Stirring Trouble in the Ming Dynasty 9

A report sent by the Joseon diplomatic mission to Ming had arrived at the court.

Though it was called a report, it had been written in summary form, so the details could only be known after formally receiving the travel record written by the chief scribe.

But after checking all the brief key points written in the report, Sejong was so overjoyed that he could not stay seated on the throne and had to spring to his feet.

"Is everything written in the report really true? It feels as though I am dreaming."

Sejong knew full well that unless the envoy chief, deputy envoy, chief scribe, and interpreters dispatched with the mission were all desperate to die quickly, they would never have tampered with the report.

Besides, a report sent to the king, especially one sent by an envoy mission, was reviewed internally at least six times before being dispatched...

There would not be even the slightest error in what was written in there.

So even though he knew everything in the report was true, he had ended up saying such a thing because he was too happy.

The ministers in the royal chamber knew that too, so they did not spoil the mood by saying something like, “Do not worry. It is all true, Your Majesty.”

“Joseon has served the suzerain state, Ming, with all sincerity, yet the emperor has always demanded excessive tribute from Joseon. As a result, the people went to great trouble, in their poverty, to procure gold, silver, and warhorses.”...