On the Wuwei ship, Mr. Zhao was stunned: "Jeju City, is this appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate? Providing anchorage and supplies to the Celestial Empire's navy is the duty of our country's civil and military officials." Park Sung-sung rubbed his hands and said flatteringly.

"Uh..." Zhao Hao thought, could it be that the other party mistook him for the government troops? After a little thought, he said, "We are not government troops, we are imperial merchants, transporting grain for the imperial court..."

This was true. After all, the fleet was carrying grain under the emperor's order, and Emperor Longqing also had shares in the future shipping company.

"Transport of grain by sea?" Park Chengxing came up with a popular word in the capital.

"Oh? You know that too?" Young Master Zhao looked at Park Chengxing in surprise. He didn't expect that this guy was so well-informed.

"Our dynasty pays tribute three times a year, and our ties with the Celestial Empire are closer than any other vassal state." Park Sung-sung said proudly, "Most of our dynasty's monthly newspapers are about the latest developments in the Celestial Empire, and a small part is about our own affairs..."

"You are spying on our dynasty." Zhao Hao said, fanning his straw hat.

"No, no, no, these are all news that our students studying in the Imperial College saw in the public newspapers. We admire the Celestial Empire from the bottom of our hearts and want to follow the Celestial Empire's pace. We dare not fall behind, so we spontaneously spread the news to the country." Park Chengxing hurriedly explained: "Our dynasty is loyal to the Celestial Empire and will never deliberately spy on it, let alone have any bad intentions!"

"Hmm." Zhao Hao was just saying it casually. He was more confident in the people of the Joseon Dynasty because the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty was "serving the great powers".

The so-called "serving the great powers" means that "one must obey the orders of the great powers and serve the governments of the great powers." It is a way of survival for small countries when facing big countries.

The Korean Peninsula has been subject to the Central Plains dynasties for thousands of years. Whether it is Silla, Goryeo or Joseon, they all adopted different degrees of "serving the great power" policies towards the Central Plains dynasties.

However, both Silla and Goryeo had conflicts with the Central Plains dynasties. The Goryeo Dynasty even usurped the titles of "Son of Heaven" and "Imperial City". Obviously, "serving the great" at that time was more of a self-protection tactic in the face of power.

However, as Chinese civilization and Confucian culture took root in the Korean Peninsula, "serving the great powers" also took root as a concept. Especially after the Yuan Dynasty conquered Goryeo, Goryeo had to abolish all its usurpations, strictly implement the vassal system, and completely integrate into the ruling system of the central dynasty.

When the Ly Dynasty was founded, this kind of great thought reached its peak.

As we all know, the Joseon Dynasty was founded on the occasion of the return of the army from Wihwa Island. In the 21st year of Hongwu, the Goryeo Dynasty planned to invade the Ming Dynasty in the north. When General Yi Seong-gye led his army to Wihwa Island in the Yalu River, he launched a mutiny and returned. His reason was "to serve the great with the small, and to protect the country", and the northern expedition to the Ming Dynasty violated the principle of serving the great. So-called "to invade a great country without waiting for orders is not a blessing for the clan, the society and the people".

This claim was legal and legitimate on the Korean Peninsula, and thus received widespread support from the subjects of Goryeo. As a result, Lee Seong-gye seized power in Goryeo without a single blow, and replaced Goryeo in the 25th year of Hongwu to establish the Joseon Dynasty. Throughout the entire process of founding the country, the Ming Dynasty was held high, and the Ming Emperor Taizu was asked to grant the country the name of "Ming Joseon".

It can be said that the Joseon Dynasty itself was established on the basis of serving the great powers. So if they had any bad intentions towards the Ming Dynasty, they would first directly shake the foundation of their own rule.

Therefore, after the establishment and consolidation of the Ly Dynasty, they were more willing to "serve the great power" from the bottom of their hearts. The ministers of the Ly Dynasty who had close relations with the Celestial Empire held great power. If the king lost favor with the Celestial Empire, his throne would be in jeopardy. Therefore, they competed to curry favor with the Ming Dynasty, and even often proposed to annex the country to China. However, the Ming Dynasty disliked the poor land and large population of the peninsula and did not want to add more burdens, so it always refused.

Two hundred years have passed, and this kind of "serving the great powers" has become a behavior pattern, deeply engraved in the blood of the people of the Joseon Dynasty, so Park Sung-sung's words and deeds have no psychological burden, but feel that it should be so. However, Zhao Hao has been more or less influenced by later generations, and is somewhat surprised by what he has seen.

~~

Park Sung-sung sheltered smuggling, and the smuggling was carried out in the Bohai Bay adjacent to the capital. Of course, he had to keep an eye on the political developments in the Ming Dynasty to avoid running into the muzzle of the Qing Dynasty's crackdown.

Recently, he had offended the Celestial Empire's grain transport fleet, so he naturally paid more attention to the Celestial Empire's news. So he had long guessed that he had offended not the Celestial Empire's official army, but the Jiangnan Group that had recently stirred up the "Caohai Debate" in the Celestial Empire's court.

The Tang newspaper clearly stated that the Jiangnan Group had tried sea transportation several times and all of them were successful. Therefore, they were on equal terms with the Canal Transportation Group in the court discussion.

As the saying goes, "The more you read People's Daily, the faster your political level will improve." Pu Chengxing has studied Damingtang Daily for several years, so he naturally understands the weight of these few short sentences.

How many years has the Caoyun Group been working in the Ming Dynasty? How strong is it? Anyway, he thinks it is invincible, otherwise he would not have deposited the stolen money in Hengtongji, a subsidiary of the Caoyun Group.

The fact that Jiangnan Group was able to tie with Caoyun Group was enough to show how terrifying they were.

Park Sung-sung asked the sea merchants in Jeju City about the situation of the Gangnam Group. Those sea merchants were well-informed and told him that the Gangnam Group rose in South Zhili, had supporters in the court and the opposition, had a close relationship with the Princess of the Celestial Empire, and was deeply trusted by His Majesty the Emperor.

Park Sung-seong was so frightened when he knew that he might have provoked such a terrible enemy.

But when he found out that his life was still useful to Jiangnan Group, his mind suddenly became active. He knew that this was the biggest opportunity in his life. As long as he could become a dog of Jiangnan Group, what shitty observation officer, what yangban master? Who dared to touch him? Even the king had to be careful with him!

Thinking of this, Park Sung-seong really wanted to give the entire Korea to the Celestial Empire, but unfortunately he didn't have that ability.

Just when he was ashamed of his own weakness, he found out that Zhao Hao was actually interested in Jeju Island, which made him completely excited. This was within his ability!

Park Sung-sung then explained the mentality of the emperor and his ministers, and finally said: "As long as the emperor of the Celestial Empire asks, they cannot refuse, otherwise it would be against the will of the emperor, and they would be attacked by political enemies, and the whole family might have to raise horses. So no one would take such a big risk and quarrel with the Celestial Empire for an enclave for exiled prisoners."

After a pause, he added: "Of course, if you can make a decent statement, this matter will be much smoother."

"That's easy." Zhao Hao said with a smile, "Please ask the Ministry of Revenue to issue a document later, ordering your dynasty to provide necessary facilities for the transportation of grain by sea."

"That's enough, that's enough." Park Sung-sung smiled flatteringly, "This kind of vague order is best, so we can do what's convenient for us."

As he said this, he invited her warmly, "There is no rush for the decree. Please let your fleet enter the harbor to rest first. Enjoy the wine, meat and women, and do your best to serve you!"

"So generous?" Young Master Zhao teased him deliberately, "I have a hundred ships and tens of thousands of people. Can you entertain them?"

"Uh..." Park Sung-seong felt guilty. There were only more than 10,000 people in Jeju City, so how could they support such a large fleet?

But the principle of "measure the resources of Tamra and win the favor of the young master" cannot be shaken! Park Chengxing gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, of course. But Tamra is poor and sparsely populated. It may not be enough to provide adequate hospitality relying on Jeju alone. Can we invite some ships to Dajing and Jingyi counties for food? This way, the hospitality can be more thoughtful, smecta..."

Under the pressure, his Ming official language even brought out Korean dialect...

"Hahaha!" Young Master Zhao laughed and said, "Forget it this time. Coming here uninvited is too much of a nuisance to the locals. You should go back and make preparations before you stop."

"Sir, you are so considerate!" Park Chengxing also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then let me prepare some fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, wine, and beauties for the fleet. Please don't refuse this kind gesture!"

"Well, it's OK." Young Master Zhao nodded with a smile, "But forget about the wine, beauties, the fleet is on a mission."

"Young Master is really strict with his subordinates. I admire you so much!" Park Sung-seong felt regretful. Without wine and sex, it would be difficult to get closer to them.

"By the way, I'm touring around the island and I'm short of a guide..." But then I heard Master Zhao say.

"No one knows Jeonra Island better than me." Park Sung-sung immediately said attentively, "Do you think I would be honored to accompany you on a tour?"

"Haha, okay. Then I'll trouble Right-hand Man Park to be your high-level companion for once." Zhao Hao nodded with a smile.

Park Sung-seong then apologized and got off the boat first. He went to his own sword boat and instructed Park Bo-seong to go back and order the navy camp to lift its combat readiness, then inform Li Mu that the matter had been resolved and ask him to help raise more supplies for the troops.

"Don't tell Li Mushi where to send him." Park Youshi was full of energy and fighting spirit, like a different person. "Just let him send him to the camp, and then you send him to Gapa Island."

"Understood." Pu Bucheng knew that his master had turned a disaster into a blessing and had met an important figure from the Celestial Empire. He also became excited and said, "I promise to plunder the city completely to supply the Celestial Empire's fleet!"

"Well, very good." Park Sung-sung nodded with satisfaction and said, "Send half of the prepared military supplies here. I will accompany the young master of the Celestial Empire to visit Jeonra Island."

"My lord, you are so clever!" Pu Bucheng flattered him: "You can calm down the anger of the Celestial Empire and win their favor."

"It's nothing, it's just my sincerity." Park Chengxing smiled reservedly, unable to hide his pride.

~~

On the Wuwei boat, Zhao Hao looked down at Park Sung-sung, who was shaking his head, and asked Jin Ke, "Do you think this place is better, or Dajing County is better?"

"Each has its own merits." Jin Ke thought for a moment and said, "This place is more prosperous, easier to conduct trade, with better seaports and more convenient supplies. But on the other hand, this place is far from our main shipping route and is too closely connected to the mainland of the Li Dynasty. It is not as easy to control as Dajing County."