Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Following Zhu Ying's order to attack Korea, Guo Zhen, as the commander of the Imperial Guard, immediately led 5,000 Imperial Guard Wing Dragon Army soldiers to Liaodong.

Besides.

Zhu Ying also immediately issued orders to the 50,000 troops stationed in Liaodong in his capacity as the emperor's grandson!

Considering that North Korea was not strong, and that Zhu Ying had just returned from the southeastern battlefield, Zhu Ying did not personally supervise the battle.

Instead, he entrusted Guo Zhen with full authority to handle matters concerning North Korea.

of course.

Before Guo Zhen set off on his expedition, Zhu Ying also gave him a leaf from the Longevity Fruit Tree.

As long as Guo Zhen takes this leaf to Korea, the leaves of the [Longevity Fruit Tree] can absorb his life essence when he leads his army into battle.

In turn, they receive nourishment.

……

a few days later.

After Guo Zhen led his 5,000 Imperial Guards to Liaodong, they immediately joined forces with the 50,000 county troops.

then.

Guo Zhen then led his army in a grand procession to the Korean border.

A major battle is about to begin.

at the same time.

Within North Korea, Kaesong (Korean capital) was established.

The newly enthroned King Yi Bang-gook was in high spirits.

In just a few days, he successfully seized power and defeated all the opposing forces. His father, King Yi Seong-gye, was even placed under house arrest in the palace prison.

At the same time, almost all of North Korea's civil and military officials are people trusted by Li Fangguo.

His power was immense, even in the court and among the people.

However, Li Fangguo remained anxious and fearful every day.

He knew very well that if he wanted to secure his throne as the King of Joseon, he would definitely need the recognition of the Ming Dynasty.

During this period, Li Fangguo also sent many envoys to the Ming Dynasty, and expressed that Korea would still submit to the Ming Dynasty. However, after these envoys arrived in the Ming Dynasty, they suddenly disappeared without a trace.

This undoubtedly made Li Fangguo somewhat flustered.

That day, Li Fangguo had just woken up when he received military intelligence.

"Report!"

"Your Majesty, the Ming army has already marched to the border of our Joseon Kingdom!"

"It is said that this time, the Imperial Guard Commander Guo Zhen personally directed the operation!"

When the soldier handed the intelligence to Li Fangguo, the latter immediately looked uneasy.

To be fair, Li Fangguo was quite aware of just how powerful the Ming Dynasty's military was.

If Korea were to confront the Ming Dynasty with its current national strength, it would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock, with the possibility of victory being extremely slim.

Li Fangguo naturally wouldn't take the risk.

Therefore, Li Fangguo immediately summoned his ministers to hold a court meeting to discuss countermeasures.

……

Soon, inside the council hall.

All the officials have arrived.

After the officials paid their respects to Yi Bang-gook, who was seated on the throne, the newly enthroned King of Joseon said, "The Ming Dynasty has finally arrived."

"I have already received military intelligence. Currently, the Ming Dynasty has ordered Guo Zhen, the commander of the Imperial Guard, to lead 50,000 elite troops from Liaodong Prefecture to attack Korea."

"Gentlemen, what do you all think I should do?"

After Li Fangguo finished speaking, the North Korean officials in the hall naturally began to discuss among themselves.

One of the Ministers of War was the first to propose, “Your Majesty, this humble subject must confront the Ming Dynasty head-on. This is a matter for Joseon itself and does not require the Ming Dynasty’s interference.”

"That's right! This is a matter of Korea's own national affairs! Korea must become independent, and this is a good opportunity to sever ties with the Ming Dynasty!"

"Now Your Majesty is the nominal king of Joseon, with tens of thousands of troops. In addition, Joseon's terrain is steep and easy to defend, so there is no need to fear the Ming Dynasty!"

Many military officers and officials from the Ministry of War believed that they should go to war with the Ming Dynasty, and some officials even threatened to sever ties with the Ming Dynasty.

However, after hearing the remarks of these pro-war factions, Li Fangguo's eyes remained unfocused.

Clearly, Li Fangguo, being a smart man, knew very well that going to war with the Ming Dynasty was the worst possible strategy.

However, there is still room for easing tensions.

"What about the others? Tell me your thoughts!"

After Li Fangguo finished speaking, some civil servants also began to speak freely.

"Your Majesty, I believe it is best to avoid conflict with the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty is currently very powerful and has successively destroyed Japan and other countries in the southeast."

"In addition, the Ming Dynasty has also built many railways, making it arguably the strongest Central Plains dynasty in history."

"If my Joseon Kingdom were to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, not only would we not be able to achieve victory, but the entire Joseon Kingdom would also fall under the control of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider your actions!"

After the Minister of Revenue finished expressing his opinion, other members of the pro-peace faction also spoke up.

"Yes, we in Korea are well aware of the strength of the Ming Dynasty. If we were to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, we in Korea would naturally have no chance of winning."

"This time, the Imperial Guard Commander Guo Zhen is personally in charge! You can imagine how much the Ming Dynasty values ​​it. The most appropriate solution now is to negotiate with them."

"That's right, that's right. The military strength of the Ming Dynasty is unimaginable. The Joseon Dynasty has always been a vassal state of the Central Plains regime. If it wants to survive, it can only submit to the Ming Dynasty."

After both the pro-war and pro-peace factions had finished expressing their views, Li Fangguo, sitting on the throne, also had his own ideas.

Suddenly, Li Fangguo stood up from his throne and addressed the civil and military officials before him, saying, "Things have come to this point, and we can only negotiate for now."

“The Ming Dynasty is powerful and cannot be confronted by our Joseon. I believe that as long as Joseon adopts the right attitude and sends some tribute to the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty may be able to resolve this matter peacefully.”

"That's decided!"

"Minister Kim, in order to save North Korea from war, I have no choice but to ask you to make this trip!"

After Li Fangguo finished speaking, the Minister of Revenue immediately responded.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command! Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do everything in my power to persuade the Ming army to withdraw!" Minister Jin hurriedly accepted the order.

Li Fangguo nodded, but then addressed the civil and military officials, saying, "In addition to actively negotiating peace with the Ming Dynasty, we must also actively prepare for war."

"Make preparations for both scenarios."

"If the Ming Dynasty refuses to negotiate, then we will have no choice but to fight..."

Li Fangguo's tone was filled with helplessness.

To be honest, Li Fangguo was extremely unwilling to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, but now he had no choice but to make preparations for both possibilities.

……

a few days later.

On the border between Liaodong and North Korea.

The Ming Dynasty army camp was stationed here.

Guo Zhen, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was in his tent discussing tactics for attacking Korea with some generals.

And just then...

Suddenly, a guard outside the door came forward and said, "General Guo, an envoy from Korea has come to visit!"

"A Korean envoy?"

After thinking for a moment, Guo Zhen said, "Let him in. I'd like to see what this Korean envoy has to say."

"As ordered!"

Soon, the guards led the Korean envoy into the tent. "Your humble servant greets the Great General!" The Korean envoy was quite polite. After bowing to Guo Zhen, he immediately said, "Outside the door is the annual tribute that your humble servant has presented to the Celestial Empire on the orders of the King of Korea. Please accept it, Great General."

Upon hearing what the Korean envoy said, Guo Zhen sneered, "What did you just say?"

"By order of the King of Joseon?"

"Which Korean king is it? Yi Seong-gye or Yi Bang-gook?"

Faced with Guo Zhen's question, the North Korean envoy immediately showed an awkward smile.

He quickly replied, "Naturally, it is the order of the current king, Li Fangguo."

Upon hearing the Korean envoy's reply, Guo Zhen's expression immediately turned stern, and his eyes revealed a murderous intent.

no doubt.

Guo Zhen was not satisfied with the answer from the North Korean envoy.

Guo Zhen said in an icy tone, "Has Li Fangguo been officially recognized as the King of Joseon by our Great Ming Dynasty?"

The Korean envoy was sweating profusely at this moment. He hurriedly explained, "This matter came suddenly. We have indeed not received investiture from the Celestial Empire."

"However, please rest assured, General, I have come today to express to the Ming Dynasty that the Joseon Kingdom will continue to be a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty and pay tribute!"

Guo Zhen slowly walked up to the Korean envoy and said expressionlessly, "It's too late. This time, I, the general, have come here on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince to quell the Korean rebellion and rescue Yi Seong-gye."

"If Yi Bang-go is a smart man, he should abdicate now and hand over the throne to Yi Seong-gye. If he does not comply, don't blame the Ming Dynasty for being ruthless."

Upon seeing Guo Zhen's anger, the Korean envoy immediately knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Please, General, calm your anger. Apart from these two requests, Korea is willing to agree to anything. Please, do not send troops!"

At this moment, Guo Zhen had completely lost his patience.

He coldly said to the guards, "Please escort this Korean envoy out."

After saying this, several guards grabbed the Korean envoy and dragged him out of the tent.

In fact, before Guo Zhen came to Korea, Zhu Ying had already instructed him that no matter how Li Fangguo negotiated, the Ming Dynasty could not agree.

after all.

The main purpose of the Ming Dynasty's military expedition to Korea this time is to control the entire Korea, and no one can stop it!

……

Following the failure of peace talks.

The Ming Dynasty officially began its advance.

Guo Zhen personally led 50,000 troops from Liaodong Commandery, dividing them into five routes to march south together!
Although the troops sent to Korea this time were county soldiers, their combat strength was far superior to that of the Korean army. These five armies advanced in unison, clearing a path for all who went.

In contrast, the North Korean soldiers had no will to fight and could only flee in panic.

In just ten days.

These five armies then stormed into Kaesong with unstoppable momentum!

And this moment.

Inside Kaesong, Lee Bang-gook and the Korean civil and military officials were in a state of panic.

No one expected that the Ming Dynasty's army would be so powerful.

In just ten days, they stormed the capital of Korea.

However, Li Fangguo still wanted to fight like a cornered beast.

He ordered all the troops in Kaesong to be used to defend the city.

Li Fangguo even dispatched his own imperial guards.

I've decided to take a gamble!
……

now.

Outside the capital city.

Guo Zhen led an army of 50,000 to completely surround the city. Not even a rat could get out, let alone a person.

At this time.

The red-coated cannons were also pulled in front of the army by the soldiers, with their muzzles facing the walls of Kaesong.

at the same time.

High in the sky, amidst a series of hysterical screams, the five thousand Imperial Guard Winged Dragon Army had arrived!
Upon seeing that the army was ready, Guo Zhen immediately shouted in a loud voice, "Attack the city!"

that's it.

At Guo Zhen's command, dozens of red-coated cannons launched an attack immediately!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In an instant.

The city walls of Kaijing collapsed instantly!

Immediately, the 50,000-strong army launched a siege, while in the sky, 5,000 Imperial Guards Wing Dragon Army soldiers put pressure on the defending Korean troops!
In less than half an hour, Kaesong was piled high with the corpses of Korean soldiers...

This demonstrates the terrifying military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

Guo Zhen led 50,000 county soldiers and 5,000 Winged Dragon Army soldiers and captured the capital of Korea in just ten days!
It can be said.

Now, the Ming Dynasty is overwhelmingly superior to any other country it faces.

Inside the palace.

When Li Fangguo learned that the Ming army had breached the walls of Kaesong, he turned ashen-faced and collapsed onto his throne.

Li Fangguo understood that he had no chance of turning the tide.

"Your Majesty, Guo Zhen has led his army to surround the palace..."

"My Joseon Kingdom has no troops left to fight. I beg Your Majesty to surrender as soon as possible and stop this meaningless resistance."

Several generals jointly requested Li Fangguo to surrender.

With things having come to this point, Li Fangguo had no choice but to comply. After all, if he did not surrender, he would be reduced to ashes.

soon.

Surrounded by his Korean soldiers, Li Fangguo surrendered outside the city.

Simultaneously.

Yi Bang-gook also released his father, the former King Yi Seong-gye of Joseon, from prison.

After being imprisoned for so long, Yi Seong-gye had become emaciated and lifeless.

But he still knelt down before Guo Zhen to express his gratitude to the Ming Dynasty!
"Long live the Emperor of the Great Ming! Your humble servant Yi Seong-gye will forever submit to the Great Ming! I dare not have any disloyal thoughts!" However, after Yi Seong-gye finished speaking, Guo Zhen remained expressionless.

"Yi Seong-gye, His Highness the Crown Prince has decreed that, given Yi Seong-gye's limited abilities and inability to govern Joseon, Joseon shall be taken over by the Ming Dynasty from this day forward."

"Soon, the throne of the Joseon Kingdom will be assumed by His Highness the Crown Prince's son, Zhu Wen!"

After Guo Zhen finished speaking, Li Chenggui was stunned for a moment, and then immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Your subject, Yi Seong-gye, obeys!"

In fact, when Yi Seong-gye wrote the letter to the Ming Dynasty requesting assistance, he had already anticipated this outcome.

However, when Yi Seong-gye heard that Ju Mun was to assume the role of King of Joseon, he felt somewhat relieved.

After all, Zhu Wendai was also his grandson.

Having his own grandson become the King of Joseon was something Yi Seong-gye could accept.

As for Li Fangguo, who rebelled, Guo Zhen did not execute him, but imprisoned him in jail to await Zhu Ying's judgment.

……

After pacifying Korea, Guo Zhen did not immediately return to the capital. Instead, following Zhu Ying's orders, he continued to lead his army to guard Korea.

Simultaneously.

Guo Zhen also sent the battle report to the capital immediately.

...(End of this chapter)