Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 437

437. The Night of Betrayal – The Beginning of Chaos (5)

Emperor Go-Hana no Zo’s less-than-enthusiastic performance of his duties had a reason.

Yoshinori had been deeply involved in the succession process after the death of the previous Emperor, Shoko.

As a result, Hosokawa Mochiyuki had to plead for imperial decrees daily while simultaneously showering the court nobles (Kuge) with bribes.

Thus, in the first month of Eikyo 13 (the 22nd year of King Sejong, 1440, Gyeongshin year), he was able to obtain the decrees.

And during that time, Yoshinori’s successor as Shogun was decided.

It was Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, Yoshinori’s legitimate son.

And this choice harbored another seed of trouble. The age of Yoshikatsu, who was recommended as Shogun, was only six years old.

Therefore, it was tentatively concluded that Hosokawa Mochiyuki would serve as regent for the time being.

* * *

Ouchi Morimi was receiving reports on all of these situations through his agents planted in Kyoto.

After receiving and confirming the information about the establishment of the new Shogun, Morimi chuckled and muttered.

“He even created the term ‘Terror for All,’ but in the end, it has become a fleeting dream.”

Morimi, who mocked the collapse of the Shogun’s direct rule system with Yoshinori’s death and the beginning of Hosokawa’s regency, turned to look at the retainers seated in their places.

“When do you think the shogunate will mobilize its troops?”

“It is currently winter, so they cannot move the army. They will move as soon as spring arrives.”

“I see. Then… what should we do?”

“We must mobilize our troops!”

“The opportunity has finally come!”

At Morimi’s question, the retainers from military backgrounds raised their voices in unison, advocating for mobilization.

“The Shogun who committed tyranny has been assassinated. This is truly divine punishment! Now that it is said that the Shogun has received divine punishment, the current shogunate has no legitimacy! Raise your banners!”

“Raise your banners!”

The veteran warriors who had been with the Ouchi family for a long time immediately insisted on raising an army.

“It is not yet time!”

“That’s right! Now is the time to observe!”

At that moment, voices of opposition rang out. Unlike those who advocated for military action, the voices of those who opposed were very young.

Morimi looked at those who were voicing their opposition.

Those who opposed were, on average, young men in their mid to late twenties. They were from the first and second classes of those who had studied in Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] and returned after learning practical skills—or rather, forced labor.

Morimi showed curiosity at the arguments of the veterans and the young men who expressed their opposition.

“Hoh? Why is that?”

“The assassination of the Shogun is fitting of divine punishment. However, it is not enough to mobilize troops with just this as justification.”

“Not enough with just that?”

“Ha! That’s right! The unity of the forces that make up the shogunate is still strong. Mobilizing troops in the current state will do more harm than good! It is right to observe a little more!”

When the Joseon scholars argued for observation, the veterans questioned them.

“How much longer do we have to wait? Now is the right time. The new Shogun is literally a babe in arms and a puppet. Who would follow such a Shogun?”

“Because he is a babe in arms and a puppet, we only need to be patient a little longer! If we are patient, he will create his own justification! If we are patient, the public sentiment will also be ours!”

“Hmm?”

Morimi and the veterans all expressed doubt at the Joseon scholars’ argument.

The Joseon scholars explained in more detail why they had to wait.

-The regency will continue for quite a long time until the Shogun comes of age.

-As the regency period lengthens, discord will arise among the three Kanrei families [high-ranking shogunate officials], and the Shogun’s status will plummet.

-If this happens, public sentiment will naturally turn away from the shogunate, and the Emperor’s court will also withdraw its support for the shogunate.

-That is the time to raise arms.

Having explained this far, the Joseon scholars concluded as follows.

“Looking at our current situation, our lord’s insight is shining, and we are becoming increasingly prosperous. The people are growing fat, and the soldiers have become strong. And the people of other territories cannot hide their envy of our territory. If we wait a little longer and gain justification, the next steps will proceed more easily.”

“Hmm….”

Morimi, pondering the words of the scholars, turned to look at the veterans.

“What do you think?”

At Morimi’s question, the veterans, who had been carefully considering, began to speak one by one.

“Having waited this long, it seems there would be no harm in waiting a little longer.”

“Even if it is a guaranteed victory, it is better to win with less damage.”

When the veterans also agreed with the scholars’ opinions, Morimi came to a conclusion.

“Alright, let’s be patient and bide our time for the time being.”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

That evening, Morimi spent time alone with Mochiyo.

With his hands behind his back, Morimi opened his mouth as he looked at the garden illuminated by the moonlight.

“Mochiyo.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“What did you think of the young ones today?”

“They seemed very thoughtful.”

At Mochiyo’s words, Morimi nodded and continued.

“You saw well. It was worth sending them to study in Joseon. I was horrified when they first suggested reducing taxes, though.”

* * *

The first proposal that the Joseon scholars, who had studied Confucianism in Joseon and returned well-honed under the guise of practical training, made to Morimi was to reduce taxes.

“The current tax rate is excessively high! We must lower the tax rate!”

Morimi shook his head at the suggestion of the first class of scholars.

“If we do that, we will not be able to prepare for the great undertaking!”

“It is possible! That is what we learned in Joseon!”

“Hmm? Possible, you say?”

“We will stake our lives on it!”

Through the tax reform that was carried out in this way, Ouchi reduced the taxes of the people belonging to the territory.

However, this was, in some ways, close to a trick. It seemed like the burden was reduced by lowering the tax rate, but the empty holes were filled using the monopoly system and value-added tax.

The people enthusiastically welcomed the tax reduction. They thought that the monopoly goods and value-added tax would not be a big blow if they reduced consumption, so overall, they thought that taxes had decreased.

However, the cunning of the scholars, who had become worn out managers through the forced labor they had experienced in Joseon, was even greater than that.

In the end, the Ouchi territory was carrying out the most active economic activity in the entire Wa country [ancient name for Japan] and had become the wealthiest territory.

* * *

Morimi, who was reminiscing with a pleased expression, suddenly sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. Mochiyo.”

“Yes!”

“I am now very old. Perhaps you will have to complete the great undertaking in my place.”

“My lord!”

“My nephew. It is highly likely that my role was to prepare as thoroughly as those young ones. I will soon hand over the position of lord to you, so prepare yourself.”

“My lord! No, uncle! You are still strong and healthy. What are you saying?”

“I know myself well. So, prepare yourself.”

Mochiyo continued to express his refusal, but not long after, Morimi handed over the position of lord to Mochiyo.

* * *

These circumstances in Wa were also known to Joseon.

Sejong, who received information through reports sent from his superiors and envoys sent by Ouchi, exchanged opinions with his ministers.

“Seeing that Ouchi Morimi has handed over the lordship to Ouchi Mochiyo, wouldn’t it be reasonable to think that another civil war will break out in Wa country?”

Hwang Hee answered immediately to Sejong’s question.

“I cannot say for sure that it will break out right now, but there is a high possibility that a war will break out in the near future. I believe that the Ouchi clan changed the lord in order to avoid the situation where the lord is changed in the midst of a war.”

“I think so too. Then, what should our Joseon do?”

“It seems that we need to increase the scale of the naval expansion that we recently started.”

“I guess that’s the only way. Tsk!”

Sejong, who clicked his tongue with a regretful expression, still turned to look at Hwang Hee with a bright face.

“Isn’t it fortunate? Fortunately, the incident happened at a point when we are thought to have almost overcome the stagnation.”

“That’s right. Especially….”

Hwang Hee, who paused for a moment, glanced at Kim Jeom and continued.

“It is even more fortunate that those who have newly moved to their positions have become accustomed to their work.”

* * *

While the Joseon court was busy moving internally due to these events, various incidents occurred outside as well.

Incidents that some had expected and others had not.

It was an incident that would later be recorded in history as ‘The Turbulent Giminyun Year.’

The beginning of such an incident occurred in the early summer of the Giminyun year.

* * *

“Your Majesty! Urgent news has arrived from the navy!”

At the word “urgent news,” Sejong quickly received the report and examined its contents.

Sejong clicked his tongue as he examined the contents of the report.

“Tsk! What was coming has finally arrived!”

The contents of the report were simple.

-A ship sent from the country of Westerners called Portugal has appeared in Aden [port city in Yemen].

Sejong requested an analysis from the General Staff Headquarters regarding the urgent report sent by the navy.

“The General Staff Headquarters expects that the Westerners’ ship will arrive in Joseon by the end of this year or by the summer of next year.”

“Then, what is our plan?”

“We must expand the size of the navy and establish naval bases in Melaka [historical Southeast Asian port city]. And, starting from there, we must establish naval bases in at least five more locations to seize naval supremacy.”