Black Corporation: Joseon

There was a reason why Emperor Go-Hanazono was engaging in what could be called a work slowdown.

It was because Yoshinori had been deeply involved in the process of imperial succession following the death of the previous emperor, Emperor Shōkō.

As a result, Hosokawa Mochiyuki had to plead daily for the imperial edict while simultaneously distributing large bribes to the kuge (court nobles) of the imperial court.

In this way, he was able to obtain the imperial edict in the first month of the following year, Eikyō 13 (King Sejong’s 22nd year, 1440, Gyeongshin year).

And during that time, the next shogun to succeed Yoshinori was decided.

It was Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, Yoshinori’s legitimate son.

However, this choice harbored another spark of conflict. The newly appointed shogun, Yoshikatsu, was only 6 years old.

Therefore, it was tentatively concluded that Hosokawa Mochiyuki would serve as regent for the time being.

***

Ōuchi Morimi was receiving all this information through the spies he had planted in Kyoto.

After receiving and confirming the information about the enthronement of the new shogun, Morimi chuckled and muttered:

“They even coined the term ‘terror of ten thousand people,’ but in the end, it all turned out to be a fleeting dream.”

Mocking the collapse of the shogun’s direct rule system with Yoshinori’s death and the start of Hosokawa’s regency, Morimi turned to look at the retainers seated around him.

“When do you think the bakufu will dispatch troops?”

“They can’t move the army now as it’s winter, but they’ll likely mobilize as soon as spring arrives, my lord.”

“I see. Then… Well, what should we do?”

“We must dispatch troops!”

“The opportunity has finally come, my lord!”

In response to Morimi’s question, the retainers of military background unanimously raised their voices, advocating for troop deployment.

“The shogun who committed tyranny has been assassinated, my lord. This is indeed divine punishment! Now that word has spread that the shogun received heavenly punishment, the current bakufu lacks legitimacy! Please raise an army, my lord!”

“Please raise an army!”

The veteran military commanders who had long served the Ōuchi clan urged immediate military action.

“It’s not yet time, my lord!”

“That’s right! It’s still time for observation, my lord!”

At that moment, voices of opposition rang out. Unlike those advocating for military action, the voices of those opposing were very young.

Morimi looked at those voicing their opposition.

Those opposing were young men, on average in their mid to late twenties. They were among those who had studied abroad in Joseon and returned after learning practical skills—or more accurately, forced labor—including the first and second cohorts.

Morimi showed curiosity at the claims of the young men who expressed opposition to the veterans’ views.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“The assassination of the shogun indeed befits divine punishment. However, this alone is not enough justification for dispatching troops.”

“You’re saying that’s not enough?”

“Ha! That’s right! The forces comprising the bakufu are still strongly united. Dispatching troops now would bring more losses than gains! It’s right to observe a little longer!”

As the Joseon study abroad group advocated for observation, the veterans confronted them.

“How much longer do we need to wait? Now is the perfect time. The new shogun is literally a mere infant, a puppet. Who would follow such a shogun?”

“It’s precisely because he’s an infant and a puppet that we should wait just a little longer! If we wait a bit, they’ll create justification for us on their own! If we wait a little longer, public sentiment will become ours!”

“Huh?”

Morimi and the veterans all expressed confusion at the claims of the Joseon study abroad group.

The Joseon study abroad group explained in more detail why they should wait.

-The regency will continue for quite a long time until the shogun comes of age.

-The longer the regency period, the more conflicts will arise among the Three Kanrei, and the shogun’s status will decline.

-When this happens, public sentiment will naturally turn away from the bakufu, and the imperial court will also withdraw its support for the bakufu.

-That will be the time to raise an army.

After explaining this far, the Joseon study abroad group concluded with the following:

“If we look at our current situation, thanks to your lordship’s wise insight, we are gradually becoming more prosperous. The people are becoming well-fed, and the soldiers have become strong. And the people of other domains are unable to hide their envy of our domain’s condition. If we wait just a little longer to gain justification, what follows will proceed even more easily.”

“Hmm…”

Mulling over the words of the study abroad group, Morimi turned to the veterans.

“What do you think?”

In response to Morimi’s question, the veterans, after careful consideration, began to speak one by one.

“We’ve waited this long; I don’t think there’s any harm in waiting a little longer.”

“Even if it’s a battle we’re bound to win, it’s better to win with fewer losses.”

As the veterans also agreed with the opinion of the study abroad group, Morimi reached a conclusion.

“Very well. For now, let’s continue to bide our time and maintain our strength.”

“Ha!”

***

That evening, Morimi had a private moment with Mochiyo.

Standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the moonlit garden, Morimi spoke.

“Mochiyo.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“What did you think of the young ones today?”

“They seemed very thoughtful, my lord.”

Nodding at Mochiyo’s words, Morimi continued.

“You observed well. Sending them to study in Joseon has paid off. I was shocked when they first suggested reducing taxes, though.”

***

The first proposal made to Morimi by the Joseon study abroad group, who had learned Confucian studies in Joseon and returned well-honed after practical training under the guise of hands-on learning, was tax reduction.

“The current tax rate is excessively high, my lord! We must lower the tax rate!”

Morimi shook his head at the suggestion of the first cohort of study abroad students.

“If we do that, we won’t be able to prepare for our great cause!”

“It’s possible, my lord! That’s what we learned in Joseon!”

“Hm? You say it’s possible?”

“We stake our lives on it, my lord!”

Thus, through the tax reform that followed, Ōuchi reduced taxes for the people of his domain.

However, this was, in a way, close to giving with one hand and taking with the other. While it seemed like the tax burden was reduced by lowering the tax rate, the gap was filled using monopoly systems and additional taxes.

The people enthusiastically welcomed the tax reduction. Since the impact of monopoly goods and additional taxes could be mitigated by reducing consumption, they believed that overall, taxes had been reduced.

However, the cunning of the study abroad group, who had become seasoned administrators through forced labor in Joseon, went beyond that.

In the end, the Ōuchi domain became the most economically active and wealthy domain in all of Japan.

***

Reminiscing with a satisfied expression, Morimi suddenly let out a long sigh.

“Sigh~ Mochiyo.”

“Yes!”

“I, too, have grown old now. Perhaps you will have to complete our great cause in my stead.”

“My lord!”

“My nephew. It’s likely that my role was to prepare thoroughly, like those young ones. Soon, I will pass the position of clan head to you, so be prepared.”

“My lord! No, uncle! You are still strong, what are you saying?”

“I know myself best. So, make preparations.”

Although Mochiyo continued to express his refusal, not long after, Morimi passed the position of clan head to Mochiyo.

***

This situation in Japan was also known to Joseon.

Having received information from his superiors and through envoys sent by Ōuchi, King Sejong exchanged opinions with his ministers.

“Now that Ōuchi Morimi has passed the clan leadership to Ōuchi Mochiyo, don’t you think it’s reasonable to expect another civil war to break out in Japan?”

In response to Sejong’s question, Hwang Hui immediately answered.

“While we can’t be certain that it will break out right away, there’s a high possibility that a war will occur in the not-too-distant future. I believe the Ōuchi clan changed their leadership to avoid a situation where the clan head changes in the midst of war.”

“I think so too. Then, what should we in Joseon do?”

“It seems we should increase the scale of naval expansion that we recently restarted, even more significantly.”

“It seems that’s our only option. Tsk!”

With a regretful expression, Sejong clicked his tongue, but still turned to Hwang Hui with a bright face.

“Isn’t it fortunate, though? Fortunately, this is happening at a time when we seem to have almost overcome our period of stagnation.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Especially…”

Pausing briefly, Hwang Hui glanced at Kim Jeom before continuing.

“It’s even more fortunate that those who have newly changed positions have become accustomed to their work.”

***

While Japan’s political situation was forecasting chaos, various events were unfolding in Joseon as well.

First, the most significant event was the deaths of Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo.

Maeng Sa-seong passed away at the beginning of the previous year, Gimi year, and Heo Jo at the end of the year. Both had resigned due to old age, and they passed away not long after their resignations.

Upon hearing the news of the two elderly ministers’ deaths, Sejong was deeply saddened and included them in the list of meritorious subjects. The Crown Prince, Hyang, personally paid condolences on behalf of Sejong.

With the deaths of Maeng Sa-seong and then Heo Jo, all the ministers came to the same thought:

‘Finally, another era is fading into history!’

If individuals like Ryu Jeong-hyeon or Ha Ryun could be considered the 0th generation, then those like Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo could be called the 1st generation.

And now, these 1st generation ministers were beginning to disappear one by one into the background of history.

In any case, with the deaths of Maeng Sa-seong and Heo Jo, vacancies were created, leading to personnel transfers.

The most notable change in these transfers was Kim Jeom succeeding Maeng Sa-seong as Deputy Prime Minister.

Upon hearing that Kim Jeom had been promoted to Deputy Prime Minister, all the officials in the Six Ministries clicked their tongues.

“Dammit! Now we’ll have to prepare even tighter budget proposals!”

“Of all people, why him!”

While Kim Jeom filled Maeng Sa-seong’s position, Ha Yeon took Heo Jo’s place.

As Ha Yeon was regarded as the person who best embodied the phrase ‘impartial and without factions,’ there was no opposition to his appointment as Minister of General Affairs.

And as they moved positions, the vacancies they left were quickly filled by those recognized for their abilities.

With this, the 2nd generation of officials began to rise to higher positions.

***

While Joseon’s internal affairs were busy with these events, various incidents were also occurring outside the country.

Events that some had anticipated, and others had not expected.

These were events that would later be recorded in history as the ‘Turbulent Gimi Year.’

The beginning of such events occurred in early summer of the Gimi year.

***

“Your Majesty! An urgent report has come from the navy!”

At the mention of an urgent report, Sejong quickly received the official document and examined its contents.

After reviewing the document, Sejong clicked his tongue.

“Tsk! What we’ve been expecting has finally come!”

The content of the document was simple:

-Ships from a Western country called Portugal have appeared in Aden.

In response to the urgent report from the navy, Sejong requested an analysis from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“The Joint Chiefs of Staff predict that Western ships will arrive in Joseon by the end of this year or by next summer at the latest, Your Majesty.”

“Then, what are our countermeasures?”

“We must expand the scale of our navy while simultaneously establishing a naval base in Malacca. And starting from there, we need to establish naval bases in at least five more locations to secure control over the sea.”