Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 545

Episode 545: All-out war. (3)

“Are you all of the same opinion?”

To Hyang’s question, all the ministers nodded and answered.

“That’s right.”

“There is a clear excuse for the disturbance.”

In response to the ministers’ answers, Hyang looked back at Heo Hu.

“Has there been any precedent for this?”

“There is no precedent for sending a prince away. Troop support has also moved in the direction of strengthening the troops stationed in Jangseong. “This is definitely unprecedented.”

“Normally, in cases like this, it would be right to send an envoy to Joseon first, right?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Heohu nodded and raised a vein in his neck.

“I’m getting it back! Although Joseon respects the Ming and treats it as a superior country, Joseon does not belong to the Ming! “This is an important diplomatic discourtesy!”

Hyang nodded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ answer.

“Obviously this is a major diplomatic issue. “Prepare to send an envoy.”

“I follow your orders!”

After giving the order to Heo Hu, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee.

“You said the disturbance was an excuse, but then what do you think your true intentions are?”

“What do you think?”

Hyang immediately answered Hwang Hee’s question.

“I think it is for the purpose of keeping Joseon in check.”

Hwang Hee also responded immediately to Hyang’s answer.

“God also thought the same thing. According to the information received, they were stationing troops in Liaodong out of concern for Oirat, but even if they made a detour, they still had to cross the wall. If you think about it that way…”

“Oirat must be doing something stupid. “The only thing that was done was to give people time to prepare.”

Hwang Hee nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That’s right. Therefore, increasing troops in Liaodong out of concern for Oirat is just an excuse. This is clearly to keep our Joseon in check. “This may be to prevent us from continuing to expand in the northeastern region.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, the ministers nodded and muttered as they looked at the map.

“Now that you think about it, we ate a bit too much.”

“I guess so.”

* * *

Joseon took control of the Duman River area under the pretext of regaining the Hwaryeong region, where the Joseon royal family was born. Afterwards, Joseon continued to advance into the northeast and had now acquired an enormous amount of territory.

Before the Chinese government intervened, the eastern coastline of the region called Siberia was almost completely under their control, and they had gone considerably inland. To put it simply, the south of the Stanovoy Mountains was almost Joseon territory.

From the latter half of Gyeongjang, Joseon stopped advancing into the northeastern region and turned west.

The reason we had to change direction was the population issue.

The number of indigenous people in the newly acquired region of Joseon was extremely small due to the harsh natural environment. Therefore, Joseon began to gradually infiltrate the Liaodong region, which had a relatively large population.

Here too, Joseon pulled a trick. Rather than digging north from the Duman River area, they started their southwestern advance from the Great Forest. And rather than expanding the territory, the tribes were all included and moved into Joseon’s territory.

Thanks to this, by the time the Ming noticed, most of the areas and tribes where the Woodiger tribe had stayed had already been taken over by Joseon.

Of course, when Ming learned of this, he made a stern protest, but Joseon responded simply.

“This area was where our royal family started and was ruled by King Taejo! “Didn’t I already say I would allow this matter?”

At that time, Emperor Seondeok smiled bitterly at Joseon’s claims.

“You took a hit.”

In the past, when Hyang came to negotiate, Joseon cleverly took advantage of the permission granted by Emperor Seondeok.

* * *

“The general consensus is that Ming’s movements are clearly intended to keep Joseon in check, so let’s check our defense posture once again. Minister of National Defense.”

“Yes sir.”

“If the Ming army deployed in Liaodong uses force against our Joseon, will those 150,000 be all there is?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng thought about it for a moment and then answered right away.

“If they disrespect our Joseon, those 150,000 people will be all there and they will immediately cross the border. But that seems very unlikely. “Then I think it’s at least 200,000 to maximum 300,000.”

“What is the basis?”

“It is said that the total number of troops stationed at Weiso in Liaodong is approximately 50,000. The problem is that if all of these troops are taken out, they will not be able to control the security of Liaodong, and any thoughtful general will try to include the Jurchen people in their military force. If you calculate it based on that, it would be at least 200,000 to maximum 300,000.”

“300,000… That number seems very familiar… Was the detached army of the Emperor Suyang that attempted to attack the old Goguryeo’s Pyeongyang Castle 300,000 strong?”

“That’s right. Considering the topography and supply issues of northern Joseon, the maximum would be around 300,000.”

“okay. 300,000… is not a small number. “Did our Joseon Dynasty’s standing army now number 250,000?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang, who was deep in thought and snorted at Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, immediately gave Jo Mal-saeng an order.

“The exact size of the troops in our Joseon Dynasty, the size of the troops deployed in the north, the ratio of riflemen and artillerymen, the supply ratio of Japanese-style rifles and Japanese-style wagons, Ah! Please thoroughly inspect this area, especially in the northern area. Also, please prepare a presentation by organizing the number of soldiers currently classified as reserve forces, the size of the reserve forces that can be mobilized by time after the call-up order goes into effect, and the clothing and weapons that will be provided to the reserve forces. “The deadline is about three days, right?”

“yes. “I will clearly organize and announce it within three days.”

Jo Mal-saeng answered resolutely. Normally, this was a task that would have immediately elicited complaints, but now it was an emergency situation.

‘It has to end even if it means giving everyone in charge a bloody nose!’

After hearing Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Hyang looked back at Hwang Hee.

“It would be natural to contact Shinji’s Abama, but I think it is reasonable to complete all preparations before doing so. is not it?”

Hwang Hee bowed her head and answered Hyang’s question.

“No! “This is a very reasonable decision!”

“Then please prepare everything accordingly. If a real conflict breaks out, a huge problem will arise in the lives of the people. We also need to prepare for this.”

Kim Jeom bowed his head at Hyang’s words.

“yes. “We will consider alternatives as soon as possible.”

* * *

After the meeting, Hyang immediately summoned the four people.

“··· Since the situation is like this, you too should think of reasonable alternatives.”

“I am worried that our abilities are so low that they will tarnish Your Majesty’s eyes.”

As Han Myeong-hoe took a step forward, Hyang smiled a fishy smile.

“I heard people like that show off to each other when they’re drinking?”

“Daughter soup!”

“We’ll see if we can hear the real leader’s praise this time. I’ll give you two days. “Make it right and submit it.”

“Yes yep!”

“I will do my best!”

As soon as they left Hyang’s office, the four glared at each other and growled.

“Which kind of bastard has a foul mouth…?”

“Is it you? it’s you?”

“I see you raising your voice. Isn’t that you?”

“This person!”

Han Myeong-hoe screamed as he was in danger of being grabbed by the collar.

“If you have time for this, move now! It doesn’t matter who spoke up now! “If you make a mistake, you’ll end up in the record office!”

“Oh, that’s right!”

* * *

While he was pondering over various reports to resolve the order given by Hyang, Seong Sam-moon crossed his arms and muttered.

“Maybe this could be good news?”

“what?”

In response to Kwon Ram’s question, Hawiji and Han Myeonghoe also stopped what they were doing and looked at Seong Sammun.

Seong Sam-moon explained to them why he said it was good news.

“Suppose a war breaks out. “It is said that the number of troops who have already arrived in Liaodong is 150,000, so wouldn’t the scale be different from the previous rebellion waged by Li Manchu and Muntemu?”

“I guess so.”

“Then of course the reserve forces will be called up, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“But is it possible to supply military uniforms for them in a timely manner with only the capabilities of Area 51 and the Royal Air Force?”

“huh?”

“uh?”

As Seong Sam-moon explained, the eyes of others began to sparkle. They were also people who were called Junjae (俊才). Soon after, they began to add flesh to Seong Sam-Moon’s words in various ways.

“Long guns and artillery ammunition have to be made only in Area 51 due to security issues, so it can’t be helped, but there is no need for spear swords or armor, etc.”

“The same goes for telescopes. “If you leave it to a company that makes jewelry or glass accessories, you can make it in large quantities faster than if you make it in the royal workshop or armory.”

Following Kwon Ram and Hawiji, Han Myeong-hoe added flesh.

“I heard that many merchants are in chaos as trade is cut off due to the war that is taking place in Europe. If we hand over this work to those top companies, we will be able to prevent not only supply problems but also the collapse of the top companies. Then, the collapse of the economy can be prevented to some extent. good! Then, let’s write a report based on this!”

“Good!”

* * *

Two days later, the four submitted a report.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

Every time Hyang nodded, making a small snorting noise, the four swallowed dry saliva.

“It’s a good idea. The ability to transform bad news into good news was also very good. Indeed, if we do this, we can give some breathing room to the merchants who are currently in tears because their trade routes are blocked.”

The faces of the four people brightened at the positive reviews of the scent. However, the four people’s complexions darkened again as they heard Hyang’s next words.

“But if I had to give it a grade, it would be average. “If you’ve thought this far, why haven’t you thought about what comes after this?”

Han Myeong-hoe carefully asked a question in response to Hyang’s words.

“If you say later…”

“Tsk!”

The four people were immediately stung by the sound of incense tickling their tongues. Looking at the four people, Hyang continued speaking.

“If you think about what Abamama, I, and the ministers have done so far, there is no way our Joseon will lose. Even if people attack with all their might. Of course, the damage will be considerable, but I am confident that Myung will suffer more than that. Of course, the basic premise is that we must prepare properly and act properly at the right time, but in Joseon, that is no longer difficult. As I said before, if Ming does not attack us with all its might, this war could be a good opportunity for us to make a move.”

The four people nodded at Hyang’s words.

“It is clear that if we plan to invade, we will need a large number of troops, and supplying them with what they need will be a big task. It’s definitely a good idea to resolve that issue through the top. This is the report you guys posted and I have no intention of saying anything. The problem comes after this. “How much money do you think will be consumed in the process of supplying troops who will multiply several times at once?”

In response to Hyang’s question, the four people fell into thought with serious faces, and Hyang waited for their answer.

After a long time, Han Myeong-hoe cautiously opened his mouth.

“Do you think that the merchants, who have enjoyed the enormous profits, will want to continue the war?”

Seong Sam-moon raised a counterargument to Han Myeong-hoe’s words.

“War can be profitable, but it is also a monster that requires enormous sacrifices. “Since ancient times, no country has prospered even though it loves war.”

Hyang nodded to Seong Sam-moon’s rebuttal.

“If you look at the big picture, that’s true. But on a small scale, if there are benefits from war, those who say they want to go to war even in the face of considerable conflict will become more powerful. “Especially in a situation like now where we don’t know when trade with Europe will resume.”