Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 472

472. Liaodong (8)

After sending Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen back to Nanjing, the Xuande Emperor looked at the map with a weary face and muttered,

“The Northern Yuan is a problem, but the biggest problem is Joseon [historical Korean kingdom]. It has grown too large.”

When Prince Hyang of Joseon first came to discuss the joint venture, Joseon’s position to Ming was best described as ‘neither too close nor too far.’

It couldn’t be guaranteed that Joseon would never turn against Ming, but it wasn’t an enemy that had to be treated as a hostile nation either.

Rather, the pirates and Japanese pirates who plagued Ming’s coastal areas were a bigger problem.

Instead, it was more beneficial to appease Joseon by pretending to listen to what Joseon considered problematic.

In such a situation, the joint venture proposed by Hyang was beneficial to the Ming imperial family, which was suffering from financial problems. Therefore, Emperor Xuande readily accepted Hyang’s proposal and allowed Joseon to resolve the Jonggye Byeonmu issue [border disputes], which they had been continuously requesting, and to recover Hwaryeong, the origin of the royal family, and the area north of it, which was heavily influenced by Yi Seong-gye [founder of the Joseon dynasty].

“As long as the kings of Joseon are descended from Yi Seong-gye, they will make every effort to recover that area. So, by allowing this, I will put a burden on them. And while they are recovering that area, Joseon will lose interest in Liaodong [region in northeastern China]. During that time, I will firmly establish Liaodong as Ming’s territory.”

With this calculation, Emperor Xuande granted Joseon’s request. And Emperor Xuande’s calculation initially worked well.

However, the first variable was that Joseon’s national power began to strengthen faster than expected.

The second variable was Imanju and Mentemu [Jurchen leaders]. Under pressure from both Ming and Joseon, Imanju and Mentemu waged war on Joseon, leaving only a few survivors and becoming extinct. And the area inhabited by the Mentemu tribe was occupied by Joseon.

As the situation changed, Emperor Xuande gradually began to take an interest in Joseon. Among the policies implemented by Joseon, those deemed useful—such as paper money—were introduced to Ming.

Of course, the joint venture continued to bring many benefits to Emperor Xuande, so he was not even considering breaking it up.

However, after hearing rumors of a proper iron horse and seeing an actual prototype, Emperor Xuande became wary of Joseon.

“Joseon’s ships are frequently seen in Yunnan, Siam, Ryukyu, and Malacca?”

After confirming Joseon’s presence in an internal affairs report targeting Ming merchants, Emperor Xuande secretly analyzed the situation.

“Now I understand why the saying ‘one must wipe one’s eyes and look anew’ came about.”

Emperor Xuande concluded after rereading the documents he had personally compiled.

“If things continue like this, conflict between Ming and Joseon is inevitable, whether they want it or not. Then, the battlefield will be…”

Emperor Xuande walked to the map of the world hanging on one side of his office and pointed to one spot on the map.

“The battlefield will be here, in Liaodong. Like us, Joseon will not want their territory to be devastated by war.”

Having foreseen the location of the war, Emperor Xuande prepared for the next step.

“Both we and Joseon must settle the matter with a single great battle due to supply issues. To win that battle…”

Emperor Xuande meticulously analyzed based on his knowledge and information.

-Unlike the Jurchens or Northern Yuan, Joseon and Ming’s strength lies in their infantry.

-To properly operate a large-scale infantry unit, proper supply must follow.

-The problem is that Joseon already controls the sea between Ming and Joseon. Ming’s navy has also developed new battleships and cannons, but they are being pushed back by Joseon. Therefore, control of the sea is impossible.

-To win in this situation, large numbers of troops and supplies must be moved as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.

-Only railroads can make this possible.

“Among the three sections, railroads must be laid at least to the middle region between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Only then can we gather overwhelming troops and supplies. The gathered troops and supplies are then gathered in Beijing via the Grand Canal, and then moved at once to Liaodong via the railroad from Beijing.”

Muttering while drawing imaginary lines on the map with his finger, Emperor Xuande sighed.

“The problem is that the railroads have not yet been properly laid. I need to urge the officials a bit. From now on, it’s a race against time. Those cunning father and son in Joseon know this well too. As they have done so far, that father and son will lie low until they are properly prepared. It will be too late if they move when it’s time to show their teeth. Move in advance…. Cough! Cough!”

Emperor Xuande quickly took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and covered his mouth, coughing violently. As the coughing subsided after several fits, Emperor Xuande took the handkerchief away from his mouth and took a long breath.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

After catching his breath, Emperor Xuande looked at the handkerchief in his hand. Looking down at the blood-stained handkerchief, Emperor Xuande smiled bitterly.

“Is the only thing I have to do to finish the preparations without being late? It’s hard. And lonely.”

Emperor Xuande muttered with a weary face.

As a result of the several purges that had taken place, Emperor Xuande could not trust the key officials, eunuchs, and military generals of the empire.

‘If I bring this up as an agenda item, those guys will be divided into two. One group will shake their heads, saying that can’t be true, and the other group will say, without thinking, that we should invade Joseon right away.’

Therefore, Emperor Xuande had sent out even the eunuchs and analyzed the situation and established a plan alone.

“It’s sad that I can only hope to be alive until this plan is completed. If the Crown Prince had as much ability as the Prince of Joseon, this country could have had a thousand years of glory… Hoo…”

Emperor Xuande sighed deeply and concluded with a face full of regret.

“If the Crown Prince had as much ability as the Prince of Joseon, this country could have had a thousand years of glory…”

* * *

Despite seeing Sejong and Hyang’s three-question exchange in Geunjeongjeon [main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], most of the officials had indifferent faces.

“There is a high possibility that discord will arise between our Joseon and Ming, so come up with countermeasures regarding this.”

“We obey your command.”

“Let’s stop here.”

The officials who finished the morning assembly gathered again in the Prime Minister’s conference room.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Jo Gye-saeng was the first to speak as soon as he sat down.

“What are you talking about?”

When Prime Minister Hwang Hee asked back, Jo Gye-saeng raised his voice with a frustrated expression.

“Does it make sense that Ming is targeting our Joseon?”

Several officials nodded at Jo Gye-saeng’s words.

The officials who agreed with Jo Gye-saeng had something in common: most of them had entered the court in the late Gyeongjang period [period of King Sejong’s reign focused on agriculture and military].

Hwang Hee responded to Jo Gye-saeng’s criticism with an indifferent face.

“What’s so surprising about that…? His Majesty and the Prince have been expecting it since the beginning of Gyeongjang.”

“Huh?”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Jo Gye-saeng and a few others blinked as if they didn’t understand properly. Kim Jeom, who was next to him, continued.

“Isn’t it a natural course of events if you think about it? Joseon’s capabilities are growing, so will Ming just stand still? This also involves suzerainty (宗主權, the right of one country to interfere in the internal affairs and diplomacy of another country). No, do you think our Joseon should continue to accept Ming’s exercise of suzerainty?”

“N, no.”

Jo Gye-saeng hurriedly denied. Looking at Jo Gye-saeng, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth.

“When the Minister of Education was staying in the countryside, the military established a strategy called ‘Eastward Advance’ under His Majesty’s command. It was in preparation for this time.”

Jo Mal-saeng’s face, as he said a word to Jo Gye-saeng, showed a look of gloating. He hated seeing his brother, who pretended to be a clean and virtuous scholar, very much.

“If so…”

When Jo Gye-saeng made an expression that he finally understood, Hwang Hee concluded.

“The true meaning (眞意) of the conversation between His Majesty and the Prince earlier is that the Ming Emperor has only now realized it. Our preparations are already considerable. Even if Ming prepares, we are far ahead, and Ming will have to invest more time and budget. Of course, from now on, we will have to push the budget in earnest as well.”

“Damn it!”

“Shit…”

Kim Jeom and the Minister of Finance added ad-libs with swear words to Hwang Hee’s last words.

* * *

It was when Ming and Joseon were gradually moving in preparation for the certain war that would take place in the future that the Battle of Gamoksabo took place.

“Your Majesty. The newly developed gun barrels have been prepared as ordered.”

When the Vice Minister of the Royal Stable reported, Emperor Xuande rose from his seat.

The place where Emperor Xuande and the Ming officials moved was the training ground of the Jinyiwei [Ming dynasty secret police] located inside the Forbidden City.

“This is the iron gun that the commanders used until recently, this is the newly improved iron gun, and finally, this is the iron gun that has greatly increased the range and accuracy.”

“Good.”

At Emperor Xuande’s short evaluation, the Vice Minister of the Royal Stable immediately nodded.

“Yes. The length of the improved iron gun is about 4 cheok (approximately 120cm), and the last iron gun, which the Royal Stable has named ‘Jangjukchong (杖竹銃),’ has a length of 4 cheok 3 chi (approximately 130cm).”

“What about the accuracy?”

“The improved iron gun is as I said earlier, and in the case of the Jangjukchong, it can hit about 7 out of 10 shots within 40 bo (approximately 72m).”

“The length is long, can the commanders handle it well?”

The Vice Minister of the Royal Stable immediately answered Emperor Xuande’s question.

“We will operate a stand to support the iron gun together, and we plan to select those among the commanders who have strong physiques and excellent shooting skills and organize them separately.”

Emperor Xuande, who had been contemplating for a moment at the Vice Minister of the Royal Stable’s answer, soon nodded.

“Good. Proceed as planned.”

“We obey your command.”

“I expect good results in other areas as well.”

“I will do my best!”

* * *

When Emperor Xuande, satisfied with the new firearms, returned to Muyeongjeon [hall in the Forbidden City], a eunuch who had been waiting was waiting for Emperor Xuande with a tray containing a scroll.

“What is it?”

“It is a memorial related to the Ministry of Rites.”

“A memorial…”

Emperor Xuande picked up the memorial from the tray, examined the contents, and turned his head, putting the memorial back down.

“Minister of Rites.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Tell the person who submitted this memorial as follows. ‘Those who cannot properly learn even the 2,300 characters listed in the ‘Essential Characters for the People (百姓必習文子)’ are not worth being used greatly.’ Chinese characters (漢字) are the essence of our thousands of years of history! Because it is such an essence, it is difficult to learn, so we have determined 2,300 essential characters and told them to learn them! But is it difficult even to do that, and they want to improve the characters? The problem is with the guys who can’t learn them! The Minister of Rites should keep this in mind and teach the people!”

“I will keep that in mind!”

After seeing Joseon operate Saminhakdang [private schools during Joseon dynasty], Emperor Xuande also created Chohakwon (礎學院 – a learning center that serves as a cornerstone), a basic educational institution to teach the people. Then, he mobilized all the personnel of the Ministry of Rites and the Guozijian [imperial academy] to select 2,300 Chinese characters that must be learned, named them ‘Essential Characters for the People,’ and created textbooks to distribute to Chohakwon.

However, thanks to the characteristics of Chinese characters, which are pictograms, it was not easy to properly learn those 2,300 characters. To put it simply, there were countless people who could read but could not write.

Therefore, opinions to improve the ‘characters’ themselves continued to come out, but Emperor Xuande strongly rejected them.

“Chinese characters are the soul of China!”

* * *

Later historians, especially Chinese historians, evaluated Emperor Xuande as follows.

‘The Nine-Perfect Emperor (九全皇帝).’

-Emperor Xuande can be called an unprecedented wise ruler in Chinese history without being inferior to anyone.

However, the reason why he became a Nine-Perfect Emperor, lacking just one thing from the perfect ‘Ten-Perfect (十全),’ was because of his pride.

Because of his pride as an emperor and his pride that Ming was the center of the world and the greatest country in the world, he continued to suffer avoidable losses.

For example, starting with the permission of the joint venture, he simply missed the opportunity to suppress Joseon, wasted a lot of time believing in Ming’s technology, and blocked the reform of the characters.

If he had handled only these parts well, he would have become the Ten-Perfect Emperor.

This was the evaluation of Emperor Xuande by later historians.