Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 97
Episode 97: Grand Strategy Dongjin (1)
As fall deepened, the government’s income and expenditure settlement was conducted, starting with the calculation of taxes collected throughout the country.
“Hmm… I guess we narrowly passed the crisis.”
“Yes, my Majesty.”
The ministers all nodded in response to King Sejong’s evaluation.
* * *
Since the beginning of the Gyeongjang, the Joseon Dynasty’s expenditures have gradually increased. This was because the number of officials and professional soldiers was gradually but steadily increasing, and there was large-scale expenditure on mines and steel mills.
The problem was that the rate of increase in tax revenues, the most important source of revenue, was lagging behind the rate of increase in expenditures.
Of course, compared to Gapjin, the first year of Gyeongjang, the increase in tax revenue continued to increase, but the increase in expenditure was always one or two steps ahead.
To solve the problem, King Sejong had to implement a series of bold policies.
First, they began to continue to recover land that had been given to officials, including Gongsinjeon.
“From now on, I will take back all the trillions of rights given to officials. However, instead of collecting trillions of won, we will give the monthly bonus in kind but increase the amount.”
In accordance with King Sejong’s decision, farmland, including public lands, that had been given to meritorious subjects and ministers began to be gradually recovered. The only ones excluded from this measure were the royal family.
Instead, King Sejong increased the amount of bonus paid to his subjects as promised.
As I mentioned before, Joseon greatly reduced the amount of bonus paid to royal family members and subjects upon its founding.
The situation in the early Joseon Dynasty was that the royal family was reduced to 1/6, and for subjects, it was reduced to 1/4.
In this situation, Sejong increased his salary based on the following criteria.
-Compared to Goryeo, the Tang Lower Gwan will be increased to 1/2 and the Tang Sang Gwan will be increased to 1/3.
– Instead of abolishing hereditary land such as Susujeon Hyoyangjeon, property equivalent to the nokbon received by the Jeong 1st class rank is paid every month. However, this period is limited to 10 years.
Through these standards, King Sejong returned the land to the king.
* * *
Historians later assessed this period as King Sejong’s first crisis. This was because if a backlash occurred in the process of recovering the economic base of public servants, King Sejong could be ousted from power.
However, this crisis could be overcome by the following three variables.
The first was the purge of senior ministers, including Ryu Jeong-hyeon.
It was a conflict between King Sejong and the elder ministers that occurred under the pretext of inoculation with cowpox, but if you look closely, it was a conflict between King Sejong, who had the upper hand in royal power, and the elder ministers, who wanted to share power equally between the king and his subjects.
Later historians also evaluated the immediate nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccination promoted by King Sejong (until then, the clear effectiveness of cowpox had not been proven) as very adventurous, so it was natural that the elder ministers rose up.
However, as the effectiveness of cowpox vaccination was proven through a smallpox outbreak near Hanseong, the senior ministers were ousted from power by King Sejong.
Following the purge of Queen Wongyeong’s Min clan that took place during the reign of King Taejong and the purge of the Shim On faction that took place as soon as King Sejong ascended the throne, the third purge of the elder ministers greatly reduced the power of the elder ministers who had boasted of power since the founding of the nation.
As a result of the above, the forces that would oust King Sejong lost their central point, and this was the first factor that enabled King Sejong to overcome the crisis.
The second factor was the crown prince.
Hyang, the eldest son of King Sejong, was installed as crown prince and created various cultural objects and technologies, including the golden pen.
The crown prince had outstanding talent not only for development but also for commercialization, which soon expanded Joseon’s trade and led to an increase in tax revenue.
In the end, government officials who were confident that their economic safety was secured actively cooperated with King Sejong’s policies.
Because the military also had the same confidence, by taking the same stance, King Sejong was able to obtain certain force.
The third factor was ‘punishment’.
This punishment, called ‘Document Cleaning Punishment’, was the most non-violent and, on the contrary, the most cruel punishment.
But this punishment had one more effect that no one expected.
Among the punishments inflicted on the Joseon ruling class, the most common punishment was exile.
Contrary to the appearance of being ousted from the power group with the king, those who were exiled were able to maintain their power as long as they made up their minds and maintained adequate security.
No, it could have strengthened its power even further.
However, the document organization system fundamentally blocked such opportunities. The criminal had to move within the king’s sight, and the physical and mental fatigue accumulated while organizing documents almost prevented the criminal from engaging in outside activities.
* * *
“There were large, unexpected expenses due to the Great Hanseong Fire. However, fortunately, this year’s crop is good and we have made great profits from our trade with Japan, so we will have some room to spare when setting next year’s budget.”
Upon hearing Panseo Hojo’s report, King Sejong reviewed the reports one more time and then looked at the officials.
“This year, I would like to invite the tribal leaders of the Yain Jurchen tribe. What do you think?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, the monks thought for a moment. After thinking for a while, Yeonguijeong Lee Jik answered.
“The situation is good this year, so it would be a good idea to make an invitation, which we couldn’t do last year.”
Following Yeonguijeong Lee Jik’s words, Hwang Hee continued.
“you’re right. Geonju’s movements are also unusual, so I think Dongjin should act quickly.”
Following Hwang Hee’s words, Maeng Sa-seong began to harden.
“Please remember the past events of the Odori tribe. “They are the ones making profits by going back and forth between Joseon and Ming, so I think it is time to clear up the conflict.”
When all the officials agreed, King Sejong made up his mind.
“Okay. Select messengers and send them to the Yain Jurchen. “When would be a good time to set a date?”
Hwang Hee answered King Sejong’s question as if he had been waiting.
“Sanggang (the day when the first frost falls. Around October 24th in the solar calendar) seems to be a good time.”
“It’s Sanggang… it’s okay.”
Once the date was set, King Sejong looked at the ministers.
“Start ‘Dongjin’ starting with Shangjiang this year.”
“I follow your orders!”
* * *
‘Dongjin’ was the biggest part of the military strategy created by King Sejong for the growth of Joseon.
The creation of ‘Dongjin’ began with Lee Man-ju’s southward migration.
King Sejong was troubled to overcome the situation in which Ming influence over the Jurchen people was strengthened due to Lee Man-ju’s southward migration, and Joseon’s influence was weakened.
Hyang, who saw Sejong’s troubles, suggested to him that he establish a specialized organization.
“Establish a specialized organization?”
“Yes, Abama. There is no need for Abama to take responsibility for everything. “Isn’t it best to share opinions about military administration with the military’s generals, just as you share opinions about administration with ministers?”
“That would be nice, but the tattoos would be against it.”
“Just as nothing should go through the door, the door should not go beyond nothing.”
Sejong thought about Hyang’s words for a moment and nodded.
“You look okay. Let’s share opinions… If there is Jiphyeonjeon in the door, there must be something similar to martial arts.”
Sejong made his decision and moved quickly.
“If you start preparing after a war breaks out, it is too late. Accordingly, I believe that an organization is needed to examine the situation in advance and study countermeasures. “This is in line with the policy of prosperity and strong military power promoted by the governor.”
King Sejong, who declared the creation of a new military organization, entered the organization together with Hyang.
The result of such work was the ‘Joseon Army General Staff Headquarters’.
At the General Staff Headquarters, famous generals in the military, including Choi Yun-deok, and young talents such as Lee Jing-ok gathered.
The first mission that King Sejong gave to the Chief of Staff, a group of people who were evaluated as having outstanding intelligence in the army and navy, was as follows.
‘Based on the light guard policy that our Joseon is currently pursuing, establish the most basic strategy related to our Joseon, the Japanese in the Jurchen region, and the Ming.’
“Whew~”
Choi Yun-deok, who confirmed the order given by King Sejong, gave an order to the generals belonging to the Chief of Staff.
“Don’t even think about going home for the time being.”
“The first thing we need is data! “Secure all the data you can!”
Following Choi Yun-deok’s orders, the generals searched the palace and the archives of the six dynasties. They unconditionally collected any records that were even slightly relevant.
“If necessary, gather up everything from the omen!”
“yep!”
Following Choi Yun-deok’s orders, the military attachés of the Chief of Staff searched through all records from the Goryeo period and gathered the necessary information.
What the attachés of the Chief of Staff gathered was not only related to the military.
“I said, if you don’t let it go, you’ll burn it all out.” “We need to know our Joseon’s capabilities properly, so go to Hojo and request data!”
“yep!”
The military attachés of the Chief of Staff requested Hojo to obtain copies of not only the family register but also all data related to economic matters, including tax revenues.
After obtaining a copy, the Chief of Staff immediately began mass printing.
“It takes too much time to keep one copy and return it!”
Based on the data obtained through such frantic efforts, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began formulating a strategy.
“The part that His Majesty the Lord is most interested in is related to the Jurchen people. “Let’s start with our strategy from this point on.”
“I have an objection!”
Lee Jing-ok, who was sitting in the last row, raised his hand to object to Choi Yun-deok’s decision.
“Is this Judge Lee Jing-ok? “Tell me.”
“Strategy is the big picture. “If you only focus on one area without considering the overall picture, the picture will be a mess.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“If we look at the situation in Joseon, we are suffering from Japanese pirates in the south and aftershocks in the north. “It is not wrong to pay attention to the Jurchen issue first, but I think it is right to prepare a minimum defense plan against the Japanese country and then consider measures against the Jurchen based on that.”
“You have a point. “Do you have any other opinions?”
There was no one who objected to Choi Yun-deok’s question.
“Then first, let’s think about the distribution of troops to deal with the Japanese pirates.”
Thus, the process of researching the minimum number of troops to prepare for Japanese pirates began.
During the research process, the need for distribution of troops to defend the capital emerged, and the research started again from square one.
After completing the appropriate distribution of troops after much trial and error, the staff of the General Staff began research to establish strategies related to the Jurchen tribe.
After giving up on going home for more than three months and researching, the people at the Chief of Staff looked somber when they saw the result of the name ‘Dongjin’.
“We used what we had, but we only got as far as the Duman River….”
“Is this where our Joseon’s capabilities are?”
General Choi Yun-deok’s expression upon receiving the results was equally somber.
“This is it…”
I read the report several times, but there was only one conclusion.
The conclusion was that with Joseon’s current capabilities, even at the end of the race, crossing the Duman River would actually be a handshake.
* * *
“Why all the way to the Duman River?”
In response to King Sejong’s question, Choi Yun-deok explained the reason.
“The main force of the Jurchen tribe is the cavalry. Cavalry is the best way to deal with cavalry, but unlike the Jurchen people, Joseon spends a lot of time and money training cavalry.”
In the case of the Jurchen people, who lived a half-farmer, half-herd life, it was easy to recruit cavalry, but this was not the case in Joseon.
There was magic in martial arts subjects, but finding and learning horses was only possible with economic power.
On the other hand, the Jurchen tribe had horses and magic as part of their lives, so it was easy to replenish their lost power.
“So is it the Duman River?”
“That’s right. Likewise, if we only fight with bows and spears, it is best to use the natural barrier of the Duman River to block the Jurchen tribe.”
“This is it…”
Sejong couldn’t hide his disappointment at Choi Yun-deok’s explanation.
The land where the Jurchen people set up was once the land of Goguryeo, one of the Three Han Dynasties.
I didn’t like the idea of stopping at the Duman River with such a large land right in front of me.
“General.”
Hyang, who was quietly listening to the conversation next to him, joined in the conversation.
“Yes sir.”
“Did you say that the Duman River is the limit with the same bow and spear sword?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, if there were a more powerful weapon, would a more active strategy be possible?”
Choi Yun-deok, who had been calculating for a moment, responded to Hyang’s words.
“it’s possible.”
At Choi Yun-deok’s answer, Hyang looked back at Sejong.
“There’s something being studied at Area 51. “If successful, I think a more aggressive attack will be possible.”
“…don’t look forward to it.”
* * *
Thus, in the audit conducted in December, the weapons developed by Area 51 were revealed.
As soon as the performance of the weapons made by Area 51 and the announcement that Sejong would mass produce them were announced, the General Staff Headquarters immediately began revising ‘Dongjin’.
And when the year changed and spring came, a new ‘Dongjin’ was created.
——
Author’s Note:
We correct that 1 ducat, a currency unit, is expressed as 1 cat of silver. 10 ducats is equivalent to 1 cat of silver. Details are written on the coin.