Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Intricate Plots (4)
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Strictly speaking, Wang Zhen was the treacherous eunuch, and the ministers who despised him were indeed the loyal retainers.
In reality, the trio known as the Three Yangs—whom the Xuande Emperor had elevated early in his reign and who aided his rule—were later hailed by posterity as exemplary officials and etched into the annals of history.
However, just as Admiral Yi Sun-sin was seen as a devil from the Japanese perspective, the loyal subjects of Ming were utter villains from Joseon's standpoint.
Because if those men bolstered Ming's prosperity, Ming would stop at nothing to thwart us from devouring Manchuria.
Thus, from Joseon's view, Wang Zhen—the future eunuch who would bring Ming to ruin—was the ultimate loyal servant.
Without us lifting a finger, he'd dismantle our rival; if that wasn't loyalty, what was?
"Ming does indeed still harbor quite a few treacherous sorts."
Wang Zhen furrowed his brow, airing his grievances before suddenly flying into a rage.
"His Imperial Majesty personally elevated a lowly wretch like me to Grand Councilor, declaring that he would widely appoint the loyal to benefit the realm... Yet some ministers still treat me with contempt solely because I'm a eunuch. One even submitted a memorial claiming my appointment violated the late Hongwu Emperor's edict and demanding my immediate dismissal."
Ming seemed to have no shortage of loyalists.
Ministers perceptive enough to spot early on that Wang Zhen was the sort to ruin the country, boldly impeaching him despite defying the emperor's will.
We couldn't recklessly antagonize Ming until the Xuande Emperor's death.
Our strength wasn't yet sufficient to overcome such men making sound judgments and turning their wrath on Joseon.
Even as those thoughts crossed my mind, I nodded vigorously along with Wang Zhen's complaints.
"Can they truly be out of their minds? The Hongwu Emperor's injunction against employing eunuchs was to guard against the ills they might cause, not to shun a paragon of virtue like Grand Councilor Wang. His Majesty himself recognized your excellence and vowed to employ you heavily—how dare a subject oppose that? Truly lamentable."
"That's exactly it. I've lived my life without shame toward heaven, yet those villains inflate the tiniest speck of dust on me into a mountain and impeach me relentlessly... It tears at my heart."
"I once faced baseless impeachment from that Goryeo remnant Ryu Jeong-hyeon myself. So I believe I understand your anguish all too well, Grand Councilor."
"Birds of a feather flock together among the loyal, it seems—Western Commandant."
Wang Zhen gripped my hand tightly.
What on earth did this man think of me now?
That I, Joseon's loyal Kim Dae-bung, was the only one who truly understood his heart—a loyalist reincarnated in Ming on par with Zhuge Liang or Yue Fei...?
Wang Zhen continued gravely, his face filled with resolve.
"Fear not, Western Commandant. No matter how those court villains decry Joseon, how could His Majesty doubt the Joseon king's sincerity? For your sake, I'll show you how to dispel these misunderstandings."
"My deepest gratitude, Grand Councilor."
Investing in one Wang Zhen coin had yielded terrifying returns.
He was still merely the crown prince's tutor—for now replaceable—but his eagerness to help suggested...
Once the Zhengtong Emperor ascended young and seized real power, who knew how generously he'd favor Joseon?
"His Majesty seeks firm assurance that Joseon won't betray Ming."
"What sort of assurance?"
"Sending princesses or eunuchs, paying tribute in gold or silver... Proving Joseon's loyalty that way should suffice."
"Such matters neither I nor even Your Highness here can decide alone."
"I understand that full well."
If Wang Zhen weren't a treacherous eunuch...
This man had been a teacher in his home county before becoming one—officially recognized by the county office, no private academy.
In Korean terms, that made him an elite with a doctorate.
And no true villain was ever stupid.
How could an idiot seize power relying solely on imperial favor?
They'd get stabbed in the back and end up a corpse.
"Western Commandant, once things resolve smoothly, visit my estate sometime. I'll treat you to Ming's finest liquors and delicacies."
"I look forward to it, Grand Councilor."
"Aren't you the one who recognized my worth and affirmed me in my darkest hour? Whenever trouble arises, just say the word. I'll help to the utmost, so long as it doesn't harm the realm."
It was reassuring beyond words that this man wasn't a Joseon subject.
Wang Zhen truly shone brightest in Ming, not Joseon.
Yes—never forget this sentiment.
With our talk concluded, Wang Zhen bid farewell to Choi Yun-deok and the crown prince before departing.
Then, the crown prince turned to me, brimming with questions.
"What manner of man is this Western Commandant? How on earth did you win over Ming's Grand Councilor so thoroughly? I can't fathom it."
"Anyone remembers the grace of those who aid and encourage them in their hour of greatest need."
One crucial precondition applied here.
They mustn't be rivals.
I was Joseon's subject, Wang Zhen a Ming eunuch; our nations differed, so we could never clash over interests even if we tried.
Thus, his heart would brim only with goodwill toward me.
'Had we been rivals, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.'
"Now, we must return and finish what we set out to do. We need to report to His Highness that this issue arose, and outline our proposed solutions."
With the problem's root identified, finding a fix was straightforward.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back at the guesthouse, I gathered Choi Yun-deok and the crown prince for discussion.
"Ming is testing Joseon's loyalty above all. To protect Joseon, we must proffer undeniable proof of our unwavering fidelity."
"Well said."
"Does Deputy Commander have any alternatives in mind?"
"From time immemorial, when Ming made excessive demands, we've handled it thusly."
Choi Yun-deok sighed, brow furrowed.
"By offering princesses and eunuchs, treasures like gold and silver, or hordes of warhorses to prove our loyalty. We may need to do the same this time."
In actual history, this era marked the end of sending princesses and eunuchs; the practice vanished from Ming-Joseon diplomacy thereafter.
But only I knew that, with foreknowledge.
Choi Yun-deok and the other Joseon statesmen would assume we'd keep sending princesses indefinitely.
'Once is precedent for twice, thrice, and more.'
The crown prince erupted in anger at that.
"Though young and less knowledgeable than you gentlemen, I clearly grasp the immense suffering inflicted on those offered as princesses or eunuchs—and their families. No matter the banquets or stipends granted by the state, how much comfort is that to those torn from kin, doomed to lonely exile for life? As crown prince of a nation, how can I demand such sacrifices from my people?"
Choi Yun-deok bowed his head upon hearing this.
Yet he'd merely cited precedent, not sinned; the crown prince pressed him no further.
"With the court's coffers fuller than before, tributing silver and gold to assuage His Majesty's doubts seems best."
Gold aside, silver could be squeezed from Tsushima.
If its lord balked, I'd visit or send word:
'Fine—I'll tell Joseon and Ming you're no true Tsushima guardian, just a fraud.'
That'd make him cough up plenty.
"Suggesting silver tribute to the court seems wise. And declaring war on the Northern Yuan as well."
"Declaring war on the Northern Yuan?"
"They can't touch distant Joseon anyway. But they're Ming's sworn foe. Once we declare war on them, His Majesty won't doubt an ally pledged to fight the same enemy."
After meticulous deliberations, we submitted our proposals to the court.
They passed unchanged and were conveyed to the Ming Emperor.