"My Beloved Teacher's Wife (Walking with Love)" - Chapter 133: Goryeo Conspiracy

Forbidden City, morning.
After Ling Feng finished handling the weddings with the daughters of the four great families, he arrived at the morning court early that morning. This surprised many of the civil and military officials, some of whom had arrived even later than Ling Feng. Ling Feng was in a good mood and did not punish the latecomers by making them kneel, demonstrating his calm and collected demeanor.
At this moment, Prime Minister Lin Zhenliang was the first to step forward and report: "Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report."
"Granted." Ling Feng waved his hand dismissively.
"Your Majesty, a letter from Japan, traveling eight hundred li, has arrived in our court. Please take a look." Lin Zhenliang took out a letter from his wide sleeve.
"No need, Minister Lin, you can just read it out." Ling Feng chuckled and said, "Could it be that the Japanese pirates are bored and want to start a war with our Great Ming Dynasty?" In his heart, he thought to himself, "It's probably a letter of cooperation between the two countries."
Ling Feng's joke was indeed very lame. A hush fell over the assembled officials.
Lin Zhenliang read out the letter of state as instructed, just as Ling Feng had predicted. The Japanese first praised the Ming Dynasty, then said that they had suffered heavy losses due to the invasion of Goryeo, and hoped that the Ming Dynasty would send troops to punish the increasingly arrogant Goryeo.
As soon as Lin Zhenliang finished speaking, the whispers among the officials grew louder. After they had discussed it for a while, Ling Feng coughed heavily, interrupting their discussion, and said loudly, "My esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
"Your Majesty," said Deng Chaowu, Minister of War, "Japan has always been at odds with our dynasty. Now, suddenly seeking a strategic alliance, I believe there must be a trap." He continued, "Japan has always coveted Goryeo. We've only ever seen them invading Goryeo; we've never heard of Goryeo invading Japan! Moreover, recently, Japanese pirates and ronin have been frequently harassing our coastal areas. Clearly, they are plotting trouble! Your Majesty, Japan's letter is not to be trusted!"
"What Deng Aiqing said makes sense." Ling Feng glanced at him approvingly. This young man was quick-witted and clear-thinking, a rare talent for leadership.
"Any of you other ministers, is there anything else you would like to add?" Ling Feng's gaze swept over the others.
Upon hearing this, Minister of Works Zhang Peng immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also believe that what Lord Deng said makes sense."
The Japanese have always harbored wolfish ambitions; why would they suddenly ally with our dynasty? There must be a trap. I believe the Japanese are likely using this alliance as a pretext to lure our Ming Dynasty into sending troops to Korea, then taking advantage of our vulnerability to launch a surprise invasion from the coast. In that case, our Ming Dynasty will surely suffer immense devastation; we must be on guard.
Ling Feng slowly closed his eyes, pondering the words of the two men. At first glance, they didn't seem to understand the intrigue, so their thinking wasn't comprehensive… but precisely because of this, Ling Feng's mind stirred. Would those Japanese pirates really go to such lengths for a mere Goryeo princess? Was Toyotomi Hideyoshi really a lustful donkey? It was hard to say that he, like Ling Feng, might be playing along, outwardly appearing to be completely amicable while secretly plotting to plunder the wealth of the Ming Dynasty in the heart of its Central Plains. This was something he had to be wary of.
"Lin Zhenliang, you are the prime minister. Tell me, what will be the attitude of these Japanese pirates?" Ling Feng turned his gaze to the old fox Lin Zhenliang. The reason Ling Feng asked Lin Zhenliang was because Lin Zhenliang knew much more about this matter than the other ministers.
Lin Zhenliang, having been singled out by Ling Feng, had no choice but to step forward and say, "If we're talking about those Japanese pirates, they do indeed seem to have malicious intentions. From the letter, it's clear that they want to use our troops to destroy Goryeo, but Goryeo was originally a vassal state of our Great Ming. In my opinion, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is a smart man; why would he prepare such an absurd letter? It's certainly suspicious. In my view, there's no smoke without fire, and Goryeo is probably also suspected of conspiracy."
"Well said." Ling Feng clapped his hands together, then stood up and said loudly, "Minister Lin has also seen through this. In fact, I have long suspected that all of this is a conspiracy and strategy of the Goryeo Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, I would like to hear the details!" Deng Chaowu raised his sword-like eyebrows, his bright eyes seemed to gleam, and bowed deeply to Ling Feng.
Ling Feng waved his hand, not intending to answer, and said loudly, "Let's conclude this matter here today. Do any of you ministers have anything else to report?"
"Your Majesty, I have something to report," said Zhang Peng, Minister of Works. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I have received Your Majesty's permission to select a site in the suburbs of the capital to build a marsh and shipyard. The location has now been chosen. Please grant Your Majesty's approval."
Ling Feng took the memorial handed to him by Xiao Lizi, glanced at it briefly, and said, "Well, do as you say. However, I order you to advance the construction period by three months. The warship must be put into production immediately after the design is completed."
After a moment's thought, Zhang Peng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty's grace will not be wasted. We will begin warship production in April. At that time, the frozen sea will thaw, just in time for the warships to set sail!"
Ling Feng nodded in satisfaction. Zhang Peng had probably been the busiest person lately, dealing with all sorts of things. Ling Feng waved his hand and said, "Minister Zhang, I know you've been busy. If you don't have anything important to report, you don't need to come to court."
"Your humble servant understands." Zhang Peng bowed and withdrew.
Seeing this, Ling Feng gave Xiao Li a wink. Xiao Li understood and quickly stepped forward, flicking his whisk and saying, "Court adjourned, all officials kneel in respect."
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Knowing that Ling Feng had no intention of attending court today, the officials could only kneel and pay their respects.
Amidst the sounds of court chants, Ling Feng stepped out of the Golden Palace. Upon returning to the Zhonghe Hall, he instructed Xiao Li, "Xiao Li, go and invite Deng Chaowu, Lin Zhenliang, and Lin Jiancheng to the Southern Study. Tell them I have important matters to discuss."
Little Li knelt on one knee: "This servant obeys the decree." After saying this, he immediately withdrew from the palace.
Ling Feng, on the other hand, rode directly in his imperial carriage to the South Study. Upon seeing Ling Feng, the young palace maid, following his usual practice, brewed him a pot of the finest Da Hong Pao tea.
Ling Feng lay back in the armchair, slowly savoring the bitter, lingering aftertaste of the Da Hong Pao tea. He slowly closed his eyes, thinking to himself, "This matter is truly perplexing; we should consider it carefully. I hope we don't fall into the trap set by the mastermind behind it all."
While Ling Feng was pondering, Xiao Lizi led Lin Zhenliang, Deng Chaowu, and Lin Jiancheng into the South Study.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects," the officials said, kneeling in greeting.
"Rise," Ling Feng said with a wave of his hand. "This is not like the imperial court; there is no need for excessive formalities. Please take a seat."
After the officials thanked him for their seats, Deng Chaowu, being the Minister of War, spoke frankly and was the first to clasp his hands in greeting, saying, "In the court, His Majesty seemed to have something to say but hesitated. Was this urgent summons of us related to the Japanese pirates?"
Ling Feng chuckled and looked at Deng Chaowu, saying, "You understand me best, Minister Deng. Have some tea; we can discuss this matter later."
Deng Chaowu blushed, knowing that Ling Feng was criticizing him for his lack of composure. He gave an awkward laugh, picked up the tea offered by the palace maid, and took a sip to cover his embarrassment.
After the four of them, the emperor and his ministers, had enjoyed some tea, Ling Feng said, "Actually, this letter from the Japanese pirates is quite strange. I'd like to ask Minister Lin, where did you obtain it?"
"It was sent by the military governor of Tianjin with an urgent message! It says that the Japanese envoy's ship was attacked by Goryeo warships in the Bohai Sea, suffering heavy casualties. Almost the entire envoy group was killed in battle. This letter was delivered to Tianjin by an envoy who jumped into the sea and was rescued by our fishermen. However, this envoy died suddenly on the same day the letter was delivered. In addition, he had the token of the Japanese envoy group on him, so his identity should not be fake," Lin Zhenliang said slowly.
Ling Feng said, "Actually, this is a case of 'dead men tell no tales,' which is a very clever move! It shouldn't be difficult to forge the tokens of the Japanese envoys, since there are envoys from Goryeo and Japan every year, so it's not difficult to take anything! And it's not difficult to forge the Japanese official documents either."
Deng Chaowu said, "Your Majesty, in your opinion, does Goryeo forge the official letter from Fusang with the intention of making us destroy them? That doesn't make sense!"
Ling Feng nodded and said, "That's the most brilliant part! Goryeo will be certain that we won't send troops because it will make us believe that this letter is absurd, since Goryeo has never been a threat to the Ming Dynasty."
"Then... then what are they doing with this official letter?" Deng Chaowu asked, genuinely puzzled.
Ling Feng said, "The King of Goryeo wants us to believe that the Japanese pirates are the biggest threat to our Ming Dynasty!"
“That’s the problem all along!” Deng Chaowu said. “Isn’t the King of Goryeo just making a pointless, unnecessary move?”
Ling Feng shook his head and said, "The King of Goryeo isn't that stupid! From Qin Shi Huang's unification of China to the four-hundred-year-old Han Dynasty, even the once-powerful Tang Dynasty, and the Mongol cavalry sweeping across the world, none of them could unify that small Goryeo into the Chinese territory. From this, you can see that Goryeo is not as simple as you imagine. In fact, when Emperor Gaozu was alive, he certainly wanted to incorporate Goryeo and Annam into the Chinese territory, but he could only wish for it but lacked the power! Over the years, Goryeo has been developing its economy and military strength, and even once entered Japan, until Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, after which Goryeo had to withdraw. But Goryeo, like Japan, has always dreamed of expanding its territory!!"
"But isn't Goryeo suffering from a severe drought for years?" Lin Jiancheng asked, puzzled.
Ling Feng said, "The three thousand miles of rivers and mountains in Goryeo are as beautiful as a brocade painting! When has there ever been a severe drought? Have you all been to Goryeo?"
"Then...then Goryeo can't possibly want to start a war against our Great Ming, right? This...this is impossible!" Lin Jiancheng shook his head and said.
Ling Feng sneered, "What if the Koreans, the Japanese pirates, and the Mongols unite?"
"Huh?!" Lin Zhenliang, Deng Chaowu, and Lin Jiancheng were all surprised.
Ling Feng said, "Don't think that the fact that the Mongols offered me a princess means they have submitted. When have they ever submitted to any other country? Especially to my Great Ming! They have never given up the opportunity to make a comeback and enter the Central Plains!"
Needless to say, the Japanese pirates harbored wolfish ambitions. While Goryeo lacked the capacity to annex us, it had always coveted Changbai Mountain and the Greater Khingan Mountains. The Goryeo king sent envoys to present a princess, and then forged a letter from Japan, its purpose very clear: to lower our guard, ideally to send a large army to Goryeo…
"Wouldn't it be inconvenient for them to move around if our troops were stationed in Goryeo?!" Deng Chaowu said.
"You dare say you can move freely on their territory? If they poison your drinking water, we'll be wiped out!" Ling Feng said coldly. "The Koreans' plan is very clear: once we're at war with the Japanese pirates and we're severely weakened, they'll take advantage of the situation and seize our territory outside the Great Wall. Meanwhile, the Mongols will drive straight in from the Ordos region and take the capital!"
After Ling Feng finished speaking, he carefully observed the reactions of the three ministers. Deng Chaowu initially showed slight surprise, then a murderous glint flashed in his bright eyes… Lin Jiancheng, on the other hand, gradually changed from calm to a solemn expression, as if he felt the situation was serious. Then came Lin Zhenliang, who, as expected of an old fox, maintained an expression that remained completely unchanged from beginning to end; Ling Feng couldn't discern anything from his face at all.
Silence, a long silence, neither daring to utter a sound.
Everyone was pondering how to respond to the young emperor's predictions. If Ling Feng's words were true, what should the Ming Dynasty do? This was a problem that the officials had to solve.

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"My Beloved Teacher's Wife (Walking with Love)" - Chapter 133: Goryeo Conspiracy

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