Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 520
Episode 520 Rolling, rolling…. (1)
Hanseong.
As soon as ‘Ouchi’s victory’ was announced, the governor immediately called the ministers.
“Did you hear the story?”
“yes.”
Hwang Hee answered the Hyang’s question as a representative.
“Then wouldn’t it be a good idea to start processing Tsushima Island soon?”
At Hyang’s words, all the ministers looked at Jo Mal-saeng.
Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered while receiving the gazes of Hyang and the ministers.
“I think it’s better to start right away. “The time when the big wind blew has passed, and the news must have reached the Lord of Tsushima and Mr. Soi.”
“You mean to move before Daima Doju and Mr. Soi come to their senses?”
Jo Mal-saeng bowed his head and answered Hyang’s question.
“That’s right.”
The ministers all nodded at the conversation between Jo Mal-saeng and Hyang.
This was because they also knew well the current situation in Tsushima and Japan.
* * *
Even before the intervention of Hyang, Joseon during this period did not neglect to understand the political situation of neighboring countries.
However, after King Sejo came to power through a revolt, the task of understanding the external situation was almost limited to the Jurchen period.
However, in the history that changed with the intervention of the township, it became essential to understand the external situation.
Maritime trade routes extended all the way to Europe, and merchant ships from Daewol and Seomla were filling trade ports. In addition, it was a situation where the great enterprise that depended on the fate of Joseon, called ‘Shinji’s preoccupation’, had to be succeeded.
If we neglected to monitor foreign trends even just a little, we would not only suffer huge losses but also put our country at risk.
Thanks to this, it was essential for high-ranking officials, even those in charge of foreign affairs and defense, to understand the situation in neighboring countries.
This was because changes in the situation could affect the tasks they were carrying out.
* * *
Among the ministers who nodded, Hwang Hee spoke as the representative.
“The people who helped the shogunate due to their ill-fated relationship with the Daenae clan were the Lord of Tsushima and the Soi clan. “If we extend our hand just enough, they will respond.”
“If they refuse our hand, we will have to use force, right?”
Hwang Hee nodded in response to Hyang’s question.
“A cow that doesn’t understand what you’re saying should be beaten, and if it still doesn’t understand, it should be killed and eaten.”
* * *
Ten days later, Tsushima Doju’s residence.
“My lord, a messenger has arrived from Joseon.”
“Please take me inside.”
“hot!”
The Tsushima governor Sosadamori (宗貞盛) welcomed the messenger sent from Joseon with a face full of concern.
The Joseon naval officer who visited Tsushima Island on the mission of an envoy paid a solemn military service.
“Welcome.”
The Lord of Tsushima, who returned the military courtesy of the military officer, offered the military officer a seat.
As soon as the messenger sat down, Tsushima Doju went straight to the main topic.
“So, for what reason did Joseon send a messenger to me?”
The expression of the military officer who came as a messenger instantly turned fierce at the words of the Great Master, full of displeasure and profanity. But he soon returned to his usual expression and put his hand in his arms.
“This is a personal letter from the crown prince to the governor.”
“A personal letter?”
The Lord of Tsushima, who straightened his posture, received the personal letter from the Hyang through the hand of his retainer and opened it.
“Mmm!”
After reading the entire contents of the letter, Daima Doju let out a groan with a hardened face. After rechecking the contents of the personal letter, the governor of Tsushima looked at the military officer.
“Do you know the contents of this letter?”
“The magistrate does not have the authority to read that personal letter. “I have been instructed to send an answer within just five days.”
“Five days… five days…”
Daimadoju, who had chewed the word ‘five days’ over and over again, let out a long sigh.
“I understand. I’ll try to send you an answer by that time. “Be careful when you go back.”
The messenger who stood up at Tsushima Island’s wedding ceremony gave a military salute and retreated outside.
* * *
When the messenger returned, the Lord of Tsushima informed his vassals of the contents of the letter.
“The crown prince of Joseon is telling me to give up this island.”
“yes?”
“this!”
“In the end…”
The vassals’ reactions to the Great Master’s words were divided into two. One side was shocked, and the other side had an expression that said, ‘What is coming has come.’
“Let’s take turns reading.”
“Ha…”
The vassals of the Great Demon Lord took turns reading the personal letter written by Hyang.
The contents of the personal letter were summarized as follows.
-When the Gihaedongjeong (己亥東征) occurred in the last year of Gihae (1419, the first year of King Sejong’s reign), the governor acknowledged that Tsushima Island was a province of Joseon and promised to relocate its residents to Joseon.
(Note 1)
– However, the situation in Joseon at the time was not favorable, so it was unfortunate that we could not accept this.
-Now that the situation in Joseon has improved, I will listen to your request.
-The owner of Tsushima should immediately vacate the island along with its residents and come to Joseon.
-This will be a good thing for both Tsushima Province and its residents. In recognition of their achievements so far, Tsushima Province will provide Hanseongbu with a mansion and pension, and the residents of the province will continue to make a living in a place free from the threat of barren farmland and thieves.
-Keep in mind that this is an action that recognizes and implements the merits accumulated by the governor.
The vassals who read the letter sent by Hyang became divided in their opinions.
“What happens if I reject this offer? “There’s nothing about him in your personal letters?”
“Isn’t this obvious without needing to add? “The Joseon navy stationed at Tsushima will try to eat us.”
“War?…”
When one of the retainers mentioned ‘war’, the already heavy air became even heavier and everyone fell silent.
It was Tsushima Doju who broke the heavy, suffocating silence.
“If we fight against the Joseon navy, what do you think the outcome will be?”
“….”
The vassals responded in silence to Doju’s question. They had grown weary of the strength of the Joseon Navy since the naval port of the Joseon Dynasty was established in Tsushima.
Hearing the silent reply, Daimaoju let out a long sigh.
“Whoa~. “That sounds like defeat.”
“The gods are incompetent…”
“The gods are incompetent…”
“It is done.”
The Lord of Taima raised his hand and cut off the vassals who were blaming themselves.
“This may be the result of ignoring the changing times. In that case, the responsibility would be mine. But we can’t keep being dragged along, so let’s think of a plan.”
“hot!”
When the Great Demon Lord and his retainers began to think about countermeasures, a low-ranking warrior outside came running and reported.
“Shoni Yoshiyori and Noriyori are here!”
“Take us inside!”
“hot!”
* * *
After a while, the Shawniga brothers entered the conference room and got to the point without even saying hello.
“Did you also receive a personal letter from the crown prince of Joseon?”
“Have you received a personal letter from the head of the family?”
The brothers nodded in response to Tsushima Doju’s question.
“It was written that you should either return to Joseon within five days or leave Tsushima and return to your hometown. It was written that if they remained after that, they would be considered pirates and force would be used against them.”
“Huh~.”
In response to his brother’s answer, the Master of Tsushima sighed for a long time.
‘Is the temporary solution from back then coming back like this?’
* * *
After Lee Jong-mu’s first subjugation was completed, Taejong announced a second conquest and continued the maritime blockade, and the governor of Tsushima Island proposed that he and all Tsushima residents move to Joseon.
In response to Tsushima Island’s words that he would become a faithful subject of Joseon if he provided an island where people could live – for example, Jindo – Taejong, instead of emigrating, gave Tsushima a seal certifying that Tsushima Island was a subject of Joseon and provided him with an appropriate amount of grain every year. It was concluded with support.
At that time, King Taejong judged the offer from Tsushima Island to be a declaration of surrender. And they believed that moving to Joseon would bring more harm than good.
And this was what the Tsushima governor was aiming for.
At that time, Joseon was a weak country. Tsushima Province, which judged that it would be impossible to maintain security after accepting the residents of Tsushima Island, who could turn into an armed group at any time, resorted to ‘brinkmanship tactics’.
But now the aftereffects of that tactic were hitting Tsushima Island.
Tsushima’s recognition as a province of Joseon and its willingness to immigrate to Joseon were all recorded, and this has now become the sword used to strike Tsushima.
* * *
“Whoa~.”
After a long sigh, Tsushima Doju came to a conclusion.
“The result has already been decided. We couldn’t keep up when everything was changing, starting with Joseon. “The only thing left is culling, right?”
“getaway! Are you saying we should surrender to Joseon?”
“There is no choice but to do so.”
The brothers of the Shawnee family looked perplexed at the reaction of the Great Master, who seemed to have already made up his mind.
Tsushima Province was the ruler of Tsushima, but they were military members attached to it.
Even if they had received the same offer, the Tsushima Province could have been treated as Joseon’s subjects, but they were sure to be treated as noble anti-Japanese rebels.
Of course, it may not be the same treatment as ordinary people, but it is certain that it will not be treated as well as the Daema Island Province.
However, returning to Kyushu was also a bad handshake. Kyushu was ruled by the Ouchi who drove them out here. Against Ouchi, who had already become strong enough to defeat the shogunate, defeat was certain.
Lastly, remaining here and resisting the Joseon navy was also a situation where a gruesome death was certain.
The brothers, looking frustrated, eventually got up and left.
“I’ll have to think about it a little more.”
“You will have to judge the situation calmly.”
The brothers, who had heard advice that was not advice from the Master of the Great Demon, returned with a devastated look on their faces.
The Lord of Tsushima, who sent the brothers of the Shawnee family, looked back at his vassals and opened his mouth.
“The answer has already been decided.”
“Keuheuk!”
“Huh! “My lord!”
Hearing the words of the Great Master, all the vassals burst into tears and were heartbroken. The Lord of Tsushima comforted those vassals.
“Don’t be too sad. “Isn’t it the law of the world that those who cannot keep up with the changing world are eliminated?”
“Keuheuk!”
“Tsk!”
“now stop. What you need to do from now on is to make sure that you get the most benefit out of it when you move. This is the last war left to us. “Get ready.”
“hot!”
* * *
Around the same time. There was talk about this incident in the conference room of the Joseon naval fortress stationed in Satsuma.
High-ranking officers who already knew the details were discussing their expectations about Tsushima Island’s reaction.
“Will the Lord of Tsushima accept the Crown Prince’s proposal?”
“If you have a brain that can think, wouldn’t you have no choice but to accept it?”
“They are a people whose sword goes before their head….”
“Then wouldn’t it be the end if we destroy them with artillery? “That would be nice too.”
Most of the high-ranking commanders gathered here had participated in the previous Tsushima conquest.
They had a desperate desire to avenge Park Sil’s defeat.
However, they also knew well that they should not attack first.
But they forgot. No matter what choice the Tsushima governor makes, a paper hell awaits them.
While many people in Tsushima Island were unable to sleep due to worries, there were also people in Hanseong who could not sleep.
It was Seson.
* * *
Note 1) Military strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Ministry of Defense Military Compilation Research Institute.