Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 33

Extracurricular 33. 1592 Naval War in the South Sea. (33)

In the meantime, the selection of the negotiation team was completed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ryu Seong-ryong led the other negotiators to Geunjeongjeon Hall to pay their respects to Yi Ju.

“Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ryu Seong-ryong. I have been entrusted with a heavy responsibility, and I am humbled by its weight. I will complete the task assigned to me, even if it means giving my all.”

“I have always trusted you, and you have never disappointed me. I trust you this time as well.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

Following Ryu Seong-ryong, the other negotiators also paid their respects to Yi Ju, expressing their determination, and Yi Ju offered words of encouragement.

While the appointment of the negotiation team proceeded, the ministers’ attention was focused on Yi Sun-sin, who was seated to one side, rather than on the negotiation team itself.

‘Why is Yi Sun-sin here?’

‘Why is the man who should be in Yamaguchi here?’

However, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers seemed to know the reason.

‘It must be because of the report that came up recently.’

‘For someone who claims to not understand politics well, he submitted an extremely political report….’

The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers, having read Yi Sun-sin’s report, arrived at a similar conclusion while observing him.

‘He took the bait….’

‘I should get him some tonic as a gift.’

‘Which doctor is renowned for making good tonics these days….’

Yi Ju, having finished his address to the negotiation team, moved on to the main topic.

“As you all know, I have summoned Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The reason I have summoned the Admiral is to discuss the report he submitted with you. Royal Secretary, bring in the prepared materials.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At Yi Ju’s command, the royal secretaries brought in a large map and a megaphone.

“This is a map that will help visualize Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s report. Admiral, please come and explain it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At Yi Ju’s command, Yi Sun-sin stepped onto the platform set up by the royal secretaries and began to explain the contents of his report.

“Hmm….”

“Oh….”

“Indeed….”

As Yi Sun-sin’s explanation continued, the ministers gathered in the hall nodded their heads in agreement.

“…That is all.”

Having finished his explanation, Yi Sun-sin stepped back and sat down in the seat prepared by the royal secretary.

The question-and-answer session and discussion began in earnest.

“It is much easier to understand when the Admiral explains it directly rather than just reading the report. What do you all think?”

“Indeed, that is so. When we only read the text, we often have to make assumptions, but hearing it directly clarifies many points.”

“That’s right. Then, Prime Minister, what do you think of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s opinion?”

At Yi Ju’s question, the Prime Minister paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before answering.

“It seems to align closely with the Japanese King’s inner thoughts.”

Following the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister also spoke.

“Considering the events leading up to Toyotomi’s [Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a preeminent daimyō (feudal lord) and politician of the Sengoku period regarded as Japan’s second ‘great unifier’] rise to power, it is indeed so. Wasn’t the Japanese King’s situation at the time comparable to Emperor Ling of Han [Emperor of the Han dynasty from 168 to 189], surrounded by the Ten Attendants [a group of influential eunuchs in the Han Dynasty court]? Strategies such as ‘lying on firewood and tasting gall’ [enduring hardship to fuel revenge], ‘killing with a borrowed knife’ [using an enemy to defeat another], and ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’ [employing foreign forces to manage internal conflicts] are fitting.”

“Can’t it be seen as a coincidence?”

At Yi Ju’s question, the Prime Minister immediately answered.

“Even coincidences become inevitable when they overlap. And there is too much of a feeling of contrivance to see it as a coincidence.”

At the Prime Minister’s answer, Yi Ju came to a conclusion.

“So, you are saying that this was the Japanese King’s plan to escape from the situation of ‘weak ruler and strong subjects’? Hmm, what do you think, Chief Envoy Ryu Seong-ryong?”

At Yi Ju’s question, Ryu Seong-ryong bowed respectfully and answered.

“I also believe that it was the Japanese King’s plan. The only thing the Japanese King did not anticipate was Oda Nobunaga’s [Powerful Daimyo of Japan in the late 16th century] assassination and Toyotomi’s rise to power, taking advantage of that opportunity.”

“Are you saying that the Japanese King missed his chance?”

“That is correct.”

“That makes sense.”

Yi Ju nodded lightly and looked at Yi Sun-sin.

“I will ask the Admiral. In this armistice negotiation, what should the Empire gain from Japan?”

“The neutralization of Japan.”

“Neutralization?”

“That is correct.”

“Explain in detail.”

At Yi Ju’s command, Yi Sun-sin seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking.

“It goes against my beliefs and the principles of the sages….”

-First, limit Japan’s military power.

-It would be best to eliminate it completely, but this could 오히려 [Korean word meaning ‘rather’] cause more harm.

-Therefore, Japan’s military power should only be capable of defending its own country.

-Even then, they would be able to stop the first attack, but after that, it would be impossible without relying on the Empire’s power.

-To this end, limit the military power of the Japanese army and navy.

-For example, the navy should not be allowed to have battleships, aircraft carriers, or submarines.

-They can possess cruisers, destroyers, and self-propelled gunboats, but their number and size should be limited.

-Of course, there will be opposition, and to appease this, a protection treaty should be concluded between the Empire and Japan.

At this point in the explanation, the Prime Minister interjected.

“Wait, even if I were the Japanese King, I would oppose this.”

“Make them aware of Japan’s position and circumstances.”

“Japan’s position?”

“If we exclude the Ryukyu Islands [islands in Japan], all the territories surrounding Japan are within the Empire’s domain. In other words, Japan’s possession of a strong military power itself endangers Japan’s safety. Make them aware of this.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s how it is.”

At Yi Sun-sin’s answer, Yi Ju and all the ministers nodded their heads.

“So, through the Empire-Japan Protection Treaty, we guarantee Japan’s safety, but in return, we render Japan’s military power ineffective?”

At Yi Ju’s interpretation, Yi Sun-sin bowed respectfully and answered.

“That is correct.”

“That’s good. But that level of strategy is not that far from the principles of morality, is it?”

“There is more to the plan.”

“Is that so? Continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-Through this invasion of Japan, we have shown the Japanese people the harshness of war to some extent.

-Of course, there are also some regrets. The original plan was to turn the entire Japanese archipelago into a battlefield, but the Japanese King intervened too early, so we were unable to do so, which is regrettable.”

At Yi Sun-sin’s words, Yi Ju and the ministers nodded slightly.

‘Indeed, this deviates greatly from the principles that the sages have spoken of so often.’

-In any case, through this invasion operation, the terror of war has been imprinted on the Japanese people to some extent.

-And through this imprint, they will not dare to resist the Empire for about 10 years, and if we add military restrictions to that, they will not dare to do so for at least 30 years.

“30 years? Only?”

At Yi Ju’s question, Yi Sun-sin answered in a calm voice.

“30 years is enough time to forget why they suffered such a thing.”

“Ah, that’s right. Continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-I repeat, 30 years is enough time to forget. After that, those who claim injustice and resist will gain power.

-To prevent this, the Empire must subjugate Japan.”

The words ‘subjugation of Japan’ caused a great stir inside Geunjeongjeon Hall.

“Subjugation? Are you suggesting that we annex Japan?”

At the Prime Minister’s question, Yi Sun-sin shook his head.

“No. Japan and our Empire are already too different for that. The reason why there was little friction in the process of the Empire annexing Bukji and Shinji was because there were no firmly established countries in Bukji and Shinji. Both Bukji and Shinji were tribal units, so annexation was easy.”

“Didn’t the Meshica people have a country in South Shinji?”

At the Prime Minister’s point, Yi Sun-sin answered without hesitation.

“When our Empire subjugated that country, there were no people who resisted except for the Meshica people. Rather, most of them welcomed us enthusiastically and submitted to the Empire. However, the Japanese people will strongly resist.”

At Yi Sun-sin’s answer, everyone nodded their heads once again.

“So, not annexation, but subjugation…. Are you suggesting that our Empire become the suzerain state of Japan?”

“That is correct.”

At the Prime Minister and Yi Sun-sin’s answer, Yi Ju’s eyes lit up as he stroked his chin.

“Interesting. Is there more left?”

“Yes.”

“Then, continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After lightly quenching his thirst, Yi Sun-sin continued.

-In order to subjugate Japan, we must first change the Japanese people’s way of thinking to suit the Empire’s taste.

-To this end, all the officials who have worked in the Japanese court since the time of Oda Nobunaga, especially those who promoted the ‘Japanization’ movement, should be pushed out.

-After that, among those who were pushed out of power by them, those who are 친(親) [Korean word meaning ‘pro’] to the Empire should be reinstated.

-At the same time, ‘pro-Empire Japanese’ should be fostered.

-We should subtly support these pro-Empire Japanese so that they become the core of the political and business world.”

“Wait.”

At this point in the explanation, Yi Ju interjected.

“I understand the political world, but what is the reason for the business world? Even now, when we think of pro-Empire factions, we first think of the Japanese business world, don’t we?”

“What Toyotomi cited as the purpose of the war was the original copies of the Challenge Records [Diplomatic records between Korea and Japan] and the Miscellaneous Records [Records of various events and affairs] left by Emperor Yi Hyang. Those who can gain the greatest benefit from this are the Japanese merchants. In other words, Toyotomi did not decide on the Challenge Records and Miscellaneous Records solely on his own.”

“I understand what you mean. Continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-Therefore, the negotiation team should also hold the major Japanese trading houses accountable for the war and dissolve them.

-Most of the assets acquired in the process of dissolution should be distributed to the Japanese King, the reinstated politicians, and the new emerging forces to increase the number of pro-Empire factions.

-Intervene in the Japanese curriculum as well. The ‘Japanization’ and ‘Japan-centered’ education that has been going on since the time of Oda Nobunaga should be abolished, citing this war as the reason. Instead, education that emphasizes ‘Empire-friendliness’ should be implemented.

-Make the aforementioned new emerging forces 친(親) [Korean word meaning ‘pro’] with the Empire.

-Make not only those who have seized power in Japan, but also those who are challenging to seize that power, all pro-Empire factions.”

“Is that possible?”

“If we instill in the minds of the Japanese people the perception that ‘it is unconditionally beneficial to be 친(親) [Korean word meaning ‘pro’] with the Empire,’ ‘to get ahead, you must learn from the Empire,’ and ‘the Empire is a great power and Japan is a small country,’ then it will be so.”

“Hmm…. That makes sense.”

“It seems to be a pretty good plan.”

While Yi Ju and the Prime Minister were positively evaluating Yi Sun-sin’s plan, the Vice Minister of National Defense asked Yi Sun-sin.

“Can we be assured with just military restrictions? Earlier, the Admiral said that in just 30 years, they will forget why they suffered such a thing. Won’t there be those who try to rearm Japan?”

“That is correct. That is why we are involved in the Japanese curriculum.”

“Isn’t just fostering pro-Empire factions a bit weak?”

“In addition to that, we must make them ‘hate the military.'”

“Make them hate the military? How?”

At the Vice Minister of National Defense’s question, Yi Sun-sin hesitated for a moment before answering.

“There is an old saying that has been passed down in the Central Plains [historical region of China]. ‘Good iron is not used to make nails, and good men do not become soldiers.'”

“Good iron is not used to make nails, and excellent men do not become soldiers?”

“That is correct.”

-Looking at Japan now, the treatment of soldiers is good, imitating our Empire. All of this should be abolished.

-Among those who planned and directed this war, those who are skilled should be the first to be expelled from the military.

-In addition, the Japanese people should be widely informed of the actions of the Japanese army against the Empire, and the legitimacy of the Empire’s invasion should be emphasized.

-If the abolition of various benefits for soldiers and the knowledge of why this war broke out overlap, the Japanese people will gradually come to hate the military.”

“…That’s all for now.”

As Yi Sun-sin’s explanation came to an end, the Prime Minister reported to Yi Ju.

“It is considered the best plan.”

“And it is also the worst plan.”

Answering with a bitter expression, Yi Ju looked at Yi Sun-sin.

“I understand why the Admiral said that it goes against his beliefs and principles. If this plan is successfully implemented…. I don’t even want to think about it.”

At Yi Ju’s words, the Prime Minister cautiously suggested.

“The Empire-Japan Protection Treaty is considered good. We will take only that from Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s plan and devise other plans.”

At the Prime Minister’s words, Yi Ju shook his head.

“There is no need for that. Although it is a plan that greatly deviates from morality, it is the best plan if we think of the Empire. Refine Yi Sun-sin’s plan and submit it to me.”

“I obey your command!”