The weather is gradually getting colder, both in Liaodong and in Seoul.
The King of Joseon, Lee Jo, could not feel the cold outside at all in his study. He was the grandson of King Seonjo of Joseon, Lee Ho, and the nephew of the previous king, Gwanghae Gun. In the third year of the Apocalypse, Lee Jo overthrew himself in a coup.
His uncle Gwanghae-kun is only a few years old.
In the fifth year of Tianqi after the coup, Li Zhu was canonized as the King of Korea by the Ming Dynasty and officially became a vassal of the Ming Dynasty. This marked his regime as being close to the Ming Dynasty from the beginning.
This was also an important reason why Huang Taiji sent Erbeile Amin to attack North Korea in the seventh year of the Apocalypse. Hou Jin could not tolerate Pi Dao, so how could he tolerate the appearance of a country that was unfriendly to them.
This war, which devastated the Korean state, ended in a disastrous defeat for the Korean state. Later Jin fought from Uiju, Anju, and Pyongyang to Pyongsan in Hwanghae Province. Li Jie led Concubine Inmo and the ministers to take refuge in Ganghwa Island.
Prince Zhaoxian was ordered to divide the dynasty in Quanzhou.
After repeatedly seeking help from the Ming Dynasty but without success, the Korean state and Hou Jin signed an extremely humiliating covenant. Prince Zhaoxian was sent to Hou Jin as a hostage, and "year coins" were delivered to Hou Jin every year in accordance with the covenant.
And this year's coins will be sent to Houjin soon.
Li Jie was deeply opposed to this kind of thing, and would not personally interfere with it. However, his ministers could not prepare it carefully and wait until everything was done before reporting to him.
Now in his study, the person reporting this matter to him is none other than Zuo Yizheng Li Yuanyi. If nothing changes, then everything this year will be carried out according to last year's regulations, and Li Jie only needs to nod in the end.
Just say "I understand".
But Li Yuanyi brought him a problem that he couldn't decide for a while.
"The Ming army has occupied Zhenjiang Fort. These coins will be exported to the Jin Kingdom. The Ming people will not let them go no matter what!"
"Why don't we just let them get it themselves!" Li Zhu's face showed no expression, "What did the Ming Dynasty say?"
"So far, the Ming Dynasty has not sent envoys to contact our country, but I have received reliable information that the guards and city guards of Tieshan City in Huanghaidao have close contacts with the Ming Dynasty, and they are suspected of colluding with them!"
Li Shu closed his eyes and thought for a while: "I will let Mr. Jin Changshengjin handle this matter, so you don't have to worry!"
"If you don't take Ping'an Road, you can take Xianjing Road, but it will take a longer detour!" Li Yuanyi said cautiously.
"No!" Li Shu shook his head: "Sending an envoy to the Kingdom of Jin to tell them about this means that the army is rampant. To ensure the safety of the coins, we will transport the coins to Pyongyang Prefecture on Ping'an Road and wait until the road is clear before sending them to Sheng.
Beijing, or they can just send people to Pyongyang directly!"
"But!" Li Yuanyi wanted to say more, but Li Zhu frowned: "It's nothing but, let's just do it, you can quit!"
After Li Yuanyi left, a middle-aged Confucian scholar who had been standing quietly in the corner of the study smiled slightly and walked towards Li Zhu.
"Zuo Yizheng is also trying to help the king to worry about it. The king does not need to be too harsh on him. If you let You Yizheng and others handle this matter, they will definitely shirk it in every possible way, and the king will not be so worried!"
"Sir, you are right!" Li Zhu rubbed his eyebrows, "But when it comes to this matter, I am worried. Li Yuanyi is loyal and capable, but he also has selfishness. If he is allowed to continue
I can’t keep pretending not to know about things in Pyongyang!”
"Over there at Tieshan, can the king pretend to know?" Confucian scholar Jin Changsheng said with a smile: "The Ming army came uninvited, which is not a good thing for us!"
"But it's not a bad thing! Right?" Li Zhu looked at the Confucian scholar in front of him, who was also his think tank: "At the beginning, Tieshan was originally occupied by the Ming army, but it was later taken away by the Hou Jin people.
The Jin people left and returned it to us. Now if the people of the Ming Dynasty want it, let them do it!"
"But Pyongyang can't handle it like this!" Jin Changsheng nodded: "We can pretend not to know about Tieshan, but on Pyongyang, we have to make two preparations. In the current battle situation between Ming Dynasty and Hou Jin Dynasty, Ming Dynasty is at a disadvantage. Once
The Jin people are powerful and if they challenge us again, even if it is for the sake of the prince who stays with the Jin people, we need to give them an explanation!"
"So, I want sir to go to Ping'an Road in person!" Li Zhu said slowly: "What you mean, sir, is what I mean. However, no matter what, Ping'an Road belongs to North Korea, and the Ming army can come as a guest.
, but we must not turn our backs on customers!”
"This is natural!" Jin Changsheng nodded.
"Pu Renyong from the Pu family wants the official position of Governor of Pyongyang. Pu Zhijie has expressed his interest to me several times, openly and secretly. I have not agreed to this matter for the time being. Sir, go and see if Pu Renyong can do it for me."
After completing this job, I will wait for news about you sir!"
"Are they from the Pu family?" Jin Changsheng laughed. Pu Zhijie, like him, was a Confucian scholar appointed by Li Zhu in order to balance the Western and Southern factions in the court. The relationship was smoothed over and came to Li Zhu.
It can be seen that the Pu family really wants to promote such a person.
"I will examine this person carefully for your Majesty!"
"Also, find out what the Ming Dynasty wants!" Li Zhu said: "Whether it is a small fight like in previous years, or whether it is to continue to use force to pacify the Hou Jin Dynasty, this will determine the attitude of our court towards the Jin people.
, now that there is an alliance, it is difficult for the imperial court to send envoys to Beijing. You take this opportunity to go to the Ming army, see who they are capable of, and find out what the Ming Emperor wants to do!"
Jin Changsheng nodded: "I will definitely live up to the king's trust!"
"Let's set off when you're ready!" Li Zhu shook his head: "I won't see you off. To the outside world, I will tell you that you have gone back to your hometown to visit relatives. When you return, I will give you my decree and the letter. Please take care of yourself along the way."
Got it!"
"While the minister is away, why not send Mr. Park out too!" Jin Changsheng said with a smile: "For example, in Busan, I heard that some people have been very restless there recently. With Mr. Park's reputation and ability, I don't think he can come.
Can calm down the restless voices over there!"
Li Zhu raised his head, looked at Jin Changsheng, and suddenly laughed: "What a great idea. Mr. Park must be very willing to share my worries. Pyongyang should pay attention to it, and Busan and the court should not take it lightly. Thank you for your reminder, sir.
I know what to do!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Jin Changsheng looked at the good-hearted Li Zhu and said sincerely: "Our country of Korea is so lucky to have a king. Although the situation is difficult, I believe that the king will definitely lead Korea to prosperity.