Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 727

727. Jang Yeong-sil’s Legacy (4)

There, Sejong added another layer of control.

However, it was increasingly clear that the native tribes were contributing to the situation themselves.

As previously mentioned, the imperial army’s military strength in Shinji was overwhelming.

Recognizing this, some tribes submitted to the empire and then instigated conflicts between tribes hostile to them and the imperial army.

As a result of these conflicts, the opposing tribes were often decimated, and the tribes that orchestrated the conflicts absorbed the territory and survivors of their rivals, expanding their own power almost without cost.

Eventually, the imperial officials and soldiers realized the natives’ schemes. However, most of the officials and soldiers stationed in Shinji at that time were relatively inexperienced.

“It seems like a trap…”

“It must be a trap. But the problem is that we don’t have many alternatives. We need to get more tribes to submit, but we can’t afford to alienate those who have already submitted…”

Their inexperience often led them to be manipulated, even when they suspected a native trap.

To address this, Hanseom sent a report to Seoul, but the timing was unfortunate.

The Jo-Myeong War [a major conflict between Joseon and the Ming Dynasty] had just broken out, transforming Joseon into an empire.

Consequently, the officials and soldiers dispatched to Shinji were frequently exploited by the natives without receiving adequate guidance or support from the mainland.

Sejong resolved this situation upon his arrival in Shinji. After assessing the circumstances, he quickly devised a solution.

“It would be beneficial to apply the methods we used with the Jurchen people in the Northeast region in the past.”

Sejong’s approach involved incorporating warriors from the submitted native tribes into the imperial army.

Specifically, tribes that had grown excessively large by exploiting the imperial army were compelled to integrate a significant portion of their warriors into the imperial forces.

Refusal to comply resulted in the tribe’s immediate suppression by the imperial army.

Therefore, tribes seeking the empire’s protection had to surrender their warriors to the imperial army.

However, these native-born imperial soldiers were not provided with horses or gunpowder weapons. They were only given the imperial army uniform.

The native soldiers, clad in imperial army uniforms, were positioned at the forefront of the imperial army, armed with their traditional bows, arrows, and stone tomahawks.

Sejong added another layer of strategy.

If it was discovered that a tribe intended to use the imperial army to attack rival tribes, the warriors from the scheming tribe were immediately incorporated into the imperial army and deployed first.

The native warriors from other tribes and the imperial army observed the situation and intervened strategically to resolve the conflict.

Ultimately, the tribe attempting to manipulate the imperial army suffered significant losses.

As this occurred repeatedly, tribes attempting to use such tactics gradually disappeared.

However, Sejong did not simply treat native warriors as expendable resources.

Based on reports from the imperial army, capable native warriors were selected, granted the rank of imperial military officer, and given the same authority as imperial army officers from the mainland.

Of course, this authority came with the same expectations—loyalty, military knowledge, troop management skills, maintaining dignity, etc. As a result, native-born officers became ardent supporters of the empire.

This process mirrored the integration of the Jurchen people into the Joseon army and officialdom during the development of the Northeast region.

Thanks to this approach, by the time Hyang arrived, the natives had become the most active participants in the imperialization of Shinji.

***

Checking the records, Hyang lightly clicked his tongue and muttered.

“It’s the complete opposite of the East India Company’s situation.”

The process by which Britain colonized India shared similarities and differences with the empire’s assimilation of Shinji.

Britain possessed overwhelming military power, but it was insufficient to control all of India.

Therefore, Britain chose a strategy of intrigue and division.

Nominally, the Mughal Empire ruled India, but in reality, numerous local lords had established various kingdoms.

Understanding this, Britain—or rather, the East India Company—divided and fragmented these emirates by inciting them against each other, then systematically absorbed the weakened emirates one by one.

Ultimately, through the victory of the ‘Sepoy Rebellion’ [a major uprising against British rule in India], the Mughal Empire was destroyed, and India became a British colony.

Applying this to Shinji, there was one common element: overwhelming military power was insufficient to control the entire territory.

However, the differences were more significant, leading to a different path for the imperialization of Shinji compared to India.

***

Looking at the report, Hyang summarized the situation.

“If we manage the situation well and adopt a loose federation, there shouldn’t be any major problems, and we can continue our progress. However, if we try to control it too tightly, it will fall apart. If we are mindful of this, and if the mainland’s support becomes unnecessary once Shinji is self-sufficient, and if we disregard the population issue, Shinji is a cheat code for any commander.”

After summarizing the situation, Hyang looked at the map on the wall. After carefully examining it, he sighed in relief.

“It’s a relief that we secured Manchuria, Siberia, Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands first. If we had stopped with just the Korean Peninsula, we would have ended up like Britain after World War II.”

After World War II, Britain, having lost its colonies, diminished in power. While it still held influence in finance and other areas and remained a member of the G7, its decline was significant compared to its era as ‘the country where the sun never sets’.

The primary reason for this decline was the lack of resources.

During the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s iron and coal mines were depleted. Later, it maintained its position as the world’s strongest country through resources from its colonies.

However, its manufacturing industry collapsed with the loss of its colonies.

If Joseon had been content with only the Korean Peninsula, it would have faced a similar fate as Britain.

However, by seizing resource-rich areas like Manchuria, Siberia, Hokkaido, and Sakhalin, it could withstand challenges even without Shinji.

Hyang sighed in relief, recognizing this advantage.

Afterward, he organized the documents and stood up.

“Tomorrow, I finally get to go to Area 52. Jinpyeong will be happy.”

***

The next day, Hyang left the Haenggung [a detached palace or temporary residence for royalty] with Jinpyeong.

Guided by the official, Hyang muttered with an incredulous expression.

“A week on horseback, plus three days by boat… The units of measurement are inconsistent….”

Hyang’s grumbling stemmed from the official’s statement before their departure.

“We chose a location a bit far away because it has easy access to resources.”

Hyang shook his head, recalling the official’s words.

“A bit far away means ten days away… Anyway, this area….”

The ironic part was that this ten-day journey was already shortened. If they had traveled at a more relaxed pace, as they did when coming to Shinji Haenggung from Chosi, it would have taken at least fifteen days.

After ten days of forced marching, Hyang and his party arrived in Area 52.

“Is that Area 52?”

Hyang asked, looking back at the official, seeing a fortress city with black smoke billowing from tall chimneys.

“Yes, it is.”

“Does it have a native name?”

“It’s called Shikaakwa. We call it Garlic Village.”

“Garlic Village?”

“It’s called that because a lot of wild garlic grows there, but these days, it’s called Garlic Village because the smoke stings the eyes.”

“I see… Hmm… Shikaakwa….”

After savoring the name, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘If you consider the pronunciation, is it Chicago? The Haenggung is located in Detroit, and Area 52 is in Chicago…

Is this definitely the Rust Belt? Interesting….’

***

When Hyang arrived at the entrance of Area 52, the commanders of the military unit guarding the area and the heads of the artisans were waiting.

Seeing Hyang, the artisans and soldiers paid their respects politely.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

“You have worked hard.”

Hyang replied calmly, dismounted, patted the commanders and artisans on the shoulders, and praised their efforts.

“The empire can always move forward because of you. Thank you very much.”

At Hyang’s praise, the soldiers and artisans were overwhelmed and answered loudly.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

After the introductions, Hyang immediately got down to business.

“There are many rumors about Area 52. Let’s go in quickly.”

“We have prepared a royal carriage.”

“Royal carriage?”

Hyang’s eyes lit up, and the head artisan stepped forward and answered.

“The internal space is large, and the horses have a hard time because of the explosions coming from all directions.”

“Is that so? Then let’s go.”

Guided by the head artisan, Hyang got into the royal carriage, examined the chair and the interior, and exclaimed.

“That’s amazing!”

At Hyang’s exclamation, the head artisan replied proudly.

“It is one of the last things that my adoptive father worked on.”

“Adoptive father?”

“The late Director Jang Yeong-sil [a famous Joseon-era inventor and scientist] is my adoptive father.”

“Ah! You’re the one!”

Hyang pretended to know.

***

Jang Yeong-sil, who rose from a government slave to the director of Area 52, remained single for unknown reasons.

“He was emancipated, but why doesn’t he start a family when even ordinary slaves have partners?”

“You should start a family to have descendants, shouldn’t you?”

Such comments were common, but Jang Yeong-sil insisted on remaining single.

However, after coming to Area 52, Jang Yeong-sil adopted his best disciple as his son.

That adopted son was Jang On, the director of Area 52, who was now guiding Hyang.

***

“But why did you settle in this place, so far from Shinji Haenggung?”

At Hyang’s question, Jang On immediately explained the reason.

“If you go a little southwest from here, you will find a lot of high-quality iron ore. And we maintained a safe distance because we use a lot of fire, gunpowder, and other dangerous materials.”

“Where does the coal come from?”

“There are many high-quality coal mines facing the easternmost lake of Daehogun. So, we transport coal through waterways. Some of the mined coal is used in Shinji Haenggung, and the rest is used here.”

“I see….”

Hyang nodded and looked out the window, his eyes full of anticipation.

‘Finally, it’s Area 52! Now I can understand the meaning of what the Supreme Emperor said!’