Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 227

227. Distant Ocean Fleet (7)

With the plans for dealing with Japan settled, the court moved swiftly.

“First and foremost, we must clearly proclaim that Usan Island (Ulleungdo, Dokdo) is our territory.”

At Heo Jo’s words, the Minister of Rites asked, bewildered, “Why do we need to do that for our own land?”

“We should enshrine it in an official document, recorded by other countries as well, so they can never dispute it in the future.”

Everyone nodded at Heo Jo’s words.

“We must send an envoy to Ming. Japan also answers to Ming, so we should use Ming to warn Japan. This will give us justification in the future.”

Sejong smiled and replied, “Sometimes, a little exaggeration is necessary. It also provides a valid reason for us to build ships.”

Still needing to be mindful of Ming’s scrutiny, there was no better excuse than this.

“That’s a good idea. What other methods are there?”

“We must erect a stone monument on Usan Island, clearly declaring that this land is our territory, with the date inscribed, so there can be no dispute. And the navy should regularly check the condition of the monument. If it’s damaged, we should sternly reprimand the Japanese king.”

“That’s also good.”

Listening to their discussion, Sejong had another thought.

‘It would be good to do this in other places in advance, just in case.’

Sejong was already thinking of claiming territories for the future, even if it wasn’t immediately necessary.

After that, various other proposals were made, and the officials selected the two most effective ones to report to Sejong.

“Good. In addition to sending an envoy to Ming, send one to Japan as well. We can send them together when we return the captured fishermen.”

“Instead of handing them over to the Lord of Tsushima?”

The Minister of Rites immediately sought clarification on Sejong’s decision. Until now, shipwrecked Japanese fishermen rescued from storms or other accidents had been handed over to the Lord of Tsushima.

Sejong explained the reason for his decision to the Minister of Rites.

“In the past, we did so because they were unfortunate people who lost their ships due to various incidents, but this time the situation is different, isn’t it? The Lord of Tsushima is not trustworthy, and he might play some trick in between, so it would be better to send them directly to the Japanese king. Come to think of it, isn’t the Ouchi clan closer to the Japanese king?”

“That is the rumor.”

“Then tell the Ouchi clan to convey Joseon’s intentions to the Japanese king.”

“Understood.”

As soon as Sejong made his decision, the Ministry of Rites moved quickly.

Due to the importance of the matter, the Minister of Rites personally visited Ming, and the Vice Minister of Rites sought out the Ouchi clan.

“An envoy from Joseon?”

“Yes. They wish to meet with the Shogun.”

Ouchi Morimi expressed his doubts at his vassal’s words.

“Why?”

“They say they caught fishermen illegally fishing in Joseon’s waters. And weapons were found on their ships.”

Morihiro clicked his tongue at his vassal’s words.

“Tsk! This is just asking to be mistaken for pirates!”

“The Joseon envoy also suggested that. That’s why they want to discuss this with the Shogun.”

“Damn it….”

Morihiro cursed briefly at his vassal’s words. The current Shogun was a very ruthless man. He didn’t want to get involved with him.

“I’m cornered.”

Confirming that there was no way out no matter how he calculated, Morihiro ordered his vassal.

“Send someone to the shogunate to inform them that the Joseon envoy wishes to meet.”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

And so, the Vice Minister of Rites was able to meet with Ashikaga Yoshinori, the 6th Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate.

“I am pleased to meet the ruler of Japan.”

“I am pleased to meet the envoy of Joseon. Thank you for your hard work in coming all the way here.”

“Thank you.”

After that, the formal greeting continued for a long time with diplomatic pleasantries.

After the complicated greeting was over, Yoshinori brought up the main topic.

“So, what is the reason the Joseon envoy wanted to see me?”

“As you may know from the report, fishermen who were recklessly catching fish in our Joseon’s sea were caught.”

“I know from the report.”

“However, Japanese swords were found on their ships. Therefore, Joseon suspects that they may be scouts for pirates.”

At the Vice Minister of Rites’ words, Yoshinori looked back at the vassals who were present. One of the vassals, who received a silent order, answered on behalf of Yoshinori.

“Ah! Those are weapons for the fishermen’s self-defense. Pirates are a headache for us too, you see.”

“So, you mean the fishermen carry weapons to protect themselves from pirates?”

When the Vice Minister of Rites pressed, the vassal nodded.

“That’s right.”

‘Self-defense, my ass!’

The Vice Minister of Rites cursed inwardly, composed himself, and continued.

“Well, I will understand and move on from that point. Then the next problem is… the Japanese fishermen crossing the border to fish.”

At the Vice Minister of Rites’ point, the same vassal opened his mouth.

“Where were the fishermen caught?”

“Near Usan Island.”

“Usan Island, you say….”

“It is 200 *li* [approximately 80 kilometers, a traditional Chinese unit of distance] away from Mureung Island.”

“Isn’t that too far?”

The Vice Minister of Rites chuckled and replied to the vassal’s remark.

“It is more than 400 *li* away from Japan’s Oki Islands.”

“Ah….”

The vassal closed his mouth at the Vice Minister of Rites’ remark.

After a moment of silence, Yoshinori opened his mouth.

“Alright. I will admit that part as our fault. I will order the fishermen to be careful in the future.”

“You must be very careful. Soon, our Joseon navy stationed on Mureung Island will crack down strongly.”

Yoshinori and his vassals’ faces became more serious than ever at the Vice Minister of Rites’ words.

“You said the Joseon navy will be stationed there?”

“That’s right.”

“Then will warships be there too?”

“If there is a navy, wouldn’t there be warships?”

“How many?”

“That is a national secret.”

“Ah….”

Yoshinori and his vassals could not hide their disappointment at the Vice Minister of Rites’ words. However, they could not arbitrarily pressure the envoy.

In the end, Yoshinori had no choice but to answer with a serious expression, unlike before.

“I understand. I will give a strong warning.”

“Thank you.”

Thus, the meeting ended with the intended results.

Yoshinori threw a grand banquet and tried to extract information, but he was blocked by the Vice Minister of Rites’ iron wall.

‘Even though I look like this, my body has been hardened by strong liquor in the *gibang* [traditional Korean house of courtesans] alleys of Hanseong! Did you think I would be swayed by a few drinks!’

In the end, Yoshinori, who escorted the Vice Minister of Rites, called his vassals together.

“What should we do?”

“It would be better to act according to Joseon’s wishes for the time being.”

Yoshinori cursed at his vassals’ answer.

“Damn it!”

Seeing Yoshinori’s reaction, the vassals tensed up and watched him carefully.

* * *

Yoshinori, who had newly ascended to the position of Shogun, was ruthless.

He greatly strengthened the military power directly under the Shogun and used it to consolidate the Shogun’s power.

Yoshinori believed that his becoming Shogun was the will of God.

The 5th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshikazu, died young, and the 4th Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, acted as Shogun.

Yoshimochi did not decide on a successor until just before his death. Therefore, the leaders of the shogunate selected multiple candidates and held a lottery at the shrine. They asked for ‘God’s will’.

Yoshinori was chosen twice in two lotteries.

Therefore, Yoshinori believed that his becoming Shogun and everything he did as Shogun was the will of God.

Therefore, he considered opposing his will as defying God’s will and punished it cruelly.

* * *

Because of this Yoshinori, the vassals were very nervous and only watched Yoshinori’s mood.

Suppressing his anger, Yoshinori gave an order.

“Execute all the guys Joseon sent back! To cause such a problem! They deserve to die!”

“Yes, sir!”

“And which family manages Okikuni (Oki Province)?”

“The Kyogoku family.”

“Tell them to pay attention!”

“Yes, sir!”

Yoshinori ended the situation with that. Yoshinori’s vassals breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, the storm did not blow over!”

“That’s right.”

However, not long after, an envoy sent by Ming arrived, and the shogunate was turned upside down.

-According to what the Joseon envoy informed me, your Japanese fishermen recklessly crossed into Joseon’s sea to catch fish and were caught. Although there is no clear border line in the sea, going more than 400 *li* from the Eun Gye Islands is far too much.

If this happens frequently, the relationship between Joseon and Japan will inevitably become uncomfortable.

There is nothing more unfortunate than the relationship between tributary states deteriorating, so the Japanese king must be careful and careful.

Yoshinori, who was kneeling politely while the envoy read the Emperor Xuanzong’s edict, bowed politely when the reading was over.

“I obey the Emperor’s command!”

A few days later, when the Ming envoy returned, Yoshinori exploded.

“Send people to the damn Kyogoku family and tell them to severely punish those responsible!”

“Yes, sir!”

As Yoshinori’s order was conveyed, mid- and low-ranking samurai who managed the Oki Islands had to take responsibility and commit suicide or be beheaded.

It was a desperate measure to avoid being subjugated by Yoshinori.

* * *

While such a diplomatic war was taking place, Hyang was busy building new ships that the navy had requested.

Although the shape of the hull was very different, the experience gained through the Challenger made the work progress quickly.

Thanks to this, the test ship could be launched in just two and a half months, instead of the four months initially expected.

Oh Ha-seok was in charge of the test voyage of the test ship.

“What about my ship….”

“There’s no other way. There’s no one as skilled as you with this kind of ship.”

“Understood.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Oh Ha-seok took to the sea with the carefully selected crew and the test ship.

“This is crazy!”

Oh Ha-seok had no choice but to be horrified when he went out to the East Sea.

The test ship, which received the tailwind properly, ran through the sea at a crazy speed.

It was a speed that Oh Ha-seok and the crew had never experienced before.

After completing the test in an unarmed state, Oh Ha-seok and the crew hurriedly returned to Wonsan.

“Load cannons and ammunition right away!”

Oh Ha-seok and the crew, loaded with cannons, gunpowder, ammunition, food, and drinking water according to the set amount, took the test ship back to the sea.

Three days later, Oh Ha-seok, who returned to Wonsan, ended the report with just one word.

“It’s the best!”

* * *

Sejong, who saw the report recording the final test results, ordered his officials.

“I’m going to go to Wonsan for a while.”

“Yes? I will accompany you!”

And so, Sejong and his officials, who headed to Wonsan, admired the newly built ship.

“This ship has its own charm!”

At Sejong’s praise, Hyang bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you!”

“Since it’s so fast, I should ride it once.”

“It’s dangerous!”

“I trust the Crown Prince. I trust the Crown Prince.”

The officials followed Sejong, who insisted on getting on the ship, and boarded the ship.

Their thoughts were all the same.

‘If something happens, I’d rather die cleaning up the mess….’

Unlike Hyang’s worries, the ship safely completed its voyage and returned.

Sejong, who even watched the cannon fire in the middle, greatly praised Hyang as soon as he got off the ship.

“You have built a truly great ship! It’s truly great!”

“Thank you.”

“I have decided on the name of this ship. Since its swiftness is as swift as a hawk, I will call it ‘Haeung (Sea Hawk)’!”

* * *

In this way, the Haeung-class high-speed ship, along with the Challenger-class battleship, made a name for itself.

If the Challenger-class was called the ‘Gangster of the East’, the Haeung was called the ‘Gray Gull’ or the ‘Gray Watchdog’.

This nickname was given because of the Haeung’s inherent limitations.

Since the main mission was high-speed patrol of the waters near the port, the Haeung, which had a small load capacity, could not move far from the port.

That’s why merchants welcomed the Haeung, calling it the ‘Gray Gull’. Seeing a seabird in the open sea was a good omen that land was nearby.

Similarly, meeting Haeung meant that a port was coming soon.

To pirates, Haeung was a chilling watchdog.

Since the basic tactics of the Haeung-class were to move with at least two ships, meeting one meant that there was another Haeung nearby.

In addition, its speed was unmatched, so shaking it off and running away was almost impossible.

Later, according to the standard speed criteria created by Europe, Ming, and Joseon, the Haeung’s top speed was recorded at 18 knots (approximately 33.3 km/h).

This record was not broken for almost a generation.