Black Corporation: Joseon

Three days later, a presentation led by the Ministry of National Defense was held in Geunjeongjeon.

After paying respects to Sejong, the presenter soon began the presentation.

“First, please look at the map.”

With the presenter’s words, the waiting military officers turned over the chart’s cover.

The paper of the chart, more than twice the size of a typical chart, was a large map showing the Korean Peninsula and the regions to its east.

“First, I will report on the geographical information we have confirmed so far. These are the information confirmed through cross-verification and actual measurements based on the information secured after confirming its existence in the Sinhai year (1431).”

Starting with a summary of the content to be presented, the presenter pointed here and there with a long pointer while reading the paper on the podium.

“This is Dongbinghang (Winter Ice Port). And this island to the east of Joseon is Daeseol Island. And these two places in the north, which we couldn’t properly confirm whether they were islands or land in the Sinhai year, have been confirmed through continued exploration that the one closer to this coastline is an island, and the one outside is a peninsula.”

The presenter pointed to Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula and continued the explanation. (Note 1)

“According to our examination of records, there is a record of Yuan invading this island in the 8th year of King Chungryeol of the previous dynasty (1282). According to information collected by the previous dynasty at the time, there is a record that Yuan’s military conquered this region at the request of the indigenous tribes of the area tentatively named Yeonhaeju (Coastal Province). We have confirmed records up to the point where, after the conquest was completed, people from Southern Song were relocated to operate military farms near the Heilongjiang region facing the island.”

Sejong’s interest grew even more at the report that Yuan had mobilized Southern Song people to cultivate military farms.

“Are those military farms and Southern Song people still there now?”

The reason Sejong asked this was because of the military farms.

-If the military farms are still usable, couldn’t we send the Chinese people in that region back to Ming and use them for Joseon?

However, the presenter’s answer was negative.

“After investigation, we could only confirm traces.”

“Chinese people also have strong attachments to land. Of course, it’s 200 years ago, but it’s not easy to understand why only traces remain.”

At Sejong’s point, the presenter flipped through his papers and found an answer.

“In the 13th year of King Chungryeol, Nayan’s rebellion seems to be the biggest cause.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong nodded at the presenter’s answer.

Military farms were the easiest way to secure military control over newly acquired territories.

However, military farms required as much careful attention as farming itself.

They had to provide reliable supplies until crops could be harvested from the secured farmland, and they also needed reliable defense facilities and support troops that could rush in immediately if fighting broke out.

But if these elements were not properly in place, military farms would collapse immediately.

‘If a rebellion broke out, they would have taken away proper military force first, so it would inevitably collapse. And it’s already more than 200 years ago… But it’s a bit regrettable.’

Having reached his own conclusion, Sejong continued his questions.

“Then, since that time, has the Yeonhaeju region been cut off from other places?”

“Regrettably, no.”

The presenter answered Sejong, openly showing his regret.

“In the 11th year of Yongle, we confirmed from the indigenous tribes that an expedition led by Yi Shiha, a eunuch from Ming, visited. Also, we were able to discover a stone stele called ‘Chiksunoagan Yeongnyeongsa Bigi’ at the site of a temple called Yeongnyeongsa.”

After finishing his explanation, the presenter gestured to the military officers standing next to the hanging chart. Seeing the hand signal, the officers hung another chart on a separate hanger.

“This is a rubbing of the inscription on that stele. As you can see from the content, it says ‘By the Emperor’s order, Noagando-sa was established, and Yi Shiha’s expedition team erects this stele.'”

At the presenter’s report, the faces of Sejong and the ministers became unprecedentedly serious.

If Ming was still exerting influence in that region, there was a high possibility that Joseon’s expansion attempt would be frustrated.

Sejong continued his questions with a serious face.

“Is Ming still exerting influence in that region?”

“According to the military’s investigation, they haven’t visited again since erecting that stele.”

“Why?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers also nodded. To go to the trouble of erecting a stele and then not visit again? It was incomprehensible.

The presenter immediately answered Sejong’s doubt.

“The natural environment is not good, the population is small, and productivity is not very good. The military’s judgment is that it’s closer to giving symbolic meaning, just like Yuan did.”

“Symbolic meaning…”

Nodding at the presenter’s answer, Sejong soon had a question.

“But why haven’t I heard or known about this…”

Sejong was about to continue speaking but immediately cut himself off.

He realized that if he made even a slight slip of the tongue, it would create a situation where he would be publicly criticizing his father.

***

The time when Ming sent an expedition to that region was during the reign of his father, King Taejong.

During Taejong’s reign, the relationship between Joseon and the northern regions was a “period of disconnection.”

Taejong, who ascended to the throne through two “Princes’ Wars,” had no time to pay attention to external affairs as he was focused on solidifying his power base.

Taking advantage of this gap, Ming began to strengthen its dominance over the Jurchen tribes in Liaodong.

Of course, Taejong also tried to maintain influence, but it was inevitable that more weight was placed on Joseon’s internal affairs.

As a result, the Jurchen tribes largely defected from Joseon’s sphere of influence, and Joseon’s eyes and ears towards the northern regions were blocked. No, not just eyes and ears, but even the roads were blocked.

To escape this situation, the “Grand Strategy of Eastern Advance” was created and implemented. And in the process, various issues became entangled and exploded in an unfavorable direction, resulting in the rebellion of Yi Manchu and Mengtemu.

***

Hastily cutting off his words, Sejong changed the subject.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“In your contacts with Ming and the Jurchen tribes, have you heard anything about an agency called ‘Noagando-sa’?”

At Sejong’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun bowed his head and answered.

“I am ashamed to report that I have never heard of it. Please forgive my incompetence.”

“Don’t worry about it. But what I’m curious about is whether that agency actually has substance.”

After briefly organizing his thoughts at Sejong’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun answered.

“I think it’s close to being nominal without substance.”

“What’s your reason for thinking so?”

“Although that region is far, it’s connected by land and expeditions have gone back and forth. If the Noagando-sa agency had substance, there should have been consistent communication, and if so, it would have reached even my incompetent ears. But since it hasn’t, I think this agency is closer to a symbol without substance.”

Sejong nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s explanation. Unlike the early stages of the reforms, in the latter half, the information network in the northern regions was operating well. If the agency in question had been operating normally, intelligence would certainly have come in.

However, Sejong didn’t forget to give a warning.

“But there must not be even the slightest loophole.”

“I will engrave it on my bones and heart!”

However, there was something that Sejong and the ministers didn’t know.

This was one of the butterfly effects created by Hyang.

***

Yi Shiha’s expedition didn’t only happen in the 11th year of Yongle.

In the history before Hyang’s intervention, in the 8th year of Xuande (1433), Yi Shiha visited Yeongnyeongsa again and erected ‘Xuande Reconstruction of Yeongnyeongsa Record’, firmly establishing it as Ming territory.

At that time, Sejong had ordered Choe Yun-deok to subjugate the Jurchen tribes in the Yalu River region and strengthen control over Liaodong.

Ming, wary of Joseon’s northern advance, visited Yeonhaeju again. And by erecting the stele, they officially declared that the dominion over the Manchurian region belonged to Ming.

However, with Hyang’s intervention, this history was twisted.

What Hyang gained by persuading Emperor Xuande to establish a joint trading company was not just securing trademark rights and stable means of trade.

He resolved the Jonggyebyeonmu issue that had remained a thorn between Ming and Joseon, and gained recognition for advancement into the Tumen River region on the grounds of it being the “origin of the royal family.”

Especially with the recognition of advancement into the Tumen River region, Noagando-sa became nominal.

Of course, as this decision was close to an impromptu decision by Emperor Xuande, a flood of opposition and concern poured out from Ming’s court afterwards.

Emperor Xuande asked such ministers:

“Does that wilderness at the eastern end help the empire’s finances? Does it help defend against Northern Yuan? Or does it help defend against the Wokou?”

At Emperor Xuande’s questions, the ministers closed their mouths.

Seeing the ministers like this, Emperor Xuande concluded:

“I forbid any further mention of this decision. This is an imperial decree.”

The background for Emperor Xuande making such a decision was the staggering financial problems of Ming.

***

Like Taejong of Joseon, Emperor Yongle, who ascended to the throne through civil war, had to demonstrate the empire’s power to stabilize imperial authority.

Therefore, he undertook five expeditions to Northern Yuan and organized a large fleet with Zheng He as commander to go to sea.

While firmly establishing his power in this way, it was accompanied by enormous financial expenditures.

Therefore, Emperor Xuande, who succeeded Emperor Hongxi who died after just one year on the throne, had to practice economy upon economy to restore the depleted finances.

He withdrew many of the military colonies that were widely spread in the Manchurian region to inside the Great Wall, and changed from an offensive-centered military strategy to a defense-centered military strategy.

To Emperor Xuande, the Yeonhaeju region, with its small population and scarce resources, was merely “all show and no substance.” That’s why Emperor Xuande overlooked it to some extent, even while somewhat guessing Joseon’s intentions.

Later, Chinese scholars studying the history of the Ming Empire during this period counted this decision of Emperor Xuande as one of his worst policy failures.

***

After summarizing the discussion about Ming’s influence spread in the Yeonhaeju region, Sejong gestured to the presenter.

“Continue.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The presenter pointed to Sakhalin Island^[1] on the map with his pointer and continued the explanation.

“The military has given this island the tentative name of Jongjangdo (Longitudinal Island). As you can see, it has a long north-south shape. And the peninsula next to it has been named Eonwol Peninsula. Its shape was similar to a crescent moon sword.”

The presenter moistened his throat lightly and continued.

“And between this Eonwol Peninsula and Daeseol Island, there is an archipelago like stepping stones. The usefulness of these islands will be reported later. This concludes the report on the information confirmed by the navy so far.”

“I see.”

As Sejong nodded, the presenter took a moment to catch his breath and then pointed to the eastern coast of the Eonwol Peninsula (Kamchatka Peninsula) with his pointer.

“And through this exploratory voyage of the Kirin ship, we have learned of the possible existence of an archipelago extending eastward from this Eonwol Peninsula.”

“How did you find out?”

To Sejong’s question, the presenter answered briefly.

“It was a bit of luck, Your Majesty.”

***

Note 1) Referenced from an Atlas News article.

‘Why did Mongolia attack Sakhalin Island?’. 2019.08.16.

http://www.atlasnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=780

1. It’s in Russia[↩]