Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 24

Extracurricular 24. 1592 Southern Sea Battle. (24)

-Your head on the back of mine.

-I can’t die alone.

The above two sentences best expressed the values of the Imperials.

Regardless of whether they were from the mainland or other regions, and regardless of their origins, Imperials fundamentally held these two values.

And the ones who most clearly demonstrated these values were the successive Emperors.

The Battle of Gibraltar, which had already become a tale of the past, and the Imperial family members who still worked overtime in various public positions, were the most definitive examples.

Therefore, Yi Sun-sin’s answer thoroughly captured Emperor Yi Ju’s heart, while others were left in despair.

“So… you intend to move immediately?”

“No, it will take time to prepare.”

“Can’t you go right away?”

“No. Our current forces are insufficient.”

Yi Ju lightly clicked his tongue at Yi Sun-sin’s explanation.

“Tch. It’s a shame. But I understand what Admiral is trying to say, hmm….”

After pausing for a moment, Yi Ju pondered something before reaching a conclusion.

“Japan’s brazen actions this time must be severely punished. The eunuch shall immediately summon all ministers and vice-ministers to Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where important state affairs were discussed].”

“Understood.”

After giving the order to the eunuch, Yi Ju also commanded Yi Sun-sin.

“Admiral, you may return. You have suffered greatly this time, so go back and rest comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

Yi Sun-sin saluted Yi Ju and left the conference room in the bunker.

Yi Ju, after dismissing Yi Sun-sin, also rose from his seat to head outside but stopped.

“The Minister of National Defense need not come to Geunjeongjeon Hall. And all staff members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Naval Headquarters are to be confined to their homes.”

“…Understood.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

The Minister of National Defense and the staff members replied with gloomy expressions, and Yi Ju clicked his tongue loudly at their appearance before heading out.

As Yi Ju left, the Minister of National Defense and the staff members slumped into their chairs with blank expressions.

“The time of glory is approaching, but there’s no place for us….”

The words muttered by one of the staff members represented the feelings of everyone left behind.

* * *

As Yi Ju entered Geunjeongjeon Hall, all the ministers and vice-ministers who had been waiting rose from their seats and paid their respects.

“Be seated.”

As the ministers and vice-ministers took their seats, the eunuch beside him approached and reported quietly.

“Everyone has already arrived.”

“Is that so? I see.”

Yi Ju nodded lightly and immediately got to the point.

“As you all know, Japan launched a surprise attack on our Empire at dawn yesterday.”

Yi Ju explained the battles that had taken place over the past two days in chronological order.

The expressions of the ministers and vice-ministers listening were more serious than ever.

Although the ministers and vice-ministers gathered there had also received real-time reports, hearing it directly from the Emperor carried a different weight.

“…Thus, a portion of the Japanese Navy broke through the encirclement and escaped, which is where things stand for now. I would like to hear your thoughts on what to do next.”

The first to speak in response to Yi Ju’s words was the Prime Minister.

“Of course, Japan must be held accountable for its actions.”

“That’s right. This matter must not be overlooked!”

Starting with the Prime Minister, all the ministers and vice-ministers advocated for the use of force against Japan.

“I share the same sentiment as you all. So, about that….”

Yi Ju explained Yi Sun-sin’s proposal and then asked the ministers and vice-ministers.

“…Therefore, I am thinking of entrusting Yi Sun-sin with the retaliation against Japan. What are your thoughts?”

“….”

This time, no one spoke up immediately.

‘Although His Majesty is asking us, we should see this as already having chosen Yi Sun-sin. The problem is….’

‘…Yi Sun-sin’s career and tendencies.’

Yi Sun-sin had risen to the position of commander through a relatively smooth process. However, the problem was that there were more than a few commanders with longer careers and proven abilities.

Even the commander of the 1st Mobile Fleet had a longer career than Yi Sun-sin and was a proven leader.

-Victory in the war against Japan is inevitable. Unless you’re a complete idiot, anyone can guarantee victory as commander.

-So, is there a need to make an appointment that ignores seniority?

-No matter how much it is His Majesty’s will, there is a high possibility of problems later on.

It was this ‘seniority’ that made it difficult for the ministers and vice-ministers to speak easily.

* * *

Thanks to the long period of peace after Yi Hyang’s death, the Empire was able to safely settle into its trajectory.

As the Empire entered a period of stability, bureaucracy began to take deep root in the government and military.

And the part where this bureaucracy was most clearly revealed was ‘seniority.’

-Unless there is a war or a great famine that threatens the fate of the country, it is right for those who entered service earlier to advance first.

-What’s the point of climbing to a high position when all that increases is the amount of work? Is there a need to climb up ignoring seniority?

As these words circulated both internally and externally, seniority became the most important condition for advancement.

* * *

Seniority was one reason why the ministers and vice-ministers could not easily answer, but Yi Sun-sin’s ‘tendencies’ were also a problem.

As bureaucracy took hold, factionalism also took hold.

In the process of selecting the Mobile Fleet commander, and in the process of this battle, Yi Sun-sin began to show an increasingly strong presence.

-When the war is over, Yi Sun-sin will surely receive the Emperor’s favor.

-If things go well, Yi Sun-sin could become the Empire’s first military-出身 [origin/background] Minister of National Defense or Prime Minister.

-From what we’ve seen, Yi Sun-sin is a man who has no interest in politics other than in areas related to the military. If such a person receives the Emperor’s favor, then what?

-Will it benefit our faction?

It was because they could not find an answer to this last question that they could not answer immediately.

* * *

Yi Ju’s expression turned sour at the sight of the ministers and vice-ministers not answering immediately.

“Hmm…. It’s not that I don’t know what you’re thinking. It’s not that I don’t know….”

Yi Ju paused for a moment and then continued with meaningful words.

“Many stars will fall within a few days. But you know what? I keep thinking this. Will only stars fall?”

The Prime Minister, horrified by Yi Ju’s words, immediately answered.

“Judging from his command of the battle this time, Yi Sun-sin is considered the right person.”

“Yi Sun-sin is considered reasonable!”

Starting with the Prime Minister, all the ministers and vice-ministers expressed their agreement with Yi Ju’s words.

Seeing that, Yi Ju clicked his tongue without realizing it.

“Tsk, tsk…. Even in this situation, you wanted to play factional games?”

“We, we are sorry….”

“If you’re sorry, then don’t create things to be sorry for!”

As Yi Ju shouted, everyone in that place, starting with the Prime Minister, craned their necks and looked at Yi Ju.

Seeing that, Yi Ju continued with an even more pathetic expression.

“Emperor Yi Hyang left behind these words. Factions are bound to arise. Factions are like salt. If you don’t put salt in the soup, it becomes bland, and if you put too much, it becomes bitter. If there are no factions at all, it means there are only thoughtless people, so cut them off. But if you only value factions and act like a dog biting its owner, then kill them. Do you understand what I mean?”

At Yi Ju’s words, everyone, including the Prime Minister, sweated profusely and shouted loudly.

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

“Tsk…. Let’s stop doing things right only when I have to say unpleasant things.”

“We, we will engrave it in our hearts….”

“Did you still have room to engrave it in your bones?”

“….”

With the Prime Minister and ministers fully alert, the meeting continued.

“Since some of the Japanese Navy has returned, Japan will now know the situation. So, what do you think Japan will do in the future?”

At Yi Ju’s question, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stepped forward to answer.

“They will demand negotiations.”

“Negotiations?”

“Yes, they will say something like, ‘Some warmongering soldiers conspired to create an unfortunate event between the two countries,’ and propose negotiations.”

“Some warmongering soldiers…. If the army and navy are all gathered, it’s not some, is it?”

“Even so, they will claim it is some.”

Yi Ju smiled bitterly at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ answer.

“That’s politics.”

“That’s right. However, considering the nature of the Japanese, there is a high possibility that future negotiations will be a trick to buy time.”

“Not sincere?”

“That’s right.”

Yi Ju nodded at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ words.

“If it’s the Japanese, that possibility is highly likely. Then, Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will entrust Yi Sun-sin with full authority over military actions related to this matter. The Prime Minister and other ministers are to do their best to assist Yi Sun-sin.”

“We shall obey Your Majesty’s command!”

* * *

Three days later, the Japanese ambassador to Seoul visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Oh ho~. To think of visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a time like this, you are truly remarkable.”

The Japanese ambassador wiped away his sweat and replied to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ sarcasm.

“I was briefly resting for the Christmas holiday when I heard the bad news. Therefore, I could not visit you immediately because I was inquiring about the situation with my home country. I am sorry.”

“Inquiring about the situation…. So, what did they say?”

Even though the Minister of Foreign Affairs reacted cynically, the Japanese ambassador answered seriously.

“I would like to first clarify that the unfortunate event that occurred this time was not the intention of our Japanese government.”

“Not the intention of the Japanese government? The Japanese army and navy moved, didn’t they?”

“That part was due to some warmongering military generals….”

“Listen, Ambassador. According to our investigation, almost all of the Japanese Navy moved, and tens of thousands of soldiers were mobilized. But ‘some’? It seems that the meaning of ‘some’ that I know and the ‘some’ that the ambassador knows are different?”

“….”

The ambassador could only remain silent at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ rebuke. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, looking at the Japanese ambassador who could not meet his eyes with his mouth shut, leaned back in his chair and asked.

“Okay, let’s say it’s some. Let’s say it’s some…. What will the Japanese government do in the future?”

“We, we want negotiations.”

“Negotiations?”

“Yes, His Majesty the King and the Grand Minister of State are feeling very saddened by this incident. Therefore….”

-The two countries have suffered deep wounds due to some irrational warmongers.

-In particular, the Japanese military has suffered great wounds that are difficult to recover.

-Therefore, Japan will identify and punish the perpetrators.

-We hope to resolve the discomfort between the two countries through this punishment.

-In addition, we would like to hold negotiations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

“Huh!”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs exhaled in disbelief at the Japanese ambassador’s words.

To summarize what the Japanese ambassador said, it was simple.

-I hit you, but I got hurt even more? So, shall we call it a draw?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, looking at the Japanese ambassador with an absurd expression, shook his head lightly and replied.

“Bring out the national letter. I have to report it to His Majesty. But both the ambassador and I know very well what answer His Majesty will give.”