Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 97

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb.

97. The Great Strategy: Dongjin (1)

As autumn deepened, the court began calculating taxes collected from across the country and finalizing the national revenue and expenditure.

“Hmm… We’ve narrowly averted the crisis.”

“That is correct, Your Highness.”

The ministers all nodded in agreement with Sejong’s assessment.

* * *

Since the beginning of the Gyeongjang reforms [a series of economic and political reforms], the Joseon court’s expenditures had been steadily increasing. The number of officials and professional soldiers was growing slowly but consistently, and there were large-scale expenditures on mines and ironworks.

The problem was that the increase in tax revenue, the most important source of income, was lagging behind the increase in expenditures.

Of course, tax revenue had been continuously increasing compared to the first year of Gyeongjang, Gapjin Year, but expenditures were always one or two steps ahead.

To solve this problem, Sejong had to implement a series of bold policies.

First, he began to continuously reclaim the lands that had been granted to meritorious subjects and officials as Gongsinjeon [land granted to meritorious subjects].

“From now on, I will reclaim all the rights to collect rent (收租權) that were given to officials. However, instead of the right to collect rent, I will provide an increased amount of stipends in kind every month.”

Following Sejong’s decision, farmlands, including Gongsinjeon granted to meritorious subjects and ministers, began to be reclaimed one by one. Only the royal family was excluded from this measure.

In return, Sejong increased the amount of stipends paid to his subjects as promised.

As mentioned before, Joseon had greatly reduced the stipends paid to the royal family and subjects when it was founded.

The situation in the early Joseon period was that the stipends for the royal family had been reduced to 1/6, and those for the subjects to 1/4.

In this situation, Sejong increased the stipends based on the following criteria:

-Increase the stipends to 1/2 compared to Goryeo for Danghagwan (lower-ranking officials) and 1/3 for Dangsanggwan (higher-ranking officials).

-Instead of abolishing hereditary lands such as Susinjeon [land passed down to support one’s descendants] and Hyullyangjeon [land granted to support scholars], pay the same amount of goods as the stipend received by a Jeong1品 [highest rank] official every month. However, this period is limited to 10 years.

Through these measures, Sejong returned the land to the ownership of the king.

* * *

Later, historians evaluated this period as Sejong’s first crisis. If backlash occurred in the process of reclaiming the economic foundations of meritorious subjects, Sejong could have been ousted from the throne.

However, this crisis was overcome due to the following three variables.

The first was the purge of veteran ministers, including Ryu Jeong-hyeon.

It was a conflict between Sejong and the veteran ministers under the pretext of cowpox vaccination, but looking deeper, it was a clash between Sejong, who prioritized royal authority, and the veteran ministers, who wanted the king and his subjects to share power equally.

Later historians even assessed that Sejong’s immediate nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination—even before the definite effects of cowpox had been proven—was very adventurous, so it was natural for the veteran ministers to rise up.

However, as the effectiveness of cowpox vaccination was proven through the outbreak of smallpox near Hanseong [old name for Seoul], the veteran ministers were ousted from power by Sejong.

Following the purge of Queen Wongyeong Min’s clan during Taejong’s reign and the purge of Sim On’s faction immediately after Sejong ascended the throne, the power of the veteran ministers, who had boasted their power since the founding of the country, was greatly reduced due to the third purge of veteran ministers.

As a result, the forces that would oust Sejong lost their center of gravity, which allowed Sejong to overcome the crisis. This was the first factor.

The second factor was the Crown Prince.

Sejong’s eldest son, Hyang, created various cultural items and technologies, including Geumpil [golden brush], as soon as he was appointed as Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince not only developed but also had excellent talent in commercialization, which soon expanded Joseon’s trade and brought about an increase in tax revenue.

As a result, the officials of the court, convinced that their economic security was secured, actively cooperated with Sejong’s policies.

The military also took the same stance because they had the same conviction, and Sejong was able to secure a firm military force.

The third factor was ‘punishment.’

This punishment, called ‘Document Sorting Punishment,’ was the most non-violent and, conversely, the most cruel punishment.

However, this punishment had one more effect that no one had anticipated.

The most common punishment imposed on the Joseon ruling class was exile.

Unlike the appearance of being expelled from the power group with the king, exile allowed the punished person to maintain his power as long as he made up his mind and maintained adequate security.

No, he could even strengthen his power further.

However, the Document Sorting Punishment fundamentally blocked such opportunities. The criminal had to move within the king’s sight, and the physical and mental fatigue accumulated while sorting documents almost prevented the criminal’s external activities.

* * *

“There was an unexpected large expenditure due to the Great Fire of Hanseong. However, thanks to this year’s good harvest and the large profits from trade with Japan, we will have enough leeway to budget for next year.”

After reviewing the reports once again in response to the Minister of Taxation’s report, Sejong looked at the Chief State Councilors.

“I would like to invite the tribal chiefs of the Jurchen [nomadic people inhabiting the region northeast of Korea] this year. What do you think?”

The Chief State Councilors paused for a moment at Sejong’s question. After a moment of contemplation, Chief State Councilor Yi Jik replied.

“Since the situation is good this year, it would be good to hold the invitation that we could not do last year.”

Following Chief State Councilor Yi Jik’s words, Hwang Hui continued.

“That’s right. The movements of the Jianzhou Jurchens are also unusual, so I think we should implement Dongjin [Eastern Advance policy] as soon as possible.”

Following Hwang Hui’s words, Maeng Sa-seong entered the final stage.

“Please remember the event of the past Odori tribe. They are the ones who profit by going back and forth between our Joseon and Ming [Chinese dynasty], so I think we should clearly sort out who is friend and foe at this opportunity.”

As the Chief State Councilors all agreed, Sejong made up his mind.

“Good. Select envoys and send them to the Jurchen tribes. When would be a good date to set?”

Hwang Hui replied as if he had been waiting for Sejong’s question.

“Sanggang (霜降, the day of the first frost, around October 24th in the solar calendar) would be good.”

“Sanggang… That’s good.”

As the date was set, Sejong looked at the ministers.

“Starting with Sanggang this year, begin ‘Dongjin.'”

“We obey your command!”

* * *

‘Dongjin’ was the largest part of the military strategy that Sejong created for the growth of Joseon.

The beginning of ‘Dongjin’ was the southward movement of Yimanju.

Sejong 고민 [Korean word meaning ‘to worry’] to overcome the situation in which Ming’s influence over the Jurchens was strengthened and Joseon’s influence was weakened due to Yimanju’s southward movement.

Hyang, who saw Sejong 고민, suggested to Sejong to establish a specialized institution.

“Establish a specialized institution?”

“Yes, Father. You don’t have to take responsibility for everything. Just as you share your opinions with the ministers about administration, wouldn’t it be best to share your opinions with the generals of the military about military affairs?”

“That would be good, but the civil officials will object.”

“Just as the military should not covet the civil, the civil should not covet the military.”

Sejong paused for a moment at Hyang’s words and nodded.

“It looks good. Sharing opinions… If the civil has Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies, a royal research institute], the military should have something similar.”

Sejong, who had made up his mind, moved quickly.

“It is too late to prepare after a war breaks out. Therefore, I think it is necessary to have an institution that examines the situation in advance and studies countermeasures. This is in line with the enrichment and strengthening of the country that Gyeongjang is promoting.”

Sejong, who declared the creation of a new military organization, entered the organization with Hyang.

What was born after such work was the ‘Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters.’

Choe Yun-deok, as well as famous generals from the military and young talents such as Yi Jing-ok, gathered at the General Staff Headquarters.

The first mission that Sejong gave to the General Staff Headquarters, where those who were evaluated as having excellent wisdom (智謀) in the army and navy gathered, was as follows:

‘Based on the Gyeongjang policy currently being pursued by our Joseon, establish the most basic strategy related to our Joseon, the Jurchen region, Japan, and Ming.’

“Hoo~,”

Choe Yun-deok, who confirmed the order given by Sejong, ordered the generals belonging to the General Staff Headquarters.

“Don’t even think about going home for the time being.”

“First of all, what we need is data! Secure all the data you can get!”

According to Choe Yun-deok’s order, the generals searched all the archives of the palace and the Six Ministries. They scraped together any records that were even slightly related.

“If necessary, scrape together everything from the previous dynasty!”

“Yes!”

According to Choe Yun-deok’s order, the military officers of the General Staff Headquarters searched all the records of the Goryeo period and scraped together what they needed.

The military officers of the General Staff Headquarters collected not only things related to the military.

“If you know yourself and your enemy, you will never be defeated. We need to know the capabilities of our Joseon properly, so go to the Ministry of Taxation and request data!”

“Yes!”

The military officers of the General Staff Headquarters requested the Ministry of Taxation and obtained copies of all data related to economic aspects, including the census register and tax revenue.

The General Staff Headquarters, which obtained the copies, immediately began mass printing.

“It will take too long to look at one copy and pass it around!”

Based on the data secured by moving so breathlessly, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began establishing a strategy.

“His Majesty is most interested in the Jurchen. Let’s start by matching the strategy to this part.”

“I object!”

Yi Jing-ok, who was sitting at the very end, raised his hand to object to Choe Yun-deok’s decision.

“Are you Judge Yi Jing-ok? Speak.”

“Strategy is a big picture. If you only focus on one place without grasping the overall framework, the picture will be a mess.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“Looking at the situation in our Joseon, we are suffering from Japanese pirates in the south and Jurchens in the north. Although I, Yi Jing-ok, am not wrong to focus on the Jurchen problem first, I think it is right to prepare at least a minimum defense plan against Japan and then think about countermeasures against the Jurchens based on that.”

“That makes sense. Any other opinions?”

No one objected to Choe Yun-deok’s question.

“Then let’s start by thinking about the allocation of troops to deal with the Japanese pirates first.”

Thus, the process of researching how many troops were needed to prepare for the Japanese pirates began.

During the research process, the need for troop allocation to the troops defending the capital emerged, and the research started again from scratch.

After numerous trials and errors, the people of the General Staff Headquarters, who had finished allocating appropriate troops, began researching to establish a strategy related to the Jurchens.

The people of the General Staff Headquarters, who saw the result called ‘Dongjin’ after researching for more than three months without giving up going home, had somber faces.

“I used all my strength, but only to the Tumen River….”

“Is this the limit of our Joseon’s capabilities?”

General Choe Yun-deok’s expression was also somber as he received the results.

“This is….”

He read the report several times, but there was only one conclusion.

With the current capabilities of Joseon, even at the end of Gyeongjang, going beyond the Tumen River would be a bad move.

* * *

“Why only to the Tumen River?”

Choe Yun-deok explained the reason for Sejong’s question.

“The main force of the Jurchens is cavalry. Cavalry is the best way to deal with cavalry, but unlike the Jurchens, it takes a lot of time and money for our Joseon to train cavalry.”

In the case of the Jurchens, who live a semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral life, it is easy to replenish cavalry, but Joseon was not.

There is horsemanship in the military examination, but it is only possible to obtain and learn horses if the economy supports it.

On the other hand, horses and horsemanship were part of the Jurchens’ lives, so it was easy to replenish depleted forces.

“So, the Tumen River?”

“That’s right. If we fight with only bows, spears, and swords, it is best to use the natural barrier of the Tumen River to block the Jurchens.”

“This is….”

Sejong could not hide his disappointment at Choe Yun-deok’s explanation.

The land where the Jurchens were rampant was the land of Goguryeo [ancient Korean kingdom], one of the three ancient Korean kingdoms.

He did not like stopping at the Tumen River with that vast land right in front of him.

“General.”

Hyang, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, joined the conversation.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You said that the Tumen River is the limit with the same bows, spears, and swords?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, if there is a more powerful weapon than that, is a more active strategy possible?”

Choe Yun-deok, who was calculating for a moment at Hyang’s words, replied.

“It is possible.”

Hyang turned to Sejong at Choe Yun-deok’s answer.

“There is something being researched in Area 51 [a secret research and development facility]. I think a more active attack will be possible if it succeeds.”

“…I look forward to it.”

* * *

Thus, the weapons developed by Area 51 were unveiled at the 감사 [year-end review] held in December.

As soon as the performance of the weapons made by Area 51 and Sejong’s order to mass-produce them came out, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began revising ‘Dongjin.’

And as the year changed and spring came, a new ‘Dongjin’ was created.

——

Author’s words,

The currency unit of 1 ducat is corrected to 10 silver nyang instead of 1 silver nyang. Details are written in the relevant episode.