Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 357: Fortunes are sought in danger, merits are born in desperate situations

Wealth and wealth are found in danger.

Today, Tao Chongdao showed off his arrogance as a "Han envoy" in Korea. Among the Tao family in Taoyan, Kuaiji County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, the elders gathered together, but the one sitting at the head was Tao Wangling, who was only 48 years old.

"Zhou Wang, how should we deal with what Uncle Lu said in the letter? You have to make a decision!"

Tao Wangling, courtesy name Zhouwang, was the top scholar in the imperial examination in the 17th year of the Wanli reign. He was in the same class as Dong Qichang and Yuan Keli. When he was still in the Hanlin Academy, Tao Wangling was ranked first in poetry and prose.

In the fifth year of Taichang, he was selected as the chief academician of Nanjing Imperial College.

I have returned to my hometown because my mother passed away.

At this moment, Tao Wangling looked haggard and kept coughing.

Although his fourth brother Tao Shiling was only a juren, he now presided over the clan school and had made great achievements in academic studies. Liu Zongzhou, who became a jinshi in the first year of Taichang, had a close personal relationship with him.

Seeing that his third brother's health was getting worse, Tao Shiling said, "Fifth Uncle, how should we, the East, South, and West branches of the Tao family, make a decision? If Uncle Lu makes achievements in Korea, the East branch will naturally enjoy the imperial grace. How can we, the South and West branches, be so shameless as to beg for favors?"

The reason they asked Tao Wangling was because Tao Chengxue, the first Jinshi in the Nanfang family and the father of Tao Wangling and his brothers, had just passed away the previous year.

Taoyan Tao family, it is said that Tao Yue, a descendant of Tao Yuanming, moved here at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. After three generations, Taoyan Tao family was divided into three branches. In the first year of Chenghua, the East Branch produced the first Jinshi of Taoyan Tao family. In the 29th year of Jiajing, the South Branch also produced the first Jinshi, Tao Chengxue.

That list was the first list of the imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty. Behind these shining names, there was also a fellow examinee, Tao Chengxue, including Zhang Juzheng, Li Chunfang, Wang Shizhen, Yang Jisheng, Wang Daokun.

When he was promoted to the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, it was the sixth year of the Wanli reign.

However, because of his disagreement with Zhang Juzheng, Tao Chengxue resigned from his official position and returned home in the ninth year of the Wanli period.

How much disagreement could there be between him and Zhang Juzheng? At that time, he was the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, and Zhang Juzheng was about to start promoting the land survey in the prefectures of Nanzhili...

At that time, the Tao family of Taoyan had produced eleven Jinshi (Jinshi) in the Five Dynasties, and even more Juren (Juren) and Shengyuan (Shengyuan).

Tao Chongdao, a rising star of the Tao family, whose courtesy name was Lu Shu, had sent a letter home before his mission to Korea. When the news arrived, the Tao family had to make a major choice.

The West Room, which had never produced a Jinshi, did not dare to speak and looked at the East Room.

In the east room, the oldest person is Tao Danian. In terms of seniority, he is the fourth master of Tao Chongdao.

"Yunchun is the prefect in Changsha, and Yunyi is the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing." Tao Danian looked at Tao Youxue, the oldest in the west room, and said, "Lord Qingyu, Uncle Lu was first sent as an envoy to the Jianzhou Jurchens, and then to Korea. After passing the imperial examination, his achievements were all in Liaodong. Now the Left Commander of the Left Army is Zhou Wang, who passed the imperial examination, and Lord Qingyu has an old relationship with Marquis Jingyi. Today we are not discussing which family should receive the favor and go to Korea. Lord Qingyu, does Lord Longjiang have any letter?"

Tao Youxue, the uncle of Tao Wangling brothers, was a second-class Jinshi and eventually became the Left Governor of Zhejiang.

If we trace back to the source of the great earthquake in Zhejiang officialdom a few years ago, we will find that Tao Youxue was one of the capable men who laid the initial foundation for the Zhejiang Party in Zhejiang.

When Tao Danian said that he had an old relationship with Marquis Jingyi, he was not referring to Yu Zigao, but Yu Dayou.

Tao Youxue is now 89 years old. Hearing this, he shook his head and said, "I am almost dead, how can I still have any feelings for the old times? When Lord Longjiang was reinstated, didn't you all read his previous letters?"

Tao Danian sighed, and when he heard Tao Wangling coughing again, he couldn't help but say, "Zhou Wang, you should mourn and take care of yourself."

In the past two years, Tao Wangling's mother and father passed away one after another, and he was indeed physically injured due to excessive grief.

Tao Danian frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "I'll speak frankly. Lord Longjiang had previously advised us, the Tao family, not to disobey the imperial decree. It's easy to say that the strict implementation of preferential treatment is fine, but I'm afraid that in the future, preferential treatment will be reduced or even eliminated. Your Majesty's intention is clear. If you have achieved fame and honor, you will be given preferential treatment in your official position. I'm afraid you won't support the gentry in the opposition like before. Many families, including the Shen family, are already doing business with Zongminghao and Changminghao. Lord Longjiang is not afraid of public criticism and has come out again to serve as the chief of staff in Nanjing. Although he came to Beijing to apologize this time, I'm afraid he has understood the emperor's intention and has made another important appointment."

After a pause, he continued, "A few days ago, I sent someone to the Shen family to ask. What I mean is that the Shen family intends to send one of their family members to Korea! To go to Korea, you must have money. In addition, the family's school fields, fertile fields, mountains, forests, and lakes... these must be discussed. What I mean is, it doesn't matter what the east room, south room, or west room is. What kind of place is Korea? Even if there are scholars or candidates in the family, how can they not be used in Korea?"

After that, he looked at Tao Wangling and said, "Zhou Wang, your mourning period is about to expire. As a graduate of the Hanlin Academy and a master of the Nanjing Imperial College, as long as Duke Longjiang is willing to speak well of you in front of the emperor and get the recommendation of Governor Yuan, you will be an important official in Korea. If Your Majesty is willing to accept Korea as a real territory, you must attach great importance to culture and education!"

"…I really…"

"Zhou Wang! Your parents lived to a ripe old age, why are you so sad?" Tao Danian scolded with some dissatisfaction, "Uncle Lu said that His Majesty has issued an order that if he succeeds, he will definitely be rewarded with a noble title! The East House must send some people to help him, but they can only be some adopted sons and daughters, tenants and servants. Yunchun and Yunyi are now serving officials, and they are all uncles of Uncle Lu, so it is inconvenient to invite them to the court to serve as officials. After all, Uncle Lu is a latecomer and needs the help of the elders. After looking around, you are the most suitable one in the clan."

Tao Youxue sighed and patted Tao Wangling on the shoulder: "Uncle Da Nian is right. Zhou Wang, your brother and sister-in-law have passed away, you have to cheer up."

"This is a golden opportunity!" Tao Danian said again, "You should donate to build the Nian Zhai Academy. Our Tao family has been operating in Shaoxing Prefecture for several generations, and we can recommend many people to be staff and advisors. When we arrive in Korea, we will naturally marry into a local famous family and help the poor and talented. My idea is to discuss which fields can be sold or simply given to adopted daughters to avoid excessive land taxes in the future. But we should select some young men, young girls, and one male and one female tenants and hired workers from each family. The proceeds from the sale will be used as the assets of the newly established North House."

"...North Room?"

"That's right! When we get to Korea, there's no need to divide it into three branches, it's all the North Branch! No matter how many branches and leaves there you have, the North Branch will be responsible for it. Zhou Wang, you still have to take charge of the North Branch, after all, Uncle Lu is new to the officialdom!"

In the Tao family association of Taoyan, Korea has already been taken over by the Ming Dynasty. It is a precious land for the Tao family to expand and strengthen their family business.

Tao has money, connections, and strong connections.

This is the opportunity that the big guys can seize. As long as they are smart, good at following and taking advantage of the general trend, and have a longer-term vision, they will be willing to give up some of the immediate short-term benefits and invest in a brighter future.

In the Yangxin Palace in Beijing, after reading the memorial presented by Shen Yikuan, Zhu Changluo looked up at him meaningfully.

"…Your Majesty, please forgive me for laughing. Joseon has been independent for many years. If you want Prince Lu to be able to stabilize Joseon's national affairs immediately after he becomes a vassal, this is the only way. There must be a group of ministers who can be used."

Shen Yi always behaved very respectfully, with just the right amount of embarrassment.

He gave the emperor a list more than once, but many times before he had to sell out or protect others, but this time he was going to reap the rewards.

Zhu Changluo said, "I do trust the people you recommended. But I want Korea to be loyal to the king, not to change a group of aristocratic families. Do you understand?"

"I understand. The people I recommend also understand!" Shen Yikuan nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty, the success or failure of your administration of Korea will naturally depend on the people's hearts. I am not boasting, but in terms of loving and cherishing the people, the officials of the Ming Dynasty are far superior to the old officials of Korea."

"The emperor is far away, that's not necessarily true." Zhu Changluo did not comment, "Let's leave it here for now. After all, the future of Korea is still uncertain. Let me ask you first, why are these people unwilling to go to Chengde Prefecture, Liaoning Province, but willing to go to Korea?"

Shen Yi Guan hesitated for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, there is a sea route to Korea in the future..."

"Because Chengde Prefecture and Liaoning Province must all be registered as civilians." Zhu Changluo looked at him, "As for land routes, you have dealt with Changminghao before, and the monarch and his subjects should be more frank. They go to Korea for high positions and for the benefits of wealth and trade. I do not reject these ideas, but if the officials appointed by the Ming Dynasty break the law in Korea, they will be punished more severely in the future!"

"Yes Yes……"

"Explain it to them again." Zhu Changluo ordered, "It's a remote place, and not many people are willing to go there. Although I won't treat them badly, I still need them to have some ambition to educate the locals. If the Ming Dynasty only wants to exploit them, why bother with so much effort? Just plunder them and make them pay compensation."

"I will definitely recruit more talented people!"

Shen Yikuan now has some "businessman" temperament, after all, he values ​​profit.

His investment in the future is mainly in Southeast Asia and further afield.

But Nanyang was still too far away, and he was getting older.

When the emperor was about to take action against Zhejiang, he used his previous prestige and inseparable interests to force many people to follow the court. Those Zhejiang Party officials resigned or were transferred to other posts, and they have accumulated resentment over the years.

Although the cooperation with Changming and Zongming also provided a new source of profit, now facing the tempting opportunity of North Korea, Shen Yiguan, who had been reinstated as the chief of staff in Nanjing for several months, naturally shouldered the emperor's trust. Therefore, Shen Yiguan received many requests, hoping to make another investment.

In Shen Yikuan's view, the imperial court also had this need.

At least for one or two generations, Korea would still be a vassal state, independent and unified. If he went to Korea at this time, it would be inconvenient to transfer to Ming Dynasty and tie his personal and family future to Korea.

On one side is the Celestial Empire, and on the other side is a remote and cold vassal state. There must not be many officials in the imperial court who are willing to go to Korea.

Therefore, Shen Yiquan recommended many "talented people from the opposition".

Now that the emperor spoke frankly, Shen Yikuan only showed an expression that he hoped for the emperor's mercy.

Zhu Changluo was amused. "Okay, I know it was not easy for you to suppress Zhejiang. But if you dig deeper, I don't know how many people can't enjoy their old age. Now that they are willing to let the younger generation have another way out for the sake of the country, I will not hesitate to give them a chance. The overall situation in Korea is still uncertain, so let them all come to the capital first. Even if we have to select some people to help Korea govern the vassal, I will personally examine and instruct them."

"I accept the decree."

Shen Yiquan breathed a sigh of relief.

Since they were invited here, it wouldn't be in vain, right? They would be given some opportunities, perhaps the opportunity to be appointed as an official, or the opportunity to engage in future trade.

Before Shen Yikuan walked out of the Qianqing Gate, he saw Wang An walking towards him happily with a memorial in his hand.

"Eunuch Wang, is there any more good news?"

Wang An smiled and nodded when he saw him. "Great news! A report came from Seoul, Korea that Jin Jingrui, the military governor of Gyeonggi Province, understood the righteousness of the country and persuaded the Korean tyrant to issue an edict of guilt. Now, all the Korean officials have jointly petitioned Your Majesty to make a decision."

Shen Yi Guan was surprised, and then couldn't help but sigh: "Uncle Tao Lu's contribution is unprecedented!"

Wang An was slightly dissatisfied: "This is because your majesty has conquered the world, the heavenly soldiers are loyal and brave, and the ruler of Korea has lost the support of the people!"

Shen Yi Guan hurriedly said: "Your Excellency is right, this is the main point. I congratulate Your Majesty and the Ming Dynasty!"

"I'm going to tell His Majesty the good news." Wang An added, "Counselor Shen can take a break. I'm sure His Majesty will summon the ministers and other councilors to discuss this matter."

Shen Yikuan nodded, but quickened his pace, wanting to go outside the palace to ask the servants to notify those people to come to the capital first.

He is almost eighty years old, but his legs and feet are still quite agile.

There was no way out. The Ming Dynasty was regaining vitality and the trend of revival was already established, urging the government and the public to look forward.

Not long after, the emperor summoned all the ministers and three advisory scholars.

The location is still in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After hearing the details, Shen Yikuan realized that it was not a settled matter.

Zhu Changluo said: "Tao Chongdao is indeed brave and resourceful. He only said that I want the Joseon Yi family to abdicate, but he did not say that I want to appoint Wang Shu as the ruler of Joseon. Now that he is there, I am afraid that Jin Jingrui and the Joseon remonstrators are in a dilemma. The mountains are high and the roads are long. I don't know if he is still alive. What will happen if the Joseon provinces hear of the mutiny?"

"Apart from the Lee family, how dare the civil and military officials of Joseon usurp the throne? Where is the legal system?" Tian Le said, "Being a minister of the Lee family or the Zhu family is actually the same. Since Jin Jingrui suddenly made a military remonstration, there must be other civil and military officials of Joseon who, under the pretext of killing treacherous officials, hope to support them and fight for the throne. Chaos is certain. If Your Majesty issues a clear decree to enthrone Prince Lu as the ruler of Joseon, there will naturally be civil and military officials who will resist the decree and rebel in the name of protecting the national system."

"So what do you mean?"

Tian Le said indifferently: "Let them fight first! If Jin Jingrui is a smart man, he should first recover Hamgyong Province and seize the great cause of restoring the country and protecting the territory and the people. From the fight for the throne to the chaos among the ministers, the loyal and the treacherous must be distinguished. How the Joseon clans make their choices will inevitably be divided into three factions: those who protect the Joseon national unity regardless of who is the leader of the Lee family, those who want to establish themselves as the leader or support others of the Lee family as powerful ministers, and those who are determined to welcome the king's army and the king's culture into the court."

Zhu Changluo sighed, "No matter what, the chaos in Korea has come to an end. Since the invasion of the Japanese pirates, the Korean people have been in this situation of chaos and extortion for nearly twenty years. I hope that the wise men in Korea can make a decision quickly. When the royal army enters the court again, it is not appropriate to kill too many people. Send an order to Jiuliancheng, first recruit Yizhou City to surrender, and then let Prince Lu cross the river to set up a porridge factory to accommodate Korean refugees who are avoiding the war. Spring is back, and war disasters are everywhere. Korea will definitely have famine this year. Send an order to Tao Chongdao, since the tyrant Li Hui has issued an edict of self-criticism, he should go to Beijing in person to apologize. Because of his act of seizing the throne, the Ming Dynasty's policy of using markets instead of relief can now be restarted and changed back to relief. Order Korea to select wise officials to preside over the matter."

In the past it was purely relief, but later on, because Li Hui was determined to occupy the positions of Crown Prince and Prince Consort, relief was replaced by market exchange.

Now that Li Hui had issued an edict of remorse due to the "military advice", the Ming Dynasty required him to personally appear before the emperor to plead guilty, and free relief was restored.

But free things are the most expensive. If the remonstrants who are now in power in the capital of Korea want to use these relief grains to win over the hearts of the people, they can only follow the path required by the Ming Dynasty.

They say it is relief food, but when they get it, isn't it military food? Now that they have military food, won't there be military aid and reinforcements later?

The new situation in Korea had just begun, but the Jianzhou Jurchens were really facing a life-and-death situation.

"Your Majesty, we can't hesitate any longer! We can't hesitate any longer! While they still have few troops, we have to break out first!"

"The defeat is like a landslide. Without someone to cover our retreat, the Great Jin will surely perish here!" Nurhaci was now truly filled with hatred. He looked up to the sky and cried out in grief, "Huerhan, you lead the people to escort the people eastward! Fei Yingdong, you follow me to cover our retreat. If I die for the Great Jin, tell Zhu Ying not to forget the hatred of the Manchus!"

In the narrow strip of land of Babaogou, to the west were the reinforcements that had rushed back from the northern defense line and were engaged in a battle with Liu Jing's troops, and to the east was the Tianshu Camp that had been suppressed to the south of the Suzi River.

The narrow path north of the river was still within the range of their artillery fire.

Nurhaci had already realized that their target was him.

As long as we cross the river and continue to suppress them, making the passage on the north bank safer, they would rather suffer heavy casualties and block this place.

"God's will is with me. Great Jin will not perish!" Nurhaci raised his arms and shouted, "Men of the Eight Banners, follow me across the river and annihilate the Ming army!"

The ice on the river surface was becoming thinner and thinner, and the war horses could not cross the river.

But no matter what the cost, we must now defend this retreat route at all costs so that the last batch of soldiers and civilians can retreat further away and the Ming army will not have time to catch up.

Nurhaci knew that preserving his own life was the foundation of the Great Jin Dynasty, and Zhu Ying was not calm enough or prestigious enough.

But the Tianshu Camp in front of him offered his life in exchange for his own, which did not give him much choice.

He knew that as soon as the battle started, Ming reinforcements would pour in from Sarhu and Yagu Pass.

Only if he was still here, the Ming army would not focus on hunting down the people of the Great Jin Dynasty.

"kill!"

Yu Zigao could see Nurhaci, who had personally led his troops to annihilate them, and that only 1,300 men were left in the Tianshu Battalion beside him.

These are all the best fighters in the Beijing Army, and the top scorers in the Ming Dynasty’s military examination. I wonder how much money the emperor spent on them.

Of the three thousand soldiers in the Tianshu Camp, only a little over half are still alive. After this battle, I'm afraid that there will be less than half left.

But that's what he chose.

It is better to destroy the Tianshu Camp than to give the Jianzhou Jurchens time to retreat calmly.

Between him and Nurhaci, only one can survive!

(End of this chapter)