There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 336

337. The Light of Civilization (3)

‘How can you twist your tongue to say something like that?’

Yang Su-gi gnashed his teeth inwardly.

It wasn’t as if Yang Su-gi was openly late, as Yi Je had teased.

Rather, with the improved transportation, one could argue that he was slightly faster than previous Ming missions (by land).

Moreover, it was Yang Su-gi who came as the imperial envoy, no less.

Considering that the Minister of Rites of Ming exchanged national letters on equal terms with the King of Joseon, the status of the mourning delegation was unprecedented.

However, everything in the world is relative, not absolute.

The problem was the other countries that moved quickly upon hearing of Joseon’s bereavement.

“Our Sajik [state altars symbolizing the nation] stands upright solely thanks to the help of our mother country, Joseon.

His Majesty the King of Joseon is like my elder brother, and the Retired King of Joseon is like my father!”

“Then the late Grand Retired King would be like Your Highness’s great-uncle.”

“Indeed! How could I not send a mourning delegation upon hearing this sad news!”

Upon receiving the news from Cheonghaejin, King On Sado of Ryukyu even provided his own royal ship to quickly dispatch a mourning delegation.

The mourning delegation, led by Chief State Councilor Ma-ae, arrived at Byeokrando at a speed that seemed to fly.

However, even this was not as swift a response compared to Ouchi.

Ouchi Mitsuyo, who was staying in Buyeo, immediately went to the capital, and the Ouchi main family, upon receiving the report, quickly sent people.

Messengers from the shogunate who had heard from Ouchi, Jurchen tribal chiefs including Mentemu, and Zhu Chi from Taining Guard all rushed over.

There was not one who did not hurry upon hearing the news.

Yang Su-gi’s speed was no different from that of any other envoy, but this is where the difference lay.

‘Did I let my guard down too much just because I am from the suzerain state [a dominant state that controls the foreign policy of a vassal state]?’

It was as if King Yi Je of Joseon was whispering this in his ear.

‘Why are so many barbarians in Joseon? What are they plotting?’

Yang Su-gi had to taste an unknown sense of defeat as soon as he arrived in Joseon.

* * *

Even so, I didn’t expect the Minister of Rites to come in person.

Ming was in a position where they had to make requests of us in many ways, but if the person coming was Yang Su-gi, the story was different.

‘A troublesome guy is coming.’

Why is he coming in person? Is he trying to act as a legal spy?

I wanted to secretly get rid of him near Liaoxi, but if a Joseon-Ming war broke out, everything would be ruined.

I told Gyeongnyeong-gun to subtly interfere, but it seems he didn’t succeed, unfortunately.

I have no choice. I’ll have to be satisfied with teasing Yang Su-gi a little at the meeting.

“His Majesty especially mourns the death of State Preceptor Gwonji and has bestowed the posthumous title of Gongjeong (恭靖) [Respectful and Tranquil].”

‘Especially mourned, so he gave a posthumous title with no special characteristics?’

There’s no way my nephew personally pondered over my uncle’s posthumous title, so it’s clear that the Ministry of Rites picked it appropriately.

The problem is that the posthumous title we came up with contains the word Gongyong (恭勇) [Respectful and Brave].

‘Those clueless bastards.’

It seems unsophisticated to use the character Gong (恭) [Respectful] twice, so I’ll have to remove one.

It would be right to remove the Ming posthumous title that gave me such unnecessary worries, right?

I grumbled inwardly and said to Yang Su-gi.

“I am overwhelmed with tears of gratitude that the great country has paid such special attention. When I offer the posthumous title before the spirit, I will not forget to proclaim the Emperor’s grace.”

Since they were envoys who visited for the purpose of mourning, the welcoming banquet to greet them was simple.

Look at the envoys’ faces souring. This was opened for your sake.

However, only Yang Su-gi enjoyed the banquet without changing his expression.

‘What’s his scheme?’

Let’s not be careless.

There’s no way a man like Yang Su-gi came all the way to Joseon just to collect bribes.

Ming has several things they can seize upon, but what could it be?

When the atmosphere was somewhat ripe, Yang Su-gi finally opened his mouth.

“Hand over the Joseon guns.”

“Aren’t we already paying over a hundred pieces a year as tribute?”

“I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the Joseon guns that the Joseon army actually uses.”

I put down my glass and smiled softly.

I knew it, damn it.

* * *

The Joseon guns that are presented to Ming every year, that is, Seungja Chongtong [Victory Gun].

The Yongle Emperor easily replicated the Seungja Chongtong, yet he continued to demand tribute from Joseon, which was to weaken Joseon’s military capabilities.

However, it became clear that this measure was ineffective due to the last war.

In fact, if the Joseon army had been deprived of all production capabilities as Yongle intended, it would have stalled midway due to a lack of firepower, so it was a blessing in disguise for Ming.

The generous Hongxi Emperor wanted to abolish the Seungja Chongtong tribute, which was obviously transparent and consumed other tribute items, but Yang Su-gi strongly opposed it.

“Duke of England Zhang Bao says that the Joseon guns used by the Joseon army are clearly different from the gun barrels His Majesty received as tribute. What we have received as tribute so far are not real Joseon guns!”

Whether it’s a Joseon gun or a Seungja Chongtong, both are personal portable weapons that use gunpowder.

From a distance, the appearance is not very different, so even if information about the Joseon guns leaked out, it could be covered up by confusing it with eyewitness accounts of the Seungja Chongtong.

However, Joseon and Ming fought together in a war where hundreds of thousands were entangled a few years ago.

The Ming army also clearly witnessed the scene of Joseon guns being operated on a large scale, so it was impossible to hide it.

Yang Su-gi pointed out that Joseon had been hiding the existence of real Joseon guns.

‘What should I do?’

What else can I do?

I’ll just have to be brazen.

I decided to be openly shameless now.

“Real Joseon guns? We clearly offered the gun barrels that the late King requested. I remember that the late King was very satisfied with its performance. Are you saying that it has now been disguised as a fake Joseon gun?”

You guys have been using it well until now, so don’t talk nonsense.

What does it matter if the Joseon army uses different guns from you?

Yang Su-gi tried to maintain his composure at Yi Je’s words.

The Emperor of the Great Ming is the master of the world.

However, Yang Su-gi couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘If there is such a thing, shouldn’t you naturally report it to the Emperor without hiding it?’

If that happens, Yi Je, the incarnation of fair trade, might awaken.

Yang Su-gi had already decided to reflect on his past mistakes and show a more inclusive attitude.

It is not practical to argue about the rights and wrongs of the past, and there is a risk of ruining the grand plan.

So Yang Su-gi focused on getting only what he could get.

“How can we recklessly reject the Joseon guns that the vassal state has made with sincerity? Our country has no intention of questioning the items that have been offered so far.”

“Then?”

“However, the situation in the north is extremely bad. His Highness clearly defeated the Jo army with the help of the Joseon guns. Please replace the future tribute with Joseon guns.”

But the problem was that even these words sounded like nonsense to the Joseon people.

When it was decided to pay tribute with Seungja Chongtong, both Joseon and Ming tried to outsmart each other. As a result, Ming was the one who was deceived.

‘You’re going to pretend to be generous and say you’ll forget about it, so give me the Joseon guns?’

The Joseon officials sitting in this place sneered inwardly.

They had already opened their eyes to the way of fair trade, following the King for a long time.

Barbarians are crowding Byeokrando, bringing money to get the country’s equipment, but you’re asking for the Joseon guns, which are the military secrets of the country, just because you’re the suzerain state.

Naturally, the officials’ gazes were not favorable.

In particular, Hwang Hee, who has been diligently practicing his eye power these days, stared intently at Yang Su-gi.

Yang Su-gi, who was maintaining his composure, felt burdened.

‘I told that guy not to have staring contests anywhere.’

Yi Je clicked his tongue and waved his hand.

“It hasn’t been long since we suffered a national mourning, so it doesn’t seem appropriate to discuss the matter of ominous weapons in this place. I will discuss it with my officials, so let’s enjoy the welcoming ceremony for now.”

* * *

What was the reason why the existence of Joseon guns was hidden so much during the Yongle Emperor’s reign?

If they found out about it, they would force us to hand it over, and if we didn’t, they would beat us up and take it away.

But the situation is different now.

Ming cannot force such a position on Joseon.

Your situation is urgent?

‘So what are you going to do?’

What can Ming do?

“Then isn’t it simple? Just say you can’t give it.”

‘You traitorous bastard.’

What country are you from?

I thought as I looked at Joo So-hwa, who was snuggling into my arms.

“Still, they’re my in-laws, can I just wipe my mouth clean?”

“Ming is strong even without that, so it doesn’t matter. Joseon is the problem…….”

Ah. Is that so? I was just arrogant.

‘Yang Su-gi, who was actually in Ming, was feeling a strong sense of crisis.’

Well, Joo So-hwa, who is in the deep palace of Joseon, has no way of knowing the situation in Ming properly.

The Crown Prince has escaped the crisis, and her husband has received another royal title, so she must think that everything has ended well.

‘Ming’s power is no longer at an overwhelmingly frightening level.’

Every country that participated in the last war clearly confirmed Joseon’s power.

The same is true for Joseon, who is the person involved.

Once the defense line from Geumju is completed, it will be even more difficult for Ming to suppress Joseon.

‘What I really need to consider is something else.’

What I am worried about now is not Ming’s power, but the close relationship with Ming.

What is the reason why I can wield considerable political power at home and abroad?

Wasn’t it because I am the youngest son-in-law of Emperor Taejo?

Joseon is dominating Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean in place of Ming?

It’s because Joseon is Ming’s top vassal state.

Someday I will have to completely become independent from Ming, but until then, I plan to suck honey sweetly.

If so, I will have to meet Ming’s needs to some extent.

Some of the officials who gathered for discussion the next day thought the same way.

“Seungja Chongtong is made of bronze, which consumes a lot of copper to make it. The country is making this only for the purpose of tribute, but if we pay with Joseon guns instead, the burden will be reduced.”

It was Yoo Jeong-hyeon’s words.

“Lord! Even so, how can we recklessly leak the country’s weapons to foreign countries?”

“Your Majesty, what does it matter if we can get a good price?”

The officials looked at Yoo Jeong-hyeon with an expression that said, ‘That old man is starting again.’

In fact, Yoo Jeong-hyeon is a notorious money grubber who would break into the house of a slave who borrowed money and confiscate the rice cooker…….

“I have been selling gunpowder and weapons from time to time, going back and forth to Jo and other countries, but there have always been many people looking for them, but few who can completely copy our method.

Ming is a great country and there are many artisans in that land, so it may be different, but at least they will not be able to mass-produce high-quality goods that surpass us in a short period of time.”

This is advice to me as a weapon sales expert.

‘There is some truth to it.’

Seungja Chongtong could be made by hammering iron like Joseon guns, but the unit price was quite high because it was manufactured with bronze for fear that even a small hint would leak out.

In reality, it was only paid as tribute to prevent demands for gold, silver, or concubines.

Looking only at Seungja Chongtong, it was not a very profitable business even considering the generous gifts given.

But the unit price of Joseon guns is cheaper, and their need is also desperate.

‘I might be able to make more money than I thought.’

It was my long-standing fear that Ming’s million-strong army might one day be armed with Joseon guns, but now the story is different.

“Has the factory to mass-produce new rifles for the Royal Guards been established?”

I’ll use the money I earn from selling Joseon guns to widen the tech gap so that Ming can’t catch up.

Author’s words

Yoo Jeong-hyeon was famous for being stingy, and he was also notorious as a usurer.

For example, he lent money to the slave of Jeong Yeok, the father-in-law of Grand Prince Hyoryeong, and when he couldn’t repay it, the man, who was nominally a Prime Minister, swept away all the pots and cauldrons of that house, and was scolded by Grand Prince Hyoryeong.