There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 88

As spring arrived, a man arrived from the Northeast Territory.

The person I rushed out barefoot to greet was Choi Heung-rip of the Yeongheung Choi clan, a distant uncle on Lee Seong-gye’s maternal side.

“Is everything prepared in Yeongheung Prefecture?”

“Just give the order, and we can set sail at any time.”

Choi Heung-rip bowed his head and presented a letter.

“This is a letter from Lee Boo-ka, the commander of Samsan.”

I unfolded it.

It detailed the exact number and origins of the Jurchen mobilized this time.

Throughout the letter, he consistently referred to me as the Crown Prince, but at the end, there was a timid phrase wishing for my health as his nephew, which made me chuckle.

‘This man is subtly formal.’

Even though I told him to call me nephew, he probably wasn’t sure if he could still call me that after being apart for a few months.

“Be sure to thank ‘Uncle’ for me, Great-Uncle.”

I said that to Choi Heung-rip.

Making the influential leaders of the Northeast Territory and the Jurchen tribes my relatives would benefit not only them but also me.

“Still, 300 men is a bit small.”

Even if we’re only targeting one clan and not the entire Tsushima Island, will this number be enough?

As I clicked my tongue, Choi Heung-rip waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

“Even though the number is small, they are very brave. They are men carefully selected by me and the commander of Samsan, so they will be able to wipe out the Wokou’s [Japanese pirates] nest.

Besides, once they achieve a great victory, many more people will gather.”

Well, they haven’t shown anything yet.

Also, it’s hard to control if there are too many.

Even though I can send troops to suppress their base at any time if the Jurchen raid the East Sea coast, how do I know they won’t have other ideas if their scale grows?

‘I’m holding their leash through Lee Boo-ka, but…’

“They are all skilled in using weapons. If we strike at the right moment, suppressing the Wokou will be a piece of cake.”

Well.

I knew about the Jurchen’s bravery.

They are the ones who will later establish the Qing Dynasty.

“So, when should we send them out to sea?”

“As it happens, an envoy came from Tsushima Island a while ago.”

I said to Choi Heung-rip.

“As expected, a man named Sowi Saemontaro is the culprit, and they are asking us to subdue him on their behalf.”

===

It wasn’t difficult for the Tsushima Island lord’s side to find out the truth about the Jeolla Province looting.

Several dozen ships had set sail to plunder people and property, so there was no way the rumors wouldn’t spread.

It was just that they found out after the fact, and there was no way to punish them, which was a headache.

“Why did you do such a thing? Joseon will definitely demand an explanation!”

When the Tsushima Island lord So Sadashige asked, Sowi Saemontaro, the mastermind behind the incident, brazenly said.

“What can Joseon do even if they protest? The lord can just send back the people and pretend to apologize with the next envoy.

It is not the virtue of a superior to reprimand subordinates for unnecessary matters.”

Sowi Saemontaro was talking big, but from the Tsushima Island lord So Sadashige’s perspective, it was infuriating.

“Joseon has already raised troops against this place several times. If this happens again, won’t the island be swept up in war again?”

“Didn’t we always manage to stop Joseon back then? Hahaha, the Joseon bastards are just numerous, but they’re like rotten straw bundles.”

Since he wouldn’t listen even when told, So Sadashige could only suffer in silence.

‘This man will be the root of our island’s trouble in the future!’

It was around that time that Pyeongdojeon returned from Joseon.

“Lord, Joseon already knew about this matter. They are about to raise troops if we don’t come up with a solution.”

Pyeongdojeon said, bowing his head after hearing the whole story.

So Sadashige sighed.

“But we can’t arbitrarily punish Sowi.”

If they raised troops, it would inevitably lead to a civil war, and there was no way to attack him politically.

Sowi Saemontaro could probably pull strings with the Shoni family, who acted as Tsushima Island’s overlords, if not the Kyoto court.

However, Pyeongdojeon shook his head.

“There’s no need to shed our blood. We can borrow someone else’s sword to strike.”

“Someone else’s sword? Are you talking about Joseon?”

So Sadashige asked in shock.

It was a natural reaction since he was suggesting bringing in foreign forces.

However, Pyeongdojeon calmly persuaded the lord.

“If we want to avoid Joseon’s blade, we have no choice but to cut off Sowi. Besides, if the Sowi family falls, who would dare to disobey the lord? Naturally, all the power on this island will be directed towards the lord.”

Hearing this, So Sadashige asked with a gleam in his eyes.

“Their only goal is to subdue Saemontaro, right?”

“Yes. The King of Joseon has personally assured us.”

Pyeongdojeon was only relaying what he had heard from the Crown Prince, but he lied without batting an eye.

After all, whether the Crown Prince conveyed it or the King conveyed it, it was undoubtedly Joseon’s intention.

At Pyeongdojeon’s words, So Sadashige pondered for a long time before finally nodding.

“In that case, contact Joseon and tell them that Sowi Saemontaro is behind this robbery. Tell them his base and offer to provide guides if necessary.”

Even though he was selling out his subordinate, which could be called betrayal, So Sadashige believed that this was a sacrifice for the greater good.

In any case, he couldn’t wage a full-scale war with Joseon for the sake of a stubborn clan.

It was easy to give way, even if it was difficult to die.

===

The court, having obtained Tsushima Island’s cooperation, was carefully adjusting the timing of the invasion.

Of course, my role in moving the Jurchen pirates was also significant.

‘Ugh, I’ve already told them to come down to the South Sea through Choi Heung-rip, but I wonder if I can coordinate this while sitting in Gaeseong.’

If there were a lot of troops, it would be different, but with only about 300 men, the timing of the invasion was the most important.

‘It would be best to strike while they’re away from their base for looting.’

Tsushima Island will tell me when that is.

But everything will be over by the time news travels back and forth between Gaeseong.

While I was racking my brain alone, Lee Seong-gye suddenly barged in.

“What’s going on?”

“I think I should go myself.”

“Yes?”

I asked back in bewilderment.

“You’re going to command the troops yourself?”

How can that be?

“Why can’t I?”

Lee Seong-gye shouted.

“The people of Joseon are suffering from the Wokou every year, so how can the royal family just stand by? This old man has to use his last bit of strength, doesn’t he?”

Lee Seong-gye had become increasingly forceful lately.

“This is because we can’t formally mobilize the Joseon army, so Great-Grandfather can’t get involved…”

“What’s the problem? We can just change the flags.”

Lee Seong-gye scoffed.

“You’re going to join a pirate crew?”

I briefly imagined Lee Seong-gye landing on Tsushima Island and setting fires with the pirates.

If Lee Seong-gye were caught or something happened to him, it wouldn’t end with embarrassment.

It would be a major incident that could turn the country upside down.

“Absolutely not!”

“Hey, don’t you trust my skills?”

Lee Seong-gye looked strong and healthy, as expected of a former general, but an old man’s health is unpredictable.

Not far off, he was bedridden with a cold during the Revolt of the Princes, which is why he lost the throne.

Lee Seong-gye sighed deeply at the repeated objections and said as if making a big concession.

“Then I’ll just go down to Dongnae, make contact with them, and command the operation from behind. Can’t I even do that much?”

Lee Seong-gye said.

“Hmm…”

After hearing him say he would join a pirate crew and fight with a sword, this seemed acceptable.

‘Wait, did Lee Seong-gye intend this?’

It was called foot-in-the-door, a psychological technique of presenting the worst option and then presenting a less bad option to make them choose it.

This old man has a sly side to him.

“Alright.”

But I decided to go along with it even though I knew.

Wasn’t I having trouble controlling the situation from far away in Gaeseong anyway?

If I could ride on Lee Seong-gye’s coattails to Dongnae, there would be nothing better.

Besides…

‘There were also businesses I wanted to start in the South Sea.’

I had been putting it off because I didn’t have a good way to go there, but I should take care of it as a set this time.

Using Lee Seong-gye.

Of course, I couldn’t just go to Dongnae as I pleased, so I had to get Lee Bang-won’s permission first.

“You want the Crown Prince again?”

Lee Bang-won shouted, twitching his eyebrows.

“Hey, did I say I wanted him? He said he wants to go, so what’s the problem?”

Lee Seong-gye retorted sharply.

“I haven’t seen my son’s face for months because I took him to the Northeast Territory.

You stay in Gaeseong this time.”

Lee Seong-gye sarcastically mocked Lee Bang-won’s protest.

“Hmph, that’s why you’re called a fool for your son.”

“…”

Lee Bang-won’s face flushed.

It must be embarrassing to hear such things in front of his son, even if it’s his father.

‘I should step in at times like this.’

“Father.”

I said, taking Lee Bang-won’s hand.

“The people of the South have suffered greatly from the Wokou’s invasion last year. Wouldn’t it be good for me to go and soothe their hearts and check the defense system?”

As the eldest son and heir, I showed a solemn demeanor, and Lee Bang-won’s momentum subsided.

“Hmm…”

Lee Bang-won’s heart softens at my plea.

I smiled slyly inside.

“So, you see.”

Lee Seong-gye leisurely continued the story.

“If you become a king, you have to accept the duties of the royal family. You should know that much since you overthrew your father and obtained the throne.”

When he stimulated Lee Bang-won’s complex, his face crumpled.

When Lee Bang-won as a ruler and Lee Bang-won as a father clash, the former always wins.

Certainly, there were rumors circulating in the South, and public sentiment was wavering.

Lee Bang-won reluctantly agreed.

“Be careful and watch out for the Wokou.”

If parents in modern times emphasize watching out for cars to their children leaving the house, in this era, they urge them to watch out for the Wokou.

“Then I’ll prepare!”

I shouted, overjoyed.

Fortunately, I had experience packing when I went to the Northeast Territory.

Because I can dump all the preparations on No-boon.

“Your Highness, you have to decide what luggage to pack.”

“Pack it the same way you did when you went to the Northeast Territory. How can you ask me about everything?”

“…”

No-boon looked at me with the eyes of someone looking at a terrible boss.

And I said.

“Ah, there’s still some time left, so go to the beach and scout out some people and bring them back.”

“What kind of people?”

I whispered in No-boon’s ear.

“Why bother…”

“Just do as I say.”

Tsk.

===

My mother even cried when she heard that I was going to Dongnae not long after returning from the Northeast Territory.

‘I have to come back soon, even if it’s just for my parents.’

I resolved to do so.

“Why are you so late?”

Lee Seong-gye was simply dressed, riding a horse with only an eogeunggu [bodyguard].

He’s fully dressed for battle.

Is he really just going to Dongnae to play the role of a control tower?

“Do you think I’m the same age as Grandpa?”

Originally, kids have a lot to prepare when they go out.

I made that excuse, glancing at the procession behind me.

The royal carriage slowly left Gaeseong.

We passed the people who were sending us off, left Gaeseong, and were about to pick up speed.

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard in the distance.

“Hey, stop them!”

“You must never let them out!”

Turning my head at the commotion, I saw a commotion breaking out at the Gaeseong gate.

Soon, someone broke through the soldiers blocking the gate, and a line of people who seemed to be attendants followed behind.

‘What is it?’

The unusual atmosphere caused our procession to stop.

The shadow that broke through the gate gradually approached, and as the distance narrowed, the blurry outline became clearer, and finally, his face was visible.

“I’m,,, not late this time!”

His identity was none other than Lee Bang-gwa, the monarch of silence and seclusion.

I unknowingly put my hand on my forehead.

End