Winter, the twenty-ninth year of Hongwu's reign in the Ming Dynasty.
The sky is low, the clouds are thick, the wind is freezing, and it is the coldest time of the year.
Seoul, the capital of North Korea, is covered with ice and snow, and the streets are deserted with few pedestrians. There are even more birds and beasts flying around in the suburbs, and everything you look around is absolutely stunning, as if the whole world has merged into a white and pure world of glass.
In the 25th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, that is, in 1392 AD, Li Chenggui founded the country and requested the name of the suzerain country, the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, approved and issued an edict: "The name Dongyi is only praised by North Korea, and since it came from a long distance, it can be named after its ancestors." From then on, the name North Korea became the name of the country and is still used today. Of course, the Korean Peninsula at that time was completely unified, including today's North and South Korea.
Our story begins with this new dynasty.
Located in the northern part of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace is a royal palace. The white snow covers the original blue roof of the palace, leaving the vermilion palace door particularly eye-catching. The main entrance to Gwanghwamun in the south of the palace was closed, and only the side door, the Hongni Door, was open. Four guards stood at the door, their necks and waists hunched over from the cold, and they rubbed their hands together from time to time to keep warm in the cold wind.
An old guard looked up at the low sky and murmured: "Is it going to snow again?"
A palace carriage drove slowly, followed by a groom leading four horses, and stopped together near Hongli Gate. Before long, a group of palace ladies and chamberlains were seen walking out of the palace.
The old guard realized that the leader, Shang Gong, was Zheng Tituo, the most powerful man in the palace. He hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. With a smile on his face, he saluted and asked, "Where are you going? It's a cold day today."
Zheng Shanggong glanced at him without saying anything, and hurriedly got into the palace carriage with the two palace ladies. The four chamberlains also jumped on their horses and shouted to the carriage driver: "Left Army Commandery Palace! Hurry!"
A carriage and four horses hurriedly left the Hongni Gate and headed straight for the Zuojun Commandery's Mansion.
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The residence of Cao Mengyi, the commander-in-chief of the Left Army, is located in the northeast corner of Seoul, not far from Gyeongbokgung Palace. After Li Chenggui founded the People's Republic of China, Hongwu established the capital in Seoul in the 29th year. Not long after the Cao family moved in, there were still many unplanted flowers, plants and trees in the yard. Although most of them were covered with snow, they were still a bit messy.
In the east wing of the main hall is a small Buddhist hall. The Cao family's mother and daughter believed in Caoxi Zen, a branch of the Southern Sect in the Central Plains. They worshiped Buddha and practiced Zen every day, so they set up a Buddhist hall here.
Early in the morning, Mrs. Cao took her daughter Lotus into the Buddhist hall. After offering incense and worshiping the Buddha, she finished reciting the Diamond Sutra, the Altar Sutra, the Vimalakīrti Sutra, etc. as usual, and then the two of them sat in meditation.
The servants all retreated, leaving Shanxi standing behind. There was no sound in the Buddhist hall, except for the window lattice which was often rustled by the cold wind.
In the silence, Mrs. Cao suddenly called out: "Lotus!"
Lianhua opened her eyes and saw Mrs. Cao looking at her with an uneasy expression. She quickly got up and walked over and asked, "What's wrong, mother?"
Mrs. Cao looked up at the lotus and hesitated to speak. Turning the prayer beads in his hand, he sighed for a long time and said, "I don't know what happened today, but I am always a little scared."
Lianhua sat down next to her mother, gently hugged Mrs. Cao's shoulders, and said softly: "Mom, I think you are worrying too much. There is no rush in Zen practice, let's take our time."
Mrs. Cao turned sideways and held the catkins of the lotus, and sighed again: "Why should I be anxious about practicing Zen? I am worried about the master and your two brothers."
Lian Hua didn't know why her mother was sighing. She was also worried about her father and younger brother. She prayed to Buddha every day to pray for their safety. She knew that it was against Zen meditation but she couldn't let go.
It's just that my mother is not in good health and she must not be anxious anymore. Lianhua squeezed Mrs. Cao's hand and comforted her softly: "Mom, don't worry anymore. Father has been on the battlefield for a long time. How many big battles have he fought and won? This time he is just a small Japanese pirate. He will be fine."
Since the late Goryeo Dynasty, the problem of Japanese pirates has become more and more serious. As soon as these bandits with no bottom line come ashore, they rob, rape, murder, and set fire to all kinds of crimes. The people along the coast suffer unspeakably from them. The King of Goryeo sent troops to fight several times, each with success or failure, but the Japanese pirates became more and more rampant. It was not until more than ten years ago that Li Chenggui, who was the deputy envoy of Mi Zhi at the time, led a large army to defeat the Japanese pirates in Jeolla Province, burned 500 ships that invaded Yunfeng, and killed their leader Aji Batu, and the Japanese pirates withdrew from the Korean Peninsula. No more massive invasions. The people lived a good life for a while.
Unexpectedly, this autumn, a group of Japanese pirates with more than 100 boats and a total of 5,000 people landed in Jeolla Province again. The leader, Aji Taiyou, claimed to be the son of Aji Batu and claimed to avenge his father. He not only robbed and set fire to the locals but also killed all the local officers and soldiers along the way. He was extremely vicious, cruel and bloodthirsty.
King Li Chenggui was furious with thunder in the court hall, and all the civil and military officials in the court rushed to fight.
Although Cao Mengyi is old, he is the number one general who does his duty. Because he had fought against Japanese pirates and had considerable experience and prestige, he was immediately appointed as a general and sent troops to Jeolla Province.
Cao Mengyi's two sons, Cao Min and Cao Xiu, accompanied their father on the expedition. Cao Min is the eldest son of Cao Cao. He has fought with his father since he was young and has made many military exploits. This time he was appointed to the Central Army; Cao Xiu is the youngest son. He is fourteen years old and two years younger than Lian Hua. He was not originally asked to go, but he heard that I must go to fight against Japanese pirates. Cao Mengyi, a general of the Cao family for generations, thought it would be a good idea to go and practice, so he took him along with him. Mrs. Cao's eyes turned red from crying and she could not keep her youngest son.
"Lianhua, I know we are going to fight Japanese pirates this time. But we have been there for more than four months, and the New Year is coming soon. I wonder if they can come back to celebrate the New Year together?" Mrs. Cao said, stood up and walked to the Buddha statue, respectfully He paid tribute to three more sticks of incense, knelt down devoutly, and said softly: "Buddha is merciful and forgives the ignorance of his disciples. I pray that my husband and my son will succeed as soon as possible, wipe out the Japanese pirates, and keep our Korean people safe."
Lotus followed and knelt down together, thinking silently in her heart.
Light smoke filled the Buddhist hall, and the Buddha looked down with infinite compassion.
There was a burst of chaotic footsteps outside, and a family member rushed to the door: "Madam! Zheng Shanggong from the palace is here."
Mrs. Cao and Lianhua hurriedly got up and dressed, and walked quickly to the main hall. Zheng Shanggong was waiting with his maids and guards. When he saw Mrs. Cao exchanging brief greetings, he solemnly declared: "Your Majesty, His Highness, Mrs. Xuan and Miss Xuan are here to see you immediately!"
Before Mrs. Cao and Lianhua could change their clothes, they were urged to hurriedly get into the car with Zheng Shanggong. It was not yet past noon, but the sky was a little dark. Snowflakes finally began to drift in the early wind, and they were fluttering like cotton wool.
"The palace city shines brightly, and the daytime falls into pieces." Lotus looked at Gyeongbokgung Palace in the heavy snow, and an ominous premonition suddenly appeared in her heart.
After getting off the carriage near Honglimen, Zheng Shanggong took Mrs. Cao and Lianhua into the Ideological and Political Hall. From a distance, I could see the king sitting at the table, and Princess Kang sitting sideways.
King Yi Chenggui was the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The Lee family from Jeonju was born in the Shuangcheng General Administration Office of the Yuan Dynasty, which is now Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea. His first name was Zhongjie, and later his name was changed to Songxuan. After he ascended the throne, he was renamed Li Dan. After his death, he was given the temple name Taizu. The Ming Dynasty gave him the posthumous name "Kangxian", so later generations were called "King Taizu of Korea" or "King Kangxian". .
Li Chenggui was sixty-two years old at this time, but his beard and hair were still more black than white, his face was thin and slender, his demeanor was upright and calm, and he wore a royal robe with a red background and a golden python, and he had the demeanor of a king of a country.
Mrs. Cao and Lian Hua came forward to pay homage, but Li Chenggui hurriedly said "no", and the princess even reached out to help her.
Lianhua secretly complained in her heart. Before she could sit down, she stared at the king with both eyes regardless of the disrespect.
Li Chenggui's eyes were empty and thoughtful, and he didn't speak for a long time. The princess also lowered her head and remained silent. Lotus knew it was not good, but did not dare to rush. The time seemed extremely long in the silence.
After a long time, Li Chenggui seemed to have made up his mind. He looked at Mrs. Cao and Lianhua and said slowly: "Your Cao family has been the pillars of the country for generations. General Cao has fought against the others for many years, and has made great achievements in battle, and is known as the "Cao family". The king and his ministers are actually brothers." He stopped here and hesitated.
Lianhua's heart was about to jump out of her chest, and she looked at Li Chenggui with a pair of clear eyes without blinking.
Li Chenggui sighed, avoided Lianhua's gaze, and said softly: "The report comes from the front of Jeolla Province. The general is brave and has retreated the Japanese pirates to South Jeolla Province. Unexpectedly, the Japanese pirates were stubborn and cunning, and pretended to surrender and ambush. The general was kind and unprepared, and he was ambushed. Killed. Cao Zhongjun and Cao Xiu," the king paused and said, "also fought hard and died for their country."
Mrs. Cao fainted before she could finish listening. Zheng Shanggong rushed over, picked up Mrs. Cao's head and pinched her. Several palace maids gathered around, and there was a rush.
Lotus felt like the world was spinning and she was at a loss.
Killed
Martyrdom for the country
Her majestic, kind and amiable father, her handsome brother with a charming smile, and her little brother with whom she still played and played, are all dead
Lian Hua remembered the day when the army set out, the mist was mist, and the autumn morning light shone through the mist with golden light. She and her mother were sent outside the house. The father stroked his head and wanted to speak but finally said nothing; the elder brother hugged him and whispered: "Take good care of mother!"; the younger brother held his hands and shook them from side to side, with a smile like the bright sunshine and a high-spirited expression: " Sister! Wait for me to come back!".
That farewell was actually an eternal farewell.
(Note: There is indeed such a bandit in the history of Aji Batu, but the Aji Tai Ni is a fabrication. Such a cruel Japanese pirate, it is not an exaggeration to name it "Yi")