King Injo of Joseon vs Narai the Great

Injo became king of Joseon after a coup deposed his uncle, Gwanghaegun. His reign was marked by a pro-Ming, anti-Manchu stance that led to disastrous military conflicts.

The Later Jin (Manchu) invaded Korea in response to Injo's anti-Manchu policies. Injo fled to Ganghwa Island, and the invasion ended with a treaty that forced Joseon to recognize Manchu suzerainty and pay tribute.

The Qing dynasty (formerly Later Jin) invaded Korea again after Injo refused to submit. Injo surrendered at Samjeondo, performing a humiliating ritual of submission to the Qing emperor, ending Joseon's independence in foreign policy.

Injo surrendered to the Qing emperor Hong Taiji at Samjeondo, bowing three times and kowtowing nine times. This act made Joseon a tributary state of the Qing, a humiliation that deeply affected Korean national consciousness.

Injo's eldest son, Crown Prince Sohyeon, died suddenly after returning from captivity in Qing China. Injo was suspected of poisoning him due to political differences, deepening the royal family's internal conflicts.

Narai became king of Ayutthaya after a coup against his uncle, King Si Suthammaracha. His reign marked a shift toward cosmopolitanism and foreign trade.

Narai developed Lopburi as a second royal capital, building a palace and European-style buildings. The city became a center for foreign diplomats and traders, reflecting Narai's cosmopolitan policies.

Narai welcomed the first French embassy led by Chevalier de Chaumont at his court in Ayutthaya. The embassy sought to convert Narai to Catholicism and establish trade ties, leading to a Franco-Siamese alliance.

Narai dispatched a Siamese diplomatic mission to the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles. The embassy, led by Kosa Pan, was a major event in Franco-Siamese relations and showcased Siamese culture in Europe.

During Narai's final illness, French troops in Bangkok and Mergui were besieged by Siamese forces loyal to Phetracha. The siege ended French military influence in Siam and led to the expulsion of French garrisons.