Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 622 The Hidden Currents of Hanyang (Part Two)

The so-called "killing generals to appease the emperor" actually meant killing surrendered generals to appease the emperor. Ever since Jiang Hongli and Jin Jingrui were brought back to the country, such voices have never ceased.

“It seems I was right,” Li Erzhan said, picking up his teacup. “As expected, Envoy Zheng wants to repeat the same old tune.”

“After all, I brought these two scourges back to the capital,” Zheng Zhongxin nodded. “So I wanted to advise the king one last time before I resigned and returned to my post.”

Jeong Chung-shin is the current Vice Commissioner of Manpo in Pyongan Province, and Manpo is a traditional gateway for trade and communication between Korea and the Jurchen tribes. In March of this year, shortly after the siege of Shenyang, Kim suddenly dispatched envoys to Manpo with the two men, Kang and Kim, whom they had been holding captive, along with a letter expressing their willingness to reconcile with Korea. The local government took this very seriously and immediately dispatched Vice Commissioner Jeong Chung-shin to deliver the men and the letter to Hanyang. Jeong Chung-shin lived up to expectations, completing the journey of over a thousand li (approximately 500 kilometers) between Manpo and Hanyang in less than half a month.

"Since Envoy Zheng knew these two were a menace, why didn't he kill them on the way?" Li Erzhan picked up the lid of his cup, gently skimmed away the floating tea leaves, and took a sip. "Did you have to bring this problem back and make the court clean up your mess?"

Zheng Zhongxin was taken aback upon hearing this—the first half of Li Erzhan's sentence was a boastful remark he made at a banquet!

"Who told Judge Li this?" Zheng Zhongxin asked directly.

Li Erzhan paused noticeably as he drank his tea. "Cao Wushang."

"Who is Cao Wushang?" Zheng Zhongxin didn't react immediately.

"Go ask Sima Qian," Li Erzhan rolled his eyes, but Zheng Zhongxin didn't see it.

Zheng Zhongxin was taken aback at first, but soon a blush of humiliation appeared on his face.

"Judge Li has gone too far," Zheng Zhongxin said, looking at Li Erzhan with shame and indignation.

"Is that so?" Li Erzhan calmly met Li Erzhan's gaze. "If Zheng Qianshi had really been able to kill those two people on the road, he wouldn't have had to come here to be humiliated today."

"At that time, I didn't know so many things." Zheng Zhongxin took a deep breath. "I only felt that Jiang and Jin were traitors and should be quickly escorted back to the capital to be executed."

"What are the many things that Zheng Qianshi mentioned?" Li Erzhan stared intently at Zheng Zhongxin.

"Does Judge Li really want me to spell things out so clearly?" Zheng Zhongxin frowned.

“If Envoy Zheng doesn’t explain himself clearly, how can I know his true intentions?” Li Erzhan gently placed the lid back on the teacup, slowly withdrawing his aggressive stance. “Your words have reached my ears. Envoy Zheng can rest assured, there is no third person here.”

"I had no other intentions; I was truly only devoted to the country," Zheng Zhongxin said.

“Serving the country and serving oneself are not contradictory.” Li Erzhan shrugged. “Let’s be frank. I just want to know, with so many people in the court and among the people in the country, why did Envoy Zheng specifically choose me to be his ally?”

"'Quickly execute the barbarian envoy and report to the Celestial Empire, then our cause and effect will be restored, and the will of Heaven will be restored,'" Zheng Zhongxin retorted. "If I remember correctly, these words were also spoken by Judge Li himself, weren't they?"

“I did say something like that before,” Li Erzhan chuckled. “So what?”

"Therefore, I hope that Judge Li can stay true to his original aspirations, lead the court discussions, advise the king, and stabilize the country." Zheng Zhongxin looked at Li Erzhan earnestly.

“Envoy Zheng,” Li Erzhan said calmly, his eyes as still as an ancient well. “You still haven’t told me why, out of so many people in the court and among the people, you specifically wanted to bring me here as your ally.”

"As I just said."

bang bang.

Li Erzhan tapped the tea table heavily with his knuckles. "Envoy Zheng! If you really can't understand me, please go back."

“I really didn’t mean anything by it!” Zheng Zhongxin explained, “Judge Li understands the king’s will perfectly and has unparalleled authority. Even I, Zheng Lingyi, would hardly receive such honor. With your leadership and support, we will surely be able to persuade the king to change his mind.”

"Your flattery won't work," Li Erzhan, shrewd as ever, remained unmoved by Zheng Zhongxin's clumsy attempts at complimenting. "I'm too lazy to argue with you anymore. Just tell me directly, who sent you here to find me?"

Zheng Zhongxin paused for a moment, then lowered his head.

"Liu Xifen or Zhang Wan?" Li Erzhan pressed.

Zheng Zhongxin remained silent.

Li Erzhan's patience was limited; after only a short while, he adopted a posture of seeing the guest out. "Since Envoy Zheng is so insincere and silent, then please return home!"

"Alas!" Zheng Zhongxin sighed. "It was Lord Luoxi who sent me to find you."

"Hmph. It really is Zhang Wan." Li Erzhan leaned back again. "Besides me, who else does he want to contact?"

"I don't know about that," Zheng Zhongxin shook his still-lowered head. "Lord Luoxi only said that he wanted to use my departure from the court and return north as an opportunity to persuade the king in court to repent and behead the general. Lord Luoxi has always admired Judge Li's outstanding demeanor and knows that although Judge Li..." Zheng Zhongxin swallowed the words that were about to come out and skipped over, "...is also a person who cares about the country, so he asked me to take the liberty of visiting and asking for your assistance."

"Hehe." Li Erzhan keenly sensed the sincerity in Zheng Zhongxin's expression. "So what are your thoughts?"

"Of course I admire him too," Zheng Zhongxin said, but he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Lying must be painful," Li Erzhan suddenly reached out and grabbed Zheng Zhongxin's fist under his long sleeve. "Your fist is clenched. Want to hit me?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Zheng Zhongxin was startled, but didn't dare to pull his hand away from the grasp. He slowly loosened his fist and smiled at Li Erzhan: "I was just afraid of being presumptuous and returning empty-handed, so I was a little nervous."

“Kid,” Li Erzhan pinched Zheng Zhongxin with a mischievous grin before turning back to sit down, “you don’t know that Li Hengfu was the one I kicked out of the capital, do you?”

Zheng Zhongxin never expected that Li Erzhan would bring up the matter with a smile. His eyes widened suddenly, and his face flushed red again.

“Even if you don’t say anything, I know you still hold a grudge against me for this. So,” Li Erzhan said casually, unlike Zheng Zhongxin who was tense all over, “I also find it hard to trust you.”

“In that case,” Zheng Zhongxin stood up abruptly, but didn’t forget to bow to Li Erzhan again. “Then I’ll take my leave!”

"Why are you in such a panic? The tea is still warm," Li Erzhan said with a smile. "It would be a shame to just throw it away like this. Sit down and continue drinking."

Zheng Zhongxin was somewhat confused. He looked up at Li Erzhan with a puzzled expression. Li Erzhan was also looking at him, still wearing that annoying smile.

Zheng Zhongxin hesitated for a moment, then sat down. "Is Judge Li trying to negotiate with me?"

“Of course we need to discuss terms,” Li Erzhan replied matter-of-factly. “Zhang Wan wants me to speak on his behalf, so he has to speak on my behalf first.” “What do you want Lord Luoxi to say for you?” Zheng Zhongxin frowned.

“A program that denigrates or demotes Zhenming.” Li Erzhan held up two fingers and gently shook them in the air. “I want Zhang Wan to choose one to raise publicly during the court meeting. Of course, both can be raised together.”

"That's impossible!" Zheng Zhongxin exclaimed without hesitation, instantly becoming extremely agitated. "Lord Aocheng was dismissed and exiled precisely because he opposed your actions that violated propriety and law. How could we possibly bring this up again on our own initiative!"

The so-called "Degradation Program" was a series of measures devised by the Northern Faction, led by Yi Er-chan, to demote the late King's successor, Queen Dowager Kim, by lowering her rank. These included confiscating her jade book and jade seal, ceasing her visits to the king, halting her contributions, and reducing her living standards to the level of ordinary concubines. The "Degradation of Jeongmyeong" involved demoting Queen Dowager Kim's biological daughter, Princess Jeongmyeong, to the rank of princess or palace maid.

Both the "Degradation Program" and the "Demotion of Jeongmyeong" were part of the "Request to Depose the Mother." Because this matter was extremely contrary to the rites and laws, it was met with fierce opposition from the very beginning. Even though many high-ranking officials and famous scholars, including the Minister of the Imperial Decree Shin Gim, Prince Yi Hang-bok of Aoseong, and Grand Master Kim Ryu of Gasan, were demoted or exiled for opposing the "Deposition of the Mother," it did not completely dispel the criticism from the court and the public.

Since the 41st year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, when Yi Erzhan instructed Lee Wei-kyung, a Confucian scholar from Sungkyunkwan University, to propose the "abolition of the mother's authority" theory, the only substantial result has been that King Yi Hun has referred to Queen Dowager Kim as "West Palace" in official documents.

The fact that this matter has dragged on until now is not solely due to continuous opposition from the Korean court and public. In reality, the biggest obstacle lies not in Korea, but in the Ming Dynasty. Regardless, Queen Dowager Kim was officially appointed as the successor to the late king by the Ming court. To legally depose Queen Dowager Kim, a petition must be submitted to the Ming court, requesting the emperor's approval.

The Northern faction, led by Li Erzhan, could certainly fabricate charges of "internal witchcraft" and "external treason," which would be considered treasonous and detrimental to the mother's virtue. However, without the support of the Ming court, these charges would amount to nothing. And to deceive the Ming court, it would be impossible for the entire Joseon state not to reach a consensus.

"Calm down." Li Erzhan calmly waved his hand at Zheng Zhongxin. "Envoy Zheng, please let me finish speaking before you become indignant."

"There's nothing to say about this!" Zheng Zhongxin stood up and waved his hand. He was practically ready to shout, "The Han and the traitors are irreconcilable enemies!"

Li Erzhan remained seated, but his voice trailed off: "You might think there's nothing to say about this, but Zhang Wan might not." Zhang Wan is the current Military Advisor, and since the position of Military Advisor is vacant, Zhang Wan is effectively the head of the Military Advisory Office.

Zheng Zhongxin stopped at the door but did not turn around: "Lord Luoxi would never act as an accomplice to evil!"

“Young man, this isn’t about aiding and abetting a tyrant, or even about mutual benefit; it’s about compromising for the greater good,” Li Erzhan said.

“We’ve been wronged, and you’re asking for our forgiveness?” Zheng Zhongxin turned around.

“Yes!” Li Erzhan nodded emphatically. “If I can’t do it all, the whole thing is doomed to fail.”

"Are you threatening me?" Zheng Zhongxin's pupils contracted.

“Envoy Zheng really thinks I’m a complete villain,” Li Erzhan smiled calmly. “You just said you admired me.”

Zheng Zhongxin frowned and didn't reply.

“You may leave now. I swear to the lamp that I will remain silent and never openly oppose you while you are repeating your old tricks.” Li Erzhan pointed to the study door beside Zheng Zhongxin, then withdrew his hand and pointed to Zheng Zhongxin’s original seat. “But if you really want to get this done, sit down and let me finish what I have to say.”

Zheng Zhongxin did not move.

Li Erzhan didn't urge him, but just quietly watched him.

The two stared at each other for a long time, but in the end, Zheng Zhongxin couldn't take it anymore. He turned his head away and reluctantly walked to his seat.

"Take a sip." Li Erzhan pressed the teacup on the saucer and gently pushed it towards Zheng Zhongxin.

“I am not thirsty.” Zheng Zhongxin still did not look at Li Erzhan.

"Drink up, this tea was a gift from the King, and there's only a little left," Li Erzhan said sadly. "If you come again in the future, I'm afraid you won't be able to drink it even if you want to."

"I didn't come to your residence just to have tea," Zheng Zhongxin said, his tone still one of rejection and disdain.

Li Erzhan had intended to use tea as a metaphor for favor to start a conversation, but little did he know that Zheng Zhongxin didn't understand at all.

“Oh dear,” Li Erzhan sighed softly, and said frankly, “I think Vice Commissioner Zheng is aware of my current situation.”

"What is your situation?" Although Zheng Zhongxin had stayed in Wangjing for a while and heard many things, he only knew the general situation on the surface.

“You still call Zhang Wan ‘Lord Luoxi’? It seems he doesn’t consider you one of his own,” Li Erzhan said. “Let me be frank with you, my current situation is very precarious, and I could be gone at any time.”

"How is that possible?" Zheng Zhongxin then looked at Li Erzhan again.

"Does Envoy Zheng still think I wield the same power and influence as before, and can command a hundred followers?" Li Erzhan asked.

"Isn't that right?" Zheng Zhongxin retorted.

“Zheng Renhong remotely controls the court, and Li Erzhan often presides over discussions, so the king has no freedom.” Li Erzhan’s eyes quickly dimmed, and his demeanor was no longer as relaxed as before.

"..." Zheng Zhongxin's eyes widened, and he was stunned again.

"Haven't you heard such remarks, Vice Envoy Zheng?" Li Erzhan asked.

"Such rumors should be nothing more than a minor nuisance to you, right?" Zheng Zhongxin said.

“It used to be a skin disease,” Li Erzhan said, “but it’s not anymore.”

"Why?" Zheng Zhongxin asked instinctively.

"Because even now, I haven't been able to accomplish what His Majesty wanted me to do." Although Li Erzhan had already dismissed all the servants in this courtyard, he still subconsciously lowered his voice.

"What is it, 'discarding the mother'?" Zheng Zhongxin clenched his fists again.

“Yes.” Li Erzhan nodded.

"Wasn't it you who instigated and provoked the 'petition to depose the mother'?" Zheng Zhongxin glared at Li Erzhan. "And now you're trying to shift the blame to the emperor?!"

“No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood.” Li Erzhan waved his hand down to reassure Zheng Zhongxin. “I’m just wholeheartedly serving the King. The King ascended the throne with difficulty and is always wary. All I’m doing is to help the King sleep more soundly at night.”

(End of this chapter)