Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 227
Episode 227: Ocean Fleet. (7)
Once the policy against Japan was decided, the government began to move quickly.
“The first thing to do is to clearly announce that Usando (于山島 Dokdo) is Joseon’s territory.”
Judge Ye Jo asked as if he was taken aback by Heo Jo’s words.
“No, why do we have to use our land….”
“We want to leave a national record so that other countries can also record it. So that I can’t say anything else in the future.”
Everyone nodded at Heo Jo’s words.
“We must send an envoy to Ming. The Japanese government is also kind to the Ming, so we must use the Ming to warn the Japanese. “Only in this way will there be justification for Japan in the future.”
Sejong smiled and responded to Heo Jo’s words.
“Sometimes you need a needle stick. “It’s also a good reason for us to build a ship.”
As someone who still had to keep an eye on people’s opinions, there was no better excuse than this.
“That’s a good idea. “Is there another way?”
“A stone monument must be erected on Usando Island. We must engrave a sentence and date clearly declaring that this land is our territory so that no word can be said about it. And the navy must regularly check the condition of the stone monument. Damaged? “I need to say something kind to the King of Japan.”
“That’s okay too.”
Sejong, who was listening to their story, had a different thought.
‘If possible, it would be better to do it elsewhere in advance.’
Although he didn’t know right now, Sejong was thinking about applying acupuncture in advance for the future.
After that, various agendas were presented, and the ministers selected the two most effective agendas and reported them to King Sejong.
“It’s okay. In addition to sending an envoy to Ming, please also send an envoy to Japan. “I guess we can send them along when we send back the fishermen we captured this time.”
“Do you mean not handing it over to the Great Demon Lord?”
King Sejong’s decision was immediately confirmed by the royal decree. Until now, when Japanese fishermen who were distressed due to storms or other accidents were rescued, they were handed over to Tsushima Province.
In response to the question from Yejo Panseo, King Sejong explained the reason.
“In the past, we did that because we were poor people who lost their ships and were in trouble for various reasons, but isn’t the situation different this time? Tsushima Doju is an unreliable person, so I don’t know what tricks he might use in the middle, so it would be better to send him directly to the King of Japan. Now that I think about it, I heard that Daenae Ouchi is a little closer to the King of Japan?”
“There are rumors like that.”
“Then talk to Lady Daenae and tell her to convey Joseon’s will to the King of Japan.”
“I follow your orders.”
Once King Sejong made his decision, Yejo moved quickly.
Because of the importance of the matter, Ye Fan personally visited Ming Guo, and Ye Jo Champan visited Lady Daenai.
“An envoy from Joseon came?”
“yes. “They say they want to meet the shogun.”
Ouchi Moriharu (Ouchi Morimi 大內盛見) expressed doubts about the retainer’s answer.
“why?”
“It is said that they caught fishermen who were fishing illegally in the sea of Joseon. However, it is said that weapons were found on their boat.”
Moriharu clicked his tongue at the retainer’s answer.
“Tsk! “This is a perfect situation to be accused of being a Japanese pirate!”
“Even Joseon’s envoy says so. That is why I would like to talk to the Shogun about this.”
“Damn it…”
In response to the retainer’s reply, Moriharu briefly cursed. The current Shogun was a very ruthless man. I didn’t want to get involved with him.
“You were caught in a scam.”
After confirming that no matter how hard he calculated, there was no answer, Moriharu ordered his retainer.
“Send someone to the shogunate and tell them that the Joseon envoy requests to see you.”
“hot!”
* * *
In this way, Yejo Champan was able to meet with Ashikaka Yoshinori (足利 義教), the 6th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord of Japan.”
“I am pleased to meet the envoy of Joseon. “You had a hard time coming to the elders.”
“thank you.”
After that, the meeting continued for a long time using formal, diplomatic language.
After such a complicated meeting, Yoshinori got to the point.
“okay. “Why did the Joseon envoy ask to see me?”
“As you know from the report, fishermen who were recklessly catching fish in the seas of Joseon were caught.”
“I know because I received the report.”
“But Japanese swords were found on their ship. Therefore, we in Joseon are suspicious that these are the forerunners of the Japanese pirates.”
Yoshinori looked back at the vassals present at the words of the royal ancestor. One of the retainers who received the silent order answered on Yoshinori’s behalf.
“ah! It is a self-defense weapon for fishermen. “Japanese pirates are a pain in the ass to us.”
“So do you mean that fishermen also carry weapons to protect themselves from Japanese pirates?”
As Yejochampan continued to argue, the retainer nodded.
“That’s right.”
‘Masturbation is a piece of shit!’
Yejo Champan, who had been swearing a lot in his mind, calmed his expression and continued speaking.
“Then I will understand that part and move on. “Then the next problem is… the Japanese fishermen cross the border to catch fish.”
In response to Yejo Champan’s point, Ye’s retainer opened his mouth.
“Where were the fishermen caught?”
“Usando is nearby.”
“If it’s Usando….”
“It’s 200 ri away from Mureungdo.”
“Isn’t it too far away?”
To the retainer’s point, Yejosampan smiled and answered.
“It is over 400 ri away from the Japanese Eungi Islands.”
“Ah…”
The vassal kept his mouth shut at Yejo Champan’s point.
After a moment of silence, Yoshinori opened his mouth.
“Okay. We acknowledge that part as our fault. “I will give orders to fishermen to be careful from now on.”
“You will have to be very careful. “Our Joseon navy deployed to Mureung Island will soon crack down strongly.”
At the words of the royal ancestor, Yoshinori and his retainers’ faces became more serious than ever before.
“Did you say the Joseon navy will be deployed?”
“That’s right.”
“Then together with the front lines?”
“If you have a navy, why don’t you have a front line?”
“How many?”
“It’s a state secret.”
“Ah…”
Yoshinori and his retainers could not hide their disappointment at the words of the royal governor. However, it was impossible to persecute envoys carelessly.
In the end, Yoshinori had no choice but to answer with a serious expression, unlike before.
“I understand. “I will warn you strongly.”
“thank you.”
In this way, the meeting ended with the desired results.
Yoshinori tried to gather information by holding a grand banquet, but was blocked by the impregnable defense of the Imperial Court.
‘Even after all this, I have a body built by drinking alone in the alley of Hanseong’s Gibang! ‘Did you think I’d be having fun over a few drinks?’
In the end, Yoshinori, who saw off the royal family, gathered his retainers.
“What should I do?”
“I think it would be better to follow Joseon’s wishes for the time being.”
In response to the vassals’ answers, Yoshinori swore.
“Damn it!”
The retainers who saw Yoshinori’s reaction became very nervous and looked around.
* * *
Yoshinori, who was newly appointed shogun, was ruthless.
He greatly strengthened the military power under the shogun’s direct control and strengthened the shogun’s power based on that.
Yoshinori thought it was God’s will that he became shogun.
The 5th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshikazu, died young, and the 4th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, took over as acting shogun.
Yoshimochi did not decide on a succession until just before his death. Therefore, the heads of the shogunate selected multiple candidates and drew lots at the temple. It was a question about ‘God’s will.’
In two drawings, it was Yoshinori who was chosen both times.
Therefore, Yoshinori believed that his becoming shogun and everything he did as shogun were God’s will.
Therefore, opposing his will was considered a violation of God’s will and was punished cruelly.
* * *
Because Yoshinori was like this, the retainers were very nervous and were only watching Yoshinori’s thoughts.
Yoshinori suppressed his anger and gave an order.
“Execute all those sent back by Joseon! You’re causing such trouble! “You deserve to die!”
“hot!”
“And which family is in charge of Okiguni?”
“This is the Kyogoku family.”
“Tell them to pay attention!”
“hot!”
Yoshinori concluded the situation with that. Yoshinori’s retainers heaved a sigh of relief.
“Luckily there was no storm!”
“That’s right.”
However, soon after, the arrival of an envoy from the Ming Dynasty turned the shogunate upside down.
-According to what the Joseon envoy informed me, your Japanese fishermen were caught while crossing the border into the sea of Joseon to catch fish. Although there is no clear border line in the sea, going over 400 ri from the Eungi Islands means crossing the border by a long way.
If this happens frequently, the relationship between Joseon and Japan will inevitably become uncomfortable.
There is nothing more unfortunate than the relationship between subordinates deteriorating, so the king of Japan must be more careful.
Yoshinori, who had been kneeling politely while the envoy was reading Emperor Seondeok’s edict, politely bowed when the reading was over.
“I accept Your Majesty’s orders!”
A few days later, when the four envoys returned, Yoshinori exploded.
“Send someone to the damn Kyogoku family and tell them to severely punish those responsible!”
“hot!”
When Yoshinori’s order was delivered, the middle and low-level samurai who managed the Oki Islands took responsibility and committed suicide or were beheaded.
It was a desperate measure to avoid being subjugated by Yoshinori.
* * *
While the diplomatic battle was going on, Hyang was busy building a new ship requested by the navy.
Although the shape of the hull is very different, the experience gained through Challenger made the work progress quickly.
Thanks to this, the test ship was able to be launched in two and a half months, rather than the four months initially expected.
Oh Ha-seok was in charge of the test voyage of the test ship.
“What about my stomach…”
“I can’t help it. “There is no one who is as skilled as you on a ship like this.”
“All right.”
At Jo Mal-saeng’s words, Oh Ha-seok went out to sea with a well-chosen crew towing the test ship.
“You crazy!”
Oh Ha-seok, who went to the East Sea, could not help but be scared.
The test ship, which received a favorable wind, ran through the sea at truly insane speed.
It was an insane speed that neither Oh Ha-seok nor the crew had ever experienced.
After completing the test unarmed, Oh Ha-seok and the crew quickly returned to Wonsan.
“Load artillery and ammunition immediately!”
Oh Ha-seok and his crew loaded the test vessel with artillery, gunpowder, ammunition, food, and drinking water according to the set amount and headed out to sea again.
Oh Ha-seok, who returned to Wonsan three days later, ended his report with just one word.
“It’s the best!”
* * *
After seeing the report recording the final test results, King Sejong gave orders to his ministers.
“I’m going to go to Wonsan for a little while.”
“yes? “I’ll take you there!”
King Sejong and the ministers who headed to Wonsan were amazed when they saw the newly built ship.
“This ship is just as stylish!”
In response to Sejong’s praise, Hyang bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
“thank you!”
“It’s that fast, so I should try riding it too.”
“It’s dangerous!”
“Don’t just trust the crown prince. “Just trust the crown prince.”
The ministers also boarded the ship, following King Sejong, who stubbornly boarded the ship.
Their thoughts were the same.
‘If something happens, I’d rather die after taking care of it…’
Contrary to Hyang’s worries, the ship completed its voyage safely and returned.
King Sejong, who had watched the firing of artillery in the middle, greatly praised the scent as soon as he got off the ship.
“What a great ship you have built! “This is truly amazing!”
“Thank you.”
“I decided on a name for this ship. “It flies as fast as a hawk, so I’ll call it a ‘sea bird!’”
* * *
This is how the Sea Emergency Goham was born, making a name for itself along with the Challenger-class battleships.
If the challenger class was called ‘the scoundrel of the East’, Hae-eung was called ‘the gray seagull’ or ‘the gray watchdog’.
This nickname was given because of Hae-eung’s innate limitations.
Because its main mission was high-speed patrol in the sea area near the port, Haeung, which had a small payload, could not travel far from the port.
That’s why merchants were happy to call sea birds ‘gray seagulls’. Seeing sea birds in the open sea was an auspicious sign that there was land nearby.
Similarly, if you meet Haeung, it means that you will soon reach the port.
To the pirates, Hae-eung was a trembling watchdog.
Since the basic tactic of sea emergency was to have at least two ships moving together, it was said that if one ship was encountered, there would be another sea emergency nearby.
Because its speed was unrivaled, it was nearly impossible to break away and run away.
According to the standard speed standards agreed upon between Europe and the Ming Joseon Dynasty, Haeung’s maximum speed was recorded at 18 knots (about 33.3 km per hour).
This record has not been broken for nearly a generation.