Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 240

240. The Envoy (2)

As Nam Gi-ju had anticipated, Dodo Ungwa and his retainers were engaged in a heated debate at Dodo Ungwa’s residence.

“We must oppose it! This is like holding a knife to our own throat!”

“That’s right! Aso Bay is one thing, but Ohunagoshi is right next to Izuhara! We must stop them!”

On the other hand, quite a few retainers were in favor.

“We must accept Joseon’s proposal! After all, those Wokou pirates are a nuisance to us as well. It’s a case of ‘killing two birds with one stone’!”

“That’s right! Those pirates listen to us less often than they don’t! We should take this opportunity to get rid of them!”

Dodo Ungwa’s head ached as he watched his retainers fiercely arguing for and against the proposal.

Both sides had valid points.

Since the last Joseon army invasion, Tsushima had been closely monitoring Joseon’s movements. They needed forces to use in case of an emergency.

The Wokou pirates were in a difficult situation as well.

As the Muromachi Shogunate completely seized power, the Wokou pirates began to face restrictions on their movements.

In addition, after suffering a major defeat in the offensive against the Ming Dynasty during the Tsushima Island expedition in the first year of King Sejong’s reign, they needed a place to hide.

Since both sides’ interests aligned, the Wokou pirates frequently used Tsushima as a hideout.

In fact, it could be said that the number of Wokou pirates among the residents of Tsushima had increased.

However, this situation was also causing headaches for Dodo Ungwa.

Because controlling the Wokou pirates was not an easy task.

As both sides were fiercely opposed, the eldest retainer, Hatoyama, opened his mouth.

“In my opinion…”

As Hatoyama spoke, not only the retainers but also Dodo Ungwa listened attentively.

It was because he had not spoken until then.

As everyone listened, Hatoyama shared his thoughts.

“In my opinion, we should accept Joseon’s proposal, but we need to make adjustments.”

“Make adjustments?”

“Yes. We can lend them Aso Bay, but we must not give them Ohunagoshi. It will cause problems for the defense of Izuhara.”

At Hatoyama’s words, not only the retainers but also Dodo Ungwa nodded.

Hatoyama continued to speak.

“It is appreciated that Joseon is willing to pay a price, but 20 silver *nyang* [a unit of currency] per month is too little. Even though Tsushima is barren, we cannot give it away for such a cheap price.”

“That’s right!”

Dodo Ungwa nodded vigorously at Hatoyama’s words.

However, another retainer cautiously raised an objection.

“But will Joseon really agree? 20 silver *nyang* per month is 240 silver *nyang* per year. Considering that we receive 100 sacks of rice as tribute from Joseon each year, they would be giving us twice the wealth. Joseon will think it is enough.”

Hatoyama’s voice grew louder at those words.

“The land value of Tsushima is much higher than that! If we are only going to end up with 240 *nyang*, it is better not to accept Joseon’s proposal!”

After silencing the objector, Hatoyama bowed to Dodo Ungwa and pleaded.

“According to rumors I’ve heard recently, the Joseon people like to lowball. 20 silver *nyang* is definitely bait! If we accept it without question, the whole world will know of our retainers’ incompetence! We must get as much as we can through negotiations!”

“Get as much as we can… Hatoyama, besides getting more money, what else should we get?”

“A monopoly!”

“A monopoly? Hmm…”

Dodo Ungwa stroked his beard at Hatoyama’s words.

The environment of Tsushima was barren. Therefore, they had to obtain many necessities from outside the island, and they suffered from the exploitation of merchants in the process. However, if a monopoly were established, this problem could be greatly resolved.

“But will the King of Joseon allow the establishment of a monopoly?”

“You are also a subject of Joseon. If a subject asks, wouldn’t the king grant it? In addition, we must add a clause that the families of the naval soldiers stationed at the port must also live there in exchange for giving up the port.”

“The families of the naval soldiers? Ah! Hostages?”

Hatoyama nodded at Dodo Ungwa’s words.

“That’s right. Furthermore, it will be a solid basis for establishing a monopoly. Isn’t it a place where the people of Joseon live?”

“That’s right!”

As Dodo Ungwa seemed to be leaning towards giving up the port, a retainer who had been arguing against it hurriedly spoke up.

“No matter how many hostages there are, it is too dangerous! Even if Aso Bay and Izuhara are separated by mountains, the Joseon army can cross them at any time if they really want to! And other lords will laugh at us for giving up territory for just a little wealth!”

Hatoyama countered again after hearing the objection.

“A visible enemy is safer than an invisible one. If the Joseon army enters Aso Bay, we can prepare immediately by deploying a few quick soldiers in the middle! But if we block the Joseon army altogether, do you think Joseon will stay still? They will surely harbor resentment, and we will have to spend several times more troops to monitor such Joseon! And do you think this Tsushima will fall with soldiers on only 20 or 30 warships?”

In the last Tsushima Island expedition, the Joseon army mobilized a total of 227 warships, large and small, and 17,285 soldiers. (Note 1)

* * *

Hatoyama paused for a moment to catch his breath. After regaining his breath, Hatoyama bowed to Dodo Ungwa and said.

“Let the other lords laugh! It is said, ‘*Wa Shin Sang Dam*’ [*臥薪嘗膽, lying on firewood and tasting gall* – meaning to endure hardship for revenge]. We must diligently accumulate the wealth that Joseon pays, strengthen our military preparations, and gather military funds. Shouldn’t we recover the lost territory taken by the Ouchi clan!”

“That’s right!”

Dodo Ungwa jumped up from his seat and shouted at Hatoyama’s words.

The Ouchi clan, which suffered heavy losses in the armed conflict on the Japanese mainland, advanced into Kyushu.

In this process, a conflict arose with the Shoi (少貳, Shoni) family, the local power in Kyushu. As a result of the armed struggle, the Shoni lost a significant amount of territory, and the Jong (宗) clan of Dodo Ungwa, which was supported by the Shoni, had to retreat, losing its dominance over Kyushu.

Dodo Ungwa, having made up his mind, shouted to his retainers.

“Let the other lords laugh! *Wa Shin Sang Dam*, *Wa Shin Sang Dam*! We will thoroughly prepare our military and recover our lost territory! Until then, we will thoroughly appease Joseon, but get as much as we can!”

“Yes, sir!”

At Dodo Ungwa’s command, the retainers answered in unison.

* * *

The next day, Dodo Ungwa and his retainers, along with the Joseon envoys, gathered again.

After exchanging simple greetings, Hatoyama reopened the negotiations on behalf of Dodo Ungwa.

“We have given deep thought to the proposal that the Joseon envoy spoke of yesterday.”

“Is that so? Have you made a decision?”

Hatoyama replied to Nam Gi-ju’s words.

“It seems that some adjustments are needed.”

“Adjustments, you say?”

“That’s right. First of all, we would like to limit the port to be given to Joseon to only Aso Bay.”

“Only Aso Bay?”

“That’s right. Ohunagoshi is too close to Izuhara. Many residents of Tsushima are still suffering from the nightmares brought about by the last Joseon invasion. Ohunagoshi is absolutely out of the question, even to reassure the residents. Instead, you are free to use Aso Bay as you wish.”

Nam Gi-ju nodded at Hatoyama’s words and muttered to himself.

‘The Crown Prince is acting like the Crown Prince again. Does this mean we are proceeding with Plan B?’

During the heated debate in the process of establishing a plan before departure, Hyang had predicted that Tsushima would make such a proposal.

Because the possibility of Hyang’s prediction coming true could not be ignored, a revised plan to proceed in this situation was also created and approved by King Sejong.

In any case, since Tsushima had made a proposal, Joseon had to give an answer.

“This is not a decision I can make alone, so would you give me some time?”

“Of course.”

Nam Gi-ju returned to his lodging after briefly stopping the meeting and spoke with the Vice-Envoy.

“It’s exactly as His Highness the Crown Prince predicted.”

“That’s right. Then we should go with Plan B, right?”

“We should. Let’s stall for some time. How about we play some *Sudam* [*Baduk*, a strategy board game] for a while?”

“Sounds good!”

As the Joseon envoys did not come out for quite a long time, Dodo Ungwa looked back at Hatoyama.

“It’s taking quite a long time.”

“It may be taking time because they are actually making adjustments, or they may be deliberately stalling.”

“Deliberately?”

“They are trying to shake us. It’s a common tactic.”

“I see.”

* * *

It was only after about two *sh辰in* [approximately four hours] that Nam Gi-ju and his party returned to the conference room.

“Has a decision been made?”

“If you completely give us Cheonmo Bay, we will accept the proposal.”

“You are free to use Cheonmo Bay as you wish.”

“Thank you. Then is everything settled?”

“No. 20 silver *nyang* per month is too little.”

Nam Gi-ju’s voice rose slightly at Hatoyama’s words.

“You have reduced the number of ports from two to one, and now you are asking for more money?”

Hatoyama explained the reason for Nam Gi-ju’s words.

“If we give Aso Bay to Joseon, we have to relocate the people who live in Aso Bay. Considering the relocation costs of those people, the tax costs that we will not be able to collect until those relocated people settle down, and the costs of comforting those who will be evicted, 20 silver *nyang* per month is too little.”

“So how much do you want?”

“40 silver *nyang*.”

“You reduce the port by half and double the cost? Do you think that makes sense?”

“Then you can depart from Dongnae.”

Nam Gi-ju’s face turned fierce at Hatoyama’s words.

“It seems that Tsushima merchants don’t need the *Waegwan* [Japanese trading post in Joseon]?”

This time, Hatoyama’s face turned fierce.

It was like they had exchanged blows once each.

After that, the two sides continued to argue.

Thanks to the strong exchange from the beginning, the words that came and went were not pleasant.

Eventually, as the atmosphere between the two sides became fierce, Dodo Ungwa intervened.

“Now, now! This is a negotiation to benefit everyone, so how can we do this? I will make a compromise! Frankly, 20 silver *nyang* is too little! But since we have reduced the number of ports to one, let’s make it 30 silver *nyang*. How about that?”

At Dodo Ungwa’s compromise, Nam Gi-ju and the envoys stepped back and whispered.

After a while, Nam Gi-ju, who was sitting back in his seat, answered.

“Since you have made a compromise, we will accept it.”

“Thank you!”

Dodo Ungwa, who was delighted at Nam Gi-ju’s words, subtly winked at Hatoyama.

This was something the two had planned.

By doing this, Dodo Ungwa would be recognized as a friendly person to Joseon and would raise his good reputation.

The problem was that Nam Gi-ju and the Vice-Envoy were also winking at each other.

* * *

After that, fierce negotiations took place on various issues.

‘The Joseon naval soldiers stationed in Aso Bay must also live with their families.’

When Tsushima made this proposal, Joseon replied as follows.

‘Then we will build walls for the safety of the people.’

A long argument ensued over this issue, but in the end, Joseon won.

‘Instead of building walls, we will install monopoly stores in the civilian residential area. And these monopoly stores will be available to Tsushima residents who enter unarmed.’

Since the monopoly was what Dodo Ungwa and his retainers wanted, this issue was immediately agreed upon.

And through this agreement, Joseon was able to build defensive facilities in strategic military locations.

In this way, fierce arguments continued, but almost all the agenda items were what Joseon had expected – or rather, what Hyang had expected.

The Joseon envoys and Dodo Ungwa, who had reached an agreement through the coordination of opinions, smiled with satisfied faces.

“Then all that remains is to go to Kyoto.”

Dodo Ungwa immediately replied to Nam Gi-ju’s words.

“I will do my best to help. Then let’s depart as soon as possible!”

* * *

At that moment, the ship carrying the envoys set sail for Kyushu.

* * *

Note 1) Chapter 2, Tsushima Island Expedition. Military Strategy in the Joseon Dynasty. Military History Compilation Research Institute, Ministry of National Defense.