Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 713 Persuading the Envoy to Return
The afternoon sun scorched Beijing. Outside the east wall of the Hanlin Academy, the Jade River flowed quietly, yet it brought no coolness whatsoever.

The Yuhe Pavilion, a meeting place located east of the Yuhe River and north of the Hanlin Academy, which was responsible for receiving envoys from vassal states, was shrouded in an unusual solemnity.

The usually bustling inn gates were now tightly shut, with several soldiers from the Central City Garrison, dressed in uniforms and carrying waist knives, standing expressionless outside, occasionally glancing at the passersby.

At the height of the sun, a blue-clothed official sedan chair, carried by four steady porters, came to a stop in front of the tightly closed south gate of the Yuhe Pavilion along the stone-paved road of Dongjiangmi Lane.

"Who goes there?" Before the sedan chair had even come to a complete stop, a team leader, looking listless from the sun, yawned as he approached. "If there's nothing else, hurry up and leave. Don't stop here."

"Which government office are you from?" The sedan curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged civil official wearing a scarlet robe with a pheasant pattern and a black gauze hat stepped out.

The officer in charge was of low rank and didn't recognize the civil official before him, but upon seeing his attire, his expression immediately became respectful, even obsequious. "This humble officer is from the Central City Military Command. May I ask who you are, sir?"

"Ministry of Rites, Xu Guangqi." Xu Guangqi's gaze swept over the soldiers guarding the gate and the tightly closed entrance, his brows furrowing slightly.

"So it's Grand Minister Xu in person! My apologies, my apologies!" The officer's pupils contracted, and he bowed repeatedly.

"What's going on here?" Xu Guangqi waved his hand and asked, "Who sent you?"

"Reporting to Grand Master Xu, it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard who contacted us, instructing us to guard the South Pavilion and prevent outsiders from entering. As for anything else, I know nothing." In truth, even the officer was somewhat bewildered. Logically, when Korean envoys arrived in Beijing, they should have been received by the Court of State Ceremonial, under the Ministry of Rites. But instead of seeing anyone from the Court of State Ceremonial, the Embroidered Uniform Guard brought the entire delegation directly. The treatment was hardly more courteous than escorting prisoners.

"Hmm, it really is them," Xu Guangqi nodded slightly, looking at the entrance of the building and asking, "Where are those Koreans? Are they still inside?"

"They're still inside," the officer nodded and said. "Zheng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is also inside."

"Then open the door." Xu Guangqi strode to the door.

The officer instinctively opened his mouth to try and dissuade him, but then closed it again. In the end, he said nothing, simply following Xu Guangqi step by step to the door and knocking on it for him.

Bang bang bang!
The knocking only lasted one round before the locked door was opened from the inside.

"What are you doing?" He said he was opening the door, but he only opened it a crack. Half a face was visible through the crack.

"I am Xu Guangqi from the Ministry of Rites. If you wish to see those Koreans, please open the door," Xu Guangqi said succinctly.

"Minister Xu?" Before the half-face could answer, it was shoved open. Then, the doors of the Jade River Pavilion were truly opened.

"You are..." Xu Guangqi glanced sideways. "Zheng Shiyi, Commander Zheng?"

"This humble servant, Zheng Shiyi, greets Minister Xu." Zheng Shiyi smiled and bowed, stepping aside. "Minister Xu, please come in."

Xu Guangqi stepped over the threshold and said, "Have you been guarding this place the whole time?"

“That’s right.” Zheng Shiyi nodded and gestured for his men to close the door. “This is the person we brought into the capital; you should know that.”

"Why did you send the soldiers from the Military Affairs Bureau to guard the gate?" Xu Guangqi turned around and glanced back.

"This place is adjacent to the Hanlin Academy to the north and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to the east. It's only a short walk to the Five Ministries and Five Offices. If a team of Imperial Guards were to arrive, people would think something terrible had happened," Zheng Shiyi explained.

“The Military Command isn’t much better off,” Xu Guangqi chuckled. “Why don’t you just settle them outside the city? That would save you a lot of trouble.”

"Isn't this against etiquette?" Zheng Shiyi was taken aback. "No matter what, they came to wish the Emperor a happy birthday."

"Anyway," Xu Guangqi pondered, "you already know about the situation in North Korea?"

Xu Guangqi's keen observation gave Zheng Shiyi a slight surprise. "After all, I'm here on guard duty; it's hard for me not to know. Should we continue guarding this place?"

“It shouldn’t be necessary,” Xu Guangqi said. “I came here today to tell them to leave.”

"The matter of the birthday celebration."

"Does Commander Zheng think they are qualified to offer birthday greetings to the Emperor in their current status?" Xu Guangqi countered.

“It’s really not appropriate.” Zheng Shiyi smiled.

"Where are they now?" Xu Guangqi asked.

"The servants are all in the back room, while the two envoys are kept separately in the main room in the east wing." Zheng Shiyi pointed and said, "Shall I take you there now?"

"Okay, thank you for your trouble." Xu Guangqi nodded and took the first step.

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Inside the main room of Dongzhao, Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan sat in silence. Two cups of cold tea on the table reflected their equally ashen faces. The faint footsteps of the patrolling soldiers outside the window could be heard, like invisible shackles.

Suddenly, a series of hurried and suppressed footsteps sounded outside the door. The two men looked in the direction of the sound, and before they could get up, the door opened. Immediately afterwards, the Imperial Envoy Wu Yunqian and the scribe Li Qingquan saw the Imperial Guard centurion who had been "hosting" them all along leading a civil official in a scarlet robe to them. "Your Excellencies," Zheng Shiyi introduced, "this is Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites."

"Minister Xu...?!" Wu Yunqian suddenly stood up, about to bow, but upon hearing the identity of the visitor, his body trembled violently. Li Qingquan was also shocked, his eyes widening in surprise, and in his haste, he almost knocked over the teacup in front of him.

For the Korean envoys, the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official, was practically a god; to even meet him twice—once upon arrival in the capital and once upon departure—was considered an honor. What was even more crucial was that this Minister of Rites was none other than Xu Guangqi, the renowned "Minister of State" who had made a name for himself throughout Korea.
The two hurriedly straightened their clothes, their fingers trembling uncontrollably.

"I am Xu Guangqi." Xu Guangqi's gaze swept over them. "May I ask which one of you is Ambassador Wu, and which one of you is Secretary Li?"

Upon hearing Xu Guangqi's question, Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan disregarded their decorum and practically knelt on the ground, kowtowing heavily: "Wu Yunqian, a humble subject of our state, pays his respects to Minister Xu!"

"Li Qingquan, a humble subject of this humble state, pays his respects to Minister Xu!" Li Qingquan swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly.

"I was unaware of Lord Xu's presence and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me," Wu Yunqian added.

"Please rise, esteemed envoys," Xu Guangqi said, raising his hand slightly, his voice calm and unwavering.

"Thank you so much, Minister Xu!" The two slowly rose, bowed their heads, and stood respectfully, their inner shirts gradually soaked with sweat.

“You two envoys need not stand on ceremony,” Xu Guangqi said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the two men before he sat down on a chair at the table. “Sit down.”

"My apologies." Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan exchanged a glance and carefully sat down in the chairs opposite each other.

Xu Guangqi skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point: "I have come here to convey the imperial edict. Now that the new king of Korea has been enthroned, the mission of the mission is complete. You may depart immediately to return to Korea and report back."

Wu Yunqian's heart sank, but he wasn't particularly surprised. He bowed slightly, trying to maintain his composure, and delivered his prepared speech in a sincere voice: "Minister Xu, please understand. We, your humble servants, were ordered by the former King to come specifically to congratulate Your Majesty on Your Majesty's birthday. Now that our congratulatory message has not yet been presented, and we have not yet had the opportunity to see Your Majesty's face, our mission is not yet complete. How dare we return home now? Moreover..." He paused slightly, carefully choosing his words:
"While the former king's actions may have been flawed, his true intention was to protect the Joseon dynasty and its people amidst a world surrounded by powerful enemies and on the verge of collapse. Although his actions were utterly absurd and erroneous, his heart... may have some merit. Moreover, in the eight provinces of Joseon, loyal ministers and righteous men are everywhere, and those who are devoted to the Celestial Empire are as numerous as the stars. Among them, many are completely unaware of the former king's rebellious actions, or even if they are aware, they are powerless to dissuade him! The entire nation of Joseon remains steadfast in its obedience!"

"Your humble servant begs at the risk of his life to plead with Your Majesty and the officials of the Celestial Empire to investigate this matter thoroughly and not to doubt the loyalty of Joseon for a century because of the mistake of the deposed king! If Minister Xu can convey this message and allow us to appear before Your Majesty to explain our true intentions, then Joseon will be fortunate indeed! We will have no regrets even if we die!"

After listening, Xu Guangqi's gaze lingered on Wu Yunqian's face for a moment, then he suddenly smiled and said, "Ambassador Wu, you just mentioned that there are many loyal and righteous people in Korea who are devoted to the Celestial Empire. Some are completely unaware of this, while others are aware but powerless to dissuade them. I wonder which category you consider yourself to belong to?"

Wu Yunqian was caught off guard by the question, a flash of panic and embarrassment crossing his face. He hadn't expected Xu Guangqi to be so sharp, directly putting him in a difficult position. "Uh..." Wu Yunqian opened his mouth, but was momentarily speechless, and could only lower his gaze and remain silent.

Xu Guangqi did not press further, seemingly not expecting an answer. His tone softened, carrying a reassuring tone: "Ambassador Wu, there is no need to worry. His Majesty and the court are well aware that the entire nation of Korea is not entirely like a deposed king. This act of guardianship is not for punishment, but to help your country cleanse the court, stabilize the state, eliminate the covetousness of the Jurchens, and ensure the eternal worship of your ancestral temples. This is the profound intention of the superior nation to protect its vassal states, and it is the same matter as when we sent troops to the east. As for speaking before the Emperor, that is absolutely impossible, so there is no need to mention it again."

Wu Yunqian felt somewhat relieved and quickly bowed, descending the steps: "Yes, yes! Your Majesty is benevolent and kind, protecting our vassal states with the grace of a second life! Minister Xu's patient explanation has moved me to tears! I will certainly convey this imperial decree to the nation in detail!"

Xu Guangqi nodded slightly, then naturally changed the subject: "Ambassador Wu, I would like to ask, did you encounter the Imperial Envoy and Supervisor Yuan Keli during your journey north?"

“Reporting to Minister Xu,” Wu Yunqian replied immediately, “This humble subject did indeed pay homage to Lord Yuan in Zhenjiang. Lord Yuan traveled south with imperial credentials, his bearing imposing and dignified. We also learned from Lord Yuan that the Celestial Empire was about to send troops to oversee Korea.”

Xu Guangqi's gaze sharpened, as if trying to see through them: "Since you already know about the matter of the deposed prince and guardianship, why do you still insist on coming to the capital to continue this 'holy festival' mission?"

Wu Yunqian was prepared for this question, but he still tensed. He straightened his back, his face showing an almost tragic solemnity, and his voice rose a few decibels: "Minister Xu, please understand! Although we, your humble servants, are on the orders of the former king, what we carry is the heartfelt congratulations and admiration of the entire nation of Joseon for His Majesty the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty! This mission concerns the dignity of the nation and is bound by propriety; how can it be cut short because of the deposition or enthronement of one person? Even if the road ahead is difficult and our positions are awkward, we, your humble servants, dare not fail this mission or tarnish the dignity of our nation! Heaven and earth bear witness to our hearts and our will!"

These words were so well-said that Xu Guangqi's doubts vanished, and a rare, almost imperceptible look of approval appeared on his face. He nodded slightly: "Ambassador Wu's words are virtuous and loyal. Although His Majesty has not seen you, he has remembered the hardships the mission has endured and their dedication to their mission. He has now ordered the Ministry of Rites to reward the mission members as usual. You two will also receive an extra reward, which will be sent later."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan immediately rose from their seats, faced the Forbidden City, and solemnly knelt and kowtowed: "Your humble servants Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan thank Your Majesty for your divine grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Xu Guangqi nodded in satisfaction. After the two men got up and sat down again, he brought the topic back to the present: "Was the journey south from Zhenjiang by Guardian Yuan smooth?"

"Reporting to Minister Xu, we parted ways after paying our respects to Lord Yuan, and we are truly unaware of his subsequent journey." Wu Yunqian first shook his head, then said, "However, Lord Yuan's journey south with imperial credentials is of great importance. Moreover, our Joseon has been respectful and submissive for generations. Wherever the Emperor's might extends, the prefectures and counties along the way will surely welcome him with utmost sincerity and provide meticulous escort. How could we dare to be negligent or obstructive in the slightest? Therefore, I believe that Lord Yuan's journey will be extremely smooth, so please rest assured, Minister Xu!"

"That's good then." Xu Guangqi wasn't entirely satisfied with the answer, but he knew he probably wouldn't get any more information out of him. He thought for a moment, then decided he had nothing more to ask or instruct, so he stood up and said, "You can pack your things now. If there are no inconveniences, you can set off tomorrow. As for the rewards, they will be delivered by officials from the Court of State Ceremonial later."

"We kowtow in gratitude to Your Majesty for your great favor!" Wu Yunqian and Li Qingquan also quickly rose and bowed deeply once more: "Thank you for your instruction, Minister Xu!"

Xu Guangqi said no more and turned to walk towards the door. Zheng Shiyi was already waiting by the door.

Just as Xu Guangqi was about to step out the door, Li Qingquan, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward. "Minister Xu, please wait!" His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear.

"What? Is there something else?" Xu Guangqi stopped abruptly and turned around instinctively. Zheng Shiyi also looked at Li Qingquan.

Under Wu Yunqian's questioning gaze, Li Qingquan pulled out a neatly folded memorial from his sleeve, raised it high above his head, and said, "This is a humble document written with my humble sincerity. I humbly request Minister Xu to present it to Your Majesty on my behalf!" He bowed his head, his posture respectful, but the hands holding the memorial were unusually steady.

Xu Guangqi was taken aback at first, then his gaze sharpened and landed on the raised memorial. His keen eyes slowly moved upward, fixing on Li Qingquan's lowered but stubborn face. The air in the room seemed to be sucked out at that moment.

Xu Guangqi neither moved nor spoke for a moment, but simply glanced at Wu Yunqian.

Wu Yunqian stared in astonishment, his eyes wide with panic.

(End of this chapter)