There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 124

< Beyond the Border (2) >

Tired of the tedious discussions were not only the Joseon officials.

Zheng He, who had been repeating ‘I will review it’ like a parrot to the persistently clinging Joseon officials, finally breathed a sigh of relief as night fell.

Though he gained some rest, the situation was not over.

Crown Prince Yi Je came to see him.

“How is it going?”

It was night, and Zheng He was feeling sentimental, but he couldn’t dare turn away the Crown Prince’s visit.

“If it’s about the border, I have already discussed it sufficiently with His Majesty the King of Joseon. We will discuss it again tomorrow, so what brings you here…?”

Zheng He opened his mouth with a reluctant tone.

“I was concerned about what you said earlier about going out to sea.”

“Haha, did you come all the way here to talk about that?”

Zheng He’s tone softened.

He was also eagerly promoting the project, so he was pleased that Yi Je brought it up first.

“I envy you, Grand Eunuch.”

“…?”

“Living confined in this narrow palace, I also long to travel far away. How wonderful is it? To see strange foreign cultures and spread the Emperor’s virtue.”

Yi Je, who had been running around outside more than anyone else in Joseon’s short history, was not one to say this, but Zheng He took his words at face value.

“I understand what Your Highness is saying.”

Zheng He inadvertently pitied this young child.

He knew well as a eunuch that the imperial family could not travel the world as they pleased, so strictly speaking, they were no different from birds in a cage.

‘Although that cage is very large and luxurious.’

Then the Crown Prince asked.

“What about you, Grand Eunuch? Are you looking forward to it?”

Asked in turn about his feelings, Zheng He was briefly taken aback, but soon hid his true feelings and replied.

“I am merely carrying out the Emperor’s orders.”

Born into a Muslim family in Yunnan, captured by the Ming army and castrated, he was given to the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di.

That lord has now become the Emperor, and he has even been granted the surname Zheng, so Zheng He’s fortune is not ordinary.

But Zheng He had an ambition that he could not reveal to the Crown Prince before him.

The ambition to succeed in a historic expedition and receive even greater favor from his lord.

“What will be the size of the treasure fleet?”

“Probably about 60 ships and 30,000 people.”

Zheng He said proudly.

Crown Prince Yi Je matched his boast.

“That’s amazing.”

Hiding the thought of ‘Those kids are blowing things way out of proportion.’

Receiving the young Crown Prince’s admiring gaze, Zheng He felt quite good.

But Crown Prince Yi Je’s main point was not that.

Yi Je looked at Zheng He and said gently.

“You said the purpose of going to the Western Seas is to collect tribute from the barbarians in all directions of the world.”

“That’s right.”

Then Yi Je nodded his small head.

“Then wouldn’t our Joseon’s help be needed?”

“Yes?”

Zheng He retorted at the unexpected words.

But Yi Je said calmly.

“Among the many countries surrounding the Central Plains [China], where is there a country as civilized and enlightened as our Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom]?”

Among the Ming’s many tributary states, Joseon is the largest and most orderly.

Annam, or Vietnam, is also there, but the Ho dynasty has already usurped the throne of the Tran dynasty and killed all its relatives.

Yi Je doesn’t know well, but in just two years, the Yongle Emperor will send troops and start a war, so it’s ambiguous to call it a tributary state.

In fact, that was the same for Joseon, but the Joseon’s national identity was approved by Zhu Yuanzhang, so it didn’t matter.

Crown Prince Yi Je said confidently to Zheng He.

“Think about it. Wouldn’t it be good to have our Joseon people with you when you go to the Western Seas?”

In the perception of people of this era, Joseon was the land where the wise man Gija [legendary founder of Gojoseon] was enfeoffed, and it was the only place among the barbarians that had been enlightened.

It was suitable to be a model for the ignorant barbarians who didn’t even know what tribute and investiture were.

So the slogan Yi Je put forward was this.

‘From a country that used to receive enlightenment to a country that provides it!’

Of course, this is nonsense to the peoples who were living well on their own, but there would be no greater Sino-centrism [belief in the superiority of Chinese culture] for the Ming people than this.

“Joseon comes directly to the treasure fleet and teaches the barbarians…”

It was a great propaganda.

It was like the Republic of Korea, established with the help of the UN, conducting aid activities in the name of the UN.

‘Of course, the Ming Dynasty never gave such help, and Gija Joseon is all a lie.’

Anyway, that’s how it was in name.

He himself, as a ‘vassal,’ is asking to cooperate in teaching other barbarians for the sake of the ‘Emperor’s virtue.’

What greater achievement could there be for the Yongle Emperor?

It was a very tempting proposal for Zheng He as well.

The foremost tributary state voluntarily participates in spreading the Kingly Way and helps the barbarians in all directions to enter the court of the Celestial Dynasty?

‘Isn’t this an achievement comparable to the Crown Prince’s entry into the court?’

Zheng He’s heart beat faster.

He was returning with a great achievement comparable to what Eunuch Huang had achieved by leading the Crown Prince’s entry into the court.

“Also, when I enter the court, I will bring people who will participate in the treasure fleet with me. Then my entry into the court will also be your achievement, Grand Eunuch.”

Zheng He was even more surprised at those words.

But there must be a reason for making such a tempting offer.

“Why are you doing this for me?”

Zheng He asked quite sharply.

“Are you saying you want me to give you the land south of Gongheomjin [strategic fortress] in return? As you know, I have a responsibility to protect the interests of the Great Ming.”

Zheng He expected him to say, ‘Then let’s forget about it,’ but the Crown Prince smiled instead.

“This is not a transaction. It is something that benefits both our Joseon and you, Grand Eunuch.”

“Benefits both sides…?”

Then does he really want to spread the Kingly Way for the sake of the Ming Dynasty?

“I heard that you are a man of benevolence and righteousness. I believe that it will be beneficial to our Joseon if someone like you succeeds in Ming.”

Then something clicked in Zheng He’s mind.

“Has Eunuch Huang done something strange in Joseon?”

“Oh, you shouldn’t say such things carelessly.”

Yi Je slipped away, and Zheng He quickly came closer and grabbed his small hand.

“I will never reveal it. Just tell me frankly.”

Then Yi Je’s eyes flashed for a moment.

“It’s nothing much… He’s just been rude to our officials and diligently sending signals for bribes.”

Zheng He clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk, Eunuch Huang is doing such things even in Joseon.”

“Is it like that in Ming too?”

“Of course. A leaky bucket leaks everywhere.”

Zheng He also had a lot of pent-up feelings, and the atmosphere heated up.

‘Yes, that’s it.’

Yi Je thought while watching Zheng He’s reaction.

Finally, a path is visible.

On the other hand, Zheng He seemed greatly impressed by the fact that Joseon also did not have a good opinion of the man named Huang Yan.

“You seem to be a kind person, Grand Eunuch. Joseon will also cooperate greatly for you.”

“Good. Now I know what to do. However, I will handle the border issue fairly.”

Zheng He put a nail in it, but in his heart, this negotiation had long become something he had to make happen.

Wouldn’t it be okay to give up a little bit of that barren land?

Everything was as Yi Je intended.

===

“It seems that Grand Eunuch Zheng has turned to a positive attitude.”

I watched Zheng He’s actions and reported to Yi Bang-won.

“Yes, indeed, the Grand Eunuch’s attitude has changed.”

Yi Bang-won smiled and replied.

But there was still a key point left.

“It seems that half the work is done, but he insists on going to see the land himself, saying that he has to see it to be sure…”

“Still, we have done everything we can do here in Hanyang. You have worked hard.

By having a few people participate in the treasure fleet, we have taken care of Zheng He’s prestige, and we have gained practical benefits.”

The real benefit was the treasure fleet itself rather than Zheng He’s favor, but I didn’t bother to point that out.

Yi Bang-won stroked his beard.

“However, the Jurchens [Manchu people] in the northeast follow the Grand King very well, so Zheng He’s thoughts may change when he sees that power and is quite surprised.”

“Halbamama [term of respect for the king] told me to leave everything to him, so I have to trust him.”

“Can you trust him?”

Yi Bang-won asked with an uneasy expression at my words.

“I want to believe him too, but…”

Umm.

The real anxiety doesn’t go away.

Can Yi Seong-gye really do well?

===

“This is a monument made in Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty] in the past.”

At the news that an envoy was coming, the government offices on the main road hurriedly prepared food and rooms, and Zheng He himself brought tens of thousands of attendants and hurried, so he arrived in the Northeast quite quickly.

Zheng He nodded as he saw the monument called ‘Daegoryeo Jikyeong Seonchulleongbi’.

It seems certain that Goryeo built a castle and ruled here in the past.

‘Then Joseon will have no choice but to consider it their land.’

Zheng He’s attitude itself had changed to be more friendly to Joseon since the meeting with the Crown Prince.

After coming here and checking the monument, Zheng He’s thoughts were leaning towards acknowledging Joseon’s claim.

‘Joseon is the foremost tributary state, and it generously presents even the Seungja Chongtong [powerful cannon], a new type of weapon. But…’

The Yongle Emperor’s vigilance was the problem.

Zheng He didn’t understand for a moment how important this borderland was.

It’s not a key city in Liaodong like Liaoyang and Shenyang, and it’s an eastern border with only sparse Jurchens, so he can give it to Joseon as a favor, since Ming can’t rule it anyway.

But if Joseon uses the Jurchens as one arm to threaten Ming, it would be a huge mistake.

Zheng He came up to the north not only to find out the location of Gongheomjin, but also to examine Joseon’s capabilities in case.

If he misjudges and Joseon rises, the Yongle Emperor’s anger will be directed entirely at him.

‘Especially since I heard that the Joseon Grand King is originally a general, so his prestige reaches even the north.’

He is still alive and well, and his carriage is currently staying in the northeast, so he had to check his power.

‘The Joseon Crown Prince’s proposal is tempting, but if it’s dangerous, I must refuse it.’

Zheng He firmly resolved.

However, his resolution was soon shattered to pieces.

It was when Zheng He was about to pay his respects to the Grand King as an envoy.

“You bastard! You are Jo So-saeng! You evil villain!”

Yi Seong-gye suddenly pointed his finger at him.

“???