Li Cheng-jae rode on horseback, his head held high.
In Ryukyo City, he had never felt as imposing as he did today. Of course, he knew very well that everything he had now was given by the Great Yu Empire.
If the Great Yu Empire had not defeated Goryeo, he would probably be decapitated by now.
So, from the beginning, he had gambled like a gambler, and the result was that he won.
Now, he not only received preferential treatment from the King of Goryeo, but his beastly father also groveled before him, now leading his horse.
Upon reaching the palace gate, Li Cheng-jae saw the King of Goryeo already waiting there, and all the Goryeo officials looked respectful.
At this moment, Li Cheng-jae’s gaze lingered on Kim Chang-seo, who was in the crowd. This person, who used to mock him, now had his head bowed, not daring to meet his gaze.
Seeing this scene, Li Cheng-jae couldn’t help but sneer.
However, he did not forget his mission. He was not here for revenge but for the trade ports.
“Li Cheng-jae, I have been waiting for your arrival these past few days,” the King of Goryeo said with a smile, appearing very intimate with Li Cheng-jae.
Li Cheng-jae also smiled, bowing slightly as he said, “Your Majesty.”
The King of Goryeo nodded in satisfaction and pulled Li Cheng-jae into the palace. Li Cheng-jae’s arrival was timely; the barbarians had already withdrawn from Ryukyo City.
Now, without the barbarians, Ryukyo City was his domain again.
Seated in the palace, Li Cheng-jae did not talk much with the King of Goryeo. The Great Yu Empire was now awaiting his news, so he directly stated all of the Great Yu Empire’s conditions.
“General Ye said that besides ceding Haigucheng and Bisa Castle, from now on, Great Yu Empire goods shall circulate freely in Goryeo, Goryeo shall not levy any taxes on Great Yu Empire goods, and at the same time, Great Yu Empire merchants shall possess extraterritoriality in Goryeo.”
“Extraterritoriality? What is that?” the King of Goryeo asked, puzzled.
Li Cheng-jae was also a bit confused when he first heard this term. After an explanation, he understood. So he said, “This extraterritoriality means that if Great Yu Empire citizens violate the law in Goryeo, Goryeo cannot punish them according to Goryeo law. Instead, the merchants must be handed over to the Great Yu Empire for punishment.”
The Goryeo officials’ faces grew uglier and uglier as they listened, because this meant that Great Yu Empire citizens would become superior in Goryeo, while they would become inferior.
The King of Goryeo’s smile faded. He said, “If that’s the case, wouldn’t Great Yu Empire citizens be able to violate laws freely in Goryeo?”
“Not at all. The Great Yu Empire’s laws are strict. This measure is only to prevent Goryeo officials from deliberately making things difficult for Great Yu Empire citizens,” Li Cheng-jae already had an excuse.
“Is there more?” The King of Goryeo’s heart bled. If he agreed to these conditions, it would mean Goryeo losing part of its sovereignty.
Li Cheng-jae nodded and continued, “After Haigucheng and Bisa Castle are ceded, they will become Great Yu Empire territory. Invading Haigucheng and Bisa Castle will be considered an act of war against the Great Yu Empire.”
With that, Li Cheng-jae took out a treaty. He said, “The Great Yu Empire’s demands are all in this treaty. As long as Your Majesty signs it, the Great Yu Empire will withdraw its troops.”
The King of Goryeo took the written document, his body trembling slightly. It contained six articles. The first article: the Great Yu Empire and Goryeo would jointly declare an end to the war and a formal truce.
The second article: the four coastal cities of Goryeo – Daehaengseong, Jeongcheonseong, Baekjeongseong, and Ryukyo City – would all become trade ports, permitting the Great Yu Empire to dispatch permanent consuls and allowing Great Yu Empire merchants and their families to reside freely.
The third article: territorial cession, Goryeo would cede Haigucheng and Bisa Castle to the Great Yu Empire.
The fourth article: reparations, Goryeo would pay the Great Yu Empire three million taels of silver for war expenses. If there was no silver, it could be offset by ore, grain, or slaves.
The fifth article: allowing Great Yu Empire merchants and Goryeo merchants to trade freely, exempting all goods from taxes, and at the same time, Great Yu Empire citizens would possess extraterritoriality.
Having read these five conditions one by one, the King of Goryeo could barely breathe. The Great Yu Empire was essentially putting him on a hot stove. Once he signed this treaty, he would be cursed for all eternity.
“Your Majesty, the Great Yu Empire has not given us much time. Annihilation or treaty, Your Majesty can only choose one,” Li Cheng-jae noted the King of Goryeo’s hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, the King of Goryeo asked, “If that’s the case, does the Great Yu Empire’s promise to deal with the Japanese still hold true?”
“General Ye said that if Japan dares to advance north, they will blockade Japan’s shipping routes,” Li Cheng-jae said.
The King of Goryeo nodded. He sighed. Now, his biggest worry was Japan continuing its advance northward. The Great Yu Empire had given them this promise, so signing this treaty seemed to pose no problem.
More importantly, through this matter, he gradually realized that he couldn’t solely rely on the Golden Tent Khanate. He had to maintain a balance between the Great Yu Empire and the Golden Tent Khanate.
“Bring the royal seal,” the King of Goryeo said in a deep voice.
At this, an official respectfully presented the jade-carved royal seal. The royal seal was then stamped on the document titled “Haigucheng Treaty.”
Li Cheng-jae, seeing this, showed a profound smile. He said, “Your Majesty is wise. Actually, the Great Yu Empire people only wish to conduct commerce in Goryeo. The purpose of taking Bisa Castle is to deal with the Golden Tent Khanate. The Great Yu Empire and the Golden Tent Khanate are ancient enemies. Goryeo need not get involved.”
“Cheng-jae’s words make sense. I was indeed reckless,” the King of Goryeo said, looking fatigued. Being caught between the Golden Tent Khanate, Japan, and the Great Yu Empire was truly difficult.
Li Cheng-jae nodded. He then put away the treaty and said, “Your Majesty, I must now return to Haigucheng to report. I hope Your Majesty remembers these conditions. If violated, the fires of war will surely rekindle. I bid you farewell.”
With that, Li Cheng-jae turned and left, leaving behind a stunned King of Goryeo.
The officials, seeing Li Cheng-jae’s figure disappear, then began to clamor. “This Li Cheng-jae is nothing but a lowly commoner, yet now, having turned traitor and sold out our country, he’s acting arrogant!”
“Exactly! Li Hyuk-jae, you truly raised a fine son!”
“…”
The officials argued and cursed, unsure whether it was out of hatred for Li Cheng-jae or simply envy. After all, the current Li Cheng-jae was truly in a superior position, not even needing to show deference to the King of Goryeo.
Meanwhile, Li Cheng-jae rode his horse towards Haigucheng. He arrived at Haigucheng by noon the next day.
Meeting Ye Qingyun, he presented the “Haigucheng Treaty” bearing the King of Goryeo’s royal seal.
“Hmm, very good.”
Ye Qingyun rejoiced. Their purpose in coming to Goryeo this time had been achieved. From now on, the Great Yu Empire’s goods would freely enter Goryeo, and this place would become a dumping ground for industrial products.
Putting away the treaty, Ye Qingyun called a personal guard and said to him, “You are to immediately take this treaty to Qingzhou Province.”
Responding with a “Yes,” the personal guard took the treaty and turned towards the harbor. After two days adrift at sea and three days traveling by land, the treaty arrived in Qingzhou Province.
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