Emperor Jingtai’s single edict created tremendous aftershocks.
As soon as the edict was posted throughout the Central Plains, numerous Jianwen Emperors and Zhu Wenguis who had been moving beneath the surface began emerging in the Jiangnan region.
And as predicted by both Ming and Imperial ministers, mutual destruction began.
“I am the true Emperor Huizong!”
“No, I am the real one!”
“Nonsense! Father took his own life! I am Zhu Wengui who inherited his legitimate line!”
“No! I am the real Zhu Wengui!”
While they fought and destroyed each other while insisting on their authenticity, information about them flowed to both Ming and Imperial courts.
Late at night, Han Myeong-hoe brought up a tray full of documents.
“Here is new information about the mutual destruction occurring in Ming’s Jiangnan region.”
“Place it there and leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Glancing at the pile of documents Han Myeong-hoe had set down, Hyang reached toward a brazier at the side. After pouring black bean tea that had warmed above the brazier, he mixed it with milk and sugar, then brought the cup to his lips while examining the new documents.
“Hmm… hmm…”
Reviewing the documents with a disinterested expression, Hyang suddenly spat out the black bean tea he was drinking.
“Pfft! Kugh! Cough! Cough!”
“Your Majesty! Are you alright!”
“I shall call the royal physician!”
Seeing Hyang pounding his chest, the alarmed Chief Secretary urgently tried to call for a physician, but Hyang waved his hand to stop them.
“N-no. I’m fine! Just went down the wrong way. No need for such fuss.”
“No! We must call the physician immediately! What are you all doing! Quickly fetch the physician!”
At the professionally zealous Chief Secretary’s shout, the eunuchs hurriedly ran out to find a physician.
“Really, I’m fine…”
Even as he said this, Hyang’s eyes trembled violently as he looked down at the document.
It was because of the title written at the very top:
-Those claiming to be reincarnations of Emperor Huizong or his son.
A moment later, the hurriedly arriving physician grabbed Hyang’s wrist to check his pulse, then reported:
“There appears to be no major issue. However, the choking has affected your qi and heart, so I shall prepare medicinal decoction.”
“Thank you.”
“Your immense grace is boundless.”
After the physician withdrew, Hyang seriously examined the documents again.
Let’s see… when the Jingnan Rebellion occurred…
The year 1398, Joseon Taejo’s 7th year, was the “Year of Coups” for both Ming and Joseon.
In Joseon, the “First Strife of Princes” occurred, while in Ming, the “Jingnan Rebellion” broke out.
From what I learned, Zhu Yunwen was in his early twenties then. If he survived, he’d be in his early seventies now. His son Zhu Wengui would be in his early fifties…
After making these calculations, Hyang nodded while reviewing the documents again.
Most claiming to be reincarnations are in their thirties. Then they’d have no choice but to claim reincarnation. The problem is…
Lost in thought, Hyang unconsciously spoke aloud:
“Could they be real?”
“Pardon? Your Majesty, I apologize, but could you repeat that?”
When the historians and scribes who hadn’t heard clearly asked, Hyang waved his hand.
“It’s nothing. Just spoke nonsense after reading such absurd stories.”
“Yes.”
Click! Clack!
Watching the historians and scribes typing even those words, Hyang muttered internally:
I called it absurd, but it’s unsettling that it might not be. After all, I’m one such person myself!
Being a reincarnated person himself, Hyang couldn’t simply dismiss it as nonsense.
The next morning.
The hottest topic among ministers attending court was about the “reincarnated ones.”
“Could they be real reincarnations? I mean, is reincarnation even possible?”
To Lee Sachul’s question, Foreign Minister Heo Hu answered:
“In Tubo (ancient Tibet), they say when the Dalai Lama dies, he reincarnates as the next Dalai Lama, but nothing has been confirmed as fact.”
“What were those following these claimed reincarnations thinking? Is there any physical evidence?”
To Kim Jong-seo’s point, Kim Jeom replied:
“Looking at the reports, they all contain similar content. ‘Showed extraordinary qualities from childhood, with bearing and conduct beyond others’, ‘In learning, understood ten from hearing one, as if previously learned.’ Perhaps their different behavior and superior intelligence made them seem like reincarnations.”
“Hmm…”
Everyone nodded at Kim Jeom’s explanation. Watching this, Hyang posed a question:
“Do you think these self-proclaimed reincarnations have better chances than other competitors?”
Hwang Hui answered first to Hyang’s question:
“They will be eliminated first.”
“Oh? Why?”
“First, consider those claiming to be Emperor Huizong’s son’s reincarnation. When he disappeared from Nanjing Palace, he was only six or seven years old. Even though he was named Crown Prince, at that age he would have been learning basic Chinese characters, let alone the art of rulership. What experience could such a young child have to discuss ruling the empire, even if reincarnated? Anyone following them who thinks coldly will abandon them immediately. The same goes for those claiming to be Emperor Huizong’s reincarnation. Their youth compared to those claiming to be the actual Emperor Huizong or his son will be their own noose.”
“What about if they were real reincarnations?”
To Hyang’s question, Hwang Hui answered firmly:
“While Emperor Huizong might have a chance, his son would have absolutely none, even if genuine.”
After answering this far, Hwang Hui carefully asked Hyang:
“Your Majesty rarely inquires so deeply – might you have taken interest in reincarnation?”
Hwang Hui’s face was full of concern. Historically, when a nation’s ruler dreamed of immortality, it led to the country’s ruin eight or nine times out of ten. Especially when someone talented fell into such paths, it brought even more catastrophic ends.
Whether aware of Hwang Hui’s feelings or not, Hyang smiled and answered:
“Ah! It’s nothing special. I just thought if reincarnation were possible, how would it be to reincarnate again with Emperor Taejo and all of you to lead this country. If we served Emperor Taejo and led state affairs together, couldn’t we overcome any difficulty?”
At Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui bowed his head and replied:
“That you would value us inadequate servants so highly is truly overwhelming!”
“Truly overwhelming!”
Though the ministers bowed their heads and answered in unison with Hwang Hui, internally they cried different words:
Work together again? Even if I have to grab Buddha by the collar, I won’t reincarnate!
Whatever happens then, I won’t take office!
Whether aware of the ministers’ feelings or not, Hyang continued with a smile:
“Well! Let’s end the jest here and move on!”
That night, alone in his chambers, Hyang sat with arms folded in thought.
This could become a serious problem, not just a joke. Since I’m one myself, there’s no law saying cheat keys can’t appear in that neighborhood too.
After considering various possibilities, Hyang broke into a smile.
“Hah! Let’s just sleep.”
They say once bitten twice shy, right? If there were cases like mine, they would have shown themselves long ago. But there aren’t any? The guilty are the first to be suspicious…
Thus Hyang organized the situation while chuckling and prepared for sleep.
While the Jiangnan region of the Central Plains was in turmoil, Giovanni from Florence came alone to Joseon.
“What of those who came with you before, that you come alone?”
To Heo Hu’s question, Giovanni quietly answered:
“I’ve come regarding a matter requiring secret cooperation between Florence and your country.”
“Secret? Cooperation? What about?”
“It’s regarding Suez.”
“Oh? Let’s discuss this in more detail.”
After hearing Cosimo de’ Medici’s proposal brought by Giovanni, Heo Hu organized it and reported to Hyang.
After hearing Heo Hu’s report in the great hall, Hwang Hui immediately asked a question:
“Is there any document proving this Giovanni’s words are true?”
“No.”
At Heo Hu’s answer, Hwang Hui’s face wrinkled.
“Then how can we trust this person’s words are truly the will of Cosimo de’ Medici, head of the Medici family? Couldn’t this be a scam driven by desire for fame?”
“He says he couldn’t carry documents as this is being done in secret from the Ottomans and Portuguese.”
“Hmm…”
At Heo Hu’s answer, Hyang and Hwang Hui nodded as if it made sense.
What the Medici were doing could be seen as backstabbing Portugal and the Ottomans. Naturally, they had to move secretly, so they couldn’t receive Ottoman and Portuguese escorts. But leading a large escort force would immediately alert the Ottomans and Portuguese. In the end, they had to make the dangerous journey to Aden with only a small escort.
Therefore, Giovanni’s explanation about not creating documents for security made sense.
“Even setting aside the document issue, the proposal is problematic. Foreign Minister, please summon this Giovanni here immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon after Hyang’s order, Giovanni entered Geunjeongjeon Hall.
“I greet His Imperial Majesty of the Great Han Federal Empire.”
Meeting Hyang, Giovanni paid proper respects.
“It is admirable that you came this far despite the difficult journey.”
“You’re too kind.”
After praising Giovanni thus, Hyang began pressuring him in earnest.
“I understand your Medici family is quite remarkable. Though merchant-born, even decent nobles dare not treat you carelessly, and kings of great nations listen to your words, correct?”
“Though it sounds boastful, that’s mostly true.”
“Yet you bring such a proposal?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Are you saying this proposal truly comes from Cosimo de’ Medici, who supposedly controls Europe?”
“What? Ah, well, that…”
At Hyang’s suddenly fierce words, Giovanni began floundering, unable to find his bearings, and Hyang pressed him severely.
“I hear you asked us to give you five-hundredths of our four-tenths share! What exactly can you do with these five-hundredths? Calculating again, of the six-tenths share that you, Portugal, and the Ottomans will take, you’ll manage at best one-tenth! Am I wrong?”
“That, well…”
“Why can’t you answer!”
Unable to provide a proper answer, Giovanni had to endure Hyang’s harsh words.
“Even combining with your family’s one-tenth share, it’s only five-tenths! Five-tenths! If disputes arise with Portugal and the Ottomans, you’ll only be able to play tug-of-war! You’ll be lucky if it ends at tug-of-war. You’ll have to make unnecessary concessions to pass proposals! Then why should we take a five-hundredths loss!”
“Ah, that…”
“Nothing more to discuss! If your family wishes to talk with me about this, secure at least one-tenth share as a base plus at least one-hundredth more! When combined with us, if it exceeds five-tenths, then I’ll listen again! Go back! Tell your family head this: ‘If you want to act as a counterweight, gather proper mass!'”