Chapter 226: Weakness Is the Original Sin

Huitong Pavilion.

When the Marquis of Zhongshan appeared again, the ambassador of Huitong Pavilion was about to cry.

He did not forget that it was this fierce Marquis of Zhongshan who led his troops to surround the entire Huitong Pavilion last time, and then dragged the Japanese envoys out like dogs and forcibly took them away!

Therefore, when the ambassador of Huitong Pavilion saw Tang Hao again, he almost knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

"Lord Zhongshan, what do you want to do now?"

"There is only one Korean envoy in there now, you don't want to..."

"Stay aside!" Tang Hao laughed and scolded unhappily, "Arrange a room and let the Korean envoy come to see me!"

Hearing this, the ambassador of Huitong Pavilion immediately ran to arrange it.

As long as the Marquis of Zhongshan does not go crazy and beat and arrest people, everything else is easy to say.

A moment later, Cheng Xiyan hurried into the room, and when he saw Tang Hao for the first time, his face gradually turned pale.

He is a burly man, with shaved hair and beard, and still a marquis. There is no one else in the entire Ming Dynasty except the fierce Zhongshan Marquis.

Is it true?

Has the Ming Emperor really made up his mind?

He insisted on not seeing me, and he had to wait for the Zhongshan Marquis to return to Beijing!

Cheng Xiyan sighed and then saluted Tang Hao.

"Cheng Xiyan, a foreign minister of Korea, greets the Zhongshan Marquis of Ming Dynasty!"

Tang Hao waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Since you have met this marquis, you should understand that you have no other choice in this matter!"

"Either use the Jeju Horse Farm in exchange for Li Yi's canonization edict, or wait for the foundation of your Lee Joseon rule to be shaken!"

Cheng Xiyan was stunned at first, and then his face was full of anger.

He had led the delegation to the Ming Dynasty a long time ago, but he had never been able to enter the palace to meet the emperor. He had repeatedly asked to see the Ming Emperor but was directly rejected by the Ming Emperor.

In addition, they were forcibly imprisoned in this meeting hall and were not allowed to enter and leave at will!

Such an arrangement clearly means that they don't treat North Korea as a human being and are determined to take advantage of them!

"Zhongshan Hou!"

"You are simply bullying too much!"

Cheng Xiyan angrily scolded: "How can the great Celestial Empire, which has always claimed to be a country of etiquette, do such a robbery?"

"My North Korea has always been respectful to the suzerain country and has been paying tribute continuously. Is it going to end up like this?"

Tang Hao waved his hand impatiently and said coldly: "North Korea has always been respectful. This is what you should do, not what you do well!"

"Of course, you can also be disrespectful. Try to see if I can lead the soldiers to slaughter you!"

Cheng Xiyan's face changed drastically after these words came out.

Is this Zhongshan Hou a lunatic?

Is it possible to suddenly start a national war?

"You are respectful to me because North Korea is weak!"

"Weakness is the original sin. There is nothing for you to be proud of!"

Tang Hao's eyes were deep and his tone was cold.

"I don't want to say it a second time!"

"Either you should be sensible and write a letter to offer the Jeju Horse Farm to the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty will give you the imperial edict to confer the title of Emperor Yi Yi, or I don't mind leading troops to your Korea. At that time, it will be meaningless whether you are respectful or not!"

Cheng Xiyan looked at Tang Hao in disbelief, with a look of astonishment on his face.

"My Korea is a country that your Ming Taizu has designated as not to be conquered!"

"Do you dare to violate the ancestral precepts of the Ming Taizu..."

With a loud bang, Tang Hao smashed the table into pieces with one punch, frightening Cheng Xiyan to retreat frantically, with a look of horror on his face.

"Don't talk nonsense to me!"

"Don't challenge my patience!"

"Now, I say you write it, do you understand?"

Tang Hao stared at Cheng Xiyan sharply, and the latter's face turned pale and blue, but he still humiliatedly surrendered to reality.

There is no way, this fierce Zhongshan Hou is right, weakness is the original sin!

Because Korea was weak, it had no chance to resist!

At first, Cheng Xiyan had a good plan. He thought that he had come to the Ming Dynasty and publicized the fact that the Ming Dynasty had occupied the Jeju Racecourse, and encouraged the Ming Dynasty scholars to fight with the Ming Emperor. Then there might be other opportunities.

However, what Cheng Xiyan didn't expect was that he couldn't even meet the Ming Emperor or the Ming Dynasty scholars!

Since they set foot on the territory of the Ming Dynasty, the Jinyiwei "escorted" them all the way until they were brought to the Ming Dynasty's capital Huitong Hall, and then they were detained!

He Cheng Xiyan was the chief envoy of Korea, the leader of the Korean government, and one of the three ministers of Korea, but he received such humiliating treatment in the Ming Dynasty!

However, what about this?

Weakness is the original sin!

Could it be that Korea still dared to take the initiative to go to war with the Ming Dynasty and lead its army to attack the Ming Dynasty soldiers occupying the Jeju Racecourse?

He Cheng Xiyan didn't dare, Park Wonjong didn't dare, and King Lee Yeo didn't dare even more!

Therefore, there is only one way for Cheng Xiyan!

Obey the order of the Marquis of Zhongshan of the Ming Dynasty, obey the will of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and offer the Jeju Horse Farm in exchange for Li Yi's canonization!

For a moment, the Joseon Prime Minister seemed to have been drained of his energy and spirit in an instant, and the whole person looked much older.

He took the paper and pen handed over by the ambassador of Huitong Hall, then knelt on one knee on the ground and started writing on the chair.

After a while, Tang Hao took the paper and nodded with satisfaction.

"That's about it."

"Write this in your letter of credence. When His Majesty summons you tomorrow, you have to raise it in court. Do you understand?"

Cheng Xiyan nodded absentmindedly, not daring to have any more opinions.

Seeing this, Tang Hao patted his shoulder and chuckled: "No need to do that. My Ming Dynasty will double the compensation for you in the future and prepare your special goods for Korea. Soon, my Ming Dynasty will open up ocean trade, and the location is Jeju Island."

"With the profits from this ocean trade, we can greatly improve the difficult situation of your people in the country. This is a great thing of mutual benefit, and the price you pay for Korea is just some war horses, and you have not lost anything!"

After saying these words, Tang Hao got up and left.

Cheng Xiyan stared at his back in a daze, and his eyes suddenly burst into a brilliant light.

Ocean trade?

The Ming Dynasty is about to open up ocean trade?

This is not a tribute every few years, but a real ocean trade!

If this is true, then it seems that the current situation...is not unacceptable!

Even a fool knows that trading with the Ming Dynasty means huge profits.

Unfortunately, because there were too many tributary states, there were strict restrictions on this. Generally, the tributary states took turns to pay tribute. It was almost once every three years when it was Korea's turn. Only then could they bring some goods to pay tribute and make a fortune!

Once every three years, it became possible to do it every year, or even every day!

Then offering a Jeju horse farm seemed really... acceptable!

For a moment, Cheng Xiyan regained some fighting spirit, and all kinds of thoughts flashed through his mind.

Now he was the only person in Korea who knew about the ocean trade. Could he use this only advantage to get enough benefits for the forces behind him?

Cheng Xiyan immediately fell into deep thought. With enough benefits in front of him, he didn't care about the Jeju horse farm at all.

The next morning.

Morning court!

Thanks to the three old ministers who were seriously ill, retired, and remained silent, Zhu Houzhao was no longer satisfied with sitting on the platform, but wanted to really rule the country!

So he often convened civil and military courts in the name of various major events, taking a firm step forward.

When he turns 18 next year, when the ministers are used to it, Zhu Houzhao will personally rule the country and go to court.

Today's morning court is set up for the Korean delegation, regardless of other things.

The Korean envoy Cheng Xiyan went to the palace, first kneeling respectfully to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and then presented the Korean letter.

There are two contents in the letter. One is to request the Ming Dynasty's suzerain to enthrone Lee Gye as the King of Korea again, so as to give Lee Gye legitimacy to rule and avoid the hidden danger of the Lee Dynasty's ruling foundation being shaken.

The ministers of the Ming Dynasty were not surprised to hear this.

In fact, they have long known about the petty intrigues that happened in Korea.

Do you really think that the Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty is a vegetarian, who will monitor the officials in the capital every day and do nothing?

In fact, the important duties of the Jinyiwei also include monitoring and investigating foreign barbarians, especially the Mongolian Tartars.

So the Ming Dynasty was reluctant to enthrone Lee Gye because it did not conform to the patriarchal etiquette, and the problem was stuck here.

Even if Yeonsangun Lee was incompetent, licentious, and a bastard, he was still the eldest son of King Seongjong of Joseon, and the king of Joseon who was officially canonized by the Ming Dynasty!

You powerful officials of Joseon launched a coup d'état without a word, deposed Lee, and arbitrarily welcomed Lee Gye, what kind of behavior is this?

To put it nicely, this is "restoring order", to put it bluntly, these are "rebellious officials and traitors"!

The behavior of Lee Gye, Park Wonjong, Sung Hee-yeon, and Ryu Sun-ting, in the eyes of the emperors and generals of the Ming Dynasty, and in the eyes of the literati of the Ming Dynasty, is an absolute crime of treason and death!

Hey, it's really fresh, deposing and enthroning emperors, and having power over the court and the country, do you want to be the "Huo Guang Yi Yin"?

If any official in the Ming Dynasty did this, he would definitely be confiscated and exterminated!

So, a group of traitors who plotted rebellion still wanted to be enthroned by the Ming Dynasty, the suzerain. Isn't that a slap in the face of the Ming Dynasty scholars?

The crux of the problem lies here. The Ming Dynasty has been stuck in not enthroning Li Yi.

Xie Qian, the cabinet minister, suddenly stepped out and shouted: "Cheng Xiyan, even if Li is seriously ill and unable to take care of things, it should be his eldest son who inherits the throne of Joseon, not his younger brother Li Yi. This is not in line with the patriarchal etiquette. Don't you Joseon understand?"

A group of traitors who disregarded etiquette, if it were in the Ming Dynasty, Xie Qian would have picked up a sword and chopped them.

Facing the sharp eyes of the Ming Dynasty officials, Cheng Xiyan did not dare to tell the joke of "Li has no son", but chose the suggestion of Zhongshan Hou Tang Hao and made up a lie on the spot.

"Mr. Xie, you don't know that before King Lee of our country became seriously ill, he considered that his children were all young and could not take care of things, so he left a will ordering Lee Ye to ascend the throne to stabilize the political situation in Korea!"

Cheng Xiyan made up a story without blushing or beating his heart, and the ministers of the Ming Dynasty laughed.

What kind of "last words" is this? These Korean monarchs and ministers are really shameless and can make up any nonsense.

Zhu Houzhao watched Xie Qian, Zhang Sheng and others besiege Cheng Xiyan, as if the literati who uphold the clan system found a little brother who disrespected the clan system, so they were beating him up and wishing to beat him to death.

"That's enough!"

"Since it's Lee's will, let it be!"

When His Majesty the Emperor spoke, the ministers immediately quieted down.

But they were still a little unwilling. Why did His Majesty the Emperor suddenly give in?

However, when I think about it carefully, it seems that there is really no need to continue to be serious.

This North Korea has always been respectful to the Ming Dynasty and paid tribute all year round. It is the most obedient little brother in the vassal country.

Moreover, North Korea's Yanshan Lord Li was also an out-and-out cowardly tyrant. He was deposed after being forced to do nothing, which is really understandable.

There is indeed no need to continue to hold people back like this, which will in vain damage the friendly relations between the two countries.

However, Zhu Houzhao's next words instantly stunned the officials of the Ming Dynasty.

"Cheng Xiyan!"

"The foreign minister is here, Your Majesty, please speak."

"This letter of credence mentions that North Korea is willing to donate the Jeju Racecourse to the Ming Dynasty for free. Is this true?"

What?

Jeju Racecourse?

That Jeju racecourse that is rich in fine war horses?

And you still give it to me, Daming, for free?

How can this be? !

When the officials of the Ming Dynasty heard this, they were all stunned on the spot!

They are not fools, they are so easy to fool!

Who doesn’t know what North Korea has done in the past, and went to great lengths to reduce the tribute of war horses to the Ming Dynasty? How could it suddenly dedicate the Jeju Racecourse directly to the Ming Dynasty?

conspiracy!

There must be a conspiracy here!

The General Secretary of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Zhang Fuhua, suddenly turned his head and looked at Zhongshan Hou Tang Hao.

The latter grinned, revealing a row of shining white teeth.

Seeing this smile, Zhang Fuhua reacted immediately and couldn't help but secretly praise it.

What a big deal!

In the name of going to sea to suppress Japanese pirates, he seized the Jeju Racecourse and used Li Yi's canonization to force North Korea to donate the Jeju Racecourse...

This is clearly an act of banditry!

However, Jeju Racecourse is very fragrant!

Yang Yiqing also looked at Tang Hao with a complicated expression. This pair of ambitious monarchs and ministers had really done it, and justifiably occupied his Jeju racecourse in a majestic name!

Immediately afterwards, Xie Qian, the great scholar of Jinshen Palace, Yang Tinghe, the great scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, Wang Hao, the left minister of the Ministry of official affairs, Han Wen, the minister of the Ministry of household affairs, Zhang Sheng, the minister of the Ministry of rites, and other important officials in the court gradually came to their senses and all brushed their hands. He looked at Zhongshan Hou Tang Hao.

From beginning to end, this co-authoring matter was all a conspiracy against Jeju Racecourse?

We, the important ministers of the court, are also part of the play between you, the king and his ministers?

Without waiting for the officials to think more, Cheng Xiyan spoke directly and released a king bomb!

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"I, the King of Korea, feel that the horse administration of the Ming Dynasty has been corrupted, and I am deeply grateful for the kindness of the Ming Dynasty, so I am willing to donate the Jeju Racecourse to help the Ming Dynasty restore the horse administration!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Xie Qian was shocked and angry and yelled: "You bastard!"

"How dare you, a North Korean foreign minister, speak nonsense here?"

"When has the Ming Dynasty's Ma Zheng been corrupted? Do you need North Korea to point your fingers here?"

This is no longer a problem of Jeju Racecourse, this is obviously a great humiliation!

The Ming Dynasty always regarded itself as the supreme kingdom of heaven, and regarded the surrounding vassal countries as barbarian lands.

As a result, an envoy from a foreign vassal country came to the Ming Dynasty's emperor, general and minister Xiaojiuqing and ridiculed the Ming Dynasty's poor horse administration. We couldn't stand it anymore, so we gave you a horse farm for free for you to watch. Let’s see what a real war horse is...

No need to think too much, this matter will spread all over the world in an instant, and all the emperors and ministers present will become a laughing stock!

Unless... bring out ironclad evidence, bring out the many war horses raised by the Ming Dynasty, fight back fiercely, and beat this Cheng Xiyan to death!

As expected, His Majesty the Emperor was "livid". First he scolded Cheng Xiyan, a foreign envoy, for being arrogant, and then he praised the Ming Dynasty's Mazong policy for its brilliant strategy. Finally, he turned his attention to these two people. One is Yang Yiqing, Minister of the Ministry of War, and the other is Wu Tinghuan, the minister of Taipu Temple.

Yang Yiqing felt His Majesty the Emperor's sharp gaze, and then subconsciously turned to look at Tang Hao.

Marquis of Zhongshan, you are really a thief!

How could he have imagined that this thief just reminded him yesterday and buried such a big hole with his back foot!

Tang Hao looked at Yang Yiqing with a smile, pursed his lips in a playful manner, and signaled him to start performing.

If you, Yang Yiqing, want to secure your position as Minister of the Ministry of War, it depends on whether you have this ability.

The Ming Dynasty was terrible. This is not an empty talk, but all the excellent systems established by Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, such as Jingying, Salt Administration, Ma Zheng, Border Bei, etc., were all due to corruption and bribery. This kind of writing is so rotten to the core that you can see pus from the outside!

Therefore, instead of saying that this is Tang Hao cheating Yang Yiqing, it is better to say that this is Tang Hao forcing Yang Yiqing, a talented official, to do what he should do, to severely punish the rotten and pus-filled Ma Zheng of the Ming Dynasty. Clean it up!

Yang Yiqing took a deep breath and decided to go out.

If he didn't speak, then Wu Tinghuan, the minister of Taipus Temple, and all the officials in Taipus Temple would be beheaded by the furious Emperor Ming!

"Your Majesty, after investigation, our Shaanxi Horse Administration, the core of the Ming Dynasty, originally had tens of thousands of horses and a total of 1,220 horse herders in the early Ming Dynasty. However, by the end of Hongzhi, there were only 2,300 horses left. The number of horse herders has also been reduced to 745... The situation in other ranches is also very serious! "

Yang Yiqing's words completely made the officials extremely angry.

At this time, in front of the foreign ministers who provoked first, should you, Yang Yiqing, say such words?

Even if there is really a problem with the horse politics, you shouldn't say it in front of a foreign minister!

Can't you lie?

Can't you cover up your mistakes?

You, Yang Yiqing, really deserve to die!

Now, the face of the Ming Dynasty has been completely lost!

Cheng Xiyan was also stunned. What else could this be?

Is the horse politics of the Ming Dynasty really so corrupt?

No wonder the Marquis of Zhongshan would...

No!

It's over!

I was used as a gun by him!

Cheng Xiyan suddenly reacted, and then looked at Tang Hao with a face full of horror.

This damn dog thief, he wanted to use his mouth from the beginning to expose the corruption of the horse politics of the Ming Dynasty!

And he, Cheng Xiyan, a foreign minister, will also suffer the hatred and even revenge of the Ming Dynasty monarchs and ministers because of this!

After understanding this, Cheng Xiyan's face instantly turned pale as paper, without a trace of blood!

A furious voice came from the steps!

"Oh, that's really good!"

"You've brought shame to the vassal states!"

With a loud bang, the emperor slammed the table and stood up.

"You have no shame, but I, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, still have some shame!"

"Who can tell me where those war horses went?"

All the civil and military officials in the court knelt on the ground, not even daring to breathe.

Yang Yiqing looked at Tang Hao with resentment, and finally learned the tricks of this thief.

The Marquis of Zhongshan in the Ming Dynasty is really a scoundrel!