There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 415

416. Governance and Politics (2)

Though the Yellow Emperor and Emperors Yao and Shun possessed the world, they did not interfere with its affairs. King Wu divided fiefs among his ministers and then ruled the world with his arms crossed, embodying a hands-off approach.

This exemplifies the ideal politics of ‘having without interfering,’ which Confucius admired.

At first glance, this might resemble a modern constitutional monarchy, but the country that historically came closest to this ideal is surprisingly Japan.

The Tenno [Emperor of Japan], the nominal monarch, already boasted a long history as a symbolic figurehead in this era.

Then, is the actual ruler of Japan the shogun of the shogunate, the head of the military clan wielding power on behalf of the Tenno?

…Not exactly.

The one who truly holds the reins of power in Japan is Kien, the shogun’s great-uncle.

The war in the Central Plains was over, but the flames of conflict that had ignited throughout the land were still burning fiercely.

Though no one in this era fully grasped it, the shogun succession war, indirectly triggered by Ijae’s invention of the flying arrows, was unfolding.

The seeds of this conflict were already present in the original historical timeline.

Even in the original history, where Kien became shogun after the direct line of Ashikaga Yoshimochi was severed, the Kamakura faction revolted, as did the Ouchi clan.

However, there’s a significant time difference of about 30 years between the two rebellions in the original timeline.

The Kamakura faction’s rebellion, the Eikyo Rebellion, occurred around the same time as in the original history, but the Ouchi participated in the Onin War, which took place about a generation later over the shogun’s succession, displaying their courage and ambition.

However, the shogun’s succession issue had already erupted prematurely, and the Ouchi had significantly increased their power and wealth through trade with Joseon [historical Korean kingdom].

War was inevitable.

Moreover, as soon as the Ouchi confirmed Kien’s considerable capabilities, they humbled themselves before Joseon and effectively dragged in the army that had conquered the Central Plains, leveraging their newfound influence.

Kien, who had to carry out a reign of terror to strengthen the shogun’s authority even in the original history, isn’t even the shogun now.

He is merely the power holder of the shogunate, portrayed as a ‘traitor who poisoned the rightful shogun and seeks to usurp power by putting up a puppet ruler.’

The only thing Kien, with his weak position and questionable justification, could put forward against the Ouchi rebellion was:

“The Mongol Invasion!”

“The Mongol invaders are coming again!”

“As expected of those foreign bastards, the traitorous Ouchi are dragging in the Mongols!”

It was an appeal to national unity against foreign invasion, a desperate gamble.

‘Yes, if I win, I win everything.’

What was the key reason why the shikken [regents] of the Kamakura shogunate, who acted as power holders like himself, were able to assert their authority so effectively?

It was thanks to their successful repelling of the two Japanese expeditions launched by Kublai Khan.

Even if he crushed the Kamakura faction or the Ouchi, people would only regard him with lukewarm and indifferent eyes. But what if he were a hero who repelled a foreign invasion, a savior of the nation?

If he could overcome this crisis, it might even be an unprecedented opportunity to further solidify his power base and legitimize his rule.

“Now is the time to unite with the aim of protecting the divine nation! Aren’t the Ouchi those Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom] bastards who don’t share a drop of blood with us?”

“No, if they shed blood in Kamakura and ask for help…….”

“That’s because they started the rebellion first! If we lose now, Japan will perish!”

Kien massively mobilized troops and loudly proclaimed that the third Mongol invasion must be prevented at all costs.

Japan is a country protected by the gods.

There is no way they can lose to the Ouchi, who are in league with the Mongol invaders.

Though there was the help of the divine wind (kamikaze) [typhoons that thwarted Mongol invasions], they have already repelled the Mongol army twice before.

Why can’t he do what the Hojo clan [family that dominated the Kamakura shogunate] has done twice?

Meanwhile, the Ouchi were also supremely confident of victory.

The reward for bowing their heads to Joseon, bearing the stigma of being traitors, was now within their grasp.

“Is this all…… due to matchlocks?”

“Yes, that’s right, Uncle!”

Ouchi Mitsuyo shouted proudly.

The tens of thousands of matchlocks and hundreds of thousands of pounds of gunpowder that Emperor Seonduk had painstakingly produced by mobilizing thousands of artisans in preparation for the war with Joseon.

The skill and precision of the artisans were admittedly far behind those of Joseon, but as befitting a great power, they were able to produce a massive quantity commensurate with their investment.

This entire stockpile fell entirely into Joseon’s hands after the war.

Joseon then sold the surplus stock to the Ouchi at a significantly lower price than usual, a fire sale of sorts.

Even so, the amount purchased by the Ouchi in this single transaction surpassed the total trade volume of the Seongchung project, which had been ongoing for decades, in one fell swoop.

They splurged, trusting only in the deferred payment installment service offered by Joseon, so there is no turning back now. Their fate is sealed.

They have to win big no matter what.

Otherwise, Joseon will directly cut open the Ouchi’s belly and try to collect the money owed, a brutal metaphor for financial ruin.

However, if they lose anyway, they will have to commit seppuku [ritual suicide] due to the shogunate’s inevitable coercion, so the end result is essentially the same either way.

Not long after Kien suppressed the Kamakura faction, the flames of war flared up once again in Japan with renewed intensity.

This time, it was a fierce conflagration no less devastating than that of the Central Plains.

* * *

Around the time when the report arrived that the Mongol army had set sail from Jiangnan, I summoned Grand Khan Adai to my presence.

Unlike the others, Adai did not go to Japan.

The reason is not that it would be beneath the dignity of the Grand Khan to serve as a mercenary in another country…….

It’s simply that his military strength is woefully lacking, a fact well known to all.

Anyway, this expedition was more akin to a reward for those who hadn’t truly earned their keep, a chance to make a fortune even in Japan and prove their worth.

I heard that Adai, who was half-forced to abstain from participating in the expedition, was counting the days until their return, consumed by envy and regret.

No matter how prosperous Jiangnan is, it’s just a pie in the sky for him, a distant dream.

He must deeply miss his home ground and the familiar comforts it provides.

Whether he did or not, he had to rush to Hanyang with due haste when I, the emperor, personally summoned him.

However, the story I told him turned out to be a surprisingly appealing proposal, far from the reprimand he might have expected.

“Are you saying you will rebuild Shangdu [Kublai Khan’s summer capital]?”

“That’s right.”

Currently, there is no truly suitable central hub in Mongolia, no city worthy of the name.

The same goes for the obscure location where Grand Khan Adai currently resides.

Some forgotten corner of Inner Mongolia…… where was it again?

“It’s Monasan.”

That’s merely a logistics center with a rudimentary trade route, nothing more.

However, it’s not as if Mongolia has never had a city to boast of in its history.

I heard that Karakorum [capital of the Mongol Empire], the capital of the Mongol Empire, and Shangdu, the summer capital of the Yuan Dynasty, both enjoyed considerable prosperity and grandeur in their heyday.

Now, only the desolate ruins of the collapsed empire remain, a stark reminder of past glory.

“Your ancestors were those who ruled the world, but if you continue to reside in such a remote and insignificant place, will the dignity of the monarch truly stand upright and command respect?”

“…….”

The undignified monarch Adai was rendered speechless by my pointed question.

What dignity could he, who was merely installed as a puppet by the machinations of Mongolian power holders, possibly claim to possess?

He is in a precarious situation where it wouldn’t be surprising if he were stabbed in the back by a rival and met an untimely end at any moment. In the meantime, he has only managed to survive by aligning himself with the anti-Ming front centered on the Huimaeng [anti-Ming alliance].

“Don’t you yearn to move to Shangdu, the glorious capital of your ancestors, and live comfortably in a city befitting your station?”

Of course, if Shangdu is rebuilt, our influence will inevitably be strong and pervasive.

We will construct concrete fortresses in our distinctive style, station a contingent of Joseon troops for security, and dispatch a number of administrative officials to efficiently manage Shangdu…….

But can Adai truly afford to refuse this seemingly generous offer?

‘No way.’

He simply doesn’t possess the ability to hole up in Monasan or wherever and independently gather sufficient strength to resist.

Join hands with other forces?

From their perspective, wouldn’t it be far more tempting to simply get rid of Adai, a used and expendable scarecrow, and install another guy who suits their tastes and is easily manipulated?

On the other hand, Shangdu is not intended to be a gilded cage to confine him.

Rather, it is a place to protect and legitimize him, ensuring his continued reign.

So, let us take charge of the construction. We’ll build you a nice apartment, okay? A palace fit for a Khan.

Adai fell into deep thought, carefully weighing the implications of my proposal.

‘If Juchi [character’s name] were here, he would have rolled around complaining about why he was being left out of such a lucrative opportunity.’

He would have been indignant, vehemently asserting that he, of course, should be the head of the Shangdu reconstruction association, overseeing the entire project.

But alas, he is currently preoccupied in Japan, chasing after fleeting glory.

‘I have to earn my keep somehow, even if it means accepting this seemingly charitable offer.’

The last war served as a stark reminder of what happens when the armies of nomadic tribes clash with the armies of the Ming Dynasty at their peak, armies that have undergone a significant ‘modernization’ process.

As long as I continue to accelerate the technological development of this era, they have already become outdated forces, destined for obsolescence.

They will inevitably be eliminated and disappear from the stage of history within at least a hundred years, their time is running out.

So, perhaps this is their last chance to demonstrate their courage and prowess on the world stage, to leave a lasting mark.

When they eventually return, perhaps the power order in Mongolia will be reorganized to some extent, shifting the balance of power.

However, Adai still couldn’t completely suppress his lingering doubts and suspicions.

“You, you wouldn’t be saying all this because you are secretly interested in usurping the position of Grand Khan for yourself, would you?”

“…….”

I was momentarily speechless, taken aback by his bluntness.

‘Even if you harbor such suspicions, shouldn’t you express them more indirectly and diplomatically?’

“Do you honestly believe that I truly desire that petty and insignificant Grand Khan position?”

If I genuinely wanted to seize the Grand Khan position, I would have dispatched troops to Monasan long ago and dragged Adai out by force, ending his reign.

No, even in this very place, I could simply chop off Adai’s head and easily secure the support of a few Mongols who are loyal to me, and that would be that.

‘But why would I ever do such a thing?’

What practical use would I have if I were to become the Mongol Grand Khan?

Our vassals would undoubtedly make fun of the emperor for stooping to play the role of a barbarian chieftain, and the Confucian scholars of the Central Plains would react with similar disdain.

How much effort are we currently investing in promoting the ‘Civilized Great Power Joseon’ image in the Central Plains? It would only tarnish our carefully cultivated image for no tangible gain.

Mongolia, on the other hand, would undoubtedly attempt to secede from our influence even if they were slightly displeased, claiming that the Joseon bastard had usurped their Grand Khan position, a position that only those of the Golden Clan [Genghis Khan’s lineage] are rightfully entitled to hold. There is absolutely no reason to invite such resentment and instability.

“All I desire is one thing. That you remain in Shangdu, listen attentively to the voices of your people, and govern the country righteously and justly.”

However, Adai merely blinked his eyes, seemingly unable to fully grasp the underlying implications of my words.

I sighed deeply, a mixture of exasperation and resignation.

‘He simply doesn’t understand what I’m trying to convey.’

“As soon as Shangdu is rebuilt, hold a Kurultai [Mongol assembly] again. It would be beneficial to make it a permanent institution. This means gathering the Mongolian tribes, coordinating their opinions, and making crucial decisions collectively.”

Of course, Joseon’s influence will inevitably be strong in that coordination of opinions, subtly guiding the decision-making process.

I trust that you will recognize this much, please.

Even if the current Grand Khan Adai attempts to hold a Kurultai, I seriously doubt who would bother to attend, but it is an entirely different matter if he presides over the Kurultai in Shangdu, a city that was rebuilt with Joseon’s considerable power and resources.

In practice, this will be interpreted as Joseon’s implicit order, not merely the Grand Khan’s decree, lending significant weight to the proceedings.

Mongolia will gradually reorganize itself around Shangdu, becoming increasingly reliant on its influence.

The Mongolian tribes will also coordinate the distribution of interests and the determination of action plans around the Kurultai of Shangdu, ensuring a degree of cooperation and stability.

Joseon can effortlessly enjoy the benefits of controlling Mongolia simply by dominating Shangdu, which is strategically located close to the Central Plains, allowing for easy projection of power.

Refuse to attend the Kurultai? It will only be a significant loss for them, isolating them from the decision-making process.

Because Buknyung Wang Toktobuka, who was the opposing Grand Khan due to the recent war, was killed in action, and the pro-Ming factions were all thoroughly swept away, leaving no viable alternative. It won’t be a pleasant experience to play alone, ostracized from the rest.

Grand Khan Adai, who had listened intently to all of my detailed explanations, was finally moved by the sheer scale of the undertaking and the potential benefits it offered.

“Thank you, thank you again for the boundless grace of His Majesty the Emperor!”

Even though it practically means that we will be taking care of him and ensuring his continued survival.

We only provided him with a ceremonial hat and guaranteed his personal safety, yet he is so overwhelmingly happy and grateful. I think I now have a clearer understanding of just how chaotic and cutthroat the power struggles in Mongolia have been over the coveted Grand Khan position.

However, for the sake of ease of management, Grand Khan Adai was placed in charge of something akin to the chairman of the Kurultai, but we could not completely hand over the entirety of Mongolia to his control.

‘We have to manage the Oirat [western Mongols] separately, ensuring they don’t become too powerful.’

Tokon and Esen will separate and rule the Oirat independently, preventing them from uniting under a single banner.

I have to carefully consider the appropriate title of Pajul [Mongol title] separately, but they are unlikely to have any particular complaints either, as long as their autonomy is respected.

I intend to subtly suggest that they refrain from coveting our pie for no reason and instead advance westward towards Central Asia, expanding their influence in that direction.

Joseon has developed to a level that is difficult for nomadic tribes to catch up with due to repeated technological advancements, but the inherent power and adaptability of nomads will still be highly effective in Central Asia.

Then the Biak Road, that is, the Asian land trade route, will be completely under Joseon’s control, securing our economic dominance.

The world order is being perfectly restructured around Joseon, solidifying our position at the center of global affairs.

At one time, I harbored dreams of dividing the world in half with Ming, establishing a duopoly of power.

China seemed like an enemy that could be harassed and contained but not easily overthrown, a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Creating Joseon’s own independent world order was initially seen as a lofty but ultimately achievable goal.

It’s gotten a bit bigger by accident…… well, isn’t this also a resounding success, exceeding all expectations?

Now all that remains is to solidify the governing system, ensuring its long-term stability and resilience.

So that what is once gained is not easily lost, safeguarding our hard-won achievements.

To do so, impurities must be removed, streamlining the system and eliminating potential sources of instability.

“Everything is ready, Your Majesty. We will be departing soon.”

As Wang Ho whispered in my ear, I nodded with my eyes closed, contemplating the future with a sense of quiet satisfaction.