Chapter 563

Episode 563: Disconnection. (2)

After arriving at Jemulpo, Heo Hu climbed onto the waiting sea emergency line. With the help of nearby tugboats, the ship left the dock and as soon as it was out at sea, it set sail and set sail.

“Hmm~. “It feels like my stomach is emptying!”

Enjoying the speed of the front line cutting through the sea, Heohu looked refreshed.

“A ship that can’t be beaten at its speed is an emergency front in this sea.”

“Is that so...”

Heohu, who was nodding at the captain’s words full of pride, looked back at the captain.

“The design of this battle line was also done by the crown prince, right?”

“That’s right.”

Heohu muttered softly in response to the captain’s answer.

“It is indeed a good thing from the perspective of a subject that the rich are all outstanding, but... sometimes I worry about what will happen in the future. It is said that when the light is bright, the darkness is also dark.”

* * *

Few people would deny the excellence of King Sejong, the current monarch of Joseon, and his successor, Hyang. Because of the existence of these two fathers and sons, Joseon came to dream of ‘ascension’.

However, among many government officials, there was talk of anxiety about the future.

As the third son, Wan,’s qualifications were not bad, there were no serious concerns, but the anxiety still remained.

Thanks to this, the people who suffered the most were the members of the National Assembly. This was because officials of the rank of party superior or higher stopped by whenever they had time and asked questions.

“Are you properly checking your health?”

“Are we properly checking Seson’s health?”

No, it didn’t just end with a question; all kinds of precious medicinal herbs were airlifted to the internal medicine clinic.

“They say it’s good for boys’ growth...”

“They say if you eat this well, you won’t have to worry about minor illnesses...”

The medical doctors who received all the medicinal herbs had strange looks on their faces.

“This is a medicinal herb I’ve only seen in medical books. Where do I get it?”

“Where do these gentlemen get these medicinal herbs?”

They were curious about the supply line of medicinal herbs brought by officials.

And in Joseon, occupations that had previously been looked down upon as hard work were transformed into new, high-income professions.

It was Simmani.

* * *

Seeing Heo Hu’s distraught expression, the captain spoke cautiously.

“I heard a rumor that this meandering is very dangerous. “Are you okay?”

“The situation is not good, so there is nothing we can do, right? “If I have to risk my life, I

have no choice but to risk it...” Although Heo Hu spoke calmly, his voice was trembling slightly. Perhaps wanting to hide his anxiety, Heohu immediately changed the topic.

“Anyway... I heard that the front lines of famous countries are also getting bigger these days, right?”

In response to Heohu’s question, the captain nodded.

“Yes, the number of large ships called Daebokseon is increasing.”

* * *

Changes in history due to Hyang’s intervention were not limited to Joseon.

In history before the intervention of Hyang, Ming shipbuilding was in a period of stagnation or decline after the Great Expedition of Zheng He.

The biggest reason was the lifting of the ban.

The lifting of the ban, which had been in place since the early days of the Ming Dynasty, was further strengthened after Emperor Xuande. Because of this, China’s ships stopped developing. Jeonghwa’s Daeboseon also remained a historical record and became the subject of controversy.

Of course, there were advanced technologies such as watertight bulkheads, the development of sails that could sail even in headwinds, and the stern-fixed vertical rudder, but that was the end of it.

However, after Hyang’s intervention, things changed a lot.

Following Joseon’s example, active trade was carried out, which required increasingly larger ships.

Through this, the technology and experience of building the Daebo Ship used in Jeonghwa’s great expedition were not lost and were continued.

In addition, as Joseon produced large battleships that symbolized challenger-class battleships, the Ming Dynasty also began building large ships accordingly.

It was a 15th century version of the ‘gunship competition’.

“I heard it’s quite possible.”

“is it? Then that is enough.”

Heo Hu ended the conversation with those words and turned his head to the horizon.

The worry disappeared from Heo Hu’s face as he looked at the calm horizon.

Heo Hu looked over the horizon towards the Ming Dynasty and muttered softly.

“If that happens, it is worth risking my life for.”

* * *

After arriving at the Shandong Peninsula, He Hu and his party immediately boarded an iron horse and headed to Beijing.

“It’s still slow. It exploded slowly. “It’s like an old donkey.”

Heo Hu, who was complaining about the iron horse running at a slower speed compared to Joseon’s even though it had been laid for several years, asked a subordinate who accompanied him.

“News of the Yalu River must have reached the Forbidden City by now, right?”

“There must have been enough.”

“I wonder what your answer will be.”

Everyone in the group nodded at Heo Hu’s words. Heohu turned his head out the window and continued complaining.

“Anyway, I have to get on a boat again!”

He Hu and his party were now heading to Beijing using the Gyeonghang Grand Canal.

* * *

After arriving in Beijing, He Hu and his party unpacked their luggage at the Huidong Pavilion and immediately entered the Forbidden City.

“I come to see His Majesty the Emperor!”

Emperor Seondeok, who was clearly ill, responded to Heohu and his party with a light gesture and opened his mouth.

“It’s not the time for envoys to come, so why did they come?”

“I have come to report to Your Majesty that something terrible has happened at the Yalu River.”

“Yalnok River? A terrible thing? Something?”

Heo Hu immediately responded to Emperor Seondeok’s words.

“The army of the King of Liaodong crossed the Yalu River and invaded Joseon. How can we say that it is not a terrible thing! “How can this happen?”

“Liaodong King?”

When Emperor Seondeok tilted his head, the assistant cabinet secretary who was present immediately explained.

“You seem to be referring to the East King.”

“Hmm... I see. But you crossed the Joseon border at the Yalu River? “I haven’t heard any luggage?”

“There has been no report regarding that yet.”

“I see...”

Emperor Seondeok nodded slightly and looked back at Heohu.

“Jim has given orders to find out the whole story. But is there a conflict taking place in the Yalu River now?”

“That’s right.”

“Then stop fighting immediately and step back. How can the soldiers of a swift country be hostile to my heavenly soldiers? This is not an example.”

“It’s impossible!”

Heo Hu raised his voice in response to Emperor Seondeok’s command.

Finally, Heo Hu’s life-threatening war of words against Emperor Seondeok began.

* * *

“Impossible? “Are you telling me it’s impossible now?”

Emperor Seondeok’s voice became sharp, but Heo Hu answered confidently.

“That’s right! Even though Joseon is subservient to the Ming Dynasty, it is a country with its own right of self-defense! “No matter how much you say it’s abolished, this is unfair!”

“This is outrageous! Jim is the emperor! “Joseon must follow my orders!”

“I tell you again, this is not possible! “No matter how hard we are, we cannot give up Joseon’s borders!”

“I’m just asking you to stand back for a moment while Jim figures out the whole story!”

“The one who has to retreat is a thousand soldiers! “We, Joseon, cannot retreat even an inch!”