Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1062

1062. Gambling (6)

Among the divided factions, the ‘Proposal Opposition’ group voiced their concerns most vehemently.

“For our Great Ming Dynasty to readily accept Joseon’s proposal is a blow to our pride!”

“Before our defeat in the last war, Joseon was a country that groveled for the favors bestowed upon them by our Great Ming Dynasty! This is a matter of national dignity!”

“What is mere oil that we should compromise our pride for Joseon’s sake!”

In response, the ‘Proposal Supporters’ also raised their voices.

“Mere oil, you say! It is because of that ‘mere’ oil that the European powers are trying to join hands with the Ottomans, who are practically mortal enemies!”

“It is not about compromising pride! It is about pursuing mutual interests!”

“The Empire is evolving, Europe is evolving! If we turn our backs on the world because of pride, we will only collapse!”

As both sides fiercely clashed, the military aligned themselves with the supporters.

-According to reports, Joseon has begun using oil as fuel to power their ships.

-As a result of importing and using oil refined in the Empire, it is proving more efficient than coal.

-It’s not just the warships used by the navy. Oil is also more advantageous than coal as fuel for the tractors and assault vehicles used by the army.

-Finally, the flying machines that Joseon is researching, which we call airplanes, must also be equipped with improved power plants. Considering the characteristics of airplanes, oil is essential.

With the military joining the supporters, the balance tipped heavily in their favor. As the situation evolved, many within the opposition also switched sides. And here, once again, a purge began. The remaining opposition members were the most radical of the radicals. In their secret gatherings, words denouncing the Seonghwa Emperor [The current emperor of the Ming Dynasty] were always abundant.

“The situation has become like this because of the Emperor’s conspiracy!”

“That’s right! Only the Emperor could have mobilized the Geumgun [Imperial Guard] who were previously standing still!”

“This Emperor was a mistake from the start! To bring in someone who grew up in Joseon! No matter how bad the situation was, we should have looked for someone else!”

As words denouncing the Emperor poured out, those with their own ambitions began to grow greedy.

‘Wait? The people gathered here are few, but they are all key figures. If I play this right?’

‘If I succeed…’

‘Who says I can’t become a Lü Buwei [A powerful and influential merchant and politician of ancient China]? Why can’t I rise to the top?’

Those whose ambitions were rekindled began to hint at their thoughts to their comrades.

“How about we seize this opportunity to start anew?”

“Huh? Start anew?”

“That’s right. I’m talking about a purge.”

Upon hearing those words, his colleagues were horrified.

“You don’t mean… Are you suggesting a rebellion!”

“It’s not a rebellion. It’s a purge. Honestly, look at the Forbidden City now. Isn’t it a situation where Joseon people surround the Emperor, who is practically a Joseon person himself? How can this be considered the court of the Great Ming Dynasty? It’s the court of Joseon’s tributary state. Only by purging can the thousand-year glory of the Great Ming Dynasty be restored!”

“Th-that means even the Emperor…”

“Abdication is the only answer.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that!”

“It’s already too late! Just by opposing Joseon’s proposal, our future is already sealed! We should be grateful just to keep our positions! We will either be demoted to a local official in some remote province, or, even if we endure, we will soon be caught for some trivial mistake and be beheaded! It’s already too late!”

The words ‘It’s already too late!’ hardened the hearts of the opposition. The power struggles within the Forbidden City were beyond imagination in their intensity. To occupy even a slightly higher position, to seize even a slightly more powerful authority, the officials engaged in bloody battles.

Beijing’s government offices were a breeding ground for open arguments and behind-the-scenes slander and betrayal. Because it was such a place, even a slight disfavor from the Emperor could make advancement impossible. The remaining opposition, seeing only a bleak future for themselves, eventually decided to join hands with the ambitious ones. And this brought a bloodbath to Beijing.

* * *

In that place, swept away by the atmosphere, they agreed to join, but as time passed, most regretted their decision.

“This is not right! It’s impossible!”

After careful consideration, only the prospect of failure emerged, so a few quick-witted individuals secretly sought out the Jinyiwei [Imperial secret police] and Dongchang [Another branch of imperial secret police, often rivals with the Jinyiwei].

“I have something to report.”

“If it’s about the rebellion, we already know.”

“Huh!”

“Who do you think we are?”

The Jinyiwei and Dongchang were already aware of their movements. After confirming the reports that came in almost simultaneously from both agencies, the Seonghwa Emperor gave an order with a face full of anger.

“Bring all those involved in the rebellion and their nine generations to interrogate them! No, bring ten generations to interrogate them!”

“I obey the order!”

According to the Seonghwa Emperor’s order, those involved in the conspiracy, and those connected to them by blood, region, and school ties, were all dragged in and subjected to brutal torture. While the screams of those being tortured filled one side of the Forbidden City, the Seonghwa Emperor was summoning the Crown Prince and imparting his teachings.

“It is impossible for all ministers to share your thoughts every time we discuss state affairs. That is why the Emperor and the ministers gather to discuss matters. There will naturally be pros and cons, and compromises may even be necessary. The Emperor’s job is to listen carefully to those words and adopt the good ideas for the benefit of the country. But look at those heinous traitors. They are plotting a rebellion simply because their ideas were not accepted? Even when you become the Emperor in the future, remember that punishing such people immediately is the only way to serve the country.”

“I will keep that in mind. But why did those people even consider such foolish actions?”

The Seonghwa Emperor answered the Crown Prince’s question simply and clearly.

“Because they are fools blinded by greed. Blind fools who failed to properly assess the situation and made decisions based solely on their desires.”

After such a bloodbath, Beijing decided to accept the Empire’s proposal.

* * *

Unlike Beijing, where the pros and cons clashed fiercely and even resulted in bloodshed, Yamaguchi [A region in Japan] made a decision quite easily. The reason the word ‘quite’ is used here is because there were no individuals driven by unnecessary greed.

“I heard rumors that the Empire has proposed a collaboration not only to our Japan but also to Ming. There is a saying, ‘Don’t miss the opportunity.’ Wouldn’t it be better for us to act first?”

Upon hearing the words ‘Let’s act first,’ the Japanese King Ouchi Yoshioki folded his fan and asked.

“Act first? Isn’t that obvious? We need to move faster than Beijing so that our stake will increase.”

The vassal who initially made the proposal bowed and continued to speak to Yoshioki.

“That’s not what I meant. I mean that we, Japan, should move to Persia independently first.”

“Independently?”

“Yes. Seoul is a great power, and Beijing is also a great power. Naturally, our Japan’s stake will be small. Therefore, we, Japan, should move first and monopolize Persia. No, even if it is impossible to monopolize it, we should secure as many shares as possible, at least more than half.”

“Hoo~. Is it possible for us to occupy Persia before Seoul or Beijing?”

As Yoshioki showed interest, the vassal answered with a brighter face.

“It is definitely possible! Seoul and Beijing are large, so it takes a lot of time for them to mobilize. If we capitalize on that time, we have a good chance of winning!”

“Hmm…”

Listening to the vassal’s words, Yoshioki shared his thoughts.

“It’s like the zodiac. Are you suggesting that our Japan move like a rat?”

“Ah, that is…”

The vassal, who had greatly angered Yoshioki, stammered with a pale face. Yoshioki began to criticize the vassal fiercely.

“Are you trying to make our Japan a rat! Being blinded by immediate benefits and failing to see the bigger picture is the same as being a rat! Can’t you see the situation in our Japan!”

“Th-that’s not it… I was just doing it for the benefit of Japan…”

“National interest? You call that national interest! You fool! How much do you know about Persia! No, how many of our Japanese vassals know about Persia, and can you confidently say that their knowledge is better in quantity and quality than that of the Empire? And do we, Japan, even have enough ships to transport our Japanese soldiers and our Japanese supplies to Persia?”

“Th-that is…”

“The Empire has extended its hand in a situation where we lack all of those things! In a situation where we should be grateful, what? Act first? You fool! What you said is no different from treason!”

At Yoshioki’s rebuke, the vassal prostrated himself on the floor and answered.

“I-I’m sorry! My thoughts were short-sighted!”

“Get out!”

As Yoshioki threw down the fan he was holding and shouted, the vassal in question staggered out of the main hall.

“A pathetic guy, a stupid guy…”

After spitting out such curses, Yoshioki looked back at the other vassals.

“Is there anyone else who shares the same thoughts as that fool?”

“N-no!”

Yoshioki snorted at the frightened vassals and ordered the attendant next to him.

“Fan.”

“Yes!”

Yoshioki, holding the fan brought by the attendant, continued to speak to the vassals.

“Think carefully about what I just said to that fool. And don’t forget that we need to move faster than Beijing.”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s move on to the next agenda…”

That day, the vassals who gathered separately after the meeting held a discussion about the Empire’s proposal.

“Yamamoto’s words are also true. Seoul is the proposer, and Beijing is a great power. Then it is certain that the share that our Japan will occupy is small.”

“That’s true, but it’s also impossible for us to act first and monopolize Persia. Above all, we don’t have enough information to begin with.”

“Is it just information that we lack? We don’t have ships either. Do you think merchants who only care about their own interests will easily give up their ships?”

“Aside from that, if we act first, will the Empire leave our Japan alone? Can our Japan survive when facing the Empire?”

At the last question, everyone in the conference room shook their heads silently. At that sight, the person who asked the question came to a conclusion himself.

“It’s true that it takes time for Seoul or Beijing to mobilize. But it’s also true that once they start moving, no one can stop them. Especially, if it’s the personality of the people in Seoul, they will move until they see the end.”

“They will beat us up until they see the end.”

“Haa~.”

The conference room was filled with sighs at someone’s blunt expression. And that evening.

A wakizashi [A short sword] sent by Yoshioki was delivered to Yamamoto’s house, who had offended Yoshioki’s sensibilities. The messenger said to Yamamoto, who was looking at the wakizashi engraved with the Japanese royal family’s crest.

“Don’t worry about your family.”

“I am truly grateful for this grace.”