Chapter 823

Sweat, brought on by the scorching heat, soaked Kim Chang-myung’s body, yet he felt a chill permeate him.

He deeply felt the immense malice the Great Yu Empire harbored towards Goryeo this time. But even so, they now seemed to have no ability to resist.

Goryeo’s south was already occupied by Japan, and the remaining army in the north was less than one hundred thousand men. This was not even enough to fill the teeth of the Great Yu Empire, which had easily defeated the Golden Tent Khanate.

However, this matter was too important for him to decide. At this moment, he looked at Hwang Ja-man, hoping this old minister could handle it.

Hwang Ja-man noticed Kim Chang-myung’s expression. In fact, this whole performance was for Kim Chang-myung’s benefit. His role in it was merely to follow the Great Yu Empire’s policies.

After a moment of contemplation, Hwang Ja-man said, “Your Majesty, these four conditions are simply too harsh. If we agree, wouldn’t Goryeo lose all its autonomy?”

“If you fall into Japan’s hands, you will likewise have no autonomy. And I believe Japan will not keep the King of Goryeo once it occupies Ryukyo City. What do you say, Prince of Goryeo?”

Xiao Ming’s smile was very strange, which made Kim Chang-myung even more nervous.

“Your Majesty, Goryeo is the Great Yu Empire’s northern barrier. If it were occupied by Japan, the Great Yu Empire would directly go to war with Japan. I believe this is not what the Great Yu Empire desires either.” When Kim Chang-myung came, he held the intention of acknowledging a suzerain, and then getting food, drink, and even having the suzerain fight for him.

But now, after such turmoil, he found that he gained no benefits at all. Instead, he was handing over the nation’s lifelines to the Great Yu Empire. How could he accept this disparity?

“Japan is merely a tiny island nation. My Great Yu Empire fleet has already assembled in Haigucheng. With just my command, I can blockade Japan’s waters at any time. Then the Japanese pirates remaining in Goryeo will be like dogs without a home. Of course, I can also save myself this trouble and let Japan continue northward. But then, it won’t be your family ruling Goryeo.” Xiao Ming emphasized.

He then said, “My words end here. How you decide to proceed is up to you. You still have ten days’ time.”

Kim Chang-myung was about to argue for Goryeo when Hwang Ja-man tugged his arm. He held back his words.

“Your Majesty, we will return and deliberate on this matter, and give Your Majesty a reply as soon as possible,” Hwang Ja-man said respectfully. Then he left with Kim Chang-myung.

After the two disappeared from the Zhengda Guangming Hall, Li Kaiyuan said, “Your Majesty, will the King of Goryeo agree? If so, Goryeo’s status in the Great Yu Empire would be even lower than that of Guandong.”

“I intend to make Goryeo subservient. Otherwise, should they be equal to the common people of the Great Yu Empire? There is no need for mercy when dealing with them. The stricter you are with them, the more respectful they will be towards you.”

Coming from contemporary times, Xiao Ming deeply understood Goryeo’s inherent weakness. This country only submitted to nations that strict with them, like America.

However, here, the roles were reversed. He would make Goryeo understand who the real father was.

Thinking of contemporary America, Xiao Ming suddenly frowned. Apparently, America in this timeline had not yet become independent, but according to Dutch intelligence, the conflict between the colonies and Britain was already very sharp, seemingly on the verge of war at any moment.

Xiao Ming was happy yet somewhat worried about this news. He was happy that America had not yet gained independence, but worried that he might not be able to participate as a troublemaker in the War of Independence.

He would turn North America upside down.

“How lowly!” As Xiao Ming’s words fell, Liang Dahai suddenly said with a chuckle. His task of recruiting laborers in Goryeo had not yet ended, so Xiao Ming had also summoned him.

Accompanying him was the general responsible for the Goryeo garrison this time. This person, in truth, had some kinship with Xiao Ming; he was an imperial relative.

Because the Empress Dowager was precisely this general’s aunt.

“Your Majesty, if that is the case, I am willing to lead troops to Goryeo. When we arrive at the city walls, we shall see if the King of Goryeo agrees,” Yun Changfeng said loudly, presenting a tough-guy image.

As for this cousin, Xiao Ming had truly not promoted him out of favoritism. On the contrary, Yun Changfeng had been promoted by Luo Hong after earning considerable merit as a centurion in the northern war.

Later, Luo Hong learned that Yun Changfeng was the Empress Dowager’s nephew. Perhaps with the intention of flattering, Luo Hong specifically mentioned him in his memorial.

Xiao Ming then mentioned this to the Empress Dowager, who said nothing but that it was entirely up to Xiao Ming to decide.

Xiao Ming knew that the Empress Dowager never participated in these matters. After a moment of thought, he decided to cultivate Yun Changfeng.

Truth be told, besides people like Lu Fei, Ye Qingyun, and Lei Ming in the army, no other outstanding generals had emerged so far.

However, with the increasing foreign military expeditions, he needed more and more generals. These few major generals were responsible for the overall war, not for handling localized minor affairs, such as garrisoning Goryeo.

So, during this period, Xiao Ming intended to cultivate some promising new generals for use when occupying colonies.

His heavy reliance on Yun Changfeng was also based on this purpose, because once troops were stationed in Goryeo, this army would be stationed abroad for many years, requiring reliable individuals to command it.

After all, for the Great Yu Empire, where information was very poor, it was difficult for him to know the movements of this army.

Besides Yun Changfeng, other promising new generals Xiao Ming was currently focusing on cultivating included Du Boyuan and some other young generals.

Glancing at Yun Changfeng, Xiao Ming said, “I have just this intention. So, you will go to Goryeo tomorrow. The division I have prepared for you to garrison in Goryeo is ready. Regardless of how the King of Goryeo replies, you must garrison in Goryeo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yun Changfeng said.

After the Chang’an rebellion, he joined the army despite his father’s objections and fought through life and death battles to reach where he was today, without relying on any connections.

Now, suddenly being heavily used by Xiao Ming, he felt a great deal of emotion. If he had sought out the Empress Dowager using their familial relationship as nephew and aunt when he first came to Qingzhou Province, he might have had a different fate.

However, he believed that it wouldn’t have been better than it was now, because the generals in the army all understood the Emperor’s character. Having the identity of an imperial relative would actually be disadvantageous for development in the military.

After giving Yun Changfeng a few more instructions, Xiao Ming discussed with the officials. For him, whether Goryeo was willing or not, this was a foregone conclusion. So, every official going to Goryeo had to start thinking about how to implement measures to completely hollow out Goryeo.

While the Zhengda Guangming Hall was in lively discussion, Kim Chang-myung, with a dark face, and Hwang Ja-man arrived outside the palace gate.

Glancing at the Zhengda Guangming Hall, Kim Chang-myung said, “State Councilor Hwang, this is simply too much! How can my imperial father agree to this?”