Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 420: Being a dog of the Ming Dynasty is the greatest honor

"Report to the king, send the Japanese envoy back to report."

The Baekje Kingdom had its capital at Sami Castle.

King Buyeo Yiji was sitting behind a pile of documents with a frown on his brow, in a daze.

Upon hearing the news that the envoy had returned to the court, he did not even raise his eyebrows, but simply waved his hand to dismiss him:

"Let's talk later. I have something to do."

Neifa Zuoping, who reported the incident, did not retreat upon hearing the order, but insisted:
"Your Majesty, this time the envoy brought important news about changes in Japan.

"The powerful Soga clan of Japan was destroyed, and the prince ascended the throne to rule the country, named 'Emperor Kotoku', and moved the capital to Osaka Castle.

"The Emperor Kotoku is well-versed in history and wisdom. He is a fierce tiger that should not be underestimated..."

"I just said goodbye in a while, and you kept chattering away. Don't you understand what I said?!" King Yici was extremely annoyed. He slammed the table in anger, causing all the documents on the table to fall to the ground.

"The Japanese are just a tiny island nation. Who cares about a storm in a teapot?
"I must now focus my energy on 'big things'!"

The general meaning of the King's words is, don't bother me from licking the Ming Dynasty!

Nefazoping's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself. Finally, he bowed and retreated unwillingly.

Humph, a mediocrity, an idiot who can’t tell the difference between big and small, and far and near—Buyu Yici rolled his eyes at the old man’s back.

"Japyeong" is the title used by Baekje to refer to ministers.

The internal affairs of Baekje were under the charge of the Six Japyong, an official system that originated from the Six Officials in the Book of Rites of Zhou, among which the Internal Affairs Japyong was in charge of ceremonial and diplomatic affairs.

The Japyeong system had been implemented in Baekje for several hundred years and was originally designed as a "official" system to strengthen the central royal power.

But later on, as those who understand know, these six key positions were all inherited by the country's aristocratic families, that is, the leaders of various clans and tribes.

After all, even the Tang Dynasty was not immune to this, and Baekje's path to bureaucratic professionalization was destined to be even more difficult.

Now King Uija has also discovered it.

Although these clans have illustrious origins, their brains may not be that good...

"The new emperor of the Ming Dynasty ascended the throne. He was the king of hell who swallowed up the world and destroyed Goguryeo, Turkic Khanate and Tang Dynasty one after another. He was even brave enough to attack his old father!
"If we offend that little devil, at best Sibi will be slaughtered, at worst the whole of Baekje will be wiped out!
"At this critical moment, instead of submitting to the Ming Dynasty, you are paying tribute to that small island country across the sea?"

Buyeo Yici madly complained about his subordinates.

He suspected that Neifasuohei's brain had been eaten by the beautiful girl from Japan.

Baekje, located at the southern tip of the peninsula, has always had an awkward foreign policy, dancing on three eggs.

The Tang Dynasty, Goguryeo, and Japan across the sea, none of these three can be offended, and all three must pay tribute.

Otherwise, the three brothers might have set it on fire.

But now, times are different!
Li Ming suddenly emerged and destroyed the two powerful neighbors, the Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo, and directly bordered Baekje.

If we stick to the old ways and continue to play the fence-sitting policy at this time, we will be somewhat affected.

There is no two suns in the sky, and the people of Baekje have only one sun, King Li Ming!

Suppose Baekje did not flatter the Ming Dynasty to its heart's content, and the most virtuous and holy emperor led the heavenly soldiers to question it on the grounds that it "stepped into the palace with its left foot first."

What use will Japan have to make? Ah, what use will it have to make!
"But how to lick the Ming Dynasty is also a science..."

Buyeo Yici quickly put Japan out of his mind and was troubled by the documents on the desk.

The documents were all from the Kingdom of Baekje, with all the necessary information except for the date of promulgation.

Because the people of Baekje did not know which reign title they should use.

Baekje regarded Hua Xia as the most respected, so it continued to use Hua Xia's reign title.

For example, during the Zhenguan reign, the reign was called Zhenguan, while during the Yongqing reign, it was changed to Yongqing.

But now, after the Ming Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, we don’t know which era name to use.

Because the Ming Dynasty itself had not yet decided on a reign title.

That terrible young emperor seemed to have no interest in such ritualistic things as reign titles, imperial palaces, and mausoleums.

Therefore, the Ming Dynasty has not yet reached a unified number on what to call this year.

Official documents use the Yellow Emperor's calendar, but ordinary people still use the Zhenguan calendar because it is easier to remember.

After all, the Yellow Emperor's calendar contains thousands of years, which makes it inconvenient to use.

As for the Tang Dynasty's homeland south of the Yellow River, some places probably don't even know that the Tang Dynasty has fallen, and most are still using the Yongqing era name.

A big country has a variety of different ways of dating, which made Baekje, a small country, feel a little confused.

In theory, it should be consistent with the Tangzhou center.

“But the reign title represents the throne, the Mandate of Heaven, and the legitimacy of the country.

"What if we rashly use the Yellow Emperor's calendar and His Majesty, whose moods are unpredictable... no, whose will is unpredictable, becomes grudgeful to us?
"What if we use the Yellow Emperor's calendar and the Ming Dynasty decides on a new emperor's year name right after we use it? Wouldn't that make us the first to step out?"

Fu Yu Yi Ci sat at his desk, scratching his scalp until it was almost torn off.

After worrying for a long time, he suddenly figured it out.

Instead of worrying by yourself, why not call everyone over to worry together!

…………

Soon, all the officials of Baekje gathered in the court, led by six "Jopings". The king sat on the couch in the middle. The form was similar to that of China, but much simpler.

After all, Baekje is a small place, and if you want to gather people for a meeting, you can just shout and it will be done.

"The new emperor of the Han Dynasty has ascended the throne, but the reign title has not yet been decided. What should we do?"

King Uija shared his troubles with his ministers.

Everyone is thinking hard about this seemingly trivial issue.

After all, the Ming Dynasty was too powerful, and the young emperor was a capable and imaginative lunatic, so he could not be offended!

Making a big thing out of a small matter is not as simple as mindlessly licking one's boots.

Licking also requires technical skills!

You have to figure out what the master is thinking, you have to please the master, and especially you can't flatter the horse's hoof...

Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, and serving the Ming Dynasty is even worse!
“…” Neifasuoping was very puzzled by the distress of these kings and ministers.

No, Your Highness, the Ming Dynasty itself does not care about its own reign title, so you wouldn't be as anxious as the emperor while the vassal states are anxious, right?

Compared to this self-inflicted problem, the developments in Japan are more worthy of attention!

"Neifa Zuoping, you are in charge of etiquette and rituals. Tell me how the reign title should be determined!"

King Yici asked suddenly.

The old minister's body trembled, and he began to stammer and stammer like a student who was absent-minded in class and was questioned by the teacher.
"Ah, this, that... It might be good to use the Yellow Emperor's calendar, but it's unlikely to be good to use the Emperor's reign title..."

"What are you talking about?" King Yici's brain was twisted like a pretzel.

Why do I feel like this guy is absent-minded ever since the envoy to Japan returned?
"Ahem." The mature and prudent eunuch Zuo Ping couldn't stand it anymore, so he coughed dryly and said to smooth things over for his colleague:
"Your Highness, what he meant was that since the Ming Dynasty officially uses the Yellow Emperor's calendar, we might as well follow suit. Since their court officials do this, it is probably correct."

King Yici hesitated for a moment and said:

"I think so too. But if they change the reign title and we don't know about it, and then they blame us for it later, what should we do?"

This kind of "you stepped into the company with your left foot first yesterday" type of excuse for finding fault was the starting point for the Han Dynasty to play the vassal elimination game.

But even though it knew it could not stop the other party from deliberately finding fault, as a veteran player of "big powerism", Baekje was determined to leave no handle and do things to perfection.

When it comes to being dogs, people from the Peninsula are professionals.

"This is simple." The eunuch Zuo Ping said after a moment of thought.

“Whenever our documents involve a date, we leave a blank space at the top.

"In this way, when the Ming Dynasty decides on the official reign title, we will have time to modify them one by one."

Nei Chen Zuo Ping was the highest-ranking among the "Six Assistants", and his status was equivalent to that of a "Prime Minister".

Moreover, the identity of this prime minister is not ordinary, he is Yici's uncle. Fortunately, the prime minister's ability is still online.

Fu Yu Yi Ci thought for a moment, breathed a sigh of relief, and said:

"That's the only way. Let's just make do with it for now."

The emergency meeting was adjourned.

Nefazoping stayed.

The Baekje king frowned.

"What on earth do you want to say?"

The other party said:
"Your Majesty, the envoys who went to Japan to pay tribute have returned.

"They reported that the new Japanese emperor, Emperor Kotoku, thought our tribute was too little and too cheap, and seemed unhappy."

King Yici snorted softly:
"Oh."

So what?

In the past, Japan was able to exert control over Baekje by sea, so as a slave of the three families, Baekje also gave a portion of its annual tribute to Japan.

But now, under the halo of the Ming Dynasty.

Japan is nothing more than a stray dog ​​on the roadside.

"The newly enthroned Emperor Kotoku worked hard to govern the country and was determined to reform. He showed the spirit of a great ruler..."

Neiha Japheong was talking when he was interrupted by King Uija.

"I don't care what the Japanese chieftain does.

"I only want to devote myself to serving His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty."

Nefazuoping was anxious and said in a hurried tone:
"Your Majesty! It is precisely in order to resist the invasion from the Central Plains that our country needs to introduce the power of Japan as a check and balance..."

"How dare you! What do you mean by 'invasion from the Central Plains'? You are asking us Dongyi people to bathe in the kingship!"

King Yici sternly corrected the minister's political incorrectness and said sincerely:

"It is the greatest honor to be a dog of the Ming Dynasty! Unlike some dogs that run around without knowing who their masters are."

The past is the past, and the present is the present. If we still use the past relationship between the three countries to guide the present, my dear, the entire Baekje nation will have to be reborn.

"Your Majesty!" Neifazopei couldn't help but raise his voice, subconsciously took a step forward, and his tone was almost threatening:
"The newly enthroned Emperor is a very important person. If we offend him rashly, aren't you afraid of being attacked by pirates?"

Forced by the opponent's momentum, King Yiji subconsciously shrank his neck back.

He immediately realized that his reaction lacked dignity, and his face flushed immediately, and he shouted in a low voice:

"Muchou! Are you trying to threaten me?"

Neifazoping was startled, and shrank back, bowing in a low voice:
"Don't dare!"

You still don't accept it... King Yici glared at the guy and said sternly:
"Baekje and Wa are both descendants of the Chinese.

"Baekje is a filial son! Wa is a rebellious son!
"Since we are brother countries, we are equal in seniority. How can a filial son pay tribute to a rebellious son?

"From now on, we will stop paying tribute to Japan!
"I will put my energy into licking the ass... no, serving China!"

After all, Baekje was a small country with a small population, and its size was at most equivalent to that of a state in the Ming Dynasty.

The tribute had become an increasingly heavy burden.

Therefore, in order to help the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to nourish his body and please him, they had to catch a few more black-bone chickens.

I can only let this stinky little brother Wo down and cut his expenses.

Yesterday’s three slaves are today’s filial sons of China.

This cannot be blamed on the Baekje people for being arrogant at first and respectful later.

If the Ming Dynasty's black and hard hammer (referring to the armor-piercing golden melon hammer) hits your forehead, you will feel numb even if you stomp on it.

This crazy "marching on dry land" indeed brought great psychological trauma to the surrounding barbarians.

A strong national force and a ruler with abundant martial virtues are an invincible weapon for collecting dogs.

"But……"

"No buts!"

Nefazoping wanted to compete again, but was firmly rejected by the king.

"Muchou, are you too enthusiastic about the affairs of Japan? Remember, you are the Sixth Lieutenant of Baekje!"

Neifazopei was kicked out, and before leaving he was still muttering:

"It is precisely because I am from Baekje that I should ally with Japan to fight against the Ming..."

Every word of the mumbling fell into Buyeo Yici's ears, making him hold his forehead with his hand.

My goodness, can the Ming Dynasty be controlled by joining forces with Japan? Buyeo Yici is not a good person either, if he could, he would not do this, right?

The problem is that the Ming Dynasty is different from other unified Chinese dynasties.

The Ming Dynasty’s base is in Liaodong, the Northeast, and the former territory of Goguryeo!

If loyalty is not absolute, it means absolute disloyalty. If you dare to be indecisive right next to the core territory of the Ming Dynasty, aren't you afraid of being chopped down?

"The Hancheng Mu family has also fallen. How could such an incompetent head of the family appear..."

King Yici complained in his heart and then devoted himself again to the cause of licking the Ming Dynasty.

The problem of the reign title was temporarily solved, but new problems arose.

“The Ming people seem to be particularly fond of black-bone chickens?
"But chickens grow slowly, and we can't raise so many in such a short time!"

He held his head in distress again.

How about gathering all the ministers together and raising chickens?

…………

Outside the Baekje royal palace.

A minister had just left the palace after retiring from court and did not go directly home.

He sent the driver away and turned into a small alley.

At the end of the alley is a secluded hut.

He approached the door and knocked three times gently, then twice more heavily.

The wooden door opened a crack and he quickly got in.

There is a different world inside the house, it is a teahouse.

Besides him, there were four or five familiar faces.

They were all Baekje court officials who had just been called to a meeting by King Uija.

As soon as he entered the door, he asked:
"Can you tell that the King of Baekje is showing signs of betraying His Majesty?"

He addressed his nominal lord as "The King of Baekje" and addressed others as "Your Majesty".

To a court official, this sounded strange.

But the companions in the same room were not surprised by this and shook their heads:
"No evidence has been found yet that Baekje has betrayed Ming."

At this point, the situation is quite clear.

These nominal Baekje court officials were actually spies planted by Li Ming within the other side!

This is unexpected, but reasonable.

Li Ming is a totalitarian maniac who is keen on "spy rule".

It would be strange if he didn't place a few spies in his vassal states.

(End of this chapter)