There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 177

I wasn’t sure what kind of country Majapahit was, and neither were the Joseon people.

Therefore, the prevailing view in our court was, “Is it really necessary to bother with those southern barbarians?” and they were skeptical about establishing trade offices. But this time, the officials who had participated in Zheng He’s fleet stepped forward again.

“Jawa [the main island of Indonesia] is a very powerful country. If we establish a good relationship with Jawa and set up trade offices, we can receive a lot of help when sending ships to places like Tianzhu [ancient name for India].”

Moreover, there was also the Seongchung project underway with Ouchi [a powerful Japanese clan].

“The envoys from Jawa also seem very interested in our gunpowder weapons.”

“It would be good if the returning envoy we send this time could handle this matter.”

‘If we proceed with military-related consultations with Indonesia, will it go well?’

I had some bad premonitions, but surely it wouldn’t go that far in this era.

However, as always, the problem was personnel selection.

I was planning to have Yoo Jung-hyun, who had already participated in Zheng He’s fleet, lead the trade fleet itself.

The official to be stationed in Majapahit had to be chosen separately.

When I looked at the officials who had advocated for the connection with Jawa, they subtly turned their heads away.

If they brought it up, they should take responsibility.

But if I pressed them on this, wouldn’t no one take my side and advocate for communication with foreign countries from now on?

‘I have no choice.’

“Rest assured, I won’t bring someone from the court who won’t be of use.”

At my words, the officials hurriedly breathed a sigh of relief.

At least they could avoid being dispatched to another country.

‘Such weaklings.’

I lamented inwardly.

“However, establishing diplomatic relations is a major matter for the country, but if not someone from the court, who are you planning to send?”

The officials, belatedly feeling a prick of conscience after seeing my expression, asked me that.

“I have someone in mind.”

Someone very close by.

===

“How about going to Jawa?”

Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil, who were preparing to go down to Bupyeong, turned pale at my words.

Having rushed over, thinking that my mind might have changed, they were utterly betrayed by their expectations.

“Either of you is fine, so please speak freely to your nephew.”

Upon hearing my words, the two began to eagerly pass the position of Indonesian ambassador to each other.

“Since you are knowledgeable about worldly affairs, 형님 [hyung-nim, older brother], how about you go to Jawa?”

“How can I, as the eldest son, go to a foreign country? I must stay close to Father!”

“Are you only acting like the eldest son at times like this?”

“Please, calm down.”

As the bickering between the brothers showed signs of escalating, I hurriedly intervened.

“This is not coercion. It’s just a suggestion.”

A peaceful purge.

It’s a difficult path, but I wanted to walk it.

‘But that’s only possible if the other party agrees.’

Would people like Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil have willingly accepted the order to bow their heads and stay put if it hadn’t been for this incident?

‘Lee Bang-won wasn’t wrong when he said they think they have a stake in the throne.’

It’s very difficult to abandon greed and follow one’s nephew’s advice to go down.

Looking back, they were caught in Lee Bang-won’s trap, so I just wanted to give them a chance to make up for it.

“I repeat, this is not coercion. Even if 외숙들 [waisuk-deul, maternal uncles] only manage the salt fields in Bupyeong well, the name of the prestigious family will not be lost.”

“But······?”

“But are you really confident that you can live prostrate?”

The goal of all 사대부 [sadaebu, scholar-officials] is to rise in the world and make a name for themselves. Not money.

Especially for the Min family, who had been flaunting their status as meritorious subjects and in-laws of the royal family, the sense of loss would surely be even greater.

“But I cannot keep 외숙들 [waisuk-deul, maternal uncles] in the country. Surely, problems will arise again.”

Then, Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil’s faces were filled with fear.

They took it as a sign that they could not survive, having been targeted by Lee Bang-won.

I hurriedly clarified that that was not what I meant.

“I will stop 아바마마 [Ababama, Father’s] anger no matter what. This nephew can do that much.”

For the sake of the in-laws who have already lost power, can’t I do this much?

However, to strengthen the friendship with Majapahit, a person with some weight was needed.

“Jawa is a land made up of islands, where various tribes used to be divided. Therefore, it is said that they do not value a person simply because of their high official position, but rather treat those of noble lineage or close relatives of the king with respect.”

Well, which country wouldn’t?

“Then······.”

“That’s right. People like 외숙들 [waisuk-deul, maternal uncles].”

They may have been purged domestically, but there’s no way they would know this far away in Majapahit. If I embellish the story appropriately and send them, they might be treated like royalty in another country.

“If you want a comfortable life, go down to Bupyeong as you are and live as wealthy 양반 [yangban, aristocrats]. However, if you choose the path of challenge······.”

I opened my mouth.

“You will receive a reward when your nephew ascends the throne.”

This is not just about treating them as uncles.

If they can establish and maintain a trade office in a foreign country, that alone is a tremendous asset to the nation.

If they accomplish that, there’s no reason not to give them an important position.

‘If they stay away from Joseon for a long time, they won’t have any base in the country.’

“······.”

Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil pondered for a long time.

With the blade of purge reaching their necks, they were contemplating what path would protect their family and, furthermore, lead to their advancement.

‘The family is more important than individual happiness for people of this era.’

Of course, that doesn’t mean individual happiness isn’t important.

“And it is said that the southern countries are full of exotic beauties. 숙모들 [Sukmo-deul, aunts] aren’t around either, so you can enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content for a few years.”

Then, Min Mu-gu and Min Mu-jil’s eyes changed again.

A new determination was glimpsed in their eyes, but it was probably purely a choice for the family.

Selfishness? Well, maybe 1%?

===

The envoys from Jawa were all treated with great hospitality and returned.

Our fleet, sent as returning envoys, escorted them, and even captured Wokou [Japanese pirates] slaves, so their shoulders were even more straightened.

However, as soon as the affairs of Jawa were settled, other envoys came rushing in.

I looked at the officials and asked.

“Has the land for Lord Daenei been prepared?”

“Yes, Your Highness. 1,000 결 [gyeol, a unit of land measurement] of land in the Buyeo area has been prepared.”

The proposal to exchange land for silver mines was easily accepted.

Thus, the court bought a fairly large area of land in Buyeo, Chungcheong Province.

On one side of that land, a magnificent shrine named Sungnyeoljeon was built.

It was a shrine where the ancestral tablet of Onjo, the founder of Baekje, and King Wideok, who was designated as the ancestor of the Ouchi clan, were enshrined.

‘And yet, the shrines of Gojoseon and Goguryeo were built together.’

Due to the strong insistence of the officials, Dangun [mythical founder of Korea] and King Dongmyeongseong [founder of Goguryeo] were enshrined together in Sungnyeongjeon.

According to tradition, Onjo was the son of Jumong, so I thought it would be better to combine Goguryeo and Baekje rather than combining Gojoseon and Goguryeo, but there was opposition to that as well.

The historical concepts of people in this era are hard to understand.

‘Is it because the Ouchi clan is in charge of the Baekje ancestral rites?’

Since the business relationship is also heavily involved, I can’t openly oppose it, but there may also be a reason that they can’t tolerate even the Goguryeo ancestral rites being performed by Japanese people.

‘Anyway, this should be enough to save face for these guys.’

I thought so.

The person who was dispatched to Joseon to perform ancestral rites and manage the land was Ouchi Mitsuyo, who had come as an envoy before.

He had been in charge of diplomacy with Joseon and was also a member of the Ouchi clan, so it was a fairly appropriate choice.

“As a member of the 당주 [dangju, head of the clan]’s clan, I will settle in Joseon and continue the ancestral rites.”

“It is an excellent thing that someone like you will take root in Joseon. Welcome.”

This was not just empty words.

If Ouchi Mitsuyo stays in Joseon and his descendants live in Joseon for generations, they will eventually be assimilated into our culture.

‘If Ouchi considers this point, they will change and dispatch a new 제사주 [jesaju, ritual leader] at an appropriate time.’

But that’s something I’ll only know after some time has passed, so it’s meaningless to think about it now.

Ouchi Mitsuyo did not come alone.

There were quite a few people he brought from Japan, so many Japanese-style buildings were built in Buyeo.

This was because he ordered carpenters brought from the mainland to build houses for the Japanese to live in.

‘Thanks to that, it was easier for us to bring Joseon people into Iwami.’

We generously allowed Japanese carpenters to come over and build houses in their own style, so we also sent our technicians to manage the silver mine.

The simple task of extracting silver ore from Iwami was naturally entrusted to Japanese miners, but the task of separating silver from the ore was exclusively handled by Joseon people.

In particular, only a few of the Joseon people we dispatched knew the cupellation method [a refining process for precious metals].

‘In case of emergency, we must take those people out first. And destroy all the facilities.’

I picked up a silver ingot sent from Iwami and thought.

The shimmering silver light reflected by the light pleased the eyes.

Such silver ingots refined in Iwami were being loaded onto ships and brought into Joseon.

‘Ouchi will probably soon realize that the silver coming out of Iwami is beyond imagination.’

I probably won’t be able to hide this forever. Then how will they react?

If they know that the land they sold was actually not a mine with no profitability, but a lump of silver.

‘The Seongchung project is also at stake, and I have to be mindful of the shogunate, so I can’t openly question it······.’

Should I give them a cut?

That’s what I was thinking when.

– Rustle

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, I felt a strange presence.

I hurriedly looked around, but there was no one there.

Come to think of it, since I started acting as regent, I kept feeling a sticky gaze sticking to the back of my head.

‘I thought it was the gaze sent by the court ladies who were in love with me.’

Since my face is so handsome and dignified, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a truckload of girls who were in love with me.

Because of Queen Wongyeong’s strong aura, they can’t openly approach me, but it wasn’t strange to send passionate gazes of affection.

‘But this is different from that kind of gaze.’

I can’t shake off the uneasy feeling.

As I tried to forget it and turned my gaze back to the silver ingot.

– Rustle

The same presence was heard again.

This was not just a feeling, but a clear sign that the other party had a real presence.

I didn’t miss it this time.

‘Behind me?’

– Swish!

I roughly pulled away the folding screen behind me.

Then, the person who was hiding behind it revealed himself.

“······What are you doing.”

It wasn’t a court lady who loved me so much that she sneaked into the Crown Prince’s room.

It was just a middle-aged man with shaggy hair.

‘Damn it.’

Several sheets of paper were scattered around the middle-aged man, and they were filled with writing in pencil.

“Your Highness, I meet you again.”

The man greeted me calmly.

He didn’t make a fuss that a stranger had sneaked into the Crown Prince’s room.

That’s because I knew this man.

사관 [Sagwan, Historian].

A person who collects and records the words and actions of the king and officials in order to leave behind history.

Naturally, a 사관 [Sagwan, Historian] followed me, who was acting as regent.

This much is okay. It’s originally a natural thing.

But this guy, I clearly know that he 퇴궐 [toegwol, left the palace] together when I finished my 정무 [jeongmu, official duties] and returned to the East Palace?

The man confidently revealed his intentions.

“Although Your Highness’s 정무 [jeongmu, official duties] is over, the solemn record of history is not over. How can I quit the job of 사관 [Sagwan, Historian]?”

I’m seeing such a crazy stalker.

End

ⓒ 핏콩