Chapter 66: Variables (5)

With the major events such as the purge of Ryu Jeong-hyun and the death of King Yeongnak, the busy Joseon gradually became quieter as autumn passed into winter.

However, as if this calm did not suit someone, a mounted messenger rushed into the palace with urgent news.

"Urgent news!"

Before the horse had even come to a stop, the rider leaped off and pulled out a report from his robes, handing it to the official.

The report was immediately delivered to King Sejong. After reading it, Sejong issued an order to the Chief Secretary.

"Immediately summon all officials of the third rank and above to the main hall!"

"Understood!"

In response to Sejong's emergency call, all the high-ranking officials who were handling state affairs at the government offices and the State Council rushed to the main hall.

Those working in Zone 51, including Chae-han, Lee Cheon, and Hyang, also headed to Gwanghwamun on horseback.

As Hyang arrived at the palace and headed to the main hall, he asked a eunuch.

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure, but I heard that urgent news came from the north."

"The north?"

Hyang looked at Chae-han and Lee Cheon, who were unusually tense.

'Where is this smell of blood coming from…'

Hyang felt a scent of blood in the air. As he searched for the source, he became acutely aware that the smell was coming from Chae-han and Lee Cheon.

'Is this the killing aura of soldiers who have been through battle?'

When they entered the main hall, the summoned officials were already gathered.

"I apologize for being late."

"No, Your Majesty."

The ministers, who had been waiting, assured Hyang that it was fine.

"His Majesty is here!"

Shortly after Hyang took his seat, the chief eunuch announced King Sejong's arrival. As Sejong ascended the throne, the officials bowed respectfully, and Sejong began to speak.

"It seems this will take some time, so everyone, please take your seats."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

'Is this the good part of not having ondol (traditional Korean underfloor heating) yet? There are chairs.'

'Ah! I'm getting sidetracked again!' As Hyang sat in the chair brought by the eunuchs, he shook his head slightly and focused his mind.

As the small commotion caused by the eunuchs bringing in the chairs subsided, Sejong began to address the main issue.

"A while ago, urgent news came from the north. Chief Secretary, please read out the contents of the report."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Chief Secretary bowed and addressed the ministers.

"You are aware that there has been unrest among the Jianzhou Jurchens since last year. Although it is an internal conflict among the Jurchen tribes, we cannot ignore it due to the nature of the Jurchens. We have been tracking the root of the unrest, and recently, our scouts discovered the cause and sent this urgent report."

The ministers listened intently, their faces serious.

In the silent main hall, the Chief Secretary's voice echoed.

"The unrest among the Jianzhou Jurchens is due to a large tribe from the north moving south."

In response to the Chief Secretary's statement, Hwang Hee spoke up.

"What is the reason for their southward movement?"

"They were forced to move south due to pressure from the Daldan (Tatar)."

"What is the scale of their movement?"

"It is a tribe of about 10,000 households."

"Such…"

"This is a serious matter."

Upon hearing the scale of the southward-moving tribe, the ministers sighed. Unlike the Joseon and Ming dynasties, which considered a family of five as one household, a Jurchen household typically consisted of 15 people.

"That means they have at least 10,000 to 30,000 cavalry."

"That's correct. And they have at least 3,000 to 10,000 heavy cavalry."

This was the part that made Joseon extremely tense. Given their semi-agricultural, semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Jurchen cavalry was not to be underestimated.

Historically, the Jurchens were not to be taken lightly. Although they were once ruled by the Khitans, they later overthrew the Liao and established the Jin dynasty, which inflicted significant damage on the Song and Goryeo.

After the Yuan invaded and destroyed the Jin, the Jurchens split into various tribes, a situation that has continued to this day.

This fragmentation of the Jurchens was the result of interference by Joseon and Ming. The Jurchen tribes, who shared similar languages and customs, could form a powerful nation if someone were to unite them. This was not something Joseon and Ming wanted.

"Who is the tribal leader?"

"His name is Immanju."

"If a tribe of this size moved south, wouldn't the Ming have done something about it?"

"The Ming allowed it."

"What?"

"Such!"

The ministers were shocked by the Chief Secretary's response. Hwang Hee, with a serious expression, offered his opinion to Sejong.

"Your Majesty, this could be a Ming scheme."

Sejong nodded in agreement with Hwang Hee.

"I also think so."

* * *

'Jurchens…'

As Hyang listened to the Chief Secretary's report, he recalled his 21st-century memories.

While aimlessly browsing the internet for information, he came across a post titled "The Presence of Yi Seong-gye."

"What is this?"

The blog post was based on records from the Annals of King Taejo. It showed a map indicating the locations of the Jurchen tribes that had surrendered to Taejo and their assimilation status. When Hyang saw the map, he was stunned.

"Wow…"

Yi Seong-gye's direct influence extended from the northeastern border of Goryeo to the Jilin region, and his indirect influence reached as far north as southern Heilongjiang.

"Is this a joke? Is the source reliable?"

The post left a strong impression on Hyang.

After being reborn, Hyang had gradually gathered information about the relationship between the Jurchens and Joseon. This was a form of cross-verification for him.

As he reviewed the information he had collected, Hyang chuckled.

"This reminds me of a scene from a gangster movie."

Hyang was referring to the heated debate between King Taejong and King Yeongnak. That part looked exactly like a scene from a gangster movie.

---

"Hey! President Joo! This can't go on!

Even if our Joseon faction is under the Ming faction, this is unacceptable!

The Ming faction is messing around in the Wild Jurchen territory!

The Wild Jurchen territory was recognized as ours by the previous President Joo! Don't you know the rules? That's not right!

What? The Jurchen territory is part of the Ming faction?

You're talking nonsense! Let's see who can do what!

Even if our Joseon faction's head gets smashed, do you think the Ming faction will be fine?

Hey? Hey? Let's see who can do what!

Forget about the Northern Yuan faction, let's see who can do what!

---

After the heated debate over the Jurchen territory, Taejong brought up "Joo Wonjang's Agreement" and managed to get a concession from King Yeongnak.

Since then, the Jurchen territory has become a battleground for the three countries. Joseon and Ming were gradually expanding their influence in the Jianzhou and Wild Jurchen territories, while the Northern Yuan was waiting for an opportunity to make a comeback.

* * *

Given this complex situation, not only the ministers but also Sejong himself suspected a Ming scheme.

"The situation is urgent, so please think of a good strategy."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

While the ministers discussed their opinions, Hyang reflected on his memories. The presence and influence of Taejo Yi Seong-gye among the Jurchens were indeed strong.

However, this influence gradually decreased as the reign passed from Taejo to Taejong and Sejong. The reason for this was that, unlike Yi Seong-gye, who had direct contact with the Jurchens, the later kings, who stayed in the palace, had less frequent and less intense interactions.

Despite the decreasing influence, the impact of Yi Seong-gye and his descendants still existed. The problem was that the main actors exerting this influence were 'Yi Seong-gye's descendants,' not 'Joseon.'

'Let's see… Was it from King Sejo that the relationship became purely transactional? Many influential Jurchen tribal leaders were involved in the restoration of Danjong and were killed, which led to a complete breakdown in relations with the Jurchens… This is frustrating! When I'm less interested, my memory gets fuzzy.'

Hyang grumbled to himself as he continued to think of a good strategy.

However, no matter how much he thought, the only solution that came to mind was the conventional one.

'Damn! Is this the best we can do?'

Unable to come up with a creative solution, Hyang finally spoke with a resigned expression.

"Your Majesty, in the current situation, unconventional strategies won't be effective. We need to stick to the conventional approach."

"Conventional approach?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We need to strengthen Joseon's capabilities, reform the military system, and then gradually subjugate the Jurchens."

Sejong stroked his beard in response to Hyang's answer.

"Is that the best we can do?"

"In the current situation, it is the best we can do