Black Corporation: Joseon

When King Sejong posed his question, Hyang couldn’t immediately respond.

What’s going on? This isn’t like the Crown Prince at all.

Seeing Hyang’s uncharacteristic silence when he would normally shoot back an answer instantly, King Sejong studied his son carefully.

Hyang sat there with his lips sealed, wearing an expression as fierce as if his mortal enemy stood before him. This only deepened King Sejong’s puzzlement.

What in the world?

The ministers shared the king’s confusion. They too watched Hyang intently, unsettled by his completely altered demeanor.

Meanwhile, behind his fierce expression, Hyang was internally unleashing every curse he knew.

Damn it all to hell! These worthless bastards! These good-for-nothing pieces of shit are just as useless now as they were in my previous life!

His stream of profanity wasn’t merely due to the gravity of the situation.

The reason for Hyang’s crude outburst was a matter of timing.

***

Before Hyang began serving as regent, similar situations had caused him less stress.

Because Father was here!

Since King Sejong held the final decision-making authority, Hyang had been free from responsibility and could even propose bold ideas. The choices—and the accountability—had belonged to Sejong.

But now, Hyang was serving as regent.

Though Sejong would still make the ultimate decision given the gravity of the matter, Hyang couldn’t help but feel the crushing weight of responsibility.

We can’t delay Father’s departure for New Lands! I have no choice but to take the lead! Europe is moving faster than I remember! One wrong move and this whole thing goes to the dogs!

“Hah…”

After heaving a sigh, Hyang focused his mind to analyze the situation.

There’s a high chance Japan’s civil war will break out faster than I remember! If my vague memories are correct, Ouchi was indeed the first loser of the Sengoku period! But Ouchi couldn’t maintain their power, and the conflict dragged on. And then… the Imjin War happened! Which means!

***

“Hah…”

After another long sigh, Hyang finally spoke.

“Your humble son wishes to share his thoughts with Father. Please consider that these are the views of one lacking in years of experience.”

“This lengthy preface is unlike you. Speak your mind.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Sejong’s urging, Hyang took a breath and began.

“I agree with the assessment that if conflict erupts in Japan, the Ouchi clan is most likely to be its catalyst. However, I do not believe they will emerge victorious.”

“Why?”

To Sejong’s question, Hyang explained his reasoning.

“Because the Ouchi clan’s base is too far from Kyoto.”

He proceeded to outline why it would be difficult for Ouchi to seize and maintain power:

• -As mentioned before, the Ouchi clan’s stronghold was far removed from Kyoto, where the Emperor resided.
• -Kyoto and its surroundings were firmly controlled by court nobles loyal to the Emperor. Therefore, Ouchi would need to station significant forces in Kyoto to stabilize their rule.
• -Furthermore, they would need to allocate additional troops to check the daimyo situated between their base and Kyoto.
• -Maintaining forces in Kyoto, troops to control the intervening daimyo, and soldiers to defend their own territory would drain massive financial resources.

“Therefore, while the Ouchi clan might be the initial victor in any conflict they initiate, I believe their chances of ultimate victory are slim—unless they receive outside assistance.”

Sejong immediately followed up with a question.

“By outside assistance, do you mean Joseon?”

“Joseon would be second in line. First would be other daimyo^[1]willing to ally with Ouchi. The Otomo clan of Kyushu comes to mind.”

Sejong’s eyes gleamed at Hyang’s response.

“Are you suggesting that Joseon’s assistance should remain as covert as possible?”

“Don’t we lack proper justification for overt intervention?”

Both Sejong and his ministers nodded at Hyang’s point.

“That concludes my thoughts on whether Ouchi can seize control of Japan. Next, I would like to present what I believe would be appropriate actions for Joseon should internal conflict break out in Japan.”

Sejong and his ministers’ eyes sparkled with interest. After taking a light breath, Hyang continued.

“First, even if internal conflict erupts in Japan, Joseon should maintain a principle of non-direct intervention. As mentioned earlier, this is due to our lack of justification. However, externally, we must secure complete control over Tsushima. Ideally, I would like to claim the Oki Islands as well, but they have deep historical ties with Japan that could lead to disputes.”

“Tsushima…”

Sejong and his ministers contemplated the island as Hyang mentioned it.

After mulling it over several times, Sejong turned to his ministers.

“As soon as I ascended the throne, the previous king subjugated Tsushima. At that time, the lord of Tsushima promised vassalage to our Joseon, and we granted him official credentials. However, the lord of Tsushima has shown duplicity in dealing with us since then—wouldn’t this be an excellent opportunity?”

The ministers quickly voiced their agreement.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Tsushima has been a thorn in our side. If civil war breaks out in Japan, we must seize this golden opportunity to make it fully part of Joseon’s territory.”

“Absolutely, Your Majesty. Our military strength has grown tremendously. Subjugating Tsushima would pose no significant challenge now. If Japan descends into civil war, we can fully incorporate Tsushima, which currently pays allegiance to both Joseon and Japan.”

With unanimous ministerial support, the ‘Tsushima subjugation’ proposal was immediately approved.

***

However, Sejong’s gaze remained sharp as he watched Hyang.

“I have a question for the Crown Prince.”

“Please ask, Father.”

“When I first inquired, you couldn’t answer immediately. While your proposal regarding Tsushima is good, it seems insufficient given how long you took to respond.”

“Tch…”

Hyang lowered his head and clicked his tongue softly at Sejong’s words. The meaning behind Sejong’s statement was simple:

There’s more, isn’t there? Out with it!

Now I understand how Department Head Jang Yeong-sil must have felt.

Hyang felt a kinship with Jang Yeong-sil, whose workshop he had thoroughly ransacked at every opportunity.

Well, I was going to say it anyway.

After quickly collecting his thoughts, Hyang continued.

“Yes. There’s something that has worried me constantly since hearing about the possibility of conflict in Japan.”

“What would that be?”

“The possibility of the civil war becoming prolonged—lasting at least a hundred years.”

When Hyang mentioned ‘a civil war lasting over 100 years,’ Foreign Affairs Minister Heo Hu immediately objected.

“How could a civil war last a hundred years? Surely Japan’s daimyo understand that would lead to mutual destruction.”

Minister Hwang Hui quickly countered Heo Hu’s objection.

“It’s not impossible. Haven’t they already fought for nearly sixty years with two opposing emperors?”

Heo Hu fell silent at Hwang Hui’s rebuttal.

After Hwang Hui suppressed Heo Hu’s objection, Sejong questioned Hyang.

“You believe if civil war breaks out in Japan, it will become a prolonged conflict? For what reason?”

“Because of Ouchi. As I mentioned earlier, Ouchi has the capability to overthrow the current bakufu. However, maintaining that position afterward would be impossible. From other daimyos’ perspective, Ouchi’s rise would break the political chains that have been binding them. And when Ouchi falls… though this comparison might not be entirely apt, Japan will enter its own Warring States period.”

“Warring States period? Not just civil war?”

“Yes. The reason is—”

Before Hyang could explain, Sejong answered first.

“Because of the Emperor?”

“Exactly. Additionally, looking at Japan’s current situation, while there are territories of varying sizes, none is overwhelmingly powerful enough to subjugate all others.”

“Ah…”

Sejong and his ministers all nodded at Hyang’s explanation. Well-versed in Confucian studies and Chinese history, they immediately understood why Hyang had brought up the Warring States period when he mentioned the Emperor.

“Hmm… So you’re saying Japan’s current situation is comparable to the period before the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period or the Seven Strong States of the Warring States period, and thus any civil war would inevitably be prolonged?”

“Yes. It will be a long civil war, progressing from something like the Five Hegemons to the Seven Strong States, until a final victor emerges, like Qin or Han. And the moment that victor emerges will be when Joseon faces its greatest crisis.”

***

When Hyang mentioned “greatest crisis,” the throne room erupted in commotion.

Surprisingly, Hwang Hui was the first to oppose Hyang’s statement.

“Isn’t ‘greatest crisis’ too extreme? Looking at Joseon now, we enjoy domestic peace and unmatched military might abroad.”

“That peace is precisely the problem.”

“Pardon?”

As Hwang Hui blinked in confusion, Hyang elaborated.

“Have you forgotten my premise? ‘A prolonged war of about 100 years.’ Looking at our current situation, thanks to Father’s wise rule, we have laid the foundation for generations of peace and prosperity. When such extended peace continues, which aspect typically weakens first? Consider the history of both the Central Plains and our Eastern lands.”

After pondering briefly, Hwang Hui answered.

“National defense.”

“Exactly. Now consider Japan’s case. What was the primary national policy of the feudal states during the Warring States period?”

“Enriching the state and strengthening the military.”

“Wouldn’t Japan be the same?”

Sejong and his ministers all nodded at Hyang’s point. As Hyang continued his explanation, their expressions grew increasingly grave.

Noting their reactions, Hyang’s voice gained intensity.

“What happens when a final victor emerges from such an era of warfare? They’ll dispose of their allies like used pawns! To secure themselves against the oversized military they’ve cultivated and absorbed from their defeated enemies, they’ll turn their eyes outward. In the Central Plains’ history, Emperor Yang of Sui and Emperor Taizong of Tang both coveted our eastern lands. Wouldn’t Japan do the same?”

Hyang’s words made the atmosphere in the throne room unbearably heavy. No one immediately responded to his final question. As Sejong and his ministers imagined the future progression based on Hyang’s premises, they could almost hear their people’s screams and smell the metallic scent of blood.

After a brief pause, Hyang wore a grave expression.

I can guarantee safety during my reign, or at the very least until Wan firmly holds his position! The problem comes after that! We must make maximum preparations to secure minimum safety!