Black Corporation: Joseon

About five days after Ouchi’s uprising, urgent news reached Hanseong.

However, Hanseong’s reaction to this urgent news was rather unexpected.

“The Ouchi clan has finally raised their army, Your Majesty.”

“Is that so?”

Both the Foreign Affairs Minister delivering the report and King Sejong receiving it maintained remarkably calm expressions.

“Since this isn’t unexpected, respond according to our previously established plans.”

“We receive your command.”

After calmly ordering the response, Sejong moved on to his next question.

“By the way, how many troops has Ouchi mobilized for this?”

“Six thousand?”

At Foreign Affairs Minister Heo Hu’s answer, not just Sejong but all the ministers’ expressions changed.

“Six thousand?”

“That many?”

As Geunjeongjeon Hall stirred, Hwang Hui questioned Heo Hu.

“How many of the six thousand were sent to Kyoto?”

“The six thousand were all sent to Kyoto.”

“What!”

“Good lord!”

The ministers wore incredulous expressions at Heo Hu’s answer. Representing their sentiments, Hwang Hui spoke up.

“It seems Ouchi is being overly ambitious. According to our recent intelligence, Ouchi’s total military force was eight thousand, yet they’ve committed six thousand… They’re overreaching.”

Most ministers nodded at Hwang Hui’s words.

Sejong also expressed agreement with the ministers.

“I share the same thought. Though Ouchi has accumulated considerable wealth through trade with our Joseon and joint silver mine development, they’re still just a feudal domain. Won’t this end up not even lasting three days?”

All ministers nodded at Sejong’s observation.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. We may need to completely revise our plans from the beginning.”

***

Armies were organizations that consumed massive budgets. Because of this, Joseon had to repeatedly strategize and employ various tricks to expand military capabilities while minimizing financial strain.

Having experienced such difficulties, Sejong and his ministers thought Ouchi was being reckless.

Of course, from the perspective of determining a nation’s fate, six thousand troops might seem very few.

However, considering that the Liaodong expedition pushed by Choi Young in late Goryeo mobilized about 50,000 troops with a main force of about 38,000, six thousand was no small number for a mere feudal domain like Ouchi.

***

While Sejong and most ministers considered it reckless, Kim Jong-seo raised an objection.

“Perhaps it’s not recklessness, Your Majesty.”

Sejong’s eyes gleamed at Kim Jong-seo’s objection.

“Not reckless? Do you have grounds for saying so?”

Kim Jong-seo explained his reasoning to Sejong’s question.

• -When he went as a secret envoy previously, Ouchi seemed to already be planning this.

• -Not only was Ouchi’s directly controlled territory considerable, but the number and scale of their tributary domains were also significant.

“…As the Foreign Affairs Minister knows, territories under Ouchi’s control include most of Japan’s Chugoku region and one-third of Kyushu. With this much, six thousand could serve as seed water.”

“Seed water…”

After mulling over Kim Jong-seo’s response several times, Sejong looked around at his ministers.

“We’re well aware of the bad blood between Ouchi and the bakufu, and if Ouchi’s influence extends that broadly, it might not be reckless. Listen, all of you. Considering these circumstances, refrain from prematurely concluding that Ouchi’s uprising will fail. Watch the situation in Japan carefully and respond appropriately to changes, just avoid missing the timing.”

“We receive your command.”

After settling matters related to Japan, Sejong moved on.

“Listen, all of you. Having observed the Crown Prince’s regency, I’ve confirmed he lacks nothing in ability. Now, I intend to delegate all decision-making authority for defense and diplomacy to the Crown Prince as well.”

Hwang Hui immediately questioned Sejong’s declaration.

“Have you decided to abdicate, Your Majesty?”

“Not immediately, but I plan to do so when I depart for New Lands.”

At Sejong’s answer, the ministers tightly closed their mouths and processed the situation.

Though the Crown Prince’s abilities are lacking nothing…

Still, his experience seems insufficient…

Now that the time had come for Hyang to make all decisions, the ministers grew anxious again.

Finally, Hwang Hui spoke to Sejong on behalf of the ministers.

“Though we know the Crown Prince’s abilities are more than sufficient, diplomacy and defense require maturity. Isn’t it still too soon?”

“Isn’t such maturity built through handling actual affairs? And about it being too soon… Have you not considered we might miss our timing in New Lands while searching for the right moment?”

“However…”

“Have you forgotten what the Crown Prince said regarding this Japanese situation? Have you already forgotten that deep planning and careful consideration?”

“That’s not it, Your Majesty.”

“In my view, worrying about the Crown Prince’s inexperience is merely groundless anxiety. Continuing to oppose would be mere nitpicking.”

At Sejong’s final warning, Hwang Hui immediately bowed his head.

“We receive your sacred command.”

And upon receiving this news, Hyang heaved a long sigh.

“Hah… The good days are over!”

***

After delegating everything to Hyang, Sejong began serious preparations for his departure to New Lands. From morning to evening, eunuchs and officials visited Gangnyeongjeon Hall carrying documents related to New Lands.

Occasionally, ministers of various departments were also summoned by Sejong. Each time ministers were called to Gangnyeongjeon, loud voices erupted from within.

“How can you conduct business like this!”

“We-we’re terribly sorry!”

“If you know you’re sorry, shouldn’t you avoid creating reasons to be sorry!”

“Please kill us!”

“Should I really kill you!”

“Please spare us!”

“For heaven’s sake! Have you shat away all the experience gained as Joseon’s territory expanded after the economic reforms? Why is everything such a mess!”

The ministers could do nothing but bow their heads at Sejong’s rebuke.

Because Sejong’s words were entirely correct.

When the economic reforms got on track and Joseon began expanding its territory, it wasn’t just the military department handling everything. Other departments also took on various tasks to digest newly acquired territories into Joseon.

However, they had failed to properly utilize that accumulated experience in exploring New Lands, resulting in Sejong’s fury.

“I’m well aware that New Lands’s land is broader than expected! But we haven’t claimed all that land for Joseon right now, have we? Have you forgotten the saying ‘steady progress like an ox’s steps’? Or have you grown lazy and forgotten past lessons in such a short time!”

“We’ll correct it immediately!”

“Do it properly! Really! Tch!”

After receiving such thunderous scolding from Sejong, the ministers arrived at their office entrances and immediately shouted.

“From vice ministers to officials of section chief rank and above! Come to my office! Right now! Why do I have to hear that tongue-clicking at my age!”

A round of top-down scolding ensued.

***

While such relatively peaceful daily life continued in Joseon, an envoy from Ouchi arrived.

The envoy visiting Gyeongbok Palace respectfully greeted Sejong.

“Yes, I heard news that Ouchi has undertaken a great endeavor. Is the family head in good health?”

When Sejong, having received the greeting, asked after the family head’s well-being, the envoy bowed his head and answered.

“Our lord is in good health. We are deeply moved by Your Majesty’s concern.”

“Is that so? The most important thing in continuing a great endeavor is that the family head, who forms its root, stands firm. Please convey my wishes for his continued good health.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

After exchanging such pleasantries, Sejong moved to the main point.

“So, what does Ouchi desire from our Joseon that they sent you?”

“Yes, we need Joseon’s help to succeed in our great enterprise.”

“Need our Joseon’s help? Hmm…”

After thinking briefly, Sejong answered the envoy.

“The Crown Prince is currently serving as regent, so discuss it with him.”

“Pardon?”

Seeing the envoy’s confusion at his words, Sejong replied briefly.

“The Crown Prince’s will is my will. Therefore, speak with the Crown Prince.”

Thus, Sejong passed the matter to Hyang.

***

Having received the envoy from Sejong, Hyang soon met with him.

“You said you need our Joseon’s help? Has Ouchi’s situation perhaps turned unfavorable?”

The envoy hurriedly shook his head at Hyang’s question.

“N-no! The war situation remains overwhelmingly favorable for our Ouchi clan! We’ll be able to subdue most of the Kinki region soon!”

Hyang internally snorted at the envoy’s answer.

Hah! Is a year included in ‘soon’?

***

The news from Joseon’s trade office in Naniwa (the old name for Osaka) differed somewhat from the envoy’s words. While Ouchi’s army was steadily achieving victories and expanding their influence, the bakufu forces were tenaciously holding out.

• -We estimate it will take at least one year for Ouchi to completely control the Kinki region (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, and Mie).

This was the intelligence from the Naniwa trade office, and the reason for Hyang’s internal snort.

***

“So, with things progressing so well, why do you need our Joseon’s help?”

At Hyang’s question, the envoy cautiously began.

“Thanks to the valiant efforts of our lord’s generals and soldiers, and heaven’s blessing…”

“Get to the point.”

When Hyang cut him off, the envoy hesitated briefly before revealing his main purpose.

“Please supply us with gunpowder.”

“Gunpowder?”

“Yes. Though we’re working hard to obtain gunpowder, we can’t keep up with consumption.”

At the envoy’s words, Hyang muttered internally.

• Not obtaining it—manufacturing it, you mean.

***

Joseon had been steadily building a human intelligence network centered on Ouchi’s territory and Joseon trade offices throughout Japan.

One piece of information secured through this was Ouchi’s gunpowder production.

After testing Ouchi’s gunpowder obtained through planted informants, the military department immediately prepared a report.

• -The quality and power of the gunpowder is similar to what our Joseon used previously.
• -We must prevent the leakage of our latest gunpowder manufacturing technology.

***

After briefly considering the envoy’s request, Hyang soon addressed him.

“Let me ask you something. You understand the importance of gunpowder, don’t you?”

“I understand well.”

“And considering the relationship between our Joseon and Japan, you must also understand that our Joseon supporting Ouchi with gunpowder would cause many problems?”

“I understand that aspect well too. However, please consider the friendly relations built between our Ouchi and Joseon.”

“It’s because we know this that we’re deliberating. Hmm…”

With those words, Hyang fell silent.

As Hyang closed his mouth, the envoy grew anxious.

Watching the envoy squirm uncomfortably, Hyang finally spoke.

“If you accept several conditions I’ll state, our Joseon will sell gunpowder to Ouchi.”