Chapter 55
55 The Grand Queen Dowager
- Thwack!
The Ming Emperor's representative, and the rising power in the imperial court.
Eunuch Liu Jin crumpled like a scarecrow as Yeonsangun's headbutt landed squarely on his face, sending him sprawling backward with a crash.
The hall fell into a silence as cold as ice water.
The sight was so absurd and unexpected that no one could react.
The King of Joseon headbutting the Ming envoy...?
After a long silence, the guards escorting the Ming delegation seemed to finally come to their senses, drawing their swords with a loud clatter.
- Shwing, shwing!
These were the so-called Eastern Depot, the intelligence organization controlled by the Ming eunuchs.
The Eastern Depot had played a major role in the eunuchs' rise to power.
So it was only natural that many of them were mixed in with the Ming delegation.
Not to be outdone, the Joseon Royal guard also quickly drew their swords.
- Shwing, shwing!
The metallic scraping of steel filled Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.
And.
Standing calmly amidst the flashing blades, with blood trickling down his forehead, was Yeonsangun, a chilling smirk on his face.
"Oops, I was just trying to show the envoy a Joseon greeting, but it seems I got a little carried away."
"What, what is the meaning of this!"
Liu Jin clutched his nose, blood gushing from both nostrils, and glared as he struggled to his feet.
A king of a vassal state headbutting an envoy sent as the representative of the Emperor of the suzerain state.
It was something no sane person could even imagine.
But Yeonsangun continued, a bizarre smile plastered on his face.
"...But it seems to me that if the envoy intends to take this country's Royal Cuisine Master as a tribute woman, he has brought far too few escorts."
"What are you saying?"
"You should have brought at least as many as Emperor Yang of Sui to make it worthwhile, don't you think?"
"Y-y-you dare utter such blasphemous words!"
Liu Jin trembled with rage.
Emperor Yang of Sui was the foolish ruler who had instigated the Goguryeo-Sui War.
He had invaded Goguryeo with an army of over a million men, only to be utterly annihilated, with only a handful surviving to return. It was a name that evoked one of the most painful defeats in Chinese history.
So Yeonsangun's words were tantamount to declaring war between the two countries.
The Joseon and Ming officials witnessing the scene felt as if they were walking on thin ice.
'That, that mad King has finally done it!'
Seong Hui-an, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, felt cold sweat trickling down his spine.
'Now that things have come to this, the Celestial Dynasty will surely take issue!'
The King of Joseon had committed a grave diplomatic blunder against the Ming envoy.
This was not something that would end with a reprimand from the Emperor.
'Perhaps a real war will break out.'
He glanced sideways at Im Sa-hong, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works, who was also well-versed in Chinese affairs. His face was as pale as a corpse, and he was trembling.
It was a bizarre situation that was difficult to explain.
How on earth were they going to salvage this?
Just then.
A clear, ringing voice echoed through Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.
"The Grand Queen Dowager is arriving!"
At the sound of that voice, all eyes turned towards the entrance, including those of the officials from both countries and the guards who were facing off with drawn swords.
The first thing they saw was Eunuch Jang, the old Royal Secretary who had served seven kings since the time of King Sejong.
And behind him, escorted by court ladies, was a small, elderly woman.
She was well over sixty, and white hair was visible beneath her wig.
But the strange, piercing glint in her eyes gave the illusion that a huge tiger had entered the pavilion.
'The Grand Queen Dowager? C-could it be...?'
If Ji-young's modern-day knowledge was correct, then that old woman was definitely the person she knew.
A legendary woman who had played a pivotal role in Joseon history.
A woman with a frosty and fierce personality, who had even been called "Violent Concubine" in her youth.
Yeonsangun's grandmother.
The famous Queen Insoo.
It seemed that Queen Insoo had been watching the entire situation unfold from earlier.
"What in the world is going on here?"
A voice like the grinding of metal emerged from the Queen Dowager's wrinkled lips.
It was not a loud voice, but it sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. Even the mighty Yeonsangun seemed to shrink back.
"G-Grandmother. There, there was a slight misunderstanding in bidding farewell to the envoy of the great nation..."
"Is His Majesty not the King of a country? He must not act so lightly."
At the Queen Dowager's stern voice, Yeonsangun fell silent, unable to continue.
The Queen Dowager then turned her head towards the Ming envoy Liu Jin, and fluent Chinese poured from her lips.
"I ask the envoy. Does the Emperor of your great nation know that you are neglecting your duties as an envoy by indulging in trivial pursuits?"
"W-what are you talking about..."
Liu Jin, who had been dabbing at his nosebleed with a silk handkerchief, was taken aback by the old woman's blunt question.
Who did this old hag think she was, this Grand Queen Dowager or whatever...? Just as he was thinking that, even more bizarre words came out.
"I think I should send a stern letter to the Emperor."
The Queen Dowager of a vassal state sending a letter, not even a memorial, to the Emperor of the suzerain state? And a stern one at that?
Liu Jin was bewildered, wondering what on earth she was talking about, when one of the members of the delegation hurriedly approached him and whispered something in his ear.
The expression on Liu Jin's face changed instantly.
Queen Insoo. Or rather, Queen Sohye of the Han clan.
She was the grandmother of the current King of Joseon, and the daughter of Han Hwak, a Joseon man who had been granted the Ming official title of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
And Han Hwak's older sister was none other than Consort Han, the Kanghyejangsuk Concubine of the Yongle Emperor, an unparalleled ruler.
And her younger sister was Consort Han, the Gongsin Concubine of the Xuande Emperor.
'So, in other words, two of the consorts of the previous Ming Emperors are this Queen Insoo's aunts...'
To put it in more relatable terms, the Yongle Emperor and the Xuande Emperor, two of the most renowned rulers in Ming history, were Queen Insoo's uncles.
So, according to the imperial family tree, Queen Insoo was even of a higher rank than the current Ming Emperor.
'Eek!'
A chill ran down Liu Jin's spine as he realized this.
'...If that old woman called Queen Insoo actually sends a letter to the Emperor and reveals the circumstances of my attempt to interfere in the ginseng trade in Joseon...'
In Ming China, memorials denouncing the corruption of the eunuch faction were already pouring in.
With the crown prince he was supporting not yet on the throne, he couldn't afford to cause a diplomatic incident that could backfire on him.
'Don't stand in the rain if you can avoid it...'
His highly developed political instincts were telling him to play it safe.
"Why would the Queen Dowager of Joseon say such things? Neglecting my duties? That's absurd. Ha ha ha."
Liu Jin forced an awkward smile as he dabbed at his nosebleed, hiding his true feelings. Queen Insoo's eyes flashed with fire.
"I am only saying this in case people misunderstand the actions of the Grand Eunuch."
"Ha ha, it's nothing to make such a fuss about..."
Liu Jin, feeling as if he were sitting on thorns, quickly turned away.
It would only be disadvantageous to talk any longer, so it was best to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.
"Then, having received the King of Joseon's gracious farewell banquet, our delegation must hasten on our way. It is a very long journey, after all."
"Please give my regards to the Emperor. We will send the ingredients that were promised as tribute, so please let me know if the Emperor enjoyed them."
Yeonsangun's words, directed at Liu Jin's retreating back, made his face contort once more.
"Hmph. This mission... I will never forget it for as long as I live."
Liu Jin hurriedly left Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with those strangely pointed words.
After the delegation had all departed, escorted by Seong Hui-an, the welcoming envoy, Queen Insoo's thunderous voice fell like a bolt from the blue.
"Your Majesty!!!"
"...G-Grandmother."
"How could you be so rash! Your Majesty's reckless actions could have endangered the entire country and its altars of soil and grain!"
"It's not that..."
"I don't want to hear it! This country does not belong to Your Majesty alone!"
"..."
Ji-young saw a look on Yeonsangun's face that she had never seen before.
He looked as crestfallen as a scolded child.
Incredibly, that small old woman was scolding Yeonsangun, the tyrant who reigned over the entire court, as if he were a naughty child.
"...I have been imprudent. I will be more careful, Grandmother."
"You must do so."
Yeonsangun bowed his head as if surrendering to Queen Insoo.
'Wow, she's an incredibly scary grandmother.'
Ji-young was also overwhelmed by the atmosphere and lowered her head, watching cautiously.
Then, as she raised her head slightly, she met Queen Insoo's intense gaze, which was fixed on her.
'Eek!'
Ji-young was startled and quickly lowered her eyes again.
Queen Insoo's icy, cold eyes were like those of a predator.
Perhaps Yeonsangun's eyes were a reflection of hers.
'...'
Queen Insoo stared at Ji-young for quite some time.
'A troublesome child has entered.'
Another variable had appeared that could shake Yeonsangun's unstable mind.
Would this child be a poison, or a medicine?
After glaring at Ji-young for a while, Queen Insoo turned silently and left Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.
* * *
"This time's reception of the envoy was entirely thanks to your efforts, Royal Cuisine Master."
That night, in Gangnyeongjeon, His Majesty's bedchamber.
Those were the words Yeonsangun spoke to Ji-young as she brought in the late-night meal.
Ji-young was taken aback by his unexpectedly kind voice.
"N-no, that's not true. It's all thanks to everyone doing their part well. Royal Secretary Im Soong-jae was a great help... And Blacksmith Jang Chun-saeng of Anseong also played a big role..."
Ji-young, recalling the people who had helped with the envoy's banquet, hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"...Your Majesty also provided great assistance."
The memory of what had happened just the night before flashed through Ji-young's mind.
Yeonsangun, riding a white horse like a mirage, rushing towards Ji-young as she lay collapsed.
How could she forget that scene, which had played out in slow motion like a scene from a movie?
"I only provided some assistance..."
Yeonsangun's light brown eyes had come so close that they were almost touching Ji-young's nose.
"This was something that could not have been done without you."
"I-I am honored..."
Ji-young's heart pounded relentlessly as Yeonsangun's face drew near.
Was it tension, or fear?
"Therefore, I intend to bestow a reward..."
Whether he knew what Ji-young was thinking or not, Yeonsangun continued calmly.
"If you have a wish, tell me."
A wish... he was telling her to make a wish?
Ji-young's mind went blank at the sudden words.
What wish should she make here to get the best result?
She couldn't just say any wish that came to mind.
After racking her brains for a while, Ji-young cautiously opened her mouth.
"...Please allow me to go outside the palace. That way, I can find new ingredients to serve Your Majesty."
She used the excuse of finding ingredients, but the real reason was that she needed to be able to go outside the palace to find clues to return to the modern era.
So she said it without much expectation, just in case.
"So be it."
Ji-young's eyes widened at Yeonsangun's all-too-willing answer.
Why was it so easy?
"I will grant you a Royal Decree Plaque so that you may freely enter and exit any government office."
Royal Decree Plaque. A plaque indicating a person who "receives the King's orders."
In Yeonsangun's time, even high-ranking officials could not treat someone with a Royal Decree Plaque lightly, so having one would definitely be of great help in whatever she did in the future.
But only a very small number of people favored by the King would have that Royal Decree Plaque...
"...Is that truly your only wish? Tell me what you really want."
Yeonsangun's face drew even closer to Ji-young, emitting a suggestive gaze.
They were now so close that their faces were almost touching.
What was this atmosphere?
Could it be...!
Was he implying that he would bestow his favor upon her?!
Ji-young's face flushed red and her heart pounded at the thought.
That might be what a concubine or court lady of this era would say if asked to make a wish.
It was said that women who were chosen by Yeonsangun and shared his bed were called "Heavenly Grace and Flourishing Purity" and received special treatment.
Perhaps Yeonsangun was hinting at that.
But for Ji-young, a modern person, the whole situation was simply bewildering.
"...There is something I truly desire."
Ji-young, trying to avoid Yeonsangun's gaze, hesitated for a long time before finally opening her mouth slowly.
"Please... find a book for me. A book called 'Record of Yearning for the Clouds'...
- Author's Note
The Ming eunuch Liu Jin (1451 ~ 1510) is a famous corrupt official in Chinese history.
He was even named one of the "50 Richest People of the Past 1000 Years" by a foreign magazine.
His wealth was said to be 450,000 kg of gold bullion alone, which translates to at least 35 trillion won in modern value. (Believe it or not.)
A few years after the time depicted in the story, he was eventually executed for treason after engaging in rampant bribery and selling of official positions. When he was executed, he was subjected to the slow slicing death, suffering 6,000 cuts over three days.
In the actual Yeonsangun period, the Ming envoy who brought the decree for the investiture of the crown prince was the Joseon-born eunuch Kim Bo, and that time was one year before the year of Gapja, but for more dramatic fun, I have adapted it to Liu Jin, a contemporary eunuch and notorious corrupt official.
