Di Ming

Chapter 360 We will not return to Han soil until we defeat the Japanese pirates!
“The ambassador in charge of the treasury is named Li Junze,” Li Hualong said with a livid face. “He was already an ambassador before I became governor. The position of ambassador in charge of the treasury was just one of the many part-time jobs he used to make money. His most important official position was the Director of the Liaodong Arsenal.”

“I know he is the Empress Dowager’s nephew, the fifth son of the current Marquis of Wuqing. I have always wanted to replace him, but I have been unable to. Now that something has indeed happened, I did not expect him to be so bold as to sell military equipment at this critical juncture. Needless to say, he must have stolen and sold it to the Koreans.”

"Brother Zhihu may not know this, but there are countless people with connections in Liaodong Garrison, and quite a few of them have connections that reach the highest levels. Liaodong Garrison handles two million taels of silver in grain, military supplies, and other funds every year. Who wouldn't be envious? I served as governor for a year and I truly witnessed it firsthand."

Zhu Yin's face was ashen. "The ships on the Yalu River and the troops in Jiulian City are all under Brother Yu Tian's control. Li Junze is just a seventh-rank official in charge of the Ordnance Bureau. Even if he stole and sold armor to North Korea, how could he transport it across the river under your nose? That's six thousand suits of armor, not six."

Li Hualong gritted his teeth, "A few days ago I went to Tangzhanbao upstream to inspect the river defenses, after all, that could be a place where the Japanese army crossed the river. I only returned to Zhenjiangbao yesterday morning. Li Junze must have taken advantage of my absence to steal and sell armor across the river."

“Although he has no military power, he has more than a hundred men and merchant ships. That’s enough to smuggle goods across the river. The river is so long, and I only have a few thousand soldiers. How can I possibly block the river? It’s impossible to defend against.”

Zhu Yin wished he could tear Li Junze to pieces right then and there. You bastard, you stole and sold the armor, don't you even know what time it is!
Empress Dowager Li's family, starting with her father Li Wei, had been stealing and selling military equipment and embezzling military funds for decades; it was practically a traditional skill.

The Li family not only embezzled military pay, forged troop registers, and intercepted the compensation for those killed in action, but also used moldy grain to replace military rations and stole military rations to Jiangnan and even overseas.

They sold firearms and military equipment to the Mongols, Jurchens, and chieftains of the southwest. They also seized and enslaved military craftsmen and monopolized saltpeter and iron ore mines.

They caused thousands of Ming soldiers in the Nine Garrisons to freeze to death or suffer frostbite in the harsh winter due to lack of cotton clothing, and they caused the Ming army's gunpowder to fail to fire, and their firearms to explode... Each and every one of these incidents is shocking.

Ironically, the Li family's crimes were no secret, yet no one could control them. Countless memorials impeaching the Li family were submitted, but all vanished without a trace.

Because both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor protected them. In fact, the annual tributes the Li family gave to the Emperor came from embezzled funds.

Wang Xiangqian, the governor-general of Xuanfu and Datong, was dismissed from office after being accused of "framing a noble family" while investigating the Li family. He Erjian, the imperial censor, impeached the Li family and requested a thorough investigation into the theft and sale of military equipment. Empress Dowager Li reprimanded him for "sowing discord within the imperial family" and demoted him.

So much so that Shen Yongmao later said: "The defeat in Liaodong was not due to the Jurchens, but to the corrupt officials like Marquis Wuqing."

This shows the extent of the harm that the Li family and other powerful figures had caused to the country. But where did the root of the problem lie? It was still the Wanli Emperor!

Zhu Yin's face was filled with murderous intent. "It's no longer about armor. The remaining 17,000 suits of armor are enough. The current issue is... the morale of the army! This matter cannot be kept secret. Soon the soldiers will know, and even the Jurchens will have their own thoughts."

Li Hualong's face was filled with murderous intent. "Even if Li Junze were a prince, I would deal with him today!"

Zhu Yin stood up. "I'll go with you."

"No!" Li Hualong pressed Zhu Yin's shoulder. "You are currently in charge of the anti-Japanese military affairs and should not get involved. The overall situation is more important! Brother Zhihu, please pretend you don't know about this matter! Besides, I am the governor of Liaodong, and this is my dereliction of duty!"

After saying that, he strode out the door.

Zhu Yin watched Li Hualong's retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh.

He knew very well that Li Hualong had gone all out. He was not only gambling with his career, but even with his life.

...

Outside the armory of Jiulian City, a large crowd had gathered, shouting and cursing.

A group of Ming soldiers counting the number of armored soldiers were facing off against a group of fully armed Li family retainers. The two sides were on the verge of drawing their swords and glaring at each other angrily.

"Six thousand suits of armor are missing! They must have been stolen and sold! The military equipment that the governor worked so hard to acquire has been stolen by you! You bastards! Armor is life on the battlefield! You're killing us!"

"Stop talking nonsense! These are the governor's weapons? These belong to the Emperor! The Emperor's weapons belong to the Empress Dowager! Do you understand? Do you know who my Fifth Master is? I'll scare you bunch of scoundrels to death if I tell you! Listen up, all of you, don't tremble! My Fifth Master is the Empress Dowager's nephew! The son of the current Marquis of Wuqing! Do you know the Marquis of Wuqing? The old Marquis is the Empress Dowager's elder brother! Even the Emperor has to call the old Marquis 'uncle'! The Emperor is my Fifth Master's cousin! Get the hell out of here! If you dare to keep making a fuss, I'll deal with you all, it'll be as easy as slaughtering chickens and dogs!"

The soldiers looked at each other, then suddenly fell silent, all too angry to speak. But even in their fury, they did not immediately disperse.

For a time, all that could be heard were the arrogant shouts and curses of the Li family's servants.

"Get out of here! A bunch of thieving soldiers, how dare you mess with me!"

"You're asking for trouble! Get lost!"

In the armory courtyard, a young man of about twenty-four or twenty-five, dressed in fine clothes, sat cross-legged on a grand chair, with two maids behind him massaging his shoulders and back. He held a purple clay teapot in his hands and was sipping tea.

Because of the lingering chill of early spring, a brazier was burning brightly in front of him, using red charcoal from the palace.

This person was none other than Li Junze, the Admiral of the Liaodong Arsenal and concurrently the Grand Master of the Arsenal.

Li Junze was a burly, fat man with a rather stern face. Such a physique was truly rare in Liaodong. Moreover, he was neither scholarly nor martial; he wasn't even a scholarly graduate, and he couldn't even draw a bow.

But this didn't prevent him from becoming a hereditary commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at a young age, holding the crucial position of Director of the Liaodong Arsenal, and also overseeing the armory. This official post was far from prestigious, but it wielded considerable power. Most importantly… he was incredibly wealthy!
He'd only been in Liaodong for less than three years, yet he'd already amassed hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. The official position wasn't high, but he was very comfortable with it! He wouldn't trade it for a vice-ministerial post.

Li Junze looked at the large group of Ming soldiers outside with utter contempt and let out a sneer.

Who can do anything to him? This isn't the first time he's done this.

His aunt is the Empress Dowager! The Emperor is Li's nephew! The world is vast, and the maternal uncle is the most powerful. The whole world belongs to the Emperor. What's wrong with the Emperor's cousin selling some military equipment? I'm not the eldest son, and I won't inherit the title in the future. Can't I even earn some money?
Even Governor Li Hualong couldn't do anything to him. As for the newly arrived Military Commissioner and Governor-General Zhu Yin, what could they do? Would they dare to touch him?
Thinking of this, Li Junze saw the angry looks in the soldiers' eyes and suddenly felt offended.

You scoundrels! How dare you be angry?
"Guards!" Li Junze shouted, his usually stern face darkening.

"Fifth Master requests permission!" A servant immediately stepped forward.

Li Junze pointed disgustedly at the soldiers outside, "Count to three, and if they still don't leave, blast them apart with muskets!"

"Yes, sir!" The servant stepped forward arrogantly and shouted sternly, "Fifth Master has ordered! Get out of here! I'll count to three, and if you're still not out, I'll blast you with my musket! One! Two—"

The soldiers were about to disperse, but upon hearing what the other side said, they immediately erupted in anger.

"How dare you!" a platoon leader roared. "You stole and sold armor, and now that you've been caught, you still dare to be so arrogant!"

"Let the governor come and uphold justice!" another soldier shouted. "We're on the front lines, risking our lives, do you think we're going to be intimidated by you?"

"Come on! If you've got the guts, fire! Shoot here!"

Enraged, the soldiers rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward, their emotions running high.

The servants shouted, "What are you doing! Get back! Get out of the way! I'm about to open fire!"

Just then, a loud "boom" was heard, and the head servant's musket finally fired.

The squad leader at the front screamed, his whole body jolted violently as if struck by a hammer, clutched his chest and collapsed, clearly not going to live.

Although he was wearing armor, he was only five steps away, and his armor was not the bright armor of a high-ranking general, but just blue armor (heavy cotton armor). How could he stop the bullet at such close range?

After the bullet pierced his armor, it struck his chest cavity, killing him instantly.

Before the gunfire had subsided, Li Junze shouted, "Rebellion! Rebellion! How dare you rebel!"

It turned out that Li Junze reacted quickly upon seeing that someone had been killed, immediately accusing them of rebellion: "Are you planning a mutiny?! Servants, listen to my command! Anyone who dares to make a commotion again will be killed without mercy!"

The Li family's retainers were all elites, and they immediately became murderous, some drawing their swords, others pointing their dark muskets at the soldiers.

The soldiers were stunned as they stared at their comrades who had died tragically on the spot.

Li Junze showed no fear. There had been far too many mutinies among the soldiers of the Nine Border Garrisons due to various grievances, and every single one of them had been suppressed.
These lowly soldiers shouldn't be tolerated!

Hearing the booming of the muskets, more soldiers gathered around, and the servants became a little nervous.

"What's going on!" Li Hualong finally arrived on horseback with a group of men. When he stepped forward and saw what was happening, the murderous intent on his face intensified.

"Your Excellency!" A group of soldiers knelt down as if they had seen their leader. "They stole and sold armor, and even committed murder..."

Li Hualong jumped off his horse, walked to the body of the sergeant who had been beaten to death, and looked at his subordinate with his eyes wide open in death, trembling with rage.

"Li Junze," Li Hualong said calmly, "Do you admit your crime?"

His eyes fell on the Li family servants. "Are you planning a rebellion?"

When the arrogant servants met his gaze, they all lowered their heads in fear, their legs trembling.

"Your Excellency, the Governor has arrived just in time!" Li Junze emerged with a relaxed expression. "They were plotting a mutiny, seizing weapons, and threatening to kill me. I decisively ordered the firing..."

Li Junze thought that as long as Li Hualong was sensible, he would give him a gift afterward, and the matter would be easily forgotten.

"Li Junze, how dare you!" Li Hualong looked at Li Junze with the eyes of someone looking at a dead man. "You stole and sold armor during the war, and even ordered the soldiers I sent to inventory the armor to be killed. Do you know your crimes?"

“Governor Li!” Li Junze’s face darkened suddenly, then he chuckled and said, “I just said that they were the ones who mutinied and rebelled. What crime have I committed?”

"As for stealing and selling armor, that's pure slander. There's no such thing. Do you think that just because you're a high-ranking official, you can smear someone's reputation and spout nonsense?"

Others might fear Li Hualong, but he wasn't! Even Hao Jie, the former Governor-General of Liaodong, treated him with utmost respect. Li Hualong… you think you can transform into a dragon? I give you face, you're the governor; I don't, you're nothing!

"How dare you!" Li Hualong spat out the two words through gritted teeth. "The Japanese pirate army is right here in Jiangnan, with tens of thousands of soldiers here. How dare you act so recklessly! If I let you go today, what will become of the morale of our troops?"

"Men! Seize him!"

"How dare you!" Li Junze shouted angrily. "The current Empress Dowager is my aunt! I am the Emperor's cousin! Who dares to act presumptuously! Li Hualong, you also have the surname Li, but your Li is not as good as mine!"

Li Hualong's face turned ashen. "They dare to tarnish the reputation of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty? Then punish them severely and give them an explanation! Seize them! Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"

At a command, a large contingent of soldiers advanced and pressed towards Li Junze.

"Stop them!" Li Junze was desperate. "Anyone who dares to step forward is committing treason! Kill them!"

Li Hualong almost laughed in anger. This Li Junze was far too audacious and arrogant. "Kill," Li Hualong coldly uttered a single word.

A large contingent of armored soldiers advanced, arrows rained down, and muskets roared incessantly.

"Whoosh—bang!"

Although Li's retainers were fierce and brave, they were outnumbered and no match for the Ming army. In the blink of an eye, some died and others surrendered.
The servant who had previously killed the squad leader was surrounded and killed by several soldiers, who beheaded him and dismembered him. How arrogant he was before, how gruesome his death was now.

Li Junze was also brought out, bound hand and foot. Soon, the account books in his residence were also found, confirming that he had indeed stolen and sold six thousand sets of brand-new armor to the Koreans.

The evidence is conclusive and undeniable.

"Your Excellency!" Li Junze's fat face was filled with fear, and his previous arrogance was gone. "I'm innocent! Korea is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. When the Ming Dynasty sent troops to fight against the Japanese pirates, it was to help Korea restore its country. It's only right that we sell the armor to Korea, let alone give it to them. I was just representing the Ming Dynasty to provide military equipment to Korea so that they could use it to fight against the Japanese pirates. I'm not only innocent, but I've also done a good job!"

Li Hualong said calmly, "What's the use of sophistry when you're about to die? Let alone the fact that your buyer might be a traitor to the court, it's not necessarily the King and his son of Korea. Even if it was the King and his son who bought it, you stole and sold armor during wartime, and the amount was so huge, that's an unforgivable crime. Not to mention, you also killed government soldiers, so you deserve to die even more."

"Governor Li," Li Junze's voice trembled, his large, muscular face shaking with pleading, "I am, after all, the Empress Dowager's nephew... If you would be merciful today, I will surely repent and reform..."

Li Hualong's expression was cold. "For the sake of national law and the morale of the army, you must die. If you are not executed today, how will the morale be maintained? This battle will be pointless, and the army's morale will collapse. If the Empress Dowager blames me for killing you, I will take full responsibility."

With that, he waved his hand and shouted, "Men, administer military law! Enforce the sentence in a clear and just manner!"

"Yes, sir!" Immediately, a group of fierce-looking guards rushed forward and lifted Li Junze up.

"Li Hualong!" Li Junze screamed, "The Empress Dowager is my aunt! You dare to kill me! You have no right to kill me!"

"I have no right to kill you?" Li Hualong sneered, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "I am the Imperial Envoy and Governor of Liaodong. The Emperor has granted me the Imperial Decree, which allows me to kill military officers below the third rank during wartime! You are a military officer, so why can't I kill you?"

"Come here! Bring me the royal command flag!"

"Military Judge! Issue this order: escort him to the drill ground and publicly execute him as a warning to others!"

"Understood!" The military judge immediately stepped forward, held up the governor's command arrow, and ordered the guards to be taken to the execution ground.

Upon hearing this, Li Junze was so frightened that he felt a sudden heat in his crotch and actually urinated.

But that pee also instantly brought him to his senses. He suddenly remembered someone and shouted, "Generalissimo! Mr. Zhihu! Save me! Save me!"

At this moment, there is only one person in all of Liaodong who can save him: Zhu Yin!
Only if Zhu Yin intervenes can Li Hualong's military decree be overturned immediately, saving him.

Li Hualong said sternly, "Although it is I who intend to execute you, not the governor's intention, you have stolen and sold military equipment and killed soldiers without authorization. The governor is impartial and incorruptible; how can he exonerate you?!"

Zhu Yin, who was secretly observing from a short distance away, couldn't help but curse when he heard Li Junze actually calling for his help.

Damn it, Li Junze, you're going to die anyway, why are you begging me for help? I'd rather skin you alive than save you?

Before Li Junze could call out to Zhu Yin for help again, his mouth was immediately gagged.

Then, Li Junze, who was terrified, was taken to the execution ground. Li Hualong's royal command flag was also brought out. Nearly 10,000 soldiers came to watch the execution, including many Jurchen soldiers.

Then, the military judge briefly read out the execution order, and as soon as the cannon fired, Li Junze's head fell to the ground.

Li Hualong ordered the heads to be hung on the city gates and notices to be posted, sternly warning: "Anyone who commits a second offense, no matter who they are, will be executed without mercy!"

From the moment Li Junze became arrogant and domineering until he was executed by the governor with the imperial decree, only about an hour had passed.

Even the Empress Dowager's nephew was killed without hesitation. Governor Li's swift and decisive approach not only restored the morale of the army but also inspired every soldier.

Even Jurchen generals like Nurhaci and Buzhai were deeply moved by this scene.

Unexpectedly, even when the Ming Dynasty was cracking down on military law, there were those who could be utterly impartial and just. The Empress Dowager's own nephew, the Khan's cousin, was executed for his crimes. It seems the Celestial Empire truly is a Celestial Empire; it should never be underestimated.

The Jurchen soldiers had initially held some contempt for the Ming Dynasty, but after witnessing Li Junze being executed by the Ming court, that contempt vanished instantly.

When the new suits of armor were delivered to the Jurchen soldiers, their awe of the Ming Dynasty grew even stronger.

Yehe Beile Buzhai, who already harbored ambitions and dreams of unifying the Jurchens and rebuilding the Great Jin, saw his subordinates dressed in fine Ming army armor, and his already illusory dream became even more distant.

Bu Zhai sighed inwardly. The Ming Dynasty possessed such magnanimity and confidence; he feared he would never have such a chance in his lifetime. Perhaps, eternal submission was the best choice?

Nurhaci, on the other hand, became even more determined in his choice.

...

Inside the flower hall, Zhu Yin looked pained.

"Brother Yu Tian," Zhu Yin sighed, "Brother Yu Tian is upright and honest, and he is selfless in his pursuit of the greater good. He is a true gentleman who sacrifices himself for the cause. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as good as him."

Li Hualong drank a cup of wine. “Brother Zhihu’s magnanimity and lofty aspirations are known throughout the world. How can I possibly match him? However, Brother Zhihu bears great responsibilities and is the hope of the entire army. His life is related to the safety of the world. It is truly impossible to offend the Li family. Therefore, I can only do it myself.”

Zhu Yin's eyes welled up with tears. "Brother Yu Tian's noble character and integrity are as clear as the sun and moon. I can only do my best to save Brother Yu Tian's life."

Zhu Yin knew that the political landscape at court was vastly different now, and the rules of power struggle had been broken. Li Hualong's actions could bring him to his death. The imperial guards could easily find a pretext to sentence him to death, and once he was imprisoned, he would be finished.

He executed the Empress Dowager's own nephew using military law. Given the Empress Dowager's fiercely protective nature, how could she possibly let it go? The wrath of Heaven is unpredictable!
To appease the Empress Dowager, Emperor Bai Jin would undoubtedly instruct the Imperial Guards to deal with Li Hualong. Within two months at most, Li Hualong would be escorted back to the capital by the Imperial Guards. At best, he would be dismissed from his post and exiled; at worst, he would die in prison or be executed on some charge.

Li Hualong shook his head and said, "It's nothing more than death. If I can't escape this calamity, I'll have to ask Brother Zhihu to take care of my wife and children."

Zhu Yin raised his cup solemnly and said, "Why should Brother Tian entrust his orphan to me? I will certainly do my best. If there is anything I cannot bear to say, your son is my son, your daughter is my daughter, your wife is my sister-in-law."

Li Hualong said with a bitter smile, "The Empress Dowager will surely kill me! The Emperor will not defy the Empress Dowager for my sake. Brother Zhihu, when the danger comes, you must not save me and risk your own life. I have already offended the Empress Dowager to death; you must not follow in my footsteps, otherwise, what good will it do?"

He poured Zhu Yin a cup of wine, saying, "The soldiers are half dead and half alive at the front, while beauties sing and dance in their tents. My place is simple, with only turbid wine in the army, and no singing, dancing, or beauties, so I cannot entertain Brother Zhihu. Brother Zhihu would not like such things either. I will use this pot of wine to send Brother Zhihu off, to send off the army, and to wish Brother Zhihu a victorious start and a triumphant return."

Zhu Yin raised his wine cup, tears welling in his eyes, and said, "I toast Brother Tian! I'm going to Korea, my head may be severed, my blood may flow, I will not return to Han soil until the Japanese pirates are defeated!"

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Li Hualong said, “A cup of turbid wine, ten thousand miles from home; the Yanran inscription uncarved, no plan to return. Brother Zhihu, counting from the sixteenth year of Wanli, it has been five years since I last returned to my hometown of Luoyang. Five years!”

I wonder how those few Luoyang peonies that I planted myself back then are doing now.

"I'm waiting for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to come and arrest me. I'm afraid I'll never see the peonies of Luoyang again. If Brother Zhihu ever gets to go to Luoyang, please water them for me, prune their branches, and let me see the clear waves of the Luo River."

Zhu Yin nodded solemnly, "Okay!"

...

Outside the gate of Zhenjiang Fort, two scholars in their thirties, dressed in blue robes, looked at the bloody head and the notice on the side, both with excited expressions.

“Brother Cunzhi, we’ve come to the right place. There’s great potential in dealing with Korea and Liaodong. There’s no need to be pessimistic.”

“Brother Zhisheng is right. Today is the day to serve our country. Let us go and pay our respects to Zhu Zhihu and invite him to the shogunate to assist in the painting.”

"No, let's not go see him yet."

"Oh? What does Brother Chizuru mean by this? You don't intend to join his shogunate?"

"No. This is still Zhenjiang Fort. He may not see us, and even if he does, he may not agree to take us to Korea to make a name for ourselves. We should follow the army across the river and wait until we reach Korea before we go to see him. He will surely see us two scholars from the Ming Dynasty."

"Brother Zhisheng, what a clever idea! Very well, let's do it this way."

……

Early the next morning, Zhu Yin led an army of 70,000, bid farewell to Li Hualong, and began to cross the river.

The mighty Ming army, with shouts of men and neighing of horses, swept across the Yalu River in a grand and imposing manner.

It took a full day for the army to completely cross the Yalu River and then form ranks in batches on the north bank of the river.

As soon as Zhu Yin's official ship reached the naval camp on the opposite bank, the city gates of Yizhou were opened wide.

"Boom boom boom——"

"Uuuuuu——"

Amidst the sounds of cannons and horns, Hao Jie, Gao Huai, and the King of Korea went out of the city together to greet them.

Looking at the familiar city of Yizhou, Zhu Yin couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

This was his second time visiting Yizhou, but his status and circumstances were vastly different.

Last time, he was an envoy to Japan, and he was extremely cautious and treading on thin ice.

But this time, he was the commander of an army of hundreds of thousands, the man who would determine the fate of Korea!

PS: Okay, we've finally crossed the river and arrived in North Korea. Thank you, and please vote with your monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)