took advantage of the chaos of Li Haoxing's prison, and the important ministers pleaded for mercy to protect the people's hearts

Yoo Sung-ryong of North Korea was promoted to the head of the council because of his merits, and Idousu was demoted to the central minister. Yoo Sung-ryong served as the prime minister of one country, and began to study a defense plan to prevent another Japanese invasion. Liu Chenglong led the new soldier Cao Judge Li Dexin and the official Cao Judge Li Hengfu to meet the Joseon King Li Hao. Li Hao was drinking tea with Jin Guiren, and when he saw the three of them coming, he asked how the plan was prepared?

Li Dexin replied: "Your Highness, after discussing with the Prime Minister, we have decided on two plans. First, to feed the people is to feed the army, so we should make every effort to produce grain and salt. The king of Joseon also thought that this should be the case, but after the Korean war, the land was barren, and it was difficult for the king to understand how to complete what was needed as soon as possible.

Li Hengfu then submitted a note saying that the specific methods were all in it for Li Hao to read, and then said the second plan: "Regarding the supplementary sergeants, in the past, the imperial court cultivated talents by training the capital supervisors, and the local government also recruited them by military service, so only the poor people were used to form the army. It needs to be organized into a bundle so that all those who can kill the enemy can participate, without discrimination. ”

Li Hao was very surprised when he heard this: "Leader, do you have to be like this?" Before the two classes, they had no choice but to give in to the method of exempting themselves from cheapness and making rice, and according to what Fang just said, what is the difference between the doctor and the villagers? The widow is also very difficult. ”

Liu Chenglong persuaded: "Your Highness, since the founding of Taizu, military service in the defense of the country has been an obligation that everyone will feel honored regardless of status. However, after a long time, it became a common practice for the two shifts to use their power and induce people to serve in the military on their behalf. In the end, it became a matter of course when Zhongzong was the king, and the two classes were only for their own selfishness, greedy for wealth and happiness, and did not dare to sacrifice for the country, but they were still in a high position and acted recklessly, how could the people who had been harmed for a long time work for the country. This is one of the reasons why the soldiers were scattered in the early days of the war. The Shuwu Army is not to disturb the identity order of the two classes and the villagers, but to restore the law of Taizu. ”

Li Dexin also said: "Since His Royal Highness approved the implementation of the law of exemption from cheapness and the method of making rice, the people's morale has been greatly boosted, and the army can rectify the country's military discipline and overcome the national chaos. I hope that His Highness will be clear. Li Hengfu also said: "Your Highness, according to the minister's understanding, not all the two classes are against the Shuwu, some of the aspirants in the two classes are very much in favor of the Shuwu, and there are also many scholars who mobilize volunteers in the national disaster, and this matter is not unacceptable to the two classes." ”

However, Li Hao was worried that after the end of the war, the two classes would rebel, and Liu Chenglong advised Li Hao not to worry about the two classes now, but to prevent the Japanese army from invading again. Li Hao was helpless. In the evening, the prince Guanghaijun invited Li Hao, and Li Hao asked: "The commanders of the righteous army from all over the country continue to support Shu Wu, but you are behind your back?" Who else can mobilize them so easily? ”

Guanghaijun directly said frankly: "Your Highness's guess is correct, it was the sons who informed the commanders of the rebel armies in various places about the significance of the army, and the sons were also worried about the resistance of the two classes, but the sons believed that this was set up to overcome the war, and this law could also be adjusted or abolished after the war, and the formulation of laws and regulations needed to change with the times." Li Hao chuckled, Guang Haijun has changed a lot.

Guanghaijun replied softly with an expressionless face: "The hearts of the people in the world are changing every day, and Erchen is naturally no exception. Therefore, Li Hao said that he would definitely consider Guanghaijun's suggestion, and Guanghaijun thanked him and retired. On the other side, Li Dexin also expressed his worries about this matter to Liu Chenglong: "The Lord is in a dilemma, the two classes are eyeing each other, I am afraid that the conflict is about to break out, and it is a miracle that His Royal Highness the Lord has recently accepted so many reform requests, can the implementation of the restraint be postponed?" ”

And Liu Chenglong was determined to carry out the reform to the end, and was about to ask for another decree, Li Hengfu hurriedly came to report that the law had been approved, and the Chengzheng Yuan had begun to promulgate it to the whole country.

In the previous matter about whether Gwanghae-jun could be officially canonized as the prince of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Chenglong deeply touched Gwanghae-jun's increasingly sensitive heart because he expressed a negative view, and since then he has also misunderstood Yoo Sung-long, gradually distanced himself, and became slightly hostile. It is precisely because of this that Liu Chenglong was surprised. After a long period of setbacks and tempering, Guanghaijun also subtly changed from being wise and generous to being full of scheming, and gradually got involved in party struggle.

In the twenty-third year of Wanli, after the exemption law and the rice method, regardless of status, the binding system of military service for all strong men began to be fully implemented. Although the two classes of doctors complained, they were powerless to resist, and Liu Chenglong's reform was deeply promoted. However, the scars caused by the war in many places have not yet healed, and the greed and cruelty of some local officials have also caused unspeakable suffering to the people. Therefore, the official army Li Menghe distributed food to rally the people to resist, and pretended to be the leader of a certain group of the rebel army to incite the rebels to rebel in Chungcheong-do. As a result, the Bibian Division convened a meeting to discuss countermeasures.

At the meeting of the Bibian Division, Li Dexin reported that Li Menghe had occupied Hongshan and was moving to Hongzhou through Qingshan and Qingyang. Hongzhou is guarded by Lin Deyi and Park Mingxian. Jin Deling, the leader of the rebel army, rushed to the aid of Hongzhou on the order of Marshal Quan Li, and Li Yi, the border patrol envoy, also asked for orders to go to help.

Li Yi said: "The headquarters and the rebel army led by Li Menghe have been tempered by the battle formation, and can be called elite, the chaotic army of only 1,000 people at the beginning has now exceeded 10,000, even if Jin Deling's assistance is difficult to deal with." I don't think I, Li Yi, can solve this matter, please allow me to help. ”

Liu Chenglong refused: "There are many generals who can be dispatched, I'm not worried that there are no generals available, I'm worried about the people." If the people's will is dispersed at this time, even if the rebellious army is suppressed, it will be useless, most of the rebellious army is the common people who have been bewitched by Li Menghe, and directly suppressing it by force will make our reform efforts go to waste, and we should focus on appeasement. At this time, the king of Joseon, Li Hao, suddenly came to Bibian Division to accuse Liu Chenglong of favoring the rebellious army, and Liu Chenglong was puzzled.

Li Hao said: "They want to kill the widows, they are traitors who are preparing to overthrow the country, and Li Yi, the border patrol, obeyed the order, and immediately led the army to Hongzhou to exterminate Li Menghe, and all those who followed Li Menghe's rebellion will be beheaded!" And the person who brought back Li Menghe's head, the widow will give him an official position and land regardless of his identity. ”

Liu Chenglong persuaded: "Please think twice, now that the reform has not been implemented for a long time, some places have not been able to get favors before this accident, as long as it takes some time, the people will know the court's intentions for them, and they will also be grateful to His Highness and repent of their sins this time." ”

Li Hao said impatiently: "What the prime minister said is extremely true, in order to appease the people, the widow resolutely implemented the reform despite the opposition of the two classes of doctors, but what he got was such a rebellion, the widow is really very pleased, Li Yi, the border patrol, what are you still standing there for?" Didn't you hear the command of the widow just now? Li Yi hurriedly took the order to attack, and Li Hao also left angrily.

Li Menghe led the army to arrive outside the city of Hongzhou and shouted to the headquarters: "We will be stationed outside the city tonight, and we will definitely capture Hongzhou tomorrow, as long as this city is captured, the red-clothed general Guo Zaiyou and the loyal and brave general Jin Deling will meet with us and build prosperity together!" The crowd was so excited. But Liu Chenglong had already planted a fine work and mixed into Li Menghe's army to persuade the people.

He took the opportunity to fight with each other to attract attention, and said to the people: "Come and see this madman, what did General Jin Deling, who came to help us, come to arrest us instead?" It's really nonsense, it's good to just say that you're afraid of the officers and soldiers! ”

Another fine saku shouted: "It's the real big brother, it was General Jin Deling's subordinate Jia Ji who told me, not to help us, but to suppress the rebellion, ah, big brother, come with me, stay here and really die!" As soon as this remark came out, it immediately attracted a lot of discussions, and a peasant asked again and again, and said that he had been a volunteer soldier under Jin Deling, and he shouted: "That's really good, then tell us quickly, if we are rebels, is that general a person who can live and die with us?" ”

The peasant was not convinced, so he continued to fight and attracted Li Menghe to order someone to arrest him, and after he fled, the villagers were panicked and began to flee one after another. Some of the villagers thought that if they ran away directly, they would be hunted down by the government as a traitor for the rest of their lives, so they decided to take Li Menghe's head to atone for their crimes by the king's order. The fleeing people also fled to Kim Deling's place to confess. Jin Deling was about to be arrested, and the leader shouted: "General, it's me, Dacheng, who has been a volunteer under you for a year." Jin Deling observed carefully and said, "Since you are a volunteer, why did you join the rebels?" ”

Dacheng replied: "After the villain returned to his hometown, he saw that his wife and children died in the epidemic, and there were few people left in his hometown. Among them, there are people like me who have been deceived, and there are also people who are forced to participate because of the difficulty of making a living, and I should also go and cut off Li Menghe's head. Jin Deling was surprised and asked if Li Menghe was dead?

Dacheng replied: "Yes, there was infighting last night, and someone has already killed Li Menghe and dedicated his head to the government in exchange for official positions and fields. Jin Deling ordered all of them to be released, and his subordinates advised them not to disobey the order, and all of them should be arrested. Jin Deling said: "Li Menghe is dead, who else are you going to arrest?" Do you want me to kill my brother who was a rebel with my own hands? Let's go, don't be discovered again, hide and live and wait for the right time. The villagers thanked each other.

Li Menghe's death also reached the ears of Marshal Quan Li, who sighed and heard that his subordinates had reported that Li Yi, the border patrol envoy, had arrested Jin Deling and escorted him to Hanyang, Wangjing. Because of this, there were rumors that the two had a conspiracy, and Quan Li sighed: "Jin Deling, a fool, has to make this kind of kindness at this time to cause misunderstanding, so it will be troublesome." ”

When the king of Joseon Li Hao learned about it, he said to himself: "The widow knows that this is the case, and it is estimated that the rumors that there was an exchange of letters between Jin Deling and Li Menghe are also true, Li Menghe is dead, and Jin Deling will also try to kill the widow." Li Hao's heart was surging and angry. The Li Menghe Rebellion was a rebellion that occurred in order to break the plundering and suppression of the people by the imperial court and the class contradictions in Korea, and the Li Menghe Rebellion ended after more than ten days, but because of Li Hao's fear of the rebellion, all those who participated in the rebellion and those who were suspected were tortured, and Jin Deling, who was implicated by Li Menghe, was tortured, and Guo Zaiyou was also interrogated in solitary confinement.

After hearing about this, the prince Gwanghaejun was about to meet the king of Joseon to rescue Kim Deoling, but was dissuaded by the attendant internal official and the criminal sentence Liu Zuzhi, who was an important member of the Beiren Party and was extremely repulsive to other parties, and was more concerned about the safety of the prince for the future.

At this time, Liu Zujian hurriedly came and brought someone to invite the prince to meet, Liu Zuxuan said: "I said before that there is a strategist who wants to recommend to His Majesty, it is Li Erzhan, who served as a light counselor before. Although he is still idle, he is an outstanding talent selected by the imperial examination, full of wealth, full of intelligence, and he once risked his life to protect the statue of King Sejong during the national crisis, and he is a righteous person. Staying by your side will help. ”

Shizi Guanghaijun observed Li Erzhan, his face was delicate, his eyes were indifferent, his face was expressionless but he had a sense of confidence, so he asked Li Erzhan: "Then let me ask you a question, the loyal ministers are now in trouble, do I sit idly by?" ”

Li Erzhan replied: "Neither being able to protect but still exerting the righteous spirit of fighting for oneself is just asking for his own death. Does your majesty have the ability to protect yourself? Does His Royal Highness really think that Jin Deling is a traitor? Just like the Vigilant Mansion, His Highness is guarding the volunteer generals. His Royal Highness wants the absolute obedience of the volunteers, Jin Deling is now destined to be sacrificed by His Highness, and Jin Deling is used as a bait to lure out people who are completely dissatisfied with His Highness, and His Majesty must not enter His Highness's trap. Guang Haijun felt that it was reasonable, so he no longer cared about Jin Deling's affairs.

The king of North Korea, Li Hao, looked at the review note submitted by Yoo Sung-ryong and said: "Kim Deok-ling, Guo Zai-woo, Choi Tan Kyung, and Gao Eun-bae are all not guilty? The rebels all confessed that they had dealings with Li Menghe, is it a lie? Liu Chenglong replied: "It's not a lie, in order to quickly gather the rebels, Li Menghe deceived the people that he was negotiating with the leaders of the rebels in various places, and with the help of their names, the people were convinced of him, which was a ploy." ”

Li Hao asked rhetorically: "That means that just by mentioning the name of the righteous general, more than 10,000 people can quickly gather and prepare to carry out any order, even if they don't even hesitate to kill the widow." What do you think is wrong with this interpretation? ”

Li Dexin argued: "His Royal Highness is angry, and the minister thinks that this matter is only in the Chungcheong-do area where the people's hearts are still declining and the rebellion is occurring, because there are fewer wars than other regions, so they are bearing the outstanding taxes on behalf of other regions, so the people's hearts are scattered, and they are being used by Li Menghe." ”

Li Hao said: "In any case, it is to gather to kill the widow, and the widow has worked hard to stabilize the world, but the result is only to rebel and make trouble, and the widow will listen to the words of the prime minister again!" The matter was re-examined, and the crime must be punished. ”

Li Hao ordered him to retreat, but seeing that Liu Chenglong didn't say anything, he drank the order again. Liu Chenglong forcibly suppressed his anger and asked, "Your Highness, are you so afraid of the rebels?" Will the fear of their Highness not disappear until they are killed? Before the war is over, why should those who have sacrificed their lives for their country be regarded as enemies? ”

Li Hao asked Liu Chenglong if he thought he was a narrow-minded person who feared the rebels, and Liu Chenglong said yes. Li Hao stopped talking, and only forced the two to retreat. Afterwards, Li Dexin complained that Liu Chenglong was against the king, and Liu Chenglong said: "Do you really not know? If you don't ask questions clearly, in the future, all the righteous soldiers or villagers who have sacrificed their lives for the country and made meritorious contributions will not be rewarded at any time. If this is allowed to develop, it will be turned upside down. ”

After Liu Chenglong left, Li Hao also said frankly to the big internal official: "How can the widow be afraid of the volunteers? Not because he was afraid that the thief would hold a knife against the widow, but because he was associated with the thief, he had to kill them, what did the widow do wrong!! Li Hao kicked over the desk, and the officials comforted him again and again. But what Li Hao was thinking about was how to hide Liu Chenglong's eyes and kill Jin Deling without getting into trouble.

Later, the rebels' resignations not only included the leaders of the rebels, but also involved Li Dexin, the judge of the soldiers, and Liu Chenglong, the leader of the council, so Liu Zuxu and Li Erzhant, the judges of the criminal Cao, came to discuss with Yi Doushou. Ito Shou wondered why he was going to talk to him? Li Erzhan took out a confession in the hope that Yi Doushou could help, and Li Erzhan said: "We have the same enemy's position, that is, comrades. Liu Zuxu also persuaded Yi Doushou to repay Liu Chenglong and make him take revenge.

Yi Doushou took the confession, understood, and got up to send the two of them: "Well, of course it should be so, the two of you came very timely, I already know the rest, and I'll leave the rest to me, but please don't say it." The two agreed and left happily, while Idouju waited for the two to leave and burned the rebels' confession.

For Yi Dou Shou, although he has had many prejudices with Liu Chenglong, Yi Dou Shou knows that Liu Chenglong is a very talented person, but sometimes his political views are different. Yi Doo-shou, who saw through the tricks of Liu Zu and Li Erzhan, did not allow the prison to be raised again, and after burning the resignation, he entered the palace late at night to beg to see Li Hao to intercede for Kim De Ling.

Li Hao heard that Yi Doushou came late at night, so he invited in to ask what was the matter? Yi Doo-shou, do you have to kill Kim De-ling? Li Hao was extremely impatient: "Why are you like this, the widow just wants to punish the guilty, why not?" ”

Yi Doushou said: "Your Highness, how can the minister not understand the uneasiness of the Sacred Heart, if you have to kill Jin Deling, the minister has no objection." But please spare the others and stop the killing without objection. Those who have been implicated also ask His Highness not to have any more doubts about them. The minister is a person of His Royal Highness whether he lives or dies, and he must not expand the rebellion of Li Menghe and let the country fall into a storm again before the war is over. Li Hao also fell into deep thought after hearing this.

Li Hengfu also rushed to inform Liu Chenglong of this matter, and the confession involved Liu Chenglong and Li Dexin also surprised the two, Li Dexin sighed: "I didn't expect to use my name to tell right and wrong, but even the leader was implicated by them, it's really heartbreaking and unreasonable." If it is listened to by those who hate the leader, it will definitely be the next Jin Deling. ”

Liu Chenglong was not flustered about this, and was willing to be executed by the king along with all the volunteer soldiers. said that Ito Shou rushed to stop him and said, "Does the prime minister want to lead the tragedy himself?" The prime minister doesn't have to go to see His Royal Highness again, the lord has decided to stop and will not implicate anyone anymore, but he shouldn't be able to keep Jin Deling. ”

Liu Chenglong reprimanded loudly: "If Jin Deling is not guaranteed, how can you talk about stopping?" What is the difference between killing Jin Deling and killing other rebels? As soon as Jin Deling dies, the hearts of the people in the world will also collapse, and it is useless not to implicate others. ”

Liu Chenglong was about to ask to see Wang again, but Yi Doushou grabbed him and said, "Does the leader mean that if you can't save everyone involved in the rebellion, you have to die?" If you can't save Jin Deling or anyone, the leader and the soldier will all have to die together! Empty words of loyalty are actually abandoning the country and abandoning the family! I can't bear to see the country in turmoil and division due to tragedy! This remark shocked Liu Chenglong's heart, and Idou Shouli asked Liu Chenglong to take care of the overall situation, and clearly said that it was a great fortune to sacrifice Jin Deling to protect the courtiers and volunteers. Li Hengfu and Li Dexin also advised Liu Chenglong to follow Yi Doushou's advice, and Liu Chenglong had no choice but to feel that he could only do so.