There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 307

The Crown Prince and everyone else entering Beijing felt it.

Beijing was finished.

In truth, the decision to move the capital to Beijing was strongly pushed by Emperor Yongle [the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty], and not many people actually supported it.

Especially the Jiangnan gentry [wealthy landowners and scholars from the Jiangnan region] who were currently attached to the Crown Prince.

Even they couldn’t hide the sense of emptiness that surged from within as they witnessed the destruction of Beijing.

And that anger was directed at Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui, who had caused this whole mess.

“To turn all of the late Emperor’s capital construction into ashes!”

“There’s no need to discuss it further. Kill Prince Zhao to set an example to the world!”

At those words, Zhu Gaosui’s face turned pale.

Bound and dragged along, Zhu Gaosui slammed his disheveled head against the ground and shouted.

“Brother, please spare me just once! Brother! Although our brothers have been at odds for a long time, it was because treacherous subjects blinded me. How could this be my true intention?

If you spare my life, I will live without ever appearing in your sight!”

It was regret that came far too late, and a request that made no sense.

However, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi simply turned his gaze to King Yi Je of Joseon [an ancient Korean kingdom], who was sitting beside him, and asked.

“The traitor is appealing to family ties and asking for forgiveness, what do you think, Uncle?”

Then Yi Je said calmly.

“Has Your Highness forgotten what happened with Emperor Yongle in the past?”

Because the late Emperor showed mercy, his two younger brothers survived and created today’s bloodbath.

The Crown Prince, understanding the meaning of those words, nodded heavily.

Zhu Gaosui, who had been relying only on the mercy of his foolish older brother, glared at Yi Je as if he wanted to kill him.

“You, you! As expected, the barbarians are the most untrustworthy of all!”

Zhu Gaosui raged.

‘What is he talking about, is he crazy?’

Yi Je was rather taken aback by Zhu Gaosui’s mindset of expecting something from him.

‘What has he ever done for me?’

However, Zhu Gaosui’s outburst did not last long.

Because the Crown Prince’s stern sentence was handed down.

“You mention brotherly affection to me, but how can I forgive your disloyalty and unfilial piety in assassinating our father and causing turmoil to usurp the throne?”

“Assassinate our father! I swear to the heavens and earth, I did not touch a single hair on our father’s head!”

Zhu Gaosui beat his chest and appealed to his innocence, but no one in this place believed his detestable appearance.

“That crime can only be punished by beheading… Execute!”

The Crown Prince also did not fall for Zhu Gaosui’s lies and shouted resolutely.

Not executing the traitor by dismemberment was the only mercy he could show as a brother.

“I am not guilty! Our father died of exhaustion! Yes, it’s all because Joseon’s Biak [likely a reference to a specific medicinal practice or substance] weakened our father’s yang energy! Joseon…”

“There’s no need to refute the traitor’s excuses, Biak actually enhances a person’s yang energy. Most of the people here have seen the effects, haven’t they?”

Grand Prince Chungnyeong, Yi Do, shouted loudly, and everyone nodded.

“This is a trick by the traitor to shift the blame onto our Joseon!”

“To even fabricate the bizarre cause of death as exhaustion and tarnish the late Emperor’s honor!”

“Know that you are dying comfortably thanks to His Highness’s mercy!”

Zhu Gaosui, who was struggling until the very end, was dragged to the execution ground with his mouth gagged.

After that, those involved in the rebellion were judged according to the severity of their crimes and followed him to the execution ground, and now the rebellion was truly over.

===

What unfolded more fiercely than that was the distribution of rewards.

“It is only natural that we obtain Danning!”

Uliangkhai [a Mongolian ethnic group], who had crossed the Great Wall with the surrender of Juyong Pass, set up camp 20 li [approximately 6 miles] outside Beijing.

Zhuchi, who entered the city as the representative of the Uliangkhai Three Guards, spoke loudly and confidently.

They also emphasized that they had refused the carrots offered by Prince Zhao and clung to a corner of the traitor, contributing to the war.

Since they had hardly occupied any territory on their own, they couldn’t demand anything bigger.

“Danning was already taken over by us in accordance with what the late Emperor promised in the past, and the Taining Guard Commander is a descendant of the Očigin royal family, so he should receive at least a royal title to match his lineage.

In addition, we need to cover the war expenses we have incurred, so open additional markets in Danning…”

The Ming Dynasty officials frowned at the Uliangkhai, who were presenting a bill out of the blue.

“Tsk tsk, demanding so bluntly like that, even if we wanted to give it to them with good intentions, wouldn’t we resent it instead?”

Do said while sipping his tea.

Because the quality of the tea had fallen, his face seemed full of regret.

“Are our preparations complete?”

“Yes, Brother. I will clearly teach the Ming people how Joseon scholars express their intentions.”

We, a nation of Eastern etiquette, do not engage in such high-handed negotiations.

It is not the north wind that strips the traveler of his clothes, but the sun.

===

Yang Shiqi couldn’t hide his difficulty.

He had entered Beijing determined not to be taken advantage of, but the King of Joseon was even more audacious.

“The King of Joseon’s contribution is certainly worthy of being ranked at the top, but the demand for land cession should be carefully considered…”

“Agh!”

Yi Je suddenly grabbed his chest and screamed.

“I, I’m sorry. The wound I sustained from fighting Han King has relapsed…”

“Oh no! Are you alright, Uncle?”

The Crown Prince asked in surprise, and Yi Je nodded with a faint smile.

“I’m fine. It’s just the pain is severe, but it’s not life-threatening… Aaaagh!”

Then, he didn’t look fine at all as he adjusted his collar.

Under the fluttering clothes, the blood-stained bandage was clearly visible.

The Crown Prince, riding in a wheelchair, repeatedly let out sighs of pity.

“I am a person who has lost my father and two younger brothers after my mother. I can’t bear to see my family suffer any more calamities, so please take care of yourself, Uncle.”

“I don’t know what to do with myself because you are so worried about me.”

Yang Shiqi, who had been anxiously waiting for the exchange of pleasantries to end, finally opened his mouth.

“Our Great Ming is also discussing rewarding Joseon generously. The Joseon army has been in charge of governing Liaodong, but now we will temporarily withdraw the troops…”

However, Yang Shiqi’s words were cut off again.

“Your Highness!”

Outside the tent, scholars including Grand Prince Chungnyeong began to wail with their hair disheveled.

“His Highness risked his life to suppress the traitors, but is instead being suspected by the superior country!”

“It is all our disloyalty that has caused His Majesty to receive such humiliation. We will dare to atone with our deaths, so please forgive us!”

“How can this be your fault? It is all due to my lack of virtue, so do not do anything rash!”

Yi Je jumped up and ran out to his subjects.

Following Yi Je, Kim Jongseo, who was standing behind him, shouted with anger.

“Land is occupied by those with virtue, how can it be said to belong to one person! Are ignorant civil officials trying to take away the land that our Joseon soldiers fought hard to obtain with their three-inch tongues!”

He was short, but he was glaring with his eyes and exuding an aura of intimidation as if he would draw his sword at any moment.

Even Yang Shiqi, who had experienced all kinds of hardships, flinched.

“Lord Yang, Joseon’s loyal subjects are making me ashamed!”

The Crown Prince spoke softly because he was not one to openly scold people, but Yang Shiqi took it as a de facto rebuke.

“The King of Joseon is a relative of the imperial family, and his merits are at the forefront of many subjects, and his contribution to protecting the dynasty is unparalleled.”

Zhu Gaochi took Yang Shiqi’s hand and spoke earnestly.

“Although it is heartbreaking to divide the ancestral territory, isn’t the King of Joseon not someone else but one family? I hope you will negotiate well so that the friendship between the two countries is not damaged.”

Yang Shiqi’s face was very distorted.

Unlike his father, the Crown Prince was a gentle person and listened carefully to the words of his subjects, but in the end, the decision-maker was the Crown Prince.

And from the start, he was giving his heart to the King of Joseon, who had fought valiantly!

Yang Shiqi reluctantly opened his mouth.

“The King of Joseon is a loyal subject and relative who fought without regard for his life for His Highness the Crown Prince. There must be generous rewards.”

Yang Shiqi had already thought that giving up the land itself was somewhat inevitable.

‘But our land is not allowed!’

In the process of this war, Joseon took the opportunity to sweep away all the Jurchens [a Tungistic people who lived in Manchuria] under the command of the Liaodong governor.

The land where they lived was also under Joseon’s influence, but in the first place, such remote areas that were not directly under the jurisdiction could all be given to Joseon.

The late Emperor Yongle had also given 700 li south of Gongheomjin to Joseon as a favor.

‘The real problem is the area around Liaoshen [a region in Liaoning province].’

The Ming Dynasty also directly governed the Liaodong Peninsula by establishing governors and building fortresses.

Manchuria without Liaodong – although there was no such word yet – was truly like a bun without filling.

That’s why Joseon couldn’t help but aim for it.

The even bigger problem was that even if he knew it, there was nothing he could do.

The same was true when Yang Shiqi discussed it with Zhang Bu after stepping down.

“The north has already been devastated from fighting the traitors, and Liaodong and Liaoxi have all been destroyed. Although the late Emperor suppressed the Tatars and Oirat [Mongolian groups], the fleeing Taishi Alutai is still alive.”

“I know that.”

Yang Shiqi nodded at Zhang Bu’s advice.

“Didn’t you see those Uriyangkhai rampaging so arrogantly? Rather than that, wouldn’t it be better to cede Liaodong to Joseon and make them a frontier garrison in the north?”

Emperor Yongle’s military capabilities were certainly outstanding, and he was also a figure who left many achievements in reorganizing the system and culture.

However, he didn’t exactly make the lives of the people comfortable.

Could they squeeze the people even more from here?

Even if they squeezed, could they rebuild the collapsed defenses of the north? Especially with Beijing having burned down?

Yang Shiqi hardened his face at Zhang Bu’s point.

“Liaodong and Liaoxi are the mouth of the north. I don’t like the idea of giving up such land. Especially to a country like Joseon, which has shown such bravery this time.”

“If you don’t give it, the King of Joseon will take it directly. I have clearly seen the strength of the Joseon army. You must not underestimate the Joseon army.”

The new guns were different from the Joseon guns that were originally presented as tribute.

And the Jurchens, who had somehow become an arm of Joseon.

If Ming was normal, they would actively step in and break them, but turning Joseon into an enemy now is suicidal.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t even think of it.

Yang Shiqi ran his hand over his face.

This didn’t seem right, but he couldn’t see an answer.

===

At this point, Yang Shiqi would probably realize that he was slowly losing the negotiation.

That old man was the biggest obstacle in this negotiation, so once I persuaded him, it would be over.

Yang Shiqi was summoned to me with a tired look.

He probably expected the negotiations to go back to square one.

However, I brought up the main point directly.

“Give all the land outside the Liaodong fortress, where the barbarians live, to Joseon.”

“I understand.”

Yang Shiqi paused for a moment, then answered obediently.

This much was an unavoidable result.

“And the Liaodong issue,”

I opened my mouth.

“Let’s create a vassal state in Liaodong, and I will receive the title of king.”

Of course, I have no intention of being satisfied with just Liaodong. That vassal state will be created by tying in part of Liaoxi.

“Really?”

Yang Shiqi’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly generous offer.

He must have thought I would throw a tantrum if he didn’t attach Liaodong to Joseon, saying I couldn’t go home.

Yang Shiqi barely managed his expression and said.

“…To have two royal titles, also serving as both the king of a vassal state and a prince within the country, is unprecedented.”

“Ahem, you need to study history more.”

There is already a case that Do found.

Not during the Ming Dynasty, but during the Yuan Dynasty.

At that time, King Chungseon of Goryeo [an ancient Korean kingdom] also served as the Prince of Shenyang.

It seems that it degenerated into an honorary position in later generations, but at least when King Chungseon served as the Prince of Shenyang, he seems to have exerted some control over the Liaodong area.

Yang Shiqi had a fiercely troubled face.

“I don’t know what Your Highness thinks of the Ming Dynasty’s vassal states, but even if they are princes sealed in that land, they cannot wield real power. They only exist in name.”

Emperor Yongle, who rebelled against Sakfan, kicked away all the ladders once he became emperor himself.

So all the Ming princes had were some land attached to the royal palace and economic benefits.

But I said calmly.

“Well, can’t those detailed authorities be adjusted as we observe the situation?”

Choose.

Whether to at least paint it on the map as Ming territory, or to blow even that away.

“I will report to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

End

ⓒ Pitkong