Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 568

568. Severance (7)

Huh Hoo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, greeted the Ming Dynasty’s envoy, who had arrived in Hanseong by train from Jemulpo.

“Why is His Excellency here…?”

The Minister of Rites, who led the envoy, trailed off with a sullen expression. Huh Hoo, noticing the Minister of Rites’ expression, looked puzzled and asked, “Huh? What’s the problem? Isn’t the highest-ranking official in charge of diplomacy supposed to be here?”

“According to etiquette, the Crown Prince should have greeted us…”

According to traditional tributary etiquette, when an envoy from the suzerain state of Ming arrived, it was proper for the Crown Prince to greet them.

Huh Hoo’s expression sharpened at the Minister of Rites’ words.

“Is this really a situation where we can comfortably adhere to etiquette?”

“Shouldn’t we uphold etiquette even more in times like these?”

“Indeed, we should!”

The Ming Dynasty interpreter’s face fell at Huh Hoo’s words, realizing there was no Chinese phrase that could properly convey the intended meaning.

However, the Minister of Rites, roughly understanding the meaning from Huh Hoo and the interpreter’s expressions, gave a hollow laugh and said, “Haha~. A true gentleman who properly assists the monarch should not abandon his manners…”

“That is not a gentleman, but a pushover,” Huh Hoo retorted, cutting off the Minister of Rites. The Minister of Rites’ eyes widened at Huh Hoo’s counterattack.

“Do you understand the Ming language?”

“I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after all.”

“Then why the interpreter…?”

“I simply pretend not to. Isn’t that natural for someone in charge of diplomacy?”

“Ahem!”

In the end, the war of words over the reception etiquette ended with the Minister of Rites’ dry cough.

Having concluded that there was nothing to gain from further argument, the Minister of Rites changed the subject.

“Then, we will rest today and visit the palace tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

With that short exchange, the Minister of Rites and his party entered Mohwagwan [a traditional guesthouse for foreign envoys]. Huh Hoo, watching them, sneered.

“Hmph! Do they not understand the urgency of the situation? Or is it just a bluff?”

* * *

The next day, the Minister of Rites and his party visited Gyeongbok Palace.

Hyang and the ministers greeted the Minister of Rites and his party in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace].

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“You have suffered on your long journey.”

“Then, I shall read the Emperor’s edict.”

“Give me the edict. I will read it. If not, read it aloud on the spot.”

The Minister of Rites flared up at Hyang’s words.

“What kind of rudeness is this! Do the Crown Prince and ministers of Joseon not understand etiquette?”

Hyang sneered at the Minister of Rites’ outburst.

“Hmph! Do you think this is a situation where Ming and Joseon can afford to stand on ceremony?”

“Even if the situation between the two countries is strained, we must uphold the proper etiquette!”

“Etiquette must be based on morality! But has the suzerain state upheld its moral obligations?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Surely you won’t claim ignorance! If you do, go back immediately, learn what is right, and return!”

Faced with Hyang’s sharp reaction, the Minister of Rites eventually broke the seal on the edict on the spot and read Emperor Xuande’s edict aloud.

“The King of Joseon, listen. Recently, discord has arisen between Ming and Joseon…”

The gist of the ensuing edict was as follows:

-The Prince of Liaodong’s temperament is impetuous, causing a major incident. This is my mistake. However, why did Joseon cross the border? Withdraw your troops immediately. Otherwise, I will hold you accountable for invading Ming territory and punish you.

“Huh!”

Hyang let out a breath as if dumbfounded after hearing the contents of the edict. After taking a moment to compose himself, Hyang continued, “I will ask the envoy. Is Liaodong truly Ming territory?”

“Of course, it is.”

At the Minister of Rites’ answer, Hyang ordered the eunuch, “Bring those here.”

“Yes.”

Soon after, eunuchs and soldiers brought over a dozen flags and spread them on the ground.

“What is written on the flags?”

“They are inscribed with ‘Daeyeon’ [Great Yan].”

“After interrogating the captured generals, it was revealed that the prince, whether he is the Prince of Liaodong or not, declared the founding of a nation. Daeyeon is the nation’s name, so Liaodong is no longer Ming territory, is it not? Since it is not Ming territory, Ming has no reason to interfere.”

The Minister of Rites squeezed his eyes shut at Hyang’s words.

‘That crazy bastard has finally caused trouble!’

Now that things had come to this, Joseon had justification. However, the Minister of Rites desperately clung on.

‘I must withdraw the Joseon troops no matter what! Otherwise, my head will be on the line!’

“That was an act carried out independently by the Prince of Liaodong. His Majesty and our court knew nothing about it. If we had known, we would have intervened to stop it. Therefore, Liaodong is still Ming territory.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Hyang interjected, “The prisoners also said something interesting. The eunuch sent by the Emperor delivered a secret order from the Emperor. Do you know what it was? ‘If you obtain Joseon, I will allow you to proclaim yourself Emperor.'”

“That is a nonsensical fabrication! I have never heard His Majesty say such a thing!”

“An order given for all to know is not a secret order, is it?”

“That cannot be! That statement is merely a fabrication uttered by the general who caused the incident to avoid punishment!”

“The prisoners who said the same thing were not just one or two.”

“If that is the case, it must be the work of the Prince of Liaodong! The eunuch, under the Prince of Liaodong’s instigation, made such nonsense!”

“Then, how do you explain the enormous military funds that went into raising the army? And how do you explain the dozens of artisans who accompanied him to create all sorts of cannons and rifles? Even if we set aside the military funds, would the Emperor not know that artisans who make weapons were moving?”

“Th, that is?”

“Tsk!”

Hyang, clicking his tongue loudly, pressured the Minister of Rites.

“It is common sense that artisans who make weapons, especially those that use gunpowder, are carefully managed by the state! Envoy, think about it! Do you think it is possible to arm hundreds of thousands of soldiers in just a few months with just one or two artisans? At least dozens of skilled artisans and more apprentices are needed! But you’re saying that so many people went missing without anyone noticing?”

“Our Ming is such a great nation that there are too many people to check each one individually…”

“Stop with the ridiculous excuses! This is impossible without the Emperor’s tacit approval! If, as you say, the Emperor did not know, does that mean that all the officials in the Ming court are a bunch of blind men?”

“Th, that is…”

The Minister of Rites could not give a proper answer and only sweated profusely.

‘I’m cornered!’

If they insisted it was Zhu Jizhen’s independent action, they would be admitting their own incompetence, and if they denied it, they would be acknowledging the Emperor’s tacit approval.

The Minister of Rites, sweating and searching for an answer, eventually had to compromise.

“I repeat, our Ming is a great nation with vast lands and many people. Therefore, even if we carefully monitor the artisans who make weapons, there are cases where we miss some.”

“So you’re saying that your Ming officials are incompetent?”

“…That’s not it. It’s just… there are too many people… Therefore, withdrawing the troops…”

“Hmph!”

Hyang sneered once more at the Minister of Rites’ words.

“Do you take me for a fool? Do you expect me to believe that? You might as well try to cover the sky with your hand [a Korean idiom for attempting the impossible].”

“N, no! I am not deceiving you at all! It’s just, for the sake of peace between the two countries…”

“Who broke that peace! Was it not the Emperor!”

“N, no! It was Zhu Jizhen, by his own accord…”

“I say again, do not use such paltry tricks as trying to cover the sky with your hand. Is it possible for Zhu Jizhen to secure those enormous military funds and artisans on his own? If that were true, it would mean that Ming is not a properly governed country!”

“Y, Your Highness! Please reconsider… Please make a grand decision for the sake of peace between the two countries…”

The Minister of Rites pleaded for peace in a desperate voice. For him, it was a life-or-death crisis. If he returned like this, he would certainly be held responsible for severing the tributary relations between the two countries and lose his head.

However, Hyang’s response was firm.

“What grand decision are you asking me to make when your Emperor has set his sights on our Joseon! What you are saying now is that our Joseon should surrender unconditionally! What do you take our Joseon for, to utter such outrageous words!”

“Y, Your Highness… Please, think about it one more time…”

The Minister of Rites knelt down and begged Hyang.

However, Hyang waved his arm grandly and shouted, “Go back! Now that your Emperor has coveted our Joseon, there will be no more tributary relations! Our Joseon will resist Ming with all its might! If that happens, Ming will not be unscathed either!”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s ultimatum, the Minister of Rites stood up blankly.

“I understand. I will convey Joseon’s intentions to His Majesty. Before I leave, let me advise Your Highness that it is not in the natural order for a small country to recklessly challenge a great one.”

“Is it in the natural order for a great country to use deceitful schemes? Stop with the sophistry!”

At Hyang’s words, the Minister of Rites respectfully clasped his hands and concluded, “Then, I wish you good health…”

In the end, the Minister of Rites, having received the answer of ‘severance of tributary relations,’ left Hanseong that day.

Hyang turned to the ministers who had seen off the Minister of Rites.

“Now, we cannot back down. This is a great war that will determine the fate of the nation, so please do your best.”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers bowed in unison and answered in one voice, “We will dedicate our lives!”

Hyang nodded lightly in gratitude at the ministers’ firm response.

“Thank you. Then, let us review the situation once more.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

On the way back to Seungwhadang Hall [Crown Prince’s residence], Hyang approached Jo Mal-saeng and asked quietly, “Is the preparation for Gapbinik finished?”

Jo Mal-saeng answered immediately, “Yes, we have finished the final inspection at the Jeolla Left Naval Base and are preparing for battle.”

“That is good.”

Hyang, looking relieved, continued, “Now is the time to reveal the real name, not the code name Gapbinik. Can we expect a great victory?”

At Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng answered with a confident expression, “Yes. On every sea, just hearing the name Assault Turtle Ship (突擊龜船) will make the enemies wet their pants.”

* * *

Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites, who had returned to Beijing, went straight to the Forbidden City.

“You have worked hard. So, what did Joseon say to my order?”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Minister of Rites prostrated himself and raised his voice.

“Please kill me!”

“Huh? What do you mean, suddenly asking to be killed?”

At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Minister of Rites recounted everything he had experienced in Joseon without omission.

“My abilities are insufficient, and I have tarnished His Majesty’s honor, so how can I wish to live! Waaah!”

At the Minister of Rites’ words, who was crying and begging to be killed, Emperor Xuande slammed the desk with his fist and shouted, “Have I ever seen such insolent fellows! Even though I made great concessions and admitted my mistake, they show such defiance! I cannot forgive them! Grand Secretary!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“What do you think, Grand Secretary?”

The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet answered immediately, “It is absurd that Joseon is acting this way even though Your Majesty has shown such great virtue! Recently, they have become a little stronger and have abandoned the etiquette of serving a great power, and have even insulted Your Majesty! Of course, they must be severely punished for their crime!”

“Is that so?”

Emperor Xuande, having heard the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet’s answer, turned to the other officials.

“What do you think, gentlemen?”

“They must be severely punished for their crime!”

At the officials’ answers, Emperor Xuande declared war.

“Even though I made great concessions, Joseon insulted me! I can no longer tolerate Joseon’s arrogance! Mobilize the soldiers! Show that small country Joseon the dignity of the suzerain state and hold them accountable for their crime!”

“We obey the command! Long live, long live, long long live!”

Afterward, Emperor Xuande looked at the Minister of Rites and continued, “Seeing the behavior of the Crown Prince of Joseon, it is clear that he has long harbored rebellious intentions. Therefore, no matter how much you spoke, it would have been like talking to a brick wall. You are not to blame! After Joseon is punished, you will have your chance to repay the insults you have received!”

“I will accomplish it with my life on the line! Long live, long live, long long live!”