Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 206

Episode 206: Dilemma – Odori (3)

As Joseon secured the northeastern region by boiling Seondeokje, the Odori tribe was in trouble.

The area where the Odori tribe resided was the Hoeryeong area, centered on Baekdu Mountain.

To the east and west of the Odori tribe were the Olryanghap tribes.

The problem was that the relationship between Odori and the Olryanghap tribe was not very good.

Because nomadic herding of sheep was the center of the economy, the Jurchen people needed large areas of land. The reason was because of the sheep’s appetite. Unlike cows and horses, which eat only leaves and stems, sheep eat even the roots, so they need large pasture lands.

This issue was the biggest cause of the worsening relationship between Odori and the Olryanghap tribe.

* * *

“Virus. Another collateral tribe fell to Joseon.”

“Whoa~.”

Muntemu let out a long sigh at the report of his subordinate warrior.

“Is this your fourth time?”

“Yes bye.”

In response to his subordinate’s answer, Muntemu pressed his temples to relieve his pounding headache.

“I get it. “Go away.”

“Yes bye.”

After sending his subordinates away, Muntumu let out a long sigh again.

“Whoa~.”

Muntumu, who was left alone, looked into the distance with eyes full of regret and muttered.

“Did I make a big mistake back then?”

*

… It was a person.

Muntumu, who became the chief of the Odori tribe at a young age, was famous for his outstanding resourcefulness.

Muntemu and Ahapchul (阿哈出) became associated with Yi Seong-gye, an emerging powerhouse in the northeastern region, and became his subordinates. Lee Seong-gye granted him the Hoeryeong region.

This relationship with Yi Seong-gye became soured when Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo.

‘When the body becomes distant, the mind also becomes distant.’ This did not apply only to relationships between men and women. As Yi Seong-gye entered Goryeo and entered into full-scale political struggle, the relationship between Yi Seong-gye and Muntemu began to grow increasingly distant.

Even when Yi Seong-gye founded Joseon and ascended to the position of King Taejo, their relationship became estranged but did not completely break off.

However, the relationship between Muntemu and Joseon was completely severed when Yi Bang-won ascended to the throne and at the same time, Emperor Yongle began work to strengthen his control over Liaodong.

The reason Muntemu and Emperor Yeongrak formed a relationship was because of Ahapchul, who also worked as a subordinate of Yi Seong-gye.

When Emperor Yongnak was the King of Yan, Ahabchul’s daughter became the wife of King Yan.

Afterwards, when King Yeon ascended to the throne as Emperor Yongrak, Ahapchul was given the official position of Jianjuwichaejeong (建州衛參政). The mission given to Ahabchul, who was given a government position, was to invite the Jurchen people under his name.

This was Emperor Yongrak’s plan to keep Northern Yuan and Joseon in check at the same time. It was a plan to use the Jurchen tribes that were adjacent to Northern Yuan to keep Northern Yuan in check and to weaken the power of Joseon by bringing in the Jurchen tribes linked to Joseon under its command.

* * *

At the time when Ahapchul visited Muntemu, Muntemu was worrying about the future.

Although he established a relationship with King Taejong, the relationship with Joseon lost its human aspect and remained only a political relationship based on profit and loss, as long as Lee Seong-gye was not there.

At this time, Ahap Chul, who visited Muntemu, recommended that he go under Emperor Yongle.

Ahabchul persuaded Muntemu by saying the following.

“For the well-being of the tribe, it is best to step into the shadow of the Great Man. Now that our elders have passed away, Joseon cannot be in our shadow! Now there is no shadow of the great man named Lee Seong-gye! “We need new shade!”

“Is that shadow the Emperor of Ming?”

“of course! Myeong is now a loser that no one can surpass! Of course I can provide shade!”

“That’s true, but…”

Seeing Muntumu’s hesitation, Ahapchul said, hitting his chest with his hand.

“Trust me! Even so, he is the emperor’s father-in-law!”

In response to Ahapchul’s assurances, Muntemu met Emperor Yeongrak. Indeed, as Ahapchul said, Emperor Yongrak had the spirit of a great man.

In the end, Mentemu pledged allegiance to Emperor Yongle.

After Mentemu pledged his loyalty, the Yongle Emperor appointed him as commander of the Jianzhou throne.

“I will give you the last name Dong.”

“Hwang Eun is devastated!”

* * *

As soon as it was reported that Muntemu had obtained a government position and pledged loyalty, King Taejong immediately took action.

They stopped trade with Odori and attacked Morinyu. Muntemu counterattacked by plundering Gyeongwon.

As the relationship between the two became difficult, Myung entered into mediation.

Emperor Yongrak threatened the Joseon envoy who came to protest as follows:

“What is important to you is Joseon or Munteomoo?”

Under pressure from Emperor Yongle, Joseon had to give up Muntemu and send away all the hostages it had held hostage.

“Your family is persistent. “It is best to stay away for the time being.”

Muntemu, worried about Joseon’s re-invasion, led his tribe from Hoeryeong and went north.

* * *

But what happened next was not a happy ending.

Ming, symbolized by Emperor Yongle, did not want the Jurchen tribe to become powerful. Therefore, he constantly appeased the Jurchen tribes to subjugate them and created divisions between the tribes to prevent them from joining forces. And the tribes that became stronger were deployed in the conflict with the Northern Yuan (called Daldan (韃靼) in the Ming Dynasty).

The same was true for the Odori tribe in Muntumu. The size of the tribe grew, but many warriors had to lose their lives in the conflict with Northern Yuan.

In addition, the relationship with the surrounding Jurchen tribe deteriorated due to Ming’s separation policy.

Finally, in the second year of King Sejong’s reign, Muntemu sent an envoy to Joseon.

-I am sorry for what happened in the past. I hope for forgiveness. And please allow me to return to Hoeryeong.

At Muntemu’s request, King Sejong (although Taejong was behind it) accepted the request.

* * *

When the Odori tribe of Muntumu returned, King Sejong provided support for their settlement. Trade began again and various goods were granted, but the envoy’s report was negative.

“I couldn’t find any favor in the eyes of the young King of Joseon.”

“Oh… wow~.”

Muntumu let out a long sigh upon hearing the messenger’s report.

In the end, for the well-being of the tribe, Muntemu had to lead the warriors and move around busily. They had to play the role of a barbarian to block other Jurchen tribes that threatened Joseon’s border, and they also had to fight against the Jurchen tribes that harassed the Ming Dynasty.

* * *

At this critical time, the surrounding environment began to change again. Lee Manju, the grandson of Ahabchul, led his tribe down to the south.

And when Taejong died, King Sejong, who took all power to his own, began to promote Gyeongjang in earnest.

As King Sejong promoted Gyeongjang, the relationship with the Joseon military also changed. The opponent whom I thought was easy in many ways was starting to turn into an increasingly difficult opponent.

Then, a few years ago, when a Korean village on the border was looted, the relationship completely reversed. The Joseon army had become an object of fear through retaliatory warfare that massacred not only the tribe that had plundered the Korean village but also the tribes nearby.

And as the situation changed, the dark ages of the Odori tribe began.

* * *

The full-scale dark age began when Emperor Seondeok ascended to the throne. In the eyes of Emperor Seondeok, the values of Muntemu and Lee Manju were far apart. On the contrary, the value of Joseon was gradually increasing.

Muntemu, who noticed that Ming’s interest was cooling down, lamented.

“Should I look for another shade? Where should I look for it?”

While Muntumu was worrying, his subordinates informed him of urgent news.

“Joseon soldiers have occupied Baekdu Mountain!”

“what!”

When Muntemu led his men to Mt. Baekdu, the commander of the Joseon army presented Emperor Seondeok’s edict.

-We allow Joseon to regain its ancestral land. All nearby Jurchen tribes must actively cooperate with this.

The cunning Joseon Dynasty even dragged the officials of Ming Dynasty and waited for them.

“His Majesty’s command is clear, so please follow his command.”

“I understand.”

According to the words of the Ming Dynasty official, Muntemu had to beg his subordinates. We were in a situation where we were behind in terms of justification and in terms of power.

‘We will define the border along the foot of Mt. Baekdu.’

Saying the above, the Joseon military confirmed that the land with a radius of 50 ri (approximately 20 km) north of Baekdu Mountain was Joseon territory.

“Isn’t that too much!”

Muntemu protested against Joseon’s decision, but Ming officials tolerated his opposition.

This was the order of Emperor Seondeok.

-It is certain that Joseon will be greedy. But don’t stop it. The worse the relationship between Joseon and Jurchen, the better for us.

Ming officials faithfully followed Emperor Xiande’s orders.

* * *

After that, the situation of the Odori tribe continued to worsen.

The young king of Joseon had called the tribal chiefs of the Jurchen tribes under Yi Seong-gye.

The problem was that Lee Man-ju and Muntemu were absent from this call. Because of this, Muntemu was able to clearly understand King Sejong’s intentions.

‘Lee Man-ju and Muntemu are subject to elimination!’

Muntumu, who realized the precariousness of the situation, had to think about it.

‘Should I go up north again?’

However, in that case, it was certain that it would end up being used as an arrow can in the conflict with Northern Yuan, just like before.

‘What if I completely surrender to Joseon?’

It was clear that if Joseon’s subjects became Joseon’s subjects, the Ming Dynasty would not remain silent. This is because a subject of a famous country moves to another country. Even though Joseon was in the position of calling itself a subject to the Ming.

‘Conversely, what if I become a naturalized Ming citizen?’

If that happened, it was certain that they would all die at the hands of the Joseon army.

-Twice he had relationships with the military and ministers, and then betrayed them both!

It would have been the worst act of self-destruction, putting the sword in Joseon’s hands.

“Haa~.”

Muntumu’s sighs became deeper and deeper as he couldn’t come up with a good answer no matter how he tried.

In that situation, something happened that pushed Muntumu closer and closer to the cliff.

After seeing the wealthy Jurchen people living better and better, the collateral tribes began to move over to Joseon one by one.

The problem was not the level of leading the tribes, but the territory in which the tribes lived was handed over to Joseon.

And every time, Joseon dispatched soldiers to confirm its territory.

Muntemu protested to the Ming, but the answer the Ming received was devastating.

-I checked the records and found that the area was ruled by Lee Seong-gye. Therefore, it is recognized as the territory of Joseon in accordance with the previously issued edict.

Muntemu, who received the reply sent by Myeong, broke down with a devastated expression on his face.

* * *

In this situation, something happened that broke Muntumu’s composure.

“Virus. A Joseon military officer came to visit.”

“Joseon’s military officer?”

“yes. But…”

When the warrior reporting didn’t look very good, Muntemu got up and went out.

Outside, a group of Joseon cavalry were confronting warriors from the Odori tribe.

“Put the knife in!”

At Muntumu’s command, the warriors of the Odori tribe sheathed their swords.

As Muntumu stepped forward, the military officer standing in front showed a knowing attitude.

“Hello, Byer?”

“you!”

Muntumu couldn’t believe his eyes. The Joseon military officer smiling before his eyes was the tribal leader of the Olryanghap tribe, who had the worst relationship with the Odori tribe.

The smile of the tribal leader of the Olryanghap tribe, wearing the full uniform of a Joseon military officer (outer garment worn by a general in battle) and battle helmet, became increasingly deeper.

“This time, I received the favor of His Majesty the King and became a Pachong (把摠). Even though it is an earthen pipe that protects my land. Let’s get along well in the future.”

Although he said to get along, the smile he gave was extremely cruel.