East China Sea.
Since taking the canal workers aboard, the fleet has been sailing along the coastline.
First, they arrived at Pi Island, unloaded the more than 1,000 people, and handed them over to Mao Wenlong.
Mao Wenlong, on the other hand, was beaming with excitement.
"The imperial court has finally realized it needs to rescue Goryeo!"
It wasn't that Mao Wenlong had any feelings for Korea, but rather that he knew in his heart that he could live a peaceful life on Pi Island.
It was simply because the Jurchens did not have an online army.
No matter how powerful the Eight Banners cavalry and infantry were, they could only look on with envy at Pi Island.
However, once the Jurchens destroyed Goryeo, they could acquire its navy.
The Goryeo navy is much stronger than the Goryeo army.
Then Mao Wenlong's good days will be over.
"No wonder there have been rumors coming from the pass lately that our new emperor of the Ming Dynasty is truly a reincarnation of the founding emperor."
"Now that I see it, that's true."
Because of his favorable impression of the imperial court, Mao Wenlong also extended his affection for Yuan Chonghuan to Yuan Chonghuan.
"Oh, my Lord Yuan, I have long admired your name."
Mao Wenlong grabbed Yuan Chonghuan's hand, his face full of smiles.
"Back when you were the military governor of Ningyuan, I always wanted to visit you, but unfortunately those Jurchens were really hateful and always eyeing my Pi Island covetously."
"That's why I'm too busy to be in two places at once."
"I hope you won't be angry, Minister Yuan."
Yuan Chonghuan had always disliked Mao Wenlong, feeling that he was not like a Ming Dynasty officer at all, but rather like a warlord.
They even considered having Mao Wenlong abandon Pi Island and go to Ningyuan to assist in defense.
But at this time he was on someone else's territory, and later when he arrived in Goryeo, he would still have to rely on Mao Wenlong to harass the Jurchens from the rear.
So he had a big smile on his face.
"General Mao, you are wrong. You are a pillar of our Ming Dynasty. You have done a great service to the country by restraining the Jurchens on Pi Island."
How could I possibly be angry with you?
Yuan Chonghuan wanted to say a few more kind words, but then he heard a burst of laughter behind him.
Seeing the facade of brotherhood between Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong, Zhang Xianzhong could no longer hold back.
"Haha, no wonder Mr. Gao said..."
Zhang Xianzhong had only said half of his sentence when he suddenly remembered something and quickly covered his mouth.
I dare not continue.
But Yuan Chonghuan frowned and asked seriously:
"Xianzhong, what exactly did your Mr. Gao say?"
Zhang Xianzhong's eyes darted around, naturally refusing to tell the truth.
Having been by Gao Qingyun's side for so long, he already knew the relationship between the two people in front of him.
The future Yuan Chonghuan found an excuse and directly killed Mao Wenlong.
He casually made up a story: "Ah, the gentleman didn't say anything, he just said that you, Lord Yuan, and General Mao are obviously good friends."
"Now that I see it, you were right, sir. Hahaha."
There was something fishy about that statement, so Yuan Chonghuan naturally didn't believe it.
However, Mao Wenlong grabbed Zhang Xianzhong's hand.
"Oh my, could this be Master Gao's esteemed disciple?"
"Although I, Mao Wenlong, have lived in Liaodong for a long time, I have heard of Master Gao's great name."
Seeing this, Yuan Chonghuan sneered inwardly: "This Mao Wenlong is indeed no good person. His flattery is so good that it shows he is also a treacherous minister."
"Hmph, if I didn't need him later, I wouldn't bother talking to him at all!"
Although he thought this way, the smile on his face became even more sincere.
"Yes, General Mao is right. This young brother Zhang Xianzhong did indeed come from the palace."
After briefly introducing Zhang Xianzhong, he steered the conversation back to the main topic.
"By the way, General Mao, recently the Jurchens led their troops south, but they have run into trouble in Goryeo and are stuck near Kaesong."
"What exactly is going on here?"
Although Mao Wenlong still wanted to get closer to Zhang Xianzhong, his expression turned serious after hearing Yuan Chonghuan's question.
"Lord Yuan, I also don't quite understand this matter."
He walked to the side, pointed to the map of Goryeo on the wall, and said:
"Although the Jurchens have suffered repeated defeats at the hands of the royal army over the past year, their vitality has not been damaged."
"And the Goryeo army..."
A hint of disdain appeared on Mao Wenlong's face.
"In short, the Jurchens' southward advance should have been unstoppable."
"But now it only accounts for half of Goryeo's territory, there must be something wrong with that."
"My guess is that there were internal conflicts within the Jurchens."
Mao Wenlong, as expected of a veteran who had fought against the Jurchens for so many years, saw the crux of the problem at a glance.
But Yuan Chonghuan didn't believe it at all.
He didn't think much of Mao Wenlong to begin with, and in his heart, he felt that the Jurchens were already finished.
They definitely don't believe in these things.
Yuan Chonghuan thought to himself, "Mao Wenlong's words are probably an exaggeration of the Jurchens' fighting strength. His purpose is to nurture the enemy and enhance his own power."
"Hmph, I can't listen to his slander."
Yuan Chonghuan said:
"In that case, General Mao, what do you think I should do?"
Mao Wenlong completely missed the change in Yuan Chonghuan's tone. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and said:
"Lord Yuan brought 10,000 soldiers this time. Although these men are from the canal transport industry, they are not as good as regular soldiers."
"But they do make a living by the river, so it would be quite suitable for them to be sailors."
"My idea is to ask Lord Yuan to leave his troops on my Pi Island and use those 10,000 men to expand the navy."
"Use this 10,000-strong navy, or go north along the Yalu River, to cut off the Jurchens' supply lines."
"Or we could simply head west and reclaim a few more islands in southern Liaoning."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Chonghuan became even more certain that Mao Wenlong was single-mindedly determined to become the local tyrant of Pi Island.
His expression gradually turned cold.
"General Mao, what you say makes some sense, but I am leaving the capital this time on the Emperor's orders to go and rescue Goryeo."
"How could I possibly stay on your Pi Island any longer?"
"In that case, please don't say it again, General Mao."
"Tomorrow I will lead my troops south again. I would appreciate it if General Mao would send some ships to escort us."
After speaking, Yuan Chonghuan turned and left, leaving a bewildered Mao Wenlong standing there in a daze.
"Wait, why did Yuan Chonghuan suddenly turn against us?"
Mao Wenlong didn't understand, but Zhang Xianzhong understood it all too well.
He covered his mouth and chuckled, "Perhaps you two are just incompatible."
Mao Wenlong was even more bewildered.
"Zhang Xianzhong, what do you mean by that?"
This time, Zhang Xianzhong smiled without saying anything more, and ran out to catch up with Yuan Chonghuan.
The next morning, although Mao Wenlong was unclear about what had happened, he still gave Yuan Chonghuan plenty of face.
They not only called out all the troops from Pi Island, but also tried to put on a show of force.
He even summoned the people from the other islands back so that Yuan Chonghuan could inspect them.
When Yuan Chonghuan saw this, he thought it was Mao Wenlong showing him a sign of defiance.
"Hmph, just a mere ten thousand men, who does Mao Wenlong think he can scare?"
Yuan Chonghuan gritted his teeth and was too lazy to say anything more to Mao Wenlong.
He turned around and ordered those behind him, "Set off immediately to aid Goryeo!"
Before anyone else could reply, Zhang Xianzhong jumped up laughing, clapping his hands and shouting:
"Right, we should get going."
He pointed a finger at the sea:
There's a saying that goes, "The enemy is just across the sea!"
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