Black Corporation: Joseon

From the early days of Joseon, serving the great (sadae) was a fundamental diplomatic policy.

However, the early sadae was not unconditional submission. Simply put, it was about establishing a relationship by setting an appropriate hierarchy, as confronting a great power would be uncomfortable for both sides.

Therefore, when Ming put pressure on Joseon by raising the issues of conquering Japan and the northern expedition, extreme opinions such as allying with Japan to attack Ming came from senior ministers like Ha Ryun. However, this ended with Taejong’s rejection. (Note 1)

To give a simple example, a situation like this occurred:

“These Ming bastards… Trying to make our Joseon a sacrificial lamb! Let’s just team up with those Japanese devils and teach those Ming bastards a lesson!”

“Has this old man gone mad?”

The reason Taejong and Ha Ryun had such a heated exchange was due to Joseon’s situation at the time and Ming’s intentions.

At that time, Joseon had not yet properly established its foundation. While they recognized the need to suppress the Japanese pirates, both national power and military systems were not fully prepared to wage a full-scale war with Japan as Ming demanded.

Regarding the Jurchen issue, if Ming used force against the Jurchens, it was certain that the Jurchens would attack Joseon.

In other words, if they followed Ming’s opinion, all the appeasement policies that Joseon had been pursuing would come to nothing, and it was certain that Japan and the Jurchens would turn their blades towards Joseon.

***

Thus, the early sadae relationship of Joseon was not a situation of Ming’s absolute superiority.

Moreover, as Joseon’s capabilities grew through the reforms, the ruling class of Joseon gradually became less conscious of sadae.

Especially as regions east of the Tumen River, as well as Daeseoldo, Jongjangdo, and islands further east were gradually discovered, and as more Jurchens and indigenous people submitted to Joseon, words like this began to circulate among Joseon’s ruling class:

“Dammit! Do we lack money? Do we lack land? We only lack people! Just imagine if we had more people! Ming? Some suzerain state my ass!”

In this social atmosphere, when the ministers saw the childcare leave system that Sejong had implemented for government slaves, they began to study ways to expand it to all social classes, not just limiting it to government slaves.

“Above all, we need to increase the population!”

“To steadily increase the population, children shouldn’t die!”

“If the population increases, the market grows too! We don’t have to rely solely on Ming!”

“If we do it right, we can create new sustainable industries and increase jobs!”

To increase Joseon’s population, the ministers began to research and implement all kinds of policies.

Thanks to this, primitive welfare systems were created and began to operate.

These changes were enough to confuse even Hyang.

“Is this really the 15th century? Are those guys really yangban?”

Observing the changing ministers, Hyang muttered softly.

“As expected, the taste of capitalist money…”

However, this was not just about the taste of money, but also the influence of Confucian ideology. It was Confucius’s argument that it was the virtuous governance of a monarch to support the people in peacefully working on their sustainable occupations.

What the early Confucian scholars dreamed of was the revival of the era of Yao and Shun.

“What use is the power of an emperor to me!”

The ideal of Confucian scholars was to realize again the golden age of Yao and Shun, where even a mere farmer could sing songs of praise.

***

Because of this situation, Lee Maeng-gyun became a master of acting.

In front of the Xuande Emperor, he showed a panicked and disoriented appearance even at the slightest raising of voices, but as soon as he left that place, he moved his subordinates with a cool face.

All kinds of information and rumors that came through the officials and big merchants in Beijing with whom he had quietly established connections were integrated, and reports analyzing this were created.

And spitting phlegm with all his might upon boarding the ship returning to Joseon became a new habit.

***

While Lee Maeng-gyun was returning to Joseon spitting like this, the Xuande Emperor was conducting a meeting with expectant eyes.

“Well, the five days you asked for have passed. Have you found an alternative?”

“I have found what I think is the optimal solution.”

“Is that so? What is it?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s slightly excited question, the Grand Secretary took out a thick scroll and respectfully held it up.

“Bring it here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At the Xuande Emperor’s command, a eunuch placed the scroll on a silver tray and presented it to the Xuande Emperor.

“Hmm…”

The Xuande Emperor, holding the scroll placed on the tray, first examined the title attached to the scroll.

“‘A proposal for the development of imperial land transportation’…”

The Xuande Emperor untied the string of the scroll and began to quietly read the contents inside.

After reading the contents of the scroll several times over a long while, the Xuande Emperor looked up at the Grand Secretary.

“You must have read this content too, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Does that mean you agree with this proposal?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, the Grand Secretary answered with a trembling voice.

“I think it is the most optimal solution.”

‘The current situation could be dangerous no matter what answer I give! It’s already like riding a tiger! Now that we’re on the tiger’s back, we must go all the way!’

“Hmm…”

Making an ambiguous expression at the Grand Secretary’s answer, the Xuande Emperor turned to the others.

“Have the ministers read it too?”

“We haven’t read it yet, Your Majesty.”

“Then read it. It’s quite a good proposal.”

The ministers, receiving the scroll through a eunuch, began to read the contents in turn. The Xuande Emperor, glancing at the ministers’ faces showing various emotions, turned to the Grand Secretary.

“Maintaining confidentiality was a very good choice. The more people who interfere, the more likely it is to become neither one thing nor the other. As expected of the Grand Secretary.”

At the Xuande Emperor’s praise, the Grand Secretary’s face brightened as he responded.

“How could it be my merit? Everything is due to Your Majesty’s virtue. Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!”

“And, Grand Secretary… What is your name?”

“Your subject is called Ying Huoguan.”

“From now on, work as the Junior Grand Secretary.”

As the Xuande Emperor promoted him, Ying Huoguan immediately made a deep bow.

“Your Imperial grace is boundless! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand of ten thousand years!”

As Ying Huoguan was promoted like this, the ministers who were taking turns reading the scroll muttered inwardly.

‘It seems His Majesty has made up his mind.’

‘We shouldn’t oppose it.’

‘What’s the point of reading this scroll then?’

Whether knowing or not that the ministers were thinking this, the Xuande Emperor asked them.

“Have you all finished reading?”

“Not yet…”

“Tsk!”

The Xuande Emperor clicked his tongue and muttered with a displeased face.

“I heard that Joseon’s ministers can read and discuss any amount of documents within one tea time (about 20 minutes)… Tsk!”

As the Xuande Emperor clicked his tongue again, the ministers immediately prostrated themselves and bowed their heads.

“Our abilities are lacking, causing Your Majesty concern! Please bestow your mercy upon us!”

“Please bestow your mercy!”

The ministers, traumatized by the Xuande Emperor’s reign of terror, automatically begged for mercy.

“All of you, stand up. Work harder from now on.”

“We receive your command!”

“We will engrave it in our bones and hearts!”

Listening to the ministers’ responses, the Xuande Emperor ordered Ying Huoguan.

“Junior Grand Secretary, come forward and explain verbally.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ying Huoguan came forward, gave a light bow to the ministers, and soon began to speak.

“The alternative I thought of is to use a trading company.”

Ying Huoguan’s explanation was as follows:

-Considering its usefulness, the railroad needs to be laid across the entire empire and iron horses need to run on it to demonstrate its full utility.

-However, this will be an enormous public work. If not done properly, it could place an excessive burden on the people and cause alienation of public sentiment.

-It could be dangerous for the country to directly carry this out. Therefore, we establish an intermediary trading company to carry out the construction. The empire will only supervise the construction situation of this trading company.

-This way, if something goes wrong, it becomes the fault of the trading company, not the country. The empire can punish the problematic trading company and replace it with a new one.

“…In simple terms, it’s using the strategy of ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’. And we obtain the iron horses through this trading company.”

Ying Huoguan continued to explain this part in more detail.

-First, Your Majesty gathers trading companies from across the empire and commands as follows:

‘We need a way for the empire’s people to travel more comfortably. We will entrust this task to the trading company that comes up with a good answer.’

-Then, among them, one trading company will propose the answer of railroads and iron horses, and the court will contract with that trading company as the main contractor.

-The trading company that becomes the main contractor will then select subcontracting companies to carry out the construction while simultaneously proceeding with contracts regarding iron horses and railroads with Joseon.

“…By doing this, it’s not a tribute as it’s not a demand from Your Majesty and the empire. All subsequent processes become commercial transactions, not tribute and return gifts.”

At Ying Huoguan’s explanation, the ministers all nodded. According to Ying Huoguan’s explanation, it would be a transaction between the trading company and Joseon. If done this way, it would not only avoid damaging the pride of the Xuande Emperor and the empire, but also prevent excessive expenditure.

“Hmm…”

“It seems…”

While the ministers who heard the explanation were nodding with expressions suggesting it was acceptable, the Minister of Revenue pointed out a problem.

“Considering the price of iron horses, wouldn’t Joseon possibly refuse, doubting the financial capability of the trading company?”

“That’s right!”

At the Minister of Revenue’s point, the ministers nodded again and looked at Ying Huoguan.

Ying Huoguan immediately answered the Minister of Revenue’s point.

“For that part, our court can provide a written promise of payment guarantee.”

“A payment guarantee document…”

“If Joseon raises issues about the authenticity of the document, Your Majesty can send an envoy once.”

Hearing Ying Huoguan’s answer, the Minister of Revenue looked at the Xuande Emperor.

“I think it’s a good plan that doesn’t damage Your Majesty’s and the empire’s honor while also reducing unnecessary financial waste.”

“Is that so? What does the Minister of Rites think?”

“As the trading company chooses the best method for the empire, and the trading company takes the initiative to contact Joseon… It doesn’t damage Your Majesty’s and the empire’s honor. I think it’s the optimal strategy.”

“What’s the opinion of the Director of the Six Offices of the Ministry of Rites?”

The Xuande Emperor pointed to So Pyeong-sul, the Director of the Six Offices of the Ministry of Rites who had been the cause of the incident. At the Xuande Emperor’s indication, So Pyeong-sul immediately bowed his head and answered.

“As it’s the trading company’s choice and the trading company’s transaction, it doesn’t sully Your Majesty’s august name. I think it’s the best strategy.”

As the Ministry of Rites didn’t oppose, the Xuande Emperor immediately made a decision.

“Then let’s adopt this plan, but make the main contractor the joint venture trading company.”

“Your Majesty, there are Joseon people in the joint venture trading company.”

The Grand Secretary came out in opposition, but the Xuande Emperor rather asked back.

“Should we choose a trading company that thinks of filling its own belly first?”

Through the continuous corruption incidents that had occurred, the Xuande Emperor deeply distrusted his own country’s merchants.

However, selecting the joint venture trading company as the main contractor was absolutely unacceptable. There were many Joseon people in the joint venture trading company, and it was only a matter of time before Joseon would find out through them.

Eventually, the Grand Secretary had to risk his neck once again.

“Your Majesty, I understand your concerns well, but the joint venture trading company must not be chosen. It would be better to create a government-affiliated trading company instead.”

“A government-affiliated trading company? Minister of Revenue?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, the Minister of Revenue immediately answered.

“I also think that would be the best.”

“Hmm…”

As the Grand Secretary and the Minister of Revenue agreed, the Xuande Emperor fell into thought. Tapping the armrest while pondering, the Xuande Emperor soon made a decision.

“Let’s follow that plan. But remember to be thorough with the supervision.”

“We will engrave it in our bones and hearts!”

***

Note 1) Military Strategy of the Joseon Dynasty. Military History Compilation Institute, Ministry of National Defense.