There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 369

370. The Oath Ceremony (1)

Few could ignore the Joseon king’s summons that spread along the Biakgil [ancient trade routes].

Aside from risking the displeasure of a major patron, no one wanted to be excluded from the conspiracy brewing in Jinju.

However, not many attended willingly.

They, too, sensed the looming war between Joseon and Ming.

“It was definitely called an oath ceremony, right?”

Yet, upon arrival, they couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

The Joseon-hosted Nadam [a traditional festival with sports and cultural events] was famous, and since there were no specific requirements for who should host it, everyone participated, even if just for pride. But an oath ceremony?

It felt too much like a Kurultai [a political and military council in Mongol and Turkic cultures].

“You can consider it a Kurultai. We’ve gathered to discuss joining forces against Ming.”

Jochi’s words made the assembly uncomfortable.

While the Kurultai was a meeting to discuss various political matters besides electing the Great Khan, it was still a meeting hosted and presided over by the Great Khan.

They were displeased with Jochi comparing the oath ceremony summoned by the Joseon king to a Kurultai.

But for Jochi, who had lost his base and been pushed back, becoming Joseon’s puppet was the only option, whether it turned out well or not.

So, he sought Ije’s permission first and stepped forward to persuade them.

“It hasn’t even been ten years since the death of Ming’s Yongle Emperor, and his grandson has already resumed foreign expeditions. The first target was our Taining Guard. Ming intends to restart the war.”

A sigh escaped from those who now had much to lose.

“But why Joseon of all places to host the oath ceremony?”

“Then where else is there a country that can stand against Ming on equal footing? Does Asud dare to do it?”

“……”

None of them could volunteer to bell the cat [take on a dangerous or difficult task].

They all remembered the days when they were beaten like dogs by the Yongle Emperor.

Even the mighty Arugtai and Jochi before them had to flee without putting up a fight against Ming.

“The only reason we can unite and fight back is because the King of Joseon is backing us.”

“……So, are you suggesting we enthrone the King of Joseon as the Great Khan?”

The current Great Khan of Mongolia was Adai Khan, whom Arugtai had put forward.

However, he was merely an individual set up against Delbeg Khan, whom Batula of the Oirat had established.

In the original history, he would later be pushed aside and eliminated by Taisun Khan, whom Togoon and Esen established.

Even if one was called the Great Khan, if they lacked power, their position would soon be taken by a rival set up by someone else.

With Arugtai’s defeat due to Yongle Emperor’s expedition, Adai Khan was maintaining his existence by relying on a fragment of Biakgil, so it was not strange for discussions to arise about putting forward another Great Khan.

However, there was a clear difference between saying ‘discussions can be held’ and ‘such discussions are accepted.’

Rejection immediately erupted.

“That’s absurd! No matter how strong Joseon is, they are still outsiders!”

“Don’t you know that only those of the Golden Lineage [the lineage of Genghis Khan] can ascend to the position of Great Khan!”

Then, someone suddenly perked up and asked.

“There’s a rumor that the blood of the Golden Lineage flows in the Joseon royal family, could it be…?”

The blood of the Golden Lineage was mixed in the Goryeo royal family, not the Joseon, and even then, most of them were currently submerged in Bikini City [a humorous exaggeration implying they are irrelevant or out of the picture].

Those far away wouldn’t know such detailed truths.

But regardless of the truth, the Joseon royal family was of the Yi lineage, not Borjigin [Genghis Khan’s clan].

If lineage was traced through the maternal line, they would not have the right to claim the title of Great Khan.

If maternal ancestors were considered, there would be very few among them who did not have the blood of the Golden Lineage.

Jochi hurriedly calmed the assembly.

“Don’t get excited. Of course, I am not suggesting that we enthrone His Majesty the King of Joseon as the Great Khan.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“I’ve heard there are similar cases in the West.”

Jochi was referring to the case of the lame Timur [also known as Tamerlane], who died 20 years ago.

He was the most powerful of those who proclaimed the revival of the Mongol Empire and the one who came closest to achieving that goal.

However, Timur did not become Khan himself. Instead, he supported a descendant of Ogedei Khan as a puppet and called himself Küregen [a title meaning son-in-law, often used to denote a powerful figure who controls the Khan], wielding real power.

He was dead, but his might had once shaken the world, so it was natural for Jochi to have heard of this precedent.

“As you all know, the Joseon royal family has the precious blood of the Golden Lineage through their maternal line, and the King of Joseon has the power to unite the various tribes of the steppe.

So, wouldn’t it be better to first offer a new title to His Majesty the King of Joseon, honor him as our leader, and repel those Manjeok (蠻 狄, southern barbarians) [a derogatory term used to refer to people considered uncivilized]?”

Considering it a less radical plan than the previous discussion about the Great Khan, they certainly looked more receptive.

“If that’s the case…”

“It seems there is no one quite like the King of Joseon.”

Moreover, those among them who possessed the Borjigin lineage naturally entertained happy fantasies.

They imagined that if they actively cooperated, the King of Joseon might choose them as the new Great Khan when he seized power.

‘The King of Joseon can’t ascend to the position of Great Khan anyway.’

If so, just as a powerful Taishi (太師) [Grand Preceptor, a high-ranking official] would put forward someone to their liking as the Great Khan, the King of Joseon could assume such a role.

Jochi internally sneered at those who had changed their attitude in an instant while still wearing smiles on their faces.

‘You cunning bastards, do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?’

He had already finished those calculations long ago.

He had no intention of foolishly handing over the rope he was holding onto to those in front of him.

* * *

Those who gathered in Jinju were not only Mongols.

“The Jurchens have already united and sworn to serve the King of Joseon.”

“Those guys have been crawling under Joseon for a long time now.”

The Jurchens had not only received Joseon official positions but were now building houses in the Joseon style and even farming, they heard.

They inwardly ridiculed them for becoming completely Joseonized, but when they saw those who followed, their thoughts about the Jurchens vanished.

Prince Onryuhwan of Ryukyu, who had been brought after hearing the urgent news from Hanyang without knowing why, and Ouchi Mitsuyo, who had rushed from Buyeo, paid their respects to Ije without hesitation.

“Even Yuan Sejo [Kublai Khan] couldn’t conquer Japan, but they submitted to the King of Joseon so quickly?”

“Ryukyu is a small country at the southern end of the sea, I hear. It seems even a tributary state of Ming has switched allegiances.”

These were people they would never have met or even known existed if they hadn’t come to Jinju.

Ryukyu alone was considered by them to be a country at the edge of the world, but when Joseon brought even the merchants who had stayed in Byeokrando [a historical port in Korea], their surprise grew even greater.

Although they were not royalty, they were enough to capture the attention of the Mongols.

Whether they were dark-skinned or pale, short or tall, their purpose in coming here was all the same.

As everyone gathered in front of the newly built circular altar in Jinju Fortress, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, Yi Do, shouted.

“Now that various countries are forming an alliance, we wish to honor His Majesty the King of Joseon as the host of the oath ceremony. If anyone has any objections, step forward!”

At the same time, Yi Jing-ok and Yi Man-ju, standing beside him, glared around with fierce eyes.

Naturally, there was no madman present who would disrupt the proceedings.

With no objections, those chosen as representatives stepped forward.

Most of the Jurchens were leaders of their respective tribes, but the number was relatively small because the Mongols had often sent only representatives.

Toguchi of the Taining Guard stood proudly among the sparsely lined-up Mongols, and next to him was Prince Onryuhwan of Ryukyu.

From Joseon, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, the princes who had stayed in Simyang, and the high-ranking officials came forward.

When the merchant No Bun brought the oath, they signed their names without hesitation.

Finally, Yi Do, who had written his name last, shouted to Ije, who was standing on the circular altar.

“Thirty-one kings, lords, and vassals from Joseon, Japan, Ryukyu, Jurchen, and Daldan, gathered in this place, have signed the oath to honor His Majesty the King of Joseon as their leader and offer him the title of Taewang (太王) [Great King]. May Your Majesty graciously accept!”

As he knelt before the circular altar, Ije reached out and accepted the oath.

The oath was written in Hangeul [the Korean alphabet], but the signatures below were all different.

Grand Prince Chungnyeong wrote in Hangeul, which he had created, other officials mostly wrote in Chinese characters, followed by Mongolian script.

“I, Yi Je, Taewang of Joseon, respectfully receive the will of various countries under the heavens and report to the heavens.”

Ije read the oath with various signatures in a powerful voice.

“When the heavens created all things, how could there be a distinction between the civilized and the barbarians?

The different cultures and customs of each country and tribe are the plans the heavens have made to care for the people in each land. How can it be said that the heavens exist only in the Central Plains [China] and not beyond?

Yet today, they claim that only the Son of Heaven exists in the Central Plains and demand that all countries under the heavens submit as subjects. If there are countries that do not obey, they raise armies and oppress them from time to time. This is ultimately a vice created by man, not by the heavens.

Therefore, groups who worship the heavens, though of different races, have gathered and formed an alliance, establishing me as their leader. I have understood their will and resolved to fight together until the day I die.

Those gathered in this place today have sworn not to harbor any other intentions and to unite their wills. I pray that the heavens will cause the lives of those who break this oath to end!”

“Long live His Majesty the Taewang of Joseon!”

* * *

I was quietly listening to the people’s shouts from atop the circular altar.

‘Taewang, huh? I guess it’s fortunate it’s not Gahan [Khan] or Seonwoo [a Hunnic title].’

Those titles were excluded because our officials thought they smelled too much like barbarians.

I refused Cheonwang (天王) [Heavenly King] because it was like a cheap imitation of the Japanese Emperor (天皇) [Tenno].

‘Taewang is still a title with roots.’

I think I heard that it was a title used in Goguryeo [an ancient Korean kingdom] in modern times, but I don’t know if the humans in front of me knew that and made it up.

Maybe they just raised it a notch above Daewang [Great King] because I kept rejecting everything else.

Besides those who participated in the oath, congratulations also continued from those who attended as witnesses.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Francisco Severini, a Venetian merchant who happened to be in Byeokrando and flew here, bowed politely.

A mere impersonator of a state envoy has now received a real special envoy and been dispatched, quite the success.

“Venice, a friend of Joseon, will support Your Majesty’s accession.”

Because Taewang was translated as something like ‘king of kings’ (basileús tôn basiléōn), they seem to think I’m ascending as a new monarch encompassing them.

There’s no need to correct that misunderstanding.

The sight of barbarians from all directions flocking and enthroning me seemed to have left quite an impression on other friendly countries as well.

Those from the Mamluks were the same, and the Majapahit merchants, who had been constantly checked by Ming, looked like they were about to shed tears.

“Should we now call you His Majesty Taewang?”

“Well, you can call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Although those who attended the oath ceremony raised the title of Taewang, internally, they will probably call me as they have been.

The name Joseon Taewang will probably be mainly used in diplomatic documents.

“Then, since the Ming army has also withdrawn and the oath ceremony is over, can we return to Hanyang?”

“Of course not.”

The contents of the oath I recited with a solemn expression are simple.

Pikachu, Raichu, Charmander, Squirtle, Butterfree, Slowpoke, Pidgeotto, Koffing, even though our faces look different, we are all friends [a reference to the Pokemon anime theme song, implying a superficial agreement].

‘And other than that, nothing has been agreed upon yet.’

It didn’t even explicitly say that Ming was the main enemy.

If I send all those humans back like this, this Jinju oath ceremony will become like the Kyoto Protocol, which no one adheres to?

We pushed ahead with the oath based on the consensus that ‘we’ll do this and that against Ming,’ but the framework has to be built from now on.

So, work hard from now on.