Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 239

239. The Envoy (1)

Izuhara, Tsushima Island.

“They’re finally coming.”

Dodo Ungwa, the lord of Tsushima Island, watched the Joseon envoys entering the harbor, escorted by three Panokseon [Korean warship] warships, and muttered with a tense expression.

* * *

Two months prior, Dodo Ungwa had received a letter from the Joseon court through a merchant at the Waegwan [Japanese trading post in Korea].

‘We have important matters to discuss with the Shogun of Japan, so we will send a Tongsinsa (Communication Envoy) in two months.’

“Suddenly? Why?”

Dodo Ungwa was thrown into confusion upon confirming the letter from the Joseon court.

Since the establishment of Joseon, there had been several instances where Joseon sent Tongsinsa to the Shogun. However, there had never been a time when they had notified him unilaterally like this.

In the past, Joseon sent Tongsinsa in response to the ‘King of Japan’s Envoy’ sent by the Shogun of the shogunate.

When Joseon announced that they would send a Tongsinsa, numerous negotiations would follow.

First, they had to determine the best time to visit. The most important thing to avoid was the typhoon season, as well as times when public order was unstable due to droughts or other natural disasters.

Next was the rank of the chief envoy of the Tongsinsa. The chief envoy of the Tongsinsa dispatched to Japan was limited to a Jeong 3-品 [Senior Third Rank] official.

The Tongsinsa would only depart after spending several months on such negotiations, which was why Dodo Ungwa was taken aback.

“Joseon rarely acts so hastily…”

Feeling a vague sense of unease, Dodo Ungwa issued orders to his retainers.

“Put out feelers to the merchants in Waegwan and find out what’s happening in Joseon!”

“Yes, sir!”

“What should we do with this letter?”

“Send it to Kyoto. They need to prepare as well.”

“Yes, sir!”

And two months later, Joseon ships flocked to Izuhara.

* * *

A pier was connected to the ships, and the Joseon envoys disembarked.

As the envoys came off the ship, Dodo Ungwa composed himself and greeted them warmly.

“Welcome! Welcome to Tsushima!”

The chief envoy, after hearing Dodo Ungwa’s words through the interpreter, bowed politely and replied.

“Thank you for the welcome. I am Nam Giju, and I have come as a Tongsinsa by order of His Majesty, though I am inadequate.”

“Welcome!”

Dodo Ungwa and the Tongsinsa exchanged brief greetings at the pier and then moved to Kaneishi Castle in Izuhara.

* * *

A lavish banquet was held at the lord’s residence. As cups of alcohol were exchanged and various stories were told, Dodo Ungwa gazed at Nam Giju.

Dodo Ungwa’s lips were smiling as he looked at Nam Giju, but his eyes were not.

‘I can’t read him at all!’

Dodo Ungwa was inwardly tense as he looked at Nam Giju. Nam Giju, the chief envoy of the Tongsinsa who had come this time, was being very polite. Although it was a small island, the lord of Tsushima was by no means in a low position. Therefore, the Tongsinsa who had visited this place until now had been outwardly polite, but their eyes were full of condescension towards Dodo Ungwa.

However, in the eyes of this man, Nam Giju, no emotion could be found. He was polite and spoke in a gentle voice, but Nam Giju’s eyes showed no emotion. They were like clear glass beads.

In the end, Dodo Ungwa had to speak first.

“By the way, Nam Gong [a respectful title, meaning ‘Lord Nam’], where did you work before becoming a Tongsinsa?”

To Dodo Ungwa’s question, Nam Giju replied briefly.

“I was in the Ministry of War.”

“The Ministry of War?”

Dodo Ungwa’s face momentarily stiffened at the answer.

Among the Tongsinsa that Joseon had sent so far, none from the Ministry of War had served as the chief envoy. They were all civil officials.

Of course, even if someone belonged to the Ministry of War, it could not be concluded that they were necessarily a military officer. However, Dodo Ungwa’s intuition was fiercely warning him.

‘He’s definitely a military officer! And one who has experienced battlefields!’

Considering the ranks of envoys Joseon sent to Japan, if the man in front of him, Nam Giju, was indeed a military officer who had experienced battlefields, he would have held at least the position of a Cheomjeoljesa [Military Commandant].

* * *

Tense, Dodo Ungwa forced a smile and continued the conversation with Nam Giju.

“But why did His Majesty suddenly send a Tongsinsa?”

At Dodo Ungwa’s question, Nam Giju put down his cup and replied.

“You may think it’s sudden, but there is a reason. Do you remember what happened near Mureungdo a few months ago?”

“Yes.”

Dodo Ungwa nodded at Nam Giju’s question. It was an incident where several lives were lost because they were caught fishing too close to Joseon.

Nam Giju continued calmly.

“At that time, Joseon took this matter seriously. Looking at the current situation between Joseon and Japan, trade is increasing.”

“That’s right.”

Dodo Ungwa felt bitter as he replied to Nam Giju.

* * *

As Nam Giju said, the trade volume between Joseon and Japan was increasing. However, in this process, Tsushima Island was being pushed further and further back. Even in Waegwan, where Tsushima merchants used to be at the center, merchants from Tsushima were gradually being pushed out, and merchants from other territories were gaining power.

“This is a scheme by Joseon!”

Dodo Ungwa gritted his teeth at the situation. Joseon officials managing the Waegwan would find any excuse to expel Japanese merchants from the Waegwan.

And most of the merchants who were expelled were from Tsushima Island.

Dodo Ungwa gnashed his teeth, but there was nothing he could do. When he questioned them, Joseon had justification, and if he used force, Tsushima Island could become a battlefield again.

Therefore, Dodo Ungwa had to endure.

* * *

Whether he knew Dodo Ungwa’s feelings or not, Nam Giju continued.

“In that situation, Japanese fishermen were caught near Mureungdo. The problem is that weapons were found on their ships. In other words, our court is in a situation where we doubt whether they are real fishermen or pirates.”

“As I said before, that was for the fishermen’s self-defense…”

“That may be the case, but for us, who have suffered from pirates since the end of the previous dynasty (Goryeo), it is not easy to believe, is it?”

“That’s true…”

Dodo Ungwa had no choice but to nod weakly at Nam Giju’s point.

Having seized the initiative, Nam Giju finally got to the main point.

“As trade between our Joseon and Japan increases, many merchant ships come and go. Our court cannot help but worry about the safety of these merchant ships.”

“So… His Majesty sent you to discuss that?”

“That’s right.”

The smile was now gone from Dodo Ungwa’s face. With a stiff expression, Dodo Ungwa asked Nam Giju.

“What measures has His Majesty taken?”

“I will inform you since Tsushima Island is also involved. Our Joseon wants to lease the ports of Tsushima Island.”

“You mean our Tsushima’s ports?”

“That’s right.”

* * *

As the conversation between Nam Giju and Dodo Ungwa became serious, the banquet hall fell silent. Dodo Ungwa’s retainers and the Joseon delegation all listened intently with serious faces.

“Ports… Do you want this Izuhara?”

Nam Giju shook his head at Dodo Ungwa’s question.

“No. Do you have a map of Tsushima Island?”

At Nam Giju’s question, Dodo Ungwa called out to his retainer in a rough voice.

“Matsumura! The map!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

After a while, a map depicting the topography of Tsushima Island was spread out on a large table where the dishes had been cleared.

Nam Giju pointed to two places on the map with his finger.

“Our Joseon hopes to lease Cheonmo Bay (淺茅灣, present-day Aso Bay) and Daeseonwol (大船越, present-day Ofunakoshi) on the opposite side. Cheonmo Bay is to ensure the safety of ships departing from Busan, and Daeseonwol is to protect ships departing from mainland Japan.”

“Hmm…”

Dodo Ungwa, who was examining the map while listening to Nam Giju’s explanation, had a complicated expression.

The first place Nam Giju pointed out, Cheonmo Bay, was the area where the Joseon army first dropped anchor when they attacked Tsushima Island.

Dodo Ungwa quietly examined the map and turned to Nam Giju.

“Does His Majesty want to cede these places?”

At Dodo Ungwa’s question, the retainers swallowed hard. Depending on what came out of the Joseon envoy’s mouth, Tsushima Island might have to prepare for war.

However, the answer that came from Nam Giju’s mouth was unexpected.

“His Majesty wants to lease them.”

“Lease? You want to rent them?”

“That’s right.”

Dodo Ungwa did not immediately understand Nam Giju’s answer and asked again.

“Do you really mean rent?”

“That’s right.”

Dodo Ungwa’s mind was completely messed up by Nam Giju’s answer. It was a method that he, or the people of this period, could not understand at all.

‘I need time to sort out my thoughts!’

Dodo Ungwa, who needed time to sort out his thoughts, called out to his retainer.

“Matsumura, ocha (お茶) [tea]!”

“Yes, sir!”

Dodo Ungwa gave the order to his retainer and turned to Nam Giju, opening his mouth.

“It seems like the story will be a bit long, so let’s have a cup of tea for a while.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

“Please have some. This person is a famous tea master even in Kyoto.”

“Thank you.”

As Nam Giju bowed and expressed his gratitude, the tea master also politely returned the greeting.

“It is an honor to serve tea to someone from Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom], which is famous for its tea ceremony.”

Tea ceremony flourished on the Korean Peninsula until the Goryeo Dynasty. This was due to the influence of Buddhism. However, as Joseon was established and advocated Confucianism and suppressed Buddhism (崇儒抑佛) [Respect Confucianism and Suppress Buddhism], tea culture gradually began to decline.

However, until this time, it had a more advanced tea culture than Japan.

In the atmosphere that had become much softer while drinking tea, Dodo Ungwa worked hard to sort out his thoughts.

‘He clearly said he would rent it. Is he really just renting it? If so, what is the price? The continuation of my position? Or more than that?’

Although he said he was sorting out his thoughts, Dodo Ungwa’s mind became even more complicated.

* * *

The group, who had enjoyed tea, moved back to the map again.

Dodo Ungwa, who was examining the map, asked Nam Giju.

“To be honest, you said that His Majesty would rent it, but how will Joseon use this place?”

“As I said before, it is to protect the merchant ships that travel between Joseon and Japan. If we start our warships for this purpose from Dongnae, it will take too long. Therefore, we plan to build ports in these Cheonmo Bay and Daeseonwol areas and use them as anchorages for warships and as places for merchant ships to take refuge from bad weather (避航) [avoiding navigation].”

“How many warships will stay?”

“About 10 to 20 ships on each side.”

“Hmm…”

As Dodo Ungwa pondered, one of the retainers standing behind him came closer and whispered softly. Dodo Ungwa nodded as he listened to the retainer’s words and turned to Nam Giju.

“Renting means paying a price. How much does His Majesty intend to pay?”

“20 silver nyang [Korean currency] per month for both places combined. If we hire the residents of Tsushima Island as laborers, that part will be paid separately.”

At Nam Giju’s answer, Dodo Ungwa’s retainers quickly became agitated.

“Quiet! Be quiet!”

Dodo Ungwa calmed the retainers and requested Nam Giju.

“It’s late today, so I’d like to continue the rest of the story tomorrow. What do you think?”

“I agree.”

That was the end of the day’s events. Nam Giju, who had returned to his prepared accommodation, was writing a report when he looked out the window.

Nam Giju, looking at the place where Dodo Ungwa and his retainers were, muttered softly.

“It’s going to be a headache.”