The Ming envoy delegation arriving at Hanseong by iron horse from Jemulpo was greeted by Foreign Minister Heo Hu.
“Why is the minister here…”
The Minister of Rites leading the envoy delegation trailed off with a disgruntled expression. Seeing his expression, Heo Hu instead wore a puzzled look and asked back.
“Hmm? What’s the problem? The highest diplomatic official has come to meet you.”
“According to protocol, the Crown Prince should come out…”
According to traditional tributary protocols, when envoys came from Ming, the superior nation, it was proper for the Crown Prince to come out and receive them.
At the Minister of Rites’ words, Heo Hu’s expression sharpened.
“Is this situation one where we can comfortably discuss protocol?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to maintain protocol especially in such times?”
“How wonderful that must be!”
At Heo Hu’s words, the Ming interpreter’s face fell into dismay. There were no proper Chinese words to convey the meaning.
However, the Minister of Rites, who roughly understood the meaning from Heo Hu and the interpreter’s expressions, let out a hollow laugh and spoke.
“Heh heh~ A proper gentleman who serves his ruler should not lose propriety…”
“That’s not being a gentleman but being spineless.”
Before the Minister of Rites could finish speaking, Heo Hu cut him off and shot back. The Minister of Rites was shocked by Heo Hu’s counterattack.
“You know the Ming language?”
“I am the Foreign Minister after all.”
“Then why use an interpreter…”
“I just pretend not to know. Isn’t that natural for someone handling diplomacy?”
“Ahem!”
Finally, the verbal battle over reception protocol ended with the Minister of Rites’ forced cough.
Concluding that nothing would be gained by continuing the argument, the Minister of Rites changed the subject.
“Well then, we’ll rest today and visit the palace tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
With that brief exchange, the Minister of Rites’ party entered Mohwagwan. Watching them, Heo Hu snorted.
“Hmph! Do they not understand the urgency of the situation? Or is this just empty posturing?”
***
The next day, the Minister of Rites’ party visited Gyeongbok Palace.
Hyang and the ministers received the envoy party in front of Geunjeongjeon.
“We pay our respects to Crown Prince Your Highness.”
“You must be tired from your long journey.”
“Then, I shall read aloud His Imperial Majesty’s edict.”
“Hand over the edict. I will read it. Or read it aloud from where you stand.”
At Hyang’s words, the Minister of Rites burst out in anger.
“What insolence is this! Do the Crown Prince and ministers of Joseon not know proper protocol?”
At the Minister of Rites’ outburst, Hyang snorted.
“Hmph! Do you think the current situation between Ming and Joseon calls for protocol?”
“Even if relations between our nations are strained, proper protocols must be maintained!”
“Protocol must be based on proper principles! But did the superior nation maintain principles!”
“What do you…”
“Surely you’re not going to claim ignorance! If you don’t know, go back immediately, learn properly, and come again!”
Faced with Hyang’s sharp response, the Minister of Rites finally broke the seal and read Emperor Xuande’s edict on the spot.
“Let the King of Joseon hear. Recently discord has arisen between Ming and Joseon…”
The content of the edict could be summarized as follows:
-The Liaodong King’s temperament was volatile and he caused a great incident. This part was my mistake. But for what reason did Joseon cross the border? Withdraw your troops immediately. If not, you will be punished for the crime of invading Ming territory.
“Ha!”
Hearing the edict’s contents, Hyang exhaled as if dumbfounded. After taking a moment to collect himself, he continued.
“Let me ask the envoy. Is Liaodong truly Ming territory?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
At the Minister of Rites’ answer, Hyang ordered his eunuch.
“Bring those things.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, eunuchs and soldiers brought over a dozen banners and spread them on the ground.
“What is written on these banners?”
“Great Yan is written on them.”
“When we interrogated the captured generals, they said that person, whether Eastern King or Liaodong King, had declared the founding of a nation. Great Yan is the national name, so isn’t Liaodong no longer Ming territory? If it’s not Ming territory, Ming has no right to say anything about it.”
At Hyang’s words, the Minister of Rites squeezed his eyes shut.
This madman has finally caused trouble!
With things turning out this way, Joseon had gained the moral high ground. But the Minister of Rites desperately persisted.
I must get the Joseon army to withdraw by any means! Otherwise my head will roll!
“That was done unilaterally by the Eastern King. His Majesty and our court knew nothing of it. Had we known, we would have moved first to stop it. Therefore, Liaodong is still Ming territory.”
No sooner had those words finished than Hyang responded.
“The prisoners told another interesting story. A eunuch sent by the Emperor delivered a secret imperial order – do you know what it was? That he would allow him to declare himself emperor if he obtained Joseon.”
“That’s an absurd falsehood! I have never seen His Majesty issue such an order!”
“An order known to all wouldn’t be a secret order, would it?”
“That’s impossible! Those words are merely lies spoken by the general who started this to escape his crimes!”
“When multiple prisoners are saying the same thing?”
“If that’s true, it must be the Eastern King’s plot! A eunuch who took his bribes spoke such nonsense!”
“Then how do you explain the massive military funds used to raise troops? And how do you explain bringing dozens of craftsmen to make all sorts of cannons and guns? Even if you explain away the military funds, are you saying the Emperor didn’t know about weapons craftsmen being moved?”
“T-that is…”
“Tsk!”
Making a loud tongue click, Hyang pressed the Minister of Rites.
“It’s common sense that craftsmen making weapons, especially those using gunpowder, are closely managed by the state! Think about it! Do you believe arming hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a few months is possible with just one or two craftsmen? At minimum it requires dozens of skilled craftsmen and even more apprentices! Are you saying it makes sense that such a large number slipped away without notice?”
“Our Ming is such a great nation, with too many people to check everything…”
“Drop the pathetic excuses! This would be impossible without the Emperor’s tacit approval! If as you say the Emperor didn’t know, are you saying Ming’s court officials are all blind men with open eyes!”
“T-that…”
The Minister of Rites could only sweat profusely without giving a proper answer.
I’m cornered!
If he insisted it was Zhu Qizhen’s unilateral action, it would be admitting their incompetence, but if he denied that, it would be acknowledging the Emperor’s tacit approval.
Sweating as he searched for an answer, the Minister of Rites finally had to make an ambiguous choice.
“As I said before, our Ming is a great nation with vast territory and many people. Therefore, even with close monitoring of weapons craftsmen, some slip through.”
“So you’re saying Ming’s officials are incompetent?”
“…That’s not it. Just… there are too many people… So, if you would withdraw your troops…”
“Hmph!”
At the Minister of Rites’ words, Hyang snorted again.
“Do you take me for a blind man with open eyes? You expect me to believe that? Why not try covering the sky with your hand?”
“N-no! I am absolutely not deceiving you! Just, for peace between our nations…”
“Who broke that peace! Wasn’t it the Emperor!”
“N-no! It was Prince Zhu Qizhen’s unilateral…”
“I’ll say it again, don’t use such petty tricks like covering the sky with your hand. Are you saying securing such enormous military funds and craftsmen was possible through Zhu Qizhen’s unilateral action? For that to make sense, Ming would have to not be a proper nation!”
“Y-Your Highness! Please consider… please make a magnanimous decision for peace between our nations…”
The Minister of Rites pleaded desperately for peace. For him, it was a life-or-death crisis. If he returned like this, he would certainly lose his head for being responsible for breaking the tributary relationship between the nations.
But Hyang’s response was harsh.
“When your Emperor set his mind on coveting our Joseon, what magnanimous decision are you asking for! What you’re saying now is demanding Joseon’s unconditional surrender! Just what do you take our Joseon for, speaking such nonsense!”
“Y-Your Highness… please, think once more…”
The Minister of Rites knelt and begged Hyang.
But Hyang swung his arm wide and shouted.
“Go back! Since the Emperor coveted our Joseon, there will be no more tributary relations! Our Joseon will resist Ming with all our might! Then Ming won’t be unscathed either!”
“Ah…”
At Hyang’s ultimatum, the Minister of Rites stood blankly before rising.
“I understand. I will convey Joseon’s will to His Majesty. Before departing, let me advise Your Highness – it is not the natural order for a small nation to recklessly challenge a great nation.”
“Is it the natural order for a great nation to employ schemes recklessly? Drop your sophistry!”
At Hyang’s words, the Minister of Rites made a respectful cupped-hand salute and concluded.
“Then take care of your precious self…”
Finally, having received the answer of ‘severance of tributary relations,’ the Minister of Rites left Hanseong that day.
After sending off the Minister of Rites, Hyang turned to the ministers.
“Now we cannot withdraw. This is a great war with the nation’s fate at stake, so please do your utmost.”
At Hyang’s words, the ministers all bowed together and answered in one voice.
“We shall devote our lives!”
At the ministers’ firm answer, Hyang gave a light bow of acknowledgment.
“Thank you. Then let’s check the situation once more.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
On the way back to Seunghwadang, Hyang approached Jo Mal-saeng and quietly asked.
“Are the preparations for Gapbinik complete?”
At Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.
“Yes, final checks are complete at the Jeolla Left Naval Station, and battle preparations are underway.”
“Well done.”
Looking relieved at Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Hyang continued.
“Now it’s time to reveal its real name instead of the code name Gapbinik. Can we expect great success?”
To Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng answered confidently.
“Yes. The name Attack Turtle Ship alone will make enemies wet themselves in every sea.”
***
Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites who returned to Beijing went straight to the Forbidden City.
“Good work. So, what did Joseon say to my order?”
At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Minister of Rites immediately prostrated himself and raised his voice.
“Please execute me!”
“Hmm? Why suddenly ask for execution?”
At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Minister of Rites reported everything that had happened in Joseon without omission.
“My abilities were lacking and I have stained Your Majesty’s honor, how could I dare wish to live! Sob sob sob!”
At the Minister of Rites’ tearful plea for execution, Emperor Xuande slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.
“Have you ever seen such impudent fellows! Even when I made a great concession and admitted my mistake, they show such brazen behavior! Unforgivable! Grand Secretary!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“What does the Grand Secretary think?”
At Emperor Xuande’s question, the Grand Secretary immediately answered.
“For Joseon to act this way despite Your Majesty showing great virtue is unacceptable! Recently, just because their situation has improved somewhat, they not only abandon tributary propriety but also insult Your Majesty! They must certainly be severely punished for their crimes!”
“Is that so?”
Having heard the Grand Secretary’s answer, Emperor Xuande looked at the other officials.
“What do you all think?”
“They must be severely punished for their crimes!”
At the ministers’ answer, Emperor Xuande declared war.
“Though I made a great concession, Joseon has insulted me! I can no longer overlook Joseon’s arrogance! Mobilize the troops! Show them properly the majesty of the superior nation and punish their crimes!”
“We receive your command! Long live, long live, long long live!”
Afterward, Emperor Xuande looked at the Minister of Rites and continued.
“Seeing the Crown Prince of Joseon’s behavior, it’s clear he has harbored treasonous thoughts for long. Therefore, no matter what you said it would have been like preaching to deaf ears. You are not at fault! After we finish punishing Joseon, you shall surely avenge the insults you and I have received!”
“I shall accomplish it with my life! Long live, long live, long long live!”