Black Corporation: Joseon

After experiencing the ‘Jinpo ship’s distress’, the Joseon Navy’s primary concern in exploring the east of the Unwol Peninsula and Daesuldo was to confirm the existence of islands that could serve as stepping stones.

In this process, the first island they confirmed was Dasangdo, but Dasangdo had a fatal problem.

The area north of Dongbinghang wasn’t ideal for ship navigation. The winter was too long.

No, it wasn’t just that the winter was long, but the sea became too dangerous for ships to travel. Come winter, not only the entrance to the port but even the sea near the port would freeze over. The freezing sea was troublesome enough, but the waves and winds also became rough.

Therefore, the Joseon Navy had to explore the possibility of islands existing further south.

However, due to these natural limitations, exploration wasn’t easy, and progress was slow.

And now, people claiming to be from an island 2,400 li (about 960 km) east of Chohang had appeared.

***

Upon hearing this, Go Il-nam immediately sought out the port commander.

To Go Il-nam’s question, Yi Hong-sik, the naval commander in charge of defending Chohang, nodded and held up a bundle of papers.

“I just received it. It’s quite interesting. Read it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Go Il-nam sat down and read the report.

The content of the report was simple:

-The island that the foreigners claim to be from is said to be 2,400 li east of Chohang. This was confirmed by an interpreter from Dasangdo.

-Among the interpreters from Dasangdo, only one person can understand the language used by these foreigners. Written communication is also impossible.

-The reason only this interpreter can communicate is due to his father’s connection. His father, who had been shipwrecked at sea, lived on that island for a considerable period while returning home, learning their language. Since then, there has been exchange every 2-3 years.

-The island’s population is estimated to be around 300 people.

“Hmm…”

Putting down the report, Go Il-nam said to Yi Hong-sik:

“May I speak directly with the interpreter, sir?”

“Go ahead. I’ll issue the order.”

“Thank you, sir.”

***

After Yi Hong-sik’s order was conveyed, Go Il-nam was able to talk with the interpreter in question.

Entering the conference room in the command building, Go Il-nam muttered to himself without realizing:

“Talk about the tail wagging the dog…”

Inside the conference room, there were others besides the interpreter in question.

First, there was a Joseon interpreter who would convey Go Il-nam’s words. Although he was called an interpreter, only written communication was possible in this situation, but it was deemed inappropriate for a high-ranking official like Go Il-nam to engage in written communication directly.

Next was a resident of the Unwol Peninsula who could interpret the Dasangdo interpreter’s words, then another resident who could transcribe those words into Chinese characters, and finally, the Dasangdo interpreter in question.

Seeing these people sitting in a row, Go Il-nam gave a wry smile and spoke to the Joseon interpreter.

“This must be quite overwhelming work.”

“Is there any easy job among those we receive a salary for? At least, now that a public school is being established here and Hunminjeongeum is being distributed, it should become a bit easier.”

“Is that so?”

To Go Il-nam’s words, the interpreter added:

“Of course, it will be hard work for the children learning at the public school. They’ll have to learn both the tribe’s language and Korean.”

“That’s true. It would be so much easier if we could just make them use Korean.”

“If we did that, we’d be called ‘people without roots’ as the court said.”

Go Il-nam nodded at the interpreter’s words.

***

The ‘language unification issue’ had been raised since the Jurchen people began to submit to Joseon. However, serious discussions began when incorporating the natives of Daesuldo.

“We must not force the use of Korean! We should use both languages!”

When faced with this issue, Hyang strongly advocated for ‘the use of two languages’.

“Wouldn’t that be too cumbersome?”

“That’s right. And since they’ve become Joseon subjects, they should use Korean.”

The court ministers argued for using only Korean, citing efficiency issues, but Hyang countered with a simple example:

“Do you want to turn the submitted foreigners into ‘rootless people’? Like the Hwachek?”

“…”

Although not as much as in the late Joseon period, at this time too, Joseon society strongly emphasized ‘roots and origins’, including family genealogies.

“Even if it takes time and is less efficient, we should let them choose. Forcing it will only create resistance. For this issue, taking time is the right path.”

“But if they use a different language, it will be difficult for them to feel like Joseon people.”

“We shouldn’t make them Joseon people, but subjects of Joseon. Aren’t those who are loyal to Joseon as its subjects more valuable than Joseon people who betray their country? Think about what we experienced recently.”

At Hyang’s point, the ministers fell silent.

It was a Joseon person, whose ancestors had lived in this land for generations, who had tried to smuggle out craftsmen from Area 51 for his own and his guild’s benefit. Although the arrest failed, it was a person of Joseon origin who had manipulated the merchant for Ming.

The merchant, who was a Joseon person, became a traitor for his own benefit. And the Ming person, though of Joseon origin, was loyal to Ming.

Finally, King Sejong, who had been watching the debate between Hyang and the ministers, concluded:

“Language is one’s roots. Losing one’s language is losing one’s roots, which is like becoming duckweed. If that happens, they will move here and there following their own interests. This time, I think the Crown Prince’s words are appropriate.”

“We receive your command.”

Thus, a law was established that even though they had submitted to Joseon, they would not be forced to use only Korean.

According to the law, from the Jurchen to the Ainu people of Daesuldo, foreigners who entered Joseon’s territory had to ‘learn Korean’ but were not forced to ‘use only Korean’.

They only had to learn Korean for ‘administrative convenience’.

“Well, it might be accurate to see it as a distinction without a difference, but we’ve maintained our principles…. In any case, this approach is better than the Japanese or Chinese methods in this regard.”

As Hyang checked the related reports, the coffee tasted even more bitter that day.

***

Having learned what he was curious about through the interpreter to some extent, Go Il-nam went back to report to Yi Hong-sik.

“I believe it would be good to confirm the location of the island these foreigners claim to have come from on this occasion.”

At Go Il-nam’s words, Yi Hong-sik nodded.

“It is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hmm…”

After pondering for a moment, Yi Hong-sik soon made up his mind.

“Alright! I’ll have the necessary supplies provided for the voyage! And I’ll write and send the report to Hanseong on your behalf!”

“Thank you, sir!”

Go Il-nam repeatedly expressed his gratitude with a bright face.

***

And so, the Kirin ship set sail towards the east, carrying the natives. With the natives’ boats tied to its stern, the Kirin ship embarked on a long journey eastward.

“Will it be alright, sir?”

To the vice-captain’s question, Go Il-nam answered confidently:

“Isn’t 2,400 li manageable for our Kirin ship?”

“That may be so, but I’m worried because we’re already entering October.”

At the vice-captain’s words, Go Il-nam looked up at the sky.

After observing the increasingly gloomy sky, Go Il-nam turned to the vice-captain.

“Let’s do our best to confirm the island’s location first. Once we confirm the island, we’ll turn the ship around and return to Wonsan as quickly as possible. It’ll be close, but we should be able to avoid the dangerous period.”

And so, after confirming the location of the island to the east, the Kirin ship returned at full speed to submit a report.

***

The presenter, explaining how the Kirin ship had discovered the island, pointed to three red dots with his pointer.

“These three locations marked at the northeastern edge of the map are the islands confirmed this time. With proper preparation and good timing, it’s a position where round trips from Wonsan are feasible without much difficulty.”

In response to the presenter’s report, Kim Jeom immediately asked a question.

“Are those islands the eastern limit?”

To Kim Jeom’s question, the presenter immediately answered:

“No, sir. The navy speculates that there might be other islands or land east of those islands.”

“Speculates?”

At the presenter’s answer, Kim Jeom’s voice and expression sharpened.

As the atmosphere of the person in charge of the budget became ominous, Jo Mal-saeng immediately stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Although it’s a risky venture, isn’t it worth trying? This time was also a risk, but didn’t it bring results?”

“Do you think luck will strike twice in a gambling den? Do you think that makes sense? It’s impossible unless it’s a rigged game!”

“Let’s be a bit more positive!”

‘Ah! I’m dying to speak!’

Watching the heated argument between Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang was itching to speak.

‘If you go east from there, there’s an enormous continent! A continent full of riches!’

He wanted to shout that right now, but he couldn’t speak.

There was no immediate evidence to speak so confidently. As for bringing in the Western barbarians, who he often used like ginseng in medicine, the research institute was already crawling with them.

‘Come to think of it, it’s a problem even if we discover it, right? Should we completely block sending letters?’

“…Hey? Crown Prince?”

“Yes? Yes! Father, did you call for me?”

Suddenly lost in his thoughts, Hyang was startled back to reality by King Sejong’s voice calling him.

“What are you so absorbed in?”

“Ah, that…”

At King Sejong’s question, Hyang frantically racked his brain for the best answer. After intense thinking, Hyang found a suitable answer and immediately replied to King Sejong.

“I was pondering whether we should disclose or keep secret the new geographical discoveries our Joseon has made.”

“Oh? Let’s see…”

At Hyang’s answer, King Sejong and the ministers also began to ponder.

After a moment of contemplation, King Sejong nodded slightly and spoke.

“I see… Since they say the world is round, if we keep going, we could reach the Western barbarians’ countries. Then we wouldn’t have to detour through Cheonchuk as we do now, which would be beneficial. Especially since we wouldn’t need to engage in intermediary trade in Alexandria.”

At King Sejong’s point, Kim Jeom’s face brightened. Before Kim Jeom could speak with his brightened face, Heo Jo opened his mouth first.

“It would be great if it could be so. But couldn’t the Western barbarians flock to us through the sea route we’ve discovered? Haven’t we heard through Mansur how violent the Western barbarians are? Please remember the battle between the countries called Spain and Portugal at that place called Gibraltar.”

***

News of the naval battle between Spain and Portugal in the Strait of Gibraltar had been conveyed to Joseon through Mansur.

At that time, King Sejong and the ministers who heard the news all clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

“To try to solve everything with force! How barbaric these people are!”

***

At Heo Jo’s words, Jo Mal-saeng immediately countered.

“That’s precisely why we need to secure this sea route! Knowing in advance and being prepared can rather prevent conflicts!”

“What about the budget? How will we handle the budget?”

At Heo Jo’s question, Jo Mal-saeng turned to Kim Jeom.

To the silent question, Kim Jeom answered with a troubled face.

“That’s a bit… While direct trade could bring us great benefits, there’s also the issue of military expenses…”

Amidst the ministers’ debate, Hyang had to struggle to hold back the words that were trying to burst out.

‘Ah, dammit! I’m telling you there’s a continent there! Augh! This is killing me!’