Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 435

435. The Night of Betrayal – The Beginning of Chaos (3)

Joseon’s establishment of trading posts in Waegu (Japan) was not solely for monetary gain.

– To acquire information about the other country through the trading posts and to build a network of influential figures favorable to Joseon.

This was the reason Joseon established trading posts in both Ming China and Waegu.

To realize these objectives, Joseon set up trading posts in Naniwa and Nagato in Waegu.

The trading post in Naniwa dealt with the shogunate in Kyoto and the lords of the Kanto region, while the one in Nagato aimed to monitor the Ouchi clan and to win over and oversee the lords of the Kansai region.

Lastly, the monopoly office established in the territory of the Kyushu *tamje* (探題, regional commissioner or investigator) was conducting similar activities targeting the lords of the Shibukawa and Kyushu areas.

And in April of the 20th year of King Sejong (1438, Muo Year), Joseon was able to obtain a very significant achievement.

It was the completion of the ‘Complete Map of Waegu (倭國全圖).’

* * *

Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, a map of Waegu had been completed in the same year.

In 1400, Bak Don-ji, a *geomgyo chamchan* (檢校參贊, honorary Deputy Minister) in the Uijeongbu (State Council), obtained a map while on a mission to Waegu.

In 1419, Heo Jo received it and presented it to King Sejong. However, it was so detailed that it was difficult to discern properly. Therefore, in 1434, King Sejong ordered the Dohwawon (Royal Bureau of Painting) to revise and recreate it, and the map was completed four years later.

However, with Hyang’s intervention, the fate of this map also changed.

* * *

Although it was based on the map obtained by Bak Don-ji, its accuracy was even higher.

In particular, the topography and geography of the areas bordering Joseon were improved in accuracy through the observations of the navy.

Of course, the *Waegu* lords in those areas expressed their displeasure regarding this.

“Well, in a way, it could be seen as the 15th-century reverse version of the ‘Un’yo Incident’….”

Hyang, upon hearing the story, assessed it this way, as the Joseon navy conducted surveys very close to the coastline.

Therefore, even Ouchi Morimi stepped forward to say it was excessive.

In response, Joseon asserted the following justification:

– The sea between Joseon and Waegu is an area frequented by many merchant ships. A well-made nautical chart is essential to avoid any possible accidents.

Joseon insisted to the end that it was a nautical chart, not a map. At the same time, they pursued a carrot-and-stick strategy.

While offering various gifts to the lords of the area to seek their understanding, the Joseon naval fleet loitered off the coast of the area.

“Recently, the activities of *Waegu* pirates and *haejok* (海賊, pirates) have suddenly increased. Therefore, we will strengthen maritime inspections.”

Saying this, the Joseon navy thoroughly searched the ships moving in the area.

If it was a trading vessel, they checked the trade permit and searched the hold for cargo. If it was a fishing boat, they searched the cabin and hold to see if any weapons were loaded. If weapons were found, the crew members were immediately detained, and the fishing boat was confiscated.

Then, Joseon immediately sent an official letter to the lord of the territory to which the fishermen belonged.

– Weapons were found on a fishing boat belonging to your territory. Can you guarantee that they are fishermen and not *Waegu* pirates?

In the end, the *Waegu* lords had to be content with receiving gifts from Joseon.

And the gifts were quite good.

The Joseon navy presented them with a nautical chart that accurately recorded the coastal terrain of the area.

This was quite useful for the lords, so the complaints subsided easily.

Here, another trick of Joseon—specifically, Hyang—was hidden.

The nautical charts given to the lords only recorded their area. The coasts of the lords to the left and right were not recorded at all; it was only half a finished product.

“Isn’t there a possibility that the lords might try to match the maps together?”

During the implementation of the plan, when someone pointed this out, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward to answer in place of Hyang.

“That will never happen. I have never heard that the *Waegu* lords are on good terms with each other.”

“Ah….”

Thus, while the navy recorded the coastline of the areas bordering Joseon, the trading posts played a significant role in mapping the interior.

The officials at the trading posts in Nagato and Naniwa, and the monopoly office in Kyushu, obtained maps through various means.

“Merchants from territories I’ve never even heard of are still coming, and I can’t tell if they’re real or fake.”

The officials and merchants at the trading posts and monopoly office complained to the *Waegu* merchants and officials they had formed relationships with.

“Territory? Are you talking about *Kuni* (國, provinces)? Well, there are quite a few *Kuni* in *Waegu*.”

“That’s why I’m asking if you can get me a gazetteer or a map.”

In this way, while offering humanistic complaints and small gifts, when they obtained gazetteers and maps, the officials and merchants immediately began to copy them.

There was also the mission to send them to Joseon, but they also needed them for themselves.

And, with the information gathered in that way, the finished product came out two months later compared to the history before Hyang’s intervention.

And its accuracy, easy readability, and usefulness were beyond comparison.

* * *

Because Joseon had put so much effort into collecting information about *Waegu*, they already knew that the Ouchi clan had ambitions.

“Does it seem like the Ouchi clan is going to start something this time?”

At King Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward to answer.

“It does not seem so. This is because the damage to Ashikaga Yoshinori, the shogun of the shogunate, was not significant even though they fought a battle. In addition, when dealing with Ashikaga Mochiuji, who started the rebellion, Ashikaga Yoshinori used the justification of being an ‘enemy of the court.’ Although the Ouchi clan has become stronger, it is too much for them to take on the entire *Waegu*.”

King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s detailed analysis of the situation. While listening to Lee Maeng-gyun’s story, Hwang Hee, who was doing various calculations, asked Lee Maeng-gyun.

“So, as long as Ashikaga Yoshinori is holding out, you don’t think the Ouchi clan will be the first to raise arms?”

“That is the most likely possibility.”

“The problem is whether someone with the power of the Ouchi clan will be able to endure and persevere well.”

Hwang Hee, considering the risk factors while listening to Lee Maeng-gyun’s words, reported to King Sejong.

“If we are not careful, our Joseon may also get involved, so it would be good to tell the Ouchi clan to exercise self-restraint.”

Lee Maeng-gyun immediately raised an objection to Hwang Hee’s words.

“If we do that, the Ouchi clan will know that we are monitoring them. Only strengthening the border is the best course of action.”

“I think the Ouchi clan already knows to some extent?”

“Wouldn’t the attitude of responding be different between knowing to some extent and being certain?”

At Lee Maeng-gyun’s objection, Hwang Hee closed his mouth and pondered. The other ministers who were listening to the story also pondered which of Hwang Hee’s and Lee Maeng-gyun’s opinions would benefit Joseon.

As silence continued, King Sejong opened his mouth.

“If the reports I have received are accurate, the ambition to scheme against *Waegu* is not only the will of Ouchi Shigenori, who is currently leading the Ouchi clan. It was said to be the will of the past leaders who led the Ouchi clan. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

After hearing Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer, King Sejong closed his mouth again and pondered. King Sejong, nodding to himself and contemplating, opened his mouth.

“If it is someone who has inherited an ambition that has been held for generations, they may be able to endure a little longer. If there are no unforeseen events.”

“If there are no unforeseen events?”

At Hwang Hee’s question, King Sejong asked another question.

“I heard that Ashikaga Yoshinori, who is leading the shogunate in *Waegu*, has a very bad temper. Is that correct?”

“Yes, he is a cruel man who rules only with fear and force, neither *wangdo* (王道, righteous path) nor *paedo* (覇道, hegemonic path).”

“Then, the shogunate must have lost a lot of public support?”

“That is correct.”

King Sejong concluded in response to Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer.

“If Ashikaga Yoshinori suffers an unexpected event, that will be when the Ouchi clan starts something.”

Lee Maeng-gyun took the words at King Sejong’s conclusion.

“That would be the most reasonable, but the question is whether such a thing can happen. Ashikaga Yoshinori maintains a powerful personal guard called *bonggongjung* (奉公衆, Hokoshu [shogunal guard]).”

“It’s not an external problem, but an internal one. As far as I know, even his close aides are only watching his every move. Therefore, there is a high possibility that he will be ambushed someday, isn’t there?”

The ministers nodded at King Sejong’s words.

“Indeed….”

“Looking at history….”

Looking at past history, there were many cases where ministers or close aides, unable to endure the tyranny of the monarch, harmed their lord.

King Sejong added more details to his conclusion.

“According to the report I received, Ashikaga Yoshinori tried to kill all the members of Ashikaga Mochiuji’s family, but some escaped. If we infer from the character of the *Waegu* people and the character of Ashikaga Yoshinori, those who survived will continue to revolt for survival, and Ashikaga Yoshinori will cruelly deal with them. The more cruelly he behaves, the more dangerous it will be for his close aides, and the higher the possibility that someone will carry out an ambush. If Ashikaga Yoshinori disappears in that way, what will happen to the shogunate?”

Hwang Hee stepped forward to answer King Sejong’s question.

“The families who assist the shogun of the shogunate will consult and elect the next shogun. As far as I know, Ashikaga Yoshinori has a legitimate son, but I know that he is still a child.”

King Sejong immediately took the words at Hwang Hee’s answer.

“If that happens, a regency will surely follow, and the Ouchi clan will seize the *myungbun* (名分, justification).”

Having foreseen that far, King Sejong ordered the ministers.

“For the time being, strengthen only the border. If we move rashly, the situation in *Waegu* may deviate from expectations. Therefore, our Joseon must take a *jungjungdong* (靜中動, stillness in motion) stance.”

“We obey your command!”

Listening to the ministers’ answers, King Sejong added an order.

“If the Ouchi clan raises arms and the entire *Waegu* falls into chaos, it may take a long time until a conclusion is reached. During that time, devise a way for our Joseon to benefit.”

“We obey your command!”

And the situation was unfolding as King Sejong had predicted.

* * *

Ano Maru and Shun’o Maru, the sons of Mochiuji who escaped Yoshinori’s massacre, led the surviving subordinates and joined the Yuki family.

The Yuki family, who joined the brothers, soon raised arms and rebelled against the shogunate.

The reason the Yuki family rebelled against the shogunate was to seat their own children in the vacant position of Kamakuradono.

– We cannot bring outsiders into the land of Kanto (關東)! [The Kanto region is the area surrounding modern-day Tokyo.]

This was the reason the Yuki family raised arms.

When the rebellion occurred again, Yoshinori ordered Norizane, who was in seclusion, to suppress it.

However, not only Norizane but also the lords of the Kanto region refused en masse. The reason was that they had not recovered from the damage caused by the previous expedition, but they also did not want Yoshinori’s children to sit in Kamakuradono.

In the end, Yoshinori had to mobilize a large number of his personal guards.

After a protracted siege, the situation was concluded with the defeat of the rebels in the 21st year of King Sejong (1439, Gimi Year).

The Yuki family died in battle or committed suicide, leaving only the youngest, and the brothers Ano Maru and Shun’o Maru were beheaded while being transported to Kyoto.

However, the problem of Kamakuradono still had embers left, which scratched Yoshinori’s *shimsa* (心事, heart/feelings). Anyway, Yoshinori’s power was further strengthened by suppressing this rebellion.

And his *pokju* (暴走, reckless behavior) accelerated further. As his *pokju* (暴走, reckless behavior) continued, increasingly *bulan* (不安, uneasy) days continued in Kyoto.