Chapter 542

Episode 542 Conspiracy (8)

Joseon was not the only country where foreign trade volume grew.

The Chinese merchants also gradually spread outside.

In addition to the fact that they had already been advancing into Southeast Asian regions such as Daeyue, Sumla, and Luzon for a long time, with the added support of the Ming Dynasty, they were able to advance outside more actively.

Additionally, the Ming Dynasty had geographical advantages that Joseon did not have.

It was a land transportation route that utilized a vast territory bordering several countries.

The most representative one was the Tea Horse Highway, which starts from Yunnan Province and passes through the West Tibetan Plateau.

A trade route connecting Central Asia and the Middle East was established to avoid the Mongol power represented by the Oirat.

By using these land transportation routes, the Ming Dynasty was able to secure a steady market power. This was because it could not carry a lot of cargo at once like a ship, but instead could provide a steady supply.

The same was true for products. Like Joseon, there were few high-end products, but it was able to secure a customer base with reasonable quality at low prices.

And the Ming court – to be precise, Emperor Xuande – was able to gain another important thing.

It was possible to quickly and consistently obtain information not only from Europe but also from neighboring countries.

As a result, Emperor Seondeok was able to receive information about events in the Mediterranean region slightly ahead of Joseon.

* * *

“It’s chaos itself.”

Emperor Seondeok slightly shook his head after reading the document summarizing the information obtained by the monks.

The war taking place in the Mediterranean region was growing rapidly in influence.

First, in the Middle East, when the Ottomans invaded the Mamluks, the conflict between Timur and the Black Sheep Dynasty broke out.

While Timur was distracted by the movements of the Ottoman Empire, the Black Sheep Dynasty attacked Timur.

Timur found himself in a situation where he was dealing with both the Ottomans and the Black Sheep Dynasty at the same time, and was unable to respond properly.

And this enabled the Ottomans to further strengthen their invasion of the Mamluks.

The situation in the northern Mediterranean has also become more complicated.

The Holy Roman Empire became involved in the conflict between France and Spain.

* * *

After the old Frankish kingdom was divided and divided, the relationship between France and the Holy Roman Empire was not very good.

Thanks to this, Spain, bordering southern France – to be precise, the United Kingdom of Castile and Aragon – was created, and the Holy Roman Empire established friendly relations with Spain.

Another reason for the conflict between France and the Holy Roman Empire was the issue of securing control over Italy.

France and the Holy Roman Empire continued to clash over control of the enormous wealth accumulated by monopolizing trade in the Mediterranean region and the religious power symbolized by the Vatican.

Even in a situation where the Holy Roman Empire was divided into four factions, the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire did their best not to lose Italy to France.

In history before China’s intervention, this rivalry between France and the Holy Roman Empire – later the United Empire of Austria and Hungary – continued for a long time until Italy became independent.

* * *

Because of this background, as soon as France moved, the Holy Roman Empire also moved.

Battles large and small took place between the Holy Roman Empire and France to control the transportation route from France to Italy.

In the end, the war that started simply to secure a trade route quickly became an international war involving the powers of the Mediterranean and Europe.

Later, historians with a Western-centered view of history named this war ‘World War I.’

* * *

Emperor Seondeok smiled in remorse after learning from reports that continued to come in that trade between Joseon and Europe had almost come to a halt.

“I can finally put all my troubles away once and for all.”

Emperor Seondeok got up from his seat and gave an order to the eunuch waiting outside.

“Convene the ministers immediately!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

* * *

A month later, Crown Prince Ju Ji-jin, upon receiving orders from Emperor Xiande, entered the Forbidden City.

“I see you, the Emperor, long live, long live!”

Emperor Seondeok, who heard the crown prince’s three cheers for national independence, responded in an indifferent voice.

“Thank you for coming. “It’s really nice to see you healthy.”

“I am devastated.”

At the same time as he answered, Joo Ji-jin looked at Emperor Seondeok.

Joo Ji-jin muttered to himself as he looked at the sickness that had become even darker than before.

‘Has the time finally come?’

“You’re quite young.”

Ju Ji-jin, who was looking at the faces of the generals, opened his mouth with a slightly worried expression. Among the generals standing in front of him now, there was no veteran in sight. Most of them were middle-aged or young Hongan commanders.

The middle-aged general standing in front responded loudly to Joo Ji-jin’s evaluation.

“Even though I lack experience, my spirit is invincible!”

“What is your name?”

“My name is Major General Cho Byeong-deok!”

“What is your rank?”

“I was in charge of a guerrilla general, but now I am in charge of a provincial comrade!”

Joo Ji-jin began to show interest in Jo Byeong-deok’s answer. As a provincial comrade, he was the second-in-command who would assist him.

“Have you ever experienced combat?”

“It’s not a lot!”

“Who did you mainly deal with?”

“Dalja and Jurchen people are coming!”

Joo Joo-jin felt slightly reassured by Jo Byeong-deok’s answer.

‘Your Majesty did care.’

Joo Ji-jin looked back at the generals and made a request.

“Let us work together to accomplish the task given by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I follow your orders!”

* * *

Ju Ji-jin’s army, which departed from Beijing, passed through the Great Wall and entered Liaodong.

Zhu Zhijin, who arrived in Liaodong Province, gathered his generals and issued orders.

“Order the soldiers to rest. And...”

Joo Ji-jin, who paused for a moment, gave an order to the waiting Liaodong master.

“I would like to hear information from the Taoist master about Liaodong and the border region.”

“I will prepare right away.”

“for a moment!”

When the generals who heard Ju Ji Jin’s order were about to move, Wang Chong raised his voice.

With everyone’s attention, starting with Ju Ji-jin, Wang Chong took out the scroll from his pocket and broke the seal.

“Prince Joo Jin-jin, please receive the imperial decree!”

Hearing Wang Chong’s shout, Ju Ji-jin immediately dressed neatly and knelt down.

Wang Chong shouted the contents of the scroll out loud.

“I will reclaim the title of Crown Prince from Prince Ju Jin and at the same time give him the title of King of the East! King Ju Ji-jin of the East orders the opening of a royal office in Liaodong!”

“what!”

As soon as Wang Chong finished speaking, Ju Ji-jin jumped up. But Wang Chong continued talking.

“The King of Dong’s nature is that of a defeated king! This is advantageous for starting a business, but it is not suitable for the current situation in the capital city! Therefore, I hereby restore the crown prince’s title and lower him to the position of king of the East!”

“OMG!”

Chop!

With a roar, Ju Ji-jin pulled out his sword and aimed it at Wang Chong.

But Wang Chong continued speaking without blinking.

“It is not in the document, but there is a secret order given separately by His Majesty.”

“What!”

“Deukjoseon Heochingje (得朝鮮許稱帝) (Once Joseon is acquired, the title is permitted).”

* * *

Forbidden City.

Emperor Seondeok sat alone in his room, looking at the map and muttering.

“Right now, Mercury is more important than expansion. “If that’s his nature, he will only pursue unconditional expansion and destroy the country.”

Emperor Seondeok went through all sorts of hardships to restore his finances, which were full of holes due to the frequent conquests of Emperor Yeongnak.

“The second is general purpose, but that is why it is suitable for Mercury.”

Emperor Seondeok looked at Joseon and his eyes lit up.

“And he will definitely take the bait I offer him. If that happens, Joseon will suffer serious damage. “Joseon’s bombardment may be impossible, but it can inflict fatal wounds. It is optimal for breaking Joseon’s wings as it tries to soar.”