At the merchant chief’s words, the Cabinet Supervisor momentarily saw darkness before his eyes.
Already? Too soon!
The recent war’s defeat left serious aftereffects on Ming.
Even mere defeat typically caused severe damage to an emperor and court’s authority. However, this war had brought extremely serious economic losses on top of that. If they couldn’t recover in time, the possibility of peasant rebellions or regional warlord uprisings was considerable.
But when the Cabinet Supervisor said “too soon,” he meant barely two years had passed since the war’s end. While Ming’s state administration was creaking, it hadn’t completely collapsed.
Finally, the Cabinet Supervisor had to press the merchant chief.
“Tell me in detail!”
“Yes, my lord…”
According to the merchant chief’s explanation, such rumors were circulating among many farmers and urban lower classes in the Jiangnan region, and signs of armed uprising were slowly becoming visible.
“What’s the cause!”
“The grain merchants’ schemes and taxes.”
“Oh no…”
At the merchant chief’s answer, the Cabinet Supervisor placed his hand on his forehead and sighed.
Was it too late?
“Sigh~”
No, it shouldn’t be too late yet.
After organizing his chaotic thoughts with a long sigh, the Cabinet Supervisor questioned the merchant chief.
“Well then, what’s the scale?”
“Since it’s just rumors for now…”
“Then, do you know anything about the ringleaders behind this?”
“Ringleaders, plural. According to rumors, there are four or five claiming to be Zhu Yunwen and about seven claiming to be Zhu Wengui. Additionally, I’ve heard there are three or four pairs moving together claiming to be father and son Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Wengui.”
“Hmm…”
At the merchant chief’s answer, the Cabinet Supervisor stroked his beard thoughtfully.
After a moment, emerging from his contemplation, he asked the merchant chief:
“Who have you told about these rumors?”
“You’re the first, my lord. However, if they’ve reached my ears, the rumors must have spread to many others, so wouldn’t other officials likely know as well?”
The Cabinet Supervisor’s expression immediately soured at the mention of ‘other officials.’ There were several official merchant groups, and their leaders had connections not only to ministers but also to the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard.
It’s become a situation that can’t be hidden.
After a moment, composing his expression, the Cabinet Supervisor told the merchant chief:
“Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I’ll report your merit to His Majesty.”
The merchant chief quickly clasped his hands and replied:
“You’re too kind! I’m merely a small person living by His Majesty’s grace! I only did what I should!”
At the merchant chief’s response, the Cabinet Supervisor muttered in a low voice:
“If everyone just properly did what they should, this country wouldn’t be in such difficulty…”
The next day, immediately upon entering the palace, the Cabinet Supervisor reported what he’d heard to Emperor Jingtai.
BANG!
“How dare such outrageous acts occur!”
Unable to contain his anger at the Cabinet Supervisor’s report, Emperor Jingtai struck his throne’s armrest and immediately ordered:
“Minister of War and Left and Right Commanders, mobilize troops immediately to exterminate these traitors!”
The Minister of War immediately clasped his hands and replied:
“Your Majesty! I stake my life on what I’m about to say! Though these treasonous criminals deserve punishment, considering the country’s current situation, that would be the worst strategy!”
“The worst strategy!”
“Your Majesty! As we discussed yesterday, the country’s situation is dire! As Your Majesty decided yesterday, making peace with the north first and reorganizing remaining forces to restore the damaged central provinces would be the best strategy!”
“You suggest we leave these traitors be! Isn’t it common sense that uprooting sprouts when they first emerge minimizes damage! What are you thinking!”
To Emperor Jingtai’s words, the War Minister immediately responded:
“Your Majesty need only issue one imperial edict, and they will destroy each other.”
“Oh?”
At the War Minister’s answer, Emperor Jingtai’s anger cooled and his eyes sparkled.
“Explain in detail!”
While Beijing was in turmoil over rumors spreading in Ming’s Jiangnan region, those rumors also reached Seoul.
“What do you think? Does Ming seem likely to fall?”
Kim Jong-seo was the first to answer Hyang’s question.
“Your servant thinks the possibility is very low.”
“What’s your reasoning?”
“Because there isn’t just one or two people claiming to be Emperor Huizong and his son. Before facing Ming, they’ll have to deal with other imposters first. And that fight will be one where neither side can back down.”
Hyang and the ministers all nodded simultaneously at Kim Jong-seo’s words.
Having claimed to be the Jianwen Emperor, who disappeared after losing the Jingnan Rebellion, and his son, all others would be mere fraudsters impersonating them.
In this situation, when forces clashed, it would become a fight that could only end with one side’s death. If anyone said, “That person is real and I’m fake, so we should serve under them,” their own followers would kill them first.
This was in cases where two forces were evenly matched. If one side’s superiority became clearly evident, the weaker side’s “Jianwen Emperor” or “Zhu Wengui” would immediately become dead men. Their subordinates would certainly use them as gifts to save their own lives.
“We were deceived by an imposter until now. But now we’ve met the real person. We offer the imposter’s head, so please lead us!”
Along with such words.
Min Sin, who had been nodding at Kim Jong-seo’s words, continued:
“Whoever thought of claiming to be Emperor Huizong and his son, while it might seem like a good strategy, it’s the worst of the worst strategies.”
Hwang Hui added to Min Sin’s words:
“It seemed like an original idea, but the trap lies in it being an original idea anyone could think of.”
“Hmm…”
Nodding at the ministers’ answers while analyzing the situation, Hyang asked again:
“Then do you think Ming’s court will take a wait-and-see approach?”
Hwang Hui immediately nodded and answered:
“Yes. Looking at Ming’s current situation, it’s not easy to withdraw troops southward. Yet all the rebellion leaders have claimed to be Emperor Huizong or his son. In that case, they need only catch their breath and wait. Conversely, their opponents will be exhausted from repeatedly destroying each other.”
At Hwang Hui’s words, Hyang unconsciously muttered:
“Should we add some seasoning to this?”
As soon as Hyang’s words came out, Hwang Hui raised his voice:
“It must not be done! This is not the right way!”
Hyang wore a surprised expression at Hwang Hui’s words.
“Not the right way?”
The hidden meaning in Hyang’s expression and tone was simple:
You’re saying this? You? Weren’t you the one who went around adding seasoning everywhere with Father and me?
No, everyone looking at Hwang Hui wore the same expression as Hyang.
Perhaps noticing everyone’s expressions, Hwang Hui addressed Hyang:
“Your Majesty, please dismiss the historians and scribes for a moment.”
“Oh? Hmm…”
Staring intently at Hwang Hui, Hyang ordered the historians and scribes:
“Wait outside for a while.”
“But Your Majesty…”
“Tsk!”
As soon as Hyang clicked his tongue, the historians and scribes rose, paid their respects, and immediately left.
Once they had all left, Hwang Hui explained his reasoning:
“Our victory in the last war and transformation into an empire is why we must insist on proper ways. Until now, as a small country, we could justify using unorthodox methods and schemes for survival. But now we’ve become a great power that can overwhelm even Ming, so we must seek proper ways and justification. If we ignore this and pursue only our interests, no country will want to maintain neighborly relations with our empire.”
Kim Jeom immediately countered Hwang Hui’s words:
“Surely you know the tale of Duke Xiang of Song’s benevolence?”
Hwang Hui nodded and replied:
“How could I not? But we mustn’t leave public records of openly pursuing national interests while ignoring proper ways and justification. Publicly! Haven’t you considered that once it’s recorded in the historical archives and daily records, future generations will see it? Think about the Empire 100 years from now!”
“That doesn’t mean we need to endure losses to national interests!”
To Kim Jeom’s counter-argument, Hwang Hui smiled slyly and answered:
“I’ve casually read some Western scriptures, and there’s a good passage.”
“A good passage?”
“‘Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.’ Isn’t that a fine passage?”
For a moment, Hyang unconsciously put his hand to his forehead.
That’s not what that passage means…
Whether aware of Hyang’s thoughts or not, Hwang Hui continued:
“The Empire must prioritize justification and proper ways. Only then will it be treated as a great power. At least in the light.”
Finally, Kim Jeom nodded and responded:
“Hmm… Where there’s light, there must be shadow…”
“And as history shows, history always moves at night.”
At Hwang Hui’s words, all ministers nodded simultaneously while wearing smiles similar to his.
Even Lee Sachul, whom Hyang had assessed as an “early-type Confucian Taliban.”
Seeing this, Hyang pressed his throbbing temples.
Where am I? Who am I? Is this a place to discuss state affairs of the Great Han Federal Empire, or a gathering of villains dreaming of an evil empire?
Hyang continued pretending not to know he had thrown the initial spark.
Anyway, decisions had to be made before calling the historians and scribes back.
“Then, do you agree with adding seasoning to Ming’s Jiangnan region?”
Hwang Hui immediately answered Hyang’s question:
“We too think it’s better to wait a while. Currently, there are too many and their scale is too small. It would be better after some filtering.”
Kim Jeom added to Hwang Hui’s words:
“I share the same thoughts. Adding seasoning from now would cost too much. We should add seasoning when things are properly ripe.”
At Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom’s answers, Hyang looked around at the other ministers.
“What do you think?”
“We believe the Prime Minister and Left Deputy Prime Minister’s proposal is appropriate.”
At the ministers’ response, Hyang immediately made his decision.
“Then let’s do that. Eunuch! Tell the historians and scribes to return!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Not long after, Emperor Jingtai issued an imperial edict:
“There was a regrettable incident during the past Jingnan Rebellion. I cannot hide my sorrow over this. Therefore, I shall restore the Jianwen era name, and grant Zhu Wengui the title of Prince. Thus, Zhu Wengui should come to me.”
As this edict spread throughout the Central Plains, the self-proclaimed Jianwen Emperors and their sons began violently clashing with each other.