There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 117

Some time later.

I received Lee Bang-won’s permission and invited the imperial envoys to the Expected Residence.

“It’s quite beautiful.”

Even Jang Pae-ra was impressed.

Normally, we wouldn’t entertain guests in a place like this, but these men were officials from Liaodong who came to handle practical matters rather than formal envoys.

In any case, the imperial envoys seemed to prefer this to a tedious formal reception.

Having won their favor, I moved on to the next topic.

“How did you receive the Victorious General Cannons… the matchlocks?”

Some of the Victorious General Cannons sent by Joseon are also deployed in Liaodong.

There’s no need to transport them all the way to Nanjing and then send them back to Liaodong; they can be moved directly.

“Indeed. The Emperor was very pleased. It seems he intends to order even more.”

The Liaodong Commander was also sensitive to such news, as he was on the front lines.

‘That’s good news.’

The trade volume of tributary trade is limited, so increasing one item means decreasing another.

You can’t just demand this and that without considering the balance.

‘Maybe we can reduce the gold and silver tribute this time.’

Therefore, this was quite welcome news.

“In that case, Joseon should also do its best to comply.”

Including the fact that my expectations were being met.

“Hey!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring all the white clay powder that was left over from what we sent with the envoys last time.”

Kim Jong-seo, who was next to me, took out the white clay powder as if he had been waiting for this.

I poured the white clay powder in front of Jang Pae-ra, So Gi, and Wang Na-hap.

“Oh my!”

“This is the famous…”

The eyes of the courtesans attending us instantly turned to it.

‘Don’t even think about it.’

Using this will cut your lifespan in half.

“…!”

Greed also flickered in the eyes of the Liaodong envoys.

I had heard that there were already many attempts to obtain white clay powder within Ming China.

With this amount, it wouldn’t be strange to hear the envoys’ eyes popping out.

“White clay powder is a famous product in our country as well. However, we are offering all of it to the Celestial Empire [a traditional Chinese term for their empire, emphasizing its perceived centrality and importance] to uphold the rites of serving the great, so which among the many vassal states does this?”

I asked proudly.

“Ah, no one does.”

Jang Pae-ra said, unable to take his eyes off the white clay powder.

“Our Joseon is putting forth this much sincerity for the sake of the Great Ming.”

Joseon is the most important vassal state to the Ming Dynasty.

Normally, the Yongle Emperor, who had usurped the throne from his nephew and had not been on the throne for many years, would not be someone to arbitrarily make unreasonable demands.

“Since we are in such a setting, I will ask frankly. Is Ah-ha-chu’s entry into the court absolutely necessary?”

Since we are being so cooperative, I asked if Ah-ha-chu’s submission was really necessary, and Jang Pae-ra lowered his head.

“Ha, but this is not a matter that we in Liaodong can decide. Liaodong is merely following His Majesty’s decree…”

“I said entry into the court.

The imperial decree was to have Ah-ha-chu submit, but it didn’t necessarily mean he had to come to the capital, did it?”

I asked that.

If it’s just a matter of granting him the position of Jianzhou Left Guard Commander, we can just say we gave it to him and let him live as before.

But if Ah-ha-chu goes to the Ming Dynasty, he will completely sever ties with Joseon and become loyal to the Ming.

‘Even if we can’t stop him from receiving the official title, we must prevent him from entering the court.’

I gently coaxed the envoys from Liaodong.

“Moreover, news from the north says that Ah-ha-chu is bedridden with illness. It seems it will be difficult for him to see the Emperor.”

“Yes…?”

Of course, the people from Liaodong had never heard of this.

But Jang Pae-ra, who quickly understood my intention, said stiffly.

“In that case, we will have to stop by and check on him on our way back.”

“Liaodong and we are neighbors who share the amity of neighboring countries, aren’t we? I’m disappointed that you don’t trust our words.”

I asked that.

“We are even cooperating in returning the Mansan Jurchens who came out of Liaodong, so it would be difficult if you do this.”

After seemingly pressuring them, I relaxed my expression and poured wine.

“Here, have a drink.”

As the Crown Prince of Joseon gently offered wine, the Liaodong envoys, who had been very tense, relaxed their faces.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kim Jong-seo handed them boxes of white clay powder.

“This is a gift from our Crown Prince to you gentlemen. Please take one each.”

“Oh, oh, if you come at us like this…!”

Jang Pae-ra refused with words, but his body was honest.

The quick-witted courtesans of the Expected Residence also urged Jang Pae-ra, So Gi, and Wang Na-hap.

‘It’s hard to give a bribe.’

But it seemed like I succeeded in greasing the wheels.

===

“Hoo, finally succeeded.”

It’s okay for Ming to grant Ah-ha-chu the position of Jianzhou Left Guard Commander.

However, Ah-ha-chu is sick, so he will refuse to enter the Ming court.

That was the final compromise I reached with the envoys.

“What do you think? I said a compromise was needed, right?”

I told Lee Seong-gye the news after finishing the agreement.

Both my grandfather and father treated me like a complete fool, but when I produced results, they were speechless.

I must have regained a lot of trust with this.

“Hmph, we’ve stopped Ah-ha-chu’s entry into the court, but do you think it will end like this?”

Lee Seong-gye snorted.

“In my opinion, the Emperor is not such an easy person. He won’t end it with this.”

If the Emperor continues to project his influence over the Jurchens, it will be difficult to stop him with such temporary measures.

“But we’ve bought ourselves a few more years, haven’t we?”

I said triumphantly.

There will be another way in a few years.

“Hmm…”

But Lee Seong-gye still had a sullen face.

“Will he really leave it alone for a few years?”

“Don’t say such unlucky things.”

I dismissed it like that, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy inside.

‘Why do I feel uneasy?’

Lee Seong-gye’s premonition was correct.

Despite the effort of buttering up the Liaodong envoys, a second imperial edict arrived.

===

This time, it didn’t come through the Liaodong Commander, but directly from Nanjing.

In other words, unlike the previous time, which was just a meeting between officials from Liaodong, we had to welcome them as state guests.

I guess it’s fortunate that I have some acquaintance with Hwang-eom, who came as an envoy.

“Grant Dong Meng-ga-cheop-mok-ah patterned silks and satins, and if he personally comes to the court, grant him official titles and rewards to pacify the military and the people…”

As Hwang-eom recited the imperial edict that began like this, Lee Bang-won was also furious.

“Meng-ga-cheop-mok-ah is our border official, how can such a thing be possible?

Send Military Commander Shin Sang to the Northeast to persuade them not to follow the Ming envoy’s orders.”

Lee Bang-won, who openly told them to ignore the Ming Dynasty’s words, called me and said.

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It seems the Emperor is really determined.”

“That’s right.”

Following Ah-ha-chu, it’s now Meongte-mura.

Lee Bang-won told Meongte-mura not to follow the Ming’s orders, so Meongte-mura wouldn’t dare to side with them, but if this situation repeats, it would be very difficult.

“A fundamental solution is needed…”

Lee Bang-won, who was tapping the desk, looked at me and said.

“You coaxed the Liaodong envoys well last time, so I’m trusting you this time as well.”

‘Eek.’

Unlike the Ah-ha-chu case, isn’t this a request to block the Ming’s strategy toward the Jurchens itself?

“I have no one to trust, no one to trust.”

“You’re gathering all the talented people in Joseon.”

“Those guys are not as good as our Crown Prince.”

“Didn’t you criticize me last time for coming up with a half-baked compromise?”

“That’s because I knew you could do it. You came up with a better plan than I expected, didn’t you?”

Lee Bang-won took my hand and said warmly.

“Let me ask you for another difficult favor this time.”

“Ahem, even if you come at me like that…”

It won’t work.

“Your father believes in you.”

‘It won’t work,’

===

Hwang-eom, who was quite arrogant when he came to Joseon a few years ago, was quite polite this time, perhaps thanks to the success of his last visit to Joseon.

The Victorious General Cannons he took were highly praised.

“His Majesty repeatedly praised the performance of the matchlocks. He seems to want 100 more, can you provide them?”

‘They’re planning to scrape every last one from us.’

I thought.

Even though copies of the Victorious General Cannons are being made diligently in Ming China, they’re still asking us for them.

“100 will be difficult.”

The Military Supplies Bureau has also greatly expanded its personnel, and production efficiency has greatly increased with the introduction of the factory system.

The supply of bronze is a problem, but that can be solved somehow.

But I deliberately hid Joseon’s production capacity.

That way, they’ll misjudge that they’ve scraped everything to the limit.

Such tricks were essential to get the other party to concede.

“Instead, our Great Ming has postponed the payment of painters and palace women, hasn’t it?”

Questions like ‘Why are you asking for such things in the first place?’ won’t work.

It’s the 15th century now.

But I smirked.

“Well, well, let’s discuss that later.”

After confirming that Hwang-eom liked sweets, I asked.

“Does the Emperor intend to move the capital to Beiping (Beijing) in the future?”

“…!”

Hwang-eom’s eyebrows twitched.

“How did Your Highness know that?”

Was this a top secret that hadn’t even been discussed in the Ming Dynasty yet?

A secret shared only by close aides of the Yongle Emperor.

But to me, it was as clear as looking at the palm of my hand.

‘How do I know? Well…’

To me, when it comes to the capital of China, it’s Beijing.

Rather, I was surprised that the capital was Nanjing when I fell into this era.

“The Emperor has the ambition to pacify all directions, and Beiping was the former Yan Prince’s residence, so I just guessed.”

In any case, Hwang-eom straightened his posture as soon as he heard my words.

“I felt it last time as well, but Your Highness is no ordinary person.”

‘Of course.’

I puffed out my chest and thought.

“The appearance is also not bad… I really should try to push it forward…”

Hwang-eom muttered something in his own language and said to me.

“Since you already know, I’ll tell you, the Great Ming will move the capital. To Beiping.”

“So you’re actively appeasing the Jurchens?”

I asked, looking at Hwang-eom.

Beijing is quite far north and borders Liaodong, so for security reasons, the Jurchens had to be under their control.

Hwang-eom nodded.

“It’s not a bad thing for Joseon either. The Jurchens are a fierce group, so only our Great Ming can manage them to comply with the order of the world, right?”

From a purely defensive point of view, it’s the same whether we manage them or the Ming manages them.

But from Lee Seong-gye’s point of view, it would be just a demand to hand over his subordinates.

I felt the same way.

‘These bastards didn’t manage them properly, so that’s why the Qing Dynasty grew so big, right?’

I narrowed my eyes at Hwang-eom’s boast and thought.

I don’t know the exact founding process, but anyway, the Ming Dynasty was a mess, so the Jurchens must have grown.

I guessed that.

“If Joseon has no other intentions, just accept the goodwill of the great power.”

Goodwill, he says.

“Is there any way our Joseon would do that? We’re just asking you to consider the old loyalty with the border officials.”

I gently coaxed Hwang-eom.

“You are a close aide to the Emperor and a wise man, so you must know a way, right?”

As I openly flattered him, Hwang-eom laughed heartily, as if he was in a good mood.

He put down his wine glass generously and said as if he was doing a favor.

“Then there is a way.”

Hwang-eom said.

“What is it?”

As I asked with sparkling eyes, Hwang-eom answered coolly.

“It is to enter the court.”

‘Eek.’

Hwang-eom, explaining my reaction as showing interest, excitedly elaborated.

“It’s not difficult. You’ve already promised to enter the court, haven’t you?

If you come to the capital this time and show your face to the Emperor, His Majesty will be pleased and show you mercy. The most loyal vassal state is sending its Crown Prince to the court, so would those Jurchens be a problem?

Hwang-eom continued.

“He will definitely tell you to leave Ah-ha-chu and Dong Meng-ga-cheop-mok-ah alone.”

Yes, yes, that’s all good.

The Yongle Emperor fills his prestige, alleviates Joseon’s threat, and Joseon maintains the practical benefit of protecting the Jurchens.

But…

“Great Minister Hwang.”

– Clang!

I put down the teacup with a loud noise and asked.

“Do you think I’m a pushover?”

< Imperial Edict (2) > End

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