Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1063

1063. Gambling (7)

After Yamamoto’s seppuku [ritual suicide], those who thought or spoke similarly to Yamamoto immediately shut their mouths. The aftermath of this ‘Yamamoto’s seppuku’ was more significant than expected. Although he was already a very powerful Japanese king, he subsequently gained a kingship befitting the word ‘absolute,’ and Japan actively responded to the proposal put forward by the Empire.

Seeing this reaction from Japan, the Empire was rather taken aback. Han Chi-hyung, upon hearing the story from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, shook his head.

“Ha… Those Japanese… They cut their stomachs at every little thing; are people fish or something…?”

The Minister of Education, who had been nodding about Han Chi-hyung’s sick leave, asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

“By the way, something just occurred to me. Didn’t the first Japanese king prohibit seppuku?”

“He said he would prohibit it, but he failed. The roots were too deep to be forbidden.”

“Ah…”

* * *

It was known that Japanese seppuku had been passed down since the Heian period [794 to 1185 AD]. And the number of those performing seppuku greatly increased during the Muromachi period [1336 to 1573 AD]. Ouchi Morimi and Ouchi Mochiyo, who overthrew the Muromachi shogunate and received the throne from the Emperor to become the masters of Japan, continued to prohibit seppuku, but repeatedly failed.

Following the example of the Empire, a ‘National Archives’ was created, and officials who committed crimes were punished by organizing records in this archives. The problem was that all those who received this punishment committed seppuku.

-I have betrayed the trust of my lord and tarnished the honor of my family. How can I breathe and live!

Most of them left similar wills or testaments and cut their stomachs.

“Refusing the royal order and committing seppuku? Have I ever seen such insolent fellows! Drag those impudent fellows’ families and punish them severely!”

Morimi and Mochiyo, enraged by the report of seppuku, tried to implement a system of guilt by association, but each time, the ministers risked their lives to dissuade them.

“They have atoned for their sins with seppuku. Now that they have atoned for their sins, it is not wise to hold their families accountable!”

“This is a tradition that has been passed down for nearly a thousand years! If we do wrong, we will lose the public’s hearts!”

‘If you commit seppuku, we will no longer dig into it and cover it up.’

This was a tacit rule that had been passed down, and breaking this tacit rule was dangerous. Japan had the values of ‘the strong are the law’ and ‘if you win, you are the government army; if you lose, you are a rebel,’ but the power of the Japanese king was not yet solid.

In the end, this is how ‘seppuku’ survived.

* * *

“Hmm, but you know. Looking at this incident, it seems that the Japanese king used this seppuku to his advantage.”

At the words of Deputy Prime Minister Seong Jun, the ears of the other ministers perked up. On behalf of such ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Soon asked Seong Jun.

“What do you mean?”

“What kind of family is the Ouchi family, the current Japanese royal family? Isn’t it a family that has maintained a deep relationship with our Empire since we were Joseon [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897]? They are the ones who know the power of our Empire best. But, those who advocate ‘Japanese independence’ or ‘Japanese precedence’ have emerged, so could they have left them alone? Of course, they had to shut their mouths.”

“So, it was a fixed game?”

Han Chi-hyung answered instead of Ryu Soon’s question.

“Rather than a fixed game, it was more like ‘Let’s catch one.’ That’s what they were aiming for.”

“Huh…”

When Ryu Soon, who heard the story, shook his head as if he was dumbfounded, Han Chi-hyung wrapped up the situation.

“It seems that Yamaguchi has been dealt with in this way, so let’s look at Beijing. It seems that things are roughly in place there too, right?”

At Han Chi-hyung’s question, the Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded.

“Things seem to be in place in Beijing as well. They also saw a lot of blood, but…”

“I’m glad it’s not too late. We’ll be able to use our hands on Persia without missing the opportunity.”

“That’s right.”

“But you know. There’s something I’m curious about.”

The Minister of Education, who had been listening to the conversation, joined in with a face that showed he really didn’t understand.

“What are you curious about?”

“It’s been decades since Ming [Chinese dynasty, 1368-1644] moved its capital from Beijing to Nanjing, but why do we still call it Beijing when we talk about Ming? I do it too, but suddenly I think it’s strange.”

“Huh? Wait…”

“That’s right?”

At the Minister of Education’s point, the conversation suddenly went off on a tangent. The result of the brief discussion was ‘habit.’

-Because the events that had the greatest impact on the Empire since it was Joseon all came from Beijing. Therefore, the perception of ‘Ming = Beijing’ is ingrained.

“We shouldn’t criticize seppuku. Habits are really scary.”

“I think it’s much better than seppuku?”

Although they briefly went off on a tangent, the ministers, who had taken some mental rest, continued their discussion on pending issues.

* * *

The ministers, who had decided on answers to the pending state affairs, summarized them and reported them to Hyeon.

“…Hmm. I think your opinions are reasonable. Then, let’s proceed as is.”

“We receive your orders.”

Hyeon, who had approved the agenda items, paused to quench his thirst and continued.

“But you know. This seppuku incident that happened in Japan this time. I think there’s some kind of conspiracy.”

As words similar to what had already been exchanged among the ministers came out, Han Chi-hyung came forward and reported to Hyeon the opinions that had emerged among the ministers.

“Hoo~. I see. It is reasonable to see it that way.”

Hyeon, who had been nodding at Han Chi-hyung’s words, sighed softly.

“Hoo~. Looking at this seppuku incident, I don’t think we should relax our vigilance against Japan at all. No, I think it would be good to consider ways to strengthen it further.”

At Hyeon’s words, Han Chi-hyung stepped forward.

“I think it is inevitable that there will be talk of taking an independent path within Japan. This is because the Empire and Japan are different countries. And the Japanese king is already taking the lead in suppressing excessive opinions. In this situation, strengthening our vigilance may provoke backlash.”

“The Prime Minister is mentioning the ‘worry of alarming the grass by hitting the snake,’ which is not wrong. But you know. What if the Japanese king, instead of the ministers or intellectuals, advocates ‘Japanese independence’? When the ministers or intellectuals oppose the Japanese king’s decision, what if the Japanese king, like this time, urges seppuku to silence them?”

“Looking at the current Japanese king’s behavior, I don’t think that will happen. Therefore, we may provoke backlash if we do wrong. Please consider this.”

Hyeon nodded at Han Chi-hyung’s remarks.

“The Prime Minister’s words make sense. But you know. Can you be sure that all the next Japanese kings will have the same mind as the current Japanese king? If we rush to move at that time, we will miss the opportunity, and it will be obvious. Then, we may provoke resentment, as the Prime Minister is worried about. Therefore, we must move little by little from now on so that Japan does not notice. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes. I understand. Then, I will move immediately.”

Han Chi-hyung, who had stopped talking for a moment and was contemplating something, reported to Hyeon.

“Considering the nature of the case, it would be good to entrust the work to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense.”

“I think so too.”

“Then I will prepare accordingly.”

As the matter was about to be settled, Deputy Prime Minister Seong Jun stepped forward.

“Your Majesty. I think it would be good to create a new department to manage information on this occasion.”

“Hoo? Create a new department? Interesting. Tell me more.”

When Hyeon’s eyes twinkled and he gave permission, Seong Jun cleared his throat and began to tell his thoughts. Seong Jun’s idea can be summarized as follows.

-Even now, all kinds of information come into various departments of the Empire.

-Some of the information that comes in this way is only necessary for the department, but there is also a lot of information that is useful to other departments.

-In addition, obtaining information from inside and outside the Empire is more efficient when done by those who have received proper training.

-Looking at the current situation, there are more cases of simply bringing rumors circulating in the market than information obtained by those who have received proper training.

-Therefore, there is a need for an institution to train people on how to obtain information and how to analyze the information they receive, and to operate these trained people.

-If we combine and analyze the information brought by the trained people and the information flowing into the various departments of the Empire, the Empire will be able to see a thousand miles away while sitting down.

“Hmm…”

Hyeon, who had heard Seong Jun’s proposal, did not immediately come to a conclusion. As Hyeon’s silence continued, Deputy Prime Minister Ryu Soon stepped forward.

“Your Majesty. I am afraid to say this, but Deputy Prime Minister’s idea is quite dangerous.”

“Dangerous? What is the reason?”

At Hyeon’s question, Ryu Soon immediately began to talk about the danger.

-It is true that the establishment and operation of a department dedicated to the acquisition and analysis of information is efficient.

-However, it is very dangerous if only one department is in charge of information work.

-If done wrong, it can cover the eyes and ears of the Emperor. If this happens, all departments will only look at the information department. It is no different from the Ten Eunuchs [powerful court officials] who brought about the downfall of the Later Han Dynasty [25-220 AD].

“…Therefore, I think the establishment of a department dedicated to information is dangerous.”

“That makes sense.”

Hyeon nodded and ordered Han Chi-hyung.

“I think both Deputy Prime Ministers’ opinions make sense. However, considering the future, I think it is necessary to establish a department dedicated to information. This is because the Empire needs to know more and more in the future. Therefore, the Prime Minister should work together to devise a way to avoid the dangers pointed out by the Deputy Prime Minister and submit a plan.”

At Hyeon’s order, Han Chi-hyung bit his lip and bowed his head.

“…I receive your orders.”

“Then let’s stop here.”

Han Chi-hyung, who had left the Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] after the meeting, glared at Ryu Soon and Seong Jun and ordered.

“The two of you should work together to create a plan. One of you came up with the idea, and the other pointed out the danger, so if the two of you work together, you will be able to produce a good result. I will trust only the two of you.”

“Prime Minister! This is too much! This is too emotional of a response!”

“If you don’t like it, why don’t you become the Prime Minister?”

“I already have a lot of work to do…”

“More than me? And if it’s too hard, submit your resignation.”

“I mean it’s too much for me, not that I’m going to resign…”

“You’re overwhelmed? Then I’ll send you some herbal medicine.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyeon, who visited Suganggung Palace [a detached palace], smiled as he talked about the ‘establishment of an information organization.’

“We will have something good to hide the secret unit.”

“Are you going to hide the secret unit there?”

“Yes. Since ancient times, it has been said, ‘If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest.’ It’s a perfect place. And it has many advantages. It will be easier to supply talent, and it will be easier to supervise the information organization.”

At Hyeon’s words, Hyang nodded.

“Just as the Emergency Committee is hidden within the secret unit, the secret unit will be hidden within the newly established information agency to become the eyes and ears of the Emperor. That’s a good idea.”