North Korea, Songjing (Kaesong).
Li Fanguo was riding on a horse, holding a long staff in his hand to block the rapidly rolling polo. He turned his body slightly to one side, and the top of the staff was like the end of a crescent moon, and then knocked away the exquisite polo as big as his fist. , the polo flew up to the ground, passed by the defenders, and entered the goal.
"good!"
Li Fanguo shouted excitedly.
"Your Majesty's magical skill, you can still enter the Gate at such a tricky angle, I admire you."
Jin Shiheng, the Prime Minister of Youzheng, sat upright on his horse and said flatteringly.
Before Li Fangguo led the horse to the pavilion, someone had already arranged the horse stool. He walked down the horse stool, took the brocade handkerchief sent by the maid, wiped the sweat on his face, and said: "This is the bow (that is, the bow). It’s fun, it can exercise your body and train your equestrian skills, so it should be popularized in the military.”
Jin Shiheng nodded repeatedly and agreed: "This is what it should be."
After He Lun, the literary scholar of Zhengtang, heard about it, he quickly said: "Your Majesty, the art of striking is indeed good, but it is not suitable to be promoted to the whole army."
Li Fangguo's originally good mood was suddenly ruined, and she couldn't help but frown and said, "Why not?"
He Lun didn't care about Li Fanguo's expression, but simply said two words: "No money."
He really didn't have money. Even if he had money, He Lun didn't think he could afford it.
The ball used to hit the ball is about the size of a fist, and is made of light yet tough wood. It is hollow in the middle and painted with various colors on the outside. Some are even decorated with carvings. Even if the "artistic" aspect of personalized manufacturing is not considered, , just the wood and hollowing out require a large number of craftsmen.
Besides, hitting with a special stick requires special manufacturing, and it cannot be used just by cutting down a wooden stick. The most important thing is that the most precious thing in this sport is the horse.
A horse is enough for an ordinary sergeant to pay for ten years. The cavalry is fine for fun, but what about the infantry?
If the emperor really wants to promote the entire army, the infantry will need to spend ten years' salary to buy horses. There is no chance that there will be countless corrupt officials and oppressive soldiers.
To play, you need a war horse, at least one or two hundred taels of silver, but as many as five, six hundred or even a thousand taels.
Not playing?
Not playing means disobeying orders. I don’t care whether you have money or not. If you don’t have money, you will hand over your life here.
He Lun had seen too much corruption in the military and knew how serious it was.
After hearing He Lun's words, Li Fanguo finally understood that playing feng shui was not something ordinary people could afford, and the imperial court did not have the money to play the game with the whole army. In this case, let the nobles play together.
"I don't know if Na Changshou and others have arrived in the capital of the Ming Dynasty. Do you think the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will canonize me?"
Li Fanguo asked.
Jin Shiheng and He Lun looked at each other but said nothing to each other.
Judging from the documents brought back at the beginning of the year, Emperor Zhu Yunwen of the Ming Dynasty had no intention of nodding. How could he agree after only two months?
"Green Gourd Sword Fairy"
"Your Majesty, you should not be anxious about this matter. I thought that after just one or two years, the Ming Dynasty would send envoys to confer the title..."
Jin Shiheng consoled him.
Li Fangguo laughed, sat down, took a sip of tea, and said, "One or two years? I'm afraid I don't have one or two years."
He Lun felt Li Fanguo's strange gaze and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at her.
Li Fangguo saw clearly that the reason why he sat on the "throne" was not because of his ability, but because of the death of his elder brother Li Fangyu.
Already...
Ranked second, he ended up becoming the boss. After Li Chenggui "abdicated", he could only pass it to himself.
But he was not made to be an emperor. His generous and moderate character and his lack of fighting skills determined everything.
I originally thought that by relying on the authority of the Ming Dynasty to canonize myself as emperor, I would be able to avoid internal fighting in the royal family, and I would be able to "rule by doing nothing" and maintain peace for decades.
But now it seems that Daming is not optimistic about himself.
The third younger brother, Li Fang, was a resolute person who never participated in political affairs or military affairs. He concentrated on trapping himself in the mansion, drinking and having fun every day, living happily and avoiding all disputes.
The fourth brother Li Fangqian was a powerful figure, controlling the troops and horses of Fenghaidao (later Huanghaidao) and Ping'an Dao. He also had great influence in Songjing.
And fifth brother Li Fangyuan!
Li Fanguo frowned, saying that the person he hates the most and the person he worries about the most is this person!
Two years ago, Li Fangyuan took advantage of Li Chenggui's illness to launch a coup. He preemptively attacked and killed his political enemies Fenghua Bo Zheng Daozhuan, Yicheng Jun Nanjing and Fucheng Jun Shen Xiaosheng, and beheaded Li Fangshuo on the road, together with Queen Shende. His son Li Fangfan, Lord of Fu'an, was also killed.
As my fifth brother, I have extraordinary means, and the He Lun in front of me is the core figure who originally advised Li Fangyuan to launch a coup!
Li Fanguo sighed secretly, he was just a puppet.
At present, the secret fight between Li Fanqian and Li Fangyuan is gradually escalating, and there is a vague tendency of open fight. As for himself, he can only stare at it, or wait for death, or wait for someone to come and take his place in Zen!
"Back off."
Li Fangguo lost interest in talking, and her own destiny was no longer in her own hands.
After He Lun left the palace, he found Li Fangyuan.
Li Fangyuan has thick eyebrows, short beard, and impressive equipment. After He Lun reported, he asked: "Li Fangguo sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty again. Can you find out why?"
He Lun nodded slightly, took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, handed it to Li Fangyuan, and said, "This was written down secretly by Li Fanguo, the chamberlain."
Li Fangyuan unfolded the note. After reading it, he couldn't help being stunned and asked: "The King of Japan, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, actually wants to repair relations with North Korea and the Ming Dynasty? And he sent a large number of gifts and asked Li Fanguo to be the middleman?"
He Lun nodded heavily and said: "This matter must be true. The reward set in today's shooting is much more grand. I am afraid it is related to the gift sent by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu."
Li Fangyuan took a few steps and thought: "A few days ago, the Daming Navy appeared near Jeju Island, and with lightning speed, they sank more than 20 Japanese pirate warships and killed more than 600 Japanese pirates, including Some of them are merchant ships belonging to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and it seems that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is also a little unable to withstand the attack of the Ming Dynasty."
He Lun said with a smile on his face: "Japan is a small and barren country with insufficient products. It has always been heavy with seas. Since the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Yingyong Rebellion, it has finally stabilized. However, during this period, a large number of Japanese pirates appeared to harass the Ming Dynasty. During the Ming Taizu period, to prevent Lord, but the new emperor Jianwen Emperor focused on attacking, and I heard that he also issued an order not to allow Japanese pirates to approach the Ming Dynasty. In this case, the best way for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is to sue for peace."
"The question is, will Ming Dynasty choose to reconcile with Ashikaga Yoshiki?"
Li Fangyuan's eyes looked worried.
If the Ming Dynasty and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu reconcile, then Li Fanguo, as the middleman, will gain political prestige, and the Ming Dynasty will not forget Li Fanguo.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu will not forget his contribution.
If the two external forces are all on Li Fanguo's side, then there will be many more variables if he wants to make plans.
He Lun thought for a long time before replying: "From my perspective, the Ming Dynasty may not be able to reconcile with Ashikaga Yoshi."
"Talk about it!"
Li Fangyuan asked eagerly.
He Lun looked at Li Fangyuan seriously and moved his lips slightly: "First of all, I heard that not long ago, the southern part of the Ming Dynasty was invaded by Annan. As a result, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty crossed the mountains, captured Zhennang Pass, and destroyed all the Annan army in the Ming Dynasty. Coupled with the actions of the Ming Dynasty Navy, it can be seen that although the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty is young, he is not a passive defensive person, but has the heart to fight and attack. When the Japanese pirates invade the Ming Dynasty along the coast, he should order the soldiers to fight until the end, Jing Jing Ping Haibo, we can discuss other matters later.”
"Secondly, from the news coming, it can be seen that the Ming Dynasty navy is determined to completely eliminate the Japanese pirates at any cost. Under this determination, if there is a sudden change in policy, the navy fleet will be ordered to To turn to be friendly with the Japanese is to betray military morale and is a blow to the navy."
Li Fangyuan looked at Helun with admiration and said, "You are right. We have no other choice but to wait."
He Lun shook his head slightly and said: "Maybe you can take the initiative and send someone to contact the Ming Dynasty Navy to provide information about the Japanese pirates..."
Li Fangyuan immediately understood what He Lun meant. If the Ming Dynasty adjusts its policies, the biggest change will be in the navy. If the navy continues to vigorously exterminate Japanese pirates, it will naturally show its attitude towards Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
"That being the case, then order Zheng Jin and Kangze to lead the Jeolla Navy to assist the Ming Dynasty Navy and provide necessary logistics. All information on coastal Japanese pirates can be shared."
Li Fangyuan ordered.
He Lun nodded happily and said, "Even so, you should make preparations early and not delay for too long."
Li Fangyuan clenched his fists and said: "The most troublesome thing at the moment is Li Fangqian. He ordered the people in the dark to consolidate Ping'an Road and speed up the rebellion of Fenghaidao. The generals must not be transferred to Gyeonggi Road."
From a geographical point of view, Li Fangqian has an advantage.
Because Songgyeong is only a few dozen miles away from Ponghae-do, but Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do are far away from Lee Bangyuan. Once there is a change in Songjing, Li Fangqian can calmly deploy his troops to deal with it.
He Lun said confidently: "Although Li Fangqian has some abilities, he trusts Pu Bao too much, and the main generals of Fenghaidao are at odds with Pu Bao. If Li Fangqian wants to make trouble, he can only use private soldiers in Songjing."
Li Fangyuan is not worried about Li Fangqian's power in Songjing. As long as Fenghaidao's soldiers are not involved, Li Fangqian's strength is not enough to compete with him.
"Li Fangqian's men, only Meng Zong and Li Chengqi are capable, ordered Li Shufan to keep an eye on them, and strike first if there is any abnormal movement!"
Li Fangyuan said decisively.
There should be no mercy when dealing with the enemy.
It's okay for Li Fangqian to be honest. If he really wants his own life, there is nothing he can do. Those who stand in his way will only die!
While Li Fangyuan was arranging the strategy, Emperor Zhu Yunwen of the Ming Dynasty also wrote a letter of credence. After being sealed by the cabinet, it was handed over to the North Korean envoy to take back to North Korea.
It was also on this night that under the cover of darkness, more than 600 Japanese pirates landed in Xiangshan, eastern Zhejiang, in dozens of small boats, brandishing samurai swords, and began their bloodthirsty carnival...
