Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 628 The Undercurrents of Hanyang (Part 8)

Park Seung-jong immediately straightened up, quickly abandoning his petty thoughts of forming cliques and eliminating dissidents, and replied solemnly, "Your Highness, I believe that now is not the time to deal with Generals Kang Hong-rip and Kim Kyung-seo!"

Li Hui's expression softened somewhat. He raised his hand, flicked his sleeve, and gently gestured with his index finger in front of him. "But they all say we should hastily execute the surrendered generals to appease the Emperor."

“It is good to appease the king’s heart, but the case is still unclear and the facts are unknown. To easily sentence someone to death would be contrary to the law.” Park Seung-jong turned to face the kneeling crowd as instructed by the king. “Therefore, I believe it is better to wait until the Ministry of Justice has found out the truth before taking any action.”

"Ha! National law?" Zhang Wan almost laughed. "Minister Park, you know how to talk about national law now?"

"What else should we talk about besides the law?" Park Seung-jong asked calmly.

"Don't you know that a military circuit has been established in Yizhou?" Zhang Wan asked anxiously.

"So what?" Park Seung-jong shrugged. "When the slaves just withdrew their troops, didn't Governor Gao come? Now that Governor Gao has been replaced by Governor Yuan, what's the difference?"

"It's not a change. Governor Yuan is the appointed Military Commissioner of Zhenjiang!" Zhang Wan glared at Park Seung-jong, leaning forward instinctively. "There was no such commissioner before!"

“I don’t think there’s anything to be surprised about. Governor Gao was originally a magistrate of Liaoyang Circuit, and Zhenjiang was merely a border town under his jurisdiction. Now that the Shenyang victory has been a great success, the Celestial Empire will surely want to recover the towns of Fuqing, Kaitie, and others, and restore the entire Liaodong region. These important places are all under the jurisdiction of Liaoyang Circuit. The court has sent him back to Liaoyang to oversee all affairs, and has also established a separate circuit intendant to specifically govern Fenghuang, Zhenjiang, and other places, to prevent the Jurchens from coveting southern Liaodong. Isn’t this a perfectly logical thing to do?” Park Seung-jong glanced down at Zhang Wan. “Judge Zhang, you are in charge of the Ministry of War, how could you not even think of this?”

"And what about Xu Guangqi's promotion to Minister of Rites?" Zhang Wan retorted sarcastically. "Xu Guangqi took office last autumn, and in less than six months, the Celestial Empire established a new military commissioner in our vital region. Minister Park, don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?"

“I don’t think so.” Park Seung-jong first pursed his lips, then turned to look at Lee Jung-gu: “Counselor Lee, do you think these two things are related?”

Park Seung-jong, projecting his own experience onto Lee Jung-gu, assumed that Lee would protect him and avoid appearing incompetent in defending himself. However, Lee Jung-gu unexpectedly took the lead, saying, "I can't be sure if these two matters are related, but I tend to think they are. As far as I know, both Seo Ye-seok and this Magistrate Yuan were examiners for the Taichang imperial examination. If we go back in time, it's as if the Emperor sent Magistrate Yuan immediately after the imperial examination ended. Given this connection and the coincidence, it's hard to say they aren't related."

As he spoke, Li Tinggui glanced at Li Erzhan subconsciously. But neither Li Erzhan nor his cronies intended to use this opportunity to attack Li Tinggui for failing to defend himself.

Park Seung-jong was caught off guard, and his gaze towards Lee Jung-gu became increasingly hostile. Just as he was racking his brains, unsure how to continue, the Minister of Personnel, Yoo Hee-fen, stepped forward: "Minister Jang, Minister Lee, it is still unknown whether these two matters are related. Whether the Celestial Empire intends to follow the example of the Protectorate Generals of the Han and Tang Dynasties and implement a policy of guardianship cannot be based on guesswork. Your Highness, I believe that the best course of action now is to wait for the New Year's Day delegation to return, or send someone to inquire with the Imperial Festival delegation that is still en route. Let's hear what they have to say before making any further discussions."

Liu Xifen's move was a typical example of using the tactic of deflection, but King Yi Hun was not satisfied with that, so he did not respond and instead asked Park Seung-jong, "Minister, what do you think?"

Park Seung-jong had already come to his senses: "I believe that, regardless of whether these two matters are truly related to that memorial, even if they are, we cannot easily execute Generals Jiang and Kim."

These words caused another stir in the hall.

Zhang Wan shouted even more forcefully, "Those who are guilty will not be punished, but those who defect to the enemy will not be executed! Minister Park, are you trying to push our country to the point of being shamed by the whole world?"

"Judge Zhang, don't be so hasty," Park Seung-jong said with a provocative smile. "As I just said, the case is still unclear and the facts are unknown. How can we easily convict them? Besides, our country not only borders the Celestial Empire, but also the Jurchens. If we easily execute Jiang and Jin and burn the official documents, it will surely ignite the Jurchen chieftain's anger, leading to a massive military invasion."

"Sang-Park!" Zhang Wan roared, interrupting Park Seung-jong. "So you've decided to become Qin Hui?!"

"Don't make such misleading statements so easily," Park Seung-jong's left cheek twitched uncontrollably, as if he had been slapped. "Let me ask you, if the slave chieftain were to launch a large-scale invasion southward because of the execution of Jiang and Jin, how many combat-ready troops could you, the sergeant, mobilize to fight against them?"

"If the skin is gone, what will the hair cling to!" Zhang Wan roared. "If the Celestial Empire loses Liaodong, even if our country wanted to follow the example of the Song Dynasty and maintain a precarious existence, it would be impossible. At that time, where do you expect Your Highness to flee to? Japan?!"

Upon hearing this, King Li Hui's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed even more tightly than before.

"Judge Zhang!" said Liu Xifen, the Prince of Wenchang Prefecture, "Isn't that extremely rude of you? Is this how a subject should speak?"

"Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is hard to swallow!" Zhang Wan kowtowed heavily to the king. "In the past, the Japanese pirates invaded from the sea, advancing all the way north, and their country was destroyed in three months. The late king could at least be captured in Yizhou, or at the very least, submit to Liaodong. But the Jurchens are coming from the north. Once they break through the eight provinces, and our court is not trusted by the Celestial Empire, Your Highness and all these civil and military officials will have no choice but to follow the story of the young emperor at Yaishan and drown themselves in the sea! At that time, you treacherous ministers will be remembered for your infamy for ten thousand years in history!"

Park Seung-jong was starting to feel the strain from Zhang Wan's desperate stance, but he could only brace himself and offer a desperate retort: ​​"Vice Minister Zhang, you are underestimating the Celestial Empire. Since General Xiong took office, the Celestial Empire has not lost an inch of territory, and now, with the great victory in Shenyang, it even has the momentum to launch a counter-offensive. Given the current situation, how could Liaodong be in danger of being completely lost?"

"Hmph!" Zhang Wan sneered, mocking, "The Celestial Empire has suddenly rallied and raised a mighty army to conquer Liaodong, so you're going to protect traitorous generals and make peace with the slaves? What kind of logic is that!"

"Since ancient times, the Han and the traitors have been irreconcilable enemies!" Park Seung-jong said first. "Of course, I would not advocate making peace with barbarians and beasts. But now, our national strength is declining, our generals and soldiers are exhausted, and the number of soldiers capable of fighting is said to be 100,000, but in reality, there are only tens of thousands of old and weak. I ask you, if the slave chieftain were to lead a large army south because of the matter of beheading generals and burning books, could our country withstand it! The Celestial Empire could defend and recover Liaodong, but can you, Zhang Wan, defend Hamgyong and Pyongan provinces?"

"It's nothing more than death." Zhang Wan suddenly turned his head and kowtowed heavily, saying, "Your Highness! The Emperor's authority now hangs high in the heavens, and his power to oversee the realm is about to be established. It is advisable to execute generals and burn books to demonstrate loyalty and appease the Emperor. Delaying even one day will surely lead to a hundred generations of trouble, and delaying for ten days will surely bring about an immeasurable calamity! I implore Your Highness to make a wise and decisive decision and not be misled by ministers like Park Yoo-hyeong! As for the peace of the border and the security of the nation, I request to go north to the border to supervise the war. If there are any mishaps in Hamgyong and Pyongan provinces, I will gladly offer my head to you!"

At this point, the king could no longer remain silent.

Li Hui slowly took a deep breath and smiled, "Judge Zhang, I understand your determination, which is good, but the situation is not yet critical enough. As the Prime Minister said, our national strength is declining and our troops are exhausted; it is time for us to recuperate. Although the Jurchen chieftain was defeated at the gates of Shenyang, his generals are still as fierce as tigers and his soldiers as wolves as packs. If we provoke him now, our country will surely fall into the danger of national extinction again." "Your Highness!" Zhang Wan was anxious and shouted loudly, disregarding etiquette.

Li Hui wasn't angry, at least not outwardly. "Let me finish. The best course of action now is to dispel the suspicions of the Celestial Empire, repel the enemy's army, and allow our people to recuperate and build up our strength. When the Celestial Empire sends troops to raid our stronghold and engage the enemy in a decisive battle, our country can then send a powerful army to assist us. Zhang, I will now promote you to Military Commissioner and order you to recruit and train soldiers as a preparation for our assistance. What do you think?"

"Your Highness!" Before Zhang Wan could react, Liu Xifen jumped out first. "Zhang Wan roared in the palace, showing no respect for the emperor and no manners of a subject. How can he be promoted? I believe that this scoundrel should be dismissed immediately as a warning to all officials in the country."

Li Hui straightened his face and glared exaggeratedly at Liu Xifen: "Confucius said, 'A subject serves his ruler with loyalty, and a ruler treats his subjects with propriety.' Even if Zhang Canpan is slightly impolite, it is still out of utmost loyalty and concern. If I cannot even tolerate this little bit of impoliteness, wouldn't I truly become a ruler like Ji and Gou!"

"But Your Highness..." Liu Xifen wanted to say something more.

"Shut up!" Li Hui shouted.

"Yes." Liu Xifen had no choice but to step back, but there was no fear on his face.

"Judge Zhang, His Highness has treated you with such courtesy, why don't you thank him?" Chief State Councilor Park Seung-jong urged softly.

"Your Highness." Zhang Wan lowered his head, but did not immediately express his gratitude. "Currently, in Liaodong, and even in our court and among the people, everyone is saying that Generals Jiang and Jin are colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. If they are not executed, how can we dispel the suspicions of the Celestial Empire?"

Lee Hun still wore a smile, but his eyes had lost all their luster. He couldn't help but roll his eyes, and Chief State Councilor Park Seung-jong smoothly followed up: "Of course, we should send envoys to the Celestial Empire to refute the accusations and clarify our intentions!"

"Another attempt to dispel false accusations!" Zhang Wan retorted. "If one could dispel the doubts and suspicions of the emperor with just a few words, why was Guangqi promoted so quickly, and why was Zhenjiang established as a prefecture?"

“As I said before, these events do not mean that the Celestial Empire doubts our country. As far as I know, not long after Xu Guangqi arrived in Beijing, the Westerners also arrived. His Majesty promoted him, perhaps to prevent the incident at Yuegang during the Longqing era and to open another trading port. To put it another way, even if His Majesty truly adopted Xu Guangqi's advice on guardianship, why not directly appoint him as the newly established Military Advisor of Zhenjiang? Zhang, you should stop worrying unnecessarily!” After saying this, Park Seung-jong turned to the King and said, “Your Highness, I believe that the best course of action now is to send another envoy to defend our country and explain that our country’s inability to execute generals and burn books is to avoid the swift calamity of the slaves.”

“Your Highness!” Zhang Wan looked at the King, about to speak again. But at this moment, Li Erzhan stepped forward and seconded, “I believe that what Minister Park said is absolutely right. If we can explain to His Majesty our country’s long-standing loyalty, then both things can be accomplished! I recommend Counselor Li as the chief envoy of the mission to visit the capital again!”

Zhang Wan was taken aback and looked at Li Erzhan with surprise and doubt. In an instant, the slight goodwill that had just sprouted in her heart vanished.

"Heh." Li Hui raised an eyebrow, looking intently at Li Erzhan: "If I remember correctly, you were vehemently opposed when I wanted to reinstate Li as the 'Defense Envoy'."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply apprehensive." Despite his words, Li Erzhan remained composed. "Initially, I suspected that Counselor Li was actually a henchman of Kim Ti-nam, and thus I made a rash rebuttal. Now, the matter is clear, and there is no reason to doubt it any longer." As he spoke, Li Erzhan turned his head and smiled at Li Ting-gui. "I believe that since Counselor Li was able to obtain the late Emperor's forgiveness last year, he can surely obtain the current Emperor's forgiveness as well. I hope Your Highness will accept this."

It can be said that, barring any major upheaval or change of imperial authority, Li Tinggui's defense of the false accusations would have been flawless. During the mission's stay in the capital, Li Tinggui visited and persuaded several key government departments, including the Censorate, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Grand Secretariat. Ultimately, through the mediation of the "sole prime minister" Fang Congzhe, he obtained two imperial edicts expressing reassurance. Furthermore, the dying emperor generously provided Li Tinggui with 20,000 taels of silver as a reward to take back to Joseon.

"You've said all the good and bad things, what more can I say?" The current outcome was not what Li Hui had hoped for; it was even worse than Liu Xifen's stalling tactics. However, having come this far, he could only swallow his anger. "Counselor Li, what are your thoughts?"

“Your Majesty has given me your orders, and I will obey them,” Li Ting said, bowing respectfully. “However, before I accept the orders, I have some advice to offer, and I hope Your Majesty will listen to it.”

"Go ahead and tell me," Li Hui said, no longer wanting to listen.

"Previously, our country had never sent envoys to sue for peace with the Jurchens. Although Liang Jian did send one, it was merely the work of a border official, so the previous denunciation was relatively easy. However, now that the Jurchens have retreated from Shencheng, they immediately returned surrendered generals such as Jiang Hongli and even sent a forged letter to show goodwill, clearly intending to sow discord between the Celestial Empire and its vassal states. I predict that they will spread rumors widely among the Liaodong garrison commanders, and perhaps even reach the Emperor's ears, claiming that our dynasty has privately harbored traitorous generals and accepted a forged letter without authorization. The difficulty of refuting this denunciation will likely be a hundred times greater than before."

"What is your opinion?" Li Hui asked, frowning.

Li Tinggui took a deep breath. "Your Highness, I urge you to make preparations as soon as possible. If His Majesty issues an edict that our country will execute the envoy and burn the book to demonstrate our sincerity in serving the greater good, our dynasty will respond with thunderous force."

Park Seung-jong interjected, "Sending envoys to the capital was precisely to explain our country's hidden reason for not executing generals and burning books. If we cannot do that, why send envoys at all?"

“Minister Park, it would be ideal if we could resolve the doubts and resist the enemy. If Your Highness sends me to the capital, I will do my best to negotiate and achieve both,” Lee Jung-gu sighed. “But if the will of Heaven remains unwavering, then we can only abandon the option of resolving both and fulfill our duty as a vassal.”

"I second that!" Zhang Wan loudly agreed.

"Your Majesty, I second that proposal!" The officials and clerks kneeling behind Zhang Wan also seconded the proposal.

"That's enough for today. Dismissed." Li Hui had completely lost his patience. He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and left Xuanzheng Hall without looking back.

(End of this chapter)