I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

...

The Song Dynasty captured Thang Long, the capital of the Ly Dynasty. Although this can be seen as the end of the Ly Dynasty, in reality, the Ly Dynasty was not completely annexed by the Song Dynasty.

but it does not matter.

As victors who had eliminated multiple dynasties and countless forces, the people of the Song Dynasty knew all too well how to play in a favorable situation where victory had already been secured.

After taking control of Thang Long, Li Gang immediately ordered the liberation of all slaves within Thang Long and the public trial of all high-ranking officials and gentry within the territory.

Two more armies were recruited, mainly composed of Joseon Dynasty slaves.

At the same time, capable people were selected from among the slaves to serve as officials and generals of the Joseon Dynasty.

This group was originally slaves of the Song people.

As a result, Li Gang actually found quite a few talented people.

The first to be affected was Lü Zhi, the county magistrate of Qinzhou, who was captured by the Joseon Dynasty more than forty years ago when they invaded the Song Dynasty.

This man was taken back to the Joseon Dynasty and imprisoned by Li Changjie because he resolutely refused to surrender.

Later, forced by circumstances, Lü Zhi had no choice but to surrender and become a slave in Li Changjie's household.

Shortly after the Battle of Fulang River, Li Gande submitted a letter seeking peace and returned many people of the Song Dynasty. However, Li Changjie, valuing Lü Zhi's talent, did not release him.

Adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, the Song Dynasty did not separately demand Lü Zhi.

Thus, for more than forty years, Lü Zhi remained in the Joseon Dynasty, growing from a young man in his early twenties to an old man in his sixties.

During this period, Lü Zhi even joined Li Changjie in invading Champa and participated in Li Qiande's personal campaign against the Niuhouman Mashadong rebellion in the Tuojiang River basin.

Later, due to his merits, Lü Zhi rose to the position of Vice Minister of Rites in the Joseon Dynasty.

This is not the most critical.

Most importantly, over the years, Lü Zhi has been trying to contact the Song Dynasty, hoping that the Song Dynasty would send troops to eliminate the Li Dynasty, especially in recent years.

In a secret letter to the Song Dynasty, Lü Zhi said that Li Qiande was old and might die in the next two years. He had no biological son and a group of imperial relatives were eyeing his throne, which posed a risk of internal strife. This was the perfect opportunity for the Song Dynasty to recover Annam.

Lü Zhi's letter was successfully delivered to Zhao Yu, who then sent Yuwen Xuzhong to contact Lü Zhi.

Many of the plans for the Song Dynasty's attack on the Joseon Dynasty were proposed by Lü Zhi through Yuwen Xuzhong.

Now that the Song Dynasty has captured Thang Long City, according to Zhao Yu's decree, Li Gang appointed Lü Zhi as the military governor of Annam to assist Li Gang in conquering the entire Li Dynasty.

After meeting Li Gang, Lü Zhi recommended many talented individuals who were devoted to the Song Dynasty and those who were frustrated in the Joseon Dynasty.

Moreover, based on the Song Dynasty's past experience in recovering new territories, Li Gang conducted a public trial of all the high-ranking officials and gentry in the Thang Long region. He confiscated all the property of the executed officials and gentry and sent it back to Zhao Yu. He exiled all the men in their families to the Northeast to reclaim wasteland, and convicted all the women in their families and gave them as rewards to meritorious soldiers.

Those who made contributions included slaves of the Joseon Dynasty. As long as they performed meritorious service, they would receive such rewards. In fact, if their contributions were significant enough, they could even choose their own mistress or young lady.

This was undoubtedly a huge temptation for many slaves.

Let's not get into these extreme cases.

Speaking only of the ordinary slaves.

As long as they are willing to follow the Song Dynasty to recover the Joseon Dynasty, even if they are just laborers, cook for the Song army, help the Song Dynasty farm, or help the Song Dynasty build railways or highways, the Song Dynasty will reward them with the houses or land they have captured according to the amount of merit they have made.

In short, the Song Dynasty's recapture of the Joseon Dynasty was a stroke of good fortune for the Joseon slaves, allowing them to rise from slavery and sing their own praises.

Not only the slaves of the Joseon Dynasty, but also the common people of the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed the same treatment, and the Song Dynasty did not take any damage to their private property.

In this way, the Song Dynasty's war of aggression against the Joseon Dynasty completely turned into a war of liberation. Consequently, it was no longer the Song Dynasty fighting against the Joseon Dynasty, but rather the Song Dynasty helping the Joseon slaves and commoners to overthrow the rule of the Joseon Dynasty's high-ranking officials and gentry.

Fighting for themselves, the common people and slaves of the Joseon Dynasty were naturally highly enthusiastic.

This led to the fact that in subsequent wars, Joseon slaves and even commoners charged ahead in every battle, risking their lives and dying one after another.

Because they knew that this was a rare opportunity for them to change their fate, or even to achieve upward social mobility.

The key is that even if they can't win, it doesn't matter, the Song army will cover for them, and if all else fails, the Song army's Li Lin cannons will blast away any obstacles in their way.

It is worth mentioning that the Song Dynasty promoted itself while fighting.

It could even be said that the Song Dynasty's propaganda campaign was even more effective than its battlefield campaign.

Thanks to the Song Dynasty's highly professional propaganda, almost everyone in the Joseon Dynasty knew that the Song Dynasty's attack on the Joseon Dynasty was not for revenge, but to eliminate the high-ranking officials and gentry, liberate slaves, and distribute land, houses, and women to slaves and common people.

As a result, slaves and commoners of the Joseon Dynasty rose up in rebellion to help the Song Dynasty conquer cities and territories.

In just over a month, the vast majority of the Joseon Dynasty's territory fell into the hands of the Song Dynasty. Only a few areas remained, where Joseon officials, nobles, gentry, and their private armies held their positions or put up a stubborn resistance.

However, with the Joseon Dynasty's public opinion gradually shifting towards the Song Dynasty and its people becoming more willing to accept Song rule, these high-ranking officials and gentry were merely making a last-ditch effort...

……

Quanzhou.

In the warm pavilion of the imperial palace built for Zhao Yu by the Wang family and a group of wealthy merchants, which was comparable to a small imperial palace, sandalwood incense wafted and gilded beast-head incense burners emitted wisps of smoke, making the enchanting atmosphere of the room even more intoxicating.

Zhao Yu leaned against the soft couch covered with a Western Region tribute carpet. His left arm was around Wang Huiniang, the eldest daughter of the royal family, whom the royal family had presented to him. She was holding a plump Persian grape between her fingers and bringing it to his lips. His right arm was around Wang Xiuniang, the most beautiful woman in the royal family, who had also presented to him. The red-gold hairpin that was tucked into her hair swayed incessantly as she massaged Zhao Yu's shoulders and neck.

The women standing around the couch included Western Region beauties dressed in narrow-sleeved Hu clothing with captivating eyes, and gentle Jiangnan beauties with double-looped hair and gentle smiles. Each of them held a jade cup and a fruit plate, waiting quietly, afraid of disturbing Zhao Yu's enjoyment.

These beauties were presented to Zhao Yu by these wealthy merchants.

It is worth mentioning that they not only sent their best daughters, as well as beauties from the northern and western regions that they had collected, to Zhao Yu, but also used their merchant ships, which had already sailed to Europe, to bring Zhao Yu many beauties from the Arab world, India, and the West.

These beauties each have their own unique charm.

The beauty from the Great Arabian Peninsula has deep eyes like the starry sky in the desert, a high nose bridge, full lips, and shallow dimples when she smiles. Her every move exudes an exotic radiance and passion.

The Indian beauty had a healthy honey-colored complexion, curved eyebrows and eyes, and fragrant jasmine flowers adorned her hair. Her slender fingers gently swayed the golden bells on her ankles to the faint sound of music, making a melodious tinkling sound.

The most eye-catching were the Western beauties. Some of them had blonde hair that cascaded down their shoulders, as soft as willow catkins in spring. Their blue eyes were as clear as the Mediterranean Sea, and when they looked at people, they had a touch of innocent shyness.
There was a woman with fiery red hair, her curly hair loose and unrestrained, as if filled with the warmth of the sun. Her amber eyes held a hint of wildness, and her bare forearms had smooth lines. The fingertips holding the wine cup were tinged with a faint pink.
There were also some light brown-haired girls with delicate features like angels in church murals, porcelain-white skin, and layered skirts that swayed gently as they walked, like a blooming lisianthus.

Looking at the hundreds of beautiful women below him, each one different, all eager to please him and be at his mercy, Zhao Yu, despite having enjoyed this life for over twenty years, still thought, 'Being an emperor is truly wonderful!'

Before long, Yan Zhengu came in and reported to Zhao Yu: "Your Majesty, Li Qiande and the others have arrived in Quanzhou. I wonder if Your Majesty would like to see them?"

Zhao Yu thought for a moment and said, "Bring it."

Before long, Li Gande, the royal family and clan of the Joseon Dynasty, Joseon officials, and Joseon nobles were all brought into the courtyard.

Zhao Yu glanced around and exclaimed, 'Wow! So many women again! I can't possibly play with them all!'

Zhao Yu glanced at them casually and saw that there were at least a thousand women alone. Even after removing the older ones and those who weren't pretty enough, there were still at least three hundred young and pretty women.

And that doesn't even include those who are not yet adults.

When they come of age, they will be quite a few women.

It's no wonder that Zhao Yu had such feelings.

As for Li Qiande and those men of the Li Dynasty?
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Zhao Yu, who has already destroyed numerous dynasties and forces and imprisoned dozens of emperors, khans, powerful figures and tens of thousands of princes and nobles, how could he possibly think highly of Li Qiande?
Zhao Yu glanced at the Joseon men standing in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping across their faces—some indignant, some fearful, some cowardly—before losing interest.

Zhao Yu summoned Li Qiande to an audience.

Li Qiande entered the hall, his cloudy eyes showing no pleading, only a stagnant silence.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yu thought to himself, 'Perhaps, even at the very beginning of his reign, when the Joseon Dynasty was aggressively expanding its territory and hadn't yet conquered the Song Dynasty, he already knew that this day would come sooner or later?'

Zhao Yu's guess was correct.

At that time, when the Song army reached the Phu Liang River and was only a river away from annihilating the Ly Dynasty, Ly Gan De realized that the Ly Dynasty might be doomed.

Unfortunately, a plague broke out in the Song army at that time, and they ran out of food, which saved Li Qiande's life.

Until Zhao Yu rose to power and swept across all the northern countries and forces without rival, Li Qiande realized once again that he and the Joseon Dynasty would eventually face this day.

Besides, Li Qiande has no children, and now he is old and sick, so his remaining life is no longer worth mentioning.

In other words, he really had nothing to fear and nothing to miss. If it weren't for those clansmen still trembling in the courtyard, he was afraid that if he showed the slightest disrespect, he would incur Zhao Yu's wrath and implicate his entire family. He would have a good talk with Zhao Yu and ask him: "All these years, I have been obedient to you and tried to please you in every way. Can't you just let my Joseon Dynasty off the hook?"

Ok.

In fact, he didn't need Zhao Yu to give him that answer at all.

Because if he were in Zhao Yu's shoes, he would do the same thing.

Letting a tiger go back into the mountains will bring endless troubles.

This is a principle that any outstanding emperor understands.

So he simply lay obediently on the ground, putting on a show of surrender, neither explaining nor accusing, even breathing very softly, and said only: "Li Qiande, the man who has lost his country, begs for forgiveness."

Zhao Yu asked, "Do you know your crime?"

Li Qiande replied, "I know I'm guilty."

Li Qiande thought to himself, 'My greatest sin is that my Joseon Dynasty was not strong enough; otherwise, today we would be in the opposite position.'

On the surface, Li Qiande didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he were a lifeless clay sculpture.

Zhao Yu also knew that if he didn't know when to stop and continued to press him about his crimes, this penniless old man might become reckless and cause everyone to lose face.

So, after completing the process of Joseon's unconditional surrender to the Song Dynasty and accepting the surrender document presented by Li Qiande, Zhao Yu waved his hand and ordered someone to take Li Qiande away.

Following this, Zhao Yu issued an edict: "By my decree, from this day forward, the Joseon Dynasty shall be incorporated into the territory of my Great Song Dynasty, and its people shall all be subjects of my Great Song Dynasty. Li Gande and others shall be escorted back to the capital and imprisoned in Wanguo City..."

Shortly afterward, the imperial edict, polished by civil officials, was issued:

Since I received the mandate to rule the world, I have swept away the dust of the six directions, quelled the flames of war in all directions, brought all under heaven to submission, and made all nations pay tribute. The world is unified, and all people have longed for our rule.

Now, Li Qiande, leading the imperial clan and officials, has come out in his coffin to surrender, bowing and submitting to the emperor.

My heart aches for his subjects, who have long been trapped in a usurper's rule and have not yet been influenced by the civilization of the Central Plains.

From this day forward, the name of the Ly Dynasty is abolished and no longer exists; its territory, stretching from Lang Son in the east to Ailao in the west, bordering the Zhanghai Sea in the south and Yongzhou in the north, is entirely incorporated into the territory of our Great Song Dynasty, and will be renamed Annam Prefecture, directly under the central government. The officials at all levels will be determined later, and for the time being, they will be temporarily managed by Li Gang and others.

The people of this land are all loyal subjects of the Great Song Dynasty. They are exempt from taxes and corvée labor for three years. Those who cultivate wasteland will own their land permanently, and those who engage in commerce and industry will be allowed to pass through customs without restrictions. Officials in this land who are honest, capable, and knowledgeable of Han customs can remain in their original positions and be promoted based on their performance. In this land, a Confucian temple has been established, and free schools have been set up to teach Han classics so that they may know loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness.

Li Gande and his royal family, clan members, officials, and nobles moved to Wanguo City, and the women entered the harem.

Anyone who dares to gather in the mountains and forests and incite rebellion shall be executed, and their followers shall be pardoned, so as not to spread and disturb the people's livelihood.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

Emperor Zhao Yu of the Song Dynasty
January 14th, the 26th year of Hongwu (1388).

From a land perspective, the Joseon Dynasty bordered the Guangnan West Circuit of the Song Dynasty to the north. It served as a forward springboard for the Central Plains dynasties to manage the Indochina Peninsula, and at the same time, it was an essential gateway for the countries of the Indochina Peninsula to travel north into the Song Dynasty, guarding the throat of land trade and military routes.

If the Song Dynasty could occupy this place, it could counterbalance the forces of Champa and Khmer in the south.

From a maritime perspective, it borders the southern ocean to the east, and the ports of the Red River Delta (such as the ports around Thang Long) are key nodes in maritime trade routes. When Song Dynasty merchant ships traveled to and from the South Seas and the Indian Ocean, they often stopped here to resupply and transship goods. It was an important link between the Song Dynasty and Southeast Asia, South Asia and even West Asia in trade.

If this place belonged to the Song Dynasty, it could bring the Song Dynasty substantial commercial revenue and resources from beyond its borders.

In addition, the Red River Delta plain of the Joseon Dynasty was fertile and crisscrossed by waterways, making it a natural granary that supported the Joseon Dynasty's population and military strength. This enabled the Joseon Dynasty to maintain its dominant position in the northern part of the Indochina Peninsula for a long time, making it an indispensable force on the southern border of the Central Plains dynasties.

Most importantly, once the Joseon Dynasty was conquered, the Song Dynasty could potentially incorporate the entire Indochina Peninsula into its territory.

This is also why Zhao Yu did not first reclaim Dali, but instead reclaimed the Joseon Dynasty first...

...(End of chapter)