Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 416

Similar stories were unfolding within Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, used for important state functions].

“I heard the Emperor’s purge was truly immense.”

“Indeed, it is.”

“According to rumors and information, starting with the execution of four Regional Military Commissioners and their ten generations, the three generations of all those involved in this corruption have met their demise.”

Upon hearing the reports from his ministers, Sejong inquired about the number of victims.

“Then, how many have died in total?”

Lee Maeng-gyun cautiously responded to Sejong’s question.

“At least 200,000….”

“200,000! Are you certain!”

“It is only a rumor, so there may be some exaggeration, but the analysis suggests it is quite close to that number.”

“200,000…. That is concerning. If the Ming Dynasty’s defense and governance falter, our Joseon will inevitably suffer adverse effects as well….”

Many ministers nodded in agreement with Sejong’s concern.

* * *

In any case, Ming was the greatest military power in Northeast Asia. Although its focus had shifted towards trade-centered diplomacy under the reign of Emperor Xuande, rather than military projection, any nation that incurred Ming’s serious attention would be thrown into despair.

Of course, groups like the Northern Yuan and the Jurchens had troubled Ming. However, the Jurchens in the Liaoxi region were already under Ming’s control, and the Northern Yuan were gradually becoming subordinate to Ming economically through the trade posts established by Emperor Xuande.

However, if a large number of military commanders disappeared, the situation could change again, and Sejong and his ministers were concerned about this.

* * *

“Unexpectedly, the possibility of military instability may not be that high, Your Majesty.”

Amidst the concerns, Jo Mal-saeng offered an unexpected opinion.

“Why is that?”

To Sejong’s question, Jo Mal-saeng simply replied,

“Because the Jinyiwei [the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a secret police force] remains intact, Your Majesty.”

Sejong nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s answer.

“Ah! I had forgotten about them. They are still intact.”

Following Jo Mal-saeng and Sejong’s words, Hwang Hee also joined the conversation with a relieved expression.

“That is a relief. It is fortunate that the Jinyiwei remains 건재 [geonjae – firmly established/in good shape].”

As Jo Mal-saeng, Sejong, and Hwang Hee nodded with expressions only they understood, Lee Maeng-gyun interjected.

“Minister Jo, could you explain in more detail? I am not familiar with military matters.”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s words, Jo Mal-saeng explained in more detail.

“Looking at how the current Ming Emperor uses his military, the Jinyiwei, especially the Grand Commanders and the Artillery Guard, are the main forces.”

“The duties of the armies stationed in the provinces are as follows: First, they are responsible for defending against foreign invasions, and second, they are responsible for supporting the main forces and supplying them.”

“Fortresses have already been built in major military strongholds. Even inexperienced commanders should be able to properly carry out defensive battles by relying on the fortresses.”

“…Of course, there are sometimes incompetent individuals who cannot even do this properly.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who had been nodding at Jo Mal-saeng’s explanation, raised an objection.

“But isn’t the current situation one where the vacancies created by the great purge have been filled hastily? Would there have been proper verification? If groups like the Northern Yuan were to exploit this and engage in subversive activities, wouldn’t the problem escalate?”

“I repeat, as long as the Jinyiwei holds firm, major incidents will be difficult to occur. And….”

After taking a brief pause, Jo Mal-saeng continued.

“If there is a leader in the Northern Yuan with any sense, they will not provoke Ming for at least ten years.”

“Why?”

Kim Jeom, who had been listening to the conversation, interjected at Lee Maeng-gyun’s question.

“As Minister Jo said, most of those who have filled the vacancies are inexperienced. Moreover, as Minister Lee said, they have not been properly vetted. Therefore, provoking them unnecessarily and giving them the opportunity to gain experience and verify their abilities would be the greatest act of aiding the enemy, would it not?”

“Ah….”

Lee Maeng-gyun, who had been nodding at Kim Jeom’s answer, muttered with a face full of regret.

“The problem is that there is no such leader in the Northern Yuan right now. Although there is the Oirat….”

Everyone present nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s words.

After being driven back north by Ming, the Khans did not possess the strength of their ancestors. And that power vacuum was gradually being filled by the Oirat, but complete control was still a distant prospect. Therefore, many of the Northern Yuan tribes were likely to focus on immediate, small gains rather than taking a long-term view.

This ongoing discussion was eventually brought to a close by Sejong.

“We must take the events in Ming as a lesson and be vigilant ourselves. Ming can quickly fill large gaps because they have many people, but we cannot. Such an event should only happen once.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers bowed their heads in unison and replied.

“We will engrave it in our hearts and act accordingly!”

Sweat was already forming on the foreheads of the ministers as they answered in unison.

The ‘such an event’ that Sejong mentioned referred to the Gi-yu Rebellion.

The number of those who participated in the rebellion and died on the battlefield or were later executed in the execution grounds easily exceeded tens of thousands.

If one were to count those who were dragged away as 관노 [gwan-no – government slaves] because they were young or female, and those who died opposing the rebellion, the number would increase even further.

It was no exaggeration to call the Gi-yu Rebellion a ‘tragedy that dried up the lineage of the gentry in the three southern provinces.’

And the aftermath was by no means light. Sejong’s power was absolutely strengthened, but there was a shortage of talent to supply the ever-increasing bureaucracy. Although the doors were opened to 서얼 [seo-eol – children of concubines] and those from the Northwest, who had previously been restricted from entering government service, as well as to women, the manpower shortage was not easily resolved.

Whenever these problems arose, those in charge of practical affairs sighed and grumbled.

“Hoo~. It could have been easy if we wanted to go the easy way. But His Majesty would never do that, would he?”

As the practitioners said, Sejong opened the doors, but did not lower the threshold. Therefore, many people still had to drink the cup of failure, and government agencies across the country, including Hanseong [old name for Seoul], could not escape the hell of overtime. Except for one place: the soldiers on the front lines.

‘The only places where everything, from people to supplies, was filled with the best’ were the border areas and the units that roamed the seas.

* * *

Contrary to the expectations of Sejong and the people of Joseon, this great purge was a major hemorrhage for the Ming Dynasty as well.

Blood flowed from all directions, not only in the military but also among administrative officials and even the eunuch organizations. Anyone even slightly involved in corruption was executed.

In particular, Emperor Xuande personally attended the interrogations and conducted investigations within the Forbidden City in Beijing.

“Who but I can properly oversee the eunuchs, the Jinyiwei, the Cabinet, and the court!”

Having declared this, Emperor Xuande thoroughly searched the interior of the Forbidden City and uncovered corruption.

Because Emperor Xuande took the lead in this way, dozens, even hundreds, of heads were cut off every day in Beijing and hung on 창대 [changdae – a display rack for public execution].

As a result of such a large-scale purge, an administrative vacuum occurred throughout the empire, and the largest civil service examination in history was held to fill it. However, unlike Joseon, instead of expanding the doors, the threshold was greatly lowered.

Through that examination, tens of thousands of new talents flowed into Ming’s administrative organization.

“It will take quite some time for them to earn their keep….”

Those who survived the purge lamented the dark future, but there was nothing they could do.

However, the biggest victim was Emperor Xuande, who had initiated the events.

Although he had filled the gaps, the situation where experienced personnel who could control the work had greatly decreased presented Emperor Xuande with murderous overwork.

Emperor Xuande, who had to handle most of the affairs coming from all regions of the vast empire directly, soon had to share power.

However, before sharing power, Emperor Xuande had to take precautionary measures.

* * *

First, he laid his hands on the eunuch organization.

First, he strengthened the Inner Writing Academy. He increased its size from the initial 300 to 1,000, and those produced here would take on the core of the eunuch organization.

The problem was not just increasing the size. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 were admitted and, for the first three years, were made to instill only absolute loyalty to the emperor in their minds.

The reason this was possible was that those in charge of education were eunuchs who had survived the purge and had absolute loyalty to the emperor.

Then, following the Eastern Depot, the Western Depot was created to have them monitor each other, as well as oversee the monitoring of officials.

The task of monitoring was not only given to the Eastern and Western Depots. The Censorate, a traditional monitoring organization, also had its size and capabilities strengthened. In addition, a monitoring organization called 찰위 [chalwi – Inspector] was created within the Jinyiwei.

As a result, these four organizations monitored each other, overseeing the entire administrative organization of Ming. And the one holding the leashes of these fierce hunting dogs was Emperor Xuande.

As long as Emperor Xuande held the leashes and the food, these four monitoring organizations would show absolute loyalty to Emperor Xuande and bare their teeth at others.

* * *

Having these hunting dogs in his hands, Emperor Xuande finally shared power.

No, he did not share power, but rather divided the workload.

He largely transferred most of the approval rights for various tasks that had been pouring in to him to the Cabinet.

Of course, he made it clear that he would handle matters related to the budget, including taxation, diplomacy, and national defense, until the end.

And the tasks handed over to the Cabinet were not just for reporting.

The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the officials of the Six Ministries could only make decisions through meetings held in the presence of Emperor Xuande.

He divided power, but he did not hand over everything until the end.

* * *

The biggest victim of this great purge and subsequent handling was, without a doubt, the military.

Emperor Xuande summoned those who were entering the vacant positions to the Forbidden City and declared firmly.

“What I want from you is simple! Loyalty and integrity to me! That is all! Speaking of military matters, I will never initiate a conquest first, so you must focus only on defense! Do not seek unnecessary military achievements! The best defense will be the greatest merit!”

At Emperor Xuande’s firm command, the newly appointed commanders shouted loudly.

“We will follow the imperial decree! Long live, long live, long long live!”

Having declared ‘defense emphasis’ and emphasized loyalty and integrity, Emperor Xuande did not fully trust the military.

Not yet dispelling his distrust of the military, Emperor Xuande established a position to check them.

This was the position called ‘감충관 (Inspector of Loyalty).’

They moved with the commanders of each unit, monitoring their every move.

The tasks they were assigned were as follows:

-Is the commander’s loyalty unwavering?

-Is he doing his best in commanding the unit?

-Does he always look after supplies to ensure that there are no difficulties in unit operations and maintaining the morale of the soldiers?

-Does he avoid seeking unnecessary military achievements and trying to wage useless battles?

-Conversely, does he avoid battles unconditionally, causing damage to the empire’s territory and people?

The Inspector of Loyalty examined these items and reported to the higher-ups, and the commanders’ personnel evaluations were determined based on their reports.

Separately from this, the military was largely divided into two organizations.

One was the general Ming army, symbolized by the Five Armies Headquarters, and the other was the Jinyiwei.

The Jinyiwei, which started as a guard force defending the Forbidden City, was being given offensive missions by Emperor Xuande, starting with the active protection of the trade posts created in the border area with the Northern Yuan.

And, due to the aftermath of the purge, the core of the military was being transferred from the Five Armies Headquarters to the Jinyiwei.

In other words, political power was being transferred from the Five Armies Headquarters to the Jinyiwei.