Following Hwang Hui’s words, Kim Jongseo added his own observation.
“The issue isn’t just the remaining Ming citizens, Your Majesty. A significant number of Jianzhou Jurchens have joined this act of defiance.”
“What!”
Hyang exhaled sharply in disbelief as he stared at Kim Jongseo.
“Why would the Jianzhou Jurchens…”
“Most of them pledged allegiance to Ming as soon as Ming advanced into Liaodong, Your Majesty. Though Jurchen in appearance, they should be considered Ming citizens at heart.”
“Hmm…”
At Kim Jongseo’s response, Hyang fell into deep thought, drumming his fingers on the armrest.
Observing Hyang’s contemplative expression, Heo Hu offered additional context.
“Considering what the Jianzhou Jurchens have been through, their actions are somewhat understandable.”
“What circumstances?”
***
After driving out the Yuan and entering Liaodong, Ming implemented various policies to weaken Jurchen power.
Their first approach was active persuasion.
When Jurchens pledged allegiance to Ming, they received extensive support to help them settle quickly.
Simultaneously, Ming exercised military force against those who showed hostility. To this end, they established numerous military garrisons and stationed troops throughout Liaodong.
While implementing this carrot-and-stick approach, they also employed divide-and-conquer tactics.
They skillfully sowed discord between the Jianzhou Jurchens near Ming territory, the Wild Jurchens in the north, and the Maritime Jurchens in the east, orchestrating continuous conflicts and deep-rooted enmity between these groups.
This strategy effectively prevented the Jurchens from unifying, ensuring no power could grow strong enough to threaten the Central Plains.
As a result of these machinations, many Jianzhou Jurchen tribes became sinicized.
This choice was also about survival.
The Jianzhou Jurchens were the first among the tribes to adopt a settled lifestyle. Through the various forms of support received after submitting to Ming, they became accustomed to permanent settlements.
Living in brick houses rather than tents or mud dwellings, the Jianzhou Jurchens grew prosperous through agriculture and commerce. To the Wild and Maritime Jurchens, they appeared as tempting prey, grown fat and rich.
Inevitably, the Jianzhou Jurchens were forced to rely more heavily on Ming’s protection as they suffered harassment from the Wild and Maritime Jurchens.
As time passed, many Jianzhou Jurchens came to identify themselves as Ming citizens rather than Jurchens. Now, they had joined the remaining Ming citizens in their act of defiance.
***
“Hmph!”
Kim Jongseo snorted derisively at Heo Hu’s explanation and raised his voice.
“That’s nothing but an excuse! What is our empire’s creed? ‘As long as you properly follow the empire’s laws and pay your taxes, your origins don’t matter!’ If they just do what they’re supposed to do and pay what they’re supposed to pay, it doesn’t matter if they’re Ming or Jurchen! This has already been proven in Daeseoldo, Jongjangdo, and New Frontier, so what’s there to discuss! Hah! It’s just excuses!”
After his outburst, Kim Jongseo bowed his head to Hyang and continued.
“Your Majesty! This is the empire’s creed, already written in our foundational laws! To ignore this and disobey imperial orders is equivalent to rebellion against the empire! They must all be eliminated root and branch!”
Hyang smiled bitterly at Kim Jongseo’s extreme statement and muttered internally.
That temperament hasn’t changed at all. However…
Hyang fell into serious contemplation.
Though extreme, he’s not wrong. But that very extremism is the problem.
Though Hyang had grown accustomed to ruling as a monarch, there were still frequent conflicts between his 21st-century education and values and the realities of his position. This was one such moment.
Complete elimination, genocide… While it’s certainly the most definitive solution…
Even as he hesitated and pondered, Hyang found his thoughts drifting toward the inevitable conclusion.
Even in the 21st century, if we consider the EU’s case…
***
As the situation in the Middle East grew dire, an enormous number of Middle Eastern refugees flooded into Europe. However, it wasn’t long before these refugees triggered what came to be known as the “Islamization of the EU.” Problems arose when they ignored EU member states’ laws while crying for “religious freedom,” insisting on following Sharia, their traditional Islamic law, and even trying to force it upon others.
This ultimately provided excellent ammunition for far-right parties to seize power.
This trend had become a topic of discussion among Korean civil servants at the time. Whenever these conversations came up, the conclusions were nearly identical.
-We can’t refuse to accept refugees entirely. But we can’t accept them unconditionally either. Therefore, we must set high acceptance standards while maintaining strict law enforcement.
****
As Hyang pondered, heated debate broke out among the ministers.
“While the actions of the remaining Ming citizens and Jianzhou Jurchens are contemptible, isn’t calling for their complete elimination too extreme?”
Kim Jongseo raised his voice at Lee Sachul’s objection.
“Too extreme? What’s extreme about it! Don’t you know what kind of people these Jurchens are? They’re the type you can never let your guard down against until they’re completely pacified and become perfect imperial citizens! And the Ming people are even worse! If they’re so unhappy with our empire, they can just leave. Why stay and cause trouble! If we leave this be, they’ll continue thinking they’re citizens of a superior country and look down on our empire’s people! Better to sweep them all away than see that!”
“My word! The empire is just establishing its foundation – it’s not right to shed too much blood! They’re not ignorant of morality, so let’s educate them through virtue.”
“What nonsense about virtue! If they were the type to understand such things, they wouldn’t be causing trouble in the first place! And when blood needs to be shed, it must be shed! When you have a boil, you must squeeze out the pus and cut it out immediately! Don’t you know that if you delay draining the pus because it hurts, you’ll not only harm your body but risk your life as well!”
“Who doesn’t know that! But think of His Majesty! Such bloodshed will burden His Majesty with the dishonor of being called a tyrant!”
As the heated debate between the opposing sides continued, Hyang spoke up.
“Enough…”
At Hyang’s quiet voice, the arguing ministers fell silent. Hyang looked down at them and continued.
“After careful consideration, I believe this isn’t something we can simply overlook. However, leaving it unchecked will surely result in these misguided individuals harming innocent citizens. Therefore, we shall proceed as follows. All people in the northern regions must register for household records and receive identity cards by this year’s winter solstice. They must also declare all their land holdings, property, and assets to prepare for proper taxation. Make it absolutely clear that anyone who fails to do so by the winter solstice will be expelled immediately. Begin the expulsions as soon as the winter solstice passes. If anyone resists, treat it as rebellion and punish them accordingly, regardless of circumstances.”
Lee Sachul immediately pointed out an issue.
“Your Majesty, wouldn’t treating resistance as rebellion pose legal problems?”
Hwangbo In quickly responded to Lee Sachul’s concern.
“The legal application is sufficient. Imperial citizens must register their households. Refusing to do so indicates a rejection of imperial citizenship, making expulsion possible. Moreover, not only refusing His Majesty’s orders but actively resisting? That’s clearly grounds for treason.”
“What if they claim they’re refusing imperial citizenship and thus rejecting His Majesty’s authority?”
Hyang interjected at Lee Sachul’s point.
“In that case, it becomes foreign invasion, warranting even more severe punishment.”
Lee Sachul fell silent at Hyang’s response. With no further objections or concerns raised, Hyang concluded.
“There was one invitation when the Liaohe region became imperial territory, and this is the second. After ignoring two invitations, there won’t be a third. When it’s time to cut out rot, it must be done decisively. Minister of Defense.”
Min Sin bowed his head and responded to Hyang’s call.
“Command me, Your Majesty.”
“Tell the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare thoroughly. I won’t tolerate any dragging of feet. If necessary, I’ll authorize another mobilization of reserve forces.”
“I receive your command!”
Not just Min Sin, but everyone in the throne room tensed at Hyang’s order.
The military had only mobilized reserve forces during the war with Ming.
In other words, Hyang was saying he would commit total war-level resources to root out this problem in one swift stroke.
The ministers all had the same thought about Hyang’s decision.
Blood truly tells!
Though Hyang often got scolded by King Sejong or thrown out of court for various incidents, he wasn’t one to shy away from bloodshed.
During the palace invasion incident of the Giyu year, Hyang had been at the forefront, firing bullets at the rebels.
After all, Hyang too carried the blood of Yi Seong-gye.
***
Soon after, Hyang’s imperial edict was posted in every government office in the northern regions.
“Hah! So what? You think I’ll submit to you Joseon dogs? Ptui!”
“Hmm… This is…”
While some remained defiant, ignorant of the gravity of the situation, others recognized the danger and began preparing to register.
Meanwhile, those who had previous dealings with Joseon people immediately tensed upon seeing the warning.
“This reeks of blood! Register quickly!”
****
As the northern regions simmered with unease, Jinpyeong visited Gyeongbok Palace.
“Your humble servant, Duke Jinpyeong Yi Yu, seeks audience with Your Majesty.”
“It’s been a while. What brings you here?”
“As the Chief Supervisor of Northern Railway Development, I have a request for Your Majesty.”
“A request? What is it? Speak.”
With Hyang’s permission, Jinpyeong swallowed hard before continuing.
“The situation in the north is deteriorating, Your Majesty. There’s a very high risk that our surveyors and construction workers could be harmed. In fact, three assault incidents have already occurred.”
“I’m aware from the reports. That’s why I ordered nearby units to provide proper support.”
“But even with the tightest security, gaps will inevitably appear. Please allow us to form our own security force.”
Hyang shook his head as soon as Jinpyeong finished speaking.
“Impossible.”
“Brother! Do you know how frustrating it is to wait for the military when we’re already pressed for time? We need to complete the surveys and lay the tracks as quickly as possible, but the military is barely keeping up! And they insist on writing reports too! It would be much faster if we could handle our own security while working! We’re going to die of frustration waiting for the military!”
As Jinpyeong’s voice rose, Hyang’s matched it.
“Hey, you fool! Are you thinking or not? You’re a duke, not a dimwit! You might die of frustration waiting for the military, but if you form a security force, you’ll lose your head and really die!”
“How could you think I’d do such a thing! I’m being upfront with you precisely because I have no such intentions!”
“Even if you don’t have them, politics makes it look like you do! It’s not happening!”
“Brother!”
“Instead, I’ll organize dedicated troops for your protection.”
“We’ll waste all our time on paperwork! This way would be easier and faster!”
“No!”
“Brother!”
“Get out, you fool!”
“I won’t leave until you approve!”
“Then you’re not going to New Frontier!”
The moment Hyang’s words left his mouth, Jinpyeong immediately straightened his posture and bowed his head.
“Your servant awaits only Your Majesty’s consideration.”
“…Sigh. I’ll have them organized and deployed as quickly as possible.”
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.”
As Jinpyeong withdrew with his response, Hyang pressed his hand to his forehead.
“No matter how I think about it, that couldn’t have been just a dream…”