Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1068

1068. The Chessboard (3)

“Hmm… Let’s start like this for now.”

The officials from the Empire, Ming, and Japan began to review the plans they had drafted.

– First, send diplomatic envoys and their escorting troops to Tabriz, where Ismail is staying.

– While the diplomatic envoys are negotiating with Ismail, secure a suitable bridgehead.

– Secure bridgeheads connected to the sea route near Basra, and bridgeheads connected to the land route near Rhagai (modern-day Tehran).

– Afterward, construct a railway connecting Basra to Tabriz, and a railway connecting Rhagai to Tabriz.

– Subsequently, expand the railway from Rhagai, continuing eastward to connect Beijing and Liaodong, creating an east-west transcontinental railway.

The ultimate goal was to create a massive loop connecting sea and rail routes. This would allow Ming and Japan to secure stable and consistent economic benefits through land and sea routes. Of course, the Empire would be the major shareholder. Furthermore, the safety of the land route would be shared by Ming, and the safety of the sea route by Japan, reducing the burden. In particular, since the land route that Ming would manage was the traditional Silk Road, the Empire would be able to expand its trade partners more easily.

“…And the name of this plan is…”

The title of the plan created by the working group of the tripartite alliance was soon reported to the Emperor of the Empire, the Emperor of Ming, and the King of Japan, and received approval.

“Not bad…”

Unlike the monarchs who gave favorable evaluations, Hyang, upon receiving the report, put his hand on his forehead.

“Why of all things…”

The name given by the working group was ‘One Belt, One Road’.

– Encircle with one road like a belt.

“I hate to say it about others, but these guys’ naming skills are terrible. Is this why name-makers make a living? As long as the result I know doesn’t come out, it’ll be fine. Haa…”

Hyang sighed deeply and looked up at the sky, muttering.

“No matter how good the intention, let’s not go as far as the ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.’”

With that, Hyang made a firm decision and unfolded a piece of paper.

“No, now that I think of it, it’s better to preemptively strike first.”

Hyang began to draft a proposal to submit to Hyun.

“…Let’s make the term ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ a forbidden word that cannot even be uttered.”

The first person to coin the term ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ was an analytical philosopher who opposed militarism. However, contrary to his intention, it became a term that vividly symbolized Japanese militarism and imperialism.

“…So, let’s nip it in the bud completely from the start!”

The proposal sent by Hyang was immediately delivered to Hyun. Hyun, upon receiving his brother’s proposal, immediately summoned the Prime Minister and ministers.

“What do you all think?”

Han Chi-hyung stepped forward to answer Hyun’s question.

“Considering the interpretation, it is truly a good word. If we only consider that, it is difficult to agree with the Supreme Emperor’s request to prohibit it. However, considering the words that followed, it can be said to be reasonable. It is just difficult to hide the regret for such a beautiful word.”

All the ministers nodded at Han Chi-hyung’s answer. Hyun also nodded at the ministers’ reaction.

‘

“I also think the same. However, considering the points added by the Supreme Emperor, there is reason to recommend that the Supreme Emperor prohibit it. Haa…”

Hyun sighed, unable to hide his disappointment. The contents of the proposal submitted by Hyang can be summarized as follows:

– East Asia refers to the eastern region of what Europeans call Asia. It roughly means the lands and countries east of Tianzhu [ancient name for India].

– Pursuing the co-prosperity of countries in this vast region is truly a good thing.

– But look at reality. There are countries that are well-off, and countries that are not. There are countries that believe in Buddhism, and countries that believe in Islam.

– Even when many people gather, it is difficult to unite their intentions and actions. Why else would there be the saying ‘Ten people, ten colors?’ [meaning everyone has different opinions].

– Look even now. How much effort did it take for the Empire, Ming, and Japan to work together? This was despite the fact that all three countries pursued the ‘Royal Way Politics’ [benevolent and just governance] spoken of by the ancient sages.

– In the end, the ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ will only be a guise to conceal discrimination. And the first country to utter that word will be branded as duplicitous.

– In the worst case, it could become the public enemy of East Asia.

– Therefore, it is appropriate to prohibit the word ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ itself. Furthermore, it is best to carefully examine the reason for prohibiting this word and to refrain from it ourselves.

“Haa…”

Hyun, sighing in disappointment, came to a conclusion.

“Unfortunately, let us accept the proposal made by the Supreme Emperor. The ancient sages also warned against ‘cunning words and flattering appearances,’ and there is also a saying passed down among Europeans that ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ Therefore, let us prohibit it.”

“We obey your command.”

Thus, the ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ became a forbidden word and was published in the gazette [official publication], spreading throughout the Empire. And soon, debates began among those who read the contents.

– The Supreme Emperor’s wisdom is well known, but isn’t he worrying too much?

– No. The Supreme Emperor is not one to exaggerate or worry unnecessarily. How many times has the thing he worried about not become a major concern? It is right to prohibit it!

– That’s right. Have there ever been people who deceived the public with bad words? They all shouted about paradise on earth! But what was the result? It was hell on earth!

Thanks to the experience of the world they had gone through and the achievements Hyang had accumulated, the public’s reaction flowed in favor of supporting Hyang. As an aside, Hyang’s story related to this policy was also conveyed to Ming and Japan. And soon, the term ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ also became a forbidden word in Ming and Japan. Ming and Japan knew too well the things Hyang had done and their results.

“It is best not to do what the Supreme Emperor of the Empire tells you not to do!”

In addition to this perception, the last words Hyang had said became the most powerful cause.

– Whoever utters the word ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ will become the public enemy of the East!

This was the birth of the so-called ‘Curse of Hyang.’ And even beyond centuries, no one emerged who used this word as a slogan.

It had become taboo.

* * *

While Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace in Seoul], Nanjing, and Yamaguchi were noisy with the ‘Forbidden Word Enactment,’ Hyang was busy moving.

“Deliver this letter to Sang Hwang [retired emperor] in Shinji immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And find and bring the materials written here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Watching the eunuchs and officials moving busily upon Hyang’s orders, Hyang lightly counted on his fingers and muttered.

“Let’s see… Calculating the time it takes for that letter to be delivered and Wan to come… I can roughly make the time.”

Hyang, who was calculating something, smacked his lips and grumbled.

“Telephone. I wish there was at least a telegraph… If I just said ‘Come!’ it would be over right away…”

Hyang, grumbling about the still distant communication problem, unfolded a blank piece of paper and resolved himself.

“This will be my last gambit for a possible war. I’ll just do this and then I’ll really retire! I’ll wash my hands of politics and everything else and just indulge in my hobbies! There are more than one or two of Jang Yeong-sil’s [famous Korean inventor] blueprints piled up in the warehouse! Da Vinci is getting old, I can’t just keep doing this!”

Unaware of Hyang’s inner thoughts, rumors began to spread in Sugang Palace and Gyeongbok Palace.

– The Supreme Emperor has begun to seriously contemplate something.

– Looking at the things he is asking to find, they are all related to a great war!

“If so…”

The faces of all the officials who heard the rumors became serious.

“Whenever the Supreme Emperor moves in relation to war, war has always broken out!

‘But a great war? A great war?’

“…If so…”

“That means a war, a great war, is breaking out… Right now, the place where war is most likely to break out in connection with the Empire is…”

“Gibraltar?”

“Hmm…”

The officials, gathered in groups of three or five, put their heads together and pondered.

“For something to happen in Gibraltar, there must be a problem in Europe.”

“No. The Mediterranean.”

“The Mediterranean… What could go wrong in the Mediterranean?”

“Gibraltar alone is weak. It has to be something bigger.”

“Then the Ottomans? It’s the Ottomans!”

“That’s right. The Ottomans are likely.”

“Wait? If it’s the Ottomans, doesn’t that mean Persia is also a problem?”

“Eh~. Persia is just starting. And are we the only ones going into Persia? Ming and Japan are also going in…”

The officials who analyzed up to that point froze.

The Empire was a great power, but Ming was also a great power. According to the analysis by the Ministry of National Defense, Ming alone could face more than half of Europe.

And compared to the Empire and Ming, Japan was far inferior, but it was still a formidable country. And these three countries were joining hands and advancing into Persia. If problems arose in the Ottoman Empire and Persia, it meant that problems were arising between Europe and the East.

In other words…

“It means the whole world is divided and fighting.”

The officials who analyzed up to that point looked at Sugang Palace.

“Are you perhaps thinking that far?”

And a similar conclusion was being reached among the Prime Minister and ministers.

“Is the Supreme Emperor really thinking of such a tremendous war?”

“I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything yet. We’re just speculating, aren’t we?”

“Looking at the materials the Supreme Emperor asked to find, it’s almost certain that we’re speculating.”

“Heo~.”

Han Chi-hyung, sighing deeply, turned to the Minister of National Defense.

“If a war of such a tremendous scale breaks out, as we’ve been talking about, what do you think will happen?”

At Han Chi-hyung’s question, the Minister of National Defense replied briefly.

“Unprecedented.”

“Unprecedented?”

“That’s right. Unprecedented. War is a monster. It’s impossible to simply calculate that if its size doubles, it eats twice as much.”

At the Minister of National Defense’s answer, Han Chi-hyung and the other officials all sighed.

“Hoo~.”

“What did the Supreme Emperor foresee…”

And as time passed, Wan returned from Shinji. Wan, who arrived in Wonsan, went straight to Sugang Palace without any official welcoming ceremony.

Not long after Wan entered Sugang Palace, Hyun and Crown Prince Woo also entered Sugang Palace.

From that time on, the eyes and ears of all the officials in Seoul were focused on Sugang Palace.

“The reason I urgently called you to this place is to discuss this together.”

With these words, Hyang distributed the reports he had made by hand one by one.

“I made them myself in case they might be leaked to the outside in advance.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan, Hyun, and Woo simultaneously had the same thought.

‘Then I think I can keep it as a family treasure?’

Pushing away the sudden random thought, Wan and Hyun simultaneously expressed doubt after checking the cover of the report.

“Total War?”