When the capital opened, the whole city felt a strong sense of desolation. There were a few staggering soldiers at the city gate, scattered scrawny pedestrians, and countless beggars on the streets of the city.
The only active thing is probably the donkey cart carrying corpses. The king of Goryeo is gone, and a new king has not been elected yet. The government is only running in the most efficient way to ensure that there will be no plague in the capital.
The smoke of gunpowder everywhere has gradually subsided due to the decline of the population. On the endless acres of good land, no one dares to cultivate it, and even if the food is grown left and right, the farmers will not be able to eat a single grain.
Nowadays, the bandits who dominate the mountains have run out of food. All the common people who are still able to move have either gone to sea with their families or fled to Liaodong, unwilling to die in their hometown.
In the largest house in Kaijing, the servants are doing their work carefully. Being kicked out will lead to death. There are many people at the door who want to sell their sons and daughters as servants. Human life is worth less than a cup.
Li Chenggui stood in front of his armor, stretched out his hand to touch it lightly, feeling the coldness, and his face was uncertain. Since ancient times, he has always made three concessions to ascend the throne, and now he has given up the throne more than ten times.
But the Ming Dynasty's canonization edict still hadn't arrived, and an undercurrent had begun to surge in the court. Many people who had previously submitted to his command had their thoughts set on this time and again.
If you give in, you will use up all the prestige you have accumulated over the years of fighting in the north and south. If you stay in the manhole and do nothing, you will definitely cause public resentment.
Is it possible to establish a country without obeying the Ming Dynasty? Is it willing to strive for temporary pleasure?
"It's a dead end..."
Li Chenggui's hand slid down smoothly, grasped the sword on his armor, and slowly pulled it out. If you die, you will die. Your name will be recorded in the annals of history!
The determination in his eyes and the veins in his grip all proved the courage of the founder of Korea.
But at this moment, the housekeeper suddenly came in and reported excitedly: "Master Fu, His Royal Highness King Qi of the Ming Dynasty is almost at the city gate. Please change your clothes quickly and go out to welcome him!"
Li Chenggui did not look back, and the strength in his hands did not decrease. The veins on the back of his hands were still bulging, but if they had already reached his throat, he would choke.
The housekeeper was puzzled, hoping for the stars and the moon, and finally the messenger from the Ming Dynasty arrived. The king of his family was about to be crowned king. What was he thinking if he didn't hurry up?
"Your Majesty, King Qi of the Ming Dynasty has a distinguished status. He is the emperor of the Heavenly Kingdom, and he has the will to be canonized. It would be better to go to greet him early. Your servant has already ordered your servants to prepare the carriage. Do you want to change your clothes?"
The half-drawn sword slowly returned to its sheath. Li Chenggui took back his hand and turned around and said, "Okay."
The housekeeper breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly arranged for the maid to come in to serve him. He had no intention of caring about why his master didn't have a smile on his face. As the saying goes, if a person can ascend to heaven, he can become a third-grade official.
………
After receiving the news, the whole city of Kaijing seemed to come alive instantly. The flow of people almost filled all the streets, and countless beggars on the ground were picked up and driven out of the city through the south gate.
Rumor has it that His Highness King Qi is kind-hearted and would not tolerate this.
Under the leadership of Li Chenggui, the descendants of the big and small aristocratic families gathered at the gate of the North City. It was a sea of people. Not far from the city gate, it was a place with unique scenery. Wine and meat were filled with wine and wine, and there were even ladies disguised as men.
Tossing pots for fun.
After waiting for an hour, the sound of hoofbeats sounded in the distance, the sun and moon flags slowly appeared, a group of hussars came surrounded by the tall king, and the twenty-four Eight Banners fell like a mountain.
Everyone knelt down obediently, their delicate knees touching the uneven ground. There was no humiliation in their hearts, but some novelty and excitement.
It is not only Li Chenggui who has been tortured. The aristocratic families who can still live in Kaijing have all taken refuge in the East Palace a long time ago. Regardless of rewards or punishments, they always look forward to thunder and rain, because of this.
It is a royal favor that only recognized ministers are entitled to enjoy.
"Welcome ministers (caomin) and others welcome the Angel of the Ming Dynasty and congratulate the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, long live the Ming Dynasty!"
The shouts of "Long Live the Mountain" resounded through the sky and gradually stopped until Zhu Di appeared. However, some people still kept their heads down and continued shouting, as if they were good ministers and good people.
There are also some people who, even though they are kneeling on the ground, still feel a little sad and angry in their hearts, but the number is very small, and they did not have any energy left when they shouted long live the mountain just now.
The high-status people, led by Li Chenggui, bowed down in front of King Qi. The gift just now was for the envoy of the Celestial Dynasty, but this time it is for His Highness King Qi.
Many people had met Zhu Di before, but at this time they all had a tacit understanding, as if they were looking at the emperor's majestic appearance for the first time, and they never raised their eyebrows. Li turned out to have a young general who looked exactly like the emperor.
Zhu Di was wearing a court uniform and a crown, and his heroic and noble aura blended so well that Li Chenggui did not dare to raise his eyes to look at him. He couldn't help but lament in his heart, can he deal with the person in front of him?
If it were two years ago, I would have been full of confidence. The newly arrived King of Qi would only have the identity of King Qi. He could not express his identity explicitly, so he could suppress it secretly.
But now, it is hard to say. When it comes to leading troops in war, talent is far more important than experience. The gap in experience can be made up by choosing two old lieutenants, but the gap in talent of the coach is not
Way to smooth it out.
What's more, the situation is in someone else's hands...
"The bitter cold in Korea is different from that in the south of the Yangtze River. When I first arrived in your country, I felt cold, so I was delayed for several days. I have thanked you for your long wait."
Li Chenggui bowed and said, "Your Highness is serious. You have traveled thousands of miles to work for our country. We, the people of this small country, can only kowtow and express your gratitude."
After saying that, he led everyone to give Zhu Di a grand ceremony. Zhu Di bent down and helped Li Chenggui up. The two of them clasped their hands and shed tears: "Korea also belongs to my vassal of the Ming Dynasty. Monsters have harmed the country and usurped the government, causing people's livelihood to fall into pieces."
Now, Your Majesty is so worried that you cannot sleep at night. I am glad to hear that I have a minister who can quell chaos with military force and can govern the country with literary skills. Your Majesty appreciates it and appreciates it. I would like to entrust you with my country and I hope that you will live up to the great trust."
Li Chenggui burst into tears, broke free from his restraints, and kept kowtowing to Dongfang. His face was covered with mud mixed with snot and tears. Zhu Di could hardly hold back his laughter and could only cover his eyes with his sleeves as if to cry.
Just when they were enjoying themselves, an old man with a bright head stepped forward and bowed down: "The common people respectfully ask the Angel of Heaven to identify evil spirits. Li Chenggui, the son of Li Zichun, Yuandalu Huachi, is impure in nature and covered with beard and mutton. He went to Goryeo. Fortunately, he was saved."
"King Gongmin committed evil and committed crimes and took human life. Later, he worshiped the son of a demon monk as king. He was ambitious and wanted to expand his army. He gradually took over the political power and imposed tyranny on the people of the country!"
"Now, they are trying to deceive the Celestial Dynasty, trying to use their family name to spread the country, and steal the country of Goryeo. How are these monsters different from the monster monk Xin Min?"
"The ordinary people have a low status and a low life. Fortunately, they once read poetry, etiquette, and received the classic teachings of the saints. Now they are remonstrating with their superiors. This is not for their own wealth and splendor, but actually for the sake of our country, Goryeo, which has lasted for hundreds of years!"
"Today, I must lay down my life and pray to the Heavenly Kingdom to take pity on the hardships of the people of the vassal country, and to send holy grace to accept the territory, so that our descendants can enjoy peace!"
After saying this, he took out the sharp knife from his arms, gouged out his heart and died.
From beginning to end, no one stepped forward to stop him, and no one stepped forward to collect his body. The blood from his heart slowly and steadily soaked the land.
Li Chenggui did not get up, but buried his head deeply on the ground. Zhu Di looked at everyone with a troubled face and said: "Whether what this person said is true or not is a matter of concern for the country, the country, and the country. You should speak out!"
The heads of several aristocratic families, as if they had just come to their senses, could not wait to point at Li Chenggui and scold him, but they had forgotten that it was they who had been pursuing Li Chenggui persistently these days, begging for the establishment of a new kingdom.
A few more ragged people stood up and cried, saying that they were Goguryeo people or remnants of Baekje and Silla. They were originally vassals of the Celestial Kingdom. They suffered a lot in Goryeo, and now the Goryeo Kingdom is cut off.
This is God's retribution. It is time for us to restore our country. We worship the angels and report to the Holy Lord and Mingjun to make decisions with our people.