The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Chapter 90 So what if you successfully replicated Xuanwu Gate? You still have to obediently kneel before me!

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and calmly looked at Li Fangyuan in front of him.

He understood what Li Fangyuan meant by those words.

But then another problem arises.

So what is Li Fangyuan's motive for giving so much, providing money, food, people, supplies, and a large army?

As the ruler of a country, Li Fangyuan, Zhu Gaoxu, deeply understood one thing: the greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward.

It is true that Korea was a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, and although Yi Bang-won appeared humble in front of him, it was all just a facade.

Zhu Gaoxu was well aware of his situation in the Ming Dynasty, and Li Fangyuan certainly knew something about it as well.

Furthermore, this is the first time the two have met, and their relationship is not so close that Li Fangyuan would open her heart to him on their first meeting.

If these were done in private, then it would be an agreement between the two of them, and at the same time, it would become a handle that Lee Bang-won could hold in his hands.

More importantly, Zhu Gaoxu had no interest in agreeing to whatever Li Fangyuan wanted.

He's just here to freeload; if things go smoothly, he'll take more; if not, he'll take less.

Anyway, North Korea is right next to him. Once he's settled down there and dealt with Japan, he'll definitely have to take care of North Korea.

Of the surrounding neighboring countries, Korea was one he absolutely had to occupy, at least before turning against the Ming Dynasty and taking control of the south.

Sakhalin Island and other places in the north belonged to the Nurgan Regional Military Commission of the Ming Dynasty, which Zhu Di would never give to him.

Now that he's said this, if Li Fangyuan still wants to do it, then it's none of his business anymore.

If Li Fangyuan wants something, he should go directly to Zhu Di, not come to him.

Moreover, it would not leave any evidence against him, nor would it arouse Zhu Di's suspicion.

With Japan not yet fully subdued and the tasks assigned by Zhu Di not yet completed, engaging in these activities is tantamount to treating Zhu Di as a mere figurehead.

Seeing that Li Fangyuan's expression changed in the blink of an eye and then returned to normal, Zhu Gaoxu held him in even higher regard.

Even a king of a small country could face the King of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty without feeling any psychological pressure; he truly deserves to be called a man who has experienced so much.

Li Fangyuan looked at the calm Zhu Gaoxu and smiled.

"Brother, what are you saying? This is my support for you, and it's a private matter between us brothers."

Brother, don't you think so?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu became even more certain that Li Fangyuan harbored grand ambitions.

Even now, I still think he was testing me, and now he wants to test me back.

Seeing Li Fangyuan's smiling face, Zhu Gaoxu gradually smiled as well, and even moved a little closer to Li Fangyuan.

"What does Brother Fangyuan want?"

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu had become interested, Li Fangyuan assumed that Zhu Gaoxu was in love, and her smile widened.

"My dear brother, as you know, those Jurchens, especially the Jianzhou Jurchens, have repeatedly invaded the borders of small countries, making it impossible for them to defend against them."

However, the Jianzhou Jurchens were under the jurisdiction of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission established by His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and I, your humble brother, am truly powerless to do so.

Although my esteemed brother has left the Ming Dynasty, he has established the Handong Prefecture in Japan and is vigorously developing it, which has great potential.

I have heard about your past deeds in the Ming Dynasty, and I have always admired your bravery.

My dear brother, as the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, you have been forced to wander here. I wish to help you.

When my worthy brother leads the mighty lion back to the Ming Dynasty, there may be an opportunity.

If you succeed in your endeavors in the future, my request will be very simple: please drive the Jianzhou Jurchens out of the jurisdiction of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.

If my wise brother takes pity on his foolish elder brother and can pass on some firearms technology to our small country, I will be eternally grateful.

Please rest assured, my dear brother, our small country will always be willing to serve as a shield for the Ming Dynasty. Whenever the Ming Dynasty needs us, our small country can send troops to assist you in your northern expedition against the Oirat and Tatars.

What do you think, my dear brother?

Li Fangyuan was full of confidence; he believed Zhu Gaoxu would agree.

Now Zhu Gaochi can obtain his resources without paying anything, and even receive help from Joseon in the future when he launches a counterattack against the Ming Dynasty.

Even if they succeed, it will only mean giving up the Jianzhou Jurchens and ceding the Yalu River region to them.

As for firearms technology, at that time it was simply a matter of a word from Zhu Gaoxu.

It can be said that what he wanted would not cause Zhu Gaochi to lose face, much less humiliate the Ming Dynasty.

Now that Zhu Gaochi has failed in the struggles of the Ming Dynasty and is forced to go to sea to seek development, he needs help at this time.

Now that he's offering his help, he doesn't believe Zhu Gaoxu won't be tempted.

As for whether Zhu Gaoxu had those thoughts?

Li Fangyuan didn't believe a single word of it.

His rise to power was achieved amidst bloodshed and turmoil, so he was all too aware of the cruelty of the struggle for succession.

At this moment, he is also gambling.

They bet that the elderly Zhu Di wouldn't live much longer, and that Zhu Gaochi's already poor health wouldn't last much longer either.

At that time, the one who came to power was Zhu Zhanji, a sheltered child who had grown up in a greenhouse.

Given Zhu Gaochi's military prowess and influence in the Ming Dynasty, especially in the military, coupled with his assistance, it was highly likely that he could deal with Zhu Zhanji.

For him and for North Korea, it's a huge gamble.

But he had to gamble.

If they win, North Korea will gain further development opportunities and will also acquire firearms technology.

In particular, the annual tribute that now needs to be doubled and paid to the Ming Dynasty has been reduced or exempted.

As Yi Seong-gye's fifth son, he experienced those cruel hardships and also harbored ambitions.

This ambition is not about breaking away from the Ming Dynasty, nor is it about confronting the Ming Dynasty. It is simply about wanting to give Joseon greater vitality and strength, and to reduce the burden on its domestic borders.

Zhu Gaoxu listened quietly.

Sure enough, this old fox has quite a lot on his mind.

They practically said they wanted the area around the Yalu River, or even more.

After all, North Korea helped him rise to power, so he should at least give them more to show his benevolence.

More importantly, there was firearms technology.

This old codger—no, this old guy who'll be dead in a few years—is still thinking about this.

In fact, Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that, according to the normal course of history, the next king of Joseon, Yi Tao, would send troops to Jianzhou Jurchens and expand the territory to the Yalu River area when Zhu Zhanji gradually reduced the size of the Nurgan Regional Military Commission.

The world only knows that Korea has always cherished the memory of the Ming Dynasty, and even after the Ming Dynasty was destroyed by the Manchus, it still secretly worshipped the Ming emperors.

They always wanted to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Ming dynasty, but unfortunately they lacked the strength to do so.

But those were achieved on the basis of many things that happened later, and were the result of Korea facing strong pressure from the Japanese pirates. At a time when the Ming Dynasty itself was beset by internal and external troubles, it repeatedly defended Korea and suffered heavy casualties.

Today, Korea and the Ming Dynasty are far from being that close.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Li Fangyuan, his aura gradually emanating from him, and slowly spoke.

"Brother Fangyuan, you should know that I need supplies, especially food and iron."

If you can help me this time, I will allow your country to trade with me in the future.

I have high-quality goods, such as fine white salt and sugar. If you promote the sale of goods from my vassal state in your territory, you can receive 30% of the profits.

As for the rest, please forgive my bluntness.

What I want, and what you desire, is your business.

However, if you are willing, I can help you to arrange a marriage with the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, if Brother Fangyuan doesn't give it to me, I won't say anything.

Just remember, Brother Fangyuan, when I call you Brother Fangyuan, don't actually consider yourself my elder brother.

Even now, when I am abroad, I am not someone you or Joseon should be concerned about.

Zhu Gaoxu gave a meaningful smile as he said this.

They dare to scheme in front of him. As a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, they still have so many ambitions. It's time to teach them a lesson.

Moreover, Zhu Gaoxu didn't want to make a wasted trip this time; he had to take back something he needed.

As Zhu Gaoxu leaned close to Li Fangyuan's incredulous face, his voice suddenly became very soft.

"When I went to sea, I heard that Brother Fangyuan seems to be harboring Jianwen and the remnants of the Ming Dynasty's Jingnan Rebellion."

I just don't know whether the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will believe me, his legitimate son, or Brother Fangyuan.

Brother Fangyuan, what do you think the Ming Dynasty would do at that time?

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