Chapter 722 - 20: Uniting Kyushu’s Strength to Expand Across the Sea, the Boiling Era

No, it is not Mas.

For such a name that is entirely different from Kyushu culture, Gu Jin naturally could not continue to use it.

Instead, it was renamed "Corn" based on its fruit being as crystalline as jade and its grains as plump as rice.

Everything seems to have aligned with certain aspects of original history.

However, this is certainly not due to Gu Yi’s interference.

Of course, it was not due to Gu Yi’s intervention, but because of the high hopes Gu Jin placed on this crop.

By naming it "rice", the intention is clearly for it to become a staple food.

Gu Jin’s true intention is to make this crop the new staple supporting the entire Kyushu.

As long as its yield can double.

The significance for the entire Kyushu would be self-evident.

Although since the war with the Northern Han, Gu Jin has stayed in the court, never having the leisure to go out and battle, his heart has never died.

This is also the fundamental reason why he is willing to take on everything.

He wants to build the Great Song to an unmatched height within his lifetime, enough to support him in launching large-scale wars, and to unify the world as much as possible.

By then, even if it fails, the Great Song would not be unable to recover.

This is not just because of his own aspirations.

It is also to pay respects to Zhao Kuangyin.

Originally, this seemed very distant, but the appearance of corn gave him a glimmer of hope.

He must try with all his might.

Liaodong.

Currently, the Liaodong Peninsula, besides the Liao Kingdom, is mainly adjacent to the Goryeo Dynasty.

This is not the former Goguryeo.

Regardless of whether in original history or current developments, Goguryeo has long been lost in the mists of time, and under the influence of the Gu Clan’s promotion of Kyushu culture, some of Goguryeo’s former residents and their culture have gradually been integrated into the Kyushu system, becoming a part of China’s diverse history.

The Goryeo Dynasty now referred to actually originates from the Silla people of the Korean Peninsula, with its ethnicity, governance, and cultural heritage inheriting names from Goguryeo, yet not being a direct continuation.

This is also one of the many misunderstandings.

This place has now become the primary battlefield for the Song and Liao countries.

Wang Yingchen has never given up on the plan to capture Liaodong.

The Liao Kingdom’s system lays here.

The arable peninsula is naturally a place they must strive for.

But it’s equally critical for the Great Song.

Whether it is to influence the development of the Liao Kingdom or for the land itself, it is extremely vital for the current Great Song.

Even though the development of the Liaodong region lags far behind Kyushu.

It can’t be denied that this land is very suitable for farming.

Whether planting traditional millet and wheat or introducing overseas new crops like "corn", all have great potential.

It’s worth mentioning that, since the last major battle, Wang Yingchen has completely changed the conduct of the Liao Army.

Even on the Liaodong battlefield, he strictly prohibited the army from plundering and punished many who violated orders for it.

Besides this, he is committed to shaping Liao Kingdom as the "legitimate Kyushu", competing with the Song in many aspects from institutional regulations to public discourse.

This is the extraordinary aspect of Wang Yingchen.

He seems to have realized the distinctiveness of the current era, constantly preparing for the long-term development of the entire Liao Kingdom.

Kaijing.

As the capital of Goryeo, Kaijing City is also under the influence of Kyushu culture.

Though its city design does not match the grandeur of the Central Plains, it is orderly and elegant, bearing remnants of Central Plains’ legacy.

In recent years, Goryeo’s development has not been weak.

Unlike its plight in original history when facing the Liao Kingdom alone, now sandwiched between the Song and Liao powers, it has instead found a niche for survival.

Especially with the Liao Kingdom’s policy change, no longer engaging in past plundering activities, Goryeo has even more found opportunities to gain benefits in the tussle between the two countries.

Additionally, current King of Goryeo, Wang Song, is precisely an outstanding figure of this kind.

It naturally allows the entire Goryeo to develop rapidly.

At this time, in the Goryeo royal palace.

"Does the King of Goryeo truly intend to abandon the alliance with Lord Gu and instead assist the Liao?"

A cold questioning voice suddenly echoed, cutting through the court, instantly suppressing the uproar in the hall.

Before the words had even fallen, the ministers in the hall successively shouted angrily:

"How dare you! Just a mere envoy, how dare you speak to our king in such manner!"

"Humph! The Song Kingdom touts itself as the land of propriety, the legitimate Kyushu, yet the envoy sent does not know courtesy? Not bowing upon seeing our king is already disrespectful, and yet he even questions him in words!"

The hall was in an uproar, and several Goryeo ministers successively left their seats in anger, sternly rebuking the young man in the center of the hall: "You Song envoy, speak of alliance but has it ever truly treated our Goryeo with equality and respect?"

"Today, the Liao Monarch courteously invites, rewarding with benefits, while you Song press with power—is this what is called the kingly way of the Central Plains?"

"..."

Voices of rebuke continuously echoed.

It seems that precisely due to Goryeo’s current special status, these people have lost their fear.

Even when facing an envoy from the Gu Clan, they showed no hint of fear.

Gu Ming coldly swept his gaze across the crowd, a hidden trace of killing intent in his eyes, finally turning his focus back on the always silent Wang Song: "Has the King of Goryeo decided?"

His voice grew heavy: "Have you forgotten the fate of the Northern Han in the past?"

Gu Ming was truly angered.

As the envoy sent by the Great Song to liaise with Goryeo, he bore the crucial mission of vying for Liaodong—Goryeo’s leaning could easily tip the scales of war.

How could he not be anxious?

On the throne, Wang Song, who had been watching passively, finally moved slightly, his lips curling into a semblance of a smile: