Chapter 302: Underlying Currents
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Outside the silver-colored barbarian tent, the guards were standing at attention.
Two Goryeo envoys, dressed in red round-collared robes, were waiting for Bei Shan’s summons.
When a strange-looking figure emerged from the camp, he was immediately informed that he was called in.
“Envoy Lee Shun-ji from the Goryeo Kingdom presents his respects to Taiji Bei Shan.”
As soon as Lee Shun-ji saw Bei Shan, he knelt down and performed the full kowtow ceremony, a sign of deep respect.
Since the barbarians had grown in power and pushed the Great Yu Empire’s influence back to the Shanhai Pass, the King of Goryeo had taken the opportunity to send a diplomatic letter, offering to become a vassal state to the Golden Horde, pledging loyalty and agreeing to tribute, listening to the Golden Horde’s commands.
“Rise,” Bei Shan said with a smile.
He enjoyed the feeling of being bowed to. If the envoy had come from the Great Yu Empire, however, it would have been even better.
Lee Shun-ji stood up, carefully smiling. He had come to the Golden Horde to pay tribute. Naturally, he also had to make sure to please the various Taiji, as they didn’t want to see the Golden Horde’s cavalry marching into Goryeo’s land.
After all, they were now reduced to just the remaining half of the peninsula.
“Thank you, Taiji Bei Shan,” Lee Shun-ji said, signaling to one of his attendants, who immediately brought out a wooden box.
Lee Shun-ji opened the box to reveal a night pearl the size of a fist, shining in the golden-lined box.
Bei Shan glanced at the night pearl, and with indifference, he said, “The people of the Golden Horde are not interested in such jewels. These are things that only the backward Southerners like. We prefer fine horses, bows, arrows, cattle, sheep, and beautiful women.”
Lee Shun-ji laughed and quickly replied, “Taiji Bei Shan, we naturally understand your preferences. This time, I’ve brought with me ten beautiful maidens from the Goryeo Kingdom. The King of Goryeo specifically sent them as a gift for you, Taiji Bei Shan.”
Bei Shan nodded in satisfaction, “Very good. You are far more considerate than the people of the Great Yu Empire.”
“That’s right, that’s right. The Great Yu is obstinate. How dare they defy the Golden Horde’s orders? It’s time they were taught a lesson. The King of Goryeo has been displeased with the Great Yu for quite some time,” Lee Shun-ji continued, speaking with more caution.
Bei Shan’s eyes narrowed as he said, “If that’s the case, when we next attack the Great Yu Empire, the King of Goryeo should send troops to assist. After we capture the Great Yu, we can divide the spoils.”
“Hehe, I will relay your generous offer to the King of Goryeo. The Great Yu has long ceased to be worthy of being our Goryeo’s overlord. It’s time they return the tribute they’ve taken from us,” Lee Shun-ji replied, playing along with Bei Shan’s words. However, he had other intentions for his visit.
He continued, “Taiji Bei Shan, I’m sure you’re aware of the situation regarding the Great Yu and the Japanese envoys. They’ve already made contact with the King of Goryeo.”
“I have heard about it,” Bei Shan hesitated for a moment before responding.
His relationship with the Great Taiji was always strained. In fact, he was always well aware of every move the Great Taiji made.
Lee Shun-ji continued, “A few days ago, the Japanese envoys arrived in Hanseong. They leaked their plans to attack the Great Yu’s Dengzhou. They want to pass through Goryeo and use the Goryeo coastal ports as a base for attacking Dengzhou. Taiji Bei Shan, the Japanese have always been scheming. I’m not sure if this information was truly leaked or if it’s just a ploy, but if they pass through Goryeo, it will certainly be harmful to the King of Goryeo. What should we do?”
Bei Shan’s eyes shifted. “So, what did the Great Taiji say when he met with the Japanese envoys?”
“During the meeting, the Great Taiji acknowledged that the Japanese, led by Lord Yamada, had similar ambitions to invade the Great Yu. He promised that the Golden Horde would attack from the north while the Japanese would invade from the south. At that time, the Japanese envoys suggested they pass through Goryeo and cross the Golden Horde’s territory to reach the Great Yu. The Great Taiji rejected the proposal immediately, which led to the Japanese’s current plans to attack Dengzhou,” Lee Shun-ji explained.
“Ah, I see,” Bei Shan muttered. He understood the situation now. The Great Taiji had seen through the Japanese’s ambitions and didn’t want to open the gates of Goryeo to them.
What surprised Bei Shan was that the Japanese envoys were now bringing up the idea of using Goryeo’s territory again.
“Your meaning is for the Golden Horde to reject the Japanese’s request again?” Bei Shan asked.
Lee Shun-ji nodded. The King of Goryeo was clearly on edge. The Japanese envoys were pushing their agenda relentlessly, so the King of Goryeo had sent him to the Golden Horde, hoping they could block the Japanese’s request.
This way, they wouldn’t have to directly offend the Japanese.
Bei Shan laughed coldly in his heart. He had never had any respect for the Kingdom of Goryeo. To him, it was nothing more than a small country on the peninsula that blew whichever way the wind took it.
The Goryeo Kingdom had once relied on the Great Yu Empire, bullying the Golden Horde. Before Goryeo submitted to the Golden Horde, they had even slaughtered several Goryeo cities.
Now that they had submitted to the Golden Horde, they showed their fangs to the Great Yu while still being cautious of the Japanese.
Bei Shan hesitated for a moment and said, “I think the Japanese envoys have a valid point. They are only asking to use your coastal city. The Great Yu is now our common enemy. We should cooperate.”
“Taiji Bei Shan…” Lee Shun-ji knelt again, “Taiji, we cannot trust the Japanese so easily. They’ve never kept their word. They’ve always been deceitful. A hundred years ago, the Japanese tried to invade Goryeo. If they stay in Goryeo, what should we do?”
After a pause, Lee Shun-ji continued, “Taiji, the Japanese have very large ambitions. Their goal is the entire Central Plains, which is why they refuse to become a vassal state of the Golden Horde.”
Bei Shan frowned. Lee Shun-ji made a valid point. If Goryeo was occupied, the Japanese would extend their reach into the Golden Horde’s territory.
But thinking back to the humiliation in Cangzhou, Bei Shan found it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to make things more difficult for the Qi King.
He said coldly, “You go back and tell the King of Goryeo not to worry. If the Japanese refuse to leave, the Golden Horde’s cavalry will take action. For now, attacking the Great Yu is our priority.”
Lee Shun-ji’s face went pale as he heard this.
He felt a mixture of sadness and helplessness but had no other choice. With a heavy heart, he sighed and said, “Yes, Taiji Bei Shan.”
Bei Shan waved him off.
Now that he controlled both Youzhou and Goryeo, his focus was on organizing forces to deal with the Qi King in Qingzhou. For now, he didn’t care about Goryeo’s fate.
As far as he was concerned, anything that made things difficult for Xiao Ming was worth doing.
“Just a bunch of dogs. Let them tear each other apart. Don’t they understand this principle?” Bei Shan sneered.
