Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 85

Jjangra

Helo Bam

85. Aftermath (2)

After the battle, Im Gyeong-seok and his men prepared to move the few surviving villagers and livestock, along with the Jurchen corpses and spoils, to the rear on carts. One of the soldiers, looking at the survivors boarding the carts with a pitiful expression, spoke to Im Gyeong-seok.

“It’s all just children.”

“Because children are the only ones worth money.”

The faces of Im Gyeong-seok and the cavalrymen were grim as they spoke.

The Jurchen raids were fundamentally hit-and-run tactics.

To strike *gaecheokchon* [frontier settlements] or small villages near the border, loot, and quickly escape, adults were cumbersome.

Also, the Ming merchants who bought the captured Joseon people preferred children.

Children were easier to handle because they didn’t resist easily, and some Ming people preferred young girls or boys over adult women.

“The burial work is all done.”

“Is that so?”

Im Gyeong-seok looked at the two mounds that had risen among the houses burned to ashes. They were mounds where Joseon people killed by the Jurchens were buried, separated by gender.

After bowing his head towards the mounds for a brief moment of silence, Im Gyeong-seok mounted his horse.

“Return!”

“Return!”

Im Gyeong-seok’s unit, which had grown in size with the addition of the horses the Jurchens had ridden, slowly began to move towards the base.

* * *

“Your Majesty, this is a report from Pyeongan Province.”

“A report?”

“There has been a Jurchen raid.”

At the concise report from the *doseungji* [Chief Royal Secretary], Sejong quickly reached out and took the report, untying the knot.

“Hmm. This is…”

Sejong, with trembling hands, read the contents of the report and handed it to the *yeonguijeong* [Chief State Councillor].

“Read it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following the *yeonguijeong* [Chief State Councillor], all the other ministers took turns reading the report.

After confirming that all the ministers had read the report, Sejong opened his mouth.

“Although those who suffered in this incident are *yumin* [migrants] who *mudaneuro gaecheokhan hwajeon* [illegally cultivated *hwajeon* fields], it is certain that they are our Joseon people. The *pachong* [platoon leader] dispatched to the area has requested punitive expeditions in response, and the *byeongmajeoldosa* [Military Commissioner] of Pyeongan Province is also requesting permission. What do you think, gentlemen?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwang Hee asked *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War], Kim Yeo-ji.

“Which tribe were the Jurchen *noms* [bastards] who attacked the village that suffered this time?”

“Judging from the decorations on the harnesses and the ornaments in their hair, they have been identified as a branch of the Donggua tribe.”

“If it’s the Donggua tribe, isn’t that quite a large tribe? Will the currently deployed forces be sufficient?”

Kim Yeo-ji replied briefly to Hwang Hee’s question.

“We are not dealing with the entire Donggua tribe, and considering the difference in power shown in this battle, it is more than sufficient.”

“Hmm…”

“If we delay any further, the rainy season will begin, making suppression difficult.”

The *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War] immediately supported the immediate suppression. However, Sejong was not easily making a decision.

“It has been said since ancient times that when you get a good sword, you want to swing it. Aren’t we prematurely moving and committing the folly of *tacho gyeongsa* (打草驚蛇) [‘startling the snake in the grass’, alerting the enemy unnecessarily]?”

At Sejong’s point, Kim Yeo-ji immediately replied.

“The Jurchens are like old foxes. If we don’t respond properly, they will look down on us and keep attacking. If we come out strong, they will bow their heads and request trade. Showing them a proper lesson is a good strategy for the future.”

Sejong, stroking his beard and pondering at the *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War]’s answer, made a decision.

“Very well. Tell the *byeongmajeoldosa* [Military Commissioner] of Pyeongan Province that I grant permission. However, since the current forces are somewhat weak, order the *chongchammobonbu* [General Staff Headquarters] to appropriately select units from the *hullyeonwon* [Training Center] and each *yeong* [garrison] in Pyeongan Province that have received new *chongtong* cannons and *hwapo* firearms and have them join. And inform them that staying beyond a month from the point of crossing the Yalu River is not permitted.”

At Sejong’s command, the *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War] bowed deeply and replied.

“I receive the command!”

After issuing orders to the *byeongjo* [Ministry of War], Sejong turned his gaze to the *jeongseung* [State Councillors].

“*Jeongseung* [State Councillors], listen.”

“We will listen with respect!”

“Although it is to hold the Jurchens accountable, it is a fact that we are *wolgyeong* (越境, 국경을 넘음) [crossing the border]. The Ming may say something about this, so prepare an appropriate response and send an envoy to the Ming.”

“We receive the command!”

Thus, *jakjeonmyeong* [Operation] ‘보수(報讎, 앙갚음) [Retribution]’ was launched.

At the news of forming a force to subjugate the Jurchens, many *gungwan* [military officers] in the *hullyeonwon* [Training Center] eagerly volunteered.

“Send me!”

“No, send me! I will risk my life to make the operation a success!”

The expressions of the *gungwan* [military officers] requesting assignment were full of confidence.

The *gungwan* [military officers] were confident for a reason. It was because they believed in the performance of the new weapons they were familiar with.

And the report from the Yalu River further boosted their confidence.

Just one *dae* [company], without the support of artillery and without using *jangchongtong* [long-barreled cannons], annihilated twice the number of Jurchens without any casualties.

According to that achievement, *chogan* [platoon leader] Im Gyeong-seok, who commanded the *dae* [company], was scheduled for promotion.

‘I can’t miss this opportunity either!’

To not miss the opportunity given by heaven, the *gungwan* [military officers] of the *hullyeonwon* [Training Center] shouted to send them.

* * *

“Beile, we’ve been attacked again.”

“Where?”

“Aguda.”

“Damn it! How many have been attacked already!”

“Twelve *booi gon*.”

“Damn it!”

Crash!

At his subordinate’s report, the Beile of the Saruta tribe overturned the table in front of him.

For the large and small tribes belonging to the Donggua tribe, this Joseon subjugation was like a ‘bolt from the blue’. Six Joseon military groups, each consisting of about 400 cavalrymen and 100 artillerymen, were painting the residential areas of the Donggua tribe and nearby tribes with blood.

In the face of the sudden Joseon army attack, the tribal chiefs of the Donggua tribe were busy preparing defenses while trying to figure out the reason.

And the reason they found out was truly simple.

“A branch *booi gon*, or rather, those who can’t even be called *booi gon*, looted about ten Joseon houses, and this is retaliation for that?”

“… That’s right.”

The Beile of the Saruta tribe had a hollow expression.

Almost a month since the Joseon subjugation began, more than 12 *booi gon* had been wiped out. And those were 12 *booi gon* of a scale that couldn’t even be compared to the *booi gon* that caused the incident.

Almost two *booi gon* were disappearing every two days.

What became urgent was the Donggua tribe, which was under attack. For them, who lived a semi-agricultural and semi-nomadic life, now was the time to bet everything on farming. If they missed this time, they would face a terrible situation in the coming winter.

To resolve the situation, the Beile of the Donggua tribe, including the Beile of the Saruta tribe, requested mediation from the Ming.

However, the reply sent from the Ming was ‘impossible’.

-Joseon has already sent a national letter. This is a legitimate act for the damage Joseon has suffered, so there is no justification.

The Beile of the Donggua tribe, who received the reply from the Ming, had to grind their teeth.

“What if we form a *niru* now?”

“If the men all leave, the farming will be over.”

“If we pick only some…”

“Didn’t you see the power of the Joseon army? If we don’t put in all our strength, we will surely lose!”

The Beile, who gathered to find a solution, put forward various opinions, but they were struggling to find a good one.

There were three main reasons why they were struggling.

The first, as already mentioned, was that it was the farming season. No matter how much they mobilized women and slaves, they could not farm properly if the men were gone. In such a situation, they could not spare warriors for the *booi gon* that had already been destroyed.

The second was the power of the Joseon army. The Joseon army was conducting operations in a way that killed as many Jurchens as possible. As a result, there were almost no survivors in the areas swept by the Joseon army. Most of the survivors who were barely found were in a state of extreme mental confusion or were seriously injured and unable to speak properly.

However, based on the information obtained with difficulty, the Joseon army was actively using *hwapo* [firearms].

There were few Beile who would give up their precious warriors to face the Joseon army, which had become overwhelmingly stronger than before.

The last reason was deeply related to the second. It was because of the Olangkai, who were confronting nearby. The Donggua tribe and the Olangkai were constantly clashing.

In this situation, if they lost their strength to face the Joseon army, the Olangkai would not just let it pass.

* * *

“Beile, Tunggeureu Khan has regained consciousness.”

The Beile of Saruta, who was seething with anger, quickly moved outside.

The place where the Beile of Saruta headed was the house of a Ming doctor located in the village.

He was a doctor who had been brought almost by force, but now, after years, he was called ‘Teacher Wang’ and was respected.

“Teacher Wang, how is he?”

At the Beile’s question, Teacher Wang, who was wiping his bloodied hands with a cotton cloth, shook his head.

“It’s difficult. I’ve controlled the pain with opium, but it won’t last long. If you have anything to say, it’s best to say it now.”

At Teacher Wang’s words, the Beile quickly walked to the bed. The Beile, who took the hand of Tunggeureu Khan, who was breathing heavily, called him in a soft voice.

“Brother, are you awake?”

“Oh, brother… I’m glad to see you before I die.”

“I will definitely avenge you.”

At the Beile’s words, Tunggeureu Khan shook his head with difficulty.

“Don’t do it. Jo, Joseon *noms*…”

Tunggeureu Khan, who was struggling to continue speaking, could not finish his words and died.

The Beile, who put down Tunggeureu Khan’s hand that he was holding, looked back at Teacher Wang.

“What on earth…”

“I heard that the Joseon army used *hwapo* [firearms].”

“That’s right.”

“It seems they even used *chongtong* cannons.”

At Teacher Wang’s words, the Beile examined Tunggeureu Khan’s bloodied body. The Beile, who saw the body full of holes, shook his head.

“*Chongtong* cannons? I’ve seen them. They’re things that can’t even be aimed properly… He was unlucky.”

“*Chongtong* cannons aren’t common items, so wouldn’t he have not even thought about it?”

“Haa~”

At Teacher Wang’s answer, the Beile sighed.

“Beile.”

Teacher Wang, who stopped the Beile who was turning to leave, warned in a quiet voice.

“I heard that the Joseon army is returning. Never act rashly. I don’t want to live as a slave of another tribe at this age.”

“… I understand.”

The Beile, who came out of Teacher Wang’s house, kicked a stone on the ground with all his might.

“Damn it! What a dog-like situation!”

Meanwhile, Teacher Wang, who had sent the Beile out, picked up a bowl placed on one side and examined the contents.

Inside the bowl were a lot of iron beads and iron fragments stained with blood.

“Too small to be bullets used in *chongtong* cannons… Besides, what are these iron pieces…”

What made Teacher Wang worry were the fragments of *bigeokjincheonleoi* [flying thunderclap bombs].

Teacher Wang, who faced a difficult problem that could not be easily solved, was frowning deeply. The words that Tunggeureu Khan, who was in a state of confusion, had repeatedly shouted remained in his mind.

“What does it mean that Joseon has gained the power of the dragon……”

* * *

The Joseon army, which finished the operation and crossed the Yalu River, immediately wrote a report and sent it to Hanseong.

Sejong, who received the report and read the contents, burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Our Joseon soldiers have won a great victory! A great victory! What a joyous occasion!”

As Sejong rejoiced, the ministers all bowed their heads and shouted.

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you, truly thank you!”

Sejong, who lightly raised his hand in reply, organized the situation.

“With this subjugation, we have suppressed 12 large and small tribes, including the impudent *noms* [bastards] who crossed the border and looted last time. With this, the area around the Yalu River will be quiet for a while, right?”

At Sejong’s question, the *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War] bowed and replied.

“For a while, they will not even dare to cross the Yalu River.”

“That’s right. But, if we are careless, we can suffer harm at any time, so tell them to strengthen the surveillance of the border.”

“I receive the command.”

“And have you prepared compensation for those who have contributed to this operation and those who have died or been injured?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Those who have contributed will have their ranks raised in consideration of their contributions, and those who have died or been injured will be paid *goksik* [grains] and *jaemul* [goods] every month according to the newly established law. In addition, there will be support for the bereaved families who wish to take the *mungwa* [civil service examination] or *mugwa* [military service examination].”

Sejong, nodding at the *byeongjopanseo* [Minister of War]’s answer, added.

“Take care of the treatment of the deceased and injured, as well as their living conditions. They fought to protect this Joseon and ended up like that, so they should be treated well enough. Only then will others risk their lives, right?”

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

Sejong, who did not forget to urge until the end, moved on to the next topic.

“The Jurchens around the Yalu River will be quiet for a while, but what about the Jurchens of Hese or Yain?”

Hwang Hee stepped forward at Sejong’s question.

“As time passes, rumors will spread there as well, so they will not move carelessly either.”

“I wish they would be scared… Only then will they listen well when I call them in the fall, right?”

“That is correct.”

Sejong firmly urged the ministers.

“The matter with the Jurchens is just the beginning. Do not forget that we must proceed step by step and surely so that our Joseon’s *dongjin* (東進) [Eastern Advance] can be carried out without any setbacks. This is a grand plan that our Joseon must achieve.”

“I will engrave it in my heart!”