Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 999

999. Meanwhile, Elsewhere… (4)

As these traditional values crumbled and the privileged classes of the old order faded into history, Japan’s centralization steadily progressed. The Empire observed this with a peculiar interest.

“It seems the foundation of the nation is finally being properly laid.”

“Indeed.”

Since the Three Kingdoms and Later Three Kingdoms periods, the primary goal of successive regimes had been centralization. The Empire, through reforms and the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion, had seized control from local powerful clans, achieving complete centralization. Thus, the Empire’s emperors and officials regarded centralization as the very cornerstone of a stable nation.

Therefore, few were concerned about Japan’s centralization gaining momentum. On the contrary, there was a welcoming atmosphere. This was largely due to the historical suffering inflicted by the Wokou pirates [Japanese pirates who raided the coasts of Korea and China]. The dual central power structure of the Shogunate [military government of Japan] and the Emperor had failed to properly control the local lords. Of course, if the Shogun [military dictator of Japan] of the Shogunate had strong control, the provinces were quiet, but that was only internally.

The local lords, while watching the Shogunate’s every move, engaged in pillaging in Korea and China. And if the Shogunate’s power weakened, they openly engaged in pillaging. Therefore, within the Imperial government, there was a prevailing sentiment of welcoming the unification of central power through the proper ‘birth of the King of Japan.’ Of course, in the early days, there were those who expressed concern about the ‘birth of the King of Japan.’

-When a new regime is born, rewards for meritorious subjects are bound to follow.

-And the purge of powerful vassals is also bound to follow.

-The most efficient way to simultaneously reward meritorious subjects and purge powerful vassals is through foreign invasion.

-The closest place to Japan is our Empire.

“Surely…”

“What you dismiss as ‘surely’ can often catch you off guard.”

Such concerns about Japan’s military actions were quite prevalent in the early days. However, those who knew Japan well viewed the situation optimistically.

“The Wa people [ancient name for the Japanese] are petty and would never dare to challenge someone stronger than themselves. They clearly saw the might of our Empire in the last war, so would they do something so foolish?”

And this was the correct assessment. The rulers of the newly formed Kingdom of Japan did not even consider attacking the Empire. Occasionally, a few among the militarists voiced such opinions, but they were immediately beheaded or buried. Not in a figurative sense, but literally.

The literati, who had studied and learned practical skills in Seoul before returning, and the veteran militarists, who had witnessed and experienced the might of the Imperial army firsthand during the Liaodong War [a conflict between the Empire and the Later Jin dynasty], resolutely purged such opinions whenever they arose.

“If you want to die, die alone!”

The reason why the new Japanese regime did not even consider military action against the Empire was not solely due to their military inferiority. The abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, the abdication of the Emperor, and the civil wars that occurred before and after these two major events had created significant gaps in the central and local power structures. There was no need to turn their eyes outward, as everything could be resolved internally.

* * *

The Empire’s powerful figures, having continuously observed these various changes and events in Japan, came to positively evaluate Japan’s centralization.

-If the King of Japan and his subjects properly govern Japan, the seas will be peaceful.

Forevermore.

However, only one person remained concerned: Hyang.

“If the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century] was the major event perpetrated by Japan based on the Shogunate regime, then the Pacific War is the major event perpetrated by modern Japan. The possibility of the Imjin War has disappeared, but the possibility of the Pacific War still exists.”

Hyang, having learned what happens when not only the Japanese ruling class but the entire Japanese population desires war, could never view the situation with optimism alone.

“Those who hold power now know well what happens ‘when the Empire truly takes action,’ so there’s no need to worry. The problem is when a generation that doesn’t know this inherits power. If that’s coupled with Japan doing well, something is bound to happen. They will definitely be caught up in a ‘blend of nationalism and delusions of grandeur’ and miscalculate the odds.”

Hyang, analyzing the situation with a troubled face, let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. The problem is that no one knows when this ‘damn event’ we’re worrying about will occur. We’re already spending a considerable amount on defense, and we can’t increase it further. Otherwise, we’ll collapse first. We must simply maintain a level where ‘attack is impossible, but defense is sufficient.’ We’ll give up military hegemony. We must seize hegemony through culture.”

Having reached a conclusion, Hyang unfolded a piece of paper and picked up his writing brush.

“Imperial precepts… It feels like I’m jumping the gun, but it’s not like I’m hearing anything unpleasant. And it’s impossible to be certain that there won’t be any incompetent fellows among the future emperors.”

As an aside, when the rumor spread that ‘Hyang is writing imperial precepts,’ officials, especially high-ranking ones, whispered among themselves.

“Hoo~ Is he writing imperial precepts?”

“Considering his age, it’s not premature, but it feels a bit strange.”

“I agree. After all, he’s the one who said, ‘I won’t die until I die.'”

“Wasn’t there also a rumor that ‘even the Grim Reaper has given up on taking him’?”

“Come to think of it… Didn’t the Emperor say, ‘Try to surpass King Jangsu’s record’?”

King Jangsu, who reigned for 97 years, even had the posthumous title of ‘King Jangsu,’ meaning ‘Long Life.’

Interestingly, all the officials engaging in this conversation chose the term ‘that person’ instead of the proper title ‘Grand Emperor.’ This was because of a superstition that mentioning the proper title might incur the wrath of the spirits and bring bad luck. That was the extent of the absolute trust and love that Hyang received from the officials and the people.

“Of course, it brings tears to my eyes when he makes me work to earn my keep, but… he was the beginning of it all.”

Later, when Hyang heard this rumor, he vehemently denied it.

“That’s not me! That was the Founding Emperor! Aish! I can’t even summon Grand General Kim Jeom, who’s on a long vacation in the afterlife!”

Meanwhile, the historian who was recording this added his own words.

-…Thus, the Grand Emperor expressed his frustration.

The historian thought:

Perhaps he’s not on a long vacation but is instead suffering from overwork next to the Founding Emperor in the afterlife?

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyeon, who had heard the rumors and was worried, visited Hyang and, upon returning, immediately summoned the Prime Minister and ministers.

“…He is writing imperial precepts because of such great concerns.”

Han Myeong-hoe and the ministers nodded upon hearing Hyeon’s story.

“Indeed, that is correct. If we try to solve everything with military force alone, we will surely tire and collapse first. The saying ‘putting the cart before the horse’ exists for a reason.”

“That is correct. And the ancient sages also left behind the saying, ‘Raise your name with propriety and virtue.'”

“The Empire has enough with the territories it has already built up. If we turn our eyes outward again from here, it would be excessive greed.”

Starting with Han Myeong-hoe, the left and right vice-premiers and ministers all agreed that Hyang’s words were reasonable.

“I share the same thought.”

Hyeon nodded in agreement with his subjects’ words and moved on to the next topic.

“The Grand Emperor said that it is important to raise our name with propriety and virtue, but we must also raise our name with customs. What do you all think?”

At Hyeon’s question, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward to answer.

“I also think that is reasonable. Customs are the way the people live. If the people outside the Empire admire the customs of the Empire’s people and follow the Empire’s customs, we can reduce misunderstandings between each other. If misunderstandings decrease, wouldn’t disputes also decrease?”

Having said that far, Han Myeong-hoe continued in a cynical voice.

“Of course, that is an ideal story, but… In reality, there is a high possibility that disputes will increase even more.”

“Why is that?”

“As I have already stated, customs are the way the people there have lived. It is the way they have lived in accordance with the local climate, so how can they easily change it? If done incorrectly, it would be like touching a sore spot. I believe that admiration would be easy, but following would be difficult.”

“What if we force it?”

“That would be the beginning of disputes. In fact, since the time of the Founding Emperor until now, the Empire has not forced its customs on others, except for those despicable Mexica bastards.”

The word ‘Mexica’ from Han Myeong-hoe’s mouth caused everyone’s expressions to twist severely.

* * *

At the time, the Empire, upon learning of the Aztec Empire’s brutal massacres and cannibalism, used force to destroy them. Afterward, the surviving Mexica people were forcibly mobilized for the construction of roads and railways in the area and suffered from heavy labor. In addition, proper medical support was deliberately cut off. As a result, many Mexica people lost their lives during construction, and now only a very small number of Mexica people survive, barely maintaining their lineage.

This was clearly an uncharacteristic act for the Empire. However, no one criticized it as unfair. Even the local powerful clans, who would constantly file memorials and find fault with various things, were silent at this time. In any case, the Empire, having destroyed the Aztec Empire of the Mexica, gradually imperialized the indigenous people of the area.

* * *

Han Myeong-hoe continued to speak.

“When the Grand Emperor said, ‘Raise your name with customs,’ he was probably referring to the trends currently taking place in Ming and Japan.”

“Ming and Japan…”

Hyeon, pondering Han Myeong-hoe’s words for a moment, lit up his eyes.

“Are you talking about ‘Goryeo Style (考麗流)’ and ‘Empire Style (帝國風)’?”

“That is correct.”

Goryeo Style was the term used in Ming, and Empire Style was the term used in Japan. In Ming, ‘Goryeo Fashion (高麗樣)’ had been popular since the Yuan Dynasty. However, while Goryeo Fashion referred to trends in clothing, utensils, and food, Goryeo Style was different in scale.

It involved adopting the Empire’s clothing, utensils, food, as well as the words used in conversation and even academics. Therefore, it became a massive trend, and the character ‘Style (樣)’ was replaced with ‘Flow (流).’ And the extent of this was far more severe in Japan than in Ming.

Those in power were using the Imperial language more than Japanese. This was also the case in Ming, due to the pro-Imperial forces who had come with Emperor Seonghwa. If the upper echelons of the two countries were addicted to Imperial culture in this way, the main culprit behind immersing the lower echelons, the people of Ming and Japan, in the Empire’s customs was ‘Sinseokyo.’

Sinseokyo, spread through merchants traveling to and from the Empire, attracted the people of Ming and Japan with its unique, heart-stirring melodies. Later, those who translated the lyrics and learned the content were even more drawn to Sinseokyo. The common people’s sorrow contained in the lyrics was the same regardless of nationality.

In this way, if Sinseokyo captured the hearts of the general public, products made from chicle were changing the scenery of everyday life.