Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 666

666. Tales of Other Nations (1)

Emperor Jingtai, burdened by the aftermath of the Ming Dynasty’s defeat, dedicated himself to its recovery.

-Focus solely on defense in Liaodong and the northern regions!

Based on this defensive strategy, Emperor Jingtai and his officials reorganized the northern forces.

Though defeated, troops experienced in combat, especially with gunpowder weapons, were stationed along the northern Great Wall. The remaining gunpowder and cannons were gathered and positioned there.

Meanwhile, the troops hastily assembled during the war were deployed to repair the destroyed canals and transportation networks.

“Restoring the canals and transportation networks is the top priority to quell the unrest in Jiangnan and ensure proper tax revenue!”

This was Emperor Jingtai’s decision for a swift recovery. Some officials attempted to object.

“Your Majesty, Joseon might advance through Shanhaiguan! We must prepare!”

However, before Emperor Jingtai could respond, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet intervened to dismiss their concerns.

“Joseon is already struggling to manage the territory they’ve acquired. There’s no need to worry about Joseon! We only need to focus on the northern Tartars now!”

“The northern Tartars might bypass us.”

“Do you believe Joseon would allow the Tartars to rampage through the north, territory they just seized? No. In our current situation, it would be beneficial if the Tartars did just that.”

“….”

With the Senior Grand Secretary silencing the worried officials, the matter was settled.

* * *

The officials’ initial assessment of Emperor Jingtai mirrored that of Emperor Xuande.

-A mediocre ruler.

-He might be suitable for peaceful times, but not for chaotic ones….

However, when individuals claiming to be Emperor Jianwen and his son appeared in the Jiangnan region, causing unrest, the officials revised their opinion of Emperor Jingtai after witnessing his reaction.

“Gather the troops immediately and suppress them!”

Upon hearing the news, Emperor Jingtai was furious and ordered immediate suppression. However, the Minister of War stepped forward to object.

“That is not feasible in the current situation. I have a better plan! All we need is a single imperial edict!”

“Speak.”

Emperor Jingtai listened to the Minister of War’s proposal and immediately approved it.

‘During the Jingnan Rebellion [a civil war during the early Ming Dynasty], there was an unfortunate incident. My sorrow is immense. Therefore, I will restore Emperor Hui’s era name, Jianwen, and appoint Zhu Wengui as a Prince. Thus, Zhu Wengui should present himself to me.’

As this edict was posted throughout Jiangnan, those claiming to be Emperor Jianwen or Zhu Wengui began to fight each other, each asserting their claim as the true one.

Upon receiving reports of this situation, the officials revised their assessment of Emperor Jingtai once more.

-He knows how to listen. This is his greatest strength.

-His judgment is as excellent as the late Emperor.

* * *

While people in Jiangnan were embroiled in conflict, Emperor Jingtai and the Ming officials were diligently working to restore the canals.

Ironically, Joseon [an ancient Korean kingdom] merchants greatly aided this restoration effort.

In addition to conscripted laborers, merchants from the Hebei region were also participating in the canal restoration.

The merchants who participated found themselves in a difficult position.

Emperor Jingtai and the court officials were urging them to complete the work quickly, day after day.

The merchants’ concerns became the worries of their subordinates, who complained to the merchants of the Empire [referring to Joseon, which now styles itself as an Empire].

Not long after the war ended, the Joseon trading post in Shandong reopened.

Trade with Joseon, or rather the Empire, was essential for the Ming imperial family and court.

With the chaos in Jiangnan and the disrupted canals wreaking havoc on the tax system, trade with Joseon was crucial to secure the necessary funds.

Grains collected through taxation in the Jiangnan region, where Ming’s administrative power remained intact, along with large quantities of sulfur and saltpeter, were Ming’s primary exports. The Empire sold various iron farming tools, medicines, broadcloth, and a limited selection of luxury goods.

This trade was also vital for the Empire. Stable agriculture was possible through the water management projects that had now transitioned to the management phase. However, many regions, including Daeseol Island, struggled to achieve food self-sufficiency, indicating a long road ahead. Moreover, they had acquired Bukji [Northern Territory]. To settle the people living in Bukji as citizens of the Empire, a sufficient supply of food was essential.

The most effective solution was to strengthen agricultural production in Bukji and establish large-scale agricultural areas in Shinji [New Territory]. However, both required significant time and manpower, making Ming’s grain indispensable.

Of course, they could import from Daewol [Greater Yue] or Siam [Thailand], but those countries cultivated rice varieties completely different from those preferred by the people of the Empire. Conversely, in Ming’s Jiangnan, many farmers specialized in cultivating rice that suited the tastes of the people of the Empire because it was profitable.

Sulfur and saltpeter were needed for military purposes. The Empire, which had been able to breathe thanks to the supply of sulfur from Daeseol Island and the import of saltpeter from Tianzhu [India], bought up all the saltpeter and sulfur that Ming sold.

This was partly to stockpile in preparation for unforeseen circumstances, but also to exert control over a significant portion of Ming’s military power.

The situation had reversed from the past when Ming controlled Joseon’s access to water buffalo horns, an essential material for making horn bows.

* * *

Against this backdrop, as the Joseon trading post, or rather the Imperial trading post, reopened in Shandong, merchants from both countries resumed their friendships.

“Oh? Wang Da-in [a respectful title for merchants]. You don’t look so good? Quite a mess, aren’t you?”

“Ah! Kim Da-in. Do I really look that bad?”

“Anyone would think you’d be preparing for your funeral. Should I give you some tonic?”

At the words of the Imperial merchant Kim Il-soo, the Ming merchant Wang De-gu flinched, aware of the multiple meanings of the word ‘tonic’ in Joseon, or rather the Empire.

Seeing Wang De-gu’s reaction, Kim Il-soo chuckled and continued.

“What are you thinking? I’m not talking about *that* kind of tonic. I’m saying you genuinely don’t look well.”

With those words, Kim Il-soo opened a desk drawer, rummaged around, and took something out, handing it to Wang De-gu.

“It’s bear bile from Daeseol Island that I got recently. See the imperial crest on the packaging? It’s genuine.”

“Oh my! How grateful I am! This Wang will never forget your kindness!”

Wang De-gu, clasping his hands and bowing deeply, was sincere.

Ming was a place where all sorts of counterfeit goods, even medicines, were rampant. As a result, Imperial-made medicines with the Imperial crest were traded at high prices. There was even a rumor that the Ming imperial family only used Imperial medicines.

In this situation, genuine bear bile was priceless. He could consume it himself, sell it for a profit, or offer it to his superiors to gain favor.

“What’s the problem? Are you afraid to spend the night with your wife? Or are your children causing trouble?”

At Kim Il-soo’s question, a mix of jest and seriousness, Wang De-gu sighed and replied.

“It’s nothing much, but the elder I serve has taken on a big project for the merchant guild, and he’s been losing sleep over it every day.”

“A big project? What kind of big project is it?”

“The merchant guild has been tasked with restoring the canals that were destroyed in the previous war, and no one wants to take on the job….”

“Surely civil engineering is the most lucrative work?”

Kim Il-soo tilted his head at Wang De-gu’s words.

* * *

As he said, civil engineering projects were very profitable. One could consistently generate profits by procuring workers, providing food, clothing, and shelter for the workers on site, and so on.

Of course, there were those who tried to make a fortune by tampering with materials or doing shoddy work. However, the moment they were caught by the inspectors, all their assets were confiscated, and their entire family became government slaves and were dragged off to Aoji [a harsh labor camp].

There were also attempts to bribe the inspectors to avoid this, but no inspector accepted such bribes. If problems arose later, the inspector would face confiscation of property and a trip to the record office as a minimum, and in severe cases, a life sentence of hard labor in Aoji.

Well, after the Empire was established, it was changed so that only the person involved became a government slave and worked in Aoji or other harsh places until death. However, the confiscation of all assets remained the same, so the moment they were caught, the person’s entire family had no choice but to end up on the streets.

* * *

At Kim Il-soo’s point, Wang De-gu explained the reason.

“The country is urging us to shorten the construction period every day. Kim Da-in, you know how it is, don’t you? If something goes wrong with a job assigned by the country, our entire clan could be wiped out.”

“So, you’re very worried?”

“Yes. The size of the site is limited, but it’s not like we can just keep throwing in workers indefinitely, is it? It’ll just increase the number of idle hands. But there’s no other solution, so I’m worried.”

Kim Il-soo nodded at Wang De-gu’s words.

“That’s true. Hmm…. The construction period must be shortened, but there’s no suitable method, and if something goes wrong and your master suffers, it won’t be good for you either, Wang Da-in. Is that why you look like that?”

“That’s right.”

Kim Il-soo immediately offered a solution to Wang De-gu’s answer.

“That problem can be solved immediately with a little wealth, you know?”

“Yes? How so? Please share your wisdom. I beg you.”

Seeing Wang De-gu’s earnest request, Kim Il-soo spoke about ‘incentive rewards’.

“…So. You divide them into groups, select the best-performing group, and give the group leader and members appropriate incentive rewards. After that, everyone will be working with their eyes burning, right?”

“Ah!”

Wang De-gu, who involuntarily exclaimed, clasped his hands again and bowed deeply.

“This Wang swears to the heavens and earth! I will repay this kindness without fail! If I cannot repay it, my descendants will repay it for generations!”

Kim Il-soo smiled and waved his hand at Wang De-gu’s oath.

“What’s with the oath…. Just continue to do good business with me in the future.”

“Don’t worry!”

Kim Il-soo, watching Wang De-gu, who was excited to have found the answer to his worries, clicked his tongue softly.

“Tsk! We’ve had an incentive reward system in our country for a long time, but how come a country that calls itself a great power….”

Kim Il-soo, who was questioning this, soon found his own answer.

“Is it because there are too many people? That must be it.”

From ancient times, Ming, or rather the Central Plains, was a country overflowing with people. If one was not enough, they would put in ten, and if ten were not enough, they would put in a hundred.

Therefore, there was no need to even consider the concept of ‘incentive rewards’.

Kim Il-soo, who was clicking his tongue, suddenly brightened his eyes.

“Wait? Come to think of it? Wasn’t it His Majesty who first thought of ‘incentive rewards’? Heh~. Indeed! He was different from the start!”

Kim Il-soo, admiring the wisdom of the Emperor, soon began to write a report to be sent to the merchant guild.

“By the way… if I do well, I might be able to get a pretty strong connection. If it’s a merchant guild that’s in charge of civil engineering projects run by the country, they must have connections to the Ming court.”

* * *

In this way, the ‘incentive reward system’ was introduced to the canal restoration site. As the ‘incentive reward system’ was implemented, the efficiency of the construction visibly increased.

And, in the autumn of the 3rd year of the Imperial calendar, the severed canals were reconnected.

Emperor Jingtai, upon receiving the report, ordered his officials.

“Consider relocating the capital to Nanjing.”