Liu Jin returned to Beijing.
When I went to Piantou Pass, I was in high spirits, but when I came back, it was like sunset, and my energy and spirit were obviously broken.
The trip to the northwest made him deeply understand that there is an essential difference between talking about war on paper and actually sending troops to fight. He boasted in front of Zhu Houzhao, but after actual practice, he realized that the greatest pain in running an army comes from the suffering of not having a chance to perform.
How many soldiers are willing to fight? They all want to live a stable life.
"You may as well come back and help me check the details. Zhang Bingkuan is going to send troops to North Korea. This is the topographic map of North Korea that I found. How do you think we should send troops to complete the task at the minimum cost?"
Zhu Houzhao didn't expect much from Liu Jin, so he wasn't disappointed.
In other words, all expectations have been worn away by time.
Expect Liu Jin to be his substitute and help him fight the war?
Please, you, Liu Jin, are just like scum in the eyes of me, Mr. Zhu. You want to replace me just because you talk nonsense?
"This... this slave doesn't know..." Liu Jin said with a depressed face.
The eunuchs next to him all looked sarcastic.
You, Liu Jin, were so shy when you tried to curry favor with Zhang Zhou that you didn’t even think about why he wanted to give you benefits?
If you go out now, will the prince still regard you as his confidant when he comes back?
The power structure in the East Palace is different from before.
Liu Jin asked: "Your Highness, your servants have not heard about sending troops to North Korea. Does this mean that Master Zhang has already led troops to North Korea?"
Zhu Houzhao yawned and said: "I guess I haven't sent troops. I overheard my father mention it. This is top secret information in the court. If any of you dare to leak the news, believe it or not, I will put him... "
Several people looked at Liu Jin with narrow eyes.
Obviously the news was not leaked before, but now Liu Jin comes back and knows the news. If outsiders know it, can they infer that it was Liu Jin who did it?
Liu Jin suddenly felt a chill running down his spine.
Zhu Houzhao said as if he was bored: "I also hope that I will personally lead the troops in the future, conquer the south and the north, conquer these small countries on the map one by one, and incorporate them into the territory of the Ming Dynasty. If Zhang Bingkuan can complete it, what else will I have to do? "
Liu Jin heard the change in the prince's address to Zhang Zhou.
This naughty boy, like a little adult, actually imitated his father and called Zhang Zhou by his first name?
See what you can do.
"Your Highness, it is said that there is another area here... Look..." Liu Jin pointed to another area on the map, "I heard from Master Zhang that the world is very big, and the Ming Dynasty only occupies a corner of it. If we can send troops in the future, If we take down both this side and that side, the territory of the Ming Dynasty will be even more vast, and it is said that this side is called America, and we can only go there by boat."
"Humph, you know that's quite a lot?" Zhu Houzhao looked unhappy.
I haven't spoken yet, so why are you, an old boy?
Liu Jin quickly lowered his head.
"These must be left to me to conquer in person. When I become emperor in the future, I will see if I..." After Zhu Houzhao said this, he looked around. He seemed to have learned what it meant to be cautious. Okay, "Being a prince is the same as conquering the north and south, and being an emperor may not be a good idea. I heard that my father is going to give me a younger brother and sister soon, and it will be born by a woman outside the palace. It is best to be a younger brother. In this way, I You can sit back and relax when you go out to war.”
Liu Jin looked at Gao Feng and others.
I thought to myself, I have only been out for less than a year, and the situation in the capital has changed so much. Even His Majesty wants to take a concubine and give birth to a child?
The naughty kid is also planning to go overseas?
Even if I don’t get along with the prince day and night this year, my one-year military experience is still capital. Will he still need me when the prince goes on an expedition? How could you be so angry with me when you saw it?
…
…
Tang Yin and his party of 5,000 soldiers and horses entered Ping'an Road, and the North Korean monarchs and ministers knew that Tang Yin was here to question why the 15,000 soldiers were not sent out.
When the group entered Hwanghae Province and was about to enter Gyeonggi Province, Li became anxious.
This day in the Qinzheng Hall.
The monarchs and ministers of North Korea were already quarreling over how to stop Tang Yin, Pu Yuanzong and his party.
"Shut up!" Li had a very bad temper and immediately asked, "You guys usually just argue when you are admonishing, but now that evil spirits are about to arrive in Hanyang Mansion, what's the point of arguing now?"
Li Kedun, the meritorious minister next to Li who caused the "Wuwu Disaster" and was detained by the Ming Dynasty, Li Kejun, came out and said: "As the suzerain state, the Ming Dynasty bullied others too much. We, North Korea, have clearly sent five thousand troops to help complete the conquest." Regarding the Jurchen incident, North Korea has already fulfilled the benevolence and righteousness of a vassal state. If the Ming Dynasty questioned them based on this, it would be an interference in North Korea's internal affairs and should not be condoned. The troops in Hwanghae Province and Gyeonggi Province should be Ma, destroy the soldiers and horses led by the traitor Pu Yuanzong to set the record straight."
The Li Kejun brothers have always been hard-liners.
This is true for the scholars in the country, and it is also true for the Jurchens and their political opponents.
Li used to rely on them to suppress the power of scholars. To put it bluntly, he used these old ministers to fight against the civil servant faction... This is actually very similar to the conflict between civil servants and military officers within the Ming Dynasty, but Li's actions were more extreme.
It's like Zhu Youtang used Zhang Mao, Zhu Fu and others to take over Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and others at once, and killed these people in exile.
It would be strange not to be reviled by those scholars.
Li's legitimacy in the later period of his rule was gradually eroded little by little, and he finally collapsed. On a dark and windy night, in what he thought was a "peaceful and prosperous age", he became a prisoner overnight and lost his throne.
Li Dao: "It's okay to look at things squarely, but should we worry about Pu Yuanzong, or should we worry about Lord Lai Guokong outside the country? Do you know where the crisis is now?"
A group of ministers present were discussing again.
Li Xin was arrogant. He was prone to doing things to excess and was full of adventurism. In his view, Tang Yin and Pu Yuanzong had nothing to fear. The real threat to North Korea was Zhang Zhou, who was still in Liaodong and had no reasonable reason to invade North Korea.
Li Kedun said: "My lord, we should use Huanghaidao troops to prevent Pu Yuanzong and his party from continuing south, arrest Pu Yuanzong, and escort him to Hanyang for trial."
Someone at the forum nearby reminded: "Although Pu Yuanzong made mistakes, he was a hero who went out to conquer the slaves. Should we rush to recruit 15,000 troops and horses at this time and send them to assist the Ming Dynasty in conquering the Jurchens? In case the Ming Dynasty conquers the Jurchens again? Making use of a topic?"
At this meeting, North Korea had not prepared the fifteen thousand people.
It's not that they don't want to, but it's just too troublesome... After the five thousand troops went out to fight, the Korean monarchs and ministers all thought that they were being used by the Ming Dynasty. We are suffering from a disaster. The five thousand troops went out for two or three months and there was no movement. We just When we lose a few men and horses, in exchange for peace, we are asked to send out another 15,000 men? Do you think I'm stupid?
As a result, Pu Yuanzong and Tang Yin came back with the five thousand people, and North Korea did not say that they would organize more troops. Anyway, they felt that the threat of the Jurchens had been eliminated, and the Ming Dynasty would not give us land, cities, and population, so why still Why waste more energy and materials?
Cheng Xiyan, Councilor of the Criminal Cao, said: "At this time, we should send someone to bribe Duke Lai and give generous gifts in exchange for Ming's forgiveness for the previous matter. Otherwise, Ming may have reason to send troops to North Korea."
Li Kedun said angrily: "Does that mean you want to surrender to the Ming Dynasty?"
Cheng Xiyan said: "The Ming Dynasty is the suzerain country. Since Lai Guogong did not personally lead his troops into North Korea, it means that there is still room for negotiation. Do you think we have the ability to hinder Lai Guogong's troops? Do you want to Are you at odds with Ming Dynasty?"
A group of ministers stood in two groups.
One side advocates peace talks, and the other side advocates toughness.
From the perspective of the Shilin faction, they are more willing to get closer to the Ming Dynasty and exchange for peace between the two parties after peace talks.
On the other hand, the Xunchen side was a tough side. It was not that they really felt that they had the strength to fight the Ming Dynasty head-on, but that they felt that the Ming Dynasty would not have the energy to invade and govern North Korea. It was also because they understood Li's thoughts better. I just want to speak in line with Li's thoughts.
This is called catering to one's will.
…
…
There was no result in the court meeting.
Li Zai then took matters into his own hands and called Li Kedun and Cheng Jun to the inner hall alone.
"You are all people whom I trust. Now there are signs of Pu Yuanzong committing rebellion. There is no need to worry about this person, but there is Tang Yin, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty, beside him. You should have met him before. Now I want to send Someone went to give gifts to Zhang Zhou who was guarding Liaodong, asking him not to send troops to Korea, and asked him to recall Tang Yin to the Ming Dynasty, and to send people to capture the traitor Pu Yuanzong."
Li is a two-pronged approach.
Cheng Jun said: "But Pu Yuanzong's five thousand soldiers and horses are meritorious soldiers who have experienced the battle of Duobi City. I'm afraid it will be difficult to take them."
Li's temper seemed uncertain, and he said angrily: "Are you going to disobey me?"
"I don't dare." Cheng Jun quickly turned back and looked at Li Kedun.
Li Kedun said: "The Jiedushi of Huanghaidao has 20,000 soldiers and horses, plus the temporarily recruited troops, he can set up an ambush to defeat him before he enters Gyeonggi Province."
Li Dao: "Defeat is not a problem. Now it is more effective to prevent the Ming Dynasty from losing troops and horses, or to directly capture the rebels. Send envoys to capture this person. As for the Ming Dynasty envoys, they can let them come to Hanyang City. No. Is it just a question? After you finish asking, send him away and pretend you didn’t see him!"
No matter how stubborn Li was, he knew he couldn't compete with Ming.
The central idea of his proposal was to bribe Zhang Zhou and Tang Yin to soften their attitude towards North Korea, and at the same time send people to capture Pu Yuanzong to prevent a head-on confrontation with Pu Yuanzong's troops.
It's not that Li is afraid of failure, but that Li is afraid that Li will affect the 300 men and horses led by Tang Yin... Although these 300 men and horses are not many, if there are losses and disputes with Ming Dynasty are caused, Zhang Zhou's army will probably kill him. coming.
…
…
Li Kedun took the lead and sent people to Liaodong to bribe Zhang Zhou in order to get Zhang Zhou to return Li Kejun to North Korea as soon as possible.
As for Cheng Jun, he was responsible for capturing Pu Yuanzong.
At this time, it is within the Yellow Sea Road.
Tang Yin and Pu Yuanzong brought 5,000 troops and horses... The Ming Dynasty had 300 troops, and North Korea still had about 4,700 troops... The march was already very unsatisfactory.
The local generals and officials of Hwanghae Province caused a lot of trouble for this group of people heading south. Except for the fact that there was no misfire between the two sides, the situation was almost the same as during wartime.
At this time, Cheng Jun arrived at the coalition camp in person.
The person he came to see was not Park Yuanzong, but Tang Yin. He came to make amends to the Ming Dynasty envoy in accordance with the request of the North Korean leader Li.
Tang Yin met Cheng Jun.
Cheng Jun said: "Envoy of the Tang Dynasty, we had a pleasant relationship with each other before. This time North Korea also sent troops to deal with the Jurchens. Even though the number of troops was insufficient, they were sincere. Why should we get Ming's support for the rebellion? Now I am following the order of my lord. , come and capture the traitor Pu Yuanzong, and go with you to Hanyang City. Our lord will receive you as a distinguished guest. My lord also promised not to embarrass the traitor Pu Yuanzong afterwards and hand him over to the Ming Dynasty, and his family members can also move out. , or stay in North Korea, and will never do any harm."
Li probably knew that Pu Yuanzong was now a "loyal minister" of the Ming Dynasty.
If Park Yuanzong is killed, it will definitely annoy the Ming Dynasty, so in name they are here to arrest the rebels, but in fact they are just showing off to the people in North Korea. Afterwards, they will still handle it lightly and release Park Yuanzong to the Ming Dynasty, and even Even Pu Yuanzong's family members will not be embarrassed.
Tang Yin shook his head and said, "I have no right to decide this matter."
"Our lord has sent people to ask Duke Lai for instructions. It is better for the Tang envoys to station troops and wait. If the soldiers and horses enter Gyeonggi Road, it will be equivalent to the Ming Dynasty's coordinated rebellion. We, North Korea, will send 100,000 soldiers and horses to stop them, and then there will be no recovery. "
Cheng Jun showed kindness and power at the same time.
Tang Yin frowned when he heard this.
A hundred thousand troops? Are you scaring ghosts? I asked you to go out to fight against the Jurchens, but you haven't even gathered five thousand people yet.
To fight the domestic rebels, you can improvise a hundred thousand troops? That Zhang Bingkuan wants me to question you, and even change your ruler, is a reasonable thing.
Tang Yin said: "This is impossible. But I can advance slowly first, walking thirty miles every day. After Lai Guogong's intention is conveyed, I will decide the next step."
"Okay." Cheng Jun breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, Ming’s attitude seems not to be so tough.
But when he thought about it, Ming Dynasty would not expect these less than 5,000 soldiers and horses to kill Li, change the country's leader, or overthrow the North Korean monarchy, right?
If not, then everything can still be negotiated.
Now it's nothing more than pulling and negotiating terms.
…
…
You Sungjun was in the army and marched strictly thirty miles every day, and the subsequent journey to Gyeonggi Province went much more smoothly.
Four days later, Zhang Zhou's message arrived.
After Tang Yin read Zhang Zhou's letter, he immediately called Pu Yuanzong to his camp.
"Shangchao, are you giving up on your previous plan? I heard that the verdict agreed to let me and my family go..."
Park Yuanzong also lacked confidence in being a rebel.
Tang Yin said: "This is a letter from Duke Lai Guo. Please read it."
After Pu Yuanzong read it, he was shocked.
"Gong Lai Guo wants to escort you to Hanyang City, but you must be escorted by a thousand soldiers and horses, plus 300 people from the Ming Dynasty. With this, you can launch a mutiny directly after arriving at Hanyang City." Tang Yin summarized the letter. Content.
"this……"
Park Yuanzong simply felt that his perception had been subverted.
He thought it was impossible to achieve anything big with five thousand men and horses, but now he was only given one thousand men and horses? Even if we add Ming's three hundred troops, what can we do?
Tang Yin sighed: "Speaking of which, these five thousand soldiers and horses still make North Korea feel threatened. If they only bring a thousand people, they will let you enter the city with confidence. Don't worry, I will tell your envoys, We will complete the escorting, and when we get to Hanyang City, you will have to contact the people on the list, and I will assist you."
"Is it possible?" Pu Yuanzong asked.
Tang Yin said: "After all, I will protect you. After everything is done, you will be the hero of your new king. One person is inferior to ten thousand people. Don't you have the courage?"
Pu Yuanzong gritted his teeth and said: "It all depends on the support of the superiors. I would rather be below two people than above ten thousand people."
Tang Yin shook his head: "Don't go into detail with these people. After all, you have to obey orders."
…
…
Tang Yin met Cheng Jun again and roughly conveyed Tang Yin's meaning.
"If a thousand people are used to escort the rebels to Hanyang City, I think our leader will agree." Cheng Jun felt relieved after hearing this.
There are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 North Korean defenders in Hanyang City, and 5,000 North Korean soldiers and horses do pose a certain threat.
But if only 1,300 people were sent there, even Cheng Jun would feel that the Ming Dynasty had no intention of changing dynasties in North Korea, and Park Yuanzong alone could not achieve great things.
"but……"
Cheng Jun hesitated again.
Tang Yin said: "Are you worried about our Ming Dynasty's firearms? Duke Lai Guo wants to leave most of the firearms in Huanghai Road. We also leave a hundred soldiers to guard them. You are not allowed to touch them. You are not allowed to imitate them."
"This is natural." When Cheng Jun heard this, Daming also took the initiative to reduce the number of people by 100, which meant that only 1,200 people were left.
In this way, even if the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty can match one to a hundred, it will not be a big deal.
"I'm going to write a letter to Hanyang City right now. Let's not delay our trip." Cheng Jun felt that he had done a good job and had solved Li's biggest concern, which was the issue of the legitimacy of the ruling. He could be a hero again when he returned. .
…
…
"Is this person sick?"
Xu Jing looked at Cheng Jun's back and said to Tang Yin, "Didn't Master Zhang say that if another disaster occurs, this person will be the first to be eradicated? Why is he not prepared for it?"
What Zhang Zhou mentioned was that in the future Jiazishi's disaster, Cheng Jun also became the victim of the sword.
Tang Yin sighed: "The leader of North Korea is ruthless. Before his butcher knife fell on these people, everyone felt that the knife was not long enough and could not fall on them."
Then he turned his attention to Park Yuanzong on the side.
Park Yuanzong looked very nervous.
Tang Yin said: "Don't worry, once you enter Hanyang City, it will be your territory, with the support of the Ming Dynasty. It is not difficult for you to overthrow a foolish king, right?"
"ah?"
Pu Yuanzong and Xu Jing were both in a daze.
In your eyes, Tang Yin, is it so easy to kill a king?
Or do you deliberately make things simpler to comfort us and make us feel confident that we have a winning chance?
Of course Tang Yin was trying to boost military morale.
But Tang Yin felt that it would be easier to save his life by bringing 1,200 people into Hanyang City than taking 5,000 people.
Even if Pu Yuanzong failed to commit rebellion, he could still say that the Ming Dynasty had no intention of changing anything. Otherwise, why not bring the other four thousand soldiers and horses?
Tang Yin is also a person who knows how to make small calculations.
(End of chapter)
