There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 87

“Y-Your Highness!”

Pyeong Do-jeon’s face turned ashen.

“Are you, are you saying you’re going to strike us?”

Pyeong Do-jeon blinked.

His body trembled like an aspen leaf.

‘Well, that’s why I stepped in myself.’

I thought that me, a child, saying it would be less threatening than my father saying it.

But judging from Pyeong Do-jeon’s reaction, it seemed like a failure.

I had no choice but to continue speaking.

“I’m saying I’ll strike those rebellious people who don’t listen to the lord of Tsushima, not Tsushima itself.”

Pyeong Do-jeon understood my words, but he didn’t agree.

“Even if you raise an army from the Shang Country targeting only the local clans, our Suho [Lord], the lord of Tsushima, won’t stand still. Our court will also be watching this matter closely.”

I tilted my head and asked.

“What if it’s not a formal army?”

“If it’s not a formal army… what are you talking about?”

“I can’t tell you that. I’ll only reveal the fact that our court hasn’t intervened. And we’ve made up our minds.”

Pyeong Do-jeon’s mind raced.

If he refused, it meant that a large Joseon fleet would come and strike.

‘Would the lord really be willing to risk the fate of the island for the sake of local clans who don’t listen to him?’

Joseon is a country several times larger than Tsushima.

So, he had to answer carefully.

“You’re saying that although it’s not the Joseon army, you’ll send others, so we should open the way?”

“That’s right.”

“The one who likely sent the Wokou [Japanese pirates] is a man named Soda Saemontaro.”

Pyeong Do-jeon said, bowing his head.

In our pronunciation, it was Sawi Muntaro, information I had also heard from Pyeongwon-hae.

“But even though he recklessly engages in piracy, nothing is certain yet, so please give us time to investigate.”

“And if it’s revealed?”

“I will convey the Shang Country’s proposal to the lord. If you promise not to touch the entire island…”

Pyeong Do-jeon said, bowing his head.

I laughed loudly.

“Good. That’s enough for now.”

But, this isn’t the end.

“However, if you only repeat the same empty promises of preventing recurrence as before, we will inevitably have to consider the lord as part of the same group. You must accept our proposal, not just by cutting off his head.”

Joseon had already carried out two conquests during the Goryeo and Joseon periods.

Pyeong Do-jeon was flustered by the fact that it was by no means a bluff.

“T-That is something this humble one can never guarantee…”

“You only need to convey our court’s intentions.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Pyeong Do-jeon, who had timidly argued once, immediately answered, startled.

‘I kind of like this.’

Isn’t this normal?

Everyone under me is full of people with strange personalities, so I haven’t really felt this.

I said to No-boon next to me.

“No-boon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring that before our guest leaves.”

No-boon hurried out and came back with a small object placed on a tray, which he had prepared in advance.

I placed it in front of Pyeong Do-jeon.

“?”

He looked down at the square object I had brought with a puzzled expression.

“What is this? The material seems to be porcelain, but…”

I explained slowly.

“This is powder that women apply. I made it, and it’s called White Porcelain Powder.”

“Ah, is that so!”

Pyeong Do-jeon’s face suddenly brightened.

Ah, come to think of it, I heard the rumors had already spread there.

Tsushima is close to Joseon, after all.

“I’ve heard that it’s rumored that your face will become like white jade if you just apply it. It hasn’t come to Tsushima yet, but I’ve heard many women are eager to have it.”

Pyeong Do-jeon said, excitedly exaggerating the rumors.

It’s only exported to Ming, so he must have only heard embellished stories, which may have increased the fantasy.

With the premium of ‘Joseon’s tribute to Ming’ attached.

This, the cost isn’t much, but I didn’t know he would like it this much.

“It’s my personal gift. You’re going to all the trouble of traveling a long way, so you should have something to take away to make the work worthwhile.”

“To me? T-Thank you, Your Highness!”

Pyeong Do-jeon bowed his head deeply to express his gratitude.

The head that had been prostrating touched the ground again.

‘Why do Japanese people seem to like this posture so much?’

It’s called Dogeza [formal apology], right?

His face, which had been crushed by my threat, now seemed quite relaxed.

The cosmetics inside were one thing, but the white porcelain box containing them was a very good piece of porcelain that was hard to obtain in a place like Tsushima, so it was natural.

‘Still, Pyeong Do-jeon is delivering difficult words, so I should give him this much as a reward to prevent any trouble later.’

In fact, I thought one would be insufficient, so I thought about giving him more, but I shook my head.

White Porcelain Powder was a symbol of wealth and luxury, so it was better to give a small amount.

If I wrapped up dozens of White Porcelain Powders and gave them to him, wouldn’t it look cheap?

The human mind is so subtle that if you receive too much, you tend to despise it.

===

I moved to report the progress to Yi Bang-won.

Yi Bang-won asked me as soon as he saw me.

“How did it go?”

He seemed to think that the work was important, and daily greetings were not very important.

He’s my father, but I really like this attitude.

“I threatened him appropriately, so he will take care of it. I also gave him White Porcelain Powder as a gift.”

At those words, Yi Bang-won smiled satisfactorily.

“You’ve grown up now. To think you’d be able to handle people like this.

Yes, people are cunning, so it’s easy to harbor resentment if things get a little difficult. At least until he goes to the lord of Tsushima, the envoy’s heart will be satisfied.”

Yi Bang-won seems happiest when he teaches me political tactics.

‘Hmm, is this the right attitude for an educator?’

You say I have to become a wise ruler, a benevolent ruler, but you seem to feel the greatest joy in teaching me these kinds of things.

“Well done. But it’s a little lacking.”

Yi Bang-won said, nodding his head.

I tilted my head at his words.

‘Huh?’

Was there a mistake?

“Did I do something wrong?”

“The most important thing in this matter is the cooperation of Pyeong Do-jeon, who came as an envoy.

So, giving White Porcelain Powder is a good strategy to win his heart, but it won’t be enough to completely gain his cooperation.”

Yi Bang-won said.

“……”

I gave Pyeong Do-jeon a bribe, but I thought it was only to prevent any backlash, and it wasn’t enough to gain his cooperation.

Even though the lord will definitely consult with Pyeong Do-jeon, who has seen and heard the atmosphere of Joseon, when making a decision after hearing the proposal.

“Then I need to give him something more.”

When I said that, Yi Bang-won nodded.

“What does Pyeong Do-jeon really want?”

“Hmm…”

I could only think of wealth.

And Joseon products that can’t be found in Tsushima?

The only thing that can get all of that is….

“Could it be a Joseon government post?”

“That’s right. If I teach you one thing, you know ten, haha!”

Yi Bang-won laughed, slapping his knee as I asked.

“Tsushima is a barren land, so it’s betting its life on trade with our Joseon. But what if one of these Japanese becomes a high-ranking official in Joseon?”

“Surely the Japanese will flock to him to use him as a background.”

Then he will gain enormous vested interests.

“Yes. Not only will the Japanese have no choice but to be mindful of him, but even the lord will become someone who can’t be treated carelessly.”

Yi Bang-won coldly saw through the situation in Tsushima.

“If you offer this as bait, Pyeong Do-jeon will definitely pretend to die for us, even without giving separate instructions. He will probably embellish even the words that the lord doesn’t have and persuade him to accept Joseon’s proposal.”

Yi Bang-won added.

“If you want to use someone, find out what they want and shake it in front of their eyes. Then they will volunteer to be your servant even if you don’t tell them to.”

As expected, my father is one step ahead in using these cunning tricks.

‘Is this Joseon’s best iron-blooded monarch?’

I looked at my father with respectful eyes.

“I respect you, Father.”

Because he had these governing skills, he was able to wield strong royal power even after causing a coup.

“Ahem. It’s good if you know.”

Yi Bang-won proudly puffed out his chest.

My father presented the overall outline, so it’s my job to concretize it.

“I can’t give him an actual position, so a Jeong4品 Hogun (護軍) [Military title, 4th senior rank] would be appropriate.”

When I said that with shining eyes, Yi Bang-won nodded.

From Joseon’s point of view, it doesn’t take much effort, and by giving him an honorary position, they gain a strong supporter.

“Meet Pyeong Do-jeon again. If you tame him and make him Joseon’s dog, there will be no loss.”

“Hehe, I wanted to adopt a puppy anyway.”

“……?”

“I’m just saying.”

When Yi Bang-won looked at me, I scratched my head, feeling embarrassed.

===

“Hogun [Military title].”

Pyeong Do-jeon calmed his pounding heart.

He frequented Joseon and was quite familiar with the country’s bureaucracy.

Hogun was also the name of the Joseon central army, but it was mainly awarded as an honorary position to foreigners.

The rank was Jeong4品 [4th senior rank], so he could make a lot of noise in Tsushima.

‘I didn’t expect Joseon to try to win me over.’

Due to the characteristics of Tsushima, where farming and animal husbandry are difficult, most of the vested interests were connected to Joseon.

In that situation, becoming a high-ranking official in Joseon would be a jackpot, so Pyeong Do-jeon’s reaction was not strange.

Pyeong Do-jeon barely stroked his trembling heart.

There must be a reason why Joseon offered him the position of Hogun.

It was probably because of the proposal that the Crown Prince of Joseon had made to him.

As soon as he thought of that, Pyeong Do-jeon’s face hardened.

‘Huh, is even a young prince such an outstanding person who can use these tactics?’

Pyeong Do-jeon had long had the opportunity to see the martial prowess of the Grand King, and he had also met King Yi Bang-won.

Both were people who were not lacking to be called heroes.

But the third generation Crown Prince also has these qualities.

Pyeong Do-jeon recalled the Crown Prince who had heavily threatened him.

He said that if the lord resisted, he would raise an army to conquer them, but if they complied, he would open a way out by not mobilizing a formal army.

In addition, he bribes and wins over even an individual such as himself with bribes and government posts.

It was such a deep scheme that it was hard to believe that he was just a child.

Then, should he try to escape from the Crown Prince’s grasp at all costs?

‘No, no.’

Pyeong Do-jeon swallowed hard.

‘Rather, this is an opportunity. Even for the lord….’

Jong Sadamu, the Suho [Lord] of Tsushima, was having difficulty controlling the local clans under his command.

Even though the turbulent times are over, so he shouted not to provoke Joseon and focus on trade, the local clans ignored the lord’s appeals.

‘How good would it be if Joseon took care of those who don’t listen to the lord? Rather, this is something that the lord should ask for.’

No one loses.

Isn’t it like killing two birds with one stone?

Pyeong Do-jeon justified himself in that way.

He left Gaeseong with a firm determination.

===

I watched the departing envoys being treated with great hospitality from afar and smiled.

“Will this be enough?”

“Yes.”

Yi Seong-gye said.

“Poor guy, he’s dragging his lord into the fire without even knowing it.”

At his words, I said with a smile.

“Hey, even when those people get to that point, they somehow rationalize themselves. If you just give them an excuse, they will comfort themselves that this is the ‘best ending.’”

At my words, Yi Seong-gye asked.

“How far is your plan? Are you really just going to strike the local clans and come back?”

“Of course not.”

I smiled.

“If you get involved in a family fight, you have to get some household goods to make it worthwhile.”

I don’t know if it will be household goods or a title deed yet.

Winter was passing.

The rough sea was calming down, and the day when the ships built in Dongbuk-myeon would prepare to set sail was not far off.

End

ⓒ Pitkong