RPAGF Chapter 467 Mission to Korea
Chapter 467 Mission to Korea
Chapter 467 Mission to Korea
The next morning, Wang Wenzhou was still asleep, holding Sheng Lan and Zhang Rong, when he heard Shui Yu knocking on the door.
"Husband, wake up! The Emperor has sent word that you must go to the palace to attend court immediately," Shuiyu said.
What? Wang Wenzhou was very puzzled. Sheng Lan and Zhang Rong had just arrived in the capital, and he had taken leave yesterday. Why was Zhu Youjian sending someone to summon him to court again? It must be something.
Sheng Lan and Zhang Rong helped Wang Wenzhou get dressed, and Wang Wenzhou rushed to the palace without even having time to nurse.
At the court assembly, Wang Wenzhou's behavior became increasingly strange. Members of the Donglin Party were all staring at him with seemingly friendly gazes. This didn't make sense! Just yesterday, Wang Wenzhou had humiliated the nephews and nieces of a Donglin Party leader; why were they greeting him with smiles today?
"Your humble servant Wang Wenzhou greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!" When there were many people around, Wang Wenzhou would still give Zhu Youjian some face, but in other places, Wang Wenzhou would not bother to pay homage to Zhu Youjian.
Zhu Youjian quickly said, "Boxin, rise quickly. I know your concubine has just arrived in the capital, and I didn't want to disturb her peaceful sleep, but I really have something to attend to today. That's why I summoned you to the palace in haste."
The civil and military officials smiled bitterly to themselves. Your Majesty, Wang Wenzhou really is your father! You are the Emperor, do you need to explain why you summon your subjects to court?
"Your Majesty is too kind. We brothers don't need to stand on ceremony. What's the matter today?" Wang Wenzhou asked casually.
Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "Minister Kong, explain this to Boxin."
Kong Zhenyun, the Vice Minister of Rites, bowed and said, "Lord Wang, in a few days it will be the birthday of King Neungyang of Joseon. According to custom, the court will send an important minister as an envoy to offer congratulations. My colleagues just discussed it and all agree that you are the best candidate."
"Sekmida!" Wang Wenzhou frowned. He looked at Wen Tiren with a questioning gaze, "Old Wen, what's going on?"
Wen Tiren's expression was solemn, ignoring Wang Wenzhou's questioning gaze.
Wang Wenzhou was very puzzled. Now that Wen Jiabao was his ally, what was going on today?
It turned out that Wang Wenzhou was absent earlier, and the officials were discussing the selection of an envoy. First, they ruled out those officials who were not of high enough rank. Although Korea was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty could not treat Korea too lightly. For a birthday celebration, the envoy must be a high-ranking official.
Back when Liaodong was still under the control of the Ming Dynasty, people of high rank would vie for such an assignment. It was like going on an overseas trip, with the added perk of being a head of state.
Now that Liaodong is in the hands of the Tartars, land transportation between the Ming Dynasty and Korea has been cut off, leaving only sea transport. These high-ranking officials in the court are all privileged individuals, and none of them want to travel by ship to Korea. Although the Ming Dynasty was at the forefront of the Age of Exploration, in this era, long-distance sea voyages were not only dangerous but also arduous.
So the officials all declined, one saying, "I am too old to travel far." Another said, "I am too busy with official duties to leave." In short, none of them wanted to go.
Finally, Qian Qianyi suggested that Wang Wenzhou be sent on this mission. Wang Wenzhou was of high enough rank, young and strong, and not afraid of hardship.
Immediately, all the civil and military officials echoed his sentiments, and even Wen Tiren nodded in agreement. Old Wen dared not refuse; if he did, the Donglin Party would push the envoy onto him, and Old Wen, with his old bones, really didn't want to go through all that trouble. It was better for a friend to die than for himself to die.
Wang Wenzhou looked around and saw that everyone seemed to think he was the only one capable of doing this. Wang Wenzhou immediately felt that he had been tricked by this group of people.
“Your Majesty, we can’t do this! My concubine has just arrived in the capital, and the family has just been reunited. You can’t send me on a long journey!” Wang Wenzhou protested hurriedly.
Zhu Youjian said with a wry smile, "Boxin, you must share the emperor's burdens!"
Wang Wenzhou quickly said, "Your Majesty, as you know, I've never had any important business to attend to. If I were to go on a mission, what if I went crazy in Korea again and bullied the King of Korea? That would damage the prestige of the Ming Dynasty. I think it would be better to send a mature and prudent old minister. Minister Qian Qianyi would be a very good candidate!"
Heh! Everyone laughed inwardly. Wang Wenzhou, you mad dog, you know you're not doing anything important. But your excuses are useless; this task is definitely yours!
Qian Qianyi quickly replied, "Lord Wang, I am old and frail, and I caught a cold yesterday. I am truly powerless. Lord Wang is young and promising, strong and healthy, and it is the perfect time for you to serve the country. Thank you for your hard work, Lord Wang!"
Wang Wenzhou sneered, "Lord Qian, don't be modest. You're still vigorous despite your age, and you can sleep with several women every night. This job is definitely yours!"
"Cough cough..." Qian Qianyi coughed a few times, rolled his eyes at Wang Wenzhou, "You mad dog, do you think everyone is a lecher like you? I'm so old, I'd be grateful if I could even sleep with a few women a month, let alone sleep with several women a night."
Kong Zhenyun cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Lord Wang, this time it really is up to you to go on this mission."
Wang Wenzhou was somewhat angry. Ever since Lao Kong had been sent as an envoy to Liaodong, he had always treated him well. What was wrong with him today? He had actually joined forces with the Donglin Party.
Wang Wenzhou said irritably, "Lord Kong, why aren't you going?"
"Alas..." Kong Zhenyun sighed and said angrily, "The people of Korea are shameless and disrespectful, and I really despise them. Lord Wang, you don't know, the women of Korea are all shameless. No matter how old they are, they all wear revealing clothes. I really can't bear to look at them."
"What does 'showing breasts' mean?" Wang Wenzhou was very puzzled.
Kong Zhenyun pointed to her chest and said, "In the clothing of Korean women, there is nothing to cover up here; it's just exposed openly."
"Holy crap! Really?" Wang Wenzhou asked in surprise.
"Lord Wang, when have I ever lied?" Kong Zhenyun asked seriously.
Wang Wenzhou quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have just thought about it. Since all my colleagues are getting on in years and I am the only young one, I will accept this task."
"Pfft..." Laughter erupted immediately. Kong Zhenyun understood Wang Wenzhou well. This lecherous man agreed without even thinking when he heard the words.
Wang Wenzhou was unaware of the daily attire of women in ancient Korea. Exposing breasts was likely for the convenience of breastfeeding, and since it was generally a short, summer-wearing garment, it's possible that exposing breasts was considered beautiful and was part of the prevailing cultural norms at the time. This practice, traditionally a male privilege, was abolished only after the First Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent Japanese rule of Korea.
"Boxin, you've worked so hard!" Zhu Youjian said hurriedly, "At this critical moment, only you can share my burdens!"
"Pfft..." All the civil and military officials were dumbfounded. Was the Emperor really that serious? Wang Wenzhou was just sent as an envoy to Korea. Why was he talking like he was going to do something so difficult?
Just then, Mu Yiyun went to the Zhongyi Duke's mansion to see Wang Wenzhou.
Liu Rushi disliked Mu Yiyun intensely, which is why Mu Yiyun was turned away. She came to see Wang Wenzhou with a difficult mission: Dorgon's ships were finished, and she wanted to discuss with Wang Wenzhou how to smuggle grain.
Moreover, accompanying Mu Yiyun this time was Dorgon's baby, Li Mei. Wang Wenzhou and Dorgon had previously agreed that Li Mei and her daughter would come as hostages. Dorgon, for the sake of food, had no choice but to obediently hand the baby over to Wang Wenzhou.