Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 6

Jjangra

Hellobam

6. Who is the Father? (4)

The issue of the Deposed Queen concluded with vetoes from Taejong and Sejong, effectively ending the purge of in-laws.

Afterward, until Taejong’s death, few major obstacles arose, except for Ming’s suspicion.

Ming, which remained wary of Joseon due to the unresolved issue of the Liaodong Conquest—a plan conceived by Taejo and Jeong Do-jeon but never realized at the dynasty’s inception—suddenly objected to Sejong’s abdication of the throne. Consequently, Sejong had to expend considerable mental and financial resources to appease the envoys sent by Ming.

Because he was preoccupied with placating the Ming envoys, and because Taejong retained military power, Sejong could only observe the conquest of Tsushima Island from afar.

“It’s truly a pity.”

Sejong, reviewing documents related to the Tsushima Island conquest while holding Hyang on his lap, grumbled softly. When Hyang turned to look at him, hearing the grumble, Sejong smiled gently.

“If I had more power and time, I could have prepared for this conquest more thoroughly…”

Watching Sejong’s regretful expression, Hyang mused to himself.

‘How did Yi Jong-mu’s conquest of Tsushima Island actually go? Was it only partially successful?’

Curious, Hyang reached out. Seeing Hyang, in his arms, reaching for the scrolls of memorials and reports on the desk, Sejong smiled.

“Does our Heir Apparent already have an interest in state affairs? Hmm~. To handle state affairs, one needs to be learned.”

After a moment’s thought, Sejong turned to Sangseon, who stood beside him.

“Summon the Chief Royal Secretary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Hyang watched Sangseon leave to deliver Sejong’s order, cold sweat trickled down his back.

‘This is dangerous?’

* * *

Around the time when Grand Prince Chungnyeong was confirmed as the Crown Prince, Hyang formulated his own plan.

“The most basic thing is that King Sejong is a geek [enthusiast]. And he’s quite supportive of nurturing engineers.”

Still with short arms and legs, Hyang crossed his arms and sat cross-legged, calculating diligently in his head with a serious face.

1. The original Munjong was also a geek, especially a military geek.

2. The craftsmanship of the artisans in the early Joseon period, like the earrings I saw at the first birthday celebration, is definitely not bad. Especially the artisans related to the royal family will be even more excellent.

3. In Joseon, one is recognized as an adult at the age of 15. 11 years from now.

4. Combining the background of the Crown Prince and the skilled artisans, I don’t have to suffer alone. I just have to order them. Especially, the things that make my head hurt from various calculations will decrease. I just have to provide ideas. The most important part!

5. Based on Sejong’s geeky personality and his emphasis on national defense, I can get enough support if it’s something decent, like a flintlock or percussion cap [early firearm ignition systems]. Technical level? I expect that the level of artisans in this era can overcome it sufficiently. If they can’t? I’ll just push them. I’m the Crown Prince….

6. If a few things like this succeed, not only will my position become solid, but I can also get solid material support and expand the field.

Conclusion: Profit!!!!

Caution: I must have solid Confucian knowledge by the age of 15. If I get pushed back in arguments with the officials, it’s over.

Additional notes: Make the Crown Prince’s guests on my side as much as possible. When I grow up, they will all be in high positions, so I’ll mark them in advance.

“In the end, my memorization ability and the Crown Prince’s guests are the problem…”

Hyang lightly tapped his crossed arms with his fingers, thinking about the Crown Prince’s guests.

* * *

Sejong ordered Hyang’s guests, through the Chief Royal Secretary, to pay more attention to Hyang’s studies.

Hyang, just over 4 years old, held the position of Heir Apparent even before being formally appointed as Crown Prince. However, thanks to his exceptional talent, Hyang’s education was entrusted to the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall [a royal educational institution].

In this situation, Sejong’s order to the guests teaching Hyang to pay more attention to his studies placed them under great pressure.

The instructor of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall, along with the deputy instructors and guests, summoned the officials of the Lecture Hall after receiving Sejong’s order.

“The Heir Apparent is now entering the age of five… How far has His Highness progressed in his studies so far?”

“He is learning the Great Learning [a Confucian classic].”

“How old were you when you mastered the Great Learning?”

“11 years old.”

“You were a prodigy?”

“You flatter me.”

“Even if you learned the Great Learning at the age of 11, you were considered a prodigy… His Highness is not even five years old yet. If we make a mistake now, he may lose interest in learning.”

“Do you mean that excess is as bad as deficiency? [a balanced approach is crucial]”

“That’s right.”

“Hoo~.”

The officials who gathered at the instructor’s statement leading the Lecture Hall all sighed.

‘Educating the prince who will succeed the next throne.’

The Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall was, in a way, the best place to seize the best opportunity to rise to the core of the next regime. However, educating the Crown Prince in the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall was both an opportunity and a risk.

As in the case of Taejong and Yangnyeong, the king wanted his successor to be smart and have impeccable character. However, as in the case of Yangnyeong, it was not easy for the Crown Prince to meet that requirement.

If he failed to meet that requirement, the king would surely hold the officials responsible.

The problem was that the king, the father of the Heir Apparent who is currently being educated, was so outstanding in his studies that even the old retainers admired him since he was a grand prince.

As much as he was outstanding, the standards he demanded of the Heir Apparent would certainly be high. And the newly issued order made it a fact.

The officials of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall were worried about the Heir Apparent. They were afraid that the Heir Apparent, who showed extraordinary talent, would lose his enthusiasm for learning due to excessive pressure.

After much deliberation, the instructor of the Lecture Hall came to a conclusion.

“The conclusion is that we have no choice but to maintain the middle ground.”

“That is the principle, but…”

“Difficult problems can only be solved by principles.”

The officials of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall educated the Heir Apparent according to the principles. If his academic achievement was good, they praised him, but they warned him not to fall into complacency. On the other hand, if they saw any slackness or laziness in his studies or behavior, they immediately disciplined him strictly.

“His Majesty was not an ordinary person, but the Heir Apparent is also not an easy person.”

The left and right guests who were directly in charge of Hyang’s education clicked their tongues, mentioning Hyang’s achievements.

Hyang was showing even better academic achievement than the guests had expected. His behavior was also impeccable.

To the extent that the following joke was circulating among the officials of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall.

“Is the Heir Apparent really not five years old yet? He is too precocious for his age.”

“I agree. Seeing him not only accepting teachings but also raising questions…”

“I was worried that there might be too much to carry out His Majesty’s orders, but the Heir Apparent’s talent is so outstanding that I think it would be good to be a little more ambitious.”

“I agree. I’ll have to talk to the superiors again.”

The officials of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall decided to proceed with more active education and training.

The Heir Apparent’s outstanding achievements, which were the background for the decision of the officials of the Crown Prince’s Lecture Hall, were largely due to Hyang’s talent, but Hyang’s determination was the biggest reason.

“I have to move up the plan!”

As July passed, Hyang decided to completely revise his plan.

“I was going to start activities when I reached the age of fifteen, but I can’t stand it!”

Hyang did not hide his frustration, pounding his chest.

“As soon as possible! I have to start working by the age of ten at the latest!”

Unable to bear the frustration, Hyang gulped down water and exhaled.

“Phew! If I don’t start soon, I’ll die of frustration!”

There were two reasons why Hyang decided to completely revise his plan.

One of the reasons was the conquest of Tsushima Island. For the conquest of Tsushima Island, the court issued a mobilization order for warships and troops. The areas where the mobilization order was issued were Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong provinces.

Hyang was furious at the contents of the mobilization order.

-200 warships from the 3 provinces and lower-ranking soldiers, Byeolpae [special military units], Siwipae [another type of military unit], Suseonggun Yeongsok [garrison soldiers], Jaein [entertainers], Hwacheok [outcasts], unemployed people, Ilsu [laborers], and nobles skilled in boats are conscripted… (omitted)… and board the warships and gather at Gyeonnaeryang by June 8. (Note 1)

“It’s amazing! It’s amazing!”

Hyang, who obtained and read a copy of the mobilization order, was furious.

“Even if we consider the warships and reserve forces such as Habangapsa [elite soldiers] and Siwibyeolpae… military servants such as Suseonggunyeong, entertainers, outcasts, unemployed people, low-ranking officials… nobles are those who have passed the civil and military service exams, right? Nobles skilled in boats… except for farmers during the farming season, they are gathering everyone.”

Hyang sighed, pointing out the targets of conscription.

“Hoo~. Even if it’s the Joseon Dynasty, this is too much, right? There is a severe shortage of combat troops and professional sailors.”

While checking the details of troop conscription, Hyang recalled a scene from a foreign movie he had seen before.

A scene where sailors returning from a long voyage were talking loudly in a bar, and soldiers with clubs in their hands broke into the bar and beat the sailors with clubs, dragging them to warships. In the meantime, navigators and deck officers showed their certificates and protested, but the soldiers responded to the protests with clubs.

“The problem is that it wasn’t a fiction in the movie… If you look at this mobilization order, a similar situation will happen.”

Hyang sighed at the personnel composition, which was more rough and unprofessional than expected, but the preparations for the conquest were over anyway.

“Wonja [the Crown Prince], you’re going too?”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong pondered for a moment at Hyang’s words that he would participate in the expeditionary force’s departure ceremony, then nodded.

“Okay, let’s go together. Sangseon, prepare for the Wonja to go with us.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

May 18th. A ceremony was held at Dumo-po (present-day Dongbinggo) Baeksajeong on the Han River to send off the expeditionary force led by Yi Jong-mu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Provinces.

‘At least they’re all wearing armor.’

Hyang sighed softly as he checked the soldiers’ uniforms. This was because the soldiers lined up were wearing even Eomshim-gap [a type of armor], unlike what he had seen in historical dramas.

* * *

The conquest of Tsushima Island, which began in that way, was initially concluded on July 3 when the expeditionary force returned to Geoje Island. While the expeditionary force was reorganizing in Geoje Island, another plundering by the Japanese pirates occurred, and the court discussed the second conquest.

When many opinions were raised to postpone the reconquest due to the morale decline of the expeditionary force and the time when typhoons occur, urgent news came that the Japanese pirates who invaded Ming were annihilated.

Upon receiving the urgent news, the court disbanded the expeditionary force and sent an envoy to Tsushima Island.

-It is recorded in the literature that Tsushima Island is the territory of Joseon. Therefore, the lord of Tsushima Island must restore the relationship of lord and vassal.

-The lord of Tsushima Island must relocate all the residents to Joseon.

-If the above order is not carried out, the conquest will be done again.

Under the pressure of Joseon, the lord of Tsushima Island sent a letter through an envoy.

-The land of Tsushima Island is barren and life is poor, so please relocate the residents of Tsushima Island to islands including Geoje Island. In addition, if the King of Joseon gives the title and seal to the lord of Tsushima Island, I will obey the order as a vassal.

The court regarded this as the surrender document of the lord of Tsushima Island. The opinion came out that relocating the people of Tsushima Island to Joseon could turn Geoje Island and its affiliated islands into a den of Japanese pirates, so the seal of ‘Jongssi Dodowoongwa’ [a title] was given to the lord of Tsushima Island. (Note 2)

Hyang, who was listening to the progress of the incident in the East Palace [residence of the Crown Prince], clicked his tongue.

“Too soft, too soft!”

“The strategy, tactics, and command are too poor!”

“First of all, all the people of Tsushima Island should have been accepted into Joseon! If the people of Tsushima Island were completely accepted, then there was no need to worry about the lord of Tsushima Island! It’s over if you send them all to the north instead of the island!”

“They underestimated the value of Tsushima Island too much!”

Hyang burst into anger as he summarized the results alone.

“I can’t stand it!”

* * *

Note 1) Sejong 1st year, Moo-o

Note 2) Military Strategy in the Joseon Dynasty, Military History Compilation Institute, Ministry of National Defense,

End

ⓒ Gukbbong