Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 116

Correction Note:

I’ve made a mistake regarding Hwang San’s position in previous chapters. His actual position is Minister of Military Affairs not Minister of Law and Enforcement. This position was assumed by Jo Mal-saeng before he got punished with documentation sorting.

The next day, as soon as the morning court meeting began, King Sejong summoned the Chief Royal Secretary to check the situation.

“So, have you found suitable candidates?”

“Yes, we are currently in the process of selecting them.”

“Still?”

As King Sejong’s voice turned stern, the Chief Royal Secretary immediately explained the reason.

“Many of the suitable candidates are currently involved in the northern frontier development.”

“Ah, I see.”

Hearing the Chief Royal Secretary’s answer, King Sejong nodded.

The northern frontier development, which King Sejong and his court were ambitiously pushing forward, was going relatively smoothly.

According to the reports arriving every ten days, the northern territories of Joseon, especially in the northeast, were steadily expanding.

Furthermore, these expanding territories were drawing in more and more people.

One of the last reasons for this influx was military conflict. 

Joseon’s army had demonstrated its power so effectively that there were hardly any Jurchen tribes daring to provoke through force.

However, the reason so many people were needed was not only because of the smooth subjugation of the Jurchen tribes, but also because the policy of civilizing them was going smoothly.

* * *

“If you go to the north, the country will give you land! And you don’t have to pay taxes for five years!”

When the rumor first started, the peasants showed little enthusiasm.

Consequently, local officials in the southern regions, whose evaluations depended on this matter, began to think about how to increase the number of peasants willing to join the frontier development.

One of these local officials submitted a proposal to King Sejong.

– Currently, there are no peasants willing to participate. Give us an appropriate incentive to attract them.

“What else could be more appropriate than a tax exemption?”

In response to King Sejong’s question, Minister Hyang immediately answered.

“In order to increase the production of our new formula gunpowder, the production of potassium nitrate needs to increase. Promise that the court will buy all the soybeans if they cultivate them.”

Upon hearing Hyang’s words, all the civil ministers and aides responded.

“Truly a brilliant idea! Please proceed with it!”

“I also agree.”

Thus, an official answer was dispatched to the local officials in the southern regions.

Upon receiving the official answer, the local officials immediately spread the word.

– If you cultivate soybeans, the court will buy all of them!

Upon hearing the rumor, the peasants started to show a slight interest, but no significant movement had occurred yet.

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“It’s good that the country will buy our soybeans, but will they really buy that much? And for what purpose do they need so many soybeans? It’s not like the king is eating soy sauce instead of rice.”

“Well… Ah!”

Among those who had expressed doubts, the quick-witted ones immediately left their seats to join the commoners.

“This lord must be drunk! Why suddenly go north out of nowhere! How am I supposed to live!”

Naturally, those who unilaterally made decisions got an earful from their wives, and the husbands explained their reasons.

“Think about it, darling. What food can that foolish boy not live without? Hey Foolish Boy! What’s your favorite food these days!”

“Chicken! Chicken!”

At the young foolish boy’s reply, his father continued speaking.

“You hear that? These days, every household eats chicken at least once or twice a month, right?”

“But, why?”

“Do you know what’s the most important thing in chicken besides the meat? It’s oil, oil! And it’s soybean oil!”

“Ah!”

The foolish boy’s mother instantly understood and started bustling about.

“When are we heading north? I have some things laid out here and there that I need to collect!”

***

To produce glycerin needed for manufacturing gunpowder, the Joseon dynasty distributed a large amount of meat, especially pork, and soybean oil.

However, unlike in 20th and 21st-century Korea, where chemical extraction methods were used, traditional pressing methods couldn’t yield a large amount. So, a large sum of money was invested in purchasing soybeans, and the government was operating at a loss.

In this context, Kim Jeom, a royal advisor, made a request to King Sejong.

“I think it would be wise to postpone the production of the new type of gunpowder, considering the circumstances.”

“That can’t be! Please reconsider! Absolutely not!”

As soon as Kim Jeom’s words ended, vehement opposition erupted from the military sector.

Since the late Goryeo period, the military’s core strength had been artillery, especially for the navy. As soon as gunpowder was improved by Hyang, the navy immediately adopted it. Then, when blueprints for a new type of ship were released, they tested its performance and immediately requested large-scale production from Sejong.

“Mass produce?”

“Yes! The hull is large so it can withstand large waves, and most importantly, it can carry far more artillery than existing warships!”

Hyang nodded, fully understanding the navy’s enthusiasm.

‘In the end, Admiral Yi Sun-sin didn’t come from nowhere!’

For the navy, the new type of gunpowder was invaluable. If it had the same power with only half the amount, then each ship only needed half the gunpowder, allowing them to carry more supplies.

Thus, both the army and the navy strongly opposed Kim Jeom, insisting that they would rather “sink the ships” than stop the production.

Eventually, King Sejong sided with the military.

“Even if it’s at a loss, this is a necessary sacrifice. Therefore, I will not accept the royal advisor’s proposal.”

“…I obey your command.”

Kim Jeom had to accept King Sejong’s decision.

Later, it was said that Kim Jeom almost came to blows with the Minister of Military Affairs.

“Damn it! Let His Majesty take a look at the financial statements! I insist!”

Anyway, as the problem of permanent land was resolved, the number of farmers willing to migrate to the North increased enormously.

More quickly than expected, and with a large number wanting to migrate, more military forces were required in the North.

Another unexpected event occurred in the North, just as the number of migrating farmers had surged beyond expectations.

The other unforeseen event in the North was the mass return of the Jurchen people.

When initially planning the northern expansion strategy, the military had estimated that the return rate of the Jurchen would be at most 60%.

“Even 60% is generous. Looking at the nature of those Jurchen, the majority would either resist or leave. Look at the Odori tribes.”

The maximum figure the military had based their plans on, citing the example of the Odori tribes who left due to the persuasion of Ahachu and Ming Emperor, was 60%.

However, as the northern expansion actually proceeded, the return rate of the Jurchen people started from 70% and was continuously rising.

“Why?”

“Isn’t it all thanks to Your Majesty?”

Upon hearing the Left Chief Councilor’s words, King Sejong gave a slight smile in response.

“That would be an excellent merit, but find out the reason immediately. Don’t just gloss over it, thinking it’s good; we might run into big trouble later!”

“Understood!”

Thus, the government officials quickly found the cause.

“A monopoly store?”

* * *

As farmers migrated to the North, the Ministry of Taxation monopoly store was also established in the newly formed village.

Upon the establishment of the monopoly store, it caught the attention of the neighboring Jurchen people.

“What is that place?”

Answering the fluent Korean-speaking Jurchen’s question, the farmer responded nonchalantly.

“That? It’s a monopoly store.”

“What’s a monopoly store?”

“You can buy salt or candy there.”

Upon hearing the farmer, the eyes of the Jurchen who had asked the question widened.

“You can buy salt?”

“Yes.”

“Can I also buy it?”

“Go and ask.”

At the farmer’s words, the Jurchen got on a horse and headed toward the monopoly store.

“What’s going on?”

As the Jurchen entered the monopoly store, not only the dispatched Ministry of Taxation officials but also the soldiers on guard all looked at the Jurchen with tense faces.

“I heard you can buy salt here.”

At the Jurchens question, the expression of the Ministry of Taxation official relaxed.

“Salt? Ah, if you are a returning Jurchen, you can buy it. Do you have a return certificate?”

“Here it is.”

The Jurchen searched through his belongings and handed over the certificate.

After confirming the document stamped by the officials, the Ministry of Taxation official checked the residence of the Jurchen on the hanging map and nodded.

“You are within our jurisdiction. Then you can buy it. Will you buy it now?”

“Can I really buy it?”

Faced with the Jurchens’s question filled with distrust, the Ministry of Taxation official replied, “Do you think I’d lie to you, all the way up here in the North? So, will you trade or not? We’re already in a busy situation; make it quick.”

At the Ministry of Taxation official’s urging, the Jurchens came to his senses and responded, “Ah! I haven’t brought anything worth selling now. What should I bring?”

“Anything of value will do. Cattle, horses, sheep, grain, and even furs, gold, and silver are all acceptable.”

“Understood! I’ll be back soon!”

As the Jurchens hastily started to leave, a Ministry of Taxation official quickly called him back, “Wait! Take this certificate! Without it, you’re just a bluff!”

“Eh? Yes! Thank you!”

Having secured the certificate for tributary submission, the Jurchens carefully stored the crucial document and hurriedly left.

Cases similar to that of the Jurchens occurred all over the northern frontier.

Being able to secure a stable supply of salt, an essential item for survival, was like manna from heaven for the Jurchens tribe.

Eventually, the Jurchens people who had already submitted tribute began to offer livestock and grain in exchange not only for salt but even for sugar, prompting other Jurchens people to eagerly follow suit.

As a result, there was a significant increase in labor requirements in the North.

The existing troops had to be redeployed to secure the rapidly expanding border, leaving a shortfall for maintaining internal order.

***

“The rapid northern expansion was good, but it has had some unintended consequences. We need to fill the position in the Ministry of War quickly…”

Upon hearing the response from Chief State Councilor, King Sejong spoke with a regretful expression, at which point Ministry of Law and Enforcement interjected,

“Although the previous Minister of Military Affairs, Hwang Sang, committed a grave error, Lee Soon-mong should be considered important again…”

“Enough! Speak sensibly!”

A high-ranking censor official cut him off before he could finish, “What was Lee Soon-mong’s duty? He was a royal guard, responsible for accompanying the king’s carriage. Not only did he rebel, but he also falsely claimed to be ill! How can we re-employ such a reckless man?”

“Chief Censor is correct.”

Siding with the Chief Censor, King Sejong issued an order to Chief Eunuch, “Go and call Jo Mal-saeng.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

As King Sejong ordered for Jo Mal-saeng to be called again, Chief State Councilor immediately inquired,

“Your Majesty, do you intend to reemploy Jo Mal-saeng?”

“Yes.”

In response to King Sejong’s words, Chief Censor immediately objected.

“Your Majesty! This should absolutely not be done! Criminal Jo Mal-saeng has not even served two years of his sentence. To employ such a criminal again is absolutely unacceptable! I implore you to reconsider!”

“Chief Censor, your point is valid. However, Jo Mal-saeng is diligently serving his punishment, and he has proven that. Chief Eunuch, hand this to the Chief Censor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chief Eunuch took the report that came up from the Record Office and handed it to Chief Censor.

“Heoh~.”

Upon reading the report, Chief Censor let out a sigh.

The report was neatly organized with graphs and tables—undoubtedly similar to the work of Crown Prince Hyang—showing Jo Mal-saeng’s exemplary performance in military service.

“Haah~.”

Chief Censor let out another long sigh and waved a white flag.

‘There are results, and a rationale has been established. It’s hard to break it with just reason alone!’

“Proceed as you wish, Your Majesty.”