Zhu Mo smiled faintly and said,
"Your country naturally also has ministers who collude with the Japanese. I will entrust Mr. Shen. During the interrogation, could you privately give me a copy of the detailed account of the collusion with the Japanese?"
Haha,
Shen Yiqian immediately understood: Zhu Mo wanted evidence of Yin Yuanheng's faction colluding with Yan Song's faction in the Ming Dynasty.
He immediately burst into laughter and said,
"Prime Minister Zhu has the grace of saving our country. I dare not disobey. After this matter is settled, any instances of collusion, I will still send someone to deliver to Mr. Wang Ruxian, how about it?"
"Good!"
This conversation was very pleasant. The two then chatted for a while as private individuals about common occurrences in their families. Zhu Mo then discovered that—
The current situation in Joseon could be seen as the aftermath of the Yan family's dominance over the court. Due to usurpation, Yin Yuanheng had exaggerated the Joseon version of Neo-Confucianism to an extreme, almost to the point of theology. The sage's decrees gradually replaced normal order, and the resentment and poverty of the common people had reached their peak within seven or eight years. Yin Yuanheng had become a god-like sage, and in another three to five years, the Yi Dynasty Joseon would become the Yun Dynasty Joseon.
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Zhu Mo was naturally full of emotion. Upon parting, he gifted him a firearm. Shen Yiqian, in turn, produced a prepared gift list filled with quantities of Goryeo ginseng, otter fur, sable fur, celadon porcelain, silver and gold artifacts, etc., all of considerable value. Zhu Mo was in need of money and readily accepted.
Next was Nguyen Kinh, the envoy from the Annam Mo Dynasty. This man did not speak Chinese and brought a translator with him.
Zhu Mo had always disliked Annam. He calmly said,
"Please be seated, Your Excellency."
Nguyen Kinh, however, wore a fawning expression and instructed the translator to say,
"Grand Scholar Zhu, my King, Prince Mo Kien Dien, sent me to come here secretly. I first traveled to the country of Japan, then transferred, and my country's people, both the Southern Court and my nation, are unaware, and the Ming Dynasty's officials are also unaware."
Hmm,
This person is quite meticulous.
Zhu Mo nodded and said, "Please state your business."
Upon hearing the translator's words, Nguyen Kinh immediately stood up and bowed deeply, saying,
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"My country is currently locked in a fierce battle with the Zheng Jian father and son of the Southern Court. I have heard that your country's firearms are extremely powerful, capable of defeating Frankish firearms. My King greatly wishes to receive the support of Grand Scholar Zhu. May I ask if Grand Scholar Zhu can provide a batch of firearms? My King said that any price is acceptable!"
Oh?
Zhu Mo couldn't help but smile—
Both Mo Kien Dien and Zheng Jian of the Southern Court were usurpers and powerful officials. If it were the Li Dynasty royal family, then it would be a different matter. What is there to discuss with these scoundrels? It made no difference to the overall situation who defeated whom between Mo Kien Dien and Zheng Jian. After they had decided the victor, or if there was time later, finding the descendants of the Li Dynasty and helping them restore their kingdom would be the proper path.
He immediately smiled and said,
"May I ask where Your Excellency heard this?"
Nguyen Kinh also smiled and said, "Our two countries are close neighbors. There are also Japanese pirates who have fled to our country, so we heard about it. Later, I personally went to the country of Japan and learned that Oda Nobunaga's firearms were purchased from your country..."
Oh...
Zhu Mo thought: That Oda still has some sense. He says different things to the Koreans and Annamese... This makes things much easier...
He immediately stated with a stern expression,
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"Your Excellency has been misled by rumors... Our country's firearms are a public asset of the court. As a Grand Scholar of the Cabinet and Imperial Envoy, how could I possibly engage in private sales? Henceforth, if you hear any such rumors, Your Excellency can simply dismiss them!"
This?
You?
Nguyen Kinh's expression immediately changed, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.
Zhu Mo disliked him even more and waved his hand, saying,
"Next."
Nguyen Kinh was furious and was about to react, but then he thought, this person before him is a powerful minister of a great nation, how could he offend him? He immediately reverted to a fawning demeanor and said,
"Grand Scholar Zhu, please forgive my rudeness. I am already extremely honored to have the opportunity to meet you today. Uh, in the future, our country will send a crown prince to apologize. Please, Grand Scholar Zhu, show great mercy..."
Saying this,
He had completely softened.
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Zhu Mo thought that he shouldn't offend people too much, so he cupped his hands and smiled, "Please extend my regards to your King's Highness..."
Good, good,
Nguyen Kinh immediately shook his head and strode out.
...
The third was the envoy from Pegu.
Zhu Mo immediately perked up, because according to Wang Ruxian, this person was a prince in exile from the Kingdom of Ava (Ayutthaya Kingdom). Based on his limited knowledge, this person seemed to possess the demeanor of a great emperor, later known as King Naresuan? Was he the one who defeated Bayinnaung?
This person entered with a Chinese attendant. He was young, likely not yet twenty, with a slightly heroic air, but his brows carried a certain weariness, suggesting a life of hardship and considerable suffering. The old servant beside him was also Chinese, dressed in rags, but with a resolute expression, no doubt a loyal retainer.
Zhu Mo then remembered that just last year or the year before, Bayinnaung had invaded his capital and captured all the royal family. This person was a hostage in Burma, and one could imagine how much suffering he had endured... Ah, at this moment, he must have escaped?
Considering that this person was crucial for restraining Bayinnaung, he immediately stood up and cupped his hands, saying,
"Are you Prince Naresuan?"
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Naresuan clasped his hands and bowed, saying,
"This humble subject is Naresuan, paying respects to Grand Scholar Zhu."
Mm, mm,
Zhu Mo paced a few steps, observing him carefully. He felt that this person indeed possessed a calm and profound bearing. At only seventeen or eighteen, to have such capability indicated he was extraordinary.
"What business do you have with me?"
Naresuan bowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion, saying,
"I have heard that Grand Scholar Zhu righteously punishes tyrants and expels the Franks, upholding justice for the nations. I, as a hostage, escaped a few months ago and have come to pay my respects, hoping Grand Scholar Zhu will assist me in restoring my kingdom."
Zhu Mo let out a long sigh, suddenly feeling a touch of sorrow. He paced a few steps and asked,
"Have you met Bayinnaung?"
Hmm,
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Naresuan nodded and said, "This humble subject served as a slave in his royal palace for three years and three months, met him thirteen times, and spoke with him seven times, for a total of twenty-one sentences."
Oh...
Zhu Mo was momentarily stunned—
This person harbored an intense hatred for Bayinnaung, to the point of remembering how many times they had spoken...
"Then, what is your opinion of Bayinnaung?"
Naresuan calmly replied, "Bayinnaung is a powerful and ambitious figure. My entire nation is inferior to him."
Hmm,
Zhu Mo was quite satisfied with this answer. It indicated that this person was not a simple-minded youth and could recognize reality. The reason he managed to escape was likely due to his ability to endure humiliation and show weakness, thus lulling Bayinnaung into a false sense of security, which prevented him from being killed.
One must know,
Bayinnaung was perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the Franks' arrival in the East. Compared to Zheng Jian, Yin Yuanheng, and Ōtomo Sōrin, this person was of royal blood. He utilized Frankish firearms not only to overthrow the Ava Dynasty, which was supported by the Mongols, but also to invade surrounding regions, destroying the Pegu and Lan Xang kingdoms. He was currently confronting the Ming Dynasty at the border.
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Naresuan's desire to restore his kingdom was fraught with immense difficulty. Even if he himself supported him, how would he contend with Bayinnaung?