"How ridiculous! Is Lee Seong-gye out of his mind? He actually wants to unite with Japan to fight against the Ming Dynasty."

"He doesn't even think about it. Japan still has the natural barrier of the East China Sea to defend. What does Goryeo have?"

"There are 300,000 cavalrymen in the grasslands now. If we can just take out 70,000 or 80,000 cavalrymen, it would be a piece of cake to destroy Goryeo."

In the Huagai Palace, Zhu Ying was almost laughing because of Li Chenggui's outrageous behavior.

The reason why Goryeo had not been conquered was that after Yao Guangxiao's death, Goryeo was no different from being ruled by the Ming Dynasty.

Goryeo was a poor place to begin with, and it was in the northern region, so not much food could be grown there.

Even if Goryeo was incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, it would not provide any taxes.

It is even more unnecessary in terms of education. Goryeo now uses Chinese characters and does not have its own writing system.

The language of most Goryeo people was not Chinese, but Korean.

In other words, the current Goryeo writing and language are separate.

Historically, it was Lee Seong-gye who became king, and then his great-grandson created a system of Hunminjeongeum, which led to the emergence of the Korean language in later generations.

In today's Goryeo, anyone who is educated must be able to speak Chinese, because they only learn Chinese characters.

Those who speak Korean are basically illiterate.

In Goryeo, only nobles could speak Chinese and write Chinese characters, and many Goryeo nobles even felt ashamed to speak Goryeo.

To a certain extent, written language was monopolized by the aristocracy.

It was also because of these reasons that Zhu Ying never took action against Goryeo, but only allowed Yao Guangxiao and Ning Wang Zhu Quan to control Goryeo successively.

After all, there is a greater demand for Chinese language learning in the Nanyang region now, and the Nanyang region can also generate more grain and taxes.

In comparison, Goryeo naturally seems less important.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "Lee Seong-gye, the ignorant boy, actually wants to go against us. It seems that he feels that he has become bolder with the support of Japan."

"Doesn't this guy realize that he is just a shield for Japan?"

"Those few rebellious sons of the grassland are all useless. Three hundred thousand cavalrymen have not yet taken down the Oirat Tatars. Do they think they are enjoying the spring?"

"Pass on my decree, ordering the three kings of the grassland to immediately encircle and suppress the Oirat Tatars, and to completely pacify the grassland within a month. After that, send 150,000 cavalrymen directly to Goryeo, capture Lee Seong-gye and bring him to the capital to be punished."

"Also order the Ministry of War to dispatch 200,000 troops to support Kyushu Island. Tell the four royal palaces in Kyushu that they can only defend and not attack. Do not allow the Japanese soldiers to occupy any more cities."

"Order the Qinghai Navy to mobilize all of them and cut off all maritime connections with Japan. During this period, no ship is allowed to approach Japan. Anyone who violates the order will be sunk immediately."

"We have to see how this kid Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wants to fight. If we didn't think that completely pacifying Japan would cause too much bloodshed, we would have already flattened him."

After a pause, he told his eldest grandson, "Don't you have some arrangements in Goryeo? Don't act hastily, lest you cause too many casualties. In the end, it will still be the Ming Dynasty that has to clean up the mess. Let them confront Lee Seong-gye properly. It's best to use some psychological tactics."

"Once the grassland is pacified, the army can march directly to Goryeo and destroy it easily."

"I just don't believe that Lee Seong-gye can go to Japan."

Zhu Yuanzhang issued several edicts in succession, immediately making clear arrangements for Goryeo and Japan.

However, it can also be seen from this aspect that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu did grasp the timing very well. At present, due to the many wars in the Ming Dynasty, the consumption of food is very high.

Especially the accumulation of 600,000 troops on the grassland, which costs a lot of money and grain every day that ordinary merchants cannot imagine. Only the current imperial court can afford such a sum. Even the richest families in Jiangnan can be easily bankrupted by it.

Some people may think that didn’t the imperial court previously stockpile so many troops in the nine borders? Why is it that now that the treasury is so abundant, the burden has increased instead?

This is the difference in the situation.

Although the number of troops in the Nine Frontiers was said to be one million, in fact many of them were soldiers stationed in farming areas.

In most cases, they existed as farmers rather than soldiers.

They were responsible for providing the elite soldiers with food rations, and the court did not have to bear the cost.

There is no arable land around Guihua City now, which means that all the food is from the national treasury.

If you calculate it this way, the number is terrifying.

In addition to Lan Yu's side, there is also Majapahit where Zhu Yunhuan went, and Fu Youde is leading troops to conquer Tubo, which means that half of the Ming Dynasty's military forces are outside.

Being able to gather 200,000 to support Kyushu Island is already picking pieces from the gaps between teeth.

Although these 200,000 soldiers sound like a lot, they are actually mostly garrison soldiers, with only a small number of elite troops.

That's why Zhu Yuanzhang said that Kyushu Island should be defended but not attacked. As long as they could hold on and not hand over the entire Kyushu Island, it would be a victory for the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang had already directly instructed Zhu Ying about his arrangements in Goryeo.

In fact, Zhu Ying was very confident that he could kill Lee Seong-gye directly, but after so many years, it was also a question whether the former hidden man was still loyal.

As for the current situation, it is beneficial to Japan and Goryeo for the time being, unless the Ming Dynasty abandons the grasslands and the conquest of Siam, India and Majapahit, and instead concentrates its military forces to deal with Japan.

But who are the kind of people Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yingtai, grandfather and grandson? It is impossible for them to surrender just because of the current situation.

Zhu Ying has been in the palace for so many years, and there is no point in gambling on people's hearts.

In comparison, Zhu Yuanzhang's arrangement was much smoother. It only required a confrontation in Goryeo, which would be most beneficial for the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, the most anxious ones were not the Ming Dynasty, but Japan and Goryeo.

They have very little time. Once the situation on the grassland is settled, it will be the time for the destruction of Goryeo and Japan.

If they fail to achieve their respective goals during this period of time, then everything will be too late.

…

The capital of the Goryeo Dynasty. Kaesong.

"How could Your Majesty be deceived by the Japanese and suddenly show up at this time? The Japanese clearly want to use us as the vanguard to fight against the Ming Dynasty."

"After lying dormant for so many years, all our efforts have been wasted in one day. If Your Majesty is willing to endure for another two years, we will surely be able to take over the entire country in one fell swoop and completely drive out the forces of the Ming Dynasty."

In the palace, Lee Seong-gye's ministers spoke earnestly.

Just a few days ago, Lee Seong-gye had already declared himself king.

On the day he launched his rebellion, he massacred all the former Goryeo royal family.

Don't underestimate any founding emperor, even if he usurped the throne.

You must know that the Lee Dynasty founded by Lee Seong-gye has been passed down even to later generations, even though it only has a name but no real power.

When Zhu Ying converted most of the dark forces into visible forces and handed them over to Commander Yao Guangxiao, Li Chenggui had already made counter-attack plans.

Some of the Goryeo officials who had been won over by Zhu Ying were won over by Yi Seong-gye, and there were even a number of double-faced spies who played both sides.

Such changes are also closely related to the fact that Zhu Ying and others do not belong to the Goryeo ethnic group. Fundamentally speaking, they are of the same clan and origin, while the Ming Dynasty represents foreign forces.

When Yao Guangxiao left and Prince of Ning Zhu Quan took over, a gap in the transfer of power was created.

Lee Seong-gye took advantage of this period to secretly seize a lot of power.

However, the most crucial point is that he infiltrated almost all of the supporters of the former Goryeo royal family.

This also led to the fact that when Lee Seong-gye raised his army, King Ning Zhu Quan was unable to come to the rescue.

In fact, the reason for this incident is inseparable from Zhu Ying’s relationship.

Earlier, Zhu Ying was just a smuggler who took advantage of some major historical events to insert hidden players and make arrangements in advance.

At that time, Zhu Ying was also in the Western Regions, strolling around the grasslands, and had a strong control over the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce.

Goryeo was also Zhu Ying's main infiltration target.

However, the changes were too great. The smuggler Zhu Ying suddenly became the eldest grandson of the Ming Emperor. Especially after he was canonized as the Crown Prince, the pattern and vision had to change accordingly.

If he continued to focus too much attention on a small country like Goryeo and ignore the Ming Dynasty itself, wouldn't that be like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons?

Not to mention that Japan's natural hatred is a greater attraction, just the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty, every place is more important than the tiny Goryeo.

When Zhu Ying first took over the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes were about to collapse. All kinds of systems seemed perfect, but in fact there were endless troubles.

In comparison, reforming the Ming Dynasty is the most important option.

This also allowed Lee Seong-gye to successfully take advantage of the situation.

However, even if he knew, Zhu Ying would still insist on this choice.

Because at the moment, even if Lee Seong-gye seized the entire territory of Goryeo, he would not be able to remain arrogant for long and would be defeated anyway.

It's just a tiny place that can be destroyed with a wave of the hand.

Lee Seong-gye was also very clear in his mind, but what he saw even more clearly was that he knew he had no other choice.

If we don't ally with Japan to become king now, we will never have another chance in the future.

No matter how many means you have, your territory is too small and a real dragon cannot be raised in shallow water.

Therefore, at this moment, facing the minister's doubts, Lee Seong-gye scolded: "If you stay dormant for another two years, it will not be a matter of two years, but you can only stay dormant until you die in this life."

"You think I don't know what the Japanese are thinking, but if I don't unite with them now, how can I fight against the Ming Dynasty? What can I use to fight against the Ming Dynasty?"

"With those Mongolian cavalrymen from Alutai's Asut tribe?"

"These grassland Tartars were once so arrogant and domineering, but now they are being chased around like dogs by the Ming Dynasty. I really hope these guys can buy me some more time."

"Oh, right? Didn't the Japanese envoy say he would give us 100,000 dan of grain? Go tell him to go back and tell that old fox Ashikaga Yoshimitsu that he doesn't want the gold and silver, and he doesn't want the rubbish muskets and cannons produced in Japan either."

"Tell him to quickly prepare 500,000 dan of grain and ship it to me. When the news of my uprising spreads to the capital of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty will definitely know that I have joined forces with Japan, and he will definitely send the East China Sea Navy to blockade the sea."

"The Goryeo navy is no match for the Ming navy. If he loses his luck now, he will have no chance in the future."

The ministers in the court were shocked by Lee Seong-gye's words.

Even Wang Hu, the commander of the royal guard standing behind Lee Seong-gye, couldn't help but look at Lee Seong-gye twice.

Wang Hu, wearing full body armor, looked at Lee Seong-gye through the gap in his mask. He was thinking in his mind whether he should chop Lee Seong-gye to death with a single knife. It would be a good deal to exchange his life for Lee Seong-gye's.

Wang Hu was the one who once followed Zhu Ying, then saved Lee Seong-gye and became Lee Seong-gye's most trusted person.

Even Yao Guangxiao was unaware of Wang Hu's existence. Even when a large number of spies from the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce surfaced, Wang Hu remained unmoved.

It can even be said that except for a few people including Zhu Ying, no one else knew that Wang Hu was a member of the Qun Ying Chamber of Commerce.

This is basically a dead spy. If Zhu Ying does not "wake him up", Wang Hu will not reveal his identity until his death.

The only purpose of "awakening" him is to carry out the decapitation operation on Lee Seong-gye.

"That kid followed his boss and is probably living a happy life in the capital city, eating and drinking well. I guess he should have joined the Jinyiwei. I don't know if he burns paper for me on time every year."

"Damn it, I haven't even gone down yet, but I've already enjoyed the incense for so many years. When I go down there, won't I just become a landlord?"

Wang Hu withdrew his gaze from Lee Seong-gye, and a hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes.

In order to keep it secret, Wang Hu reported his death falsely when he left Zhu Ying.

Before he left, Wang Hu was already married and had a two-year-old son.

His wife and children are what Wang Hu has always been concerned about.

When Wang Hu heard that his boss had become the crown prince, he was so excited that he couldn't stop smiling for three days.

The Wang family can finally be said to be blessed with good fortune.

Every time Wang Hu followed Lee Seong-gye and heard that the Ming Dynasty was becoming more and more powerful, he felt more and more proud and did not regret his choice.

The boss is a man who values ​​friendship and promises, and his wife and children must be living a rich life in the capital.

Even if he died now, it would be worth it.

In fact, Wang Hu had already settled down in Goryeo, and the women were all given to him by Lee Seong-gye.

Over the years, she has had three sons and five daughters.

This is also the reason why Lee Seong-gye always believed in him.

After all, in Lee Seong-gye's view, Wang Hu's wife and children are in his hands, and there is no reason for him to betray him.

However, he did not know that in Wang Hu's heart, the son in the capital was his real son and his legitimate son.

All the children nowadays are born out of wedlock, how can they be as precious as your own legitimate son?

Even if everyone died because of being exposed, it would be worth it.

While Wang Hu was lost in thought, the Goryeo royal palace was already in an uproar.

A minister said, "Your Majesty, isn't 500,000 dan of grain too much? Can Japan provide so much? I think we should reduce it a little. Besides, Goryeo currently has enough grain and does not need so much. It would be better to ask for more gold and silver."

Li Chenggui snorted coldly: "Even if you can't give it, you have to take it. Don't you think I don't know what Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is thinking? Look at the grassland, one ounce of gold is worth one ounce of rice. When the time comes, gold and silver will be useless. Can they fill the stomachs of the soldiers?"

"Besides, I want so much food, not for my own use. I asked the Japanese envoy to tell me that I am using Japan's food to deal with Japan's affairs. Their general will understand when he hears this."

"Okay, stop talking nonsense. Let's end the court meeting here. I'm tired."

Japan wanted to use Goryeo as a shield, and Lee Seong-gye naturally found his own shield.