Black Corporation: Joseon

After briefly calculating based on Heo Jo’s explanation, Lee Maeng-gyun stepped forward and asked a question.

“Hmm… Minister Heo, don’t the numbers seem a bit off? 1.8 million out of 6.8 million are under 7 years old… People aren’t cows, are they? Even cows that can give birth after about two years… If we subtract 1.8 million from 6.8 million, it’s 5 million, and even if all 5 million paired up… Having children isn’t something that happens just because you want it to…”

To Lee Maeng-gyun’s roundabout way of asking if there was some error, Heo Jo immediately responded.

“Why are you calculating with 5 million? We need to calculate properly. It’s not like slaves can’t have children, and are you saying the Jurchens give birth to foals instead of people?”

“…”

At Heo Jo’s point, Lee Maeng-gyun closed his mouth. Looking at Lee Maeng-gyun, Heo Jo continued.

“There’s a lot of unpleasant history in between, but in any case, the Jurchens have lived like brothers since the ancient Three Han period. They’ve decided to submit and live as Joseon people, so shouldn’t we count them as Joseon people?”

At Heo Jo’s words, Sejong concluded.

“The Minister of General Affairs is right. They’ve come into the embrace of our Joseon and become our people, so how could we treat them differently? We must enable them to live comfortably and allow them to live using their innate qualities.”

At Sejong’s decision, the ministers all bowed their heads and responded.

“Your Majesty is so benevolent, the future of our Joseon is truly bright!”

The court historian who recorded all this added a note afterward:

-Thus, when His Majesty spoke, all the ministers, great and small, were in awe and praised His Majesty’s benevolence.

The historian says:

It’s been almost 10 years since the Jurchens submitted, and the number of slaves is gradually decreasing.

I think that in the future, only those who have committed high treason and those implicated with them will remain as slaves, becoming a kind of punishment.

As the saying goes, ‘There is no person below a person, and no person above a person,’ slaves are also people, so it’s extremely unjust to despise them.

Above all, the most important thing is that there aren’t enough people! In a situation where we’re already short-handed and wailing, is this the time to be picky about origins?

Those who say such carefree things should all be dragged to the Office of Records and… (omitted).

***

The meeting that continued afterward proceeded with discussions on solutions to various problems caused by the shortage of talent.

The first to speak was, of course, the Minister of General Affairs, Heo Jo.

“First, we need to prioritize the policies and projects that are currently in progress or about to start.”

“Are you talking about the ‘selection and concentration’ that the Crown Prince often mentions?”

“That’s correct.”

At Heo Jo’s answer, Sejong, who had been stroking his beard in deep thought, came to a conclusion.

“Each and every policy and project is incomparably important, but given the situation, we have no choice. Let’s think about it along those lines.”

Following Sejong’s decision, the ministers began a fierce verbal battle over the policies and projects they had been pursuing and were about to start.

Kim Jeom went crazy in this verbal battle.

“We must pay special attention to policies related to statecraft! If even a little goes wrong, it will cause big problems for the people’s lives and the nation’s finances! Especially, don’t even think about touching anything related to the Entertainment Industry Inspection Office! Keep in mind that even now, there are not just one or two people squandering their family fortunes on gambling!”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Jo Gye-saeng grumbled.

“It’s not about the people’s problems, but about the wealth you can suck out of there, isn’t it?”

“So what? Do you think the salary you receive just falls from the sky?”

At Kim Jeom’s rebuke, Jo Gye-saeng immediately shut his mouth. But inwardly, he was heaping a barrelful of curses on Kim Jeom.

‘Damn! How can a person be so self-centered!’

‘People change!’

‘What were his parents thinking when they gave birth to such a son…’

‘This is why those who enter through nepotism are no good!’

Because Sejong had strictly forbidden personal attacks, the ministers could not speak outwardly but were inwardly cursing Kim Jeom in every way possible, starting with inquiring about the well-being of his parents.

***

The process of adjusting the priorities of various policies and coordinating personnel assignments continued for more than two weeks.

Most of the policies that had been implemented so far were born out of strong necessity. And as the policies progressed and showed visible results, it was inevitable that there would be some pain.

Therefore, the verbal battles were fierce, and for the first time in a while, there were even ministers who dared to oppose Sejong.

As a result, the historical records written by court historians amounted to at least three volumes per day, and several pots of tea had to be prepared for the ministers whose throats dried up in between.

Amidst such fierce verbal battles, the outline began to take shape gradually.

“First, let’s have the General Affairs Department maintain its current pace. And I want the Ministry of Finance to create a list of candidates for projects that can be handed over to the private sector among the projects currently being carried out by the government and newly implemented projects.”

“We obey your command.”

Hearing the responses of Kim Jeom and Heo Jo, Sejong moved on to the next agenda.

“The problem is with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Defense. They need more and more personnel continuously, have you thought about ways to supply these personnel?”

With the rising birth rate, more and more children were entering the Commoner’s School. As a result, there was an additional demand for teachers to educate them.

To Sejong’s question, Jo Gye-saeng immediately answered.

“First, we will temporarily recruit retired officials with high reputations, and we will add women with high learning and virtue as teachers.”

“There will be many rambunctious children at the prime age for learning, will women be able to control these children?”

“That’s why we thought of this: if there are children who are too unruly to control, we will officially summon their parents to the school.”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s answer, Sejong unconsciously muttered.

“If we’re not careful, there will be wailing.”

At Sejong’s muttering, the ministers inwardly added.

‘Just wailing? If we’re not careful, there will be a bloodbath.’

To ‘officially’ summon meant a warning that they would spread rumors all over the neighborhood. In current Joseon, this was a more certain and harsh honorary punishment than simply using the rod.

Hyang, who attended the meeting worried that sparks might fly to Area 51 and the research institute, threw a question at Jo Gye-saeng.

“But when teachers and parents meet like that, there could be scandalous rumors. Do you have a solution?”

‘Even in the 21st century, when teachers and parents met, rumors about bribes circulated, right?’

To Hyang’s question, recalling memories of the 21st century, Jo Gye-saeng immediately answered.

“Yes. Honestly, since such things could happen, we’ve thought about it. First, before summoning the parents, four or more teachers will have an official discussion to decide whether to do so and record it. Then, when summoning the parents, three or more teachers will be present, and we will record the entire process and submit a report.”

“I see. That’s all.”

At Jo Gye-saeng’s answer, Hyang nodded and stepped back.

‘Indeed, Joseon, the country of records!’

***

“The Ministry of Education’s opinion seems fine. Has the Ministry of National Defense thought of any measures?”

To Sejong’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.

“After the administrators of the Ministry of National Defense and the commanders of the Joint Chiefs of Staff put their heads together, the first option is to reduce the ratio of bayonet soldiers and increase the ratio of gunners and artillery soldiers.

The second option is to select talented individuals from among the submitted Jurchens and bring them into the military.”

“Do you mean to increase the cavalry?”

To Sejong’s question, Jo Mal-saeng added.

“No, it’s the navy.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Lee Maeng-gyun interrupted.

“Do you think the Jurchens know how to operate ships? It’s good to fill the manpower, but won’t it consume a lot of time and cost in the training process?”

The ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s question. Instead of Jo Mal-saeng, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward to answer Lee Maeng-gyun’s question.

“Looking at the records of the previous dynasty, there are many records of Jurchens engaging in piracy.”

“Are you saying the Jurchens were pirates?”

To Lee Maeng-gyun’s incredulous reaction, Jo Mal-saeng added.

“There are records that even the Japanese, famous for their Wokou pirates, trembled at them.”

***

Records in the Goryeo History and Goryeo History Abridged stated that from the 11th to the early 12th century, Jurchens boarded ships and plundered the east coast regions of the Korean Peninsula.

At this time, Jurchens who departed from Hamhung, which was Jurchen territory, advanced as far as Gyeongju to plunder. (Note 1)

These Jurchen pirate attacks extended their range even to Japan.

During the Heian period, there was an incident where Jurchen pirates invaded and plundered Iki, Tsushima, and Chikuzen.

In Japan, this was called the “Toi Invasion” or “Toi Incursion.”

Records remained that at the time, Jurchen pirates used tactics of loading horses onto ships, landing, immediately transforming into cavalry, quickly plundering inland areas, and retreating. (Note 2)

***

“Jurchens… That’s fine. Try implementing it.”

“We obey your command! We will do our best!”

As soon as Sejong’s decision was made, Jo Mal-saeng immediately bowed his head and answered.

Watching this scene from the side, Heo Jo presented an opinion to Sejong.

“Your Majesty, what do you think about mobilizing Japanese people for administrative work?”

“Mobilize Japanese people for administrative work?”

“Yes.”

At Heo Jo’s words, Sejong, who had been pondering for a moment, asked Heo Jo again.

“Do you mean to use the Japanese people sent by the Ouchi clan?”

“That’s correct.”

***

Ouchi, who had been keeping an eye on Joseon’s prosperity, had sent envoys to Joseon.

– We want to create educational institutions like the Commoner’s School in Ouchi’s domain, so please send teachers.

After discussing the request brought by the envoys, Sejong and the ministers delivered the following answer to Ouchi:

– Due to diplomatic relations with the shogunate, we cannot dispatch teachers without the shogunate’s permission. However, we are willing to accept up to 100 people who have at least learned Elementary Learning and mastered the Korean language, and educate them.

Afterward, envoys busily went back and forth between Ouchi and Joseon for coordination. After such coordination, the following matters were decided:

– At minimum, know the Thousand Character Classic. Even better if they’ve learned Elementary Learning.

– Must be able to converse in Korean. This is essential.

– The number of people that can be taught at one time should not exceed 120.

***

The Japanese people Heo Jo mentioned were these 120 Japanese from Ouchi who were currently studying in Hanseong.

At Heo Jo’s suggestion, Sejong immediately asked about their achievements.

“Are they usable?”

“It seems they will be capable of lower-level practical work in about 2-3 years.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, who had been pondering for a moment while stroking his beard, turned to Lee Maeng-gyun.

“It’s somewhat tempting, but won’t there be problems with Lord Ouchi?”

To Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately answered.

“If we bring them in unconditionally and indefinitely, there might be problems, but if we set an appropriate period, say about 5 years, it should be fine. If we say we’ll ‘teach them practical work and send them back,’ Lord Ouchi probably won’t dislike it.”

“Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, Sejong soon came to a conclusion.

“Send an envoy to Lord Ouchi.”

“We obey your command!”

***

Note 1) http://www.atlasnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=409

Note 2) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toi_Invasion