Ch.247Pacification (2)

“Khagan of the steppes, Emperor of the Central Plains, Basileus of Rome, and Shah of Persia… and now you’ve added the title of Tenno of Japan as well, brother.”

“Having many titles isn’t necessarily a good thing, Munglig.”

I responded indifferently to Munglig’s words.

But inside, I felt pleased about my accomplishment.

In Japan, the term Hōō usually referred to a retired emperor.

Unlike typical monarchies where succession happens after the predecessor’s death, in Japan, the Tenno often passed the position to a successor while still alive.

Of course, this was usually not voluntary but forced in many cases.

Anyway, separate from that, through Gotoba Tenno’s renunciation of legitimacy and my possession of the Three Sacred Treasures, I had unofficially become Japan’s Tenno for a brief moment.

Now, if I took these to the Great Capital and handed them to my son Khasar, I would no longer be Tenno but Hōō—a retired emperor in Japanese terms.

However, since the Three Sacred Treasures were currently in my possession, Munglig wasn’t wrong to call me Tenno.

“But is it really alright to leave Temuge behind and return?”

I nodded at Elunka’s question.

“I’ve cut off all means to raise productivity across the archipelago, so he won’t be able to think of anything else.”

The purpose of this eastern expedition was more about containment than direct rule.

We needed to prevent Song Dynasty or Jin Dynasty from joining forces with Japan and attacking Mongolia from behind.

It was true that Japan was less developed than other East Asian countries at this time.

However, since the Medieval Warm Period, Japan’s rice production had increased dramatically, leading to a significant population growth.

Population meant both productivity and military power.

Therefore, no matter how underdeveloped they were, if they joined hands with the Song Dynasty, they would inevitably become a major threat to Mongolia.

To prevent this, I had previously deployed Mongol Pirates to control maritime rights and keep Japan contained.

But the Bakufu, with its wicked ambitions, drew in the Song Dynasty, and this was the result.

A massacre.

In the Mongol campaign, most of Kyushu’s population, except for Nagasaki, had been wiped out.

Considering that Kyushu and Honshu had the highest populations during the early Bakufu period, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that more than half of Japan’s population had disappeared.

With productivity evaporated and major strongholds destroyed across the archipelago, it would be difficult for Temuge, as the new head of the Bakufu, to harbor other thoughts.

“Even if he did have other ideas, he wouldn’t be able to leave the archipelago.”

I said this while looking at the ships.

Inside were numerous shipbuilding technicians abducted from the archipelago.

The reason for abducting them wasn’t just to enhance Mongolia’s shipbuilding capabilities.

It was also intended to prevent Japan from ever venturing out to sea again.

“Of course, being an island nation, they’ll eventually build ships again, but that will be after quite some time.”

Starting shipbuilding from scratch would inevitably take a long time.

With post-war reconstruction being an immediate priority to avoid having their necks taken by the northern Ainu tribe or other Oonanushi, it was impossible for Temuge to resist me.

“So don’t worry and let’s return to the Great Capital.”

“I receive your command.”

“I will follow the will of Gur Khagan.”

Elunka and Munglig bowed as they said this.

The affairs of the archipelago were for the people of the archipelago to resolve.

Of course, the devastation was partly the fault of the invading Mongols, but to put it bluntly, that wasn’t my concern.

“By the way, how do you plan to return to the Great Capital?”

Munglig answered my question.

“We plan to travel through Goryeo again this time.”

Munglig’s choice was wise.

With Mongol Pirates extensively raiding the Song Dynasty’s coast, traveling through the Yellow Sea to the Great Capital wasn’t a good choice.

Even with Mongol Pirates securing maritime rights, it was hard to feel safe.

This was because the Yellow Sea was truly vast.

Therefore, there was no need to go through areas where enemy ships might appear.

“A good choice.”

“Then we’ll move through Tsushima to Goryeo and then to the Great Capital.”

As soon as I gave my permission, the Kheshig began to move busily.

As elite troops and my bodyguards, it was natural for them to move in advance.

Anyway, as the Kheshig moved, a frail boy followed behind them.

“It seems Junseong has decided to follow the Kheshig.”

“Yes, brother. He’s a bit small now, but if we feed him Buroktan, Byzantine specialties, and various other things, he’ll grow quickly.”

It sounded like he was planning to administer anabolic steroids on a large scale.

Of course, male hormone drugs clearly require advanced modern medical technology, so it would be impossible to make them now.

The reason I’m explaining this so elaborately is to emphasize that all the foods Munglig described were very natural and organic.

Munglig was simply excited about giving Takanari high-protein, nutritious foods.

It’s just that his demeanor gave off the impression of a mad scientist conducting horrific biological experiments…

“By the way, do you need to bestow a surname on Junseong?”

I nodded at Munglig’s question.

In normal circumstances, there would be no need to give a surname to Takanari, who had been Tenno.

But Takanari, or Junseong in Chinese pronunciation, was a special case.

The Tenno had no surname.

This was a rule that applied even in modern times.

The Tenno, being a descendant of gods and not an ordinary person, followed divine lineage and thus didn’t adhere to ordinary rules.

One of these was the absence of a surname.

This continued even after Japan’s defeat in World War II and the declaration of humanity in the treaty.

For this reason, even the modern Japanese Tenno has no surname.

That’s why I wanted to give Takanari a surname.

Since he had made a declaration of humanity, he should follow human customs.

“A being who was worshipped as a living god has become human, so he should naturally follow human customs.”

Munglig looked as if he didn’t understand my words.

I looked at him and then at Lee Junseong, who was struggling to board the ship.

* * *

We arrived in Gyeongsang Province after passing through Tsushima.

Although Jeolla was closer in distance, the Kuroshio Current flowed in front of Tsushima, making it much safer to move to Gyeongsang.

So we arrived at Ulju.

Ulju was relatively close to modern-day Busan in terms of location.

In this era, Busan was divided, with Dongnae belonging to Ulju, and Dongpyeong and Gijang belonging to Yangju.

Anyway, upon our arrival in Ulju, the governor of Ulju personally came to the dock to welcome the Ulus army.

“It is an honor to receive such great personages. Please come inside to rest from your journey.”

Hearing the governor’s words, I inwardly wondered if this was really our country’s language.

It sounded exactly like the style of “Cheongsan Byeolgok” that I had learned in school.

It was like hearing “yallari yallaseong,” making it hard to distinguish whether it was Korean or Chinese.

Fortunately, I could roughly understand it.

The interpreter was about to translate what the governor had said.

But I answered first.

“I understand.”

At this, not only the governor of Ulju but also Munglig and Elunka showed greatly surprised expressions.

“Brother, did you know how to speak Goryeo language as well?”

At Munglig’s question, I inwardly thought “oops.”

Even I didn’t know why I had spoken unconsciously.

So without thinking, I made up an excuse.

“Tengri told me.”

Munglig and Elunka nodded as if they understood.

Indeed, invoking a deity’s name was the best way to cover up when in a difficult situation.

However…

“To think that the lord of the four seas knows our country’s language… I am deeply moved!”

The governor of Ulju was the problem.

From his perspective, my ability to speak Goryeo language would naturally seem extraordinary.

In modern terms, it would be similar to a foreign president visiting and responding fluently in Korean rather than English.

“To be moved to such an extent…”

I regretted saying this as soon as the words left my mouth, but it was too late.

The governor of Ulju had an expression that suggested he wanted to serve me right away.

“I will show you everything in Ulju!”

At the governor’s words, I suddenly remembered what a friend from Busan once told me.

He said he would treat me to the full course if I came to Busan.

Believing him, I went with just myself, and indeed, I was dragged around all day, filled with pork soup and wheat noodles, and emptied soju bottles while looking at the sea.

It was a really good memory for me.

The thought that the governor of Ulju would do the same made me excited inside.

* * *

“This isn’t the Busan I expected.”

I muttered to myself while resting.

The core of the modern Busan full course I had expected was pork soup.

And it was important to eat a plate of raw fish while looking at the magnificent sea view.

But the diet in Goryeo during this era wasn’t very good.

First of all, the pork wasn’t tasty, and the rice wasn’t fluffy like modern rice but closer to porridge.

“This cannot be.”

My Busan shouldn’t be ruined like this.

Of course, considering the era, this level of hospitality was certainly luxurious.

But from my perspective, remembering modern Busan, this was unacceptable.

I inwardly thought about this while recalling the soup recipe I remembered.

Before joining the military, I had worked at a soup restaurant.

It was before I worked at construction sites with Mongolian brothers, so it was a very old memory, but I remembered the soup recipe because the owner had been very strict with me.

Anyway, thanks to that owner, I knew how to make beef head soup, if not pork soup.

“I originally planned to make it in the Great Capital, but…”

The reason I didn’t make it in Mongolia was simply because Mongolia lacked rice.

After occupying the Great Capital, rice supply became smooth, so I had planned to use this as a foundation to make soup.

But with the Crusade expedition and the Japan expedition after occupying the Great Capital, I didn’t have time.

Additionally, when I returned to the Great Capital, three wives would be waiting, making it nearly impossible to make anything there.

“Yes, it’s better to make it here.”