Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 382

382. Eastward Advancement Islands (4)

After the ‘Jinpo Fleet Disaster,’ the Joseon Navy’s primary concern while exploring the Unwol Peninsula and the east of Daeseol Island was confirming the existence of islands that could serve as stepping stones for further voyages.

The first island confirmed was Dasang Island, but it had a critical problem.

The northern region of Dongbing Port was not ideal for ship navigation, primarily due to the harsh winters.

Even beyond the length of the winters, the sea became too dangerous for ships. Every winter, not only the entrance to the port but also the sea nearby froze over. The freezing was already a major issue, exacerbated by increasingly violent waves and winds.

Therefore, the Joseon Navy needed to investigate islands further south.

However, these natural limitations made exploration difficult and slow.

But now, people claiming to be from an island 2,400 *li* [approximately 944 kilometers, a traditional Korean unit of distance] east of Jo Port had appeared.

* * *

Upon hearing the story, Go Il-nam immediately sought out the port commander.

“Commander, have you heard the report?”

Lee Hong-sik, the naval commander defending Jo Port, nodded and held up a bundle of papers.

“I just received it. Quite interesting. Take a look.”

“Thank you.”

Go Il-nam sat down and read the report.

The report was simple:

-The island the foreigners speak of is said to be 2,400 *li* east of Jo Port, as confirmed by the interpreter from Dasang Island.

-Only one of the interpreters from Dasang Island can understand the foreigners’ language. Written communication is impossible.

-The interpreter’s ability to communicate stems from his father’s experience. His father was shipwrecked at sea and lived on that island for a considerable time, learning the language while recovering. Since then, there have been exchanges every two to three years.

-The island’s population is estimated to be about 300 people.

“Hmm….”

Go Il-nam put down the report and said to Lee Hong-sik.

“May I speak with the interpreter directly?”

“You may. I will issue the order.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

After Lee Hong-sik’s order was given, Go Il-nam was able to speak with the interpreter.

As Go Il-nam entered the conference room in the headquarters building, he muttered to himself.

“The tail wags the dog….”

There were others in the conference room besides the interpreter.

First, there was a Joseon interpreter to convey Go Il-nam’s words. Although an interpreter, he could only communicate through writing. However, it was deemed inappropriate for a high-ranking official like Go Il-nam to engage in written conversations directly, so he was assigned as an intermediary.

Next, there was a resident of Unwol Peninsula who could interpret the Dasang Island interpreter’s words, a resident who could translate that resident’s words into Chinese characters, and finally, the Dasang Island interpreter himself.

Seeing the line of people sitting there, Go Il-nam smiled wryly and spoke to the Joseon interpreter.

“It must be quite challenging to work like this.”

“Is there any easy job that pays a salary? At least, now that the Samin School [a school promoting literacy and Joseon culture] is being established here and *Hangeul* [the Korean alphabet] is being disseminated, it seems it will become easier.”

“Is that so?”

The interpreter added.

“Of course, it will be hard for the children learning at the Samin School. They will have to learn Joseon language in addition to their native tongue.”

“That’s true. It would be much easier if we just made them use Joseon language.”

“If we did that, we would be called ‘rootless bastards,’ as the court said.”

Go Il-nam nodded.

* * *

The ‘language unification issue’ had been raised since the beginning of the Jurchen people’s repatriation. However, discussions began in earnest with the incorporation of the indigenous people of Daeseol Island.

“We must not force the use of Joseon language! We must use both!”

Hyang strongly advocated for the ‘concurrent use of two languages’ when faced with the issue.

“Wouldn’t that be too cumbersome?”

“That’s right. And since they have become Joseon’s people, they should use Joseon language.”

The court officials argued for the exclusive use of Joseon language, citing efficiency, but Hyang refuted them with a simple example.

“Do you want to make the repatriated foreigners ‘rootless bastards’ like the outcasts?”

“….”

Although not as pronounced as in the late Joseon period, ‘roots and origins,’ including family lineages, were strongly emphasized.

“We must let them choose, even if it takes time and reduces efficiency. Forcing them will create resistance. Taking the time on this issue is the right path.”

“But if they use a different language, it will be difficult for them to feel like Joseon people.”

“We must make them the people of Joseon, not just Joseon people. Aren’t those who are loyal to Joseon as the people of Joseon more valuable than those who sell the country as Joseon people? Think about what happened recently.”

Hyang’s point silenced the officials.

The person who tried to smuggle the artisans from Area 51 for his own and his group’s benefit was a Joseon person who had lived in this land for generations. Although the arrest failed, the Ming citizen who had won over the merchant was from Joseon.

The Joseon merchant became a traitor because of his own interests. And the Ming citizen was from Joseon but was loyal to Ming.

In the end, Sejong, who had been watching the debate between Hyang and the officials, made a decision.

“Language is the root. Losing one’s language is losing one’s roots, which is like duckweed. If that happens, they will move here and there following their own interests, so I think the Crown Prince’s words are reasonable this time.”

“We obey the command.”

Thus, even if they were repatriated to Joseon, the law was established so that they would not be forced to use only Joseon language.

According to the law, from the Jurchens to the Ainu people of Daeseol Island, foreigners who entered Joseon’s territory ‘had to learn Joseon language’ but were not forced to ‘use only Joseon language.’

They only had to learn Joseon language for the ‘convenience of administration.’

“Well, it’s accurate to see it as a trick, but we’ve secured the justification…. One way or another, this part is better than the American, Japanese, or Chinese way.”

Hyang, who was reviewing the related report, found his coffee even more bitter that day.

* * *

After learning what he wanted to know through the interpreter, Go Il-nam returned to Lee Hong-sik and reported.

“I believe it would be good to confirm the location of the island where those foreigners came from, given this opportunity.”

Lee Hong-sik nodded.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hmm….”

After pondering for a moment, Lee Hong-sik made up his mind.

“Alright! I will supply the materials needed for the voyage! And I will write and send the report to Hanyang [the capital of Joseon] on your behalf!”

“Thank you!”

Go Il-nam expressed his gratitude repeatedly, his face bright.

* * *

Thus, the Girim ship set sail eastward with the natives on board. The Girim ship, with the natives’ ships trailing behind, embarked on a long journey eastward.

“Will it be alright?”

Go Il-nam replied confidently to his deputy’s question.

“Isn’t 2,400 *li* nothing for our Girim ship?”

“That’s true, but I’m worried because it’s already entering October.”

At his deputy’s words, Go Il-nam looked up at the sky.

Looking at the increasingly gloomy sky, Go Il-nam turned to his deputy.

“Let’s focus on confirming the location of the island first. Once we confirm the island, we’ll turn the ship around immediately and return to Wonsan as quickly as possible. Then, we’ll be able to avoid the dangerous period, though it will be close.”

Thus, the Girim ship, having confirmed the location of the island to the east, returned at full speed and submitted a report.

* * *

The presenter, explaining the process by which the Girim ship discovered the island, pointed to three red dots with a pointer.

“These three places marked at the northeastern end of the map are the islands confirmed this time. If we prepare properly and choose the right time, round trips from Wonsan are easily possible.”

Kim Jeom immediately asked, “Are those islands the eastern end?”

The presenter replied, “No. The navy is predicting the possibility of other islands or land east of those islands.”

“Predicting?”

Kim Jeom’s voice and expression became sharp.

As the atmosphere of the person in charge of the budget became tense, Jo Mal-saeng immediately stepped in to defuse the situation.

“It’s a gamble, but isn’t it worth trying? It was a gamble this time too, but didn’t we get results?”

“Do you think luck will come twice in a row in a gambling game? Do you think that makes sense? It’s impossible unless it’s a rigged game!”

“Let’s be a little more positive!”

‘Ah! My mouth is itching to death!’

Hyang, watching the debate between Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng, was dying to speak.

‘If you go straight east from there, there’s a huge continent! There’s a continent full of bonanzas!’

He wanted to shout it, but he couldn’t.

Because he didn’t have any grounds to say that with confidence. When he tried to bring in the *Seo-i* [Westerners, Europeans], whom he used like licorice in a medicine cabinet, the research institute was swarming with *Seo-i*.

‘Come to think of it, is it a problem even if I discover it? Should I just block sending letters altogether?’

“…ya? Se-ja [Crown Prince]?”

“Yes? Yes! Father, did you call me?”

Hyang, who had suddenly drifted off, was startled back to reality by Sejong’s voice.

“What are you so distracted by?”

“Ah, that’s….”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang frantically searched for the best answer. After racking his brain, he found a suitable answer and replied, “It’s nothing, but I was pondering whether to disclose our Joseon’s newly discovered geographical discoveries.”

“Hmm? Let’s see….”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong and the officials began to ponder.

After a moment, Sejong nodded slightly and said, “I see…. They say this world is round, so if we keep going, we can reach the land of the *Seo-i*. If we do that, we won’t have to go around in the direction of India like now, so it would be beneficial. Especially since we don’t have to do intermediary trade in Alexandria.”

Kim Jeom’s face brightened. Before he could speak, Heo Jo spoke first.

“It would be good if that were the case. But wouldn’t the *Seo-i* flock to us through the route we discovered? Haven’t we heard from Mansur how violent the *Seo-i* are? Please remember the naval battle that the countries of Spain and Portugal waged in that place called Gibraltar.”

* * *

The news about the naval battle between Spain and Portugal in the Strait of Gibraltar had reached Joseon through Mansur.

At the time, Sejong and the officials who heard the news clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

“They try to solve everything with force! How immoral they are!”

* * *

Jo Mal-saeng immediately countered Heo Jo’s words.

“That’s why we should secure this route! Knowing in advance and preparing can suppress disputes!”

“What about the budget? What are we going to do about the budget?”

At Heo Jo’s question, Jo Mal-saeng turned to Kim Jeom.

At the silent question, Kim Jeom replied with a troubled face. “That’s a bit…. If we do direct trade, it could give us a big profit, but there’s also the issue of military spending….”

Hyang had to try hard to suppress the words about to burst out.

‘Ah, damn it! There’s a continent there! Argh! I’m gonna die!’