Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 120 What an honor it is to be a dog of the Ming Dynasty
Dongjiang Town is not far from North Korea.

Therefore, Kong Youde and his group successfully landed in Korea without much travel.

Kong Youde landed in two cities: Xuanchuan City and Tieshan City.

These two cities were managed by Dongjiang Town for many years, and it is also possible to say that they were the Ming Dynasty's base in Korea.

After His Majesty and his entourage land in Korea, they can rest and reorganize their troops here temporarily before making further plans.

And this moment.

The officials in Xuanchuan and Tieshan City were all taken aback when they saw Kong Youde and his group; they were both surprised and delighted.

Because they knew very well that the Later Jin army would pass through here to attack Dongjiang Town.

Everyone thought that Dongjiang Town had been destroyed by the Later Jin, but they never expected to see old acquaintances alive again.

After all, they had witnessed firsthand how strong the Later Jin army was.

Even when Kong Youde first landed.

These North Korean officials all thought that these people had come to ask North Korea for help.

I was just about to say that I couldn't be of much help, and that I could only secretly provide some supplies or something.

But then they suddenly realized that the people of the Ming Dynasty did not look like they had been defeated at all.

On the contrary, they said...

It's quite different from before; it seems like he has more energy and spirit.

It has a bit of the feel of China from many years ago.

Taken aback, everyone quickly and warmly welcomed Kong Youde and his group, and inquired about what had happened in Dongjiang Town.

Faced with these questions, Kong Youde did not answer them, but paused briefly before continuing forward.

He knew very well the true purpose of his trip.

One reason was to see if they could somehow trick Li Zong, that concubine, into going to meet the emperor.

Secondly, it is to announce to as many North Koreans as possible:
Not only did the Ming Dynasty not thwart the Later Jin's sneak attack, it actually fought its way out!
Time is short and the task is heavy.

Therefore, for Kong Youde, there was truly not a single minute that could be wasted.

But he also knew it.

The closer one gets to Seoul, the capital of North Korea, the greater the obstacles one will encounter.

Not only would they no longer be warmly welcomed by officials, but many unexpected changes would also occur.

But His Majesty had already told him this before he left.

This mission is all about being as arrogant as possible.

We must display the might of the Ming Dynasty envoy in the most high-profile manner.

This way.

This would allow the loyalists in Korea to rediscover the power of the Ming Dynasty and thus reunite them.

Kong Youde kept these words in mind.

He even said he was prepared to die for this mission.

If they don't even care about their own lives, then what's a little arrogance?!
So when we arrive at the next city.

Kong Youde and his entourage, facing the officials there, didn't even dismount their horses and looked down at them arrogantly, saying:
"Take me to see Li Zong."

Local officials: ?
The officials stared at Kong Youde, speechless for a long while.

These people had all had contact with Kong Youde in the past.

At that time, Kong Youde's attitude toward Korea was not exactly humble, but generally respectful.

After all, Dongjiang Town needed something from North Korea.

In daily life, I almost always treated these city officials as equals.

They were on friendly terms, calling each other brothers.

But today.

Why did they suddenly become so arrogant, so contrary to their usual behavior? And they even dared to call the king by his name!

Everyone immediately thought of the incident a few days ago when the Later Jin dynasty passed through the area and used it as a route to attack Dongjiang Town.

The Later Jin people haven't returned, but the people from Dongjiang Town have come instead, and they've appeared in such an arrogant manner.

Could it be that the Ming Dynasty successfully defended against the Later Jin's attack?!
Various speculations began to circulate in everyone's minds, but no one dared to ask any further questions.

Even low-ranking officials have their own survival philosophy—don't inquire about things you shouldn't.

Kong Youde did not offer much explanation for this.

His Majesty spoke to him before he left.

Some things don't need to be explained too clearly; letting people guess is the best approach.

After experiencing it firsthand, Kong Youde, seeing the cautious expressions on everyone's faces, wholeheartedly agreed.

but.

This unstoppable success ultimately did not last long.

Only half a day had passed when Kong Youde encountered his first obstacle on his way to Seoul.

That was the capital city of a prefecture in North Korea.

When Kong Youde and his party arrived here.

The local prefect, Li Gang, along with a group of officials, indifferently stopped them, while a large crowd of North Korean civilians gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Facing the arrogant Kong Youde, Li Gang, who had been given the surname "Li" by King Yi Jong of Joseon, displayed an even more arrogant side.

With a forced smile, he stood with his hands behind his back, staring at Kong Youde, and said, "I wonder what brings Brother Kong Youde to my country of Korea all this time?!"

Li Gang didn't even use a polite form of address, but instead addressed the Ming Dynasty envoy by his full name in a very unfriendly manner.

In a sense, this was tantamount to slapping the Ming Dynasty in the face.

Li Gang's actions were not without reason; he did not act rashly because he disliked Kong Youde.

Although he had guessed the reason why Kong Youde dared to be so arrogant, it was probably because Dongjiang Town had won a battle.

But if the superiors have a certain preference, the subordinates will follow it to an extreme.

Their king despised the Ming Dynasty, so he, as a subordinate, had to show an even worse attitude towards the people of the Ming Dynasty.

Like right now.

Li Gang deliberately gathered a group of officials and ordinary people to watch, just to give the arrogant Kong Youde a taste of his own medicine!

What a load of bullshit Ming Dynasty envoys!
You dare to be so arrogant in my country, where the sun shines brightly!

Have you forgotten how your Dongjiang Town fawned over North Korea a few years ago?!

If it weren't for our kind heart in North Korea, would you have had the chance to live to this day?!
He wanted to make those in the city who still harbored illusions about the Ming Dynasty understand.

The Ming Dynasty has now become a complete waste!

This way.

Not only could he vent his anger, but he could also take the opportunity to curry favor with the king afterwards.

why not?

But to Li Gang's surprise...

He faced his own ridicule and mockery.

Kong Youde, mounted on his horse, merely narrowed his eyes with a calm expression:

"Take me to see Li Zong."

Li Gang's expression immediately changed drastically: "How dare you! How dare you address our king by his name?! Guards!"

But what no one expected happened.

Before Li Gang could finish speaking, Kong Youde, who was on horseback, lashed him across the face with a whip.

He immediately jumped off his horse, grabbed Li Gang by the collar, and raised his fist to strike.

"You son of a bitch! You're just a mere prefect of a vassal state, a beast! How dare you spout such nonsense in front of the Ming Dynasty envoy!"

"Don't even mention you! Even your master Li Zong would have to kneel and kowtow to me obediently when he sees the envoy of my Great Ming Dynasty!"

"You son of a bitch! I'll beat you to death today, you bastard who dares to defy the might of Heaven!"

Without saying a word, Kong Youde started cursing and wildly swinging his fists.

This scene completely stunned everyone around them.

The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly.

What... what on earth is going on?!

How could the Ming Dynasty envoy be so arrogant?!

Could it be that the Ming Dynasty was not as shaky as the domestic claims suggested, but instead actually came back to life?
But why have the Ming Dynasty envoys never taken such actions in recent years? What has happened recently that has caused such a drastic change in them?
Countless speculations arose in the minds of the onlookers.

But no one was destined to get a definite answer at this time, which made these people feel as if their hearts were being teased by a kitten.

Meanwhile, Li Gang's trusted subordinates, who were standing nearby, could not remain indifferent as they watched the Ming Dynasty envoy beating their master.

only.

Just as one of them was about to step forward to stop them, he saw Kong Youde throw Li Gang away and then lash out with a whip.

"You son of a bitch! Who do you think you are, to dare to obstruct the envoy of the Great Ming Dynasty?!"

"To the envoys of the Great Ming Dynasty, your master's life is no more than that of a stray dog ​​on the roadside, to be killed at will! Surely you can be killed too!?"

As he spoke, Kong Youde raised his whip again and lashed it at the man.

The man was whipped to the ground.

Seeing that Kong Youde had raised the whip again, he hurriedly retreated backward, his face full of horror, using both hands and feet.

The others who were about to step forward were also stunned by the scene.

It's not that they were truly terrified by Kong Youde's behavior.

Rather, the title of "Angel of the Great Ming Dynasty" evoked some unpleasant memories for everyone. In fact, after the initial shock, this group of people began to have a very inappropriate thought:

That's right, that's the taste of the Celestial Empire!
Ever since.

In North Korea, a scene unfolded where a high-ranking official was brutally beaten by a Ming Dynasty envoy, and no one dared to intervene; only a crowd silently watched.

This scene had a touch of dark humor to it.

However, beneath this dark humor, the protagonist, Li Gang, appears rather pathetic.

Kong Youde was a military general, and after dozens of punches, he was beaten beyond recognition.

After beating Li Gang, Kong Youde did not stop, but raised his horsewhip and lashed him dozens of times.

They continued to torture him until his skin was torn open, he was on the verge of death, and it was clear that he could not survive.

Kong Youde spat at the remaining officials, his face arrogant, and said:

"I am an envoy of the Great Ming Dynasty. If any of you dare to lay a hand on me, when the Great Ming army arrives in the future, you will all be guilty of treason and your entire families will be executed!"

"If you dare not be disrespectful to me, then get out of my way immediately. I'm waiting to see Li Zong!"

The remaining officials exchanged glances.

Then they all made way for Kong Youde.

With the top official Li Gang beaten to death, who would dare to provoke him at this time?
How much silver do you get in a month to risk your life like that?

Moreover, from the perspective of facts and legal principles.

It was indeed Li Gang who insulted the Ming Dynasty envoy first.

Although everyone knows that the Ming Dynasty has been declining in recent years, it is still nominally the suzerain state of Korea, isn't it?
Therefore, after Kong Youde had thoroughly beaten the Korean official, not a single person dared to stop him in the slightest.

Kong Youde looked at Li Gang's men, who had just been ready to interrogate him but were now as obedient as loyal dogs.

Still not satisfied, he sneered, "You bunch of wild dogs and lowly bastards, you dare to try and stop the envoys of the Great Ming Dynasty?!"

Li Gang's remaining men all knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "We dare not! We dare not!"

Kong Youde, riding on his horse, laughed loudly: "What a bunch of cowardly bastards who fear power but not morality! The good that the Ming Dynasty has done for you for the past two hundred years is not as effective as these few lashes from me!"

"Remember this, all of you: if a stray dog ​​dares to jump in front of its master and bark wildly, there is only one fate for it: death!"

The remaining officials lowered their heads even further: "The angel is right!"

"To be a dog of the Ming Dynasty is such an honor for us! It's a blessing we earned in our past lives!"

"An honor! An honor!"

Kong Youde's smile grew even more unrestrained. He picked out a few people he didn't like and whipped them a few more times before leading his entourage away.

Only after Kong Youde and his group disappeared from sight did the people in the city awaken as if from a dream, and then a thunderous discussion broke out.

Countless speculations circulated among the crowd, with all sorts of opinions being offered.

But soon.

The most logical conclusion reached a consensus among everyone, suppressing all other speculations.

That means Dongjiang Town has definitely defeated the Later Jin, and probably it was a great victory.

Otherwise, how could the Ming envoys dare to be so arrogant?
Moreover, not a single envoy from the Later Jin appeared.

This situation clearly arose because they were all captured by the Ming Dynasty!

How did Dongjiang Town defeat the Later Jin?

Wasn't the Ming Dynasty on the verge of collapse? How come it's suddenly so powerful again?

What exactly happened in those few short days?
no one knows.

But what is certain is that people's hearts are beginning to stir.

Ever since.

Less than a day later, news of the Ming envoy's humiliation upon arriving in Korea and his subsequent public beating of the prefect in a fit of rage spread throughout half of Korea.

Moreover, the rumors surrounding this are becoming increasingly outrageous.

Even said.

Even claims that the Ming Dynasty's previous weakness was an act, intended to test Joseon's loyalty, have surfaced.

These rumors within North Korea naturally elicit mixed reactions, with some people happy and others worried.

Those who rose to power alongside Li Zong were terrified upon hearing these rumors:

Dad, you're not dead?!
Meanwhile, the Chungmyeong faction within North Korea, which has been under constant suppression in recent years, was extremely excited.

If the Ming Dynasty could truly be revived.

Then all the suffering they endured before wouldn't have been in vain; they might even be able to seize this opportunity to soar to new heights.

Even Kong Youde himself did not expect this.

His actions have already caused a huge uproar in North Korea.

Although all parties are still observing, people's hearts have been completely stirred up.

soon.

The news then reached Seoul, the capital of Korea.

And at this time.

King Injo was hosting a banquet for the Later Jin envoys in his palace to discuss how Joseon and the Later Jin would cooperate to use Dongjiang Town to contain the Ming Dynasty after its destruction.

At the banquet.

A trusted subordinate whispered something in Li Zong's ear.

Upon hearing that the Ming Dynasty had sent an envoy to Korea and publicly killed a Korean official.

Li Zong's expression remained unchanged, still maintaining an air of peace and prosperity.

But soon, he found an excuse to leave the banquet.

After entering a secret room, he asked with a solemn expression, "Is everything you just said true?!"

"My lord! It's absolutely true! Kong Youde and his entourage have already arrived at the capital's post station! And they're making a big fuss about being envoys sent to Korea by the Ming Dynasty emperor!"

Upon hearing this answer, Li Zong's face immediately turned ashen.

Almost instantly.

He had already deduced that the Later Jin's surprise attack on Dongjiang Town had gone wrong; otherwise, the outcome would never have been like this.

But Li Zong didn't have time to think about exactly how things went wrong.

What's most important to him right now is...

The goal is to minimize the negative impact of figures like Kong Youde or the Ming Dynasty.

From the few words his subordinates uttered, Li Zong immediately realized that it was because of the appearance of Kong Youde and his group.

The Chungmyeong faction within North Korea, which he has been suppressing, may well rise again.

Thinking of this, Li Zong asked, "Did Kong Youde reveal what their true purpose was in coming to Korea?"

The subordinate shook his head: "No, they only said they wanted to see you."

Upon hearing this answer, Li Zong began pacing back and forth in the room.

At this time, the Ming Dynasty sent envoys to Korea.

Is it because Dongjiang Town won a battle that they're coming to demand an explanation, or is it to take this opportunity to win over Korea, or perhaps for some other purpose?

Thinking about these unsettling speculations, Li Zong's hatred for the Ming Dynasty reached its peak.

For him, whatever the Ming Dynasty wanted to do, he could never agree to it.

Because if the Ming Dynasty were to influence Korea again as it had before, its core rule in Korea would be affected.

Yi Jong, who came to power through a coup, could not possibly accept this.

Because he knows it very well.

Having reached his position, coupled with everything he had done before...

If his power is affected, there is only one fate awaiting him: death.

A cold glint flashed in Li Zong's eyes: "Go tell the Ming Dynasty envoys to come to court tomorrow. I want to see what they're up to!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

After his men left, Li Zong's eyes grew even more sinister.

If the Ming Dynasty's envoy dared to slap King Injo in the face by arbitrarily killing a Korean official, then his retaliation against the Ming Dynasty had to be even more severe.

tomorrow.

He wanted to show everyone, in front of all the civil and military officials of Joseon, what the consequences would be for those who didn't respect him, Yi Jong.

They originally wanted to maintain a superficial relationship with the Ming Dynasty.

Now it seems better to just openly rebel!

However, since the Ming Dynasty dared to send envoys to Korea in such an arrogant manner, it may have been preparing for a backup plan.

Although Li Zong had a considerable number of elite troops and generals under his command, he was not particularly afraid of the Ming Dynasty.

But in the current situation...

Shifting the blame and using the power of others to deal with the Ming Dynasty is clearly a better strategy.

Think of this.

After giving instructions to several of his trusted confidants, Li Zong returned to the banquet.

Seeing the Later Jin envoy laughing and embracing a maid, he waved his hand to dismiss everyone else, then spoke with a solemn expression:
"Something must have happened in Dongjiang Town. The troops you sent may have been completely captured by the Ming Dynasty."

Later Jin envoy: ?

But before the other party could be taken aback, Li Zong continued:

"If the Later Jin is willing to join forces with my Joseon to fight against the Ming Dynasty, then my Joseon is willing to form a true brotherhood with the Later Jin and advance and retreat together from now on!"

(End of this chapter)