# Chapter 108: Partnership (2)
At the next day's morning assembly, when Sejong announced he would send the Crown Prince to Ming, the ministers—excluding the Chief Ministers—all stepped forward in opposition.
"Crown Prince, explain yourself."
"Yes, Father."
At Sejong's command, Hyang repeated the explanation he had given to Sejong and the Chief Ministers the previous day.
"...And so, as Crown Prince, I must go to Ming."
"Even so, to send the nation's foundation to another country so carelessly is..."
When the newly appointed Minister of Justice showed hesitation, Sejong glared at him.
"Then someone must deal with the Emperor as an equal. Who should go? Would you like to go?"
"..."
At Sejong's question, the Minister of Justice fell silent.
A mere minister from a tributary state dealing with the supreme ruler of the suzerain state?
Not only was there an insurmountable gap in status, but if things went wrong, he would clearly bear all the responsibility.
In the end, the Minister of Justice had no choice but to keep his mouth shut. Seeing this, Sejong clicked his tongue.
"Tsk! You should have just kept quiet from the start."
"I am deeply ashamed."
"Tsk!"
As Sejong clicked his tongue, the Minister of Justice squeezed his eyes shut.
'I heard other ministers hate the sound of tongue-clicking the most, and now I understand why!'
After enduring Sejong's treatment, the Ministers and Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries came to extremely dislike the sound of tongue-clicking. However, it had also become routine for these Ministers and Vice Ministers to click their tongues when pointing out their subordinates' mistakes.
"Now then, since there seems to be no one opposing the appointment of the Crown Prince as Chief Envoy for this mission, let us proceed accordingly."
"We receive your command."
"Crown Prince, go and attend to your duties."
"We receive your command."
As the Crown Prince left the audience hall, Sejong looked back at the ministers with a proud expression.
"I believe having a child with such outstanding talent is truly a great blessing. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed it is!"
"Since the Crown Prince is so outstanding, this is a great fortune for Joseon."
"Indeed! This is truly a great fortune for Joseon!"
The ministers enthusiastically agreed with Sejong's words.
The historian who recorded all of this added the following:
- ...All the ministers of the court praised the Crown Prince's excellence.
The historian notes:
It is said that these days, the sounds of children crying never cease in the homes of officials ranking third rank and above.
Furthermore, the number of those entering officialdom through the protection privilege is decreasing.
I will say no more.
* * *
As the historian noted, the sounds of adults scolding and children crying never ceased in the homes of high officials.
"The Crown Prince is already building such achievements at his age, but what are you doing!"
"F-forgive me! This unworthy grandson will try even harder...!"
"Quiet! Roll up your calves!"
Children of the same age as Hyang or younger were compared in their academic achievements and nagged every day.
Even the grown children faced similar situations.
"You rascal! Why is your evaluation in the service record in such a state! You are disgracing your father's face!"
"I beg your forgiveness!"
"If you easily obtained official robes through the protection privilege, you should have worked even harder! What have you been doing to receive such evaluations!"
"I beg your forgiveness!"
"From tomorrow, report to work earlier than others and leave later than others! If you frequent the pleasure quarters? I will petition His Majesty to have you locked in the archives!"
"Father, please, anything but that!"
"Do you want to ruin our family like Minister Jo or Minister Hwang! I should lock you in the archives right now! You're just like those Huang clan brothers!"
"Oh, Father!"
Those who had easily obtained positions through the protection privilege, backed by their fathers and family backgrounds, were going through difficult times.
Those who had passed the civil service examination and risen through proper steps did not look kindly on those who entered through the protection privilege.
Furthermore, the work environment that was becoming harsher with the administrative reforms made things difficult for those who had parachuted in.
The most fatal factor was the incident caused by Hwang Hui's sons recently.
Upon receiving a report that Hwang Hui's sons had entered through the protection privilege and easily risen to key positions, Sejong issued a command.
"Re-evaluate the performance assessments of those who entered officialdom through the protection privilege!"
With the Office of the Inspector-General and the Office of the Censorate joining in, few received good evaluations in the newly conducted performance assessments.
And since this evaluation would certainly have a negative impact on their fathers and families as well, the situation became even more chaotic.
In the end, as the administrative reforms gradually took hold, even the children of powerful families began entering officialdom through the civil service examination rather than the protection privilege.
They judged that rather than entering mid-level positions through the protection privilege with little experience and receiving below-average evaluations, it was safer to climb the ladder step by step from the bottom.
* * *
Having finished selecting the members of the diplomatic mission, Hyang departed from Jemulpo by ship with the Ming envoy.
Standing at the bow of the ship and looking out at the sea, Hyang conversed with the envoy.
"I heard the security in Liaodong is quite bad?"
At Hyang's question, the Ming envoy nodded.
"That is correct. Recently, the Jurchens have become increasingly violent."
As the Ming envoy said, the atmosphere among the Jurchens in the Jianzhou and Haixi regions was not good.
* * *
Some tribes in Haixi and Jianzhou that had submitted to Ming early and started settled lives rather than nomadic ones were living quite well, but other tribes were increasingly becoming destitute.
The biggest reason for this change was that Joseon had established a trading post in Shandong.
With an official trading post established in Shandong and merchants traveling back and forth through maritime routes, the smuggling trade that had continued in the Liaodong region disappeared.
This was a matter of survival for the Jurchens in that region.
The wealth earned by attacking smuggling caravans or by escorting and protecting such caravans was greater than expected.
Additionally, as Ming merchants moved to the horse markets created to avoid conflict with the Northern Yuan, economic hardship worsened.
In the end, the Jurchens who reached their limit attacked other tribes or raided Ming settlements, or crossed the Yalu River to raid Korean border villages.
However, the Jurchens who attacked Ming or Korean settlements suffered even greater damage.
This was because both Ming and Joseon mobilized their armies to suppress them.
In particular, Joseon carried out retaliatory operations that swept away not only the offending tribe but also nearby tribes.
Thanks to this, the sight of Jurchens crossing the Yalu River was no longer seen.
With the situation turning out this way, what remained for the Jurchens was internecine conflict.
And so, the atmosphere in the Liaodong region became very turbulent.
* * *
"How does the Celestial Empire plan to resolve the situation in Liaodong?"
At Hyang's question, the envoy smiled slightly and shook his head.
"How would a lowly official like myself know? However, since His Majesty has not let down his guard, a good answer will surely come forth. What thoughts does His Highness the Crown Prince have?"
At the envoy's question, Hyang answered with an expression similar to what the envoy had made.
"How can I, who is just beginning to learn about state affairs, make any judgment? I only wish that no great harm befalls our Joseon."
"But seeing you go as the Chief Envoy like this, doesn't that mean you are trusted?"
When the envoy subtly probed, Hyang answered with a laugh.
"Hahaha! I'm just a frog that has barely escaped the well, so I made a fuss wanting to know the breadth of the Yangtze and the great sea!"
"The rumors I heard seem to say otherwise."
"Rumors are merely rumors."
* * *
The fleet carrying Hyang and the envoy stopped briefly in Shandong for rest and supplies while sending a messenger to Beijing.
After resting for three days in Shandong, the fleet raised anchor and headed for Tianjin.
When the fleet arrived in Tianjin, a group of officials was waiting for Hyang.
"We welcome the Crown Prince of Joseon!"
Having received formal greetings from the waiting officials, Hyang returned the greeting with proper decorum.
"Thank you for welcoming me so warmly."
Escorted by officials and soldiers, Hyang headed for Beijing.
* * *
Upon entering the Forbidden City in Beijing, Hyang immediately had an audience with Emperor Xuande.
"I welcome the Crown Prince of Joseon."
"It is truly an honor to meet His Majesty the Emperor, the monarch of the Celestial Empire. Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"
"Hahaha. It feels good to receive ten thousand years from the Crown Prince of Joseon. First, let us rest from your journey and then talk."
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's consideration."
Three days later, Hyang began the official events in earnest.
"So, I heard the report from the envoy who went to Joseon. You will cover the three outer halls with glass?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"And you said you will only accept the value of the glass as compensation?"
"That is correct."
At Hyang's answer, Emperor Xuande laughed heartily and tapped the armrest.
"Hahaha! That is truly wonderful! I have also heard that glass is a truly beautiful vessel. However, I have been refraining from using it because I was worried about wasting the nation's finances for its beauty. Your Joseon has made a truly welcome proposal!"
Seeing Emperor Xuande's positive reaction, Hyang gradually proceeded with the matter.
"It is our Joseon's wish to maintain good neighborly relations with the Celestial Empire. Bring in what we have prepared."
At Hyang's command, Joseon officials waiting outside brought in large and small boxes and a large stand covered with silk cloth.
"What is this?"
"These are humble items made of glass."
Having answered, Hyang removed the silk covering the stand.
"Oh!"
"Ohhh!"
As the silk was removed to reveal the stand, not only Emperor Xuande but also the surrounding officials and eunuchs exclaimed in admiration.
It was a beautiful stand with four dragons made of glass supporting the top plate.
"It is truly beautiful."
Emperor Xuande muttered unconsciously. Although he usually emphasized frugality, he could not help but admire the beauty of glass.
Hyang then opened the boxes. Seeing the glass products surrounded by sawdust, Emperor Xuande greatly admired them and spoke to Hyang.
"Since ancient times, it has been said that beautiful vessels are made in the lands east of the sea. Seeing these glass vessels, I can tell that those words were not mere rumors."
"Your praise is too generous."
"It is not too generous."
When the eunuchs removed the tribute items, Emperor Xuande got to the main point.
"To say again, according to what the envoy said, you will replace all the outer doors of the three outer halls with glass, and will only accept the value of the glass as compensation. Is this correct?"
"It is correct, Your Majesty."
"And you said you will stop sending tribute women and eunuchs. Is this also correct?"
"That is correct! Many parents in Joseon weep and wail in the process of sending tribute women and eunuchs. How could this not be a tragic matter?"
"That is true."
At Hyang's words, Emperor Xuande nodded.
The custom of tribute women was created by Yuan. Emperor Yongle had inherited it as is.
'There is no reason for our Ming to continue the custom practiced by the barbarian Yuan. However...'
Emperor Xuande, calculating various factors, began to negotiate.
"If you also cover the rear three palaces of the inner court with glass, I will accept that request. However, the cost will be 6 taels of silver per piece for both the outer court and inner palace combined."
"Your Majesty! It costs 8 taels of silver per piece just to produce the glass! If we consider the potential damage during transportation, 6 taels is not feasible!"
Though Hyang strongly refused, Emperor Xuande did not yield either.
"Is the King of Joseon sparing money on stopping his people's tears?"
"..."
At Emperor Xuande's question, Hyang bit his lip. Seeing this, Emperor Xuande smiled slightly.
'Now, what will you do? Your father's honor is at stake!'
Hyang, appearing to struggle with his thoughts, looked at Emperor Xuande.
"Let it be 7 taels of silver, but I would like to make one proposal to Your Majesty."
"A proposal? Speak."
"As you just saw, our Joseon has made various vessels with glass. These glass vessels will soon be sold in Ming."
"Is that so? Joseon will earn much wealth. Isn't this a problem?"
"Therefore, I propose a partnership to Your Majesty."
"A partnership? With me? Why would I?"
When Emperor Xuande expressed doubt, Hyang explained about the joint capital trading company.
"Hmm... I heard your explanation well. But why me?"
"The owner of the royal glass workshop that produces the glass is my father. Though we may be a tributary state, he is the monarch of a nation, so the only suitable partner for him is Your Majesty."
"Hmm..."
Emperor Xuande began to calculate while tapping the armrest of his seat with his fingers.