Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 422 Tribute is a high-level form of alliance
"Oh, really? The King of Baekje did not betray me. It was the treacherous ministers in the court and the Japanese country overseas who did the bad things, right?"

Tangzhou, the State Council Office.

Li Ming collected the intelligence documents presented by his subordinates and looked at the two intelligence directors examiningly.

“Is the source of the information reliable?”

Yuchi Xunyu answered confidently:
"Reliable! Buyeo Biryu is the uncle of King Uija, and he is also from the Buyeo clan, a descendant of the 11th Baekje king. Therefore, he is the most trusted by King Uija and serves as the highest-ranking eunuch Japyong.

“He is our trump card in Baekje and the person closest to King Uija in the world.

"If his sources of intelligence are not reliable, Brother Ming, I don't know who can be more reliable."

The charcoal-haired man spoke with a loud voice, obviously very confident.

Li Ming did not comment, but turned his gaze to the other intelligence director and asked:
"Renjie, what do you think?
"You are the one who is in charge of investigating this arson case. You are also the one who discovered that the murderer is suspected of colluding with Baekje officials. You will be in charge of the overall situation."

Di Renjie kept his head down as usual. He subconsciously turned his head slightly and glanced at Yuchi Xunyu beside him, looking a little timid.

Yuchi Xunyu was so amused by this little classmate, friend and rival that he turned his head away, trying not to put too much pressure on the boy.

Di Renjie breathed a sigh of relief and said:

“Buyeo Biru is indeed a powerful figure, but is he trustworthy?
"If this is a conspiracy between him and his nephew, King Yici, how can we rule out this possibility?"

This suspicion is justified. People's hearts are hidden, and it is not possible to figure out the thoughts of the person next to you, let alone a foreigner who is separated by an ocean.

Li Ming turned to Yuchi Xunyu and asked with a smile:

"Black Charcoal Head, what do you think?"

Yuchi Xunyu was still full of confidence, patting his chest:

"Don't worry, I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket.

“In addition to Buyeo Biryu, I also planted other spies in the Baekje court.

"Many people and parties can corroborate each other and prove that Buyeo Biru did not lie."

Di Renjie was still not satisfied with this answer and said:
"I don't doubt that all the spies are secretly on the other side.

"However, Buyeo Biru is the head of the officials. He can easily spread false information in the court and deceive everyone for a short time. Such false information can also withstand multiple verifications.

“What’s more, Buyeo Biryu pointed the finger at Japan as the mastermind behind the incident. This is a solitary piece of evidence that only he has, and it cannot be cross-corroborated.

"To sum up, we cannot completely rule out the suspicion of the Baekje king and Baekje's eunuchs."

Yuchi Xunyu frowned subconsciously.

To be honest, he was a little dissatisfied with the questioning of his junior colleague, and felt that Di Renjie was nitpicking.

However, he swallowed his resentment and thought about it calmly, and he really had no way to refute the other party.

Indeed, all of his spies held high positions, so much so that the entire Baekje court relied on internal spies to run the country.

However, this also brings about a problem - that is, the profession of spies is too concentrated, and the source of information is actually relatively narrow.

Especially the internal traitors at the level of Buyeo Biru, even if they were placed in the land of China, they would be top-notch people. Would such talents be easy to control...

"Di Renjie, your doubts...are not without reason."

Yuchi Xunyu admitted in a low voice.

No matter how reluctant he was, this matter concerned the safety of the Ming Dynasty's core and was not the place to act on impulse.

We must seek truth from facts, this is what Brother Ming has always emphasized.

"What you two said makes sense."

Li Ming was still smiling and was very satisfied with the answers of his two friends and trusted ministers.

One is enterprising and the other is meticulous, both are good candidates to be ministers.

Two talents have been cultivated.

"But Brother Ming, this problem has not been solved yet." Although he was praised inexplicably, Yuchi Xunyu did not feel happy at all.

"Yes, Your Majesty Mingge. What should we do next?" Di Renjie also had the same question.

Li Ming crossed his arms and thought for a moment.

Ministers have the right to make suggestions and the right to execute, but as for the final decision-making power, that is not the responsibility of ministers.

It is his responsibility as the Lord.

If he pushes all decisions to his subordinates and only takes care of personnel matters, expecting to "rule the country with ease", then as an emperor, he should change his career to HR as soon as possible.

"I think..." Li Ming pondered:

"Yuchi Xunyu's guess is correct, we can trust Buyeo Yici and Buyeo Bilu.

"There is nothing wrong with Baekje's ruling class and the country as a whole. The problem is with Japan."

The two of them said in unison: "Why do you think so?"

Li Ming smiled slightly and took out a secret report from his sleeve:
"Because besides you two, I have another source of information that can serve as circumstantial evidence."

The two men's eyelids jumped and they surrounded him.

"Sure enough, it's him..." Di Renjie murmured.

"Yes, it's him." Li Ming nodded.

"Zhishi Buzhen. The members of his Chamber of Commerce do business in various places, which naturally include Baekje and Wa.

"They discovered that Japan was building ships and recruiting sailors and soldiers. And Baekje..."

Li Ming paused, rubbed his nose, and said with a bit of a smile:

"The people of Baekje raise chickens among the entire population."

War is a large-scale organized activity. Before a country goes to war, it is impossible for it not to send certain signals to its society.

Businessmen come into contact with all kinds of people in society, and they are best at capturing this kind of signals.

"A country that is preparing to confront a superpower... shouldn't be so obsessed with raising chickens, right?

"In contrast, Japan's movements are very suspicious.

"They just ended an internal coup, why are they suddenly building so many ships now? Where do they want to attack?"

Li Ming pondered.

"Combining the information you two have obtained, the answer is clear at a glance -

"The mastermind behind this arson is the Japanese. They have joined forces with Baekje's traitors and are planning to behead the Ming leaders, including me, to create chaos.

"I took advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters, landed from the sea, captured the old territory of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and pushed to Pyongyang, the Northeast, and even..."

Li Ming didn't continue.

Di Renjie and Yuchi Xunyu were really angry and laughed.

Like an ant stretching out its legs and trying to trip an elephant.

Although it has no destructive power, the wolfish ambition it reveals is really bad.

"They are greedy and like to take risks. They only have small cleverness but no big strategy. This is the nature of the Japanese." Di Renjie felt extremely disgusted.

Yuchi Xunyu angrily clapped his fist and said:
“Although the Japanese tricks did not cause any substantial consequences, their intentions are despicable!
"We must strike them hard! Brother Ming, give the order!"

Li Ming patted his shoulder:
"Be patient, I have already issued orders to train the navy and build many ocean-going ships.

"only……"

He looked out the window.

"It's just that the weather is not good right now. There is a typhoon. It will be dangerous for the warship to sail there. Let's wait a little longer."

With just a few words, Japan's fate of destruction was sealed.

However, the two friends present did not express much emotion. It was just another country that was destroyed, and the matter was unremarkable.

Di Renjie noticed another highlight:
"Your Majesty Ming, do you mean... that you have already determined that there is something wrong with Japan before this case is confirmed?"

The case was only officially reported today, but from what Li Ming said, the ocean-going warship had been built before.

There is no need for so many ships to conquer Baekje. Cheap infantry is enough to crush it. If the current invincible fleet can land in Incheon, it will be worth it for the Baekje people to die.

Similarly, among the surrounding barbarians, which one does not have land routes with the Ming Dynasty? Which one needs the Ming Dynasty to call in fleets to strike at a dimensionality reduction level?
After thinking about it, there is only one country, Japan.

It’s far enough away and big enough.

So, this only proves one year——

Li Ming wanted to destroy the Japanese since early on.

"Your Majesty Ming, have you... long discovered the Japanese's rebellious intentions?"

"Yes, Buyeohiru reported the Japanese's movements to me separately a long time ago."

Li Ming said thoughtfully.

Di Renjie was puzzled: "And you believed it?"

Li Ming nodded generously: "Yes, I have come into contact with Buyeo Biru, and I think he is trustworthy."

Not only did Di Renjie find it difficult to agree with this statement, but even Yuchi Xunyu was worried.

"Brother Ming, people's hearts are hidden in their stomachs. How do you know that the old man can be trusted?"

Li Ming touched his chin and asked:

"Why would the old minister be willing to be an informant for the Ming Dynasty?"

"This..." This question stumped Yuchi Xunyu, who personally developed this heavyweight downline.

Yes, what does the old man want?

"For money? But he's already very rich. The reward he gets from selling information to us is barely enough to fill his stomach.

"Is it for power? He is already the pinnacle of Baekje officials, and he also knows that we cannot overthrow the legitimate royal family for him and make him the real ruler of the country. At most, he will be a puppet, which is much more frustrating than being a eunuch now."

"But if it's not for money and power, what is Buyeo Bilu trying to do?" Di Renjie couldn't help asking.

"I don't know, maybe it's an ideal." Li Ming smiled self-deprecatingly.

The Ming Dynasty certainly had its own problems, but compared with the precious objects of its time, it was truly a divine kingdom on earth.

They are all gods, so they will naturally attract a group of fanatical believers overseas.

Whether they admire the strong or learn from the wise to strengthen themselves, it is natural for them to yearn for the Ming Dynasty.

Buyeo Biryu and other officials of Baekje probably had this mentality and were willing to provide intelligence to the Ming Dynasty.

They truly believed that by relying on the Ming Dynasty, their country would be as prosperous and powerful as the Ming Dynasty.

"Let's put the Japanese aside for now. The island nation's problems will be solved sooner or later, so there's no need to rush.

"Now, since Baekje's loyalty is evident, as their Divine Emperor, I naturally cannot let them down."

Li Ming's expression relaxed a little.

There is no problem with the situation or people's hearts. The bad ones are just a small group of hostile elements. This investigation result can be said to be very satisfactory.

As for bad dogs, of course they must be killed and eaten.

And a good dog should not be treated badly.

"Baekje has served the great country with sincerity and should be rewarded," said Li Ming.

It is not easy for a tiny country to contribute so many precious chickens.

Today is different from the modern times. There are no 28-day quick-feed chickens, so it is not easy to eat chicken.

"Brother Ming, how do you plan to reward them?" asked Yuchi Xunyu.

Li Ming curled his lips:
"Reward, of course, is giving money."

"Money? What money?"

"Of course we can print as much paper money as we want... no, paper money."

"Oh oh oh~"

The king and his ministers smiled knowingly.

The tribute system from ancient times to the present is actually a subtle economic system.

The vassal states symbolically offered some local specialties, while the central dynasty rewarded them with valuable money and silk, seemingly being taken advantage of.

But in fact, it was through this method that the central dynasty exported large quantities of its own currency to vassal states, thereby gaining control of their coinage rights.

When this gameplay was iterated to the Ming Dynasty, it gradually evolved into a situation where the Ming Dynasty exchanged free paper for real goods.

The other party got a huge amount of paper money, but also needed Ming Dynasty's finished products.

In this way, it was gradually incorporated into the economic and financial system of the Ming Dynasty, and finally the annexation was completed without distinction between you and me.

The Greater Khingan Range forest system belongs to.

Being able to join the kingdom of God on earth painlessly should be a good ending for Buyeo and the people of the Three Han.

"You two, as well as the outgoing Zhishi Buzhen, have done an excellent job.

“Only through the concerted efforts of the three parties can this unsolved case be solved.”

Li Ming patted his two classmates encouragingly.

"Oh...oh, Brother Ming/Your Majesty Ming, thank you for the compliment..."

Neither Di Renjie nor Yuchi Xunyu dared to take credit for it.

Although they were right in investigating the specific matters, there was always a visible big hand pushing the whole case forward from the beginning to the end.

A triple intelligence agency, domestic, foreign and civilian, is established to check and verify each other.

So this is the original intention of designing the top-level architecture...

"I will arrange the next things. You two can relax and take a rest first."

As Li Ming spoke, he turned his back and faced the huge feng shui map hanging on the wall.

The two knew that the leader was thinking about an important issue and they did not want to disturb him, so they tactfully took their leave.

Hearing the sound of the door closing gently, Li Ming's face gradually darkened.

“Baekje is a good dog.

"But for another wild dog, you can't deal with it painlessly."

His eyes drifted across the sea and landed on the archipelago on the edge of the East China Sea.

It's a good place, but it's overcrowded with people.

After traveling through time, Li Ming had thought about "keeping the island but not the people".

But that place is much larger than Silla and Baekje, with complex terrain and the entire East China Sea between them, making supply very difficult.

Not to mention in the seventh century AD, even in the thirteenth century, the Han Khan Kublai Khan suffered in the Wakoku Archipelago.

Even in the 20th century, the Americans and British invaders did not dare to land on the island despite the support of airplanes and cannons.

Since the input and output do not match, Li Ming can only pretend that place does not exist and turn a blind eye to it.

I just didn't expect that the other party would actually jump in my face...

“This typhoon season is over.”

(End of this chapter)