Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 262

262. Battle of Songhua River (1)

Sejong instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to prolong negotiations with Ming as much as possible, anticipating their interference.

Although their influence had waned, Ie Manju and Meontegeu still held high-ranking positions within the Ming court.

They were figures who could be readily mobilized should tensions escalate between the Ming and the Jurchens.

Therefore, Ming would undoubtedly attempt to mediate and halt the conflict at a reasonable juncture.

Ultimately, Sejong, his ministers, and the military, fully cognizant of these circumstances, all arrived at the same conclusion:

-Finish the operation before Ming intervenes!

-If that proves impossible, eliminate as many enemies as possible before retreating! However, Ie Manju, Meontegeu, and their families must be eliminated!

-If we escalate the situation beyond repair, the neighboring Jurchens will manage the aftermath, as they always have.

Sejong then addressed Choi Yun-deok directly.

“Regardless of the circumstances, this entire incident was instigated by Ie Manju. Even if the Jurchens who invaded our Joseon territory belong to other tribes, it was Ie Manju who incited them!”

Choi Yun-deok promptly responded to Sejong’s assertion.

“That is indeed the case, Your Majesty. Jurchens familiar with Joseon’s strength would never commit such brazen acts! This could only occur with Ie Manju’s instigation!”

Following Choi Yun-deok’s statement, Maeng Sa-seong added his perspective.

“Hwang Hui, the governor of Hamgil Province, has reported that the Jurchens who have pledged allegiance remain loyal to Joseon.

Furthermore, the Jurchens beyond our borders also desire peace with Joseon and harbor no intention of provoking us.

Of course, there are those foolish enough to prioritize plunder and raid our territory, but they have all been crushed by our Joseon army.

The situation is similar in Pyeongan Province.

However, these incursions into Joseon territory are impossible without external instigation! And the only one capable of such instigation is Ie Manju!”

“That’s correct!”

“Ie Manju is the mastermind behind this incident.”

“We must subdue Ie Manju’s forces!”

As soon as Maeng Sa-seong concluded, other ministers stepped forward, vehemently demanding the punishment of Ie Manju.

Sejong, who had been listening attentively, finally spoke.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Thoroughly examine all records in the Record Office and report every dispute caused by Ie Manju’s Hooligai tribe to the Ming Emperor. And, I instructed you to depart immediately, but…”

Sejong paused, turning his gaze towards Choi Yun-deok.

“How long will it take for the soldiers of Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province to cross the border?”

“The main force can cross the Yalu River and Tumen River within three days, Your Majesty.”

“Very well, Minister of Foreign Affairs. I grant you three days. Ah! And, should the Ming Emperor inquire about when we received this information, inform him that we were immediately alerted by the beacon fires and received detailed information two days after the incident. You understand the reason for this, I trust.”

“To conceal our flash communication network! I, Lee Maeng-gyun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, pledge my life to fulfill Your Majesty’s will!”

“I trust in you!”

Sejong, having expressed his confidence in Lee Maeng-gyun, turned back to the ministers.

“Ie Manju’s actions since his arrival have been a constant source of trouble! Since that audacious man has drawn his sword against us, we must eliminate him completely and instill the fear of Joseon in all Jurchens who have not pledged allegiance! Dedicate all of Joseon’s resources to this grand endeavor!”

“We obey your command!”

At Sejong’s command, the ministers responded in unison.

A total war between Joseon and Ie Manju and Meontegeu was about to commence.

The historian who documented these events wrote the following:

-When the King ordered the exertion of all efforts, all officials responded.

The historian then offered his own commentary.

It remains uncertain whether Ie Manju was truly the ringleader of this incident. However, it is undeniable that Ie Manju posed the greatest threat to Joseon.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who had been observing the entire situation from beneath the shrine, muttered to himself.

‘It reminds me of Teacher Samcheonpo’s ramblings after a long time.’

-Well, Sejong’s development of the Four Fortresses and Six Garrisons is in the textbook, right? But, there is a part that doesn’t come out after that, which is beating up Ie Manju and the assassination attempt on Meontegeu, the ancestor of Nurhaci.

-Why did Sejong try to eliminate Ie Manju? Meontegeu dug his own grave by going back and forth between Ming and Joseon. Ah! Meontegeu’s actions can be called shuttle diplomacy these days, but even these days, he is likely to be abandoned.

The reason why Sejong tried to eliminate Ie Manju is not only because Ie Manju’s father, Eo Heo-chul, abandoned Lee Seong-gye and joined hands with Ming. It is the result of bloody international politics.

* * *

In the history before Hyang intervened, in the 15th year of Sejong (1433), Sejong ordered Choi Yun-deok to conquer Ie Manju’s Hooligai tribe.

The beginning of the incident had to go back to the 14th year of Sejong (1432).

December of the 14th year of Sejong. About 400 Jurchen cavalry attacked the Yeoyeon area.

Upon receiving this report, Sejong decided to establish defense measures against the Jurchens and at the same time expressed his intention to carry out a large-scale conquest.

Crossing the year, January of the 15th year of Sejong (1433). Ie Manju returned 64 Joseon prisoners. In this process, Ie Manju revealed that it was Oljeokhap who committed this act and that he had nothing to do with it.

Meanwhile, Joseon sent a report to Ming regarding this matter, which characterized it as the Jurchen forces in Pajeo River and other places. The problem was that according to the information secured up to that time, those who committed the act were Hollaon Oljeokhap. However, Joseon claimed that it was the Jurchens in the Pajeo River area – to be exact, Ie Manju.

Until then, the Joseon court was engaged in a fierce debate for and against the conquest of the Jurchens – to be exact, Ie Manju.

However, according to Sejong’s strong will, the conquest was decided, and an envoy was sent to Ming.

The problem was the date the envoy was sent. The date Sejong sent an envoy to Ming was one week before the Joseon army set out. It was a point where Ming knew but had a hard time taking action.

The Joseon army, led by Choi Yun-deok, made great achievements in the ensuing conquest.

The reason why Joseon, or rather, Sejong, persistently aimed at eliminating Ie Manju was because of Ie Manju’s position.

-Ie Manju’s tribe was the core tribe of the Jianzhou Jurchens. If Ie Manju’s influence grew further, Joseon’s influence over the Jurchens would surely decrease.

-Ie Manju was pro-Ming. He was a high-ranking official in Ming. He emphasized this very much. It was not what Joseon wanted for Ming to expand its influence through him.

-In connection with the above reasons, Ie Manju did not recognize Joseon as the Sangguk (上國) [Superior Nation]. If this was left as it was, it was obvious that Joseon would lose its leadership and control around the Yalu River. (Note 1)

Therefore, Joseon persistently aimed at Ie Manju until the time of Sejo and eventually killed him.

* * *

‘Anyway, Ie Manju was destined to die. International politics….’

Hyang, who was recalling Teacher Samcheonpo’s rambling, suddenly remembered one fact and was horrified.

‘But, the main force of Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province crosses the Tumen River and Yalu River in three days? No matter how much I have taken measures, this is too much?’

The fixed number of one Bu (部) [military unit, roughly equivalent to a division] is at least 15,625 people. If it is two Bu, the number easily exceeds 31,000. Even though it is only a part, if it is called the main force, it is at least 6,000 to 7,000 per Bu.

In short, even if the soldiers scattered here and there in Hamgil Province and Pyeongan Province were gathered and moved immediately, three days was an absolutely impossible time.

‘This is impossible even for the 21st century Korean army! Unless you prepare in advance….’

Realizing this, Hyang looked at Choi Yun-deok.

“Crown Prince, why are you looking at the Chief of Staff like that?”

Sejong, noticing Hyang’s gaze, immediately questioned him. Hyang quickly responded.

“I was surprised by the fact that the main force can cross the Yalu River and Tumen River in just three days.”

Choi Yun-deok smiled slightly at Hyang’s remark and replied.

“We were fortunate, Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

When Hyang didn’t understand, Choi Yun-deok elaborated.

“Originally, Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province deploy soldiers in advance every spring during the starvation season, fearing Jurchen invasions.”

“I remember. I received the report and approved it last February.”

Sejong interjected, feigning prior knowledge of Choi Yun-deok’s explanation. Choi Yun-deok immediately seized the opportunity to support Sejong’s statement.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. And, since the number of Jurchens pledging allegiance from the Odori tribe has increased since the beginning of spring, I was worried about the atmosphere of the Odori tribe, and then this happened.”

“I see. It was a situation where the saying ‘preparedness averts peril’ truly applies. The General’s contribution is truly great.”

“The contribution of the General Staff is great, Your Majesty. It is the result of continuous research in case such a time should come.”

Hyang muttered to himself, observing Choi Yun-deok’s gesture of giving credit to the General Staff.

‘Is this the limit of being a 덕질 [a person who is obsessed with something]?’

Hyang had implemented many changes in the military, but these primarily focused on equipment or small-scale tactics.

Large-scale strategies and tactics remained the responsibility of the General Staff. This was a brilliant decision by Sejong.

As Sejong expanded the 판 [playing field] called the General Staff, the generals who had built their careers in war spread their wings.

This was an area where Hyang’s influence was limited.

* * *

The next day, a communication officer from the General Staff urgently sought out Choi Yun-deok.

“Urgent report from the north, sir!”

“Give it to me!”

Choi Yun-deok snatched the paper, examined its contents, and sighed.

“Haa~.”

“General, what’s going on?”

The commanders around him hurriedly approached, asking questions. Choi Yun-deok held out the paper.

“The identities of those who committed this act have been confirmed. Ie Manju and Meontegeu.”

“Ah….”

At Choi Yun-deok’s words, the commanders all displayed relieved expressions. Echoing their sentiments, Choi Yun-deok muttered.

“Fortunately. We don’t have to do complicated operations anymore….”

Choi Yun-deok, retrieving the paper, rose from his seat.

“I have to go to Geunjeongjeon [main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace]! Contact the units in Pyeongan Province and Hamgil Province and tell them to cross the river as soon as possible! To commit this level of work, the tribes would have left their hideouts! We must catch them before they escape our hands, before Ming knows!”

“Yes, sir!”

Choi Yun-deok, having issued his orders, mounted his horse and rode straight to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

* * *

After the identities of those who committed the incident were confirmed, all information was quickly delivered to Hanseong [Seoul].

The Jurchen spies planted by Joseon swiftly tracked the movements of Meontegeu and Ie Manju.

The spies who located them immediately ran to the Joseon Bo [small military unit] and Jin [larger military unit] near the border to deliver the information. The Jin and Bo that received the information then relayed it to Hanseong using flash communicators.

While it took time for the Jurchen spies to reach the Jin and Bo, the information was subsequently delivered to Hanseong in approximately 2 hours (4 hours).

Based on this information, not only the General Staff but also Sejong and the ministers could receive almost real-time updates – based on the communication speed at the time – on the whereabouts of Ie Manju and Meontegeu.

Hyang, observing the General Staff, Sejong, and the ministers in discussion, muttered to himself.

‘Did Teacher Samcheonpo say that Joseon’s attitude towards the Jurchens at this time was almost obsessive? That’s right.’

In the case of the Japanese pirates (Wokou), only one word ‘Wokou’ was assigned a number code, but in the case of the Jurchens, more than 100 codes were assigned, including all the large and small tribes.

* * *

Note 1) Joseon read as war. Edited by Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. Geulhangari.