Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan said, "The former Goguryeo was nothing more than a vassal state under Chinese rule."

"And the present-day Goryeo Kingdom,"

"It was built by a barbarian chieftain who stole the land within the territory of Goguryeo."

"Your Excellency is a scholar from Pyongyang,"

Why should we pledge allegiance to the descendant of a barbarian chieftain?

"Perhaps your ancestors,"

“They are descendants of Jizi, and descendants of powerful clans in the four commanderies of Han.”

Zheng Zhichang was extremely conflicted.

On the one hand, he admired Gija like the scholars of Pyongyang.

And he regarded himself as a descendant of Jizi.

We are proud to have Han Chinese blood and cultural heritage.

They even used this to look down on scholars from the South.

On the other hand, he has also developed a sense of local identity.

They consider themselves to be of Korean descent.

It is fundamentally different from the Ming Dynasty.

He disagreed with the Ming Dynasty's annexation of Goryeo.

They also cannot deny their Chinese heritage.

Once he refutes it, he loses his foundation.

Seeing that Zheng Zhichang remained silent,

Zhao Yuan sneered, "Only barbarian chieftains would do that after establishing a state and declaring themselves rulers."

"Let your children marry each other."

Chapter 3104 A Trash Little Country

"A brother marries his sister, a sister marries her brother, and a nephew marries his aunt."

"You actually remain loyal to such a Goryeo royal family?"

Zheng Zhichang's face turned bright red with embarrassment.

This kind of shameful thing,

It was heavily criticized even within Korea.

Now, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has actually said it out loud.

Zheng Zhichang argued, "Even His Majesty does not agree with this."

"Although His Majesty was forced to marry two aunts,"

"But after eliminating the treacherous officials, he was immediately divorced."

"He deposed two of his aunts and concubines."

"It's because my maternal grandfather abused his power,"

Zhao Yuan asked,

"If my grandfather hadn't abused his power,"

"On the contrary, they loyally assisted him,"

Even if the King of Goryeo was unwilling to marry an elder,

"Would he still have deposed his two aunts and concubines under those circumstances?"

Zheng Zhichang really wanted to deny it.

But he simply couldn't bring himself to say it.

Because anything that helps consolidate royal power...

The King of Goryeo would certainly have been willing to have children with his two aunts.

Zhao Yuan said, "Mr. Zheng, you can think about it."

"Goryeo has been restored to Chinese territory,"

"Both the powerful clans and the common people are bathed in the king's benevolence."

"They were dressed in Han Chinese clothing,"

"They were reading Han dynasty books,"

"And what a magnificent sight it was!"

"Scholars could not only come to Kaifeng to take the imperial examinations,"

"He might even become the prime minister of the Ming Dynasty."

Zheng Zhichang began to imagine that scene.

Zhao Yuan suddenly said:

"Does Mr. Zheng wish to become a Grand Secretary in the Ming Dynasty?"

This statement,

Zheng Zhichang suddenly gasped for breath.

An official from a small country like myself.

Would he also be qualified to be the prime minister of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhao Yuan patiently guided him:

"You are a descendant of the Yellow Emperor,"

"And he was a top scholar in the imperial examination,"

He was the greatest talent in Goryeo.

"If it brings merit to the Ming Dynasty,"

"Why can't he serve as prime minister in the Ming Dynasty?"

"Perhaps hundreds of years from now,"

"Pyongyang not only has the Gija Shrine,"

“A temple will also be built for you.”

"Your Excellency is able to be with Jizi,"

"Worshipped by the people of Pyongyang in later generations."

Zheng Zhichang really wanted to rebuke the Liangshan emperor.

He said he was not someone who would betray his country for personal gain.

But those words rose to his throat and he swallowed them back down.

He even started convincing himself.

He is a descendant of Jizi.

He is a descendant of Yan and Huang.

He studied Chinese culture through reading and calligraphy.

The kings of Goryeo were merely descendants of barbarian chieftains.

Consanguineous marriage without knowledge of etiquette

By what right can they seize the throne?

When will the waters of the Datong River cease to flow?

"Tears of parting add to the green waves year after year,"

Zhao Yuan recited Zheng Zhichang's works.

"These two sentences are really well written,"

"Only the descendants of Yan and Huang,"

"To be able to write such beautiful verses."

Zheng Zhichang felt uneasy.

A flame seemed to be burning within me.

His voice was hoarse as he said:

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant needs to think about it some more."

Zhao Yuan said, "Mr. Zheng's family,"

“I will order Goryeo to send it.”

"As long as Mr. Zheng performs a great service,"

"I guarantee that you will be appointed as a Grand Secretary in the Ming Dynasty within ten years!"

Zheng Zhichang, throughout the history of the peninsula,

He was also one of the most talented men.

As long as he steps forward to serve the Ming Dynasty.

It will certainly be able to win over many powerful families in Pyongyang.

And countless middle and lower-class scholars.

These guys have local influence.

In addition to the military strength of the Ming Dynasty,

There was no need for a large-scale military campaign to annex and gradually conquer Goryeo.

The cabinet has seven members.

It can even be increased to nine digits.

Chapter 3105 Procrastination and Difficulties

We'll have Zheng Zhichang join the cabinet then.

What's wrong with being a paper-mâché Grand Secretary?

This way, the promise can be fulfilled.

It can also win over the hearts of the Goryeo scholars.

Zheng Zhichang was still hesitating.

Or perhaps they're still figuring things out on their own.

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "I'll give you three days to consider it."

It didn't even take three days.

Zheng Zhichang returned to the Sifang Pavilion and pondered deeply all night.

He came to see the emperor the next day.

Agree to the emperor's request,

He will then have a bright future.

It can also save his family.

I no longer have to worry about family or career.

That month, Zhao Yuan dispatched an envoy.