Black Corporation: Joseon

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“The Japanese are cunning and treacherous by nature, prone to stealing from others through violence. Show even a moment’s carelessness, and they’ll reveal their vicious nature.”

“The problem lies in our Joseon’s vigilance weakening as this era of great peace continues through generations.”

“Exactly. We must establish laws ensuring that martial prowess remains as valued as scholarly pursuits, never forgetting to prepare in times of peace.”

As soon as Sejong finished speaking, the ministers eagerly denounced the Japanese and offered their own countermeasures.

***

Watching this scene, Hyang wore another incredulous expression.

What the hell? This incredible analytical ability? And this swift decision-making?

Watching various countermeasures emerge instantly, Hyang internally cried out.

Hyang fumed as he recalled the actions Joseon took on the eve of the Imjin War from the history he’d learned in the 21st century.

***

However, Hyang overlooked several factors.

First, unlike during the Imjin War period, the Japanese threat at this time was a visceral, lethal danger that people had experienced firsthand.

From late Goryeo through early Joseon, the Japanese—specifically the Japanese pirates—were objects of terror.

The Japanese pirates had pillaged not just coastal regions of the Korean peninsula but inland areas as well, causing massive loss of life and economic damage.

Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, had built his reputation through victories against the Japanese pirates.

The current court ministers had been born and raised during this period of suffering under Japanese pirates raids.

Therefore, their vigilance against Japan never dulled. This was why they had supported Hyang’s proposal to establish trade offices in Japan.

Beyond economic benefits, it would allow faster and more accurate understanding of Japanese political situations.

Second, the Joseon court during the Imjin War hadn’t been entirely negligent.

King Seonjo’s court had detected the threat of Japanese invasion and maintained steady preparations.

However, Japan wasn’t the only military threat facing Seonjo’s court.

In the north, Nurhachi was rapidly building power. Following the strategy of using barbarians against barbarians, Nurhachi, supported by Ming’s Li Chengliang, was steadily expanding his influence.

Joseon suddenly faced two fronts and had to choose where to focus its attention.

Joseon chose the north.

Until the Three Ports Incident and the Eulsa Japanese Invasion, Japanese pirates activities had been sporadic with bearable damage—at least according to the court’s judgment, though the common people who suffered directly shed tears of blood.

However, the Jurchen tribes in the north constantly harassed Joseon. Then Nurhachi emerged as a powerful figure in this situation.

Under these circumstances, Joseon weighted the north more heavily. While Japan had the natural Great Wall of the sea, the north had no such barrier.

Though they focused on the north, they hadn’t forgotten the south.

• -The best way to stop the Japanese army is to stop them at sea.

Following this decision, they appointed proven rising commanders as naval commanders in the three southern provinces.

The problem was that while one of these commanders was the ultimate cheat key, another was a self-destruct key more than capable of ruining everything.

Finally, Hyang overlooked who was running the current court.

From King Sejong down to the ministers, they were all overpowered characters with unprecedented abilities.

Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, this period gathered such talented individuals that it made even the later Joseon Renaissance under Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo pale in comparison.

***

In the midst of discussing countermeasures with his ministers, Sejong noticed Hyang just blinking and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Crown Prince, I ask you. Was this father’s thinking wrong?”

Hyang immediately bowed his head and answered.

“Not at all! Rather, I deeply realized how shallow my own thoughts were!”

Sejong smiled slightly at Hyang’s words and casually began.

“I know your abilities—’shallow’ is hardly appropriate. Come, share your thoughts. I’d like to hear them.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers internally grumbled.

Here we go again! Bragging about his son!

Finding the problem through “Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians” was impressive, but this showing off…

We might have to endure another round of father-son philosophical discourse.

Whether aware of the ministers’ thoughts or not, Hyang took a light breath and began speaking.

“Most of what I considered, Father has already mentioned. However, there are a few differences, one being the handling of the feudal domains. Those who studied Neo-Confucianism and administration in our Joseon would view these domains as entities to be eliminated or constrained first.”

“Like the abolition of private armies pursued by previous kings? Mishandled, it could spark resistance and lead to another civil war.”

Hyang immediately affirmed Sejong’s observation.

“Exactly. Therefore, these people—whom I’ll call the Confucian faction from now on—will aggressively implement the hostage system to consolidate Ouchi’s power. Though they already operate the alternate attendance system, they’ll run it with stronger enforcement. They’ll try to transform the domain lords and their samurai from warriors into scholars. They’ll actively use Neo-Confucianism for this purpose. And ultimately…”

“Abolition of domains?”

After briefly hesitating at Sejong’s short question, Hyang nodded.

“Yes, Father.”

At Hyang’s confirmation, the ministers initially wore incredulous expressions before carefully analyzing the situation.

How could it possibly lead to domain abolition?

No, wait. It’s entirely possible. Didn’t our Joseon take various measures, starting with the abolition of private armies, to eliminate the power of local strongmen continuing from the ancient Three Hans period? If the Confucian faction follows our Joseon’s systems, it’s quite possible.

Meanwhile, Hyang continued his explanation.

“Regarding ‘revering the Emperor,’ my thoughts differ from Father’s from this point. If Ouchi seizes power, the Confucian faction will operate at the center of power. They won’t need to worry about the Emperor. Rather, they’ll either absorb the Emperor’s court under Ouchi or eliminate it to make the Emperor a true symbol.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. This was the nature of politics.

Hwang Hui spoke up at Hyang’s statement.

“Then Neo-Confucianism spread by the Confucian faction will become a new tool for political struggle. Nobles and domain lords pushed out of power will use Neo-Confucianism to attack Ouchi. Not immediately, of course.”

Hyang nodded at Hwang Hui’s observation.

“Exactly. And the Confucian faction will create various political theories to defend against these attacks.”

In simple terms, the clash between Hungu and Sarim factions will happen in Japan!

***

Interestingly, something similar had happened in the history before Hyang’s intervention.

Neo-Confucianism, fully introduced through Joseon scholars like Kang Hang who were taken prisoner during the Imjin War, was the catalyst.

Those opposing the Tokugawa shogunate advocated returning power to the Emperor based on Neo-Confucian theory, while scholars supporting the shogunate countered with the theory of unity of ritual and administration.

Through fierce struggle, imperial restoration was achieved, followed by the Meiji Restoration.

This birthed imperial Japan and planted the seeds of Joseon’s tragedy.

***

“Ultimately, if this situation continues, Japan’s political situation will certainly become unstable. To stabilize this, or for those newly in power to resolve dissatisfaction, they’ll turn their eyes outward and become a threat to our Joseon. This is why I called it the worst outcome.”

As Hyang finished speaking, Sejong and the ministers all nodded.

“I find the Crown Prince’s thoughts reasonable as well. What do you all think?”

Hwang Hui stepped forward to answer Sejong’s question.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. I understand now why following old customs would be best even if Ouchi seizes power.”

“However, the worst outcome seems more likely than the best. Let’s discuss countermeasures.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers offered various opinions.

Though various arguments continued, the conclusion was surprisingly simple:

• -Internally maintain strong national defense and prosperity while maintaining constant vigilance externally.

Hearing the conclusion, Sejong clicked his tongue softly.

“Tch. Though it’s the most orthodox answer, there seems no better solution.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“While this is the best internal approach, what should we do externally? Ah, let’s consider only Japan, as Ming is too overwhelming to handle.”

Hwang Hui immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“Since Ouchi will almost certainly make their move, we should help them properly seize power. Of course, following our earlier decided measures is best for this part. The problem is ensuring Ouchi maintains power long-term once they’ve seized it.”

“Do you have a good method?”

“Use the Confucian faction. We can utilize the connections between the Confucian faction currently in Hanseong and those who’ve returned to Japan. Of course, actual help or interference might provoke Ouchi’s opposition, so advice would be the most we could offer.”

Sejong’s eyes sparkled at Hwang Hui’s response.

“Advice? What kind of advice?”

Hwang Hui immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“The best would be ‘moving the capital.'”

Hyang repeatedly expressed admiration internally at Hwang Hui’s answer.

They say old ginger is spiciest! As expected of Lord Hwang Hui!

***

While such deliberations occurred in Joseon, heated debates were also taking place at the Ouchi main house in Kyushu.

“My lord! You must raise your army!”

“No! It’s still too soon! Those in Kyoto will soon fail through their blind greed! Until then, you must endure and prepare!”

Much time had passed since documents arrived announcing that eight-year-old Ashikaga Yoshimasa had become shogun following the death of Ashikaga Yoshikatsu.

• -All shugo daimyo and lords must come to Kyoto immediately.

Recently, orders to attend court in Kyoto had been delivered.

The debates had started then.

Those advocating military action were mostly young officials who had returned from studying in Joseon and military commanders of similar age.

• -This shogun’s appointment is the result of collusion among Kyoto’s seven houses! We cannot accept this collusion born of greed to seize and abuse power! We must raise armies immediately to drive them out and install a proper shogun!

Though the war faction’s political argument gained increasing support, the opposition remained adamant.

• -We still lack strength!

• -Our justification is too weak! We must wait until they commit greater failures!

This was the opposition’s argument.

Finally, after much deliberation, Ouchi Mochiyo sought out the previous family head, Morimi, for private consultation.

After talks lasting through the night, Mochiyo returned and declared to his retainers:

“Draw your swords!”

The war had begun.