Black Corporation: Joseon

After King Sejong departed for New Territory, the center of Joseon politics shifted to Seunghwadang.

Ministers visited Seunghwadang whenever there were important matters to discuss or when Hyang summoned them.

During these visits, the ministers always witnessed the Four running around with stacks of documents.

Seeing the Four stumbling about with dark circles under their hollow eyes, the ministers would offer sympathetic words.

“Holding up alright?”

“…”

“Seeing you reminds me of old times. We all went through it. But remember, sweet follows bitter. Keep at it, and better days will come.”

Whenever they heard such words, the Four would stare blankly at the ministers before replying:

“Your Excellency, you’re not looking too well yourself.”

“Ahem! AHEM!”

Hearing the Four’s response, the ministers would awkwardly clear their throats and hurry away. Watching their retreating backs with expressionless faces, the Four would mutter simultaneously:

“Sweet follows bitter my ass…”

They barely held back an avalanche of profanities that would be unprintable.

“My lords! Her Highness requests your presence!”

“Eek!”

The Four, still suppressing their curses, snapped to attention at the eunuch’s announcement of Hyang’s summons.

“Let’s hurry!”

“Indeed!”

***

Meanwhile, Ming also took interest in Hyang’s regency – or more precisely, King Sejong’s whereabouts.

“Is the Joseon king’s location still unknown?”

To Emperor Zhengtong^[1]’s question, the head of the Eastern Depot bowed deeply and answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We confirmed he boarded a ship at Wonsan, but after that, the trail goes cold.”

“Hmm…”

At the supervisor’s response, Emperor Zhengtong stroked his beard, deep in thought.

Where has he gone? The most likely destination is Daesuldo, but that’s been Joseon territory for quite some time. No need for the Joseon king to personally go there. Could it be health issues? No, he would’ve abdicated officially if that were the case. Then… the rumored New Territory?

Pondering Sejong’s mysterious disappearance, Emperor Zhengtong pressed his temples and groaned.

“Ugh… Another headache.”

“Shall I summon the physician?”

“Before that… Have we learned anything about this ‘New Territory’ the Joseon people speak of?”

“Only rumors abound, Your Majesty. When we tried to investigate further…”

“More disappearances?”

The supervisor simply bowed his head at the emperor’s question.

Receiving this silent answer, Emperor Zhengtong let out a long sigh.

“I understand. Cease further investigation. Continuing would only result in losing more of our carefully cultivated assets.”

“Forgive our incompetence, Your Majesty.”

“It’s no simple task to infiltrate Joseon’s small territory undetected. I don’t consider the Eastern Depot incompetent.”

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

“Summon the physician, and tell the Cabinet Supervisors and Ministers to gather.”

“By your command!”

After dismissing the supervisor, Emperor Zhengtong muttered while massaging his temples.

“Though it’s regrettable to lose our carefully planted spies, we’ve learned how important the New Territory is to Joseon. So, has the Joseon king gone to the New Territory? Is that land truly worth such attention?”

***

As the exploration of New Territory dragged on, related rumors began circulating within Joseon.

The military desperately tried to maintain secrecy, but it was like pissing on frozen ground – utterly futile.

The number of people involved grew exponentially as time passed.

‘They say they’ve discovered a large island in the eastern sea.’

It started with such hearsay, and people showed little interest initially. However, as more people were mobilized for exploration work, public curiosity began to grow.

“We need preliminary work before this becomes uncontrollable.”

At Hyang’s warning, King Sejong and the ministers agreed, and soon different rumors began circulating.

‘They say there’s an island bigger than Daesuldo far to the east.’

‘They say it’s at least three times the size of Daesuldo.’

‘The court calls it New Territory, they say.’

As these rumors spread, public interest largely waned.

“Quite a big island.”

“The court will make an announcement soon. If it’s good land, maybe we should go there?”

That’s where most people’s thoughts ended.

New Territory isn’t just big – it’s as vast as the Central Plains!

Occasionally, rumors closer to the truth would circulate, but people would shake their heads.

“Bah! If such a huge land existed, all the important people would know about it by now!”

“I’ve seen the Chinese world map before. There was no such land on it. What nonsense!”

Most who heard these stories dismissed them as rubbish.

The main reason people dismissed it was their unchanged worldview.

Go west and you’ll find pale-faced barbarians, and below them live the black-skinned ghost children.

Through reforms and trade, everyone knew this much, and through maps obtained from Western merchants, they knew of Europe and Africa.

But that was it.

They hadn’t yet grasped that the world was even larger.

***

Naturally, Ming learned of these rumors circulating in Joseon.

“Investigate further.”

“By your command!”

Though he gave the order, Emperor Zhengtong showed little interest.

We’ve traded with Westerners since the ancient Han Empire, and those Mongol barbarians even reached Western lands.

Surely the Central Plains has all geographic records of the world, yet there’s no record of this land Joseon claims to have discovered.

This land Joseon discovered must be merely a fairly large island.

This was Emperor Zhengtong’s conclusion.

What made him tilt his head was when their spies in Joseon vanished without a trace to the secret police.

“Could it be?”

Upon receiving the report, Emperor Zhengtong considered the possibilities but soon shook his head.

From records left by those who met Westerners, starting with the Great Qin (Roman Empire), the Westerners are enormously greedy for territory.

It’s impossible for an unknown continent to exist that these greedy Westerners don’t know about.

Therefore, the land Joseon discovered must be just a large island at best.

However, Emperor Zhengtong hadn’t reached this conclusion through logical reasoning. The biggest factor was his pride.

The Central Plains is the center of the world and the largest land under heaven! No land greater than the Central Plains exists!

***

Summoned by Emperor Zhengtong, the Cabinet Supervisors, Six Ministers, and other high officials gathered in the Wenhua Palace.

“His Imperial Majesty arrives!”

At the eunuch’s announcement of Emperor Zhengtong’s entrance, all present prostrated themselves.

“Be seated.”

Taking his throne, Emperor Zhengtong began presiding over the meeting.

“The Japanese Shogunate keeps making requests?”

The Cabinet Supervisor immediately answered the emperor’s question.

“Yes, Your Majesty. They’re begging for more bronze firearms.”

“How many have we sent so far?”

“Five hundred pieces, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

After brief consideration, Emperor Zhengtong made his decision.

“Send another five hundred to make it one thousand.”

The Cabinet Supervisor carefully raised an objection.

“Might that be excessive?”

“Excessive? Why?”

“Though the Shogunate is indeed treating us well now, they are still Japanese. They could use these gifted firearms to raid our Ming coasts.”

“Hmph!”

Snorting lightly, Emperor Zhengtong questioned the supervisor.

“Are our Ming soldiers so weak they’d falter before a mere thousand firearms?”

“Absolutely not!”

“These firearms we’re sending are becoming obsolete as iron guns and long-barreled muskets are distributed. Should we fear such outdated weapons?”

“No! It’s just that the Japanese nature is so treacherous…”

“It’s precisely because we know their nature that we’re giving them obsolete weapons. Besides, the Japanese Shogunate is in crisis. Would they have the luxury to raid our coasts?”

At the emperor’s rebuke, the supervisor bowed his head.

“Forgive my shortsightedness.”

“If Japan’s situation were normal, your opinion would be sound, but current circumstances differ. Keep this in mind as you proceed.”

“I shall engrave it in my bones and heart.”

After cautioning the supervisor, Emperor Zhengtong continued the meeting.

“The Shogunate has also requested thunder bombs?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

Thunder bombs were explosives modeled after Joseon’s heaven-shaking thunder bombs. Of course, they were primitive compared to the heaven-shaking thunder bombs whose lethality had been maximized through Hyang’s obsessive improvements, but they were better than nothing.

After brief consideration, Emperor Zhengtong gave his order.

“Give them the bombs. However, our soldiers will operate both the bombs and their launching devices.”

“Do you intend to deploy troops?”

The emperor shook his head at the supervisor’s question.

“No, just for the thunder bombs. Select soldiers to operate them and observers to properly assess their effectiveness in actual combat. We call it a trump card but haven’t properly tested it – isn’t this a good opportunity?”

“Ah! Indeed it is! Your Majesty’s wisdom leaves me in awe! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

“Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

When the Cabinet Supervisor gave three cheers, all officials present joined in.

As the cheers subsided, Emperor Zhengtong cautioned his ministers.

“Those who’ve risen against the Shogunate are close to Joseon. If they seize power in Japan, they might collaborate with Joseon and cause trouble. Keep this particularly in mind.”

“Joseon is faithful in serving the greater power – would they commit such an immoral act?”

At the Minister of Rites’ question, Emperor Zhengtong’s expression turned fierce.

“What could be more foolish than trusting someone merely because they’re faithful in serving? Have you forgotten why previous emperors were wary of Joseon?”

“N-no! I spoke thoughtlessly!”

“Hah… I’d like to have you executed immediately, but I’ve grown weary of bloodshed. Mind your words in the future.”

“Your Majesty’s mercy knows no bounds! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

The Minister of Rites’ cheers were followed by another round of cheering.

In the tense atmosphere, Emperor Zhengtong emphasized vigilance against Joseon.

“Though we trade peacefully with Joseon now, don’t believe this will last forever! Remember, it’s the way of profit that blades will be drawn the moment our interests clash!”

“We shall engrave it in our bones and heart!”

***

Meanwhile in Hanseong, Hyang also received new reports regarding Japan.

“Your Highness, an envoy from the Ouchi clan has arrived.”

“Send them in.”

Shortly after, the Ouchi envoy entered Hyang’s office and bowed respectfully.

After exchanging customary greetings, Hyang got to the point.

“So, what brings you to Joseon so urgently?”

“Please give us Joseon’s firearms! Those Shogunate bastards have acquired guns!”

“What?”