Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 230
Episode 230: Japanese Empire (3)
After five days had passed, King Sejong asked the ministers.
“okay. “Have you come up with a plan to resolve the situation surrounding Joseon, especially the why?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Yeonguijeong Lee Jik stepped forward.
“The officials gathered together to brainstorm and come up with some measures.”
“is it? “Please explain.”
After hearing Sejong’s words, Lee Jik gestured to the official sitting behind him. The official brought forward a large map depicting parts of Joseon and Japan.
“The gods think that annexing Japan by force would be unreasonable. However, it is also clear that if we leave the Japanese Empire alone, it will be a time of sorrow and worry for Joseon. Therefore, we must obey the Japanese nation.”
‘Why is the prologue so long?’
Hyang, who was grumbling internally at Lee Jik’s words, took a quick look at Sejong’s face.
‘this! ‘Your blood pressure has risen!’
Sejong’s expression was gradually becoming fiercer as he heard the announcement of the transfer, which was a classic method with a long introduction. In the end, Sejong stopped Lee Jik.
“That’s right… so?”
Realizing that Sejong’s tone was unusual, Lee Jik quickly got to the point.
“Therefore, I think the most reasonable plan is to first take the direction of Joseon’s actual control of Tsushima Island and increase our influence by supporting those who are friendly to us among the Japanese lords!”
In response to Lee Jik, Sejong softened his expression and stroked his beard.
Sejong, who reflected on Lee Jik’s remarks for a moment, asked Lee Jik.
“I know Tsushima Island is subject to us as a vassal, but we are also very quick to Japan. “If we take real control, why would Japan remain silent?”
Tsushima’s dual speed problem was a problem that all three Northeast Asian countries were aware of. Therefore, if done incorrectly, it could become an international problem.
Ijik immediately responded to Sejong’s point.
“Of course, if we claim it as Joseon territory right now, there will be conflict. But you can rule it without making it your territory.”
In response to Lee Jik’s refreshing answer, Sejong briefly asked back.
“how?”
Lee Jik gestured to the official standing next to the map. As the official flipped through the paper, a large map depicting Tsushima Island appeared.
Lee Jik continued his explanation by pointing to the map with his pointing stick.
“We will demand that Cheonmo Bay (current Aso Bay), where our Joseon army first encamped during the last conquest of Tsushima Island, and the Daeseonwol (current Ofunakoshi) area on the other side be ceded to us as a military port.”
“What is the cause?”
“The Cheonmoman Bay area is patrolled and protected on the route from Dongrae to Wae. The Daeseonwol area is specifically patrolled and protected on the route from Wae Guju to Dongrae.”
“It’s okay.”
Sejong, who nodded at Lee Jik’s answer, immediately found the problem.
“But will the Lord of Tsushima respond?”
“If the current situation is Tsushima Island, the governor will definitely respond.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Jik’s answer made Sejong remember.
* * *
By conquering Tsushima Island, the Japanese pirates’ momentum was greatly reduced, but Joseon did not stop being wary of Tsushima Island.
This became more severe as the tour progressed, and the composition of the Japanese merchants residing in Waegwan immediately changed.
Most of the merchants were from Tsushima, but as time went by, merchants from Europe became the majority.
This was not a natural change. Even if Joseon found even the slightest flaw, it took issue with it and expelled merchants from Tsushima Island, giving their place to Japanese merchants from other regions.
In the end, Tsushima Island had no choice but to rely on brokerage trade conducted by the few remaining merchants and grain sent from Joseon.
* * *
“Hmm… it might be possible…”
Sejong muttered, shaking his head.
Hyang, who was looking at this from the side, also looked the same.
‘Amazing! These gentlemen can think of such numbers! I was thinking of a policy of withering away through economic blockade and isolation…’
* * *
Hyang also knew that Tsushima was a thorn in his eyes. As a way to solve this problem, the township assumed the use of force.
“The problem is the justification…”
In order to build a justification for the use of force, Hyang came up with a method that the United States had used well in the 21st century: economic blockade.
At that time, taking note of the fact that the area controlled by the Ouchi family was the northern part of Europe and the Chugoku region of Japan, the village thought of a thorough economic blockade of Tsushima Island.
-Take Ouchi as the main trading partner and completely exclude Tsushima. If this happens, Tsushima will be pushed into a corner.
-The moment the critical point is crossed, Tsushima Island will attempt to use force – Japanese pirates. The moment you use force, it becomes a good justification for conquering Tsushima Island.
-Complete the parts missed in the previous conquest of Tsushima Island and make Tsushima Island a clear territory of Joseon.
-Profit!
This was Hyang’s plan.
However, the methods that the ministers thought of, including job transfers, were less economically burdensome and more fatal than the methods that Hyang thought.
As Lee Jik said, the current situation in Tsushima was the worst.
‘The situation is as serious as when the boycott movement occurred in the 21st century.’
Tsushima Island, which is mostly mountainous, was unable to survive on its own.
Therefore, Tsushima Island had to rely on transit trade. However, as both Goryeo and Wae fell into chaos, intermediate trade became impossible and piracy, symbolized by Japanese pirates, began.
However, as mentioned before, with the conquest of Tsushima Island and the progress of Gyeongjang, the Japanese pirates were subjugated and they were gradually pushed out of the trade market, leading to a gradual decline.
* * *
“It seems like a good method, but is it really possible? “If I were the governor of Tsushima, I would not accept it easily, no matter how difficult the situation was.”
“There is a way to make you accept it.”
“Is there a way?”
Lee Jik answered with a confident expression.
“yes. You can use two things. One is the port usage fee and the other is the monopoly office.”
“I understand the port usage fee, but using a reseller? how?”
“Tsushima Island is quickly approaching Joseon. Therefore, according to the law, the Japanese in Tsushima Island are the people of our Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, there are no problems installing and using the reseller.”
Sejong nodded at Lee Jik’s explanation.
“It’s okay. Then, how much do you think the port fee will be?”
“Together, 50 taels of silver comes per month from both places.”
“50 nyang of silver?”
“The amount of polished rice given to the Lord of Tsushima is 100 sam per year. (Note 1) If you are the Lord of Tsushima, you will definitely respond.”
In response to Lee Jik’s explanation, Sejong recalled the price-related information he had received. Although there were fluctuations depending on the weather and the prices were rising little by little these days, the price of a piece of white rice was roughly between 1 cat and 1 and a half silver coins.
When Sejong responded positively, Lee Jik added strength to his voice.
“However, the usage fee paid to the Tsushima owner will be paid in paper currency, not physical silver, and transactions at the monopoly will also be conducted only in currency.”
Sejong burst into laughter at Lee Jik’s words.
“ha ha ha! If that happens, Tsushima will have no choice but to listen to Joseon without using force. Good! As for Tsushima Island, make sure you implement that policy!”
All the ministers responded to King Sejong’s decision with approval.
“I follow your orders!”
* * *
Once the issue regarding Tsushima Island was decided, King Sejong moved on.
“That’s what happened with Tsushima Island, so let’s move on… What do you plan to do about the main island of Japan?”
“As I mentioned earlier, we have decided to encroach on the Japanese government (Note 2) based on the feudal lords who are friendly to Joseon. The means for this are still being devised.”
Sejong nodded at Lee Jik’s honest answer.
“It is true that it is not an easy task. “It means taking control of a country’s livelihood.”
As King Sejong passed over smoothly, the ministers bowed their heads in unison.
“I will do my best!”
After the ministers finished answering, Hyang opened his mouth.
“You too have something in mind. Can I tell you about it?”
Sejong was pleased with Hyang’s words.
“okay? Hehehe! “Tell me quickly.”
After receiving permission from King Sejong, Hyang moved to the highway where the map was hung.
“Let’s see…”
After flipping through a few maps and finding the complete map of Japan, Hyang began to explain.
“Soja also had similar thoughts to you. So I thought of a few options. “The first thing you can do is right here.”
After pointing out Nagato drawn on the map, Hyang continued speaking.
“It is about installing a superior at the long gate.”
“Who cares?”
“yes. If you look at Jangmun here, you can go directly from Dongnae without passing through Tsushima Island. And it is the territory of Daenae, who is close to us.”
“I see.”
As Sejong nodded, Kim Jeom asked a question.
“If we open the long door, won’t the number of Japanese merchants visiting Joseon decrease? Tax revenue will decrease. On the other hand, since we have to pay related taxes to Mr. Daenae, our expenses increase.”
“Of course there is that part. However, if we look at the Japanese merchants entering Joseon, half of them are merchants, but shouldn’t we see the other half as spies? And aren’t the problems caused by samurai who come in under the pretext of escorting merchants also significant? If the number of Japanese merchants decreases, the number of samurai will also decrease, which will also reduce the burden of security. And conversely, couldn’t we send merchants to find out the situation more quickly?”
“Yes, of course.”
While Kim Jeom was nodding his head, Jo Mal-saeng made a series of exclamations.
“That is so! Myosui is here!”
‘If this guy is a little harsh, I’ll give him a round of applause!’
Hyang responded to Jo Mal-saeng’s death with a light bow and continued talking.
“The number of Japanese merchants visiting Joseon may decrease, but it will not disappear altogether. This is because not all of our Joseon’s products are related to each other. “It doesn’t matter, but Japanese merchants will continue to visit Waegwan to find the products they need.”
The ministers nodded at those words. This was because such a thing had already become familiar through the superiors established in Shandong. Although the scale of the Shangjang established in Shandong was enormous, not all of Joseon’s products were located there. Because of this, a considerable number of merchants from famous countries consistently visited Jemulpo.
“This is the first funeral. The second option is right here.”
Hyang continued speaking by pointing out Iwami.
“It’s a place called Seokgyeon (石見). Looking at the records, it is said that there is a silver mine here. Perhaps with the help of the gods of heaven and earth, this is also an area under the control of the Daenae clan. Therefore, we will develop the silver mine here together with Mr. Daenae.”
As soon as the word Eunkwang was said, the eyes of King Sejong and his ministers began to sparkle fearfully.
‘Hmm! Look at those eyes! It will break through!’
Hyang continued speaking while looking at the eyes that were so sparkling that they looked like lasers.
“We provide the mining tools and instead employ the Japanese directly to develop the mines. “The raw ore produced in this way is divided with the Daenae clan in appropriate proportions.”
“Why do you hire Japanese people directly?”
“This is to pay wages to the hired Japanese. “When you have wealth in your hands, you tend to use it.”
Kim Jeom looked disappointed in Hyang’s answer.
“If we set up a monopoly there, we could really get a lot of benefit…”
“We will set up a monopoly.”
“How? Tsushima Island is possible for us because it is fast, but isn’t it a model of why? Mr. Daenae says that his roots are from Baekje and he is close to us, but is that even possible?”
“We will send a Korean coal mine engineer. About 100 people. Of course, including their families and the troops who will protect them.”
King Sejong and the ministers all exclaimed in exclamation at Hyang’s answer.
“aha!”
The justification was enough. What will they say about creating a monopoly for Koreans? Of course, it was possible to find fault with and prevent the Japanese from using the monopoly, but backdoors existed anytime, anywhere.
* * *
Note 1) According to the treaty signed with the Lord of Tsushima in the 25th year of King Sejong’s reign (1443), 200 kok of Sesamidu (歲賜米豆) was given to the Lord of Tsushima every year. This is the author’s imagination based on this.
Note 2) Economy is known as an abbreviation for ‘government, government, and people.’ It is known that the word economy came to have the meaning of economy as we know it in Japan in the late 19th century. Therefore, the word economy continues to be used in the text instead of the word economy.
https://www.korean.go.kr/nkview/nklife/2000_1/2000_0111.pdf