Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 712

712. The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (10)

Deung Surin continued to escalate his accusations.

“Coward!”

“A disgrace to warriors!”

“A wretch who repays the Emperor’s grace with enmity!”

Two days later, as the Inner Sea Fleet, having completed its repairs and resupply, set sail again, Deung Surin’s accusations reached a fever pitch.

It was because he could tell where the Inner Sea Fleet was headed after leaving the main fleet.

“A soldier’s duty is to sink even one more Joseon warship with a do-or-die resolve! Instead, you surrender!”

“Do you even have the gall to eat, you coward!”

“If I were you, I would bite off my tongue and die right away!”

Not only Deung Surin but also the other surviving commanders joined in the condemnation, driving Jinwi into a corner.

Eventually, Jinwi came outside and beckoned a guard.

“What is it?”

Jinwi replied briefly to the interpreter who came with the guard.

“I wish to become a subject of the Empire.”

Having heard Jinwi’s request, the interpreter immediately turned around.

“Follow me.”

* * *

An Hwi, upon receiving the report that ‘Jinwi intends to defect,’ smiled broadly and nodded.

“I knew it! Bring him here at once!”

“Yes, sir!”

The news of Jinwi’s defection was immediately reported to Jo Jinwoong as well.

“Bring Vice-Admiral Jin here.”

“Yes, sir!”

Thus, Jo Jinwoong, having met Jinwi, opened his mouth with a genial smile.

“The exquisite seamanship and combat command you demonstrated in the last battle were truly impressive.”

“You flatter me. It was only because the commanding admiral was skilled.”

“But what made you decide to defect?”

Jinwi, who had been silent for a moment at Jo Jinwoong’s question, soon smiled sadly and replied.

“I believe you are aware of my situation, as you have received reports through the guards, haven’t you?”

At the subtle accusation of ‘Don’t tease me when you know,’ Jo Jinwoong cleared his throat lightly and replied.

“Ahem! Ahem! I apologize for presuming. Is there anything else you would like to ask for?”

“I have family in Nantong. If my defection becomes known, they will suffer, so measures are needed.”

“Hmm… I will report that matter to His Majesty and get an answer.”

At Jo Jinwoong’s reply, Jinwi bowed his head and pleaded earnestly.

“If you save my family, I will repay your kindness even in death.”

“I will do my best. And, you know, the commanding admiral who was with you at that time also seemed promising [Korean: 괜찮 – gwaenchanh], how come there’s no answer?”

At Jo Jinwoong’s request, Jinwi smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly.

‘The Joseon people are most greedy for people, indeed….’

“He is likely in a difficult situation as well, so if you speak to him well, you will get good results.”

“Can the General help me?”

Jinwi, who had been pondering for a moment at Jo Jinwoong’s request, soon nodded.

“I will take the lead in persuading him.”

“Oh! I’m counting on you!”

Having finished the conversation, Jinwi looked at the sky and sighed.

“Hoo~. It can’t be helped. Now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to do my best….”

Jinwi, who had decided to defect, soon moved with all his might. The commanding admiral, who had initially shown a lukewarm response, also decided to defect after Jinwi’s continued persuasion. The condition set by the commanding admiral who decided to defect was similar to Jinwi’s.

-Safely evacuate my family in Nantong!

And a report recording all these matters soon went up to Seoul.

* * *

Hyang, having received the report, soon asked Wan a question.

“What do you think?”

Wan, who had been pondering for a moment at Hyang’s question, soon shared his thoughts.

“I do not think it is a good precedent to arbitrarily reject those who defect. And, according to the report sent by Admiral Jo, he seems to have excellent judgment and command ability. I think it is wise to accept him, as he is a valuable talent.”

“What if he did so with the intention of going back to Ming? If he goes back now, he will die, but if he takes the secrets and goes back, he will get a chance to revive himself, wouldn’t he?”

At Hyang’s concern, Wan smiled slightly and replied.

“Wouldn’t it be sufficient to send him to Shinji [remote island exile]? Shinji is a place where skilled people are lacking, and it is impossible to go to Ming from there.”

“Hahahaha!”

Hyang, satisfied with Wan’s handling, soon gave an order.

“Tell the defected Ming Vice-Admiral Jinwi and the commanding admiral to come to Seoul immediately. I need to have a conversation with them.”

“I obey your command!”

* * *

The next day morning. According to Hyang’s order, Jinwi and the commanding admiral took the first train to Seoul.

Jinwi and the commanding admiral, who entered Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace], prostrated themselves on the floor upon seeing Hyang sitting on the Dangjip [royal throne] above and Wan seated below.

“I am Jinwi, I greet Your Majesty.”

“I am Ham Deokpung. I greet Your Majesty.”

“Nice to meet you. Have the eunuch bring chairs for them.”

As the two sat down on the chairs, Hyang began to ask questions with a curious face.

“Ham Deokpung, was it? I heard you are skilled in seamanship. What is the method of avoiding most of the fire bombs fired by the Imperial Navy?”

Starting with that, Hyang asked Ham Deokpung what he was curious about, and the ministers who were present listened to the conversation with curious faces.

After the conversation with Ham Deokpung, which lasted for a long time, Hyang looked at Minister of National Defense Min Shin and opened his mouth.

“It seems that getting used to something is dangerous. I was wondering why the number of Ming warships sunk in this battle was unexpectedly small, but there was such a reason.”

“That is correct. We need to speed up the improvement.”

“Improvement is also improvement, but we need to rethink the training of the soldiers in charge of the cannons and the habits of the commanding admirals. This is because our Challenger-class warships can withstand the Ming army’s shelling sufficiently.”

Following Min Shin’s reply, Kim Jongseo added a word. And, at Kim Jongseo’s remarks, all the ministers nodded.

Both the enemy and ally had become accustomed to the cannons made by the Empire. The commanding admirals of the Ming Dynasty warships, who survived the last battle and physically learned the characteristics of the cannons on the Imperial warships, used this experience to minimize damage.

And, Ham Deokpung explained this, and it was found out why the results of this battle were reduced.

In summary, the problem was that the power of the fire bombs had increased, but the range was the same because the cannons themselves were the existing ones. In addition, the habit of the commanding admirals, who were accustomed to attacking with cannons from as far away as possible, became a problem.

And, Kim Jongseo argued that they should abandon these habits and engage in close combat more actively.

However, Hyang shook his head.

“Although it seems that Minister Jeolje’s words are correct, I think it is better to improve the cannons themselves considering the situation of the Empire.”

“However….”

“Stop.”

Hyang, who raised his hand to stop Kim Jongseo’s words, turned to Jinwi and asked.

“General Jin, do you know the reason?”

Jinwi replied immediately to Hyang’s question.

“It is because of the lack of people. The Empire is still lacking. In fact….”

Jinwi told the story he had told Emperor Gyeongtae once again.

As Jinwi’s words continued, the eyes of the ministers began to shine.

‘Is this a big catch after a long time?’

‘It’s a waste to just leave him in the military, no, in Shinji!’

‘How can we bring him over?’

As fresh talent came into their eyes after a long time, the ministers’ eyes were stained with greed.

“Huh?”

Jinwi, who was explaining for a while, stopped talking when he suddenly felt chills.

“Why are you stopping talking?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I suddenly felt chills….”

Hyang, who heard Jinwi’s answer through the interpreter, smiled and ordered.

“It seems that the ministers are greedy after a long time. Don’t worry about it and continue the explanation.”

* * *

After the interview that wasn’t an interview, Hyang ordered Jinwi and Ham Deokpung.

“I cannot hide my joy that talents like you have entered the arms of the Empire. We will do our best to ensure the rescue of your families is successful.”

At Hyang’s words, Jinwi and Ham Deokpung immediately prostrated themselves on the floor.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

“You may go out.”

At Hyang’s order to leave, Jinwi and Ham Deokpung politely bowed and backed out of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

After the two left, Hyang asked the ministers and Wan.

“What do you think?”

“I think they are excellent talents. In particular, Jinwi’s warning that the moment our Empire follows the path of Bucha, the crisis will begin, was a painful but valuable piece of advice.”

As soon as Kim Jeom’s words were finished, Kim Jongseo continued.

“That’s right. My mistake a little while ago was also caused by the complacency that came from the victories we had achieved, so we must be wary of it.”

Hyang also nodded at Kim Jongseo’s words.

“I think so too.”

* * *

“Due to this defeat, Ming will once again suppress its momentum and look for opportunities. When do you think that time will be, General?”

Jinwi replied immediately to Hyang’s question.

“The Empire will create that opportunity.”

“Our Empire will create it? How?”

Jinwi’s answer to Hyang’s question was simple and clear.

“The moment the Empire follows the path of Bucha, Ming will get an opportunity.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, Hyang and all the ministers simultaneously exclaimed.

In Gosasaengdam [Chinese idiom: Crouching on firewood and tasting gall], Bucha, the King of Wu, the main character of Wasinsangdam [idiom: sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall], lay down on firewood with many thorns to avenge his father’s enemy, looking for an opportunity.

And, Bucha, who gained strength while looking for an opportunity, enjoyed pleasure as soon as he succeeded in revenge and forgot the past.

In the end, Bucha, who became so lazy, was defeated by Gucheon, who licked his gallbladder and looked for an opportunity, and committed suicide.

In other words, the moment the Empire becomes intoxicated with its own power and becomes lazy is the moment of destruction.

However, Hyang was Hyang.

“Then I will ask again. Will Ming be the one to get that opportunity?”

Jinwi replied in a voice without confidence to Hyang’s question.

“I can’t guarantee it.”

Hyang’s eyes sparkled even more at Jinwi’s answer.

“You’re surprisingly calm?”

“I learned that those who want victory must be as calm as possible.”

“Then, when you judge so calmly, what is the future of Ming?”

“It’s not good.”