Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 243

243. The Envoy (5)

The envoy’s fleet, which had departed from Shimonoseki, was heading to Kyoto under the escort of warships belonging to the Ouchi clan.

Although the envoy’s visit was sudden, the fleet had to call at various famous Japanese ports along the way to replenish diplomatic supplies and other necessities.

“This is… it’s definitely a problem that we have to resupply so often.”

The captain of the Panokseon [a type of Korean warship], carrying Nam Giju, nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. It’s probably an inherent limitation of the Panokseon itself.”

The Panokseon was originally designed to operate in coastal waters. Moreover, heavily armed with cannons, the interior of the ship was largely filled with gunpowder, large arrows, and iron bullets. As a result, the Panokseon’s operational range could not exceed five days at most.

Of course, Yi Hyang had increased the size of the Panokseon, but the Joseon navy filled the expanded space with more cannons and supplies to support them.

“This problem will be solved when Challenger-class ships are deployed in large numbers.”

Nam Giju lightly shook his head at the captain’s words.

“That won’t happen. Challenger-class ships will be assigned to the high-seas fleet. The Panokseons will still have to guard the waters near Joseon. Of course, when the Haeung-class battleships are launched, the Wokou pirates [Japanese pirates] and fake Wokou will be terrified.”

“Ah! I’ve heard rumors. They say the Haeung is very fast?”

Nam Giju nodded at the captain’s question.

“If pirates encounter the Haeung at sea, they will have two choices: surrender and beg for mercy, or take a sightseeing trip to the Dragon Palace [die].”

After saying that, Nam Giju glanced back. The retainers of the Lord of Tsushima and the retainers of the Ouchi clan, who had been listening to the conversation between the captain and Nam Giju, quickly averted their gazes.

Nam Giju chuckled at the sight and looked back at the captain. The captain also gave a subtle smile and nodded slightly.

“We will arrive at Ushimado soon.”

At the navigator’s report, Nam Giju smiled and joked.

“I’ll have to wield my brush until my arm aches again [referring to the diplomatic paperwork he’ll have to do].”

“Have a good time.”

“Then I should get ready.”

As Nam Giju descended from the Panok (the command turret) of the Panokseon, the retainers of Tsushima and Ouchi also followed him down.

The captain chuckled as he watched them and muttered.

“I heard that Tsushima and the Ouchi clan are enemies…”

The retainers of the two clans, who had boarded the ship under the pretext of guiding the envoy, never stayed close to each other.

However, it was obvious that they were not mere guides. All conversations were conducted through interpreters, but it was clear that they understood Korean well.

Therefore, it was impossible to allow them to loiter inside the ship, especially near the cannons.

That’s why Nam Giju deliberately went up to the Panok and talked to the captain. To eavesdrop on the conversation between the two, the retainers of the two clans had to remain in the turret.

It was a situation where everyone knew the game but pretended not to. The retainers of the two clans knew that Nam Giju was keeping them there, but they couldn’t move easily because information they didn’t know was gradually leaking out from the seemingly casual remarks, as had happened before.

Of course, Yi Hyang and the ministers had carefully considered even these controlled leaks.

* * *

The voyage from Shimonoseki to Osaka took more than a month.

This was because they had to stay at least four to five days at each port they called at along the way.

“Naniwa (Osaka’s old name)!”

At the cry of the sailor on lookout, Nam Giju, who was standing on the deck, turned to the captain.

“We have finally arrived.”

“That’s right.”

As the fleet carrying the envoy approached Osaka Port, many ships filled the sea. The retainer of the Lord of Tsushima identified the ships as he looked at the scene.

“It’s the Shogun’s fleet.”

“It looks like there are about 100 ships.”

The retainer of the Ouchi clan interjected at Nam Giju’s words.

“Because this mission was decided in a hurry, the number seems a bit small. Originally, about 200 ships would have gathered.”

“Is that so?”

Listening to the answers of the retainers of the two clans, Nam Giju observed the Japanese ships filling the harbor.

The vast fleet filling the sea, even though it was said to be only about half of its full strength, did not seem to frighten Nam Giju or the Joseon navy much.

This was because the vast majority of the ships gathered there were medium and small ships, much smaller than the Panokseon. Only a little over ten ships were about the same size as the Panokseon.

Even if they turned hostile, the Joseon ships would have the ability to break through them and escape.

‘Even if we can’t escape, 80% of those ships will become water ghosts with us [sink with us].’

Nam Giju, who had made the calculation with his usual emotionless eyes, did not show any signs of fear.

The Shogun of the Bakufu’s [Japanese feudal government] attempt to show off his power to the Joseon envoy and put psychological pressure on them had little effect.

* * *

The Panokseon docked at the pier of Osaka Port, and a gangway was connected. Just before disembarking, Nam Giju had a conversation with the captain.

“Thanks to you, we arrived safely.”

“Please take care of yourself in Kyoto as well.”

“You too, Captain.”

After exchanging farewell greetings, Nam Giju went down the gangway.

The Panokseons carrying the envoy docked at the pier, and all kinds of cargo, horses, and carts were brought down to the pier.

As the horses unloaded from the ship became somewhat stable, cavalrymen soon approached and began to place saddles on them.

The eyes of the Japanese people sparkled at the sight of the cavalrymen putting on saddles, inserting Type A muskets and Type B mounted rifles into the holsters, and mounting their horses.

“The armor is unique?”

At the question posed by a Japanese observer who saw the full-body plate armor worn by the cavalrymen, Nam Giju replied with an indifferent expression.

“It’s armor that we started using recently.”

“Is that so?”

The expressions of the Japanese people listening to Nam Giju’s answer were complicated.

‘It’s covered with cloth on top, but it’s definitely made of iron!’

‘It’s definitely steel! And judging by the way they move, they’ve been wearing it for a long time and are used to it!’

‘To make armor that covers the whole body with that expensive steel and have them wear it! What’s going on in Joseon!’

The Japanese, who were distracted by the cavalrymen’s armor, had completely forgotten about the existence of the Type A musket and Type B mounted rifle attached to either side of the saddle.

“Sir, the horses are ready.”

“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work.”

Guided by the cavalryman, Nam Giju and his party mounted their horses.

“What about the retainers of Tsushima and Ouchi?”

“They have also finished preparing.”

After confirming that the retainers of the two clans who had accompanied them were also waiting for them on the horses they had prepared in advance, Nam Giju rode his horse towards them.

“The matter is important, so let’s move quickly to Kyoto.”

“Yes.”

The retainers of both families agreed to Nam Giju’s words.

* * *

In their eyes, this envoy was unique in many ways. The envoys who had visited Waeguk [Japan] until the last time all used palanquins [covered sedan chairs]. And most of the escort troops were a small number of infantry.

However, this envoy was completely different. Under the pretext of ‘a matter to be discussed urgently,’ they brought horses with them, and all the escort troops were cavalrymen. In addition, the number seemed to fill one Ki (旗, a military unit usually composed of 3-5 Dae, up to 125 people) in the Joseon army organization.

Having heard this news in advance, the Bakufu also formed and sent a unit in charge of escort and guidance entirely of cavalrymen. The number of Japanese cavalrymen who arrived was about 500.

The retainers sent from Tsushima and Ouchi muttered inwardly as they looked at the cavalrymen.

‘To send out 500 cavalrymen… are they boasting that Kyoto is that safe?’

In particular, the retainer of the Ouchi clan had a very serious face.

‘Do they have such strong military power and authority that they are not worried even if they send out that many?’

The cavalrymen sent by the Bakufu contained a silent warning to the Joseon and Japanese clans.

‘The Bakufu is this powerful! Don’t have vain thoughts!’

“Departure!”

At the order of the Japanese cavalry commander, who confirmed that the envoys’ preparations were complete, the Japanese cavalrymen in the lead began to move forward. And the envoy party moved behind them.

And Japanese painters were diligently capturing the scene in paintings.

* * *

The road to Kyoto was smooth. As the movement was efficient, the retainers of the two clans and the retainers sent by the Bakufu engaged Nam Giju in conversation.

“The Joseon cavalrymen look very solid.”

“Since there are frequent clashes with the Jurchens [nomadic tribes to the north], it can’t be helped.”

“Ah…”

The retainers nodded at Nam Giju’s answer. They also knew that the Jurchens were causing trouble in northern Joseon.

“But the cavalrymen don’t have bows? Joseon is famous for its bows, isn’t it?”

“We’re here for Gyorin [diplomatic relations], so there’s no need to bring bows, is there? It’s enough to defend against any possible event.”

“That’s right.”

The retainers nodded at Nam Giju’s words, but they had different thoughts inside.

‘I heard that Joseon’s Gakgung (角弓, composite bow) is weak against moisture, so that was true!’

‘It’s certain that they didn’t bring it because they couldn’t use it, not because they didn’t need it!’

They were retainers who made their own military judgments.

The retainers, who were drawing their own conclusions, showed interest in the Type A musket and Type B mounted rifle quietly placed on the saddles of the Joseon army cavalrymen.

“What are those long weapons?”

“Those? They’re Chongtong [early cannons/firearms].”

“Chongtong?”

The retainers of Tsushima and Ouchi made expressions that they didn’t recognize the term, but the retainer of the Bakufu pretended to know.

“Ah! I’ve heard rumors! I heard that the Ming Dynasty and Joseon use a small Chongtong that soldiers carry individually!”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

The retainer sent by the Bakufu analyzed the situation. The retainer in question was someone who had been to Ming and Joseon with the Wokou.

‘When I went to the Ming Dynasty, I had to use the Chongtong as a club after firing one shot. Is that why they carry two? It seems like they brought it instead of a bow. Two shots should be enough for basic defense.’

The retainer of the Bakufu was making his own conclusions based on his experience and nodding.

Just as the retainers sent from Tsushima, Ouchi, and the Bakufu were trying to scout the military power of Joseon, Joseon was also examining the situation in Japan.

Immediately, even Nam Giju, who was appointed as the chief envoy, was someone who had experienced actual combat with the Jurchens in the north before taking his position in the navy. Therefore, even while talking with the Japanese, his eyes were constantly looking around and remembering.

Even on the way to Kyoto, Nam Giju was so busy organizing data for reports every day that he fell asleep.

-The road conditions are better than those of Joseon before the war.

-The activities of merchants are very active.

-In the case of agriculture, the cultivation of Jeonmi (田米, paddy rice) is still the center. Gwangjak (廣作, large-scale cultivation) is mostly used, in which a large number of people are mobilized to cultivate a wide area.

-The aftermath of the civil war that continued at the end of the Jeonjo Dynasty seems to remain. About 70% of those who build Sa (사를 짓는, temples/shrines) are women. However, the number of boys who will soon be adults is quite large.

-Although the King of Japan holds power, the military power possessed by the clans themselves is also considerable.

-The problem is that these clans are clans located close to where the King of Japan resides.

-Judging from the fact that they maintain military power despite the poor conditions of the rural areas I saw while passing by, there still seems to be a lot of distrust between the clans and the King of Japan.

Nam Giju’s observations were surprisingly accurate.

While Joseon and Japan were secretly probing each other, the envoy party finally arrived in Kyoto.

Nam Giju, who arrived in Kyoto, took a deep breath.

“Hoo-eup! We have finally arrived. We must succeed!”