Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 998

998. Meanwhile, Elsewhere… (3)

Japanese officials were diligently working to replenish the depleted national treasury. Their primary focus was on mining. They were well aware that the Iwami Silver Mine, a joint venture with the Empire [likely referring to the Korean Empire, given the context], had elevated a local lord’s family to royal status. This success was a key reason why Ouchi Norihiro, who officially became the King of Japan, decisively implemented the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures – to ensure the smooth operation of the lucrative mining business.

Through nationwide mining operations, various silver, gold, iron, and coal mines, both large and small, were discovered.

“A divine blessing!” exclaimed Norihiro, pleased with the discoveries. He offered lavish sacrifices to the shrine built within the royal palace. After confirming the viability of the mines, Norihiro’s Japanese court selected the most profitable ones and commenced mining operations. To safeguard these valuable assets, military units were stationed around them.

This process led to the re-employment of a significant number of samurai by the military to guard the mines. The Ouchi regime used this re-employment to achieve two strategic goals:

– To rebuild the Japanese army, which had suffered substantial losses in recent wars.

– To directly control and manage the samurai, who posed a considerable risk of instability.

As gold, silver, and other mineral mines, including iron mines that could generate profit from sales to the public, were developed, the Norihiro regime began to find itself on more stable financial ground.

However, the remaining anti-government forces remained a major concern. Japanese officials, seeking a solution to this problem, soon devised a plan and presented it to Norihiro.

Norihiro frowned as he reviewed the proposal submitted by the officials.

“Metropolitan Police Department? The name sounds familiar.”

“…….”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the officials prostrated themselves on the floor, bowing their heads in deference.

* * *

As the Empire [Korean Empire] entered a period of stability and smooth governance, a particular government agency underwent a name change.

This was the Capital Defense Command. During the Joseon Dynasty [Korean Dynasty preceding the Empire], the Capital Defense Command was responsible only for the security of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] and its surrounding areas. However, during the reforms, it expanded to a nationwide scale. Later, with the establishment of the Empire, it became the primary security agency responsible for the entire nation. As the Capital Defense Command became more established after this expansion, Hyang [likely a high-ranking official or the Emperor himself] advocated for renaming it.

“How can the mission of the Capital Defense Command be limited to catching thieves (捕盜)? Furthermore, to ensure the people live in peace, we must be vigilant and watchful for potential threats. Therefore, the name of the Capital Defense Command will be changed to ‘Police Agency (警察廳),’ reflecting the meaning of ‘vigilance and surveillance.'”

No one objected to Hyang’s decision. Thus, the Empire’s Capital Defense Command was renamed the Police Agency. However, many people still preferred the traditional terms ‘Pocheong’ [old term for police station] instead of ‘police station,’ and ‘Pojol’ and ‘Najol’ [old terms for police officers] instead of ‘police officer.’

Upon receiving this report, Hyang clicked his tongue and muttered.

“Tsk! Only time will tell.”

* * *

Knowing this background, Norihiro’s expression was grim.

“Are you importing another idea from the Empire? While the Empire certainly has much to teach us, shouldn’t Japan develop its own institutions?”

Unlike before, Norihiro’s direct criticism caused the officials to bow their heads even lower. After a moment, the Prime Minister cautiously replied.

“Your Majesty is correct. However, Japan is still like a child and lacks much experience. We must learn and adopt anything that benefits Your Majesty and the country’s well-being.”

“Still, you know… This is from the Empire, that is from the Empire – everywhere I look, I see systems and cultures imported from the Empire. Am I in Japan, or am I in the Empire?”

“Just as a child grows into an adult, time will resolve this. And the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Department will be beneficial in many ways.”

“What benefits will it provide?”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the Prime Minister explained the advantages of establishing a Metropolitan Police Department.

– First, it will strengthen the King’s control.

Even during the era of feudal lords, village chiefs wielded considerable power in rural villages, often more than the samurai dispatched by the lord. Especially regarding taxation, even officials sent by the feudal lord had to negotiate with the village chief. The village chief’s power stemmed from their responsibility for the village’s security.

Therefore, if the Metropolitan Police Department is established even in small villages and takes charge of security, the village chief’s power can be diminished.

– Second, it can absorb the remaining samurai forces.

Many samurai are still wandering the land without masters [ronin]. Some have quietly returned to their hometowns or gone into seclusion, but others form gangs and harass the people in the cities. As the saying goes, ‘fight fire with fire,’ it is best to deal with samurai with samurai.

The best example is the ‘Battotai (拔刀隊, Sword Drawing Squad).’

“Hmm….”

Norihiro nodded at the Prime Minister’s lengthy explanation, but still appeared dissatisfied. The Prime Minister lowered his voice.

“If you grant me some time….”

“I understand. I will consider this matter further.”

That night, Norihiro held a private meeting with the Prime Minister.

“What is your true intention?”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the Prime Minister quietly replied.

“It concerns the military faction (武斷派).”

Norihiro’s face grew serious at the Prime Minister’s answer.

* * *

As students who had studied in Seoul returned, Ouchi’s retainers became largely divided into two factions: the civilian faction (文治派) and the military faction (武斷派). The civilian faction, primarily composed of students who had studied abroad, consisted of individuals from samurai families with long histories and those who had risen in status through their own merits. The military faction, on the other hand, was composed exclusively of individuals from samurai families.

However, contrary to expectations, the civilian faction demonstrated even stronger unity than the military faction. Although some were from samurai families with long histories, most were not the eldest sons and possessed little to no inheritance – they were often considered *yakkai-mono* (やっかいもの, burdens or useless individuals). While it was possible to rise to prominence through martial prowess during times of war, in peacetime, they had to worry about their future.

Those who had risen through their own talents faced a similar predicament, lacking established connections or patronage. The shared desperation to catch the eye of the head of the Ouchi family and secure their future fostered a strong sense of unity. And what further bound them together was the ‘hardship they experienced in Seoul.’

When they recounted the hardships of working overtime every day in the Seoul court, they found common ground regardless of their background.

“Hey! Is that hardship? Back in my day!” they would often say, engaging in playful one-upmanship, but their cohesion remained strong. The heads of the Ouchi family used this civilian faction to control the samurai families, who were potential sources of instability.

However, the situation had deteriorated significantly after the civil wars. Many samurai perished during these conflicts. Yet, the power of the military faction had grown even stronger in the subsequent recovery process. To be precise, their power initially increased as they transitioned from Ouchi family soldiers into the Japanese army, and then further expanded as they participated in the civil wars.

This was unavoidable. In the process of transforming from family soldiers to the Japanese army and participating in the subsequent civil wars, they received substantial budget allocations. This growth, fueled by the budget, led them to demand more power and resources. The risk of the ‘tail wagging the dog,’ with the military faction boasting its history and tradition, was increasing.

* * *

The Prime Minister elaborated in more detail.

– To curb the power of the military faction, which had become excessively large, it would be divided into the military and the Metropolitan Police Department.

– Even if they belong to the same military faction, the division into separate organizations with competing budget priorities would create internal friction and rivalry between the military and the Metropolitan Police Department.

– In particular, transferring the security of the mines, the most important source of revenue, from the military to the Metropolitan Police Department would significantly reduce the military faction’s influence.

– By limiting the military’s focus to national defense and assigning internal security to the Metropolitan Police Department, it would become more difficult for the military faction to exert its influence.

“…In addition to the reasons I have already stated, this is why the Metropolitan Police Department must be created.”

“Hmm…. I see. If the Metropolitan Police Department is established, which branch should be transferred from the military first?”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the Prime Minister immediately replied.

“The Battotai.”

“The Battotai?”

“Yes, we are now in an era where swords have become obsolete on the battlefield. Therefore, they are no longer essential to the military, but samurai swords still inspire fear among the people.”

“That’s right.”

“Moreover, they are the ones who relied on a single sword and charged towards the enemy’s gunfire. Their courage, loyalty, and pride are undeniable. Even if we recruit samurai who are currently unemployed, they can effectively control them.”

“I understand. I will make a decision soon.”

Two days later, Norihiro gathered the officials and announced his decision.

“I approve the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Department.”

“We obey your command!”

* * *

Norihiro, having established the Metropolitan Police Department based on the advice of the civilian faction, soon created another organization.

This was the ‘Office of the Inspector General (御史臺).’

– The Office of the Inspector General, headed by the Inspector General, is an organization directly under the King.

– The mission of the Office of the Inspector General is to inspect both civilians and officials.

Just as he divided the military faction into two to maintain checks and balances, he also divided the civilian faction into two. The inspection duties of the Office of the Inspector General were divided into public inspections and secret inspections. This secret inspection became the subject of numerous legends and myths.

Because it was conducted in secret, there were many instances where lives were endangered. Furthermore, there were numerous problems associated with recklessly engaging in secret inspections without reliable intelligence. Therefore, Norihiro hired talented ninja groups. The mission of these hired ninjas was to travel around the country in disguise and detect any irregularities.

If an irregularity was detected, the Office of the Inspector General, upon receiving the report, dispatched a secret inspector, and the ninjas escorted this secret inspector. The secret inspector, after confirming the irregularity, would revoke the authority of the relevant official on the spot, detain them, or report to higher authorities to initiate a large-scale investigation.

In some ways, the secret inspection was highly dramatic, and the existence of the secret inspector and the ninjas who escorted them was equally dramatic. Consequently, in various creative works set in Japanese history, these secret inspectors and ninjas are among the most frequently depicted figures.

* * *

Although motivated more by political considerations than by concern for the people’s livelihood, the newly established Metropolitan Police Department exerted a strong presence in Japanese society. Many changes occurred due to this newly formed Metropolitan Police Department and the patrolmen (巡査) working within it, the most significant of which was the erosion of the village chief’s authority.

Even a village chief who wielded absolute power in their village had to defer to the Metropolitan Police Department, even the lowest-ranking patrolman stationed at the smallest police box. Their power was rendered useless in the face of the country’s national law and the sword hanging from the patrolman’s waist. This marked the beginning of the collapse of traditional Japanese village society.

As rural villages began to decline, many things also changed in the cities. Criminal organizations formed by samurai and the samurai of the Metropolitan Police Department began to engage in fierce battles.

“Dogs licking the assholes of traitors!” they shouted.

“Those who have abandoned the honor of the samurai!”

They engaged in merciless battles, each side viewing the other as ‘those who have abandoned the honor of the samurai.’