Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 231

231. Diplomacy with Japan (4)

Hyang’s proposal to mine silver in the Ouchi clan’s territory was well-received.

However, instead of blindly agreeing, they raised potential issues.

Heo Jo was the first to speak.

“Do you believe the Ouchi clan will agree to this?”

Hyang immediately addressed the question.

“The Ouchi clan has greatly benefited from the regular trade. They won’t refuse.”

“What if the Ashikaga shogunate blocks it?”

Minister Ye responded to Heo Jo’s question, speaking for Hyang.

“While the Ouchi clan is trusted by the shogunate, their loyalty isn’t absolute.”

“Is there a reason for that?”

“As trade with the Ouchi clan increased, so did the information we received. I confirmed it while organizing this information… it stems from the death of the previous lord of the Ouchi family.”

“Was he poisoned or something?”

Minister Ye clarified the reason behind Heo Jo’s question.

“Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who led the shogunate during the previous lord’s time, instigated a rebellion, leading to his death.”

* * *

Ouchi Yoshihiro, the 25th lord, was expanding his power, following his predecessor’s path. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun, began to curb Ouchi’s growth.

To hinder Ouchi’s expansion, Yoshimitsu devised a plan using his newly built villa in Kyoto.

“Send a gardener to my newly built villa!”

Other lords sent gifts as Yoshimitsu commanded, but Yoshihiro refused.

Using this as a pretext, Yoshimitsu and Yoshihiro clashed. Yoshihiro, allied with lords dissatisfied with Yoshimitsu’s dictatorship, fought against Yoshimitsu’s forces in Sakai, Osaka.

The battle ended in defeat when Yoshihiro was killed by an arrow, thwarting Ouchi’s ambition to dominate the country.

* * *

“So, they harbor resentment towards the shogunate?”

“There’s more to it. Yoshimitsu seized most of the territory and handed Nagato and Suo provinces to the deceased lord’s younger brother. However, another younger brother, the current lord, protested this decision and engaged in fratricidal conflict. Now, the current lord is trying to restore the family’s past glory.”

Heo Jo pressed further after Minister Ye’s explanation.

“Is this certain?”

“Their advancement into Kitakyushu proves it. I believe he remained loyal to the shogunate to obtain the position of Tandai (探題, investigator) in the Kitakyushu region. As Tandai, he would wield military power and taxation rights.”

Heo Jo stroked his beard at Minister Ye’s explanation.

“A two-faced man… this is concerning……”

After hearing about Ouchi Masahiro, the current head of the Ouchi family, Heo Jo expressed his reservations. He addressed Sejong directly.

“Your Majesty, I suggest we reconsider allying with the Ouchi clan. According to Minister Ye, he is a two-faced man.”

“Hmm……”

At Heo Jo’s words, Sejong stroked his beard, pondering. Seeing this, Hyang interjected.

“What if we consider a different perspective?”

“A different perspective?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers turned their attention to him.

“While he may seem two-faced, couldn’t we see it as him biding his time?”

“Hmm… perhaps……”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s suggestion. Seeing Sejong’s reaction, Hyang continued to explain.

“The fact that he desires military power and taxation rights in Kyushu could benefit us. Securing funds is the first step in any grand plan. The Iwami silver mine will be his primary source of funds, so he will do everything to keep Kyoto in the dark.”

“That’s true.”

“Indeed……”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s words.

It wasn’t just any mine; it was a silver mine. If the shogunate discovered it, they wouldn’t stand idly by. Ouchi would do his utmost to prevent that, which would also benefit Joseon.

“Furthermore, there’s a saying in military strategy: ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ And Kyoto is too distant. They don’t know Joseon well, and we don’t know them well either.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded again at Hyang’s point.

After pausing to wet his throat, Hyang continued.

“Even from a defense standpoint, the Ouchi clan is a good partner. Again, Kyoto is far away, but Kyushu is close. We can quickly learn about events in Kyushu and prepare accordingly.”

“But wouldn’t the same apply to the Ouchi clan?”

Hyang nodded at Heo Jo’s point.

“Exactly. That’s why it’s even better. If Joseon’s navy ships continue to sail back and forth, the Ouchi clan will witness Joseon’s power firsthand. Whether he is a ‘two-faced’ man, as the Minister said, or a man ‘biding his time,’ he will coldly assess the situation. If aligning with Joseon benefits him, and if he cannot overcome Joseon’s defense capabilities, he will be friendly and manage affairs in Japan on our behalf.”

“That makes sense.”

Heo Jo nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

Hyang’s words were accurate. The main characteristic of two-faced people was opportunism. As long as partnering with Joseon was advantageous, the Ouchi clan would be a valuable ally.

‘If Joseon continues to grow like this, the Ouchi clan will have no choice but to rely on us.’

Having made his judgment, Heo Jo reported to Sejong.

“I believe the Crown Prince is correct. As the saying goes, ‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.’ While the Ouchi clan is two-faced, they are in a visible position, making them a suitable partner for Joseon.”

“Your words are wise.”

With Sejong’s agreement, the Ouchi clan was chosen as a partner.

* * *

As they overcame one obstacle, another arose.

Kim Jeom inquired about the distribution rate, the aspect he was most interested in.

“So, what would be an appropriate distribution rate?”

“Eight to two. Joseon gets eight.”

From Sejong to the ministers, everyone squinted at Hyang’s answer.

They were already exhausted by Hyang’s boldness.

“Tell us the actual distribution rate we need to secure, not the bait. Time is precious.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang slightly pouted.

‘Eight to two is the best!’

However, Hyang knew better.

‘The problem is, we’ll be seen as robbers if we push for that….’

“The optimal split is 65% to 35%. The minimum we must defend is 60% to 40%. We’re providing all the exploration and mining technicians, even the tools, so we must maintain this line.”

“That’s reasonable……”

“Wouldn’t it be better to transport refined silver ingots instead of raw ore?”

At the Ministry of Public Works’ suggestion, Kim Jeom responded sharply.

“Are you suggesting we hand over silver refining technology to the Japanese?”

“Ah… I misspoke.”

“That’s why you only passed the civil service exam with a second-class grade……”

When Kim Jeom started taunting him with his past exam scores, the Minister of Public Works shouted.

“Minister Kim!”

“Did I say anything wrong?”

“Ugh……”

At Kim Jeom’s brazen response, the Minister of Public Works gritted his teeth.

After Sejong’s decree to ‘prohibit mentioning parents during arguments,’ the ministers resorted to using past civil service exam scores as ammunition for personal attacks.

The devastating effect of this attack was its irrefutability. It wasn’t as immoral as questioning someone’s parents, and it was based on fact.

‘There’s no such thing as defamation by stating facts at this time!’

While Hyang was muttering, watching the Minister of Public Works’ face turn red, Sejong interjected.

“Minister Kim, your words were a bit harsh.”

“I am in awe of your grace.”

“And, Minister Gong, I hope you think more carefully.”

“I am in awe of your grace!”

‘Minister Kim wins!’

As Sejong stepped in to resolve the situation, Hyang continued.

“Of course, transporting refined silver ingots instead of raw ore would improve efficiency. However, as Minister Kim pointed out, there’s a high risk of our refining technology being leaked. And there’s another reason why we need to bring in raw ore: it often contains lead and tin. Lead and tin are essential minerals for Joseon.”

Lead was widely used for bullets and welding. Tin was crucial for making copper alloys.

Ultimately, the plan was established with Hyang’s opinions largely reflected regarding the silver mine.

* * *

With the silver issue resolved, Sejong asked Hyang.

“Do you have any other plans? I’m just asking in case.”

The ministers turned to Hyang at Sejong’s question.

‘If he brings up something else, the Crown Prince is not human!’

‘Please, don’t embarrass us any further!’

However, Hyang’s answer dashed the ministers’ hopes.

“I have one more.”

“Oh! Really? Tell me quickly!”

Sejong was delighted, while the ministers sighed inwardly.

‘I’m going to get scolded by His Majesty for not acting my age again!’

‘Heaven isn’t fair, they say!’

‘Ugh! This corrupt world!’

These were the ministers’ complaints, which people outside Gyeongbok Palace wouldn’t have stopped complaining about even if they complained for days.

Anyway, with Sejong’s order, Hyang answered immediately.

“It’s about cotton.”

“Cotton?”

“Yes. The reason the cotton cloth sold by the merchants this time is sluggish is because the people are unhappy with the price.”

“I received the report.”

“The problem isn’t the merchants’ profit margin, but the high price of raw cotton. And the reason raw cotton is expensive is because few people grow it.”

Since Mun Ik-jeom introduced cotton at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, its cultivation area had gradually increased. However, cloth woven from hemp was still common among Joseon people.

Because cotton was so valuable, it was sometimes used as currency.

Hyang was addressing this issue.

“Cotton is essential to withstand Joseon’s cold winters. However, because cotton is precious, it drives up its value, and because people burn a lot of wood to stay warm, wood becomes precious. To break this vicious cycle, we need a large supply of cotton.”

Kim Jeom interjected.

“Then why don’t we cultivate it in large quantities in Joseon instead of Japan? We don’t need to give wealth to Japan unnecessarily.”

“Then where will you grow the grain?”

“Ah……”

Kim Jeom fell silent with a troubled expression. The Minister of Public Works wore a smug look.

“Isn’t the food problem the same for Japan?”

Hyang smiled and answered immediately.

“Wouldn’t it be possible to sell it for money? Buy it cheaply from Jiangnan in Ming and sell it cheaply in Japan.”

“That’s a good idea, but… the Japanese people would resent it.”

The ministers nodded at Sejong’s point. Forcing them to grow cotton instead of food and then making them buy their food with money wouldn’t sit well with the farmers.

Hyang offered an alternative.

“Do we have to sell it ourselves? Couldn’t the lords of Japan sell it? Joseon only needs to buy and deliver it. The lords would be very happy because it’s a way to make money without any effort.”

Sejong and the ministers had the same thought at Hyang’s answer.

‘How cunning!’