There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 361

362. A Smiling Global Village (2)

Ryukyu, Naha.

As always, Qinghaejin’s large ships were docked at the port near Shuri Castle, amidst a grand farewell banquet.

King On Sado of Ryukyu was diligently working to establish a strong, centralized government modeled after Joseon, opting for direct rule instead of governing through local clans.

To create the Neo-Confucian state he envisioned, it was crucial to send the nation’s future leaders to Joseon, a renowned center of scholarship, for their education.

King On Sado’s commitment to this state-sponsored overseas study program was evident in his choice for the student representative.

“When you go to Joseon, you must study diligently,” King On Sado of Ryukyu said, stroking the head of his son, Crown Prince On Ryu-hwan.

There had been much debate within the country about sending the Crown Prince himself, but On Sado’s decision was unwavering.

Now that the Crown Prince had come of age, he needed to experience the wider world.

“In the past, King Muyeol of Silla went to Tang China and became a great figure. Why can’t you do the same?”

The fact that Kim Chunchu [King Muyeol’s personal name] didn’t exactly go to study abroad but rather to carry out diplomatic duties, and wasn’t even a king’s son at the time, wasn’t particularly relevant to On Sado’s point.

Ultimately, Ryukyu’s diplomacy and the survival of the Ryukyu royal family depended entirely on Joseon.

Even the only military force directly under Ryukyu’s control, the fleet, relied on members drawn from various local clans.

Therefore, it was essential to lay the groundwork now to ensure a stable succession for the Crown Prince.

“In the future, a king with learning, a king who can win over those local clans with his sincerity, will be respected. Study hard in Joseon and deeply learn the language and scholarship of that great power.”

He himself had grown up in Joseon as a child and had become a hero with both literary and military skills, ultimately reclaiming his country and achieving the unification of the three islands.

And that wasn’t all.

The connections he made in Joseon would prove invaluable when the Crown Prince eventually ascended the throne.

“Whenever you encounter difficulties, try to seek out these people.”

The individuals on the list On Sado provided were mostly retired from official duties or had passed away, but their families remained as meritorious subjects of Joseon.

Given their strong ties to Ryukyu through Qinghaejin, they would be able to assist the Crown Prince if he faced any challenges.

“Some officials have suggested that Ming [China] is the greatest country in the world and the source of Chinese civilization, and that you should be sent there to study. However, I disagree.”

While Ryukyu was nominally a tributary state of Ming China, On Sado lacked strong connections with the Ming court.

Or rather, was it just On Sado?

The emperor in Nanjing showed little interest in small, distant countries like Ryukyu.

In contrast, Joseon’s military power was close at hand, and countless interests were intertwined with Ryukyu.

Indeed, not just Ryukyu.

The eyes of numerous other countries, some barely aware of its existence, were increasingly turning not to the great power of Ming, but to Joseon.

“Joseon is like the rising sun, as its name suggests [Joseon’s name literally means ‘Land of Morning Calm’]. Even if Ming is a great country, studying in Joseon will be more beneficial.”

This wasn’t to say that Ming was a setting sun, but the world had changed rapidly during the years that the giant Ming had been dormant.

It wasn’t just On Sado, a king installed by Joseon, who believed this; it was the reality.

“However, Ryukyu also maintains a father-son relationship [a traditional tributary relationship] with Joseon. Act with dignity as the Crown Prince of Ryukyu and earn the respect of the Joseon people.”

On Sado encouraged him, patting the shoulder of the Crown Prince, who appeared uncertain.

He knew that his son had been timid since childhood, unlike what one would expect of a Crown Prince, but he would have to overcome that from now on.

When the Crown Prince answered in a barely audible voice that he understood, On Sado laughed heartily and ordered him to board the ship.

Inwardly, he felt his son was unreliable, but what could he do?

He was the son who would have to bear the future of Ryukyu, so he had no choice but to place his faith in him.

The Qinghaejin’s large ship, carrying some with great expectations and others with reluctance, sailed leisurely towards Joseon.

It marked the beginning of the Sending-to-Joseon Overseas Students (遣鮮 留學生).

* * *

Now, I only knew Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a Japanese figure from my previous life, but in this world, unlike the original history, the Muromachi shogunate’s direct line wasn’t cut off at this time.

The 5th shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu died young without an heir, and his father, the 4th shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi, passed away three years later, leading to Yoshimochi’s younger brothers being considered as candidates.

However, due to the strange butterfly effect stemming from Joseon, both brothers managed to have children.

Yoshimochi had one son, and Yoshikazu had two sons.

If everything went according to plan, they simply had to wait for the successors to mature, but unfortunately, things didn’t unfold as desired.

As in the original history, Ashikaga Yoshimochi was suffering from a worsening boil.

Historically, influential figures of the shogunate would flock to him, begging him to name a successor, but Yoshimochi would refuse.

Consequently, after his death, the next shogun would be decided by lottery according to his will, but here the story diverged slightly.

Yoshimochi had legitimate successors to whom he should pass on his power.

So, when vassals such as Shiba, Hatakeyama, and Hosokawa approached him, insisting on the establishment of a successor, he didn’t attempt to refuse.

“It is truly frustrating that there is no order from the Great Lord even though the fate of the country is at stake.”

“Shouldn’t the eldest son of the deceased shogun inherit the throne?”

Yoshimochi, weakened by his illness, lacked the strength or reason to resist their persistent pressure.

The vassals, having achieved their goal, returned satisfied, but someone overheard this and rushed over in dismay.

It was Sanboin Mansai, who had been deeply trusted since the time of the 3rd shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and was even known as the Black-robed Statesman (黒衣の宰相).

“Why did the Great Lord listen to their request?”

“They repeatedly expressed their loyalty to the deceased shogun and requested the establishment of the eldest grandson, so what could I do?”

“The Minamoto clan lost control of the country because the Hojo clan rose to power. Hojo exploited the break in the direct line of the shogun family, leaving the shogun’s position vacant and wielding power as Shikken [regent]. Is there any guarantee that the Shiba, Hatakeyama, and Hosokawa families won’t do the same now?”

Mansai’s words startled Yoshimochi, even in his illness-induced confusion.

These three families were taking turns holding the position of Kanrei [shogunal deputy], the second-in-command of the shogunate. What would happen if they controlled the young shogun and manipulated state affairs?

“But the decision has already been made, and my life is nearing its end. Even if I change my mind now, will they willingly accept it?”

When Yoshimochi asked, groaning, Mansai replied.

“Summon Gien. He is considered the greatest talent since the founding of the Tendai sect, so he will be able to support the shogun and protect Ashikaga’s world.”

Gien was Yoshimochi’s second younger brother, who had become a monk as was customary.

Originally, he was the person who would be chosen as the next shogun by lottery after a fierce succession dispute, return to secular life, and later be known as Ashikaga Yoshinori, but at this point, he was still a priest.

Even Yoshimochi thought the proposal seemed reasonable.

Gien was a monk, so he would be unlikely to covet the position of shogun, but on the other hand, he had the support of the Tendai sect, giving him considerable power.

Above all, he was his own brother, so wouldn’t he be able to prevent power from falling into the hands of the Kanrei families?

“Yes, that would be good.”

Yoshimochi nodded with difficulty.

He immediately summoned Gien, revised his will, and appointed his second son as the next shogun.

Soon after he died and the will was revealed, a huge shockwave swept through Kyoto.

Well, the ripple was significant, but strictly speaking, the scale of the shockwave was more like a storm in a teacup.

“No way! This is all fabricated!”

“That’s truly pathetic. You must learn to accept defeat!”

Gien quickly seized control of the shogun’s direct military force, the Hokoshu (奉公衆) [a type of direct retainer to the Shogun].

Soon, Yoshimochi’s young son was enthroned as the 5th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshitomi (足利義福), but all power was effectively held by Gien.

“Strike down all the traitors!”

As the one who restored the authority of the shogun by carrying out a ruthless reign of terror in the original history, he showed no mercy.

Those who harbored doubts or complaints about the sudden change of will were eliminated without a chance to act.

The heads of Shiba, Hatakeyama, and Hosokawa committed seppuku [ritual suicide] at Gien’s command, and the rest surrendered, leaving Kyoto completely under the control of Ashikaga Yoshitomi and Gien.

Gien then embarked on an ambitious move.

To maintain the honor of the prestigious families, he guaranteed their positions as Kanrei, but he abolished the Hyojoshu (評定衆) [a council of high-ranking retainers], a cabinet council presided over by these families, significantly weakening the authority of the Kanrei.

Naturally, those who were caught off guard couldn’t resist.

Having been completely defeated in the power struggle, they were grateful simply to preserve their families and ranks.

However, they weren’t truly won over.

Gien knew this, so he selected individuals who suited his tastes when replacing the heads of each family, but ultimately, he couldn’t prevent a person from Joseon from sneaking in with a tribute ship.

“Gien and other traitors forged the shogun’s will! The rightful heir has been overthrown, and the loyalists have fallen!”

In reality, even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared much.

Abandoned by their families and fleeing for survival, what could they possibly do even if they went to Joseon?

They were simply boarding any ship to survive and posed no threat to the regime.

Shedding tears of regret, the ship departed for Byeokrando [a port in Joseon].

* * *

The chaos in Kyoto was conveyed to the Ouchi clan as it unfolded.

There were widespread suggestions within the clan to exploit the chaos in Kyoto and march on the capital, but Ouchi Morimi naturally remained cautious.

His was a family that had already experienced the consequences of failure after the Oei Rebellion [a previous attempt to challenge the shogunate].

Ouchi Morimi decided to observe the situation more closely.

Ultimately, his judgment proved correct. Gien’s coup succeeded, and the chaos in Kyoto quickly subsided.

“It seems that Gien is trying to bring us into the fold. He will grant our family the position of Kyushu Tandai [governor-general of Kyushu] and task us with pacifying Kyushu on behalf of the shogunate, demonstrating its power.”

Ouchi Morimi said after reading Gien’s letter.

Having just seized power, Gien had to prioritize the security of his regime and wasn’t seeking to provoke the Ouchi clan.

Instead, he was attempting to appease them by offering incentives.

For the Ouchi clan, who had been preparing for a battle with the shogunate until recently, it was an anticlimactic turn of events.

“Gien is afraid of our power, so he sent this proposal. Isn’t now the time to fight?”

“There is no justification, no legitimate reason.”

Yoshitomi had already been recognized as Yoshimochi’s successor.

If he raised troops without a valid reason, claiming that he couldn’t accept this, he would only repeat the failure of the Oei Rebellion.

“Rather, this is an opportunity. The shogun has just been enthroned, and Gien has provided us with justification. Now we can completely destroy the Shoni clan, and after subduing the Shibukawa clan (渋川氏) and the Otomo clan (大友氏), we can take control of Kyushu.”

Instead of initiating a war without justification and voluntarily placing themselves at a disadvantage, it seemed more sensible to accept Gien’s proposal and secure their future.

“Joseon will be pleased.”

Kyushu had been renowned for its abundant copper production since ancient times, making it easier to meet the demands of Joseon, which was consuming copper like the Maek (貊) [an ancient people known for their copper consumption] in the Classic of Mountains and Seas [an ancient Chinese text].

Furthermore, sulfur and bituminous coal in Kyushu were also resources that Joseon had been desperately seeking recently.

If he gained control of all of Kyushu, would Joseon be able to abandon them?

And then…

Ouchi Morimi clenched his fist invisibly.

The dream of conquering the world was so close that it seemed within reach.