My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Thinking this, King Injo of Joseon quickened his pace. His steps grew increasingly hurried, and his heart pounded with growing tension.

He didn't know how Emperor Chongzhen would treat him, or whether his confrontation would be successful. But he knew he had no way out and could only grit his teeth and move forward.

Not long after, when he arrived at a palace in the Shenyang Royal Palace, he was suddenly stopped by someone.

An old eunuch rushed over, his face showing a mixture of respect and anxiety, and quickly said:

"Your Highness, are you here to see His Majesty? Please allow this old servant to announce your arrival."

King Injo of Joseon stopped and looked at the old eunuch in front of him, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

He took a deep breath, trying to make his tone as calm as possible, and said:

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Father-in-law."

Although Emperor Chongzhen allowed him to enter the palace at any time, King Injo of Joseon was also somewhat self-aware. He knew that his current status and position were no longer what they used to be, and it would be inappropriate for him to rashly enter and disturb Emperor Chongzhen if he were doing something important at that moment.

Therefore, it was best to have the eunuchs inform the emperor in advance. This would show respect for Emperor Chongzhen and avoid unnecessary trouble.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard that King Injo of Joseon was coming to see him, his old face immediately fell.

His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a gloomy and displeased expression.

Because he did not know that King Injo of Joseon had come to give Joseon to the Ming Dynasty, he only thought that King Injo of Joseon must be coming to tell him about returning Joseon to him.

After all, Emperor Chongzhen had never made this matter clear to King Injo of Joseon.

He felt this was somewhat shameless, after all, Korea was a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, and had always been peaceful and respectful to the Ming. Every year, it would regularly send large amounts of wealth and special products to the Ming to express its loyalty and respect.

But now, the Ming Dynasty is trying to seize other people's territory, which seems a bit unreasonable.

Originally, Emperor Chongzhen intended to avoid the matter if possible and deal with it after Zhu Cilang returned.

Unexpectedly, King Injo of Joseon arrived at this time.

For a moment, Emperor Chongzhen hesitated.

His eyes flickered with contradiction and struggle, and he was constantly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

He didn't know how to face King Injo of Joseon, or how to handle the situation.

The old eunuch beside him noticed Emperor Chongzhen's hesitation. A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he cautiously said:
"Your Majesty, perhaps this old servant should go and tell the King of Korea that Your Majesty is currently unable to see him?"

The old eunuch thought that this would both avoid a direct conflict between Emperor Chongzhen and King Injo of Joseon, and also show his loyalty and consideration for Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen was about to nod, but the next second, he paused slightly, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.

His own son was risking his life for the Ming Dynasty on the front lines, so how could he, as the father, be timid and hesitant in everything he did?
If he can't even handle such a small matter, what kind of emperor of the Ming Dynasty would he be? Wouldn't he become a laughingstock to the world and disappoint his son?
Thinking of this, Emperor Chongzhen's temper flared up immediately.

He snorted coldly, his eyes revealing an air of authority and domineering power as he spoke:

"No need. Let him in. Some things need to be discussed openly. Do you think I'm afraid of him?"

Emperor Chongzhen believed that as the ruler of a country, he should have enough courage and determination to face any challenges and difficulties.

Although King Injo of Joseon was the ruler of a country, in front of him he was nothing more than the king of a small vassal state, and there was nothing for him to fear or avoid.

Upon hearing this, the old woman quickly said:

"The slaves obey."

He then hurriedly left. His steps were hurried, and he was secretly wondering how the conversation between Emperor Chongzhen and King Injo of Joseon would develop.

Meanwhile, King Injo of Joseon was anxiously waiting outside the palace. His heart was filled with trepidation and unease, unsure how Emperor Chongzhen would treat him. He frequently glanced up at the palace gates, his eyes revealing a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Finally, the palace gates slowly opened, and the old eunuch stepped out. He smiled and said to King Injo of Joseon:
"Your Highness, His Majesty invites you in."

King Injo of Joseon took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and then walked in with heavy steps.

The afternoon sun was still intense, casting interplay of light and shadow on the ground through the windows of the waterside pavilion, and revealing even the finest dust particles in the air.

The report of the great victory in Korea still sat on the small rosewood table, alongside the warm and smooth jade ruyi, symbolizing supreme martial prowess and authority.

Emperor Chongzhen had returned to his throne. The turmoil in his heart caused by King Injo of Joseon's earth-shattering act of "sacrificing the country" had gradually subsided, transforming into a calm and composed demeanor of complete control.

He picked up the hot tea that the eunuch had just served him, took a small sip, and the aroma of the tea spread between his teeth and cheeks, with a hint of sweetness, just like his mood at that moment.

Footsteps echoed again from the corridor outside the waterside pavilion, unhurried yet carrying a deliberately lightened heaviness.

The curtain was gently lifted, and Li Zong's slightly hunched figure walked in against the bright afternoon light.

He had changed out of his elaborate and dazzling red royal robes and was now wearing a slightly worn but very clean dark blue robe commonly worn by Korean scholars. He no longer wore the black gauze winged crown and simply tied his hair up with a wooden hairpin.

This attire made him look more like an ordinary old man who had experienced many hardships and was living under someone else's roof, rather than a king.

His face showed only a numb calm, and deep in his eyes was an undisguised weariness and sorrow.

He walked to the center of the pavilion, a few steps away from the throne, stopped, bowed respectfully, and was about to kneel down.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor..."

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities!" Chongzhen put down his teacup, his face now displaying a warm, almost friendly smile. Before Li Zong could even bend his knees, he spoke, his voice carrying a deliberate cheerfulness and enthusiasm. He even took the initiative to slightly bow from his throne, making a gesture of support.

"Why is Your Majesty so formal? Please rise and sit down to talk."

Li Zong paused for a moment, not insisting on kneeling all the way down, and straightened up, still saying:
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

Then, as instructed, he walked to the sandalwood stool next to him, still sitting sideways, occupying only a third of the seat, with his back straight, hands on his knees, eyes lowered, his posture extremely respectful, yet also extremely distant.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the lingering aroma of tea.

Chongzhen's smile remained unchanged, but his mind was already racing with thoughts.

After a moment, Li Zong spoke first:

"Your Majesty, King Injo of Joseon, beseeches to offer all of Joseon's land, mountains, rivers, cities, and people to His Majesty the Great Emperor, so that they may forever belong to the Ming Dynasty. I also humbly request Your Majesty to establish prefectures and counties in the former Joseon territory, appoint officials, implement the laws of the Ming Dynasty, and promote the benevolent rule of Your Majesty, so that the land of the Three Hans may forever be the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and the people of the Three Hans may forever be Your Majesty's children!"

"what?!"

The smile on Chongzhen's face froze instantly. The teacup in his hand wobbled slightly, and a few drops of scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he didn't even notice.

He stared wide-eyed at Li Zong, who was bowing deeply in front of him, as if he were seeing this person for the first time.

All the prepared arguments, tough stances, and gentle tactics I had been using to deal with crying, pleading, bargaining, and even subtle rejections... shattered at this moment, like a glass cup struck by a heavy hammer, leaving only a blank mind and incredulous astonishment.

Voluntarily dedicating oneself to the country?

They even proactively requested the establishment of prefectures and counties?

This...this was completely unexpected!
No, it completely overturned all his expectations!

After the initial shock came elation and relief, but immediately followed by an almost instinctive vigilance and restraint characteristic of politicians and "benevolent rulers."

It was too fast, too smooth, so smooth that he could hardly believe it, and even... felt a little uneasy.

He had to confirm whether this was Li Zong's true feeling in utter despair, or some kind of feigned retreat, a deeper test or calculation? Or was he being forced by those around him? Although given Li Zong's current situation, the possibility of this was extremely low.

In a flash, Chongzhen quickly adjusted his facial expression, forcibly suppressing his astonishment and putting on his warm yet slightly reproachful smile again, his tone also carrying a hint of "disapproval":
"Alas, Your Majesty, you are mistaken! What makes you say that?"

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and adopted a look that was both sincere and somewhat "angry".

"Our Great Ming is a righteous and benevolent army, punishing the wicked and comforting the people. The primary purpose of our expedition to Korea was to expel the Jurchens and rescue our vassal people from their suffering! Now that the Jurchens have been destroyed and Korea has been restored to its former glory, it is time to return the land and its people to the King in its entirety! Neither I nor the Crown Prince have ever had the thought of usurping the territory of our vassal state! Your Majesty must not let momentary sentimentality or hearsay lead you to such thoughts, lest you chill my heart that is dedicated to protecting our vassal states and caring for our subjects?"

Emperor Chongzhen spoke these words with righteous indignation and sincerity, and he himself was almost convinced by this "upright and honest" performance.

As he spoke, he carefully observed Li Zong's reaction.

If Li Zong were to show an expression of gratitude and relief, or take the opportunity to back down, the situation might still have twists and turns, and he would need to proceed with the steps of "digesting" North Korea more cautiously.

If Li Zong insists...

Li Zong slowly straightened up, his face showing none of the expressions Chongzhen had anticipated.

There was no gratitude, no relaxation, not even surprise. There was only a bottomless weariness and a bittersweet understanding, as if one had "already seen through everything."

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, as if trying to force a smile, but it looked worse than crying.

"His Majesty……"

Li Zong's voice was soft, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power, as if it could reach the most hidden corners of people's hearts.

"Now that things have come to this, it is only Your Majesty and I here. Your Majesty... please do not say such polite words to me."

He raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting Chongzhen's feigned displeasure. His eyes were clear, yet seemed to see through all pretense.
“In my heart, I understand better than anyone else. From the moment the Ming army crossed the Yalu River and set foot on Korean soil, this Korea… no longer belongs to me, nor is it the Korea of ​​the past.”

Emperor Chongzhen's heart skipped a beat, and he could no longer maintain the "displeased" expression on his face.

"The unification of the world is an inevitable trend and a destiny ordained by Heaven. With a crown prince of unparalleled talent and the Ming Dynasty possessing such formidable national strength and military might, unifying the world and pacifying the four seas is only a matter of time. Korea, a small and remote country, has survived for hundreds of years, which is already a stroke of good fortune. Today, the times have changed, and the strong trunk and weak branches are the natural order. Your subject... does not want to contend, cannot contend, and has no desire to contend."

Li Zong's tone grew increasingly calm, as if he were stating a predetermined historical fact that had nothing to do with him:

"Moreover, I have been a truly disastrous king. First came the Japanese invasion, then the Jurchen invasion; I failed to protect the borders and the people, causing the nation to suffer and the people to be afflicted. In the end, I even... abandoned the country and fled north, leaving behind the ancestral legacy and millions of my people. In the hearts of the Korean people, I am already a ruler of no virtue, an incompetent monarch, and a traitor who abandoned his country. I have lost the hearts of the people and my reputation is ruined. Even if Your Majesty were to show mercy today and return Korea to me, allowing me to go back, would the people still recognize me as their king?"

Those soldiers and civilians who lost everything in the war and harbored resentment towards the court, those common people who were comforted and appeased by the Ming army and yearned for their service, those officials and yangban who had already secretly pledged allegiance to the Ming... how would they treat me? Could Joseon still be the Joseon of the past?

"I fear that by the time I return, internal strife will have reignited, and war will break out once more. At that time, will Your Majesty intervene to save us, or not? Will you send troops to suppress the rebellion, or stand idly by? Either way, it will be a disastrous outcome for Your Majesty, for the Ming Dynasty, and for the people of Korea."

He gave a bitter laugh, a laugh filled with self-mockery and endless sorrow:
"Rather than waiting until then, when the situation is in chaos and Your Majesty has to mobilize troops again, or even... take certain 'measures' against me, the 'former king,' in vain, depleting the nation's strength, increasing bloodshed, and causing me to die an unjust death, or even implicating my family... it is better for me to take the initiative now, before anything happens, and do it with some dignity."

He took another step back, straightened his simple blue Taoist robe, and then, under the complex and unfathomable gaze of Emperor Chongzhen, slowly and solemnly lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down.

This time, it was not the usual greeting of a vassal king to the emperor, but a full prostration.

He pressed his forehead tightly against the cold gold brick floor, his voice coming from the ground, somewhat muffled, yet each word clear, like a final vow and plea:
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you accept Joseon and establish prefectures and counties to govern it! From now on, Joseon will be the land of the Great Ming, and its people will be Your Majesty's children! I have no other request but that Your Majesty consider my humble contribution of offering land voluntarily, obeying the will of Heaven, and avoiding war, and grant me and the entire Yi clan a safe haven, a small plot of land, and a small stipend, so that we may survive in this prosperous age, live out our remaining years, and continue the incense offerings of the ancestral temple."

Thus, my wish will be fulfilled, and both the country and my family can find some peace. I beg Your Majesty...to grant my request!

Having said that, he touched his forehead to the ground, kneeling there for a long time, his body trembling slightly, as if he had unloaded all his burdens and surrendered all his bargaining chips, leaving only the most humble waiting. (End of this chapter)