Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 427: The Korean Mission Arrives in Beijing
When Li Yi heard this, the expression on his face was surprised at first.

Then there was ecstasy!

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Originally, my Tang Dynasty wanted to take action against Manila and completely pacify Southeast Asia, but we lacked a legitimate reason."

"Now, the Spaniards have taken the initiative to provide reasons!"

"Hahaha, God bless our Tang Dynasty!"

After learning that the situation in Crimea might be coming to an end, Li Yi began to plan to take action against Manila and Batavia.

This was because he needed to completely wipe out the Western forces in Southeast Asia before the Crimea ended and the British and French powers could divert their attention from the Crimean War to the east.

Bring the entire Nanyang under the rule of the Tang Dynasty!
Then, he could deal with Western aggression against the East without any worries.

Originally, he was still racking his brains for reasons to mobilize troops.

Now, the Spaniards have taken the initiative to hand the evidence to the Tang Dynasty.

Taking a deep breath, Li Yi made quick arrangements.

"Send a message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ordering the Department of Foreign Affairs to receive the Korean envoys with high standards and to punish the Spanish in Manila."

"In addition, send a message to our South China Sea Fleet to prepare for dispatch."

"After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues an ultimatum to the Spaniards and declares war, send troops to fight the enemy!"

Upon hearing this, Li Liang immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order, indicating that he understood.

Li Yi stood on the execution platform, looking towards the south with a sad look in his eyes.

It is indeed time for me to take action against Nanyang!
After saying this, Li Yi waved his hand.

"Go back to the palace!"

……

The ninth day of the twelfth lunar month in the first year of Kaitai in the Tang Dynasty.

The Korean delegation arrived outside the capital.

Envoy Zhao Wensheng led the team towards the capital.

As early as after Li Yi captured Nanjing, Korea sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty to pay tribute.

On the one hand, it severed its relationship with the Qing Dynasty, a pseudo-dynasty built by the barbarians, and on the other hand, it became a vassal of the Han Dynasty again.

Li Yi naturally accepted this.

Therefore, after suffering losses at the hands of the Spaniards this time, North Korea came to ask the Tang Dynasty to give them justice.

Zhao Wensheng looked at the majestic city wall of Beijing in front of him, his eyes filled with reverence from the bottom of his heart.

"Is this the capital of the Celestial Empire?"

"Its grandeur and magnificence are indeed unmatched by the King of Korea!"

The Koreans of this era have not yet experienced the harm caused by Westerners.

Therefore, at this time, the Celestial Empire’s arrogance had not yet collapsed.

In the whole of North Korea, I dare not say all of them, but at least 90% of the intellectuals are Han elites.

I feel respect for the Central Plains Dynasty from the bottom of my heart!

The Korean delegation continued to move forward and finally arrived outside the gate of the capital.

From a distance, I saw a group of people waiting at the gate of the capital.

As he continued to move forward, Zhao Wensheng saw a senior official in a red robe coming towards him.

"I am Guo Songtao, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tang Dynasty. I have come here on the orders of Your Majesty to welcome the Korean delegation to Beijing."

Guo Songtao spoke.

If it were usual, given Guo Songtao's status, he would naturally not go out of the city in person to welcome the Korean delegation.

Sending a deputy here means we attach great importance to the North Koreans.

Even Guo Songtao was ambiguous as to whether to meet with Koreans in the yamen.

But now it is different. The Tang Dynasty needs to use the invasion of Korea by Western barbarians as an excuse to declare war on Spain.

Since there is a political need, it is natural that superficial treatment must be given adequately.

That is why Guo Songtao put down what he was doing and rushed to the outskirts of the capital to welcome the Korean delegation that had come from afar.

When Zhao Wensheng saw this, he was instantly moved.

He did not expect that the Tang Dynasty would send a high-ranking official of Guo Songtao's level to meet him.

How could he remain indifferent to this feeling of being valued?
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Wensheng bowed and saluted.

"Your humble servant, Cho Moon-sung, Minister of Rites of Joseon, greets Minister Guo."

Guo Songtao nodded slightly, stepped forward and supported Zhao Wensheng who was bowing, then took Zhao Wensheng's hand and led the Korean delegation to the capital city.

Along the roadside, many busy people couldn't help but look over here.

Some were curious about who was coming and why the Tang Dynasty sent an official in a red robe to greet him.

You know, the official robes of the Tang Dynasty today are based on the style of the former Ming Dynasty.

Those who can wear scarlet robes are either high-ranking officials or high-ranking officials in the court. They are all real big shots!

“They are North Koreans, right?”

"It should be. Look at that flag. There are Korean characters on it."

"Why did the Koreans send an envoy to the capital? Now is not the time to pay tribute, right?"

"I heard that North Korea sent an envoy to Beijing to ask for help from the Tang Dynasty!"

"..."

When everyone heard this, they subconsciously looked at the person who spoke last.

The man scratched his head and then began to explain.

"I heard that Korea was recently invaded by the Western Barbarians and suffered a great loss, but the Korean army was weak and could not match the Western Barbarians, so they sent people to ask for help from our Tang Dynasty."

"That's how it should be!"

As soon as these words were spoken, people around started talking again.

"Can't these damn Western barbarians just live a good life? Why do they have nothing better to do than to stir up trouble everywhere?"

"That's right, these Western barbarians are really a bunch of bad guys, none of them are good."

"Do you think the imperial court will send troops to rescue North Korea?"

"I think so. When Korea was invaded by Japanese pirates, it asked Ming for help. Didn't Ming send troops? How could our Tang Dynasty be worse than Ming now?"

"I think it's best to send troops to kill all those Western barbarians!" "..."

It is obvious that the people of the Tang Dynasty have no good feelings towards the Western barbarians.

……

Zhao Wensheng walked on the streets of the capital.

He looked around with some curiosity.

Although the capital city today is still a large construction site, some buildings have been completed.

Under Zhao Wensheng's feet was a shiny black asphalt road. The road surface was quite flat and the carriage was running on it without feeling any bumps at all.

On both sides of the road, there are lanterns covered with glass.

Moreover, the buildings along the road are no longer the traditional low and dilapidated bungalows, but high-rise buildings rising from the ground.

Although they are only five or six stories high on average, they are still scary enough in this era.

You know, Zhao Wensheng had never seen such a scene when he was in North Korea.

Seeing it now, I can’t help but be amazed.

Seeing this, Guo Songtao, who was standing by, explained in a very understanding manner.

"These buildings are a new type of architecture that Datang has only recently planned and designed."

"The vertical development of buildings can save space and accommodate more people within a limited space."

"The population of the capital has increased a lot recently. If we don't do this, the capital will be overcrowded..."

As the Tang Dynasty recovered the capital, officials, troops, and their families headed north to Beijing.

The capital city, which had become deserted due to the withdrawal of the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty, has regained its former popularity.

In fact, with the development of various industries and commerce, various factories have sprung up and the trend of population urbanization has become more and more obvious.

The population of the capital has increased significantly compared to the Qing Dynasty.

Because of this, the real estate industry in Datang is now developing very rapidly.

The market for those small high-rise buildings is very good.

Many of them were booked out in advance before they were even completed.

Well, this is called a pre-sale property.

In fact, not only the outer cities of the capital, but also the real estate in big cities such as Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Tianjin have begun to improve.

As long as the population gathers, the real estate market will not be bad.

This is an objective law!

The Tang Dynasty court took advantage of this opportunity to raise a large sum of money, and even Li Yi's small treasury became more abundant.

This is also the reason why Li Yi dared to send troops to the grasslands, build infrastructure, and promote immigration while continuing to use troops in Southeast Asia.

Because, Mr. Li is rich now!
Well, it’s true that real estate makes a country prosperous!

There is no more efficient and convenient means of exploitation than this.

If there were no real estate, it would not be easy for Li Yi to obtain enough funds relying solely on taxes.

Zhao Wensheng, who was standing aside, didn't understand what was going on.

He just still said it with admiration on his face.

"The Tang Dynasty is indeed the Celestial Empire. It is far superior to North Korea in every aspect."

Guo Songtao smiled without saying anything and continued to lead the Korean delegation to the post station.

After settling the Korean delegation, he set out for the Old Summer Palace to report to Li Yi.

……

On the other hand, the British and French envoys to China also received the news that the Tang Dynasty sent the Minister of Foreign Affairs to welcome the Korean delegation to Beijing in a high-profile manner.

The air outside the house was dry and cold, and the wind was biting.

But there was a fireplace in the house, and it was warm as spring.

Bruce and Baldwin were sitting at a tea table, enjoying their hot coffee on a winter day.

There were sugar cubes and hot milk next to the coffee cup.

Bruce said, stroking his chin.

"Why did the Tang Empire welcome the Korean delegation in such a high-profile manner?"

"Is there something going on here?"

Baldmi shook his head, not quite understanding.

Because recently Britain and France have focused their main attention on Crimea and have neither the time nor the energy to stir up trouble in East Asia.

Naturally, I don’t know what exactly happened.

Just when the two were confused, an embassy attendant came in to report.

"Your Excellency, the Spanish Minister Cotero and the Dutch Minister Andre are outside asking to see you."

"He said he had something urgent to discuss with His Excellency the Minister!"

Upon hearing this, Bruce subconsciously turned his head and looked at Baldmi beside him.

They seemed to know why the Tang Dynasty received the Korean delegation in such a high-profile manner!
I wonder if it has something to do with the Netherlands and Spain?

What on earth did these two unlucky kids do? !

Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to calm down, Bruce spoke.

"Let them in!"

Soon after Bruce finished speaking, the servants brought in Andre from Cotro.

"Your Excellency, I am sorry to bother you."

"But this time something really bad happened!"

Kotero stepped forward and spoke with a hint of panic in his tone.

Bruce raised his eyebrows, but still spoke.

"Minister Kotero, please take a seat first."

"Speak slowly, don't be in a hurry!"

After hearing this, Cotro and Andre sat down.

Then, Kotero began to tell what happened.

(End of this chapter)