Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 625

Not long after the Ryukyu envoy departed, a messenger from the Ouchi clan arrived in Joseon [historical Korean kingdom].

This was quite unexpected. According to past practices, the Ouchi should have been the first to arrive.

Because of this, various opinions circulated within the court.

“Isn’t this truly strange?”

“Indeed, it is.”

Amidst the suspicions voiced here and there, opposing views also emerged.

“Aren’t we being too sensitive?”

“That’s right. They might have had circumstances that caused them to be a little late, no?”

To that, Hwang Hee immediately responded.

“The question is, what are those circumstances?”

At Hwang Hee’s words, most of the officials around him, regardless of their stance, nodded.

* * *

To the people of Joseon, the Jurchens in the north and the Japanese in the south were always objects of vigilance. However, the Jurchens in the north had been continuously integrated into Joseon through reforms, and as Joseon transformed into an empire, much of the worry was alleviated.

Now that they were within the empire’s territory and had become subjects of the empire, they could use both incentives and punishments without hesitation.

However, the situation with Japan in the south was different. There was the issue of having to cross the sea, and since they had already established themselves as a nation, justification was needed to wield the stick [take punitive action].

This was something that Hyang was also contemplating.

‘The need for justification to wage war is the same whether it’s the 21st century or now! Look how much groundwork we laid when we conquered Tsushima Island!’

During the conquest of Tsushima Island in the first year of King Sejong’s reign, Joseon lobbied the lords of Japan with massive bribes to ensure they would remain silent when Joseon attacked Tsushima Island.

For those who still vividly remembered the nightmares of the late Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty] and early Joseon periods, vigilance against Japan was at its peak.

* * *

In this situation, the Ouchi messenger who arrived was Ouchi Norihiro.

“Welcome, Head of the Clan.”

“Thank you for the welcome, Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

After polite greetings were exchanged according to protocol, Norihiro got straight to the point.

“According to the agreement we made last time, we would like to purchase 20,000 matchlock rifles, 2 million rounds of ammunition, 40 Eul-sik Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery], and 10 million rounds of ammunition.”

“We will prepare accordingly.”

Huh Hoo nodded readily at Norihiro’s request. Seeing Huh Hoo’s positive response, Norihiro soon moved on to the real issue.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, are you perhaps familiar with the word ‘license’?”

“License? Doesn’t it mean ‘to be exempt from permission’?”

“In our country, it is used with a slightly different meaning. It means that permission has been granted to perform something.”

“Is that so? Interesting.”

Huh Hoo’s words were sincere. Although they were countries that used the same Chinese characters, there were indeed many words that were used with similar but different meanings.

“But why are you bringing up ‘license’?”

At Huh Hoo’s question, Norihiro immediately answered.

“We would like to receive a license to produce Joseon’s Eul-sik matchlock rifles, Eul-sik Hwachas, and ammunition.”

“Huh? You want to produce our empire’s Eul-sik matchlock rifles and Eul-sik Hwachas in Japan?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to produce them?”

At Huh Hoo’s question, Norihiro explained the reason with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“Even though the head of our clan has become the Shogun of the shogunate and has been serving the Emperor for several years, there are still many who do not pledge allegiance to the shogunate. It is to suppress and pacify these people. Of course, purchasing from the empire is also good, but since we cannot obtain as much as we want when we need it, we seek to obtain a license to produce them in the shogunate.”

To put Norihiro’s words briefly:

-We have more than a few guys to beat up, so why are you giving us so little bit by bit? Are you trying to act superior? Fine, we’ll make them ourselves!

“Hmm…”

Huh Hoo stroked his beard and pondered Norihiro’s words before coming to a conclusion.

“This is not a matter I can decide on my own, so I will report it to His Majesty.”

At Huh Hoo’s answer, Norihiro readily nodded.

“Of course. Here is a personal letter from the Shogun to His Majesty.”

Huh Hoo, having received the letter that Norihiro politely handed over, immediately replied.

“I will present it to His Majesty.”

* * *

The personal letter from Shogun Mochiyo, which had been submitted through Huh Hoo, was inspected by the Seungjeongwon [Royal Secretariat] before being delivered to Hyang.

-I, Ouchi Mochiyo, the Shogun of the shogunate, respectfully submit this letter to the Emperor of the Great United Empire.

Since the time when the Empire was known as Joseon, our Ouchi clan and Joseon have been the best of neighbors.

Now that Joseon, our neighbor, has become an empire like a dragon ascending to the heavens, I cannot hide my joy.

(Omitted)

Therefore, if Your Majesty grants my request, the friendship between the Empire and our Japan will last for ten thousand generations.

Thus, the letter sent by Mochiyo was written with the utmost respect and using the highest honorifics for Hyang.

“Hmm… Interesting. That’s why I’m even more worried. Everyone, take a look.”

After reading the contents of the letter, Hyang handed the letter to the eunuch.

Starting with Hwang Hee, who received the letter through the eunuch, all the ministers attending the meeting examined the contents of the letter.

Hwang Hee, who was the first to review the letter, reported to Hyang.

“It is certainly a letter filled with unprecedented respect. However, there is a saying that ‘excessive courtesy is impolite,’ so it is even more suspicious.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, all the ministers who had reviewed the letter nodded.

In the past, there had been several personal letters exchanged between the King of Joseon and the Shogun of the shogunate.

However, examining those letters, it was a situation where both sides respected each other without distinguishing who was superior or inferior.

But, looking at the letter sent by Mochiyo this time, it was a situation where he was completely prostrating himself.

Therefore, the ministers were even more suspicious.

Even when Joseon sent letters to Ming [Chinese dynasty], the suzerain state, it was not to this extent. No, no matter how weak a country was, prostrating oneself to this degree was a matter of pride.

“If we examine past examples, the more polite they are, the more we should be wary of the Japanese.”

Hyang, nodding at Kim Jeom’s words, pointed out the real problem.

“The most important thing is why the Ouchi clan is trying to further strengthen their military power.”

At Hyang’s question, Huh Hoo answered.

“It is true that many of the lords who opposed the Ouchi clan during the last war have fallen. However, there are also quite a few who have increased their power. Judging from the words of the head of the clan who came this time, it is certain that they are thinking of organizing these people.”

* * *

In the last war with Ming, Joseon and the Ouchi clan landed the lords of Japan and their soldiers on the Ming mainland.

Many, blinded by the opportunity for a quick fortune, entered Ming and engaged in looting, which caused Ming to be cut off at the waist.

The problem was what happened after this.

Joseon and the Ouchi clan, having achieved all strategically necessary objectives, immediately withdrew from Ming.

Of course, they did not withdraw without saying a word. Joseon, through the Ouchi clan, did not forget to notify them of the withdrawal date.

“The Ming army runs away as soon as they see us! There’s no need to follow Joseon’s notification!”

“Why should we listen to the Ouchi bastards!”

However, due to the confidence gained from seeing the Ming army being defeated, the wealth that was accumulating every day, and finally, their antipathy towards the Ouchi clan, they ignored the Ouchi’s notification.

This was their fatal mistake.

As time passed, the Ming army, having regained their senses, and even civilian warriors called martial artists, began to drive them back.

Evading the Ming army and martial artists’ suppression, they now had to face the Joseon navy and the Ouchi navy. Joseon and the Ouchi clan, as soon as they withdrew, declared those who remained in Ming as bandits and suppressed them.

In this process, many lords who had antipathy towards the Ouchi clan fell, but there were also quite a few who did not.

‘There is no such thing as unconditional goodwill!’

‘But if we don’t go to war, we will be branded as traitors, and even if we are not branded as traitors, it is certain that we will gradually decline.’

Some lords, suspecting the intentions of Joseon and the Ouchi clan, paid attention to the movements of the Ouchi and Joseon even while looting.

In particular, seeing the Ouchi clan eagerly securing Ming artisans, they also swept up Ming artisans themselves.

And, as soon as they received the notification, they immediately set out on their return journey without any hesitation.

Of course, they were sick to their stomachs paying a considerable amount of tolls to Joseon, but they were able to return safely to their territories with a considerable amount of wealth and artisans.

Afterwards, hearing rumors of the fate of those who had acted foolishly unlike them, they breathed a sigh of relief.

The problem was that the situation that unfolded afterwards was not very pleasing to the Ouchi clan.

Lords emerged who quietly implemented their own policies of enriching the country and strengthening the military, based on the wealth and artisans they had obtained from Ming.

“Even the country bumpkins of the Ouchi clan have grasped the world, so why can’t we!”

The stench of blood from another war was slowly beginning to rise again.

* * *

“Hmm…”

At Huh Hoo’s answer, Hyang stroked his chin and muttered inwardly.

‘Is the Warring States period [period of conflict in Japanese history], which I thought would not happen, finally going to occur? Considering the impact that the end of that Warring States period had on Joseon, it’s not welcome… Well, now it’s not Joseon but an empire, and the situation itself has completely changed, but still, it seems better to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Especially if the Warring States period becomes as long as I learned it was, the variables become too great.’

Hyang’s biggest concern was the problem that came up at the end.

-There is no guarantee what the situation will be for future generations after a long period of time.

If things continue as they are now, there is no need to worry, but there was also a significant possibility of falling into decline like the history of Rome after the ‘Five Good Emperors’ period.

‘It could be shattered into pieces.’

“Hmm…”

Seeing Hyang, who was usually so different, stiffen and become silent, the ministers became restless.

‘What is it? He’s so silent, it’s kind of scary!’

‘If it were like before, he would have immediately made a suggestion or asked another question, but suddenly he’s like this…’

Whether he knew the expressions of those ministers or not, Hyang, who had been silent for a long time, finally opened his mouth.

“The situation is not good. If what the Minister of Foreign Affairs says is true, there is a risk of another civil war breaking out in Japan.”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers pondered Huh Hoo’s remarks and nodded.

Among the ministers who were nodding, the new Minister of National Defense, Min Shin, opened his mouth.

“That is certainly true. However, allowing the Ouchi clan to produce matchlock rifles and Hwachas themselves is also dangerous. We cannot be sure how long they will obey us.”

At Min Shin’s words, Kim Jongseo raised the main issue.

“But isn’t the problem that if they enter a civil war, the sparks will fly to us?”

After that, a debate ensued over the pros and cons. However, the opposition was more dominant than the proponents.

Hyang, who was organizing the situation while listening to the ministers’ debate, finally came to a conclusion.

“I have made a decision.”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers closed their mouths and looked at Hyang. Facing those ministers, Hyang continued.

“Let’s give the Ouchi clan the license they want. Instead, let’s go in the direction of imposing some shackles.”