Black Corporation: Joseon

“Do you all share the same opinion?”

At Hyang’s question, the ministers bowed their heads and replied.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Liaodong is certainly just an excuse.”

Upon hearing the ministers’ responses, Hyang turned to Heo Hu.

“Has there been such a precedent?”

“There has never been a precedent of sending out the Crown Prince. As for military support, movements were always focused on reinforcing troops stationed along the Great Wall. This is certainly unprecedented.”

“In such cases, wouldn’t it be proper for them to first send envoys to our Joseon?”

At Hyang’s question, Heo Hu nodded vigorously, veins bulging in his neck.

“Indeed! Although we address ourselves as vassals and regard Ming as our superior nation, Joseon is not Ming’s territory! This is a serious diplomatic discourtesy!”

Hearing the Foreign Minister’s response, Hyang nodded.

“This is indeed a grave diplomatic matter. Make preparations to dispatch envoys.”

“We receive your command!”

After issuing orders to Heo Hu, Hyang turned to Hwang Hui.

“You said Liaodong was an excuse, so what do you think their true intention is?”

“What does Your Highness think?”

To Hwang Hui’s counter-question, Hyang replied immediately.

“I believe it’s meant to check our Joseon.”

At Hyang’s answer, Hwang Hui responded promptly.

“I share the same thought. According to our intelligence, while they claim to station troops in Liaodong due to concerns about the Oirat, even if they take a detour, they would still need to cross the Great Wall. In that case…”

“It would be foolish of the Oirat to do so. They would only be giving Ming time to prepare.”

Hwang Hui nodded at Hyang’s words.

“Indeed. Therefore, increasing troops in Liaodong due to concerns about the Oirat is merely an excuse. This is clearly meant to check our Joseon. It must be to prevent us from continuing our expansion in the northeastern regions.”

At Hwang Hui’s words, the ministers looked at the map, nodding and muttering.

“Come to think of it, we have been quite aggressive in our expansion.”

“Indeed we have.”

***

Under the pretext of reclaiming Hwaryeong, the birthplace of the Joseon royal family, Joseon had taken control of the Tumen River region. Afterward, Joseon steadily advanced northeastward, and now controlled an enormous territory.

Before Hyang’s involvement, they had acquired almost all of the eastern coastal regions of what was called Siberia, and had penetrated considerably inland. To put it simply, almost all lands south of the Stanovoy Range belonged to Joseon.

Later, from the late reformation period, Joseon halted its northeastern expansion and turned westward.

The reason for this change in direction was population issues.

The newly acquired regions had extremely sparse native populations due to their harsh natural environments. Therefore, Joseon gradually began to infiltrate the more populated Liaodong region.

Here too, Joseon employed clever tactics. Instead of pushing north from the Tumen River region, they began advancing southwestward from the great forest region. Rather than expanding territory, they absorbed tribes and relocated them entirely within Joseon’s borders.

As a result, by the time Ming noticed, most of the region where the Udige tribes had lived, along with the tribes themselves, had already come under Joseon’s control.

Of course, when Ming discovered this and lodged stern protests, Joseon responded simply.

“This region was where our royal family originated and was under the rule of our Great Founding King! Didn’t you already grant permission regarding this matter?”

At the time, Emperor Xuande could only smile bitterly at Joseon’s claim.

“They got me there.”

Joseon was cleverly exploiting the permission that Emperor Xuande had granted when Hyang had come to negotiate long ago.

***

“Since there’s consensus that Ming’s movements are certainly meant to check our Joseon, let’s review our defensive preparations once more. Minister of Defense.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If the Ming forces deployed in Liaodong were to take military action against our Joseon, would those 150,000 troops be all?”

At Hyang’s question, Jo Mal-saeng calculated briefly before answering.

“If they underestimate our Joseon, those 150,000 would be all, and they would cross the border immediately. However, that possibility seems very low. I believe it would be minimum 200,000 to maximum 300,000 troops.”

“Your basis?”

“The troops stationed in the wiso of Liaodong are known to total about 50,000. The issue is that if they withdraw all these troops, they won’t be able to maintain order in Liaodong, and any competent general would try to include the Jurchen people in their forces. Based on these calculations, it would be minimum 200,000 to maximum 300,000.”

“300,000… That number seems quite familiar… Wasn’t it 300,000 troops that Emperor Yang of Sui deployed as a separate force to attack Goguryeo’s Pyongyang fortress?”

“Indeed. Considering the terrain of northern Joseon and supply issues, 300,000 would likely be the maximum.”

“I see. 300,000… Not a small number. Our current standing army is 250,000, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…”

After humming thoughtfully at Jo Mal-saeng’s response, Hyang soon issued orders.

“I want you to prepare a report on our exact military strength, the scale of forces deployed in the north, the ratio of artillery to gun troops, the supply ratio of Type-Eul rifles and Type-Eul war wagons – ah! Pay particular attention to this part focusing on the northern regions. Also, compile the number of able-bodied men classified as reserves, the scale of reserves that can be mobilized by time period after a mobilization order is issued, and everything regarding the uniforms and armaments to be issued to reserves. Three days should be sufficient, right?”

“Yes. I will have everything thoroughly organized and ready to present within three days.”

Jo Mal-saeng answered resolutely. Usually, such a task would have immediately drawn complaints, but this was an emergency situation.

Even if my staff bleeds from their noses, we must complete this!

After hearing Jo Mal-saeng’s response, Hyang turned to Hwang Hui.

“While it would be natural to contact His Majesty in New Frontier, I believe it’s appropriate to complete all preparations before doing so. Don’t you agree?”

To Hyang’s question, Hwang Hui bowed his head and replied.

“No objection! It is an extremely appropriate decision!”

“Then please prepare everything accordingly. If actual conflict breaks out, it will create enormous problems for the people’s livelihoods. We need to prepare for that as well.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom bowed deeply.

“Yes. I will think of alternatives as quickly as possible.”

***

After the meeting, Hyang immediately summoned the Four.

“… Given the situation, you too should think of suitable alternatives.”

“We worry our meager abilities might offend Your Highness’s eyes.”

As Han Myeong-hoe tried to back away, Hyang smiled slyly.

“Aren’t you the same ones who call each other ‘My Lord’ at drinking parties?”

“Gulp!”

“We’ll see if this opportunity might earn you the right to truly be called lords. I’ll give you two days. Submit something proper.”

“Yes, sir!”

“We shall do our utmost!”

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

“Which loose-lipped bastard…”

“Was it you? You?”

“You’re raising your voice, so it must have been you!”

“How dare you!”

Just as they were about to grab each other’s collars, Han Myeong-hoe shouted.

“If we have time for this, we should get moving now! Who leaked it isn’t important right now! One wrong move and we could end up stuck in the records office!”

“Ah, r-right!”

***

While they were pondering over piles of reports to fulfill Hyang’s orders, Seong Sam-mun muttered with his arms crossed.

“This could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

“How so?”

At Gwon Ram’s question, Ha Wi-ji and Han Myeong-hoe also stopped what they were doing and looked at Seong Sam-mun.

Seong Sam-mun explained why he called it a blessing.

“Let’s assume war breaks out. Given that 150,000 troops have already arrived in Liaodong, this would be on a completely different scale from the Manchu invasion led by Yi Manchu and Mengtemu, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

“Then naturally, reserves would be mobilized, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“But can the Area 51 and Royal Workshop’s capabilities alone supply uniforms and other necessities for them in time?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

At Seong Sam-mun’s explanation, the others’ eyes began to sparkle. They too were known as brilliant talents. Soon they began adding various details to Seong Sam-mun’s words.

“While rifles, artillery, and ammunition must be manufactured only in the Area 51 due to security concerns, there’s no such need for spears, swords, or uniforms.”

“The same goes for telescopes. Having merchant guilds that make jewelry and glass ornaments produce them would allow for faster production of larger quantities than the Royal Workshop and Arsenal.”

Following Gwon Ram and Ha Wi-ji, Han Myeong-hoe added more details.

“With trade routes cut off due to the current conflict in Europe, many merchant groups are in crisis. If we pass such work to these merchant groups, we can solve both the supply issue and prevent the collapse of merchant groups. That would also help prevent the collapse of the economy to some extent. Good! Let’s draft the report based on this!”

“Excellent!”

***

Two days later, the Four submitted their report.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

With each small grunt and nod from Hyang, the Four swallowed dry saliva.

“It’s a decent idea. The method of turning adversity into opportunity is quite good too. This would indeed help ease the pressure on merchant groups struggling with blocked trade routes.”

The Four’s faces brightened at Hyang’s praise. However, their expressions darkened again at Hyang’s next words.

“But if I were to grade it, it would be slightly above average. If you thought this far, why didn’t you consider what comes after?”

At Hyang’s words, Han Myeong-hoe carefully asked.

“When you say after…”

“Tsk!”

At Hyang’s clicking tongue, the Four immediately flinched. Looking at them, Hyang continued.

“Considering what His Majesty, I, and the ministers have done so far, our Joseon won’t lose. Even if Ming comes at us with full force. Of course, we’ll suffer considerable damage, but I’m confident we can make Ming suffer even more. Of course, this assumes we prepare properly and move at the right time, but that’s no longer difficult for Joseon. As I said earlier, if Ming doesn’t come at us with full force, this conflict could be a good opportunity for us to make a move on Liaodong.”

The Four nodded at Hyang’s words.

“Taking Liaodong would require a large military force, and supplying their needs would indeed be a major task. Resolving this through merchant groups is certainly a good idea. That’s as far as your report goes, and I have no complaints about that. The problem is what comes after. How much money do you think will be spent in the process of supplying these troops that will suddenly multiply several times over?”

At Hyang’s question, the Four fell into serious thought, and Hyang waited for their answer.

After a long while, Han Myeong-hoe carefully spoke up.

“Are you concerned that merchants who have tasted massive profits might desire continued warfare?”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Seong Sam-mun raised an objection.

“While war can be profitable, it’s also a monster that demands enormous sacrifices. Throughout history, no nation that loved war has ever prospered.”

Hyang nodded at Seong Sam-mun’s counterargument.

“That’s correct in the big picture. However, looking at it more closely, once people taste the profits of war, those who advocate for war will gain influence even at the slightest disturbance. Especially in the current situation where we don’t know when trade with Europe will resume.”