The principle of serving the great power was something that Yi Seung-gwi did in history, which is why Joseon was one of the most loyal vassal states of the Ming Dynasty. However, Goryeo at present has virtually no sense of belonging to the Ming Dynasty.
After all, many of the queens of Goryeo in the past were noblewomen from Mongolia. For nearly a century, Goryeo did not have much contact with Chinese civilization, but it had an enduring sense of identification with Mongolia.
Therefore, Zhu Yunying felt perfectly justified in fighting with Li's father and son. To miss this opportunity would be utterly unforgivable; this was truly a godsend!
Although he was only the deputy commander, Xu Huizu's status and abilities meant he knew almost everything about the war. Now that he was back, Zhu Yunying naturally wanted to ask him more about what had happened in Goryeo.
Xu Huizu naturally spoke his mind without reservation. He was well aware of his own identity and position, and even more so of what he should say before the emperor. In fact, Xu Huizu had privately speculated quite a bit about this recall to the capital.
Normally, he would have been required to return to the capital with the main force, but there was nothing wrong with the emperor's urgent summons.
Perhaps they just want to ask more detailed questions about what happened in Goryeo, so that they can better determine who will reward them later.
However, considering some news he heard after returning to the capital, Xu Huizu felt that His Majesty must have other plans for him. After all, given his status, it was indeed quite convenient for him to do certain things.
Zhu Yunying seemed to be only asking about the campaign against Goguryeo. After all, he was the emperor, and such matters naturally required his attention. This was a matter of great national importance, and even though the war was over, the emperor couldn't just ask casually; he would definitely inquire in more detail.
Xu Huizu naturally understood this principle, so he answered very carefully. He would answer any question the emperor asked.
The fate of the Li family, the marching route of the Ming army, and the losses or attrition suffered by the court in this war—these were all matters that needed to be carefully inquired about, and Zhu Yunying certainly needed to obtain more detailed information from various channels.
The emperor was naturally very eager to know about the performance or merits of some generals, the combat effectiveness of some armies, or the strengths or weaknesses of the Ming army in this war.
We've already fought a war, so it can't be left unresolved. We need to obtain as much useful information as possible from this war.
The motive was actually quite clear: on the surface, it was to punish the Yi family for their lack of loyalty and respect for the emperor. However, many people also felt that this was the Ming Dynasty's revenge for Goryeo's attempt to invade Liaodong years ago.
Even if it was Wang Goryeo that did it, this debt cannot be forgotten. Although Wang Goryeo is gone, the Yi family has taken over, so naturally, it is necessary to settle accounts with them.
However, many people also understand that since the two princes of the Ming Dynasty were settled in Japan, everyone has realized that the Ming Dynasty's system of granting fiefdoms and establishing new institutions has undergone significant changes.
Previously, the enfeoffment was naturally carried out within the Ming Dynasty. Now, however, it has become an enfeoffment around the Ming Dynasty, granting vassal states to the princes of the Ming Dynasty, who then protect the Ming Dynasty.
The current Emperor of England is not an easy opponent; he has a deep-seated greed for territory. Moreover, he doesn't appear to be a benevolent emperor. Given the right motive, he can find ample justification to launch attacks on neighboring countries.
There's no way to stop them. They might say things like "war is the death of mankind," or "benevolent governance," or "the work of education." Emperor Ying Shi might just send some scholars to harsh, cold lands to carry out their education in the wilderness.
Emperor Ying Shi was truly capable of such a thing; in his earlier years, he sent many people to Mongolia to serve as loyal subjects to the Mongols. Even now, in some places, there are still so-called loyal subjects of the Yuan Dynasty guarding the tombs of the Mongols.
The war must continue, but only at the right time and in accordance with the interests of the Ming Dynasty. A losing proposition cannot be undertaken; this demonstrates Zhu Yunying's pragmatic nature.
Now that the war in Goryeo is over, the Ming Dynasty will not immediately launch another military campaign in the short term. Naturally, not being in a hurry to expand externally means that it needs to sort out its internal affairs, which is also extremely important.
After discussing the war, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "In his early years, the Marquis of Hanghai was ordered to develop maritime transport. He also contributed a lot to the court in dealing with problems such as grain supply in Liaodong."
Xu Huizu became patient at this point because he understood the emperor's personality and knew that the emperor would not mention Zhang He for no reason, even if he was a trusted old minister of the emperor. It seemed unnecessary to mention him at this time.
Zhu Yunying continued, "In his early years, he personally escorted grain, and the Busan Three Guards controlled Japan and protected the silver mountains. All of this was thanks to the maritime transport pioneered by the Marquis of Navigation in his early years."
In that sense, Zhang He did indeed make great contributions. Although he wasn't particularly prominent among the generals in the early Ming Dynasty, his achievements, in retrospect, truly place him among the most outstanding of the founding nobles.
Zhu Yunying glanced at Xu Huizu and said, "We have some feelings for each other, but unfortunately some people don't want us to have a beautiful story of ruler and subject. It's heartbreaking. What do you think we should do about the Marquis of Xianhanghai?"
Xu Huizu immediately tensed up. He seemed to realize that this was the real problem, and the reason he had been hastily recalled. Although it wasn't a life-or-death situation, saying the wrong thing and angering the emperor would be a minor matter; disrupting the emperor's plans would be a much bigger problem.
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