Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 95 Preparing for Negotiation

Yizhou City, Liaodong.

The Korean monarchs and ministers had been detained here for some time. When they heard that the army to aid Korea had finally arrived, they hurriedly came to visit.

"Song Jinglue, Admiral Li, how many troops did the imperial court send this time?" North Korean monarch Li Huo asked impatiently.

"More than 50,000 people. They are all the most elite troops of our Ming Dynasty. Your Highness does not need to worry." Song Yingchang said.

"There are only more than 50,000 people. I would like to ask, will your Majesty send reinforcements later?" the North Korean king continued to ask.

"The reinforcements have not arrived so soon. An army of 50,000 is enough to deal with the Japanese pirates. Your Highness, do you have any ministers who know the situation better and will follow our army? And if our army goes out now, can North Korea To ensure the supplies of the army?" Li Rusong asked.

The monarch of North Korea looked confused, and Liu Chenglong next to him came out to speak: "Admiral Li, I am Liu Chenglong, the political leader of North Korea, which is equivalent to the position of prime minister. The leader of our country has already handled the matter of receiving your country and supervising the transportation of grain and grass to the minister. , then I will travel with the army with Admiral Li. As for supplies, although most of our territory has fallen, there are still many rebels in various places persisting in fighting. As long as the heavenly soldiers cross the Yalu River, we, North Korea, can still supply supplies for 50,000 people. Up."

"Well, in that case, our army is ready to cross the river." Li Rusong said.

"Admiral Li, please lead the large group of troops to cross the river first. I will supervise the army's logistics and coordinate the rear area here." Song Yingchang said.

In this way, the army crossed the Yalu River and entered North Korea.

But just as the army arrived near Pyongyang, an uninvited guest also came to the army.

"Admiral Li, I am here in Shen Weijing. I have been ordered by the Minister of War, Shi Shangshu, to discuss peace with the Japanese." Shen Weijing handed over the document from the Ministry of War.

"Oh, since Mr. Shen has been ordered by the Ministry of War, let's rest in the army first. But now the two armies are about to prepare for a confrontation. I still have to discuss with the generals how to negotiate peace." Li Rusong said.

"But it depends on Admiral Li's arrangement." Shen Weijing quickly retreated.

After the army was encamped, Li Rusong also began to raise the tent to discuss matters.

But at this moment, Li Rumei also came back.

"Rumei is also back, so please take a seat." Li Rusong said.

"Thank you, Admiral." Li Rumei bowed her hands and sat down on her seat.

"The army went all the way south and did not encounter any decent enemies. According to the news from Prime Minister Liu, the troops stationed in Pyongyang are the Konishi Kyōchang Department of the Japanese Kingdom. There should be 20,000 to 30,000 people in the department, plus the troops recruited by Konishi Kyōchō. The North Korean army should number between 40,000 and 50,000. Let’s discuss how best to fight this battle?” Li Rusong said.

"At present, our army has only arrived here at more than 30,000 people, and the follow-up baggage has not arrived. Why don't we take a moment and explore the enemy's situation in Pyongyang City?" Zha Dashou suggested.

"General Cha, has the hot air balloon arrived?" Li Rusong asked.

"The hot air balloon and the general's cannon are still behind, and Liu Xiang is already recruiting people to help pave the way and carry them. But the fastest speed will take six days." Zha Damou said. "We can't rush now, but we have to use some delaying tactics to prevent the Japanese troops in Pyongyang from making any changes. However, other Japanese troops will not come to support them. Where are they located?" Li Rusong asked.

"Admiral, I came along the next way to investigate. The hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops are now scattered in the eight provinces of Korea, each busy grabbing territory. I didn't expect that our soldiers would come so soon. I am the one closest to Pyongyang now. The Japanese army is under the command of Kato Kiyomasa, but Kato Kiyomasa himself has to garrison the city, and he also has a bad relationship with Konishi Gyūgō," Zha Damou said.

"Then when the baggage is in place, we will attack immediately. Since he is an envoy sent by the imperial court to negotiate peace, there is nothing wrong with sending him to talk to Governor Konishi. We also want to see what Governor Konishi is doing." Li Rusong said.

"I will obey your orders," Zha Damou said.

"Rumei, did you find anything when you went to the Jianzhou Department?" Li Rusong asked Li Rumei.

"Admiral, under the training of Nurhaci, the Jianzhou Division is now somewhat strong, and it is also strengthening the city wall, saying it is to prevent the Yehe tribe from going south. Nurhachi and his brother Shuerhaqi are originally warriors. , now there are several fierce generals under his command, all the ministries in Jianzhou have surrendered to Nurhachi, and now he can be regarded as the dominant Jurchen." Li Rumei said.

"You told Nurhachi that the court did not agree to his aid to North Korea. What did he say?" Li Rusong asked.

"He is very calm, saying that he is also preparing for war now. Ye He's tribe poses too great a threat to them. He hopes that the court will come out to uphold justice." Li Rumei said.

"Pinghu, Commander-in-Chief Father once led a heavy army to besiege the main city of Yehe tribe. What is the combat strength of Yehe tribe?" Li Rusong asked Li Pinghu.

"The Yehe Tribe was already strong, and it was connected to the Mongolian Horqin and other tribes. Now that the Tuman Khan has declined, the Yehe Tribe has become even more domineering. A few years ago, Mr. Li led a large army to besiege the main city of the Yehe Tribe. That time, the sky The ground was freezing. Many of our Liaodong Army froze to death and suffered frostbite. They said they were beheading five hundred people. In fact, Ye He’s main force suffered no losses. But Ye He’s tribe didn’t want to be enemies of our Ming Dynasty for a long time, so they took advantage of the situation and admitted their mistake. , Mr. Li also took the opportunity to teach. So now if the court wants to punish Ye He's tribe, although Ye He's tribe will not raise troops to rebel, it still has to ignore it." Li Pinghu said.

"Then this will be difficult to handle. Rumei, you go to the Jianzhou Department to find out. How is the combat strength of the tribal army in the Jianzhou Department now? How does it compare with the Japanese army?" Li Rusong then asked Li Rumei.

"The current combat strength of the Jianzhou Army should be comparable to that of the general troops of our Liaodong Army, but it is definitely still inferior to our elite servants. However, the Jianzhou Army has been defeated in all battles in the past few years, and its morale is not bad. The generals who command the troops are also more brave. As for how they compare with the Japanese, I have never seen the Japanese. Those who read must have fought in a battle." Li Rumei said.

"Okay. Everyone, listen to the order and guard the barracks. Let all the soldiers eat and drink well and recharge their batteries. Our army will steadily advance towards Pyongyang City. I will talk to Envoy Shen alone later," Li Rusong said. ,

The generals dispersed, and Shen Weijing was summoned by Li Rusong not long after.

"Since Mr. Shen was ordered by the imperial court to send an envoy to the Japanese army, Mr. Li has been in the capital for many years. I have never heard of Mr. Shen's name. I don't know what position Mr. Shen holds. Where is the county commander? Is his family an official or a general? Aristocratic family?" Li Rusong asked.

"Back to Admiral Li, Shen is from Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Minister Shi was recruiting in the capital and said he was looking for someone who knew the internal situation of Japan, so Shen applied, and now he has the official title of a guerrilla general. It turns out that Shen is just a white man. ." Shen Weijing said.

"The court is in a hurry. If you can step forward, you are a righteous man. Then Shen Guoji, do you know the Japanese language?" Li Rusong asked.

"In a humble position, one knows the Japanese language and dare not deceive Admiral Li. Before, Hu Shaobao fought against the Japanese pirates, and Shen also fought bravely in the village to kill the Japanese pirates. Later, in order to make a living, Shen also went to the Japanese country to do some business, and also inspected it by the way. The customs and customs of the Japanese country. Shen knows everything about the internal affairs of the Japanese country." Shen Weijing said.

"In that case, you go talk to Governor Konishi. Tell Governor Konishi that his master, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, wants to be crowned king or pay tribute. You can negotiate, but he must withdraw his troops from Korea. If there is Sincerity, let Pyongyang out first." Li Rusong said.

(End of this chapter)