Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1

Extranovel 1. The Southern Sea War of 1592 (1)

Part 1. A Maverick.

After Hyang’s death, the Empire’s rate of development slowed.

Consequently, many historians later referred to the period up to Emperor Woo’s reign as the ‘Era of the Five Wise Emperors.’

Scholars with a more focused perspective sometimes called Sejong and Hyang’s era the ‘Great Leap Forward,’ followed by the reigns of Wan, Hyun, and Woo as the ‘Leap Period.’

Regardless of the terminology, it was undeniable that the Empire’s development slowed as Emperor Woo’s reign ended.

However, the emperors who followed also had their own challenges.

It wasn’t that they were lazy or incompetent. The rigorous education and training within the Empire and the Imperial Family produced emperors with above-average abilities.

It was just that Sejong and Hyang had laid such a strong foundation and accomplished so much that the impact of subsequent reigns seemed relatively insignificant in comparison.

Therefore, the burden on the emperors who followed was immense, and ‘Crown Prince Aversion Syndrome’ became a well-known ailment within the Imperial Family.

And, paradoxically, this accelerated the distribution of a significant portion of the emperor’s power to the administrative branch and the people.

Those with a critical perspective made this pointed joke about the situation:

“This can be explained with a single sentence that symbolizes the Empire and its people: ‘I can’t fail alone.'”

Certainly, the rulers of other countries rejoiced at the slowed pace of the Empire’s development.

“The Empire has begun to decline!”

“Like the Mongols, the Empire will be short-lived!”

However, those with a more objective view, or those with in-depth knowledge of the Empire, shook their heads at this assessment.

“The Empire is still the Empire. It’s not stopping.”

“It may look slow, but it’s not slow at all. It’s like a fully grown adult walking leisurely, making it hard for children to catch up.”

“Never underestimate the Empire.”

However, as time passed, the number of people who underestimated the Empire gradually increased.

* * *

As Hyang had said in his lectures before his death, the world continued to change.

Of course, there were those who changed for the better. However, there were also those who headed in a very bad direction or wandered aimlessly.

Japan was one of the countries demonstrating that negative change.

Ouchi Yoshioki, a contemporary of Hyang, died, and Ouchi Yoshitaka succeeded him as the King of Japan.

Ouchi Yoshitaka was a very capable ruler.

At least, initially.

Yoshitaka actively engaged in exchanges with the Middle East, particularly Iran, and as a result, many Japanese merchants were able to establish themselves in the region.

He also actively introduced advanced learning and technology from the Empire.

Accordingly, an academic institution similar to the Empire’s research institute was established in Yamaguchi, and many European scholars were invited.

At the same time, he allowed the propagation of Catholicism, and cultural internationalization progressed rapidly.

Of course, allowing the propagation of Catholicism was largely a political maneuver.

Similar to the late Goryeo period, the political influence of Buddhist monks had become so strong that it was meant to keep them in check.

The problem arose later in his reign.

After his adopted son and successor, Harumochi, died young, Yoshitaka suffered a great psychological shock and began to neglect state affairs, devoting himself only to learning and the arts.

If Hyang had seen it, he would have considered it a case of ‘simply indulging in hobbies.’

To make matters worse, when Yoshitaka became seriously ill, the issue of succession erupted.

The vassals were divided over who would be a suitable successor.

It would be more accurate to say that the literary and military factions were engaged in political strife once again.

Amidst fierce debates and secret acts of terror surrounding the successor candidates, Yoshitaka decided to make Otomo Haruhide his successor and changed Haruhide’s name to Ouchi Yoshinaga.

Not long after, Ouchi Yoshitaka died, and Yoshinaga ascended to the throne as the King of Japan, but his power base was too weak.

This was because Yoshitaka had died without properly empowering him.

In the end, Yoshinaga, manipulated by powerful retainers, fell into debauchery and died before reaching 40.

After Yoshinaga’s death, his eldest son, Takayo, inherited the throne.

Takayo’s situation was even worse than his father’s.

His political base was still weak, and to make matters worse, he was young.

However, Takayo possessed great qualities as a monarch. He also had remarkable patience.

“It’s not time yet. We must not forget the saying ‘lying on firewood and tasting gall’ [a Chinese idiom referring to enduring hardship to achieve revenge or a goal].”

Takayo began to look for people or groups to replace these powerful retainers, while acting as a weak king who was pressured by them and only watched their every move.

And a man caught Takayo’s attention.

It was a man named Oda Nobunaga.

* * *

Nobunaga’s family was a humble one in Owari Province.

After completing elementary and intermediate education, Nobunaga immediately entered the Japanese Army Military Academy.

Oda’s choice was quite a topic of conversation within the family.

At the time, people in other regions of Japan used to say this about Owari:

-The men of Owari are weak-spirited.

This was why the son of a family that was recognized as such, especially the eldest son, entering the Army Military Academy was surprising.

His grades at the Military Academy were slightly above average.

However, his judgment of situations, political abilities, and leadership were outstanding.

After graduating from the Military Academy and becoming an officer in the Japanese Army, Oda Nobunaga made full use of his talents to rise through the ranks.

However, he didn’t just flatter people.

Rather, he presented a rather inflexible impression.

In the end, his superiors evaluated him this way:

-He’s a bit stubborn, but he does his job well.

-It’s a bit of a shame to promote him to a high position and utilize him.

Ultimately, his superiors sent him to the inspection department.

“If we send that stubborn guy to the inspection department, won’t we be in trouble?”

“What power does the inspection department have these days…? You’re worrying too much.”

However, Oda Nobunaga rejoiced inwardly at being transferred to the inspection department.

‘That’s it! Half of it is done! If I get the inspection department in my hands, power will naturally be mine!’

* * *

As his superiors who sent him to the inspection department had said, the Japanese Army Inspection Department at this time was just a facade.

Inspections of the military were ongoing, and various irregularities occurring within the military were constantly being discovered.

The problem was that even if these irregularities were discovered and reported to the higher-ups, in most cases, they were buried as they were.

As a result, the morale of the Japanese soldiers belonging to the inspection department was hitting rock bottom, but they still steadily carried out their assigned tasks.

This was because most of the personnel belonging to the inspection department had no backing, so they had to maintain a consistent performance to increase the probability of promotion, even if only slightly.

Thanks to this, various pieces of compromising information about not only Japanese soldiers but also vassals were accumulating in the Japanese Army Inspection Department.

Oda Nobunaga was aiming for more than just this information.

Firstly, not only the commander of the inspection department but also the deputy chiefs could have a private audience with the King of Japan.

Of course, there was the problem that it was very difficult to avoid the eyes and ears of the powerful retainers.

Secondly, if necessary, up to 2,000 troops could be mobilized.

Of course, a proper order with the king’s seal was required.

“But even a deputy chief can mobilize up to 200 people with his authority.”

Heading to his assigned office, Oda Nobunaga strengthened his resolve.

“The first goal is the deputy chief. Starting with the deputy chief, I will climb to the position above all others. Then…..”

Oda Nobunaga clenched his fist.

“The world will be mine.”

And Oda Nobunaga steadily built up his achievements and greased the wheels here and there, gradually moving up.

“That stubborn Oda guy couldn’t resist either.”

“Isn’t it better? If he performs well, we can use him as a loyal hunting dog.”

The upper echelons, judging that he would be a useful tool for them, continued to promote him.

And Oda Nobunaga, who became the deputy chief, his first goal, smiled with satisfaction.

“Well, shall we begin?”

* * *

Oda Nobunaga, having become the deputy chief, began to play an active role, making full use of his abilities.

Nobunaga first secretly sought out a general with the most power to back him up.

“General Mori, the reason I’m seeking you out is…..”

Oda Nobunaga handed Mori a thick document.

The document contained records and evidence of various acts of corruption committed by Mori’s competitor.

“No matter how I look at it, this is too much. This is tarnishing the honor of the proud Japanese army and weakening its strength. This is tantamount to treason. We must report it to His Majesty. If His Majesty knows, he will never condone it.”

“That’s right. We can’t just let this go!”

Mori’s eyes gleamed as he took the documents.

“I must report to His Majesty the King!”

Until now, the custom was to bury such things underground.

Because the blame would fall on everyone involved.

However, the factions had become too large to share profits equitably, and the upper echelons were also sensing that the time for change had come.

-From now on, it’s the era of survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle, the Warring States Period [Sengoku period, a time of social upheaval, political intrigue and near-constant military conflict in Japan] (戰國時代).

-The question is who will draw the first sword and what kind of sword.

In this situation where they were just watching each other, Oda handed Mori a very useful sword.

And Mori used this sword very effectively.

Mori, who had eliminated the most threatening competitor among his rivals, called Oda and praised him.

“Thanks to you, I’ve eliminated a major problem! I will report your merits to His Majesty!”

“You’re too kind. I was simply moved by your patriotism and stepped forward.”

“Still, we must reward merit and punish demerit! I’ll send you to a good place! Where do you want to go?”

At Mori’s suggestion, Oda immediately replied.

“I have only been faithful to my duty. And I am satisfied with the position I hold now.”

“You are a true soldier! A samurai!”

Mori, who praised Oda, recommended Oda as the commander of the inspection department and received approval.

Mori, who called Oda and conveyed the decision, added in a subtle voice.

“The reason I recommended you for that position is because I trust your loyalty. I hope you don’t disappoint me.”

“I will do my best to fulfill my duty!”

And Oda kept his word.

Mori, who had secured the evidence of his competitors’ corruption through Oda, gradually eliminated his rivals and expanded his power.

Watching Mori’s movements, Oda smiled wryly.

“He’s a loyal hunting dog after all. He thinks I’m his hunting dog, but.”

Mori thought that Oda Nobunaga was his loyal hunting dog, a card that could be discarded at any time if necessary.

However, Oda Nobunaga thought of Mori as his hunting dog.

Because he could secure his safety through Mori, and he could eliminate his obstacles one by one through Mori.

The reduction of Mori’s competitors meant that the eyes and ears watching the King of Japan were decreasing.

This meant that the opportunity for Oda Nobunaga to have a private audience with the King of Japan was getting closer and closer.

“And when the time comes…..”

He just had to eliminate the hunting dog Mori, who had become useless.