Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 487

487. Ouchi, Raising an Army (5)

“That is correct.”

“The Waegu [Japanese pirates] are inherently cunning, insidious, and prone to seizing what belongs to others through violence. If we let our guard down even slightly, they will immediately reveal their vicious nature.”

“The problem is that our Joseon’s [ancient Korean kingdom] defenses are becoming lax as this era of peace continues for generations.”

“That’s right. We must not forget preparedness, and we must legislate that valuing martial arts is as important as valuing literature.”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, the ministers, as if they had been waiting, began to denounce the Waegu and offer their own countermeasures.

* * *

Hwang, who witnessed this scene, once again wore a dumbfounded expression.

‘What is this? This incredible analytical ability? And what’s with this rapid decision-making?’

Watching the countermeasures come out in rapid succession, Hwang cried out inwardly.

‘No! The previous generation was so well-prepared, so why was it like that during the Imjin year [Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598]? Why was it like that?’

Hwang was frustrated, recalling the actions Joseon took on the eve of the Imjin War in the history he had learned in the 21st century.

* * *

However, there were a few things Hwang overlooked.

Firstly, unlike the time of the Imjin War, the threat from the Waegu at this time was a palpable threat that could be felt firsthand.

From the late Goryeo period to the early Joseon period, the Waegu, or rather, the Japanese pirates, were a source of terror.

Not only the coastal areas of the Korean Peninsula but also the inland areas were plundered by the Waegu, resulting in enormous loss of life and economic damage.

Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, also built his reputation by winning victories against the Waegu.

The ministers who now held positions in the court were those who were born and raised in an era tormented by the Waegu.

Therefore, their wary eyes towards the Waegu never dulled. The reason Hwang supported the establishment of a consulate in the Waegu was also because of this.

In addition to the economic aspect, it would allow for a faster and more accurate understanding of the Waegu’s political situation.

Secondly, the Joseon court at the time of the Imjin War was not simply standing idly by.

Seonjo’s court was also aware of the threat of invasion from the Waegu and was steadily preparing for it.

However, the military crisis facing Seonjo’s court was not limited to the Waegu.

At that time, Nurhaci was fiercely building his power in the north. Nurhaci, who received support from Yi Seong-ryang of the Ming Dynasty under the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians, was gradually expanding his power.

From Joseon’s perspective, a situation had suddenly arisen where two fronts were created, and Joseon had to choose which side to prioritize.

Here, Joseon’s choice was the north.

Until the Sampo Rebellion and the Eulmyo Disturbance, the Waegu’s unrest was intermittent, and the damage was bearable. Of course, this was the court’s judgment, and the people who were directly affected shed tears of blood.

However, the Jurchen people of the north constantly harassed Joseon. In that situation, a powerful figure named Nurhaci appeared.

In this situation, Joseon prioritized the north. The Waegu had the natural fortress of the sea, but the north had no such thing.

Of course, even though they prioritized the north, they did not forget the south.

-The best way to stop the Waegu is to stop them at sea.

According to this decision, promising new generals were appointed as naval commanders in the Samnam region.

The problem was that one of those generals was the ultimate cheat key, but the other was a self-destruct key more than enough to ruin everything.

Lastly, what Hwang overlooked was the people who were running the court now.

From the monarch, Sejong, to the ministers, they were all cheat-level characters with unprecedented abilities.

Even in the history before Hwang’s intervention, the era of Yeongjo and Jeongjo, which led the Renaissance of the late Joseon period, was evaluated as pale in comparison to this era, where such talented people were gathered.

* * *

Sejong, who had been discussing countermeasures with the ministers, cleared his throat when he saw Hwang just blinking.

“Ahem! Ahem! I will ask the Crown Prince. Is this father’s thinking wrong?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang immediately bowed his head and replied.

“No, it is not! Rather, I deeply realize that the depth of my thoughts is shallow!”

Sejong, who smiled slightly at Hwang’s words, cautiously brought up the topic.

“I know your abilities, so it’s absurd to say they are shallow. Tell me your thoughts. I want to hear them.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers grumbled inwardly.

‘It’s starting again! Boasting about his son!’

‘It’s amazing that the Crown Prince discovered the problem with his loyalty to the king and defense against foreign invaders, but the boasting about his son is a bit…’

‘If we’re not careful, we might hear another Zen-like dialogue between father and son.’

Whether he knew the ministers’ thoughts or not, Hwang took a light breath and opened his mouth.

“Most of what I have been pondering has already been said by Father. However, there are a few slight differences, one of which is the issue of handling the tributary states. Those who have learned Confucianism and administration in our Joseon will regard those tributary states as the first entities to be eliminated or tied down.”

“So you’re going to carry out something like the abolition of private soldiers that the previous kings 추진하셨던 [pushed forward]? If we’re not careful, there will be a backlash and another civil war will break out.”

Hwang immediately affirmed Sejong’s point.

“That is correct. Therefore, these people, whom I will now call Confucian scholars, will try to actively operate the hostage system in order to consolidate the power of the Ouchi clan. Of course, they are already operating a system called alternate attendance, but they will operate it with a stronger coercive nature. And they will try to make the lords of each tributary state and their subordinate warriors into scholars rather than warriors. And they will actively utilize Confucianism for this purpose. And ultimately…”

“Abolition of domains (廃藩) [Haihan]?”

Hwang, who paused for a moment at Sejong’s short question, immediately nodded his head.

“That is correct.”

At Hwang’s affirmation, the ministers wore dumbfounded expressions but soon began to carefully examine the situation.

‘No, how does that go as far as the abolition of domains?’

‘No, no. It’s definitely possible. Our Joseon also did many things, starting with the abolition of private soldiers, to kill the power of the local magnates that had continued since the ancient Three Han period, right? If the Confucian scholars follow our Joseon’s system, it’s definitely possible.’

Meanwhile, Hwang continued his explanation.

“Regarding the ‘loyalty to the king’ part, what I thought differently from Father starts from here.

If the Ouchi clan gains power, the Confucian scholars will be active at the center of power.

That means they will no longer have to care about the Emperor. Rather, in order to make the Emperor a nominal symbol, they will absorb or eliminate the Emperor’s court under the Ouchi clan.”

At Hwang’s words, Sejong and the ministers nodded. That was the nature of politics.

Hwang Hee opened his mouth at Hwang’s statement.

“If that happens, the Confucianism spread through the Confucian scholars will become a new tool for political struggle. The nobles and feudal lords who have been pushed out of the power struggle will use Confucianism to attack the Ouchi clan. Of course, not right now, but eventually.”

Hwang nodded at Hwang Hee’s point.

“That is correct. And the Confucian scholars will create various theories to defend against that offensive.”

‘In short, the clash between the meritorious subjects and the Sarim faction will happen in Japan!’

* * *

Interestingly, something similar happened in the history before Hwang’s intervention.

Confucianism, which was 본격적으로 [in earnest] disseminated through Joseon scholars such as Kang Hang, who were captured as prisoners of war during the Imjin War, was the starting point of the incident.

Those who were 반감을 [antagonistic] to the Tokugawa shogunate 주장했다 [argued for] the restoration of imperial rule based on Confucianism theory, and scholars who supported the shogunate 반박했다 [refuted] this by advocating the union of the imperial court and the shogunate.

Through fierce struggles, the restoration of imperial rule and the Meiji Restoration were achieved.

It was the birth of imperialist Japan, and it was the beginning of Joseon’s tragedy.

* * *

“In the end, if this situation continues, it is certain that the political situation in the Waegu will become unstable. In order to stabilize this, or to resolve the grievances of those who have newly seized power, they will turn their eyes outward and become a threat to our Joseon. Therefore, I said it would be the worst result.”

When Hwang’s statement ended, Sejong and the ministers all nodded.

“I think the Crown Prince’s thoughts are reasonable in their own way. What do you all think?”

Hwang Hee stepped forward and answered Sejong’s question.

“That is indeed the case. Now I understand why following the old ways is the best option even if the Ouchi clan gains power.”

“However, it seems easier for the worst result to come out than that best result. Let’s discuss countermeasures for this.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers offered various opinions.

Various pros and cons continued, but the conclusion was surprisingly simple.

-Internally, continue to build a strong and prosperous nation, and externally, be constantly vigilant.

Sejong smacked his lips slightly after hearing the conclusion.

“Tch. It’s the most 정석적인 [orthodox] answer, but it seems there’s no better option than this.”

“That is correct.”

“Internally, this is the best way, but what is the best way to do it externally? Ah, the Ming is too much to handle, so let’s just think about the Waegu.”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee immediately answered.

“Since it is almost certain that the Ouchi clan will cause trouble, we must help the Ouchi clan to properly seize power. Of course, it is best to carry out the measures we decided on earlier, and the problem is how to ensure that the Ouchi clan, once they have seized power, can maintain it for a long time.”

“Is there a good way?”

“It is to use the Confucian scholars. The Confucian scholars in Hanseong now and the Confucian scholars who have returned to the Waegu are connected, so we should use this. Of course, practical help or interference may provoke a backlash from the Ouchi clan, so advice would be the best option.”

Sejong’s eyes twinkled at Hwang Hee’s answer.

“Advice? What kind of advice will you give?”

Hwang Hee immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“The best thing would be a ‘遷都 (transfer of the capital) [Cheondo].'”

He repeatedly admired Hwang Hee’s answer in his mind.

‘Old ginger is spicy! As expected, Lord Hwang Hee!’

* * *

While Joseon was 고민을 [worrying] like this, a heated debate was also taking place at the Ouchi family’s main residence in Kyushu.

“Lord! You must raise an army!”

“No! It is still too early! The time will soon come when those in Kyoto will be blinded by greed and 실정 (misgovern) [lose their way]! Until then, you must endure and bide your time!”

It had already been a long time since the document was delivered stating that Ashikaga Yoshimasa, an eight-year-old child, had become shogun, following the death of Ashikaga Yoshikatsu.

-All shugo daimyos [feudal lords] and lords must come to Kyoto immediately.

And, some time ago, an order was delivered to attend Kyoto.

From this time on, the debate began.

Those who advocated raising an army were mostly young officials who had returned from studying in Joseon and warriors of similar age.

-This shogun 추대는 [enthronement] is the result of a collusion by the seven families of Kyoto! It is a collusion created by greed to seize power and 전횡 [tyranny]! Accepting this is unacceptable! We must immediately raise an army to drive them out and 옹립 [establish] a proper shogun!

The 정론 [main argument] put forward by the pro-uprising faction was gaining more and more strength, but the opposition faction continued to insist on 불가 [impossibility].

-We still lack strength!

-The 명분 [justification] is also weak! We must wait until they make even bigger 실정 [mistakes]!

This was the opposition’s 논지 [argument].

In the end, Ouchi Mochiyo, after much 고민을 [deliberation], sought out the previous family head, Morimi, and had a secret talk.

Mochiyo, who returned after the overnight secret talk, declared to his vassals.

“Draw your swords!”

It was the beginning of the war.