Over time, Geum-soon began to adjust to palace life.
When Geum-soon’s parents came to Gyeongbok Palace to see her, she complained about her difficult daily routine. However, her parents could only respond:
“When you become the woman of the Ming Emperor, you will face even more challenging situations. This is preparation for that, so please endure a little longer.”
“Mother! Father!”
“Please endure.”
Though they said this to Geum-soon, her parents were also troubled inside.
After returning home, Geum-soon’s parents vented their frustrations to their closest confidants to ease their troubled minds.
Since it concerned the Imperial family, they spoke only to discreet friends, but at some point, as these stories passed from person to person, rumors began to spread like a snowball.
Among these, the firearms training of imperial women became the central topic of conversation.
People who heard the rumors all expressed amazement first:
“Wow! The Imperial family is truly extraordinary!”
“Right? At most, we commoners can only do archery. But firearms… don’t those use expensive gunpowder? The Imperial family is truly remarkable~”
Since before Joseon, archery had been one of the common people’s pastimes. As a result, commoners perceived firearms training as merely a more expensive form of archery.
However, one person turned pale upon hearing this rumor.
It was Zhu Jianshen.
Pilsu and the other Hidden Dragon Society members teased Zhu Jianshen when they heard the rumor:
“Hey, you’d better treat Geum-soon well when you get to Nanking. If you don’t, you might get a hole put in you while you sleep.”
“Don’t even think about taking two concubines.”
The Hidden Dragon Society members, who had been joking, shook their heads when they saw Zhu Jianshen sweating with a face white as a sheet.
“My friend! How can you take a joke so seriously?”
“Surely Geum-soon wouldn’t really do that?”
But Zhu Jianshen replied with a terrified expression:
“I’m worried because Geum-soon really might do that.”
“Come on, surely not…”
***
Amid various commotions, Zhu Jianshen’s departure date was set.
It was three months after accepting the Ming court’s request.
“I still don’t feel properly prepared…”
Zhu Jianshen still felt inadequate and couldn’t hide his regret.
However, Ming’s situation wasn’t good. With the Emperor’s throne vacant for several months, unsettling movements had begun to appear from all directions. Because of this, the Ming court sent messengers almost daily urging a quick return.
Finally, Zhu Jianshen’s return date was set, and ten days before his departure, the wedding between Zhu Jianshen and Geum-soon—or rather, Provincial Lady Onyang—was held.
Emperor Wan and Venerable Emperor Sejong specially attended the wedding held at Duke Anpyeong’s residence.
On the surface, they attended because it was a celebration for an imperial family member, but in reality, it was pressure against Ming.
-Even the Empire’s Emperor and Venerable Emperor are attending, showing how much interest they have. So don’t even think about doing anything rash!
After the wedding, Zhu Jianshen and his wife, Noble Consort Zhu, Eunuch Wang Chong, other remaining Ming citizens, Hidden Dragon Society members, court ladies for Geum-soon’s daily life—actual court ladies mixed with female warriors for protection—and finally, family guard warriors to protect the Hidden Dragon Society members—actually officers selected from the military—all moved to Jemulpo.
Ships sent from Ming had already anchored at Jemulpo, waiting for Zhu Jianshen’s party.
The Minister of Rites, who led the welcoming party, immediately knelt and paid respect as soon as he saw Zhu Jianshen.
“We behold Emperor! Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!”
“Thank you for the warm welcome. Let us board the ship.”
“I shall guide you!”
Zhu Jianshen and his wife, Noble Consort Zhu, Eunuch Wang Chong, and Geum-soon’s court ladies boarded the ship guided by the Minister of Rites.
The problem arose here.
“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be better to place the Empire’s court ladies on a different ship?”
At the Minister of Rites’ suggestion, Zhu Jianshen shouted angrily:
“You want me to put the Empress’s attendants on a different ship?”
“If you need such attendants, they have already been prepared on the ship.”
“Put them on a different ship! All the eunuchs too!”
“But Your Majesty, this is a matter of protocol…”
“It’s an order!”
“Then at least the eunuchs…”
“I said it’s an order!”
At Zhu Jianshen’s firm response, the Minister of Rites had no choice but to move the court ladies and eunuchs who came with them to another ship.
After boarding Zhu Jianshen’s party onto the ship, the Minister of Rites muttered with a worried face:
“An Empress from the Empire?”
***
Once Zhu Jianshen’s party had all boarded, the ships sent from Ming raised their anchors and left Jemulpo.
As Ming’s fleet sailed into the open sea beyond Jemulpo, the Empire’s fleet began to escort them.
The Challenger-class warships sailing majestically with all sails unfurled and two assault ghost ships belching black smoke while moving right alongside intimidated the Ming citizens.
“You are Eunuch Wang, correct?”
“Yes, I am.”
Wang Chong bowed his head respectfully at the Minister of Rites’ question. Seeing this, the Minister approached cautiously.
“How many hardships have you endured during your long stay in the Empire? Your contributions are truly great.”
“You flatter me. I only did what was expected of me.”
“Upon your return, you’ll receive compensation for those hardships, won’t you?”
“I didn’t do it expecting rewards. I simply did my best as a eunuch.”
Seeing Wang Chong politely but firmly drawing a line, the Minister of Rites quietly clicked his tongue.
He has many grudges. He’ll certainly secure a position when we reach Nanking, so I’d better be careful.
Sensing danger in Wang Chong’s demeanor, the Minister of Rites changed the subject.
“What an enormous fleet. The Empire seems to have devoted considerable attention.”
Wang Chong immediately responded to the Minister’s words:
“Isn’t it natural since an Empire Provincial Lady is aboard? Rather, I feel very reassured that they’re providing such solid protection.”
“I see…”
The Minister of Rites trailed off at Wang Chong’s answer. With a dark expression, he closed his mouth and looked at the Empire’s fleet surrounding them.
From the recent conversation, the Minister of Rites realized one crucial fact:
Not only the Emperor but even the eunuchs are all dependent on the Empire! This is certain! If anything unfavorable happens to the new Emperor, there’s a very high possibility that the Empire will intervene!
As his thoughts reached this point, the Minister’s expression grew even darker.
Considering past battles, the Empire has always counterattacked after defending. But if they launch a full offensive from the beginning, we’re finished!
***
After a tedious voyage, the fleet carrying Zhu Jianshen’s party arrived at the Ming naval base in Nantong.
As Zhu Jianshen disembarked, the Ming soldiers and officers waiting there all knelt and paid their respects.
“We behold Emperor! Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!”
To the soldiers’ welcome, Zhu Jianshen responded with a composed expression.
“I am grateful for this warm welcome. You may rise.”
“We are honored. Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!”
After concluding the formal greetings with the naval commanders guarding Nantong, Zhu Jianshen granted the naval soldiers wine and meat as a reward.
Aboard the ship heading upstream along the Yangtze River toward Nanking, Zhu Jianshen asked the Minister of Rites:
“Are we traveling by ship all the way to Nanking?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Is there no railway?”
“Railways have been constructed to the north and south of the Yangtze River.”
“You mean they haven’t been built across the Yangtze?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“The Empire has laid railway bridges not only across the Han River, Daedong River, and Cheongcheon River, but across most rivers, yet our Ming hasn’t managed this yet?”
At Zhu Jianshen’s rebuke, the Minister of Rites bowed his head and replied:
“Both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River are so large that we couldn’t construct bridges. I apologize.”
“No, are you saying our Ming doesn’t even have that level of technology?”
“During the last war, many craftsmen were taken to Japan…”
“If you lost people, you should have thought about training new ones! Are you saying you didn’t even do that?”
“I apologize.”
Seeing the Minister of Rites repeatedly bowing his head, Zhu Jianshen unconsciously clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! This is why…”
Zhu Jianshen forcibly held back from saying, “This is why you were utterly defeated in the Yellow Sea last time!”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites shuddered at Zhu Jianshen’s tongue-clicking.
I’ve heard that Empire officials have seizures just hearing their Emperor click his tongue, and now I can see why! By the way, the new Emperor has indeed lived in the Empire for a long time!
As three generations—Sejong, Hyang, and Wan—succeeded each other, tongue-clicking when dissatisfied became a common trait among Empire citizens.
Ministers who suffered under Sejong, Hyang, and Wan made tongue-clicking a daily habit when something displeased them, and over time, this naturally spread downward.
***
After several days, Zhu Jianshen’s party arrived in Nanking.
At Nanking’s dock, high-ranking court officials led by the Grand Secretary, eunuchs, and high officials of the Brocade Guard were all waiting for Zhu Jianshen.
As the ship carrying Zhu Jianshen arrived at the dock and he disembarked, everyone waiting knelt simultaneously and paid their respects.
“We behold Emperor. Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!”
“I am pleased by your welcome.”
Following his calm response, Zhu Jianshen exchanged greetings with the officials waiting, guided by the Minister of Rites.
After the brief formal greetings, Zhu Jianshen’s party boarded the prepared palanquins and entered Nanking.
“We behold Emperor! Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!”
The residents of Nanking who had come out onto the streets prostrated themselves and shouted “Long live!” as soon as they saw Zhu Jianshen’s palanquin.
Listening to the people’s cheers, Zhu Jianshen entered the imperial palace in Nanking.
***
Upon arriving in Nanking, Zhu Jianshen began official business as soon as he had recovered from his travel fatigue.
The first decision Zhu Jianshen made was to establish an era name.
“As we are gradually emerging from past calamities and moving toward completion, ‘Chenghua’ (Accomplished Transformation) would be appropriate.”
After considering the Grand Secretary’s report for a moment, Zhu Jianshen nodded.
“Good. Let’s set it as Chenghua.”
“I receive your command.”
Bowing his head, the Grand Secretary muttered inwardly:
This is quite different from what the Minister of Rites described! If he continues to behave like this, governing the country could become easier.
However, this optimistic thought was tragically shattered before long.
“A national marriage?”
“Yes.”
“But I already have an Empress.”
At Zhu Jianshen’s words, the Grand Secretary immediately responded:
“She is someone born in the Empire and has lived in the Empire—an Empire citizen. While she might be suitable as a consort, she is not fitting as the Mother of the Nation.”
At the Grand Secretary’s answer, Zhu Jianshen’s expression immediately turned fierce. He shouted at the Grand Secretary in an extremely angry voice:
“What? She doesn’t fit because she’s an Empire citizen? Then what about me, who has lived in the Empire since birth? Are you saying I’m not fit to be the Father of the Nation?”
“Th-that’s not what I—”
“Speak clearly!”
At Zhu Jianshen’s shout, the Grand Secretary’s face turned pale as he frantically racked his brain. But the conclusion was singular:
I’ve been outmaneuvered!
In the end, the Grand Secretary had no choice but to surrender.
“I have misspoken, Your Majesty.”
“Then we’ll consider the discussion of a national marriage closed. If anyone opposes, step forward!”
At Zhu Jianshen’s command, no one dared to step forward.
Thus began Zhu Jianshen’s reign, with breaking the spirit of the ministers and power holders.
- A reform monarch who devoted himself to rebuilding Ming.
- A dark ruler who never escaped the Empire’s shadow.
The reign of Zhu Jianshen, who would receive these polarized evaluations, had begun.