Black Corporation: Joseon

Joseon wasn’t the only one experiencing growth in foreign trade.

Ming’s Chinese merchants also gradually spread outward.

Already established in Southeast Asian regions like Dai Viet, Siam, and Luzon since ancient times, they expanded their external reach even more actively with added support from the Ming court.

Additionally, Ming possessed geographical advantages that Joseon lacked.

They had land routes utilizing their vast territory that bordered multiple countries.

Most notable was the Ancient Tea Horse Road^[1], which started from Yunnan Province and crossed the Tibetan Plateau.

This trade route was established to connect to Central Asia, India, and the Middle East while avoiding Mongol forces represented by the Oirat.

Using these land routes, Ming could secure stable market dominance. Though they couldn’t transport as much cargo at once as ships could, they could maintain steady supply lines.

The same applied to merchandise. Though they had fewer premium goods than Joseon, they could secure customers with reasonable quality at low prices.

And the Ming court—or more precisely, Emperor Xuande—gained something else important.

They could obtain quick and steady information from neighboring countries and even Europe.

As a result, Xuande could receive information about events in the Mediterranean region slightly ahead of Joseon.

***

“Pure chaos.”

After reading documents summarizing information gathered by Chinese merchants, Xuande slightly shook his head.

The war in the Mediterranean region was frighteningly expanding its influence.

First, in the Middle East, when the Ottomans invaded the Mamluks, conflict erupted between Timur and the Qara Qoyunlu^[2] dynasty.

While Timur was distracted by Ottoman movements, the Qara Qoyunlu struck at his rear.

Timur found himself unable to respond properly while facing both the Ottomans and Qara Qoyunlu simultaneously.

This allowed the Ottomans to put more force into their invasion of the Mamluks.

The situation north of the Mediterranean also grew complicated.

The Holy Roman Empire became involved in the conflict between France and Spain.

***

Ever since the division of the Frankish Kingdom long ago, relations between France and the Holy Roman Empire hadn’t been good.

Consequently, when Spain—or more precisely, the United Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon—emerged sharing France’s southern border, the Holy Roman Empire formed friendly relations with Spain.

Another reason for conflict between France and the Holy Roman Empire was the issue of controlling Italy.

France and the Holy Roman Empire continuously clashed over securing the massive wealth accumulated through monopolizing Mediterranean trade and the religious power symbolized by the Vatican.

Even in a fractured situation, the Holy Roman Empire’s rulers did their utmost to prevent France from taking Italy.

In the history before Hyang’s intervention, this competition between France and the Holy Roman Empire—later the Austro-Hungarian Empire—continued until Italy’s independence.

***

With this background, the Holy Roman Empire moved as soon as France did.

Small and large battles broke out between the Holy Roman Empire and France over control of transport routes from France to Italy.

Eventually, a war that started for securing trade routes instantly became an international conflict entangling the Mediterranean and European powers.

Later, Western-centric historians would name this conflict the “First World War.”

***

Learning through continuous reports that trade between Joseon and Europe had almost completely stopped, Xuande smiled with satisfaction.

“Finally, I can deal with these troublemakers all at once.”

Suddenly rising from his seat, Xuande ordered the eunuch waiting outside.

“Summon the ministers immediately!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

***

A month later, Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen entered the Forbidden City upon receiving Xuande’s orders.

“I greet Your Imperial Majesty! Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!”

Hearing the Crown Prince’s triple cheer, Xuande responded in an indifferent voice.

“You must be tired from your journey. I’m truly pleased to see you in good health.”

“I am overwhelmed by your grace.”

As he responded, Zhu Qizhen observed Xuande.

Noting the emperor’s increasingly sickly appearance compared to before, Zhu Qizhen internally muttered.

Has the time finally come?

As if aware of Zhu Qizhen’s thoughts, Xuande posed a question.

“You turn twenty this year, don’t you?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

After briefly pausing, Xuande soon spoke in a serious voice.

“I shall give you a task! You must do your utmost to complete it!”

At Xuande’s words, Zhu Qizhen immediately cupped his hands and bowed.

“Please command me! I shall do my utmost!”

Over Zhu Qizhen’s bowed back, Xuande’s voice continued.

“I shall grant you the position of Special Commissioner-in-Chief along with the positions of Special Maritime Transport Commissioner and Special Commissioner for Promoting Morality!”

At Xuande’s words, Zhu Qizhen raised his head with surprised eyes.

Xuande’s words meant giving him complete administrative, judicial, and military authority to govern a province.

The surprise was momentary; cold sweat began running down Zhu Qizhen’s back.

This is the final test! If I can’t satisfy His Majesty here, I’m finished!

Seeing Zhu Qizhen’s expression, Xuande continued with an expressionless face.

“Using your granted positions and authority, annex Liaodong.”

When the word ‘Liaodong’ emerged, Zhu Qizhen focused all his attention on Xuande’s words.

“You must know that last year the Oirat barbarians purchased artillery from Joseon. According to our spies’ reports, though they do use the artillery against bandits as they told Joseon, the numbers are quite small. This certainly indicates they harbor other intentions.”

At Xuande’s words, Zhu Qizhen mentally calculated.

Even if the Oirat have other intentions, breaking through the northwestern defense line would be difficult. So it must indeed be Liaodong?

Xuande’s next words matched Zhu Qizhen’s expectations.

“Looking at the current situation, it would be difficult for the barbarians to invade from the northwest. They will try to cross the Great Wall using Liaodong like before. Go to Liaodong immediately and secure it completely! For this purpose, 150,000 troops await your command to accomplish this task!”

As Xuande’s orders ended, Zhu Qizhen, still kneeling, cupped his hands and responded loudly.

“I shall certainly accomplish Your Majesty’s command!”

***

When Zhu Qizhen emerged after receiving Xuande’s imperial command, a eunuch immediately approached him.

“I have received His Majesty’s command to guide you to the generals under your command.”

“Is that so? Lead the way.”

“Yes.”

While heading toward the garrison established outside Beijing, Zhu Qizhen conversed with the eunuch. Zhu Qizhen felt less aversion to eunuchs because of Wang Zhen, who was executed by Xuande.

“What is your name?”

“I am called Wang Chong.”

“Oh! A Wang!”

Zhu Qizhen brightened at Wang Chong’s answer, again because of his memories with Wang Zhen.

“A eunuch who was once my close friend was also a Wang! Say, what is your rank?”

“I am Director of the Armory Office^[3].”

“The Armory Office! Oh my, shouldn’t I try to get on your good side then?”

Zhu Qizhen’s eyes sparkled as he joked at Wang Chong’s answer. The Armory Office’s duty was manufacturing weapons. It supervised the workshops that supplied weapons to Ming’s armies, starting with the imperial guards.

At Zhu Qizhen’s joke, Wang Chong responded with an exaggerated expression as if dismissing the notion.

“Not at all! Rather, it is my duty to do my utmost to assist Your Highness in achieving your great work!”

“Hahaha! Well, I’ll be counting on you!”

Continuing such conversation, Zhu Qizhen’s party arrived at the garrison.

As if having received prior orders, 150,000 soldiers stood in formation outside, with their commanding generals standing at the front.

“The Crown Prince has arrived! Military salute!”

As Zhu Qizhen dismounted and ascended the platform, the general standing at the very front shouted loudly. At the general’s shout, the other generals and soldiers all performed military salutes simultaneously.

After ascending the platform and examining the generals and soldiers, Zhu Qizhen raised his voice and shouted loudly.

“Seeing such loyal and brave appearances truly moves me beyond words! I sincerely hope you will do your utmost to carry out the imperial command!”

“Woooah!”

The soldiers responded to Zhu Qizhen’s words with cheers.

After the brief ceremony ended, Zhu Qizhen moved to his command tent to meet with the generals.

“Quite young.”

As he examined the generals’ faces, Zhu Qizhen spoke with a slightly worried expression. Among the generals standing before him now, there were no veteran commanders. Most were middle-aged or young commanders with ruddy faces.

The middle-aged general standing at the front responded loudly to Zhu Qizhen’s assessment.

“Though we may lack experience, our spirit is unmatched under heaven!”

“What is your name?”

“This humble one is called Zhao Bingde!”

“Your rank?”

“I was serving as a Mobile Corps General but have now been appointed as Deputy Commissioner!”

At Zhao Bingde’s answer, Zhu Qizhen began showing interest. A Deputy Commissioner would be his second-in-command.

“Have you experienced battle?”

“Not a few!”

“Who were your main opponents?”

“The barbarians and the Jurchens!”

Zhao Bingde’s answer slightly reassured Zhu Qizhen.

His Majesty did pay attention after all.

Zhu Qizhen looked around at the generals and urged:

“Let us unite our hearts to accomplish the task His Majesty has bestowed.”

“We receive your command!”

***

Zhu Qizhen’s army departed Beijing, passed through the Great Wall, and entered Liaodong.

Arriving at Liaodong fortress, Zhu Qizhen summoned his generals and issued orders.

“Order the soldiers to rest. And…”

Pausing briefly, Zhu Qizhen ordered the Liaodong Magistrate who was waiting.

“I would like to hear information about Liaodong and the border regions from the Magistrate.”

“I shall prepare immediately.”

“Wait!”

As the generals were about to move after hearing Zhu Qizhen’s orders, Wang Chong raised his voice.

Receiving everyone’s attention starting with Zhu Qizhen, Wang Chong took out a scroll from his breast and broke its seal.

“Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen, receive the imperial command!”

At Wang Chong’s shout, Zhu Qizhen immediately straightened his clothes and knelt.

Wang Chong loudly proclaimed the scroll’s contents.

“We hereby revoke the position of Crown Prince from Zhu Qizhen and simultaneously bestow the position of Eastern King! We command Eastern King Zhu Qizhen to establish a royal court in Liaodong!”

“What!”

As soon as Wang Chong finished speaking, Zhu Qizhen leaped to his feet. However, Wang Chong continued speaking.

“The Eastern King’s nature bears the disposition of a hegemon! While this is advantageous for founding an enterprise, it is unsuitable for the current situation of maintaining stability! Therefore, we revoke the position of Crown Prince and bestow the position of Eastern King!”

“Aah!”

Clang!

With a roar, Zhu Qizhen drew his sword and pointed it at Wang Chong.

However, Wang Chong continued speaking without blinking an eye.

“There is a secret command from His Majesty that isn’t in the document.”

“What is it!”

“Obtain Joseon and be permitted to declare yourself emperor.”

***

In the Forbidden City.

Sitting alone in his chamber, Xuande muttered while looking at a map.

“Now is a time when maintenance is more important than expansion. With that fellow’s nature, he would only recklessly expand until he ruins the country.”

Xuande had gone through all sorts of hardships trying to restore the finances that had become full of holes due to Emperor Yongle’s frequent campaigns.

“Though the second son is mediocre, that very quality makes him suitable for maintaining stability.”

Xuande’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Joseon.

“And that fellow will certainly take the bait I’ve dangled. When that happens, Joseon will suffer serious damage. Though annexing Joseon might be impossible, we can inflict mortal wounds. This is perfect for clipping the wings of Joseon as it tries to soar.”