Zhu Mo was stunned and asked curiously,
"How did they find you?"
Wang Ruxian explained,
"Esteemed Scholar Zhu, it was in Japan... it was Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a confidant of Oda Nobunaga, who found me. He said these people had first gone to Kyushu to find him. They all presented lavish gifts, but Oda did not accept them. After inquiring about their intentions, he directed them to me. I thought that even if you didn't see them, Scholar Zhu, you would at least need to stabilize these individuals, so I arranged for them to travel on my ship to Hangzhou..."
"Mmm-hmm,"
Zhu Mo nodded and said, "Ruxian, you did the right thing by stabilizing them first... From now on, handle such matters in the same manner..."
He then mused—
These people were all fallen figures. Perhaps they had heard about Oda Nobunaga and decided to seek me out? But they dared not openly come to the Great Ming, so they went to Japan to find Oda? This was, naturally, appropriate... These individuals coming to find me most likely want me to help them eliminate corrupt officials? That would be excellent! I was already lacking an excuse to send troops!
It should be noted that,
Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Han's attitudes were ambiguous because they lacked a legitimate reason and excuse. If they were to truly assist Zhu Mo, it would mean opposing Prince Yu! Opposing Prince Yu meant opposing the future Emperor, and who would dare to do that?
Therefore,
Zhu Mo's current mood was far happier than if a pie had fallen from the sky, yet his expression remained completely unruffled. He calmly stated,
"Where are they now? Have them all brought to the Northern Drill Ground. Remember, do not cause a stir!"
Wang Ruxian nodded and hurried away.
...
Soon, in less than an hour, the envoys had all arrived, each accompanied by their retinues and translators, all disguised as merchants.
Feeling the urgency, he ordered his personal guards to surround the drill ground, allowing no one else inside except for Lü Kun and Li Zhi. He then led them to a storage shed, where the guards made simple arrangements, transforming it into 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 all stood up and bowed, their demeanor extremely respectful.
"Mmm-hmm,"
Zhu Mo acknowledged them one by one, then turned to leave. He said to Wang Ruxian, "Tell them to come to the adjacent barracks in sequence... and make sure they do not speak to each other either..."
Wang Ruxian bowed and nodded, then immediately announced,
"Gentlemen, Esteemed Scholar Zhu will be receiving you in the adjacent barracks. Please begin with Korea, then Japan, Ryukyu, and Annam... Everyone must remain silent and refrain from private conversations!"
The envoys stood up again and bowed deeply to Zhu Mo's departing figure.
In the adjacent barracks,
Zhu Mo had just settled in when two Koreans entered.
One, a young man with fair features, was exceptionally polite and carried an air of nobility. He bowed deeply to Zhu Mo and said respectfully,
"Esteemed Scholar Zhu Mo, I am Shen Yi-qian, the younger brother of Queen Insun of Joseon... This is my attendant, uh, one of our own..."
"Oh..."
Zhu Mo naturally knew that Yun Won-hyeong had gained power through Empress Dowager Munjeong, and this Queen Insun had suffered greatly, being oppressed throughout her life. Since Shen Yi-qian was her brother, he must have come to oppose Yun Won-hyeong...
He waved his hand and said calmly,
"Please be seated..."
However, the man did not sit. Instead, he appeared anxious, repeatedly looking at Zhu Mo, then pondering for a moment. After pacing a few steps, he made up his mind, bowed deeply, and said,
"Esteemed Scholar Zhu, since I am before a true Buddha, may I speak frankly?"
Zhu Mo nodded, signaling him to proceed.
Shen Yi-qian cleared his throat before saying,
"Prime Minister Zhu, you must have heard of the situation in our Joseon, haven't you? The Japanese invasions and scholar purges have followed one after another, leaving the people in misery. I was entrusted by our King to first go to Kyushu, Japan, to ascertain if the rise of the Oda clan of Owari was indeed aided by our Upper Country. A month ago, I met with the Oda clan and learned the reason. The Oda clan stated that Scholar Zhu of the Upper Country wished to expel the Franks and relieve the suffering of the various nations. Today, we have witnessed firsthand that the Frankish villain Xoza is being pursued by the public office established by our Upper Country. Therefore, I sought out your esteemed merchant, Mr. Wang Ruxian, and presumptuously requested an audience with you, the scholar, to fully detail our country's predicament and ask for the assistance of the Upper Country's Scholar Zhu?"
"Oh, oh..."
Zhu Mo listened as the man spoke in a consistently formal but meticulous manner, leaving no room for error. He also described Zhu Mo's actions appropriately. Zhu Mo immediately smiled and said,
"Mm, I understand the intention of your envoy. I can inform you of one thing here: I intend to lead our fleet to Tsushima soon..."
"Oh?"
Shen Yi-qian was overjoyed but also confused.
Zhu Mo said calmly,
"The Zhoushan Public Office has investigated many culprits, all of whom confessed that your country's Daryangpo, Liyinjinpo, and Garipo are pirate strongholds. At least twenty to thirty of these individuals have plundered our good citizens in our country, committing war crimes. Our public office has sentenced them to beheading. These individuals are minor offenders, so I have not issued further arrest warrants."
"Oh!"
Shen Yi-qian was overjoyed and blurted out,
"That would be best!"
He pondered for a moment and then said,
"Our King and Grand Censor Li Duo sent me here precisely to request your public office's intervention! Since it is to apprehend offenders, and our country is a vassal state, we will naturally cooperate fully. As for military supplies, logistics, and rewards, our King and Grand Censor will have no objections! However, when will your army set sail?"
"Mmm-hmm,"
Zhu Mo thought to himself: This young man is quite astute. If he can speak according to my legal framework, then there will be no issues... Who can hide their intentions from me? When my fleet arrives, you will overthrow Yun Won-hyeong and then tear him to pieces, won't you?
He immediately smiled and said,
"Although it is to apprehend offenders, your country is after all a vassal state. My Great Ming has always been just. The Grand Progenitor also promised never to station troops in vassal states without cause... Therefore, when you return, you may inform your King that Joseon will formally submit a petition to our Cabinet, requesting the Ming navy to assist in eradicating Japanese pirates, and willing to tie up all offenders wanted by the Zhoushan Public Office and deliver them to the Upper Country... In short, consider this carefully and do it quickly!"
Shen Yi-qian understood every word. He thought to himself: So you are lacking a pretext. That is easy to handle. I will go back and ask Li Duo to write a state letter...
He replied at the same time,
"Prime Minister, I understand. Upon my return, I will personally draft this petition state letter, deeply appreciating the Prime Minister's care for vassal states and adhering to the laws of the Upper Country's past emperors. I am grateful for the great kindness of the Upper Country in saving our vassal state."
"Good!"
"Very good!"
Zhu Mo examined the man carefully and then remembered that this person was actually a learned scholar, renowned in Joseon. His words indeed carried weight.
With this thought,
He also stood up, cupped his hands, and said,
"Mr. Shen is a renowned scholar of your country, and I greatly admire you... Now that official matters are concluded, I have a personal request, if it is not too presumptuous?"
Shen Yi-qian respectfully replied,
"I wish to hear it."