There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 419

420. The New World (2)

Emperor Ije had always been keen on importing foreign breeds, even back when he was Crown Prince.

He imported not only warhorses from Jurchen and Mongolia, but also livestock like Shandong pigs and Southeast Asian chickens, which thrived in Joseon.

Furthermore, with the dawn of the Age of Exploration, he consistently introduced useful crops and livestock from Europe, Asia, and Africa.

However, there were certain crops that Ije couldn’t find, no matter how hard he searched.

These were crops from the New World.

‘No chili peppers, no corn, no sweet potatoes, potatoes, or tomatoes.’

Ije had grown accustomed to Joseon food without kimchi, but that didn’t mean he’d forgotten the foods he enjoyed in his previous life.

‘I want to eat kimchi. Not just pickled radish, but real kimchi.’

‘I want to pop popcorn.’

‘I want to eat french fries with tomato ketchup.’

He had been suppressing these cravings, but now that he was launching ships to the New World in earnest, he could no longer ignore them.

Perhaps his personal desires were a driving force behind this unprecedented exploration of the New World.

‘Of course, I need to claim the land, but even if I fail, bringing back those crops would be a great return for the cost of a few ships.’

Even if the New World venture failed due to the distance, he had to bring back those crops.

They would clearly improve the lives of the Joseon people.

‘Because I’m also a Joseon person.’

Having justified his motives, Ije wrote a list of crops that Zheng He absolutely had to bring back.

It would be difficult to explain how he knew about these crops, and it would inevitably arouse Zheng He’s suspicion, but he had no choice.

Indeed, Zheng He was skeptical as he listened to Ije’s orders.

‘Why does His Majesty believe these things grow in a land he has never seen?’

No, a land that might not even exist.

Wasn’t this project initiated because the area was too vast to be just empty sea, suggesting the existence of new land?

‘There’s no guarantee there will be land there at all.’

But how could he explain the Emperor’s certainty about the New World’s existence, and even his detailed descriptions of the crops that grew there?

If it weren’t for Ije’s past successes, he might have dismissed it as a pipe dream from an old, absurd book like the Classic of Mountains and Seas [a classical Chinese text recounting myths and geography].

‘No… even a wise ruler can grow old and arrogant, undertaking incomprehensible projects.’

Even Qin Shi Huang [the first Emperor of China] sent Xu Fu east in his later years to find the elixir of immortality.

Ije was too young to be experiencing the decline of old age, but Zheng He’s faith was waning.

He had set sail believing in the Emperor’s confident words, thinking, ‘It might be possible,’ but as he sailed further into the endless sea, his doubts grew.

‘How much further do we have to go?’

The fresh rice and vegetables were long gone.

They were surviving on hardtack [a type of dry biscuit], stored in the hold.

That was the very thing that once made Yi Seong-gye [Ije’s father] grab Ije by the collar.

They occasionally supplemented their diet with fish and birds caught at sea, but even Zheng He, an experienced sailor, felt like he was reaching his limit.

Then, suddenly:

“Land! I see land!”

Zheng He snatched the telescope from the excited sailor and peered through it.

“It really is… a continent.”

Zheng He said flatly.

While the other sailors maintained their faith in him and the Emperor, remaining unshaken by the long voyage, Zheng He, who thought he knew better, felt his dwindling faith restored.

“Is His Majesty truly a divine being?”

He had heard that Joseon people prayed to the Emperor’s portrait for sons or when facing difficulties.

Deifying and worshiping famous figures was common in China, so Zheng He had dismissed it as such.

But now, after a long voyage and the discovery of the New World, Zheng He’s reason began to falter.

‘If that’s the case, then the crops His Majesty spoke of…?’

If such things existed, then the Emperor could truly see ten thousand miles from his throne.

No, could such a person even be called human?

Zheng He felt his Muslim faith wavering.

But that was a problem for later; now, he had to reach the land and complete his mission.

Soon, the ships dropped anchor in a suitable harbor.

Finally, Zheng He took his first, emotional step onto the New World.

The words Columbus supposedly uttered upon arriving in the New World were the same words Zheng He spoke.

“Oof.”

Stepping forward, Zheng He looked around.

At first glance, the coastal scenery wasn’t much different from Joseon or China.

Peach blossoms weren’t in full bloom like in the legendary Shangri-La, and strangely shaped rocks didn’t rise in vibrant colors.

But it was clear that this place was tens of thousands of miles from Joseon.

Even the trees, which looked similar to those in Joseon, would be different species upon closer inspection.

“We have truly found a new world.”

After a moment of reflection, Zheng He recited the ‘real’ first words that would be recorded in history books with a solemn expression.

“It is a small step for me, but a great leap for Joseon.”

The source of this pre-prepared famous saying was obvious.

The subordinates tilted their heads, not understanding, but it didn’t matter.

Perhaps history would record this famous saying as his first words upon reaching the New World.

Except for ‘Oof’.

Not only his profound words, but also clear evidence of his arrival had to be left behind.

“Photo, bring the camera!”

The camera, brought specifically for this purpose, was immediately presented.

He had taken great care with its storage, knowing the sea’s humidity could damage it, but capturing the first step on new land was worth the effort.

The camera did not disappoint.

The 모습 [Korean: image, appearance] of those who first reached the New World was captured on the silver plate.

Someday, as time passed and memories faded, this photo would remain as evidence of the monumental exploration of the New World.

Forever.

* * *

“…….”

I, who had been silently looking at the photo, suddenly looked up.

‘Why does this photo feel so strange?’

And wasn’t this supposed to be the last photo from the New World exploration team, creating a somber atmosphere?

But Zheng He, whom I met a few years later, seemed tired but otherwise healthy.

Unfortunately, some had died or fallen ill during the voyage and exploration, but that was expected in this era of navigation.

“The place where the envoys arrived is called Acapulco in the natives’ language, a truly blessed harbor.”

Zheng He established a base there and reached out to the surrounding indigenous villages.

Of course, he didn’t always receive a friendly welcome.

Inevitably, Zheng He ‘had no choice’ but to subdue the tribes that didn’t readily accept the king’s influence.

This was standard practice for him on expeditions, so it wasn’t difficult.

In fact, Zheng He was not only an expert in navigation, but also in military actions and regime changes in foreign lands.

Especially since the natives didn’t even have iron tools, the Joseon people armed with guns had nothing to fear.

“These natives are armed with bronze and sharp stones, and their customs are extremely simple and crude. They even practice human sacrifice, with nearly a hundred people sacrificed each year.

But even these people sacrifice fewer than other natives, showing how barbaric a land is where the king’s influence has never reached.”

I almost asked Zheng He, ‘Didn’t you bury people alive until a few years ago?’ but stopped myself.

‘Now China is our country, so…’

That would be hypocritical.

Of course, Joseon, the land of courtesy, couldn’t tolerate customs like 순장 [Korean: forced burial of living people with the dead, typically a ruler].

China, under Joseon rule, was correcting old evils one by one.

The abolition of 순장, my wife’s greatest wish, was achieved with the new regime, and all sorts of bizarre tortures disappeared into history.

전족 [Chinese: foot binding]… I banned it, but why is it still so prevalent?

The Chinese’s foot fetish is something Joseon people can never understand.

Zheng He continued to detail the horrors he had witnessed.

With an expression that said, ‘You understand, of course.’

“Um, I see.”

I crossed my arms and nodded, thinking.

‘What a load of crap.’

My knowledge of the Americas in this era is pathetic.

My knowledge of Central and South American civilizations comes only from the TV show ‘서프라이즈’ [Korean TV show featuring mysteries and strange stories].

‘Was it the 2012 doomsday theory?’

It was a conspiracy theory based on a calendar left by the Aztec or Inca, but I don’t remember exactly which.

‘I’m sure it’s one of the two.’

Anyway, Zheng He and his 유교boys [Korean slang: Confucian boys, implying adherence to Confucian values], who were okay with 순장 but not cannibalism, immediately took action.

“Heaven cherishes life, so such inhumane acts will not only fail to earn Heaven’s favor but will incur its wrath.

Above all, the Book of Rites states that the Emperor performs sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and the lords perform sacrifices to mountains and rivers. Who are you to hold such a presumptuous 천제 [Chinese: a grand sacrificial rite to Heaven]?”

They are truly descendants of Confucius.

Perhaps it’s because the senior Confucian scholars have experience in enlightening primitive people who ate human flesh.

The natives who were hit by Zheng He’s 불빠따 [Korean slang: fiery bat, meaning harsh criticism or suppression] showed two kinds of reactions.

One side accepted the 유교-style [Confucian] sacrificial meta and gave up human sacrifice, while the other side went to war to protect their unique culture.

Those who responded to Zheng He were the tribes groaning under the oppression of Chief 이씨 (李氏, Aztec Emperor Itzcoatl).

As Zheng He arrived shortly after Chief 이씨 conquered the Mexican Plateau, a massive backlash erupted.

Names such as Tenochtitlan and Azcapotzalco came from Zheng He’s mouth, but I didn’t care.

‘All names I’ve never heard of.’

Where did the Aztecs go? Why are there only guys I’ve never heard of?

Anyway, Zheng He seems to have succeeded in overthrowing the regime, as befits an expert in coups and puppet regimes.

The scope of the New World exploration team’s actions must have been much wider.

“Then… did you bring those things too?”

When I asked carefully, Zheng He nodded proudly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zheng He presented a detailed list of the crops he had secured.

Pictures and photos were attached in case the list wasn’t enough.

‘Good job.’

They must have translated the native names into Korean, which would have made it impossible for me to know what they brought.

“Good job, good job!”

I praised Zheng He.

‘I needed to increase the Joseon population anyway, so this is good. It’s a shame I missed the famine relief crops. I can send people again to find them slowly. First of all, a corn supply campaign in Manchuria…’

I was racking my brains when:

Zheng He bowed his head and said.

“Your Majesty, what I have brought is not only those crops.”

“What else did you bring?”

To my question, Zheng He brought forward a box he had been hiding under his knees.

Inside, gold and silver filled to the brim reflected a brilliant light.