# Chapter 101: Hwang Hee, Close Call! (2)
From Sejong, seated upon the throne, flowed forth a dignified presence.
Overwhelmed by this aura, the tribal chiefs knelt and paid their respects the moment they saw Sejong.
Seeing the tribal chiefs paying their respects to him, Sejong commanded in Jurchen.
"Rise."
At Sejong's fluent Jurchen, the tribal chiefs rose from their places with surprised faces.
'The current King of Joseon was born and raised in Joseon! Yet his Jurchen is this fluent!'
Whether knowing the tribal chiefs' thoughts or not, Sejong continued speaking.
"Though considerable time has passed since I inherited the throne, I have been unable to meet you due to various matters. You have been loyal to my grandfather, King Taejo, so this is due to my lack of virtue... Thus, I have called you here in this manner."
"Your grace is overwhelming!"
"I have prepared quarters at Bukpyeong-gwan. Rest from your journey today, and I shall meet you tomorrow."
"We receive your command!"
The tribal chiefs paid their respects once more. Once Sejong, having received their bows, disappeared inside, the tribal chiefs left Gwanghwamun under the guidance of interpreters and the Naegeumwi, heading toward Bukpyeong-gwan.
Having unpacked at Bukpyeong-gwan, the tribal chiefs immediately gathered in the banquet hall.
Though wine and food were prepared for the tribal chiefs, and gisaeng presented songs and dances to heighten the mood, the tribal chiefs' faces were more serious than ever before.
"Could you dismiss the gisaeng?"
"We have matters to discuss among ourselves."
At the tribal chiefs' request, the gisaeng exited the banquet hall. Once only they remained, the tribal chiefs let out long sighs.
"Whew~. That family is..."
"I thought our connection with that family had ended after the Great Elder passed away, but..."
"But couldn't this be a good thing for us? Were we ever as peaceful as when the Great Elder was in his prime?"
The elderly tribal chiefs who remembered seeing Yi Seong-gye or living under him shared their thoughts with mixed worry and expectation.
Meanwhile, the young chiefs who did not know Yi Seong-gye exchanged words with faces full of worry.
"What do you think is the reason the King of Joseon summoned us?"
"It's obviously gui-bu, isn't it?"
"But what of Ming?"
"Would those fools of Ming concern themselves with us? With us at this eastern edge?"
"And there's another reason. What kind of place was the land our tribes settled in originally? It's the region that Yi Seong-gye, whom those old men call the Great Elder and still pine for even now, once ruled. Surely Ming won't have much to say about it?"
"So this is it... Is our choice either surrender to Joseon or leave?"
At the young tribal chief's complaint, another tribal chief beside him added.
"There's another choice. Being massacred."
The moment the word 'massacre' came out, the tribal chiefs' faces turned deathly pale.
"Good heavens..."
"I don't even want to think about that."
* * *
The next day, a feast was held at Gyeonghoeru.
At the banquet, the Jurchen tribal chiefs who had been invited, as well as Sejong, Hyang, and all the great and small officials, took their places.
"It is truly joyous to meet those who formed ties with my grandfather! It is truly regrettable and shameful that we have neglected you all this time due to Joseon's difficult circumstances."
At Sejong's words, Hatui, the oldest among the tribal chiefs, responded as their representative.
"Not at all! We are simply grateful that you have remembered and summoned us after such a long time!"
"We are grateful!"
When all the tribal chiefs expressed their thanks, Sejong smiled.
"Is that so? You didn't think that so much time had passed that we had become strangers?"
At Sejong's words, Hatui hastily waved his hands.
"That is absolutely unthinkable!"
"Is that so?"
"It is!"
"Hmm..."
Despite Hatui's answer, Sejong silently observed the tribal chiefs.
The tribal chiefs swallowed dry saliva while surveying their surroundings. Sejong sat at the highest seat, and beside him sat a boy who appeared to be the Crown Prince. And around the ministers and themselves sat the royal guards maintaining strict vigilance.
"I shall believe your words. It is my hope that such hearts will continue for a long time."
"We shall do so!"
The tribal chiefs answered in unison.
Having seized the initiative, Sejong began to coax and persuade them.
"The reason I invited you this time is to apologize for the neglect you have suffered. Though it may be somewhat humble to call it compensation, I have prepared something for you to receive on your way back."
"What might that be?"
At Hatui's question, Hwang Hei stepped forward to answer.
"Salt. Depending on the size of your tribe, we will distribute from ten seom to five seom."
"Your grace is overwhelming!"
"Your grace is overwhelming!"
At Hwang Hei's words, the tribal chiefs bowed respectfully to Sejong and expressed their gratitude.
For them, who lived a semi-agricultural, semi-nomadic life, salt was an absolute necessity. Ironically, though the sea was nearby, they had no artisans who knew how to make salt.
Having softened the tribal chiefs' atmosphere with the gift of salt, Sejong immediately moved to intimidation.
"Thirty years have already passed since our Joseon was founded. But the land where our royal family originated and where King Taejo rode his horses is still not our territory. What do you think about this?"
"Pardon?"
At Sejong's words, Hatui asked back briefly, unable to think of an immediate answer.
"The land where you dwell, that is the place where King Taejo began his actions with great purpose. But it is not Joseon's territory now. I am asking what should be done about this?"
'Here it comes!'
'Damn it!'
At Sejong's question, the tribal chiefs squeezed their eyes shut. Though he asked for an answer with words, his meaning was the opposite.
'Our Joseon will eat up that land! What will you do about it?'
"Why is there no answer?"
At Sejong's question, Hatui stammered a reply.
"Th-that is something we had not thought of at all..."
"You mean to say that while dwelling on the foundation King Taejo built, you had no thoughts whatsoever about the original owner of that land? Well now. How should I interpret this?"
"Th-that is..."
Under Sejong's pressure, Hatui broke into a cold sweat and floundered. Seeing this, Mutui, who belonged to the younger generation, asked in return.
"Your Majesty, it seems Your Majesty has already made up Your mind. What is it that you wish us to do?"
At Mutui's question, Sejong gave a short answer.
"It is simple. Join us, or leave. I will not stop you from leaving. But if you cannot be with us, you will bitterly regret while experiencing what kind of power our Joseon army possesses."
"If we join you, what benefit would there be for us? Your Majesty has many subjects to govern, and concerns yourself with their well-being. We tribal chiefs are the same. Though our numbers may be small compared to Joseon, we have tribesmen to govern, and we must ensure their well-being."
At Mutui's words, Sejong nodded.
"That is the correct principle. If you join our Joseon, you will receive the same treatment as our Joseon's subjects. However, there is a condition. If you follow our Joseon's laws and institutions, and follow our Joseon's customs, I and the court will treat you without discrimination. In time, when your sons or grandsons come of age, they may even become officials of this Joseon."
"Do you promise this?"
"A king's words hold no falsehoods."
At Sejong's answer, Mutui fell silent. After pondering for a while, Mutui answered.
"We need some time to think."
"And the others?"
"We need time."
At the tribal chiefs' request for time, Hyang spoke up.
"Father, may I offer some advice to them for a moment?"
"I permit it."
Permitting Hyang's request, Sejong introduced Hyang to the tribal chiefs.
"This is my eldest son. The child who will lead this Joseon after me. Listen well to the advice this child gives you."
"Yes."
Hyang, who rose from his seat receiving the tribal chiefs' gazes, smiled slightly and opened his mouth.
"I am the Crown Prince of this Joseon. It is good to meet you all."
"It is an honor to meet you."
"Thank you. From now on, what I wish to say is to explain why it would be beneficial for the tribes here to join our Joseon.
The biggest part of what is making you hesitate now is probably the problem of hangsan. Is this not so?"
"That is correct."
At Hyang's question, Mutui answered immediately. Hyang continued speaking with his gaze fixed on Mutui.
"If you join our Joseon, this hangsan problem will be resolved. Right now, our Joseon is trading with various countries and growing its economy. Growing the economy means that people are needed to work in various areas. Our Joseon has it established in national law that even a lowly slave must be paid for their work, so wouldn't the hangsan problem be resolved?"
"However, most of us only know how to ride horses and herd sheep."
"As far as I know, I heard you are also skilled at sailing? I am well aware of the notorious reputation of Jurchen pirates."
"..."
At Hyang's point, Mutui fell silent. Hyang continued.
"As Joseon's economy grows, the things people seek will also increase. Among those things they seek is meat. Is livestock not your specialty? If you come and join our Joseon, you will not need to worry about hunger. Please consider this carefully."
Having finished speaking, Hyang took his seat, and Sejong looked at the tribal chiefs.
After a long silence, Mutui spoke with difficulty.
"Please give us a little more time."
"I hope to receive your answer before you leave."
* * *
After the banquet ended and Sejong returned to the private quarters, he commanded the ministers.
"Regardless of their decision, proceed with the plan starting this winter. We must cross the Duman River while its waters are frozen."
"We receive your command!"
"And has the selection of the envoy to Ming been completed?"
At Sejong's question, Yi Jik immediately answered.
"The Left State Councilor and the Minister of Rites will go personally."
"Both of them?"
Sejong looked at Maeng Sa-seong and the Minister of Rites, then nodded.
"That should work. And has the selection of the special administrator for the administration of the region to be developed this time been completed?"
"Shamefully, not yet..."
At the Chief State Councilor's answer, Sejong clicked his tongue.
"Tsk! Still? Is there no one who wants to go?"
"We are ashamed."
"Complete the selection as quickly as possible."
"We receive your command."
There was something Yi Jik, bowing his head, did not say until the end.
It wasn't that there was no one who wanted to go—there were far too many.
* * *
While the Pacification Dao Observation Commissioner was to take charge of conquering the western region of the Odori tribe and establishing administrative organizations, a special administrator was to be appointed for the Hamgil-do area due to its special characteristics.
"There will be those who submit willingly, but there will also be no small number who resist!"
"Considering the area and population of the region to be developed, it is too much for the Hamgil-do Observation Commissioner to handle concurrently! A full-time administrator is needed!"
At the proposal of the military and the court, Sejong ordered the State Council to select an administrator who would work alongside the special administrator.
As soon as Sejong's command fell, enormous petitions flooded the ministers of the State Council.
"Please send me!"
"No, please send me!"
"I will show you what it means to devote body and bones!"
"Me! Me!"
Not only the officials of the Six Ministries but even the officials of the Saheonbu and Saganwon pushed forward self-praise-filled self-introductions. The thoughts of those who applied were all the same.
"Once I go, I can hold out until the gyeongjang is roughly concluded!"
"It's an opportunity to legally escape from the court!"
No, it wasn't just self-introductions they pushed forward.
Enormous gifts flooded the ministers' homes.
"Husband, is there some good news? Gifts are suddenly arriving?"
Returning home after leaving office, the ministers were startled to see mountains of gifts.
"No, these rascals! Is there any reason for me to become a document-processing type! Wife! Send all of these back immediately!"
"Pardon? These precious things?"
"Do you not know what humiliation Minister Jo suffered? Do you want to make our family destitute?"
"Oh dear! I'll send them back immediately!"
The ministers sending back the gifts were also in desperate circumstances.
'The competition rate is too fierce! No matter who gets selected, there will definitely be some who hold grudges! I must block it from the very beginning!'