Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 98

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

98. The Great Strategy: Eastern Advance (2)

With the new ‘Eastern Advance’ plan finalized, the military explained the established strategy to Sejong and his ministers.

Yi Jing-ok stepped forward to present the plan.

Dressed in a red cheollik [a type of Korean military robe], Yi Jing-ok respectfully saluted the king before beginning.

“I am Yi Jing-ok, the Judge, and I will now report on the grand strategy ‘Eastern Advance’ planned by the Joseon military’s general staff.”

Despite the presence of the King, the Crown Prince, Chief State Councilors, and numerous ministers in the throne room, Yi Jing-ok began his presentation with a calm voice.

“First, the Eastern Advance plan is largely divided into two phases. The first phase will begin with securing a bridgehead, starting with securing Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River.”

According to Yi Jing-ok’s explanation, the plan’s initial step was to secure the area south of Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River.

This involved either assimilating or eliminating the Jurchen tribes residing in the area and then relocating Joseon citizens to firmly establish the bridgehead.

Following this, the entire territory of the Olryanghab (Uriyangkhai) tribe would be annexed before advancing eastward.

“What is the reason for continuing to advance eastward from there?”

Sejong’s question was immediately answered by Yi Jing-ok.

“Firstly, the goal is to avoid provoking Ming.

Secondly, records indicate that moving further east beyond the Tumen River will lead to the Great Forest. We will secure necessary resources, including timber, from this Great Forest area. Additionally, the connected coast and nearby islands are abundant with valuable animals such as seals, which can be used for trade.”

“The Great Forest area….”

As Sejong pondered, Hyang quickly interjected.

“Father, while our Joseon mountains and fields also have straight trees, their numbers are not sufficient.”

“That is true.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words. Wood was the most used material in all aspects of life, including fuel for the people.

“However, the Great Forest area is filled with giant trees that have grown for hundreds of years. These giant trees are the optimal material for construction, naval ships for the military, and merchant ships for trade, all of which require straight and dense wood.”

‘Of course, afforestation projects are also essential.’

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

“That is correct. Yes, I understand the advance to the east. Then, what is next?”

“Yes, if we secure the Olryanghab area and the Great Forest area east of the Tumen River and completely integrate them into Joseon’s territory, we will then enter the second phase.”

Yi Jing-ok pointed to the Great Forest area on the map with his pointer and drew an imaginary line westward.

“Using the Great Forest area as a base, we will gradually encroach upon the territory of the Oljeokhab (Udege) tribes from the east.”

Pausing briefly, Yi Jing-ok gestured to a military officer standing next to the map.

At Yi Jing-ok’s gesture, the officer turned the map, revealing a new map with parts of the Jurchen territory and the entire Joseon painted in green.

“Slowly, but steadily, we will encroach upon their territory, ultimately securing at least half, or at most all, of the Oljeokhab tribal area into our Joseon territory. This is a brief overview.”

“Hmm….”

As Yi Jing-ok’s explanation concluded, Sejong stroked his beard and looked at the map.

While Sejong was lost in thought, Yi Jik posed a question.

“As the military knows, the Olryanghab are divided and live west of Baekdu Mountain and in the Tumen River area. And the Odori tribe lives between them. What will be done about this? Will only the eastern Olryanghab be targeted?”

“We will target both the east and the west. This will put pressure on the Odori tribe, forcing them to choose. They must choose one of two options: either pledge allegiance to our Joseon or leave and go to the Haeseo or Jianzhou Jurchen areas.”

Yi Jik wore a regretful expression at Yi Jing-ok’s response.

“The Odori were once a tribe loyal to us….”

* * *

The Odori tribe, which controlled the upper reaches of Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River, was a Jurchen tribe that had once sworn allegiance to Yi Seong-gye and served as a strong defense for Joseon.

During Yi Seong-gye’s lifetime, the Odori tribe was Joseon’s most powerful ally in defending the north.

However, relations between Joseon and Odori changed when Yongle ascended the throne and Taejong seized power.

Aha-chu, the commander of the Jianzhou Guard and Yongle’s son-in-law, introduced Dong Mengge Temur (Möngke Temür), the chief of the Odori tribe, as his relative.

Yongle then sent envoys to Möngke Temür and Joseon, ordering Möngke Temür to visit the Ming court.

Taejong made every effort to appease Möngke Temür, even leading to disputes with Yongle.

Caught between Ming and Joseon, Möngke Temür chose Ming.

At this time, a problem arose with Taejong.

“I have served Taejo Daewang [King Taejo] for over 20 years. I will continue to follow Joseon.”

Although he said this to Taejong, Möngke Temür had received an official position after visiting the Ming court.

Furthermore, through Yongle’s imperial decree, he received back relatives who had been held hostage in Joseon.

As a result, Taejong mobilized troops and massacred tribes near Möngke Temür’s tribe.

Feeling threatened by Taejong’s retaliatory measures, Möngke Temür led his family and moved their base from the Tumen River area to the Yalu River area.

Later, after Taejong’s death and the resurgence of Mongol power, Möngke Temür led his clan back to their original territory.

Upon his return, Möngke Temür proposed to Sejong that his son, Dong Gwon-du, be sent to Sejong’s court as a hostage, but Sejong refused.

This was because they were perceived as beings who might defect again, leveraging the power of the Ming Dynasty.

* * *

While Yi Jik lamented about Odori, Sejong muttered quietly.

“In the process of attacking Olryanghab, neighboring tribes may inevitably suffer sacrifices….”

Sejong was determined to purge the Odori tribe.

In the history before Hyang’s regression, when Sejong was developing the Four Forts and Six Garrisons, he ordered Choi Yun-deok to subjugate Yi Man-ju, the grandson of Aha-chu and commander of the Jianzhou Guard, adding one more command.

“Kill Möngke Temür.”

Looking at subsequent history, Joseon not only killed Möngke Temür’s children, but Sejo, who seized the throne through a coup, relentlessly pursued and killed Yi Man-ju, a descendant of Aha-chu.

For the Joseon royal family, Aha-chu, Möngke Temür, and their descendants were traitors who betrayed Yi Seong-gye and their descendants, beings who had to be executed without fail.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites expressed concern about Ming’s intervention.

“Annexing the Olryanghab region could provoke Ming. There must be a clear justification.”

Before Yi Jing-ok could respond to the Minister of Rites’s point, Sejong spoke first.

“There is justification. A very clear justification. The Tumen River area, including Hoeryeong where Odori is located, is where our royal family originated. We have left it alone because circumstances were not favorable, but as descendants, how can we simply leave it be?”

Hwang Hee added to Sejong’s words.

“That’s right! As descendants, how can we leave our ancestors’ land in the hands of others? We must reclaim it!”

“I see. Ming will not be able to say anything.”

The Minister of Rites dropped his objection to Sejong and Hwang Hee’s words. He thought it was a reasonable justification.

However, the Minister of Rites pointed out another problem.

“We can prevent Ming from interfering diplomatically up to the annexation of the Olryanghab region. Moving east from there is also fine. However, wouldn’t annexing the Wild Jurchen region from there in reverse provoke Ming?”

Yi Jing-ok immediately responded to the Minister of Rites’s point.

“The areas secured through the second phase are tribes that relied on Taejo Daewang’s shadow. If we emphasize this and promise that our Joseon will not covet the territories of the Haeseo Jurchen and Jianzhou Jurchen, Ming will not be able to say anything. Although they have declared the Jurchen lands as Ming territory, Ming’s power does not extend to the easternmost parts.”

The court officials all nodded at Yi Jing-ok’s words.

Just as Joseon was suffering from the Jurchen raids, Ming was similarly suffering.

To control this, they were using the strategy of Yi Yi Zhi Yi [using barbarians to control barbarians], giving official positions and bestowing wealth to influential Jurchen tribes to stop other Jurchens, but the area where the Jurchens lived was an area that they had not completely digested.

Yi Jing-ok continued to speak.

“The military is also fully aware that we must avoid conflict with Ming.

As stated first in various military books and as Taejo Daewang said, a small country must avoid waging war against a large country.

That is why we have excluded Haeseo and Jianzhou. This is the military’s best effort.

I believe the rest is a matter of diplomacy.”

Meng Sa-seong stepped forward at Yi Jing-ok’s words.

“I understand that it is a matter of diplomacy. However, the most difficult case in conducting that diplomacy is when the other party is very nervous. How much time does the military expect to complete this strategy?”

Yi Jing-ok answered Meng Sa-seong’s question.

“We expect at least 10 years to complete the first phase and a total of 30 years to complete the second phase.”

“A total of 30 years….”

“That is why I called it a grand strategy.”

Sejong and the ministers wore troubled expressions at Yi Jing-ok’s answer.

The time of ‘30 years’ was a period in which generations changed. Sejong, as well as the high and low-ranking officials in the throne room, were all considered outstanding talents, but the number ‘30 years’ was a number that was not easily imaginable.

“Father, may I say a word?”

“Speak.”

“I believe the military’s judgment is appropriate. Of course, 30 years is a long time, but there is a saying, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ Please consider the time it will take to expand our Joseon’s territory and assimilate the newly arriving Jurchens into our people.”

“Hmm….”

“Also, it is better to move in the long term, even considering Ming. If such a situation were created in just a few years, Ming would refuse to talk to us, feeling very nervous, as the Chief State Councilor said.”

“That is true.”

Sejong nodded.

Hyang continued to speak.

“Comparing Ming and our Joseon is like comparing an adult and a child. If an adult and a child start running together, the child cannot catch up with the adult. If we provoke Ming and a war breaks out, or even if a military arms race breaks out, it will be a fatal situation for our Joseon.”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words. Not only Sejong but also the ministers nodded as well. In particular, the Minister of Taxation nodded very strongly.

Hyang continued to speak.

“Looking at the history of our Haedong [Korea], the history of the Central Plains [China], and even the history of the Western barbarians, we have all seen the same results. If a military arms race breaks out, the small country will reach its limit first. When this situation occurs, the small country is likely to make extreme choices, trusting in the power it has accumulated. However, if we ignore the absolute difference in capabilities and wage war relying only on hope, we will face defeat in despair.”

“That’s right.”

“So, although 30 years is long, I think it is better than rushing things.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong stroked his beard and pondered after hearing Hyang’s words.

‘30 years… Will I be able to see it before I die?’

Sejong, thinking about his lifespan, looked at Hyang, who was looking up at him from under the shrine.

Sejong chuckled as he recalled Hyang’s appearance, constantly shouting ‘Bulgi [Don’t be anxious]’ and paying attention to his health.

‘Yes! I have a child who worries about my health like that! I will live a long life! Even if I can’t live a long life, I will make Joseon, ruled by that child, a stronger Joseon than it is now!’

Sejong, having made up his mind, looked at the ministers.

“I will command the ministers.”

“We will listen with respect!”

“I command you to proceed with the grand strategy ‘Eastern Advance’ for the growth of our Joseon. However, you must never move hastily and must move carefully.”

“We will obey your command!”

* * *

With Sejong’s decision to implement the grand strategy of Eastern Advance, the topic shifted to detailed policy coordination.

“What is most needed to make the strategy a success?”

Choi Yun-deok answered Sejong’s question.

“People and budget.”

“Hiccup!”

As soon as the word ‘budget’ came out, the Minister of Taxation, Kim Jeom, reflexively hiccuped and received the glare of the ministers.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… It seems the Minister of Taxation’s health has deteriorated a lot. I will inform the royal physician.”

“Thank you for your grace!”

Kim Jeom expressed his gratitude at Sejong’s words, but his expression was the opposite, making a tearful face.

‘Tsk, tsk, tsk… It will be hard to pay for the medicine.’

‘That man needs to be healthy… It’s dangerous if the position of Minister of Taxation becomes vacant.’

‘I should send some tonic to the Minister of Taxation’s house.’

These were the thoughts of the ministers around him at the same time.

* * *

As Gyeongjang [economic reforms] progressed, all the high and low-ranking officials suffered, but the most suffering were those working in the Ministry of Taxation, starting with the Minister of Taxation.

Ironically, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation were the most supportive of the Gyeongjang promoted by Sejong. Their thoughts were simple.

‘If Gyeongjang goes according to plan, the Ministry of Taxation will be divided into several departments! Then promotion is certain! Just wait and see! You’re all dead!’

While the officials of the Ministry of Taxation endured while promising themselves the future, the Vice Minister and the Minister of Taxation endured with ‘medicine.’

It wasn’t a metaphor; it was real.

The houses of the Minister and Vice Ministers of Taxation were overflowing with tonics sent by the ministers and vice ministers of other departments, in addition to the tonics given by Sejong.

“Husband, not only His Majesty but also the other officials seem to cherish you.”

The parties involved gave a dry smile at his wife’s words.

‘The medicine given by His Majesty is to pay for the medicine, and the medicine sent by the other ministers is to tell me to endure and not pass the hat to them!’