Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 706

706. The Second Battle of the Yellow Sea (4)

Within the Ming court, debates raged daily over whether the incident involving the Imperial Navy was a trap set by Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom].

The problem was Han Wang-gyeom, a junior official from the Ministry of Rites, who had risen to become one of Emperor Jingtai’s closest confidants through his sudden, outspoken remarks. Seeing this, officials of all ranks rushed to offer their own carefully considered opinions, leading to endless arguments.

As a result, the Ming court descended into chaos.

Two major factions, along with numerous smaller ones, had formed within the court, engaging in heated debates.

Constructive opinions gradually disappeared, replaced by opposition for the sake of opposition.

The dire state of the court led to whispers among the younger, lower-ranking officials.

“Could this be what King Sejong of Joseon was aiming for?”

The biggest reason for the Ming court’s descent into such disarray was the silence of the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the Minister of War, and the Chief Military Commissioners—the leaders of the military—despite the daily mudslinging.

“Why do you remain silent?”

When Emperor Jingtai, unable to bear it any longer, directly asked the reason, the Grand Secretary bowed deeply, replying,

“Their opinions all have merit, so how can this humble servant dare to interfere?”

“But you are the Grand Secretary! Is it not your duty to listen to their words, examine them, and offer sound advice to Us?”

“I am doing my best to examine them. I will present a conclusion soon.”

“Hmph.”

Letting out a long sigh at the Grand Secretary’s response, Emperor Jingtai leaned back on his throne and waved his hand.

“You do not sound like the Grand Secretary I know. Very well, I will await your answer. But remember, My patience is not endless!”

At Emperor Jingtai’s warning, the Grand Secretary bowed once more, replying,

“I will do my best.”

* * *

After the court session, the Minister of War and the Chief Military Commissioners visited the Grand Secretary’s office.

“Why did you do that? You know very well that there are many who are waiting for an opportunity to push you out and take your place!”

“I know it well.”

The Minister of War, frustrated by the Grand Secretary’s calm demeanor, beat his chest.

“How can you act like this when you know that!”

The Chief Military Commissioners nodded in agreement with the Minister of War. The Grand Secretary explained in a calm voice,

“His Majesty listens to his subjects’ words, which is both His strength and His weakness. When there are too many opinions, He becomes easily swayed.”

“Then shouldn’t you, as the Grand Secretary, step forward!”

At the Minister of War’s rebuke, the Grand Secretary sighed deeply.

“Hmph. How can I organize anything when there is nothing to organize? The words filling the court are nothing but empty rhetoric. There is nothing worth listening to, only petty squabbles and nitpicking… Furthermore, there is a severe lack of information regarding the situation in Joseon. If only more decisive information were to come in, I would make a decision, be it a gamble or a risk, but in the current situation, I can do nothing. Isn’t that the same reason why you are all silent?”

“…….”

At the Grand Secretary’s question, the Minister of War and the Chief Military Commissioners fell silent, as they were silent for the same reason.

* * *

Since the last war, Ming had been desperately trying to understand the true strength of the Empire [Joseon Dynasty].

In particular, understanding the situation of the Imperial Army in the Liaodong region [northeastern region of China], which would be the first to be confronted in the event of war, and the Imperial Navy, which protected the Inner Sea—the Empire referred to the Yellow Sea as the Inner Sea—was the top priority.

To this end, Ming sent numerous spies to the Liaodong region and Jemulpo [present-day Incheon, South Korea].

However, despite sending many spies, the results were meager.

Spies disguised as Imperial citizens were caught due to the Empire’s unique identification tags and the universal military accounts held by all Imperial citizens. These spies quietly disappeared.

Those disguised as merchants were slightly safer, but their range of activity was very limited.

Spies attempting to scout the Imperial Navy’s naval bases in the Inner Sea or key military bases in Liaodong had to undergo inspections at major transportation hubs. Soldiers and police officers, after confirming that they had permission to enter as Ming merchants, asked the same question every time.

“Why is a Ming merchant coming here?”

“Ah? I heard there were good goods here….”

The responses from the Imperial soldiers and police officers were almost identical.

“All those goods are in the trading posts. Use the trading posts.”

“Please, officers! I need to buy them a little cheaper to make more profit! Please, let me through.”

Even with pleas and bribes, the Imperial soldiers and police officers remained unmoved.

“Seriously! If we say no, we mean no! Go back now unless you want to be thrown in jail!”

In the end, spies who failed to pass the checkpoints secretly tried to bypass them to reach their targets, but they were caught by the Mili [secret police] and eliminated.

The Mili had strong connections to the underworld through their past ties with the Geomgye [criminal organization]. Thanks to this, the Mili knew about the guides who helped Ming spies.

Helping foreign spies was a major crime equivalent to treason, but many were blinded by the large sums of money they received as compensation. The Mili secretly monitored these individuals.

As a result, spies trying to infiltrate military facilities or Area 51 using these guides were immediately caught by the Mili.

As time passed, the Mili went a step further, disguising their own agents as guides.

The Mili’s disguised agents gained the spies’ trust by successfully carrying out a few minor operations with low risk. Then, when the spy tried to access truly important secrets, they would lure them to a location where the Mili’s strike team was waiting and eliminate them.

As espionage using spies became stagnant, Ming began to send out reconnaissance ships, the most traditional method.

And so, a life-or-death game of hide-and-seek between the Imperial Navy’s patrol ships and these reconnaissance ships unfolded fiercely in the Inner Sea.

* * *

“Even if we set aside the spies, are we still not getting anything from the reconnaissance ships?”

At the Grand Secretary’s question, the Left Chief Military Commissioner put his hand on his forehead.

“It’s not easy. They spend more time running away than scouting…….”

“Hmph.”

“Sigh.”

Everyone present sighed simultaneously at the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s answer.

“If only we could get just one piece of decisive intelligence, we could make a decision right away….”

“I agree.”

“I’m about to die from frustration these days.”

Those who lamented their difficulties all prayed for one thing.

-Just let one piece of decisive intelligence come in from anywhere!

The reason they prayed so fervently was that they were exhausted from the chaos in the court.

-We’re tired of wasting our energy! Let’s just end it!

* * *

Did their wishes come true?

Around the time when autumn was turning into winter, a reconnaissance ship returned battered and reported valuable intelligence.

-One of Joseon’s Assault Turtle Ships has entered dry dock for repairs!

“A report that one of the Assault Turtle Ships has entered dry dock!”

The Minister of War’s face brightened at the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s announcement.

“Is that a confirmed fact?”

“It’s the report from the reconnaissance ship that just returned! Just in case, I sent another reconnaissance ship to check, and it seems that only one of the Empire’s Assault Turtle Ships is moving!”

At the Left Chief Military Commissioner’s words, the Minister of War immediately stood up.

“Let’s go to the Grand Secretary!”

* * *

After hearing the story from the Minister of War and the Chief Military Commissioners, the Grand Secretary rushed to Emperor Jingtai.

“Hmm… One of Joseon’s Assault Turtle Ships is in dry dock for repairs?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty. If it’s being put in dry dock for repairs, it means it’s a major job that will take a lot of time. I believe this is a golden opportunity.”

Emperor Jingtai nodded at the Grand Secretary’s words.

“Certainly… It is much more advantageous to face only one Assault Turtle Ship rather than two when We have three Twin Dragons [Ming Dynasty warships]. The losses will be smaller as well.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

While nodding at the Grand Secretary’s words, Emperor Jingtai began to verify the information once more.

“Is there no possibility that it is a trap set by King Sejong of Joseon?”

“It seems very unlikely.”

“But why now?”

The Right Chief Military Commissioner stepped forward to explain at Emperor Jingtai’s question.

-The Yellow Sea, known for its calmness, is quite rough in winter. Of course, it’s not as bad as during the summer storms, but it’s still not ideal for forming a fleet and engaging in naval warfare.

-Just as we send reconnaissance ships, Joseon also sends reconnaissance ships to scout us. Seeing that the third Twin Dragon is still only moving in the nearby waters, they must have judged that it has not yet been fully operational and started repairs.

“Hmm….”

Emperor Jingtai, nodding at the Right Chief Military Commissioner’s explanation, asked another question.

“Even if it’s in dry dock, wouldn’t they put it back in the water if they knew we were moving?”

“There is a high possibility of that. However, if it’s being put in dry dock, it must be a very major repair, and even if they put it back in the water, it will be difficult for it to exert its full power.”

“I see….”

Emperor Jingtai, trailing off and lost in thought, remained silent for a long time.

After a long time, Emperor Jingtai, having made some kind of decision, looked at his ministers.

“Very well! We will attack the Joseon fleet! Let us firmly imprint on Joseon whose the Yellow Sea belongs to!”

At Emperor Jingtai’s declaration, all the ministers bowed their heads simultaneously and replied.

“We obey Your Majesty’s command!”

* * *

Although Emperor Jingtai had made up his mind, the Ming court was still noisy.

This time, they were fighting over the timing of the war.

-Although we have decided to start the war, we cannot fight immediately. It takes a lot of time to plan the operation and supply the fronts with supplies! That would mean it will be winter! It is too dangerous to wage a naval battle in the rough winter sea! It should be postponed to spring!

-We must finish preparations as quickly as possible and enter the battle! By next spring, the aftereffects of the personnel changes will have subsided, and the Assault Turtle Ship will likely have completed its maintenance. If that happens, we will be throwing away an opportunity given to us by the heavens! We must take the risk and set out immediately!

“What does the Grand Secretary think?”

At Emperor Jingtai’s question, the Grand Secretary replied immediately.

“I believe we should set out as quickly as possible. We must strike before they recover from the aftereffects of the personnel changes and when they are complacent, trusting in the winter sea.”

“If even the Grand Secretary says so decisively….”

Emperor Jingtai, nodding, issued his decision to the ministers.

“Prepare as quickly as possible and aim for when they are off guard. The ministers must do their best to ensure the supply is perfect.”

“We obey Your Majesty’s command!”

* * *

While Ming was all-in on the gambling table, workers at the Imperial Fleet Maintenance Depot in Asan [city in South Korea] were grumbling.

“Damn it! These barnacles!”

The workers grumbled incessantly as they removed the barnacles attached to the hull of the Assault Turtle Ship that had been put in dry dock.

“What a hardship in the dead of winter!”

The Assault Turtle Ship being put in dry dock was a trap set by Hyang and Shin In-son.