There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 290

Ever since Hyeonju first appeared during the Chuseok Festival, Hyeonju and Hwanta were becoming famous specialties of Hanyang [the capital city of Joseon].

At first, the officials were reluctant to drink the ‘Hyeonju of ancient times, recreated by His Majesty,’ but before long, everyone started offering it on their ancestral rites table.

Of course, everyone knew that this Hyeonju wasn’t the real Hyeonju, but what could they do even if they knew? It hadn’t been long since sugar became common with the introduction of a new son, Yugu.

Even members of the royal family had difficulty obtaining sugar before. In modern times, sugary water is only used in junk food, but in this era, the nuance itself is different.

This Hyeonju sugar water ‘looked’ much better than simply offering purified water from a well.

“In the past, we only offered clear water or empty vessels, but this is not the proper way to serve our ancestors.”

“That’s right. Ancestral rites are about sincerity, and we cannot offer plain water after straining Hyeonju.”

Meanwhile, Hwanta followed a similar path.

“Hwanta is no different from tea brewed with tangerines.”

“As the saying goes, ‘Zen and tea are one,’ so meditation and tea ceremony are not different. Even if alcohol is forbidden, wouldn’t Hwanta be acceptable…?”

Hwanta’s name itself was tea recognized by His Majesty. Buddhism and tea culture are inseparable, so even monks who didn’t enjoy alcohol were drinking Hwanta, claiming it was tea.

However, the widespread use of carbonated sugar water in ancestral rites and tea ceremonies was only possible because Hanyang had the related facilities and sugar imports nearby.

The Jurchens [a Tungistic people who were the ancestors of the Manchus], who were about to return to Bukgye [Northern Frontier] without Hyeonju, Hwanta, or any entertainment, were truly dismayed.

“I wish we could just run away as we are.”

“Where would we run to if we ran away?”

“Criminals usually run to the deserted Bukgye.”

“But isn’t that where we’re being assigned?”

Having lived comfortably in Hanyang until now, they couldn’t help but resent His Majesty in their hearts. However, since His Majesty was far away in the palace of Hanyang, they had no choice but to watch the innocent Burno.

As soon as Burno arrived at Guju Fortress, he quickly moved with his half-brother, and the guards returned to their respective hometowns. His hometown, which he had visited after a long time, was quite prosperous, but it was not something they could feel, having lived in Hanyang all along.

“Did I live in a place like this…?”

His father couldn’t hide his embarrassment at seeing his son muttering in dismay, looking lost. He had expected him to learn a lot in Hanyang and lead the tribe with dignity, but instead, he was just complaining with his mouth wide open.

“How long are we going to live in these huts? We are local officials with the rank of Jeong 6-品 [a mid-level rank in the Joseon bureaucracy], but our living conditions are worse than the commoners of Hanyang, or even Hamheung?”

“I was invited to a feast and went to Guju Fortress, and the houses were neat.”

“That Guju is nothing. In the mainland [China], even ordinary people put tiles on their roofs with lime soil. The village leaders are taking the lead in improving living conditions, but nothing has changed in this neighborhood…”

What he said was true, but his father, who had been adhering to traditional methods, was furious.

“This guy has only picked up superficial things after going to Hanyang!”

“The mainland is developing day by day, and if we don’t change, we won’t be able to keep up.”

He was frustrated too. From the perspective of someone who had seen a different world, it was a matter of survival beyond the quality of life, so he was desperate.

“I can’t let my wife and children sleep here. Let’s bring people from Hamheung and renovate our house first. Have the servants dig a new toilet too.”

Just thinking about it, there were plenty of infrastructure and entertainment to prepare.

“Where is all the money going to come from?”

“I’ve seen and learned things in Hanyang, so I won’t starve to death. Please introduce me to Hosi [market or trading].”

‘Damn it, why did I come back to my hometown with nothing!’

Perhaps it was fortunate that he had brought a bundle of comic books. His younger siblings were already unpacking the bundle and looking at the pictures in the comic books with curious eyes.

Such scenes were happening in every Jurchen village where the Geumgun [soldiers sent to Hanyang] had returned, so even though it was creaky, the North would gradually develop. Although he didn’t intend this, it was in line with Lee Je’s intentions, so it was a good thing.

“All those who passed the formal civil service examination are taking official positions in the central government… Ya-eun Teacher, I should have studied harder…”

Themselves were dying from it.

===

The Silk Road is originally a trunk trade route that is transported through various forces in the middle. However, I wanted to open a direct express route to at least Mongolia for faster transportation.

When Choi Yun-deok, who received instructions through Burno, sounded out Tae Nyeong-wi [one of the Uliangkhai Three Guards] and Bok Yeo-wi [another of the Uliangkhai Three Guards], they immediately responded.

‘I didn’t expect them to send an envoy right away, even though I said that.’

And with a considerable big shot.

“Your Majesty, do you remember me?”

“Of course. Aren’t you Ju-chi, the son of Tae Nyeong-wi?”

Ju-chi, the younger brother of To-guchi, the commander of Tae Nyeong-wi. He is the guy who competed with me at the Nadam [Mongolian festival] and lost after being hit by a stunner.

Ju-chi had grown as much as I had, and now he had grown into a respectable general.

“Why did you come to Hanyang directly without discussing it in Guju?”

We were planning to put Munte-mu forward as the face of trade with the Uliangkhai Three Guards. Detailed discussions were scheduled to take place with Munte-mu, who received instructions from Choi Yun-deok.

Then Ju-chi replied with a straight face.

“Joseon and Tae Nyeong-wi are strengthening their special friendship, so our commander told us to prepare tributes and ask Your Majesty for his well-being, so we dared not disobey his orders.”

Yes, that’s the reason why I didn’t refuse. It’s good to build prestige because Tae Nyeong-wi came to pay tribute. Even if the Ming Dynasty asks, we can just say that we exchanged gifts and get away with it.

‘Still, he has a lot of guts.’

If the Ming Dynasty finds out, they will be in more trouble than us. The reason could be found out a little later.

I gave a moderate banquet and secretly summoned Ju-chi to the palace. The real discussion is held in an informal setting.

“We can safely transport it to Mongolia, Your Majesty.”

“I heard that side is very chaotic, how can you be so sure?”

I asked, raising my eyes.

“That’s old news. Tai-shi Arugtai [a powerful Mongol leader] has gathered the hopes of the Golden Family by re-electing Adai after Boyan-shiri Khan, and has also been appointed as Hwa-ryeong-wang [Prince of Hwaryeong] by the Ming Dynasty, so a peaceful era has come under the rule of the tyrant.”

Ju-chi continued.

“Tai-shi wants to strengthen his ties with our Ur Tumens (山陽萬戶, Uliangkhai) [Mongol military units] very much, so he even married his second son to the daughter of Taan-wi [leader of Bok Yeo-wi]. I don’t think there’s anything we can’t ask for…”

“Uliangkhai is supporting Arugtai with manpower and supplies in return?”

Then Ju-chi smiled as if he had been hit in the bullseye.

“The Ming Dynasty promised us Daenyeong (大寧) [a strategic territory] but didn’t give it to us, so why should we keep our faith?”

‘As expected, if you do gangster diplomacy, you will get karma.’

I nodded. How many promises did Emperor Yongle keep during that time… almost none?

At least he kept his promise to give us East Manchuria. It’s not his land anyway, and he has several prestige projects at stake, so it’s close to giving alms.

‘Actually, even if they had given Daenyeong to these guys as promised, it’s questionable whether they wouldn’t have been backstabbed.’

Just looking at them outwardly shouting Ming Dynasty Jjang [the best] while secretly pocketing money shows that. Emperor Yongle probably knew that, so he wiped his mouth clean.

‘Still, it’s surprising that even Taan-wi, who is close to the pro-Ming faction, is strengthening ties with Mongolia.’

Tae Nyeong-wi and Bok Yeo-wi didn’t receive much treatment from the Ming Dynasty, so I understand that they are trading with us and slowly harboring other thoughts. But Taan-wi was the one who rose to the top of the Uliangkhai Three Guards in return for cooperating with the Ming Dynasty.

Arugtai has been appointed by the Ming Dynasty now, but who knows how long he will bow his head. Even though they are nominally vassal kings, the Mongols can hit the Ming Dynasty at any time if they don’t like it.

‘There is no vassal state as polite as us.’

Have my brother-in-law give thanks to Joseon three times a day.

“In any case, at least the Joseon merchants will be able to transport safely to East Mongolia.”

Of course, we will have to collect a lot of tolls, but that can all be taken from the Mongol’s pockets.

Ju-chi asked with a subtle smile.

“Your Majesty. I am very interested in that mysterious Joseon secret medicine, but I hope that only medicine will not travel on the opened road?”

“That’s right.”

That was one of the reasons why I was trying to open the Silk Road. Once this route is opened, I am the only one who decides whether Biak [a fictional medicine] will travel on that road, whether silk will travel, or whether guns and gunpowder will travel.

“If you want.”

‘I didn’t expect to have thoughts like my grandfather.’

In the old days, I would have jumped up and down saying that gunpowder was not allowed. But I understand now.

I have to keep my promise with Lee Seong-gye [King Taejo]. I promised to liquidate the tributary relationship with the Ming Dynasty and open our world. To do that, the disaster that Lee Seong-gye was sure would befall the world until his last journey had to happen.

Because a 1-on-1 with the Ming Dynasty would inevitably force a huge hemorrhage, regardless of the odds of winning. Mongolia and Uliangkhai were the perfect ‘cooperation’ partners.

It seems that they are already preparing for the disaster.

‘I’m worried that it will get too big.’

But I’m not too afraid of them turning their swords to Joseon. The firepower of Joseon, which is expanding year by year, is not so weak that it can be broken by nomads who receive some Seungja Chongtong [a type of cannon] assistance.

I have no intention of leaving them alone until they are resurrected as a complete Yuan Dynasty.

So my worries are not in that place.

‘What will Ju So-hwa think?’

That was my only worry.

===

The Ming Dynasty was the country that buried my mother-in-law alive in the ground and made Ju So-hwa an orphan, but it is clearly my wife’s home country. The Ming imperial family is Ju So-hwa’s family.

When Joseon clashes with the Ming Dynasty, or when Joseon contributes to the fall of the Ming Dynasty, will Ju So-hwa not feel betrayed?

Unable to bear the restlessness, I casually confided this thought to my father.

Then Lee Bang-won [King Taejong] said firmly.

“A man doesn’t care about that.”

“Huh.”

Even so, how can you say that when it’s my in-laws?

‘The Sangwang [retired king] doesn’t know people’s hearts…’

Whether he did or not, Lee Bang-won said softly.

“When Taejo [King Taejo] retreated from Wihwa Island, where do you think this father was?”

“…Gaegyeong [old capital]?”

Because you were working there.

“Yes. Not only this father, but also Queen Shindeok and her children remained in Gaegyeong. If this father hadn’t stepped in, they would have all been slaughtered.

Damn it, I shouldn’t have saved them back then…”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at my father.

Lee Bang-won cleared his throat.

“Ahem, anyway. Do you think Taejo didn’t know that we were in Gaegyeong when he started the uprising?”

“That’s, no.”

Although he rescued his family later, he would not have started the work expecting that. In fact, my uncle Lee Bang-yeon was caught and killed at that time.

Perhaps because he remembered his older brother who had passed away, Lee Bang-won’s voice lowered.

“When you do great things, there will definitely come a time when you can’t take care of your family.”

“…”

“That’s the moment that separates the king and the husband.”

Will you become a king who holds the mandate of heaven, or will you become a commoner clinging to private feelings?

Lee Bang-won silently forced me to choose one.

Looking at Lee Bang-won’s heavy eyes, I made up my mind.

‘I shouldn’t consult my father about this.’

I’m an idiot for consulting the champion of hammering nails into my wife’s heart. I should just ask Old Sangwang [another term for retired king].

End

ⓒ Pitkong