There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 86

The officials who left the Daejeon Palace were divided in their opinions.

Something about the Crown Prince’s demeanor was unsettling.

‘Why bring up stories of ritualistic burial and torture at a time like this?’

Having already formed a certain image of the Crown Prince, they couldn’t help but lean towards that line of thinking.

“Could it be… that His Highness the Crown Prince intends to introduce torture to this land of Joseon?”

“Surely, it was just a slip of the tongue.”

“How could he commit such a heinous act in this civilized nation?”

But the Crown Prince had consistently defied common sense, leaving the officials with lingering doubts.

‘It might be best not to act rashly in front of His Highness.’

‘I must avoid witnessing dismemberment while I’m still alive.’

This was an unintended butterfly effect.

===

I suggested an alternative to Yi Bang-won.

“This is perfect timing. Mobilize the Jurchens.”

“Are you referring to what you mentioned before?”

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

Yi Bang-won was impressed by my words.

“That’s quite a poetic expression. Which scripture does it come from?”

‘The Code of Hammurabi.’

I wasn’t sure if that counted as a scripture.

“The problems caused by Tsushima Island are becoming increasingly severe.”

“Well, not ‘increasingly’ exactly, but they are indeed a problem.”

My idea was to keep them so busy defending their own territory that they wouldn’t cause trouble.

‘I heard that the Tsushima Island guys were at the forefront during the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century].’

“The best defense is always offense.”

“······.”

Yi Bang-won’s eyebrows twitched at my suggestion.

The Wokou’s [Japanese pirates] rampages were a kind of show of force against Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom].

A demonstration that they would continue to attack unless we provided them with supplies.

Giving in to their demands was a problem, but not giving in was also a problem.

There were countless Wokou disturbances even during the Joseon Dynasty.

‘Were they called the Eulmyo Wokou Disturbance and the Sampo Rebellion?’

Or were they the same thing?

My memory was hazy, but anyway.

“I’ve heard that when they plunder from Tsushima Island, the lord claims it was the work of rogue underlings to avoid responsibility. Shouldn’t we return the favor?”

I shrugged.

Yi Bang-won stroked his beard.

“But that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with protecting Ulleungdo [Korean island]. Seeing you so involved, I assume you have a related solution?”

I nodded with a determined expression.

“Although Jurchen pirates are skilled at traveling long distances, as they have been since the Goryeo Dynasty [Korean dynasty from 918 to 1392], going all the way to Japan can’t be easy. So, what if we develop Ulleungdo as a midway base?”

Ulleungdo is too small to be self-sufficient, but it’s a suitable midway point on the long sea route from the Primorsky Krai [region in Russia] to Japan.

‘They can replenish water and repair ships there before heading to Japan.’

Whether they’re pirating or trading.

“Then we shouldn’t empty Ulleungdo after all.”

“That’s right. To supply resources, we need people and villages.”

The plan was to control the Wokou by using Ulleungdo as an intermediate bridge.

If Ulleungdo becomes active as an independent base, people will gather, and it will be able to perform a defensive role without much effort.

“Land isn’t protected by erecting monuments and setting up forbidden lines. Only when the people of a nation advance, build a foundation, and live there can it truly be called territory.”

Could we perfectly protect the land just by sending Sutogwan [official title]?

I was passionately explaining to Yi Bang-won when…

“That’s right!”

Yi Seong-gye’s shout came from outside.

“The Grand King has arrived,” a eunuch announced belatedly.

“Why is Father here?”

Yi Bang-won said with a somewhat uneasy expression.

“Am I not allowed to come here? I heard the Crown Prince was coming up with another outrageous scheme, so I came to see.”

Yi Seong-gye said.

“I already sent Kim Sa-hyung and Nam Jae to subjugate Tsushima Island. But sending a large army only makes them bow their heads temporarily; they don’t listen.”

“That’s why I’m planning to send even worse guys.”

‘The Jurchens are in charge of the Wokou, they say.’

How much did they suffer to have such a notorious reputation even in later generations?

“You said you’ve already gathered the local magnates in Hamheung and started working on it? How long will it take?”

Yi Bang-won asked.

“It will take quite a while to build large ships, and it will also take time for those gathered to coordinate. But since they were originally sailors, it shouldn’t take longer than next year.”

I said to Yi Bang-won.

He seemed half convinced by my proposal.

Why would his father have good feelings about the Wokou, and why would he like the decision to empty Ulleungdo?

‘It doesn’t make sense, really.’

And resettling the people on the mainland isn’t free.

“So please, withdraw the suggestion to abandon Ulleungdo.”

Yi Bang-won looked into my eyes and nodded.

“Alright. I’ll accept your plan.”

===

Although it had decreased compared to the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, the Wokou’s rampages were still severe.

News came that the Wokou had once again invaded Naganpo in Jeolla Province, burned four warships, and captured Manho Im Won-ryong.

“Eighty-six soldiers killed and one hundred and eighty-five survivors who swam back! How can such a thing happen!”

Yi Bang-won shouted, slamming his desk.

His anger shook the Daejeon Palace, and the officials quickly cowered.

Yi Bang-won was a monarch with a ruthless side, as shown in the Princes’ Rebellion, but it was rare for him to show his emotions like this.

“The Wokou are rampant, and the court has no countermeasures!”

The officials desperately tried to calm Yi Bang-won.

“Your Majesty, we will have the Ministry of Rites lodge a strong protest with the lord of Tsushima Island. If we refuse to allow tribute until the Wokou are eradicated, they will have to take action.”

“Will that be enough?”

“And evacuate the island and strengthen the mainland’s borders······.”

“Stop!”

Yi Bang-won waved his hand.

He looked around at the officials who had stepped forward to calm his anger.

‘Not one of them is actively proposing a response!’

“The reason we haven’t been able to properly repel the Wokou is largely because our warships are too large and heavy to properly chase the enemy. I suggest that each province be ordered to build fast ships to pursue them.”

His close aide, Left State Councilor Ha Ryun, read Yi Bang-won’s mind and suggested a practical solution, but it was not entirely to his liking.

‘Sigh.’

How could the leading figures of the court be more passive than his young son?

‘The best defense is always offense.’

As the son of a military commander, Yi Bang-won liked the Crown Prince’s plan even more.

The Crown Prince was strangely unconstrained by the proper way.

In some ways, it resembled his own methods.

‘I thought it was time for a benevolent ruler to emerge.’

After the Grand King and himself, for the third generation (Yi Bang-won briefly forgot about the existence of the Grand King).

For a monarch who should be stabilizing the country and ushering in a golden age, he was too focused on shortcuts.

‘I’ll have to postpone it to the next generation.’

He wanted his son to open the reign of a wise and benevolent ruler who could make decisions when necessary, but people’s nature cannot be changed at will.

He could only hope that good people would assist the Crown Prince.

“Isn’t it time for Tsushima Island to pay tribute?”

Yi Bang-won asked, and the Ministry of Rites came forward to answer.

“A envoy from Tsushima Island has come to Dongnae to offer gifts. Shall we summon them and question them?”

Tsushima Island regularly paid tribute to Joseon.

It was called tribute, but it was nothing more than a trade that unilaterally benefited Tsushima Island.

This time, Tsushima Island’s protector, So Sadashige, had sent a man to offer local products.

“It is customary for the Yebinsi [Office of Protocol] to receive and manage them, so quickly summon them to Gaeseong.”

“That’s a good idea. First, we should sternly rebuke the envoy and focus on emphasizing the crackdown on the Wokou.”

The officials rushed to speak.

In fact, what great thing was Tsushima Island that it would have diplomatic issues with Joseon?

Other than the Wokou.

Yi Bang-won nodded.

However, he had no intention of ending this matter with a simple protest.

===

The envoy from Tsushima Island was a man named Pyeong Do-jeon.

As always, the envoy from Tsushima Island prostrated himself so low that his forehead touched the ground and spoke respectfully.

“The Supreme Country always bestows the utmost grace upon us, so our small country is at peace. We offer these humble local products with all our sincerity, and we would be eternally grateful if you would accept them.”

‘What a load of crap.’

I clicked my tongue.

They kill and plunder other people’s citizens while claiming that only they are at peace.

The officials also had dumbfounded expressions.

“You speak of us as the Supreme Country, yet you treat us with contempt. You kill our people behind our backs, and yet you dare to speak of the Supreme Country’s grace in front of us?”

Yi Bang-won sternly rebuked Pyeong Do-jeon.

Pyeong Do-jeon then said with a nonchalant expression.

“We have nothing to say even if we were to die a hundred times for the previous looting of Gyeongsang and Jeolla Provinces. Our lord has apologized to the Supreme Country and settled the matter by returning the people, so please, Your Majesty, forgive us.”

‘How brazen.’

I gritted my teeth.

Did they think Joseon wouldn’t retaliate?

In fact, sending regular troops and sending pirates have different costs, so it can’t be helped.

“Because you apologized at that time, we reluctantly showed the generosity of a great nation and forgave you.

But this time, you invaded Jeolla Province again, kidnapped Manho, and burned our ships! Do you believe you can insult the Supreme Country by relying on the narrow holes you live in!”

“Yes?”

Pyeong Do-jeon’s face was filled with embarrassment.

The envoys quickly began whispering to each other in Japanese.

“W-We don’t know about that matter.”

Pyeong Do-jeon quickly bowed his head.

The nonchalant expression that he had when he said he had already been forgiven was nowhere to be found.

“What excuse is that when the truth is already clear!”

Of course, this was seen as nothing more than a brazen denial to the Joseon people.

However, I remembered information I had picked up while talking to Pyeongwonhae the other day.

“Father, please wait a moment.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Judging by their expressions, they don’t seem to be lying. Listen to the details.”

When I stepped forward and spoke, Yi Bang-won asked with a slightly softened expression.

“You’re saying their words aren’t lies?”

“Isn’t Pyeong Do-jeon the lord’s envoy?

From what I’ve heard, there are several local magnates under the lord of Tsushima Island who commit acts of piracy, so isn’t it possible that one of them did something without the lord’s knowledge?”

“Hmm.”

Yi Bang-won listened to my words and tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingers.

Tsushima Island is not a single political entity.

The lord of Tsushima Island is just one of the most powerful local magnates, so who knows if one of them acted rashly?

‘Maybe things will get easier.’

As I was thinking that, Yi Bang-won opened his mouth.

“In that case, you should interrogate them and find out the truth.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You have things you’re planning, so it wouldn’t be bad to deal with the Japanese yourself.”

===

“I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome from the Prince of Joseon.”

Pyeong Do-jeon said, feeling burdened.

Normally, an envoy of a mere lord of Tsushima Island would not be able to sit face to face with the Crown Prince and talk.

At best, it would be a Jeong 3-品 Yebinsi Judge [high-ranking official in the Office of Protocol].

But this was more of an interrogation than a reception, so it would be okay for me, the Crown Prince, to step in.

“Does the lord of Tsushima Island really not know about this?”

“That’s right. You may not know this in the Supreme Country, but the local magnates of Tsushima Island are powerful and each has ships to plunder the borders, so it is impossible to know the details of each incident.

I will convey the Supreme Country’s anger to the lord and strictly control them······.”

I raised my hand to stop Pyeong Do-jeon from speaking.

“The lord has already promised to prevent recurrence several times, but the promise has not been kept. This means that the lord has no intention of doing so or does not have the power to control the local magnates.”

“T-That is.”

Pyeong Do-jeon swallowed his words.

No matter what he answered, the conclusion would not change.

“I am sorry.”

Pyeong Do-jeon prostrated himself and apologized, but what I wanted was not such an apology.

“Then there is only one way.”

I said, sipping my tea.

“Joseon will step in and subjugate the bandits instead of the lord.”

Then I asked.

“Can the lord of Tsushima Island cooperate with this?”

End

ⓒ Pitkong