There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 109

People often think of Joseon as a pro-Ming Dynasty nation, but it wasn’t a country that blindly embraced serving the Ming Dynasty as its national policy.

Joseon also had a certain amount of pride, and they often enjoyed acting as the suzerain state, receiving tributes from the lords of the Jurchens or Japan.

From the king’s point of view, there was no way he would miss out on such an event to enhance his prestige, so the politically savvy Yi Bang-won greeted the envoy of the Ouchi clan quite lavishly.

Yi Bang-won also had me attend the banquet.

“I am very grateful for your hospitality despite the sudden visit.”

The envoy was said to be Ouchi Mitsuyo, the nephew of the head of the Ouchi family.

Sending a member of the Jongsil [royal family] meant that they had come with a certain level of formality.

“Yes. What brings you across the long sea to Joseon?”

When Yi Bang-won asked, I, who was also present, perked up my ears.

“As I mentioned in advance, I have come to congratulate you on defeating the pirate bandits the other day. I offer a small tribute; please accept it.”

“To congratulate us on something like this.”

I muttered.

If we were to celebrate every time we defeated the Wokou [Japanese pirates], there would be no end to it.

There must be some ulterior motive……

“Defeating bandits is something that the country’s court should naturally do. It is surprising that even a distant foreign country congratulates us on this.”

“Not at all. Our family’s origins are connected to Joseon, so this is no different from a celebration in our ancestral home. How could we not send someone to congratulate you?”

At those words, I couldn’t help but clap my hands and ask.

“Ah, the Ouchi clan claimed to be descendants of the Baekje [ancient Korean kingdom] royal family, right?”

I think I saw it in an old documentary.

It seemed to be a special feature about finding Korean descendants abroad.

Although the claim that the Ouchi clan was descended from the Baekje royal family was uncertain, the Ouchi clan seemed to believe it internally.

At those words, Ouchi Mitsuyo’s gaze turned towards me.

“Are you the Crown Prince of Joseon?”

“That is correct.”

“The heir of our family is also the same age as the Crown Prince, but he is still young and only focusing on his studies. However, the Crown Prince of Joseon is personally involved in state affairs, which is truly remarkable.”

Ouchi Mitsuyo then looked at Yi Bang-won and said that.

The officials exchanged glances that said, ‘It is remarkable, but in an abnormal direction,’ but they didn’t bother to say such foolish things out loud.

Yi Bang-won stroked his beard, pleased with the praise of his son.

“It is commendable that you have not forgotten your roots and rely on Joseon like this. Since I have received your tribute, I must bestow gifts in return.

Crown Prince, what should we give them?”

Suddenly, the question came back to me.

Could this also be a test from Yi Bang-won?

‘Usually, he would tell me to give them something expensive.’

The tributes that the Ouchi clan brought were nothing more than palanquins and folding screens.

They had put some thought into bringing them, but they were not items that could not be found in Joseon, and they were not particularly useful.

However, wasn’t it customary for the bestowed items to be more numerous and expensive than the tributes?

‘But the fact that Father specifically asked me means…’

Yi Bang-won had told me before.

Hold what the other party wants right in front of their eyes and dangle it.

“The Ouchi clan regards our Joseon with affection, but it is regrettable that the lineage of their ancestors has not been passed down.

Tell the Chun Chu Guan [Bureau of Historical Records] to search for the records of Baekje.”

I said that.

Just as we gain prestige by receiving tributes from the Ouchi clan, the Ouchi clan also wants to show off and assert their authority in their own territory.

‘And this Ouchi clan claims that their ancestor is the Baekje royal family.’

The fact that the Ouchi clan mentioned ‘our ancestral home is Joseon’ in this place seems to be an attempt to build rapport through ancestral stories.

Then there was no reason not to play along.

‘Are we not compatriots?’

What’s the point of liking fellow countrymen?

Although I suffered a lot from the reckless actions of the compatriots north of the ceasefire line when I was in modern times.

At my words, the Minister of Rites was momentarily taken aback and whispered to me.

“Your Highness, they have already requested the genealogy of Baekje during the reign of the late King, but it was not possible to know because no records remained.

The situation will not be different now……”

“Isn’t it possible to just fabricate it roughly?”

“?”

The Minister of Rites, who had devoted his life to etiquette, did not understand my words for a moment.

I was frustrated and thumped my chest.

‘Read the room.’

“Even the Goryeo [Korean dynasty] royal family claimed to be descendants of the Dragon King of the West Sea or descendants of Emperor Suzong of Tang, so why would these guys be any different? Let’s just roughly manipulate it and hand it over.”

Reluctantly, at my urging, the Minister of Rites headed towards the delegation.

After exchanging a few words with the interpreter, the Minister of Rites returned and reported.

“According to the family’s tradition, the third prince migrated to Japan during the Sui Dynasty’s DaYe era (605-618).”

“Then roughly adjust the age and try to fit it in. Hmm, would it fit if we said he was a son of King Wideok?”

I said that, recalling the contents of the History of the Three Kingdoms that I had learned from my teachers before I quit studying.

“From the previous generation, we can record the genealogy according to the Baekje royal lineage descending from Onjo, right?”

“But it is not certain which king’s son he truly is……”

“Ah, that doesn’t matter.”

The Minister of Rites, who had suddenly become involved in fabricating someone else’s ancestors, looked at me with a tearful face, but I decided to be brazen.

‘What does it matter who his real son is?’

Of course, this is my position, and the position of Joseon people, who value ancestral rites the most, may be different.

‘But let’s just say he is a son of King Wideok.’

Anyway, we also had scant records about the Three Kingdoms period.

Rather than trying to find the father of a person whose existence is uncertain, it would be better to just create a new son for King Wideok.

‘King Wideok would be happy to get ancestral rites.’

I looked at Ouchi Mitsuyo and said.

“We have searched the old records and found that your ancestor seems to be the third son of King Wideok of Baekje.”

“No, did you really find it?”

Ouchi Mitsuyo asked with wide eyes.

“Of course. Our Joseon is a country that values ancestral rites the most. How regrettable is it that descendants do not know their ancestors and cannot perform their ancestral rites?

Our Chun Chu Guan officials carefully researched the old documents and were barely able to find out.”

Ouchi Mitsuyo repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the unexpected gain.

“This time, we have truly clarified the origins of our family and received the grace of the suzerain state, so we are truly grateful.”

They were the ones who had been temporarily designated as descendants of Onjo because they did not know the exact genealogy even during the reign of King Jeongjong.

How could they not be happy that this has been resolved today?

Seeing them happy to have found their ancestors, my heart also warmed.

“It worked perfectly.”

Yi Bang-won said to me, looking at the scene.

“Yes. This would be much better than ordinary gifts.”

We also only wrote down the Baekje royal lineage from Onjo to King Wideok in return for receiving the tribute, so it was by no means a loss.

“In fact, they probably don’t care whether this genealogy is real or not.”

Yi Bang-won said.

The young Ouchi Mitsuyo was immersed in the joy of clarifying his great ancestor, but in fact, that was not very important.

“The important thing is that we have recognized it. Prestige is prestige, but they will pay attention to the friendly gesture we sent.”

“The real reason they came will soon be revealed.”

I said, looking at Yi Bang-won.

Yi Bang-won silently nodded.

===

“The Wokou who have been harassing the suzerain state have been instigated by the Shoni clan of Kyushu. They are a very fierce and agile group of Wokou, and they are harboring resentment for the defeat of my subordinates.”

“The suzerain state’s defeat of Soda Saemontaro is a refreshing event, but as long as the Shoni clan remains, it is only eradicating the remnants of the Wokou.”

As expected, as soon as the Ouchi delegation felt close to us, they subtly began to slander their rivals.

Of course, the reaction of our court was lukewarm.

‘Why should we pay attention to Wokou bastards whose names are strange and we don’t even know where they are?’

That was it.

Frankly, I agreed.

However, the next words could not be overlooked.

“They are even bringing in the wild Jurchens to plunder the Japanese land.”

“Pfft!”

I almost choked on my tea.

Noh Bi looked at me with subtle eyes as I coughed and stroked my back.

“That’s right!”

Ouchi Mitsuyo shouted with indignation.

“Even if we protest strongly to the Shoni clan, they keep saying they don’t know, but how can they cover the sky with their palms?

We have already grasped every detail of the situation where the Jurchens are hitting Kyushu via Tsushima!”

They know that, but why don’t they think the mastermind is us?

From what I heard, things had gone strangely awry in the process of the lord of Tsushima making excuses.

‘The lord of Tsushima denied knowing anything, but he didn’t move to suppress them, and the Ouchi bastards assumed that Shoni was behind it.’

After plundering Tsushima once, the Jurchen organization work gained momentum.

Choe Heung-rip was diligently building ships, and even Iribuka was rescuing and deploying Jurchens.

So many tribes were cooperating with Joseon and trying to get involved in this project that they had to coordinate separately.

‘Even Meonte Mu, who had subtly been acting up to Joseon, was said to be turning his eyes.’

“The wild Jurchens are very fierce. The suzerain state is closer to us than Japan, so you know better.”

“Yes, yes, we know very well. The Jurchens are so ferocious and reckless that we have suffered great damage.”

I said that.

At my words, the court officials all lowered their eyes.

‘They are so timid.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

As much as the officials were unreliable, I had to act more calmly.

Ouchi Mitsuyo was a vigorous young man, so when I agreed with him, he shouted excitedly.

“Even now, I hear that the relationship between Tsushima and the Shoni clan is deteriorating. I am considering whether to receive the surrender of the lord and raise troops to suppress the pirates.”

‘No, that won’t do!’

If Tsushima is engulfed in war due to the Ouchi clan’s invasion, it will be a disaster.

I hurriedly stopped him.

“It is not right to arbitrarily take away another’s vassal. If you are not careful, it could become a great feud between neighbors, so how about doing this instead?”

“?”

“What the Jurchens want are valuable items. This can be supplied not only by plunder but also by trade, so we are also giving some gifts to appease them. Why don’t you try doing that too?”

In other words, don’t approach it militarily, but open up trade.

“If you can win over the Jurchens through trade, it is the same as gaining two, since you are taking one from their side and making it your own.”

“But will the wild Jurchens really listen obediently if we do that?”

‘If I order them, they will listen.’

I thought so and answered.

“Our Joseon is also managing them well by appeasing them. How can it be impossible?”

“Okay. Since the suzerain state is doing that, I will have to make a suggestion.”

Ouchi Mitsuyo answered resolutely.

“Joseon is also worried about the wild Jurchens. That’s why you came up with this plan.”

“Ah, don’t even mention it.”

To be exact, I am worried about the many applicants who are flocking in.

“However, we are a large country with a strong army, and we even have gunpowder that they don’t have, so the situation is better.”