Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 416 Liaodong (1)

Jeju Island, North Korea.

Two years ago, this place was occupied by the Zhou army navy. The shogunate built a small military port here as a naval supply point, while also being able to exert influence on Korea and Japan.

Ever since Zhou’s military forces appeared on Jeju Island, the situation in North Korea has gradually become more complicated.

Before this, Bolo came to the court and plundered the country severely. Li Hao hated this and sent an envoy to ask Meng Jun for help.

However, considering the long journey, Meng Jun did not provide any substantial support to Li Hao. He only sold some food to him and discussed with Li Hao about stationing a small number of troops on Jeju Island. At the same time, he sent some officers to train troops for Li Hao.

Li Hao was happy to see this happen, and he had no confidence in the domestic army. The combat effectiveness of Korea was low, and it would almost be defeated when facing the Qing army. Li Hao also believed that as long as there was training from the Celestial Empire's officers, the combat effectiveness of the army would definitely be changed.

Moreover, Meng Jun has a ship on Jeju Island. If the Qing army suddenly decides to attack him again one day, he can still take Zhou Jun's ship to Nanjing if all else fails.

Li Hao had been living in fear for so many years that he sometimes thought about submitting to the Celestial Empire and becoming a rich and idle king. He was worried about the invasion of Japan and the entry of Qing troops. When Bolo led his troops to attack Li Hao, he was frightened day and night and developed a chronic illness. He had no interest in matters related to the boudoir.

Continuously surrendering to the Qing Dynasty made the Koreans, who claimed to be the "Little China", feel as if they had lost their parents and felt extremely humiliated.

However, the might of the Qing army also made some people in the court completely side with the Qing army. In fact, based on the national strength of Korea, no matter how weak it was, it would not be able to form only a 5,000-strong Seoul Guard.

Whenever Li Hao and some ministers who wanted to avenge the humiliation tried to increase military spending and expand the army, they were opposed by the ministers who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.

The entire Joseon Dynasty was disgusted with the Qing Dynasty, and the Qing court was naturally not completely unaware of it. However, after all, Joseon was not a force to be reckoned with, especially after the plundering of Bolo. The Qing court felt that Joseon was no longer a force to be reckoned with, so it was too lazy to pay attention to Lee Hao and focused its attention on the Zhou army.

It was not until the Qing government withdrew troops from outside the Great Wall that Li Hao felt that the opportunity had come, so he secretly sent Yin Shandao as an envoy to try to contact Zhou’s army and jointly march north.

After Gao Jinku boarded the ship in Dengzhou and arrived at Jeju Island in advance, he led his troops to Korea after secretly contacting Li Hao.

In a harbor south of Hampyeong in Jeolla Province, more than 200 ships were cruising on the sea. Among them, Shen Tingyang's navy frigates had only more than 40, and the rest were requisitioned fishermen's ships, which were reinforced and used to transport troops.

"Envoy Park Jeolla, are the food, fodder and supplies of the King of Korea's army ready?" Gao Jinku asked with his head raised as he looked at the troops that had landed one after another.

Park Qingyuan replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, my king is ready!"

Hearing the words of the great general of the Celestial Empire, Gao Jinku couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth. He laughed and said, "Okay, okay."

Park Kyung-won was the officer sent by Lee Hao for liaison. Although he did not hold a high position, he was Lee Hao's confidant.

At this time, the Central Plains still possessed all-round advantages in culture, economy, military, and system for the surrounding countries. It was no exaggeration to say that it was a beacon of civilization, especially for North Korea, which felt that they were inferior to the Celestial Empire in all aspects.

Even though the Qing army still occupies Beijing, for Park Kyung-won, the country has no future for a hundred years. Hasn't he seen that King Zhou is leading his troops to the north, defeating the enemy army several times, and is as fierce as a tiger. Restoring the country is just around the corner.

However, after Gao Jinku led his troops into Korea, there was an uproar in the court. However, Li Hao had made all the preparations. In the court, he arrested many Qing ministers and promoted Song Siyeol, a minister who was determined to resist the Qing Dynasty, to be the Prime Minister.

Li Hao had already made the worst plan. If he failed, he would run away immediately and go to Nanjing to become a king.

On May 20th, Gao Jinku led his troops into Seoul, and Li Hao personally went to the outskirts to welcome them.

Li Hao stepped forward and held Gao Jinku's hand, tears streaming down his cheeks. He said with emotion: "The Chinese army has finally arrived. I am looking forward to it like a withered seedling looking forward to rain!"

Gao Jinku pulled at Li Hao's tightly held hand, unable to break free. Gao Jinku said awkwardly, "Okay, okay."

Li Hao held a grand banquet in the palace to entertain Gao Jinku, Du Yonghe and some senior generals.

At the banquet, Li Hao personally raised his glass to express his respect to Gao Jinku and others: "Korea has survived thanks to the grace of the Celestial Empire. The atrocities committed by the invaders are too numerous to mention. Today, I am deeply grateful to the Celestial Empire's general. If you have any requests, I will do my best to meet you and will not refuse."

Gao Jinku didn't quite understand what he heard, but after Hu Zhan, who came with the army, patiently explained, Gao Jinku suddenly understood. He said loudly: "I am here on the order of the king. This time I come to the court, I will definitely capture Shengjing!"

Hu Zhan whispered: "Shenyang"

After hearing this, Gao Jinku added: "We will definitely capture Shenyang!"

At the banquet, Li Hao gave Gao Jinku and others a detailed introduction to the geography, customs, and folkways of Korea, as well as a detailed introduction to the current situation of Shengjing, and expressed his willingness to provide everything, including food, supplies, troops, manpower, etc.

Gao Jinku and others were very satisfied after hearing this. The banquet was a great success for both the host and the guests.

………………

Some people may ask, as a prince of Korea, Lee Hao had lived a comfortable life since childhood, so why did he have to be so determined to oppose the Qing Dynasty.

When Li Hao was seventeen years old, after witnessing his father Li Jong groveling before Huang Taiji and a group of loyal ministers either committing suicide or being captured, Li Hao was sent to Shenyang as a hostage and placed under house arrest.

In the eight years that followed, Li Hao witnessed the Ming army's crushing defeat in the Battle of Songjin. During these eight years, the life of a hostage made Li Hao hate the Qing court deeply. The education he received since childhood and the tragedies he witnessed in his youth made Li Hao prefer to be a prince of the Celestial Empire rather than a prince of the Qing court.

After the banquet, Song Siyeol, the Prime Minister, said to Lee Ho in private: "Your Highness, King Zhou sent Gao Jinku to lead his troops. He was a surrendered general. King Zhou's move shows that he is looking down on Joseon."

Li Hao frowned slightly when he heard this, and then slowly said: "I also feel what Mr. Song said, but the King of Zhou has led his army to the north and has repeatedly defeated the enemy. His momentum is strong, which can be said to be God's help. Although Gao Jinku is a surrendered general, since the King of Zhou sent him here, he should not be an ordinary person. Moreover, the Zhou army is elite and I can't match it. Instead of being obsessed with the difference in status, it is better to join hands to resist the aggression and work together for revitalization."

Song Shiye nodded and sighed, "Your Highness, this time we are extremely evil. If we lose again, it's okay once or twice, but not three times. I'm afraid that the country of the East will be destroyed in one fell swoop. Your Highness, although I am determined to resist the Qing, I still feel uneasy in my heart."

Li Hao had already made plans. If it didn't work out, he would just run away. So he said confidently, "The King of Zhou has defeated the enemy army many times. Now that he has conquered Shandong, the capital can be captured overnight. Don't worry."