Zhu Mo was instantly bewildered, and asked curiously,
"How did they find you?"
Wang Ruxian explained,
"Grand Scholar Zhu, it was in Japan... It was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a close confidant of Oda Nobunaga, who found me. He said these people had gone to Kyushu to find him first, each presenting grand gifts. Oda did not accept them. After inquiring about their intentions, he directed them to me. I thought that even if Grand Scholar Zhu didn't see them, he should at least placate them, so I had them board my ship to Hangzhou..."
Mmm,
Zhu Mo nodded and said, "Ruxian, you did the right thing. It's important to placate them first... From now on, handle any such matters in this manner..."
Then, he thought—
These people are all disgraced individuals. Perhaps they heard about Oda Nobunaga and decided to seek me out? But they dared not come to the Ming Dynasty openly, so they went to Japan to find Oda? This is certainly proper... They came to me, likely wanting me to help them eliminate corrupt officials? That would be excellent! I was just lacking an excuse to deploy troops!
It should be known,
Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Han's attitudes were ambiguous precisely because there was no legitimate reason or excuse. If they were to truly assist Zhu Mo, it would be opposing Prince Yu! Opposing Prince Yu meant opposing the future Emperor. Who would have such courage?
Therefore,
Zhu Mo's mood at this moment was indeed happier than if a pie had fallen from the sky, but he showed no outward emotion, calmly saying,
"Where are they now? Bring them all to the Northern Training Ground. Remember, do not make a sound!"
Wang Ruxian nodded and hurried away.
...
Soon, less than an hour later, the envoys had all arrived, each accompanied by their trusted aides and translators, all disguised as merchants.
He felt the urgency of the situation. He ordered his personal guards to surround the training ground, allowing no one else in except Lü Kun and Li Zhi. He then led them to a storage shed, where the guards quickly arranged it to serve as a reception room.
Once everyone was seated, Zhu Mo had his guards serve tea and then got straight to the point,
"I am Zhu Mo..."
The envoys stood up and bowed one after another, their attitudes extremely respectful.
Mmm,
Zhu Mo nodded to each of them, then turned to leave. He said to Wang Ruxian, "Tell them to come to the adjacent barracks one by one... And tell them not to speak to each other."
Wang Ruxian bowed his head and nodded, then immediately announced,
"Gentlemen, Grand Scholar Zhu will receive you in the adjacent barracks. Please begin with Joseon, then Japan, Bianluo, Annan... Everyone is forbidden from making noise or speaking privately!"
The envoys stood up again and bowed deeply towards Zhu Mo's departing back.
In the adjacent barracks,
After Zhu Mo had been seated for a while, two Joseon men entered.
One of them, a young man with a fair complexion, was very polite and carried himself with an air of nobility. He bowed deeply to Zhu Mo and respectfully said,
"Grand Scholar Zhu Mo, my name is Shim Ui-gyeom. I am the younger brother of Queen Insun of Joseon... This is my attendant, uh, he's one of us..."
Oh...
Zhu Mo naturally knew that Yin Won-hyeong held power through Queen Dowager Munjeong, and this Queen Insun had endured much suffering, being oppressed her entire life. Since Shim Ui-gyeom was her brother, he was undoubtedly here to oppose Yin Won-hyeong...
He waved his hand and said calmly,
"Please sit..."
However, the man did not sit. Instead, he appeared anxious, constantly looking at Zhu Mo, then deep in thought. After pacing a few steps, he made up his mind, bowed deeply, and said,
"Grand Scholar Zhu, since you are a true Buddha before us, may I speak frankly?"
Zhu Mo nodded, signaling him to proceed.
Shim Ui-gyeom cleared his throat and then said,
"Prime Minister Zhu, I presume you are well aware of the situation in Joseon? With the Wokou raids and the scholarly disputes, our people are already suffering. I have been entrusted by the King of our country to first go to Kyushu, Japan, to investigate whether the rise of the Oda clan of Owari is truly aided by our Upper Kingdom. A month ago, I met with the Oda clan and learned the reasons. The Oda clan said that Grand Scholar Zhu of the Upper Kingdom wishes to expel the Franks and relieve the suffering of the various nations. Now, we have seen with our own eyes that the Frankish villain Soza is already wanted by the public office established by the Upper Kingdom. Therefore, I sought out Mr. Wang Ruxian, a righteous merchant of the Upper Kingdom, and presumptuously requested to meet the Grand Scholar to fully explain our country's predicament and ask for the Upper Kingdom's Grand Scholar Zhu to lend us a helping hand?"
Oh, oh...
Zhu Mo listened as he spoke, his language refined, yet remarkably meticulous, leaving no room for error. He also described Zhu Mo's actions appropriately. Zhu Mo smiled and said,
"Mmm, I have understood the purpose of your envoy's visit. Here, I can inform you of one thing: I intend to lead our fleet to Tsushima very soon..."
Oh?
Shim Ui-gyeom was greatly delighted, yet also puzzled.
Zhu Mo said calmly,
"The Zhoushan Public Office has investigated many criminals, and they have all confessed that your country's Daliangpu, Lijingpu, and Gali Pu are used as Wokou strongholds. These individuals, at least twenty to thirty of them, have plundered our good citizens in our country and committed war crimes. They have been sentenced to beheading by our Public Office. These people are minor offenders, so I have not issued any further wanted notices."
Oh!
Shim Ui-gyeom was overjoyed and blurted out,
"This is for the best!"
He pondered for a moment, then said,
"Our King, and the Grand Secretary Li Duo, have sent me here precisely to request the dispatch of troops from your Public Office! Since it is to apprehend criminals, as a vassal state, our country will naturally cooperate fully. Regarding military provisions, logistics, and rewards, our King and Grand Secretary will have no objections! However, we are not sure when your army will set sail?"
Mmm,
Zhu Mo thought to himself: This young man is very sharp; he can speak according to my legal framework, so there will be no trouble... Who can hide their true intentions from me? When my fleet arrives, you will arrest Yin Won-hyeong and then tear him to pieces, right?
He smiled and then said,
"Although it is to apprehend criminals, your country is, after all, a vassal state. My Great Ming has always been just, and Emperor Taizu also promised not to station troops in vassal states without cause... Mmm, therefore, after you return, you may inform your King that Joseon formally submits a petition to my Cabinet, requesting that the Great Ming navy assist in eradicating the Wokou, and offering to capture and deliver all criminals wanted by the Zhoushan Public Office to the Upper Kingdom... In short, you should discuss this and decide quickly!"
Shim Ui-gyeom understood every word. He thought: So you're lacking a pretext. That's easy; I'll go back and ask Li Duo to write a royal letter...
At the same time, he replied,
"Prime Minister, I understand. Upon returning to my country, I will personally draft this petition and royal letter, deeply appreciating the Prime Minister's sincere care for vassal states, and adhering to the laws of your Upper Kingdom's successive emperors, grateful for the great kindness of the Upper Kingdom in protecting our vassal state."
Good!
Very good!
Zhu Mo examined this person carefully and then remembered that this person was actually a learned scholar, and seemed to be a well-known Confucian in Joseon. His speech was indeed quite skillful.
With this thought,
He also stood up, clasped his hands, and said,
"Mr. Shim is a renowned scholar of your country, and I greatly admire him... Mmm, now that official matters are concluded, I have a personal request. I wonder if it is too presumptuous?"
Shim Ui-gyeom respectfully replied,
"I wish to hear it."