Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 593

593. The Founding of a Nation (1)

Around the time Joseon [Korea] was on the verge of collapse as the Ming Dynasty [China’s ruling dynasty from 1368 to 1644] weakened, Mochiyo and Norihiro were in Yamaguchi, Suo Province.

* * *

Yamaguchi was where the Ouchi clan had seized power in Waegu [historical name for Japan] and established what was called the Suo Shogunate or Boshu Shogunate. The Ouchi Shogunate made this place the center of its new power.

The castle where Ouchi Mochiyo, the head of the Ouchi family and leader of the shogunate, resided was nicknamed Joseon Castle.

It was built based on a Joseon-style castle designed by Hyang.

Of course, at its center was a massive keep that stood five stories tall, not counting the foundation. This keep, along with several other buildings, was a hybrid castle that intricately blended the characteristics of Joseon and Waegu.

And from the top of this keep, one could see the Emperor’s new palace.

This was the result of Mochiyo accepting the opinions of the literati faction [intellectuals and scholars].

Even though the Emperor was a figurehead with no real power, holding him in their grasp was necessary to maintain the legitimacy of the regime.

However, abandoning their base in western Honshu and northern Kyushu to settle in Kyoto would be like abandoning their roots.

Therefore, the literati faction proposed keeping the Emperor within Ouchi’s sphere of influence, and Mochiyo accepted this.

Of course, this caused a huge backlash from the residents of Kyoto. The people of Kyoto, who had a strong sense of pride as the place where the Emperor resided and the capital of Waegu since ancient times, strongly opposed this.

-The damage suffered by Kyoto in the last war was severe, so the Emperor will be temporarily moved here while it is being restored.

Using the excuse that Kyoto had been devastated by looting and arson at the end of the last civil war, the Ouchi had to resort to a trick to move the Emperor and the court from Kyoto to Yamaguchi.

In this way, a major event occurred in which the center of power and culture in Waegu shifted from east to west.

As an aside, this ‘Emperor’s Palace Relocation’ incident gave rise to deep-rooted regional animosity between western and eastern Japan.

* * *

“So, did you learn a lot from this expedition?”

At Mochiyo’s question, Norihiro bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, I learned a great deal.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“The first thing I learned is that soldiers and warriors are different.”

“Hoh~.”

Norihiro told Mochiyo about the differences between soldiers and warriors.

Seeing the Joseon navy during this expedition gave Norihiro a kind of culture shock.

Even the lowest-ranking soldiers carried out orders with precision and strictly enforced military discipline. However, the warriors sent by the lords of Waegu were nothing more than bandits.

“I felt that we should teach them more than just how to fight well. Only then can we create a true elite force.”

“I see. What else?”

“I learned the importance of land.”

“The importance of land?”

“To be precise, the importance of territory. I had the opportunity to talk with the Gyeongsang Right Navy Commander of Joseon, and I gained a great lesson.”

“A great lesson?”

“Yes.”

Norihiro told Mochiyo what the Gyeongsang Right Navy Commander had told him.

– If you’re going to take care of things like that, shouldn’t you take care of something that can bring you more permanent wealth?

– There are many things, but isn’t the most representative one land?

After telling Mochiyo what the Gyeongsang Right Navy Commander had said, Norihiro continued.

“Even if we plunder and acquire wealth, it will only last for a few years. If we acquire people, we can gain a hundred years of prosperity. But if we acquire territory, we can gain at least a thousand years of prosperity.”

“A thousand years of prosperity….”

Mochiyo pondered Norihiro’s words with a serious expression. Seeing Mochiyo’s expression, Norihiro continued with a face full of conviction.

“Our family’s long-cherished desire is to become the master of the world. We have now established the shogunate, but it is not enough to be called the true master of the world. This is because there are still lords who call themselves rulers. We must abolish the large and small feudal states that have fragmented the world and unite them into one to create a true world.”

“That’s right.”

When Mochiyo agreed, Norihiro’s voice became even stronger.

“After unifying the world into one, we must acquire even wider territories. ‘Escape Waegu, Enter Joseon (脫倭入朝 )’ [a slogan meaning to abandon Japanese ways and adopt Korean culture], is our family’s motto. This time, I saw and felt what Joseon was doing. By gaining control of the vast Liaodong and Liaoxi [regions in northeastern China], Joseon will become even more prosperous. We must do the same! We must complete the true unification of the world, cultivate talent, and expand our territory!”

“That will take a long time.”

“Look at the case of Joseon! Do you think they carried out such a great undertaking with only one or two years of preparation? They must have prepared for decades! Then we can proceed with a hundred years in mind! Through a hundred years of preparation, our family will enjoy a thousand years of glory!”

“A hundred years of preparation, a thousand years of glory….”

Mochiyo, who had been pondering Norihiro’s words, soon nodded his head greatly.

“Let’s do it!”

Following this decision, the shogunate secretly began to plan and move.

The first plan they made was ‘Abolish Domains and Establish Prefectures (廃藩置県)’ [a major political reform during the Meiji Restoration]. In order for this plan to succeed, the most important prerequisite was to reduce the power of the domains that were resistant to the shogunate, and the shogunate had the best way to do this.

It was the soldiers of the domains that had advanced into Ming.

Over time, the number of Japanese who had advanced into Ming had greatly increased.

-Withdraw as soon as possible. As soon as the negotiations with Ming are concluded, you will be regarded as pirates.

As soon as they received the message from Joseon, the shogunate immediately conveyed the withdrawal order to all the lords. They used a little trick here, strongly recommending it to the domains loyal to the shogunate, and formally notifying the domains that were resistant to the shogunate.

In a situation where they were having fun in Ming, most of the domains that kept their distance from the shogunate lightly ignored the shogunate’s orders.

“Because there is Joseon anyway! Just ask the Joseon navy!”

“Even if we lose a little more in the distribution of profits, we will not listen to the shogunate!”

It was funny considering that these were the words of those who had followed the shogunate’s orders when they went to Ming, but they refused the shogunate’s orders now.

And those who refused the shogunate’s orders in this way were branded as pirates by both Joseon and the shogunate and were subjugated.

As a result, the power of the domains that had resisted the shogunate was greatly weakened, and the shogunate began to gradually pressure them.

* * *

Although the war ended with the thorough plundering of Ming, the war in the Joseon court did not end.

“The work, the work doesn’t decrease!”

“Save me!”

“I’d rather be a Jangseung [Korean totem pole] in the Records Office!”

The officials of the court screamed at the flood of reports that came in not in units of several volumes, but in units of several carts.

“The war is over, but why isn’t the work decreasing!”

“Tell me about it!”

The officials, overwhelmed by the flood of work, literally poured all their manpower into processing the work.

“You’re applying for leave? In this situation?”

The chief clerk glared at the applicant with a look that would devour him for applying for leave. The person in question blushed and stammered.

“I’m sorry, but I’m getting married this time….”

“You, are you still unmarried?”

“I’ve been studying for a long time, and my family is poor….”

“Oh dear, tsk!”

The chief clerk lightly clicked his tongue and stamped the application.

“Denied!”

“Yes? Why!”

“The selection of the Crown Prince has been stopped because of the war, but you’re going to get married? Are you even a government worker?”

“Ha, but….”

“And, can’t you see the pile of work over there? It’s been several days since other people have been able to leave work or even see the streets outside because they’re working, and you’re going to rest comfortably and get married?”

“Ha, but….”

“Since it’s already late, postpone it for a few months. Surely your bride won’t run away?”

“Yes….”

Seeing the old bachelor who had become tearful, the chief clerk offered a carrot.

“Instead, I’ll give you a very long leave at that time. I’ll also give you a bonus.”

“…I understand.”

And these situations were unavoidable for the female officials as well.

“What are these documents?”

“These are things I’d like you to take a look at.”

“I’ve received maternity leave, haven’t I? My baby will be born soon…”

“So I chose documents that don’t require on-site investigation and don’t require separate data. Please take care of them while you’re recovering.”

“Yes? Yes?”

“Then have a safe delivery! Send the documents back as soon as they’re finished.”

“Yes? Yes? Yes? Sir! Sir!”

The official who had already disappeared out the door did not answer even when called.

“Hey, you son of a b*tch! Have you ever given birth to a child! Huh!”

Only resentment burst out.

* * *

Even for the Joseon officials who had been worn out through their past experiences, the current situation was the worst.

Basic were the amount of supplies and wealth consumed during the war, and the follow-up measures related to the number of soldiers who died or became disabled.

The issue of creating administrative districts in Liaodong and Liaoxi, which had become completely Joseon territory, the selection of administrative officials to be dispatched to the newly established administrative districts, and all issues related to the educational institutions to be established in the newly incorporated areas, etc.

The administrative work that had to be processed by all administrative organizations in Joseon had exploded at once.

Another heavy burden was added to the officials who were overwhelmed by this surge of work.

It was ‘Proclaiming an Empire and Establishing a New Era (稱帝建元)’ [formally declaring Joseon as an empire].

In addition to determining the new national title and era name of Joseon, which would be transformed into an empire, they had to prepare for the Founding of a Nation ceremony to inform the heavens.

“The ceremony is 70% done if we just build the Altar of Heaven (丘壇) properly, and the national title and era name can only be determined when His Majesty returns, so why are they bothering us so much who are not related to the work… Hooo~.”

One of the officials, overwhelmed by work, sighed and complained, and a colleague next to him responded.

“That’s the biggest problem.”

“Huh? What? Building the Altar of Heaven?”

“No, it’s that His Majesty the King is returning. Do you think it will end with His Majesty the King returning and becoming Emperor? Don’t you know His Majesty’s personality?”

“….”

After thinking for a moment at Dongryong’s words, the official frowned.

“Damn it!”

Sejong, whom they had experienced, was a boss who would not simply overlook even the slightest error.

“Tsk! How on earth do you handle work? It’s understandable that the official in charge made a mistake. Because there’s a lot of work. But isn’t it the job of the superiors to immediately discover and correct such mistakes? But what is this wrong document in my hand? Did you even check it properly? Answer me!”

“I’m sorry!”

“I told you not to make things that you’ll be sorry for!”

“Please kill me!”

“Shall I really kill you?”

“I’ll take responsibility and resign….”

“I will not allow it. If you really can’t do it, would you like to go to the Records Office for a while to clear your head?”

Even the slightest error would result in a blood-curdling dressing-down, starting with the Prime Minister.

* * *

September of the 30th year of Sejong (1448, Mujin year).

A time when the autumn colors were in full bloom after Chuseok [Korean harvest festival]. Sejong arrived at Wonsan Port.

All the ministers who came out to greet Sejong, starting with Hyang, bowed deeply as soon as they saw Sejong.

“We greet His Majesty the King!”

Those who bowed deeply and greeted welcomed Sejong’s return in one voice.

“You have worked very hard. You have achieved a great feat, so your contribution is truly great. I will never forget your hard work.”

“Your grace is boundless!”

In such a pleasant atmosphere, luggage began to be unloaded from the ship Sejong was on and the escort ships.

“There is a lot of luggage.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong smiled warmly and responded.

“Ah, there were quite a few things that I decided on my own in Shinji because of the war, so I brought them this time. Crown Prince, you and the ministers should discuss them again and make a proper decision.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang muttered with a look of dismay.

“Is that what you call ‘quite a few’?”