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Volume 1: Dragon Trapped in the Shoals Chapter 139: Overt and Covert Struggles

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    Chapter 139: Overt and covert fighting

    Dong Yiyuan came out of Deoksugung Palace and thought about it for a long time after returning. He always felt that Zou Yi asked him to wait in Seoul for Zhu Changluo to come back. It was also a very practical suggestion. He hesitated again and again, and finally decided that it would be better to wait in Namwon, Jeolla Province.  .

    Dong Yiyuan thought that although Zhu Changluo was currently chasing Kobayakawa Takakage who had escaped, he didn't know whether he could eventually catch up or catch him, let alone whether the eldest prince would go to Nanyuan. However, if he led troops to North Korea this time, he would not be able to catch him.  If it was not just to convey the imperial edict, he could wait in Seoul for the return of the eldest prince, but he was also responsible for protecting the eldest prince's safety.

    This time the eldest prince went to pursue Kobayakawa Takakage. It would be good if he could catch up in a short time, but he was afraid that it would take a long time and he would encounter the Japanese army during the pursuit. After all, the little Japan dispatched an army of more than 20,000 people this time. Not only did they gain nothing, but they also lost money.  They were all captured. How could little Japan not seek revenge and capture the eldest prince?

    The eldest prince only brought more than 6,000 soldiers and horses to pursue Kobayakawa Takakage, 3,000 of whom were Koreans with little combat power. The original 4,000 elite cavalry from Liaodong were sent out with 1,000 to escort the 20,000 Japanese prisoners. At this time  The only real combat power around him was three thousand Liaodong cavalry.  As for the Jinyiwei, who have less than 1,000 people, based on their experience of facing the enemy in Liaodong, it is okay to capture people and fight in groups. On the battlefield that pays attention to unity and battle formation, they can compare favorably with the Koreans.  It would be nice if it was useful.

    Ifif the eldest prince met the Japanese army who came to retaliate on the way to pursue Kobayakawa Takakage, and was defeated in the end and escaped in embarrassment or was besieged, he would have led five thousand cavalry to attack him at the right time. Such a life-saving grace  Thinking of this, Dong Yiyuan's heart became even more eager. Namwon, Jeolla Province, is imperative.

    Dong Yiyuan only rested for one night in Seoul, and wrote a memorial about the general story of Zhu Changluo's victory at Jinshan, and sent someone to rush it to Beijing. Of course, the words in it inevitably exaggerated some of Zhu Changluo's achievements. After all, this was also a good seller.  A form, useful or useless. Then, in the name of rushing to protect His Royal Highness the eldest prince with the emperor's orders, he bid farewell to the enthusiastic King Li Huo of Korea and the ministers of the envoy, led five thousand cavalry, and rushed across the country.  Luo Dao left.

    In Deoksugung Palace, Zou Yi couldn't help but laugh when he heard the report from Jinyi Guard that Dong Yiyuan had led his army to Jeolla Province. Then he sent a secret guard and asked him to inform Zhu Changluo who was far away in southern Korea that the fish had been baited.  Went to Namwon

    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­

    In the duty room of the Ming Dynasty¡¯s cabinet, the four current cabinet bachelors were all staring at a memorial in a daze. No one spoke. They really didn¡¯t know what to say.

    Although Zhao Zhigao was removed from the position of chief minister due to the influence of the last peace talks, he has the support of two other bachelors in the cabinet, Zhang Wei and Shen Guanyi, and he still regards himself as chief minister everywhere in order to suppress the newcomers  stone star.

    After a long time, Zhao Zhigao saw that no one was talking and laughed dryly: "Everyone, please tell me your opinion. This after all, this is a big happy event. His Highness, the eldest prince, was able to be so so enterprising not long after he entered North Korea.  Still good¡±

    That memorial was an urgent report of victory sent by Zhu Changluo, but the great victory in it not only did not excite the cabinet scholars, but frightened them.  Four thousand Liaodong cavalry captured alive the 20,000 Japanese general Takakage Kobayakawa's army with zero casualties?  This is indeed a great victory, and it can be regarded as a rare great victory since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. However, this must be conditional, that is, this great victory is real.

    But could this be true?  Is Qi Jiguang powerful?  For such a famous general, during his decades of anti-Japanese career along the coast, although there were frequent great victories, every time he did not behead or capture hundreds of Japanese pirates alive, it would be considered a great victory, and every time  At least dozens or hundreds of people will be lost. Is Yu Dayou awesome?  He was also a famous anti-Japanese general like Qi Jiguang on the coast, but he didn't kill a hundred people each time and suffered dozens of casualties.

    It is undeniable that Li Chengliang, who has guarded Liaodong for many years, is also a famous general. Will there be a so-called great victory? But most of his so-called great victories are just killing thousands of people.

    During the last Imjin Japanese Rebellion, the Ming Dynasty won the greatest victory in all the wars between Korea and Japan - the Battle of Pyongyang. Under the command of Li Rusong, more than 40,000 Japanese troops fought against more than 20,000 Japanese troops, and they gave full play to their victory.  Due to the advantage of artillery, more than 10,000 Japanese were killed and captured in that war. However, it was conducted when Ming Dynasty had an absolute advantage in military strength and the Japanese were not familiar with Ming Dynasty's tactics.  Even so, Ming Dynasty still suffered more than a thousand casualties.

    Compared with the great victory that Li Rusong achieved that made the Ming Dynasty proud and the Korean people happy, compared with the victory delivered by the eldest prince Zhu Changluo, it was like a big witch. The key is the word "zero casualties of the Ming Dynasty". Even if it is done  Shi Xing, who has been Minister of the Ministry of War for many years, also has an eyelid.The formation was jumping wildly, but he knew that with these few words, coupled with the capture of 20,000 Japanese troops, what an achievement it was, and how unbelievable it was.

    If Shi Xing hadn¡¯t received the message from the secret guard in advance, he would have found it hard to believe it.

    "This from what I can see, maybe His Highness the First Prince made a clerical error? Well, that must be the case." Zhang Wei twirled his beard and said a little unnaturally, "A clerical error?"  Even he himself didn't believe this statement.  But to say that 20,000 Japanese troops were captured alive with zero casualties, in Zhang Wei's view, is even more unbelievable than a clerical error. Although he has never led an army or fought in a war, he has been in the cabinet for many years and wars have continued over the years.  Of course I understand what Zhu Changluo's memorial represents.

    Shen Yiguan sighed secretly. He was the teacher of Guo Zhengyu, Zhu Changluo's tutor, so he was sincere in supporting Zhu Changluo to become the crown prince.  He never expected that the eldest prince, who usually seemed to be prudent in his actions, would actually send back such an extremely unbelievable memorial after arriving in North Korea.  He also understood that this might be because Zhu Changluo was eager to make meritorious deeds and change his impression in front of the emperor, but even if there was to be some great victory, it had to be more reliable, right?  For example, killing thousands of Japanese pirates, or capturing thousands of Japanese pirates alive, is easy to cover up the past, but like this

    "Everyone, this memorandumshould our cabinet postpone it for a while before reporting it to the emperor, so that we can send someone to North Korea to check the real situation? I can't sayit's impossible that His Highness really made a clerical error." Shen Yiguan thought for a while, and then came up with this delaying strategy and sent someone  Go to North Korea and remind the eldest prince, let him think of a solution, or just say it was a clerical error.

    Zhao Zhigao smiled bitterly: "Long Jiang, you don't know something. His Highness's memorials are always made in duplicate. This is just a copy. The original was presented directly to the emperor"

    Shen Guanyi opened his mouth: "Your Majesty Your Majesty, has your Majesty read the original copy?"

    Nodding, Zhao Zhigao said helplessly: "I'm afraid that even if the emperor hasn't read it yet, the original copy is already in the emperor's Long Case. So, our cabinet needs to come up with a charter.  "

    "Cough" Shi Xing, who had been ignored by the three of them, coughed dryly to attract their attention, and slowly said: "Everyone, do you all think that the memorial of His Highness the First Prince is untrue?"

    Zhao Zhigao simply turned his head away and ignored Shi Xing; Zhang Wei picked up the teacup on the table and sipped the tea.

    Shen Guanyi hesitated for a moment, and then said: "It's not untrue, it's just a clerical error. Lord Shi, this is just a comment in the cabinet. It would be a joke if it was spread out." He secretly reminded Shi Xing that this  The spread of this kind of thing will have a bad impact on Zhu Changluo's reputation. Don't you see that everyone is having a headache because of this memorial?  Everyone is trying to make amends for the eldest prince because of this matter.

    "Ha ha¡­¡­"

    Shi Xing laughed, which made Shen Yiguan, who had just finished speaking, become angry. What was this troublesome old stubborn laughing at?  What's so funny about this?  Are what he said so ridiculous?

    "What Mr. Shi is discussing in the cabinet is all important matters related to the imperial court. How can you laugh like it's child's play? How unbecoming is this? I forgot. Mr. Shi has just joined the cabinet and he still doesn't understand some of the rules. He needs to learn more in the future.  Just follow these rules to avoid spreading the word and damaging the prestige of the cabinet." Seeing Shi Xing laughing, Zhao Zhigao felt disgusted and couldn't help but said in a strange way.

    "Oh, what Mr. Zhao said is absolutely true. I have just joined the cabinet and don't understand the old rules of the cabinet." Shi Xing emphasized the word "old" and sarcastically said that Zhao Zhigao is an old man. Now the cabinet has no leader.  Assistant, who has the final say on these rules?

    Then the voice changed: "But it is better for laymen not to give casual advice on this war matter. I am not talented. I have been the Minister of the Ministry of War for several years. Now I am still sorting out the Ministry of War. I am also the general responsible for the war to aid Korea.  When people talk about war, I dare not say that they are proficient in troop formations, but they still know a little more than some people. Before some people express their opinions, it is best to think deeply, so as not to spread the word and make people think that everyone in the cabinet is ignorant.  If you don¡¯t understand military matters, it will only make you a laughing stock, but it will not be good if it damages the prestige of the cabinet.¡±

    Shi Xing was not afraid of Zhao Zhigao. Anyway, since the conflict after offending him before was irreconcilable, there was nothing to worry about. He returned the words to Zhao Zhigao intact.

    "You" Zhao Zhigao pointed at Shi Xing, his beard standing up in anger. In the years since he entered the cabinet, except for Shi Xing, no one has dared to speak to him like this without paying the price for being so disrespectful to him.  Most of the polite thorns were sent away by him for random reasons.  Only Shi Xing not only offended him severely, but also jumped up and down in front of him even more happily, which made him suppress a rage in his heart.

    "Wangshi Shixing, I tell you, it has been six years since I joined the cabinet in the 19th year of Wanli. I thought?What storms have you not seen?  What kind of arrogant and reckless man have we not seen?  Today I have opened my eyes. In the central cabinet of the Ming Dynasty, it is the first time I have seen such a person who does not understand the rules. If such a person is mixed into the cabinet, how can the prestige not be reduced?" Zhao Zhigao ignored it and pointed directly at Shi Xing's  Nose, the person who named me cursed.

    "Haha I, Shi Xing, am so virtuous and capable, how dare I deserve such admiration from Mr. Zhao? Mr. Zhao, on the other hand, is really a capable official of our Ming Dynasty. He was the first assistant twice and was taken down by the emperor twice. This is really amazing.  It¡¯s true that he has set a precedent for our Ming Dynasty. It¡¯s true that over the past two hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Mr. Zhao is the first one. Based on these alone, Mr. Zhao will definitely be able to leave his name in history. It is really enviable, enviable, haha"  Shi Xing's words contained a spear and a stick, and he confronted Zhao Zhigao unceremoniously.  At this time, both his status and the power in his hands were no less than those of Zhao Zhigao, so he had nothing to worry about.

    "Lord Shi is not bad at the Ming Dynasty. Who doesn't know that a while ago, the Minister of War made a big fuss in the cabinet? Lord Shi is really awesome. He was the one who proposed the peace talks first, but in the end, ha, he put on a show for the people of the Ming Dynasty.  , this ability to adapt to the wind, this is the first time I have seen it in such a long life. I have seen it, and I have learned a lot." To be honest, Shi Xing didn't make any big mistakes or problems during his time as an official.  Zhao Zhigao had no choice but to describe his previous change as a matter of adapting to the wind.

    As soon as Zhao Zhigao finished speaking, Zhang Wei immediately intervened: "Two, two adults, please say a few words. Please say a few words. We are discussing the memorial to the great victory sent by His Highness the First Prince. We need to think of a solution quickly. Come to think of it.  After the emperor has read the memorial of the great victory, he will not ask for the cabinet's opinion, so we should make preparations in advance."

    On the surface, he seemed to be impartial, but after Zhao Zhigao finished scolding Shi Xing, he saw that Zhao Zhigao had some opponents who were not unreasonable Shi Xing, so he quickly took over the words and kept Shi Xing's words in his stomach.

    Shi Xing frowned, then smiled, and didn't take it seriously. He had long known that Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei were at odds with each other. He could fight against them in the cabinet without falling behind, so what else could he be dissatisfied about.

    "Hmph." Zhao Zhigao waved his sleeves at Shi Xing, and then said with a sullen face: "Since Mr. Shi understands military affairs and is the superintendent of aid to the DPRK, let Mr. Shi make the decision. When the emperor issues a document, there will be Mr. Shi.  Go explain it, what do you think?"

    Zhao Zhigao directly left this difficult matter to Shi Xing. As he thought about it, this matter was obviously very difficult to deal with. If not, he might be resented by the eldest prince or scolded by the emperor, which would allow Shi Xing to take the blame.

    Zhang Wei smiled and nodded: "Yes, Mr. Shi is only engaged in military affairs and is a bachelor of the cabinet. It would be best if Mr. Shi can handle this matter. I agree with Mr. Zhao's proposal." After saying that, he looked at Shen Yiguan.  .

    Zhao Zhigao then looked at Shen Yiguan and forced him to express his position.  Even if there is no chief minister in the cabinet, but for some important matters, the general minority must obey the majority, right?  As long as Shen Yiyi expresses his position, he can pass the matter to Shi Xing.

    Shen Yiguan hesitated, not because he didn't want to help Zhao Zhigao deal with Shi Xing, but because the matter was really important and might seriously affect Zhu Changluo's reputation, and might even make the emperor angry, or he finally found a reason.  His right to inherit the throne was cancelled, so Shen Yiguanyi was a little unhappy for a while. He secretly blamed Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei for making a fuss about such an important matter in order to suppress Shi Xing. It was reallysigh.

    "Haha" Shi Xing laughed, and instead of making Shen Yiguan more embarrassed, he said first: "Since the two adults think so highly of me, Shi Xing, then if I refuse again, it will be ungrateful. However, this time  Everything is of great importance. If I, Shi Xing, do not do well and something goes wrong, I, Shi Xing, will deserve it. But if I can handle this headache for the cabinet to the satisfaction of everyone"

    "How are you doing?"

    "Haha, there are no special requirements. It's just that in the future, anything related to aiding Korea, such as the promotion and transfer of some generals due to aiding Korea, the rationing and allocation of soldiers and horses, the withdrawal and allocation of food and wages, etc., as long as it is related to aiding Korea,  Regarding matters related to the DPRK, how about you please stop setting up obstacles and let everything go in the name of the cabinet?" Shi Xing looked at the three people present, said seriously, and then changed the topic: "Otherwise, I will never let this matter go.  I won¡¯t get involved.¡±

    Zhao Zhigao and the three men looked at each other. Shi Xing's request was not too much. Moreover, the emperor personally ordered Shi Xing to take full responsibility for the matter of aiding the DPRK. Even if he wanted to cause trouble, it was done secretly.  However, it would be nice if Shi Xing could take over this seemingly extremely difficult mess to deal with without intervening in the matter of aiding the DPRK.

    "It is the emperor's personal decree that Mr. Shi is responsible for aiding the DPRK. How could we interfere?" Although Zhao Zhigao did not agree explicitly, he agreed in his words.

    Zhang Wei and Shen Guanyi also nodded and agreed.Come down.

    "Okay, it's a deal." Shi Xing stood up with a smile, turned around and wanted to walk out.

    "ShiMaster, didn't you say you would handle this matter? Where are you going?" Seeing Shi Xing leaving, Zhang Wei asked quickly.

    "Haha, adults, please rest assured. I have my own opinion on this matter. I'll take my leave." After saying that, Shi Xing laughed and walked out.  Does this matter still need to be dealt with?  Although it is unbelievable, the fact is the fact. Doesn¡¯t it mean that the memorial of the King of Joseon is coming soon?  Once the King of Joseon's memorial arrives, this matter will be clear, and then His Highness's prestige will reach its peak.

    Of course, even if the memorial from the King of Joseon has not yet arrived, Shi Xing believes that the emperor does not need to worry about how the cabinet will speak for the eldest prince. Perhaps when the emperor receives the memorial from the eldest prince, his eyes and ears in Korea will also be sent.  Is that the truth?

    In the Xinuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in the imperial palace, Zhu Changluo held two memorials. One was written by Zhu Changluo to report his victory, and the other was sent by the Juesheng Guards sent to North Korea at a 800-mile speed.  He read these two memorials several times, frowning for a while and smiling for a while, his mood was extremely complicated.

    In the end, he patted the dragon case with a "snap" and said to himself: "What I did this time is not bad, he is indeed my son."  

    More to come, address
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