Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1122

1122. The Growing Embers (10)

While the Emperor and his ministers were racking their brains over Japan’s true intentions and the Empire’s response, a Japanese delegation, led by the Prime Minister, visited Seoul. Upon being granted an audience with the Emperor in Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace, used for important state ceremonies], the Japanese Prime Minister greeted him in fluent Imperial language.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

“You must be tired from your long journey. How is the King of Japan?”

“He is well, thank you. We are truly honored that Your Majesty is so concerned.”

“Even if I were not the Emperor of the Empire, wouldn’t it be natural to look after one’s neighbors?”

After exchanging pleasantries in a somewhat cordial atmosphere, the Emperor got down to business.

“Seeing that the Prime Minister has come in person, it seems you have a very important matter to discuss. I hope it is something that will further strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”

“I believe it is such a matter.”

“Then, I look forward to a positive outcome.”

After the audience, formal negotiations between the Empire and Japan began the following day. Given the importance of the matter, the Empire was represented by the Prime Minister.

“Now then! Let’s get straight to the point!”

“Very well.”

The Japanese Prime Minister took a light breath and stated his request.

“Our Japan wishes to introduce the Empire’s Assault Cruisers.”

“Our Empire’s Assault Cruisers? How many ships?”

“At least three ships.”

“At least three ships…”

The Prime Minister pondered the Japanese Prime Minister’s words for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

“Hoo… I trust you are aware of what kind of warship the Assault Cruiser is.”

“I am well aware. It is the centerpiece of the Imperial Navy.”

“And you’re asking for three of those warships?”

“Considering Japan’s circumstances, and the way the world is turning these days, we need at least three Assault Cruisers.”

“Is Japan greatly concerned about the way the world is turning?”

The Japanese Prime Minister responded immediately to the Prime Minister’s question.

“That is why I am speaking with you without an interpreter.”

Despite the fact that graduates who had studied in the Empire held power in Japan’s political circles, an interpreter was always present during negotiations between the Empire and Japan. This was a matter of national pride.

Even if officials from both countries spoke the Imperial language in private, an interpreter was always required in formal settings. The Japanese Prime Minister continued to speak fluently in the Imperial language.

“I wish to speak frankly and openly, without wasting time on meaningless diplomatic niceties. Japan needs Assault Cruisers to survive.”

“Isn’t it more about expansion, rather than surviving?”

“To survive, we must expand.”

‘Hmm…’ The Prime Minister pondered the Japanese Prime Minister’s words for a moment before asking.

“Could our Empire be in the path of that expansion?”

“That will never happen. Think about the relationship between our two countries since the overthrow of the Shogunate [the feudal military government of Japan]! How good has our relationship been during that long period?”

“The time our two countries have been at odds is even longer than that. So, should our Empire really give warships, especially Assault Cruisers, to Japan?”

“……”

The Japanese Prime Minister was speechless at the Prime Minister’s pointed remark. The relationship between the two countries had been very good since Japan sent students to the Empire. However, the period when the two countries were uncomfortable, or rather, when the Korean Peninsula suffered from Japanese pirates, was even longer. Therefore, the Empire always considered the possibility of military conflict when dealing with Japan.

Searching for a suitable response, the Japanese Prime Minister chuckled bitterly to himself.

‘I’m already having to use this card.’

“We will never deploy Assault Cruisers to naval bases facing the Empire. To be more precise, we will not deploy Assault Cruisers to naval bases in northern and western Japan.”

“Hmm…”

This time, the Prime Minister was speechless at the Prime Minister’s proposal.

‘This removes our justification for refusal! But, giving them Assault Cruisers as is would also be unsettling!’

After a moment of contemplation, the Prime Minister presented the Empire’s conditions.

“That is a very good proposal, but I would like to add another condition. You must agree to prohibit the deployment of warships larger than medium-sized to naval bases in areas facing the Empire. If you do, we will consider it favorably.”

“That would endanger Japan’s defense.”

“Does our Empire have any reason to attack Japan?”

“……”

“And, I said larger than medium-sized. Small warships can be deployed without issue.”

“……”

After much deliberation, the Japanese Prime Minister chose the best course of action.

“It is difficult to answer on the spot. Let’s end here for today.”

“Very well.”

With the negotiations paused, the Japanese Prime Minister returned to his lodgings and immediately sent a messenger to Jemulpo [present-day Incheon, South Korea].

“Go immediately to Yamaguchi [a city in Japan] and deliver this secret letter to His Majesty.”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching his subordinate disappear in haste, the Japanese Prime Minister smiled bitterly.

“It’s fortunate that our two countries are close in times like these. Only in times like these.”

There was an edge to the Japanese Prime Minister’s words.

* * *

Japan had grown steadily since the Ouchi clan became the rulers of Japan. This was thanks to the proper utilization of national power that had previously been wasted on military conflicts between feudal lords. As a result, Japan had become a nation that would not be inferior to any other, except for the Empire and Ming [a major dynasty in Chinese history], but its light was dimmed by the presence of the Empire and Ming right next door.

Therefore, Japan had to put all its efforts into this negotiation. It was at a crossroads, deciding whether to fade away and slowly come to a halt, or to open up a breathing space and move further forward. Yoshioki, who received the secret letter sent by the Japanese Prime Minister, immediately summoned his ministers.

“…So, the Prime Minister has asked me for an answer. What do you ministers think?”

At Yoshioki’s question, the ministers all remained silent, watching each other’s reactions.

‘The Prime Minister went to Seoul with full authority to negotiate. The fact that he is asking the King for an answer means that it is a very risky matter.’

‘It is forbidden to step forward carelessly here. If we make a mistake, we will take all the blame.’

As they looked around, one of the ministers cautiously opened his mouth.

“What was the Prime Minister’s opinion?”

“The Prime Minister said that accepting the proposal could be one answer.”

At Yoshioki’s answer, the ministers exclaimed inwardly.

‘As expected of the Prime Minister!’

The Prime Minister was cleverly avoiding political burden by using the expression ‘one answer’ while suggesting that the Empire’s proposal be accepted. Having confirmed the Prime Minister’s exemplary answer, the ministers quickly began to speak.

“I think it’s a pretty good proposal.”

Yoshioki frowned at the ministers’ answers, which were largely the same as the Prime Minister’s expression.

“Pretty good? Then what is the other way?”

“Well, of course…”

The ministers, who were about to answer immediately, hurriedly shut their mouths. There were only a few options Japan could choose in a situation where it needed to gain the Empire’s trust.

-Accept the Empire’s proposal, as the Prime Minister wrote.

However, this would create problems for the defense of the sea area facing the Empire.

-Allow the Imperial Navy to call at naval bases in the area.

This was an even worse alternative.

If neither of these options were viable, the only thing left to do was to overturn the deal. However, this was the worst choice. All the alternatives except for the Prime Minister’s proposal were traps. Yoshioki sighed at the sight of the ministers who could not give a proper answer.

“Hoo,”

‘They’re openly trying to protect themselves. But…..’

In any case, the decision was up to him, the King. After a moment of contemplation, Yoshioki finally came to a conclusion.

“Tell the Prime Minister to accept the Empire’s proposal.”

“But, then our Japan’s defenses…”

“Isn’t the sea facing the Empire the safest sea thanks to the Imperial Navy’s activities? And the Empire is too powerful to move first.”

In this way, Japan came to accept the Empire’s proposal.

* * *

With Japan accepting the Empire’s proposal, the negotiations overcame one hurdle. However, the Empire was not willing to hand over the Assault Cruisers easily.

“Didn’t the Prime Minister say that the reason he didn’t use an interpreter was to speak his mind? Then let’s be honest. No matter how turbulent the times may be, I don’t think Japan needs Assault Cruisers. Aren’t Assault Cruisers only necessary when charging forward? If we don’t know Japan’s true intentions, further negotiations are worthless.”

Under the Prime Minister’s pressure, the Prime Minister revealed his inner thoughts and pleaded.

“…So, our Japan really needs Assault Cruisers. Shouldn’t our Japan have some room to breathe?”

“Room to breathe… I understand. I will report to His Majesty.”

At the Japanese Prime Minister’s words, the Prime Minister looked at the Prime Minister silently before opening his mouth.

“Our Empire is neither weak enough nor shameless enough to use other countries as shields.”

* * *

The Prime Minister, who learned of Japan’s true intentions through the Prime Minister, reported this to the Emperor. After listening to the Prime Minister’s report, the Emperor looked at the ministers.

“What do you think of Japan’s proposal?”

At the Emperor’s question, the ministers’ opinions were divided. First, those who came forward to accept Japan’s proposal were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of National Defense.

“These are warships that will be retired anyway. Now is a good time to show them off.”

“Japan has offered to pay the price, so it will be of considerable help to the national treasury.”

“If the Japanese Navy is deployed in that way, our Imperial Navy will not lose anything. Furthermore, Japan will be the first to block European forces trying to come up from the south, so we can buy time.”

However, other ministries all opposed it.

“We may call them Japanese now, but they are Japanese pirates. How can their habits disappear? We must not give them swords!”

“The harm of Japanese pirates and the importance of preparedness are repeatedly told to children at the Samin Academy [likely a historical or fictional educational institution]. We must never hand over Assault Cruisers to them!”

“Japan may become a shield. But it could also become a guide! We must keep this in mind!”

The ministers, divided into those who agreed and those who opposed, engaged in a fierce debate, but as time passed, the pro-acceptance faction began to gain the upper hand.

-The Assault Cruisers are being retired anyway. They can be easily suppressed by the newly commissioned warships.

-If Japan’s large warships disappear from the Empire’s southern seas, the Empire will have more time.

-The best way to prevent them from becoming guides is to give them a suitable bait.

This logic gained strength.

The Emperor, who visited Sugang Palace, reported this to Hyang and Wan and sought their advice.

“…So, I am going to hand over three Assault Cruisers to Japan.”

“It’s not bad, but will Japan be satisfied with three ships?”

At Hyang’s remark, the Emperor immediately replied.

“I thought three ships would be appropriate. If we give them more than that, at least one ship will be dismantled in the shipyard. Eventually, Japan will learn the structure of the Assault Cruiser, but we don’t need to shorten that time ourselves, do we? And we have to think about the countries that will follow Japan in seeking us out if Japan brings in Assault Cruisers.”

At the Emperor’s words, Hyang’s eyes lit up.

“Are you talking about Ryukyu [an island chain in East Asia]?”

“Yes. Ryukyu is a poor country, but they will try to bring in at least one ship. As someone said, these days the world is turbulent.”

At the Emperor’s words, Hyang and Wan nodded.