"The former Ming Dynasty was so unruly that the heaven abandoned the earth and the people abandoned their hearts. We, the Qing Dynasty, replaced it. As the saying goes, we inherit the virtues of heaven, the popularity of the people, and comply with the destiny of heaven. As a vassal state, Korea should understand the will of heaven, make sacrifices, and serve the whole nation. It is the way of a minister. Now I, the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, have a special decree to present to Korea five hundred maids, three hundred eunuchs, one thousand slaves, one hundred catties of gold, one thousand catties of silver, ten thousand catties of copper, and one hundred pieces of fine wood. Ten thousand pieces of fine silk, no difference. I admire this!"
The Manchu envoy came to Pyongyang and read out the imperial edict arrogantly.
Taking advantage of the opportunity of Dashun's destruction of the Ming Dynasty, the Manchu Qing broke through and occupied the capital.
With Emperor Shunzhi and Empress Xiaozhuang stationed in the Forbidden City, the Manchu Qing Dynasty began to regard itself as the master of the world.
National affairs are constantly changing, and what is needed most is all kinds of high-quality resources and the display of the majesty of a great country.
As a vassal state of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, North Korea became the first target of oppression.
Li Zhu and the ministers knelt on the ground, listening to the content of the imperial edict, and they all felt boundless pressure.
Although the Manchu Qing Dynasty had been stripping away wealth from North Korea over the years, this time the demands were even more severe, almost to the point of peeling off the skin and extracting the marrow.
However, no one in North Korea dared to refuse since Li Zhu.
Of course they knew that they couldn't refuse.
In the past, the Manchus and Qing Dynasties were extremely domineering, but now that they have occupied China and their momentum is unparalleled, they are even more unreasonable.
Seeing that the situation in China and Turkey has undergone earth-shaking changes, North Korea will not have any chance to make a comeback. Li Zhu and others can only accept the facts helplessly.
However, if such plunder falls on the North Korean people, it will be a disaster.
"Father, the country has reached its limit. If it continues like this, it will inevitably be abandoned by the people. Although the majesty of the superior country cannot be provoked, we must let the superior country understand the significance of North Korea as a country. Please also ask, father. I must make it clear to the country that we must not make it impossible for the people to live any longer."
Li Hao knelt down in front of his father and cried blood. His grief was uncontrollable.
Over the past few days, he has been traveling around Pyongyang, and what he has seen fills him with despair for this country.
In order to implement the Qing Dynasty's demands, North Korean officials spared no effort.
For the people, it is of course a huge disaster. But for the officials in the middle, is it not an opportunity to take action?
The Qing Dynasty squeezed North Korea ten percent, and exploited the people twenty percent.
In the face of such man-made disasters, countless people went bankrupt one after another, and countless people lost their families and died.
Those who had relatives at home cried bitterly on the road, and then simply hung themselves in front of their homes, completing their last grievances about this miserable world.
Many people even fled and hid in the mountains.
Even if they eat weeds to satisfy their hunger, or even starve to death, they don't want to become cattle and sheep whose life is worse than death.
Seeing the country's decline with his own eyes, Li Hao could no longer bear it. He stood up bravely, hoping that Li Zhu could muster the courage to do something for the country.
"Asshole! As a son of man, do you want to force me to death?"
Who would have thought that Li Shu would get so angry that he picked up the inkstone next to him and smashed it hard.
Li Hao didn't react in time. His head was covered with blood and his consciousness was unclear when he was hit.
Wang Meicheng and others were really frightened and rushed forward to help him retreat for treatment.
The wounds on the body hurt, but the wounds on the heart hurt even more.
"Mr. Wang, is this the end of the country?"
Wang Meicheng looked at the sad, angry and haggard Li Hao and sighed sincerely.
"Unless something changes, North Korea's future will be hell."
Li Hao coughed excitedly.
"Gentlemen, if I want to change my mind, would you like to help me?"
Wang Meicheng and others did not answer, but nodded heavily, which meant everything.
After a while, although the whole country became more turbulent, the situation in the DPRK calmed down.
Li Hao's injury was almost healed and he started moving around again.
The country is in this state, and there are many dissatisfied people in the country.
Li Hao continued to connect according to the list given by Wang Meicheng and others, and soon received the support of many people.
As more and more people gathered around him, Li Hao became more and more confident.
Finally, on a seemingly ordinary midnight, Li Hao started.
He led his followers to gather, and the mighty team rushed to the palace.
The great change was imminent, and it quickly turned into chaos.
But when he actually took action, Li Hao suddenly discovered that Li Zhu had already prepared a response.
"Hmph, you are such a beast. You actually want to kill your king and your father. You are a son of man in vain. If you are not punished today, it will be difficult to eliminate the hatred in my heart."
Li Zhu appeared on the top of the city.
At his feet, the city gate opened, and countless Korean troops swarmed out.
There were originally a lot of people around Li Hao, but as he continued to fight, they gradually became exhausted.
"Your Majesty, the situation is beyond control and we should retreat as soon as possible."
Wang Meicheng responded quickly, knowing that the plan had failed, and quickly suggested that Li Hao withdraw.
Li Hao's eyes were red, looking at his father on the tower, filled with endless regret.
"Sir, try again. Otherwise, what will happen to the country?"
Wang Meicheng held him tightly.
"If you keep the green hills, you won't have to worry about running out of firewood. After this incident, the people of the country will regard the Maharaja as their savior. In time, more people will gather around the Maharaja, and victory will belong to us sooner or later."
One word awakens the dreamer.
Li Hao no longer persisted, but followed Wang Meicheng to break out of Pyongyang.
This was another bloody battle, and more people died.
Just when he was about to rush out of the city gate, a sharp arrow was shot from nowhere.
Li Hao was fighting bravely and didn't notice at all, but was hit in the back by the arrow.
He groaned in pain and fell forward.
Wang Meicheng and others were startled, surrounded him quickly, and rushed out of the city desperately.
They went all the way east and into the mountains. It took two full days to get rid of the pursuers.
But there were less than five hundred people left around him.
The most troublesome thing is that Li Hao's injuries are getting more and more serious and have reached the point of death.
There is a lack of medical treatment and medicine in the deep mountains and old forests, and there is no way to save him even if he wants to.
Feeling that his life was coming to an end, Li Hao felt a sense of relief.
The only thing that worries him is the country.
"Sir, you must conceal the news of my death. Please use my name to make the people wake up. We cannot... continue like this."
Wang Meicheng had tears in her eyes and could only nod her head in agreement.
Li Hao became less concerned and finally gave instructions: "Find a way to tell my brother that he must protect himself and not be impulsive like me. When he becomes the king in the future, maybe the people will have a good life."
After saying these words, Li Hao slowly closed his eyes, ending his short but kind life.
But because of this incident, the situation in North Korea has become irreversible.
