Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 977: Exploiting North Korea Again

Dorgon's words touched Zhezhe, who conferred Qitat the title of Duolo Prince. This changed the status of Khorchin in both Mongolia and the Qing Dynasty. Moreover, the Tenger brothers had been conferred the title of prince by the Ming Dynasty. Since the Ming Dynasty could confer the title of Mongolian prince and prince, why couldn't the Qing emperor do the same?

Once Qitat becomes the Duolo Prince, his status in Mongolia will rise sharply, and he can directly represent the will of the Qing Dynasty in Mongolia, which is a good thing for the Qing Dynasty. At the same time, it is also a good thing for Khorchin and Qitat himself. In addition, Zhezhe herself is from Khorchin, and the status of her family has been raised, which makes her look glorious.

"Prince Rui's suggestion is good. What do you think, Mr. Fan?" Zhezhe asked Fan Wencheng, feeling excited. How could Fan Wencheng not understand Zhezhe's thoughts? He immediately agreed.

"Then it is settled. Mr. Fan will draft an edict for me and the emperor, and then Prince Rui will formally issue an edict in the name of the regent prince to confer the title of Qitate."

“Hmm…”

Fan Wencheng responded and glanced at Dorgon. Seeing that Dorgon had no intention of objecting, he came to the side, picked up the pen, and quickly wrote an imperial edict, then read it to Zhezhe and Dorgon. After listening to it, the two nodded slightly to indicate that there was no problem. Fan Wencheng then gave the imperial edict to Zhezhe first, and Zhezhe took out the jade seal to stamp it, and then handed it to Dorgon.

"Prince Rui, the follow-up matters will be handled by you."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Dorgon nodded with a smile.

Zhezhe added, "Although the Chahar matter will be handled as Prince Rui said, the current problem of the shortage of materials in the Qing Dynasty must be solved as soon as possible. I wonder what Prince Rui has to say?"

Dorgon said solemnly, "In the past, this situation was nothing more than fighting to support the war, but now the Ming Dynasty has changed its emperor. The new emperor is no ordinary person. After he ascended the throne, he reorganized military affairs and stabilized the internal affairs. His actions are quite methodical. The Ming army in Liaodong is also different from the past. It has made many adjustments since the Battle of Jinzhou. Now Zu Dashou, Wu Sangui and others are on high alert in Liaodong to guard against our Qing Dynasty."

"If we start a war now, although the Qing army can defeat the Ming army in a field battle, if the Ming army holds the city tightly, this war will be difficult to fight. This is what happened when the late emperor besieged Jinzhou. If there was no good way to capture Jinzhou, why would the late emperor only resort to siege? And don't forget that Pi Island is also in the hands of the Ming Dynasty. If our army attacks western Liaoning, the Ming army on Pi Island, including its navy, will certainly be ready to move. At that time, we will attack from both sides and will definitely return empty-handed."

"Especially now that our Qing Dynasty is short of supplies, we cannot sustain a long-term war. The first thing we need to do is to solve this supply problem, and then find a way to break through the Liaoxi Corridor and attack the weak points of the Ming Army. Only in this way can we have a chance of winning."

"Since the Queen asked me about the shortage of supplies, I don't have a good solution, so I can think of a way to alleviate the shortage of supplies for the Qing Dynasty..."

As he spoke, Dorgon raised his hand and pointed towards the east.

"Prince Rui is referring to North Korea?"

"Exactly!"

Dorgon nodded and said, "It is unlikely to obtain supplies from the Ming Dynasty at present, and it is not the right way to start from Mongolia. After all, the Mongolian tribes are allies of the Qing Dynasty, and the Mongolians themselves are short of resources. Once we send troops to plunder Mongolia, not only will we not get anything, but it will also cause the Mongolian tribes to become disunited."

"So the only place we can attack is Korea in the east. The late emperor sent troops to conquer Korea because he saw that Korea could be used by the Qing Dynasty. And Korea was also an important part of the late emperor's strategy to attack Ming Dynasty again."

"Using the national strength of Korea to make up for the needs of the Qing Dynasty, and using Korean materials to make up for the shortage of the Qing Dynasty, this will alleviate the current problems of the Qing Dynasty. As long as the material problem is solved, the Qing Dynasty will have no worries. Next, whether it is to unite the Mongolian tribes and Agudamu to go to war or continue to attack the Ming Dynasty, it will be more confident." Dorgon's suggestion made Zhezhe nod repeatedly, and he still approved of his method. And what Dorgon said was not wrong. When Huang Taiji was still there, he got materials from Korea several times to make up for the shortage of materials in the Qing Dynasty.

Since Huang Taiji could do it then, why can't he do it now? Moreover, Korea had already been broken by the Qing Dynasty and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty still had troops stationed in Seoul, Korea, and the rulers and ministers of Korea were all under the control of the Qing Dynasty. Whatever the Qing Dynasty wanted to do in Korea, these Koreans would not dare to say a word, so what would it mean to offer some supplies and food?

But Fan Wencheng, who was silent on the side, frowned slightly. Fan Wencheng did not deny the role of Korea in the Qing Dynasty. When Huang Taiji attacked Korea and was used by it, he did have the intention of using Korea's national strength to make up for the shortcomings of the Qing Dynasty.

After all, under the blockade of the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty did not have many choices. There were only three breakthrough points to choose from: one was the Ming Dynasty, one was Mongolia, and the last one was North Korea.

As for the Ming Dynasty, if they could win, they would definitely fight. Wasn't the founding and rise of the Qing Dynasty built on years of war with the Ming army? As for Mongolia, it was an ally of the Qing Dynasty. To win over the Mongols and use them for the Qing Dynasty and to drive the Mongolian cavalry to fight for the Qing Dynasty was a strategic means determined during the Nurhaci period, and this means has been implemented well so far.

As for the last one, Korea, it is not to mention that Korea has a land area of ​​3,000 miles, and its territory and population are not small. Moreover, as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, Korea has always been known as Little China. The Joseon Dynasty has been established for more than 200 years, and the country is relatively stable. In addition, although Korea is poor in land, it is much stronger than the Qing Dynasty in terms of productivity and farming.

How could the Qing Dynasty ignore such a small country right next to it? Moreover, Korea, as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, had been fighting with the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty in the early years. The two sides were opponents. Starting from Korea could not only cut off one arm of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong, but also subdue Korea and use it for its own benefit. Why not kill two birds with one stone?
In this way, Huang Taiji set his sights on Korea. After Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenlong, he decisively sent troops to conquer Korea when the Ming army in Pi Island was no longer a threat.

Since there was no intervention from the Ming Dynasty, the military operation to conquer Korea went very smoothly. Korea quickly surrendered and the Qing Dynasty took control of Korea. It used Korea's land to capture Pi Island, which was once occupied by Mao Wenlong, and also recruited a large number of Ming troops for its own use.

After Korea surrendered, it became a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty. Huang Taiji sent troops to Seoul to control Korea from top to bottom. Over the years, he got a lot of things from Korea. It can be said that Korea played a huge role in the Qing Dynasty.

On the surface, it seems that there is no problem to continue to reach out to Korea now. After all, there are only a few places where the Qing Dynasty can get supplies, and Korea is the best choice. But Fan Wencheng is worried that Huang Taiji has already plundered Korea once before, and that plundering has seriously damaged Korea's vitality. Korea is not the Ming Dynasty. Korea is a small country with weak people. It does not have much wealth. Can the Koreans bear it if they are plundered again and again? If they continue to exploit Korea, what if... ?
Thinking of this, Fan Wencheng couldn't help but feel worried, but when he looked at Dorgon and Zhezhe quietly, he suppressed what he wanted to say. Fan Wencheng was not stupid. Wouldn't it be a bummer to say such a thing at this time? Moreover, he was an official of the Qing Dynasty and received a salary from the Qing Dynasty. What did North Korea have to do with him? Even if doing so would probably provoke a civil uprising in Korea, it would not be difficult for the Qing Dynasty's military to suppress the civil uprising. As long as the current material problems of the Qing Dynasty could be solved, the lives of the Koreans would be of no concern to him. Why bother?

Dorgon suggested getting supplies from North Korea, and this idea was approved by Zhezhe. After discussion, Zhezhe decided that Dorgon would arrange and handle the matter.

Just two days after the meeting, Dorgon ordered, in the name of the regent prince, to start plundering supplies from Korea, and said that although there were Qing troops stationed in Korea, the importance of this plunder should also be considered. To ensure this, the Qing must be well prepared, and also prevent the Ming army in Pi Island from interfering in Korean affairs, so Dorgon proposed that Hauge lead troops to Korea to handle this matter, on the one hand to suppress the Korean monarch and ministers, on the other hand to consider the reaction of the Ming Dynasty.

Dorgon's suggestion was quickly recognized by most people. The nobles of the Eight Banners were well aware of the current situation of the Qing Dynasty. The shortage of supplies in the Qing Dynasty was indeed imminent, and everyone agreed to obtain supplies from Korea through this method.

As for who to send, since Dorgon suggested that Hauge go, there was no problem. Hauge had been through many battles and was an expert in war. Moreover, he had a high status and position, so he was fully qualified to be in charge of Korea. In addition, everyone knew that Dorgon disliked Hauge and thought that Dorgon wanted to take this opportunity to send Hauge out of Shengjing so that he would not be bothered by him.

As for Hauge, it was the same. He felt uncomfortable staying in Shengjing. Dorgon had been making trouble for him every other day. Although Hauge was not afraid of him, he felt uncomfortable. Now there was an opportunity to lead troops outside, and to a place like Korea, how could Hauge refuse? In this way, Hauge led troops to Korea in the name of a general. Ajige and his subordinates who were currently stationed in Seoul were assigned to his command. Together with the elite Eight Banners led by Hauge, he became the "emperor" of Korea directly after arriving in Seoul.

After arriving in Korea, Hauge immediately went to the Korean King Yi Jong and put forward the Qing Dynasty's demands. After learning that the Qing Dynasty had offered such outrageous conditions, Yi Jong secretly complained in his heart. You know, before Huang Taiji's death, he had plundered Korea once, and that time Korea was in great trouble. If it weren't for Yi Jong's strong pressure, Korea would have been in chaos.

Now, less than two years have passed, and Korea has not yet recovered its vitality. The Qing Dynasty is coming to plunder again. How can Korea afford such repeated plundering? Isn't this asking for death?
But facing Hauge, Li Jong had no intention of opposing it at all. He could only cowardly say that he would try his best to do as Hauge said. However, Hauge's attitude towards Li Jong was not only tough, but also arrogant. He left after leaving a few threatening words. After Hauge left, Li Jong secretly groaned, but did not dare to disobey Hauge's orders. He could only summon his ministers to discuss the matter and try his best to meet the needs of the Qing Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)