I want to ruin the country

Li Sheng arrived in the capital on the first day of August.

Why did he suddenly come to the mainland?

Because he has been having a headache recently because the Japanese pirates are too rampant!

The frequent invasions of the coastal areas of Korea by Japanese pirates had made him lose his appetite and unable to sleep at night.

These bandits numbered from two to three hundred to three thousand.

They settled on some islands and often plundered fishing boats and merchant ships going out to sea.

Over time, some merchant ships tried to avoid their strongholds.

When the Japanese pirates could not plunder any property at sea, they came ashore to plunder at night.

These guys were ruthless and vicious. They were like a group of crazy beasts, setting fires everywhere, looting villages, and slaughtering innocent people without mercy.

Li Sheng also made great efforts to hunt down and intercept the Japanese pirates, but the pirates were extremely cunning.

If the government troops come in large numbers, they will run away; if the government troops come in small numbers, they will not be able to defeat them.

Their whereabouts were erratic, and it was difficult for government troops to find their lair.

Although the peninsula is not large in area, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides and its coastline stretches for eight or nine thousand kilometers. However, it is really beyond the reach of the government army to guard it.

When you come, he runs away. When you leave, he comes again. It is impossible to wipe him out.

Li Sheng asked the ministers for advice, but they were also helpless.

One councilor even suggested to Li Sheng that they build a high wall around the seashore, just like the Great Wall of China.

Without waiting for Li Sheng to say anything, the angry Chief Councillor Li Cunxuan raised his foot and kicked the guy out!

This is simply nonsense. It is not known whether building a wall can stop the Japanese pirates. Li Cunxuan estimated that if the people of the whole country do nothing, it would probably take three lifetimes to complete the construction.

That’s the real Yugong moving the mountain!

Finally, Li Cunxuan said,

"Your Majesty, a similar situation occurred along the Fujian coast during the Ming Dynasty. It was Qi Jiguang's Qi Family Army that completely wiped out the Japanese pirates!

Until now, the Japanese pirates still dare not cause trouble along the coast of the Qing Dynasty!

Why don’t we ask the Qing court for a good solution?”

Li Sheng deeply agrees with this.

"Lord Li is absolutely right. Send someone to the imperial court immediately to get an explanation!"

After some time, the envoy returned, bringing nothing with him.

He said he hadn't seen the emperor either, and the reply he got was that the generals were all out suppressing bandits, and he would talk about it after they returned from Desheng!

Li Sheng and Li Cunxuan stared at each other, wondering what was going on.

After inquiring in detail about the current situation at the imperial court, the envoy described with great excitement and vividness what he had seen and heard on the mainland.

He talked about the huge changes that have taken place in the Central Plains and how much the people support the emperor!

They also said how wise and powerful the Emperor was, and how many corrupt officials he had killed, and that the people now had enough food and clothing and lived and worked in peace and contentment.

It is also said that the emperor invented toothpaste, toothbrush, cement, flush toilets, conscienceless cannons, bazookas, grenades, and electric lights that can be turned upside down to shine brightly, etc.

He also said that the emperor had established a new army, which was invincible in every battle. All the bandits in the Central Plains had been eradicated, and now people basically did not pick up things on the roads and did not lock their doors at night!

He also said that the entire capital city now looks brand new, and the streets are so clean that there is not even a leaf to be seen.

There is a night market at night, with bright lights everywhere. In the middle of the night, there are people drinking and chatting at roadside stalls. It really feels like heaven!

Li Sheng and Li Cunxuan were both stunned!

Li Sheng asked Li Cunxuan,

"My dear, is this true?"

Li Cunxuan stroked his goatee and said,

"Your Majesty, this must be true!

I have also heard news from the capital that many measures have been taken since the new emperor ascended the throne.

The imperial treasury is now full, and the people's lives have improved greatly."

Li Sheng asked,

"How could such a big change happen with a new emperor? I heard the previous emperor was also very caring and diligent in his work!"

Li Cunxuan said,

"Your Majesty, there's a saying that goes, 'One person can make a nation prosperous, but one person can ruin it.

The rise and fall of a country depends entirely on the king!

China has a great history of 5,000 years. Whenever it comes to a critical moment of life and death, a powerful figure will definitely emerge to save the nation!

It seems that the current emperor should be such a person?"

"Why do you come to this conclusion, my dear?"

Li Cunxuan said,

"After the new emperor ascended the throne, he did not follow common sense in everything. The ministers appointed by the previous emperor were thrown into disarray by him in an instant!

The rest also surrendered. He re-employed Lin Zexu. This was not a big deal, after all, Lord Lin deserved the title. But you see, my king,

Prince Gong, who was competing with him for the throne, was so obedient to him that he was willing to take huge risks to go on a diplomatic mission to the West!

The previously unknown Li Hongzhang, Zeng Zhenfan, You Zongtang, and that fifteen-year-old kid Zhang Zhidong all became powerful figures in their own right under his leadership. This is not something that ordinary people can achieve!"

Li Sheng nodded.

"I wonder if I can learn the emperor's ability to govern a country!"

Li Cunxuan said,

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. In my opinion, Your Majesty should go there.

First, to see the colorful world of the Central Plains, and second, to see how the emperor actually does it!"

Li Sheng said,

"There's been no precedent for this in hundreds of years!"

Li Cunxuan laughed,

"Your Majesty, extraordinary people must do extraordinary things. We are originally a vassal state of China, and it is only natural for us to pay homage to the emperor!

Besides, we have something to ask of the court, and your presence will only demonstrate your sincerity!"

Li Sheng thought about it and it made sense.

"Well, the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. Let's go to the Central Plains and learn from them!"

Li Cunxuan said,

"Well, I will go prepare a gift for the king!"

Li Cunxuan prepared three large radishes and two jars of pickles for Li Sheng.

Li Sheng frowned.

"My dear, if you take this to the emperor, will you be kicked out?"

Li Cunxuan smiled,

"No, we were like this before. We are a small country, how can we compare with the Central Plains?

It's not a small amount to bring with you, don't worry, you'll definitely come back with a full load!"

Li Sheng thought to himself, are all the emperors in the Central Plains idiots?

Hearing that Li Sheng had arrived, Yining told Zaiyuan,

"Just ask one of your ministers and the Lifanyuan to go greet them."

Zaiyuan was also in charge of the Fanyuan, and he was a little puzzled.

“Your Majesty, Yi Seung is the first king to come to the court since the founding of Joseon.

According to etiquette, at least a servant should go to receive her. It's not appropriate for a minister to go!"

Yining waved his hand and said,

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. According to the regulations, he only holds a second-rank rank.

When he arrives, don't let him stay at the original inn, arrange for him to stay at the Royal Hotel!"

Zai Yuan asked,

"What kind of room will be arranged?"

Yining said with a squinting look,

"That's up to them. If they want to be comfortable, they can spend more money. Let them choose!"

Zai Yuan was stunned.

"You want more money?"

Yining was happy.

"Why shouldn't I pay? That's my own business. You all have to pay to stay here, so he has to pay even more as an outsider!"