Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 85: The Two Foreign Envoys
At dusk, nature, with its icy white as its base and vermilion and purple as its accents, adds a touch of rosy hue to Beijing, which has just seen a light snowfall. Reflected by the snow, the sun's last rays interweave into a scroll of priceless colorful silk.

Xu Guangqi sat on the main seat in the main hall of the Ministry of Rites. He supported his head with his hands, his eyes passed through the two thresholds, and took in the splendor brought by the winter mirror into his heart.

On his desk lay two memorials, both sent by Korean envoys. The first, naturally, congratulated the new emperor on his ascension and the impending change of era name, while the other was an apology with a gift list attached.

In the Battle of Sarhu, the Ming court assembled a total of 110,000 troops, including about 88,000 Ming troops, 10,000 troops from the Yehe tribe of the Haixi Jurchens, and 13,000 Korean troops.

At that time, the Eastern Army, led by General Liu Jing and Marshal Jiang Hongli of the Korean capital, commanded 13,000 people and attacked Hetuala from Kuandian Fort in the east.

In the early morning of the fourth day of March, Nurhaci ordered the first prince Daishan, the third prince Manggurtai, and the fourth prince Huang Taiji to lead an army totaling more than 40,000 people to quickly head east to meet the Ming army.

Nurhaci himself led an army of 20,000 to defend Hetuala to prevent the attack from Li Rubai's army in the south.

On the fifth day of the third lunar month, Huang Taiji occupied the summit of Abdaligang and attacked from above, while Daishan attacked the Ming army's flanks. Liu Jing's forces retreated, and as they approached Mount Valkash, they encountered the Later Jin army led by Dalhan and Amin. The Ming army was caught off guard and fell into disarray. Liu Jing fled to the wilderness of Valkash, where the Later Jin army swarmed and surrounded him. Liu Jing fought to the death and was ultimately killed. His adopted son, Liu Zhaosun, was also killed by several arrows.

After Liu Jing's death, the Later Jin army attacked the remaining Eastern Route Army and the Korean army. That same day, Liu Jing's remaining troops and the Korean army were defeated.

The Joseon Grand Marshal and Left Counselor of the Uijeongbu Jiang Hongli, the Deputy Marshal General in Chief and Governor of Pyeongan Province Jin Jingrui, the Central Military Commissioner An Rune, the Border Defense Commissioner Wen Xisheng, and the former Governor of the Central Military Commission Li Jixian were defeated and surrendered.

After the war, the Joseon king, Gwanghaegun Yi Hun, immediately adopted a policy of neutrality, using various excuses to evade Ming's demands, forcing the Ming envoys to return empty-handed. Later, Gwanghaegun even imprisoned the Joseon envoys who were delivering the Ming emperor's imperial edict outside the city of Hanyang, openly refusing to accept the order and effectively betraying the Ming.

"Interesting." Xu Guangqi looked at the content and signature of the latter document, and the corners of his mouth raised an arc that did not know whether he was happy or angry.

Signed: Your servant, Lord Li Zong of Lingyang, bows and kowtows.

"Submit the memorial to the Ministry of Public Security and have them deliver it to the palace today." Xu Guangqi put the two memorials together. Just as the subordinate official was about to take them, Xu Guangqi withdrew his hand.

"Submit them in this order." Xu Guangqi placed the second memorial on top of the first.

"Yes, sir." The official took the memorial and bowed.

The situation in Korea was delicate, but not urgent. The real trouble Xu Guangqi faced now was the reform of the early morning court system and the addition of the spring imperial examination.

Although Xu Guangqi strongly supported the partial restoration of the Tang system and the addition of a "mathematics subject" to the Jinshi examination, the emperor referred to it as "mathematics," but it was already winter, and the examinations would begin in three months. A hasty addition would leave the candidates with no time to study. Such a hasty reform would not only fail to achieve positive results, but would also likely cause unnecessary unrest and chaos.

"How do I write a memorial requesting a postponement of the tax increase?" Xu Guangqi looked at the blank memorial and didn't know how to start.

Ding! The bell rang, signaling the end of the court. But Xu Guangqi had no intention of leaving the Ministry of Rites. Seeing the minister's behavior, the left and right assistant ministers and the assistant doctors sitting in the main hall could only sigh silently.

"Sir, the envoy from the Atlantic Country requests an audience." The doorman quickly walked to Xu Guangqi's desk and reported with a bow.

The term "Atlantic State" is a fabricated concept. Its purpose was to simplify the fragmented European political landscape into a larger whole, making it easier for the emperor and his officials to understand. It was first mentioned in a memorial drafted by Cao Yubian, a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel, on behalf of Matteo Ricci, requesting an audience: "Atlantic State, Matteo Ricci, respectfully presents local products to His Majesty the Emperor."
Although the emperor seemed to have a good understanding of the European landscape, Xu Guangqi retained the term. It was simply too complicated. If a proper registration system were required, many members of the delegation would likely not even know which country or state they belonged to.

"Let them in." Xu Guangqi put down his pen and put away the memorial.

Soon, Long Huamin, along with Guo Jujing, Ginnigo, and a group of maritime representatives, arrived at the Ministry of Rites. "Atlantic Envoy Long Huamin greets the Minister and all the Excellencies."

"Take your seats, and serve the tea." Xu Guangqi also ordered the yamen runners to bring stools to the main members of the delegation. "What brings you to my Ministry of Rites?" Xu Guangqi asked after Long Huamin, Guo Jujing, and Jin Nige were seated and had their first sip of tea.

"We have some earthenware to present to His Majesty. I hope you can present them to His Majesty on my behalf." Long Huamin put down his teacup and said, "We also beg for an audience with the Emperor."

"The gift list has been submitted to the palace. Please wait patiently." Xu Guangqi only responded to the first request.

"Thank you, sir. We'll take our leave now." In less than a quarter of an hour, Long Huamin led a group of people and left the Ministry of Rites again.

"What did you talk about just now? Why did you leave so soon?" asked Dinesh Joao.

"Nothing was said. Just repeating what had already been done." Long Huamin briefly translated the conversation just now.

"What's the answer?" asked Harald Brandt eagerly.

"Everything is as usual, there is no answer." Long Huamin shook his head.

"Then what's the point of bringing us to the Ministry of Rites?" Even the shrewd Władysław Amato couldn't help it.

"Remind Paul to leave office on time." Long Huamin replied.

"Huh?" Dinesh Joao was confused.

"This is the government office, a public place. What we want to ask is more of a private matter and cannot be discussed here. And with so many officials around, Paul won't speak here either." Long Huamin continued to explain.

"He can just repel those people. Just like last time." Dinesh Joao said as a matter of course.

"That's not dismissal; that's just dismissal," Guo Jujing interjected. "Even so, His Excellency Paul was still impeached by the officials in charge of the inspection."

"Impeachment? Is it serious?" Harald Brandt asked with concern.

“‘I understand.’” Long Huamin said three words.

"What?" Harald Brandt didn't understand.

"This sentence is the emperor's comments on the memorial. The actual meaning is that the emperor has a negative attitude towards the suggestions in this memorial, but does not reprimand the proposer." Long Huamin translated Xu Guangqi's explanation to the merchants.

"Don't cause him any more trouble." Guo Jujing said.

“So where do we go next?” Dinesh Joao asked.

"Go to the Sun and Moon Star-Picking Tower."

(End of this chapter)