Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 230

230. Diplomacy with Japan (3)

Five days later, Sejong asked his ministers,

“So, have you devised any measures to address the situation surrounding Joseon, especially regarding the Japanese?”

Chief State Councilor Yi Jik stepped forward at Sejong’s question.

“The central officials have gathered and deliberated, and we have prepared some measures.”

“Is that so? Explain them.”

At Sejong’s words, Yi Jik gestured to an official behind him. The official brought forward a large map depicting parts of Joseon and Japan.

“We believe that annexing Japan by force would be an overreach. However, leaving Japan as it is would undoubtedly cause lasting trouble for our Joseon. Therefore, we must manage Japan.”

‘Why is the prologue so long?’

Hyang grumbled inwardly at Yi Jik’s words, subtly observing Sejong’s face.

‘Oh no! His blood pressure is rising!’

Sejong’s expression was gradually turning sour due to Yi Jik’s classical, lengthy introduction. Eventually, Sejong interrupted Yi Jik.

“That’s true… so?”

Realizing that Sejong’s tone was unusual, Yi Jik quickly got to the main point.

“Therefore, we believe the most reasonable approach is to first aim for Joseon to exert practical control over Tsushima Island, and to support those lords in Japan who are friendly to us, thereby increasing our influence!”

At Yi Jik’s answer, Sejong’s expression softened, and he stroked his beard.

After pondering Yi Jik’s statement for a moment, Sejong asked Yi Jik,

“Although Tsushima Island is subordinate to us, it is also subordinate to Japan. If we exert practical control, will Japan remain still?”

The issue of Tsushima Island’s dual subordination was known to all three countries in Northeast Asia. Therefore, it could escalate into an international problem if handled poorly.

Yi Jik immediately responded to Sejong’s point.

“Of course, if we claim it as Joseon’s territory right now, there will be conflict. However, we can control it without making it our territory.”

Sejong briefly questioned Yi Jik’s straightforward answer.

“How?”

Yi Jik gestured to the official standing next to the map. As the official turned the paper, a large map depicting Tsushima Island appeared.

Yi Jik pointed to the map with a pointer and continued his explanation.

“We will demand that the areas of Cheonmoman (淺茅灣, present-day Aso Bay), where our Joseon forces first established their camp during the Tsushima Island expedition, and Daeseonwol (大船越, present-day Ohunagoshi) on the opposite side, be ceded to us as military ports.”

“The justification?”

“The Cheonmoman area is for patrolling and protecting the sea route from Dongnae to Japan, and the Daeseonwol area is for patrolling and protecting the sea route from Japan, especially Kyushu, to Dongnae.”

“Not bad.”

Sejong, who had been nodding at Yi Jik’s answer, immediately found a problem.

“But will the lord of Tsushima agree?”

“Given the current situation of Tsushima Island, the lord will definitely agree.”

“Hmm……”

Sejong recalled his memories at Yi Jik’s answer.

* * *

Although the Joseon army had curbed the strength of the Japanese pirates [Wokou] during the conquest of Tsushima Island, Joseon did not stop guarding against Tsushima Island.

This became more pronounced as the Gyeongjang [economic reforms] progressed. Immediately, the composition ratio of Japanese merchants residing in the Waegwan [Japanese trading post] changed.

The situation, where merchants from Tsushima Island were the majority, gradually shifted over time, with merchants from Kyushu taking the lead.

This was not a natural change. Joseon found even the slightest fault and used it as an excuse to expel merchants from Tsushima Island and give their places to Japanese merchants from other regions.

In the end, Tsushima Island had no choice but to rely on the brokerage trade conducted by the few remaining merchants and the grain sent by Joseon.

* * *

“Hmm… it might be possible……”

Sejong nodded and muttered to himself.

Hyang, who was watching this from the side, was doing the same.

‘Amazing! These guys are thinking of such a plan! I was thinking of a policy of attrition through economic blockade and isolation……’

* * *

Hyang also knew that Tsushima Island was an eyesore. As a way to solve this problem, Hyang was premising the use of force.

“The problem is justification……”

To build a justification for the use of force, Hyang thought of a method that the United States had used well in the 21st century: an economic blockade.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Ouchi family controlled the northern part of Kyushu and the Chugoku region of Japan, Hyang had considered a thorough economic blockade of Tsushima Island.

-Make Ouchi the main trading partner and completely exclude Tsushima Island. This will drive Tsushima Island into a corner.

-The moment the tipping point is exceeded, Tsushima Island will try to use force – Japanese pirates [Wokou].

-Compensate for the parts missed in the last Tsushima Island expedition and make Tsushima Island firmly a territory of Joseon.

-Profit!

This was Hyang’s plan.

However, the method considered by the ministers, led by Yi Jik, was less economically burdensome and more fatal than the method Hyang had considered.

As Yi Jik said, the current situation on Tsushima Island was the worst.

‘It’s as serious as when the 21st-century boycott movement took place.’

Tsushima Island, most of which is mountainous, could not survive independently.

Therefore, Tsushima Island had to rely on entrepot trade. However, as both Goryeo and Japan fell into chaos, entrepot trade became impossible, and they engaged in piracy, symbolized by the Japanese pirates [Wokou].

However, as mentioned earlier, the Japanese pirates [Wokou] were suppressed due to the Tsushima Island expedition and the progress of Gyeongjang [economic reforms], and they were gradually declining as they were increasingly pushed out of the trading market.

* * *

“It seems like a good method, but is it really possible? If I were the lord of Tsushima Island, I would not accept it easily, no matter how difficult the situation is.”

“There is a way to make them accept it.”

“There is a way?”

Yi Jik answered with a confident expression.

“Yes. We can use two things. One is port usage fees, and the other is a monopoly bureau.”

“I understand the port usage fees, but using a monopoly bureau? How?”

“Tsushima Island is subordinate to Joseon. Therefore, according to the law, the Japanese people of Tsushima Island are our Joseon people. Therefore, there is no problem in establishing and using a monopoly bureau.”

Sejong nodded at Yi Jik’s explanation.

“Not bad. So, how much are you thinking of for the port usage fees?”

“A total of 50 silver nyang [Joseon currency] per month for both locations.”

“50 silver nyang?”

“The white rice bestowed upon the lord of Tsushima is 100 seom [unit of volume] per year. (Note 1) The lord of Tsushima will definitely agree.”

At Yi Jik’s explanation, Sejong recalled the price-related information he had received. Although it varied depending on the harvest and prices were rising slightly these days, the price of one seom [unit of volume] of white rice was roughly between 1 and 1.5 silver nyang [Joseon currency].

As Sejong showed a positive reaction, Yi Jik put strength into his voice.

“However, the usage fees paid to the lord of Tsushima will be paid in paper money, not real silver, and transactions at the monopoly bureau will also be conducted only with currency.”

At Yi Jik’s words, Sejong burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! If that happens, Tsushima Island will have no choice but to listen to our Joseon without using force. Good! Carry out that plan regarding Tsushima Island!”

At Sejong’s decision, the ministers all bowed and answered.

“We shall obey your command!”

* * *

As the matter regarding Tsushima Island was decided, Sejong moved on to the next topic.

“Tsushima Island is settled, so let’s move on… What are your thoughts on the main island of Japan (本島)?”

“As I said before, we have decided to influence the administration (經世) (Note 2) of Japan based on the lords who are friendly to our Joseon. We are still deliberating on the means to achieve this.”

Sejong nodded at Yi Jik’s honest answer.

“That’s right, it’s not an easy task. It’s about taking control of a country’s livelihood.”

As Sejong gently moved on, the ministers all bowed their heads.

“We will do our best!”

As the ministers’ answer ended, Hyang opened his mouth.

“I also have something I have been pondering, may I speak?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong was overjoyed.

“Is that so? I permit it! Tell me quickly.”

As Sejong’s permission fell, Hyang moved to the scroll with the map hanging on it.

“Let’s see……”

After turning over a few maps and finding the map of Japan (倭國全圖), Hyang began his explanation.

“I also had similar thoughts to all of you ministers. So, I thought of a few plans. First of all, the first method that can be implemented is here.”

Hyang pointed to Nagato on the map and continued his words.

“It is to establish a trading post ( 상관 ) in Nagato (長門).”

“A trading post?”

“Yes. Looking at this Nagato, you can go directly from Dongnae without going through Tsushima Island. And it is the territory of the Ouchi clan, who are friendly to us.”

“I see.”

As Sejong nodded, Kim Jeom asked a question.

“If we open a trading post in Nagato, won’t the number of Japanese merchants (倭商) visiting our Joseon decrease? Our revenue will decrease. Conversely, we have to pay trading post taxes to the Ouchi clan, so our expenses will increase.”

“Of course, that part exists. However, looking at the Japanese merchants coming into our Joseon, half of them are indeed merchants, but shouldn’t we see the other half as spies (間者)? And aren’t the problems caused by the warriors who come in under the pretext of escorting the merchants considerable? If the number of Japanese merchants decreases, the number of warriors will also decrease, so the burden of security will also decrease. And conversely, can’t we also send our merchants to find out about the situation in Japan more quickly?”

“That’s true.”

While Kim Jeom was nodding, Jo Malsaeng exclaimed.

“That’s really true! It’s a brilliant move!”

‘This guy might even clap like a seal if he goes too far!’

Hyang responded to Jo Malsaeng’s praise with a light nod and continued his words.

“The number of Japanese merchants visiting Joseon may decrease, but it will not disappear altogether. Not all of our Joseon products are in the trading post. Japanese merchants will continue to visit Waegwan [Japanese trading post] to find products that are not in the trading post but are necessary for them.”

At those words, the ministers nodded. Such a thing was already familiar through the trading post created in Shandong. The scale of the trading post created in Shandong was enormous, but not all of Joseon’s products were there. Therefore, a considerable number of Ming merchants steadily visited Jemulpo.

“This is the first plan. The second plan is right here.”

Hyang pointed to Iwami and continued his words.

“It’s a place called Iwami (石見). Looking at the records, there is a silver mine here. Whether it is the help of the gods of heaven and earth, this place is also under the control of the Ouchi clan. Therefore, we will develop this silver mine together with the Ouchi clan.”

As soon as the word silver mine came out, the eyes of Sejong and the ministers began to shine fiercely.

‘Oh my! Look at those eyes! They’re going to pierce through me!’

Hyang continued his words, looking at the eyes that seemed to emit lasers rather than shine.

“We will provide the mining tools and develop the mine in the form of directly hiring Japanese people instead. The resulting ore (原鑛) will be divided between the Ouchi clan and us at an appropriate ratio.”

“What is the reason for directly hiring Japanese people?”

“It is to pay wages to the hired Japanese people. Once they have wealth in their hands, they tend to spend it.”

At Hyang’s answer, Kim Jeom made a regretful expression.

“If we set up a monopoly bureau there, we could make a truly great profit……”

“We will set up a monopoly bureau.”

“How do you mean? Tsushima Island is subordinate to us, so it is possible, but that place is the main island of Japan, isn’t it? The Ouchi clan says that their roots are Baekje and they are friendly to us, but would that be possible?”

“We will send Joseon mining technicians. About 100 people. Of course, that includes their families and the troops to protect them.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong and the ministers all exclaimed.

“Aha!”

The justification was sufficient. What would they say if we created a monopoly bureau for the Joseon people? Of course, it could be argued that the Japanese people use the monopoly bureau, and it could be blocked, but back doors exist anytime, anywhere.

* * *

Note 1) According to the Gyehae Treaty concluded with the lord of Tsushima in the 25th year of Sejong (1443), 200 seok [unit of volume] of sesamidu (歲賜米豆) were given to the lord of Tsushima every year. This is an author’s imagination based on this.

Note 2) Economy is known as an abbreviation of ‘gyeongsejemin (經世濟民).’ It is known that the word economy, which has the meaning of economy as we know it, came from Japan at the end of the 19th century. Therefore, the term gyeongse is continuously used instead of the term economy in the text.

https://www.korean.go.kr/nkview/nklife/2000_1/2000_0111.pdf