There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 129

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer in Beijing?”

“I have a long way to go, and it doesn’t seem like there’s much more to see.”

Even though Beijing had been elevated to the capital, the Emperor wasn’t residing there, so there was no reason to linger.

In the end, it was just another stop on the diplomatic mission.

‘But it’s not like it was without its rewards.’

Besides the Turkic merchants and technicians in Beijing, I was able to acquire many books from the old bookstores.

“Euclid’s Elements of Geometry?”

Why is this here?

It had been a bestseller since ancient times, so it wasn’t strange that it made its way to the Yuan Dynasty…

There wasn’t a version translated into Chinese, and it was written in Arabic, but that wasn’t really important.

‘I can just get someone who knows Chinese to translate it.’

The rest of the books were mostly written in Arabic.

That’s probably because it was a bookstore run by a Turkic merchant introduced by the innkeeper, and it would have been easier to find books in Arabic than in Western Europe.

‘And it’s not like Europe was necessarily better than the Arab world in mathematics or science during this era.’

I scratched my head as I thought.

Meanwhile, others were frantically searching for different books.

“I’m glad we could find some of Zhu Xi’s collected works.”

After I mentioned Zhu Xi’s complete works, the scholars who went on the diplomatic mission were bringing back parts of it.

Piecing together the fragmented books to create a complete collection would be no easy task, but my provocation seemed to have touched their pride.

Even so, there were over 100 volumes, so finding them would be difficult, and by that time, I would be long past adulthood.

Of course, I wouldn’t find learning it very interesting.

But there’s someone else here who could learn it, right?

I also gathered books related to animal husbandry and practical books on farming methods.

Books on water mills didn’t seem very helpful, but I stuffed them in anyway.

As a result, I somehow had a lot more luggage, but I wasn’t too worried.

From now on, we could use the waterways in earnest.

===

The journey along the Grand Canal was fast and comfortable, thanks to the waterway.

Gwon Geun commented briefly.

“Traveling ten thousand *li* [a Chinese unit of distance, approximately 500 meters] by waterway is more comfortable than traveling a hundred *li* by sea.”

Perhaps this is why the *Haijin* policy [maritime ban in Imperial China] was enacted.

It didn’t have as many waves or dangers as the sea, but it still had the advantages of water transportation.

Furthermore, its transportation capacity was far superior to land routes, so despite the large number of people and luggage, we were able to reach Nanjing relatively quickly by boat.

Thus, after passing through Hongze Lake, we arrived in Nanjing, and people said,

“This is Jiangnan [a region in China south of the Yangtze River], no, the center of the world, Nanjing.”

Indeed, the saying that it was the center of the world was no exaggeration.

Beijing was also a very large city, but Nanjing seemed much more economically prosperous than Beijing.

‘Honestly, Beijing smelled like a military city, maybe because it’s on the front lines.’

The influence of the Prince of Yan, who ruled that land, must have also played a part.

“Half of the world’s goods are produced and consumed in Jiangnan. Nanjing is its heart.”

Upon hearing Gwon Geun’s words, Grand Prince Chungnyeong blankly asked me,

“Hyung-nim [older brother], can Hanyang become like this too?”

“Hanyang is even more wonderful than this.”

It’s just that there are fewer people.

All the wealth of Jiangnan was concentrated here, so it would be unreasonable to expect it to surpass it in scale.

When we arrived in Nanjing, an official from the Ministry of Rites was already there to greet us.

But the person who came to meet us wasn’t just an official from the Ministry of Rites.

“Welcome, Crown Prince of Joseon.”

“Jeong Dae-in [a respectful title for Zheng He]!”

I was surprised to see Zheng He and asked,

“You must be busy preparing for the voyage to the Western Seas, so what brings you here?”

“I was the one who arranged for Your Highness to enter the court, so how could I just wait idly by?”

As expected, a meritorious subject of the Jingnan campaign [a civil war in early Ming Dynasty] is different.

The official from the Ministry of Rites, who was supposed to be the main greeter, was being suppressed by Zheng He and couldn’t properly assert himself.

I think I know why Zheng He came out like this.

It was to firmly declare that my audience was his achievement.

Ugh, this might make Huang Yan even angrier.

‘Not my problem.’

I didn’t tell Zheng He to come out, and Zheng He was the one who took the initiative.

If he was unhappy, Huang Yan should have moved faster.

“So Your Highness really kept your promise.”

Zheng He said, looking at the large procession of over 100 people.

Just looking at it, the scale of the delegation was extraordinary, so the Yongle Emperor’s pride must have been boosted.

‘Maybe that’s why he wanted us to use the land route.’

To promote Joseon’s audience to as many people as possible.

But it wasn’t a bad thing for Joseon either.

All these people will become pillars of Joseon.

Following Zheng He’s guidance, we arrived at the palace, where civil and military officials were lined up.

The Yongle Emperor was said to have held a special audience to welcome the Crown Prince of Joseon.

“Not only high-ranking and low-ranking officials but even dukes and marquises are all gathered. This is a first.”

Gwon Geun said, looking dumbfounded.

“Of course. Isn’t this the first foreign crown prince to be received since the current Emperor ascended the throne?”

Then someone with a booming voice walked towards us.

Zheng He quickly greeted him and then said to us,

“This is His Highness the Prince of Han.”

He was wearing ceremonial robes, but he couldn’t hide his solid and large frame. He looked like a general at first glance.

‘He was definitely said to be the second son of the Yongle Emperor.’

I recalled the information I had heard.

“Is Joseon a particularly special country to our Great Ming? The current King of Joseon also met our imperial father during his time as a Prince.”

Zhu Gaoxu said.

“After that, our imperial father raised an army and conquered the world, so isn’t it truly the imperial seal of our Great Ming? Hahaha.”

‘What nonsense is he talking about?’

Yi Bang-won did meet the Prince of Yan when he was a prince, but he didn’t exactly pledge allegiance to him on behalf of Joseon.

But Zhu Gaoxu interpreted it in his own way.

Just as Joseon was struggling to receive recognition from Ming, Ming was also trying to gain recognition from its vassal states.

So it’s not strange that he would present the narrative that ‘our imperial father received Joseon’s allegiance from his time as a Prince.’

It wasn’t exactly pleasant for Joseon.

‘And the purpose of saying this sounds suspicious.’

Zhu Gaoxu laughed heartily and put an arm around my shoulder.

When my face frowned, Zheng He calmly said,

“Although the Prince of Han is a Prince and this person is a Crown Prince, he is clearly a guest representing His Majesty the King of Joseon.

The status of the King of Joseon is the same as that of a Prince, so you should not treat him without due respect.”

“Don’t be so picky.”

Zhu Gaoxu snorted.

“Well, all the princes who come as envoys are children, so they may not know how things work.”

Zhu Gaoxu took his arm off my shoulder and walked past us.

“What the hell is that crazy bastard?”

I stared in disbelief.

He came and interfered on his own and then left after rambling on.

“I heard that the Prince of Han’s personality is violent, and it’s true.”

Gwon Geun said, wiping away sweat.

Do tilted his head.

“He seems like a bad person.”

They say children are better at seeing people.

Judging from the talk about understanding how things work, it seems like he has some ulterior motive…

But the Prince of Han wasn’t the only one who approached us.

“It seems like the guests from Joseon had trouble because of my brother. I apologize on his behalf.”

“Yes? Ah, yes…”

Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui.

This time, the third son of the Emperor suddenly popped out and greeted us.

‘Who is this guy?’

Zhu Gaosui glanced around and then gave me a small warning.

“My brother is a very ambitious person. Be careful not to get involved with him.”

Zhu Gaosui said with a wink.

“The Crown Prince is not in good health, and he has lost the Emperor’s favor. As a result, the various princes are competing against each other.”

Watching Zhu Gaosui leave, Gwon Geun explained to us.

How long has it been since the Yongle Emperor seized the country that there’s such a subtle war of nerves?

This family won’t have a peaceful day either.

“Brothers and family should get along well.”

Do, who had heard the explanation, said with a pathetic look.

“The Book of Changes says that when the King is involved in family matters, they should associate and love each other (王假有家 交相愛也). This family won’t last long.”

We were talking in Joseon language, so there was no fear of it leaking out, but I gently stroked the boy’s head and scolded him.

“We’re not in a position to talk about others, little brother.”

If my father in Hanyang heard this now, wouldn’t he feel very guilty?

‘There won’t be any bloodshed between me and my siblings, right?’

I could only hope so.

Anyway, seeing that the Ming imperial family was also a mess, my appetite disappeared.

Is this the fate of royal families in this era?

‘The Emperor doesn’t like the Crown Prince either, so something’s bound to happen….’

If you’re going to fight, please fight among yourselves.

Don’t drag us in.

Fortunately, no one else approached us with ulterior motives after this.

While we were exchanging greetings with the Ming dignitaries, a eunuch shouted from afar.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

The various civil and military officials, dukes, marquises, and counts who were greeting us quickly found their places and stood.

And after a while.

A man with a dignified appearance, but with a worried expression, sat on the dragon throne.

Then he looked down at us and asked.

“Are you the envoys from Joseon?”

===

The Yongle Emperor looked down at me.

We quickly prostrated ourselves before the Yongle Emperor.

But neither I nor my young brother were particularly trembling.

The Yongle Emperor watched the scene with an interesting expression.

“Both of you are quite impressive!”

The Yongle Emperor exclaimed.

“Raise your heads.”

“Yes.”

I didn’t hesitate to raise my head.

It hurts too much to keep bowing.

“The Crown Prince is a spitting image of your father. Except for the height.”

The Yongle Emperor commented.

Then, looking at the various items laid out next to him, he asked.

“Are those the tributes from Joseon this time?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I bowed deeply and said.

“Please accept these humble goods from a small country.”

I said.

The eunuchs unpacked the gifts they had brought.

Gifts such as gold, silver, pure white paper, and silk were lined up in order, but the Yongle Emperor showed no particular interest.

It was only natural in a way.

Better quality and larger quantities of precious goods would exist in this resource-rich Middle Kingdom.

He was someone who could enjoy such things to his heart’s content since his days as the Prince of Yan before becoming Emperor.

It was what I had expected.

‘Rather, the items that the Yongle Emperor would be interested in are these.’

I stylishly presented the specially made Seungja Chongtong [a type of Korean cannon] in front of him.

“We have also made and presented about 100 matchlock guns this time.”

“Oh.”

The Yongle Emperor said with a rather admiring face.

“I wanted something like your Joseon guns.”

The Seungja Chongtong caught the Yongle Emperor’s attention, and he said with admiration.

“It’s difficult to give it to all the soldiers, but it’s very useful as a military supplement. I heard that the Crown Prince made it, and he has great talent.”

‘Actually, it’s not me but Choi Hae-san.’

I told him to make matchlock guns, but he made a hand cannon, which made me so angry.

But instead, I was able to deceive Ming and sell it as a matchlock gun, so it was a blessing in disguise.

“If it were other artisans, I would have tried to bring them to our Great Ming, but it’s impossible for the Crown Prince of Joseon.”

The Yongle Emperor said with a hollow laugh.

I frowned slightly without showing it.

‘They were even trying to kidnap artisans?’

What kind of gangsters are these?

But the Yongle Emperor’s interest was only temporary. It was something he already knew, and Ming was also producing copies of it.

Just as he was about to wave his hand to have us rewarded appropriately and sent back, he asked.

“What is that red thing? It looks like a root.”

The Yongle Emperor asked, looking at the item that the eunuch had unpacked.

‘I’ve got him.’

I grinned.

“It’s ginseng, Your Majesty.”

“Ginseng?”

Joseon had always offered ginseng, but he probably had never seen such red ginseng.

It’s only natural. The invention of red ginseng was a revolutionary event in ginseng processing.

I spread my arms wide like someone on a home shopping channel on TV and said.

“This product is recommended for people who have no energy, or are often forgetful, or want to restore their vitality.”

My words were directed not only to the Yongle Emperor but also to the high-ranking and low-ranking officials, dukes, marquises, and counts here.

“And it has an even more important effect than that.”

“What is it?”

I looked around.

“What is it? Tell me quickly.”

When the Yongle Emperor urged me, I said with a truly embarrassed expression.

“It’s really good for men… I don’t know how to explain it…”

I can’t say it directly.

End

ⓒ Pitkong