Black Corporation: Joseon

“Enough!”

The hall, which had been noisy with all sorts of loud voices like a monopoly store during a sale period, instantly fell silent at King Sejong’s shout.

As the ministers quieted down, King Sejong summarized the situation.

“The Minister of National Defense’s opinion is correct, but there’s a problem. It’s the issue of justification. Firearms are too weak as a justification for using force against Tsushima Island.”

At King Sejong’s words, the opposing ministers, including Hwang Hui, all nodded.

However, the supporting ministers, including Jo Mal-saeng, continued to insist on the necessity of the conquest.

“Justification is important, but this is the best opportunity to eliminate the threat while minimizing damage to our Joseon!”

“We can secure justification by using the Military Commander of Kyushu!”

***

As a preliminary procedure for the conquest of Tsushima Island, Joseon began building justification against Japan.

It wasn’t just Joseon and Ming that had suffered damage from Japanese pirates. Due to the turbulent times of the Northern and Southern Courts conflict, Japanese lords were also suffering damage from pirates.

Thanks to this, Joseon persuaded the lords who were friendly to Joseon.

-Tsushima Island is a place that has submitted to our Joseon, but it has turned into a den of pirates, so we intend to subjugate it.

As a result, the Military Commander of Kyushu demanded this from Joseon:

“As the pirates are also enemies of our Japan, we request that you subjugate them.”

Using this official “request” from the Military Commander of Kyushu as justification, Joseon had conquered Tsushima Island. (Note 1)

***

When the supporting ministers mentioned using the Military Commander of Kyushu, Hwang Hui stepped forward to oppose.

“The reason the Military Commander of Kyushu could provide justification in the year of Gihae was because our Joseon had actually suffered harm! But how is it now? Our Joseon has suffered no harm, and all the other Japanese lords know that we are filling the coffers of the Military Commander of Kyushu! And you want to use the Military Commander of Kyushu to gain justification and attack Tsushima Island? Do you intend to turn all of Japan, except for the Ouchi clan and the Military Commander of Kyushu, into our enemies? No, if the situation becomes like that, even the Ouchi clan and the Military Commander of Kyushu would turn into our enemies! Justification is not just important, it’s the most important thing! Justification!”

At Hwang Hui’s words, the supporting ministers frantically racked their brains to find a counterargument.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has come to attend.”

At that moment, the Chief Royal Secretary announced Hyang’s visit.

“Let him enter.”

With King Sejong’s permission, Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon Hall and paid his respects. King Sejong, after receiving the greeting, offered Hyang a seat and spoke.

“What brings you here when you should be in Area 51?”

“Yes. I heard that Father had summoned General Choi Hae-san and General Lee Chun, so I came out of curiosity.”

“Is that so? Well, you’ve come at a good time. Chief Royal Secretary, show the Crown Prince that firearm.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Following King Sejong’s order, the Chief Royal Secretary opened the box and showed Hyang the firearm in question.

After examining the firearm meticulously, Hyang asked King Sejong.

“If I’m not mistaken, this seems to be a Dolhwachang used by the Ming army. What problem has this caused?”

“It’s said that the lords hostile to the Ouchi clan are adopting this firearm. And among those lords is the Shoni clan on Tsushima Island.”

“Ah…”

At King Sejong’s explanation, Hyang’s face became serious.

“Is it a leak? Or is it self-production?”

“Huh?”

Seeing that King Sejong didn’t seem to know, Hyang stood up again and examined the firearm in question. After a long while of examination, Hyang turned to King Sejong.

“May I receive the help of General Choi Hae-san and General Lee Chun?”

“The two generals shall assist the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After exchanging opinions for a long time with the firearm in the center, the three came to a conclusion.

“This item is certainly made in Ming. The quality is one thing, but most importantly…”

Hyang pointed to the inscription on the body of the firearm. The inscription indicated when and where the firearm was made.

After finishing the confirmation, Hyang checked for more information he needed.

After gathering enough information, Hyang reported to King Sejong.

“Given the technological level of Japanese craftsmen, replicas of this will be mass-distributed soon.”

“That is indeed a problem.”

“An even bigger problem is whether the formula for gunpowder has also been leaked.”

“Oh no!”

At Hyang’s point, King Sejong and the ministers realized what the real serious problem of this matter was.

“We were thinking about this issue incorrectly. To make such a mistake…”

Blaming himself for the mistake, King Sejong ordered Lee Maeng-gyun.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, form an envoy group right now and dispatch them urgently to Beijing. You know the importance of this matter, so you must hurry.”

“I will do my best, Your Majesty!”

***

After concluding to send envoys to Ming to confirm the facts, the topic returned to the ‘Conquest of Tsushima Island.’

“I will ask the Crown Prince.”

“Please inquire, Father.”

King Sejong explained about the ‘Conquest of Tsushima Island’ that had sparked heated debate among the ministers.

“…So, Crown Prince, I’m curious about your view. Speak frankly without reservation.”

At King Sejong’s words, Hyang closed his mouth and began to organize his thoughts. And the ministers waited for Hyang to open his mouth with expressions half expectant and half worried.

After organizing his thoughts for nearly a quarter of an hour, Hyang finally opened his mouth.

“First, I think it’s unreasonable to conquer Tsushima Island right now. As Father said, the justification is weak. If we forcibly conquer Tsushima Island with a weak justification, there’s too great a possibility of losing the political and economic foundations we’re building on the Japanese mainland.”

At Hyang’s answer, the opposing ministers wore expressions that said, ‘That’s right!’

As Hyang said, through the Joseon trade offices established on the Japanese mainland, Joseon was gradually expanding its influence over the whole of Japan. Hearing that the Ouchi clan and the Shibukawa clan, the Military Commander of Kyushu, were gradually accumulating wealth through trade with Joseon, Japanese lords were slowly approaching Joseon.

Hyang continued speaking while explaining this situation in Japan.

“…Therefore, Ashikaga Yoshinori, the current head of the shogunate, is wary of our Joseon. If we conquer Tsushima Island with a weak justification, Ashikaga Yoshinori will certainly seize this as an opportunity.”

As Hyang’s words grew longer, the opposition grew increasingly emboldened.

“And finally, with the current armament of our Joseon army, conquering Tsushima Island is not easy.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

At Hyang’s words, all the ministers, regardless of whether they were for or against, expressed doubt, and so did King Sejong.

“Crown Prince, I don’t understand. Looking at our military lessons so far, our land and naval forces have been winning consecutive victories against the Jurchen tribes who caused disturbances, and our navy has been continuing its winning streak against pirates and Japanese pirates at sea. The background of these victories is our Joseon’s powerful weapons, but even with such weapons, you say conquering Tsushima Island is not easy? Even though it’s just an island as small as a palm?”

At King Sejong’s point, all the ministers nodded. However, Choi Hae-san and Lee Chun seemed to understand something.

Hyang immediately responded to King Sejong’s point.

“It’s because it’s an island as small as a palm that it’s not easy.”

Hyang explained what the problem was.

-The common point between Liaodong and the sea is that they are wide spaces without obstacles. In such spaces, long-range cannons and muskets can exert their full power.

-These spaces without obstacles allow for maximum utilization of the firepower of fire bombs, especially the Bigyeokjincheolloe. In such spaces, the best defense an enemy hit by a Bigyeokjincheolloe can use is only the bodies of their comrades.

-Also, on the plains of Liaodong, cavalry, and at sea, the maneuverability of warships can be maximized to inflict irrecoverable wounds on the enemy.

-However, the environment of Tsushima Island is the opposite of the environment in the Liaodong region and the sea. Those who have been to Tsushima Island would know, but Tsushima Island is mostly mountainous.

-In such mountainous terrain, it’s difficult to move cannons, which are the most important combat power.

-Of course, naval warships can approach the coast and provide support with cannons, but if the pirates go deeper into the mountains, they become useless.

-Muskets are also a problem. The dense trees in the mountains become the best cover for the pirates. If the person leading the pirates has even a little thought, they will command their forces to hide behind trees and gradually approach using the reloading time.

-Also, in such forests, the power of the Bigyeokjincheolloe is greatly reduced. This is because the fragments of the Bigyeokjincheolloe are blocked by trees.

-Eventually, if this situation progresses, hand-to-hand combat centered on spear and sword troops will occur. If it comes to this situation, defense is possible, but pursuit is impossible. Heavily armored spear and sword troops are physically incapable of chasing pirates while climbing mountains. Even if they manage to pursue to some extent, the large swords or long spears equipped by the spear and sword troops are difficult to use in dense forests.

“…Because of this situation, all the mountain fortresses protecting the naval bases established on Tsushima Island were built on high ground, and a barren zone of at least 10 jang (about 30m) was set outside the fortress walls. Military texts state that abandoning such barriers and going on the offensive is like voluntarily entering dangerous or deadly ground, so it must never be done.”

Hyang, who had been explaining the reasons why it was impossible, concluded his explanation by adding:

“Please review once again the Battle of Iro-gun experienced during the conquest in the year of Gihae.”

***

In the conquest of Tsushima Island that took place in the first year of King Sejong’s reign, the start was an overwhelming victory for Joseon.

However, when the Japanese resisted with guerrilla warfare despite Joseon’s pressure, Yi Jong-mu decided to strike where the pirates had gathered.

The plan was to deliver a decisive blow to force the pirates to surrender.

As if on cue, upon receiving intelligence that the pirates had gathered in Iro-gun, Yi Jong-mu ordered Park Sil to land at Iro-gun and annihilate the enemy. The problem was that this unit selection was not decided through proper military council but by drawing lots.

Park Sil, who received the order, decided to preempt the high ground of Iro-gun to conduct an attack using the height advantage. For this, he urged the soldiers to disembark and move to the high ground.

However, the pirates had already secured key positions and were preparing for battle.

The Joseon army, which had not properly formed battle lines while only focusing on preempting the high ground, fell straight into a chaotic battle. Amidst the chaos, as Joseon army officers such as Park Hong-sin, Park Mu-yang, Kim Hae, and Kim Hui fell in battle, a flustered Park Sil ordered a retreat. In the sudden retreat and pursuit by the pirates, about 100 soldiers fell from cliffs and drowned.

Seeing the urgent situation, Assistant Commander Yi Sun-mong and Military Commander Kim Hyo-seong quickly moved to support and blocked the pirates, but the damage to the Joseon army was severe.

It was a battle where about 180 casualties occurred, including the drowned soldiers.

Moreover, the central army under Yi Jong-mu did not even intervene in the battle, and all these factors later became grounds for impeaching Yi Jong-mu. (Note 1)

***

When the ‘Battle of Iro-gun’, which could be seen as a painful memory for the Joseon army, was brought up, the complexions of Jo Mal-saeng and the officials from the Ministry of National Defense worsened.

However, when even Hyang, who could be seen as the most steadfast supporter of the Joseon army, expressed opposition, the ‘Second Conquest of Tsushima Island’ lost its momentum.

“Hmm, then does the Crown Prince consider the conquest of Tsushima Island impossible?”

“No, that’s not the case. The location of Tsushima Island is like a dagger aimed at the chin of our Joseon, so it must be taken by our Joseon. However, an impulsive plan like this one is absolutely unacceptable. We must thoroughly investigate the terrain and environment of Tsushima Island, as well as the habits of those residing there, create tactics suitable for these conditions, and only then should we move. The current tactics of the Joseon army are, if we look at the offensive, suitable for the Liaodong region, and the rest are all defensive in nature. Therefore, we must devise suitable tactics.”

Hearing Hyang’s answer, King Sejong nodded and turned to Jo Mal-saeng.

“Minister of National Defense, do you know what needs to be done?”

“I will immediately organize personnel and begin research.”

Hearing Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, King Sejong again summarized the situation.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall immediately form an envoy group and send them to Beijing, and the Ministry of National Defense shall devise customized tactics suitable for the geography around Joseon, starting with Tsushima Island. And the Crown Prince…”

After pondering for a moment, King Sejong continued.

“Now that gunpowder weapons have spread even to the Japanese, we need firearms with better performance than those currently in use. Research this.”

“Yes, Father.”

“But with minimal budget.”

“…Yes.”

***

Note 1) Joseon Dynasty Military Strategy. Tsushima Island Conquest Edition. Ministry of National Defense Military History Compilation Research Institute.