Ming Dynasty: The Jingnan Rebellion has just been successful, and Zhu Yuanzhang has been resurrected

Chen Tianping looked puzzled after hearing Pei Boqi's words. He didn't quite understand what Pei Boqi meant at first. What did he mean by giving benefits to the daimyo, but not money?
Looking at Chen Tianping's expression, Pei Boqi patiently explained, "Your Majesty, let me put it this way: if we could use money to obtain the Ming Dynasty's help, that would indeed be the simplest way. However, given the current situation, it is clearly not feasible to do so."

"Why?" Chen Tianping couldn't help but ask. Annam was offering money to ask the Ming Dynasty to send troops, so why couldn't that work?

In his view, this was a very normal exchange: Annam provided the money, and the Ming Dynasty provided the troops, with both sides getting what they needed.

Upon hearing this, Pei Boqi gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, do we have the money right now? Moreover, you should be very clear about the current situation in Annam. In your opinion, how much money should we offer before the Ming Dynasty will lend a helping hand?"

Chen Tianping was speechless. First, he didn't have a single penny to his name. Second, he knew the situation in Annam all too well. Power in Annam had fallen into the hands of Hu Jili. Under these circumstances, it was hard to say how much money the Ming Dynasty would need to send troops.

If he were in the Ming Dynasty's shoes and faced with the current situation in Annam, he would absolutely not send troops no matter how much money was offered, because this situation is something that cannot be measured by money.

Although the Ming Dynasty was much stronger than Annam, this situation also meant that the Ming Dynasty's situation was more complicated. Annam was not close to the Ming Dynasty, and its terrain was extremely complex. Just by offering some money, the Ming Dynasty was expected to send troops to suppress the rebellion in Annam? Are you kidding me?

Having figured this out, Chen Tianping showed a bitter expression and nodded, saying, "General Pei, you're right. We really can't solve the current problem with money."

He even considered that, given the current situation, if he offered money to gain the Ming Dynasty's help, the Ming emperor might simply turn his back on him, because at this point, money was not much different from an insult.

After all, if the Ming Dynasty were to send troops to suppress the Annam rebellion at this time, it would be tantamount to actually fighting Annam. How could the rulers of the Ming Dynasty do something so foolish as to launch a war for some money?

Pei Boqi nodded, his expression full of sorrow. It was only after Xia Yuanji's guidance that he finally understood this point: "Yes, we can't even mention the matter of paying the Ming Dynasty to send troops."

Chen Tianping looked at Pei Boqi and asked, "General Pei, what is Lord Xia's plan?"

If it weren't for Pei Boqi's words earlier, he would be worried again right now. However, Pei Boqi just clearly stated that Xia Yuanji had suggested a way to please Zhu Yunwen. Although Pei Boqi had just mentioned it, he didn't understand its meaning. Now he planned to ask Pei Boqi to explain it in detail.

Pei Boqi took a deep breath, and then suddenly knelt down in front of Chen Tianping.

"Huh? What's going on?" Chen Tianping was completely dumbfounded when he saw Pei Boqi's appearance. After he came to his senses, he quickly stepped forward and helped Pei Boqi up: "General Pei, what are you doing? Please get up quickly."

He was somewhat at a loss, not understanding why Pei Boqi had suddenly knelt down when they were talking so well, and his heart was filled with doubt.

Pei Boqi did not rise, but said with a face full of shame, "Your Majesty, what I am about to say may be very disrespectful."

He had no other choice. Now, the only way to help the Chen family regain Annam was to do so. If he didn't speak up, the Chen family of Annam would truly become a thing of the past. That was why he agreed so readily in front of Xia Yuanji.

But as Xia Yuanji said, this matter still requires Chen Tianping's final approval. There was no other way; Chen Tianping was the King of Annam. Whether he was outstanding or a useless person, it would not affect his status as the King of Annam. Only he could negotiate with the Ming Dynasty.

Throughout history, no matter how powerful the world becomes, some things remain largely the same, only changing in appearance. The core remains constant. For example, Pei Boqi cannot replace Annam, but Chen Tianping can.

This is something that not only the Ming Dynasty recognized, but more importantly, the people of Annam will also recognize it after we arrive in Annam, and that is the most important thing.

Chen Tianping pulled Pei Boqi with all his might, but he couldn't get Pei Boqi up. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he said, "General Pei, we've been through thick and thin together. If it weren't for you, I would have died countless times already. There's nothing between us that can't be said. Get up first. Whatever you say next, I won't blame you."

He didn't know what kind of person Pei Boqi was, but he knew Pei Boqi's loyalty to the Chen family and to him. If it weren't for Pei Boqi, he would have died long ago. Moreover, he was now a king in name only. Who else would take him seriously except Pei Boqi?
The Ming Dynasty?

The Ming Dynasty only wanted to use him and extract some benefits from him. He was aware of this, after all, he had experienced far too much on his way from Annam to the Ming Dynasty. He was just a bit naive for a while, but he was definitely not stupid.

Now, the only person who truly respects him as a king is probably Pei Boqi.

Given this situation, how could he possibly punish Pei Boqi, especially since Pei Boqi might have been acting on behalf of the Tran family of Annam?

Pei Boqi looked at Chen Tianping's appearance, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly stood up.

Chen Tianping pulled Pei Boqi down to sit and asked, "General Pei, what exactly do you want to say?"

Pei Boqi looked at Chen Tianping and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, there is only one way to suppress the rebellion of the traitor Hu Jili: sell out Annam!"

"What?" Chen Tianping was stunned upon hearing Pei Boqi's words, his face filled with disbelief. He was shocked that these words would come from Pei Boqi's mouth: "Sold out Annam?"

Pei Boqi did not avoid Chen Tianping's gaze, and nodded heavily at him, saying, "Your Majesty, you heard me right. We must sell out Annam. Only in this way can we have a chance to survive. Only when the benefits we gain are large enough will the Ming Dynasty be willing to send troops to intervene in Annam's affairs. Only then can you go back and inherit the throne."

Upon hearing Pei Boqi's words, Chen Tianping was deeply shocked. Betraying Annam in order to gain the Ming Dynasty's help was a perspective he had never considered before, and it left him utterly astonished. Seeing Chen Tianping's stunned silence, Pei Boqi continued, "Your Majesty, this is currently the only chance to save the Chen family, and it is only a chance; the Ming Emperor may refuse."

It sounds heartbreaking that a king is willing to sell out his kingdom, only to find that the other party might not even agree. It's a distressing situation, but that's how it is right now. Pei Boqi was right; Hu Quy Ly has taken control of Annam, and Annam at this point is definitely a huge vortex.

Although the Ming Dynasty was powerful, how many people would choose to jump into a whirlpool or quagmire if they knew that what lay ahead was a trap?

In the current situation, the Ming Dynasty's dispatch of troops to Annam does not guarantee victory. In fact, in any war, there is no absolute chance of winning; at most, it's just a matter of the probability of victory. Ho Quy Ly currently possesses both geographical and popular advantages, giving him a significant advantage. The only weakness he might have is the fighting strength of his troops.

Of course, if the Ming Dynasty were to send troops to Annam now, the name of Chen Tianping, the King of Annam, might have some effect. However, it is hard to say how much effect this would have, and it might be negligible.

"General Pei, don't panic. I'm just a little surprised, I don't mean to refuse." Chen Tianping waved his hand and said. When he heard Pei Boqi say that he had sold Annam, he was indeed very surprised. But after calming down and thinking about it carefully, his mind immediately became active.

Although he was the King of Annam, betraying Annam was extremely shameful. But given his current situation, does he still have any dignity left?
It's obviously impossible to get help from the Ming Dynasty without giving anything in return. This means that once he loses the Ming Dynasty's help, he may not be able to stay in the Huitong Hall, which he currently considers a safe haven. And what will his fate be when that happens?

Although things haven't progressed to that point yet, he knows very well that when they do, his outcome will certainly not be good.

Perhaps the moment he and Pei Boqi were driven out of the Huitongguan was also the moment they died in the street. Once they were driven out of the Huitongguan, it meant that they lost the protection of the Ming Dynasty. He knew very well that the assassins sent by Hu Jili were definitely watching his and Pei Boqi's every move outside the Huitongguan.

Of course, most importantly, what does Annam have to do with him now? Although he is the king of Annam, he is just a king and he gets nothing. He even has to live in constant fear. Under such circumstances, he feels no shame at all for betraying Annam.

In some respects, he might not even be as good as Pei Boqi.

In addition, that traitor Hu Jili is also a big problem. What if he hesitates and the other party betrays Annam without saying a word?
This possibility is not nonexistent, and if that time comes, he will be truly finished, with absolutely no hope of turning the tide.

"Not only must Annam be sold out, but we must leave no room for maneuver, lest that scoundrel Hu Jili seize the initiative," Chen Tianping thought to himself.

The Ming Dynasty's current attitude is extremely crucial to him; it's no exaggeration to say that it's a matter of heaven or hell.

If the Ming Dynasty doesn't help him, the result is quite obvious: he will die a violent death in the street, and there might not even be anyone to collect his body.

However, if the Ming Dynasty helps him, there are many possibilities. First, if the Ming Dynasty's attack on Annam is successful, he can fly back to Annam to become king. Even if the Ming Dynasty fails to conquer Annam, he will definitely not die. He will most likely be protected by the Ming Dynasty and wait for the next military expedition.

The contrast between the two results is simply too obvious.

Pei Boqi looked at Chen Tianping with a surprised expression: "Your Majesty, are you telling the truth?"

He had originally thought he would have to waste a lot of time explaining, but Chen Tianping agreed immediately. The result was much smoother than he had imagined. It was rare for a king to betray his country without the slightest hesitation, but he was indeed very gratified.

Given the current situation, betraying Annam was somewhat shameful, but it was the only way. Chen Tianping's direct agreement showed that he was very mature and rational, which gave him hope for the possibility of the Chen family of Annam rising again.

In times of peace and prosperity, any kind of king will do. However, when a kingdom is in peril, a wise and capable monarch can turn the tide. At this moment, in Pei Boqi's eyes, Chen Tianping is a wise and capable monarch.

Chen Tianping nodded, looked at Pei Boqi, and said, "General Pei, what you just said is inaccurate. We not only have to sell out Annam, but we also cannot have any bottom line. No matter what conditions the Ming Dynasty proposes, we will agree to them."

"Huh?" Pei Boqi was completely stunned after hearing Chen Tianping's words, a look of hesitation appearing on his face: "Your Majesty."

Although he had decided to betray Annam, he still had a bottom line in his heart. But now Chen Tianping was telling him that he should sell Annam without any bottom line, which he found hard to accept.

The situation took a turn, and now it was Pei Boqi's turn to persuade Chen Tianping to take things easy.

Chen Tianping waved his hand at Pei Boqi and said, "General Pei, I know what you're thinking, but we can't have it both ways. Think about it, what if Hu Jili also has to sell out Annam's interests in order to gain the support of the Ming Dynasty? What will we do then?"

"This..." Pei Boqi was stunned. Although he had thought of betraying Annam after Xia Yuanji's guidance, he had never thought of Hu Jili betraying Annam. Now, after Chen Tianping mentioned it, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Given Annam's current situation, if he and Chen Tianping continue to talk about other things, and Hu Jili makes contact with the Ming Dynasty and sells out some of Annam's interests to the Ming Dynasty, then it's easy to guess what choice the Ming Dynasty will make.

"Your Majesty, you are right. We cannot hold back in the slightest; we must sell out Annam completely!" Pei Boqi said in a deep voice. (End of this chapter)