Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 516

516. Distance and Proximity (9)

“Then, as soon as the agreement with the Oirat is finalized, I will organize a delegation to send to the Ming Dynasty.”

Hwang Hee stepped forward at Heo Hu’s words.

“I think it would be appropriate to send the delegation after we have handed over all the cannons. We need to make sure we get what we need.”

It was a blatant statement from Hwang Hee, but everyone, including Hyang, nodded in agreement. Hyang expressed his approval of Hwang Hee’s words.

“Prime Minister’s words are correct. It seems that sending the delegation at that time would be optimal. However, if the Emperor seems to have noticed our dealings in the meantime, we should send the delegation immediately.”

“Your Highness’s words are reasonable.”

With the agreement of Hwang Hee and the ministers, the cannon issue was concluded.

And the historian who recorded all of this wrote as follows:

-…Thus, the Crown Prince and the ministers decided how to deal with the Oirat.

The historian argues:

It can be said that it is against the teachings of the sages for a scholar who learns and discusses morality to discuss mere profit. However, for the sake of national wealth, military strength, and the well-being of the people, even a penny of wealth must be considered a hundred times over and used sparingly, which is the task of a ruler.

Of course, we must get what we need.

* * *

The court, having decided on a policy toward the Oirat, immediately put it into action.

“200 *nyang* [Joseon currency] of gold per cannon… Isn’t that too expensive? It’s too much of a burden to buy 200 cannons.”

An official from the Ministry of Finance stepped forward to answer the Oirat envoy.

“The General Eul-sik Hwatong [type of cannon] may look simple, but a lot of effort goes into every part, starting from managing the materials. If you consider the value of those parts, it’s definitely not a cheap price.”

“But still, it’s quite expensive.”

As the Oirat envoy continued to say it was expensive, the Ministry of Finance official made another suggestion.

“Then, how about buying used ones that our Joseon army used to use? We’ll cut the price a bit then.”

The eyes of the Oirat envoy twinkled at the words of the Ministry of Finance official.

“How much are you cutting it by?”

“10%.”

“Didn’t you say they were used!”

At the Oirat envoy’s protest, the Ministry of Finance official calmly explained the reason.

“We’re not just handing over used ones. We’re picking out the ones in good condition from the ones our army uses and fixing all the parts that need repair. In short, it’s only used in name, but it’s almost like new.”

“Still, that’s too stingy! Please cut it a little more!”

“Then how much of a discount does the Oirat want?”

“30%.”

“That’s like saying let’s not trade. Minister, let’s get up.”

As the Joseon officials, starting with Heo Hu, stood up from their seats, the Oirat envoy hurriedly followed suit, waving his hands.

“No! That’s not it!”

As a result of negotiations that lasted for several days, Joseon handed over 120 General Eul-sik Hwatong to the Oirat.

-Discount rate 20%.

-Payment methods are limited to Ming currency and Joseon currency.

-Cannons will be handed over according to the amount each time the Oirat pays.

“Please take good care of them.”

The Oirat envoy, who had finished signing the agreement, gave a word of request with an unpleasant face. Heo Hu smiled slyly at the Oirat envoy’s words and replied.

“Joseon is a country that keeps its promises well.”

“I will trust you.”

Coming out after the deal, Heo Hu asked the Ministry of Finance official.

“20%… Considering diplomacy, it would have been better to cut it more.”

The Ministry of Finance official shook his head at Heo Hu’s words.

“That’s already a lot of discount. As I told the envoy, it costs a lot of money to repair them. Especially since all the firing pins have to be replaced for the ones going to the Oirat.”

“Does replacing them mean you’re tampering with them?”

“Yes, they say they’re changing it to use flint instead of copper caps (primers).”

“I see.”

* * *

The envoy, having finished his schedule in Joseon, met with Hyang before departing.

“I greet the Crown Prince.”

“My father is away on an inspection of the outer regions, so I came out. Please forgive the discourtesy.”

“Not at all.”

The Oirat envoy shook his head with a look of understanding at Hyang’s apology. The Oirat was a powerful force in the Northern Yuan, but not the ruler – that is, the Khan. Therefore, it was a considerable honor for the Crown Prince to come out and see him off.

“I hope you will be careful on your way back, as you have worked hard for the friendship between our Joseon and the Oirat. Royal attendant.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Hyang’s command, the royal attendant handed a long box and a small box to the Oirat envoy.

“The long box is a gift from our Joseon to the Oirat’s Taishi [leader/chief].”

“May I open it for a moment?”

At Hyang’s words, the envoy carefully requested to open the box. This was to prevent the occurrence of any possible diplomatic problems.

Hyang readily replied to the envoy’s request.

“You may open it.”

“Thank you.”

The envoy, expressing his gratitude, carefully opened the lid of the long box.

“Oh!”

The Oirat envoy, seeing the contents, involuntarily exclaimed.

Inside the box was a flintlock rifle, ornately decorated with lacquer and gold and silver inlay.

“This is a gift to wish for peace between our Joseon and the Oirat. And the small box is a gift from our Joseon to the envoy.”

At Hyang’s explanation, the Oirat envoy bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude.

“I will be sure to inform the Taishi of Joseon’s goodwill!”

“I’m counting on you.”

* * *

The Oirat envoy, who got on the train heading north after leaving Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace of Joseon dynasty], hurriedly opened the box he had received.

“Hoo~.”

Inside the box was a small curved dagger (曲短刀) [a curved dagger] with a mother-of-pearl inlaid scabbard.

The Oirat envoy, as if possessed, picked up the dagger with its sharp, gleaming blade and murmured to himself.

“In the worst case, this will be my lifeline.”

* * *

Hyang had to work busily because there were many problems to solve besides the Oirat issue.

“That’s why I quit my stable job… Aww! I want to indulge in 덕질 [duk-jil: engaging in fandom activities]…”

Sitting alone in his office, Hyang grumbled and sighed deeply.

“Hoo~ Even the king should be guaranteed the three rights of labor… Should I go on a 30-year strike like someone else…?”

Hyang, who had mentioned a strike, immediately shook his head.

“No way… That guy would throw me in the archives first. Hoo~.”

Hyang, who sighed deeply once again, got up from his seat.

“I need to sort out the situation on the island country [Japan]. These guys aren’t fighting at all and are just barking like neighborhood stray dogs fighting for dominance…”

Hyang, who left the office, ordered the royal attendant standing in front of the door.

“Send someone to the Prime Minister’s office. Tell them to discuss the issue of the Waeguk [Japan].”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After a while, Hwang Hee and the ministers who received the message gathered in the Seungwhadang conference room.

As soon as the ministers were all seated, Hyang immediately brought up the main point.

“Is the Waeguk still just growling at each other?”

“That’s still the case.”

Everyone, including Hyang, sighed deeply at Jo Malsaeng’s answer.

“Hoo~.”

“Heo~.”

* * *

At the time when Ouchi first raised his army, it was a fierce momentum that seemed like he would make a decision with the shogunate right away.

However, the current situation in Waeguk is that both Ouchi and the shogunate are just growling at each other and glaring.

Of course, battles were taking place from time to time, but they were refraining from battles large enough to affect the overall situation.

In such a stalemate, Ouchi and the shogunate were conducting operations to local lords to increase their power and reduce the power of the other.

And Joseon was frustrated with this long-term stalemate.

“Damn it! I need to decide how to take Tsushima Island as soon as a decision is made!”

* * *

“…This frustrating situation continues, but the military expects a conclusion soon.”

Hyang and the ministers’ eyes twinkled at Jo Malsaeng’s report.

“What is the reason?”

At Hyang’s question, Jo Malsaeng walked to the map hanging on the wall and pointed to one place in Waeguk with his finger.

“The Daenei clan’s forces have advanced right in front of Yeopjin-guk (摂津国, Settsu Province) [Settsu Province]. And in this Yeopjin-guk, there are Nanpa (難波, Naniwa, the old name of Osaka) [Osaka] and Byeonggojin (兵庫津, Hyogo Port) [Hyogo Port]. If the Daenei clan occupies this place, the shogunate will be in dire straits.”

Hyang and the ministers’ eyes twinkled at Jo Malsaeng’s explanation.

Byeonggojin and Nanpa were ports where the shogunate’s trade with China took place. If Ouchi occupied this place, the shogunate would lose its source of funds as well as its arms import line.

“In the end, the battle that determines the trend will take place with Yeopjin-guk as the battlefield, and the one who wins there will become the dominant power.”

Jo Malsaeng affirmed Hwang Hee’s words.

“That is right.”

Heo Hu intervened at Jo Malsaeng’s answer.

“The shogunate is, but not the Daenei clan, right? The main base is fine.”

Jo Malsaeng answered immediately at Heo Hu’s point.

“The lords who were watching will flock to the shogunate, and then the balance will be completely broken.”

“Ah….”

Heo Hu nodded at Jo Malsaeng’s answer.

Hyang, who was nodding at Jo Malsaeng’s report on ‘the reason why a decisive battle is inevitable,’ asked again.

“Then when do you think the decisive battle will take place?”

“It is now the time when the rainy season in Waeguk has just ended. However, it is still hot, so it is not good for soldiers to fight. Therefore, we expect them to have a decisive battle around the Mid-Autumn Festival [Korean harvest festival]. It is because it is a moderately cool day and the time when the harvest is over, so the energy of the soldiers who have eaten their fill will be at its peak.”

“Mid-Autumn Festival….”

Hyang, who was counting the days for a while, turned to Hwang Hee.

“It would be right to prepare the navy a little earlier than that time, right?”

Hwang Hee also nodded at Hyang’s suggestion.

“That is right. If we prepare in advance, we can just adjust the increase or decrease of troops according to the situation in Waeguk.”

Following Hwang Hee’s words, Jo Malsaeng went into further explanation.

“To be honest, our navy stationed in Tsushima Island is enough to occupy Tsushima Island right now. However, it would be better to have more to reduce the damage.”

Hyang, who was nodding while listening to Jo Malsaeng’s answer, turned to the ministers.

“I think we’ve waited long enough. Unlike the last Tsushima Island conquest, let’s make Tsushima Island completely ours this time. No matter who wins in Waeguk.”

Heo Hu carefully asked at Hyang’s declaration.

“Wouldn’t it be a problem if the shogunate wins? The shogunate may take issue and make our Joseon an enemy.”

Hyang looked at Jo Malsaeng at Heo Hu’s words.

“Is it impossible for our Joseon to step in and overturn the situation in Waeguk?”

Jo Malsaeng answered immediately at Hyang’s question.

“It would be a bit too much to occupy the entire Waeguk, but it’s as easy as flipping your hand to just overturn the situation.”

Hyang, who heard Jo Malsaeng’s guarantee that ‘it’s as easy as flipping your palm,’ looked at Heo Hu.

“That’s what he says?”

Heo Hu, who heard Jo Malsaeng and Hyang’s words, thought for a moment and sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. Considering the relationship with the Ming Dynasty, it would reduce the work of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the Daenei clan wins.”

The ministers all muttered inwardly at Heo Hu’s answer.

‘Those guys from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I’m going to pray like crazy from today.’