Chapter 849: Internal Strife of the Li Dynasty

The person leading this Li Dynasty envoy was a man named Piao Zhengyong.

When Liu Zheng saw that flat, shoe-like face and those small eyes, he almost laughed out loud.

While this Piao Zhengyong was pleading for aid from him, Liu Zheng was also keeping a close watch on the expression of Li Xuanya beside him.

Li Xuanya's expression went from nervous, to tearful, and then to bewildered.

This subtle change indicated a problem.

Nervousness meant the Wa army had reached the Li Dynasty, so she was nervous. Crying meant she was worried about the nation falling and the people dying, so she was crying.

Then this bewilderment must have been without cause.

But Liu Zheng knew there was no such thing as bewilderment without cause.

Therefore.

When this Piao Zhengyong made the request for fifty thousand men, Liu Zheng glanced at Li Xuanya beside him.

"It's you!"

: rg

However, Li Xuanya did not speak; the guard beside her, Li Zheng, could not hold back any longer. This young general, who looked quite handsome, stared at Piao Zhengyong with eyes full of hatred.

Li Xuanya's delicate body trembled, and she said nothing.

But one could clearly see the deep worry in her eyes.

Seeing this situation, Liu Zheng guessed the truth of the matter.

Internal strife.

"Yo, isn't this the kid from the Zheng Family?"

Piao Zhengyong also looked over coldly.

It kept dividing more and more, getting finer and finer, which was both laughable and irritating.

Take Longyan, for example.

It was internal strife again.

Speaking of this Li Dynasty, there were quite a few interesting things. Ever since the founding of the Li Dynasty, Joseon had been mired in various internal conflicts. Scholar-official disasters and party strife had existed for hundreds of years. You could never imagine that such a small country as the Li Dynasty could have so many factions in its history. For example, the Greater Yun Faction, the Lesser Yun Faction, the Northerners, the Easterners, the Westerner Party, the Southern Faction, the Great Northern Faction, the Lesser Northern Faction, and then the Clear Lesser Northerners and the Turbid Lesser Northerners.

If a country wants to develop and grow strong, it must be united and of one mind. No matter who is in power, other parties must fully submit, rather than engaging in all sorts of deceit and holding each other back. Therefore, Liu Zheng was always a firm supporter of a single Flag. Because he believed that politicians, as a breed, had no real stance or faith. They would promote whatever was beneficial to them. These so-called parties were nothing more than a gimmick.

Could it be that under a single Flag, there would be no political enemies?

Longyan had continued for thousands of years, and at most, there were only Nobles, Scholar-officials, and the New Aristocracy that had appeared recently.

This touched upon the viewpoint Liu Zheng had always supported.

When this single Flag is raised, you follow me; that is what a country and a society should truly strive for.

Liu Zheng firmly believed in this.

No, there certainly would be.

But as long as one could stand out under such a system, they would inevitably be an elite among elites, battle-hardened and having fought their way out of the encirclement.

Li Xuanya was the daughter of Suzong of the Li Dynasty, a Princess, born to the Renjing Queen and Suzong.

Therefore.

Looking further at the Li Dynasty, besides scholar-official disasters and party strife, the succession of the throne was also complex and confusing: the Strife of Princes, the Second Strife of Princes, various restorations, various depositions, and furthermore, the interference of the inner palace in politics.

To put it simply, in such a tiny place, there was no end to the drama.

As soon as these words were spoken, the people of the Li Dynasty all had their expressions shift slightly.

Li Xuanya also looked at Liu Zheng in disbelief.

Her sudden change in expression and Li Zheng's attitude made Liu Zheng's heart skip a beat.

He laughed heartily, looked at Piao Zhengyong, and asked, "My good sir, are you here representing Suzong, or are you here representing Zhang Shuyuan?"

Upon hearing this, Piao Zhengyong smiled slightly: "I did not expect that Vice Minister Liu would also have studied the situation of my Li Dynasty. It is an honor, a great honor."

He glanced at Li Xuanya and Li Zheng, then smiled gloomily: "Vice Minister Liu, may we step aside to speak?"

She nervously clenched her fists, her eyes complex.

Sure enough.

"Vice Minister Liu!"

Li Xuanya and Li Zheng both wanted to stop him.

"You"

"Lord Liu"

Liu Zheng smiled and said nothing.

Zhang Shuyuan.

Liu Zheng, however, smiled slightly and waved his hand to signal them to be at ease, then turned and walked away gracefully. Piao Zhengyong was overjoyed and followed behind him.

When the two entered Liu Zheng's study, Piao Zhengyong did not say a word, but took a Silver Note from his sleeve, placed it in front of Liu Zheng, and then bowed with a smile: "My lord's eyes are like torches. I will not hide it from you, my lord; this time, I am indeed here representing Zhang Shuyuan."

Known as the number one enchantress of Joseon.

Zhang Yuzhen was of the middle class, originally a humble common palace maid. Because of her outstanding beauty, she was favored by Sukjong, gave birth to the Crown Prince Li Yun, and in 1689, replaced the Inhyeon Queen Min to ascend to the throne as Queen of Joseon, only to be demoted to Consort five years later.

Zhang Yuzhen.

A famous figure of the Li Dynasty. Known in history as Zhang Xi Bin.

A beauty of heavenly fragrance and national color.

These points alone were enough to be attractive.

She was the most controversial woman in Joseon history: she was peerlessly beautiful, clever and quick-witted, and enjoyed the sole favor of the inner palace, winning the heart of the monarch. She cultivated her own party, excluded those who disagreed with her, and was called the number one "enchantress" in Joseon history. From a palace maid to a Queen, she experienced several ups and downs of honor and disgrace, but ultimately paid the price of her life in the palace struggles. Because of her legendary experiences, there are many film and television works describing her life.

Enchantress.

Liu Zheng smiled: "One hundred thousand gold, that is truly not a small amount."

Piao Zhengyong looked arrogant, then his expression turned fierce: "As long as you, my lord, can kill the Princess and that Li Zheng together on the journey!"

Liu Zheng looked at the Silver Note and asked, "What does this mean, my lord?"

Piao Zhengyong laughed aloud and said, "My lord, there is a saying in Longyan: honest people don't speak in riddles. The one hundred thousand gold is just a greeting gift from Zhang Shuyuan to you, my lord."

It seems this trip to Joseon

This is getting interesting.

"Consort Zhang has even more heavy gold to send!"

Hearing this, Liu Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

He believed that in this world, there was surely no one who could resist the temptation of one hundred thousand gold!

Including this Vice Minister Liu!

He laughed aloud, noncommittal, and just looked at Piao Zhengyong with a playful expression.

Piao Zhengyong also laughed aloud.

A mere Vice Minister, that is all!

Zhang Yuzhen had apparently only just returned to the inner palace of the Li Dynasty, and had not even been promoted to Royal Concubine. Historical records state that it was only after Zhang Yuzhen became a Royal Concubine that she began to cultivate her own power on a large scale. This Piao Zhengyong seemed to be a trusted person by her side. Therefore, it was only natural that he did not know the reputation of Vice Minister Liu.

He even found it hard to understand why the Consort had him bring so much money to bribe this so-called Vice Minister!

Was it worth it?

Although the Li Dynasty could not compare to Longyan, he was a person by the side of Zhang Shuyuan of the Li Dynasty, so naturally, in terms of rank, he should be superior to a Vice Minister from this barren land of Liaodong!

Piao Zhengyong wore an arrogant expression.

"Vice Minister Liu, what do you think?"

Hmm.

That was what he thought.

Liu Zheng smiled brilliantly: "Good."