There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 347

348. The Weight of the Crown (1)

Even in the outskirts of Majapahit [a powerful Javanese kingdom], the New Year arrives.

However, only a few could truly enjoy the festive mood.

For years, devastation and war had been spreading throughout the region.

“Still, it’s fortunate that the victory is leaning towards our side. I heard that the Islamic kingdom to the north collapsed under the attack of Ryukyu [an island kingdom, now Okinawa] and requested to pay tribute again.”

Originally, the Sulu archipelago [a province of the Philippines] was located in the southern Philippines, situated between Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] and Majapahit.

When the Ryukyu fleet sailed down to Sulu and bombarded it, and the Ouchi army [a powerful Japanese clan] landed en masse, the Sultan had no choice but to surrender.

Stories even circulated that the Sultan apologized before the Ryukyu generals for betraying the Emperor’s grace and arbitrarily damaging the friendship between tributary states. It was clear that Ryukyu, or rather Joseon behind it, had achieved a complete victory.

“Is Joseon on our side?”

Dang Sae-ah’s subordinate flinched at the question but soon nodded subtly.

“They are closer to our side than the Muslims, who treat us like mortal enemies. They even tolerate us spreading our teachings in this foreign land.”

The White Lotus [a syncretic religious society] followers scattered by Joseon were establishing settlements in the southern part of Java Island, striving to settle down somehow.

They were adjacent to the Islamic forces that Zheng He [a Chinese admiral] had fostered, so they had to fight for survival every day, but with Joseon’s support, it wasn’t entirely hopeless.

‘How can I not resent settling in the southern barbarian lands after leaving my homeland?’

Considering that they would have all been killed by the government forces if they had remained in the Central Plains [historical name for the central area of China], this was a fortunate outcome.

In the first place, they had already moved to Liaodong [a peninsula in China] once to escape suppression.

Spreading their teachings in this barbarian land was better than dying a meaningless death.

‘Besides, Joseon’s power is extraordinary.’

Not only did they transport them across thousands and tens of thousands of miles of sea to the Jowa Kingdom [Java], but they also sent ships to even more distant places to trade.

Even if it was unpleasant, it seemed better for their well-being to believe that Joseon was on their side.

In fact, most of the news they heard came from the Qinghae Garrison’s ships, and most of their necessities and weapons were obtained through trade with Joseon.

The cult could abandon Joseon, but the cult could not abandon Joseon.

That’s why even the Buddha Mother, Dang Sae-ah, was subtly displeased with Joseon but faithfully followed their demands.

‘The Joseon people really like rubber.’

The goods they traded with Joseon were mainly collected rubber sap, etc.

They didn’t know what Joseon was using these things for, but the amount collected from Shimhado [an island in Korea] alone was becoming increasingly insufficient, so now they were planting and collecting rubber trees throughout the Jowa Kingdom.

Rumor had it that the King of Jowa had handed over considerable rights, including the rights to collect rubber trees.

Collecting this was the responsibility of the White Lotus followers.

It didn’t require any special skills, and results could be obtained by simply throwing in labor, so it was the perfect job for newly settled White Lotus followers to take on.

‘I don’t know what they’re going to use this for, but…’

Even those who handled rubber every day had only recently discovered its use.

That use was to make shoes out of rubber and wear them.

The method of making them was surprisingly simple. If you dipped your feet in the soft rubber and pulled them out, you could make rubber shoes that fit your feet perfectly.

They didn’t get wet and were easy to wash off, so they were useful in the humid Jowa Kingdom, where puddles often formed.

Perhaps the Joseon people were also obtaining this rubber for similar reasons?

‘Then it’s understandable that the demand keeps increasing.’

The population in Joseon must be constantly growing, so they would need a lot of rubber to have all the people wear a pair of shoes.

“It will be inevitable to purify the Muslim bastards.”

As Joseon demanded more rubber, they also needed more people.

“Those who abandon Islam and return to the embrace of the Unborn Mother will be well-taught and treated as followers, but those who do not abandon their wicked teachings until the end will be returned to the six paths to be reincarnated.”

Neither the one giving the order nor the one receiving it felt any qualms.

In the first place, the Muslims they were dealing with were those who had been rampaging with the support of Zheng He, a close aide to the detestable false emperor, Yongle [a Ming dynasty emperor].

Those who converted would not be held accountable at all, and those who adhered to heresy until the end would be returned to the six paths to give them a chance to encounter the teachings in the next life, which was rather an act of extending the supreme mercy of Maitreya [the future Buddha].

This was the thought of not only them but also the majority of the Manja Army [a Buddhist-influenced army].

Looking at the composition of these people mixed in with the Joseon army, there were various people such as Jurchens [a Tungistic people], Japanese, and Ryukyuans, but the majority had the commonality of being Buddhists.

The White Lotus followers had given them that name since they saw some units commonly using the Manji (卍) [swastika] symbol against the enemy Muslims.

If Ijae had seen it, he would have grumbled, ‘Do you really have to use that symbol?’, but the White Lotus followers accepted it as a symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune.

As a result, these White Lotus followers were now calling themselves the Manja Army.

The Manja armies from various countries were more favorable to them than to the Muslims.

It is said that heretics are more hateful than infidels, but after all, ordinary believers do not have that much religious understanding.

In the first place, since it was a religion with strong Buddhist colors, it was not easy to distinguish the differences unless they had a detailed doctrinal discussion.

They tended to think that minor differences were due to different customs in each country and moved on.

‘But how long will this situation last?’

Majapahit is a country with a strong Buddhist influence.

They regard the White Lotus sect as a Buddhist sect and do not bother to suppress it, but just as Zhu Yuanzhang of Ming [the Hongwu Emperor] betrayed and suppressed the sect, there is no guarantee that even the King of Majapahit will not do so.

‘Then should we cling to Joseon even more…?’

Dang Sae-ah’s head throbbed.

To avoid being suppressed by Islamic forces or being betrayed after being used, they had to increase their power.

To increase their power, they needed money and people. But both of them came from Joseon.

Whether they wanted to buy weapons or bring followers from the Central Plains, it was impossible without Joseon’s cooperation.

‘Joseon pretended to be benevolent at first…’

When they first settled in Java, Joseon transported them for free, but now they were demanding exorbitant amounts of money under the pretext of risk.

From the new year, they had to start thinking about bringing more rubber to Joseon.

Dang Sae-ah’s sigh deepened.

* * *

The ‘Live a New Life’ immigration business was thriving even more in the New Year.

As the Ming Dynasty’s suppression intensified, all the White Lotus followers were looking for an escape route.

The Ming court would never forgive the White Lotus followers who had ruined the Grand Canal, taking advantage of the rebellions of the Princes of Han and Zhao.

Thanks to that, only our international immigration business is flourishing. It is natural that our large ships are the only ships that can enter and leave Ming Dynasty ports without being suspected. It was truly a case of ‘name your price’.

The Ming Dynasty may have suspicions, but they would rather turn a blind eye and deport potential rebels than cause friction with us to get solid evidence.

Or maybe our officials were doing a great job of greasing palms.

“Still, the White Lotus sect seems to be incredibly tight-knit.”

They pay so much money to save their followers?

As expected of true religious people who do not care about trivial worldly gains.

Of course, the transaction fees are mostly received in kind.

Most of the rubber raw materials arrive, but surprisingly, these kinds of things are also presented.

‘Rubber shoes, huh…’

I struggled to manage my expression when I saw the shoes that came in as a New Year’s gift.

Perhaps because they hadn’t been dyed, the yellow color of the rubber liquid remained intact.

Originally, the more gifts that were presented by various countries every New Year, the more the emperor’s prestige increased, but I didn’t expect even these kinds of things to come in.

“It looks very smooth and has a good texture, so it seems very good to wear.”

“I heard that it’s a popular shoe in the Jowa Kingdom, and indeed…”

However, the officials admired the rubber shoes while stroking them.

“The lotus pattern engraved on the side is also beautiful.”

The lotus is a symbol of the White Lotus sect.

The White Lotus bastards must have engraved it to show that they made it, but to those who don’t know the situation, it seems like just a pretty engraved pattern.

‘Is it treated as a luxury shoe here?’

Later, White Lotus-made shoes with the lotus brand might become popular.

Due to technical skills or raw material mixing problems, they will wear out faster than modern rubber shoes, but since the comparison target is leather shoes or straw shoes, it might not be a big problem.

‘Well, the White Lotus sect is only famous in China.’

The people here have heard the name, but they probably aren’t interested in specific doctrines or symbols.

Still, the guardians of Confucianism, who should be scolding, ‘Get out! How dare you bring such evil shoes of a heretical cult to the royal court!’, are reacting like this.

‘The reason why these gentlemen are doing this is obvious, though.’

It’s a matter of losing face for me, the emperor, to eat all the gifts brought in from other countries alone.

It is usually customary to distribute them to the royal family and officials, and I am quite generous among the past emperors.

I was the type to give away everything without hesitation unless it was something worth keeping as a souvenir.

Right now, there must be a fierce battle of wits going on among the officials.

So, they are excessively praising the gifts, subtly expressing their intention to claim them.

‘These rich bastards are greedy.’

I couldn’t bring myself to join in and said to Heo Jo, who was glancing sideways.

“Have Minister Heo take the rubber shoes.”

“…Are you serious?”

Who else should I give them to but the gentleman who wears leather shoes with worn-out heels every time he comes to court?

‘I thought you were staging a protest asking me to raise your salary.’

Originally, not being able to do politics without money is universal throughout history and all countries.

Still, I give you bonuses from time to time.

“Ahem.”

Hwang Hee coughed next to me. It meant, ‘What about me?’

He pointed to an object placed next to the rubber shoes for no reason and said.

“Your Majesty, this is also truly amazing. From what I can see, it looks like a pouch that swells up when filled with water, and the idea is truly brilliant.”

“No, that is…”

It’s not just a rubber canteen.

I was gathering my thoughts, wondering what to say.

However, before I could open my mouth, Min Mu-gu hurriedly stepped forward and said.

“D-Daegam [a high-ranking official]. That is not a canteen but something to hold jeong (情) [affection/love/lust].”

“What.”

Then Hwang Hee quickly retreated with a dumbfounded expression.

‘Hwang Hee’s idea is even more amazing.’

I had heard that in the old days, they used intestines, etc., to make condoms.

The Joseon officials in Shimhado, who came to present the rubber to the emperor, must have had similar ideas.

In particular, Shimhado had inadvertently transformed into a city of pleasure, which was a big reason.

‘Clearly, it was a place to go to have children using Biaek [a Joseon policy to increase population] at first.’

I tilted my head.

Shimhado, which started as a family clinic, had turned into an entertainment district at some point, and contraceptive devices were selling like hotcakes.

It was to the point where it seemed like the means had completely replaced the end.

Still, there must be quite a few people who came for the original purpose(?).

In any case, sexually transmitted diseases are bound to spread in a place like Shimhado, where people from various countries mix.

It’s fortunate that we can suppress it to some extent like this.

‘I don’t know what kind of disease will spread.’

The place to watch out for is not only Shimhado far away.

If we only consider the risk, Byeokrando [a port in Korea], which is becoming the number one port in East Asia and is attached to the mainland, is the most dangerous.

“That thing is called Heupjeongpi (吸情皮) [lit. skin that absorbs jeong], which means ‘skin that absorbs jeong (情),’ and I had it brought in because it seems like it will be needed in the mainland in the future.”

I said it without much thought, but the expressions of the officials became subtle.

No, I’m not going to use it.