Zhang Zhouyi probably knew what he was talking about.
Is there anyone in Jiangnan who wants to rebel? who? Zhu Chenhao who just won the throne? Or those vassal kings from various places who have lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time and do not know the cold winter in the north?
Lu Wan didn't make it too clear. Maybe Lu Wan also knew that if he said something too conclusively, then he, the whistleblower, might be connected with someone behind the scenes, and others would be more suspicious of him. .
Immediately, Zhang Zhou wrote to Tang Yin who was on his way to Shenyang, asking him to arrive in Shenyang as soon as possible. It seemed that he didn't pay any attention to Tang Yin's thoughts.
At this time, Tang Yin and his party were already short of people and horses, especially those Koreans who followed the new leader of North Korea, Li Yi. Many of them did not even have carriages and horses, so they had to walk this distance. Many people died after entering the Ming Dynasty. I can't keep up with the team.
In the afternoon of that day, the team had originally been ordered to camp, but they received a temporary notice and had to travel overnight.
On the North Korean side, some women and children were told to get in the car and drive to Daming.
"Auntie, what are they talking about?" a seven or eight-year-old girl asked Zhang Lushui, who had just communicated with Ming soldiers.
The little girl didn't quite understand Daming's language. She was also learning from Zhang Lushui along the way. Her childish face showed a bit of innocence, and she also had a bit of uncertainty about the future. She left her hometown at a young age. Although she had been told to bring her family along with her, she only had an adoptive father and mother by her side, and her adoptive parents were responsible for cooking for the North Korean retinue accompanying the team.
Zhang Lushui said: "We are going to travel at night so that we can reach Shenyang in the Ming Dynasty before sunset tomorrow. Can you say what I taught you?"
"Um."
The little girl tried and said again the Chinese that Zhang Lushui taught her: "The daughter of the people comes to see Mr. Lai Guogong, and wishes Mr. Lai a long life, a great minister, promotion of promotion, and all the best. I wish Lai a long life. Lord Duke’s family relationship and fullness...that...that..."
Zhang Lushui shook his head and said: "You still don't speak fluently enough. How can you make a high-ranking official of the Ming Dynasty favor you when you meet her like this?"
The little girl's eyes were shining with tears, and she seemed a little anxious about her poor performance. She asked: "But why do I want to get his favor?"
This question stupefied Zhang Lushui.
Judging from Zhang Lushui's background and experience, what she has been pursuing for half her life is how to attract men's attention and how to use her physical condition to obtain resources for survival.
She was first given to Tang Yin, and now she was ordered to follow the Ming envoys to the Ming Dynasty. She knew that the second half of her life would be no different from the first half.
Facing a little girl who was "dependent on each other" with her, she didn't know what to say.
"Jang Geum, I have a daughter, but she is not as old as you. She is still in North Korea and did not come with me." Zhang Lushui said, "I treat you as a daughter and a niece. You will have many things in the future. You have to learn from me, and you have to remember that I won’t harm you.”
"Yeah." The little girl nodded.
"Practice a few more times. Remember, you are the girl Lai Guogong found in North Korea. I don't know why he is looking for you. Even Lord Park Yuanzong doesn't know his intention. Since you are the one he chose, , we must do things according to the ideas of the Ming Dynasty people, they like to hear this kind of talk."
"Understood."
The two of them got into the carriage together.
There was a carriage prepared for them separately, and there was even a woman in her forties who was responsible for taking care of their daily life.
Among the North Korean envoys, the status of the two women will also be relatively high. They will be regarded as North Korea's "tributes". Protecting their stability along the way is what North Korea focuses on.
The carriage moved forward amidst the creaking sound, but not very fast, because it had rained a little, and the road was still a bit muddy. The team often had to stop, and no one knew where it got stuck and delayed.
"Auntie, I went to see my mother-in-law earlier and saw a carriage there. It was tightly closed inside. Only my mother-in-law was delivering food inside. I took a look and saw a woman in luxurious clothes inside. She was Who?" the little girl asked.
Zhang Lushui said: "Maybe it was a gift from an adult in North Korea to a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty."
The little girl said: "But I saw that Aniang was very respectful to her. She said she was of noble birth, and some people even knelt down to her. She is very young, many years younger than my aunt."
"Then I don't know." Zhang Lushui said, "She is different from us. We just mind our own business. Now learn the language of the Ming Dynasty from me, and you must learn it carefully. In the future, even if you just serve tea and water, You also need to learn basic language, otherwise you won’t be able to understand what the adults say, and you will be punished.”
"OK."
"Listen to me, tea, tables, chairs..."
…
…
When the team arrived in Shenyang, Zhang Zhou and Lu Wan led people out of the Acropolis to greet them in person.
Tang Yin and Xu Jing, accompanied by North Korea's nominal envoy, Jin Shoutingong, the judge of Cao Cao, came over to salute and greet Zhang Zhou.
"Where is the Lord of Jincheng?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.
Jin Shoutong was startled. He heard that as long as Zhang Zhou still called Li Yi the "Prince of Jincheng", it meant that Li Yi's position as the leader of the country had not been officially recognized by the Ming Dynasty. Now Li Yi was only regarded as the crown prince at most.
Xu Jing rushed to say: "It's really inappropriate to be in the four-horse carriage at the back. I'm sick on the road and it's hard to see the wind."
The golden birthday boy also quickly explained to their future king: "Forgive me, Duke Lai, but my Lord is still recovering from his illness."
"Haha." Zhang Zhouyi laughed.
Lu Wan said next to him: "Are you recuperating, or are you pretending to be ill? You have to meet sooner or later. Do you need to be so pushy when meeting Duke Lai?"
"This..." The golden birthday boy was very embarrassed.
It was clear that the person who came with him was the king of North Korea, but in front of a prince from the Ming Dynasty, the North Koreans seemed to have no face at all.
This depends on the strength of the military, and it is also related to the fact that the "Jingguo Incident" in North Korea was promoted by Tang Yin.
Originally, the envoys of the suzerain country were very powerful. If it were Duke Lai... then there would be no way to find fault.
Tang Yin said: "I've been diagnosed by others and it's because I'm sick."
Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded and said: "Bohu, your trip to North Korea this time can be regarded as a fight for the Ming Dynasty. I have already reported it to Your Majesty and will give you a promotion after returning."
"No need." Tang Yin really didn't want to get promoted this time.
Although he didn't say much, the subtext of these two words was, please, senior brother, please don't torment me again in the future.
I have to live and die in the past six months. If I can come back alive, I will burn incense. If being promoted to a higher position means that I will continue to be tortured by you in the future, then I would rather be a local official than risk my life. The danger continues to run amidst mountains of swords and seas of fire.
…
…
The group entered the city.
Many soldiers and civilians in the city came out to greet him, and even the merchants were beating gongs and drums.
Liaodong has never been taken seriously by the Ming Dynasty in the past. As the largest trading city in Liaodong in name, Shenyang was not the capital of Liaodong during the Ming Dynasty. From the perspective of the Chief Envoy, it was subordinate to Shandong, and it was only used as a military The region exists, and many civilians are hijacked by military households. It is normal to capture strong men during wars.
Now through Zhang Zhou, Liaodong seems to be showing signs of revitalization.
The residents of the city also had a sense of pride, especially when the North Korean leader came to the Ming Dynasty as a "prisoner".
After Li Yi checked into the post house, Zhang Zhou went to visit him in person. After all, his main purpose of staying in Shenyang was to accompany Li Yi to the capital. Zhang Zhoulai was nominally responsible for Li Yi's safety... If Li Yi really If something goes wrong, he is assassinated or dies on the way, Zhang Zhou has no big responsibility. At most, he can send someone back to inform North Korea and ask them to choose another country master.
"Your Majesty, Li Yi, has met Duke Lai Guo. Please forgive me for not being able to stay at the hotel to greet him." Li Yi lay on the bed, looking at the group of people who came in with an ashen look on his face. The leader was naturally Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you are too polite. There is no need to surrender before meeting Your Majesty. Does it mean that he hasn't taught Chinese well yet?"
Zhang Zhou said while looking at the golden birthday boy next to him.
Jin Shoutong said hurriedly: "My Lord, I am proficient in Chinese, but...it still needs to be improved."
This shows that Li Yi was not valued by the royal family in the past. In other words, after he lost his father when he was young, his elder brother Yanshan Jun did not tighten his education in order to prevent him from usurping power in the future. Instead, he imposed various restrictions.
"Then teach them well along the way. In the future, as the leader of a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, you must also pay attention to using the Ming etiquette to govern the country." Zhang Zhou gave guidance with a smile.
"minister……"
When Jin Shoutong heard that Li Yi was making a mistake in addressing him again, he quickly went up to give him some advice.
Li Yi then changed his words and said: "The students have been taught."
As the leader of North Korea, he claimed to be a student in front of the officials of the Ming Dynasty. To the generals of the Ming Dynasty, it seemed that the leader of North Korea was devaluing himself.
But in fact, Zhang Zhou knew that the so-called title did not mean anything. The most important thing was not to rely on respect from others, but to rely on fear in the heart.
…
…
Zhang Zhou brought a doctor with him, but Zhang Zhou himself could also be a doctor.
After diagnosing Li Yi, it was just ordinary wind and cold. The so-called not being able to see the wind was more of an excuse for Li Yi to avoid seeing him.
You can't see the wind if you get cold... This reason is reasonable.
"He was tired from the journey and some psychological things, which made him feel a little wronged. I don't know what caused it."
Zhang Zhou came out and met Cheng Xiyan, who was introduced by Jin Shoutong.
Cheng Xiyan did not serve as an envoy this time, but as Li Yi's personal bodyguard. Cheng Xiyan did not represent North Korea, but more Park Yuanzong. Some private matters were not handled by Jin Shoutong, or in other words, Jin Shoutong was not responsible for it. As a "hero of the Jingguo", his right to speak appears to be very low.
Cheng Xiyan said: "Maybe it's because of the princess."
Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "I heard that the Yuan Concubine of the Jincheng Lord, a daughter of the Shen family, was forced to make peace with her, and she got the consent of Concubine Cishun, right?"
Cheng Xiyan replied: "Based on precedent, although the Great Lord Yuan Fei's family has fallen short of virtue, Yuan Fei is not at fault, and it is not a reasonable reason to give up."
Tang Yin said: "As the Prime Minister of the Left, you can't say this nonsense."
"Yes." Cheng Xiyan quickly lowered his head.
Cheng Xiyan is now the minister of "Left Affairs". Although this official position is only temporary, it also shows that Pu Yuanzong intends to take good care of Cheng Xiyan in the future.
Tang Yin came over and whispered: "Shen's daughter is also in the team. But the Lord of Jincheng doesn't know."
"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, and then said loudly, "Although the Lord of Jincheng is not feeling well, when it comes to his succession, it is also for the sake of the stability of North Korea, so there can be no delay. He will leave for the capital before noon tomorrow. Let’s go. Is it okay?”
The golden birthday boy asked: "Can you delay it for a day or two so that the Lord can rest?"
"We can't wait any longer." Tang Yin talked more now, and he seemed very tough in front of the Koreans. "This is His Majesty's order, there can be no delay."
The golden birthday boy looked at Cheng Xiyan. Even Cheng Xiyan didn't object, so he could only lower his head and approve this plan.
…
…
That night, Zhang Zhou held a banquet in the tent of the military camp where he lived, and invited Tang Yin and Xu Jing to a banquet.
At the wine table, Xu Jing kept coming over to toast Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "You two, it's been a hard trip."
"It's not hard work." Xu Jing said with a smile, "Master Zhang, it's more hard work for you. You traveled thousands of miles to Liaodong. Now the seas and rivers in Liaodong are really clear, and people everywhere are praising your achievements."
Tang Yin glanced at Xu Jing and frowned.
If you are asked to curry favor with Zhang Zhou and have a better future, you don’t have to be so groveling, right?
Can't you learn from me?
Zhang Zhou said: "Just don't blame me. There are some things I didn't expect, such as North Korea only sending five thousand soldiers and horses, and what you encountered in Duobi City. Although I have never sent reinforcements, I have said hello to Bo'an. , once the Jurchens make any changes to the multi-walled city, he will launch a full-scale attack to rescue them. In the end, it was useless."
Tang Yinxin said, I believe you are a big-headed ghost.
We were trapped in the multi-walled city for several months without seeing any reinforcements. In the end, you personally took people to deliver some food and weapons, and then asked us to go to North Korea to rebel. You said you weren't trying to trick us?
Zhang Zhou seemed unaware of Tang Yin's psychological activities and sighed: "But because of this, it can be regarded as stimulating the potential in your heart, Bohu. Do you think how well you performed this time? I might as well tell you that I have brought Your Majesty, if you can, please follow me back to the capital, and when you come back... you will be the governor of Liaodong."
"What?"
Tang Yin stood up as soon as he heard this.
He looked very excited.
Zhang Zhou said: "Don't be too excited, this is all part of being a senior brother."
Xu Jing next to me is so envious.
How many people dream of being able to get the position of governor by following Zhang Zhou? If you want Wang Shouren to be the governor, you have to rely on his meritorious service in the Battle of Weininghai, but Tang Yin just went to North Korea... to help the Koreans create a rebellion, and he had almost no merit in the Ming Dynasty.
Tang Yin hurriedly defended: "I was born in the south of the Yangtze River and am not used to the weather in the north."
"Snapped!"
Zhang Zhouyi slapped the table and looked surprised and said, "You won't believe it even if I tell you. I think so too, so I plan to let you go to Zhejiang to be the governor and train the navy. You see, don't we, brothers and sisters, think Did you go together?"
"..."
Tang Yin was speechless for a moment.
He seemed to understand that what Zhang Zhou just said about making him the governor of Liaodong was to dig holes for him.
Just wait for him to say that he is not used to the weather in the north, and then use the slope to tell you that there is a "hard" job waiting for you in the south of the Yangtze River.
Xu Jing saw Tang Yin's reaction and asked tentatively: "Jiangnan...is it too far?"
"Oops." Zhang Zhou seemed to be thinking, "Actually, we have to build ships and train naval forces, and we don't necessarily have to go to Zhejiang. How about this? I'll set up a good job for you at Tanggukou on the Bohai Sea. Please give you the status of governor. , let you build ships and train the naval force there, and observe the situation in the south of the Yangtze River at any time, what do you think?"
Tang Yin swallowed and asked, "Is there any other choice?"
Zhang Zhou shook his head: "It's best to have no other choice."
Xu Jing said with a smile: "It's better to be in the Bohai Sea, it's close, and you have the care of Duke Lai. Come on, Bohu, I'll toast you too."
Tang Yin suddenly felt that he was going to be stuck in a quagmire again, but this time it didn't seem that complicated.
Just doing something to help, it doesn't seem to be life-threatening.
This time Zhang Zhou picked up the jug and poured wine for Tang Yin himself. By the time Tang Yin reacted and wanted to stop him, Zhang Zhou had already filled the glass of wine: "Bohu, I know you yearn for comfort, but as an official, where can you go?" How can you do nothing? If you do nothing, you won’t be able to leave your name forever.”
Tang Yin wants to say that my goal in life is not to leave a name forever.
Zhang Zhou said: "Although your future errands are quite hard to think about, but after experiencing the two battles between Duobi City and Hanyang City, it is nothing to think about again? After experiencing big events, your mentality must be more mature. , I will rely on you from now on, so you have to give me face."
Tang Yin picked up the wine glass. This was Zhang Zhou's wine. He had to drink it if he didn't want to.
Otherwise, it will really become a penalty for not eating the toast.
…
…
Late at night.
Zhang Zhou just ended the banquet and sent Tang Yin and Xu Jing away. After drinking a lot of wine, Zhang Zhou continued to write his memorial to Zhu Youtang as if nothing had happened.
In fact, he had not planned the transfer of Tang Yin in advance, and only decided it after discussing it with Tang Yin.
Zhang Zhou has another big goal next...
"Setting sail, even if I can't send troops overseas, at least let me understand the situation in the New World. Ming Dynasty's maritime trade still needs me to protect it. We can't derail the world."
Zhang Zhouzheng is thinking about his grand plans for the future.
Liu Gui's voice came from the door: "Master, I'm back."
"Come in, come in."
Zhang Zhou put down his pen and went to the door to meet Liu Gui in person.
Liu Gui appeared in front of Zhang Zhou with a smile on his face. When he saw Zhang Zhou, it was like meeting a relative, with tears in his eyes.
Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "It's not easy. I have experienced a lot this time and grown a lot. I will reward you well when I go back. At least you are a member of the Imperial Guard and Deputy Qianhu. You can go in and hang out in the East Factory."
"It's okay, I just want to stay with the master." Liu Guidao.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "It's not a problem to follow me all the time. If you want to join the army, I will try to help you find a general or something like that. But you don't have a martial arts scholar, so it's a bit difficult. Why not take the military examination?"
"Youngster, I don't have that ability." Liu Gui then cried sadly.
"Then I won't take the exam. I'll continue to be a royal guard. It's better to have a say in the capital from now on than to go out and fight." Zhang Zhou smiled and patted Liu Gui on the shoulder.
Liu Guidao: "Master, I have brought you all the people, and they are all good at singing. The younger one is planning to plunder a few more Korean girls for you, but Mr. Tang will not allow it."
Zhang Zhoubai glanced at him and said: "The lives of Koreans are also lives. Do you really think of yourself as a thief? Have a good rest tonight. When you return to the capital, I will reward you based on your merits!"
(End of chapter)
