Chapter 696: Thunderous Measures (Begging for YP!)

After leaving his residence, Zhang Yu boarded the carriage and hurried straight for the Joseon royal palace.

Upon arriving at the Joseon royal palace, Zhang Yu sensed that the atmosphere here was markedly different from before — the entire palace was steeped in a tense mood.

A smile spread across Zhang Yu's face. This was exactly what he most wanted to see.

Walking into the palace, Zhang Yu immediately spotted Zheng Xuhong.

He hadn't expected the Joseon king to send Zheng Xuhong out to receive him — this was good news, proof that his plan was working.

"Lord Zhang." Zheng Xuhong looked at Zhang Yu, walked straight over to his side, and gave a slight bow, saying: "His Majesty is waiting for you inside. Please, Lord Zhang, enter."

Zhang Yu nodded and said with a smile: "I've troubled Lord Zheng."

Apart from that, the two exchanged no further words — not even a glance — as if they were complete strangers.

After striding quickly into the main hall, Zhang Yu saw the Joseon king.

The Joseon king's face was dark and gloomy at this moment, looking extremely unpleasant.

Zhang Yu understood why, but still pretended not to know, stepping forward and saying: "Zhang Yu pays his respects to Your Majesty. Your Majesty's complexion looks rather poor — has something happened? If there is any way Zhang Yu can be of use, please speak freely, Your Majesty."

The Joseon king looked at Zhang Yu, waved his hand, and said: "Lord Zhang need not stand on ceremony. Indeed, something has happened — have you not heard, Lord Zhang? By now it has surely spread throughout all of Hanseong."

Hearing these words, Zhang Yu was taken aback.

That the Joseon king would say this was not beyond his expectations — the only thing beyond them was the Joseon king's attitude.

That the Joseon king was now taking such a strong stance was something Zhang Yu had not anticipated.

All along, the impression the Joseon king gave people was of being extremely spineless — hesitant and indecisive in everything, never a decisive monarch.

That he had suddenly become so hard this time could only mean one thing: this matter had truly struck him in the face, making him feel uncomfortable, even aggrieved — and that was what had given rise to his current thoughts and behavior.

Zhang Yu's mood instantly improved.

Good, this was good — this was exactly the state he wanted the king in.

"Your servant has indeed heard," Zhang Yu said with a nod: "Lord Kim Jeong-min was actually assassinated in broad daylight on the street. Who would have thought the culprits so bold as to dare do such a thing in the capital of Joseon! These people must be caught, and punished without mercy! Might I ask whether Your Majesty has apprehended them?"

In his heart, Zhang Yu knew full well: catch them? Dream on!

The Joseon king's expression instantly turned even uglier.

He certainly felt Zhang Yu was right — they truly should catch the culprits and punish them without mercy, even confiscating their property and exterminating their clans. But they hadn't caught anyone at all — that was a slap in the face, plain and simple.

Zheng Xuhong, standing to the side, could hardly bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward and said: "The culprits are cunning, and it seems they planned this well in advance. We have not yet managed to apprehend them."

"I see." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "Then is there anything I can help with?"

The Joseon king coughed once, glossing over the topic, then said: "The reason I summoned Lord Zhang today is actually to ask about another matter. I do not ask Lord Zhang to help with anything — I only ask that Lord Zhang answer truthfully."

Zhang Yu was startled, seeming somewhat hesitant, then gave a helpless bitter smile and said: "Your Majesty doesn't think this matter has something to do with the Great Ming, does he? Or does Your Majesty believe this matter was done by your servant?"

"No, not at all." The Joseon king waved his hand and said: "It's just that there are some matters I hope Lord Zhang will speak of frankly."

"Please speak, Your Majesty." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "Anything I can say, I will tell you without reservation. Rest assured, Your Majesty."

The Joseon king's brows furrowed — he naturally caught the implication in Zhang Yu's words.

What did he mean by "anything I can say"? Were there things he could not say?

Though he very much wanted to retort, he also knew the man before him was of a different standing. This was not one of his own subjects — the man calling himself "your servant" was merely a verbal show of respect.

"It is like this — I wish to ask when my Crown Prince will be able to return from the Great Ming." The Joseon king looked at Zhang Yu and spoke slowly.

Though the current affair was causing quite a stir, once the Crown Prince returned, the Joseon king would have his backbone again. Moreover, the Crown Prince's return from the Great Ming carried a different significance.

So the Joseon king had cut in from this angle — it was also an unavoidable question.

"That your servant would not know." Zhang Yu shook his head and said: "His Majesty greatly admires the Crown Prince and feels a warmth upon seeing him, so he kept him there. Your Majesty's health is still robust — there should be no hurry for the Crown Prince to return, should there?"

The Joseon king rose to his feet, eyes narrowing slightly, and said: "I'm afraid there are those who do not wish my Crown Prince to return, are there not?"

"There are indeed." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "And that person is none other than His Majesty himself? Your servant just said as much."

The Joseon king was instantly choked into silence.

Anything could be discussed, but one absolutely could not bring up the Emperor of the Great Ming — that would be courting death.

Zheng Xuhong, helpless, stepped forward once again and said: "His Majesty was not referring to the Emperor. That the Emperor favors the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince's fortune, and the fortune of all Joseon."

"What His Majesty means is people here in Joseon — is there someone who, through activities in the Great Ming, does not wish the Crown Prince to return, or even hopes he will remain in the Great Ming forever? There is a case connected to this matter, and I have uncovered some things — I merely wished to confirm them with Lord Zhang. I beg Lord Zhang to answer truthfully."

Upon hearing these words, a bitter smile spread across Zhang Yu's face.

He glanced at the Joseon king and said: "This matter is nothing but rumor — in the Great Ming it is merely rumor as well. As for the actual truth of it, your servant does not know."

The Joseon king's eyes immediately narrowed.

Who was Zhang Yu?

He was an envoy of the Great Ming, representing the Great Ming's Emperor — his words could not be spoken carelessly.

If he said it was rumor, then it truly had happened. It was just that he had no evidence in hand, and even if he did, he would not give it to them.

"What sort of rumors might they be?" Zheng Xuhong asked once more.

Zhang Yu gave Zheng Xuhong a helpless look and said: "These rumors are not to be taken seriously — Lord Zheng need not press the matter, surely?"

But Zheng Xuhong did not retreat. He stepped forward and said again: "I beg Lord Zhang to tell the truth."

The Joseon king, seated there, shot Zheng Xuhong an appreciative glance, feeling even more satisfied with him.

This was what it meant to have a trusted confidant — charging to the front in such matters. Had it been anyone else, would they have had the courage? Would they have risked their life for him?

Zhang Yu let out a sigh and said helplessly: "Very well, then I shall tell the truth. There are indeed rumors in the Great Ming that someone here in Joseon has spent heavily on lobbying, entrusting many people, all hoping that the Joseon Crown Prince would remain in the Great Ming. As for the specifics, or what benefits were offered, your servant does not know. Whether their efforts had any effect, your servant also does not know."

This was plainly a dodge — the man had not returned and was still there; how could it have had no effect?

"There are treacherous ministers by the Emperor's side!" The Joseon king could not help blurting out.

Zhang Yu stepped forward, his expression instantly turning cold, and said: "Your Majesty should be more careful with his words. Matters concerning the Emperor's side are not something Your Majesty may discuss here."

The moment these words came out, the great hall fell silent.

The Joseon king had already realized his impropriety the moment he spoke. Hearing Zhang Yu say this, he hastily said: "It was improper of me — I beg Lord Zhang not to take offense. I was merely overcome by the moment."

"I understand." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "But I wonder what exactly has happened to put Your Majesty in such a state? If Your Majesty trusts me, please tell me truthfully."

The King of Joseon glanced at Zheng Xuhong, and seeing him nod, breathed a sigh of relief.

"May I ask what the Great Ming's attitude toward Joseon is?" The King of Joseon looked at Zhang Yu and asked in a low voice.

"Isn't the Great Ming's attitude toward Joseon obvious enough?" Zhang Yu spread his hands and said: "After all these years, how has the Great Ming treated Joseon? Surely everyone in Joseon, from top to bottom, knows the answer in their hearts?"

"In these past few years of trade, there have indeed been some who engaged in unlawful commerce, causing Joseon great harm. But when His Majesty learned of this matter, he has been helping all along. Even when the Great Ming attacked the Wa nation, it brought Joseon along, with the thought of restoring Joseon's national strength. Could Joseon still harbor any dissatisfaction toward the Great Ming?"

Sweat began to drip from the King of Joseon.

These words were far too heavy.

"No, no, Joseon absolutely has no such intention." The King of Joseon said hurriedly: "It's just that this matter is truly too great this time. Someone has colluded with the Great Ming, and this king feels uncertain at heart. I truly do not know what choice the Great Ming will ultimately make, and this king has no confidence in his heart either."

Zhang Yu smiled bitterly and said: "What exactly is this matter? Please, Your Majesty, do tell."

The King of Joseon glanced at Zheng Xuhong.

The meaning was obvious: it was time for him to take the stage again; the king was not suited to speak now.

Zheng Xuhong said: "Regarding the recent cases in Hanseong, I have found some leads here. They implicate certain people, and even implicate some people from the Great Ming. That is why His Majesty posed this question. This official actually also wishes to ask — can Lord Zhang's words represent the Great Ming's attitude? Can they represent the attitude of His Majesty the Great Ming Emperor?"

"Of course." Zhang Yu nodded with a solemn expression and said: "I am an envoy of the Great Ming, bearing the sacred edict of the Great Ming Emperor. My words are naturally the Great Ming's attitude, and naturally can represent the Great Ming Emperor's intentions. If Lord Zheng has anything to say, please speak freely."

"Since that is so, then all is well." Zheng Xuhong nodded and said: "This time, we have discovered that someone has colluded with people from the Great Ming, wanting to keep the Crown Prince in the Great Ming, with the intent of usurping the throne."

"Is it one of His Majesty's other sons?" Zhang Yu looked at Zheng Xuhong and asked.

"Why does Lord Zhang say this?" Zheng Xuhong asked.

"Isn't it simple?" Zhang Yu spread his hands and said: "Someone does not want the Crown Prince to return. Only if the Crown Prince cannot return can he usurp the throne with proper justification. Then apart from His Majesty's other sons, there is no one else. Moreover, His Majesty's worry over whom the Great Ming might support also corroborates this point."

"Lord Zhang is perceptive." Zheng Xuhong nodded and said: "It is exactly so."

"Then I understand." Zhang Yu revealed an expression of sudden realization and said: "Within Joseon, one of His Majesty's offspring has colluded with lawless merchants of the Great Ming to keep the Crown Prince in the Great Ming. On the Joseon side, he wants to seize power and usurp the throne — or rather, wait until His Majesty passes, and then he will sit upon the throne of Joseon. His Majesty worries that the Great Ming might support that traitor."

"On this point, I can clearly tell His Majesty — the Great Ming will absolutely not support a traitor. His Majesty is the King of Joseon, a king who received enfeoffment from the Great Ming. The Great Ming will absolutely not go back on its word, nor will it ever support rebels. His Majesty may rest assured — this is this official's attitude, this is also the Great Ming's attitude, and moreover it is His Majesty the Emperor's attitude."

Upon hearing these words, the King of Joseon immediately smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

Before Zhang Yu had come, he and Zheng Xuhong had already discussed the matter — this time, the main goal was to win the Great Ming's support.

As long as they had the Great Ming's support, whatever the sovereign and his minister did would be easy. No matter how his son jumped around, it would be useless.

Having received Zhang Yu's reply, the King of Joseon was naturally very pleased, and gained confidence in his heart. The plan he and Zheng Xuhong had discussed had indeed proven effective.

Zheng Xuhong had told him at the time that when dealing with the Great Ming, one could not only appeal to interests — after all, there were still many things in this world that interests could not buy, and that was righteousness.

If he stood on the side of righteousness, on the side of proper standing, the Great Ming would surely support him.

The current result was exactly as Zheng Xuhong had predicted — the Great Ming indeed supported him. That was enough.

The King of Joseon said: "This is truly wonderful."

"Since such a matter has occurred in the kingdom of Joseon, the Great Ming naturally cannot stand by with folded arms. I imagine His Majesty has also been deceived by those people. This minister will immediately return and write a letter, telling His Majesty everything that has happened here. After His Majesty learns of the news, he will surely make the wisest decision. His Majesty may rest assured."

"As for the Great Ming's attitude, His Majesty may also inform those people, so that they dare not act rashly. However, this minister also feels that His Majesty should not provoke them, lest they do something improper."

The King of Joseon's expression changed, and he could not help but think of that Lin Dechang.

He had already sent people to arrest Lin Dechang, and they had not caught him yet — there had been a big explosion, and the man had escaped.

Did this count as him having already made a move?

If news that the Great Ming supported him spread out, would his son take desperate risks?

Thinking of this, the King of Joseon could not help but grow tense, and turned his head to look at Zheng Xuhong.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Xuhong's expression had also turned very ugly. Clearly, the sovereign and his minister had thought of the same thing.

The King of Joseon felt somewhat helpless.

What kind of mess was this?

Zhang Yu looked at the expressions of the two men, and his own countenance immediately sank. He stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, if the grass has already been startled and the snake alerted, then it is best to use thunderous measures."

"Regarding these rebels, this minister feels there is no need to show mercy. Otherwise, one can only tolerate evil and breed trouble — when that time comes, Joseon will fall into chaos, and His Majesty will also be in danger."