Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 343 Choosing Sides
Inside the main hall of the Haizhou Protectorate, the flames in the charcoal brazier flickered weakly.

The officer in charge of the imperial edict, Jin Dajun, unfolded it expressionlessly, his shrill voice echoing in the cold hall: "...Cui Chengyan, the Protector-General of Haixi, disregarded the grand plan of the court, recklessly provoked a border conflict, causing injury to Qing soldiers and damaging the friendship between our two nations... He is hereby dismissed from all his posts and arrested, and brought back to the capital for questioning..."

Cui Chengyan knelt on the ground, feeling a buzzing in his ears.

Dismissal?

condemn?

He never imagined that his glorious achievement of fighting the Qing invaders alone in a single city for more than a month, and killing and wounding 300 Manchu cavalry, would not earn him praise and honor from the court, but instead he would receive an imperial edict dismissing him from his post.

Because my Joseon Kingdom surrendered to the Qing a month ago and "resolutely" made the move to betray the Ming and become a vassal state of the Qing.

Therefore, the victory at Haizhou achieved by relying on the new Chinese to resist the Qing invaders was a clear destruction of the tributary relationship between Korea and the Qing.

To allow a small state to bully its sovereign is a grave crime!
"..." He mechanically turned his head to look at Deputy Envoy Lee Seong-hwan and Judge Kim Sang-gyu, both of whom also looked astonished.

Should we accept this edict?
Li and Jin looked at each other, kneeling on the ground, both somewhat bewildered and at a loss.

How is it wrong to be loyal to the emperor, serve the country, and protect the people?
Why would someone who bravely fought the enemy and resolutely resisted the slaves be demoted or even punished by the court?

We were merely fulfilling our duties and obligations as subjects, yet we were labeled as "anti-peace faction" and accused of "disregarding the survival of the nation, seeking a good reputation, and wanting to bring about the downfall of the country."

I am innocent!

After the official in charge of delivering the imperial edict, Kim Dae-jun, saw that the three officials kneeling before him were not coming to receive the edict or express their gratitude. Instead, they were looking around. His face immediately darkened.

"Do you intend to defy the imperial decree?" He closed the decree and looked down at him.

"minister……"

Just as Cui Chengyan was about to kowtow to express his gratitude, the main hall door was suddenly pushed open, and a cold wind swept in.

Several military officers, dressed in uniforms quite different from those of the North Korean army, strode in. The man in the lead was in his early thirties with short, spiky hair and a strangely shaped musket at his waist.

"What's going on here?" The man looked around the hall, his gaze lingering for a moment on the imperial edict in Jin Dajun's hand, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "What, is the imperial court sending rewards and commendations?"

Cui Chengyan's heart tightened; the person who came was Chen Dingyuan of the Xinhua Army!

A month ago, this armed group, claiming to be from Xinzhou Huaxia, suddenly appeared in Haizhou and took over the city's defenses under the pretext of assisting in resisting the invaders.

They fought bravely and used unorthodox tactics, repelling the Qing army's attacks twice, but also taking the opportunity to seize actual power in the Protectorate.

"Who are you?" Jin Dajun narrowed his eyes, his tone full of disdain.

"What did he say?" Chen Dingyuan turned to ask Park Chang-ho, the gatekeeper of Haizhou City.

“Reporting to the General…” Park Chang-ho relayed with a forced smile, “This is an official from the Imperial Court, here to deliver an imperial decree. He’s asking about your… identities.”

"Heh, so who are we?" Chen Dingyuan grinned. "We are naturally your Joseon Kingdom's saviors. If it weren't for our Xinhua helping to defend Haizhou, the entire city's inhabitants would probably have been slaughtered by the Jurchens. What, are you planning to reward us?"

"Hehe, we don't need too much. A few thousand taels of silver and some grain will be enough."

"How dare you!" the officer shouted, pointing at Chen Dingyuan and the other Xinhua Army generals. "You have become savages, how dare you be so arrogant and disrespectful! Commander Cui, why don't you expel these people from the country to prevent them from disrupting the peace and tranquility of our Joseon?"

"Uh..." Cui Chengyan opened his mouth, and an embarrassed and troubled expression immediately appeared on his face.

A month ago, these soldiers who called themselves Xinhua entered Haizhou and immediately took over the military command of the entire Protectorate.

While mobilizing the city's militia to move large quantities of supplies from Haizhou City's treasury, they also frequently extorted money from wealthy households and gentry, almost emptying the city's wealth. Their efficiency was far greater than that of the Qing invaders.

During this period, they repelled the Qing army's attacks twice.

The second time, in particular, a strategy of luring the enemy deep into their territory was adopted, leading hundreds of Qing Manchu cavalrymen to the seashore. With the help of several gunboats anchored at sea, the Qing Manchu cavalrymen who were pursuing them were inflicted heavy casualties.

Afterwards, after a count, the garrison of the Protectorate General found more than 280 heads of Qing barbarians.

This remarkable achievement is undoubtedly a glorious victory, especially considering that since the Qing invasion of Korea, the various armies across the country had not won a single battle.

Overjoyed, the entire Haixi Protectorate immediately wrote several letters and sent messengers to report the victory to... Namhansanseong and Hwanghae Province.

Of course, the report of victory also mentioned the contributions of the new Chinese community, allowing them to share in the credit.

However, the credit for the planning and execution naturally fell to these local officials who possessed both literary and military talents.

These new Chinese seemed not to care much about whether they would receive rewards and commendations from the imperial court; instead, they embarked on large-scale civil engineering projects within the territory of the Haixi Protectorate.

After nearly emptying Haeju City, they immediately organized tens of thousands of Korean laborers and refugees to carry out large-scale construction in Bicheng and Taitan counties, turning these two key points guarding the Kangryeong Peninsula into solid military fortresses.

To this end, they even went so far as to dismantle parts of Haizhou's city wall and then used boats to continuously transport heavy stone blocks and large bricks to the construction site, working day and night despite the cold winter weather.

However, the local people and refugees who were conscripted did not complain or cry out. Instead, they worked enthusiastically and quickly to build the city's defenses.

Because Xinhua provides meals.

Despite the daily diet consisting of two thin dishes and one dry dish, plus a few pickled vegetables and fish soup, many people were still grateful to the new Chinese community.

There's no other reason than that every winter is a death knell for ordinary people.

Cold, hunger, disease—any one of these can plunge destitute people into the shadow of death.

Needless to say, with the Qing invaders, war broke out in various places, and defeated soldiers, deserters, bandits, and Qing cavalrymen could lose their lives at any time.

Even if they were lucky enough to escape being killed, but were captured by the Qing (when the Qing army withdrew, they plundered a large number of Korean people and drove them to Liaodong as slaves), they would face a fate worse than death.

For ordinary people in the midst of war and chaos, a safe haven and a meal are enough.

As for the more than 600 local garrison troops under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate, they were also incorporated into the Xinhua Army. After some of the old, weak, sick and disabled were dismissed, more than 300 soldiers were left who were capable. Another 200 young men were recruited and formed into the Haixi Independent Self-Defense Force, which was placed under the unified command of the Xinhua Army.

Although Protector-General Cui Chengyan vaguely felt that this matter was inappropriate, implying that it had the connotation of establishing his own military governorship and seizing control of Haixi.

This is treason!
However, circumstances were beyond their control. Although the number of troops in the new Chinese army was small, only a little over a thousand, they were really good at fighting. They not only dared to confront the Qing cavalry, but also managed to win the battle.

Thus, with a heart full of unease, Cui Chengyan, while feigning politeness and carefully dealing with the Xinhua people, anxiously awaited the imperial decree. He hoped that the court, considering his great victory at Haizhou during the Qing invasion, would promote him to a central government position or appoint him to a more prosperous post, so that he could quickly escape this troubled place.

Do you think Xinhua people are bandits?
But not quite. They did manage to repel two attacks by the Qing invaders, protecting the lives and property of tens of thousands of people in Haixi.

Do you think they are warm-hearted and friendly outside reinforcements?
It seems even less likely. They not only "requisitioned" gold, silver, iron, copper ingots, grain and other materials from Haizhou City, but also plundered all the artisans and craftsmen in the Protectorate to Bailing Island.

Not long after, they also built two small towns, Bicheng and Taitan, showing a strong intention to occupy the Kangling Peninsula for a long time.

What alarmed the officials of the Protectorate even more was that a few days earlier, Gwanghaegun, who had been exiled and placed under house arrest by the court, suddenly appeared and issued a proclamation to denounce the rebellion and resist the Qing invaders. He called on all officials, gentry, and common people in Joseon who were unwilling to submit to the Qing invaders to take immediate action, overthrow the rule of the "false king" Yi Jong, resist the Qing invaders, return to the rightful place, and return to the Ming Dynasty.

Who is the legitimate successor?

Who are the false rebels?
In fact, Gwanghaegun, as a legitimate monarch overthrown in a coup, was in fact a fatal blow to the legitimacy of the current Joseon King Injong's regime.

Not to mention, he also raised the moral banner of resisting the invaders and protecting the country, which clearly meant he wanted to seize the country and restore it to its former glory.

North Korea is going to descend into chaos!
After Gwanghaegun issued this manifesto, the Xinhua people immediately demanded that all officials and subordinates of the Protectorate General, as well as military generals, sign their support and express their obedience to Gwanghaegun's leadership.

Holy crap, this is clearly a way to force all officials and generals to pledge their allegiance!

This is terrible.

Out of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, some officials and subordinates refused to sign the proclamation and questioned the identity of Gwanghaegun.

However, without exception, they were subjected to strong suppression by the Xinhua News Agency. All officials and their subordinates who refused to sign were dragged to the seaside, stuffed into a large ship, and then disappeared into the vast ocean, their fate unknown.

It is obvious that the Xinhua people have close ties with Gwanghae, and it cannot be ruled out that Gwanghae's comeback was orchestrated by them.

Under the threat of gleaming bayonets, most of the Protectorate officials and their subordinates, led by Choi Seong-eon, had no choice but to grit their teeth and sign their names on the proclamation issued by Prince Gwanghae denouncing the rebels and resisting the captives.

Even ants cherish life, so how can anyone not value their life?
For now, I'll sign it to avoid this threat of death.

As for whether the court will discover this matter in the future and bring disaster upon myself and my family, I can only pray to the gods and Buddhas for protection.

Presumably, these lowly Karami wouldn't reach the ears of the emperor and ultimately be dealt with by the court.

Now that things have come to this, Cui Chengyan and other officials of the Protectorate have realized that the new Chinese people do indeed want to occupy Kangling County, which is located by the sea in the Haixi Protectorate, and then use it to establish their own independent regime.

They are nothing more than puppets put forward by the new Chinese to appease and stabilize tens of thousands of North Koreans within the country.

Then, recalling a rumor I heard more than half a month ago, that Jeju Island had also been seized by some overseas force, which then cut off the island's connection with the mainland.

It is said that the army that seized the island was armed with muskets equipped with swords, and most of the soldiers had shaved heads.

Nine times out of ten, they were in cahoots with this group of new Chinese.

It seems that the new Chinese had previously occupied Baengnyeong Island and several surrounding islands, and now, taking advantage of the Qing invasion, they have seized Kangnyeong County and Jeju Island. Their ambitions are truly grand!

Today, an envoy from Seoul reads out the King's decree, dismissing Choi Seong-eon and other officials of the Protectorate General's Office from their posts and ordering them to be arrested and brought back to the capital for punishment.

To be honest, while Cui Chengyan felt angry and resentful, he also felt a sense of relief.

Finally, I can leave this place. Even if I have to go back to the capital to be punished, I don't have to stay here and continue to endure mental torment.

He no longer needs to kneel before thieves.

Unexpectedly, the official from Seoul not only reprimanded the new Chinese when he saw them, but also demanded that they be expelled from the country.

The imperial envoy couldn't distinguish between the major and minor kings, but he knew right from wrong and who was in charge here. Naturally, he dared not agree and stepped aside without saying a word.

"So you're the messenger sent by the false king of Seoul?" Chen Dingyuan looked at the loud "imperial envoy" with a half-smile, his eyes full of mockery.

"How dare you!" Upon hearing his subordinate's whispered translation, the officer in charge of the guards immediately flew into a rage. Pointing at Chen Dingyuan, he shouted sternly, "How dare you, you bastards, be so disrespectful and disrespectful, humiliating my king? What...what are you doing?"

Two militiamen from Bailing Island rushed forward, pinned him to the ground, and lifted him up like a chicken.

Just as the Korean guards behind him were about to make a move, several muskets were pointed at them, and they were obediently disarmed with waist knives and short blades.

The officials and subordinates of the Protectorate General inside the room all looked reluctant and lowered their heads.

“I’ve heard that a new folk song has emerged in Hanyang: ‘The chaos of Bingzi is not as good as the upheaval of Guihai.’” Chen Dingyuan walked up to the officer in charge of the imperial guards and said with a smile, “This shows how unpopular the false king Li Zong was in betraying the Ming and surrendering to the enemy. Given this, is it still necessary for you to serve him faithfully?”

"How about we switch our allegiance to Prince Guanghai?"

"How dare you, you traitor!" The officer in charge of the order was both shocked and furious.

"Snapped!"

Chen Dingyuan immediately slapped him hard across the face, causing him to bleed from his mouth and nose, his black gauze hat to fall to the ground, and his hair to become disheveled, making him look extremely pathetic.

"Take him away and let him think carefully about what 'the will of the people' really means." Chen Dingyuan waved his hand and sneered.

Two militiamen from Baengnyeong Island grabbed Kim Dae-kyun and dragged him away.

Seeing this scene, Cui Chengyan's heart was in turmoil.

For an imperial envoy to be publicly humiliated is a grave offense of disrespect!

But what can he do?

Military power in the city had long since fallen into the hands of the Xinhua Army, and even the garrison of the Protectorate had been reorganized into the so-called "Haixi Independent Self-Defense Force".

“Lord Cui,” Chen Dingyuan turned to him, his tone suddenly softening, “I know you are uneasy right now. But you must understand, Li Zong has already submitted to the Qing barbarians and become their lackey. You are devoted to serving the country and loyal to the king, yet he wants to punish you. Is such a ruler, who has betrayed the Ming emperor above and failed the hopes of his subjects below, still worthy of your loyalty?”

Cui Chengyan remained silent, but for some reason suddenly remembered his mentor's dying words.

"A minister should prioritize the well-being of the nation and the common people."

So, for the sake of the nation and its people, shouldn't he have abandoned King Injo of Joseon, who had betrayed the Ming Dynasty and surrendered to the enemy, so as to preserve his territory and people and bring them back to the embrace of "China" and away from the stench of the Tartars?
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(End of this chapter)