Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 272

While the pursuit was underway in the north, Lee Maeng-gyun, who had departed from Hanseong, was also preparing for a battle.

The morning before arriving in Shandong after sailing the sea at full speed, Han Song-ro informed Lee Maeng-gyun of the expected arrival time.

“We will arrive in Shandong around lunchtime tomorrow.”

“Is that so? Thank you. Then I should start preparing.”

Han Song-ro, who had informed Lee Maeng-gyun of the expected arrival date and left the cabin, tilted his head.

“Preparation? What preparation?”

Before long, Han Song-ro found out what the ‘preparation’ was.

Lee Maeng-gyun, who had been diligently eating meals without seasickness even on the rocking ship, started fasting and only drinking water.

And the officials accompanying Lee Maeng-gyun sternly warned Han Song-ro and the crew.

“Pardon? Yes…”

At the official’s words, Han Song-ro and the crew had no choice but to nod their heads. They wanted to ask the reason, but the fierce gaze of the military officer standing behind the official was making them keep their mouths tightly shut.

The next day, at the scheduled time, Han Song-ro docked the ship at the Joseon consulate pier in Shandong.

“Good work…”

As Lee Maeng-gyun left the cabin with the support of young officials, he offered words of gratitude, and Han Song-ro politely answered.

“Not at all. Then, have a safe trip.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who briefly answered in a weak voice, got off the gangway with the support of the young officials.

Seeing that, Han Song-ro scratched the back of his head and muttered softly.

“It’s not like it’s some ghost play…”

***

Lee Maeng-gyun’s party, who arrived in Shandong, headed to Beijing using carriages. Around Lee Maeng-gyun’s party heading to Beijing, not only the Joseon military but also the Ming cavalry were moving together for escort.

Such Ming cavalry had the task of escorting Lee Maeng-gyun’s party, but they also had the task of monitoring them.

Lee Maeng-gyun’s party, who traversed about 1300 ri (about 500 km) from Shandong to Beijing in 7 days, immediately requested to have an audience with Emperor of Ming.

“A Joseon envoy has arrived? Why? There should be no reason for an envoy to come.”

Emperor, whose curiosity was piqued by the sudden arrival of the Joseon envoy, immediately granted an audience.

Lee Maeng-gyun, who came before Emperor with the support of young officials, bowed deeply.

“Jin, Lee Maeng-gyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Joseon, having an audience with Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire…”

Lee Maeng-gyun couldn’t even finish his words and collapsed on the floor.

“Your Excellency!”

“Your Excellency!”

The vice envoy and officials who came in with Lee Maeng-gyun ran up and lifted Lee Maeng-gyun, who had collapsed on the floor, and the Ming officials nearby were also greatly startled and in a state of confusion, Emperor, who was startled, got up from the throne and shouted.

“Doctor! Call the doctor!”

The doctor, who was hurriedly summoned to check the pulse, reported to Emperor.

“His strength has greatly weakened, and he has temporarily fainted.”

“Is that so? Then have the envoy recuperate in the guest house.”

“Yes.”

“The vice envoy shall remain for a moment and report to Us what the matter is.”

“Yes.”

After a while, the eunuchs came in, loaded Lee Maeng-gyun on a stretcher, and went out. Emperor, who was watching that, turned his head to look at the vice envoy and had an even more serious expression.

“The vice envoy’s complexion is also not very good. What on earth has happened in Joseon?”

“It is such a horrific event that it is difficult to even speak of.”

“That must be the reason you sought Us, so do not hesitate and speak.”

At the Emperor’s command, the vice envoy immediately answered.

– Manchu and Mentemu have invaded Joseon!

“Manchu and Mentemu?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm. I understand. We will also verify the facts. The vice envoy should also go and recuperate.”

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

The Emperor, who had sent the vice envoy out, turned to the Prime Minister.

“Prime Minister. Could their words be true?”

“Logically thinking, they wouldn’t lie about such a grave matter, would they?”

“That may be so, but why Manchu and Mentemu? No, above all, why has this report not reached Us? Is Liaodong, no, Manchu’s territory not close to this Beijing?”

“That is…”

The Prime Minister, who could not properly answer the Emperor’s rebuke, immediately prostrated himself.

“Please forgive our sins!”

“Please forgive our sins!”

“If you know your sins, immediately verify the situation!”

To escape Emperor’s anger, an express messenger was urgently dispatched from Beijing to Liaodong. However, that urgently dispatched messenger returned the next day.

It was because a messenger carrying an urgent report recording the incident that occurred in Liaodong came running to Beijing.

– Manchu and Mentemu have crossed the border and invaded Joseon villages!

The moment he saw the contents written on the first page of the report, the Emperor immediately closed the cover.

“It’s over.”

Meanwhile, Lee Maeng-gyun had been recuperating at the guest house.

***

The Emperor, who saw a senior official faint in his presence for the first time, ordered an investigation into their journey.

“He barely ate half a bowl of porridge at each meal? Using our Ming bowls?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After confirming the report, the Emperor looked at the Prime Minister with a serious expression.

“Did the chief envoy of Joseon collapse due to the calamity that has befallen Joseon? Or is it because he starved?”

“As he poured his efforts into the calamity, his body weakened, and in the end, he couldn’t eat properly, isn’t that right? If it were me, I don’t think I would be able to eat properly when my country has suffered a great disaster.”

“Hmm…”

At the Prime Minister’s words, the Emperor fell into thought, stroking his beard.

“It would be good if that were the case, but…”

‘Why do I feel like it’s because he starved?’

Koreans were also known for being big eaters. But he only ate half a bowl of porridge at each meal? It was natural for him to collapse from hunger.

The Emperor, who had been carefully considering the possibility of a conspiracy, soon reached a conclusion.

“But what can we do even if that’s the case? The justification is already on their side…”

And so, it was five days later when Lee Maeng-gyun rose from his sickbed.

****

After Lee Maeng-gyun returned to his position, a fierce diplomatic battle unfolded against the Emperor and the Ming court.

However, throughout the talks, Ming was being led by Joseon. Since Manchu and Mentemu had crossed Joseon’s border and caused trouble, the justification was on Joseon’s side.

Starting with the matter of the persons of Manchu and Mentemu’s families, most of the agenda resulted in the direction Joseon wanted.

However, there was a part that Ming could not easily concede, and that was regarding the territory.

“An urgent report has arrived that Joseon troops are staying on the land where the tribes of Manchu and Mentemu resided. Does Joseon intend to occupy this territory?”

At the question of the Prime Minister, who stood as Ming’s representative, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately answered.

“Ah, they are probably the ones staying to protect the supply route.”

“The supply route… Then is Joseon saying that it will not occupy their land?”

“We will withdraw from the Pazhu River basin, where the ringleader Manchu resided, as soon as the punishment is over. However, we will occupy the basin that Mentemu’s clan had taken.”

“Why is that?”

“Have you forgotten? The place where the Odoli tribe led by Mentemu was located is where our Joseon royal family originated. You haven’t forgotten the imperial decree issued by Your Majesty, have you?”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s retort, the Prime Minister shut his mouth.

When the Joseon Crown Prince first came to Beijing, the Emperor had permitted the recovery of the land where the Joseon royal family originated. The place where the Odoli tribe was located was definitely within that territory.

As expected, Joseon was gaining the upper hand on this agenda item as well.

“However, the land ruled by Mentemu belongs to our Ming’s Jianzhou Left Wing…”

“Prime Minister.”

As the Emperor, who had been listening to the conversation from behind, called the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister shut his mouth.

It seemed he knew the reason why the Emperor was calling him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Joseon’s words are correct regarding the land ruled by Mentemu. Do not harm the goodwill between the two countries with needless stubbornness.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

By Emperor’s command, the land occupied by the Odoli tribe was officially recognized as Joseon’s.

“Listen, Joseon envoy.”

At the Emperor’s call, Lee Maeng-gyun rose from his seat and politely answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“For the sake of the goodwill between Ming and Joseon, Joseon must also abandon its greed.”

“I will engrave it in my bones and remember it.”

At the Emperor’s warning, Lee Maeng-gyun bowed his head and answered.

Lee Maeng-gyun, who had bowed his head like that, muttered inwardly.

‘For the time being…’

***

As the negotiations ended and Lee Maeng-gyun’s envoy party was about to depart from the Forbidden City, a messenger from Liaodong entered the palace and reported.

– Manchu, Mentemu, and the Joseon army are getting closer and closer. It seems a battle will take place in the Jilin area.

– Considering the results of the battles so far, it is highly likely that the Joseon army will win.

Upon receiving the report, the Emperor glared at Lee Maeng-gyun.

“Listen, envoy. It seems Joseon will win, so how do you feel? From what I see, Joseon has been putting in a lot of effort, knowingly or unknowingly.”

“I and the officials of Joseon pour our efforts solely for the safety and comfort of our Joseon.”

“Is that so?”

The Emperor, who had been glaring at Lee Maeng-gyun, leaned back on the backrest of the throne and gestured.

“Return to Hanseong. The justification for this matter is with you. However, We will be watching your Joseon from now on.”

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who politely bowed, retreated backward from where the Emperor was seated.

Having left the Wenhuan Hall where the Emperor was seated, Lee Maeng-gyun let out a long sigh.

“Phew~. It will become tougher from now on.”

***

Around the time the Joseon army was wrapping up the final battle in Jilin, a merchant ship departed from Shandong to Jemulpo.

At the bow of the ship, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun looked to the east with a face full of concern.

“I wonder if it went well?”

Seeing Lee Maeng-gyun looking to the east with a face full of concern, Han Song-ro spoke to Lord Chu, the navigator.

“Old man. I should never let my son become an official.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say before that as soon as he finishes the commoner school, you’ll send him straight to the middle school? What wind has suddenly blown?”

At Lord Chu’s question, Han Song-ro pointed to Lee Maeng-gyun and answered.

“Seeing how that man is doing, being an official isn’t an easy job either. I’d rather have him succeed me and do ship work.”

At Han Song-ro’s words, Lord Chu nodded his head.

“Indeed… When I saw him getting off the ship to go to Beijing, he could have been a con artist.”

***

Thanks to the favorable weather, the ship carrying the envoy party was able to return to Jemulpo in five days.

“Good work. The remaining payment will be made immediately.”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s words, Han Song-ro bowed deeply and answered.

“Thank you. Please use our services anytime!”

At Han Song-ro’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun smiled and answered.

“It would be better for me not to ride your ship!”

“Pardon?”

“Take care!”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who bid farewell to Han Song-ro, mounted a horse that had been prepared in advance and headed to Hanseong.

“It’s an urgent matter, so move as quickly as possible! Let’s go!”

“Let’s go!”

As the envoy party on horseback disappeared into the distance, Han Song-ro, who had straightened his back, turned to Lord Chu.

“What did he mean just now?”

“Wasn’t the reason he rode this time because of the trouble in the north? Would such noblemen have any reason to ride our ship if there was no trouble?”

“Ah…”

Lord Chu muttered inwardly at the sight of Han Song-ro, who seemed to understand after the explanation.

‘It’s not that the captain’s son won’t become an official, but that he can’t. Where would that blood go?’

***

Lee Maeng-gyun’s party, who had returned to Hanseong, immediately headed to Gyeongbok Palace.

“Welcome! You must have had a long and difficult journey!”

At Hyang’s warm reception, Lee Maeng-gyun politely bowed and answered.

“Not at all. I have merely done what I had to do.”

Having answered like that, Lee Maeng-gyun gestured to the official who followed him in. At Lee Maeng-gyun’s gesture, the official handed a tray containing a thick scroll to the eunuch.

“This is Ming’s decision regarding this punitive expedition.”

“Is that so?”

Hyang, who received the scroll and unrolled it to check the contents, nodded his head.

“You have truly worked hard. I will make a copy of this and send it to Father right away.”

“How is the situation at the front?”

“The result has not arrived yet, but considering the results so far, it doesn’t seem bad.”

“Ah~. That’s a relief.”

At Hyang’s answer, Lee Maeng-gyun showed a relieved expression. Watching Lee Maeng-gyun like that, Hyang added.

“Please rest and recover for two days and attend court starting the day after tomorrow. Things are very busy now.”

“…Yes.”

A little later, Lee Maeng-gyun, who had left the Eastern Palace, looked up at the sky and muttered.

“Should I have starved on the way back too?”