章 109: Joseon, the Hermit Kingdom
Hanyang, Kingdom of Joseon
October 12th, 1790
"How are we looking so far?" Samuel asked as he ran through the list of names the King of Joseon sent him. The list had more than a few names on it. In fact, it had over four dozen names. Some of them were Yi Sungdeuk, Jeong Yak-jong, Im Sang-ok, and Jeongye Daewongun.
"We're on progress to leave within a week, sir. We currently have around three hundred fifty-six people ready to board our ships and return to the United States, just under our objective of five hundred. However, negotiations with the local lords are proving tricky; they're trying to extract every ounce of gold from us for one slave." Major Williams answered swiftly.
"Damned nobles," The leader of the expedition mumbled.
Lieutenant Jackson scowled, "They're trying to extract every damn penny to get payments for slaves. Reminds me of some folks back at home."
"Let's not get too heated, as this was to be expected. The nobles know we want them and are willing to pay, so they're pushing us hard. But if needed, we can always tell them that we can travel to the southern parts of the peninsula for a better deal." Samuel answered.
The leading officers were organizing purchases and negotiations for purchasing nobis, the slaves/serfs of Korea, from local nobles. King Jeongjo's and his court's reaction to the former president of the United States was a simple mix of shock and horror. When he arrived off the coast of Korea and delivered the letter from Emperor Qianlong, the Joseon king and his court waited several days before responding. To their bigger surprise, the former "slave" knew all the court etiquette and acted properly in front of the monarch of Korea. Some court officials claimed the letter was a forgery and that he should be imprisoned (or executed). Others suggested that Samuel was a descendant of a noble and was lost at sea shortly after birth. All in all, it was an amusing scene as the court bickered with itself, and the king was intently focused on the letter from the Chinese Emperor. Finally, after hours of speaking back and forth, King Jeongjo granted Samuel the right to carry off some of the Korean slaves to "barbarian lands" (with payment, of course). There were a few conditions for their stay/trade in Korea. The first was that they were only to be in Joseon for two weeks, as their presence was causing a stir among the population and the court. The second condition was that the Joseon government received payment for the Kim Embassy's stay in Joseon. The third condition was that Kim could only bring a dozen men maximum on shore at a time. The last condition was that King Jeongjo would be allowed to send several "select" people along with Kim to the United States. They were all willingly accepted, and now the eight ships of the expedition were anchored offshore of Hanyang, near where the metropolitan city of Incheon would be in the future. The two Marine officers (Lieutenant Jackson and Major Williams) and Samuel were in the former president's private quarters onboard the USS Charleston.
Samuel and his crew had been in Korea for a week, and finally, the king sent him the list of names he wanted (but it sounded awfully like he demanded) Samuel to take. The Korean American read through the list and frowned. "It looks like the king wants us to take away some of the people he doesn't like in his realm."
"Political dissenters?'Jackson asked.
"I guess you can call them that. A few illegitimate children that may challenge his successors and several Roman Catholics."
"Catholics?"
"Joseon has always persecuted Christians. If you're a Christian, you're as good as dead. It isn't always the case, but usually, Christians are viciously stamped out by the Joseon government."
The lieutenant wrinkled his nose, "Great. First, the nobility here acts more pompously than the ones in Europe. Then we're treated like devils because of our looks. Now I'm told that they persecute Christians too. Anything else?"
"You forgot slavery and militarily weak," Major Williams mentioned with a chuckle, "I know you told us that slaves only make up around 7-8% of the Korean population, but I've seen plenty on my short visits onto the shore. And if I may be frank, their military looks like a joke. They still carry spears and swords as if they would be effective against muskets and cannons. The few firearms they have are matchlocks and a few small cannons."
"Don't forget ignorance too. Seems like most of them don't expect a white man to be able to speak a bit of Korean. And none of the people I spoke with, even the Korean officials, seem very educated about the outside world." Jackson piped up.
The former Marine put down the list and sighed, "They are the "Hermit Kingdom" after all. And not only are they very conservative, but they are also incredibly corrupt and stagnant. The amount of corruption in this country is beyond your imagination."
Major Williams shook his head. "It's hard to see how you came from such a place, sir, no offense."
"Well, there are always a few exceptions. Besides, my life was hardly ordinary," Samuel smiled, "Also, if we bring these people back with us, perhaps they will have completely different lives due to the atmosphere and affairs of our nation."
Just then, Colonel White walked in and saluted, "Sir, there's a small raft approaching our ship. There are six passengers on board, two adults and four children. I need a translator to help translate their words for us."
All three officers in Kim's private quarter rose from their seats and nodded in approval as they moved toward the deck. When they arrived, a few dozen sailors looked down on the raft below. Kim peered over the deck and shouted at them in Korean, "What do you want from us?"
A male adult shouted back loudly, "Sir, if you are purchasing me and my wife, then purchase my children too! Our lord is willing to sell us away, but not our children! Please, my wife and I want to be with our children and not be split apart!"
"Armed guards at the ready, just in case. Sailors, man your stations in case any armed Korean ships attempt to engage us," Samuel said as he turned to the others. A dozen Marines snapped in reply and moved into the armory. Meanwhile, the sailors of the Charleston started to move on their feet to prepare for a potential conflict. While there were no ships in the immediate vicinity, it was certainly possible that these stragglers were followed. After he gave out his commands, the "ambassador" turned back to the stricken man and replied, "We will take you onboard for now and I will discuss with your lord about your situation!"
A rope was lowered, and the six Koreans were pulled up carefully. The four children (two boys and two girls) were pulled up first (by typing the rope around their waist), and then the two adults were pulled up after. When they climbed onto the deck, all of them looked around warily at the numerous foreigners around them. The male slave looked warily at Major Williams, who remained unfazed at the stare and maintained a passive expression. He turned to the only other Korean man on the ship and bowed, "My lord."
"What are your names?"
"I am Pakjun, and this is my wife, Eunha. My children are named Pakha, Pakhee, Hajun, and Eunjun."
"May I ask who your lord is?"
"The great and honorable Lord Lee Sangoon, who owns 50 li of land."
"Ah yes, I think I remember meeting with him a few days ago. I will discuss with him tomorrow when I return to the shore."
The man laughed and hugged his wife and children, "Thank our ancestors! You are very gracious, my lord. What work do you have for us? We will get started right away!"
Samuel shifted his feet awkwardly, "You are no longer slaves, and you do not need to call me "lord."
"I'm sorry, my lord. What do you mean?"
"You're free men now. The moment you boarded this ship, you were set free. Unfortunately, the Joseon government might not see it that way and may attempt to re-enslave you if you return. But if you come with us, we'll take you to a place where you can get settled, gain some land, and live freely. Of course, if you wish to return, I will not stop you; that is your right. Be aware, though, the land we are traveling to is my home but a foreign place for Koreans like us."
"I am not willing to risk splitting up my family again," Pakjun replied firmly, "I will go wherever you go, my lord, and obey your words."
The Korean-American had a complicated expression on his face as he looked at Jackson, "Er, it looks like we have a lot of work cut out for us... If we truly want them to be Americans."
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