There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 410

411. Back to Normal Life (3)

It’s not like I have no idea what’s going on.

It’s not surprising that Ryukyu [a kingdom now known as Okinawa] sided with Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] instead of the Ming Dynasty [historical Chinese dynasty] and joined the war.

Wasn’t it Joseon that took in the Namsan royal family, who had been virtually chased out without a penny to their name, and made them the kings of unified Ryukyu?

In return, Ryukyu volunteered to be Joseon’s sugar production base and generously opened its ports.

It even added a fleet built with all its national power to our forces.

However, Ryukyu’s current position was quite ambiguous.

One of the reasons why Ryukyu was important to Joseon was that it was almost the only source of sugar, but that advantage had greatly diminished as we conquered Jiangnan [a region in China known for its fertile land].

Ryukyu is a small country.

No matter how much Ryukyu is transformed into a sugar plantation, it cannot compare to the production of Jiangnan, which is so vast and fertile that it cannot even be compared to a few small islands.

However, Ryukyu, which had already plastered its territory with sugar plantations, had a bleak future.

Even food was being supplemented by tearing off its territory, Satsuma [a region in Japan], or imported through trade, and if the price of sugar, its main product, plummeted, it would be perfect for going broke.

They went all-in on the Joseon coin, but the exchange was on the verge of running away.

If this problem was not solved, the Ryukyu royal family would be kicked out… well, they wouldn’t be (because there are Joseon troops), but their leadership would definitely take a hit.

The same goes for us.

If we just stand by and watch the Ryukyu people starve to death, the dignity of the Emperor will be diminished.

We can act as the suzerain state [a state that controls another state] without giving them anything, but if we do, we’ll definitely get a bad rap.

While using the Ryukyu port for free, if we try to skimp on support, it will only trigger massive anti-Joseon sentiment.

‘For now, the food problem can be solved by giving them Jiangnan rice.’

What we have left over now is Jiangnan’s food.

Until now, the Grand Canal, which connects the political center of Huabei [region in China] and the economic center of Jiangnan, was responsible for most of the logistics.

However, now that the center of the Empire has moved to Hanyang [historical name for Seoul], most of the Grand Canal’s logistics are moving to the Yellow Sea trade.

Moreover, as trade regulations that had been in place for a long time collapsed with the fall of the Ming Dynasty, trade between Zhili [historical province in China] and the Central Plains increased even more explosively as a reaction.

Maritime ban? No one even enforces that anymore.

Whether it’s rice, sugar, or other crops, we can bring in as much as we want, so we don’t have to worry about famine anymore.

I’m worried about the pirates running wild in the sea, but thanks to Seondeokje [likely a reference to a historical figure or event], who mobilized the pirates in the last war, the big guys have already been taken care of for a long time.

What’s left are small pirates who fend for themselves, and the Wokou [Japanese pirates], who are traditional specialists in this field.

The Chinese pirates, who have had their heads blown off once, are not a concern if we periodically weed them out, and the Wokou have also become our subcontractors after a long period of traffic control, so it doesn’t matter.

It’s the heyday of East Asian maritime logistics.

Even before, active maritime trade took place due to the Age of Exploration opened by Joseon, but with the vast Chinese market open, it’s safe to say that the scale has expanded beyond imagination.

It will be a mixed bag for Ryukyu, though.

‘On Sado [likely a character name] knows that a large-scale industrial transition is needed, unless he’s an idiot.’

That’s why he came to me to appeal.

Whether it’s opening up new land or finding products other than sugar, Joseon’s help is essential.

Isn’t it for the same reason that they claim to be the number one vassal state of the new empire, even though no one recognizes them?

Just as Joseon tried to gain diplomatic benefits from its tributary relationship with the Ming, Ryukyu is making desperate efforts to somehow find a way out by sucking up to Joseon.

As I was guessing that, waiting for On Sado’s words, I was suddenly stunned by the unexpected words.

“…Royal marriage?”

* * *

Royal marriage, huh.

Like when I married Joso Hwa [likely a character name], is he trying to receive the princess of the suzerain state and enjoy the status of a son-in-law state?

If things go wrong, he’ll drag a boat to Hanyang and declare, ‘I’ll take over the mandate of the father-in-law country!’?

‘Well, that’s not going to happen.’

Ryukyu is too small, even for its size.

Joseon is also a small country compared to the Ming, but it’s still not comparable to Ryukyu.

I’ve been working hard to bulk it up, too.

Then, we should exclude the risk factors and consider only the advantages of this marriage.

I sighed deeply and said.

“So… you’re saying you want to marry my daughter?”

This guy knows who’s pretty.

On Sado suddenly pressed the crown prince’s head down and said.

“The people of the small country have long admired the customs of the great country, and my son also wants to meet the princess of the great country and marry her, so I would like to ask for marriage and become a family.”

To be honest, I wasn’t very happy about it.

‘Ryukyu is so far away.’

Well… it’s not an impossible distance to travel if you want to, with the Cheonghaejin ships [likely a type of ship or port] coming and going so often these days.

‘Honestly, I’m not satisfied.’

The fact that Ryukyu is a small country that cannot threaten Joseon means that its background is weak.

If my daughter goes there, she can live a life of luxury, but Hyun [character name] is not the type to do that.

‘Besides, I don’t want to have a relationship with On Sado.’

Looking at the Ryukyu king smiling brightly, my head throbbed.

If this marriage is successful, he’ll be bragging, ‘Finally, the Emperor has recognized the loyalty of the rich country!’

Thinking about that, something resentful welled up from deep within my abdomen.

Emperor Yongle [historical Chinese emperor]… did you feel like this too?

But even considering all this, there is no reason to unconditionally oppose the son-in-law.

After thinking about my nephew’s divorce a while ago, I decided to let go of a lot of things.

‘As long as he’s a good person.’

Even if my son-in-law wears tattered clothes and a broken hat, I can push him if I see potential.

Even if he’s the king of a country.

‘There’s plenty of land left in this era.’

I have to deal with the Taiwan issue that I’ve been neglecting. I’ve been neglecting it because the war ended before I could do anything.

I don’t have to see my annoying in-laws, and since I’m the boss, I can control them as much as I want.

If they cherish each other and have a good love, what does it matter if my son-in-law doesn’t meet my standards?

‘I wonder when they fell in love.’

Well, Dani [character name] often called the Ryukyu crown prince to the palace to play.

Maybe they exchanged some signals in the meantime.

Come to think of it, it was my order that Dani called the Ryukyu crown prince to build a friendship.

Who can I blame? I used to date like that when I was young.

I sighed and said.

“Okay, have you talked to my daughter about it?”

“Ah, not yet…”

On Ryu-hwan [character name] shook his head shyly.

I guess they haven’t gone that far yet. Well, you can’t exchange marriage stories without your parents.

I nodded and asked.

“Really? But you’re sure Hyun has feelings for you, right?”

On Ryu-hwan made a puzzled expression at my question.

“I’m not sure about that either…”

“What?”

No, why don’t you know?

Then, On Ryu-hwan fidgeted with his hands and replied.

“I’ve never had a proper conversation with her…”

I stopped stroking my chin for a moment after hearing that answer and looked down at him.

And I thought.

‘Is this guy crazy?’

* * *

Hoo.

Let’s calm down.

Men and women should not sit together after the age of seven. In fact, it’s not easy for grown men and women to talk to each other.

Especially since my daughter is a royal family who grew up in the depths of the palace.

Even so, I thought he had requested a royal marriage because there was some contact in the palace…

‘Then they’re just strangers.’

Then the story changes.

If Hyun doesn’t have anyone she likes, I’ll just decide on a marriage partner and send her off, why Ryukyu?

I sent On Sado out first.

I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his father, and I thought the story wouldn’t progress if there was a hindrance.

I looked down at On Ryu-hwan and said.

“To sum it up, you haven’t really talked to the princess, and you don’t know if she has any feelings for you, but you like her, so you want me to let you marry her?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Does the princess even know you exist?”

“…She probably does.”

“It’s either yes or no, what’s probably?”

“Sh-She definitely knows! She even gave me this!”

On Ryu-hwan took something out of his arms and offered it to me.

It was made of very high-quality material, but it was tattered because he had been carrying it around.

It was a handkerchief with a phoenix pattern embroidered on it.

It looked like she embroidered it herself, but my eldest daughter wouldn’t have such a hobby, so it must be something from the younger one, a noble lady.

“Did she give it to you directly as a token of love?”

“Not exactly… but it has a special meaning to me…”

I sighed deeply.

“Listen carefully. I don’t want to force a marriage that my child doesn’t want.”

To be exact, it’s a marriage that I don’t like and my child doesn’t like.

Honestly, I’d try to push it even if I only liked it, but I don’t like you very much.

“So, if you want to get married, get a definite answer and come back.”

“…”

At those words, On Ryu-hwan’s eyes widened.

His face turned red and sweat started to drip.

“You mean… I have to do it myself?”

“Yes.”

He couldn’t say anything properly.

‘Am I supposed to set the table and feed him?’

It seems like he was trying to seduce me with the background of the Ryukyu crown prince and get a royal marriage, but no way.

How can you be the Emperor’s son-in-law if you can’t even win a woman’s heart!

“Listen carefully. If you just get a good answer, I’ll cleanly allow the royal marriage.”

But I didn’t think there was much chance that my daughter would agree.

A confession is not the beginning of love, but a confirmation.

Especially when it comes to a proposal, which is a major event in life.

He’ll probably get rejected 99% of the time.

What’s the other 1%? It’s the possibility that Hyun actually has feelings for him… but in my opinion, you don’t have to consider that possibility.

Even I can see that this timid guy can’t win my daughter’s heart.

‘He can’t do it.’

It seems like he’ll just hesitate and give up instead of conveying his feelings directly.

And he’ll put his fist in his mouth and swallow his tears as he watches the back of his first love, a maiden, go off to get married.

‘Originally, frustration is what raises a man.’

There is no meaning in lessons without pain.

You can’t get anything without sacrificing something.

But it is only when you endure and overcome that pain that you can have a strong heart that will not be defeated by anything.

Yes, a heart like steel.

* * *

On Ryu-hwan was blankly slumped over.

‘I… have to propose myself…?’

Just imagining standing in front of the Emperor’s second princess made his lips tremble and he couldn’t speak properly.

He felt that fighting Satsuma or the Ming Dynasty would be easier.

Even he couldn’t think of any reason why the princess would choose him.

The position that Ryukyu occupies in the Cheonjo order [likely a political or social hierarchy] or the contribution he made to Joseon (?) are matters that can earn points with the Emperor, and are not elements that can appeal to the princess.

More than that, what does the princess think of him?

Does she think of him as a gloomy and unpleasant guy…?

The Ryukyu exchange students, who were looking at the crown prince, who was holding his head and groaning, exchanged glances.

At first, they ignored the Ryukyu crown prince, who had no power or charisma, but they had a considerable sense of camaraderie because they had lived together in a foreign land, and Idan [character name] had also pushed them.

Moreover, if Ryukyu formed a royal marriage with Joseon, it would benefit the country and their families, and there would be no harm.

However, even to them, the current situation was turning out to be very unfavorable.

It seemed that the lord needed the help of those around him to win love.

They decided to visit Crown Prince Idan.