A good diplomat must be as cunning as a fox, as agile as a cheetah, and as changeable as a butterfly.
He jumps among the enemies and is good at dancing on the tip of the knife. Be proficient in everything and change as you go.
Lu Guangzhai and others began to embark on this road.
The half-year-long training was a hellish torture they had to go through. Once they get through, they will surely become legends in the history of diplomacy.
In October, the Qing army that went south to invade Daming Dynasty finally returned to Shengjing.
Huang Taiji personally went ten miles out of the city to greet him as a solemn sign.
This time when they invaded, the Qing army fought brilliantly, and their gains were extremely rich.
The country, which was originally turbulent due to the disaster, immediately stabilized.
Huang Taiji, who was confident, finally began to set his sights on North Korea.
He sent envoys to various Mongolian tribes and invited their leaders to come to Shengjing for an alliance. At the same time, he surveyed the Mongolian population, compiled cattle records, and recruited troops from foreign Mongolian vassals.
Following the Qing army's invasion, various Mongolian tribes also grabbed a lot of money. Therefore, facing Huang Taiji's invitation, all the ministries came happily.
At this time, within North Korea, after Cui Mingji's repeated persuasion, Li Zhuo relaxed his attitude and knew that he could not go head-on with the Manchus.
North Korean envoy Park In-beom brought the official document to Huang Taiji.
"Why don't you kneel down?"
Seeing Pu Infan standing and saluting, all the civil and military officials in the Qing Dynasty were furious.
Even though he was being stared at, Park In-beom still tried to stay calm.
"We are two countries of brothers, and we should abide by the righteousness of brothers. As the ministers of brothers, I should treat each other with courtesy."
With that said, he took out his credentials and wanted to hand it to Huang Taiji.
Huang Taiji didn't answer at all.
Since North Korea is unwilling to surrender, what else is there to say?
He asked Sony to throw North Korea's credentials on the ground and directly issued a declaration of war.
"We, the Qing Dynasty, have now become the common rulers of the world. North Korea does not know the inferiority of dignity and is arrogant and self-destructive. Go back and tell the leader of your country that if you cannot send princes and ministers to come before November 25, After making an agreement, I will come to Hanyang in person to show my conquest."
Park In-beom was stunned, and a cold air rushed from the soles of his feet to his forehead.
He knew that Huang Taiji's patience had finally come to an end and he no longer wanted to argue with North Korea.
There are only two options left for North Korea.
Surrender or perish.
Park In-beom was frightened and did not dare to stay. He ran back to Hanyang at night and reported Huang Taiji's attitude to Li Jie.
Knowing that the Qing Dynasty was about to attack, the whole country was shaken.
At this point, they are still divided into two factions.
Kim Sang Heon Kang is passionate and his ambition remains unchanged.
"We, the founder of the Eight Paths of Korea, respected Ming as our master. This is the way to prosper the country. How can it be changed by the barbarians? How can we be human when we kneel down in front of wild beasts? If people will not be human, what will be the use of the country's survival? Your Highness, Please also order the mobilization of troops and horses to defend North Korea."
This time Cui Mingji couldn't bear it anymore.
He crawled out on his hands and knees and shouted loudly: "Your Highness, North Korea is a small and weak country. There are no generals who are good at fighting, and there are no brave soldiers below. The treasury is empty, and the food and grass are cut off. The people are struggling to survive and cannot get it, so how can we listen to it? The king ordered us to fight against a powerful enemy? If we want to continue our Korean state, we should act cautiously."
Hong Yihan roared his filial piety: "At present, there is a great enemy, but there is still Xiao Xiao who deceives people's hearts. Please kill Cui Mingji to strengthen the people's morale."
"That's enough! Stop arguing!"
Li Zhu is old, lacks energy, and has long lost his ambition. What he longs for most is a stable life.
The rebukes and factions shouted for beatings and killings, which made him very irritated.
He was very dissatisfied with these ministers.
The country is gone, but people like them can still live a comfortable life. But as a king, how could he still survive?
The heavens and the earth are not as important as your own authority and life.
"Where is Pu Lanying?"
A general ran out.
Looking at this person, Li Zhu's eyes were full of hope.
"You have lived with the Jurchens for many years and have brokered contracts. Now the country's security hangs on a thread. I hope you will go to Liaodong as an envoy and eliminate the chaos no matter what."
This Pu Lanying once followed Jiang Hongli to participate in the Battle of Saerhu, and then followed Jiang Hongli to surrender to Houjin.
This person also married Tong Qigong's daughter and had a deep relationship with the Manchus.
During the Battle of Dingmao, he went out with the Qing army. Through his efforts, North Korea and Hou Jin finally reached an agreement and quelled the war.
Moreover, over the years, he has served as an envoy between North Korea and Houjin many times, and he can be regarded as an authoritative figure in the relations between the two parties.
Now on the verge of war, Li Zhu, who was greedy for life and fearful of death, thought of him again. Hopefully he can turn the situation around and keep the peace.
"Five Dynasties Rivers, Mountains and Winds"
Although Pu Lanying had a premonition that the trip would be difficult, she did not postpone it and quickly embarked on the journey to Liaodong.
Unfortunately, by this time, everything was too late.
On November 19, Huang Taiji summoned all ministers to Dugong Hall. Even Yue Tuo showed up sick and read out the imperial edict to send troops on his behalf.
"North Korea is rebellious and unethical, so it should be conquered to promote Wang De. Each cow recorded fifteen cavalry, ten infantry, and thirty-two sets of armor. The Han army led by the stone pillars of Zhangjing in Angbang had fifty arrows per soldier. Twelve people in A are equipped with a spear. Two oxen are equipped with a ladder and a pair of playing cards. The remaining equipment, horses, and half a month of food and grass must not be missing. We must gather at midnight on the 29th without delay."
All the ministers of His Highness fell down one after another, shouting "Long live the mountain" and received the general's order.
November 25th, winter solstice.
Huang Taiji offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and the Ancestral Temple, and read out the charges against Korea in public.
On the first day of December, various Mongolian tribes led their troops and horses to join. Suddenly, soldiers gathered inside and outside Shengjing, and the city was shaken by the sound of people neighing and horses roaring.
After gathering all the troops and horses needed for the expedition, Huang Taiji began to make arrangements.
He ordered Prince Zheng Jierhalang to stay in Shengjing to ensure the safety of the center; he also asked Azig to go out to Fuzhou Guard to monitor the Xia army's movements.
Then he ordered Sony to guard Panshan and monitor the Ming army in the Liaoxi Corridor.
After making arrangements for the hometown, the next step is the candidates for the expedition that everyone is eagerly looking forward to.
The Manchu Qing Dynasty established its country with military force, and its military achievements were the most abundant. Therefore, everyone is warlike and strives to be the first.
And in everyone's eyes, North Korea is extremely weak and can fight effortlessly. How can we not look forward to this good time to grab the glory?
Huang Taiji's eyes swept below and he quickly made up his mind.
"Mafuta, Rausa, you two will lead the 300 elite soldiers as the vanguard of the entire army."
The appointment comes as no surprise.
After all, Mafuta and Rausa had just served as envoys to North Korea and had some understanding of the situation in North Korea.
It was the next appointment that caught everyone's attention.
"Prince Su Hauge and Beizi Nikan, you two will lead a thousand elite soldiers as a guard. Follow the vanguard to ensure smooth passage of the army."
Everyone was stunned, having no idea that such an important position would fall on Hauge.
Even Hauge himself was a little flattered. Fan Ji coughed next to him before he came back to his senses. He quickly knelt down and accepted the order happily.
