Chapter 1572: The King Pays Homage to the Crown Prince

"I understand the intent of Councilor Kim's words. After receiving numerous reports, I am now aware of some of the situation. It is true that there are lawless individuals falsely claiming connections to the Great Han mission, conducting business in Goryeo. Some, relying on these connections, have acted with impunity, causing widespread public resentment and damaging our dynasty's sterling reputation. Therefore, this truly must be rectified. I have already charged Director Shi with handling this as swiftly as possible, and such incidents will never be permitted to recur. From this day forward, no Great Han citizen conducting business or managing other enterprises in Goryeo shall be allowed to falsely use the name of the Great Han mission, nor use the mission to oppress the local populace. They must abide by the rules in their dealings, so that both nations may profit from it. However, Director Shi has also informed me that in some cases, Great Han merchants have indeed been oppressed. Because the laws of the two nations differ, some acts not illegal in Great Han become illegal in Goryeo, while in other instances, officials are corrupt and extort without cause... Such matters must also be prevented without exception."

The Central Dynasty Crown Prince's willingness to admit that the Great Han mission had indeed acted improperly in some respects was unexpected for Kim Sin-guk. His readiness to carry out some cleanup also demonstrated sufficient sincerity, which allowed Kim Sin-guk to feel slightly relieved. At the same time, he felt a touch of embarrassment. Having served in Goryeo's officialdom for many years and now holding the position of Goryeo's Chief State Councilor, he naturally knew the true nature of the officials beneath him. It could be said that none were free of corruption, a state of utter darkness. Even the scholar-official families who prided themselves on their noble lineage frequently engaged in graft. Even he himself had accepted countless bribes over the years. Thus, the Central Dynasty Crown Prince's accusation that local officials extorted Great Han merchants—and that these merchants, naturally unwilling to be exploited, sought help from the mission, inadvertently fueling the conflict between the two sides—was entirely accurate.

"What Your Highness says is entirely true... I am deeply ashamed..." He lowered his head.

"Therefore, since both sides are at fault, we cannot unilaterally restrict only one side. That will not yield a result satisfactory to all. In the future, to prevent Great Han merchants from being groundlessly extorted and oppressed by Goryeo's local officials, any lawsuits involving Great Han merchants must still be adjudicated by personnel from the Great Han mission. At the same time, both sides must jointly revise and codify legal statutes to prevent incidents of innocent lawbreaking from recurring. Henceforth, the mission must increase its interactions with your nation's government offices. If we simply maintain a hands-off approach, I fear further disturbances will arise."

Having heard the matter laid out to this extent, Kim Sin-guk understood that it was likely impossible to make the Great Han mission completely withdraw from its control and interference in Goryeo. The Central Dynasty Crown Prince's intent was merely to impose some restrictions, no longer allowing mission officials and the Great Han merchants under their protection to act as recklessly as before. Still, some restrictions were better than none.

The arrogance and overbearing conduct of the Great Han mission, and the prior actions of Great Han merchants in various regions, were what Kim Sin-guk and other officials found most intolerable and what most provoked public anger. As long as Great Han was willing to proactively impose restrictions on these two points, the other issues, in his view, were not particularly difficult to handle. If legal statutes needed changing, they would be changed; after all, Great Han merchants were indeed more professional in commercial matters.

Through these years of peaceful development, although Great Han merchants had committed many misdeeds in various places, they had also, on the other hand, spurred commercial growth. Many regions had become considerably more prosperous due to trade with Great Han. However, the Central Dynasty's influence was too great, making it extremely troublesome to manage them when they broke the law, for fear of stirring up incidents. If the Central Dynasty wished to manage them, let them manage it themselves; it would also save the Goryeo court a great deal of trouble.

"Your Highness judges impartially and is selflessly just. I have no words to object, and can only respectfully obey your decree." Because the Crown Prince had shown himself to be so reasonable, Kim Sin-guk's impression of him improved considerably. "If Your Highness can sweep away these longstanding abuses and cause those who act lawlessly to show some restraint, then I, on behalf of my humble nation's sovereign and the scholars and people of Goryeo, would be endlessly grateful!"

"There is no need for such words. I merely wish for both nations to share in peace and tranquility." Seeing him express such tearful gratitude made the Crown Prince somewhat embarrassed. He quickly smiled and glanced at Shi Gaoyi, who had remained silent beside them. "Director Shi, do you have any objections to my handling of this matter?"

Shi Gaoyi had only just managed to suppress the fury burning in his heart. Kim Sin-guk's entire performance was not only sycophantic flattery directed at the Crown Prince but also a veiled accusation against himself, making it sound as though he had spent these years acting wildly and lawlessly, crushing the Goryeo court until it could barely breathe. He dared not erupt in front of the Crown Prince, but he etched this debt firmly into his mind, secretly vowing to find an opportunity to repay it.

"The Crown Prince acts with impartiality. I can only bow my head and obey."

Seeing the storm that had previously raged so fiercely now dissipated into nothing under his mediation, with both sides no longer prepared to stir up trouble, the Crown Prince felt a small measure of pride in his heart. Of course, he understood that this was not because his methods were particularly brilliant, but simply because he was the Crown Prince, and both sides had to bow and obey.

"As long as you two are sincerely united, I will have nothing to worry about. In truth, many matters are simply misunderstandings. Once the misunderstandings are cleared, the rest is easy to discuss." With a relaxed air, the Crown Prince waved his hand slightly, unconsciously adopting some of his father's mannerisms. "The two nations are bound as sovereign and vassal. One side must be magnanimous and generous, the other respectful and obedient. There should never have been so many conflicts."

Before Kim Sin-guk and Shi Gaoyi could offer further apologies, he rose from his chair. "Very well, I have said what needed to be said to you both. I am young and ignorant, and can only speak in generalities. As for the specifics of how to proceed, you two can discuss and deliberate in detail later. As long as you uphold the principle of mutual benefit for both nations, I trust no problem will be unsolvable. Let us return now; we must not keep everyone waiting with empty stomachs."

………………

After spending a night at the Great Han government compound on Ganghwa Island, the Great Han Crown Prince, accompanied by his retinue and guards, departed Ganghwa Island the following morning under the guidance of Goryeo's Chief State Councilor and Welcoming Envoy, Kim Sin-guk. They set foot on Goryeo soil and advanced toward the Goryeo capital, Hanseong.

Ganghwa Island was roughly a hundred li from Hanseong, and the procession escorting the Crown Prince could not travel too quickly. Thus, they rested for a night along the way and only arrived outside Hanseong early the next morning.

By this time, beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate at the western outskirts of Hanseong, a vast crowd had already gathered, bustling with activity.

Since the founding of the Yi Dynasty, Goryeo had been a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, consistently adhering to the principle of "serving the great," meticulously maintaining its relationship with the Central Plains dynasty, and priding itself as the "Little China" holding the highest status beneath the Central Plains. Not long after becoming a Ming tributary, the Goryeo court constructed the "Admiring China Pavilion" (later renamed "Admiring China Hall") in the western suburbs of the capital, Hanseong, to serve as a state guesthouse for receiving envoys from the Central Dynasty. In front of the Admiring China Hall stood two red wooden pillars, called the "Welcoming Edict Gate" or "Extending Edict Gate," as an auxiliary structure. Later, this was expanded into a memorial archway.

Later, the Ming envoy Xue Tingchong visited Joseon and commented on the name "Welcoming Edict Gate," saying: "What is welcomed includes edicts, imperial decrees, and bestowals of reward. To name it solely 'Welcoming Edict' seems rather biased!" He then inscribed the three characters "Welcoming Grace Gate" as the gate's new name. The Goryeo sovereign and ministers naturally obeyed without question and changed the gate's name. Subsequently, the Welcoming Grace Gate was destroyed during the Imjin Japanese Disturbances. After its reconstruction, the Ming envoy Zhu Zhifan, during a mission to Goryeo in the late Wanli era, re-inscribed the "Welcoming Grace Gate" plaque and added the signature: "Written by the Imperial Envoy Zhu Zhifan of Jinling," which was hung upon it.

Now, the rebuilt gate still stood, but the plaque was gone—Great Han had replaced Great Ming as the '****'. To avoid displeasing the Crown Prince of ****, under the orders of Goryeo's sovereign, Yi Hon, the plaque had been taken down, and a new plaque painted by a Goryeo hand had been hung in its place.

And at this very moment, the Goryeo sovereign and ministers, led by Yi Hon, along with the vast majority of the Great Han mission to Goryeo, were standing beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate, awaiting the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince.

The sky was somewhat overcast, a gray, hazy expanse pressing down upon the firmament. Though it was nearly noon, visibility remained poor. The spring breeze carried a slight chill; it was not a pleasant day for going out. Having arrived early in the morning and waited for a long time, everyone was growing somewhat impatient. They had split into several groups, chatting idly amongst themselves, creating quite a clamor.

Naturally, the person standing closest to the Welcoming Grace Gate was Goryeo's sovereign, Yi Hon. He was dressed in splendid formal attire today, his tall frame appearing especially dashing set off by the ceremonial robes. His graying hair was neatly bound and tucked into the winged silk crown upon his head. This resplendent set of robes fleetingly restored some of his former glory. Yet his eyes, a blur of white with only the whites visible, instantly reduced that glory to nothing.

Due to the earlier coup, he had long since lost his sight, making his hearing far sharper than an ordinary person's. Now, all manner of sounds, carried on the cold wind, burrowed into his ears, making it impossible for him to concentrate.

Since reclaiming his throne with Great Han's help, he had lived in seclusion within Gyeongbok Palace, rarely venturing out. Partly, he knew his current appearance was too unsightly and feared ridicule; partly, he could not bear the clamor of the outside world.

But today was the day the Central Dynasty's Crown Prince would personally arrive in Hanseong, an inescapable ceremony. He could only bring his attendants to the Welcoming Grace Gate and quietly await the Central Dynasty Crown Prince's arrival.

He stood alone, the space around him empty, with no one speaking to him, as if he had truly become a solitary man. Though he had no proof, he constantly felt everyone's gaze upon him, and their whispered conversations seemed to be discussing his current wretched state, making him feel increasingly ill at ease.

He was originally a deeply reclusive and suspicious person by nature. During his reign, he had wielded power arbitrarily, repeatedly purging and slaughtering his ministers. After his eyes were blinded, leaving him disabled, he became even more withdrawn, constantly suspecting his ministers of secretly mocking him. The whispers that reached his ears were all interpreted as ridicule and sarcasm, pricking him like thorns in his back, yet he had no outlet for his frustration.

For he knew he was no longer the Goryeo sovereign who could act as a tyrant at will. A blind man could not govern a country on his own. Had Great Han not dispatched troops to rescue him, he might now be dying of old age on Ganghwa Island. Great Han had merely used him for its own interests. If he once again alienated the entire Goryeo court as he had in the past, he would be driven from the throne just as before.

This alone he could not endure. Only after losing it once did he understand the preciousness of the sovereign's throne. Even if it meant being a sovereign in name only, he was unwilling to let go again. For this, he would not hesitate to bow and scrape before the Great Han Emperor and Crown Prince, even if it meant being reviled by all of Goryeo.

Just then, he heard a sudden stir among the whispering ministers.

"Have they arrived?" He turned his head toward the eunuch standing behind him.

"Your Majesty, they have arrived." The eunuch hurried to his side and whispered into his ear. "Ahead are Great Han soldiers clearing the way, and in the middle is a procession of carriages. Such pomp can only be the Central Dynasty's Crown Prince."

"Finally, they have come." Yi Hon said expressionlessly.

Then, trembling slightly, he crouched down and swept his hand across the stone slab before him. Because this was a place for frequently receiving Central Dynasty envoys, successive Goryeo courts had paid great attention to the surroundings of the Welcoming Grace Gate and the Admiring China Hall. After the Great Han mission took up residence, they had further increased the maintenance of this area. Besides repairing the somewhat dilapidated buildings, they had also paved a road of bluestone connecting the Welcoming Grace Gate and the Great Han mission compound, using it to flaunt their status and presence in Goryeo.

As the distance closed, the sound of horses' hooves striking the bluestone path grew louder and louder, drowning out all other noise and reaching Yi Hon's ears. Soon, without the eunuch's explanation, he could gauge the Central Dynasty Crown Prince's distance. Yi Hon stood beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate, tilting his head up to look ahead, as if he could truly see into the distance.

"Kneel." When he estimated the other party was close enough, Yi Hon suddenly turned his head toward the eunuch.

"Your Majesty?" The eunuch was startled by his action. "They are still quite far away!"

"Kneel." Yi Hon issued the command again.

The eunuch froze for a moment, then immediately dropped to his knees, his body pressing against the bluestone slab with a muffled thud.

As if receiving a command, the moment the eunuch knelt, the Goryeo ministers beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate, who had been secretly watching their sovereign, immediately knelt in unison, leaving only the Great Han mission and garrison officials standing, looking at each other in confusion.

Then, after a moment's hesitation, the officials of the Great Han mission and garrison also knelt down one after another, and no one whispered anymore.

Under the watchful eyes of these people, the massive procession of carriages finally came to a halt beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate.

Then, the carriage door was opened. Amid the silence, the Crown Prince slowly stepped down from the carriage.

He raised his eyes and looked ahead. The view was somewhat bleak. Apart from a large crowd of officials from both nations in their brightly colored attire beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate, he saw few tall buildings and no Goryeo citizens lining the streets to welcome him. Truthfully, it was somewhat different from what he had anticipated.

Before him, a vast sea of people knelt, a sight whose visual impact startled him slightly. However, having experienced similar scenes many times, he was gradually growing accustomed to such grand displays and did not let his inner thoughts show. Guided by the attendants at his side, he stepped away from the carriage and strode toward the Welcoming Grace Gate.

He immediately spotted the most conspicuous figure among them: a tall yet slightly gaunt old man, standing slightly hunched beneath the Welcoming Grace Gate, surrounded by kneeling people.

According to the precedents of the former Ming, the Goryeo sovereign held the title of Commandery Prince but was granted the privilege of wearing the robes of a full Prince, thus he could wear the princely attire of the former Ming. In the former Ming era, as a major tributary state, the Goryeo sovereign held a transcendent status, enjoying the treatment of a full Prince with the title of Commandery Prince. However, Great Han's nobility system did not include the rank of Commandery Prince, and the imperial clan currently only had full Princes. Thus, defining the status of the Goryeo sovereign had become a diplomatic issue.

Ultimately, after deliberation by officials of the Foreign Affairs Department and with the Great Han Emperor's imperial approval, it was decided to directly elevate the Goryeo sovereign's status to that of a full Prince.

After the new dynasty's establishment, no changes were made to the Goryeo sovereign's attire, so today Yi Hon wore his ordinary ceremonial robes to welcome the Crown Prince. On his head was a winged silk crown, and he wore a bright red, gold-woven five-clawed dragon robe, with a jade belt at his waist and azure-trimmed black deerskin boots on his feet. He looked rather imposing. However, his expression seemed utterly vacant, and his body trembled slightly, as if he could not endure standing for long. His eyes lacked focus—or rather, there was no gaze at all; his entire eyes were a sheet of white, without pupils, a truly unsettling sight.

The Crown Prince felt a chill in his heart, but also some pity for this man in his twilight years, so he walked toward him step by step.

Though Yi Hon could not see, his hearing was fairly good. In the silence, he heard the footsteps of a group of people slowly pacing closer. He knew in his heart that the one leading them must be the Central Dynasty's Crown Prince.

When they were only a few steps away, the footsteps abruptly stopped.

"Your servant, Yi Hon, Sovereign of Goryeo, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!" Yi Hon said, bowing respectfully to salute the Central Dynasty's Crown Prince.

"Sovereign, dispense with the formalities!" The Crown Prince, prepared, immediately stepped forward and supported the already trembling Goryeo sovereign. "The Sovereign is advanced in years; there is no need to stand on ceremony. Moreover, ministers of the Central Kingdom need not perform such rites before the Great Han Crown Prince, and naturally, neither does Goryeo."

Seeing that Yi Hon was already at such an age and disabled, the Crown Prince had no desire to overly tax the old man. As he supported the elder, a strong smell of herbal medicine emanated from Yi Hon, wafting into his nostrils and irritating him somewhat.

This Goryeo sovereign truly seems not long for this world, the Crown Prince thought.

Yi Hon tested the situation and found that this young man was quite strong and was genuinely supporting him to prevent him from kneeling. Thus, he could only remove his hat and bow deeply to pay his respects to the Crown Prince. "His Highness the Crown Prince has graced Goryeo with his presence. That I, your servant, could not go to Ganghwa Island to welcome you, I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."