Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 66

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

66. Variables (5)

Following the series of major events such as Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s purge and Emperor Yongle’s death, Joseon [Korea], which had been bustling, was gradually quieting down as autumn passed and winter approached.

However, as if this stability was not to their liking, a horseman carrying urgent news galloped into the palace.

“Urgent report!”

The cavalryman, leaping off his horse before it had even come to a complete stop, took out a report from his chest and handed it to the person in charge.

The report brought by the cavalryman was immediately delivered to Sejong. After reading the report, Sejong immediately ordered the Royal Secretary.

“Summon all officials of the Dang Sang rank [high-ranking officials] or higher to the Pyeonjeon Hall [main hall of the palace] immediately!”

“Understood!”

At Sejong’s emergency call, the ministers who had been handling state affairs in government offices and the State Council all rushed to the Pyeonjeon Hall.

The same was true for those working in Area 51. Choi Hae-san, Yi Cheon, and Hyang mounted their horses and galloped towards Gwanghwamun Gate [main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

Arriving at the palace, Hyang headed to the Pyeonjeon Hall and asked a eunuch a question.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I only heard that urgent news came from the north.”

“The north?”

Hyang looked back at Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon. Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon were unusually stern.

‘Where is this smell of blood coming from….’

Hyang felt as if the stench of blood was wafting from the surroundings. As Hyang searched for the source of the blood scent, he became very tense when he realized that the smell was coming from Choi Hae-san and Yi Cheon.

‘Is this the killing intent of soldiers who have experienced a battlefield?’

As he entered the Pyeonjeon Hall, the ministers who had already been summoned were gathered.

“I apologize for being late.”

“It’s alright, Your Highness.”

In response to Hyang’s apology for arriving late, the Chief State Councilors stepped forward and said it was okay.

“His Majesty the King is entering!”

Not long after Hyang took his seat, the Chief Eunuch announced Sejong’s entrance. As Hyang and the ministers bowed respectfully, Sejong, ascending to the throne, began to speak.

“It seems like it will be quite long, so everyone, please take a seat.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Is this a good thing about not having ondol [Korean floor heating system] widely used yet? There are chairs.’

‘Ack! I’m digressing again!’ Hyang, who had been lost in thought while sitting on the chair brought by the eunuchs, shook his head slightly and focused his mind.

As the small commotion caused by the eunuchs bringing in the chairs subsided, Sejong got to the point.

“A little while ago, urgent news came from the north. Royal Secretary, relay the contents of the urgent report.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Royal Secretary, bowing, addressed the ministers.

“You are aware that there has been unrest in Jianzhou Jurchen [region in Manchuria] since last year. Although it is unrest within the Jurchen tribes, we, Joseon, cannot ignore it due to the nature of the Jurchen, so we have been continuously tracking the source of the unrest, and recently, scouts have found out the reason and delivered an urgent report.”

At the Royal Secretary’s statement, the ministers concentrated with serious faces.

The Royal Secretary’s voice echoed in the Pyeonjeon Hall, which was as quiet as a mouse.

“The unrest in Jianzhou Jurchen was caused by a large tribe from the north migrating south.”

At the Royal Secretary’s statement, Hwang-hee opened his mouth.

“What is the reason for their southward migration?”

“They say they were pushed south by the pressure from the Tatars [Mongols].”

“What is the scale?”

“It is said to be a tribe of about 10,000 households.”

“Oh dear….”

“This is a big problem.”

Upon hearing the scale of the tribe that had migrated south, the ministers sighed. Unlike Joseon and Ming [China], which considered a family of five as one household, the Jurchens’ one household usually consisted of 15 people.

“Then the number of cavalry they possess is at least 10,000 to 30,000.”

“That’s right. And the number of heavy cavalry is at least 3,000 to 10,000.”

This was the part that made Joseon very nervous. Due to the nature of their semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral life, the Jurchen cavalry was quite skilled.

Looking at past history, the Jurchens were by no means an easy opponent. Although they were ruled by the Liao dynasty established by the Khitans, after gathering strength, it was the Jurchens who overthrew Liao and established the Jin dynasty. And that Jin inflicted great wounds on Song and Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty].

After the Yuan dynasty invaded and destroyed Jin, the Jurchens were divided into tribal units. And that state has continued until now.

This division of the Jurchens was the result of Joseon and Ming’s intervention. The Jurchen tribes, who had almost similar languages and customs, could lead to the birth of a powerful nation if someone could unite them. This was not what Joseon and Ming wanted.

“Who is the tribal chief?”

“It is said to be Yimanjoo.”

“If a tribe of this size has migrated south, it is quite a big problem, but did Ming just leave them alone?”

“They say Ming allowed it.”

“What!”

“This is terrible!”

At the Royal Secretary’s answer, the ministers were horrified. Hwang-hee announced his opinion to Sejong with a serious face.

“Your Majesty, this may be a plot by Ming.”

At Hwang-hee’s statement, Sejong nodded.

“I think so too.”

* * *

‘Jurchen….’

Hyang, listening to the Royal Secretary’s report, recalled his memories of the 21st century.

When he was wandering aimlessly on the internet to do some ‘Deokjil’ [obsessive fandom activities], he came across a posting called ‘Yi Seong-gye’s Presence’.

“What is this?”

The post on the blog he clicked on was a post made with the records of the Annals of Taejo [historical records of King Taejo’s reign].

It showed the tribes of Jurchens who had surrendered to Taejo at the time and the actual conditions of naturalization marked on a map, and Hyang’s mouth dropped open when he saw the map.

“Wow….”

Yi Seong-gye’s direct influence extended firmly beyond the northeastern borders of Goryeo to the Jiandao region, and his indirect sphere of influence extended further north to southern Heilongjiang Province.

“This must be a joke, right? Is the source reliable?”

It was a post that had a strong impact on Hyang’s memory.

After being reincarnated, Hyang gathered information about the relationship between the Jurchens and Joseon. It was a kind of cross-validation for Hyang.

After checking the data he had collected, Hyang burst into a smile.

“Doesn’t this remind you of a scene from a gangster movie?”

What Hyang was talking about was the argument between Taejong and Emperor Yongle. That part was like a scene from a gangster movie no matter how you looked at it.

—

Hey! Chairman Joo [referring to Emperor Zhu Di of Ming]!
You can’t do this!

Even if our Joseon faction went under the Ming faction, you can’t do this!

Ming faction guys are loitering in the Yain Jurchen area!

Hey! The Yain Jurchen area is the area that the late Chairman Joo [referring to Yi Seong-gye] said was our Joseon faction’s!

Hey! Don’t you have any business ethics? You can’t do that!

What? The Jurchen area is also the Ming faction’s area?

Don’t talk nonsense!

Should we fight?

Our Joseon faction’s boss will be broken, but do you think the Ming faction will be okay!

Huh? Huh? Should we fight this time?

Forget about the Northern Yuan faction and should we fight?

—

After a rough argument over the Jurchen region, Taejong, who brought out ‘Joo Won-jang’s confirmation’ [Emperor Hongwu of Ming], got a concession from Emperor Yongle.

Since then, the Jurchen region had become a battleground for the three countries. Ming and Joseon were secretly trying to expand their influence in Jianzhou Jurchen and Yain Jurchen, and the Northern Yuan was dreaming of a comeback and looking for an opportunity on top of them.

* * *

Because of this complicated situation, not only the ministers but also Sejong were suspecting the Ming’s plot.

“The situation is urgent, so think of good countermeasures.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

While the ministers were discussing their opinions, Hyang recalled his memories – Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s presence and influence were certainly strong among the Jurchens.

-However, as it came down to Taejong and Sejong, this influence was gradually decreasing. The reason for this was that, unlike Yi Seong-gye, who had direct contact, they stayed in the palace, and the frequency and intensity of direct contact decreased.

-Although the influence is decreasing, the influence on Yi Seong-gye and his descendants is ‘still’ alive. The problem is that the subject who exerts this influence is ‘Yi Seong-gye’s descendants’, not ‘Joseon’.

‘Let’s see… Was it from Sejo [King Sejo of Joseon] that the relationship became a completely transactional one? Quite a few influential Jurchen tribal chiefs were involved in the Restoration Movement of Danjong [attempt to restore King Danjong to the throne] and died, so the relationship with the Jurchens was completely broken… Oh dear! The habit of remembering things roughly when I’m less interested is causing problems here.’

Hyang grumbled inwardly and continued to think in order to come up with a good solution.

However, even after thinking for a long time, the only answers that came out were orthodox ones.

‘Damn it! Is this the best I can do?’

Hyang, who was cursing at the situation where he couldn’t come up with a brilliant answer, opened his mouth with a helpless expression.

“Father, I don’t think tricks will be of much use in the current situation, and we have to go the orthodox way.”

“Orthodox?”

“Yes, Father. I think we should strengthen our Joseon’s capabilities, reform the military system, build up our internal strength, and then subjugate the Jurchens.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong stroked his beard.

“Is that the best you can do?”

“This is the only best way in the current situation.”

‘Reality is a mess!’

“Considering your usual wit….”

“Let me say again, it is difficult for our Joseon’s current situation to use tricks. After all, tricks are lucky numbers that are hard to beat the orthodox.”

Sejong made a sound of disapproval at Hyang’s answer. Seeing Sejong like that, Hyang added.

“Tricks are more valuable when there is room to spare. No matter how many tricks there are, a single soldier cannot defeat Xiang Yu [famous Chinese general], can he?”

‘What? The story might be different if a spearman was holding a machine gun instead of a spear…’

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That’s true. What a pity! Listen, everyone!,”

“We will listen carefully, Your Majesty!”

“Create a plan to reform the military system and submit it. This is also necessary for the Gyeongjang [Sejong’s reform policies]. If this had not happened, I was going to create and implement it a little later, but the situation has changed rapidly, so a quick solution is needed.”

“Understood!”

Although he gave orders to the ministers, Sejong did not have a satisfied expression.

“I feel like there might be a more effective plan….”

At Sejong’s words full of regret, the ministers began to rack their brains while sweating coldly. If they went a little further from there, the ‘Tsk!’ that they were sick of would pop out, and then they would have to shout ‘We are terrified!’ at the top of their lungs.

‘Think, think!’ While the ministers were desperately racking their brains, Hyang suggested to Sejong.

“Father, as a second-best option, why don’t you call the tribal chiefs of Yain Jurchen to the palace and comfort them?”

“Call the tribal chiefs to the palace?”

“Yes. There is a saying that goes around the streets, ‘If the body is far away, the heart is also far away.’ Isn’t this limited to just relationships between men and women? If you call the tribal chiefs and comfort them, the tribal chiefs will be moved by your kindness.”

“I see.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words. As Sejong’s reaction was good, Hyang’s voice began to gain strength.

“If our Joseon’s capabilities become stronger, those tribal chiefs who come to visit will have to make a choice. Whether it’s a gift in one hand or a club in the other.”

“That’s very good! Then we’ll need a very strong club, right?”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded greatly at Hyang’s words.

“I like it very much.”

* * *

Five days later, the ministers created a plan for the reform of the military system and submitted it to Sejong.

“Let’s see….”

Sejong, who was reading through the plans submitted by the ministers, raised his head and glared at the ministers.

“Is this the best you can do?”

“We are terrified!”

“Tsk! Did you even properly look at the Gyeongjang plan that I made?”

“We are terrified!”

Among those who were constantly bowing their heads, Hwang-hee stepped forward.

“We thought that was the best we could do with our current situation….”

“Listen, Right State Councilor! Is changing the names of the positions a reform? How is that the best you can do!”

“We are terrified!”

“Ugh! Forget it, I’ll just make it myself!”

“Please kill us!”

“Do you really want me to do that?”

“We are terrified!”

In the end, Sejong began to create a plan for military reform himself, as he had said.

“First of all, based on the expansion of the government’s finances in the future….”

Sejong, who created a basic plan by referring to the Gyeongjang plan he had written, passed it on to the Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies – royal research institute].

“Review it and find areas for improvement.”

“Understood!”

Sejong, who had the plan that came out through the Jiphyeonjeon in his hands, began to re-examine it. Sejong, who had examined the plan several times, frowned.

“I still don’t like it….”

After thinking about it, Sejong looked for Hyang.

“… I made this plan, but what do you think?”

“It’s a masterpiece that you made after much deliberation, Father, so wouldn’t it be the best?”

“Even if you flatter me like that, the research institute budget will not be increased.”

In the end, Hyang created an improvement plan with Sejong.

“Completely separating the positions of the military and filling them with military officials? Won’t the civil officials rise up? If we do it wrong, some people will say ‘Military Regime’.”

“That’s why we left the authority over budget and personnel to the Minister of War and the Vice Minister, and had those two be civil officials, right?”

“Wouldn’t it be better for me to take charge of everything since we’re completely separating it?”

“Then there is a very high possibility that the military officials will completely ignore the civil officials and run wild. If that happens, it will become the ‘Reincarnation of the Military Regime’.”

“Even with me here?”

“You will be the justification for that runaway, Father.”

“Will I?”

“It will definitely happen.”

Hyang answered firmly.

‘There was actually such an organization. The Imperial Japanese Army!’

After much discussion, the reform of the military system began.

It was a reform symbolized by the ‘Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters’ and the ‘Training Center’.