Chapter 199

Chapter 199

Hyang sighed deeply after reviewing the proposal sent up from the Ministry of Military Affairs.

Phew~. Theyve all turned into water ghosts Who on earth brought in such foul water?

Had the ministers and Sejong heard this, they would have been taken aback by Hyangs casual manner in addressing such serious matters.

* * *

Two weeks later, at a tiled house in Andong.

By royal command! Scholar Kim Chang-seop, come forth and receive the royal decree!

At the loud voice of the county magistrate outside, the large gates of the tiled house swung open, and the person in question, Kim Chang-seop, hurried out.

Are you Kim Chang-seop?

Despite being acquainted for a long time, the magistrate asked with a stiff expression as if they were meeting for the first time, to which Kim Chang-seop quickly replied.

Yes, that is correct.

The kings command is to be followed without delay. Dress in your official attire at once!

Following the local officials order, Kim Chang-seop quickly turned around to change into his official robes.

He then solemnly performed the pre-reception ritual before the magistrate began reading the royal decree.

Scholar Kim Chang-seop, listen well. Having read your petition, I could not hold back tears at your patriotic loyalty. Though you have lived in obscurity, your devotion to the country shines bright. How can this not bring joy?

I am thankful, profoundly thankful, to the heavens and earth that such talents still exist in Joseon.

How can we allow a person of such patriotic loyalty to remain hidden in obscurity?

Thus, Kim Chang-seop, upon receiving this decree, come at once to Hanyang and report to the Ministry of Military Affairs.

Reveal all that you have for the well-being of Joseon at the Ministry of Military Affairs.

After reading the decree, the magistrate handed it to Kim Chang-seop.

Congratulations. Such opportunities are rare, and to be called to service by royal command is truly commendable.

Ah? Yes? Thank you.

Still in a daze, Kim Chang-seop received the decree as the magistrate offered one more congratulation before turning to leave.

Such events were unfolding all across Joseon.

Noblemen who received Sejongs decree were filled with dreams and hopes, heading towards Hanyang.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the northeast frontier, there was much discussion about Sejongs proclamation.

It seems there are still many down south who are unaware of how the world works.

Choi Yoon-deoks remark was met with a nod from Hwang Hui.

Frogs in a well, indeed. Its giving me quite the headache.

A headache? Why?

At Choi Yoon-deok[1]s question, Hwang Hui pointed to the proclamation.

This proclamation is the cause of my headache. Considering the current situation with the Jurchen tribes, quite a few have submitted to the might of the Joseon army led by the Commander-in-Chief. However, I worry that this proclamation might embolden some to underestimate Joseon and engage in foolish acts.

Hmm

At Hwang Huis concern, Choi Yoon-deok also stroked his chin beard with a serious expression.

Hwang Huis worry was not unfounded. To the average Joseon person, the Jurchens were seen as ignorant barbarians.

However, the Jurchens were far from ignorant barbarians.

They were cunning.

Moreover, many of them possessed intellectual capabilities rivaling those of Joseons scholars.

If such individuals underestimated Joseon and caused trouble, it could bring great turmoil to the northeastern region, which was just beginning to find stability.

Yet, contrary to Hwang Huis concerns, Choi Yoon-deok soon responded with a slight smile.

I believe it would be manageable.

Really?

With the current capabilities of the Joseon army, we can certainly suppress them. In fact, hiding too much might lead them to suspect and distrust us, complicating matters further.

Hwang Hui stroked his chin beard at Choi Yoon-deoks words.

There is some merit to your point, but

This is guaranteed by me, who has fought against the Jurchens in the north and the Japanese pirates in the south.

Hmm

As Hwang Hui pondered, Choi Yoon-deok added,

Unless the Jurchens wish to confront the Green Tiger Army, no fool would act rashly just because of a piece of proclamation.

An impatient one are you talking about Kim Jong-seo?

At Choi Yoon-deoks question, Hwang Hui silently nodded.

***

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-seo was discussing matters with Lee Jing-ok.

Look here, Jing-ok. It seems like the reorganization of the Jurchen tribes is almost complete, but why hasnt the Commander-in-chief ordered a withdrawal yet?

Brother Kim, isnt there still one left? No, perhaps two?

At Yi Jing-oks words, Kim Jong-seo nodded as if he understood.

Ah, the tribe from Mount Baekdu?

Exactly. Those reed-like fellows. The other one is the Imangju.

Tsk.

Kim Jong-seo clicked his tongue lightly at Lee Jing-oks words.

For Joseon, Aha Chu and Tong Mengge Temur symbolized betrayal and were entities that must be eliminated eventually.

Besides the reason for their betrayal, both Imangjus Huligai and Tong Mengge Temur needed to be eliminated for national defense reasons as well.

Their locations near the northern banks of the Amnok River and the northeastern banks of the Tumen River, as well as near Baekdu Mountain, were strategic.

Securing the natural defenses of the Amnok River, Tumen River, and Baekdu Mountain required the elimination of these two tribes.

Lee Jing-ok grumbled with a face full of dissatisfaction.

Id like to just march in and sweep them away, but the problem is that both have received official positions from Ming This is why I hate politics!

Im no fan of politics either.

Arent you an official in the court? How can a nobleman like you dislike politics?

Its a job, just a job. Id rather enjoy the nights in Hanyang as a man of culture.

At Kim Jong-seos words, Lee Jing-ok grumbled to himself.

Thats why he gets called a dandy.

In the northeastern frontier, Kim Jong-seo was famously known as a dandy.

Even the Jurchens called him an old horse, implying that he would do well when asked but would dawdle and try to escape until then, much like an old horse thats been through much and only has tricks left.

Whether Kim Jong-seo was aware of Lee Jing-oks grumbling or not, he continued to complain.

Ah~ I miss Hanyang. I long for the courtesan alleys of Ungjongga and Bukchon! Im even starting to miss the smell of dung from Cheonggyecheon!

Expressing his longing for Hanyang openly, Kim Jong-seo then suggested a plan to Lee Jing-ok.

How about using the Jurchen cavalry?

The Jurchen cavalry? Ah! You mean the scouts?

Exactly!

Kim Jong-seo was referring to a newly organized unit within the Joseon army composed of Jurchens.

***

As Joseon expanded into the northeastern frontier, many Jurchen tribes submitted to their rule.

Hwang Hui pondered over how to manage these surrendered Jurchens efficiently.

While Hwang Hui struggled to find a solution, Kim Jong-seo presented an answer.

Wouldnt settlers from the south be arriving soon?

Thats right.

Theyll need to clear land for farming, given the situation where we have vast lands but not enough people, right?

Indeed.

What if we recruit labor from among the Jurchens?

Hmm?

Kim Jong-seos plan was as follows:

As previously mentioned, the new settlements were vast in land but short on people.Recruit Jurchen men who were willing to learn farming.Employ these recruited individuals as laborers to assist the settlers from the south in their land-clearing efforts.This arrangement would enable Joseons farmers to quickly clear and cultivate the land, while the Jurchens could learn the methods of clearing and farming.Since the Jurchens would be recruited as paid laborers, they would be compensated. Although the state would need to provide the wages, a significant portion of the funds could be recouped through their expenditures at the government-run market.This approach could facilitate the settlement of many Jurchens.

Thats a good idea.

As Hwang Hui responded positively, Kim Jong-seo quickly added:

Of course, wed need His Majestys approval for the payment of wages. In that case, you should go to Hanyang, right? Since you said we should always move together, Ill prepare to go to Hanyang!

Hey! How did the conversation turn to that!

Despite Hwang Huis loud protest, Kim Jong-seo had already disappeared.

Watching Kim Jong-seos departure, Hwang Hui grumbled:

That dandy fellow

A military commander. First introduced in Chapter 97[]Another prominent military officer first introduced in Chp.97[]