Black Corporation: Joseon

“Give you guns?”

“Hai!”

When Hyang questioned him, the envoy, apparently flustered, answered in Japanese.

Resting his chin on his hand, Hyang asked again.

“Did the Ouchi clan leave any guns in our safekeeping?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if you’ve left any guns in our care. Do you think you can just say ‘Hand them over!’ and we’ll respond ‘Yes, here they are’? Is that all Joseon amounts to in the Ouchi clan’s eyes?”

The moment Hyang finished speaking, the ministers, vice ministers, and officials gathered in the Seunghwadang conference room glared fiercely at the envoy.

Oh shit!

Realizing his blunder, the envoy prostrated himself, face deathly pale.

If I mess this up, it won’t end with just my seppuku! Every male in the clan might have to follow suit!

“It’s all this lowly one’s foolishness! This was entirely my mistake, not my lord’s intention! In the urgency of the situation, I committed a grave error! Please, take my head and quell your anger!”

“If I just send you back, your lord will handle it himself. Why should I dirty my hands?”

At Hyang’s cold mockery, the envoy pressed himself completely flat against the floor and raised his voice.

“Your Highness! Please understand! At this rate, my lord and his domain are in danger! Please take pity on my lord and help us! If you do, I will take responsibility by slicing open my own belly!”

Hyang snorted and rebuked him.

“Hmph! Claiming to take responsibility through death by cutting open your belly or slitting your throat is the most cowardly excuse! Aren’t you just running away through death without actually solving the problem? Is that truly the proper way for one who claims to take responsibility? The right approach would be to do your utmost to fix your mistake and then calmly accept your lord’s judgment!”

Under Hyang’s rebuke, the Ouchi envoy could do nothing but press himself even flatter against the floor.

“Wait at the Japanese Embassy!”

“Your Highness!”

“Get out of my sight!”

At Hyang’s thunderous command, the envoy had to withdraw, tears streaming down his face.

***

After driving out the envoy, Hyang turned to the ministers.

“The Ouchi clan seems to be in quite a predicament.”

Hwang Hui stepped forward to respond.

“It appears so. But to come here and start whining immediately – they truly seem to take our Joseon lightly.”

Hyang nodded at Hwang Hui’s words.

“Indeed.”

Heo Hu, who had been listening to their exchange, joined in.

“Though the envoy’s disrespectful attitude is irritating, the Ouchi clan’s situation must be quite dire, judging by such desperate pleading.”

Hwang Hui shook his head at Heo Hu’s words.

“If the Ouchi clan were truly facing a life-or-death crisis, they wouldn’t have sent someone like him as envoy. They would have sent someone of much higher standing.”

Everyone nodded at Hwang Hui’s words, though Heo Hu still seemed concerned.

“Though the envoy’s rash behavior is distasteful, wouldn’t it be right to provide support? The Shogunate must already know we’re backing the Ouchi clan. If they succeed in maintaining power, they’ll surely view Joseon unfavorably.”

Several nodded at Heo Hu’s valid point. However, Hyang shook his head.

“Even if we provide support, we must do so with precise conditions. If we give them whatever they want whenever they cry for help, they won’t be grateful for our support but will come to view it as their due. No, they’ll go further and look down on us. Isn’t that the Japanese nature?”

All the ministers nodded at Hyang’s words.

“That’s true indeed.”

“Those damn Japanese…”

As the ministers were nodding in agreement, Hyang added:

“Look at the envoy’s reaction earlier. Didn’t he act as if they had entrusted guns to us?”

Speaking of the envoy’s recent behavior, Hyang grumbled internally.

Either way, those island bastards! Their ancestors and descendants alike have no shame!

***

In the early 2020s, the world suffered from a pandemic.

At the time, Japan’s outdated administration left them unable to properly implement preventive measures like quarantine and vaccination.

Whenever domestic articles criticized Japan’s situation, their internet would flood with outrageous comments:

Korea should obviously send medical personnel!

Korea should obviously send vaccines!

When these Japanese netizens’ reactions reached Korean netizens, their responses were nearly unanimous:

“What the hell?”

“Did these guys miss their medication time?”

***

After nodding at Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui spoke up.

“Your Highness speaks truly, but shouldn’t we provide support? If we miss the timing, we might need to advance more than necessary.”

Kim Jeom immediately questioned Hwang Hui’s choice of words.

“Advance, not expense? What do you mean?”

At Kim Jeom’s question, all eyes focused on Hwang Hui.

He’s not one to make verbal slips…

What does he mean?

Amid the general confusion, Hyang asked Hwang Hui:

“Are you considering the possibility of Joseon advancing into Japan proper?”

“Yes. As Minister Heo said, if the Shogunate succeeds in maintaining power, conflict between Joseon and Japan becomes highly likely. This could lead to renewed Japanese aggression, and ultimately…”

Hwang Hui deliberately left his sentence unfinished, and Hyang looked at Jo Mal-saeng.

“Joseon conquering Japan? Minister of Defense, would it be possible? Not just a simple punitive expedition like the recent Tsushima one, but permanent occupation?”

When Hyang mentioned “permanent occupation,” the other ministers’ eyes widened dramatically.

Minister Hwang seemed extreme, but the Crown Prince goes even further!

After brief consideration, Jo Mal-saeng answered Hyang’s question.

“It’s possible with just one condition satisfied.”

“The north?”

Jo Mal-saeng nodded at Hyang’s brief question.

“Yes, specifically Beijing. The Jurchens alone wouldn’t worry me much. But Beijing won’t sit idle.”

Heo Hu objected to Jo Mal-saeng’s answer.

“We currently maintain proper diplomatic relations with Ming and conduct massive trade with them. Would Beijing really cause trouble?”

Kim Jeom answered for Jo Mal-saeng.

“If Joseon annexes Japan, we could declare imperial status without considering Ming’s feelings. That’s what Beijing fears. Even now, while the Ouchi clan has Joseon’s backing, doesn’t the Shogunate have Beijing’s?”

“Ah…”

Heo Hu nodded bitterly at Kim Jeom’s response.

Through various channels, Joseon knew that Ming backed the Shogunate.

In other words, Japan’s civil war was a proxy war between Ming and Joseon, with the Shogunate and Ouchi clan as their fronts. It was a power struggle between Ming and Joseon over the substantial Japanese market.

But officially, it remained Japan’s internal conflict. Neither Ming nor Joseon wanted to disrupt their current stable diplomatic relations and economic exchanges.

It would be a loss for both sides.

***

“Conquering Japan is the worst-case scenario. For now, let’s focus on achieving the best outcome – the Ouchi clan’s control of Japan. Let’s leave the Japan conquest discussion as merely confirming its possibility.”

“Yes.”

Hyang summarized the situation. Hwang Hui bowed his head and spoke to him.

“Nevertheless, we must provide support to the Ouchi clan. The issue is avoiding the foolishness of giving everything they ask for. Thus, I believe we should send our own people.”

Hyang nodded at Hwang Hui’s suggestion.

“I agree.”

“Then shall we begin selecting personnel?”

“No need for selection.”

“Pardon?”

“We’re already struggling to fill the positions of officials who accompanied Father to New Territory. Besides, we’d waste time on selection.”

“Then…”

Hwang Hui glanced at the Four huddled in one corner before looking back at Hyang.

Receiving his silent question, Hyang smiled and nodded.

“Indeed.”

At Hyang’s confirmation, the Four squeezed their eyes shut.

Damn it!

“Administrative Officer Han Myeong-hoe, Assistant Administrative Officer Seong Sam-mun.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The two responded immediately while bowing their heads, internally screaming.

We’re done for!

Now we have to go to another country’s battlefield!

Having called the two, Hyang immediately issued orders.

“Prepare for departure immediately. Take tomorrow’s first transport to Mokpo and cross the sea to visit the Ouchi domain. Minister of Defense, send an urgent communication to prepare a ship.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After giving necessary orders to Jo Mal-saeng, Hyang continued addressing Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-mun.

“I’ll write a letter of protest to the Ouchi clan head. You two will strongly protest today’s envoy’s rash behavior while accurately assessing the situation and determining what level of support is needed.”

“We receive your command!”

“Now move.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-mun hurriedly left the conference room. Watching them, Hyang ordered Gwon Ram and Ha Wi-ji:

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to help those two prepare properly for their trip? Tsk! Such lack of awareness.”

“Y-yes, yes!”

At Hyang’s clicking tongue, the remaining two also hurried out of the conference room.

After the Four left, Hwang Hui quietly asked Hyang:

“Will those two be sufficient?”

“They’ll be fine. Han Myeong-hoe has a talent for quickly grasping situations and adapting accordingly. And Seong Sam-mun has a gift for accurately assessing all situations while adhering to principles. Those two will quickly evaluate the situation.”

Hwang Hui nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

The ministers and vice ministers’ assessment of the Four was very positive.

Barring any mishaps, they’re guaranteed positions as future Prime Minister and ministers.

Given this evaluation, Hwang Hui raised no further objections.

***

The hastily dispatched pair returned to Hanseong after a fortnight.

“How is the situation in Japan?”

Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward to answer Hyang’s question.

“Though superiority hasn’t been determined yet, the Ouchi clan will fall behind if we delay.”

“Is that so? Why?”

“Most domain lords are still watching the situation. The balance will tip depending on which side they choose.”

Following Han Myeong-hoe’s answer, Seong Sam-mun added:

“Looking at the current civil war situation, both sides are catching their breath. This is due to weather conditions and depleted military strength. In my humble opinion, large-scale conflicts will certainly break out in spring. The outcome will be determined by one, or at most three, major battles.”

“Spring… three months from now…”

“Yes.”

With a deeply serious expression, Hyang gestured to the two.

“I understand. Leave your report here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After dismissing them, Hyang remained silent briefly before calling a eunuch.

“Go summon General Lee Cheon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After sending the eunuch away, Hyang muttered softly.

“So this is how we’ll solve it.”