Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 34

Side Story 34. The Naval War of 1592 (34)

For nearly ten days, the court’s ministers and the negotiation team meticulously refined Yi Sun-sin’s strategy.

Lee Ju, after receiving the polished plan, offered a thoughtful assessment.

“Indeed… there’s a clear difference in how civil and military officials approach matters. Now I understand why Emperor Yi Do [King Sejong the Great, known for his focus on science and technology] and Emperor Yi Hyang [King Munjong, known for his brief but impactful reign] so emphasized balance between the two. When civil and military minds work together, the result is truly remarkable. I won’t forget your efforts.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

Everyone involved, including Yi Sun-sin, bowed their heads in response to Lee Ju’s praise.

“Then, proceed as planned.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Three days later, the Empire’s negotiation team arrived in Yamaguchi.

Yi Sun-sin, returning with the negotiation team, went directly to the Joint Forces Command and summoned his staff and commanders.

“Now, report on the current situation.”

“You’ve just returned from Seoul; you should rest first…”

“It’s alright.”

Yi Sun-sin raised his hand to interrupt his aide.

“During my visit to Seoul, the court dignitaries gifted me restorative medicine. Perhaps due to that, my energy is quite robust. So, let’s begin working immediately. Bring the reports.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Soon after, Yi Sun-sin began to examine the reports, which were piled high before him.

“Hmm… not bad. Hmm… this is also good. This one seems to need some improvement. And this… summon the person in charge!”

“Yes, yes?”

“Did these people… enjoy themselves a little too much while I was away in Seoul?”

“Ah, no!”

“I’ll know whether that ‘no’ comes from the heart or just the lips!”

“….”

‘The Commander has changed!’

‘He was already picky, but he’s become even more so after going to Seoul! What on earth happened in Seoul!’

‘What was that joke just now? Making such an unfunny joke at a time like this? What on earth happened in Seoul!’

* * *

While Yi Sun-sin was scrutinizing his staff and commanders at the Joint Forces Command, the negotiation team was putting the Japanese king and his officials through the wringer.

“Even considering the current situation, it is impolite to have His Majesty the King present at this meeting.”

In response to the criticism from the chief of the Japanese negotiation team, the Left Minister, Ryu Seong-ryong responded with a subtle sneer.

“The reason His Majesty the King of Japan is requested to be present is because there is something he must witness during this negotiation.”

“What is it?”

“You will know soon enough. First, here are our demands to Japan.”

At Ryu Seong-ryong’s gesture, an imperial official presented a list of demands, hung up a map, and began to explain.

“…Therefore, these are the demands of our Empire.”

“This is too much!”

No sooner had Ryu Seong-ryong finished speaking than the Japanese Left Minister, sitting across from him, raised his voice in anger.

However, Ryu Seong-ryong calmly faced the Left Minister.

“What is too much? As the saying goes, ‘the one who tied the knot must untie it.’ If you have caused trouble for the Empire, shouldn’t you take responsibility for it?”

“That’s why we arrested Toyotomi Hideyoshi and ceased fighting under a white flag!”

“Are you suggesting that only Toyotomi Hideyoshi is guilty and you are all innocent? Do you believe that makes sense?”

“What do you mean…”

“When Toyotomi planned such outrageous acts, did none of you attempt to stop him?”

“That was… Toyotomi was such a brutal man that it couldn’t be helped!”

“Looking at the ancient history of the Central Plains [China] and our Empire, there were many who risked their lives to denounce injustice. Moreover, Toyotomi was blinding the eyes and ears of the king and manipulating the government, and you simply stood by? Shouldn’t we consider you to be in league with that unjust man?”

“That’s slander! As I said before, Toyotomi was such a brutal man that it couldn’t be helped!”

At the Left Minister’s protest, Ryu Seong-ryong gestured to an official sitting behind him and whispered something.

“Here it is.”

Shortly after, Ryu Seong-ryong, after confirming the report handed over by the official, presented the document to the Left Minister.

“Check it out.”

“What is this?”

“It is a document compiled based on information obtained from Japanese military commanders captured in this war and from the front lines. It summarizes records such as the organization, size, logistics, and forced conscription of the Japanese army mobilized in this war.”

“Why is this here?”

“I repeat, examine the document in detail. Let’s say the organization and size were handled by Toyotomi and the Japanese army. But what excuse will you offer for the logistics? And how will you explain the forced conscription that followed? Do you think this was possible with only Toyotomi and the Japanese military command?”

“I say again…”

“Blindly following, tacit agreement, or active cooperation. Which phrase do you prefer?”

The Left Minister’s mouth was firmly shut at Ryu Seong-ryong’s stern words.

Ryu Seong-ryong, having silenced the Left Minister, looked at the Japanese king, Ouchi Takayo, and bowed his head politely, opening his mouth.

“The reason I impolitely requested Your Majesty’s presence is precisely because of this. The culprit who broke the peace between the two countries by starting this war is not only Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Why did the saying ‘One hand cannot clap’ come about? It is because there are those who enthusiastically supported Toyotomi’s actions, yet stand before us now and claim, ‘I am innocent.’ That is why the clauses ‘Punishment of officials in the military and government’ and ‘Establishment of a Governor-General’s Office’ are included in the demands made by our Empire. It is to help expel those who blindly followed Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s actions and allow righteous individuals to form a government and assist Your Majesty.”

“This is blatant interference in internal affairs! Your Majesty! You must never accept this!”

No sooner had Ryu Seong-ryong finished speaking than the Left Minister insisted on non-interference, claiming it was unacceptable.

Unlike the Japanese negotiation team, who could not hide their indignation, the expressions of the Imperial negotiation team, led by Ryu Seong-ryong, were relaxed.

“Interference in internal affairs… it is interference in internal affairs. But isn’t it unavoidable?”

“What! You shameless person!”

The Left Minister shouted, but Ryu Seong-ryong still maintained a cynical expression.

“Do you think our Empire is interfering in Japan’s internal affairs because we desire to? Didn’t you create this situation? If you didn’t want to see this, you should have stopped Toyotomi from doing what he was trying to do. Isn’t that so?”

“Y-yes!”

The Left Minister gritted his teeth and had no choice but to suppress his anger.

‘I am outmatched in every way to refute this guy’s words! How frustrating! It’s true that there are many officials in the current Imperial court who are as skilled in sarcasm as those during the reigns of Emperor Yi Do and Emperor Yi Hyang! Now Japan is finished!’

The Left Minister and the Japanese negotiation team went from anger to frustration.

* * *

As an aside, a strange perception had taken root in other countries regarding the Empire’s officials.

‘Competent = skilled in sarcasm.’

The ministers, trained by the sarcastic Emperor Yi Do – Sejong – and Emperor Yi Hyang, generously displayed their trained sarcastic abilities to their subordinate officials.

The emperors in their own way, and the officials in their own way, continued to hone their sarcastic abilities, generation after generation, and sarcasm became a kind of job skill.

As sarcasm became a daily routine over generations, an unspoken rule was also created.

-Do not use anything other than work as material for sarcasm.

For example, if someone started an argument by inquiring about the well-being of the other person’s parents, even those belonging to the same faction would step in and curse.

It was also because of Sejong’s orders, but if you used something other than work as material, it would turn into a life-or-death confrontation from that point on.

Whenever such a situation occurred, the emperors’ response was simple.

“Okay. All of you, hold hands and go to the records office together. The term is indefinite.”

It was an unspoken rule that naturally took hold in the process of avoiding the ‘you die, I die, we all die’ situation.

Of course, there was one exception to this rule.

The rankings of the civil service examination.

* * *

‘Toyotomi Hideyoshi! This monkey-like bastard is making our Japan suffer shame!’

While the Japanese officials participating in the negotiations were cursing Toyotomi in their hearts, Takayo opened his mouth.

“Listen to the chief negotiator of the Empire’s negotiation team.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The chief negotiator openly stated that he would interfere in Japan’s internal affairs. The Empire has long been called a nation of gentlemen, and a gentleman is said to be one who knows and keeps the Way [a moral code]. But now, the words of the chief negotiator seem to be contrary to the Way. Is that not so?”

In response to Takayo’s criticism, Ryu Seong-ryong gave an answer that was polite in tone but still full of venom in content.

“Of course, it is contrary to the Way. I apologize for saying this, but the reason we are trying to establish a Governor-General’s Office is to clear up the corruption of the current Japanese government, protect the Japanese royal family and Japan’s well-being, and maintain peace between Japan and the Empire.”

“But isn’t interference in internal affairs an overreach of the Empire’s authority? Isn’t this too much?”

“Your Majesty, I apologize for saying this, but what the Empire is trying to do is not interference in internal affairs, but supervision of internal affairs.”

“Supervision of internal affairs?”

“That is correct.”

“Shouldn’t we fill the vacant positions of those who colluded with Toyotomi Hideyoshi to manipulate the government and blinded Your Majesty’s eyes and ears?”

“That’s right.”

“It will take a long time for those who fill those vacant positions to become mature, and they will make many mistakes. The Empire is only trying to help them through the Governor-General’s Office.”

“The Empire is not trying to become Toyotomi Hideyoshi?”

At Takayo’s question, Ryu Seong-ryong replied with a strange smile.

“The Empire is not in such a difficult situation that it needs to plot against Japan.”

At that moment, everyone in the room, including Takayo, wore a miserable expression.

* * *

In the initial skirmish, Japan, whose last bit of pride was shattered, was helplessly dragged around by the Empire.

“With this, the Empire and Japan have agreed to end the war.”

The war officially ended as the Japanese national seal was stamped on the armistice agreement, and Yi Sun-sin and Ryu Seong-ryong’s signatures were added.

But the real deal was just beginning.

The Empire began to implement the plans it had prepared in advance, one by one.

The first step was the establishment of the ‘Governor-General’s Office.’

-Supervise the operation of Japan’s national affairs for the sake of the Japanese royal family’s well-being and peace.

The Governor-General’s Office, with Ryu Seong-ryong’s words as its slogan, was established, and Yi I was appointed as the Governor-General.

“Governor-General Yi I, I greet His Majesty the King of Japan.”

When Yi I visited the palace to pay his respects for his inauguration, Takayo welcomed him with a bright face.

“Oh! I have heard of your reputation! It is truly moving to see in person one of the most outstanding talents in the Empire!”

“You flatter me.”

Unlike the history before Hyang’s intervention, Yi I was still alive at this time.

And he was serving as the Minister of Finance. He was notorious as the ‘Second Jeon Dok’ [a historical figure known for financial acumen] (Money Maniac) and the ‘Reincarnation of Kim Jeom’ [a controversial historical figure known for accumulating wealth], but he was recognized for his sound and balanced financial policy-making and execution.

Not only his abilities as the Minister of Finance, but also the depth of his knowledge was rumored to be known even in Ming [China during the Ming Dynasty] and Japan.

Thanks to this, Takayo was pleased.

However, whether it was interference in internal affairs or supervision of internal affairs, it was difficult to be subjected to the Empire’s meddling in Japan’s national affairs.

When Takayo subtly pointed this out, Yi I replied with a gentle smile.

“Aren’t the officials of Japan also talented people? It’s just that many things have gone wrong due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s manipulation, and the Japanese officials themselves will correct this. The Governor-General’s Office will only provide a little help.”

“Will you really do that?”

“Of course, wouldn’t it be so? That’s why I expected 10 years.”

Takayo sighed in relief at Yi I’s answer.

“Hoo~. I am relieved to hear your words.”

“I will do my best.”

And Yi I faithfully kept his word.

* * *

The first thing Yi I laid his hands on was the Japanese army.

-The finances are severely insufficient due to the events caused by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Yi I, using the excuse of ‘insufficient finances,’ wielded the sword of disarmament against the Japanese army.

“Are the finances really insufficient? No matter how I look at it…”

Whenever Japanese officials expressed doubts, Yi I replied with a smile.

“Even so, I was the Minister of Finance of the Empire.”

“….”

It began with a significant reduction in various welfare policies for soldiers. It had the prerequisite of being ‘temporary,’ but the catch was that it did not specify an exact deadline.

“…Even after our Governor-General’s Office leaves Japan and Japanese officials take over again, it will take a long time for the military budget to be expanded again. Budgets are always lacking. Increasing the welfare budget for soldiers from an already insufficient budget? It’s not easy.”

Subsequently, Yi I reduced the size and weakened the Japanese army, instead strengthening the security organization.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was also providing a very good justification for this.

In the past war, when the Empire’s invasion of Japan became visible, Toyotomi increased the size of the Japanese army through forced conscription.

However, the hastily formed Japanese soldiers had low morale and poor discipline.

The Japanese army collapsed like a sandcastle in the face of the Empire’s advance, which landed in Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu, and many Japanese soldiers scattered and fled.

It was only a matter of time before these deserters turned into criminal groups.

Conversely, there were also those who deserted after refusing the Japanese king’s order to ‘raise the white flag’ and shouted for ‘fighting to the death.’

In either case, for these reasons, the internal security of Japan began to become unstable, and Yi I used this as a justification.

And this decision also brought about a result that reassured Takayo to some extent.

-Although the army has been reduced, the security organization has been expanded.

-There is absolutely no intention to weaken Japan’s military power.

—–

Author’s words.

I tried to write this episode imagining Kim Sang-joong’s image for Ryu Seong-ryong.