Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 226

With the decision made to develop and mass-produce new warships different from the Challenger class, King Sejong brought up another agenda item.

Earlier, the Ministry of Military Affairs stated that we should incorporate Kyushu Island into the sphere of influence of our Joseon. Is this a substantive annexation or something else?

At King Sejongs question, Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward.

I believe that a substantive annexation would be a poor move. Although the Ouchi clan, who rules northern Kyushu, and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, who governs other regions of Kyushu, have friendly relations with our Joseon, they are also powerful clans of Japan. If we proceed with a substantive annexation, we will either have to engage in armed conflict with them or guarantee their vested interests. The costs may outweigh the benefits.

In response to Jo Mal-saengs words, Heo Jo raised a question.

Considering the character of the Japanese, they are weak to the strong and strong against the weak. If our Joseon demonstrates its might by deploying military force, wouldnt they immediately submit?

At Heo Jos remark, Jo Mal-saeng immediately shook his head.

We do not have sufficient military strength.

Pardon?

What?

King Sejong and the ministers all expressed confusion at Jo Mal-saengs answer.

Witnessing their reaction, Hyang grumbled inwardly.

These gentlemen, really Did they eat crow meat and forget everything, or have they been swayed by the magic of numbers?

Jo Mal-saeng, seemingly sharing Hyangs sentiment, explained the reality in a slightly rough voice.

When we conquered Tsushima Island, how much did we struggle even in the preparations?

However, hasnt the militarys strength greatly increased since then?

In response to Heo Jos question, Jo Mal-saeng simply replied.

And havent the responsibilities the military must uphold during peacetime also significantly increased?

Ah

At Jo Mal-saengs point, Heo Jo let out a small groan and fell silent. The militarys strength has increased, but so have the areas it must protect. This was the magic of numbers Hyang had mentioned. Observing this, Jo Mal-saeng bowed to King Sejong and continued.

A substantive annexation is a poor move. If Your Majesty commands it, I, Jo Mal-saeng, will stand at the forefront and strike the Japanese enemies. However, I earnestly implore Your Majesty. It is still premature to confront Japan with military force.

Premature What is the reason?

Firstly, compared to Japan, Joseon has smaller land and a smaller population. Smaller land means lower output. This makes it difficult to procure war funds when engaging in warfare. A smaller population means it is challenging to replenish the military. No matter how well-equipped with new weapons, losses are inevitable when war breaks out.

Secondly, the one holding power in Japan is formidable. Unlike the Hongwu period when it was divided into two, now the authority of the King of Japan is strong, so Japan will move as one body.

The Minister of Military Affairs is correct! The words of the merchants traveling between the Japanese settlement and Kyushu were similar.

The Minister of Rites also lent support to Jo Mal-saengs statement. Encouraged by the Minister of Rites assistance, Jo Mal-saeng spoke with even greater force.

Lastly, it is not easy even if we limit the battlefield to Kyushu. Although the Ouchi clan and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, the Minamoto clan, are powerful, they do not have complete control over Kyushu. There are more clans who oppose them.

Therefore, I earnestly implore once again. A forceful and substantive annexation employing military force must never be pursued.

Hmm

At Jo Mal-saengs words, King Sejong stroked his beard with a grave expression.

The greatest achievement of a monarch is the expansion of territory. Wouldnt the annexation of Kyushu be a good opportunity? However, the Minister of Military Affairs words are not entirely wrong

Observing King Sejongs contemplative appearance, Hyang sensed a crisis.

Not yet! No to military adventurism!

Feeling the danger, Hyang immediately joined the conversation.

Your Majesty, forgive my presumptuousness, but I believe the Minister of Military Affairs words are extremely reasonable.

Reasonable? Explain.

At King Sejongs command, Hyang calmly explained the reasons.

In general, for a country to wage war against another, its rear must be secure. Take the example of Emperor Wu of Wei in ancient times. Why did he attack Goguryeo? To ensure the safety of his rear before conquering Shu and Wu. This situation is similar. To deal with Japan, we must first stabilize the Jurchen in the north, but the situation in Liaodong remains unstable. Conversely, if we were to completely conquer the Jurchen, Ming and Japan would intervene. Putting Ming aside, Japan must be dealt with, but it is beyond our military capabilities.

Beyond our capabilities

As King Sejong showed a displeased expression, Hyang firmly replied.

It is beyond our capabilities. The navys strength is not yet complete, both in quantity and quality. Moreover, the final conclusion of a war requires our military to enter the enemy country and occupy it, but the manpower of the land forces is insufficient. If were not careful, we may end up removing the lower stone to support the upper one, committing a foolish act.

Thats true.

Nodding at Hyangs point, King Sejong let out a long sigh.

The Crown Prince and the Minister of Military Affairs are correct. I only saw the apparent strength before my eyes and failed to consider the distant dangers. This is my lack of virtue.

As King Sejong reproached himself, the ministers prostrated themselves and responded in unison.

No, Your Majesty! This is the fault of us, your subjects, for failing to properly assist you. Please punish us!

Please punish us!

Seeing his subjects pleading for their own punishment, King Sejong calmly spoke.

Rise.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let us learn from this incident and work even harder in the future.

Yes, Your Majesty.

***

Once the situation was somewhat settled, King Sejong asked Hyang.

Previously, you said that making the Japanese market ours is tantamount to subjugating Japan. I heard that when our goods cross over to Japan, they sell out. Doesnt that mean the subjugation is already complete?

Currently, the majority of the goods crossing over to Japan are luxury items. We need to make even the common people of Japan buy our products. We must make even the ordinary Japanese people admire our Joseon for the subjugation to be complete.

Hyang provided a more detailed explanation.

Why is that? Didnt our Joseon only produce the goods? The ones buying from Joseon are also Japanese merchants, and those giving them money and buying the goods are ultimately the Japanese clans, arent they?

In response to Heo Jos point, the Minister of Rites answered on Hyangs behalf.

If our Joseon hadnt made such goods, they would have thought there was no reason for them to suffer, wouldnt they?

Ah

As Heo Jo nodded, Hyang added.

The Minister of Rites is correct. If this discontent accumulates, the Japanese people will gradually become hostile towards our Joseon. If the control of the Japanese clans falters even slightly, they will turn back into Japanese pirates. Look at the captured Japanese fishermen this time. Even the fishermen carry swords on their boats. Thats how the Japanese are.

At those words, King Sejong and the ministers nodded in agreement.

Then, Crown Prince, how do you plan to seize the Japanese market?

At King Sejongs question, Hyang promptly replied.

We just need to make the Japanese people work.

Pardon?

Hyang provided a more detailed explanation.

As they are commoners, it wont be easy for them to buy expensive goods. However, instead of expensive ceramics, we can sell them earthenware, and instead of silk, we can sell them cotton. If this happens

King Sejong interrupted Hyang.

They will gradually want better things! Our Joseon also went through those stages!

That is correct. Moreover, we can also eliminate the hostility the Japanese people hold towards Joseon. They will be grateful to Joseon for providing them with the wages to make a living.

Then the discontent of the Japanese people will be directed towards the clans ruling over them! It is a truly ingenious strategy!

It would be even better to subtly give advance notice to the clans we need, such as the Ouchi clan and the Kyushu Provincial Governor, the Minamoto clan.

Indeed! Especially the Ouchi clan, who openly claim to be descendants of Baekje, would be perfect to use as our agent!

King Sejong exclaimed in admiration, slapping his knee at Hyangs explanation.

Seeing King Sejong and Hyang, father and son, exchanging ideas in such a manner, the ministers grumbled inwardly.

Again! Again! Theyre starting! Only they understand and move on!

Its not like they planned this in advance, but how do they complement each other so well?

Oh my Will people with poor intelligence live in misery?

Despite their grumbling, the ministers were not unintelligent and quickly grasped the concept.

As they understood, the ministers looked at Hyang with renewed eyes.

I realize it again, but the Crown Prince is not just intelligent, hes cunning! Has Emperor Wu of Wei been reincarnated?

Those who will work under the Crown Prince when he ascends the throne will have a hard time!

Oh dear Should I give His Majesty some medicinal tonics? To live a long life

In any case, King Sejong, who was very pleased with the strategy presented by Hyang, turned to the ministers.

I would like to proceed based on the strategy the Crown Prince has proposed. What are your thoughts?

At King Sejongs question, the ministers eagerly responded.

It was truly a brilliant proposal!

It is a strategy that achieves two goals with one action, so it is appropriate to adopt it!

With all the ministers in agreement, King Sejong made a decision.

Since you all agree, let us properly devise a plan and implement it! To ensure the peace of our Joseon, we must minimize external concerns.

We shall obey your command!

The court historian who recorded all of this wrote the following:

Why do I feel sorry for the people of Japan?

***

As Hyang left Geunjeongjeon after the meeting, his expression gradually darkened.

Did I do the right thing?

Hyang, who muttered with a face full of worries, let out a long sigh.

Phew~, to think that I would plan the most sophisticated imperialism with my own hands Its bitter.

What Hyang had proposed to King Sejong and the ministers was the Global Value Chain born amidst the frenzy of 21st-century neoliberalism, slightly modified to fit the current era.

***

With the end of World War II, imperialism came to a close.

To be precise, classical imperialism ended, and a new form of imperialism was born and began to evolve.

During the Cold War, the system referred to as colonial capitalism or comprador capitalism evolved once again as the Cold War ended.

While classical imperialism physically colonized and exploited, the new imperialism was invisible.

It had evolved into a sophisticated system called the Global Value Chain, where components were made using the labor and resources of developing countries, assembled in the home country or other developing countries, and sold to all nations worldwide.

Under this system, politicians and workers in developing countries did not antagonize the capitalists of developed countries but rather welcomed them.

A situation different from classical imperialism had unfolded.

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