There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 156

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Even though the Ouchi clan is currently allied with the shogunate against the Shoni clan in Kyushu, their relationship with the shogunate isn’t entirely comfortable.

‘How much humiliation did our family suffer during the Oei Rebellion just a few years ago?’

In 1399, the Ouchi clan colluded with remnants of the Southern Court forces and launched a rebellion, which was brutally suppressed.

The family was on the verge of collapse, but fortunately, Ouchi Morimi, his uncle, gathered strength and barely managed to rebuild the clan. Surprised by this, the shogunate granted them the position of Shugo [military governor], and they merely returned to the shogunate’s fold.

However, the resentment accumulated during the Oei Rebellion was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Ouchi clan.

‘It’s dangerous, but I must inform my uncle and accept Joseon’s proposal!’

Ouchi Mitsuyo firmly believed so.

Although still young, his opinion, having successfully conducted diplomacy with Joseon, would be heeded by his uncle.

Ouchi Mitsuyo made an inner decision.

===

As long as the shogunate stands, Joseon can abandon Ouchi simply by notifying the shogunate, but conversely, Ouchi can never abandon Joseon.

This inherently meant the establishment of an unfair deal.

“You wouldn’t ask for too high a price, would you?”

This poor Japanese man seemed very nervous as he accepted the poisoned chalice I offered.

“We are merely poor people living in narrow burrows. The yield from the land is also small, so we can only hope for the benevolence of the suzerain state [a state that controls another in international affairs].”

‘You little… exaggerating.’

I didn’t know exactly how much power the Ouchi held within Japan, but it was a well-known fact that they had some influence.

As expected, I have to acknowledge the Japanese tatemae [public face or stated principle, often contrasting with honne, the true feelings].

“Payment doesn’t necessarily have to be in money.”

The main items imported from Japan were minerals such as sulfur and lead, and crafts such as swords and fans.

Sulfur was used as a raw material for gunpowder, so we could engage in a miraculous trade of bringing in raw materials at low prices and selling gunpowder at high prices.

But would that alone cover the cost of the gunpowder and horses we export?

“If not, you’ll have to pay in gold and silver. I’ve heard that Japan produces quite a bit of silver.”

Gold and silver were also imported a lot from Japan.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ouchi family had a silver mine or something.

Then Ouchi Mitsuyo said with a troubled expression.

“In our territory, it is said that there used to be a lot of silver on the surface. Of course, that’s an old story… There are still silver mines left, but they are not being mined because they are not profitable. If the suzerain state requests it, we will have no choice but to develop it…”

I tilted my head at Ouchi Mitsuyo’s words.

‘The surface silver is all mined, but there are still underground mines left?’

Even if they say it’s not profitable, that’s clearly the Japanese side’s story, which doesn’t have the cupellation process [a refining process in metallurgy] yet.

If we, who have already developed the Parkes process [a pyrometallurgical industrial process for removing silver from lead during the production of bullion], go and experiment, the results may be different.

I don’t know how big the mine is.

‘Then, should I teach Ouchi the Parkes process after investigating?’

I pondered for a moment.

However, the Parkes process itself was an advanced technology that was priceless in this era.

The profitability of silver itself changes immediately.

No matter how much I receive in return, it was a technology that I couldn’t easily hand over.

‘No, there’s no need to teach the technology, is there? Rather than leaking the technology unnecessarily, isn’t it better to just take the silver mine?’

I swallowed hard.

If it’s a mine that’s not being developed because it’s not profitable, there’s a high possibility that the Ouchi family doesn’t value it much.

I asked Ouchi Mitsuyo to find out the name first.

“Our Joseon is short of silver as a country, so our standards for making profits may be different from yours. I’m interested in hearing about it, can I hear the name of the place?”

“Yes, it’s not difficult.”

Ouchi Mitsuyo nodded readily, though he made a face as if he wouldn’t know where it was even if he said it.

“It’s a place called Iwami (石見) in the north of our territory.”

===

“Let’s eat the entire silver mine.”

Lee Bang-won stroked his beard.

“The Japanese seem to regard it as an insignificant silver mine, but are you confident that you can make a profit from it?”

“If it turns out to be useless after investigation, we can just receive something else. There’s nothing to lose.”

That was true.

Isn’t it a matter that can be promoted after sending people to investigate first?

The problem was rather with them than with us.

“No matter how unprofitable the land is, I don’t know if they will give it up willingly.”

In this era, land was not an object that could be conveniently sold and bought.

They would suspect that Joseon had some impure intentions.

But Lee Bang-won, who had been contemplating for a while, smiled and said.

“If you ask for land outright, they will surely be suspicious. But if you approach it differently, you may see a way.”

Lee Bang-won continued.

“During the reign of the Sangwang [retired king], the Daenei clan sent an envoy to ask for land in their ancestors’ battlefields.”

As far as I’ve seen, Ouchi was quite attached to the identity of being a descendant of the Baekje royal family.

So they had requested to be granted some land of the old Baekje, and Lee Bang-gwa was going to give them about 300 Gyeol [unit of land measurement] of land, but he stopped because of the opposing officials.

“Then, if we give them the land they requested in the past in exchange for the silver mine…?”

“There may be a possibility.”

It’s not just us taking their land, but Ouchi also taking our land.

It is also a request in return for granting a request they made first.

“The land to be given to the Daenei clan will be a smokescreen to deceive our intentions.”

“That’s right.”

If a country asked to exchange land on the condition of importing horses and gunpowder, I think they would jump at it.

‘We need a lot of silver.’

I heard that there was a silver mine in Tsushima Island, so I told them to investigate, but it turned out that there were only silver mines that had already been almost completely mined and produced only a few Nyang [unit of currency].

‘Please, just be as good as the Dancheon Silver Mine.’

I was working hard to mine Dancheon, but it was still not enough.

Most of the gold and silver mined in this way flowed into the Ming Dynasty.

It was necessary to import various necessities and luxury goods. I immediately went to the Ming Dynasty and used it to import large-scale livestock.

‘Strategic materials such as buffalo horns and saltpeter also cost a lot to collect.’

These items were strictly controlled even in the Ming Dynasty, so I had no choice but to pay a premium to obtain them.

As such, gold and silver were currently only used for payment for imports from the Ming Dynasty…

“If the country’s economy grows a little more, we may be able to implement a paper money policy with the accumulated silver.”

“Paper money.”

Lee Bang-won clenched his fist.

“As soon as I ascended the throne, I pushed for the use of paper money, but it ended in failure.”

That’s because the economic scale is not large enough for commerce to flourish, and there is no trust in currency.

Lee Bang-won’s eyes lit up.

“I have rarely failed in what I have set my mind to, but I never knew I would taste such bitterness.”

– Taejong and Sejong tried hard to establish paper money, but they all failed.

I suddenly remembered hearing such an explanation.

Taejong continued to push for the paper money policy, and King Sejong also did the same, but the lack of knowledge and experience, and the still insufficient situation in Joseon, all resulted in failure.

“In the great powers, anyone can hold Gyocheo [official paper currency] and go to the market to buy overflowing goods. Before I die, I will definitely establish paper money in this country.”

If the New Village Movement succeeds and yields increase nationwide, it will be possible to switch to a monetary economy even by implementing a silver standard.

For that, I desperately hoped for a silver jackpot.

Iwami, is it really that good?

===

“So you have to go, Young-sil.”

I called Jang Young-sil and said.

“Are you talking about me?”

“I can’t go myself, can I?”

I had roamed all over the Ming Dynasty and Jurchen, but I couldn’t go to Japan.

This was not just because of my parents’ nagging.

‘If I go in person, this becomes the Crown Prince’s visit to the country.’

It would be a picture of the Crown Prince entering to pay tribute to a Japanese lord.

The Ming Dynasty is at least the suzerain state of Joseon, but isn’t the Ouchi clan a barbarian one level below us?

At least that’s the story from Joseon’s point of view.

Jurchen is already our territory, so it doesn’t matter if it’s the Crown Prince’s tour.

So I called in technicians to explore the mine on my behalf.

Unlike Jang Young-sil, who seemed very excited about the mission I gave him, Lee Cheon’s expression was stiff.

“Are you telling me to go to Japan?”

“That’s right.”

“I can’t speak a word of Japanese…”

“Oh, would I ask you to be an interpreter? As Tsushima Island was incorporated into us, we have gained many Japanese who can speak Joseon. You will be able to talk without difficulty through them.”

But Lee Cheon was still crying.

“Your Highness, how long has it been since I came back from the Ming Dynasty, and now you’re telling me to go to Japan.”

Lee Cheon looked at me with a face as if I had some grudge against him.

‘No, that’s not it.’

I just thought he was doing a really good job.

‘For some reason, Joseon people hate crossing the sea.’

Considering that Joseon’s maritime capabilities are terrible, that’s understandable.

To put it a bit exaggeratedly, it may sound like telling them to take a spaceship and go on a business trip to the moon.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t send them.

I kindly presented another option.

“If you don’t like this, go to the Dancheon Silver Mine.”

I will not allow them to return to Hanyang until they achieve double the production.

“Just leave it to me, Your Highness.”

Lee Cheon said reliably.

I smiled and encouraged Lee Cheon.

“Come on, you have to take care of your body before leaving on a long journey. I will send red ginseng to your house, so boil it well and eat it.”

As I threw carrots like this, people’s expressions brightened.

The efficacy of red ginseng, which my uncle had already recognized and the royal physicians were shocked by, had spread widely throughout Hanyang.

It was natural because it was a secret product I had taken out.

I should give a few roots to Ouchi Mitsuyo too. If things go well, red ginseng, as well as horses and gunpowder, could become a strong source of money.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder how my uncle is doing.’

I haven’t visited him since I boiled red ginseng for him before going to the Ming Dynasty.

I was busy in my own way, so I couldn’t help it, but still, thanks to my uncle’s cooperation, I recovered the meritorious subjects’ lands and definitely advertised red ginseng.

I should go there when I have time.

As I was thinking that, No-bun rushed in from outside.

“Your Highness, Your Highness!”

“Why are you looking for me so frantically?”

I wondered when No-bun wasn’t frivolous, but he seemed particularly flustered now.

However, the words No-bun uttered were the opposite of his actions, and were very heavy news.

He looked at my face and said clearly, as if he was afraid of leaving out even one letter.

“Grand Prince Igan has passed away.”

My uncle, Grand Prince Igan Lee Bang-ui, who had been bedridden, finally failed to recover his strength and passed away.

< Sung-Chung Project (2) > End

ⓒ Pitkong