Di Ming

Chapter 334 The Little Tiger Returns to the Capital, Stirring Up the Court and the Countryside; Emperor Bai Jin Summons Him for an Audience to Discuss Conferring of a Title.

Zhu Yin had to seize control of the Ming army in Korea to fight against the Japanese pirates. Because of Yang Shaoxun's major defeat last time, the Ming army in Korea was in a very passive position and was now in a mess.

One incompetent general can lead to the death of an entire army!

Historically, Li Rusong achieved a great victory at Pyongyang as soon as he entered Korea, using the Liaodong cavalry to teach the arrogant Japanese army a lesson, shattering the myth of the Japanese army's invincibility since its invasion of Korea, and making the Japanese army re-evaluate the military strength of the Ming Dynasty.

Things are very different now.

Under the command of incompetent generals, the Ming army in Korea suffered a major defeat in its first battle, followed by another defeat at Anju. Its forces were reduced to only 70,000, and now it was retreating to the Yalu River.

Even more critically, the morale of the Ming army was low, and they lost confidence in the Japanese pirates. Two major defeats reinforced the myth of the Japanese army's invincibility.

Half of Liaodong Town's elite troops were lost by Yang Shaoxun, Hao Jing, and Gao Huai.

In contrast, the Japanese army in Korea, after Hideyoshi's emergency reinforcements and supplies, numbered as many as 200,000, and their morale was high, their fighting spirit soaring. Their supplies could sustain them for six months!

They were unaware that the Emperor had been captured, and the news was kept secret within Japan, with no notification given to the Japanese army in Korea.

Zhu Yin knew that if he didn't step in to turn the tide, not only would the fall of Korea be certain, but Liaodong might also be lost.

Liaodong has a million Han Chinese population; if it falls into the hands of the Japanese army…

Ning Caiwei said, "We must indeed take the lead in the Korean War, otherwise the situation may really be difficult to manage."

“Even if you can’t get military power, at the very least you should send capable generals to Korea, such as my adoptive father, Li Rusong, and Li Chengliang.”

"But our army can no longer participate in the war. We have already suffered more than a thousand casualties this time. Even with the Eight Banners system, we can only mobilize a maximum of 18,000 Han soldiers. Every one that dies is one less. How many times can we use this up? The ammunition stockpile on the island is also running low."

Even though she made a fortune from this war, the loss of Han soldiers still pained her.

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "Our army is indeed not suited to fight again, let alone go ashore and engage in a war of attrition with the Japanese army. The Eight Banners population overseas is too small, and we cannot afford to sacrifice them."

"However, regardless of whether I can command troops, the merchant guild must take on the responsibility of supplying the imperial court with provisions and logistics. This is the only way to improve the logistics of the Ming army. It is really not feasible to rely on those petty officials who skim off the top. Their efficiency is too low."

Ning Caiwei sighed, her lips slightly pursed. "Sigh, we're going to have to do this unprofitable business again. Last time, when we took on the logistics for the Northwest, the trading company lost a lot of money."

The Vice Minister of War said solemnly, "Caiwei, even if the merchant guild loses some money, it must handle the logistics well. This is a national war. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the country, losses are inevitable. As long as we win the national war, there will be plenty of opportunities to make money."

The pirate queen chuckled, "You think you're so patriotic, and I'm a shrewd businesswoman? Don't worry, I don't care about money when it comes to important matters. Hey, with your kind of public-spiritedness and willingness to sacrifice your family for the country and the people, it would be a loss for the people if you weren't the emperor. The throne should belong to you."

The young vice minister stroked his non-existent beard. "Of course. My wife, you know me. If I were to become emperor, I would be no less than Li Shimin. Future generations would surely honor me with the title of a great ruler of the Ming Dynasty and the Great Emperor of the East."

"Heh!" The girl raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Let's talk about it after you become emperor. What if you don't become emperor and our family is accused of treason?"

"Little Tiger, your plans are still far from being finalized, but have you already decided on your temple name?"

Zhu Yin exclaimed, "How did you know? I did think about the temple name."

Ning Caiwei rolled her eyes, speechless, then asked with a hint of curiosity, "What temple name?"

Zhu Yin shook his head. "I can't tell you. Even if you become emperor, you can't give yourself a temple name. If I die before you, then you can give me a temple name."

"Pah! Pah! Pah!" Ning Caiwei punched him lightly. "We're only teenagers, what are you talking about, dying like that?"

Zhu Yin coughed and handed the hand warmer to Ning Caiwei. "Let's get down to business. What would happen if Korea lost the war and Liaodong was lost?"

"After the Japanese army invaded Liaodong, what if they joined forces with the Mongols and Jurchens? Seeing the Ming Dynasty suffer defeat after defeat, would the Jurchen and Mongol tribes submit to Japan and become its accomplices and henchmen?"

"Huh?" Ning Caiwei's eyebrows twitched, but after thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "It's not impossible! Little Tiger, your worry is not unfounded."

Zhu Yin sneered: "History has changed, so of course we need to strengthen our sense of crisis. Even Koreans, under duress from the Japanese army, became accomplices. How many Koreans participated in the Japanese invasion of China in later history?"

"Latest intelligence: The Japanese army has begun to establish a puppet army in the four southern provinces of Korea, named the 'Japanese Korean People's Righteous Army for the Suppression of the Ming Dynasty.' More than 20,000 people have been recruited, with Japanese samurai serving as officers. They are currently training in Jinju and Seoul."

Ning Caiwei spat, "It's truly a consistent pattern, unchanged throughout history. The Japanese love this kind of insidious and despicable tactic."

"Anyway, the Ming Dynasty is big enough, has enough resources, and enough benefits to distribute. The Jurchens, Mongols, and Koreans could very well become pawns for Japan and get a share of the spoils."

Zhu Yin's expression was somewhat strange. "If the enemy can go, so can I. The Japanese are cunning, but they are also very effective. Their methods are similar to those of the Manchus. Why should we be gentlemen? To deal with foreigners and enemies, we must be ruthless and cunning."

“Didn’t we, the Eight Banners overseas, do the same thing when dealing with the natives of Luzon and foreigners? We will do the same thing when dealing with Japan in the future.”

Ning Caiwei laughed and said, "Let them treat you in their own way!"

Zhu Yin suddenly remembered something else, "I met the envoys from the Ryukyu Kingdom in Kyoto this time. They came to pay tribute to Japan. Humph, they are obsequious to the Ming Dynasty, but they are also obsequious to Japan. They are playing both sides and recognizing two masters."

Ning Caiwei's expression also turned slightly cold. "Ryukyu is nothing but a fence-sitter in order to maintain its independence. The court thinks they are very loyal, but in fact they have ulterior motives. My merchant ships went to Ryukyu, and the taxes were higher than those for Japanese cargo ships. This is outrageous! Isn't this bullying the benevolence and righteousness of our Great Ming?"

"The Ryukyu Islands play a crucial role in maritime trade, and it's not a good thing that they've always been controlled by the Shang family. Japanese daimyo frequently transport goods to Ryukyu and sell them to the Ming Dynasty under the Ryukyu name, making tens of thousands of taels of silver every year. But Shang Jia is helping them cover it up."

Zhu Yin said, “When I was in Japan, the Ryukyu envoys felt very awkward when they met the Ming envoys, and I couldn’t be bothered to talk to them. In the history of the Ming Dynasty, even Turpan in the Western Regions proposed to annex China, but Ryukyu never did. Whether the Ming Dynasty wanted to or not was the Ming Dynasty’s business. But if you don’t even mention it, then that’s your business.”

"Wait a few more years. When the time is right, we'll take over the Ryukyu Islands. It's better for us to occupy them than for Japan to occupy them."

Ning Caiwei smiled and said, "If we take over the Ryukyu Islands, we can monopolize East Asian maritime trade, and we will have much more room to maneuver. The hundreds of thousands of people in the Ryukyu Islands can also be used by us."

Zhu Yin said, "Let's wait a few more years for Ryukyu, and take back Taiwan this time. We don't need to wait any longer. We can't let Wei Wen and Zhu Kuan's fleet go there for nothing."

"Didn't we rescue more than two thousand Han Chinese this time in Japan? They were all incorporated into the Eight Banners and sent to the safest plains of Chianan on Taiwan. Two thousand soldiers were left to garrison and protect them. Three thousand native serfs were selected from Jingzhou to help with land reclamation."

"Once Zheng Guowang persuaded the court, 20,000 government slaves were settled on Taiwan Island."

Ning Caiwei frowned and said, "There are hundreds of thousands of fierce primitive people on Taiwan. How do we deal with them?"

Zhu Yin's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his expression shifting between light and dark, as if he were engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

If he was like a sorghum stalk under the afternoon autumn sun before, then now he is like a birch tree covered with frost.

Ning Caiwei felt a little nervous looking at the agent's cold expression.

After a long while, Zhu Yin's gaze softened, and he sighed softly, saying:

"Alright. Let's leave each other alone for now. If they dare to come down from the mountain and harm the immigrants, then we'll retaliate tenfold, wiping them out by means of elimination, making an example of them. If things are peaceful, then let's leave them alone for now and give them a way out. If they can embrace civilization and Sinicization, that would be best."

At this point, the little tiger seemed a little helpless as he rubbed his temples.

Ning Caiwei breathed a sigh of relief. She knew very well that the life and death of hundreds of thousands of primitive residents had just been decided by this spy in a single moment.

If this spy had been any more ruthless, the original inhabitants might have been wiped out.

She still hopes that the little tiger's heart can be warmer and more tolerant.

Ning Caiwei took Zhu Yin's hand and felt that it was a little cold. She covered her warm face with his hand, her voice also warm:

“Little Tiger, I think you did very well. You have the conscience to control yourself. Conquering the world requires not only force and killing, but also tolerance and cooperation. We come from the future, not from the Japanese invaders or the Nazis.”

Zhu Yin said, "I only want China to live better and stand at the top. I never thought about preventing other races from living. As human beings, they also have the right to live. The premise is that they cannot be enemies."

His hand touched Ning Caiwei's face; it was very warm.

Ning Caiwei didn't want to continue this heavy topic and asked, "How should we name Taiwan Island?"

Zhu Yin had obviously thought about this question long ago, and answered without hesitation: "Let's call it Dongning, set it up as a military prefecture, and appoint Zhang Jia as the prefect of Dongning and the commissioner of agricultural settlements."

She suddenly remembered something else and asked, "What about the jewelry and antiques seized from Japan? They're worth at least a million taels of silver, and some are of inestimable value, belonging to the Tang Dynasty."

“Of course, we’ll give it to the emperor.” Zhu Yin laughed. “The pirates took the gold and silver, so we have to leave something for the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, right? With so many jewels and antiques handed over, the court will have face, and the emperor will have substance.”

Ning Caiwei nodded, "Perhaps because of all these jewels and antiques, the Gold-Worshipping Emperor might be so pleased that he might bestow upon you the title of Earl."

"Ha!" Zhu Yin laughed. "Uncle? The Emperor Bai Jin will grant me a title? You really overestimate him."

Ning Caiwei's smile, however, was somewhat enigmatic. "That's not necessarily true. Because Consort Zheng definitely wants to use this opportunity to bestow a title upon Zheng Guowang." "Huh?" Zhu Yin was taken aback.

He suddenly realized that if he could be granted a title this time, it would be because of Consort Zheng!

……

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei spent another half an hour together, had a meal, discussed their next plan, and then Zhu Yin left the Kuaiji Ship.

Before leaving, Zhu Yin said, "Zheng Guowang will most likely send someone to deliver a secret letter to you..."

"Really?" Ning Caiwei's eyes crinkled. "That's interesting. Alright, then I'll wait for her secret letter."

After exchanging a few more words, Zhu Yin reluctantly bid farewell to Ning Caiwei and returned to the mission's ship with a serious expression.

"Brother Zhihu, what did Hai Mingyue say?" Zheng Guowang asked as soon as Zhu Yin returned.

She noticed that Zhu Yin's expression was somewhat gloomy, and knew that the talks had not gone well.

Zhu Yin shook his head. "This Hai Mingyue is a bandit at heart! She said she could help eliminate the Japanese pirates on Jeju Island and take back Jeju."

Zheng Guowang said, "Isn't this a good thing? The Japanese pirates are a powerful enemy of the Ming Dynasty. Wouldn't it be good if she helped us?"

Zhu Yin snorted coldly, "But she wants money! A ridiculously outrageous demand! What does she take the imperial court for? Does she even respect the Ming Dynasty or the Emperor? Her thieving heart remains unchanged!"

Zheng Guowang quickly explained for Ning Caiwei, "Although Hai Mingyue is a pirate, she's actually not bad; even thieves have their code of honor. She attacked Japan and then escorted us back home. We dared to take action in Kyoto because she led her army to attack Osaka, didn't we?"

"Without Hai Mingyue's attack on Osaka, would we have had the opportunity to achieve such a great feat? Brother Zhihu, we should actually thank her."

Xu Wei was walking over with a teacup in his hand when he heard Zheng Guowang's words and immediately turned and walked away.

"Thank you?" Zhu Yin frowned. "She wants one million taels! Isn't that outrageous? She's obsessed with money! I said I could only give her two hundred thousand taels at most, and she did try to bargain, but she's sticking to the minimum of eight hundred thousand taels."

"Jeju Island belongs to Korea, not the Ming Dynasty. Why should the Ming Dynasty give her 800,000 taels of silver to take back Jeju? Do they think the imperial court is a sucker? How can I bring this up with the Emperor!"

"With 800,000 taels of silver, why doesn't the imperial court use it to build warships and train a navy? Why bother with pirates? This is utterly absurd!"

At this time, Zheng Guowang was determined to recruit Hai Mingyue's fleet to make a name for himself, and Hai Mingyue's fleet had become a key part of her plan.

She even conceived a daring plan: to secretly win over and bribe Hai Mingyue on behalf of the Zheng family and the third prince. If necessary, she would use Hai Mingyue's troops to seize the throne!

If you have a force that you can mobilize but that others don't know about, you can launch a surprise attack at a crucial moment, and things can be very promising!

Even if they fail to seize the throne, and the new emperor decides to punish the Zheng family, the Zheng family can still escape overseas with Hai Mingyue's help and preserve their family.

Thinking of this, Zheng Guowang saw that Zhu Yin's anger had not subsided and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Zhu Zhihu, Zhu Zhihu, all your cleverness is wasted. How could you have known my schemes? How could you have known that I would use Hai Mingyue as a tool for the Zheng family?

Hai Mingyue's weakness is his love of money!
To speak up for Hai Mingyue, Zheng Guowang laughed and said:

“Brother Zhihu, don’t be angry. Although the court is unwilling to give silver, Joseon may not be unwilling. Jeju is too important to Joseon. Joseon doesn’t have much silver, but it has a lot of gold. It can still come up with tens of thousands of taels of gold.”

"After returning to the capital, we reported to the court and asked Joseon to pay for her fleet to attack Jeju Island."

Zhu Yin narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Very well, let the pirates and Japanese pirates fight each other and weaken each other. Dogs fighting each other will only make things worse for our Great Ming."

Zheng Guowang smiled slightly upon hearing this, his expression carrying a profound meaning.

Chitora, you still want to use the Japanese pirates to weaken Hai Mingyue? Heh, you're dreaming. I won't let you succeed.

I will also try my best to strengthen Hai Mingyue's power and provide her with as much convenience as possible.

Even the emperor probably wished he had a force at sea that the Ministry of War couldn't control.

Thinking of her brilliant move that had kept Zhu Yin in the dark, Zheng Guowang puffed out her chest in confidence. But then she remembered something and hunched her shoulders back.

After exchanging a few words with Zhu Yin, Zheng Guowang sent a trusted retainer to secretly deliver a confidential letter to Hai Mingyue's ship, without informing Zhu Yin and the other members of the delegation.

The letter was nothing more than an attempt to curry favor, make promises, offer empty words, and win people over…

Ning Caiwei was drinking tea when she opened Zheng Guowang's letter and suddenly choked.

The pirate queen choked so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"Little tiger, are you a tapeworm in Zheng Guowang's stomach?"

...

Because the two sides failed to reach an agreement, the pirates stopped attacking Jeju Island and instead sailed directly past the area.

An hour later, Hai Mingyue led his fleet south, sending only a few warships to escort the Ming delegation westward back to China.

However, what Zheng Guowang did not know was that Hai Mingyue had not been going south for long before he turned back and headed straight for Jeju Island, which was only defended by three thousand Japanese troops!
With a force several times larger than their own, coupled with powerful ships and cannons, the three thousand Japanese soldiers were quickly annihilated, and all the warships were captured by Ning Caiwei.

The fleeing Japanese warships were all caught up and sent to the bottom of the sea one by one.

After wiping out the Japanese garrison, Ning Caiwei led her troops to the island, only to be immediately shocked.

Near the newly built castle, there was a mound of heads.

These are the heads of Jeju Islanders; there appear to be tens of thousands of them!
There were only about 70,000 to 80,000 Koreans on the entire Jeju Island, and they were all massacred by the Japanese army?

It appears that the Japanese army conscripted all the islanders to build the castle. After its completion, they massacred everyone in the vicinity of the castle.

Then, more than a thousand Jeju women were found in a nearby Japanese military camp. The youngest was only ten years old and the oldest was no more than thirty. They all had pretty faces.

Not far from the barracks, there were many women's corpses, a truly gruesome sight.

Even an idiot would know what they're for.

Although Ning Caiwei was mentally prepared, she still felt extremely uncomfortable seeing these things!
...

The ship escorting the Ming Dynasty delegation arrived in Tianjin several days later.

Not far from Tianjin Port, several "pirate ships" returned and left. Then the ships of the Ming Dynasty delegation docked and landed.

Once they set foot on the land of the Ming Dynasty, even Nurhaci and other Jurchens felt much more at ease.

Then, the group escorted a large number of Japanese soldiers and their officials, as well as Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wives, concubines, and retainers, to Beijing.

Two days later, they arrived near Beijing. Nurhaci's Jurchen troops did not continue their advance but remained in the suburbs.

Zhu Yin first sent documents to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War, then led the delegation to escort the prisoners to the capital, and presented the prisoners and jewels.

The imperial court was immediately shocked upon receiving the document.

When Zhu Yin led a delegation to Japan, he actually captured nearly two hundred Japanese officials and ministers, bringing back the entire Japanese court in one fell swoop!
The Ming army has suffered a series of defeats in Korea, resulting in a setback for the Ming Dynasty and a loss of face. Meanwhile, the Japanese army is becoming increasingly arrogant.

If this is true, it would be a huge victory, a tremendous military achievement!

This was also a great boost to the morale of the Ming army.

Zhu Yin's return to Beijing shook the entire city.

The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War quickly confirmed that it was absolutely true!

The Japanese imperial court, including the family of the powerful minister Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was indeed taken back to the capital.

Just over an hour later, an imperial decree was issued, summoning Zhu Yin and Zheng Guowang to court.

Rumors immediately spread that the emperor might bestow titles upon Zhu Yin and Zheng Guowang!
PS: Why would the money-grubbing emperor be willing to bestow a title upon the little tiger? What kind of title would it be?
(End of this chapter)