With 100,000 elite soldiers at the start, what should you call me?

……

Han Yu and other envoys have arrived in Fuzhou, and at the same time, Zhang Huangyan has also found Prince Lu, Zhu Yihai, with the latest news from the front lines.

"Your Highness, I impeach Duke Zheng Cai, whose crimes are unforgivable. When Minister of War Liu Zhongzao attacked Fu'an, Zheng Cai, under the guise of a campaign, engaged in looting, plundering our army's supplies and hindering our northern expedition."

"How is such behavior any different from that of a traitor to the country? He is called the Duke of Founding the Nation, but in reality, he is a traitor to the nation!"

"This is not only something I heard with my own ears, but something the messenger witnessed with his own eyes!"

"If the Regent has any doubts, he may investigate thoroughly within the army!"

When Prince Zhu Yihai of Lu saw Zhang Huangyan approach him directly to impeach Zheng Cai, he was immediately taken aback.

What happened to Zhang Huangyan when he went out?

And what did he just say?

Didn't Zheng Cai go to attack Jianning Prefecture and then receive an envoy from the Jianning Prefecture rebel army?

Why would they plunder Liu Zhongzao's supplies?

"Imperial Censor Zhang, be careful what you say!" Zhu Yihai didn't say much, but only reminded Zhang Huangyan.

Looking around, even though the two were meeting in private, there was always a chance that someone was overheard.

"If Imperial Censor Zhang wants to impeach the Duke of Jian, it would be better to postpone this matter until after meeting with the envoy."

Zhu Yihai wanted to maintain stability while also not wanting others to laugh at his family.

If the messenger arrives and sees his own people fighting endlessly, wouldn't that be shameful?

"Alas! Regent, I truly cannot swallow this insult!" Zhang Huangyan clenched his fists, his heart filled with rage.

Upon hearing Han Yu say that Zheng Cai had attacked his own supply corps, he was so angry that he was practically fuming. After leaving Zheng Cai's camp, he did not go directly back to Fuzhou, but instead rushed to Funing Prefecture to check the situation.

The investigation revealed a shocking truth: just as Han Yu had predicted, Zheng Cai had launched a ruthless attack on his own troops.

Zhang Huangyan then hurriedly went to Zhu Yihai to complain.

"I am already aware of this matter concerning Imperial Censor Zhang, but for the sake of the overall situation, we should put this matter aside for now."

Zhu Yihai also longed to break free from Zheng Cai's constraints.

The dispatch of envoys by the Jianning Prefecture rebels may be an opportunity.

An opportunity to get rid of Zheng Cai.

The two then began to discuss their meeting with the envoy the following day.

Day two.

Fuzhou is bustling with activity.

Zheng Cai returned victorious, and a righteous army of 100,000 men came to join him.

A series of messages spread throughout the city, and for a time the people of the whole city were talking about how brave and powerful the Duke of Jian Guo was.

However, the atmosphere in the imperial court was quite different and strange.

Because many people know the inside story, this victory is fake.

Therefore, the congratulations to Zheng Cai in the imperial court were also fake; everyone wore insincere smiles.

"The Duke of Jian Guo truly deserves to be called a pillar of our great Ming Dynasty. His mission to quell the rebellion in Jianning Prefecture was a great achievement."

King Lu had a smile on his face.

Zheng Cai looked radiant; "Your Excellency flatters me, I have merely done my duty."

"Congratulations on the founding of the state."

"The Duke of Jian Guo's victory in this battle has enhanced the prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty."

The surrounding officials couldn't help but come up and flatter him.

At this moment, Zhang Huangyan stepped forward and said, "Regent, I have heard that the righteous army of Jianning Prefecture has sent an envoy to discuss this matter. We may summon the envoy."

"Yes, how could I have forgotten this? Quickly summon the messenger." Zhu Yihai immediately issued the summons.

Zheng Cai stood to the side with a smile on her face.

Shortly after, three people entered. The one in the lead was Han Yu, with Wang Qi and Yun Richu standing to his left and right.

Many people in the imperial court were surprised to see Wang Qi and Yun Richu.

Wang Qi may be unfamiliar to many, but Yun Richu was a bigwig in the Fushe Society and a disciple of Liu Zongzhou!

"Envoy Han Yu greets His Highness Prince Lu." Han Yu cupped his hands in greeting to Zhu Yihai, who was seated at the head of the table.

Wang Qi and Yun Richu also performed the same greeting.

During the Ming Dynasty, one did not need to kneel when attending court.

No need for formalities.

This mission was entirely led by Han Yu, while Wang Qi and Yun Richu's role was simply to make an appearance.

"Han Yu pays his respects to Your Highness Prince Lu. I have come here on the orders of my army commander to discuss the alliance with your army. The alliance will be a joint effort between our army and your army to resist the Qing and support each other in order to restore the Han people's great cause of revival."

Han Yu tried to speak in a more literary style so that people of this era could understand it.

"Very well, I agree to the alliance. Mr. Han can discuss the specifics with Imperial Censor Zhang."

Zhu Yihai's heart sank when he heard the word "alliance," but he quickly recovered.

It's normal that the other side, with an army of 100,000, is unwilling to submit.

As long as they don't declare themselves emperors or kings, everything is negotiable. Let's make contact slowly first, and then discuss the matter of submission.

This was also the result of his discussion with Zhang Huangyan yesterday.

It's best to submit to them; even if they don't, it's better to be on good terms than to become enemies.

Han Yu didn't expect that the matter would be agreed to so readily.

"On behalf of the Commander, I thank Your Highness." Han Yu bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"No need for formalities. With China in ruins, it is only right that we unite to resist the Qing."

Zhu Yihai chuckled, then instructed the eunuch beside him, "Prepare a banquet to celebrate the Duke of Jian Guo's great victory and to celebrate the addition of another ally to our resistance against the Qing."

"This servant obeys the decree."

The eunuch standing nearby, speaking in a shrill voice, immediately went down to give the orders.

The guests changed seats and toasted each other at the banquet.

Yun Richu was surrounded by a large group of civil officials who questioned him, but he couldn't say anything, so he had to make excuses to go to the toilet repeatedly.

Han Yu faced the drinking party with composure, the matter was settled, the strategic goal was achieved, and the pressure on the new army's rear defense was greatly reduced.

However, Han Yu had to be wary of the Ming army's habit of fighting amongst themselves and stabbing their own people in the back, so he also wrote about the Ming army's attack on his own logistics unit yesterday.

The very next day, Li Tian received good news from Han Yu.

"Han Yu handled this matter well. In the future, there will be a lot of dealings with the outside world, and this may be a good time to build the prototype of the diplomatic department."

Li Tian pondered whether or not to let Han Yu become the minister first.

"If there is a diplomatic need, let Han Yu take the lead for now."

"With the rear stabilized, we can then conduct trade with the areas under the Ming Dynasty's control."

Li Tian hadn't forgotten that the warehouse still contained a pile of Hanyang-made parts.

These parts are perfectly capable of being sold.

The barrel made of 50 steel is far superior in precision and hardness to that of muskets of this era.

There was also the exquisitely crafted peach wood stock, and various metal parts.

Once these components are announced to be available for sale and used to exchange for external resources, Li Tian believes that his development time will be greatly shortened.

Perhaps in less than three months, the factory will be able to produce a better rifle than the Hanyang rifle and equip it to the troops.

Li Tian could never issue the Hanyang rifle with unlimited ammunition to anyone other than his suicide squad, but the new rifle could be equipped to the troops.

However, Li Tian would not buy it because the military also lacked steel, especially high-quality medium carbon steel.

Strategic materials will not be sold.

"Let's sell wooden gunstocks first. Whether they're sold as musket stocks, firewood, or made into something else, they're sure to sell well."

"Then these things will be exchanged for food, coal, mineral resources, etc."

"Perhaps we can take this opportunity to recruit coastal artisans to build ships, as the military also needs a large number of military vessels..."

Li Tian was planning his next move.