There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 365

366. Men’s Club (2)

In reality, the Ming Dynasty was making aggressive overtures [diplomatic advances] to Ryukyu.

Not long ago, Emperor Xuande took a strong measure, expelling Joseon officials from Huidong Hall.

“Originally, Huidong Hall is a guest house where envoys from foreign countries stay. The Great Ming is the host, and Joseon is the guest.

However, Joseon treats it like their own home, stationing lower officials there permanently and running gambling dens under the guise of entertaining officials of the Great Ming. How can we tolerate this?”

In modern terms, it was an action akin to the forced withdrawal of an embassy.

Emperor Xuande cited the justification that ‘Huidong Hall is originally Ming property,’ but for us, who had been using it well after securing it, it was a similar shock.

Emperor Xuande’s actions did not end there.

“The Joseon Hall is the largest and grandest in Huidong Hall. The Ryukyu envoys always travel a long distance and work hard, so wouldn’t the Joseon Hall be more necessary for them?”

The Ryukyu envoys, mindful of our officials—they originally came together—reluctantly declined, but Emperor Xuande’s intentions were clear.

‘In the end, we emptied Huidong Hall and secured another base nearby.’

Emperor Xuande would have wanted to expel even this, but if he did, the dissatisfaction of the high-ranking officials stationed in the Ming court would have become even more prevalent.

However, after defeating the Uriyangkhai and intimidating Joseon, additional diplomatic measures would follow.

‘An expulsion order just for a little spying.’

Don’t they spy on us?

Originally, the main task of envoys was spying, but it became even more severe after Yang Shiqi, who held the Ministry of Rites, visited Joseon himself.

Their attempts to openly pry into our affairs were noticeable.

Important secrets were not leaked, but we could not hide the development of Hanyang [the capital city of Joseon] one by one.

Fortunately, unlike the days of Emperor Yongle, who would demand strange things from Joseon like a four-year-old child, we could refuse if we didn’t like it.

Each time, the friction stacked up, and the discord with the Ming Dynasty grew like a snowball.

‘Perhaps they will impose a sugar embargo.’

The demand for sugar was increasing day by day, while Ryukyu’s sugar plantations had almost reached saturation.

Now that we can exploit the gaps in the ban on maritime trade, we are supplementing it with sugar shipped from Jiangnan [a region in China], but in this political situation, we don’t know how long this will last.

If the Ming Dynasty imposes an embargo, both sides will bleed, but that doesn’t mean the punch they throw won’t hurt.

Fortunately, there was a place where we could secure sugar separately.

“If you go southeast from Fujian, there is a large island called Lesser Ryukyu (小流球) [present-day Taiwan].”

“I’ve heard of it. Isn’t that the land of Yizhou (夷州) that Wu Daedi (吳大帝, Sun Quan) [Emperor Da of Wu] was looking for in the old days?”

It was Taiwan.

I don’t know why Okinawa is Greater Ryukyu and Taiwan is Lesser Ryukyu when Taiwan’s area is larger, but that’s not important.

“Yes. In the future, we plan to send ships there to subjugate the natives and cultivate the land.”

Setting up a base in Taiwan has another advantage.

It has the advantage of further pressuring the Ming Dynasty’s coastline, which is already blocked on all sides.

“Ming will not stand idly by.”

“That’s right. Lesser Ryukyu is close to Nanjing [the southern capital of the Ming Dynasty].”

The Ming Dynasty had stepped back from the threat of the north compared to when the capital relocation to Beijing was in progress, but conversely, the possibility of them reacting to the advance into Taiwan had increased.

There was a growing concern among the officials that preparations for war might accelerate the crisis of war.

“No matter how carefully we hide it, it will be difficult to completely deceive Ming’s eyes.”

Yi Bang-won, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Then how about doing this?”

I perked up my ears and sat closer to listen to Yi Bang-won’s scheme.

* * *

The first phonograph was a device that rotated a copper cylindrical sound plate, causing a recording needle to carve grooves, and then the needle would trace those grooves to reproduce the sound.

In other words, it does not require electricity.

The current technology could only reproduce simple melodies, not sophisticated voices, but even at this level, there were endless places to use it.

– Bbam~ppa ppappappa bbampparababa bbamppamppam bbamppararam!

As the record began to spin, the phonograph emitted a greatly amplified sound through the horn.

At the same time, blankets were thrown off everywhere, and several people groaned in pain.

“Ugh…….”

“Someone seal the mouth of that monster…….”

The Ryukyu students, who automatically woke up to the sound of the trumpet every dawn, frowned and got up.

Who on earth composed that tune that makes you cringe just by listening to it?

“Amazing. Have Joseon students been waking up to something like that all this time?”

“I understand why Sungkyunkwan [Royal Academy] students risk their lives to pass the exam. If they fail the civil service exam, they will have to listen to that tune for years.”

Not only the newly arrived international students but also the existing students were complaining about changing the reveille, but the higher-ups did not budge.

“This is music played to wake up the students, so it is natural to dislike it!

No matter how great a singer (名唱) [renowned singer] is, wouldn’t you shudder if you heard it as wake-up music?”

“The existing tune is very effective at waking people up, so it is a hundred times better to stick to it!”

The will of Daesaseong (大司成) [Head of the Royal Academy] Eo Byeon-gap (魚變甲) was firm.

Even if you pass the civil service exam and enter the training institute, you will have to listen to it every day anyway, so it is better to get used to it now.

Besides, if you remember who composed this tune, it was even more of a problem that he could not change it as he pleased.

“Even so, it’s creepy. It’s music that I don’t want to hear again.”

Anpyeong-gun (安平君) Yi Yong (李瑢), who prided himself on being second to none in artistic sense, said.

Eo Byeon-gap stared at him for a moment and said briefly.

“It is a tune composed by His Majesty the King.”

“Now that I think about it, it’s just that I felt that way because it was an unfamiliar sound. It has a profound atmosphere different from Hyangak (鄕樂) [Korean court music] or Dangak (唐樂) [Chinese court music].

It is said that a sage is also deeply versed in music (樂), and that is indeed the case.”

Eo Byeon-gap, who was staring at Anpyeong-gun, who was making excuses, asked.

“What brings you here this time?”

“The Crown Prince said he would invite the Ryukyu Crown Prince to hold a welcoming banquet, and he sent me to deliver the message.”

I don’t know what happened last time, but the Ryukyu Crown Prince had been holed up in Sungkyunkwan, barely breathing, without coming out at all.

Knowing this, Eo Byeon-gap asked Anpyeong-gun.

“You’re not going to do anything strange to the guest, are you?”

The young Anpyeong-gun was speechless.

To be honest, he didn’t know what kind of strange things his brothers were planning.

He heard it was an ordinary banquet, but as always, he didn’t have much faith in his brothers’ words.

“……Nothing will happen.”

“I understand.”

Eo Byeon-gap sighed and nodded.

After all, it was the Crown Prince’s order, so he couldn’t stop it.

* * *

On Ryuhwan attended the banquet like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse after finishing his day’s schedule.

If he had invited someone else, he would have refused on the pretext of being sick, but Anpyeong-gun, a Joseon royal, suddenly came to check on his condition and delivered the message, so he couldn’t make any excuses.

And the alcohol, alcohol, alcohol that goes around once.

As someone who had never drunk alcohol except for a few glasses of Jeju (祭酒) [ritual wine], he wanted to refuse, but…….

“How long are you going to make me dance on my shoulders!”

Every time, they shouted with strange gestures and intonations, so he had no choice but to gulp it down.

‘It might be better to drink alcohol and forget the fear.’

The result of someone who doesn’t know their alcohol tolerance drinking under the influence of the atmosphere is usually similar.

“Keueuk!”

On Ryuhwan screamed with a flushed face.

“Are, are you okay?”

Lee Dan was embarrassed to see On Ryuhwan, who was so red that he looked like he was about to explode before others even got drunk.

The Jongchin (宗親) [royal relatives] sitting around were the same.

“Who made him drink so much?”

“It hasn’t even been a few rounds yet…….”

“He seems to be getting drunk faster than I thought. Bring him some Hyeonju (玄酒) [plain water served as wine] over there.”

However, On Ryuhwan, who was already drunk, raised his empty glass and said.

“Alcohol! Bring me more alcohol!”

“His Majesty orders you to step back and rest since you are drunk.”

“Are you guys ignoring me too!”

Soon, tears streamed down On Ryuhwan’s face.

“Heugeuk……. Those who are supposed to be vassals despise and ridicule me……! Now even the insignificant servants of the Great Ming ignore me! Do I not even look like the Crown Prince anymore!”

“What should we do, brother?”

“He seems to have become very strange after drinking.”

His cousins ​​whispered next to him, but Lee Dan was focused on what the Ryukyu Crown Prince had said while lamenting.

For subordinates to ignore him.

It was a strange story to him, who had never experienced such a thing.

‘As expected, Ryukyu’s legal system is not properly established yet.’

From the time he was born as the great-grandson, grandson, and crown prince, there was no one in Joseon who could treat him carelessly.

But what about those he met at the Nadam [Mongolian festival]?

They could not be seen as his vassals, and they were genuine barbarians who would get hives if they heard talk of etiquette.

However, he didn’t even feel like he was being ignored by them.

“Jeje!”

Lee Dan shouted, slapping On Ryuhwan on the back.

“Nothing is solved by crying!”

“Keuheok!”

On Ryuhwan convulsed, revealing the whites of his eyes.

If Lee Hyang, who was sitting next to him, hadn’t quickly stroked him to calm him down, he would have fainted immediately.

“If the dignity of the superior is not established, it is natural for the inferior to ignore it!

How can you rule a country with such a weak spirit?”

Lee Dan said confidently.

“Would the descendants of the powerful clans who despise you be able to do so in front of people like Xiang Yu and Fan Kuai [famous historical figures known for their strength and authority]?”

This is a matter of instinct that transcends status and power.

Lee Dan had already witnessed even the pretentious officials become mute in front of the Mongolian warriors who wielded curved swords freely.

“If you truly want it, I will personally help you gain such dignity. How about it?”

On Ryuhwan nodded without realizing it at Lee Dan’s confident words.

“Ah, I understand…….”

And then he fell sideways and fell asleep before he could finish his words.

“Everything has been resolved well.”

Lee Dan said with a relieved expression.

However, his cousins ​​asked back in a dubious tone.

“Is this really over?”

“Isn’t it said that true feelings come out when drunk? It seems that the Ryukyu Crown Prince also had a desire to be with me at heart.”

He also learned about the Ryukyu Crown Prince’s concerns and found a solution.

Friendship can be built up gradually while exercising together.

He was very happy that the task His Majesty had ordered was being solved so quickly.

* * *

There was news that came through the telegraph while we were focusing on the movements of the Ming Dynasty.

“The Emperor’s personal campaign (親征) [military expedition led by the Emperor himself]?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The news confirmed in Shenyang is certain.”

The news that was telegraphed from Shenyang to Pyongyang and then from Pyongyang was surprising.

“Does he think he is Emperor Yongle himself…… No, no.”

Even if it is a personal campaign, there is no law that says he must command the army directly on the front lines like Emperor Yongle.

Rather, it would be more reasonable for the Emperor to stay in Beijing, boost the morale of the army, and concentrate on rear support.

It is also to check on the progress of the reconstruction of Beijing.

“As Your Majesty said, Duke of England Zhang Fu is actually leading the army, so it is said that the Emperor will not personally visit the battlefield.”

It is called a personal campaign, but it is nothing more than a tour to establish the Emperor’s dignity and stabilize the north.

It would be uncomfortable if the Emperor stayed in Beijing for a long time, but it is not a problem we can do anything about.

But something felt uneasy.

‘Is it certain that the Emperor is staying in Beijing?’

Beijing is the foremost city of the Ming Dynasty attached to the Great Wall.

If they want to strike the Uriyangkhai, there is nowhere else to go up.

‘No, that’s not right.’

Shenyang.

This place was still Ming territory.