Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 581

581. Shattered Dreams (4)

The ministers fell silent, contemplating the Minister of Rites’ proposition.

After a long silence, the Grand Secretary was the first to speak.

“It seems the current situation is forcing us to make undesirable choices.”

The ministers nodded in agreement with the Grand Secretary’s words.

“Then, let’s revise the proposal based on the Minister of Rites’ suggestion. How much more can we add beyond 800,000?”

At the Grand Secretary’s question, the Left Chief Military Commissioner calculated for a moment before answering.

“250,000. We can deduct 100,000 cavalry and 150,000 infantry.”

The Minister of War questioned the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s response.

“100,000 cavalry? Isn’t that the entire force that was facing the Dalza [Jurchen tribes]?”

The Left Chief Military Commissioner immediately nodded.

“That’s correct. And the 150,000 infantry are the troops guarding the Great Wall.”

“Good heavens!”
The Minister of War exclaimed at the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s nonchalant reply. However, the Left Chief Military Commissioner continued speaking with a calm expression.

“We were barely able to meet the deadline with 800,000 troops. But didn’t the Minister of War also say that any additions would be impossible? To meet that deadline, we have no choice but to deduct from the troops that have already completed training.”

“Doesn’t that create problems for the northern defenses?”

The Left Chief Military Commissioner continued to explain in response to the Minister of War’s point.

“We can endure if we operate with a strict defense-oriented approach.”

The Left Chief Military Commissioner rose from his seat and walked towards a map hanging on one side.

The Left Chief Military Commissioner tapped the eastern part of the Great Wall drawn on the map with his palm.

“According to the information we’ve received, Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] has already entered Liaodong [region in northeastern China]. That means the biggest enemy we face is time. Therefore, we will advance the infantry units stationed east of this Great Wall into Liaodong, and gradually move the units in the west to the east to fill the empty gaps. Of course, the forces defending the north will inevitably weaken, but we must accept this. Our current situation is…”

The Left Chief Military Commissioner paused for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and concluded.

“It is impossible to fight both the northern Dalza and Joseon at the same time. Therefore, we must push all of the highly mobile northern cavalry and the units stationed at the far east of the Great Wall into the war with Joseon. If they are the elite troops we have cultivated, they will overwhelm Joseon. In the meantime, the north must endure with a strict defense-oriented approach. That is the reality we face now.”

The Grand Secretary wore a look of dismay at the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s words.

“We boasted of a 3 million-strong army, but now we’re saying we have to defend because we don’t have enough troops… It’s unbelievable.”

The Minister of Revenue nodded and muttered at the Grand Secretary’s words.

“I feel beyond anger, I feel empty. No, I can’t stand being angry at myself. I had forgotten why the sages left the saying ‘刮目相對’ [guā mù xiāng duì – to treat each other with increased respect after a period of separation, often implying a change in perception due to someone’s growth or achievement]…”

The Minister of Revenue could not contain his bitterness.

* * *

While the Ministry of Personnel managed the country’s administration, the Ministry of Revenue was responsible for the necessary finances, as well as revenue and expenditure-related tasks, and confirming the economic situation of Ming [dynasty in China] for accurate tax administration.

Naturally, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and the Minister of Revenue were experiencing the growth of Ming’s economic power not just through words, but also through their bodies. Everyone in the Ministry of Revenue could not hide their pride as they watched the rapidly growing economic scale and the amount of currency used each year.

“Our Ming is the center of the world! All the wealth of the world is pouring into us!”

They had forgotten Joseon, intoxicated by the economy that was developing beyond the limits they had imagined.

Rather, they were laughing at the ‘self-production, self-purchase’ movement that was taking place in the private sector.

“Ha! How much can they sell in that palm-sized country even if they sell things!”

“At best, they are just a country that makes and sells luxury goods or strange objects like iron horses!”

The current situation was that they were being driven to the brink of crisis by a country they had looked down upon.

* * *

The meeting continued for a long time, but in the end, the plan was decided based on the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s proposal.

“How about mobilizing the soldiers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard [secret police of the Ming dynasty]? Aren’t they the most elite soldiers that can’t be compared to anyone?”

The Minister of Rites suggested mobilizing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but the Minister of War and the Left and Right Chief Military Commissioners all shook their heads.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the last bastion! They must never leave Beijing!”

“That’s right! If the north is breached in the current situation, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the only force that can protect Beijing!”

“If the north is breached in the absence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, we will just have to sit and watch the moment of national ruin!”

In the end, the Minister of Rites’ proposal was dropped.

* * *

The Grand Secretary personally held the document summarizing the plan and went to see the Xuande Emperor [emperor of the Ming dynasty].

The Xuande Emperor, who was unable to attend the main hall and was receiving treatment in his private residence, unfolded the plan submitted directly by the Grand Secretary and examined the contents.

The Xuande Emperor sighed deeply after examining the contents several times.

“Haa~. Is there no other answer than robbing Peter to pay Paul?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, the Grand Secretary prostrated himself on the floor.

“We have done our best, but we have not been able to think of any other plan! Please punish us for our incompetence!”

“Hoo~.”

The Xuande Emperor sighed again at the sight of the Grand Secretary pleading for punishment and handed the document back.

“Execute it as it is. In my opinion, there is no other way in the current situation. Do your best to make it happen.”

“I will stake my life to make it happen!”

As the Grand Secretary, having received approval, retreated, the Xuande Emperor ordered the eunuchs standing around him.

“Wait outside. I want to be alone for a while.”

After the eunuchs left and the Xuande Emperor was left alone in his private residence, he muttered with a gloomy face.

“I was expecting an easy victory, but now I have to gamble everything… Where did it go wrong? How did I become like Xiang Yu [warlord of ancient China known for his military prowess but ultimate defeat]?”

The Xuande Emperor did not understand the current crisis.

From the military strength to the economic power to support the war, Ming was overwhelmingly superior to Joseon in every aspect.

Therefore, from the beginning of planning, the Xuande Emperor had not even considered a large-scale conscription of the people.

“There are 3 million soldiers! Although we can’t mobilize all of them due to border defense issues, we can mobilize at least 1 million, up to 1.5 million without any problems! That alone is enough to face Joseon, which can only mobilize about 300,000!”

However, the situation did not go as he intended.

The Joseon invasion, which was carried out using Zhu Qizhen [captured emperor], ended in failure, and Joseon had advanced into Liaodong in reverse. The painstakingly cultivated navy was annihilated in a single naval battle.

The rampages of the Japanese pirates that Joseon had unleashed had cut off almost more than half of the country’s waist, and the national administration had become paralyzed.

“Why? Where from?”

The Xuande Emperor was tormented because he could not figure out where he had made a mistake.

* * *

Meanwhile, there were those in Hanseong [capital of Joseon] who had similar questions. The most representative of these were the Wan Du-seul brothers.

“If you think about it logically, this situation should never have happened…”

“That’s right, brother. What kind of country is Ming? It easily overwhelms our Joseon’s capabilities. How did Grandfather and Father create this situation?”

As they put their heads together and pondered, they could not come up with a proper answer, so the three brothers sought Hyang.

“…So, we have come to Father. Please give us your teachings.”

At Wan’s request, who had stepped forward as the representative, Hyang crossed his arms and looked at the brothers.

“Have you looked at the records of the Historiography Department?”

“We have looked at the records regarding the ‘Great Eastern Advance’.”

“Then you should know?”

“Even though we have read the records, we still don’t understand the current situation well.”

“Which part?”

“The part where Ming is collapsing so easily.”

Hyang answered immediately to Wan’s reply.

“It seems easy because the time and mindset you prepared were different.”

“Yes?”

Hyang began a special lecture for the three brothers. The Four Musketeers, who were in place at the right time, began to shine their eyes.

‘What a windfall!’

Hyang, who was in front of them, was a person who had been active from the beginning of the Gyeongjang [series of reforms in Joseon] along with Sejong [king of Joseon]. Getting a proper explanation through him was an unprecedented stroke of luck.

After quenching his thirst for a moment, Hyang began to explain.

-From the beginning of the Gyeongjang and the establishment of the ‘Great Eastern Advance’, Joseon was prepared for a clash with Ming.

However, if you look at the before and after of this invasion process carried out by Zhu Qizhen, Ming has not prepared for much time.

-Because they were prepared for a clash from the beginning, they gradually carried out the basic work to properly carry it out.

The basic work is all about military system reform, reinforcement of communication methods, weapon improvement, reserve army formation, training, mobilization, and supply.

Because they had prepared this step by step from the beginning, the officials as well as the people became familiar with the situation.

Therefore, even though a large number of troops were rapidly conscripted as in this case, no major confusion occurred.

-In addition, they constantly examined Ming’s situation to find weak points, and pondered what would be the best way to use them.

Hyang, who had explained several other things, stopped speaking as follows.

“The result of this time came out because I worked so hard to find the best number.”

As soon as Hyang finished speaking, Wan immediately asked a question.

“If Ming and our Joseon clash head-on without using the same method as this time, what will happen?”

“Head-on collision? So, are you talking about a situation where Ming prepares properly and we prepare properly and wage a full-scale war?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then our Joseon will win very hard or end with a ceasefire full of scars. The worst case is defeat. Because Ming overwhelms us in every way except technology.”

“Then, is the only way for a small country to win against a great power only through a surprise attack?”

Hyang’s expression turned fierce at Wan’s question.

“What do you think is the orthodox method referred to in military strategy? It is to hide my weaknesses as much as possible and attack the enemy’s weaknesses to the best of my ability. Winning before fighting and winning with minimal damage is the orthodox method. Insisting on a full-scale war without examining the heavenly time, geographical advantage, and talent is just a foolish plan.”

Wan bowed his head at Hyang’s criticism and replied.

“I was foolish.”

“Think about everything one more time.”

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

As soon as Wan’s answer was over, Doo asked Hyang.

“Then, if we use the method used by our Joseon, can a small country always win against a great power?”

“It depends on the case. If the great power in question acts intoxicated by its own power like the current Ming, it will be useful, but if not, it will be useless.”

‘The best example is Qing Dynasty [last imperial dynasty of China] in the age of imperialism, and the United States that was hit at Pearl Harbor.’

The Qing Dynasty, which believed only in its own power in the age of imperialism, became a delicious prey for European powers. On the other hand, the United States, which was hit hard at Pearl Harbor, immediately entered a total war system and repaid Germany and Japan as they were.

‘Of course, even the mighty United States was hit for almost a year….’

* * *

While the Xuande Emperor was reviewing what he had done wrong in Beijing, Ming’s situation continued to worsen.

The 100,000 Japanese pirates who landed on the Shandong Peninsula were turning Ming’s central region into a mess.

To prevent this, the provincial military commissions of the respective regions mobilized troops to stop the Japanese pirates, but defeats were more common than victories.

In particular, what worsened the situation was that a considerable number of the Japanese pirates who were looting had arquebuses [early type of portable gun].

The Japanese pirates, who had become accustomed to arquebuses and arquebusiers [soldiers armed with arquebuses] through the past civil war, operated the arquebusiers more skillfully than Ming’s arquebusiers.

* * *

While Ming’s central region was being turned into a mess by the Japanese pirates, the final hour was approaching for Zhu Qizhen in Liaodong.

The Joseon army led by Choi Yun-deok had finally arrived in front of Liaodong Fortress.