Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 543

Episode 543: All-out war. (1)

Emperor Seondeok looked at the map and continued talking to himself.

“They said Kijin’s personality was suited to starting a business, but they also took note of that. It’s only suitable for standing on the vanguard and drilling holes in the wires. But I’m still not stupid enough to do something with 150,000. I will do my best to gather the Jurchen people of Liaodong. That way, if we join Joseon, we will be able to deal with the troublesome Jurchen tribe to an appropriate level without even touching them.”

Throughout its long history, horseback riding people, especially the Jurchen people, were objects of fear. The fear was such that there was a representative sentence about the Jurchen people.

-If Jurchen’s army is 10,000 strong, the whole world cannot handle it. Because of this,

the Ming used the method of Li Yijie to control the Jurchen tribe.

It was to create divisions among the Jurchen tribes, making them hostile to each other and inducing them to be loyal to the Ming.

However, the number of Jurchen people began to increase again, and in the meantime, Joseon began to creep in.

Therefore, Emperor Seondeok came up with a plan to moderately weaken the aftershocks by using the main earthquake.

“Not too strong, not too weak. Just enough to keep Mongolia’s movements in check.”

Emperor Seondeok reviewed his plan again.

“I don’t know how much damage Gijin can inflict on Joseon. “I put about 50,000 more people on standby just in case… Should I prepare about 50,000 more?”

If the main army hesitated due to lack of troops, Emperor Seondeok had already prepared 50,000 reserve troops to ensure that the main army moved. However, thinking that even that might not be enough, Emperor Seondeok decided to add an additional 50,000.

“Even so, the entire army of 250,000 to 350,000 people is 3 million, and only the general and the troops deployed to the rear are 1.5 million, so Gi-jin can’t have a wild idea. In the end, the only place he will head to is Joseon.”

Emperor Seondeok tried hard to calculate.

“If I use the things I have prepared well, it is possible to raise up to 350,000. With the people Gijin gave me, it is possible. And if it’s their turn, they will do their best to make the plan a success.”

The commanders that Emperor Seondeok assigned to Joo Jin-jin were capable, but were pushed out of the path to success for various reasons. They would do everything they could to improve their reputation.

And the more they tried, the deeper the wounds Joseon would suffer.

And Emperor Seondeok planted one more male and female here.

It was also Emperor Seondeok’s ploy to deliberately not write down the bait given to Joo Jin-jin, ‘If you obtain Joseon, you may crown him’, but to deliver it orally instead of writing it down.

This was a male and a female that had their sights set on both success and failure.

“Even if we fail, Joseon won’t be able to argue with us. “Because there is no physical evidence.”

-This incident is a tragedy caused by the vain ambitions of Joo Ji-jin, who was downgraded to King Dong. This is an arbitrary thing that has nothing to do with our name.

Even if the work done by instigating Zhu Qin ended in failure, Emperor Ming or even Emperor Seonde would have made the above claim.

“On the other hand, even if it succeeds, it provides a useful cause.”

If Joo Jin-jin’s attempt was successful and caused serious damage to Joseon, Emperor Seondeok would intervene immediately.

If Joo Jin-jin’s attempt is successful, Emperor Seondeok made a plan to move as follows.

– If Joo Jin-jin’s attempt is successful as Emperor Seondeok expected, Ming will immediately intervene in the situation.

– The justification for the intervention is ‘to hold Joo Ji-jin responsible for the conflict that arose between Joseon and Ming due to his reckless actions.’

– Ju Ji Jin may resist, but he can be suppressed by pressuring and cajoling the surrounding generals.

– Afterwards, he became involved in Joseon politics for the reason of helping Joseon.

“I think I would like to replace all the kings and crown princes of Joseon, but that would do more harm than good.”

Now, the people of Joseon were showing absolute support to King Sejong and Hyang. In such a situation, it was clear that if King Sejong was replaced, the Korean people would rise up.

Therefore, Emperor Seondeok targeted Joseon’s ministers as replacements, not King Sejong and his father.

“There are good people out there. Those involved in the treason that Koreans call the ‘Giyu Rebellion’. “They would be very useful.”

Emperor Seondeok learned of their existence through the merchants who came and went in and out of Joseon.

It was certain that Aoji and other people who worked hard in the mines’ mines would have strong animosity toward King Sejong and his father. If such people were returned to the core of politics and central politics, they would actively keep King Sejong in check. Of course, King Sejong and his son would try to expel them again, but then Ming would step in and protect them. In that case, it was certain that the ruling class of the new Joseon Dynasty would actively respond to its orders – or that of the Ming.

Emperor Seondeok, who had inspected up to this point, muttered while thinking of his son.

“If you have at least some thoughts, live happily with the King of Dong. But if you can’t overcome your greed, it will still be good for you in your later years to succeed.”

Having the ‘Deukjoseon Heochingje (得朝鮮許稱帝)’ delivered orally was the last safety pin for Joo Jin-jin, with the intention of not leaving any physical evidence.

If Zhu Zhijin complied with the emperor’s orders, Wang Chong had given an order not to say the above sentence. Even after saying the above sentence, an order was added to give one more chance.

If Joo Ji-jin was satisfied with the status of ‘King of Dong’ that he had been given, he would be able to live in peace in Liaodong. The items sent to Wang Chong would be of great help in the process of Ju Ji Jin establishing himself in Liaodong. In particular, if they took advantage of the fact that they were located between the Ming and Joseon Dynasties, they could enjoy considerable wealth and fame.

However, if he was unable to control his temper and took the bait, Joo Joo-jin’s fate would be to be purged regardless of the success or failure of the job.

And Joo Ji-jin took the bait.

* * *

The fortunate thing for Joo Gi-jin was that Emperor Seondeok did not make the decision to attack Joseon, which was the worst case scenario he expected.

Ju Ji-jin confirmed the facts while still pointing the tip of his sword at Wang Chong.

“That’s a good thing to say, but are you really sure about His Majesty’s name? “Aren’t you telling a lie to save your life?”

“I am truly Your Majesty’s Emperor!”

However, Joo Ji-jin did not accept it right away.

“The Majesty I know is a man of deep prudence! And you are very interested in Joseon! A person like that gave orders to promote Joseon with only 150,000 men? “There is no one who does not know that Joseon cannot be taken over with that much!”

All the generals around him nodded at Joo Ji-jin’s words.

From what is known so far, Joseon had a standing army of 250,000 people. Among them, 100,000 belonged to the navy and 150,000 belonged to the land navy. And of those 150,000, 80,000 were stationed in the north.

And it was a basic rule of war that the attacking side should have more troops – at least three times – than the defending side.

Wang Chong responded again to Ju Ji-jin’s point.

“Of course, Your Majesty knows this! But what is your reason for coming to Liaodong now? It was stability in the turbulence! “For that cause, more than 150,000 troops are more than necessary!”

In response to Wang Chung’s answer, Joo Ji-jin looked at Jo Byeong-deok standing next to him. Jo Byeong-deok, who received the silent question, thought for a moment and nodded.

“That is certainly true. Considering that there are already 50,000 Ming soldiers stationed in Liaodong and maintaining security, and the number of Jurchen tribes loyal to the Ming, more than 150,000 can raise suspicion.”

“Hmm…”

Joo Ji-jin, who thought for a moment about Jo Byeong-deok’s answer, retrieved his sword.

“good night! First, let’s believe what you say!”

“I am devastated!”

“Don’t like it! “I will check the current situation again and decide whether to kill you or save you!”

Joo Ji-jin rechecked the situation of the unit he led.

“I heard from the report before departure that there were 30,000 riflemen and 5,000 artillerymen. Am I right?”

“I’ll buy it back.”

“Are you saying that you are a musketeer and not a musketeer?”

“The commander is accompanied by about 20 people as training instructors. “20 members of the Fire and Marine Corps also came with us.”

“Whoa~.”

Joo Joo-jin sighed at Jo Byeong-deok’s answer.

Musketeers were the name given to soldiers belonging to the Geumuiwiwi. Thanks to their accumulated skills and practical experience, they were so elite that they were called soldiers rather than soldiers. The same was true for Hwapowi.

After hearing Jo Byeong-deok’s answer, Joo Ji-jin turned to Wang Chong.

“The shortage of soldiers can be made up through recruitment and conscription. But weapons are the problem! In particular, what should we do with riflemen and artillerymen? “We have musketeers and artillery committees so we can train them, but we don’t have guns or artillery to give them!”

Wang Chong smiled and asked at Joo Ji-jin’s words.

“Your Majesty, have you forgotten what your position was?”

“ah!”

In response to Wang Chong’s question, Ju Ji-jin let out a single exclamation and his face lit up.

The place where Wang Chong worked was the Military Bureau. Taebok City, which belonged to the Ministry of Military Affairs – it was originally a place that managed horse and cart ranches used by the military – and was in charge of the production and management of weapons used by the Geumuiwi and Ming Dynasty troops.

Wang Chong raised his arm and pointed to the outside of the tent.

“Let me introduce you.”

Ju Ji-jin and the generals followed Wang Chong and left the tent. There were quite a few people and carriages gathered at the place they arrived.

“Didn’t you say these were palace workers who worked at the palace?”

Wang Chong answered Joo Ji-jin’s question with a still smile on his face.

“Some are like that, some are not like that. Jang Gongdu (工頭)! “Come out!”

At Wang Chong’s call, an older man came forward, knelt down, and hugged Zhu Zhijin. Wang Chong explained Zhang Gongdu to Ju Ji Jin.

“This person has extensive expertise in the production of artillery and iron guns.”

“is it? “What is your name?”

“They say it’s a market day!”

“Please take care of me in the future.”

“I will do my best!”

Looking at Ju Ji-jin, who had a happy face, Wang Chong continued speaking.

“Forty men are here, including Zhang Gongdu and his subordinates. “If we provide them with the right people, they will be able to meet the demand.”

“Hmm… I see…”

At Wang Chong’s answer, Joo Ji-jin’s face began to turn red little by little. But Joo Ji-jin did not take the bait right away.

“That’s how the craftsman rules. To make a gun, you need materials and you also need wages to pay the workers and soldiers.”

As soon as Ju Ji-jin finished speaking, Wang Chong clapped his hands and shouted.

“Bring a secret weapon!”

As soon as Wang Chong spoke, people began unloading large boxes from the cart.

Boxes so large and heavy that two people could lift them began to be unloaded from the cart and placed one by one in front of the cart.

“What is this?”

In response to Joo Ji-jin’s question, Wang Chong broke the seals on the box and unlocked it.

“omg!”

“Oh oh!”

When the lids of the boxes were opened, Joo Ji-jin and the generals could not close their mouths. Each box was filled with gold and silver bills.

“Your Majesty told me to tell you this.”

Wang Chong, standing in front of the box, bent down and conveyed Emperor Xuande’s words.

“The choice is yours.”