Chapter 792: Reluctant to bear the child but unable to trap the wolf
Why is it necessary to hold a ceremony about surrendering to Champa on such an important day as the first day of the Lunar New Year and the convening of the Great Court Meeting?
It is completely impossible for a small city to fight against the Ming Dynasty.
As far as the current situation is concerned, the significance of affiliation is far greater than the actual utility.
In the past, the Ming Dynasty's rule over vassal states was always nominal, and no vassal state would ever hand over all its power to the suzerain state.
But now, in the Ming Dynasty, the Champa State has set a precedent.
Once a precedent is set, it means that this is definitely not the first time.
In the grand ceremony, under the watchful eyes of thousands of civil and military officials, the envoys of the Champa Kingdom knelt down three times and kowtowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and presented the official document written by the King of Champa.
This national book is written in Chinese and Zhan characters respectively, with the seal of King Zhan.
"His Majesty decreed that the Champa State should be renamed as Champa Provincial Envoy, retain the hereditary royal title of Champa, and give separate rewards."
"Long live your Majesty! Long live your Majesty!!!"
As the first vassal state to surrender, Zhu Yuanzhang still gave many rewards.
He was directly rewarded with millions of treasure notes, as well as various kinds of fabrics, silks, porcelain, tea and other luxuries.
Since then, there has been no local government in Champa, but yamen were established in the Ming Dynasty to manage it.
The news that Champa had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty quickly spread to the country of Champa.
Many nobles didn't even know that their country was suddenly gone.
In their eyes, King Zhan is just a puppet, what kind of trouble can he cause.
When writing the official document, the King of Champa did not discuss it with the nobles of Champa City, but hid in his room and wrote it secretly.
Then the eunuchs from the Ming Dynasty brought them back to the capital.
It was not until the navy stationed at the seaside of the Ming Dynasty received an order to take over Champa City that the nobles of Champa City realized that their king had given the entire country to the Ming Dynasty.
Angry, they stormed the palace of King Zhan directly, hoping to find an explanation from King Zhan.
Then, the people guarding the palace were no longer the soldiers who occupied the king before, but the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty.
Facing Ming soldiers, the nobles were much calmer.
After all, if this knife falls, it doesn't matter how much you are worth or what place you had in Champa before.
The leader of the team this time was Navy Commander Jin Kaishan.
King Zhan also knew that if he dedicated himself to the country in this way, he would definitely attract revenge from the nobles, so he asked for protection from the Ming Dynasty.
Of course Zhu Ying agreed to this.
He also promised that he could come directly to live in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, and would give him a large house in the capital of the Ming Dynasty. As a hereditary king, as long as he was willing to live in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, he could also receive a salary in line with his status.
King Cham refused. He still wanted to stay in Champa. After all, this was where he had always lived.
Just ask the Ming army to guard the palace.
Zhu Ying naturally agreed.
Jin Kaishan looked coldly at the large crowd gathered in front of him.
Among these people were officials, military generals and nobles who occupied the city.
These privileged classes knew very well that once the city was occupied by the Ming Dynasty, all their power would be wiped out.
Because the Ming Dynasty would not recognize their noble status.
This is also true.
Jin Kaishan first read out the Ming Dynasty's edict, and then ordered them to retreat immediately.
"If you don't retreat within a stick of incense, you will be punished according to the Great Ming Law for gathering a crowd to cause trouble."
"Come here, put some incense."
Under Jin Kaishan's order, the soldiers patrolled and brought an incense burner and lit a short incense stick on it.
It is said to be a stick of incense, but in fact the stick is only half the normal length.
"All officers and soldiers obey the order. When the incense is extinguished, if anyone dares to stay and cause trouble, he will be killed without mercy!"
"promise!"
The nobles of the Ming Dynasty gathered about a thousand people, and at the gate of the palace, including Jin Kaishan, there were only five hundred people.
Other soldiers are naturally guarding other places.
"I don't believe that the Ming army can still kill us all. Today's king is incompetent, stupid and traitorous. How can we stand by and watch and become the people of the country's subjugation."
"Let's all rush together, rush into the palace, seize the tea, and re-establish me as the king of Champa."
Among the crowd, someone shouted loudly in Chinese.
Everyone looked around and saw that it was the prime minister of the Champa Kingdom.
Everyone did not expect that not even the prime minister knew about the matter of occupying the king and betraying the country.
The prime minister is the head of the officials, and the prime minister of the city-occupied state is the actual person in power. The situation is similar to that of Hu Jishao in Annan. Whether it is court power or military power, it is in the hands of the prime minister.
In fact, the Prime Minister is still related to King Zhan, and the Prime Minister himself is the grandfather of King Zhan Chaye.
Cha was also able to suppress his brother and become the king of fortune-telling. Of course, it was the handiwork of his good grandfather.
Although the two are brothers, they have the same father and mother. Of course, the prime minister supports his own grandson.
It's just that when Chaya was the king, the prime minister, as his grandfather, firmly controlled power and completely regarded Chaya as a puppet.
Chaya's mother wanted to wrest power back from her father and give it to her son.
Unfortunately, the year before last, he was poisoned and killed by his own father.
Cha has no evidence, but it is clear that the man behind the murder of his mother was his grandfather.
Perhaps this was one of the factors why King Cham offered up the kingdom of Champa.
"You still dare to attack the palace. It seems that I don't need to give you time. All officers and men obey the order and kill!!!"
Jin Kaishan doesn't care who you are, no matter who you are. After the order from the imperial court came, in Jin Kaishan's heart, the occupied city already belonged to the Ming Dynasty.
In my realm of the Ming Dynasty, you still dare to despise my orders so much. You are kidding with your own life.
After the order was given, the soldiers immediately lit their matchlocks and fired at the crowd without hesitation.
The sound of gunshots continued, and as the smoke filled the air, there was a sound of wailing.
A matchlock gun cannot kill someone with just one shot. Those who were shot fell to the ground and kept screaming. The silk and satin on their bodies had no protective effect.
These nobles never expected that Daming would actually dare to shoot.
Jin Kaishan had a sneer on his face.
Why don't I dare to shoot?
No nobles dared to stay at this time. Those who were lucky enough to hide behind and not be hit, or who were still able to move after being hit, hurriedly ran out.
Even those lying on the ground endured the pain and fled.
A riot was easily suppressed by Jin Kaishan.
These nobles were dying and being injured, so naturally they were unwilling to give in.
So I thought about contacting the gang.
When the gangs heard this, they were immediately speechless.
Are you kidding me? If you let us gangsters go against the government, you might be out of your mind.
At this time, Longdong Qiang had already arrived at the door of a large house somewhere.
Behind him was a carriage, obviously loaded with a lot of cargo.
After a while, the door opened slightly, and a young eunuch glanced at the carriages outside. A bit of greed flashed in his eyes. This greed was well captured by Long Dongqiang.
"Master Long, come in. Grandpa is waiting for you in the backyard. But don't bring these things in."
Hearing what the young eunuch said, Longdong Qiang's heart skipped a beat.
He still had a smile on his face and said, "It's just some ordinary things. I think my adoptive father will like them."
The young eunuch shook his head and said: "Gang Leader Long, don't let me get into trouble."
Hearing that he was rejected again, Longdong Qiang could only wave his hand, and the servants behind him immediately pulled several carriages away.
After entering the gate and passing by the little eunuch, Longdong Qiang skillfully stuffed a few treasure bills into it.
The little eunuch was also very skillful in taking it into his sleeves. Apparently this kind of thing happened often.
"My foster father is in a good mood today."
"Grandpa is in a pretty good mood."
In just two sentences, Long Dongqiang understood in his heart.
Walking through the lobby to the backyard, I saw Li Youwei feeding the fish leisurely on the small stone bridge.
Long Dongqiang immediately kowtowed: "Meet my foster father."
Li Youwei turned around and saw Long Dongqiang, smiled and nodded: "Get up, father and son don't need to be so polite."
After that, he sprinkled the fish food in his hand, causing a swarm of fish to fight over him.
When he walked to the pavilion and sat down, Longdong Qiang was still standing. He sat down halfway after being greeted by Li Youwei.
Li Youwei was obviously very satisfied with Long Dongqiang's respect.
"My adoptive father likes corals, so I did it specially this time."
As soon as Long Dongqiang opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Li Youwei.
"You regard us as your adoptive father, and our family also takes note of your filial piety over the past few years, but what you are asking for this time, our family cannot accomplish."
"This is not the will of the court, but the will of Taisun. Neither our family nor the navy commander can act against Taisun's will. Do you understand?"
Listening to Li Youwei's words, Long Dongqiang felt a bitterness in his heart.
Thinking back to that year, he came to Champa alone, and then found an opportunity to rebuild the Caobang. After accepting Li Youwei as his adoptive father, the Caobang also ushered in its peak development.
I originally thought that I would take root in Champa in this life, but I didn't expect that the imperial court issued an edict to change Champa into a province. From then on, Champa fell under the rule of the Ming Dynasty.
When he heard the news, Midong Qiang felt like the sky was about to fall.
He knew very well what it meant for the Champa Kingdom to be directly ruled by the Ming Dynasty.
This means that the Caobang that he has worked hard to develop for many years will come to nothing just like it did in the Ming Dynasty.
How could he be willing to do this?
Therefore, he wanted to use his adoptive father Li Youwei's line to see if he could have a chance to breathe. For this purpose, he prepared a gift worth millions of treasures.
But he was directly rejected by Li Youwei.
Long Dong stood up and kowtowed, pleading in his voice: "Father, isn't there any chance of improvement?"
Seeing Long Dongqiang's appearance, Li Youwei felt a little pity in his heart.
Over the past few years, Long Dongqiang had truly fulfilled his responsibilities as a son to him. He would come to greet him every two or three days, and arrange his food, clothing, housing and transportation properly. The gifts he received during the holidays were not a small amount.
One time when he was sick, he waited on her by the bedside, pouring feces and urine, which was extremely humane.
In this way, the heart made of iron melts.
"Get up."
Li Youwei helped Longdong up and sighed: "What a big boy, it's not that our family doesn't want to help you, but that our family is really powerless in this matter. The only thing we can do for you is to keep you safe.
"
"If you are willing to disband the Cao Gang and start serious business, our family can still help you in this occupied area."
How could Long Dongqiang want to disband the Cao Gang?
You must know that tens of thousands of people in Caogang now eat with him, and the main income of Caogang is also within the gang.
In fact, as far as money is concerned, Long Dongqiang's life is completely enough, but how can anyone who has enjoyed power give up the pleasure that power brings?
Moreover, the Cao Gang was powerful and there were many secret enemies in the city. Once he disbanded the Cao Gang, he might suffer revenge from the enemies.
The adoptive father can indeed protect him, but now that the city has been conquered, can the adoptive father still stay here?
Once his adoptive father leaves, how will he deal with himself in the winter?
Without the protection of power, money is just fat cattle and sheep in the eyes of others.
At this time, Long Dong burst into tears: "Father, it's not because I'm greedy for power that I refuse to disband the Cao Gang. It's just that over the years, with the expansion of the Cao Gang, it's a mixed bag. Even I don't know how many people I've offended."
"If the Cao Gang disperses, these hungry wolves in the dark will definitely not let the children go."
"If a child dies, he dies. But if the child is not here, who can provide for his adoptive father until his death?"
"In the days to come, please take good care of yourself, foster father."
Hearing these words, Li Youwei couldn't help but feel a little blocked in his heart.
He knew that what Long Dongqiang said was the truth and not a fabrication.
After many thoughts in my mind, I finally sighed and said: "I definitely can't stay here in Champa. According to Taisun's wishes, no gangs are allowed to exist. This is the general trend and it is unstoppable."
"But there is another way. If you are willing, you can take your people to Chenla Port and build a canal gang."
"It's just that this time when you go to Chenla Port, the situation is completely different. You have to use your own method to gain a foothold there."
"If you can completely control the Chenla Port, and do not have a big conflict with Chenla on the surface, and prevent Chenla from complaining to the Ming Dynasty, then we will give you a great opportunity here."
Long Dongqiang's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed and said, "Please ask my adoptive father to teach me."
Li Youwei nodded: "Our family came from Kunning Palace, and we can often hear some words from our grandson. For this Nanyang area, not only this city, but also other places, we intend to include it in the Ming Dynasty
among.”
"However, our country cannot send troops arbitrarily, so we need some opportunities, just like the current situation in Champa."
"The situation in Chenla is different from that in Champa. His king is the brother of the concubine. He is not a puppet like King Cham, but a king who actually controls military power and political power. Therefore, the gangs in Champa are like
, it definitely won’t work.”
"How you act specifically depends on your own ability."
"The imperial court has issued an order to build a maritime station at Chenla Port, and navy troops will be stationed there."
"After all, our family is from Kunning Palace. Others still want to sell me my old face and my thin face. If you are willing to take this path, our family will help you repair a book, which will give you some care."
With just a brief thought, Long Dongqiang knew that this was definitely a way out for Caobang.
With the help of his adoptive father, he will definitely be able to take root in Chenla Port.
Even if it is not as glorious as it is today, it can at least retain its power.
"The child is willing to lead the gang to Zhenla, but after going to Zhenla, the child can no longer serve his adoptive father, and he feels extremely uncomfortable." Long Dongqiang said.
Li Youwei said with a smile: "You have this filial piety, and our family is satisfied. Now that we have surrendered to the city, the court's arrangements for our family have not been finalized. However, our family has asked someone to find out what the court's arrangements for our family are.
These years in Champa are quite satisfactory."
"My family won't hide it from you. Now the palace's intention is very likely to allow our family to stay in Nanyang and continue to work. If you can establish a foothold in Chenla Port, our family may rely on our friendship in the palace.
If you can find an errand at Chenla Port, I can take care of you a little more."
"Of course, this still depends on your development."
"Whether it's Champa or Zhenla, it doesn't matter where our family retires. If I can help you a little, it will be considered as the friendship between father and son."
Li Youwei is getting older and doesn't really think about returning to the capital.
He was still satisfied with Long Dongqiang, his adopted son. Whether it was Champa or Zhenla, they were all the same to him.
Long Dongqiang hesitated in his heart, and then said firmly: "The kindness of a foster father is more important than Mount Tai, and the child cannot repay it."
"The children have been wandering around all these years and have not yet started a family. Last year, under the auspices of the adoptive father, I married a wife."
"Now I am pregnant with Liujia. If my adoptive father does not give up, the child is willing to be adopted as a grandson by his adoptive father."
As soon as these words came out, not only Li Youwei was shocked, but also the young eunuch serving next to him was stunned.
The young eunuch couldn't help but think, this guy is really cruel.
You must know that Long Dongqiang has never married. This can be said to be his eldest son, and he is actually willing to directly adopt him to Li Youwei.
Adoption is not a relationship like adopted father and adopted son, but a real surname change.
In other words, his son's surname is no longer Long, but Li.
"Are you serious?" Li Youwei's lips trembled.
Long Dong said forcefully: "How dare the child deceive his adoptive father? It must be absolutely true."
What does it mean to be reluctant to let go of a child without being able to catch a wolf? In order for Long Dongqiang to allow his adoptive father Li Youwei to truly go to Zhenla to take care of him, he could also give away his biological son.
Of course, I haven’t given birth yet, so I don’t know the gender.
If it was a daughter, Long Dongqiang would naturally have to give birth to a son to complete the adoption.
As long as the adoptive father Li Youwei can be trapped, the Caogang that he strong in the middle of winter will never be able to break up.
In fact, Longdong Qiang had already considered this move on the way here.
It must be said that this hit Li Youwei's lifeline.
Although he had a clan, he had no heirs. When he was a young eunuch, Li Youwei also wanted to adopt a son within the clan, but apparently no one in the clan was willing.
Now Long Dongqiang took the initiative to propose how to prevent Li Youwei from being happy.
"Okay, okay, okay, our family didn't expect that in this sixty-year-old age, we could have a grandson. Dongqiang, you are really a great eldest son of our family."
Li Youwei's beaming smile let Long Dongqiang know that he was safe.
With the help of his adoptive father, he believed that it would not be difficult for him to gain a foothold in Chenla.
The adoptive father was a person who had served the grandson. The generals who came to see the adoptive father had to be courteous. Moreover, the adoptive father was able to come to occupy the city. He obviously had connections in the palace. This huge political connection,
Midwinter Qiang has been coveted for a long time.
As a person who came from Taisun's side, Li Youwei was able to listen to the heavens. This ability was unmatched by anyone.
After leaving, Longdong Qiang was not in a hurry to go back, but went to other gangs.
Most of the ordinary members of the Cao Gang were port workers, so not many were willing to follow him, and besides, he wouldn't take them to Chenla.
What he needs is elites.
Now he has a way out, but other gangs don't have a way out.