The tenth year of Chongzhen, the tenth day of the fifth lunar month.

North Korea.

Nanhan Mountain City.

A middle-aged man wearing ordinary Korean casual clothes, half-white hair and a thin and haggard face, stood at the tower on the south gate of Nanhan Mountain City, looking at the dense Qing army camp tents under the Wangyue Peak not far outside the city gate with a look of fear and anxiety.

This middle-aged man is the North Korean king Li Ne who disguised himself as the people and went to the city gate to explore the enemy's situation.

Since being besieged by the Qing army in this Nanhan Mountain City, Li Jue suffered from hunger due to the lack of food and grass in the city. After eating up only a few grains in the city, the monarch and ministers began to plunder food from the people's homes. After even the food robbed by the people's homes was eaten up, they were forced to kill the horses in the army and eat. The people in the city whose food was robbed by their own troops had already starved to death. The entire Nanhan Mountain City was filled with an atmosphere of despair and panic.

In addition to the situation so collapsed, rumors rose from time to time in the city, like the Qing army was about to come and seize the city quickly, and rumors like those who secretly opened the city gate were spreading in the city almost every day, which made Li Nei always feel nervous, in his mental state. It is not an exaggeration to say that he was shocked several times a day.

The Qing army outside the city did not let him worry. Almost every day, the Qing army surrounded Nanhan Mountain City and rode around horses, loudly ordered the Korean monarch and ministers to surrender, and said that if they did not surrender, the entire city would kill the soldiers and people, and burned them all, scared Li Wu so much that he was almost unable to eat and sleep.

The addition of all the situations made King Li Nee, who was only 45 years old, grow old and haggard quickly. At this time, from his appearance, he was no different from an old man who was nearly sixty.

He was followed by two people, one of whom was his most beloved right-wing minister, Jin Zidian, and the other was Hong Yihan, a counselor who was quite trusted by him. Both of them were disguised as civilians.

Li Gui peeked in the direction of Qingying for a long time before putting down the Qianli Mile Mile in his hand, but his face was full of confusion.

"It's strange. In the past few days, why has the Qing army not sent anyone outside the city to persuade the surrender? In the camp, the flags were scattered and there were no soldiers who were training nervously, but for some reason?"

Li Meng murmured to herself.

"Can't the Qing army be ready to give up attacking Nanhan Mountain City and be ready to attack elsewhere?" said a pair of sharp and sinister triangular eyes, two long rat whispers, and a golden dot with two long rat whiskers.

"It shouldn't be. The Qing army has surrounded the Nanhan Mountain City like an iron barrel. It should have decided to break the city in one fell swoop. As the teacher saw it, I'm afraid that something happened in the Qing court?" Hong Yihan frowned from the side and speculated.

The emperor and his ministers were muttering and talking nonstop at the top of the city, and suddenly they saw dozens of horses and horses coming along the official road to the west, holding various flags.

After seeing clearly the group of people and horses, they were fighting the Korean military flag and the Ming Dynasty's Sun and Moon flag, Li Nei almost fell off his chin.

What made him even more stunned was that there were patrolling Qing troops next to them, who were walking for them, as if this group of people were VIP guests invited by the Qing army.

What's going on here?

Jin Zidian and Hong Yihan on the side also looked at each other, and both of them felt their heads short-circuited in an instant.

It was not until the group was about to reach the south gate that Li Yu could see clearly that among the people, the leader was his second brother, Ayara's great Lord Li Qi, General Li Renzhan, and a white-clothed handsome man dressed in Ming Dynasty costume.

In Li's heart, he suddenly felt a very bad mood surged up.

Could it be that Jianghua Island City was lost and the Qing army was asked to escort these royal prisoners to come and make a forcibly substitute?

However, he soon felt that his guess was wrong, because he saw from the Qianli Miles that the second brother Li Qiu in front and the general Li Renzhan both had happy expressions.

No one who was captured could still smile like this.

As the group of people approached the city gate, the Qing army escorted themselves to disperse and let the group of people go to Nanhanshan City on their own.

Such a strange scene made Li Yu even more confused.

"Let's go down the city quickly, change clothes and prepare to see what happened to me?" Li Jue, who was puzzled by the mind, finally spoke to Jin Zidian and Hong Yihan on the side.

After Li Jue and others changed their clothes, in addition to taking Jin Zidian and Hong Yihan, he also brought his eldest son, Zhaoxian Crown Prince Li Qi, the third brother, Lingchang Grand Lord Li Qi, the third son, Linping Grand Lord Li Jun, the fourth son, Longcheng Grand Lord Li Gun, and Yin Ji, Wu Daji and other Xin Chong civil officials to go to the south gate together.

When they just arrived at the south gate, they heard Li Qi, the second brother of the outside of the city, shouting loudly: "Brother, please open the city gate as soon as possible. We are waiting to come to Nanhan Mountain City, but there is a major good news and we want to report it to the emperor."

Before Li Yu could speak, Li Qi, the third brother, Lingchang Grand Lord, ran up to the city tower and shouted loudly to Li Qi: "Second brother, don't blame me for asking directly. You have become a prisoner of the Qing army. Do you want to go to the city to persuade me to surrender?"

Li Qiu looked up and saw his younger brother Li Qi's fearless expression, and shook his head and laughed: "Third brother, you are too worried. We will go into the city. If we report to the emperor, now the Daming Heavenly soldiers have reached an agreement with the Qing emperor, our North Korea can finally get a ceasefire with the Qing Dynasty."

The general Li Renzhan on the side also shouted: "Master Lingchang, we have indeed come to Nanhan Mountain City to inform the emperor of this good news. Let us enter the city, and we will talk to the emperor in detail."

After Li Renzhan finished speaking, he pointed to the white-clothed Xiushi beside him and said, "Third brother, this is Chen Zanhua, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty. He came to discuss the agreement with the emperor on the order of the left governor of the Ming Dynasty, Li Xiao, to discuss the agreement with the emperor."

Li Ju and others were at the gate of the city. When they heard the words of Li Qiu and others, they were all very happy.

Especially King Li Nei, he could hardly believe his ears.

This arrogant Qing army was forced to sign a ceasefire agreement by the Ming army who had joined the aid?

Li Zi felt his heartbeat accelerated at least a hundred times, and an unspeakable sense of joy and ease instantly filled his whole body.

"Congratulations to the Emperor, congratulations to the Emperor, I know that the Ming Dynasty will never abandon the country lightly. How can those Qing army and Tartars be the opponent of the Ming Dynasty soldiers?" Yin Ji, the administrator of the Yanguan School, laughed loudly, and looked happy.

"Yes, since we arrived in the Nanhan Mountain City, our king, minister and people have suffered from famine in the siege. Now that we have signed this armistice agreement, not only the emperor is at ease, but the people of North Korea can finally rest and recuperate." Wu Daji, a editor of the Wenyuan Academy, also had a look of joy on his face.

"Father, now that the agreement is about to be decided, please open the city gate quickly and welcome the second uncle and the envoy of the Ming Kingdom into the city." Zhaoxian Crown Prince Li Li, also had an excited face and asked the king Li Jue hurriedly.

There was also a glee on Li Zi's face, but in front of everyone, he still had to work hard to maintain the majesty and demeanor of a monarch.

No wonder the defense of the Qing army outside the city is so relaxed now, no wonder no Qing cavalry came to call for a forced landing. It turns out that there is a reason for all.

Li Yu was filled with emotion. If the Ming army had not come to help in time, Jianghua Island City would have fallen into the hands of the Qing army, and the royal family on the island had been captured. If the Qing chief Huang Taiji forced these royal families to persuade them to surrender, he would probably have really been unable to hold on anymore.

This left governor of the Ming Kingdom named Li Xiao is really his life-saving benefactor. After the armistice agreement is signed, I will thank him more.

Li Jue was determined and immediately ordered the city gate to open and welcome Li Qiu and others into the city.

When they entered the city, everyone bowed and introduced them. After a while, Li Yan invited Li Jun, Li Renzhan, Chen Zilong and others to come to the inner palace to talk together.

After entering the living room, Li Yu asked Chen Zilong to sit in the upper head enthusiastically to show his respect for the envoys of the superior country. After Chen Zilong gave in, he sat down with a sigh.

Next, Li Qi, the great Lord of Ayara, briefly explained how the Ming army entered Jianghua Island, how to annihilate the Qing army's water and land units, and how to force Huang Taiji to sign a ceasefire agreement, and explained to Li Wu one by one.

When Li Xiao heard this agreement, the Qing army did not need North Korea to pay tribute to the Qing Dynasty except to retain the captured Korean people and property. Li was extremely happy.

Food, money, money and wealth are the foundation of the country. Of course, Li Yu knew how much benefit he could bring to his stable rule over North Korea without tribute to the Qing Dynasty.

"If it weren't for the Supreme Kingdom of the Heavenly Kingdom, the Heavenly Army sent urgently to help, the lonely small country would probably be difficult to fight against the Qing army anymore. The royal family might have fallen into the hands of the Qing people, and the consequences would be unimaginable. Now that Korea is protected and the royal family is fully qualified to be re-created by the Ming Dynasty. This Chen Zanhua, please be worshiped by the Lone King!"

After Li Yu finished speaking excitedly, he immediately stood up and bowed to Chen Zilong.

"The emperor does not need to perform this great gift." Chen Zilong hurriedly supported Li Jue, and then smiled and said, "I have always appreciated the noble country in the Great Ming Dynasty, so I sent troops to help, just as my parents love their children."

Li Ju said with gratitude: "The Lord of the Small Country has truly fulfilled the righteous act of helping the poor and helping the poor in the Heavenly Kingdom. If the Qing army withdrew, although the small country is poor in financial resources, it will also pay for the Heavenly Army of the High Country, so that it will express its gratitude in its heart."

Chen Zilong smiled and said, "Emperor, our Ming Dynasty official army entered Korea not to give rewards, but only for the friendship between the two countries. Now that North Korea has suffered this war, its wealth and property are scarce, our army is not willing to accept it safely. If the emperor wants to repay our army, he does not have to take out any gold, silver and treasures, but he can pull out a deserted island for our army to station troops."

When Li Yu heard this, he pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "Although our North Korea is remote and poor, there are many islands. If you can provide help to your army, you should offer it. I think during the Tianqi period, your country's general Mao Wenlong once rented the Lin Island in our country and renamed it Pi Island as a place to station troops. Now, I don't know what island Li wants to get our country as a garrison?"

Chen Zilong smiled and said, "The one that my governor Li wants to take is Jeju Island, which was exiled to prisoners at the southern end of your country. Governor Li wants to get this place, thinking that our Ming Navy is the place where the troops are stationed."

After hearing Chen Zijing's words, the smile on Li's face froze.

He knew that although this Jeju Island was remote, it was the largest island in North Korea, much larger than Pi Island, and it was very important to guard the portal of entering and leaving the Sea of ​​Japan. Although there was no development in this island now, the development prospects here in the future should be impressive. If you give it to the Ming army like this, you will feel a little reluctant to let it go.

Seeing that Li Yu was embarrassed, Chen Zilong also smiled and changed into a solemn tone, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, our army wants to acquire Jeju Island for a comprehensive consideration. First of all, if the Qing army violates the contract in the future, our navy will be able to come quickly from Jeju to rescue, which is very convenient, so as to prevent the Qing army from wantonly plundering and destroying in Korea. Secondly, with our army stationed on Jeju Island, Japan in the east will never dare to covet North Korea anymore. Therefore, the military and civilians along the coast of Korea can all be stable. Therefore, according to the perspective of Benzang, the emperor only gave our army a deserted island where prisoners were distributed, and it does not cost a grain or a money, and a soldier and a civilian, so that the emperor can get all the protection of our Ming official army. Such a good thing is gone, so please think deeply."

After Chen Zilong finished speaking, Li Qi, the great king of Ayahara, who was beside him, also rushed over: "Brother, look at it from my brothers. What Chen Zanhua said is very true. Although this Jeju Island is large in area, it is just an undeveloped deserted island. Now that our North Korea has lost all its wealth and poor people, how can we have enough money to go to develop? It would be better to give this island to the Daming Tian Army to the Navy, so that after the Ming Dynasty's official army obtains this island, it can help North Korea block the Qing court in the north and settle Japan in the east. In this way, it is a good thing."

Speaking of this, Li Qi lowered his voice and said, "If Governor Li, who had made great achievements in fighting and helped us to sign a ceasefire agreement with the Qing court, saw that the emperor refused to give it to the island and led his army away in anger, who would have to rely on my North Korean land? Isn't it possible for the Qing people to ravage me?

Seeing that his second brother Li Qi said so clearly, a sad look suddenly appeared on King Li's face.

In the chaotic times, great powers are still fighting each other. If North Korea is not protected by the strong protection of the great power, it is afraid that in the future, the Qing army will either invade the south or be expeditioned by Japan to the west. The danger of destroying the country will be everywhere.

If the country no longer exists and the royal family disappears, what's the use of such a remote Jeju Island?

Let's take a step back, if Li Xiao was a rude person, he would not engage in this kind of courtesy dealing with him. Instead, he took advantage of the weak North Korea and simply sent troops to seize Jizhou Island. Besides staring at him, what other ways could he have to counterattack?

It can be seen that Governor Li was willing to send an envoy to communicate with him in such a negotiated tone, which gave him enough face.

A weak country has no diplomacy, and it has been possible since ancient times.

A faint bitter smile appeared on Li's face.

"What Chen Zanhua and his second brother said is extremely true. Gu relied on the power of the Daming Heavenly Army to force the Qing people to retreat. How could this deserted island be a pity to defeat the favor of the country? Gu agreed. After the Qing people withdrew their troops, Gu presented this island to Governor Li."

After hearing Li Yu's answer, Chen Zilong smiled brightly and exclaimed loudly: "The emperor is indeed wise and far-reaching. I think Governor Li will be extremely happy to receive such news. The diplomatic relations between the two countries can further deepen the harmony."

Afterwards, Chen Zilong talked with Li Yu about the details of the handover between the two countries on Jeju Island by then.

Chen Zilong generously stated that the Ming Dynasty would never take advantage of North Korea and could promise to help all the more than 20,000 Korean soldiers and civilians on Jeju Island to move back to Jeolla South Road in North Korea, and Li Xiao would provide sufficient settlement costs for these people.

Seeing Chen Zilong so generous and generous, the Korean king and ministers were very happy.

At this point, the matter of North Korea's gift to Li Xiao and Jeju Island was basically achieved.

After the negotiations on Jeju Island, Chen Zilong and Li Ju agreed to set off to the estuary of the Han River early tomorrow morning to officially sign a ceasefire agreement with Li Xiao, the left governor of the Ming Kingdom, and Emperor Taiji of the Qing Dynasty.

That night, Li Ni ordered his subordinates to collect all the remaining wine and food in the Nanhan Mountain City, and use horse meat as the main food, and finally entertained Chen Zilong and his group.
Chapter completed!