Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 552

552. Ignition (2)

Hwanghee explained in detail why Jookijin’s personal letter was nonsense.

“Although he received the positions of Special Envoy Governor, Special Envoy Seungseonpo Jeongsa, and Special Envoy Jaehyeong Ancharsa, he is merely a minister of the Senior First Rank.”

Hwanghee continued, “According to etiquette, no matter how superior the country is, and regardless of rank, a minister is just a minister. A mere minister cannot order the monarch and crown prince of our Joseon to come and go.”

“This is a grave diplomatic discourtesy.”

“The same goes for princes and kings.”

“According to the Great Ming Code [a legal code of the Ming Dynasty], princes and kings who have established a royal palace are prohibited from interacting with local officials and influential figures in the area where the royal palace is located.”

“Violating this is a serious crime that could lead to charges of treason.”

“However, summoning the Crown Prince of Joseon simply because the border is adjacent is not only a diplomatic discourtesy but also something for which one could be accused of treason.”

“…Although he was pushed out of the position of Crown Prince due to issues with his character, Jookijin cannot be unaware of this.”

At Hwanghee’s point, all the ministers nodded except for one. Hwanghee paused briefly and continued.

“I believe this is to gain justification for war.”

Lee Sacheol pointed out the problem with Hwanghee’s words.

“Isn’t that too far ahead? If we receive a letter with such rude content, even the neighborhood dogs would get angry. Wouldn’t we be criticized for inducing war rather than having justification for it?”

“Then, what do you think is the reason for sending it, Minister Sungji?”

“He is a person who was pushed out of the position of Crown Prince to Prince. Are you saying he doesn’t have the capacity to think that deeply?”

Hwanghee looked dumbfounded at Lee Sacheol’s assessment.

“That foolish man now commands an army of 300,000. Do you not think this is a big problem?”

“There is no definite proof that the swords of those 300,000 soldiers will be pointed at Joseon. I have no choice but to continue advocating for anti-war until something happens.”

Hyang had a strange expression at Lee Sacheol’s words.

“What do you mean by saying you have no choice but to advocate for anti-war?”

Lee Sacheol explained the reason for his words.

“It is because I hold the position of Minister of Education. Education is not just about teaching knowledge but also about cultivating character. Cultivating character means following the teachings of the sages, overcoming oneself and returning to propriety to illuminate the world with virtue, as well as actually practicing the beautiful meaning of ‘Hongik Ingan’ [the ideal of benefiting all mankind] that Hwanung [the founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom] spoke of.”

“However, looking at the reactions of the ministers to the current situation, they are extremely belligerent. If this belligerence penetrates the lower officials and the people, it will lead to the ruin of the country. Of course, it will not be ruined immediately, but eventually, it will be ruined. Look at the Yuan Dynasty as the closest example. That vast empire collapsed in less than 100 years.”

“Of course, if the country falls into a dangerous situation, it is natural to throw oneself into saving the country.”

“However, relying on violence for everything must be prevented at all costs.”

“Therefore, I have no choice but to continue advocating for anti-war until Jookijin actually starts something.”

Kim Jongseo stepped up to refute Lee Sacheol’s words.

“Looking at the current situation, it wouldn’t be strange if a war broke out tomorrow. Isn’t that too idealistic?”

Lee Sacheol retorted again to Kim Jongseo’s words.

“The art of war says, ‘Attack is the best defense.’ Looking at the atmosphere flowing through the court right now, they seem ready to launch a preemptive strike! If that happens, we will be giving them justification ourselves! Take a step back and think for a moment! That incompetent Jookijin created an army of over 300,000 in just a few months of entering Liaodong! What does this mean? You don’t really think this is possible with just one imperial decree, do you? The Emperor is behind it! Therefore, I agree with strengthening defenses, but I cannot agree with preparing for war!”

At Lee Sacheol’s remarks, a debate began in the conference room.

“Preparing for war and starting a war are completely different things!”

“We don’t need to provoke Jookijin first!”

“There are over 300,000 soldiers in Liaodong! Have you forgotten this?”

“Isn’t it not certain that the great army is heading to our Joseon!”

It was a situation of ‘Lee Sacheol vs. all other ministers,’ but Lee Sacheol persistently continued his argument.

Hyang, who watched this scene from the head seat, muttered inwardly.

‘It’s definitely a generational difference.’

* * *

If elder statesmen like Hwanghee were the first generation of King Sejong’s reign, Kim Jongseo and Hwangboin could be called the second generation, and Lee Sacheol could be called the third generation.

Lee Sacheol, the grandson of Yi Cheongye, the older brother of Joseon’s founder Taejo [King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty], had just entered his mid-30s. In the current state of the Joseon court, his abilities were so outstanding that he rose to the position of minister at an age when he would normally be working as a clerk or secretary.

However, as Hyang said, he was showing a generational difference from the first and second generations.

While the first and second generations, who were the practical generation of Gyeongjang [a period of economic and military reform], placed emphasis on expansion, the third generation, who benefited from Gyeongjang, had a strong tendency to focus on maintaining the status quo.

Therefore, while the first and second generations tended to be willing to risk war if necessary, the third generation tended to avoid war as much as possible.

Therefore, Sejong made the unconventional appointment of Lee Sacheol as Minister of Education. He believed that education required maintaining the status quo.

* * *

Watching the ministers’ debate, Hyang was making a decision in his mind.

‘I must operate the government with the second generation at the center while I am in office. The second generation is the most suitable for completing the expansion of Manchuria, Siberia, and America. The third generation is suitable for the reign of Wan [a period of peace and prosperity].’

Having come to a conclusion, Hyang intervened in the debate.

“Minister Sungji. I also think that the Emperor is behind what is happening in Liaodong. And all the ministers will agree on this point as well. Then, why did the Emperor orchestrate this?”

Lee Sacheol answered immediately to Hyang’s question.

“To pressure our Joseon.”

“Then, do you think it is possible to pressure our Joseon with just 300,000 soldiers in Liaodong?”

“The Ming Emperor will definitely think so.”

“Given what we know of Jookijin’s character, do you think he will just be putting on pressure?”

“If we openly prepare for war, it will invite Ming’s intervention! That is what the Emperor is aiming for!”

Heo Hu took over Lee Sacheol’s words.

“We know that much.”

“Then why!”

Hwanghee intervened in Lee Sacheol’s protest.

“Have you forgotten what I said last time? It’s to break away from serving the great powers.”

“If our Joseon becomes stronger, we can naturally liquidate the serving of great powers!”

“Why can’t you think that the Emperor is doing this to prevent that!”

“Are you saying we should go to war with Ming because of that? Think about the size of Ming and our Joseon! There is no way we can win!”

Jo Malsaeng intervened in Lee Sacheol’s cry.

“That’s not right. Our Joseon’s capabilities may not be able to plot against the Central Plains [China]. But listen. We have the ability to ruin Ming.”

“Yes?”

“We have the ability to make Ming perish together if our Joseon perishes.”

Lee Sacheol closed his mouth with a blank expression at Jo Malsaeng’s answer.

Hwanghee continued while looking at Lee Sacheol.

“If the firepower of the weapons of our Joseon army is the same as that of Ming, even those 300,000 can inflict serious or even fatal wounds on our Joseon. When that happens, the Emperor’s intention is to naturally intervene and control our Joseon. But, if we smash those 300,000, the Emperor will have no choice but to abandon that plan. If he decides to intervene directly from there, the coastal areas of Ming will be reduced to ashes.”

“Is that really possible?”

Jo Malsaeng answered Lee Sacheol’s question.

“It’s definitely possible.”

* * *

In the end, Lee Sacheol closed his mouth, and Hyang stepped forward to make a conclusion.

“The Ming Emperor is watching our Joseon, but our Joseon has been watching Ming and Liaodong several times more. Thanks to this, we have become convinced of the war.”

As Hyang said, Joseon did not neglect to monitor Ming, as well as Liaodong and Japan.

Thanks to this, they found out that the number of soldiers Jookijin created in Liaodong exceeded 300,000 and that huge cannons were being made.

And among the military officers of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who received the report on the existence of this cannon, this joke circulated.

“Should we sell it to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance if we capture it?”

With the facts secured through this surveillance, Hyang and the ministers had a suspicion that Jookijin’s arrival in Liaodong was the Emperor’s scheme, and the ultimate goal was to make Joseon a puppet state of Ming.

And through the personal letter that came this time, the suspicion became a conviction, and furthermore, they came to the judgment that the war was not far away.

Hyang continued to speak.

“Thanks to my father’s insight, our Joseon has been able to greatly strengthen its power. This is truly a case where the word heavenly fortune is appropriate. But, there is a saying that preparedness prevents misfortune. We must thoroughly defend ourselves and counterattack firmly. We must make sure that the Ming Emperor never laughs again.”

“We obey your command!”

At Hyang’s command, the ministers answered in unison.

This time, Lee Sacheol did not object either.

* * *

Having sorted out the situation, Hyang ordered Hwanghee.

“Please draft a reply to send to Jookijin. We must clearly point out that this matter is a tremendous discourtesy.”

“I understand.”

At Hwanghee’s answer, Hyang smiled slyly and continued.

“I want to write it myself right now, but I thought I would write down all the curses in Joseon, so I asked you, sir.”

Hwanghee smiled evilly at Hyang’s words and took over.

“I will show you what it is like to curse with elegant sentences.”

“I look forward to it.”

* * *

Five days later, Hansamnam, who received Joseon’s reply, arrived in Insanjin.

“Go carefully.”

“There will be a day when we meet again.”

“I will treat you with respect then.”

With meaningful conversations, Hansamnam and his party crossed the Yalu River.

Lee Hwidae, who was standing on the castle tower and watching the scene, turned his head and ordered his subordinate.

“Notify Hanseong with light communication that those guys crossed the Yalu River.”

“Yes.”

“And ask for the exact date when the Bigu [a type of advanced weapon] will be deployed.”

“Yes.”

* * *

Arriving in Liaoyang Fortress, Hansamnam immediately delivered Joseon’s reply to Jookijin.

“How dare they!”

Jookijin, who received and read Joseon’s reply, threw the reply away and burst into anger.

The content of the letter, filled with all sorts of flowery sentences, can be briefly summarized as mockery of Jookijin.

-Who do you think you are to order me around?

“Your Highness, please calm down.”

Jookijin, who calmed his breath at Wangchung’s words, ordered Jo Byeongdeok.

“Finish the preparations for sure and subdue Joseon!”

“I obey your command!”

“We must set out in March!”

“Yes!”

* * *

Jookijin, who came out after receiving the order, summoned Hansamnam with other generals.

“So, have you checked the route?”

“I checked up to Uiju, but I couldn’t check south of that because I moved to Hanseong by iron horse [railroad].”

“That’s a bit disappointing. So… how is the iron horse? Can we use it?”

Hansamnam shook his head at Jo Byeongdeok’s question.

“It’s dangerous. The Joseon guys’ railroad was moving along the coastline. When I took a quick look at the distance, it seemed to be within the firing range of the Joseon navy’s front line.”

Jo Byeongdeok had no choice but to make an expression that he couldn’t help it at Hansamnam’s report.

“Although there is a lack of information, there is no choice.”

Jo Byeongdeok looked at his subordinate generals and ordered.

“Proceed as planned. The implementation date is the fifth day of early March.”