At the Nagasaki Palace of Fengyuan Kingdom, King Zhu Zhongdong saw that the ministers were all excited, and he felt even more confused and powerless.
The determination of the imperial court can be seen through the treatment given to Ryukyu. It is an arrangement that no one in the feudal kingdom can refuse, and that is 100% determination.
Zuo Changshi Li Hongbin was quite calm. Seeing his colleagues at the scene getting more and more talkative and expecting higher and higher standards, he quickly poured a basin of cold water on them:
"Calm down, everyone... The Ryukyu Kingdom has never released information about seeking independence, so the court may treat them particularly well..."
As soon as these words came out, the ministers of Fengyuan Kingdom who had just become excited quickly fell into silence and worry.
The trial judge subconsciously argued:
"Our Fengyuan country has not issued an official announcement. We are asking for guidance through private newspapers and rumors..."
The other ministers nodded. This was a natural thought, hoping that their operations would not be discovered.
Li Hongbin decisively broke the opponent's illusion:
"Do you think that the old gentlemen in the court really don't know that we are secretly promoting it?
"It's been done, it's been done, no matter how you explain it, it doesn't make sense, and we have no chance to explain it to the court..."
The expressions of the officials became gloomy again. Commander Kumamoto Wei asked with some uncertainty:
"Li Changshi, what you are saying is that the imperial court may lower our Fengyuan country's treatment for withdrawing from the vassal because we have tried to become independent..."
Li Hongbin said very decisively:
"It is not possible, but certain. The imperial court will definitely treat the vassal states that have released signals of independence differently from those that have not, to show fairness.
"If I were an old gentleman in the court, I would definitely give such suggestions and decisions..."
Commander Kumamoto Mamoru immediately clapped his hands in despair:
"What should I do? I shouldn't have messed around in the first place..."
The officials talked for a while and gradually calmed down. Li Hongbin continued to guide the discussion:
"Things are not out of control. The imperial court will eventually withdraw from the vassal, and Fengyuan Kingdom will definitely bear the brunt.
"In order to stabilize the situation, the imperial court cannot really suppress us with all its strength, and we must continue to control Fengyuan.
"For all of us, the most important thing is to get a formal official position from the imperial court, officially enter the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, and completely open up our official career.
“So, after the vassal withdrawal, as long as our level and real power are not downgraded, it will actually be upgraded.
"And we still have a chance to make up for it..."
The officials on the scene were not stupid. They immediately understood this logic and knew what was the key.
But at the same time, they also lowered their psychological expectations. They originally thought about being the local chief envoy, but now they think about being a prefect.
Then, everyone also noticed that Li Hongbin said that he would make up for his mistakes.
Commander Kumamoto Wei was stunned for a moment, then clapped his hands and said loudly:
"I understand. We should arrest those two Westerners immediately and send them to the capital for questioning..."
Li Hongbin quickly raised his hand to stop:
"No, the court has no evidence of our contact with the Western Yi. If we send them to the capital, wouldn't it be self-explosion of evidence?
"It would be better to drive them out of Toyohara Kingdom immediately, and then proactively request the imperial court to withdraw from the feudal domain in accordance with Ryukyu regulations.
Several officials suddenly realized that this was the most reasonable choice. They immediately became excited again and prepared to plan how to implement it.
But Fengyuan King Zhu Zhongdong, who had been silent until now, finally couldn't hold it anymore and slammed the table and roared:
"enough--"
Several ministers suddenly became completely quiet, and suddenly realized that their king was still nearby. They had been a little carried away just now.
Zhu Zhongdong took a deep breath, looked at the courtiers around him, and asked reluctantly:
"My lords, if the imperial court really removes Fengyuan Kingdom, what should I do?"
Several ministers were almost stunned. They originally thought that the king was angry or wanted to have his own way, but it turned out that they were just worried about his future.
In fact, this is normal. Zhu Zhongdong is in his fifties and is much more transparent than his grandson Zhu Jingyi.
Moreover, the current situation is not complicated, he can basically understand it at a glance.
The eyes of the closest ministers of his were already shining after seeing the conditions the imperial court had given Ryukyu.
You already know what the ordinary people below think without asking.
After the relevant news spreads, people may besiege the palace tomorrow to petition, so the vassal withdrawal must be withdrawn.
Although they are unlikely to have the guts to do anything to themselves.
After all, he is the vassal king of the Zhu family. If he, the vassal king, dies at this juncture, all the officials in the vassal will not have to think about continuing to serve.
However, even if they tied themselves up and carried themselves forward, they still had to withdraw from the vassal.
Instead of being so stubborn, it is better to take the initiative on your own and discuss with them how to maximize your own interests.
After the ministers below calmed down, they exchanged glances with each other, and finally Li Hongbin stood up.
The most flexible minister in the palace bowed solemnly to Zhu Zhongdong and said:
"If your Majesty is really willing to listen to what I have to say, then you can take the initiative to request the withdrawal of the feudal vassal and request to live in the capital. The sooner you do it, the more sincerity you can show.
"At the same time, I request to give way to a prince in advance, and order the prince to preside over the removal of the feudal vassal and accept the official position awarded by the court.
"If the king asks for a title himself, even a governor cannot be considered valuable, and it is unlikely that the court will grant him the title of minister.
"But if it were a prince under thirty years old, and he could get the title of chief envoy directly, his career would be smooth, and his future would be limitless.
Zhu Zhongdong felt his eyes light up after hearing this, and then subconsciously asked:
"Is it possible that Gu still retains the title of King Fengyuan, or transfers it to the title of Prince of Ming Dynasty, but stays in the capital.
"And the prince who presided over the withdrawal of the feudal vassal directly accepted official positions such as chief envoy awarded by the court as a prince.
"I have to wait a hundred years before I can inherit the throne..."
Li Hongbin made a little evaluation in his mind:
"I think it is unlikely. Your Majesty took the initiative to resign and give up the throne in advance to take responsibility for the rumors of the vassal's independence.
"It is necessary to retain the vassal king or prince, but also to give an additional prince the official title of chief envoy or higher, which is equivalent to asking for two rewards.
"Because the king's title of prince may not be passed on to the prince who receives the title in the future.
"But it's not completely impossible. After all, compared with the treatment of the King of Ryukyu, it's not too much for the King to have a governor.
"If we use the condition that the prince and the governor are integrated into one body, and replace it with separate rewards for the prince and the chief envoy, it may not really be impossible to replace it.
"So Your Majesty, you can give it a try. If Your Majesty is willing to grant this grace, wouldn't it be a pity not to try?"
When Zhu Zhongdong heard that the possibility was low, he felt a little regretful, but Li Hongbin was right. You have to give it a try after all:
"Then let's do it like this. Li Qing will help Gu draft the manuscript as soon as possible, and write it as sincerely as possible.
"It's just that the lonely king is old and has no future as an official. He just wants to go to the capital and become a rich prince.
"But if I lose my title, I will lose face in the capital after all, so I kindly ask myself to keep my title of prince and choose another prince to receive the official rewards of withdrawing from the feudal clan.
"After you finish writing it, give it to me to read and send it to the court before the morning meeting tomorrow morning.
"By the way, there are still those two white ghosts, hurry up and drive them out of Fengyuan Country and send them...send them to Tianzhu..."
Li Hongbin quickly bowed and agreed:
"I understand."
Commander Kumamoto Wei patted his chest and said:
"Go and deal with those two white ghosts!"
Zhu Zhongdong nodded slightly in agreement, and Li Hongbin next to him reminded:
"Remember to change your clothes. It's best to let the ordinary servants do the work and send them directly to the ship in Tianzhu. Don't let them communicate with anyone in the middle."
Commander Mamoru Kumamoto responded with a beat of his chest again:
"As ordered..."
"Thank you Li Changshi for reminding..."
