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Chapter 206
Chapter 206
Chapter 206
As Joseon crushed Emperor Xuande and secured the Northeast region, the Odori tribe found itself in a difficult situation.
The Odori tribe resided in the Hoeryeong area, centered around Mount Baekdu.
To the east and west of the Odori tribe, the Wuliangha tribes had settled.
The problem was that the relationship between the Odori and these Wuliangha tribes was not particularly good.
Since sheep herding was the economic mainstay, the Jurchen tribes needed vast lands. This was due to the eating habits of sheep. Unlike cattle or horses that only grazed on leaves and stems, sheep pulled out and ate the roots, necessitating extensive pastures.
This issue was the main reason for the deterioration of the relationship between the Odori and Wuliangha tribes.
*
Bayiru, another branch tribe has defected to Joseon.
Whew~.
Upon hearing the report from his subordinate warrior, Mengtemu let out a long sigh.
Is this the fourth time?
Yes, Bayiru.
At the subordinates answer, Mengtemu pressed his temples to alleviate the throbbing headache.
I understand. You may leave.
Yes, Bayiru.
After dismissing the subordinate, Mengtemu let out another long sigh.
Whew~.
Left alone, Mengtemu murmured as he gazed into the distance with eyes full of regret.
Was it a huge mistake I made back then?
*
Aisin Gioro Mengtemu was a symbolic figure of the fierce competition between Ming and Joseon in the early Joseon period in the region later known as Manchuria.
Mengtemu, who became the young tribal leader of the Odori tribe, was renowned for his exceptional tactics.
Mengtemu and Ahachu established ties with Yi Seong-gye, the emerging power in the Northeast region, and became his subordinates. Yi Seong-gye bestowed the Hoeryeong area upon him.
This relationship with Yi Seong-gye began to falter when Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo.
The saying out of sight, out of mind did not only apply to romantic relationships. As Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo and engaged in full-fledged political struggles, the distance between Yi Seong-gye and Mengtemu gradually grew.
Even when Yi Seong-gye founded Joseon and ascended to the throne as Taejo, their relationship had grown distant but not completely severed.
However, the relationship between Mengtemu and Joseon completely broke off when Yi Bang-won ascended to the throne, and around the same time, Emperor Yongle began working to strengthen his control over the Liaodong region.
Mengtemu and Emperor Yongles relationship was established through Ahachu, who had served as Yi Seong-gyes subordinate alongside Mengtemu.
When Emperor Yongle was the Prince of Yan, Ahachus daughter became his consort.
Later, as the Prince of Yan ascended to the throne as Emperor Yongle, Ahachu received the position of Jianzhou Guard Councilor. The task assigned to Ahachu in his new position was to entice the Jurchen tribes under Mings authority.
This was Emperor Yongles plan to simultaneously keep both Northern Yuan and Joseon in check. The strategy was to use the Jurchen tribes bordering Northern Yuan to contain them and weaken Joseons power by bringing the Jurchen tribes allied with Joseon under his command.
*
When Ahachu approached Mengtemu, Mengtemu was contemplating his future course of action.
Although he had established a ruler-subject relationship with Taejong, without Yi Seong-gye, his relationship with Joseon had lost its personal aspect and remained a purely political one based on profit and loss.
At this time, Ahachu, who sought out Mengtemu, advised him to come under Emperor Yongles authority.
Ahachu persuaded Mengtemu, saying the following:
For the well-being of the tribe, it is best to enter the shadow of a great man. Now that the great elder has passed away, Joseon can no longer be our shelter! The shadow of Yi Seong-gye, that great man, is gone! We need a new shadow in this situation!
Is that shadow the Emperor of Ming?
Of course! Ming is currently an unrivaled hegemon that no one can challenge! Naturally, it can provide us with a shadow!
That may be true, but
Seeing Mengtemus hesitation, Ahachu struck his chest with his hand and said, Trust me! I am the Emperors father-in-law, after all!
With Ahachus assurance, Mengtemu met Emperor Yongle. Indeed, as Ahachu had said, Emperor Yongle possessed the aura of a great man.
In the end, Mengtemu pledged his loyalty to Emperor Yongle.
Upon Mengtemus oath of loyalty, Emperor Yongle appointed him as the Commander of the Left Guard of Jianzhou.
I shall bestow upon you the surname Tong.
I am immensely grateful for Your Majestys grace!
*
When the news spread that Mengtemu had obtained an official position in Ming and pledged his loyalty, Taejong immediately took action.
He ceased trade with the Odori and attacked Morin Guard. In response, Mengtemu retaliated by raiding Gyeongwon.
As the relationship between the two grew hostile, Ming intervened as a mediator.
Emperor Yongle threatened the Joseon envoys who had come to protest, saying, What is more important to you, Joseon or Mengtemu?
Under Emperor Yongles pressure, Joseon had to hand over Mengtemu and release all the hostages they had taken as collateral.
Your lords family is persistent. For now, it is best to hide and avoid them.
Worried about Joseons reinvasion, Mengtemu led his tribe, left Hoeryeong, and moved northward.
*
However, what followed was not a happy ending.
Ming, symbolized by Emperor Yongle, did not want the Jurchen tribes to grow powerful. Therefore, they continuously enticed and subjugated the Jurchen tribes, sowing discord among them to prevent them from uniting their strength. And when a tribe became too powerful, they were sent to engage in conflicts with Northern Yuan, whom Ming referred to as Tartar.
Mengtemus Odori tribe was no exception. Although the size of the tribe gradually increased, many warriors had to lose their lives in the conflicts with Northern Yuan.
Moreover, due to Mings divisive tactics, their relationship with the neighboring Jurchen tribes deteriorated.
Eventually, in the second year of King Sejongs reign, Mengtemu sent envoys to Joseon.
I regret the past incidents and ask for forgiveness. Please allow us to return to Hoeryeong.
King Sejong, with Taejong behind him, accepted Mengtemus request.
*
When Mengtemus Odori tribe returned, King Sejong provided support for their resettlement. He resumed trade and bestowed various goods upon them, but the envoys report was negative.
I could not find any goodwill in the eyes of the young Joseon king.
Oh dear Whew~.
At the envoys report, Mengtemu let out a long sigh.
In the end, for the well-being of the tribe, Mengtemu had to lead his warriors and move busily. They had to serve as a fence (barbarian fence) to block other Jurchen tribes that threatened Joseons borders and fight against the Jurchen tribes that troubled Ming.
*
During this precarious period, the surrounding environment began to change once again. Wan Temur, the grandson of Ahachu, led his tribe and descended southward.
Moreover, after Taejongs death, Sejong, who had consolidated all the power as his own, began to actively pursue military reforms.
As Sejong pushed forward with the reforms, the relationship with the Joseon military also changed. In many aspects, the opponent they had considered easy to deal with gradually became a more troublesome one.
Then, a few years ago, an incident occurred where a Joseon village at the border was pillaged, completely reversing the relationship. Through a retaliatory attack that annihilated not only the tribe responsible for raiding the Joseon village but also the nearby tribes, the Joseon military had become an object of terror.
And as the situation changed in such a way, the dark times for the Odori tribe began.
*
The true beginning of the dark times was when Xuande Emperor ascended to the throne. In Xuande Emperors eyes, the value of Mengtemu and Wan Temur had significantly diminished. In contrast, the value of Joseon was steadily increasing.
Realizing that Mings interest was waning, Mengtemu lamented.
Do I need to find another shadow? Where should I look for it?
While Mengtemu was pondering, his subordinates brought urgent news.
The Joseon troops have occupied Mount Baekdu!
What!
When Mengtemu arrived at Mount Baekdu with his subordinates, the Joseon commander presented Xuande Emperors imperial edict.
I permit Joseon to reclaim the land of their ancestors. All nearby Jurchen tribes are to actively cooperate with this.
The cunning Joseon had even brought along Ming officials and was waiting.
The Emperors command is clear, so follow it.
I understand.
At the Ming officials words, Mengtemu had to withdraw his subordinates. They were at a disadvantage both in terms of justification and military strength.
We will establish the border along the foothills of Mount Baekdu.
Saying the above, the Joseon army designated the land within a 50-li radius (approximately 20 km) north of Mount Baekdu as Joseon territory.
Isnt this too much!
Mengtemu protested against Joseons decision, but the Ming official condoned his protest.
This was Xuande Emperors order.
Joseon will surely be greedy. However, do not stop them. The worse the relationship between Joseon and the Jurchen becomes, the better it is for us.
The Ming official faithfully followed Xuande Emperors order.
*
From then on, the situation of the Odori tribe continued to deteriorate.
The young king of Joseon summoned the tribal leaders of the Jurchen tribes who had been under Yi Seong-gyes command.
The problem was that Wan Temur and Mengtemu were excluded from this summons. Through this, Mengtemu could clearly understand Sejongs intention.
Wan Temur and Mengtemu are targets for elimination!
Realizing the precariousness of the situation, Mengtemu had to ponder.
Should I move back to the north?
However, in that case, it was certain that he would end up being used as a scapegoat in the conflicts with Northern Yuan, just like before.
What if I completely surrender to Joseon?
If he became a subject of Joseon, Ming would certainly not remain silent. It was a matter of Mings vassal defecting to another country, even though Joseon claimed to be a vassal of Ming.
On the contrary, what if I defect to Ming?
In that case, it was certain that they would all be killed by the Joseon military.
He formed a ruler-subject relationship twice and betrayed them both!
It would be the worst self-inflicted wound, handing Joseon a blade.
Sigh~.
No matter how Mengtemu tried to figure it out, no good solution emerged, and his sighs grew deeper.
In such a situation, an incident occurred that kept pushing Mengtemu to the edge of a cliff.
Seeing the branch tribes that had surrendered to Joseon gradually prospering, they began to defect to Joseon one by one.
The problem was that it was not just a matter of leading the tribe to defect, but they handed over the entire territory where the tribe lived to Joseon.
And each time they surrendered in such a way, Joseon dispatched soldiers to designate the area as Joseon territory.
Mengtemu protested to Ming, but the response he received was devastating.
After examining the records, the area in question is indeed the territory once ruled by Yi Seong-gye. Therefore, in accordance with the previously issued imperial edict, it is recognized as Joseons territory.
Upon receiving the reply sent by Ming, Mengtemu collapsed with a desolate expression.
*
In this situation, an incident occurred that shattered Mengtemus composure.
Bayiru, a Joseon military officer has come to see you.
A Joseon military officer?
Yes. But
Seeing the warriors unpleasant expression as he reported, Mengtemu got up from his seat and went outside.
Outside, a group of Joseon cavalry was confronting the Odori tribal warriors.
Sheathe your swords!
At Mengtemus command, the Odori tribal warriors sheathed their swords.
As Mengtemu stepped forward, the leading military officer greeted him with familiarity.
Bayiru, how have you been?
You!
Mengtemu could not believe his eyes. The Joseon military officer smiling brightly before him was the tribal leader of the Wuliangha tribe, with whom the Odori tribe had the worst relationship.
Wearing the battle robe and helmet of a Joseon military officer, the smile on the face of the Wuliangha tribal leader grew deeper.
I have recently been appointed as a brigade commander by His Majestys grace. Although I am a local officer protecting my own land. Lets get along well from now on.
Though he said to get along well, the smile he wore was fiercely vicious.