Goryeo Black Prince - Chapter 504

Episode 504

Chapter 16 Dongho Questions and Answers

After the Crown Prince of Goryeo returned, the Southern Song Emperor Jo Yun received a record of excerpts from the questions and answers exchanged between the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince while he was living in the Southern Song Dynasty, and personally compiled them. He published a book called 《Dongwang Questions and Answers (東王問答)》.

Then, this book was printed and distributed only to ‘some knowledgeable ministers’. All the ministers who read it were impressed, and its contents soon became popular writings of many noblemen in Im’an.

The reason why a book that was given only to a few ministers became a popular work among the nobles of Im’an is because the emperor deliberately entrusted the printing to a person in charge of printing rather than to an eunuch or eunuch.

Other ministers and noblemen who wanted to see the impressions of the officially received minister went to the place in charge of printing and secretly wanted to increase it, so it was expanded and spread as if it were a copy. Of course, the emperor couldn’t have been unaware of this situation, so it’s safe to say that he was actually aiming for it.

In any case, the contents of the ‘Dongwang Questions and Answers’, commonly known as ‘Dongho Questions and Answers (Questions and Answers with the Eastern Barbarians)’ read in this way, are an evaluation of the Black Prince, whom even those who knew nothing about had heard only about his reputation. It was enough to make me change it to say that it wasn’t just a no-bu.

Even more so, when it came to the nobility and scholars, it could be said that the contents were even more impressive and awe-inspiring.

“Huh. “I heard that he was pursuing the transfer of civility and martial arts, but I thought he just had high aspirations, but it seems that the Goryeo crown prince himself was truly pursuing the transfer of civility and martial arts.”

“Let me tell you, when the Emperor asked what you wanted, didn’t you ask for the Four Books and the Five Classics, as well as scriptures and agricultural books?”

“From Goryeo in the East, a monarch of good learning and Taoism emerged.”

“’I can’t throw away either one of the two.’ I mean, it’s easy. But how easy would that be? However, since the crown prince himself is implementing it, regardless of his success or failure, it is clear that the crown prince himself is a truly sincere person and a greedy person at the same time.”

“But it is clear that Goryeo at that time is making great progress. And isn’t the summary of the crown prince’s relationship with Goryeo’s soldiers written here? Look. Didn’t the Crown Prince himself say in reply, ‘The importance of learning is the path to wealth for a nation?’

Moreover, the study that is currently flourishing in Goryeo was achieved by Hui Guo Wen Duke (徽國文公 Zhu Xi), and this is the first time that he has entered the royal family of Goryeo since the founding of the country. “I think that the fact that they learned to respect their ancestors even more than before has nothing to do with the fact that Jeonghak went to Haedong.”

“I think so too. And I think that’s something that Bonjo should also follow!”

“you’re right! Haven’t the wise men said since ancient times that even if you are a miracle, a child, or a lowly person, if you have something to learn, you should learn it, and you should not be ashamed of that attitude of learning?”

“Moreover, their Taoism (道學) is Neo-Confucianism (refers to Confucianism) derived from the original ancestors. “It was accepted during the reign of King Seonje, but failed due to the tyranny of the authorities, and their actions are the path that the original ancestor should have taken.”

“Ah, Oh Tongjae, if the Emperor had not been deceived by the advice of the officials, this dynasty would have been established a long time ago like Goryeo, ruled the country, and trained strong soldiers, then punished Jin and restored the homeland. Thing… .”

Scholars of Confucianism who believed that Goryeo’s accomplishments were thanks to the high use of Confucianism, all expressed regret. And they even used that regret as a driving force for action.

“So, wouldn’t today’s founder’s way be to further elevate and correct the teachings that Zhu Xi has organized!”

“exactly!”

“Yes! The rise and fall of the ancestors depends on doing what the lord did!”

This is because they believed that it was the way to correct and elevate the political system and further improve the country. This is also the reason why the evaluation of Goryeo by noblemen and Confucian scholars changed.

* * *

Goryeo’s national priest, who usually comes and goes to the Namsong, spends his leisurely time in the Namsong. Here, the members of the envoys came to the Southern Song Dynasty to enjoy excursions and generous entertainment, but it was also to carry out envoy trade and the work I had ordered, but this Goryeo state envoy was particularly one of those cases where he returned after only doing what he had to do.

The biggest reason is that, as the crown prince of a country, it is difficult for me to stay abroad for a long time, and I am also busy with work. The reason I mentioned the Hui Alliance was because, in many ways, I thought that only the Northern Expedition Hui Alliance could stop the Southern Song’s rampage.

In a situation where I have great doubts about my direct visit to Mongolia and my ability to stop internal strife, I will still trust Goryeo. To say this, they needed a definite answer to the northern expedition they were anxious about. The reason the Hoi Alliance was mentioned here was to express the will to conquer the North more enthusiastically and at the same time to make them anxious.

The thinking was that if the other side suspected this side, they would not be able to launch an immediate northern expedition as suspected, and even if they were positive, they would not be able to launch an immediate northern expedition due to the issue of the feudal lords who would attend the meeting. But, as I said before, ileal blindness is a double-edged sword. It does not just mean hostility to Mongolia.

Internally, Goryeo was the Emperor of Haedong, and in the Southern Song Dynasty, he was given the title of ‘Dongpyeong King’ (東平王), as he was said to be in charge of Haedong, and the title ‘Paeja (霸者)’, meaning the head of the feudal lords, until the end of the Hoe Alliance. It would be shameful to say that there is no lord in Haedong after all.

No matter how formally and nominally he is a loser, he is still a loser and a member of the association, so shouldn’t he give it that appearance?

“For the time being, the Southern Dynasty will not be able to conduct the northern expedition alone due to preparations for the Hui Alliance or reorganization for the northern expedition. But we also have no time to relax.”

Of course, Goryeo is in a much better situation than Southern Song. Unlike the Southern Song Dynasty, which had only feudal lords who established nominal tributary relationships using enormous amounts of company goods as bait, Goryeo had feudal lords at the level of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

“Since the Lord of Tamra Seong has already been informed about the alliance before going to the Southern Dynasty, both the Lord of Seong and the crown prince will participate. However, since other places do not know anything about the Association, they will have to prepare busily from now on.”

“Do you mean to invite people other than Tamna Guk to participate?”

Kim Bang-kyung asked in a puzzled voice. The logic was that the lord of Tamna and the crown prince alone would be enough to establish the myeon, and this was not wrong. Even in the case of the Tamna kingdom, if only the lord of Seong and the crown prince were raised, he would have saved his face as a loser. But that sucks.

“It is clear that the Southern Dynasty will feel uneasy about the Japanese not being able to attend, so I plan to have the Governor of the State of Usang and ‘An Won-ja’ also attend.”

An Won-ja paid tribute last year, and was formally transferred to Goryeo’s outer clan No. 3. It refers to Jiyeongjusa (知寧州事), who is in charge of Anyonbu among the Solbinbu, Dongpyeongbu, and Anwonbu of old Balhae, and Heukgodae, a Jurchen chief who received the title of General Yeongwon (寧遠將軍) and Governor of Miju (郿州太守).

In the summer of this year, after receiving the tribute that the Heukgodae paid along with the news of the victory in the Anwonbu region, he was given the title of ‘Anwonja (安遠子)’.

To be precise, it has not completely taken over Anwonbu yet, but it has already been decided within the government and government that the Black Ancients will temporarily dominate Anwonbu and that it be given a status equivalent to that.

This is because his influence in the Anwonbu region is growing to the extent that it is only a matter of time before he takes over.

For reference, in the Spring and Autumn Period, the king was the emperor and the feudal lords had the title of fifth rank, so even if they only had the title of ‘viscount’, it can be said that they were fully qualified to participate in the Association.

Moreover, Heukgodae is not a part of Galajeon, which is directly under the direct jurisdiction, like the flattering head gate, but formally belongs to the outer area.

In terms of rank, it is only the 5th rank, but in terms of power, it is above even when compared to Usan-guk and Tamna-guk. Looking at it this way, since he is a feudal lord of Banhan (藩翰), in a sense, it can be said that he is closest to a lord of Goryeo.

“I don’t know about Usan Gukju, but it’s Heukgodae. Will he come easily?”

“I have to let the Anwonbu attend in return. “If you mention the Hoi Alliance and publicly promote me to An Won-baek (安遠伯), I’m not someone who doesn’t know what that means.”

“… majesty. “Why aren’t you calling the King of Yao?”

Yoo Gap-su, who had been listening quietly, asked quietly. The country of Dong-Yong is now close to being a part of our Goryeo Dynasty. You will have no choice but to follow what is requested here. But it’s not worth discussing about this.

“I don’t call there.”

It’s too close to Mongolia. Although Yayul Sugukno is on his knees now, since I know what he prioritizes, and I know better than anyone else the problems that can change depending on Mongolia’s actions, there is no reason to summon him, the king, and send him to Tamna.

In fact, it is uneasy to call the Black God, but the Galajeon is in a buffer zone there, and even if it is not, it is a remote border, so there is less risk, and by raising it to Anwonbaek, it means not to interfere with the way here by fighting with each other in the northeast.

‘If Anwon-bu comes, the other groups (referring to the Solbin-bu and Dongpyeong-bu regions of old Balhae) will also show their intention to attend.’

The same goes for Tamna-guk and Usan-guk, but in today’s terms, Northeast Sambeon is east of the Maritime Province and Northern Manchuria, and even from Mongolia, except for the Otchigin royal family, it is far away.

And Otchigin doesn’t have much power anymore. There is not much hope for reinforcements, but there is also a small possibility that they will be attacked by the Mongols, or that they will attack Goryeo.

Other remains… Let’s think about it. Can Sunma Jun-hee be recognized and brought in as the head of Yugu? Or should he invite his son to attend as Uibon’s temporary head of state? Or should I just remove it?

For your information, Japan also has no intention of allowing the association to attend. No, again, that is not possible. Let alone the Tenno, Shogun, and Shikken, it would be impossible to bring a minister of the court there. However, it is also difficult to bring in Japanese officials or Japanese people to act appropriately.

There is no problem even if it is said that Tamna Usan has been recently rebuilt. It was a common occurrence for the loser of the Spring and Autumn Period to restore a small country to the throne through seasonal survival and destruction in the Hui Alliance. Rather, it is also the duty of the loser.

It would be enough to say that the three northeastern states, including the Black Ancient Kingdom, are also new feudal lords. The Southern Song Dynasty, who knew how much gold was lost to Mongolia, would not have much doubt even if a new country, different from gold, was created in Manchuria.

However, there is a high risk of being discovered if you try to make up clumsy comments about Japan. This is because I believe that the Southern Song Dynasty is a country that can have some expectations if Japan participates in the Northern Expedition.

The strength of Japan that they know is based on the Battle of Baekgang, where reinforcements were sent when Baekje was destroyed at the end of the Three Kingdoms period. The number of troops sent by Japan at this time was more than 10,000 at a low estimate, or about 40,000 at a large estimate.

As I have said many times, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops is by no means an easy task. Even if we assume that it is not the total national strength and that we are responding immediately to a short-term war, the army has never exceeded 100,000 and rarely exceeded 40,000.

Therefore, if a Japanese envoy from the Southern Song Dynasty attends, it is clear that he will ask questions such as how much Japan will mobilize. And in severe cases, there are concerns that Japan will resume trade by claiming tribute. Because of this, it was difficult to bring them in, so we decided not to let them attend.

If Goryeo was the loser of the Thaedong in the Southern Song Dynasty and asked why they did not invite Japan to attend, they would say that it was because Japan was in a mess right now and was not in a position to attend. In fact, it’s not wrong.

‘It is unclear whether Japan will even attend during the reign, but now that the civil war is in full swing, reinforcements cannot even be dreamed of.’

It’s not that I wonder who will win in the civil war between the Tenno, Shogun, and Shikken that broke out in Japan, which never existed in original history, but now that they are in the midst of a civil war, it can be said that they were not allowed to attend the meeting and at the same time ensured the safety of the rear.

#Writer’s Note

*Because they call me a loser. It is easy to think only of a defeated king who wields force and shows no mercy because of Xiang Yu, the first defeated king, but surprisingly, one of the duties of the emperor or the conqueror is to revive and preserve the fallen countries.