Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 292

292. Kyushu (5)

Mochiyo, after receiving the report from his subordinate, immediately jumped up and headed to Yunotsu.

“What brings you here?”

An Sang-taek asked, surprised by Mochiyo’s visit. Mochiyo immediately cut to the chase.

“I came because I heard an interesting story. I heard that a school to teach children has been established.”

“A school? Oh, are you referring to the Samin School?”

“That’s right. I heard that it teaches regardless of social status, is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Is that alright?”

Mochiyo asked worriedly, and An Sang-taek looked back with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean?”

“Is it possible for lowly, ignorant people to learn to read? No, even if they learn to read, wouldn’t they just resist orders or complain?”

At Mochiyo’s question, An Sang-taek scratched his beard and replied.

“I don’t think that’s likely….”

“Huh?”

“I was just talking to myself. I can confidently say that part is just *giyu* [杞憂, groundless worry]. This is because the eminent ministers and His Majesty the King examined the issue before establishing the Samin School.”

“….”

Mochiyo’s mouth closed at the words, ‘The King of Joseon thought about everything and decided.’

To be honest, the criticism just now was closer to criticism for the sake of criticism.

Looking at Mochiyo, An Sang-taek answered in more detail.

“If the people learn a certain amount of academics, the benefits will outweigh the losses. They can understand and execute the orders issued by the country more quickly, and they can more easily inform the central government of the hardships of the provinces that the central government does not know, thereby reducing the country’s concerns. And, most importantly, we can find hidden talents like gems buried in the soil.”

‘This last part is the most important point.’

An Sang-taek muttered inwardly. Joseon’s biggest problem, which was expanding in both quality and quantity, was ‘lack of talent.’

This was also the case with the military. Because of this, the following joke was circulating among military officers.

“The most ardent people who want peace in Joseon are the military officers. Why? Because they are already overwhelmed with work, they don’t have the energy to wage war.”

It was the grumbling of the military officers who had made an ‘equal exchange of success and overwork’ while favoring military officers with literary skills since Sejong ascended the throne.

“‘You can find talent.’….”

Mochiyo, who was pondering An Sang-taek’s words, got up from his seat.

“Thank you for the good explanation. I will not forget your kind teachings.”

“You flatter me.”

After meeting with An Sang-taek, Mochiyo immediately prepared and headed to Suo (周芳), where Morimi was located.

* * *

Mochiyo, who met Morimi at the lord’s castle in Suo, reported on the Samin School.

“A school….”

As Morimi stroked his chin and muttered, Mochiyo continued.

“My lord has already shown his intention to gather talents from the territory and send them to study in Joseon. However, sending them to study abroad costs a lot of money.”

“Would I begrudge a thousand gold coins for the future of the territory?”

“Of course, my lord’s words are correct. However, even if you want to send them to study abroad, few people know the language of Joseon, and few have even learned the most basic academics.”

“That’s true….”

As Morimi nodded, Mochiyo put strength into his voice.

“Therefore, please request Joseon to support the establishment of a school. Like Joseon, we will teach without discrimination and find hidden talents!”

“Hmm….”

Morimi was lost in thought for a long time. Mochiyo and the other vassals stared at Morimi with tense faces.

After a long time of deliberation, Morimi made up his mind and opened his mouth.

“I think Mochiyo’s words are reasonable. However, the great undertaking is just around the corner, so let’s solve this first and then think about it.”

At Morimi’s words, Mochiyo hurriedly opened his mouth.

“My lord! Are you finally starting the great undertaking?”

“Finally, the preparation is over. I will punish Shoni and Otomo.”

At Morimi’s words, Mochiyo hurriedly stepped forward on his knees and bowed his head.

“My lord! I want to participate in the war too!”

“You have to protect Iwami.”

“My lord!”

As Mochiyo raised his voice, Morimi got up from his seat and walked towards Mochiyo. Crouching down in front of Mochiyo, Morimi lightly patted Mochiyo’s shoulder and opened his mouth.

“Iwami is not the rear, but the front line. It’s also the front line. That’s why I entrusted it to you.”

Impressed by Morimi’s words, Mochiyo prostrated himself on the floor and shouted.

“I will protect it with my life!”

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

After finishing the conversation with Mochiyo, Morimi stood tall and looked back at his vassals.

“The preparation is over! Tell Shibukawa in Hakata! It’s time to march!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

Three days later, the Ouchi army led by Morimi crossed the sea to North Kyushu.

At the center of the fleet transporting the Ouchi family’s troops was a large ship carrying Morimi.

On the stern deck of the ship, Morimi and his vassals were sitting on chairs, looking at the map and exchanging opinions.

Morimi’s attire, who was sitting in the highest seat, was quite unique. The helmet was that of a traditional Japanese general, but the armor worn underneath was not *Oyoroi* [大鎧, traditional Japanese armor] but *Dujeonggap* [padded armor].

* * *

The reason Morimi wore *Dujeonggap* was because of Hyang’s work.

“Didn’t Oda Nobunaga wear *Namban* armor (南蠻鉀) [European-style armor]?”

Hyang, recalling his memories of *deokjil* [덕질, being a fan] in the 21st century, immediately ordered the artisans in Area 51.

“Make *Dujeonggap*? Why suddenly?”

“I’m going to give it as a gift to someone. Ah! You know that the Japanese are smaller than us, right? Keep that in mind.”

“Yes? Yes.”

“I’m going to give it to a high-ranking person in Japan, so please pay attention to it.”

“Yes.”

The *Dujeonggap* that was made in this way was delivered to Morimi through Kim Jong-seo, who was dispatched as a secret envoy.

“Oh! What an honor!”

Morimi, who received the *Dujeonggap* delivered by Kim Jong-seo, was repeatedly moved.

Joseon’s *Dujeonggap* was famous for its excellent defensive power.

In addition, the *Dujeonggap* that Morimi received as a gift was a masterpiece made with even more care.

While Morimi was unable to hide his joy at the unexpected gift, Kim Jong-seo conveyed Sejong’s words.

“His Majesty said. ‘The Daenei family originally has roots in Samhan. If you look closely, they are like brothers of Joseon. Therefore, His Majesty wants the head of the Daenei family to lead the family well and help each other with our Joseon for a long time.'”

Morimi immediately replied to Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“Please tell His Majesty. Our Ouchi family will continue to maintain friendly relations with Joseon!”

After that, Morimi began to wear *Dujeonggap*. However, not long after, Morimi learned one of the problems with *Dujeonggap*.

“It’s very hot.”

The *Dujeonggap* given to Morimi, knowing the climate of Japan, was a work that had undergone some modifications. The modifications were to finish the neck, front, and cuffs with cloth instead of fur, but it was still hot. This was a problem with the structure of *Dujeonggap* itself. Cotton was put behind the thick and tough outer fabric, and the lining was made of silk or the highest quality cotton cloth. And finally, the iron pieces were fixed in layers.

In the end, only Morimi could wear *Dujeonggap*. Joseon’s helmets, which tightly fastened the left and right sides, were too stuffy.

Morimi, who liked *Dujeonggap*, called in artisans to dress his vassals in *Dujeonggap* as well.

However, the artisans all shook their heads.

“It is impossible to make armor of the same quality as Joseon’s *Dujeonggap*.”

“What is the reason?”

“Too much iron is used, even iron that is good enough to make a famous sword.”

Following the artisans’ answers, a vassal in charge of finance added.

“Not only iron, but also too much cotton, silk, and copper are used.”

“Is that so….”

In the end, only Morimi could wear *Dujeonggap*.

* * *

Morimi and Yoshitoshi’s allied forces, who had relieved their fatigue and finished reorganizing their forces, immediately launched an attack.

The allied forces, taking advantage of their superior forces and war situation, captured Tachibana Castle (立花城) and immediately marched west towards Chikuzen.

Shoni and Otomo’s allied forces also entered into *yeonggeok* (迎擊) [welcoming and attacking the invading enemy] at the news that Morimi and Yoshitoshi’s allied forces were advancing.

“Shoni and Otomo are coming!”

“What’s the distance?”

“We will be in contact in about two days!”

Morimi, who received the report from the scout, looked at the map.

“Two days….”

Morimi, pondering the time, looked at the map and pointed to one place on the map.

“We will meet the enemies here.”

The place Morimi pointed to was east of Chikuzen.

* * *

Three days later, a battle took place at the place Morimi had chosen.

Before the battle, Shoni Mitsusada (少弐満貞), who was examining the battlefield, gritted his teeth.

“It won’t be easy.”

I don’t know what tricks that cunning Morimi used, but the wide plain east of Chikuzen, which became the battlefield, was wet.

And, the battle went as Mitsusada expected.

It wasn’t completely muddy, but the ground, soaked with water, made it difficult for the soldiers to move.

Unlike the allied soldiers who were struggling and moving slowly on the wet ground, Morimi and Yoshitoshi’s soldiers relied on the fortress made by building wooden fences and batteries on the dry ground to intercept the allied forces.

In the end, Chikuzen fell into the hands of Morimi and Yoshitoshi. The Shoni and Otomo alliance, which had lost considerable forces, had to retreat and look for another opportunity.

This was another turning point that was different from the history before Hyang intervened.