Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 2: Sagely Resolving the Nine Layers of Anxiety
A morass of balefully sorrowful clouds hovered over the Sajeongjeon Hall in the Gyeongbok Palace The King and Royal Consort were silent and didn’t speak The eunuchs and sanggung held their breaths, and stood respectfully in solemn formation The hall was so silent that a pin drop could be heard
A maid handed over a silk handkerchief Lotus raised her hand to discover that her face had become covered with tears at some unknown time Madame Cao had slooken up by then, and the two didn’t speak as they looked at the king
King Taejo knehat they wished to ask and said softly, “We have ordered Minister Yoon to negotiate and ransom the three bodies from the japanese Pirates They will be returned in a few days, and I will request Master Zichao to personally expiate the sins of the dead”
Zichao was the eye Order of Korean Buddhism1, and had traveled to the Chinese i to study and obtain Buddhist scriptures When he returned to the Korean ie of Zen, and titled as the royal monk Lotus had been converted to Buddhism when she was suidance The old and young pair interacted most harmoniously
Madame Cao nodded and boith Lotus, “Many thanks to Your Majesty”
King Taejo waved his hands, “No need to be overly cerehed “The japanese pirates were overpowering this tie of their advance I have already ordered General Wu to avoid their advancement, and to retreat to defend the northern Cholla province This will eneral population” His brow becaain
Lotus raised her head to ask, “What provisions has Your Majesty made for the japanese Pirates?
King Taejo was a bit surprised and looked at Lotus He cleared his throat to say, “General Wu is adept at defense, and the walls of the northern city in Cholla are tall and durable It will be i forward The weather will be so cold that the ground will be frozen, and it will be difficult to scrounge for rations They are sure to retreat to their islands as time passes on However, they are sure to return next year The japanese Pirates are wily and stubborn Even if our armies are able to triumph, and beat them back for a moment, they need only to escape to the seas, and then ain and invade when our arly endless reinforcements for the japanese pirates – it is difficult indeed to end them”
Lotus asked again, “Then does the imperial court neither bother to ask questions nor listen to what’s said?”
King Taejo sighed and responded, “I have often petitioned the ireat land and naval army to attack them on both sides However, the Emperor has only responded, ‘Korea is separated by ion to the east created by the heavens, and is not under the jurisdiction of China’ and has refused to send troops Messenger Zhao Pang carrying confidential docu Tao, in favor of this matter, has travelled to the capital twice but only made it so far as to the Minister of Rites They didn’t even see the Eirls sent as tribute have only been assigned errands within the palace”
Lotus lowered her head in deep thought without saying a word after listening The great hall was devoid of sound
King Taejo lifted his head slightly, indicating the two could leave The royal consort had half risen and looked at Lotus
Lotus had stood up and walked over to prostrate herself on the floor in front of the king
King Taejo waved his hand, saying gently “Niece, no need for extraneous courtesies Feel free to speak frankly of any matters”
Lotus stayed on the floor and spoke slowly, “Lotus is so bold as to beg Your Majesty to offer Lotus as tribute to the imperial court”
King Taejo shook and didn’t have a chance to respond before Madame Cao stood up “Lotus, you…!” Her voice trembled
Lotus looked at Madaaze “This child’s heart is set Mother, please forgive this child’s unfilial ways”
Mada position and spoke slowly after a ht As your htly propped up Mada
King Taejo tilted his head to look at the kneeling Lotus and opened his mouth to say slowly, “Our niece’s conduct and appearance has always been outstanding in our country You would have been the most ideal choice in such a decision, but do you know the arduous difficulties of this trip?”
Lotus hung her head and didn’t move “Lotus understands”
The difference between Seoul and the imperial capital was more than 500 k the way Even if she made it into the iain an audience with the Emperor, and convince the Emperor and the imperial court to send troops?
King Taejo looked at Lotus, theit difficult to coood relationshi+p with hi of Korea Now that the three h Lotus was a girl, how could he bear to sacrifice the last bit of this bloodline? One had to know that the Emperor of the imperial court was 70 years old! And the hareerous, and on land, find her footing in such circuht even lose her life out there, not toreinforcements to her mother country But, if she succeeded…
Lotus lifted her head and looked upon the king with a resolute gaze “Lotus only hates that she is a weak girl, and cannot follow her father and brothers onto the battlefield My trip to the i with the i our citizens fro Your Majesty of his worries” Lotus paused and continued, “Also, for the justice of my father and brothers”
King Taejo looked at Lotus, their eyes ht! I will accede to your wishes I adopt you asFrohter Lee Lotus, and Princess Yi Ning of Korea!”
Lotus was stunned and then understood when she focused her attention This was to increase the level of the girl offered as tribute, and compel the imperial court to attach iain, “Royal father, royal mother!”
King Taejo and his royal consort both helped Yi Ning to her feet King Taejo issued orders to his side, “Send for the princes and the Crown Prince”