You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chen Shao rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Seeing that it was already dawn outside, Chen Shao tried to recall if there was anything important to do. He couldn't remember anything that needed to be done, so he closed his eyes and prepared to sleep for a while longer.

At this moment, a maid entered. She was pretty, with an oval face and fair skin.

They were clearly not the daughters sent by the Li family.

Chen Shao then remembered that he was in the villa where he had a private meeting with the three Song sisters, Maode and Yi'an.

This maid was a gift from the Goryeo people.

There was no one beside him at this time. After getting up, Chen Shao brushed his teeth and washed his face, then took the ornaments that were neatly placed on the bedside table and put them on.

Several maids rushed forward to serve him. When Chen Shao saw them, he suddenly remembered that he was not free today, but was to meet with the Goryeo envoy.

Drinking can lead to trouble! Last night I had a drinking contest with Maode, and she got completely outmatched and utterly defeated.

It wasn't until Li Qingzhao rolled up her sleeves and took the stage that Chen Shao, a woman who was indeed quite skilled at eating, drinking, and gambling, was able to outdrink Chen Shao.

From today on, quit drinking!
After eating a simple bowl of porridge, Chen Shao went outside.

It had rained yesterday, and the world seemed to have been washed clean, giving a very refreshing feeling. Even though there was a thin mist in the yard, it didn't affect the clarity of the air.

Da Hu and the others had been waiting in the outer courtyard for a while and were now gathered together.

Upon seeing Chen Shao emerge, they immediately lined up and led their horses over.

After mounting his horse, Chen Shao leaned down and said to Da Hu, "Da Hu, from today onwards, supervise me to quit drinking."

"Okay, how many days should we abstain?"

Chen Shaoyu choked, realizing he had already quit many times, and waved his hand while holding the riding whip, "Never mind, let's go."

Upon arriving at the Marshal's Mansion, Mei Zang Pang Ge happened to return and quickly stepped forward to greet Chen Shao.

“Why do you always block my door every time you come back? Just announce your arrival as required by the rules.”

Mei Zang Pang Ge bowed and smiled, "Your Majesty, I am different from them."

"Ok?"

"I am a member of the Meizang tribe, who followed Your Majesty in the second year of Xuanhe and served as Your Majesty's personal guard. Although we Meizang tribe are called subjects, we are actually masters and slaves. Therefore, I am even closer to Your Majesty and do not follow those rules."

Chen Shao frowned as he looked at him, then shook his head and asked as he walked, "What brings you back this time?"

Pang lowered his voice and whispered a few words to Chen Shao as he approached. Chen Shao's eyes widened. "Nonsense!"

"Without my order, you are not allowed to make any rash moves."

Luoyang was the last bastion of the officials and gentry; even Bianliang had been breached by them. This place was incredibly stubborn.

However, Chen Shao was not in a hurry. The situation was already very clear. No matter how stubborn they were, they could not fight against him.

At this time, Chen Shao was the popular choice and the universally acknowledged chosen one.

They certainly wouldn't do anything that violates public order and good morals.

He can win if he stays calm. He's not afraid of bad guys plotting against him; he's afraid of his subordinates coming up with a clever idea.

Mei Zang Pang Ge was just trying his luck, so he wasn't upset about being rejected. He just followed him around without a care in the world and arrived at the Marshal's Mansion.

Seeing Da Hu standing behind Chen Shao with a knife at his waist, he thought to himself that he couldn't be any less capable, so he consciously moved to the left.

Chen Shao remained silent, tacitly acknowledging that he was standing there, but Pang Ge felt a surge of smugness in his heart.

Although the king did not say it, he clearly approved of him.

"Bring up the Goryeo envoy."

Upon seeing his old acquaintance Yin Yanyi, he appeared exceptionally respectful and joyful this time.

When his orders reached Goryeo, Guo Hao, who had been left behind to guard the area, was furious because he had missed the campaign against Liaodong.

They took care of Li Ziqian that very day.

Who is Guo Hao? He is a man who can intimidate Bianliang with a thousand elite cavalry.

This was a stroke of good news for the Goryeo court, except for the Yi family faction.

To them, Li Ziqian was a traitor to the country and a major threat.

It could potentially kill everyone.

They were initially filled with despair, but unexpectedly, an incredibly powerful figure suddenly appeared, willing to help them eliminate the traitors and uphold justice.

"Your subject, Yoon Yeon-i, Vice Minister of Rites and Imperial Edict Drafter of the Goryeo Kingdom, pays homage to Your Majesty by royal decree. For many years, the late King was in exile, and the treacherous Lee Ja-gyeom seized the position of Prime Minister. He imposed exorbitant taxes that were like knives to cut the people, and secretly mobilized border troops to try to open the city gates. If it were not for the divine favor of Your Majesty, we would have long been fish on the chopping block."

"No need to be polite. Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been the foundation of a nation. This is the moral order of heaven, earth, and humanity."

Chen Shao gave a casual reply.

Yin Yanyi then loudly proclaimed: "In early spring this year, General Qu led his naval forces across the sea and anchored at Gaeseong; ten days ago, General Guo Hao entered Gaeseong with the royal edict and read out the intention of 'purging the court of corrupt officials.' Upon hearing the news, the traitor Li wanted to burn down the palace, but fortunately, General Guo Hao protected the king, and our king was spared."

"Since the arrival of the royal army, the people of Goryeo have welcomed us with food and drink along the way; on the day the treacherous minister was executed, firecrackers resounded for three days in the capital. Now the fields have been cultivated again and the trade routes have been reopened, and everyone praises the king's kindness as warm as the spring sun breaking through the ice. Your Majesty has specially ordered me to bring ten carts of ginseng and a hundred bolts of Japanese silk. Although this is not enough to express even a fraction of the king's favor, it represents the filial piety of the entire nation of Goryeo."

"In the past, Emperor Tang relied on the Turks to quell the chaos of the Sui Dynasty, but was ultimately controlled by them; now, the Prince of Dai supports the weak rather than oppresses them, and helps me to rectify the court. Such magnanimity can only be found in a celestial empire!"

"On behalf of the people of Goryeo, I kowtow to express my gratitude to King Dai for restoring our lives! May our descendants never forget this kindness."

Watching Yin Yanyi express her gratitude with tears in her eyes, Chen Shao was momentarily dazed. These noble families from Goryeo spoke in such a literary style.

Moreover, the accent is particularly authentic, standard Tokyo Kaifeng dialect.

Haven't you been subjects of the Khitan all these years?

A thought flashed through Chen Shao's mind: The Song people won second place in the competition to imitate the Song people.
"What's the point of saying all this?" Chen Shao thought of the caravan's report from a few days ago and said, "We need to get off at the other ports as soon as possible, lest we delay my important business."

At this point, Yin Yanyi hesitated, tears still streaming down his face, his words somewhat incoherent.

Chen Shao sneered inwardly, thinking, "So you've gotten the benefits but don't want to pay."

Trying to get something for free?
Well, I'm sorry, but I'll show you what it means to have 'a mix of kingly and tyrannical ways'.

Since you're hesitant, I won't discuss it with you anymore, I'll just build it!
While the bond of gratitude still exists, the navy has the right to defend itself against anyone who tries to stop them, and it will be easier for them to negotiate.

Therefore, Chen Shao stopped discussing with them and said directly, "You don't need to worry anymore. The Goryeo court may have been purged, but there may still be accomplices of Li Ziqian among the common people."

"I'll take care of you all then."

Yin Yanyi felt a little scared. His gratitude to the Prince of Dai was genuine, but he felt that the Prince of Dai's benevolence might only be out of public interest.

They will not exert excessive pressure on Korea.

After all, building a port in Goryeo was a direct infringement on Goryeo's interests.

But Chen Shao didn't care about any of that, because they would naturally get used to it soon enough.

It's like the Ming Dynasty stationing troops in Korea. Even if you want to leave, they won't let you, feeling they need your protection.

Moreover, there's no need to go through the trouble and expense of building an army.

Yin Yanyi knew he wouldn't get away with it today. The Prince of Dai's garrison was a done deal, and they would also trade directly with Japan through the port.

Thinking about this, although it hurt a little, it was still better than Li Ziqian wiping out all of them after he usurped the throne.

He composed himself and said, “During the reign of the Prince of Dai in Hedong, there were abundant harvests, while Goryeo suffered from poor harvests every year. I would like to ask the Prince of Dai to grant us special favors and send officials to Goryeo to guide us in farming and planting, and to bestow upon us farming tools.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao perked up and leaned forward, saying, "Doctor Yin, Goryeo is mountainous and has many rivers. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south and east and low in the west. The high mountains are prone to drought, and the plains are small, so it is not suitable for farming."

"This is not because you, my subjects, have not worked hard enough; it is simply a matter of insufficient talent, not a matter of human incompetence."

"Instead of forcibly clearing land for farming, we should concentrate the nation's resources on horse breeding, ginseng raising, tea cultivation, papermaking, and pearl harvesting."

"Our Central Plains have abundant fertile land, and Huguang and Jiangnan are known as the land of fish and rice. Liaodong will soon be ours, and it is an even more fertile land," Chen Shao said with a smile. "At that time, with land connecting Liaodong and sea linking Jiangnan, and trade with products from Goryeo, will we still have to worry about food?"

Yin Yanyi stared in disbelief. Behind him, a minor official, with some dissatisfaction, stepped forward and said, "As the King of Dai said, our Goryeo army and food depend on your country. Aren't we being held by the throat?"

Chen Shao laughed heartily, "I was merely offering a suggestion."

Beside him, Mei Zang Pang Ge suddenly asked, "This young Korean prince is very brave. May I ask which family he belongs to?"

The young Goryeo envoy, neither humble nor arrogant, rose and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "I am Jeong Ji-chang, a Hanlin Academician of Goryeo!"

Inside the marshal's mansion, an aide chuckled, "Returning to one's mission is called 'constant,' understanding the constant is called 'enlightenment.' Not understanding the constant leads to reckless actions and misfortune. A fine name indeed."

Yin Yanyi quickly pulled him back and said, "This boy is ignorant, Your Majesty, please don't be offended."

Chen Shao waved his hand and said, "I am not an unreasonable person. Things cannot be understood without discussion. It is understandable that this Hanlin scholar Zheng does not agree with my idea. Let the people of Goryeo decide for themselves."

Your land is simply unsuitable for cultivation. I have garrison troops and caravans, as well as such a developed port, and the soon-to-be-opened Liaodong route. With the influx of grain from the Central Plains, I can easily overwhelm your market.

At that time, everyone who makes paper, ink, and raises horses will have food to eat.

With the same labor costs, you work hard to farm, but you don't earn as much as others do other things to earn more than half the amount of grain. Over time, this is no longer something you can control.

If anyone dares to force the people to cultivate the land, then you are standing against the people of Goryeo, and I will directly uphold justice.

Moreover, by then, most of the upper echelons of the Korean National Middle School will be on their side.

People like Zheng Zhichang have always been a minority.

As long as this system exists, life in Goryeo will be better than it is now, when they are forced to cultivate the land.

However, when they disobey, their necks are indeed in Zhongyuan's hands.

Chen Shao believes that this is a more lasting and stable relationship than colonial plunder.

Without violence or killing, you live and let others live. Accumulating wealth in the short term is not as direct or fast as colonization, but it has a long-term and lasting impact.

Moreover, it will not incite hatred in others, nor will it sow the seeds of revenge.

Seeing that he was indeed not angry, Yin Yanyi sighed inwardly. If the Prince of Dai was not a treacherous and wicked man who could not show his emotions, then he was a true king.

Then there's his Dingnan Army, which was invincible on the battlefield and had already recovered all of China's homeland.

It can truly be said that:
With a spirit that can swallow mountains and rivers, and a magnanimous and generous nature.
-
Tieshan is a good place.

After Qu Duan occupied Tieshan, he immediately began to expand the barracks and repair the roads.

He didn't set off immediately, but rested here for two days.

Despite his eagerness, he remained rational, knowing that the people and horses arriving by sea needed rest.

At this time, he had been adrift at sea for several days, so the news was actually delayed.

They were unaware that Zhu Lingling had already reached Pingzhou.

After spreading out the map in the tent, Qu Duan pointed to Zhenhai Prefecture, the place where he and Li Yanqi had agreed to meet.

Over the past few years, by boldly expanding while blatantly violating regulations, Qu Duan's forces have grown to no less than 50,000 men.

He was naturally not content with just causing trouble in Liaodong, but wanted to use Liaodong as a springboard to directly invade the heartland of the Jurchen Tartars.

Of course, he also knew that none of the three main players were easy to deal with.

Moreover, the Prince of Dai is very knowledgeable about military affairs. When he rewards those who have made contributions, he will definitely prioritize eliminating the main force of the Jurchens, rather than taking the opportunity to sneak into the Jurchen stronghold.

The chances of this tremendous achievement falling on his head are slim; theoretically, Han Shizhong's troops, who crossed the Great Wall, have the best chance.

But he will definitely try to win it over with his men.

When you get to a place like this, it really means that when you're in the field, you can disobey the emperor's orders.

"Commander Qu, the caravan's supply ship has arrived. They've also brought some farmers and artisans to build a port and dock in Tieshan."

Upon hearing this, Qu Duan immediately asked, "Have you asked the Prince of Dai?"

"They said it was an urgent military situation, and they didn't have time to ask in order to supply the front lines."

Qu Duan hesitated for a moment. Logically speaking, this kind of thing should be reported.

It concerns his own affairs. Qu Duan is very radical, but if the caravan wants to make any moves here, don't you caravan members ask him questions?
Why should I, Qu Duan, take responsibility for you?

Hearing that Lady Xiao had already set off for Taiyuan, Qu Duan thought for a moment, after all, she was the woman of the Prince of Dai.

If all else fails, we can use this excuse. Besides, opening a port here would indeed be beneficial for our military operations.

"This must be the intention of the Prince of Dai. Pass down the order to cooperate with their construction," Qu Duan shouted.

At this moment, the second batch of naval forces that arrived from the sea had just landed.

Someone rushed into the tent, lifted the curtain and said, "Commander Qu, Commander Jin broke through the Ji River ten days ago and is now marching to Pingzhou, where he is engaged in a bloody battle with the Ever Victorious Army."

Qu Duan stood up abruptly, then looked down at the scene again.

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war!" Qu Duan lamented that the sea transport was not fast enough; he wished he could transport all his troops over in a single day.

A sense of powerlessness spread through him, fearing that his old leader would strike too quickly.

"Where are the Tartars? Don't they know how to save the Tartars?!"

As soon as he said this, Qu Duan realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation, saying, "If the Tartars go to their aid, the Ever Victorious Army will hold Pingzhou to the death, and I am deeply worried about that."

"The Tartars have also sent out troops; it is estimated that it will be a bloody battle."

Qu Duan lowered his head, looking at the map, feeling very puzzled.

The Jihe River defense line was breached so easily; it's not what I expected.

It is bordered by the Yanshan Mountains to the north and guarded by the Yellow River.

This Pharmacist Guo is truly the biggest idiot in the world, the most ignorant person about military affairs. (End of Chapter)