Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 488

488. Picking Pockets (1)

Five days after Ouchi raised his army, an urgent report arrived in Hanseong [present-day Seoul, South Korea].

However, the atmosphere in Hanseong upon receiving the urgent report was quite unexpected.

“Lord Ouchi has finally raised his troops.”

“Is that so?”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received the urgent report and delivered it, and Sejong [King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty], who heard the news, both wore remarkably indifferent expressions.

“It is not an unexpected event, so proceed with the response based on the pre-established plan.”

“Understood.”

Sejong, who ordered the response with an indifferent face, moved on to the next matter.

“By the way, how many soldiers did Lord Ouchi mobilize for this endeavor?”

“6,000, Your Majesty.”

“6,000?”

At Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Hu’s answer, the expressions of Sejong and all the other ministers changed.

“As many as 6,000?”

“That’s a lot!”

The Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] buzzed with murmurs, and Hwang Hee asked Heo Hu.

“How many of those 6,000 were sent to Kyoto?”

“All 6,000 soldiers were sent to Kyoto.”

“Huh!”

“Goodness!”

At Heo Hu’s answer, the ministers wore dumbfounded expressions. Representing the sentiments of those ministers, Hwang Hee opened his mouth.

“It seems Lord Ouchi is being overly ambitious. According to the investigation last time, I know that Lord Ouchi has a total of 8,000 soldiers, and 6,000 of them… He’s overdoing it.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, most of the ministers nodded.

Sejong also agreed with the words of those ministers.

“I also think the same. Although Lord Ouchi has been trading with our Joseon and accumulating a lot of wealth by developing silver mines together, he is only a minor vassal state. If he does this wrong, he might not even achieve a three-day reign [a short-lived and unsuccessful attempt to seize power].”

At Sejong’s point, the ministers all nodded.

“That is correct. Perhaps, we may have to rewrite all the plans from the beginning.”

* * *

The military was an organization that consumed a vast amount of budget. Therefore, Joseon had to worry and worry again to expand its military power without putting too much strain on its finances, and had to resort to all sorts of tricks.

Because of these hardships, Sejong and the ministers thought that Ouchi was acting recklessly.

Of course, the military force of 6,000 could be considered very small in terms of being able to influence the fate of a country.

However, considering that the size of the army mobilized for the conquest of Liaodong [a region in northeastern China] promoted by Choi Young at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty [the dynasty preceding Joseon] was about 50,000, of which the main force was about 38,000, it was by no means a small number for Ouchi, who was only a minor vassal state, to mobilize 6,000 troops.

* * *

While Sejong and most of the ministers thought it was reckless, Kim Jong-seo raised an objection.

“Perhaps it may not be reckless.”

At Kim Jong-seo’s objection, Sejong’s eyes lit up.

“Not reckless? Is there any basis for saying that?”

At Sejong’s question, Kim Jong-seo explained his reasoning.

“When I went as a secret envoy in the past, Lord Ouchi seemed to be already planning this.”

“Also, the size of the territory directly ruled by Lord Ouchi is not insignificant, but the number and size of the territories ruled as subordinate territories are also not small.”

“…As the Minister of Foreign Affairs also knows, if you count the territories under the control of Lord Ouchi, it is most of the Chugoku region [the westernmost part of Honshu, the largest island of Japan] of Japan and 1/3 of the Kyushu region [the southernmost of Japan’s main islands]. At this level, 6,000 people can be a kind of priming water [an initial effort that sparks a larger movement or action].”

“Priming water….”

Sejong, who pondered Kim Jong-seo’s answer several times, looked back at the ministers.

“We already know the bad relationship between Lord Ouchi and the shogunate [the military government of Japan], and if the area where Lord Ouchi’s hand reaches is so wide, there is a considerable possibility that it is not reckless. Listen, gentlemen. Considering all these circumstances, refrain from predicting that Lord Ouchi’s uprising will fail. Pay close attention to the situation in Japan and take the right measures according to the changes, but avoid making mistakes that cause you to miss the opportunity.”

“Understood.”

After organizing the matters related to Japan, Sejong moved on to the next matter.

“Listen, gentlemen. Having watched the Crown Prince’s regency, I have confirmed that the Crown Prince’s ability is not lacking. Now, I intend to delegate all approval rights for national defense and diplomacy to the Crown Prince.”

At Sejong’s declaration, Hwang Hee immediately asked.

“Have you decided to abdicate the throne?”

“Not right now, but I will do it when I leave for Shinji [a newly acquired territory, possibly referring to land gained through Gyeongjang].”

At Sejong’s answer, the ministers closed their mouths tightly and considered the situation.

‘Of course, the Crown Prince’s ability is not lacking….’

‘But after all, he still lacks experience….’

When the time came for Hyang [the Crown Prince] to decide everything, the ministers became anxious again.

In the end, Hwang Hee represented the ministers and reported to Sejong.

“I am not unaware that the Crown Prince’s abilities are overflowing, but diplomacy and national defense require perfection. Isn’t it too early?”

“Isn’t that perfection built up through experience? And, too early… Are you not thinking about missing the opportunity in Shinji while looking for the right time?”

“However….”

“Have you forgotten what the Crown Prince said regarding this matter in Japan? Have you already forgotten that deep consideration?”

“That is not the case.”

“In my opinion, worrying about the Crown Prince’s immaturity is just a groundless fear. I will see continuing opposition as nitpicking.”

At Sejong’s last warning, Hwang Hee immediately bowed his head.

“I obey the royal decree.”

And Hyang, who received this news, sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. The good days are all gone!”

* * *

Sejong, who had handed over all the work to Hyang, began to prepare to go to Shinji in earnest. From morning to evening, the eunuchs and officials visited Gangnyeongjeon [the king’s living quarters] with documents related to Shinji.

And, occasionally, the ministers of each department were also summoned to Sejong. Every time the ministers were summoned to Gangnyeongjeon, loud noises erupted from Gangnyeongjeon.

“How on earth are you doing your job!”

“I, I am sorry!”

“If you know you are sorry, you shouldn’t create things to be sorry for!”

“Please kill me!”

“Do you really want me to kill you!”

“Goodness! Since the Gyeongjang [a period of territorial expansion and reform], the experiences accumulated as Joseon’s territory has expanded have all been thrown into the outhouse! Why is the work so messed up!”

At Sejong’s scolding, the ministers had no choice but to bow their heads.

Because Sejong’s words were not wrong.

In the process of expanding Joseon’s territory, which began as Gyeongjang came into orbit, it was not only the military that took on all the work. Other departments also stepped forward and took on all kinds of work to digest the newly acquired ownerless lands as Joseon’s.

However, in the process of exploring Shinji, they failed to make proper use of the experience they had accumulated, and they were scolded by Sejong.

“I know very well that the land of Shinji is wider than expected! But we haven’t made all that land Joseon’s right now, have we? Have you forgotten the saying ‘A cow walks a thousand miles’ [meaning consistent effort leads to great achievements]? Or have you forgotten the old days and become lazy in that short amount of time!”

“I will correct it immediately!”

“Do it properly! Goodness! Tsk!”

The ministers, who were struck by Sejong’s thunderbolts and stepped back, shouted as soon as they entered the government office entrance.

“From vice-ministers to section chiefs and above! Come to my room! Right now! Why do I have to hear that clicking sound [a sign of annoyance or disapproval] at this age again!”

A round of downward scolding followed.

* * *

While Joseon’s daily life was going on relatively peacefully, Ouchi’s envoy visited Joseon.

The envoy who visited Gyeongbokgung [the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty] politely paid his respects to Sejong.

“Yes, I heard the news that Lord Ouchi has started a great undertaking. Is the head of the family in good health?”

Sejong, who received the greeting, asked about the well-being of the head of the family, and the envoy bowed his head and replied.

“My lord is in good health. I am truly grateful that His Majesty is so concerned.”

“Is that so? The most important thing in continuing the great undertaking is that the head of the family, who is the root, is firmly established. Please tell him that I hope he will be healthy.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

After offering words of blessing, Sejong got to the point.

“So, what does Lord Ouchi want from our Joseon that he sent you?”

“Yes, we need Joseon’s help to succeed in the great cause.”

“We need Joseon’s help? Hmm….”

After thinking for a while, Sejong replied to the envoy.

“The Crown Prince is currently acting as regent, so let’s discuss it with the Crown Prince.”

“Yes?”

At the envoy’s appearance of not properly understanding Sejong’s words, Sejong replied briefly.

“The Crown Prince’s will is my will. So, let’s talk to the Crown Prince.”

In that way, Sejong passed the work on to Hyang.

* * *

Hyang, who received the envoy from Sejong, soon faced the envoy.

“You said you need our Joseon’s help? Don’t tell me, is Lord Ouchi’s situation getting worse?”

At Hyang’s question, the envoy hurriedly shook his head.

“Ah, no! Even now, the war situation is overwhelmingly advantageous for our Ouchi clan! We will soon be able to subdue most of the Kinki region [the region around Kyoto].”

At the envoy’s answer, Hyang snorted inwardly.

‘Huh! Does 1 year fall into soon?’

* * *

The news sent from the Joseon trading post in Naniwa (the old name of Osaka) was slightly different from the envoy’s words. Ouchi’s army was steadily expanding its power with continued victories, but the shogunate army was also stubbornly holding out.

-It is expected that it will take at least one year for Lord Ouchi to completely control the Kinki (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Mie region) area.

This was the intelligence sent by the Joseon trading post in Naniwa, and it was the reason why Hyang snorted inwardly.

* * *

“So, if things are going so well, why do you need our Joseon’s help?”

At Hyang’s question, the envoy cautiously brought up the topic.

“Thanks to the valiant fighting of the generals and soldiers under my lord and the blessing of heaven….”

“Get to the point.”

When Hyang cut off his words, the envoy, who had paused for a moment, brought up the main point.

“Please provide us with gunpowder.”

“Gunpowder?”

“Yes. We are working hard to obtain gunpowder, but we are not keeping up with the consumption.”

At the envoy’s words, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘You’re not obtaining it, you’re making it.’

* * *

Joseon was gradually building a human intelligence network (HUMINT network) targeting the entire country of Japan, centered on Lord Ouchi’s territory and the Joseon trading post.

And, one of the pieces of information secured through this was the Ouchi family’s gunpowder production.

The military, which experimented with Ouchi’s gunpowder obtained through planted informants, immediately prepared a report.

-The quality and power of the gunpowder are similar to what our Joseon used in the past.

-We must prevent the leakage of our Joseon’s latest gunpowder manufacturing technology.

* * *

After pondering for a moment at the envoy’s request, Hyang soon opened his mouth to the envoy.

“I will ask the envoy. You must know the importance of gunpowder, right?”

“I know it well.”

“And, considering the relationship between our Joseon and Japan, you must also know that there are many problems with our Joseon supporting Lord Ouchi with gunpowder, right?”

“I am well aware of that part as well. However, please consider the friendly relationship that has been built between our Ouchi and Joseon.”

“I am worried because I know that part. Hmm….”

With those words, Hyang closed his mouth.

As Hyang closed his mouth, the envoy became anxious.

Looking at the envoy who was restless, Hyang finally opened his mouth.

“If you accept a few conditions that I will say, our Joseon will sell gunpowder to Lord Ouchi.”