Chapter 1496 Participating in a grand event
If Hou Jin was not secretly preparing for a large-scale battle, then what was the reason for this unusual voluntary ceasefire in recent days? It was only after the generals received the reconnaissance report that they realized that some unknown situation might have occurred in the Houjin camp, which forced them to temporarily suspend all active combat methods.
Generally speaking, this kind of abnormality occurs during wartime, and it is nothing more than several situations. For example, an outbreak of plague or rebellion in the army causes the army to lose its organization, the general leading the army has physical problems and cannot continue to command the battle, or the front line receives a message. Domestic armistice orders had to be obeyed.
There was no sign of chaos in the Houjin military camp, which was under close surveillance these days. Plague or rebellion seemed unlikely. The reason that the general is ill is not very reasonable, because Houjin currently has two generals, Azige and Geng Zhongming, stationed inside and outside Jinzhou City. It is extremely unlikely that they will fall ill at the same time. As for Hou Jin's domestic order to cease the war, everyone really couldn't think of any reason for Huang Taiji to take the initiative to stop the war at this level.
Except for these few situations that are relatively common in historical war cases, the generals could not think of any reason for Hou Jin to suddenly take the initiative to cease the war. Although these generals had a general understanding of the historical conditions and famous figures of Hou Jin during this period, they did not know the impact of conflicts of interest and power struggles among the top officials in Hou Jin's domestic official circles on the frontline war. They never imagined that after Geng Zhongming came to Jinzhou with the Han army flag, he would have a conflict with Azig. The two had their own plans but were unwilling to act as a stepping stone for each other, which eventually led to the current wonderful truce situation.
But since the other side does not intend to launch a major counterattack after increasing its troops, it is naturally a rare good news for Haihan. Construction sites in various places are seizing this rare truce time to build defense line fortresses. Once the war resumes, the construction in these places will Staff have to worry about working in different shifts, and work efficiency will be greatly affected.
Luo Dexian, who had been observing the frontline fighting as a local armed leader in Shandong, was finally received by senior officials from Haihan. It's just that he doesn't quite understand what the so-called "Executive Committee" official position of Lord Bai Kesibai is like in the court of Haihan Kingdom. But judging from the way he summoned him after so many days, his rank is Undoubtedly higher than the military generals he had seen before. Moreover, Luo Dexian had a hunch that when the other party summoned him this time, he was probably going to talk about some more essential topics, such as why North Korea should send envoys to Liaodong to watch the war.
After Luo Luo Xian came forward to greet him and the guest of honor took his seat, Bai Kesi took the initiative to ask: "Master Luo, are you used to living and eating here recently? The conditions on the front line are simple and poorly taken care of. Please forgive me. If you have the opportunity in the future, please Mr. Luo will definitely have a different feeling when he goes to our country.”
Luo Dexian had seen the terrifying strength of the Haihan Army these days, how could he dare to show off in front of Bai Kesi? He quickly half-bowed and responded: "Your army is mighty. I have also opened my eyes these days. As for food and accommodation, although it is not precise. , but the soldiers of your country have come here like this, why should I complain? If I have the opportunity to travel to your country in the future, it will be a great honor. "
Seeing Luo Dexian's respectful attitude, Bai Kesi nodded and continued: "Mr. Luo must have seen these days that our army accepted the request for help from the General Military Office of Dongjiang Town in the Ming Dynasty, and then joined forces with them to send troops to Liaodong to take away the original from the Jin Kingdom. The land belonging to the Han people was recaptured. Our citizens are of the same blood as the Ming Dynasty, and they are of the same race and clan. Therefore, it is our duty to help the Ming Dynasty resist the invasion of the Jin Kingdom. But there is also a problem, that is, our country is far away from Liaodong. It’s too far here and there are many inconveniences. I wonder if your country can help us.”
While listening, Luo Dexian analyzed the information in Bai Kesi's words in his mind. The Haihan Army sent troops to Liaodong after receiving help. Luo Dexian did not believe this. If the help was useful, North Korea would have sent troops to help Dongjiang Town to fight against the Jin Kingdom. The reason why he didn't do such an impulsive thing was because of very practical considerations - what benefits would it bring to him to start a war with the Kingdom of Jin? Not to mention Dongjiang Town, even the Ming Dynasty could not offer enough benefits for North Korea to directly participate in the war. Considering its own interests, it is reasonable for North Korea to stay out of the war and not intervene in the war between the two countries.
Luo Dexian was determined not to believe what conditions Dongjiang Town could come up with that would make Haihan's heart so moved that he would send troops across thousands of miles of sea to help. Haihan itself is extremely wealthy, and Dongjiang Town will definitely not be able to use money to bribe it to become a mercenary. What's more, the military expenditures of this kind of long-term war are definitely not what the small Dongjiang Town can afford. It is even more impossible to use land. The territory of Dongjiang Town only has a few islands in the Yellow Sea including Pi Island. How can the Haihan people afford such a small place that is not enough to squeeze their teeth.
As for the statement that they are of the same race and ancestry, Luo Dexian is also skeptical. According to his observations over the past few days, most of the Haihan Army were indeed Han Chinese, and many of them were even from the Ming Dynasty, and later immigrated to the Haihan Kingdom for various reasons. But can these people's love for the Ming Dynasty support them to come all the way to Liaodong to fight with the Jin people? Luo Dexian didn't believe such a thing. Even the Ming court itself didn't bother to compete with the Jin people for Liaodong. How could these Han people who had changed their nationality be so troubled.
As for what exactly Haihan needed help from North Korea, Luo Dexian really couldn't think of it at the moment. But if the other party asked North Korea to send troops to join the war, then Luo Dexian would have no choice but to politely refuse such a request. Before he set off, King Li Zhu had specially greeted him, asking him to handle it carefully and never agree to any invitation to send troops.
Luo Dexian couldn't help but think about it, and responded carefully: "I don't know what the Lord is referring to?"
Bai Kesi said: "We know that the Jin State oppresses North Korea very much. Every year North Korea has to pay tribute to the Jin State with annual coins and food. But if North Korea is willing to join our camp, then our country can provide North Korea with force protection, and there will be no need to do so again in the future. Pay tribute to the Kingdom of Jin. What do you think of this condition?”
Luo Xian thought to himself that this condition sounds very good, but don’t think that I didn’t hear the trap in it. If I join the Haihan camp, it will definitely not be just words. There must be some measures to express my position before I can do it. . And Haihan will ask North Korea to express its position. This is a very dangerous trap. If Haihan asks North Korea to send troops, will it agree or not? Besides, the so-called force protection provided by Haihan did not mention the words "free of charge". Even if Haihan's army has extraordinary combat power and can provide shelter to North Korea, it will definitely ask for compensation, and in the end it will just be tribute. It’s just another object for the wealth of the Kingdom of Jin. Moreover, this target is more powerful than the Jin Kingdom. If anything goes wrong by then, it will probably be more difficult to negotiate than the Jin Kingdom.
Luo Dexian did not agree to Bai Kesi's conditions, but continued to respond cautiously: "I would like to hear the details." Bai Kesi did not expect that he could calm down the North Korean envoy with just a few words, so he continued to explain patiently: " I know that North Korea is very concerned about the threat of force from the Jin Kingdom and does not dare to offend them easily, so I will not ask you to publicly stand up and draw a clear line with the Jin Kingdom. You only need to provide materials and personnel for our country's operations in Liaodong in private. Just support. As for the military protection provided to your country, you can provide it in exchange for no additional fees.”
The conditions offered by Bai Kesi are very attractive. First, North Korea does not need to offend Hou Jin, a strong enemy. Second, North Korea does not need to pay Haihan cash compensation, but can offset it in other ways. These words made Luo Dexian a little wary. If such a powerful protective umbrella could be obtained at a relatively small price, North Korea might not be able to consider cooperation.
Luo Dexian thought for a while and asked: "Then I wonder what kind of help your country needs?"
"Food and labor." Bai Kesi succinctly explained Haihan's requirements for North Korea: "Our soldiers and civilians stationed in Liaodong need a lot of food, and we also need labor to build infrastructure, reclaim farmland, and complete the army's baggage transportation tasks. If If North Korea can help us in these aspects, it can be converted into the military expenses needed to provide military protection for North Korea in the future. Of course, if you want to directly convert it into gold and silver, that is also possible, provided the price is fair. We are happy to spend money on these supplies and services.”
Luo Luodian didn't expect that after just a few words of conversation, the political negotiations between countries would suddenly change into business negotiations. There is no pressure to sell grain to Haihan. Luo Dexian can even make a decision now, but to send laborers to the Liaodong area occupied by Haihan to participate in the development and construction of this area, or even serve as a logistics force for the army, this will require Just think it over carefully. Once this kind of thing is exposed and Hou Jin knows about it, the debt will definitely be placed directly on North Korea. What degree of military protection Haihan can provide to North Korea is something that is unwarranted at the moment.
But the Haihan people have always been famous for their business reputation. Since they are willing to spend money to buy labor from North Korea, there is no reason to let this kind of transaction go easily. It's just that this matter is quite difficult to operate, and it is difficult to hide it from Houjin's surveillance.
Luo Dexian sorted out his thoughts and then said to Bai Kesi: "If a large number of civilians are recruited from our country to come to Liaodong, it will definitely have a great impact at this time and cannot be hidden from the Jin people. When they come to seek bad luck for our country, what should we do?"
Bai Kesi thought to himself that these Koreans are indeed slaves. If they send troops to attack you, wouldn't you fight back? What else is there to ask? However, he still explained to him in a friendly manner: "Lord Luo should also have noticed that we have invested a large number of troops in the direction of Jinzhou. The purpose is to attract the attention of the Jin people so that they have no time to take into account the situation of Ming Dynasty and North Korea. If If they want to send troops to attack your country, we will also send troops to intercept them. Of course, if we can be more concealed during the recruitment and transportation stages, and not alert the enemy, then both of us will have less trouble."
Luo Dexian even shook his head and denied this possibility: "It's not a matter of concealment or not. To be honest with Mr. Bai, there are many people with ulterior motives in our country who choose to side with the Jin people. If there is any slight disturbance in the country, someone will inform them. . This large-scale recruitment of civilians will definitely attract the attention of interested people, and it is impossible to hide it. ”
There have always been two factions in North Korea's domestic political arena. One faction advocates getting closer to Hou Jin and values peace, while the other advocates respecting the Ming Dynasty as orthodoxy and drawing a clear line with Hou Jin. The peace-denying faction, headed by Ye Cao Bangshu Kim Sang-heon, occupies the majority of North Korean politics. The Zhuhe faction is headed by the official Cao Banshu Cui Mingji. Although the number is not large, there is faint support from the Hou Jin Dynasty behind it. Moreover, King Li Zhuo prefers the Zhuhe faction in his heart. Therefore, what major events are happening in North Korea? If something happens, the news will often be sent to Houjin quickly through overt and covert channels. If North Korea wants to recruit thousands of civilians in the country and send them to Liaodong, this kind of thing will definitely not be hidden from the eyes and ears of the Jin people.
Although Bai Kesi has clearly stated that he will send troops to help North Korea, it is difficult to make a more detailed commitment to what extent. After all, it is difficult for anyone to make a clear prediction about how Hou Jin will react when he learns about this matter, and whether he will immediately send troops to attack North Korea. Rod Xian considered it from North Korea's standpoint. Since the country's security could not be guaranteed, it would be difficult to agree to Bai Kesi's proposal.
Bai Kesi saw that Luo Dexian's tone was vaguely cowardly, and immediately continued to persuade: "The Jin people are just barbarians in the bitter cold land outside the Great Wall. They fight with blood and courage alone, without the support of a complete military system. After all, it is difficult to become a great nation. After our country intervenes in Liaodong, the life of the Jin people will no longer be as easy as before. Instead of continuing to bow to the Jin people, it is better to join us in this grand event. In the future, your country will also have a share of the credit for annihilating the Jin country. ”
Luo Dexian smiled bitterly and said: "Master Bai, I have something to say that is not pleasant to hear. Even with the strength of your country's army, it is not easy to wipe out the Jin people in this bitter cold land in the north. Your country's territory is in the south, even if it is in the south. If things go wrong in Liaodong in the future, there is still a way out. But our country, Korea, has been adjacent to these Jin people for generations. If they want to cause trouble for our country in the future, how much can your country help?"
When Bai Kesi heard what he said, it was obvious that he had been frightened by Hou Jin, and he began to worry about what would happen after the defeat without even being beaten. Luo Dexian and the peace-denying faction in North Korea still lacked the courage to fight. It is no wonder that this country gave up and paid tribute to Hou Jin.
(End of chapter)