Volume 5: Fellow Traveler Chapter 863: Confusion
"If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so convinced by you, then the future King of Goryeo will surely be no problem either."
After Chen Yongshou relayed the emperor's original words, he saw Zhang Shou burst into laughter and looked very disapproving. He thought to himself, I know that one month is not enough to leave a deep mark on that Zheshanjun, not to mention that he is a little older than the third prince and had no interaction with Zhang Shou before. How could it be possible that the relationship between teacher and student would change like this just because of a month.
But since the emperor said so, he could only pass on the message in this way, so he said humbly: "Originally, the emperor wanted to summon Zhang Xueshi immediately to give him instructions, but the Korean messenger shouted this in public today, so the three university scholars knew about it and rushed to the Qianqing Palace immediately. I guess several ministers will also come to the palace soon, so the emperor will not have time to see you."
"Time is limited, and the emperor knows that it is a bit difficult to teach someone a lesson. But if you, Master Zhang, can make that Zheshan Jun understand the pros and cons within a month, that will be enough. In addition, Master Zhang, you are not like those rigid old men, nor like those young and energetic officials, so it is more appropriate for you to announce this news."
Chen Yongshou paused, then lowered his voice and said, "After this incident, the emperor was very dissatisfied with the situation in Goryeo. When I came here before, there was a map hanging in the east warm room of the Qianqing Palace, and a circle was drawn on the location of Jeju Island."
Seeing the circle drawn on the map, Zhang Shou couldn't help but let his imagination run wild, but he quickly retracted his thoughts because from the current emperor's usual tough and arbitrary way of doing things, he felt that he had guessed what people wanted to do.
There is no doubt that the emperor was planning to station troops on the big island ! However, although the Joseon Dynasty seemed to only seek help, they had to ask the Ming Dynasty for help during the Imjin War, and the Qing Dynasty sent troops during the Immo Rebellion. Yuan Shikai was almost the emperor of Joseon at one time, and the things that happened in the early years of Emperor Taizu were just laughable. However, even if there were troops stationed, it was only temporary.
As for the matter of a certain US military base in the Southern Dynasty, let’s not mention it.
But in general, throughout the 5,000 years of Chinese history, the attack on Goguryeo destroyed the Sui Dynasty, and Emperor Taizong of Tang led an army to fight in person but died of illness with little success. Japan also lost two expeditions to Kublai Khan. Even Annan, a small corner of the southwest, was attacked again and again by the powerful army of the early Ming Dynasty, but the victory was lost in the end.
In Chinese history, expanding territory is mostly a matter of occupying it in the early stage and losing it in the later stage. Even the Mongols who once reached the heart of Europe could not avoid retreating and splitting. In addition, most of the people were farmers and would not leave their homeland unless they could not survive. So even though Zhang Shou knew that the emperor might not have the intention of occupying the land and was just being vigilant, he was not very optimistic.
Unless there is full preparation for colonization and unless there is good ideological and political education, if the garrison is kept for a long time, the soldiers will either become homesick or quickly become corrupt.
Facing Chen Yongshou who was bowing, Zhang Shou knew that even if he went to the Qianqing Palace to see the emperor, he might not be able to push away such a burden that was forced upon him, so he said unhappily, "Since Eunuch Chen said so, I will give it a try. However, if it is just to teach a child who has left his country and home and is full of confusion, it is easy. But... the future King of Goryeo is different."
Chen Yongshou knew that the emperor was forcing him to do something, so he nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, the emperor also knows this, so he has no intention of keeping Zheshanjun for a long time. After all, if we calculate the date, the envoys sent out to inquire about the crime may not have arrived in the capital of Goryeo yet! When they hear the news, they probably won't be in the mood to force Zheshanjun to set off, so delaying it for a month is no problem."
Anyway, the classes in Ciqing Palace had ended for the day. After Zhang Shou saw off Chen Yongshou, who was in a hurry and had no idea where he would go, he simply left the palace and went to Huitong South Pavilion.
Of course, he could just ask any student to go with him, but Zhu Er used to be a frequent visitor to Huitong South Pavilion, Lu Sanlang rarely had any tutoring duties and was at home with his wife, Zhang Chen asked Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu to go, and Ji Jiu shook his head and said he was not happy when he talked about those Koreans. Zhang Dakuo was happy to go, but he didn't want this simple-minded guy to take the blame, so after thinking it over, he decided to go by himself.
When Zhang Shou arrived at the entrance of Huitong South Pavilion with Ah Liu , he didn't even have time to register when the head of the Ministry of Rites, who was in charge of the office, came out to greet him. He was obviously informed in advance and invited Zhang Shou in without saying a word. He only spoke when they arrived at the plot where the Korean envoys were staying.
"Since the Korean messenger arrived today, I rushed here and never let anyone out. They probably don't know the news yet."
Zhang Shou could understand the chief's caution. After all, it had just been revealed that the second prince had died at the hands of a group of pirates posing as envoys, and the King of Goryeo had suddenly died. Anyone would have imagined a bunch of conspiracies. Therefore, he couldn't help but praise the chief's caution and carefulness, and when he received a bunch of flattery in return, he smiled at them.
However, he didn't know that the head of the Ministry of Guests had a lot of grievances to complain about. His previous accusation of Zhu Er bringing Ji Jiu and Zhang Dakuai to cause trouble was ignored. There was no follow-up news, and there was even a rumor that the emperor was dissatisfied with him. Especially after that earth-shattering news came out, he felt a chill in his head.
Now when he looked at the Goryeo envoys in the courtyard, they didn't look like envoys at all. Instead, he felt that they looked like firecrackers that could go off at any time! Fortunately, the Zhengdan court passed smoothly, otherwise he felt that he could resign and go home!
When Zhang Shou saw Zheshan, he saw the Goryeo prince sitting on the bed with a pale face, and the trembling envoy, the poor Minister of Rites, stood beside him. Thinking that these two had just faced the questioning of the Fourth Prince and his men in the morning, and were forcing themselves to face him now, he felt like a bad guest.
But he thought again, this was the South Pavilion of Daming Huitong, they were the guests and he was half the owner, so his trace of pity quickly disappeared.
After he returns, he will be the ruler of a country, even if he is the ruler of a vassal state, which is better than staying in the Ming Dynasty like a hostage. Does he need others' sympathy for his feelings of a liberated serf singing?
Therefore, Zhang Shou sat down on the brocade cushion without hesitation, and then said with a smile: "The last time we met, we just glanced at each other outside the city. When I saw you again today, I just realized that Zheshan Jun is really in poor health. The capital city is extremely cold in winter, so you have to take good care of yourself."
When they first arrived, before they had the chance to enter the city, they had witnessed how recklessly Zhang Shou and his companions traveled, especially the eldest son of the Duke of Qin who had once quarreled with his uncle. Therefore, when they saw Zhang Shou again, both Zheshan Jun and Licao Canyi felt their hearts beating extremely fast and were filled with panic.
Therefore, even though Zhang Shou was handsome and gentle, the two did not dare to be careless. The Minister of Rites immediately rushed to answer, "Thank you for your concern and sympathy, Mr. Zhang. You are the teacher of the Crown Prince. I heard that you are very busy every day, but you still come to visit us in person. We are really grateful."
Zhang Shou saw Zhe Shanjun's lips moving for a while, and finally he simply stopped talking. He said calmly: "I am very busy, so since the Fourth Prince has come today, I certainly would not come to meet at the South Pavilion if there is nothing else. Today a messenger came from Goryeo with a message."
Goryeo messenger?
Even though the Minister of Rites and Zheshanjun were not from the same faction, they could not help but look at each other at this moment. However, it was impossible for them to exchange glances. It was difficult for the little Zheshanjun to understand such complicated things. But at this moment, it was Zheshanjun who took the initiative to ask, "Excuse me, Master Zhang, what news did the messenger bring?"
Knowing that Zhang Shou was keeping things a secret but still asking, the Minister of Rites certainly thought that this young member of the royal family was a little naive, but he also wanted to know the details, and even hoped that the country would first notice something was wrong on Jeju Island. But then, he felt as if his blood had frozen.
"The Goryeo messenger said that your king has passed away due to illness."
Zheshanjun felt that he was filled with an incredible emotion. Although his uncle was not the crown prince at first, he showed that he was a hardliner when he grew older. If he had not been reprimanded in the capital of the Celestial Empire and then received a lot of criticism and opposition from the country, his uncle might have directly expressed his ambition to free Goryeo from the status of a vassal state.
Why was he sent to the Imperial College of the Ming Dynasty so easily this time? Wasn't it because his uncle had just ascended the throne and had taken drastic measures against those famous nobles who were powerful in the country, so he used him to establish his authority next?
His poor mother had been a widow for many years, and his brother was in worse health than him. For their safety, he didn't dare to say no, and of course it wasn't his turn to say no! Such a young and ambitious uncle, actually died like this?
Zheshan Jun thought he would be ecstatic, relaxed, and gloat over other people's misfortunes... But in fact, his greatest emotion was a chill all over his body. He felt that an indescribable fog was covering the entire Goryeo, and even the king was being played in the palm of someone's hand and could not even save his life.
The Minister of Rites was so frightened that his teeth were chattering. Being an envoy was not a particularly good job, nor was it a very bad job. After all, it was impossible to encounter bandits when traveling by land, and it was impossible for one's life to be in danger. The Ming Dynasty today was no longer like in the early years, when people would pick on envoys and then drag them out and chop them off. So it was for this reason that he, who belonged to the King's faction, was sent out.
Before he could even show any sign of regret, the king died?
What would he do then? Or rather, what would happen to his family? Would they be dragged into someone else's camp and do something that might lead to the extermination of the family? He had just explained to the Fourth Prince the origins of those maids and the Fire Master this morning. Would his children also suffer the same fate in the future?
Having frightened the two men enough, Zhang Shou did not continue to keep them in suspense, but said with a smile: "It is said that the messenger did not bring any letter, but brought another verbal message, which is that the Queen Mother wants to bring back Zeshanjun to succeed the late king and inherit the throne."
Zheshanjun's face froze. His uncle's eldest son died, but he still had a second son. Why did he want him to inherit the throne? Would the civil and military classes in the country agree? He suddenly remembered that when his father died, his grandfather had two sons, him and his eldest brother, but he didn't even think of enthroning his grandson. Instead, he chose his uncle without hesitation.
He used to feel confused, especially after seeing his mother shed countless tears in secret, he felt that this was really bullying for them, an orphan and a widow. But now, he finally understood it a little.
My grandfather's throne was originally taken back from his cousin, Nosan-gun - that great king who ascended the throne at the age of eleven and rose from the position of Crown Prince to Crown Prince, couldn't even sit on the throne, let alone his cousin who is only two years old? And now, my grandfather's line of descendants from my grandmother, Queen Jiseong, the oldest are my brother and him!
Therefore, the so-called Queen Dowager wanted him to inherit the throne of the previous king, not because of anything else, but because he was older, so his grandmother Queen Jeseong chose him. She had experienced the Guiyou Rebellion, so of course she would try her best to avoid the situation where the young king was in power and the powerful ministers were eyeing him covetously. After all, in Joseon, the king who was forced to abdicate never had a good ending!
Zheshanjun thought a lot in an instant, but it seemed as if he was thinking of nothing. The one who reacted faster and more strongly than him was undoubtedly the Councilor of Rites who was trying hard to grasp the last straw.
As a middle-aged man, he shouted without even thinking: "The Queen is wise, and the young king is a talented man. He will surely support the country and be loyal to the imperial court."
The last four words were obviously added abruptly, but neither of the two people present would object. However, compared to the calm Zhang Shou, Zheshan Jun was very worried that the Ming Dynasty would detain him and not let him return home after the turmoil he had just caused. Even if he was not so obsessed with the throne, a day later might turn the world upside down.
It is more likely to affect my mother and elder brother.
Therefore, even though he had already gotten out of bed and kneeled once in the morning despite being sick, he still lifted the quilt and staggered to get out of bed. However, just as he struggled to get up, Zhang Shou pressed his forehead with a finger, and he fell back down involuntarily.
"Don't beg me for anything. The messenger just shouted it directly, and he didn't bring a written letter, so whether it's true or not is still debatable. Now the emperor has summoned the cabinet ministers to discuss it. I don't have the authority to decide such a thing." Seeing that Zheshanjun suddenly showed an extremely confused expression, he suddenly changed the subject and said, "But one thing is settled."
He glanced at the Minister of Rites, who was standing by his side with his eyes and ears clearly alert, and said casually, "Starting from today or tomorrow at the latest, I will probably be your teacher for a few days. Of course, you can let what I say go in one ear and out the other, because learning is something that cannot be forced."
