Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 435: The night of betrayal – The beginning of chaos. (3)

Joseon’s opening of a trading post in the Japanese Empire was not simply aimed at money.

-Acquire information about the other country through superiors and form a network of influential figures who are favorable to Joseon.

This was the reason why Joseon established superior offices over the Ming and Japanese.

To realize this goal, Joseon established superior offices in Naniwa and Nagato of the Japanese Empire.

While the superior established in Naniwa dealt with the shogunate located in Kyoto and the feudal lords of the Kanto region, the superior established in Nagato had the purpose of monitoring Ouchi and appeasing and monitoring the feudal lords of the Kansai region.

Lastly, the monopoly office established in Kuju Tamje’s territory was carrying out similar activities targeting the lords of Shibukawa and Kuju regions.

And in April, the 20th year of King Sejong’s reign (Muo Year, 1438), Joseon was able to achieve very meaningful results.

The ‘complete map of Japan’ was completed.

* * *

Even before the intervention of Hyang, the map of the Japanese country was completed in the same year.

It was a map obtained by Park Don-ji, the Geomgyo Chamchan of Uijeongbu, when he went to Japan as an envoy in 1400.

Heojo received it in 1419 and presented it to King Sejong. However, it had the disadvantage of being so detailed that it was hard to see properly. Accordingly, in 1434, King Sejong ordered Yejo to revise and recreate the map at Dohwawon, and four years later the map was completed.

However, with the intervention of Hyang, the fate of this map also changed.

* * *

The basis was the same map obtained by Park Don-ji, but the accuracy was even higher.

In particular, the topography and geography of the area facing Joseon improved accuracy through naval observation.

Of course, the Japanese lords in the region expressed their discomfort regarding this.

“Well, in some ways, it could be a 15th-century reverse version of the ‘Unyo Lake Incident’…”

The Joseon navy carried out surveys so closely to the coastline that Hyang, who heard the story, evaluated it this way.

That’s why even Ouchi Morimi came forward and said that it was excessive.

In response, Joseon argued that it was justified as follows.

-The sea between Joseon and Japan is an area where many merchant ships travel. A well-made chart is essential to avoid unexpected accidents.

Joseon insisted until the end that it was not a map but a chart. At the same time, a slash-and-burn strategy was implemented.

While offering various gifts to the local lords and asking for their understanding, Joseon naval leaflets roamed the waters off the area.

“These days, the activities of Japanese pirates and pirates have suddenly increased. Accordingly, we will strengthen maritime inspections.”

Saying this, the Joseon navy meticulously searched for ships moving in the area.

If it was a trading ship, the trade license was checked and the cargo was searched through the dock. If it was a fishing boat, the cabin and dock were searched to see if any weapons were on board. If weapons were on board, the crew was detained on the spot and the fishing boat was seized.

And Joseon immediately sent an official letter to the lord of the territory where the fishermen belonged.

-Weapons came from a fishing boat belonging to your territory. Can you guarantee that it is a fisherman and not a Japanese pirate?

In the end, the Japanese lords had to be satisfied with receiving gifts from Joseon.

And the gift was pretty nice.

The Joseon navy provided a chart that accurately recorded the coastal topography of the region.

This was quite useful to the lords, so their complaints were easily subsided.

Here again, the tricks of Joseon–more precisely, Hyang–were hidden.

The charts given to the lords recorded only the relevant area. The coasts of the lord’s left and right fiefdoms were half-finished, with no records at all.

“Isn’t it possible for the lords to put together a map?”

While the plan was in progress, Lee Maeng-gyun, instead of Hyang, stepped forward and responded to someone’s criticism.

“That will never happen. “I have never heard of the Japanese lords getting along well with each other.”

“Ah…”

While the naval forces recorded the coastline of the area facing Joseon, the superiors played a major role in internal maps.

Nagato and Naniwa’s superiors, officials at the Kuju monopoly office, obtained the map in one way or another.

“Still, merchants from territories I’ve never heard of are coming, but I can’t tell if they’re real or fake.”

The superiors and management merchants of the monopoly complained to the merchant officials of the Japanese country with which they had established relationships.

“wisdom? Oh, you mean Kuni? “There are quite a few kuni in Japan.”

“So, can I get a geography map?”

In this way, when geography and maps were obtained through humane complaints and small gifts, officials and merchants immediately started copying.

There was a mission to send them to Joseon, but it was because they also needed it.

And based on the information gathered in that way, the finished product was produced two months later compared to the history before the incense intervention.

And its accuracy, easy readability and usability were incomparable.

* * *

Because Joseon made such efforts to collect information about the Japanese Empire, it already knew that Ouchi was ambitious.

“Do you think Daenae will do something this time?”

Lee Maeng-gyun came forward and answered King Sejong’s question.

“I don’t think so. This is because even though the battle was fought, the losses suffered by Jokurigyo, the general of the shogunate, were not significant. It is also problematic that Jok-ri-gyo used the justification of being an ‘enemy of the government’ when dealing with the Jok-ri-ji clan, who started the rebellion there. “Even though the Daenae Clan has become stronger, it is difficult to deal with the entire Japanese nation.”

King Sejong and the ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s detailed analysis of the situation. Hwang Hee, who was making various calculations while listening to Lee Maeng-gyun’s story, asked Lee Maeng-gyun.

“So, do you think that as long as the Jokyui religion holds out, the Daenae clan will not be the first to raise an army?”

“That would be most likely.”

“The question is whether someone with the strength of Ms. Daenae will be able to endure it well.”

Hwang Hee, who was listening to Lee Maeng-gyun and weighing the risk factors, informed King Sejong.

“If we do something wrong, Joseon could also get involved, so I think it would be better to tell Daenae to be self-respecting.”

Lee Maeng-gyun immediately raised a counterargument to Hwang Hee’s words.

“If we do that, Ms. Daenae will know that we are watching her. “It is best to simply strengthen our vigilance.”

“Do you think Daenae already knows to some extent?”

“Wouldn’t the attitude of responding be different depending on what you know and what you are certain about?”

In response to Lee Maeng-gyun’s counterargument, Hwang Hee kept her mouth shut and was lost in thought. Other ministers who were listening to the story also pondered which of Hwang Hui’s and Lee Maeng-gyun’s opinions would be beneficial to Joseon.

As silence continued, Sejong opened his mouth.

“If the reports I received are accurate, I know that the ambition to promote the Japanese nation is not just the intention of the Daenae Seong-gyeon, who currently leads the Daenae Clan. They said it was the will of the past leaders who led Daenae Clan. Is that right?”

“I’ll buy it back.”

After hearing Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer, King Sejong closed his mouth again and was lost in thought. Sejong, who was shaking his head and thinking to himself, opened his mouth.

“A person who has inherited the ambition that has passed through generations might be able to tolerate it a little longer. “Unless something happens.”

“What if it happens?”

In response to Hwang Hee’s question, King Sejong asked another question.

“I heard that the Jokyui religion that currently leads the Japanese shogunate is in very bad shape. Is that right?”

“Yes, he is a cruel man who rules neither by kingship nor by violence, but only through fear and force.”

“Then the shogunate must have lost a lot of public support?”

“That’s right.”

King Sejong drew a conclusion from Lee Maeng-gyun’s answer.

“If the Jokyui Church suffers injustice, then it will be time for Mr. Daenae to take action.”

Lee Maeng-gyun received words from King Sejong’s conclusion.

“That would be the most appropriate, but the question is whether such a thing can really happen. “The Jokyo Bridge maintains a strong bodyguard unit called Fenggongjung (奉公衆 Hokoshu).”

“It’s not an external problem, it’s an internal problem. As far as I know, even his close associates only keep an eye on him. So, wouldn’t there be a high possibility that one day you will be attacked by a male and a female?”

The ministers nodded at Sejong’s words.

“Well…”

“If you look at history…”

If you look at past history, there were many cases where ministers or close associates who could not withstand the tyranny of the monarch harmed their lord.

Sejong fleshed out his conclusion further.

“According to the report I received, the Jokri Church tried to kill all of the Jokri family, but some escaped. If we infer from the characteristics of the Japanese and the nature of the Jokyui religion, those who survived will continue to rebel for the sake of survival, and the Jokyui religion will deal with them cruelly. The more cruel he behaves, the more dangerous his associates will be, and the more likely it is that someone who will try to play a role in the battle will arise. “If that’s how the religion disappears, what do you think will happen to the shogunate?”

Hwang Hee came forward and answered King Sejong’s question.

“The families that assist the shogunate general will consult to appoint the next general. “God knows that there are still members of the Jokyui religion, but I know that they are still children.”

King Sejong immediately responded to Hwang Hee’s answer.

“If that happens, the regency will inevitably continue, and Lady Daenae will have her cause.”

King Sejong, who had foreseen that far, gave orders to his ministers.

“Just reinforce security for the time being. If we act hastily, the situation in Japan could turn out to be unexpected. Therefore, we, Joseon, must adopt a respectful attitude.”

“I follow your orders!”

After listening to the ministers’ answers, Sejong added orders.

“If Daenae raises an army and the entire Japanese nation falls into chaos, it may take a long time until a conclusion is reached. “During that time, think of a way for Joseon to benefit.”

“I follow your orders!”

And the situation was going as King Sejong expected.

* * *

Mochiuji’s sons An-Ohmaru and Shunomaru, who escaped Yoshinori’s massacre, led their surviving subordinates and joined the Yuki clan.

The Yuki family, who joined their brothers, soon raised an army and rebelled against the shogunate.

The reason why the Yuki family rebelled against the shogunate was because they attempted to have their own children sit in the vacant Kamakuradono position.

-Foreigners cannot be allowed into the Kanto region!

This was the reason why the Yuki family raised an army.

When a rebellion broke out again, Yoshinori ordered Norizane, who was in hiding, to subdue it.

However, not only Norizane but also the lords of the Kanto region all refused. The reason was that they could not recover from the damage suffered in the previous military deployment, but they also did not want Yoshinori’s children to sit in Kamakuradono.

In the end, Yoshinori had to mobilize a large number of his personal guards.

After a tedious siege, the situation ended with the defeat of the rebels in the 21st year of King Sejong (1439, Gimi Year).

The Yuki family, except for the youngest, either died in battle or committed suicide, and the brothers An-Ohmaru and Shun-Ohmaru were beheaded while being transported to Kyoto.

However, Kamakuradono’s problem still remained, and it scratched Yoshinori’s judgment.

In any case, the suppression of this rebellion further strengthened Yoshinori’s power.

And his rampage accelerated even further. As his rampage continued, each day became more unstable in Kyoto.

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