Chapter 107 The Western King’s Decision
King Xi was dressed in loose clothes similar to those of Indians, and was inlaid with gold, silver, and various jewelry. When he saw King Wulu, he knelt down and saluted without mentioning it.
King Wulu stepped on the smooth floor with his bare feet. Without letting King Xi get up, he said, "How did you do with the tasks I gave you?"
The King of the West has gathered his army, but has not yet set off. The reason is also very simple. Victory, for the King of the West, does not bring much benefit, but rather risks. Because if the power of the Western King is all abroad, then Java will be empty inside. If King Wulu and King Dong had any ideas, he would not have time to react.
That way, no matter how much he gets out there. None of it is worth what he lost.
Not to mention defeat. It's the same result.
So the King of the West delayed for a while. He also wanted to use diplomatic means to ease the crisis. He even sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty many times.
As a result, there was no news.
He Xi didn't even know about this. All were dealt with by Lu Zhongheng.
However, even if He Xi knew it, he wouldn't say anything. There is no turning back when the bow is drawn. Now that we have reached this time, Ming Dynasty and Java always have a fight. Before that, there was nothing to talk about. After all, Java will never give what Ming wants.
The arrival of envoys in Nanjing only increased troubles and uncertainties.
After all, Ming Dynasty is not a barbarian, it must be reasonable. Moreover, a large number of people in the DPRK actually do not want to use troops in Nanyang. The Javanese people surrendered. Maybe they would be willing to accept it. It's just a pity that some things start with blood and don't end with blood. The lost prestige cannot be regained.
King Xi said: "It's being done."
King Wulu's voice suddenly rose and he said sharply: "It's being done. Mingren has come to the door. Now you say it's being done. What are you doing?"
King Xi was about to say something. Was interrupted by King Wulu. Said: "Within a month, I will hear about Akito's disastrous defeat in Nanyang. Mansashiga must be punished. Just do it."
King Xi looked up at Wulu, and the two pairs of eyes met.
King Xi immediately lowered his head, knowing that King Wulu had made up his mind.
even though. The King of the West and the King of the East have a tendency to lose their tails. But after King Wulu ascended the throne for decades, he was the king of Java, the only king. This fact will not change as long as he is alive.
The King of the West did not dare to face the power of King Wulu. He could only lower his head and say, "Yes."
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King Xi returned to his mansion. Lost in thought.
Suddenly the King of the West said: "Invite the envoy from Jiugang."
After Chen Zuyi eliminated Liang Daoming's forces in Jiugang, he did not sit still and wait for death. But actively seeking survival. After the Battle of Old Port, although Chen Zuyi won, this victory was nothing more than a tragic victory.
Chen Zuyi and Liang Daoming have been at loggerheads for many years. It's not that they don't want to annex each other, but that they don't have enough strength. They both feel that they can annex each other, regardless of the outcome, even if they win. He also suffered heavy losses.
This maintains the dual-power structure unchanged.
The current situation also shows that the original thoughts of both parties were not wrong. In a big battle, the main force of the Liang family was wiped out. But the core strength of the Chen family also suffered heavy losses. There were dozens or hundreds of Chen family members who died in the battle. Those are the core of the core that Chen Zuyi relied on to maintain his rule in Old Hong Kong.
Of course, compared to what you get. There is still money to be made. Give Chen Zuyi some time, three years, no, just one year will do. It only takes one year to rectify. Chen Zuyi’s power can not only restore the old outlook. And it must exceed the time of its heyday.
However, Chen Zuyi ran out of time.
At this time, Chen Zuyi thought of countless ways, but there was only one option in front of him, which was to surrender to Java. Become a vassal of Java. And the old port became the territory of Java.
So Chen Zuyi sent envoys to Java. The person in charge of this war is the King of the West. Chen Zuyi's envoy arrived at the King of the West himself.
Speaking of which, it's a bit ironic. The largest Han power in Southeast Asia fell to Java. The original vassals of Java surrendered to the Ming Dynasty in all aspects. They seem to be misaligned with each other.
But reality is sometimes so absurd.
The person who came was considered someone He Xi was familiar with. It was Chen Zuxiao.
Chen Zuxiao had already met the King of the West twice. The King of the West also understood the Chen family’s requirements very well. His previous hesitation was whether to go to war with Ming Dynasty. Make a last-ditch diplomatic effort. Now that everything is inevitable. What the King of the West was hesitating about was how to fight the Ming Dynasty.
To be honest, he was confident of defeating Daming. Java holds the ground after all. Northerners may not be familiar with the climate of Nanyang.
But the enemies outside are easy to deal with. Internal enemies are difficult to deal with.
The King of the West said: "You don't need to talk. I will make a few conditions. If you agree, Majapahit will protect the old port. If you don't agree, then there is no need to talk."
Chen Zuxiao said, "Your Majesty, please speak."
The King of the West said: "First, starting from today, the thirty ships of treasures and goods that I pay tribute to me every year must be the goods of the Ming Dynasty."
The corners of Chen Zuxiao's mouth twitched slightly. This condition was like a lion's mouth.
First of all, when the goods of the Ming Dynasty arrived in Nanyang, the price doubled would not be much. Secondly, if it were before, thirty ships would be okay. After all, the Chen family had trade with the Ming Dynasty. But not anymore. No more. If something like this happened, where could the Chen family get Daming's goods?
Of course, it's not impossible. But that would require several changes of hands. After all, the relationship between the black and white families of the Chen family for so many years will not be severed all at once.
However, the price is different.
However, Chen Zuxiao remembered Chen Zuyi's words and agreed no matter what the conditions were. Because whether the Chen family can pass this test depends on the situation in Java. Let’s get through the hard times first. Obviously Chen Zuyi did not always want to be a loyal minister of Java.
Otherwise, he could just be Daming's dog. Why surrender to Majapahit, whom he despised at all?
Chen Zuxiao could only grit his teeth and said, "Okay."
King Xi continued: "I want all of Chen Zuyi's sons to be in Java. No one is allowed to be left behind."
Chen Zuxiao's breathing suddenly became rapid and he said, "Okay."
The King of the West said: "From today on, the Chen family will change their surname, speak Javanese, and believe in Shiva. Change the color of Han clothes. Wear our clothes."
Chen Zuxiao had only one thought at the moment, I would no longer serve him. The worst case scenario is to go to the open air.
If the Chen family has lived in Nanyang for two or three generations. Perhaps the Chen family doesn't think much of such a request. After all, it is difficult for people who grew up overseas, within two or three generations, to have too much nostalgia for their homeland. In a place like Nanyang, where various cultures meet, it is also difficult to have too much ideological self-confidence. Consciousness with the Han people.
They don't think it is anything.
But Chen Zuyi fled here from the Central Plains.
He has deep-rooted Han self-consciousness, Han self-confidence and pride. Other conditions can be agreed to, but this condition is almost a betrayal of the ancestors and must not be agreed to.
Chen Zuxiao really had the idea of surrendering to the Ming Dynasty at this moment.
But I remembered Chen Zuyi’s explanation. He almost bit his lip. He must call for reinforcements no matter what.
His voice was hoarse, like a newly opened wound, and he said, "Okay."
The King of the West said: "Well, within three days, the army will march westward and stationed in the old port. The Ming Dynasty will not dare to threaten the old port no matter what."
This is the countermeasure that King Xi came up with after much thought.
He was still wary of dealing with Daming directly. This is not to fear the combat effectiveness of the Nanyang Army. But he was afraid of Daming's size. Java is full of resources, with a population of about five million, plus the population of vassals, it is hard to say whether there are ten million or not.
But the Ming Dynasty had a population of 60 million, and these are official records. It should be noted that official files are used for recruitment. Every time a person's name is written, the following must ensure that this person can be recruited. Therefore, the population of Ming Dynasty is only much larger than this.
In ancient times when there were many people and great strength, some unsighted people were just fine. People like King Xi still had an international perspective.
This is the self-knowledge of a small country.
Therefore, the King of the West did not send troops to Malacca. And they sent troops to Sumatra to re-incorporate the old port into the territory, and took the opportunity to rebel against Canada, which was full of threats. Because the capital of Macaca, Malacca City is closer to the Old Port. Instead of attacking the Ming Dynasty directly, he captured Malacca and saw how the Ming Dynasty would stay in Nanyang.
