Chapter 688 Treating good intentions as donkey liver and lungs
Yang Shen took Zhu Hao to meet the North Korean envoy. For Zhu Hao, it was a novel experience for him to come into contact with foreign affairs for the first time.
His plan was to make the Ming Dynasty conquer the world. As the suzerain in charge of overseas campaigns, he would inevitably have to meet with envoys from various countries, and it was just a good time to practice with the envoys from North Korea.
The eighth day of August.
There are two days left before Zhu Si's birthday.
Zhu Hao, as the editor of the Hanlin Academy and the deputy diplomatic envoy, followed the envoy Yang Shen to meet with the Korean envoy representatives.
On the North Korean side, the chief envoy was Hu Cao, who was in charge of judging Shen Jizong, and the deputy envoy was Li Cao, who was sitting on the bench of Yin Xiyi.
Speaking of which, the two of them were able to represent North Korea and come to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, which is naturally remarkable. Their Chinese proficiency is astonishing.
At this time, Chinese characters were basically written in North Korea, and the study of Chinese culture became a common practice. The imperial examinations also focused on Confucian classics. Almost everyone in the upper class of North Korea could speak a few words of Ming Dynasty Mandarin as a symbol of identity and status.
"I have seen two angels from the Kingdom of Heaven." Shen Jizong was slightly older, and his words showed a slight lack of energy and shortness of breath, and he felt like he was in pain.
The Chinese he spoke was spoken in a clear and round accent, and it was almost indistinguishable that he was a foreigner. It was more standard than the scholars from the south of the Ming Dynasty, and almost the same as the scholars from Zhili in the north of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Hao smiled and nodded. He was just a bystander today, and he was not required to do anything to get ahead.
Yang Shen was responsible for communicating.
There are two main things discussed. The first is North Korea's tribute to the Ming Dynasty. In addition to congratulating the new emperor on his accession to the throne and sending gifts on the Longevity Festival, there is also the handover of the tributes, which is mainly the responsibility of people from Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites.
As for the second thing, it is to listen to North Korea's demands.
In the fifteenth year of Zhengde (15th year of the reign of Emperor Zhengde), Emperor Zhongzong of the Joseon Dynasty, Li Yi, appointed his fourth son Li Gong, who was five years old at the time, as the crown prince, equivalent to the crown prince. He hoped that his identity would be recognized by the Ming Dynasty, thus establishing Li Gong as the first successor to the Joseon Kingdom.
identity.
Originally, when the king of Korea established an heir, the Ming Dynasty generally ignored it, but the problem was that the king of the country, Li Yi, came to power by "usurping the throne". Although Qili was the eldest son, he was the fourth son. The eldest son Li Mei was still alive and well.
, and his moral character is not bad. The Ming Dynasty has a tradition of establishing an eldest son. Failure to establish an eldest son would violate the laws established by the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, North Korea is very concerned about the identity of Crown Prince Li Gao, for fear of arousing the hostility of the Ming Dynasty court.
"The Ministry of Rites will report these matters as appropriate. All you need to do is submit your credentials."
Yang Shen didn't think there was any problem.
North Korea is just a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. Theoretically speaking, the Ming Dynasty, as the suzerain state, should not interfere in the internal affairs of North Korea. You can make whoever you like as your crown prince, as if we don't care about it. Who has the energy?
Of course, such matters would eventually have to be reported to the emperor, and Zhu Si would make the final decision.
Shen Jizong glanced around and saw people from Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites counting North Korea's tributes and gifts in the yard outside. Zhu Hao was standing a few steps behind Yang Shen with an expressionless face, seemingly indifferent to everything, and was smiling with him.
He picked up something wrapped in gray cloth from the tables nearby and handed it to Yang Shen.
Yang Shen took a step back and did not reach out to pick it up, but asked: "What is it?"
Shen Jizong nodded and bowed, and said with a flattering smile: "Yang Hanlin is a pillar of the Ming Dynasty. I heard about it a lot when I was in China. When I saw it today, it was indeed well-deserved. Mere gifts and slight expressions of affection are all trinkets that cannot be put on the table.
I hope Yang Hanlin will accept it."
As an envoy from a vassal state, it was against the rules to give gifts to officials of the Ming Dynasty.
However, Zhu Hao knew that Shen Jizong was bribing Yang Shen on behalf of the North Korean monarchs and ministers. He valued Yang Shen's identity as the son of the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, so as to gain Yang Tinghe's approval.
With the approval of Yang Tinghe and his son, North Korea would be able to take the initiative in gaining support from the Ming Dynasty.
"No need."
Yang Shen didn't even want to see what it was, and waved his hands repeatedly to indicate that he would not accept the gift.
It can be seen from this that Yang Shen still knows what etiquette, justice and integrity are. As an official of the imperial court, if he accepts gifts from foreign envoys upon meeting him and spreads the word, why not still hang out in the court?
Besides, in a small country with few people, how generous can a gift be?
As a promising official of the Celestial Kingdom, he has always been aloof and looked down on the small country of Zuer below. He felt that they were all savages who drank blood from raw materials and drank blood. It was strange that they could deliver anything decent.
Moreover, Yang Shen was very self-reliant and would not accept any bribes until he became famous in the officialdom. As the son of the chief minister, he was not short of money, but what he was short of was fame and official position.
"this……"
Shen Jizong shamelessly sent a gift to Yang Shen, but it was returned immediately, and even his ears turned red with embarrassment.
Trying his best to suppress the rising embarrassment in his heart, Shen Jizong glanced at Zhu Hao behind Yang Shen, probably wondering if Yang Shen was embarrassed to accept the gift because there were outsiders present?
"Come on, come on, let me introduce you to me. This person is also the number one scholar of the Ming Dynasty. His surname is Jingdao. He will be the pillar of the future court. If you have anything to do in the future, you can tell him directly."
When Yang Shen saw Shen Jizong examining Zhu Hao, he simply pulled him over and introduced him specially to break the awkward atmosphere.
"I've admired you for a long time, I've admired you for a long time!"
Shen Jizong cupped his hands and greeted Zhu Hao politely.
The number one scholar in the Ming Dynasty?
Sorry, we in North Korea are a little far away from the Central Plains. We have never heard of the names of your previous champions. Besides, aren't you, Yang Yongxiu, also the champion of the Ming Dynasty? Why do you want to introduce others?
Zhu Hao obviously felt that he was being slighted, but he was not annoyed and said hello with a smile: "You two, I think you should return home early after completing your errands in the capital, otherwise... I'm afraid something bad will happen."
Shen Jizong and Yin Xi still looked at each other, not understanding what Zhu Hao was talking about.
No wonder he is the number one scholar and his words are incomprehensible. We understand every word, but when they are put together, it is incomprehensible.
Shen Jizong said: "Sir, I wonder what bad things will happen to us? Is there a mistake in the war in northern Xinjiang? The border is blocked and I can't get out?"
This is a bit tit for tat.
You said that we might encounter disaster, which is obviously a threat, so I responded by saying, look at your Ming Dynasty, which is currently at war with the Tatars. In name, you are also the suzerain of the Tatars, but now you have been beaten to the point of being closed off.
Even us envoys who come to pay tribute are affected. How can we reflect the majesty of the Celestial Empire?
"Can you speak?"
Yang Shen stared angrily and spoke in a bad tone.
He had given instructions to Zhu Hao before coming here. When the envoys communicated, most of the time someone would jump out and show off their wits. This was all due to national pride, and they wanted to use some method to show their intelligence and the dignity of the country in front of outsiders.
Regardless of the Ming Dynasty, whatever Shen Jizong and Yin Xiyi said will be faithfully recorded by the historians. If they lose the majesty of Korea, they will be punished after returning.
But if Shen Jizong and Yin Xi still showed some grace in their conversations with the Ming envoys and promoted North Korea's national prestige, they would be rewarded when they returned.
Zhu Hao smiled and said: "This is Shen Hu Cao, right? I don't quite understand your official positions, and I don't know whether to call you Shen Hu Cao or Shen Shen..."
"hehe."
Shen Jizong looked embarrassed.
Zhu Hao continued: "I see that there are dark clouds over your head, and I am afraid that a disaster is about to happen to you. It may be due to fate, and it is difficult to avoid this disaster. It is better to be careful when going in and out... Leave early after finishing your work, so as not to be in the capital.
If you suffer a disaster, you will never be able to return to North Korea, and you will only cause people to lament!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone present widened their eyes.
How is this going?
The officials of the Ming Dynasty who were responsible for receiving envoys from the vassal countries actually threatened them? That they could not leave the Ming Dynasty? That they would die here?
Zhu Hao was really not a threat, because it is clearly recorded in "Records of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty" that in September of the first year of Jiajing, "North Korea paid tribute to the accompanying minister Hu Cao Shen Jizong and died of illness. He was given an edict to offer sacrifices, prepared a coffin, and sent his body back to his country."
If you should receive the reward, pay it to the envoys who came with you and grant him a home."
The meaning is very clear. According to official history, the Korean envoy Shen Jizong died in the capital a month later, and was finally transported back to his country lying in a coffin.
As for whether he died of illness or an accident, Zhu Hao preferred the latter, because although Shen Jizong looked very sick now, judging from his symptoms, he should have been infected with wind and cold, which was far from life-threatening.
But... his status as North Korean envoy is very special.
The "Jimao Disaster" had just occurred in North Korea in the 14th year of Zhengde. This incident had a profound impact on North Korean politics. By the Jiajing period, the factional struggle had reached the point of being extremely cruel and selfless. When Shen Jizong came to rectify the name of the eldest son Li Gao, he naturally became
Some forces in North Korea are a thorn in the flesh, and assassinating you in the Ming Dynasty will cause conflicts between the Ming Dynasty and North Korea, which is in the interests of speculators.
This is also the fundamental reason why Zhu Hao reminded Shen Jizong and others to leave early after finishing their work.
Because if they stay in the Ming Dynasty for one day, their lives are not in their own hands. Although the Ming Dynasty Hall is a place to entertain foreign envoys, it is impossible to ensure the safety of everyone living there. If they encounter any poisoning or assassination,
It's a matter of fact, do you expect the people in the hall to fight against the assassins?
Please resolve your own domestic conflicts on your own after you return home, and don't cause trouble in our Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Hao reminded him out of "good intentions", but to outsiders, it sounded like a threat from Chi Guoguo.
Yang Shen looked at Zhu Hao with a smile, his eyes full of meaning.
He knew that Zhu Hao had never been a fearful master, and thought that Zhu Hao might have decided that his political future was in doubt. After all, his family was involved in the surveillance and assassination of Prince Xing's Mansion, and now he was upright and said anything to try to win the emperor's favor.
If you hate it, let it go as soon as possible.
"Okay, let's talk about it later. Someone will transfer the call for you in the next step."
Yang Shen saw that conflicts had arisen, that his side was not at a disadvantage in the bilateral communication, and that Ming's face was not humiliated, so he promptly resigned.
…
…
Coming out of the hall, Yang Shen said with a smile: "Jingdao, you shouldn't say those words, making it seem like Ming Dynasty wants to force them to stay."
Zhu Hao said: "Really? I didn't mean it...I really think that the two of them have turned dark, and it should be the end of the road."
"Yeah?"
Yang Shen laughed twice and said, "I didn't expect you to understand these Xuanmen things? Next time something like this happens, let's meet with the people from Honglu Temple first. They are more experienced and will not make the same mistakes as today."
Yang Shen is very humble.
He himself was also groping and learning. Maybe Yang Tinghe felt that his son had not made any great achievements in the Hanlin Academy, so he asked Yang Shen to come out to meet with the envoys of the foreign countries and make some small achievements.
Zhu Hao asked: "Besides the North Korean envoys, are there anyone else who came to congratulate you?"
"Gone."
Yang Shen shook his head and said, "In recent years, the grassland tribes have rarely sent tribute to the capital. It seems... there may really be a war in the northwest."