Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 636

Following Hwang-hui’s words, Kim Jong-seo added,

“The problem isn’t just the remnants of the Ming dynasty, but also a large number of Jianzhou Jurchens who are participating in this disobedience.”

“Huh!”

Hyang, sounding breathless as if dumbfounded, looked at Kim Jong-seo.

“Why are the Jianzhou Jurchens doing that?”

“Most of them pledged allegiance to Ming as soon as Ming advanced into Liaodong [present-day Liaoning province in China]. They may appear to be Jurchens, but their hearts are already with Ming.”

“Hmm….”

In response to Kim Jong-seo’s answer, Hyang tapped the armrest with his fingers, lost in thought.

Seeing Hyang’s expression, Heo Hu added an explanation.

“Considering what the Jianzhou Jurchens have gone through, it’s understandable why they’re doing this.”

“Circumstances, you say?”

* * *

The Ming dynasty, after driving out the Yuan and entering Liaodong, implemented several policies to weaken the Jurchen tribes.

The first and foremost of these was active appeasement.

When Jurchens pledged allegiance to Ming, Ming supported them in various ways to help them settle quickly.

At the same time, they wielded strong military force against those who harbored resentment towards Ming. To this end, a considerable number of guards and garrisons were established in Liaodong, and soldiers were stationed there.

Along with these carrot and stick policies, they also implemented a strategy of division.

They subtly created discord between the Jianzhou Jurchens, who were close to Ming, and the Wild Jurchens in the north, and the Hese Jurchens in the east, causing constant conflict and fostering deep-seated resentment.

By preventing the Jurchens from uniting as one, they prevented any force from growing large enough to threaten the Central Plains [historical region of China, the fertile basin of the Yellow River].

As a result of these machinations, many tribes among the Jianzhou Jurchens became Sinicized [adopted Chinese culture and customs].

This choice was also for survival.

The Jianzhou Jurchens were the first to begin sedentary life among the tribes. And through the various supports they received while pledging allegiance to Ming, they became accustomed to sedentary life.

Living in houses made of bricks rather than tents or mud houses, the Jianzhou Jurchens, who were becoming increasingly prosperous through agriculture and commerce, appeared to the Wild Jurchens and Hese Jurchens as delicious, fattened prey.

It was inevitable that the Jianzhou Jurchens, tormented by the Wild Jurchens and Hese Jurchens, would cling more actively to Ming.

As time passed in such circumstances, many of the Jianzhou Jurchens came to regard themselves not as Jurchens but as Ming citizens. And they joined the remnants of the Ming in the disobedience movement.

* * *

“Humph!”

Kim Jong-seo openly scoffed at Heo Hu’s explanation, raising his voice.

“That’s just an excuse! What is our Empire’s creed? ‘As long as you properly obey the laws of the Empire and pay your taxes well, your roots don’t matter!’! As long as they do what they’re told and pay what they’re supposed to, it doesn’t matter if they’re Ming bastards or Jurchen bastards! That fact has already been proven in Daeseol Island, Jongjang Island, and even Shinji, so what’s with all the talk! Huh! Just an excuse!”

Kim Jong-seo, shouting vehemently, bowed his head to Hyang and reported.

“Your Majesty! The Empire’s creed is already written in the Constitution! Ignoring this and disobeying the Empire’s orders is the same as rebelling against the Empire! They must all be uprooted and exterminated!”

Hyang smiled wryly at Kim Jong-seo’s radical remarks, muttering inwardly.

‘That personality hasn’t gone anywhere. But….’

Hyang was lost in serious contemplation.

‘It’s radical, but it’s not wrong. But, that radicalism is the problem.’

Although Hyang was already accustomed to the royal era, there were many situations where the education and values he had received in the 21st century remained and caused conflict. And now was one of those situations.

‘Uprooting and exterminating, genocide… It’s the most certain method, but….’

Although he hesitated and pondered, Hyang’s mind was leaning towards the inevitable.

‘If we think about the case of the EU in the 21st century….’

* * *

As the situation in the Middle East became serious, a huge number of Middle Eastern refugees flowed into Europe. But before long, these refugees caused the ‘Islamization of the EU.’ They shouted ‘freedom of religion,’ ignored the laws of EU member states, insisted on ‘Sharia’ [Islamic religious law], the traditional norms of Islam, and even forced it on others, causing problems.

And this eventually became a great excuse for far-right parties to seize power.

And this trend became a hot topic for Korean civil servants at the time. The conclusion that came out whenever these stories were discussed was almost the same.

-We can’t not accept refugees. But we can’t accept them unconditionally. Therefore, the acceptance criteria must be set high, and strict law enforcement must follow.

* * *

While Hyang was contemplating, a debate broke out among the ministers.

“It is displeasing that the remnants of the Ming and the Jianzhou Jurchens are acting out, but isn’t it too much to talk about uprooting and exterminating them?”

Kim Jong-seo raised his voice at Lee Sa-cheol’s criticism.

“What’s too much about it! Do you not know what kind of people the Jurchens are? Until they are completely tamed and become perfect imperial citizens, we must never let our guard down against them! And the Ming bastards are even more deserving of death! If they don’t like the Empire, they can just leave, so why do they stay and cause trouble! If we leave this alone, they will still think of themselves as citizens of the suzerain state [a state that controls another state in international affairs] and look down on our Empire’s citizens! I’d rather wipe them all out than see that!”

“Oh, come now! It’s not right to shed so much blood when the Empire is just beginning to take shape! They are not without morals, so let’s enlighten them with virtue.”

“Virtue, my ass! If they were the kind of people who would understand with that, they wouldn’t be doing this! And we have to shed blood when it’s time to shed blood! If a boil appears, you have to squeeze out the pus and remove the root right away! If you postpone squeezing out the pus because it hurts, you’ll not only harm your body but also damage your life!”

“Who doesn’t know that! But you have to think about His Majesty too! If you shed so much blood, you’ll bring the disgrace of being a tyrant upon His Majesty!”

As the fierce debate of pros and cons continued, Hyang opened his mouth.

“Enough….”

At Hyang’s quiet voice, the ministers who had been arguing all fell silent. Hyang looked down at them and continued.

“As I have thought about it, this is not something to be taken lightly. However, if we leave it alone, it is certain that those who cannot distinguish between right and wrong will harm the good people. Therefore, I will do this. All the people of the North must register their household and receive identification tags by the winter solstice of this year. And they must also declare all their land, property, and assets and prepare to pay proper taxes. If they do not do so even after the winter solstice, it must be clearly announced that they will be immediately deported. And after the winter solstice, they must be immediately deported. If they resist, they will be immediately regarded as traitors, regardless of the circumstances.”

At that, Lee Sa-cheol immediately pointed out the problem.

“Your Majesty. Wouldn’t there be a problem with the application of the law if they are punished as traitors?”

Hwangbo-in immediately answered Lee Sa-cheol’s words.

“There is sufficient legal application. Imperial citizens must register their household. But if they don’t, it means they don’t want to live as imperial citizens, so deportation is possible. In addition, they refuse the Emperor’s order and even resist? It is possible to apply treason charges.”

“What if they claim that they are refusing the Emperor’s order because they don’t want to live as imperial citizens?”

Hyang interjected at Lee Sa-cheol’s point.

“In that case, it is a matter of foreign invasion, so they should be punished more severely.”

Lee Sa-cheol closed his mouth at Hyang’s answer. When no further objections or criticisms were raised, Hyang concluded.

“There was one recommendation when the Yoha region became part of the Empire, and this is the second recommendation. If they ignore the recommendation twice, there will be no more recommendations. When it is time to cut out the rotten part, it must be cut off decisively. Minister of National Defense.”

At Hyang’s call, Min-shin bowed his head and answered.

“Your Majesty, give your order.”

“Tell the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare thoroughly. I will not tolerate dragging on sluggishly. If necessary, I will allow the mobilization of reserve soldiers once again.”

“I obey your command!”

Not only Min-shin but everyone in the hall tensed up at Hyang’s order.

The military had only mobilized reserve soldiers during the war with Ming.

In other words, Hyang’s words meant that he would devote all his efforts, as if waging a war, to eradicate the roots at once.

At Hyang’s decision, the ministers all had the same thought.

‘Blood doesn’t lie after all!’

Although he often showed himself being scolded by Sejong or being kicked out of the palace for various incidents, Hyang was not a character who shunned blood.

Hyang was the one who stood at the forefront and fired bullets at the rebels in the coup d’état of the year Gi-yu [Korean calendar year].

Hyang, too, was a monarch who inherited the blood of Yi Seong-gye [founder and first king of the Joseon dynasty].

* * *

And not long after, Hyang’s edict was posted in all the government offices of the North.

“Humph! So what? Do you think I’ll follow you Joseon bastards’ words? Ptooey!”

“Hmm… this is a bit….”

There were those who still resisted, not knowing the seriousness of the situation, but there were also those who sensed the crisis and prepared to report.

Meanwhile, those who had been involved in various incidents with Joseon people in the meantime became very nervous as soon as they saw the warning.

“This smells like blood! Report quickly!”

* * *

As the atmosphere in the North became turbulent, Jin-pyeong visited Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty].

“Your subject, Jin-pyeong, Duke Yi Yu, greets Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while. What brings you here?”

“As the General Manager of the Northern Railway Development, I have a request to make to Your Majesty.”

“A request? What is it? Tell me.”

As soon as Hyang’s permission was granted, Jin-pyeong swallowed hard and continued.

“The situation in the North is not good right now. If we are not careful, those who go out for surveying or construction are at very high risk of being harmed. In fact, three cases of injury have already occurred.”

“I have received a report and am aware of it. Therefore, I have ordered the nearby units to provide proper support.”

“However, no matter how tightly we block it, holes are bound to occur. Therefore, please allow us to form our own security force.”

As soon as Jin-pyeong finished speaking, Hyang shook his head.

“Not allowed.”

“Brother! Do you know how frustrating it is to wait for the military when we’re busy as hell? We have to finish surveying and lay the railroad as soon as possible, but the military is busy chasing after us from behind! And they have to write reports! It’s much faster to work while defending ourselves! I’ll die of frustration waiting for the military!”

As Jin-pyeong’s voice rose, Hyang’s voice also rose.

“Hey, you! Are you thinking or not? You’re a Duke, a Duke! Even if your stomach bursts waiting for the military, you won’t die, but if you create a security force, don’t you think your head will fly off and you’ll really die!”

“Would I do that! I wouldn’t have such thoughts, so I’m telling you openly, Brother, right?”

“Even if you don’t, that’s what politics is! Anyway, no way!”

“Brother!”

“Instead, I’ll organize a force dedicated to escorting you.”

“It takes all the time to do that paperwork! It’s easier and faster to do it this way!”

“No way!”

“Brother!”

“Get out, you!”

“I can’t leave until you allow it!”

“I won’t send you to Shinji!”

As soon as Hyang’s words came out, Jin-pyeong immediately straightened his posture and bowed his head.

“Your subject only hopes that Your Majesty will look upon us with favor.”

“…Hoo~. I’ll organize and deploy it as soon as possible.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

Hyang put his hand on his forehead as he watched Jin-pyeong, who was retreating at the same time as his answer.

“No matter how I think about it, that wasn’t a dog dream [a meaningless dream or delusion]….”