In the ice and snow, Tang Yinzheng, as an envoy of the Ming Dynasty, was walking on the road to Hanyang, the capital of North Korea.
Besides Xu Jing, the only person around him who could talk to him was Liu Gui, a member of the Jinyiwei family sent by Zhang Zhou. For Liu Gui, who was born in the south, this was his first time in such a bitter cold. place.
"Brother Bohu, you are going to Gyeonggi Province soon. It is said that they will welcome you as an envoy, but where is the envoy they are welcoming?"
Where to stay today Xu Jing went to the nearest post house, or rather a private house, to find Tang Yin.
The person who worked most tirelessly along the way was Xu Jing. Only Xu Jing's eyes kept shining with the enthusiasm before departure. Along the way, he made all sorts of criticisms for Tang Yin against the people who greeted North Korea.
As if he is the envoy of the Ming Dynasty.
On the contrary, Tang Yin seemed to be very talkative.
Tang Yin was holding a pen in his hand. He was going to write a letter back to Shenyang and then bring his letter back to the capital through Lu Wan and others. However, after picking up the pen, he could not write a thousand words. .
Tang Yindao "The man named Zhong who came with us said that they will send a minister as an envoy, who is said to be a confidant of the king of Korea. In addition, they will also send people to give some wine and food."
"That's right." Xu Jing sighed, "We spent our own money on food and drink along the way. When we got to this place, we didn't even have any place to spend our money. I don't know how Master Zhang would think he was qualified in such a small country. Join me, the Ming Dynasty, in sending troops to exterminate those Jurchen aliens in Jianzhou."
Tang Yin still looked very reserved.
At this time, Liu Gui came in from the outside. Because the door was a sliding door, Liu Gui almost took down the door when he opened it.
"Slow down." Tang Yin said.
Liu Gui came in and said, "They have sent the leading people, saying that they will pick up the two adults to their capital tomorrow, and also said" "What did you say?" Xu Jing Asked for Tang Yin.
Liu Gui said with a bit of a bad smile on his face, "They also said that a woman is here. I asked them and she said that she is the daughter of Leji who is equivalent to our Ming Dynasty Jiaofang Division, and she came specially to express condolences. For two adults."
When Xu Jing heard this, he looked at Tang Yin and said, "Bohu, you see that North Korea's arrangements are very thoughtful."
It seems that Xu Jing feels that Tang Yin is uninhibited and should be very keen on this kind of style.
Tang Yinze looked uninterested and said, "For a daughter of a foreign race, you don't even understand the language. What kind of thoughtful arrangements can you make? Besides, you have forgotten what the errand you came to do today is."
Xu Jing was resentful. Ran said, "They have such an arrangement, which can be regarded as their sincerity. Along the way, I feel that North Korea is quite proficient in the language of the Ming Dynasty. The writings of the Ming Dynasty can be seen everywhere. I hope their courtesy can be higher."
Tang Yindao "Send the word and we will continue our departure tomorrow morning. It doesn't matter whether the envoys they come to greet come or not, and it doesn't matter where they meet. There is no more waiting here."
Xu Jing asked, "Why are we so divided?""
"We have delayed our errand. This involves the Liaodong War, so we cannot take it lightly. "Tang Yin was very anxious.
Zhang Zhou asked him to arrive in Hanyang in one month, but he walked for one month and four days, and he was still two or three days away from Hanyang. This was tantamount to not fulfilling the emperor's order. .
As for women, it’s not that Tang Yin doesn’t care about them, but that he looks down on foreigners. Besides, the other party is just a happy girl, which is very inconsistent with his identity.
While marching early the next morning, two carriages followed the team.
One carriage was said to be carrying gifts for Tang Yin, and the other was carrying women, even if Tang Yin was not there. Accept, the woman still had to accompany Tang Yin into Hanyang City.
Halfway through, Tang Yin received a message that the envoys from North Korea had also arrived.
Tang Yin could only temporarily stop the team and went to meet him, but he saw that there were many people coming from the other side. There were four to five hundred soldiers and horses. Except for the two horses at the front, everyone behind them was wearing black and white. Infantrymen in civilian uniforms and holding flags.
After dismounting, the other party hurriedly greeted Tang Yin and said in pure Chinese: "I am sent to you, Cao Yanshu Chengjun, and I have met the chief minister of the Tang Dynasty. "
Xu Jing didn't quite understand.
Tang Yin said, "I am just the head of the Ministry of War of the Ming Dynasty. You don't need to come to greet me with a verdict. ”
“It should be. "
Cheng Jun looked at Xu Jingdao aside, "This is"
Tang Yin pointed at Xu Jingdao, "This is Xu Jing, the deputy envoy accompanying the army. "
"I have met Mr. Xu. "Although Cheng Jun didn't know Xu Jing's identity, his status as a deputy envoy in the Ming Dynasty's envoys was naturally extraordinary.
Cheng Jun and Tang Yin then mounted their horses and led the team all the way. Marching in the direction of Hanyang City.
The cavalry of the Ming Dynasty and the Korean infantry brought by Cheng Jun were almost walking side by side.
And the horses of the Ming Dynasty were still carrying artillery. The Korean soldiers couldn't help but look sideways. They were obviously not as neatly marching as the Ming team.
Cheng Jun said, "Envoy Tang, you must have seen it along the way. The Jianzhou Guard ignored him. The state's laws have repeatedly violated our Korean soil, and after invading the border areas, they robbed more people, and even burned the autumn grain in our border fields and robbed the villages."
Cheng Jun poured out his bitter words in front of Tang Yin, as if he was He wanted to make Jianzhou Jurchen say that people and gods were angry.
After describing their losses in an exaggerated way, he said, "In the middle of last year, the king of our dynasty made a request to the Ming Dynasty to send troops to frighten Jianzhou. The state barbarians, who did not care about the enlightenment of the Ming Dynasty, should not exist on the border of Ming Dynasty and Liaodong, becoming an obstacle to the exchanges between the Ming Dynasty and North Korea. ”
Tang Yin said calmly, “I am walking with Dingliao Youwei. I have not passed through the territory of Jianzhouwei, and I have not seen any losses from you. ”
This made the scene very embarrassing.
But beside Cheng Jun, on another horse, a person who looked like a scribe was listening to the conversation between Cheng Jun and Tang Yin, while writing down their conversation with a pen.
Even Tang Yin and Xu Jing were amazed by this kind of person's "superpower", being able to ride a horse and work as a secretary at the same time
When this person heard Tang Yin say this , looked over with surprised eyes, as if he was surprised that the Ming envoy could be so direct
Xu Jingze smiled and said, "Keep writing."
The man was also in a dilemma, not knowing whether he should Record it truthfully.
Cheng Jun saw that Xu Jing’s attitude was a little narrow-minded and couldn’t help but explain: “Two envoys, please forgive me. Our king of Korea attaches great importance to welcoming the envoys of the Ming Dynasty, and specially sent someone to record every word and deed of the envoys. They all use the characters of the Kingdom of Korea. Nowadays, it is basically not allowed to use proverbs in North Korea. If you want to ask, you can take them away for verification at any time."
North Korea created its own characters in Korea. The fifteenth century, but until the mid-twentieth century, Chinese remained the dominant script in Korea.
Although North Korea also promotes its own characters because of nationalism, because they are imitating the phonetic notation of Chinese characters, their use is obviously not as high as the recognition of Chinese characters, and in the era of Yeonsangun , because some people recorded his evil deeds in proverbs, especially after the Wuwu Shi disaster in the eleventh year of Hongzhi, Yanshan Jun forbade the powerful to learn proverbs, and proverbs were only used for translating Chinese.
Tang Yin said, "I hope to see your monarch as soon as possible to discuss important matters."
Cheng Jun asked tentatively, "Are you going to send troops to establish slaves? As I know, Your Excellency." I have brought so many artillery pieces and soldiers and horses for the purpose of discussing the dispatch of troops. Your Excellency, please forgive me. In Korea, we are still divided into two factions: the main war faction and the main peace faction. The so-called peace faction is to be on the Ping An Road. We are waiting to build a fortress to prevent the slaves from advancing in my direction."
Xu Jing asked with a smile, "Do you want to advocate war or peace?"
Cheng Jun originally wanted to do this. What to say, but looking at the clerk who was responsible for recording his words and deeds, he seemed to be afraid for a moment and said, "I am a judge for the soldiers. I am more of a person who obeys the king's orders and the results of the court's deliberation. I have no authority." Decide whether it is war or peace."
Tang Yin said, "Since you can't decide, then I will talk to your king."
That night, the group still stayed in the People's Court. place.
Tang Yin entered the room early and declined Cheng Jun's invitation to drink, eat and listen to music, while Xu Jing went to socialize first and returned with Liu Gui.
When entering the door, Xu Jing was still saying, "Look at those North Korean soldiers who can only sleep in the wild. They are not afraid of freezing to death in such weather."
Liu Guidao "Xu Sir, I think they are all lighting fires. I guess it’s because the tents are not enough.”
Xu Jing walked into the house while laughing.
I heard Tang Yin comment: "In a place like this, there are tiles coveringHead, it's pretty good. Our soldiers over there have all settled down."
Xu Jingdao said, "I have seen it. They brought dried meat and cooked broth. It tasted very good. Their soldiers were very greedy when they saw it outside. , it seems that many of them can only eat some wild vegetables. It is said that there was a drought in their territory last year, and there was almost cannibalism. "
Tang Yin frowned and said, "That's it, I really can't expect much help from them. "
Xu Jing asked, "Don't you mean that their purpose of existence is just to conquer the east and attack the west?"
Liu Gui asked from the side, "Two adults, dare I ask, is that , let us be in the east, responsible for helping the Ming soldiers attract Tatar attacks, then wouldn’t we?”
Xu Jing laughed and said, “There is nothing to be afraid of in the fortress”
"Uh" Although Liu Gui is not afraid of trouble, he is also afraid of death. He can endure such a hard job with Tang Yin. Who asked Zhang Zhou to help him get fame and fortune
But the problem is The reason is that he is not good at fighting. At first, he was just dawdling with Wang Shouren. Who would have thought that he would actually make a name for himself
Tang Yin said, "Before Lai Guo Gong left, he gave me "A tip bag"
"It's a great idea for marching." Xu Jing was very interested.
Tang Yin shook his head and said, "It's not about the march, but about the monarchs and ministers in North Korea today." structure, including the names of his principal ministers and their tendencies toward war and peace. "
"What about this Bingcao Banshu?" Xu Jing asked curiously.
"He is in charge of the battle. Although he is the Bingcao Banshu, he is equivalent to the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty. But the person who most advocated sending troops in North Korea was a man named Li Kejun. It was said that he had a close relationship with Cheng Jun. Moreover, Li Kejun had experience in leading troops on Pingan Road and came from a family of military generals. But Lai Guogong also explained that the drought in their territory last year was very serious. Because of this, the Korean monarch had previously said that he would go out to conquer the Jurchens, but it has not happened yet. "
With the help of Zhang Zhou's "tips", Tang Yin is naturally very familiar with the current personnel structure of North Korea.
And Zhang Zhou also told him that the current personnel structure of North Korea is The king is a "ruthless character" and will soon be unpopular.
Of course, there are some things that are not explained through the tips. Before leaving, Zhang Zhou talked with Tang Yinshen. >
Xu Jing asked, "Since their disaster is so severe that they are almost going to the point of cannibalism, can we still expect them to send troops?"
Tang Yin said, "It was just wishful thinking on their part before, but now with the support of the Ming Dynasty, And the great help from His Majesty and Duke Lai is equivalent to the Ming Dynasty giving them an order to send troops. How can they refuse? But we must also be careful about their words. It is said that in North Korea, Taiwanese remonstrance is prevalent and can often influence the king. idea. "
Xu Jing nodded and said, "As long as we don't let us go to war with other scholars. "
"You're scared?" Tang Yin raised his head and looked at Xu Jing.
Xu Jing shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that the scholar will meet him."Soldiers, when discussing the dispatch of troops with a group of foreigners, I always feel that I am playing the piano to an ox.
Liu Gui smiled and said, "I think what Mr. Xu said about playing the piano to cows is very good. That group of people is just a group of cows. No one looks normal. The soldiers of Ming Dynasty are still tall and strong." It is still unrealistic to expect them to fight against the Tatars. ”
Tang Yin arrived at Hanyang City in the afternoon of the next day.
Although the city could not be called a welcoming place with empty streets, there were also many people who came out to greet the envoys of the state. North Korea's enthusiasm also surprised Tang Yinye and Xu Jing.
They have not received very high treatment along the way. Now they probably know that it is not that North Korea does not want to receive them well. Because their northern region had experienced drought, the local officials had no ability to properly welcome it. Instead, the capital was where the North Korean dignitaries lived. They were more willing to establish political ties with the Ming Dynasty and to welcome the Ming Dynasty's envoys.
Cheng Jun rode into the city with Tang Yin and looked very proud.
Cheng Jun said, "I heard that the great master of the Ming Dynasty, the Duke of Lai, spent a year ruthlessly. After teaching the barbarians on the grassland a lesson, the people of North Korea also agreed that it is necessary for the Ming Dynasty to help us eliminate hidden dangers on the border. The people of North Korea's admiration for the Ming Dynasty is growing day by day. If there is a chance, they also hope that the Duke of Lai will help us eliminate hidden dangers on the border. If you can come to our country in person, our country will definitely welcome you with the courtesy of a master. ”
“Hehehe”
Xu Jing was laughing next to him.
Probably Xu Jing was thinking about it.
You are counting on Zhang Zhou It's not that you don't know how powerful he is.
If someone like Zhang comes, he will probably conquer them completely by destroying the dead and destroying them, and then you will not have enough coffin boards.
Tang Yin and his party arrived at the imperial city of Joseon.
Because there were all low houses along the way, Tang Yin didn't take the imperial city of Joseon too seriously at first, but he did. After seeing the imperial city of North Korea, I immediately felt that North Korea seemed to have a lot in common with the Ming Dynasty in terms of architecture, and the architecture was also similar in splendor.
At the entrance of the North Korean Imperial Palace, a group of people appeared. Led by a man in a red official robe, Cheng Jun reminded the Ming Dynasty envoy from afar, "That's our Councilor Yin Bishang. He is opposed to sending troops. He is equivalent to the chief minister of the state and has a good reputation in the court. You should be careful. ”
In fact, Cheng Jun said this while avoiding the secretary, which was equivalent to a private warning to Tang Yin.
Tang Yin nodded.
He learned from Zhang Zhou From the tips given to him, he already knew that Yin Bishang now has a very high status in North Korea. This is also because after the Wuwu Shifu Shilin sect was suppressed in the eleventh year of Hongzhi, Yin Bishang became the most authoritative around Lord Yanshan. Of course, his reputation as a minister could only last for another three years.
North Korea received Tang Yin as an envoy.
But Tang Yin did not.He will enter the Joseon Palace immediately, but will prepare a gorgeous post house for him next to the palace, modeled on the Huitong Pavilion of the Ming Dynasty, which is specially used for the residence of the envoys of the Ming Dynasty. Even so, you are not even qualified to live in it.
Except for a few people with official positions such as Tang Yin and Xu Jing who can move in, even the soldiers brought by Tang Yin do not need to be outside the city. When all the houses were occupied, the North Korean side originally wanted the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty to live in the nearby Guanyi, but Tang Yin refused.
Tang Yin directly asked the extra soldiers to station themselves in tents in the yard.
Then the North Korean side sent charcoal and firewood, as well as exquisite food.
Tang Yin and Yin Bishang met in the main hall of the post house.
Yin Bishang said, "I heard that the Ming Dynasty's artillery was indestructible. Last year, they used it to destroy Duoyan's troops in Liaodong. I wonder if it was brought by Chief Tang."
Tang Yin looked at it and followed Yin Bi and Sung Jun came together.
Although Tang Yin knew very well that one of the two was a militant and the other a peace advocate, they did not have obvious political opinions. It seemed that Yin Bishang was the main militant. .
Tang Yin shook his head and said, "What I brought were all light cannons with average power. But in the middle of last year, the Ming Dynasty made a surprise attack on Weininghai and severely damaged the Menggoljin Department of Fire Sieve. This kind of cannon was used , the range is one mile away."
"Such a small gun can shoot so far." Yin Bishang obviously didn't believe it.
Cheng Jun asked, "The Ming Dynasty wants to bring us the technology of this cannon."
Tang Yin said, "It's not that the Ming Dynasty is unwilling to give you the technology to cast the cannon. The ability is not enough for casting. This requires very good charcoal, the kind that has no smoke after burning, and it also requires a large number of craftsmen and technology. In the past, only Lai Guogong controlled this technology in the Ming Dynasty. "
"How good is Lai Guogong's health?"
Yin Bishang is mature and prudent. Faced with the braggadocio of a young man like Tang Yin, he was a little at a loss and finally asked something that sounded very different. question.
Even Chengjun couldn't help but look at Yin Bishang.
It seems to be saying, if you ask me how the Duke of Lai is doing, don’t let the envoys of the Ming Dynasty misunderstand that we hope that the powerful Duke of Lai will die soon. Please remember to bookmark, the latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft