both using the identity of China and Han people to seek benefits for ourselves."

The name "Bangzi" most likely originated from the pronunciation of the Koreans' own name for slaves and servants, and was now widely used to make fun of and even insult the Koreans.

When Zhao Xi heard Deng Chenchang say this, he felt as if he had been dragged directly from a dark cave into the sun. He couldn't help but repeat Deng Chenchang's name several times before he suddenly realized what was going on.

"Ah!" Zhao Xi screamed, his face pale as he pointed at Deng Chenchang and said in extreme fear, "You are that cruel official from Beihe, the Annan Lai Junchen who killed more than 100,000 people!"

"Hahahaha!" Deng Chenchang laughed loudly towards the sky. Being a little bit perverted, he really enjoyed other people's fear of him.

The more others fear him, the more excited he becomes, and he even feels an unprecedented climax.

This kind of anti-human character is the root cause of his bloody and cruel character.

"Since you know me, Deng Chenchang, then prepare to die!" After laughing loudly, Deng Chenchang suddenly pulled out a goose-feather knife from the side of a guard and slashed at Zhao Xi without any warning.

The governor of Zhao County, Zhao Xi, never thought that Deng Chenchang would dare to kill him like this. He was completely unprepared. In an instant, blood spurted into the sky, and in an instant, only a piece of tendons, skin and flesh remained connected to the neck of the black head.

Seeing this tragic scene, the Korean scholar who took the initiative to criticize Deng Chenchang was frightened and screamed.

Zhao Xi's body took a few steps forward strangely. Deng Chen Changfei kicked him again before he fell to the ground. After falling to the ground, his eyes were still rolling, as if he was trying to figure out what was happening.

"Noisy!" Deng Chenchang cursed in disgust, and poked forward very professionally, directly stabbing the screaming scholar to death.

This is not just an expression, it really pierces the heart.

When Deng the cruel official was in Beihe, he had the habit of killing people with his own hands. When he was the governor of Lingwu Road, he also personally "pulled up the seedlings to help them grow" in order to solve the greening problem.

Therefore, if one had to choose one of Dayu's civil servants to be the executioner, Deng Chenchang would definitely be the undisputed and leading candidate.

This guy has killed at least eighty people with his own hands, if not a hundred.

The Korean scholars were terrified. They cried and wailed, and many of them were paralyzed on the spot. Deng Chenchang dropped the goose-feather knives in his hands with a clang.

These Koreans are all good materials for work. They are not the kind of Annan rebels and Lingwu fanatics who must be killed. There is no need to kill them all.

"I am writing a memorial to Your Majesty, reporting that the governor of Pyongyang, Zhao Yi, was rebellious and disobedient, speaking foul language and insulting the emperor. He is unfit to be the governor of Lelang. I have personally beheaded him, and I request a replacement."

After giving instructions to the clerk beside him, Deng Chenchang looked at the deputy captain of the Jinyiwei not far away with disdain.

"What kind of person did you, the factory guards, choose? How can such an arrogant person, with deep roots in Pyongyang and no sense of good and evil, be considered a collaborator?"

The deputy captain of the Southern Pacification Division turned pale, but he could not say anything back, because it now seemed that a collaborator like Zhao Xi had indeed failed in his choice.

"Sir Deng, it's not your turn to comment on how the emperor's personal army does things!" The deputy captain could only choose to be stubborn.

"Hmph! If you continue to do things this way, the emperor's important affairs will be delayed by you!" Deng Chenchang didn't care at all and spoke very harshly, almost calling the other party a waste.

He really didn't learn his lesson. In history, Deng Chenchang was attacked by the crowd because of his character. Finally, his misdeeds were reported and he was ordered to be beheaded by Ruan Xiaoqiang.

In this time and space, he fell from the high position of Governor of Liangnan, and only the emperor Mo Zibu personally stepped in to protect him and saved him from losing his head, but this guy refused to change at all.

"Come here, where are you from?" Deng Chenchang said, waving to a scholar in his thirties who was still a little courageous.

Deng Chenchang had been paying attention to this scholar for a long time. When they were crying just now, Deng Chenchang was carefully observing who was really resentful, who was pretending to be resentful, who was foolish and bold, and who had sensed danger.

And the one in front of him is the one he chose.

Plop! The scholar who was summoned knelt down immediately, a flash of ecstasy in his eyes.

"My Lord, I am Zhao Zaifeng, a descendant of the Zhao clan of Haman. I am currently serving as the magistrate of Gangdong County in Pyongyang. The former Prime Minister Zhao Chonghui is my great-uncle.

My Xian'an Zhao clan's ancestor was an envoy to Goryeo during the Later Tang Dynasty, but was left here due to the war."

Deng Chenchang was indeed a smart man who knew the pros and cons. He smiled with satisfaction and said, "Do you have a daughter or sister? Ideally between eight and twelve years old, preferably a daughter."

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Zhao Zaifeng said "yes" three times in a row. "My third daughter is Shangmei, only ten years old, and has some knowledge of writing and is good at calligraphy and painting. I will offer her to you immediately."

"Confused!" Zhao Zaifeng was about to present it to Deng Chenchang, but was immediately interrupted by the latter.

"Your Majesty intends to order the Emperor's second son to be enfeoffed as the Prince of Lelang, one of the four former Han counties. He is currently in need of a wife, and I can recommend one for you."

This Madam does not refer to an ordinary wife, but the official name for the four concubines of a prince according to the Ming Dynasty law.

Zhao Zaifeng's eyes gleamed, and he knocked his head against the ground with a loud bang. "Your Excellency's kindness in cultivating me is like giving me a new life. From today on, I will obey you and serve you wholeheartedly!"

"Okay, then you should be prepared to accept the list of officials from the four ancient Han counties. Maybe your grandson will be able to rule this land forever."

Deng Chenchang pulled Zhao Zaifeng up, and then shouted to the soldiers of the Jibei Left, Center and Right Guards behind him:
"Three Guards, listen to my orders! March to Pyongyang immediately! Kill anyone who believes in this heresy, kill anyone who complains, kill anyone who dares to hold a weapon, and kill anyone who disobeys my orders!"

(End of this chapter)