Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 627

627. Their Choice (7)

Kim Jong-seo, his eyes gleaming, presented his thoughts to Hyang.

“Your Majesty, if Japan were to be divided into factions as you mentioned, it would be truly beneficial. Therefore, I believe it would be wise to secretly support lords who harbor strong animosity towards the Daene clan [likely referring to a powerful Japanese clan, perhaps a fictionalized version of a historical clan] and possess considerable power.”

Hyang shook his head at Kim Jong-seo’s statement.

“It’s not that I haven’t considered that myself. However, while it may seem good, it is not a beneficial idea. Nurturing a proper military force requires proper support, and providing support means increasing their capabilities.”

The other officials did not immediately understand Hyang’s words. However, after a moment, Min Shin and Kim Jeom exclaimed in admiration.

“Ah!”

Hyang smiled slightly at their reaction and began to speak.

“Start with the Deputy Prime Minister.”

“Yes.”

Kim Jeom cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Increasing capabilities means strengthening the country and its military.”

The officials nodded at Kim Jeom’s words, but some wore expressions that seemed to say, ‘So what?’

Seeing their expressions, Min Shin interjected.

“It’s not a foreign invasion, but a civil war. Even with the loss of soldiers, the people responsible for maintaining the economy will mostly survive, won’t they? That means we would be enriching Japan with our wealth.”

“Ah!”

As soon as Min Shin finished speaking, the officials exclaimed in great admiration.

Hyang muttered to himself.

‘The Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century] broke out with the capabilities they built during the Warring States period [period of social upheaval, political intrigue and near-constant military conflict in Japanese history lasting from approximately 1467 to 1615]. And it wasn’t just the Imjin War, they fought fiercely in the subsequent civil wars as well!’

Japan lost approximately 170,000 soldiers in the Imjin War and the Jeongyu War [second invasion of Korea by Japan in 1597]. And a vast number of troops were mobilized in the subsequent civil wars. For example, the Battle of Sekigahara [a decisive battle in 1600 that paved the way for the Tokugawa shogunate] involved a total of about 170,000 troops from both sides. This was only two years after the end of the war, and they had already replenished the troops they had lost.

This was proof that Japan’s capabilities were sufficient to handle that level of expenditure.

* * *

Having confirmed that the officials understood, Hyang continued.

“As the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense have said, nurturing the Daene clan’s adversaries will result in us enriching the Japanese with our wealth. If we consider Japan’s current capabilities as 10, the Daene clan holds at least 6 or 7. In that situation, to help their rivals grow to a level where they can compete with the Daene clan, we would have to provide at least 4 or 5, and to increase the odds, we would have to support at least two or three lords. If we set the number of lords to support at three and help them grow to about 5 each, how much wealth would we have to invest? I think at least 12 to 15. Then Japan’s capabilities would grow from 10 to 22 or even 25. No, the Daene clan will also increase their capabilities, so the scale will be even larger. Afterwards, there will be losses due to the conflict with the Daene clan, but the remaining capabilities will still be at least 17 to 20. And that’s a conservative estimate. In that case, we would be using our wealth to double Japan’s capabilities. Don’t you think that would be a historically foolish act?”

‘I learned about and saw such foolish acts in the 21st century.’

* * *

In the 20th century, the United States in the Vietnam War and the Soviet Union in the Afghan War, and then again in the 21st century, the United States in Afghanistan, all engaged in similar actions.

To help the pro-American regime in Vietnam, the pro-Soviet regime in Afghanistan, and later the anti-Taliban Afghan regime seize control and maintain power, the United States and the Soviet Union provided massive amounts of supplies, weapons, and funds.

But the results were disastrous failures.

* * *

“I am sorry.”

Kim Jong-seo bowed his head at Hyang’s words. However, Hyang smiled and shook his head.

“No. I had the same thought at first.”

Hyang explained his thoughts in more detail.

“I am considering the aftermath of the Daene clan consolidating everything because of the problem I just mentioned. If that happens, the possibility of Japan’s capabilities growing rapidly will be greatly reduced.”

As several officials nodded at Hyang’s words, Hwangbo-in asked again.

“Your Majesty, considering the request they sent this time, isn’t it possible that the Daene clan’s power is less than we expected or that the situation is more urgent than we thought? I think it is reasonable to consider that possibility as well.”

Heo Hu responded on behalf of Hyang to Hwangbo-in’s point.

“If that were the case, they wouldn’t have ended with just a meager letter of request, even if they sent a messenger. And we will know more definitively by the messenger’s reaction when he hears Your Majesty’s proposal. If the situation is as urgent as the Minister of Justice says, they will accept it immediately without question, but if not, they will postpone the decision.”

Hyang also nodded at Heo Hu’s answer.

“I have the same thought.”

After pausing for a moment and refreshing his throat with a cup of tea, Hyang continued.

“The point at which the division I mentioned will occur is at least 30 years, or even 100 years, before it becomes visible. Nevertheless, the reason I advocate for this plan is because of the lessons of history. This is true of the Spring and Autumn period [an era in Chinese history from approximately 771 to 476 BCE characterized by warfare and political fragmentation], the era of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu [period of Chinese history from 220 to 280 AD], and even our own Three Kingdoms and Later Three Kingdoms periods [periods of Korean history]. In an era of warring factions, devastation from war is common, but conversely, the economy also tends to flourish. This is because all those seeking to seize power promote policies to strengthen the country and its military. However, the one who seizes power tries to eliminate the military power of his rivals, except for his own loyal forces. As a result, the total military strength is greatly reduced compared to the era of warring factions. And they lose interest in external affairs. They fester internally without paying attention to the outside world.”

‘This is true of Joseon after the two invasions, and of Japan after the Tokugawa shogunate [the last feudal Japanese military government, which existed between 1600 and 1868] was fully established.’

* * *

During the Japanese invasions and just before the Manchu invasions, Joseon actively began to train rifle units. However, as time passed after the Manchu invasions and the international situation became relatively stable, interest in national defense waned. Later, during the period of the Seodo politics [a period in late Joseon dynasty characterized by political corruption and the dominance of powerful families], internal problems became severe, and the country was overthrown by foreign powers.

Japan’s transformation was even more dramatic.

To survive in the Warring States period, Japanese lords actively engaged in exchanges with foreign countries, especially the West. The introduction and rapid spread of firearms, the popularity of Western-style armor called Namban armor [armor influenced by European designs], and the number of Japanese people who believed in Catholicism all increased significantly.

However, after the Tokugawa shogunate was fully established, exchanges with the West were greatly reduced. The country’s foreign policy became conservative, isolationism took hold, and Catholic believers were brutally persecuted, nearly to the point of extinction.

Nevertheless, the situation within Japan flowed stably, so the samurai’s swords became decorations, and a literary atmosphere became the trend.

Then, the country was forcibly opened by Commodore Perry [an American naval officer who played a key role in opening Japan to the West], and the era of the shogunate came to an end.

* * *

“…Therefore, I want to take a long-term view.”

When Hyang finished speaking, the officials all nodded.

“There is a saying that ‘a hundred years is too short for a rise, but a moment for a fall.’ However, even if the moment of collapse is short, the time it takes to reach that point is at least 30 to 100 years. So let’s take a long-term view. This is also good for us. I think it is enough to have only Ming [the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644] to constantly watch and be wary of right now.”

The officials all bowed their heads and answered.

“What Your Majesty has said is truly reasonable! We believe that it is best to act according to the plan Your Majesty has devised!”

In that way, a policy towards the Ouchi clan [a powerful Japanese clan during the Muromachi period] began to be created based on Hyang’s ‘Shackles Plan.’

* * *

That evening, the officials gathered for a drinking party at a gisaeng house [traditional Korean courtesan establishment] in Dadong.

As the wine cups were exchanged and the gisaengs’ [Korean courtesans] songs enlivened the atmosphere, Hwangbo-in asked Heo Hu.

“Lord, may I ask you one thing?”

“Speak.”

“Among the things Your Majesty said, is a dynastic revolution really possible?”

Heo Hu answered Hwangbo-in’s question immediately.

“I think it’s possible.”

“Even if he has no real power, the emperor has been around for hundreds of years. Will the Japanese people accept it easily?”

At Hwangbo-in’s point, Heo Hu emptied his wine cup and answered with a slight smile.

“Has Jibong forgotten what he just said? He is someone who has had all real power taken away by the shogun [military dictator of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868]. The Japanese people’s reaction? According to the information I have, only the people in and around Kyoto are loyal to the emperor. The people in other regions are said to be loyal to their lords rather than the emperor.”

“Still, a little…”

“Think about Gaeseong [ancient capital of Korea]. And why do you think that monkey-like Daene clan of Japan brought the emperor out of Kyoto? Isn’t it just imitating the relocation of the capital that Taejo the Great [founder of the Joseon dynasty] carried out?”

At Heo Hu’s explanation, Hwangbo-in finally nodded. Seeing that, Heo Hu suddenly frowned.

“Speaking of Taejo the Great, it suddenly reminds me. Re-establishing the posthumous titles of the late kings has become a real headache.”

Hwangbo-in’s expression also soured at Heo Hu’s words.

As Joseon changed to the Korean Federal Empire, the posthumous titles of the late kings also had to be changed. Originally, it should have been finished before declaring the empire, but Hyang had thrown them a difficult problem.

– The regulations for determining posthumous titles have been followed from China until now. However, now that Joseon has taken the name of the Korean Federal Empire and has broken away from China’s shadow, establish your own regulations.

From the officials’ point of view, they had been saddled with a problem they had never even thought of.

Thanks to this, the officials were searching through not only Chinese norms but also the norms of neighboring countries, and even the norms of the West, repeatedly considering what would be best.

* * *

Two days later, Heo Hu summoned Norihiro.

“His Majesty has reached a decision after much deliberation.”

“Ah! What answer did he give?”

Norihiro waited for the answer with an expression of half expectation and half worry. Looking at Norihiro, Heo Hu opened his mouth.

“His Majesty said…”

Norihiro’s expression became troubled after hearing Hyang’s conditions through Heo Hu.

“Is it necessary to accept those conditions?”

“His Majesty said this: ‘It is certain that it is good for both our Empire and Japan to continue their friendship. However, keeping the degree is absolutely necessary for mutual trust.'”

“Our shogunate has no intention of betraying its trust with Joseon!”

At Norihiro’s protest, Heo Hu replied with a slightly troubled expression.

“Of course, we are not unaware of that. However, considering the past between Japan and us…”

Heo Hu trailed off, and Norihiro, with an even more troubled expression, cursed inwardly.

‘Damn thieves!’

The ‘thieves’ that Norihiro cursed were the Wokou pirates [Japanese pirates who raided the coasts of Korea and China].

Looking back, the Wokou pirates had plagued the Korean Peninsula since the Three Kingdoms period. In particular, the Wokou raids that occurred during the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods were terrifying.

Therefore, Norihiro had nothing to refute to the indirect answer that ‘complete trust is impossible.’

In the end, Norihiro had no choice but to defer the decision to Mochiyo.

“I understand. I will report to the Shogun and get an answer.”

Author’s words.

Hello?

This is Gukbbong, the author of ‘Black Company Joseon.’

Finally, this year is coming to an end.

Thank you so much for loving ‘Black Company Joseon’ this year as well.

In particular, I am grateful and sorry for showing unchanging love despite the frequent breaks due to various incidents and accidents in the middle of the serialization.

In the new year, I will do my best to write a more interesting ‘Black Company Joseon’ without any breaks.

Happy New Year.

Gukbbong.