Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 490

490. Picking Pockets (3)

When the envoy who had gone to Joseon returned with a document detailing Hyang’s demands, Mochiyo summoned his key retainers, including his heir, Norihiro.

“This is the letter of demand sent by the Crown Prince of Joseon.”

Mochiyo handed the letter to Norihiro, and Norihiro and the retainers took turns reading it.

After the last retainer had finished reading the letter, Mochiyo, who had received it back, looked at his retainers and opened his mouth.

“What do you think?”

The first to speak in response to Mochiyo’s question was Norihiro, who was in line to inherit the family headship.

“Tsushima was already expected.”

The retainers nodded in agreement with Norihiro’s words.

* * *

Before sending the envoy, Ouchi had also predicted how Joseon would respond.

During the brainstorming session, the scholars who had returned from studying in Joseon distinguished themselves.

“What I felt while working with Joseon officials in Joseon is that Joseon distrusts Tsushima.”

“That’s right. If Joseon gets the chance, they will surely plot against Tsushima.”

‘Joseon will demand Tsushima.’

Norihiro and the veteran retainers, concluding that the scholars’ assessment was correct, reported their conclusion to Mochiyo.

“Joseon will demand Tsushima.”

“Tsushima? Is it okay to give it up?”

The most senior retainer answered Mochiyo’s question.

“It’s better to give it away cleanly, as it’s better for both reputation and practical benefits.”

The veteran explained the benefits of handing Tsushima over to Joseon to Mochiyo.

-Considering Tsushima’s location, it’s right in front of Dongnae [a district in Busan, South Korea]. Therefore, Joseon will continue to monitor Tsushima.

-Although Joseon troops are stationed there now, it is certain that Joseon will try to completely dominate Tsushima.

-Therefore, if we hand over Tsushima to Joseon in advance, we can reduce the military burden and continue to gain diplomatic advantages.

-More importantly, there are remnants of the Shoni clan lurking in Tsushima. By handing Tsushima over to Joseon, we can execute a scheme to get rid of them at the same time.

“I like the last one the most.”

Mochiyo, moved by the idea of getting rid of the Shoni clan, the family’s arch-enemy, made a decision.

“Good! If Joseon demands Tsushima, hand it over while pretending to negotiate!”

* * *

Although they had anticipated the Tsushima demand, Mochiyo summoned his retainers because he had not anticipated the other conditions.

Norihiro continued to speak.

“If you think about the second request, Joseon’s request is natural. It is a place where Joseon’s ships, which trade with India and the West, pass through, so it is natural for Joseon to demand its safety.”

A veteran retainer raised an objection to Norihiro’s words.

“That may be the case for Joseon, but the problem is us, who have to accept it. If we step forward and make a written commitment, Joseon will try to hold us responsible if something happens.”

Norihiro immediately addressed the veteran’s point.

“If Joseon holds us responsible, isn’t that a good thing? Who is harassing Ryukyu [the islands that make up Okinawa Prefecture, Japan] now?”

“Shimazu… Aha!”

The veteran retainer, who was answering Norihiro’s question, exclaimed as if he finally understood.

Watching the reaction, Norihiro explained the reason to Mochiyo.

“The fact that Joseon is asking us to confirm this in writing means that they have almost recognized us as the masters of the region. This is the first benefit. Secondly, if Shimazu touches Ryukyu, we can use this confirmation as a basis to subjugate Shimazu. Even now, the troublemaker in Kyushu who defies our family’s wishes is Shimazu.”

“Shimazu… Not bad.”

As Mochiyo was nodding, Norihiro continued.

“Also, we can take the opportunity to guarantee the safety of Ryukyu and advance into Ryukyu as well. It is not just about docking ships in Ryukyu, but also about gaining the opportunity to trade with distant countries.”

Mochiyo, who had been nodding at Norihiro’s words, looked back at the other retainers.

“I understand that this is beneficial to us so far. Then what about the other two?”

The veteran retainer stepped forward to answer Mochiyo’s question.

“Joseon’s plan to increase the number of troops stationed in the mines and trading posts is also a reasonable justification, so there is no need to stop it. Rather, if the Joseon army is in charge of defending the mines, we can afford to operate our troops more easily. The same goes for the trading posts. If the shogunate guys touch the trading posts, it will be a good excuse for Joseon to send troops right away. Likewise, treating the injured soldiers in the trading posts is also to our advantage.”

“Hmm…”

“And most importantly, if we accept this condition, we can secure the Bigyeokjincheonle [a type of Korean calendar]. If we have the Bigyeokjincheonle, it will be of great help in achieving our great cause.”

All the young retainers, including Norihiro, nodded at the veteran retainer’s answer.

Mochiyo, who had been pondering for a while after hearing the retainers’ answers, opened his mouth.

“It looks good, but it’s hard to make a decision right away. I’ll think about it a little more.”

At Mochiyo’s decision, the retainers bowed in unison and answered.

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

Mochiyo, who had wrapped up the situation by taking a brief pause, moved on to the next topic.

“Anyway, how is the war going?”

“It’s going smoothly. The daimyos [powerful Japanese feudal lords] who are joining us are increasing rapidly, and we continue to win every battle.”

Mochiyo did not forget to urge the retainer.

“Prepare for a meeting with the newly joined daimyos. We need to take the initiative in advance.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And be especially careful because those who have joined us may stab us in the back.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And the main force of the shogunate’s three families has not yet shown its face. Keep in mind that the time when they appear is the time for the decisive battle.”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

As the meeting was coming to an end, Norihiro handed over a thick scroll.

“What is it?”

“It is a summary of the plans that would be good to implement after the lord ascends to the position of ruler of the world.”

“Isn’t that too presumptuous?”

“It may seem that way, but I thought that we should prepare in advance in order for our family to last as a family that rules the world.”

“Is that so? I understand.”

Mochiyo, who had received the scroll, untied the string that bound it and began to read the contents.

“Hmm…”

Mochiyo, who was reading the contents while nodding, raised his head and looked at Norihiro.

“Relocation of the capital?”

“That’s right. Kyoto is too far from the family’s base, and the roots of those who have already established themselves are deep and strong. Think about it, no matter how deeply rooted a tree is, the farthest branches will wither and die first when there is a drought. Therefore, we must not stay in Kyoto, but bring the Emperor next to us.”

At Norihiro’s words, Mochiyo looked at the veteran retainers. The veteran retainers, who had received a silent question, soon began to open their mouths one by one.

“Everything is already in Kyoto, so moving it is considered unnecessary.”

“That’s right. Think about the meaning of Kyoto.”

“If we do it wrong, the situation of the Southern and Northern Dynasties being divided may be reproduced.”

Most of the veteran retainers were against it, but there were a few who were in favor.

“It is considered a good idea. Kyoto is a burden to us because of its symbolism.”

“Even from a military point of view, Kyoto may have more disadvantages than advantages. The issue of relocating the capital is worth considering.”

As the veteran retainers’ opinions were being expressed, Norihiro opened his mouth again.

“When the lord becomes the ruler of the world, the most important thing is not Kyoto, but the Emperor. We must have the Emperor firmly in our hands not in Kyoto, but in a place where the lord’s hands can reach, so that other guys will not have vain dreams. This is what anyone who has conquered the world has always done, regardless of ancient or modern times. To look at it from a distance, although it failed, Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and relocated the capital to Chang’an [both ancient Chinese capitals], and Emperor Yongle of Ming relocated the capital to Beijing, and what is the reason why Taejo Yi Seong-gye of Joseon relocated the capital to Hanseong [modern-day Seoul]? Through the relocation of the capital, we must make even the ignorant people know for sure who the master of this world is.”

Despite Norihiro’s plea, Mochiyo did not open his mouth easily.

Mochiyo, who had been silent for a long time, finally made a decision.

“The issue of relocating the capital has its pros and cons. Therefore, I will take my time to consider it carefully.”

* * *

That night, Mochiyo sought the opinion of Morimi, who was in seclusion.

“Hmm…”

Morimi, who had listened to Joseon’s demands, pondered for a long time before opening his mouth.

“It would be good to accept Joseon’s opinion, family head.”

“I thought so too. I just needed time to show that I wasn’t making a decision too lightly.”

“You did well. Then, you must have come to me because there is another problem?”

“Yes.”

Mochiyo told Morimi about the ‘relocation of the capital’. Morimi’s expression hardened at Mochiyo’s story.

“Relocation of the capital… It’s definitely a concern.”

For Morimi and the older generation, Kyoto was a symbol equivalent to the Emperor.

Kyoto was built after Chang’an in the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, the head of the family who conquered the archipelago was called ‘Sangrak (上洛)’ [entering Kyoto] when he entered Kyoto and had an audience with the Emperor.

Deciding to relocate the capital in this situation could be a self-defeating move. Therefore, not only Mochiyo but also Morimi could not easily make a decision.

“It is true that things get complicated if we stay in Kyoto.”

“That’s true. However, if you open your mouth rashly, there is a high possibility that things will go wrong, so it is better to implement it after completing the great cause.”

The two implicitly decided to relocate the capital, but only after consolidating power.

Having overcome one hurdle, the two soon moved on to the next agenda.

“It seems that a generational change is needed.”

“I’ve heard some stories. The old men came to me and complained. Oh my… The great cause is still a long way off…”

Mochiyo’s expression turned grim at Morimi’s words.

* * *

After raising the banner of ‘overthrowing the shogunate [the military government of Japan]’, everything went smoothly, and factions began to split internally.

They were divided into the military faction (武斷派), which valued military power, and the civil administration faction (文治派), which dreamed of a Joseon-style bureaucratic system.

Most of the veteran retainers were in the military faction, and the young forces who had studied in Joseon and those centered on Norihiro were in the civil administration faction.

“Everything is decided by power!”

“Deciding everything by power is a bad idea! What is the reason why Xiang Yu [a prominent military leader] was defeated by Liu Bang [the first emperor of the Han dynasty]? When the lord becomes the ruler of the world, we must change the entire system!”

“Look at Song! Didn’t it fall because of civil administration?”

“But if you stick to military power, you will be short-lived!”

The two factions were engaged in a fierce debate over the future course of Ouchi after he took power.

The current situation was a stalemate between the two factions. The military faction had a justification because it was a time of war, but the civil administration faction was gradually increasing its power through the joining of Norihiro, the next successor.

“Hmm…”

Morimi, who had heard the situation, looked at Mochiyo.

“It will be necessary to clean up after the great cause is successful. Don’t forget these words.”

“What words are those?”

“Killing the dog after the hunt [a Chinese idiom meaning to get rid of those who have become useless after serving their purpose]. The young guys are right. The family’s army must be the lord’s army, and the army sent by the retainers is likely to become a dagger. Remember that the wound from the dog you raised is the deepest and most painful.”

Mochiyo bowed deeply at Morimi’s words, which implied the reorganization of the veteran retainers with military power.

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

* * *

While political intrigue was sprouting in Waeguk [an ancient name for Japan], Hyang was being fleeced by Sejong in Joseon.