Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 414

“Stop!”

The heated debate, as loud as a clearance sale at a general store, was instantly silenced by Sejong’s shout.

As the ministers quieted down, Sejong summarized the situation.

“The Minister of National Defense’s opinion is valid, but there is a problem. It is a matter of justification. Using the Gatling gun as justification for using force against Tsushima is too weak.”

Sejong’s words were met with nods from the opposing ministers, including Hwang Hee.

However, the pro-conquest ministers, including Jo Mal-saeng, continued to emphasize the necessity of the subjugation.

“Justification is important, but this is the best opportunity to minimize damage to our Joseon and eliminate the threat!”

“We can secure justification by using the Kyushu Commissioner!”

* * *

As a preliminary step for the Tsushima conquest, Joseon began to build a case against Japan.

It wasn’t just Joseon and Ming that suffered from the Wokou pirates [Japanese pirates]. Even Japanese lords were suffering due to the turbulent times of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

Thanks to this, Joseon was able to persuade the lords who were friendly to Joseon.

-Tsushima is subordinate to our Joseon, but it has turned into a den of Wokou pirates, so we intend to subjugate it.

As a result, the Kyushu Commissioner requested this of Joseon.

“The Wokou pirates are enemies (賊人, *zokujin*, bandits) to our Japan as well, so we request that you subjugate them.”

Taking the Kyushu Commissioner’s official ‘request’ as justification, Joseon prepared to conquer Tsushima. (Note 1)

* * *

When the pro-conquest ministers mentioned using the Kyushu Commissioner, Hwang Hee stepped forward to object.

“The reason the Kyushu Commissioner was able to provide justification back in the Gihae year [1419] was because our Joseon actually suffered damage! But what about now? Our Joseon has not suffered any damage, and the other lords of Japan all know that our Joseon is filling the Kyushu Commissioner’s coffers! And you want to use the Kyushu Commissioner to gain justification and strike Tsushima? Are you planning to turn all of Japan, except for the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Commissioner, into enemies? No, if that happens, even the Daenei clan and the Kyushu Commissioner will turn into our enemies! Justification is not just important, it is the most important thing! Justification!”

At Hwang Hee’s words, the pro-conquest ministers busily racked their brains to find a way to counter.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”

At that moment, Sangseon announced Hyang’s visit.

“Let him in.”

With Sejong’s permission, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] and paid his respects. Sejong, having received the greeting, offered Hyang a seat and began to speak.

“What brings you here, when you should be in Area 51?”

“Yes. I heard that Your Majesty had summoned General Choi Hae-san and General Yi Cheon, and curiosity arose.”

“Is that so? It’s just as well that you’re here. Sangseon, show the Crown Prince that *hwacha* [multiple rocket launcher].”

“Yes.”

Following Sejong’s command, Sangseon opened the box and showed Hyang the problematic *hwacha*.

After carefully examining the *hwacha*, Hyang asked Sejong.

“If I’m not mistaken, it certainly looks like a Dolhwacha used by the Ming Dynasty army. What problem has this caused?”

“It is said that lords hostile to the Daenei clan are introducing this *hwacha*. And among those lords is the Soi clan on Tsushima.”

“Ah….”

Hyang’s face turned serious at Sejong’s explanation.

“Is it a leak? Or is it self-made?”

“Huh?”

Seeing that Sejong looked clueless, Hyang rose from his seat again and examined the problematic *hwacha*. After examining the *hwacha* for a long time, Hyang turned to Sejong.

“May I have the help of General Choi Hae-san and General Yi Cheon?”

“The two generals shall assist the Crown Prince.”

“Yes.”

After exchanging opinions for a long time with the *hwacha* in the middle, the three came to a conclusion.

“It is certain that this item was made in Ming. The quality is also good, and most importantly….”

Hyang pointed to the inscription engraved on the body of the *hwacha*. The inscription indicated when and where the *hwacha* was made.

Having finished the confirmation, Hyang checked some more information he needed.

After gathering some information, Hyang reported to Sejong.

“Considering the technical level of the Japanese artisans, replicated items will soon be distributed in large quantities.”

“That’s quite a problem.”

“The bigger problem is whether even the gunpowder manufacturing method has been leaked.”

“Oh, no!”

At Hyang’s point, Sejong and the ministers realized what the real serious problem was this time.

“I was thinking about the order of things wrong. How could I make such a mistake….”

Having blamed himself for his mistake, Sejong ordered Lee Maeng-gyun.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall immediately form a delegation and dispatch it to Beijing. You know the importance of the matter, so you must hurry.”

“I will do my best!”

* * *

After concluding that they would send a delegation to Ming to confirm the facts, the topic returned to the ‘Tsushima Conquest’.

“I will ask the Crown Prince.”

“Ask away.”

Sejong explained the ‘Tsushima Conquest’ that had caused a heated debate among the ministers.

“…So, Crown Prince, I am curious about your opinion. Tell me frankly, without reservation.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang closed his mouth and began to organize his thoughts. And the ministers waited for Hyang’s mouth to open, with expressions of half expectation and half worry.

After organizing his thoughts for almost a quarter of an hour (about 15 minutes), Hyang finally opened his mouth.

“First of all, I think it is impossible to conquer Tsushima right now. It is because the justification is weak, as Your Majesty said. If we forcibly conquer Tsushima with weak justification, there is too great a possibility that we will lose the political and economic foundations we are building in mainland Japan.”

At Hyang’s answer, the opposing ministers wore ‘That’s right!’ expressions.

As Hyang said, Joseon was slowly expanding its influence over all of Japan through the Joseon trading posts established in mainland Japan. The Japanese lords, who heard the news that the Ouchi clan and the Shibukawa family, the Kyushu Commissioner, were gradually accumulating wealth through trade with Joseon, were slowly approaching Joseon.

Hyang explained the situation in Japan and continued.

“…Therefore, Ashikaga Yoshinori, the head of the shogunate, is wary of our Joseon. However, if we conquer Tsushima with weak justification, Ashikaga Yoshinori will surely take this as an opportunity.”

As Hyang’s words grew longer, the opposing faction became more and more emboldened.

“And finally, with the current armament of our Joseon army, it is not easy to conquer Tsushima.”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Hyang’s words were met with expressions of doubt from all the ministers, regardless of whether they were pro or con, and this was also the case with Sejong.

“Crown Prince. I don’t understand? Looking at the previous war records, the land forces have won consecutive victories against the Jurchen tribes who caused the disturbances, and the naval forces have continued to win consecutive victories against the pirates and Wokou pirates rampaging in the sea. There are powerful weapons in our Joseon behind such victories, but it is not easy to conquer Tsushima even with such weapons? Even though it’s just a palm-sized island?”

At Sejong’s point, the ministers all nodded. However, Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon looked like they understood something.

Hyang immediately answered Sejong’s point.

“It is not easy because it *is* such a palm-sized island.”

Hyang explained what the problem was.

-The common point between Liaodong and the sea is that they are wide open spaces without obstacles. In such spaces, long-range cannons and rifles can exert their full power.

-This unobstructed space means that the firepower of *Hwacha*, especially the *Bigyeokjincheonlei* [a type of Korean rocket arrow], can be used to its full potential. In such a space, the best defense an enemy can use against a *Bigyeokjincheonle* attack is the body of a comrade.

-Also, in the plains of Liaodong, the cavalry, and at sea, the mobility of the battleships can be maximized to inflict irreparable damage on the enemy.

-However, the environment of Tsushima is the opposite of the environment of the Liaodong region and the sea. As those who have been to Tsushima know, Tsushima is mostly mountainous.

-In such mountainous terrain, it is not easy to move the most important force, the cannons.

-Of course, the naval battleships can approach the coast and support with cannons, but if the Wokou pirates go deeper into the mountains, they become useless.

-Rifles are also a problem. The trees overgrown in the mountains become the best cover for the Wokou pirates. If the person leading the Wokou pirates has any sense, he will hide between the trees and direct them to approach step by step, using the reloading time.

-Also, in such a forest, the power of the *Bigyeokjincheonle* is greatly reduced. This is because the fragments of the *Bigyeokjincheonle* are blocked by trees.

-In the end, if this situation progresses, a close combat centered on spearmen will take place. In this situation, defense is possible, but pursuit is impossible. It is physically impossible for spearmen wearing heavy armor to chase the Wokou pirates while climbing mountains. If they chase to some extent, the broadswords or spears equipped by the spearmen are difficult to use in the dense forest.

“…Because of this situation, the mountain fortresses protecting the military port in Tsushima were all built at high altitudes, and a minimum of 10 *jangs* (approximately 30m) of barren land was set outside the walls. It is written in the military books that giving up these barriers and going on the offensive is like entering a dangerous and deadly place, and should never be done.”

Hyang, who was explaining the reasons why it was impossible, ended his explanation by adding the following.

“Please review the Battle of Irogun, which we experienced in the Gihae year.”

* * *

In the Tsushima conquest that took place in the first year of Sejong [1419], the beginning was a complete victory for Joseon.

However, as the Japanese put up resistance by waging guerrilla warfare despite Joseon’s pressure, Yi Jong-mu decided to strike the place where the Wokou pirates had gathered.

The plan was to deliver a decisive blow and force the Wokou pirates to surrender.

Just in time, Yi Jong-mu received intelligence that the Wokou pirates had gathered in Irogun, and he ordered Park Sil to land in Irogun and annihilate the enemy. The problem was that the selection of this unit was not decided through proper military deliberation, but by drawing lots.

Park Sil, who received the order, decided to preempt the high ground of Irogun and proceed with an attack using the height. To this end, he encouraged the soldiers to disembark and move to the high ground.

However, the Wokou pirates had already seized the key points and were preparing for battle.

The Joseon army, which was only concerned with preempting the high ground and did not even form a proper battle line, was immediately plunged into a melee. As officers such as Joseon army commanders Park Hong-shin, Park Mu-yang, Kim Hae, and Kim Hee were killed in action amidst the melee, Park Sil, who was flustered, ordered a retreat. Due to the sudden retreat and the pursuit of the Wokou pirates, about 100 soldiers fell off a cliff and drowned.

Yi Soon-mong, the commander of the right army, and Kim Hyo-seong, the military commander, quickly came to the rescue and blocked the Wokou pirates, but the damage to the Joseon army was enormous.

It was a battle in which about 180 soldiers were killed, including the drowned soldiers.

In addition, the central army under Yi Jong-mu did not intervene in the battle, and all of these things came together to become grounds for impeaching Yi Jong-mu later. (Note 1)

* * *

As the ‘Battle of Irogun’, which could be seen as a painful memory for the Joseon army, was brought up, the faces of Jo Mal-saeng and the Ministry of National Defense officials turned sour.

However, as even Hyang, who could be seen as the Joseon army’s most reliable supporter, expressed his opposition, the ‘Second Tsushima Conquest’ lost its momentum.

“Hmm, so does the Crown Prince think that the Tsushima Conquest is impossible?”

“No. Tsushima’s location is like a dagger aimed at our Joseon’s chin, so our Joseon must get it. However, impromptu plans like this one are absolutely not allowed. We must thoroughly investigate the terrain and environment of Tsushima, and the habits of those who live in Tsushima, create tactics that suit them, and then move. The current tactics of the Joseon army are suitable for the Liaodong region in terms of offense, and the rest are defensive in nature. Therefore, we must devise suitable tactics.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s answer and turned to look at Jo Mal-saeng.

“Does the Minister of National Defense know what to do?”

“I will immediately form a team and begin research.”

Sejong, having heard Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, summarized the situation again.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall immediately form a delegation and send it to Beijing, and the Ministry of National Defense shall devise customized tactics suitable for the geography around Joseon, starting with Tsushima. And, Crown Prince….”

Sejong, who was contemplating for a moment, continued.

“Since gunpowder weapons have spread even to the Japanese, we need firearms with better performance than the ones we are currently using. Research this.”

“Yes, Father.”

“However, with a minimum budget.”

“…Yes.”

* * *

Note 1) Military Strategy in the Joseon Dynasty. Tsushima Conquest Edition. Military History Compilation Research Institute, Ministry of National Defense.