Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1060

1060. Gambling (4)

“Did you say to put Japan forward?”

“That is correct.”

Hyang explained in more detail why Japan needed to be included.

-Considering Japan’s current situation, it is very poor.

It has a bit more land than our mainland, but also a larger population. Moreover, it has fewer minerals than even the Empire’s mainland.

-Their livelihood is also the same. They are working hard to follow the Empire, but it is not easy with our Empire and Ming right next to them.

-Looking at the future trends of the world, Japan will also need a lot of oil.

-Considering their lack of resources and livelihood, Japan may pursue extreme methods.

“Are you referring to war as an extreme method?”

“That is correct.”

“The Empire’s military power can easily subdue Japan.”

“However, many citizens would lose their precious lives. Isn’t war something to be avoided if possible?”

Hyeon raised an objection to Hyang’s words.

“If we continue to take a moderate approach, there is a risk that neighboring countries will look down on the Empire. Isn’t the fall of Song in the Central Plains for a similar reason?”

“I think it is different from Song. Song neglected the military and strengthening military power to the point where ‘崇文抑武’ [chóng wén yì wǔ – emphasizing civil over military] immediately comes to mind. I think they ended up like that because they fought against foreign powers in that state. However, isn’t the balance of civil and military affairs the national policy of the Empire? Song and the Empire are different.”

“Song also appeased foreign powers by giving tribute. Our Empire also appeased the lords of Tsushima by sending trade ships when we were Joseon. The method proposed by the Supreme Emperor feels like an enlarged version of those trade ships. Considering that we were harassed by the Wokou [Japanese pirates] despite sending trade ships and eventually had to embark on a conquest……”

Hyeon continued to show a negative reaction, and the conversation between the grandfather and grandson continued.

“Among the proverbs of Europe, there is one I like the most. ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ I think the Empire is faithfully following this. Song became an easy target because they used a moderate approach without proper strength. And what is Japan’s characteristic? They are weak to the strong and strong to the weak. As long as our Empire overwhelms Japan, Japan will faithfully follow our words.”

“Considering the characteristics of the Japanese, that is true, but……”

“And as I said before, Japan is increasingly being driven into a corner. There is an old saying that ‘even a rat will bite a cat when cornered.’ We need to create a suitable exit for them.”

“An exit, you say? Hmm……”

Hyeon paused for a moment, thinking about something, and then called a eunuch.

“Go and summon the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hyeon, after receiving the greetings from Woo, who had come at the summons, gestured to a seat on one side and ordered.

“Crown Prince, sit here and participate in the conversation.”

“How can I, in my inadequacy, dare to interfere?”

“No, it is sufficient. There is not much time left until you inherit the throne. Therefore, you must sit in this seat and think and speak. What you see and hear in this place is not what you can hear and learn from history books, scriptures, reports, or the words of officials. Rather, what happens in this place now will be your daily life when you become Emperor.”

After pondering for a moment at Hyeon’s words, Woo soon bowed his head and replied.

“I understand. Although I am still greatly lacking, I will do my best.”

At Woo’s reply, Hyang smiled contentedly, looking at Hyang and Hyeon. However, the smile disappeared from Hyang’s face at Hyeon’s subsequent words.

“I am very sorry, but could you please explain the previous explanation once again?”

“…..I will follow the imperial command.”

‘A rerun! A rerun!’

And after the conversation that followed again, Hyeon asked Woo.

“So, what does the Crown Prince think?”

“According to what I have learned and heard, the Japanese are said to be of extremely poor character and cannot be easily trusted. However, it is also true that if they are driven too far into a corner, there is a considerable possibility that something even worse will happen. As the Supreme Emperor said, it would be good to give Japan some breathing room.”

“It would be good to give them breathing room?”

Hyeon showed a slightly sharp reaction, and Woo flinched. However, he soon mustered his courage and replied.

“That is correct.”

“Then tell me the reason.”

At Hyeon’s command, Woo cleared his throat for a moment and explained why he thought so.

-It is true that the Japanese are by nature extremely weak to the strong, extremely strong to the weak, and ferocious.

-However, if the Empire’s power is stronger than Japan’s and we give them some breathing room, they will become excellent collaborators of the Empire. The reason is their very nature.

-The Ouchi family, which currently rules Japan, is a loyal collaborator of the Empire. Giving Japan some breathing room will be a great achievement for them, which will strengthen their power. If that happens, Japan will continue to be friendly with the Empire.

“…..Therefore, I thought we should extend a hand to Japan.”

“Hmm…….”

After thinking about something for a moment after hearing Woo’s words, Hyeon turned to Hyang.

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s fine. What do you think, Emperor?”

“I agree. Crown Prince, listen. That was a very good answer. I wouldn’t worry about handing over the throne to you.”

At Hyeon’s words, Woo prostrated himself on the floor and raised his voice.

“You flatter me! I still have a mountain of things to learn and master!”

It was a word of humility that anyone could see. However, everyone around, including Hyang and Hyeon, had the same thought.

‘He doesn’t want to take it over, he’s going to hold out as much as possible, right?’

* * *

-The Supreme Emperor, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince gathered to discuss state affairs.

-The topic they discussed was the very topic that the Prime Minister and the ministers have been fighting over every day!

Upon hearing the rumors, the ministers immediately gathered in the Prime Minister’s conference room.

“Have you heard the rumors?”

“I have.”

Han Chi-hyung nodded at the ministers’ question. At that sight, the ministers immediately continued their questions.

“Have you heard what the result was?”

“I have not.”

“Oh dear!”

At Han Chi-hyung’s answer, the ministers all looked dismayed. The Emperor and the Crown Prince, and even that ‘Supreme Emperor,’ had gathered to discuss it. Even if it was just a result from the Emperor and the Crown Prince, it would become a ‘strong policy candidate,’ but with the Supreme Emperor included?

It would become a ‘definite policy.’

The problem was when the result that the Emperor’s thought was different from the result that the ministers thought. In that case, it was certain that there would be another dispute between the Emperor and his subjects. There was no possibility that the ministers could refute the result that the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Supreme Emperor had all agreed on.

And if that happened……

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! To think that the ministers’ thoughts are so short-sighted……”

In addition to having to listen to scolding to the point of getting calluses on their ears and feeling a strong sense of self-reproach, they would have to rewrite everything from the beginning to the Emperor’s liking.

‘I’m already eating and sleeping in the government building, and it’s going to get even longer? Absolutely not!’

‘I want to go home too!’

“Oh dear! This is a big problem.”

The ministers, facing an urgent situation, immediately moved. The ministers who had approached the eunuchs working in Gyeongbok Palace and Sugang Palace, and the historians and scribes who never left the Emperor’s side, looked around and immediately brought up the topic.

“Did you hear that conversation last time? Could you perhaps tell me what conclusion was reached at that time?”

However, those who received the ministers’ questions all remained silent.

“I am sorry.”

“Don’t you know that the law prohibits disclosure, sir?”

In the end, the ministers had no choice but to put forward Han Chi-hyung.

“The Prime Minister must step forward.”

“Ugh……”

“I wish you good luck.”

In the end, Han Chi-hyung requested a private audience with Hyeon.

* * *

“Haha, it’s quite unusual for the Prime Minister to request a private audience with me first.”

“What’s so unusual about it? If it’s for the smooth administration of the Empire, isn’t a private audience something that can be requested at any time?”

“That’s true. So! What is the reason for requesting the private audience?”

“It is because of the conversation you had at Sugang Palace the other day. Please tell me Your Majesty’s intentions.”

“My intentions? Why?”

“As I said again, it is for the smooth operation of state affairs.”

“In simple terms, you want to know what my intentions are in advance and fit them into that framework. Even if my thoughts are wrong, would you do that?”

“That is absolutely not the case. It is only because if we can know Your Majesty’s intentions in advance, it is reasonable to discuss whether they are right or wrong first.”

“It’s not because you don’t want the work to increase?”

At Hyeon’s pointed remark, Han Chi-hyung hurriedly bowed his head and replied.

“How could that be?”

“Hmm……”

Hyeon, staring at Han Chi-hyung with narrowed eyes, gave an order.

“I will talk about it tomorrow in a meeting where all the ministers are present. Tell them not to miss it and to gather.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The next day, Hyeon opened his mouth in a meeting where the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and ministers were all gathered.

“….Therefore, I think it is helpful to the Empire’s national interest to aim for Persia. It is for the same reason that we are including Japan.”

Hyeon’s words ended, but no one immediately opened their mouths.

‘Japan…..’

‘Japan…..Hmm…….Indeed. Considering Japan’s habits and circumstances, it is a good move.’

‘It seems like it would be okay…..’

Most of the evaluations were positive, but no one easily opened their mouths to agree. It was because of the deep-rooted sense of aversion from the past. Even though they had encountered students who had spent a long time in Japan and knew that the Japanese king and ruling class were pro-Empire figures, the aversion that had not easily disappeared.

As the silence continued, the Minister of Foreign Affairs opened his mouth.

“I apologize for speaking out of turn, but I think it would be good to include Ming as well when including Japan in the plan to aim for Persia.”

“Ming? Why?”

At Hyeon’s question, the Minister of Foreign Affairs explained the reason.

“Ming also does not produce oil. It goes without saying that Ming also needs oil eventually. No, considering Ming’s land and population, they will need more than expected. If so, Ming will also turn its eyes outward, and it is certain that they will clash with our Empire again. Avoiding this in advance is one reason, and giving strength to the Emperor of Ming, just like Japan, is the second reason.”

“Give strength to the Emperor of Ming?”

“That is correct. The current Emperor of Ming was born and raised in our Empire. Therefore, the relationship between Ming and our Empire is very stable right now. The problem is the Crown Prince, who will be the next Emperor.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs paused for a moment and moistened his throat before continuing.

“The Crown Prince’s mother is from the Empire, and all of the current Emperor’s close aides are from the Empire. However, why is there a saying that one is influenced by one’s surroundings? Even more Ming people surround them, so there is a high possibility that they will be instigated to antagonize the Empire under the pretext of oil. Therefore, I think it is good to include Ming in advance and share the profits.”