Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

"But they were hoping for the best,"

"Thinking that a price can be paid,"

“Respectfully escort the Ming army out of the country.”

Zheng Zhichang's mind raced:

"What is your elder brother's status in the Cui family?"

Wen Gongren said unhappily:

Why ask such a redundant question?

"Not a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family, but comparable to one."

Zheng Zhichang said, "The Cui family has countless disciples and former officials."

"Perhaps it can be revived soon."

"But my elder brother wants to borrow the Cui family's property,"

"To revitalize the Wen clan,"

"I'm afraid we'll have to work even harder."

If we use the aristocratic families of the Northern and Southern Dynasties as an analogy,

The Cui family belonged to a top-tier aristocratic family that had fallen from power.

He has temporarily fallen silent due to his defeat in the political struggle.

But they can come back and fight back in no time.

Wen Gongren, on the other hand, came from a humble background and a small clan.

To be able to become the son-in-law of the Cui family

Purely because he was handsome and well-educated when he was young.

Winning the grand prize usually earns one the appreciation of the Cui clan chief (who was the prime minister twenty years ago).

He was among the noble class of Kaijing.

Although it looks glamorous on the surface

In fact, they are subject to much discrimination.

That's why he befriended the Xijing faction, who were also frustrated in their careers.

Zheng Zhichang suddenly mimicked the emperor's tone:

"Brother, do you want to be Chinese?"

"what?"

Wen Gongren didn't understand.

Zheng Zhichang said, "The emperor has already made a promise."

"I will be appointed prime minister within ten years."

"Given the existing system of the Ming Dynasty,"

"He should be one of the deputy prime ministers."

"If my elder brother helps the Ming Dynasty annex Goryeo,"

"Although I cannot become the Vice Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty,"

"But he is more than qualified to be the prefect of Kaizhou."

"At that time, all the wealthy and noble families in Kaizhou,"

"We all depend on our elder brother's whims."

"We all have to be mindful of our elder brother's feelings!"

Zhao Yuan only wants to annex the land north of the Daedong River for the time being.

Zheng Zhichang, however, planned to have the Ming Dynasty annex the entire Goryeo.

Chapter 3116 Persuading People to Join the Ming Dynasty

Duke Wen was greatly surprised.

"Does the Ming Dynasty truly intend to annex Goryeo?"

Zheng Zhichang countered, "When the Ming army arrives,"

"Can the Goryeo army stop them?"

"This isn't the Sui and Tang dynasties,"

"Goryeo is not Goguryeo."

"The Ming army can cross the sea,"

"The army landed on the beach,"

"Kaijing will be indefensible by then."

"Where can it be blocked?"

Wen Gongren knew the Goryeo army all too well.

The number of troops on paper is 150,000.

A large portion of the funds were lost due to those who received salaries without working.

The remaining local troops have been reduced to serfs.

Only the Central Army in Kaijing was still capable of fighting.

The problem is that the king recently launched a northern expedition.

They wiped out most of the Central Army!

Throughout present-day Korea,

At most, they could muster two or three thousand decent soldiers.

The rest were all weak and easily defeated armies.

Zheng Zhichang continued to make empty promises:

"The Ming Dynasty court designated the area around the capital as Kaizhou Prefecture,"

"What do you think of your role as the prefect of Kaizhou, brother?"

"All the nobles of Kaizhou are under your jurisdiction."

"By then, will the Cui family still dare to look down on you?"

"Would the powerful and influential in Kaijing still dare to look down on you?"

“They will kneel before you,”

"Please forgive their past disrespect."

Wen Gongren swallowed hard.

I couldn't help but turn and look south.

Zheng Zhichang then said, "Brother, you are a man of profound learning."

"In his youth, he even alarmed the prime minister,"

"He married a noblewoman from the Cui family despite his humble origins."

"Twenty years could be wasted,"

"What official position do you hold now?"

"Just a lowly assistant minister in the Ministry of Revenue."

“Those sons of wealthy families, with their shallow learning,”

"I'm not even worthy to carry my brother's shoes."

"But they all hold high positions,"

“They are all important ministers in the central government.”

"On what grounds?"

"Yeah, why should we?"

Wen Gongren muttered to himself.

Zheng Zhichang continued, "The Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty,"

"They were all wise rulers who appointed people based on merit."

"Your foolish younger brother is dull and shallow,"

"He was also promised by the Crown Prince to enter the cabinet and become prime minister."

"With your talent and virtue, elder brother,"

"If one were to serve as an official in the Ming Dynasty,"

"He might even have the opportunity to enter the cabinet and become prime minister!"

As a poor scholar from Goryeo,

Yet he entered the cabinet and became prime minister in the Ming Dynasty...

Wen Gongren had never been to the Ming Dynasty.

However, he was very confident in his academic abilities.

He felt that even if they reached the Ming Dynasty...

He is also a top-notch talent.

Perhaps he really could become a prime minister in the Ming Dynasty.

"what should I do?"

Wen Gongren's expression became serious and resolute.

.....

Goryeo, Kaiju.

Kim Bu-sik asked Moon Gong-in, who had just returned:

What exactly was the Ming Dynasty's intention in sending troops?

Wen Gongren began reciting his lines according to the script:

"So that my husband may know,"

"When Zheng Zhichang heard that the men in his family had been exiled and the women had been made government slaves,"

"Burning with rage, he wanted to lure the Ming army back to China for a major battle."

"Fortunately, I have a fairly good relationship with him,"

"A series of well-intentioned and earnest words of advice,"

His tone softened somewhat.

Kim Bu-seok couldn't get angry if the answer was irrelevant.

Wen Gongren rambled on and on, going in circles, before finally saying:

"Although Zheng Zhichang did not say it explicitly,"

"But his words revealed a major inside story."

"The Liangshan Emperor from the Ming Dynasty,"

"Arbitrary and domineering, with ambitions to conquer all under heaven,"

"It seems they want to annex Pyongyang."