Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 332

332. Those Who Wait, Those Who Move (9)

As the year Imja entered spring, Joseon once again vigorously resumed its foreign activities.

Trade ships departed for Tianzhu—specifically, the Bengal Sultanate—and ships busily traveled to and from Waeguk (Japan). Ships bustled between Dongnae and Mokpo, heading to the Joseon trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa, and towards the Iwami silver mine. It wasn’t just between Joseon and Waeguk. With large-scale cotton cultivation entrusted in the territory of the Kyushu Military Commissioner, the number of Joseon ships traveling between Ming and Waeguk also increased. These ships mainly carried rice between Ming and Waeguk. Because cotton was being cultivated on a large scale in agricultural lands where rice and other grains should have been planted, Joseon obtained the rice and grains needed in Iwami from Jiangnan in Ming and directly transported them to Waeguk.

Thanks to this, Joseon ships were a constant presence in the seas between Ming, Joseon, and Waeguk.

Records from Ming and Waeguk at the time frequently stated, ‘The sea has become like it was during the time of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla [ancient Korean kingdoms].’

Having obtained grains from the Jiangnan region of Ming, Joseon employed a clever strategy when supplying them to Waeguk.

The strategy Joseon used was not directly distributing the grains to the farmers and laborers of Kyushu Military Commissioner and Ouchi, but handing them over to the Kyushu Military Commissioner and Ouchi themselves.

Joseon did this because of Hyang’s suggestion.

* * *

When Hyang first suggested this, not only Sejong but also the ministers expressed doubts.

‘Is it really necessary to do that? It seems like doing the work twice, which contradicts what you usually say.’

‘Not only that, but if we hand it over like that, there could be leakage in the middle [loss or corruption of goods].’

While the ministers pointed out the issues with puzzled expressions, Sejong, who had been pondering Hyang’s suggestion, spoke.

‘Is it because of justification?’

Hyang immediately nodded at Sejong’s question.

‘Yes, Your Majesty. We must avoid unnecessary disputes.’

At Hyang and Sejong’s words, the ministers lowered their heads and muttered inwardly.

‘Again! It’s starting again! Riddles that only they understand!’

‘I’ve never been called stupid anywhere else, but I really feel inadequate…’

‘Ah!’

While the ministers were grumbling inwardly, Hwang Hee—who had returned for the periodic reports—exclaimed.

Naturally, not only the ministers but also Sejong and Hyang fixed their gaze on Hwang Hee.

‘Do you know the reason, Minister Hwang?’

Hwang Hee immediately replied to Sejong’s question.

‘It may be due to my foolish thoughts, but isn’t it because of the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Military Commissioner?’

‘Ah!’

Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong simultaneously exclaimed at Hwang Hee’s words. Following them, starting with Lee Maeng-gyun, the ministers nodded in succession.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Maeng-gyun immediately bowed his head to Sejong and reported.

‘I, holding the title of Minister of Foreign Affairs, failed to consider that aspect. Please, forgive my foolishness!’

‘Please forgive our foolishness!’

The ministers bowed their heads in unison, seeking forgiveness.

‘Am I going to hear that clicking of the tongue after a long time?’

‘Am I going to be told not to do things that require forgiveness?’

‘I felt like I was living because I hadn’t heard the clicking of the tongue lately…’

As if knowing the ministers’ thoughts, Sejong asked a question instead of clicking his tongue.

‘It seems like you all know the reason now, would you explain it?’

At Sejong’s command, Lee Maeng-gyun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who could be said to be in charge, immediately answered.

‘The reason is because the rulers of those places exist. If we, Joseon, directly provide the grains, they could find fault with us for ignoring them.’

Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer.

‘That is so. Perhaps that is why the Crown Prince said such a thing. Is that right?’

Hyang bowed his head and replied to Sejong’s question.

‘That is the biggest reason, but there are other reasons as well.’

‘Other reasons?’

At the words ‘other reasons,’ Sejong and the ministers perked up their ears.

‘Explain it.’

‘Yes, Father.’

After briefly quenching his thirst, Hyang immediately began to explain.

‘Even if our Joseon pays wages or provides grains as compensation, it is certain that the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Military Commissioner will collect taxes. If our Joseon deducts those taxes and then provides the grains, the farmers and workers of Waeguk will resent our Joseon.

Therefore, our Joseon must pay the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Military Commissioner, and they should distribute it to the farmers and workers.

This way, we can prepare for any complaints that may arise from the farmers and workers of Waeguk.’

‘We know that the lords of Waeguk collect taxes harshly. Naturally, the farmers and workers of Waeguk will have many complaints. And if things go wrong, those complaints may erupt. When that happens, we don’t need to take the blame.’

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation. In particular, the ministers had expressions of strong agreement.

The explosion of farmers due to harsh taxes was something they had already experienced at the end of the previous dynasty (Goryeo).

Observing the reactions of the ministers, Hyang continued.

‘The reason we must do as above is because we need to sell our Joseon goods to the farmers and workers of Waeguk.’

Hyang’s method applied the idea of ‘Global Value Chain,’ which was popular in the 21st century.

It was an idea that refined the ‘imperialistic economic policy’ that was common until the mid-19th and 20th centuries, and it was the behavior of ancient multinational corporations that were considered to have more power than nations.

‘Let the government of the country where the factory is located take the blame, and we will appear as benevolent merchants as much as possible.’

Thanks to acting in this way, multinational corporations, which were like symbols of ‘imperialistic capitalists’ until the 20th century, were able to avoid criticism and grow even stronger.

* * *

While the ministers were nodding at Hyang’s explanation, Hwang Hee opened his mouth.

‘The Crown Prince’s words are good, but there could be problems. Among the sayings circulating in the market, there is one that goes, “The sister-in-law who tries to stop the abuse is more hated than the abusive mother-in-law.” If we do it wrong, our Joseon could become that sister-in-law.’

Hyang immediately replied to Hwang Hee’s criticism.

‘That will happen if we only pretend to stop it. We must stop it properly.’

‘You said to stop it properly? Is that possible?’

Lee Maeng-gyun joined the conversation at Hwang Hee’s question.

‘I think it’s possible. Especially for the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Military Commissioner. Especially the Daenei clan, after winning the dispute over the Soi clan last time and the joint venture of the silver mine, they are busy accepting the civilization of our Joseon. In addition, there are rumors that they are already obtaining information about taxes through our people working in the silver mine.’

‘Is that so? If so…’

Hearing Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer, Hwang Hee, who had been silent for a while and pondering this and that, reported to Sejong.

‘If we deliberate and execute it properly, I think it is possible.’

‘Is that so? What do the others think?’

At Sejong’s question, the ministers immediately answered.

‘I think what State Councilor Hwang said is reasonable.’

‘I think it is possible with the Daenei clan now.’

* * *

Through this process, Joseon did not directly pay for the grains purchased from Ming, but handed them over to Ouchi and the Kyushu Military Commissioner.

Ouchi and the Kyushu Military Commissioner, who received the grains in this way, especially the Kyushu Military Commissioner, actively strengthened their control over the farmers.

And, in the meantime, Ouchi introduced the Joseon tax system. This was not a passive decision to accept Joseon’s recommendation, but a proactive choice by Ouchi.

The background to Ouchi’s choice was largely influenced by the silver mine, as Lee Maeng-gyun said. The dissatisfaction of the Waeguk miners, who directly saw that their situation was different from that of the Joseon miners working in the silver mine, grew.

‘The wages are what the Joseon miners receive from Joseon, but why is the tax like this! The Joseon people who receive more pay less!’

‘We want to receive bonuses too!’

Mochiyo, after confirming the complaints of the Waeguk miners, immediately called his subordinates.

‘We must show those arrogant bastards what’s what!’

‘That’s right. If we cut off the heads of the most arrogant ones, they will quiet down!’

Seeing the murderous atmosphere as if they were about to go out and start a sword fight, An Sang-taek intervened.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to listen to what they have to say?’

‘What?’

‘Shut your mouth!’

Mochiyo’s subordinates flared up and raised their voices at An Sang-taek’s intervention.

‘Stop!’

Mochiyo, who restrained his subordinates, glared at An Sang-taek and opened his mouth.

‘Why?’

Mochiyo suppressed his anger and asked An Sang-taek for the reason. It was because he remembered what Morimi had told him when he entrusted him with the task.

‘Don’t take the words of the Joseon people lightly, even if they are passing jokes! If there is anything to take from them, you must take it! No matter what the cost!’

An Sang-taek immediately answered Mochiyo’s question.

‘Because our Joseon has experienced it too.’

‘Huh?’

‘Do you think that our Joseon has had bumper crops every year and the people are living well simply because there have been no droughts or floods?’

Mochiyo’s face became serious at An Sang-taek’s point.

He also had rumors he had heard so far. When he was very young, there were rumors that Joseon across the sea was constantly suffering from famine and there was nothing more to exploit.

However, about 10 years ago, the rumors coming from Joseon began to change.

‘Joseon is changing!’

‘Wealth is increasing in Joseon!’

And now, although it is with his lord, Joseon is leading the Iwami Silver Mine.

In the end, Mochiyo came to a conclusion.

‘I will report to my lord.’

That was why Morimi, who received the report, immediately sent an envoy to Joseon to request advice on tax policies.

‘Lowering the tax rate instead encourages motivation and ultimately collects more taxes…’

Morimi, muttering about the direction of Joseon’s tax policy, made a decision.

‘Introduce the Joseon tax policy!’

That was how the Ouchi territory came to have a tax policy that was clearly different from other territories.

Overall, the tax rate was significantly lowered, and all sorts of miscellaneous taxes were abolished. Instead, progressive taxes were applied based on income and property, and the concept of value-added tax was applied.

And, the concept of ‘bonuses’ began to be applied in various places, including the silver mine.

Later, Japanese historians would say that Morimi’s decision was ‘a decision that changed the history of Japan.’

* * *

As maritime traffic between Joseon, Ming, and Waeguk became active in this way, a common phenomenon began to occur in all three countries.

-There is a shortage of ships!

Although pirates had decreased due to the active activities of the Joseon Navy, pirates were rampant even if they slightly deviated from the area protected by the Joseon Navy.

The situation was that the ships that continued to be lost to pirates, the ships that were lost due to storms or grounding, and the ships that had to be dismantled due to severe aging due to continuous movement exceeded the supply.

Thanks to this, shipyards in the three countries were working hard to build ships.

* * *

‘In order to solve the problem of ship shortages, we must establish a shipyard in the northern bay discovered during the last exploration voyage!’

When not only the Ministry of National Defense but also the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of General Affairs made the same claim, Sejong summarized the situation.

‘Would the port of that bay, named Dongbing Port (Winter Ice Port), be suitable for building a shipyard since it freezes even in winter?’

‘It is sufficient!’

‘There are dense forests in the vicinity, making it easy to obtain the timber needed for construction. Even if we only work during the thawing season, it will be enough to do its part!’

Sejong, after listening to the ministers’ words, eventually accepted their wishes.