Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 256

256. Expedition Team (4)

Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information, Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-seo paused briefly to regain their composure before returning to their usual demeanor.

“The world is truly vast,” Hwang Hee remarked.

Sejong responded with a slight smile. “Indeed. Continue with the explanation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the military officer replied, pointing to a large island with his pointer. “This island was discovered by Challenger Fleet No. 3. According to their measurements, its overall size is estimated to be similar to the combined area of the three southern provinces: Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang.”

“Hmm!” Hwang Hee exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with undisguised interest.

‘If it’s an island of that size…’

The thought of such a large, unclaimed territory sparked a sense of duty within him. It was only right to incorporate it into Joseon’s domain.

For the king, and for the ministers responsible for the country’s governance, expanding the territory and ensuring the people’s well-being were paramount.

With a glint of desire in his eyes, Hwang Hee’s mind began to race.

‘The population problem… troop deployment… naval expansion… finances…’

As he mentally juggled these issues while studying the map, Hwang Hee noticed another island drawn to the south and inquired, “Is the island to the south Waeguk [Japan]?”

“Yes, it is the main island of Waeguk.”

Hwang Hee’s expression turned serious at the officer’s concise answer.

‘At that distance, Waeguk must also be aware of its existence. In that case…’

He asked with concern, “Are the Japanese also aware of this island?”

“Yes. Given the proximity of Waeguk’s main island, we inquired with Japanese merchants at the Waegwan [Japanese trading post in Joseon], and they confirmed their awareness.”

“Then, is that island considered Waeguk territory?”

“No. The Japanese consider it a foreign land.”

Upon hearing this, Hwang Hee immediately advised Sejong, “Your Majesty! We must prioritize incorporating that island into Joseon’s territory!”

Sejong nodded in agreement. “The State Council and I have reached the same conclusion. However, we must not rush into this without proper preparation, or we risk significant losses. Therefore, I intend to allow a period of preparation.”

“How long are you considering for this preparation period?” Hwang Hee asked.

Lee Jik answered on behalf of Sejong, “We are initially anticipating three years.”

Hwang Hee strongly protested, “Three years is far too long! We must complete the basic preparations within one year and then proceed!”

Maeng Sa-seong objected, “That’s too tight! We’re talking about a huge island, the size of three provinces combined! If we act rashly without proper preparation, we will suffer greatly!”

Hwang Hee remained firm. “One year is sufficient! Tell me, how long does it take to travel between that island and Joseon?”

“Based on the Challenger-class battleships, with favorable winds and continuous sailing, we can reach the southern tip of the island from Wonsan in five days.”

“Five days! Are you certain!”

“That is the result of our tests.”

Hwang Hee was visibly pleased.

Hwang Hyang muttered to himself, ‘You lucked out, I guess.’

* * *

The Challenger’s maximum speed with favorable winds was 10 knots (approximately 18 km) per hour. In Joseon’s units, that’s about 90 li [36 km] in one shijin [two hours].

However, that was only achievable when unburdened by heavy cargo, food, cannons, gunpowder, and ammunition.

‘According to the test report, the distance from Hokkaido’s southern tip to Wonsan is about 2,800 li [approximately 1,120 km], right? Simple math suggests a little over a day and a half, but this is the Joseon era. No automatic navigation or GPS. Impossible to sail straight through the night… And even fully loaded, we can’t reach maximum speed. Hence, five days… Taking everything into account, the ship is too slow!’

Lost in thought, Hyang unknowingly sighed.

“Hoo~.”

“Crown Prince, why the sudden sigh?” Sejong asked.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing. Tell me honestly.”

Hyang replied with a helpless expression, “The ship is a bit slow.”

Sejong and the ministers exchanged dumbfounded glances.

* * *

The Challenger-class battleship used in the test was among the largest and fastest in the Joseon navy.

Of course, the Haeung-class battleship was even faster, eliciting ‘crazy’ reactions within the navy, but its cargo capacity was too limited.

Therefore, Sejong and the ministers stared at Hyang in disbelief. The ministers, in particular, looked at him as if he were a monster.

‘That’s slow?’

‘I heard they were researching a new type of battleship, but what kind of monster are they planning to create?’

‘The budget? The budget!’

* * *

Regardless of their reactions, Hwang Hee was delighted and advised Sejong, “Your Majesty! It’s only five days! One year is too long! We must make maximum preparations within six months and begin the attack. Any shortcomings can be addressed immediately! Five days is worth the risk!”

Sejong looked troubled. “But wouldn’t that be close to gambling?”

Hwang Hee replied firmly, “No! What kind of people are the Japanese? The information we’ve gathered about that northern island must have reached the Shogun [King of Japan]. Look at the island’s location! It’s much closer to Waeguk than to Joseon! If I were the Shogun, I wouldn’t stand by and watch Joseon take the island right under my nose! This isn’t just about territorial expansion, but also national defense!”

“If he were the kind of person to think that way, would he have left it alone until now?” Lee Jik countered.

Hwang Hee pointed out, “Until now, Joseon hasn’t shown interest in that island, has it? But now we have. Would the Shogun simply let it pass?”

“There’s a point,” Sejong conceded, nodding. As Sejong agreed, the weight shifted towards Hwang Hee’s argument.

“Are the Challenger-class battleships all three that we currently possess?”

“One more has been built since then. By next month, all Challenger Nos. 1 through 5 will be ready for deployment.”

“If you add one to three, isn’t that four?” Hwang Hee asked.

Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward. “The navy dislikes the number four (四) [because it sounds like the word for death (死) in Korean].”

“Huh? Ah…”

Hwang Hee, initially puzzled, immediately understood. The aversion to the number four, due to its association with death, was common even among civilians. It was well-known that this aversion was even stronger among sailors and naval personnel who risked their lives on the sea.

“Minister of War, no, Minister of National Defense, how much can we transport if we mobilize all the Challenger-class battleships?”

Jo Mal-saeng answered, “We will be able to transport just enough to establish a beachhead.”

Hwang Hee bowed towards Sejong. “Your Majesty! If the Shogun knows of our movements, he will surely act! We must seize this island before that happens!”

“Hmm…” Sejong stroked his beard, pondering Hwang Hee’s words.

As Sejong deliberated, the other ministers, except for Hwang Hee, began to calculate diligently.

‘Perhaps we need to completely revise the plan.’

‘The problem is that Lord Hwang’s words are reasonable… I’ll be suffering from overtime again.’

‘Do we need to completely revise the budget execution plan…’

‘The land in the Northeast region won’t disappear, but the situation is different with that island…’

The ministers grumbled inwardly while making their own preparations. They, too, didn’t want Waeguk to seize the island first.

Meanwhile, Hyang, observing the scene, clicked his tongue at the ministers’ expressions.

‘Anyway, their greed for land is… Well, more land is always better.’

* * *

The initial plan, based on the information from the Challenger-class battleships, was as follows:

-Construct a port at ‘Landing Point 1’.

-Secure a land transportation route from east of the Tumen River to ‘Landing Point 1’.

-Utilize the land route to transport personnel and materials to construct a shipyard at ‘Landing Point 1’ and expand the port.

-Occupy the newly discovered island using Challenger-class ships from the new shipyard.

-Once the island’s occupation progressed, resume exploration of the Northeast region and the northern sea route from ‘Landing Point 1’.

However, this plan was about to be scrapped due to Hwang Hee’s proposal.

The problem was that Hwang Hee’s point was valid.

Half the merchants in the Waegwan were spies.

They traded with Joseon’s merchants while constantly monitoring Joseon’s internal affairs.

In such a situation, the Shogun would inevitably know. And if the Shogun knew of Joseon’s movements, a reaction was inevitable.

In the end, the ministers blamed themselves.

‘We were too complacent!’

* * *

Watching the changing atmosphere, Hyang focused on Hwang Hee.

‘Looking at his work in the Northeast and the current situation, he’s a very capable man…’

Hwang Hee was a prime example of someone ‘capable but with personal flaws’.

Hyang then shifted his gaze to Jo Mal-saeng, another individual whose ‘humanity was inversely proportional to his ability,’ and muttered inwardly, ‘Lord Jo and Lord Hwang received the punishment of retirement instead of death, so is that a happy ending in its own way?’

As those gathered in Geunjeongjeon were lost in thought, Sejong spoke.

“I will make a decision.”

Hyang and the ministers focused their attention on Sejong.

Receiving everyone’s attention, Sejong stated his conclusion. “The existing plan was reasonable, and the opinion of Hwang Hee, the Hamgyeong-do Governor, is also reasonable. However, Joseon cannot execute both plans simultaneously. Therefore, we must choose, and I intend to execute Hwang Hee’s plan first. Are there any objections?”

After a moment of silence, the ministers bowed their heads.

“We will follow Your Majesty’s will!”

“Thank you. Revise the plan accordingly and submit it. How much time will you need?”

Lee Jik, after a moment of calculation, answered, “We will need about a month.”

“A month? That long?” Sejong asked sternly.

Lee Jik explained, “We need to re-examine the island’s terrain, recalculate the scale of troops for deployment, and recalculate the budget. To do this properly requires at least a month.”

Sejong, after considering Lee Jik’s answer, said, “A month seems a bit long. It will be difficult, but I would like the revised plan within fifteen days.”

It was a word of encouragement, but also an order. In the end, Lee Jik bowed his head. “I will obey your command.”

“Let’s stop here and take a break.”

As the meeting ended, the ministers leaving Geunjeongjeon complained to Lee Jik.

“Have you forgotten His Majesty’s personality? You should have asked for a longer period!”

“You should have said two months!”

“I thought I wouldn’t be working overtime anymore…”