Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 568

Episode 568: Severance. (7)

It was Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu who welcomed the Ming envoys who arrived in Hanseong on an iron horse from Jemulpo.

“Why are you here…”

Ye Bu Sang-seo, who was leading the envoys, spoke with a shocked expression on his face. Heo Hu, who saw Ye Bu Sang-seo’s expression, looked rather strange and asked back.

“huh? What’s the problem? “The top person in charge of diplomacy came?”

“According to the rules of etiquette, the crown prince must come out…”

According to the traditional etiquette of the four generations, when an envoy came from a foreign country, it was proper for the crown prince to come out and welcome him.

Heo Hu’s expression changed sharply at Ye Busangseo’s words.

“Are you in a situation where you can comfortably discuss etiquette?”

“In times like these, wouldn’t it be better to follow the rules of etiquette?”

“That would be great!”

Heo Hu’s words made the Ming Dynasty interpreter look perplexed. This was because there was no Chinese language to properly convey the meaning.

However, Ye Bu Sang-seo, who roughly understood the meaning from Heo Hu and the interpreter’s expressions, burst into laughter and said something.

“Hehe~. Any gentleman who properly assists the monarch must not lose courtesy…”

“That is not a gentleman, but only a man with no bones.”

Before the ceremonial speech was even finished, Heo Hu interrupted and responded. Ye Bu Sang-seo was surprised by Heo Hu’s counterattack.

“Do you know the Ming language?”

“He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“But why the interpreter…”

“Even if you know, you just pretend not to know. “Isn’t it natural for someone in charge of diplomacy?”

“Keuhum!”

In the end, the war of words over the etiquette of hospitality ended with the courtesy official clearing his throat.

Yebu Sang-seo, who concluded that there was nothing to be gained from further war of words, changed the topic.

“Then I will rest today and visit the palace tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

After a short conversation, Yebusangseo and his party entered Mohwagwan. Heo Hu, who was looking at that scene, snorted.

“joy! Are you unaware of the urgency of the situation? Or is this just bravado?”

* * *

The next day, Ye Bu Sang-seo and his party visited Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The local government and ministers welcomed the royal family in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon.

“I come to see you, Crown Prince.”

“You had a hard time coming to the old road.”

“Then, I will read His Majesty’s edict.”

“Give me the edict. I will read it. If not, read it on the spot.”

Ye Bu Sang-seo got angry at Hyang’s words.

“What rudeness is this! Don’t Joseon’s crown prince and his subjects even know etiquette?”

Hyang snorted at Ye Bu Sang-seo’s words.

“joy! Do you think that the relationship between Ming and Joseon is now in a state of civility?”

“Even though the current situation between our two countries may be inconvenient, the rules of etiquette that must be observed must be observed!”

“Ye must be based on morality! But did Shangguo keep his duties?”

“What is that…”

“You can’t say you don’t know! “If you don’t know, go back right away and come back after finding out!”

In response to the sharp response of Hyang, Ye Bu Sang-seo finally broke the seal of the edict on the spot and read Emperor Seondeok’s edict.

“The King of Joseon, listen. Recently, discord has broken out between the Ming Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty….”

To briefly summarize the contents of the ensuing edict, it was as follows.

-The King of Liaodong’s temper ran wild and caused a serious accident. This part is my mistake. But why did Joseon cross the border? Take over the military immediately. Otherwise, you will be punished for the crime of encroaching on Ming territory.

“her!”

After hearing the contents of the edict, Hyang exhaled as if he was astonished. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Hyang continued speaking.

“I will ask the messenger. “Is Liaodong really the Ming River?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

In response to Ye Bu Sang-seo’s reply, the Hyang gave an order to the eunuch.

“Bring them with you.”

“yes.”

After a while, the officers and soldiers brought a dozen flags and unfurled them on the ground.

“What is inscribed on the flag?”

“It is engraved as the Great Yeon.”

“After interrogating the captured generals, they said that the King of Dong or the King of Liaodong declared the founding of the country. If that is the name of the country, doesn’t Liaodong no longer belong to the Ming region? “It is not the territory of Ming, so there is no reason for Ming to argue.”

Hearing Hyang’s words, Ye Busangseo closed his eyes tightly.

‘This crazy bastard caused a disaster!’

If things had happened like this, Joseon would have taken the blame. However, the Yebu Sangseo desperately hung on.

‘No matter what we do, we must take over the Joseon army! ‘Otherwise my head will run away!’

“It was something that the King of Dong did arbitrarily. Your Majesty and our court knew nothing. If I had known, I would have taken the initiative to stop it. Therefore, Liaodong is still a Ming river area.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the scent spoke.

“The prisoner said something interesting again. The eunuch sent by the emperor delivered a secret message from the emperor. Do you know what it is? “If you win Joseon, I will grant you the title.”

“That is a ridiculous statement! “I have never seen Your Majesty say such a thing!”

“An order that everyone knows is not a secret order. Isn’t that right?”

“That can’t be possible! “That statement is nothing more than a false remark made by the general who committed the crime to absolve himself of his own sins!”

“Aren’t there more than one captive who said the same thing?”

“If so, he must be the Duke of the East King! A eunuch who was instigated by the King of the East said such nonsense!”

“Then how can he explain the enormous amount of military funds he used to raise the military? And how do we explain the fact that dozens of craftsmen were brought along to make all kinds of artillery and rifles? “Even if military funds are provided, the craftsmen who make weapons are moving around. Are you going to say that the emperor didn’t know about that?”

“What about that?”

“Tsk!”

The noisy scent that filled the tongue put pressure on Ye Yebusangseo.

“It is common sense for the country to carefully manage craftsmen who make weapons, especially weapons that use gunpowder! Shinigami, think about it! Do you think it would be possible for one or two craftsmen to arm hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a few months? We need at least a dozen skilled craftsmen and more apprentices! But do you think it makes sense that so many people left and didn’t know about it?”

“Our name is such a large country that there are too many people to check each one…”

“Stop making excuses! This would not have been possible without the emperor’s connivance! If the emperor didn’t know as you said, then you, the Ming Dynasty’s subjects, are all blind people who have opened their eyes!”

“That is…”

Yebusangseo couldn’t even give a proper answer and just broke into a sweat.

‘Caught in a trap!’

If they insisted that it was Joo Ji-jin’s arbitrary decision, they would be admitting that they were incompetent, and if they said it was not, it would be like acknowledging the emperor’s connivance.

Yebu Sang-seo, who was sweating and searching for an answer, ended up having to make an ambiguous choice.

“I’ll say it again, our name is a large country, so the land is large and there are many people. Therefore, even if we carefully monitor the craftsmen who make weapons, there are cases where they are missed.”

“So you’re saying that your subjects are incompetent?”

“… That’s not true. It’s just that there are too many people… so the soldiers are defeated…”

“Hmph!”

Hyang snorted again at Ye Bu Sang-seo’s words.

“Do you think I am a blind man with my eyes open? You want me to believe that? Wouldn’t it be better to cover the sky with your hands?”

“Oh no! God never deceives! Just for peace between the two countries….”

“Who broke that peace! “Isn’t he the emperor?”

“Oh no! Because of Ju Ji-jin’s arbitrary decision…”

“I’ll say it again, don’t use the petty tactic of covering the sky with your hands. Is it possible to secure such enormous military funds and craftsmen through Joo Ji-jin’s arbitrary decision? If that makes sense, it means that Ming is not a proper country!”

“My dear! Please fix it… Please make a great decision for peace between the two countries…”

Ye Bu Sang-seo appealed for peace in an earnest voice. It was a life-threatening crisis for him. It was certain that if things continued like this, people would be held responsible for the cessation of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

However, the reaction to the scent is slow.

“Your emperor has decided to covet our Joseon, so what kind of Mahayana decision are you telling us to make? What you are saying now is for our Joseon to surrender unconditionally! “What on earth do you think of Joseon that makes you say such nonsense?”

“My uncle… please think about it one more time…”

Ye Bu Sang-seo knelt down and begged Hyang.

But Hyang waved his arms wildly and shouted.

“Go back! As long as the emperor covets our Joseon, there will be no more sectarianism! We, Joseon, will do our best to resist Ming! If that happens, you won’t be able to achieve success!”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s ultimatum, Ye Bu Sang-seo stood in a daze and stood up.

“I understand. I will convey the will of Joseon to Your Majesty. “Before I leave, I would like to advise you that it is not natural for a small country to attack a large country carelessly.”

“Is it natural for a large country to recklessly use tricks? “Forget the sophistry!”

In response to Hyang’s words, Ye Bu Sang-seo concluded his speech by politely bowing his hand.

“Then, may you protect your body….”

In the end, Ye Bu Sang-seo, who accepted the answer of ‘severance of relations with the nobles’, left Hanseong that day.

After sending the wedding favor letter, Hyang looked back at the ministers.

“Now I can’t get bitten. “This is a big war where the rise and fall of the country is at stake, so please do your best.”

To Hyang’s words, the ministers all bowed and answered in one voice.

“I will give you my name!”

Hyang bowed lightly and thanked the ministers for their firm answers.

“thank you. “Then let’s check the situation again.”

“Yes sir.”

On the way back to Seunghwadang, Hyang approached Jo Mal-saeng and asked a small question.

“Are Kabinik’s preparations complete?”

Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyang’s question right away.

“Yes, we have now completed the final inspection at Jeollajwasuyeong and are preparing for battle.”

“It went well.”

Hyang, who looked like she had taken a breather at Jo Mal-saeng’s words, continued speaking.

“It’s time to reveal your real name, not the code name Kabinik. “We can expect a great victory, right?”

Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyang’s question with a confident face.

“yes. “On every sea, the mere mention of the name ‘Assault Return Ship’ will make the enemy urinate.”

* * *

Meanwhile, after returning to Beijing, Ye Fushangshu went straight to the Forbidden City.

“Good work. So, what did Joseon say to my order?”

In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, Ye Bu Sang-seo suddenly bowed down and raised his voice.

“Please kill me!”

“huh? “What do you mean you suddenly want me to kill you?”

In response to Emperor Seondeok’s questions, Ye Bu Sang-seo confessed everything he had experienced in Joseon.

“I have tarnished Your Majesty’s honor due to my lack of divine qualities. How can I hope to live? Hehehehehe!”

In response to Ye Bu Sang-seo’s words, with tears in his eyes, asking him to kill him, Emperor Seondeok slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.

“Have you seen these disgusting guys? Even though Jim made a huge concession and admitted his mistake, he showed such a hostile attitude! It is unforgivable! Subo!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“What do you think of Subo?”

The Cabinet Secretary immediately answered Emperor Seondeok’s question.

“Even though Your Majesty has shown great virtue, it is absurd for Joseon to come out like this! Just because things have gotten a little better recently, I have not only abandoned the courtesy of the nobles, but also insulted Your Majesty! Of course, that sin will have to be punished severely!”

“is it?”

After hearing the answer from the assistant cabinet secretary, Emperor Seondeok looked back at his other subjects.

“What do you think?”

“You must be held accountable for that crime!”

In response to the ministers’ answers, Emperor Seondeok declared war.

“Even though I made great concessions, Joseon insulted me! I can no longer stand by Joseon’s arrogance! Mobilize the soldiers! “Let’s show that small country, Joseon, the dignity of our country and hold it accountable for its sins!”

“I follow your orders! “Long live, long live, long live!”

Afterwards, Emperor Seondeok looked at the Yebu Sangseo and continued speaking.

“Looking at the Crown Prince of Joseon’s behavior, it is clear that he has harbored treason for a long time. Therefore, no matter how much the Lord said, it would have been nothing more than a lie. There is no sin! “Later, after Joseon’s punishment is over, make sure you pay for the insult you and I received!”

“I will risk my life to complete it! “Long live, long live, long live!”