Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 543

543. All-Out War (1)

Emperor Xuande studied the map, muttering to himself.

“I said Gi-jin’s personality was suited for starting a business, but that was being generous. He’s only fit to be at the forefront, making holes in the battle lines. But still, he’s not stupid enough to start something with only 150,000 men. He’ll do his best to scrape together all the Jurchens in Liaodong. That way, when he clashes with Joseon, he can deal with those troublesome Jurchens to a suitable extent without lifting a finger.”

Throughout history, mounted peoples, especially the Jurchens, had been objects of fear. That fear was so great that there was even a famous saying about the Jurchens:

-If the Jurchen army numbers 10,000, the world cannot withstand them. (女眞一萬卽天下不堪當)

Therefore, the Ming Dynasty used the strategy of ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’ to restrain the Jurchens. They would incite the Jurchen tribes against each other, fostering hostility, and induce them to pledge allegiance to the Ming.

However, the number of Jurchens began to increase again, and in the meantime, Joseon began to subtly dig in [strengthening their defenses and influence].

Therefore, Emperor Xuande came up with a plan to use Ju Gi-jin to weaken the Jurchens appropriately.

“Not too strong, not too weak. Just enough to keep the Mongol movements in check.”

Emperor Xuande reviewed his plan again.

“I don’t know how much damage Gi-jin can inflict on Joseon. Just in case, I’ve kept about 50,000 more men on standby… Should I prepare about 50,000 more?”

If Ju Gi-jin hesitated due to a lack of troops, Emperor Xuande had already prepared 50,000 reserves to ensure Ju Gi-jin moved decisively. However, thinking that might not be enough, Emperor Xuande decided to add another 50,000.

“At most, it’ll be 250,000 to 350,000. The entire Ming army is 3 million, and the troops deployed along the Great Wall and its rear amount to 1.5 million, so there’s no way Gi-jin can have any strange ideas. In the end, the only place he can go is Joseon.”

Emperor Xuande diligently calculated.

“If he uses what I’ve prepared well, he can manage up to 350,000. The people attached to Gi-jin should be able to do it. And given their circumstances, they’ll do everything they can to make the plan succeed.”

The commanders Emperor Xuande assigned to Ju Gi-jin were capable but had been sidelined from promotions for various reasons. They would do their best for their advancement.

And the more they tried, the deeper the wounds Joseon would suffer.

And Emperor Xuande had planted one more secret move here.

He had deliberately not written down the bait he had offered Ju Gi-jin—’If you obtain Joseon, you may declare yourself emperor’—in the imperial edict, but had it delivered verbally. This was a secret move aimed at both success and failure.

“Even if it fails, Joseon can’t argue with us. There’s no material evidence.”

-This incident is a tragedy created by the vain ambition of Ju Gi-jin, who was demoted to Prince Dong. It is a unilateral act that has nothing to do with our Ming.

If the affair instigated by Ju Gi-jin failed, the Ming, or rather Emperor Xuande, would make the above claim.

“Conversely, even if it succeeds, it provides a useful justification.”

If Ju Gi-jin’s attempt succeeded and caused serious damage to Joseon, Emperor Xuande would intervene immediately.

If Ju Gi-jin’s attempt succeeded, Emperor Xuande had a plan to act as follows:

– If Ju Gi-jin’s attempt succeeds as Emperor Xuande predicted, the Ming will intervene immediately.

– The justification for the intervention is ‘to hold Ju Gi-jin accountable for the dispute that arose between Joseon and Ming due to his reckless actions.’

– Ju Gi-jin may resist, but the surrounding generals will be pressured and appeased to subdue Ju Gi-jin.

– Afterwards, under the pretext of helping Joseon, they will interfere in Joseon’s politics.

“I’d like to replace the King and Crown Prince of Joseon entirely, but that would do more harm than good.”

The people of Joseon were showing absolute support for Sejong and Hyang. In that situation, replacing Sejong and his son would undoubtedly cause the Joseon people to rise up.

Therefore, Emperor Xuande targeted Joseon’s ministers, not Sejong and his son, for replacement.

“There are good people, fortunately. Those involved in the treason that the Joseon people call the ‘Giyu Rebellion’ [a historical coup attempt]. They will be very useful.”

Emperor Xuande learned of their existence through Ming merchants who traveled in and out of Joseon.

Those who were doing hard labor in the mines of Aoji and other places would certainly have strong animosity towards Sejong and his son. If such people were returned to the political arena, especially to the core of the central government, they would actively check Sejong and his son. Of course, Sejong and his son would try to expel them again, but then the Ming would step in to protect them. If that happened, the new ruling class of Joseon would certainly respond positively to his—or the Ming’s—orders.

Having reviewed everything up to this point, Emperor Xuande thought of his son and muttered.

“If you have at least a minimum of sense, be content with being Prince Dong and live your life. But if you can’t overcome your greed, then it would be good for your later years to make it a success anyway.”

Having ‘Obtain Joseon and be allowed to declare yourself Emperor’ delivered verbally was both intended to leave no material evidence and was the last safety net for Ju Gi-jin.

If Ju Gi-jin complied with the imperial command, Wang Chung had been ordered not to say the above sentence. He had even added an order to give him one more chance even after saying the above sentence.

If Ju Gi-jin was satisfied with the position of ‘Prince Dong’ that he had given him, he would be able to live relatively peacefully in Liaodong. The things sent with Wang Chung would be of great help in the process of Ju Gi-jin establishing himself in Liaodong. In particular, if he made good use of the fact that he was between Ming and Joseon, he could enjoy considerable wealth and glory.

However, if he could not overcome his nature and took the bait, Ju Gi-jin’s fate would be to be purged, regardless of the success or failure of the affair.

And Ju Gi-jin took the bait.

* * *

Fortunately for Ju Gi-jin, he did not make the decision that Emperor Xuande had anticipated as the worst-case scenario: to strike directly into Joseon.

Ju Gi-jin still pointed his sword at Wang Chung, confirming the facts.

“It sounds good, but is it truly His Majesty’s imperial command? Are you lying to save your life?”

“It is truly His Majesty’s imperial command!”

However, Ju Gi-jin could not accept it immediately.

“The Emperor I know is a man of deep prudence! And he has a lot of interest in Joseon! Is he telling me to try to take Joseon with only 150,000 men? There is no one who doesn’t know that you can’t take Joseon with that amount!”

At Ju Gi-jin’s words, all the surrounding generals nodded.

As far as was known, Joseon had a standing army of 250,000 men. Of those, 100,000 belonged to the navy, and 150,000 were land and naval forces. And 80,000 of those 150,000 were stationed in the north.

And it was a basic of military strategy that the attacking side should have more troops than the defending side—at least three times as many.

In response to Ju Gi-jin’s criticism, Wang Chung replied again.

“Of course, His Majesty knows very well! But what is the reason why His Highness came to Liaodong now? It was for the stability of Liaodong! With that justification, more than 150,000 troops are more than necessary!”

At Wang Chung’s answer, Ju Gi-jin looked at Jo Byeong-deok, who was standing next to him. Having received a silent question, Jo Byeong-deok calculated for a moment and then nodded.

“That’s certainly true. There are already 50,000 Ming soldiers stationed in Liaodong maintaining security, and considering the number of Jurchens loyal to Ming, more than 150,000 could raise suspicion.”

“Hmm….”

After pondering for a moment at Jo Byeong-deok’s answer, Ju Gi-jin retrieved his sword.

“Good! I’ll trust your words for now!”

“Thank you!”

“Don’t be happy! I’ll review the situation again and decide whether to kill you or let you live!”

Ju Gi-jin reconfirmed the situation of the troops he had brought.

“Before departure, I was told that there were 30,000 musketeers and 5,000 artillerymen. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Not just musketeers, but *Musketeers*, right?”

“About 20 musket instructors followed as training instructors. Twenty members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard [Ming Dynasty secret police] belonging to the Artillery Guard also followed.”

“Hoo~.”

Ju Gi-jin sighed at Jo Byeong-deok’s answer.

*Musketeers* were the name given to musketeers belonging to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Thanks to their accumulated skill and combat experience, they were so elite that the word ‘soldier’ (兵) was not attached, but the word ‘scholar’ (士) was attached. The same was true of the Artillery Guard.

Having heard Jo Byeong-deok’s answer, Ju Gi-jin turned to Wang Chung.

“The missing soldiers can be filled through conscription and recruitment. But weapons are the problem! Especially what about the musketeers and artillerymen? Even if there are musket instructors and artillery guards to train them, there are no guns and cannons to give them!”

As soon as Ju Gi-jin finished speaking, Wang Chung smiled and asked.

“Your Highness, have you forgotten what my position was?”

“Ah!”

At Wang Chung’s question, Ju Gi-jin exclaimed and his face brightened.

The place where Wang Chung worked was the Armaments Bureau. It was in charge of the production and management of weapons used by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Ming army, along with the Taebok Temple—originally a place that managed horses, carts, and ranches used by the military—belonging to the Ministry of War.

Wang Chung raised his arm and pointed outside the tent, continuing to speak.

“Let me introduce them.”

Ju Gi-jin and the generals followed Wang Chung out of the tent. A considerable number of people and carts were gathered where they arrived.

“Didn’t you say that these were palace people who worked in the palace?”

At Ju Gi-jin’s question, Wang Chung still smiled and answered.

“Some are, but some are not. Head Craftsman Jang! Come out quickly!”

At Wang Chung’s call, a middle-aged man came forward, knelt before Ju Gi-jin, and clasped his fists. Wang Chung explained Head Craftsman Jang to Ju Gi-jin.

“He is an expert in the production of cannons and iron guns.”

“Is that so? What is your name?”

“My name is Jang Il!”

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I will do my best!”

Looking at Ju Gi-jin with a pleased face, Wang Chung continued to speak.

“Including Head Craftsman Jang and the people he employs, 40 artisans have come. If they are properly staffed, they will be able to handle the demand.”

“Hmm… That’s right….”

At Wang Chung’s answer, Ju Gi-jin’s face began to flush little by little. However, Ju Gi-jin did not immediately take the bait.

“Let’s say the artisans are there. To make guns, you need materials, and you also need to pay the workers and soldiers.”

No sooner had Ju Gi-jin’s words fallen than Wang Chung clapped his hands and shouted.

“Bring the secret chests!”

No sooner had Wang Chung’s words fallen than people began to unload large boxes from the carts.

The boxes, so large and heavy that two people had to lift them together, were unloaded from the carts and placed one by one in front of Ju Gi-jin.

“What is this?”

At Ju Gi-jin’s question, Wang Chung tore off the seals on the boxes and unlocked the locks.

“Gasp!”

“Oh!”

As the lids of the boxes were opened, Ju Gi-jin and the generals could not close their gaping mouths. Each box was filled with gold and silver ingots, and Ming banknotes.

“His Majesty told me to convey this.”

Standing in front of the boxes, Wang Chung bent over and conveyed Emperor Xuande’s words.

“The choice is yours.”