Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 450 Unchanged! Kneeling and Surrendering!

Fifth, in order to rectify the chaotic state of Goryeo's currency, the Ming Dynasty allowed Goryeo to use the Ming Treasure Note as its legal tender.

To prevent criminals from counterfeiting currency and disrupting the market, the Daming Bank will strictly supervise the banknotes circulating in Goryeo to ensure the integrity of the currency.

This move not only strengthens its economic foundation but also reflects the Ming Dynasty's deep concern for its ally, Goryeo.

Sixth, in view of Goryeo's economic difficulties, the Ming Dynasty is willing to provide generous assistance by offering a large loan with favorable terms to replenish the amount of Ming Dynasty banknotes within Goryeo's territory and ensure the effective circulation of currency. The specific amount will be discussed in detail by both parties.

This loan will be disbursed in ten annual installments over ten years, gradually helping Goryeo to steadily revitalize its economy.

The Ming Dynasty has the right to supervise the use and flow of the loan. The loan is mainly used to pay for the expenses of the Ming Dynasty's garrison and for construction projects agreed upon by the Ming Dynasty.

Goryeo must strictly abide by the rules and must not misappropriate the funds.

In the event of a default, Daming may immediately suspend subsequent payments and demand full recovery of the loan already disbursed.

Loans can be repaid using local specialties such as ginseng and fur, or settled using other materials approved by the Ming Dynasty.

……

The treaty is lengthy and complex, covering detailed cooperation rules in many areas.

In addition to the aforementioned six clauses, there are also clauses such as the Goryeo prince going to the Ming Dynasty to study, Goryeo sending a group of students to the Ming Dynasty to study the ways of the sages, the Goryeo army receiving training from the Ming Dynasty, and any Ming people who commit crimes within Goryeo territory being interrogated by the judicial institutions of the Ming Dynasty stationed in Goryeo and convicted according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

In addition, the treaty is followed by a large number of annexes that detail the specific implementation plans.

After all, the negotiations between the Ming Dynasty and Goryeo took almost a year. Such a long period of deliberation naturally made the treaty meticulous and watertight.

Overall, the core of this agreement with Goryeo was that the Ming Dynasty would send troops to protect Goryeo and consolidate its rule, while also providing infrastructure assistance to Goryeo through loans.

In return, Goryeo had to submit to the Ming Dynasty, contribute its precious natural resources, fully open its domestic market, and accept the Ming Dynasty's supervision and guidance.

Zhu Yunwen quickly finished reviewing the treaty, then glanced at the several high-ranking officials in the hall and asked, "Have all of you reviewed it?"

Zhan Hui, Yang Shiqi, and other ministers all bowed respectfully and replied, "We have reviewed it in detail."

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, his tone calm yet authoritative: "Since all the ministers have read it, and I also believe that there is nothing wrong with this treaty, then issue an edict to have the Goryeo envoy sign it immediately."

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashed across Shen Moshu's face.

If the Goryeo envoy truly intended to sign, he would have already put pen to paper and signed the agreement. Why has it been delayed until now?

The reason this treaty has been delayed is precisely because Goryeo has consistently raised objections and hesitated to make a decision.

"Your Majesty!" Shen Moshu stepped forward quickly and reported respectfully, "The Goryeo delegation still has objections to this treaty and is unwilling to sign it so far."

"They only agreed to submit to our Great Ming and pay tribute, but they had many complaints about the other terms."

He carefully considered his words and continued, "The Goryeo envoy proposed that in exchange for increased tribute, we would receive economic assistance from our Great Ming."

"In addition, they hoped that the Ming Dynasty would not send troops to them, but that Goryeo would select an elite force to go to the Ming Dynasty for rigorous training, and after returning to their country, they would take on the responsibility of protecting the country themselves."

"Regarding monetary regulation, they also suggested that they should take responsibility for it themselves."

Zhu Yunwen sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm: "You've certainly got a good plan!"

He waved his hand and said, "Can the Goryeo envoys wait outside the palace now? Summon them into the palace!"

"I want to personally negotiate with them face to face."

Shen Moshu was taken aback. His Majesty wanted to speak with him in person?
This might not be a good idea, right?
Negotiations between the two countries often involve heated exchanges; what if His Majesty can't handle it...?

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only bowed deeply and silently withdrew, feeling a vague unease about the confrontation that was about to unfold.

Before long, the eunuch led the three Goryeo envoys into the main hall.

"The Goryeo envoy pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming!" The head envoy's voice was loud and clear. Then, the three of them bowed down in unison, respectfully performing the full kowtow, their foreheads touching the ground, showing perfect etiquette.

Zhu Yunwen sat upright on the dragon throne, but his gaze did not linger on the chief or deputy envoy. Instead, he quietly looked at the envoy behind him on the left, a meaningful scrutiny flashing in his eyes.

The negotiations between the two sides have lasted for nearly a year. Yao Guangxiao's Ming Dynasty intelligence bureau and the military intelligence bureau under the military affairs department have already thoroughly investigated the details of the Goryeo delegation.

This seemingly insignificant attendant was actually the most distinguished person in the entire delegation.

He was neither the chief envoy nor the deputy envoy, but the fifth son of King Yi Seong-gye of Goryeo, named Yi Bang-won.

Speaking of Li Fangyuan, he is by no means an ordinary person.

Yi Bang-won was undoubtedly the most meritorious minister in Yi Seong-gye's conquest of the Goryeo throne.

It could even be said that without his strategic thinking and decisive actions back then, Yi Seong-gye would have had no chance of ascending the throne.

However, after achieving great success, Yi Seong-gye did not make Yi Bang-won the crown prince. Instead, he stripped him of his military power, weakened his influence, and marginalized him.

This created a subtle and complex rift between father and son.

On the surface, Lee Bang-won was extremely respectful to his father, and his words and actions were completely proper.

Secretly, he had already begun cultivating his own loyal followers and quietly weaving his own network of power.

He came with the mission incognito, not only to probe the strength and foundation of the Ming Dynasty, but also to gain the Ming Dynasty's tacit approval or even support for his future power struggle.

These secret schemes all failed to escape the notice of the Ming Dynasty's intelligence network.

Zhu Yunwen's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile.

He had set out a strategy of "delaying and waiting for change" at the beginning of the negotiations, deliberately letting the Goryeo delegation waste time in the capital. On the surface, he was lukewarm, but in reality, he was closely monitoring the other party's every move.

The Ming Dynasty thoroughly investigated the mission's secret correspondence with Goryeo, the attitudes of various factions in the Goryeo court, and even Yi Seong-gye's anxiety and unease.

In fact, the Goryeo king and his ministers were already uneasy, overwhelmed by the Ming Dynasty's formidable reputation.

Looking around, Japan has been conquered, the Northern Yuan has vanished, and the three Jurchen tribes have also disappeared.

Goryeo is now isolated and helpless, like a candle in the wind.

The entire nation, from the court to the common people, was filled with fear and unease, lest the Ming cavalry trample the country's gates.

Only by reaching an alliance with the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible and obtaining its protection can Yi Seong-gye and his ministers sleep soundly.

For this reason, urgent letters were frequently sent from within Goryeo, urging the delegation to sign the treaty as soon as possible and remove the sword of Damocles hanging over their hearts.

However, Lee Bang-won secretly suppressed the delegation, dragging the negotiations on until now.

Zhu Yunwen's gaze was fixed on Li Fangyuan standing below the throne, and his tone suddenly turned icy cold: "Li Fangyuan, as the son of the King of Goryeo, you have repeatedly obstructed the Ming Dynasty from concluding a treaty with Goryeo. Do you harbor hostility and wish to be an enemy of the Ming Dynasty?"

"If that is indeed the case, the mission can set off immediately to return to Goryeo."

"However, not forming an alliance with the Ming Dynasty is tantamount to going against the Ming Dynasty."

"How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed?"

"If Goryeo remains obstinate, the Ming Dynasty will have no choice but to send troops there!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence. The chief and deputy envoys of the Goryeo delegation stared in disbelief, their faces filled with panic, while Lee Bang-won stood frozen in place, seemingly deeply shocked by this sudden and thunderous force.

No one expected that as soon as he entered the palace, the Ming emperor would point directly at Li Fangyuan, revealing his identity and making such a swift and decisive statement.

In the imperial court, the expressions of the assembled officials also changed slightly.

Many ministers exchanged glances, secretly alarmed.

It should be noted that Li Fangyuan's true identity is top-secret information obtained by intelligence agents.

Most of the officials in the palace had never heard of it.

Everyone was astonished to hear the emperor himself point out that a Goryeo prince was hidden in the delegation.

A flicker of panic crossed Li Fangyuan's face, her pupils contracting slightly, but she quickly took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

He raised his head and met Zhu Yunwen's gaze on the dragon throne, showing no sign of backing down.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Fangyuan said loudly, his tone composed.

He stepped forward slowly, stood before the chief envoy, and bowed respectfully: "How does Your Majesty know of my humble status?"

Now that his identity had been exposed, he simply stopped trying to hide it, speaking calmly and confidently, displaying a remarkable composure in the face of danger.

Zhu Yunwen snorted coldly: "I am the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, and I have eyes and ears all over the world. All matters in the world are in my hands."

"You disguised yourself and mingled with the delegation, intending to deceive the world, but how could you possibly deceive my eyes and ears?"

His voice suddenly rose, faintly revealing thunderous rage: "Li Fangyuan, how dare you! You dare to conceal your identity and hide in the delegation, yet you do not frankly state your purpose to the Ming Dynasty."

"Based on this alone, I can punish you for deceiving the emperor!"

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze, and Zhu Yunwen's words struck like a heavy hammer.

The courtiers held their breath, and even the Goryeo envoy involuntarily lowered his head.

Li Fangyuan, however, was not intimidated by this imposing aura.

"His Majesty has the ambition to conquer the world, and I suppose he will not stoop to the level of petty officials like foreign ministers."

"Besides, how could such a clumsy disguise by a foreign subject escape His Majesty's discerning eyes?"

He changed his tone and said, "I came with the delegation only to witness the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty. I have no ill intentions whatsoever."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Yunwen's eyes, but his voice remained as icy as ever: "I don't care what your schemes are in hiding, but if you insist on obstructing the treaty and refusing to make peace with the Ming Dynasty, you are cutting yourself off from me! You are cutting yourself off from the world!"

"How dare you challenge the might of the Ming Dynasty?"

His voice was like a sharp blade, piercing Li Fangyuan, filled with murderous intent, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.

Li Fangyuan's heart skipped a beat, and a barely perceptible tension finally flashed across his face.

He lowered his head for a moment, as if considering a solution, with a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.

After a brief moment of distraction, Li Fangyuan quickly composed himself, instead raising his head high and speaking with a calm and resolute tone: "A minister of a small country, sent as an envoy to a great power, should naturally disregard life and death."

"The treaty proposed by the Ming Dynasty is too harsh for Goryeo to bear."

"Although Goryeo is a weak nation, I dare not rashly agree and humiliate my country."

Zhu Yunwen's lips curled into a cold smile: "In that case, I will first execute you all, and then lead my troops north to conquer Goguryeo."

These words, though spoken lightly, were like a cold wind passing by, carrying a chilling killing intent, even more ruthless than the previous warning.

Everyone in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

The Goryeo envoy and his deputy were pale, covered in cold sweat, and trembling slightly, as if they were being suffocated by the invisible pressure.

Li Fangyuan's pupils contracted slightly, her throat bobbed, and she forcefully suppressed the turmoil in her heart.

"I am the son of the King of Goryeo, and also an envoy, entrusted with the important mission of the nation."

"Upholding the dignity of the nation is the duty of a subject and is in accordance with the way of the sages."

"If Your Majesty were to execute me for speaking frankly, I fear it would tarnish the holy name of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

He paused slightly, then softened his tone: "Goryeo is willing to form an eternal alliance with the Ming Dynasty, but some clauses in the treaty do need to be discussed further in order to achieve the best of both worlds."

Zhu Yunwen suddenly burst into laughter, then sneered, "What a Li Fangyuan! You keep claiming to be loyal to the country, but it's a pity that despite your painstaking efforts and dedication, your father never thought of passing the throne to you!"

His voice suddenly turned stern, like a sharp blade being drawn from its sheath: "Today I will be frank with you!"

"If you sign this agreement immediately, I can help you seize the throne from your father, King Yi Seong-gye, and ensure your ascension to the throne of Goryeo. What do you say?"

A complex light flashed in Li Fangyuan's eyes, a mixture of surprise and struggle, but it vanished in an instant.

He slowly raised his head to meet Zhu Yunwen's gaze and asked in a deep voice, "Why does Your Majesty favor me alone?"

Zhu Yunwen smiled faintly and said, "Because you have the talent to govern the country and can stabilize the Goryeo court."

"I wish to ensure that all the surrounding countries are safe and secure, so that the Ming Dynasty does not need to expend its efforts to maintain them."

"You are the perfect person."

He said with absolute certainty, "This agreement will not be changed in a single word."

"If you agree, you will become the King of Goryeo; if you remain obstinate, I will take your life immediately and choose someone else to replace you."

"Life and death, wealth and glory, are all in your hands!"

The hall fell silent instantly; the assembled officials held their breath, their eyes fixed on Lee Bang-won.

His expression shifted unpredictably, sometimes tense, sometimes thoughtful.

As a politician with lofty ambitions, he still had countless grand plans to realize, how could he be willing to die in a foreign land?
Moreover, Zhu Yunwen's promise was not empty talk.

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty possessed the power and authority to overturn the tide and change the ruler of a country.

He was originally the son of the King of Goryeo and had a lot of influence in the court. With the support of the Ming Dynasty, it would be easy for him to seize the throne.

Lee Bang-won also knew that Goryeo was a small and weak country, and had no way to resist the overwhelming power of the Ming Dynasty.

His obstruction of the treaty, ostensibly for the benefit of the country, actually concealed his selfish motives, seeking to gain greater political leverage for himself.

Now, Zhu Yunwen has struck at the heart of the matter, offering the allure of the throne, leaving his schemes nowhere to hide.

After a long silence, Lee Bang-won finally made up his mind, bowed, and knelt down, saying, "Lee Bang-won, the envoy of Goryeo, thanks His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming for his grace!"

"Your humble servant is willing to sign this treaty and lead Goryeo to eternal submission to the Great Ming!"

……

(End of this chapter)