Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 228

228. Waeguk (1)

As the mass production of Haeung-class high-speed ships was decided, budget allocation and shipyard expansion proceeded.

That meant the Ministry of Revenue was in dire straits.

“Seriously… Even with the plans we had at the beginning of the year, our finances are already strained, so why do unexpected situations keep happening!” Kim Jeom exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration, in the State Council meeting room. Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong attempted to calm him.

“What can we do when the situation unfolds like this? If we knew everything in advance, we’d be gods, not people,” Lee Jik said with a sigh.

“Since the shipyard is still under construction, we could expand it a bit more while we’re at it…” Maeng Sa-seong suggested cautiously.

Kim Jeom’s eyes widened at Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

“Do you think expanding the shipyard doesn’t cost money! Do you think it’s a feast where you can just add a spoon and be done with it!” Kim Jeom retorted, his voice rising in anger.

“C-Calm down, Lord Kim! Calm down!” Lee Jik stammered, trying to defuse the situation.

“Ughhh!” Kim Jeom groaned, clutching his head.

“Bring the calming medicine! Get the calming medicine!” someone shouted.

* * *

Although there was an outburst in the State Council, it was impossible to reverse what had already been approved.

In the end, Kim Jeom had to rack his brains with his subordinates to create a budget for the shipyard expansion.

“It’s a relief that we have gold and silver mines…” Kim Jeom muttered, a hint of relief in his voice.

At Kim Jeom’s words, a subordinate official, who was calculating with an abacus, responded, “Didn’t those fools who caused a rebellion and went bankrupt also help?”

Kim Jeom chuckled and nodded at his subordinate’s words. “Those fools did help, indeed.”

* * *

Joseon’s economy continued to grow, and tax revenue was steadily increasing.

However, the government’s budget was always in deficit.

Firstly, continuous river management projects cost a lot of money, and large-scale construction projects such as road network maintenance were underway.

Lastly, a huge budget was being spent on administrative network maintenance and military maintenance.

Even local clerks, who were unpaid before the reforms, began to receive formal ranks and stipends, and various irregular positions in the court were converted into permanent positions.

As a result, the loyalty of local clerks and miscellaneous officials, who had been treated poorly, increased towards the court.

Thanks to this, the court’s expenditures increased significantly.

“The conversion of local clerks and miscellaneous positions to permanent positions seems a bit excessive,” Kim Jeom remarked during a meeting.

Sejong glared at Kim Jeom’s words. “Then, how was it possible in the previous dynasty?”

“…” Kim Jeom fell silent at Sejong’s pointed question.

In the case of the previous dynasty, not only the royal family but also the officials received more stipends than in Joseon. (Note 1) Of course, it was a mess during the chaotic period at the end of Goryeo, but when Goryeo was running properly, the stipend system also worked properly.

Anyway, what solved the crisis of a deficit where more money was going out than coming in was the gold and silver mined from the mines.

The gold and silver from secretly mined mines, in addition to the publicly known mines, eased the financial strain.

However, they had to avoid attracting the attention of Ming. Therefore, they could not actively use the gold and silver mined from the mines, and Joseon’s development was not progressing quickly.

Of course, this “slow” evaluation was entirely Hyang’s point of view.

“If it were the 21st, no, the 20th century, we could have used foreign debt to do it quickly… But now, we have to be careful even when using what we have…” Hyang grumbled while reviewing the report whenever he was alone. However, Hyang soon changed his mind.

“Isn’t that gold and silver the foreign debt of this period?” he mused.

In that situation, the ‘Giyu Rebellion’ occurred.

After the rebellion was suppressed, the court confiscated all the property of the local gentry who participated in the rebellion and launched an investigation.

“Good heavens…” someone exclaimed, astonished by the sheer volume of confiscated goods.

The amount of property confiscated was enormous, equivalent to 15 years of Joseon’s government budget.

“Ordinary people are suffering from starvation, but they are accumulating such enormous wealth! Severely punish those who participated in the rebellion!” Sejong declared, his voice filled with righteous anger.

According to Sejong’s decision, the families of those who participated in the rebellion had to receive merciless punishment. However, the court, especially the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, cheered.

“We can breathe now!” one official exclaimed with relief.

“We can spend now!” another added, equally delighted.

* * *

While the Ministry of Revenue was struggling with the budget, the court gathered to devise a plan to wage against Waeguk (Japan).

“First of all, I’m curious, isn’t the ‘King of Japan’ we’re talking about not the real King of Japan?” Sejong inquired, seeking clarification.

The Minister of Rites answered Sejong’s question. “That is correct. Although there is an ‘Emperor’ who is the nominal ruler, in reality, the Ashikaga clan rules Waeguk, and they have received the title of ‘King of Japan’ from Ming.”

Sejong shook his head at the Minister of Rites’ explanation. “There is a king, but someone who is not a king exercises the authority of the king? I’ve heard of it, but it’s truly outrageous.”

After criticizing that, Sejong continued to criticize. “It is certain that someone who is not a king will rely on force to act as king. The problem is when such a person loses their power, wouldn’t you agree?”

“That is correct. At the end of the previous dynasty, the Kamakura Shogunate of Waeguk collapsed, and the Japanese royal family was divided into two, causing disputes. And from then on, the Wokou (Japanese pirates) began to run rampant,” the Minister of Rites explained.

“Hmm… So, is it good for us to have a King of Japan? Even if someone who is not a king acts as king,” Sejong pondered aloud.

The Minister of Rites immediately answered Sejong’s question. “Although it is outrageous, I believe that is the most beneficial thing for Joseon.”

“Is that so…” Sejong trailed off at the Minister of Rites’ answer.

The officials became very nervous when Sejong made a displeased expression.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that expression…’ one official thought anxiously.

‘If he clicks his tongue there… Ugh! Terrible!’ another worried.

‘Think! Think!’ a third mentally urged himself.

“No matter how I think about it, I’m uneasy,” Sejong stated, his voice filled with concern.

“Yes?” the Minister of Rites responded, slightly taken aback.

“That system of Waeguk is truly unstable. What does Bakufu (Shogunate) mean? Doesn’t it mean the place where the general has set up camp? In short, isn’t it the same as the military regime of the previous dynasty?”

“T-That is correct,” the Minister of Rites confirmed.

“What was the military regime like? Was there any regime that lasted long besides the Choi clan regime?” Sejong pressed.

Lee Jik stepped forward at Sejong’s question. “There wasn’t. However, the Kamakura Shogunate, which the current Ashikaga clan overthrew, lasted for 150 years…”

“How much military power would they have built up to last that long? So, as soon as the Kamakura Shogunate collapsed, the Wokou immediately ran rampant!” Sejong exclaimed, connecting the dots.

“Ah…” Lee Jik had to shut his mouth at Sejong’s criticism. Sejong continued to talk about his worries.

“Isn’t it certain that the Ashikaga clan, who seized power this time, will implement both appeasement and coercion to maintain their power? What is the reason why the Kings of Japan ask us for Buddhist scriptures and beg us to trade?”

Maeng Sa-seong answered Sejong’s question. “It will be a moderate policy to appease the local clans. They will appease the clans with the goods sent by our Joseon. They will also gain profits.”

“That’s what I think too. And they will use the profits they get to build up their military power. And, if necessary, they will pretend not to know even if the local clans engage in Wokou activities,” Sejong added, his voice grim.

“That is correct,” the officials nodded in agreement with Sejong’s assessment.

Sejong, looking at the faces of those officials, paused for a moment to quench his thirst and continued to speak.

“What worries me even more is whether the King of Japan might decide to gather the strength of the clans and attack our Joseon. Wouldn’t it be very profitable for the King of Japan to attack Joseon? They can exhaust the power of the clans that threaten them, and they can also plunder our Joseon to their heart’s content, can’t they?”

“Surely…” Heo Jo muttered softly at Sejong’s words. Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth at Heo Jo’s reaction.

“It’s not ‘surely.’ It’s definitely possible. Those Waenom (Japanese bastards) consider swords and spears as a means to seize power,” Jo Mal-saeng stated firmly.

“Hmm…” The officials murmured, their expressions growing more serious.

As Jo Mal-saeng also supported Sejong, the expressions of the officials became even more stiff.

“What I’m really worried about is… that the existence of the King of Japan itself is an existence that has abandoned righteousness. There is already a king, but they do not hesitate to be called king, so where is the righteousness? If there are those in Waeguk who have a will, would they just stand by and watch this?”

“That is true,” the officials all nodded at Sejong’s criticism. Hyang, who was watching the scene from the side, nodded without realizing it.

‘As expected! They immediately understand when the word ‘righteousness’ comes out! By the way…’ Hyang thought.

Hyang glanced at Sejong and muttered inwardly. ‘Did this man set up a fortune-telling mat?’

Sejong’s criticism was actually happening. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ended the Warring States period in Japan, caused the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century], and in the 19th century, self-proclaimed ‘patriots’ who rose up in the name of ‘Sonno Joi (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians)’ overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate.

‘Patriotic scholars are bullsh*t…’ Hyang thought cynically.

While cursing inwardly, Hyang listened to Sejong’s words.

“The Wae in the south and the Jurchen in the north are the root of all evil for our Joseon. I’ve only heard stories, but I’ve heard that there was a time when our Joseon almost lost its national sovereignty due to the Wokou and the Jurchen.”

Heo Jo immediately answered Sejong’s mention. “Are you referring to the Jeongwae Theory (Expedition of the Japanese) and the Bukjeong Theory (Northern Expedition)?”

“That’s right,” Sejong confirmed.

Lee Jik sighed deeply at Sejong’s answer. “Hoo~. Just thinking about it is a terrible thing.”

Sejong glanced at Hyang at Lee Jik’s answer and ordered Lee Jik. “I don’t know much about it because I was young, and the Crown Prince has never heard of it, so explain it in detail. We must know the past well to prepare for the future.”

“Yes. I obey your command,” Lee Jik replied, bowing his head.

Lee Jik began to talk about what happened at that time.

* * *

In the 17th year of King Gongmin (1368), Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne as Emperor Taizu of Ming and announced the ‘Huangming Zuxun (Imperial Ming Ancestral Injunctions).’ [A set of instructions and guidelines for the Ming Dynasty’s foreign policy.]

The contents of the Huangming Zuxun were simple.

– International relations will be built on a tributary relationship centered on the Ming Dynasty, and there will be no tolerance for countries that do not comply!

In other words, countries that serve Ming through tributary diplomacy will receive economic and cultural benefits, and countries that refuse will be punished with military force.

With the national policy declared in this way, Emperor Taizu of Ming sent an envoy to Japan with a letter requesting them to stop the Wokou raids, which were becoming more severe.

However, both the Northern and Southern Dynasties of Japan refused Ming’s request.

In response, Emperor Yongle sent a letter to Joseon in the 13th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1413). The contents of the letter can be summarized simply.

-I’m going to attack the Wae, so you Joseon should be aware of that!

The Joseon court, upon receiving the letter, immediately went into emergency mode.

The reason why the Joseon court went into emergency mode was as follows.

-If Ming attacks the Wae, they must pass through Joseon. If the Ming army stays on Joseon land, it may be revealed that our Joseon has a diplomatic relationship with the Wae!

At the time, Ming was prohibiting diplomatic relations with Waeguk, so it was a problem that could be sufficiently problematic.

The next problem pointed out was even more serious.

-The Wokou are the enemies of our Joseon, so it is good if Ming gets rid of them. However, if they station troops for a long time under the pretext of conquering the Wae, the burden that Joseon will have to bear will be excessive, and national sovereignty may be lost due to the Ming soldiers.

In the end, Joseon requested the crackdown on the Wokou by providing information through Tsushima Island.

As Joseon bought time in this way, Ming raised the Bukjeong Theory.

-We will conquer the barbarians of the north!

Joseon had no choice but to go into emergency mode again.

If the Northern Expedition were actually carried out, the barbarians pushed back by Ming would cross the border of Joseon. In that case, Ming would bring troops into Joseon under the pretext of conquering them.

As Ming put pressure with the Jeongwae Theory and the Bukjeong Theory, the officials, unable to bear it any longer, rose up.

The officials, led by Left State Councilor Ha Ryun, argued for a ‘Joseon-Japan alliance’ to Taejong.

“Rather, let’s unite with Waeguk and fight a decisive battle against Ming!” they proposed.

However, their argument was rejected by Taejong. Taejong sent an envoy to Ming to annihilate the Wokou in the West Sea and provide Ming with information on the Wokou passing through the West Sea to Ming, thus temporarily resolving the situation.

However, as the degree of Wokou invasion exceeded the limit, the conquest of Tsushima Island was carried out in the 1st year of King Sejong. (Note 2)

* * *

Hyang’s expression gradually crumpled as he listened to Lee Jik’s explanation.

‘Jeongwae Theory, when reversed, is Jeongmyeonggado (Conquering Ming by way of Joseon)… Whether it’s the 21st century or now… Being pushed around here and there…’ Hyang thought, a sense of frustration washing over him.

In the end, Hyang sighed deeply and muttered. “Hoo~. To choose a place to settle down, it had to be such a dirty place… Heop!”

Surprised by the words that came out without his knowledge, Hyang covered his mouth and looked at Sejong.

Sejong, who received Hyang’s gaze, also gave a bitter smile. “Crown Prince. It is truly so. How could we have settled down in such a dirty place…”

* * *

Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, Stipend. [http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0012978]

Note 2) Military Strategy in the Joseon Dynasty. Military History Research Institute, Ministry of National Defense.