OBS Chapter 229
Chapter 229
Chapter 229
As the situation surrounding our Joseon is like this, we need a solution to resolve it. I will give you five days. I hope that you, my ministers, will deliberate repeatedly and present good opinions.
At King Sejongs command, all the ministers bowed their heads and replied.
We shall obey your order!
After issuing the order to the ministers, King Sejong turned to Hyang.
Crown Prince, the same goes for you.
I shall obey your command.
***
Having received the order, Hyang returned to his office at the research institute and grumbled with pouted lips.
Oh, goodness I should just make a steam locomotive and be done with it
In Hyangs mind, the issues related to Japan were the most difficult of challenges.
Even the name of this country is problematic
The part Hyang mentioned was Japans official name.
Japans formal country name was Nippon. Therefore, when looking at the records of official documents regarding envoys sent by the Bakufus shogun, it was always recorded as Envoy of the King of Nippon.
It was the same for Ming. When Ming sent envoys to Japan, the diplomatic letters they sent along always addressed the recipient as the King of Nippon.
However, both Ming and Joseon referred to them as Wae, dwarfs () internally.
But this derogatory term was not only applied to Japan. Both Ming and Joseon had their own derogatory names.
Therefore, Hyang had no choice but to conclude by clicking his tongue.
Tsk! This issue probably wont be resolved until humanity goes extinct Since Waeguk rolls off the tongue better than Ilbon, lets keep calling it Waeguk and Lets get to the main point, the main point
***
Hyang gathered his thoughts and immediately summarized the situation.
First, the question is whether Japans current political system is truly beneficial to our Joseon.
Currently, Japans political system is the Bakufu system. The current Bakufus shogun, Ashikaga Yoshinori, has a firm grip on power. Rumor has it that he is carrying out quite a reign of terror, which is worrisome.
This was where Hyangs prediction was correct. Looking at the history before Hyangs intervention, this shogun eventually met his end through assassination.
Even if we were to empower the Japanese Emperor, putting aside the feasibility, it would not benefit our Joseon at all.
If the central government of Japan became a mess, the Japanese pirates would immediately start rampaging.
The parts our Joseon should be most concerned about are the safety of the coastal regions and the security of maritime trade routes.Relying solely on Joseons side is inefficient in securing this safety. Our Joseon must secure naval supremacy at least up to the northern regions of Kyushu.
Having summarized the situation thus far, Hyang sighed.
All of this has been repeatedly mentioned before. Its like beating a dead horse.
To find a brilliant solution to the difficult problem, Hyang continued to ponder deeply.
For Kyushus safety to be secured, the Kyushu Provincial Governor and the Ouchi clan must have control over Kyushu.
The second problem arises here. The Kyushu Provincial Governor is known to be loyal to the Bakufu, but the Ouchi clan is the issue.
Looking at the records of Ouchi Moriharu, who currently rules the Ouchi clan, he rose to the position of ruler through internal strife. This suggests he is an ambitious individual.If we support him and the Ouchi clan becomes powerful, they may challenge the Bakufus authority.However, if we dont support him, it becomes difficult to pursue our interests in the Kyushu region.
Hmm
Having organized the situation up to this point, Hyang pondered his next move with his arms crossed, looking at the documents and maps.
Should I mobilize the warships and wreak havoc on every single port?
Hyang, who had considered an extreme method, immediately shook his head.
Theres no justification. And if we do such a thing, it immediately leads to an all-out war with Japan. Joseon still lacks the capacity to handle an all-out war. Moreover, the number of warships is too small, so gaps will inevitably form.
According to the records Hyang had read, the Japanese pirates who invaded Goryeo and Joseon mobilized large numbers of small and medium-sized ships rather than large ships. If the Japanese pirates started rampaging again and flocked with such small and medium-sized vessels as before, a complete blockade would be impossible.
The same applied to blockading Japans ports. The ports of this era were not like the ports of the 21st century, which required massive time and costs to rebuild if destroyed. As long as it was a place that could avoid waves and had a suitable depth for ships to dock, it could be used as a port anywhere.
Japanese ships were the same. Of course, it wasnt that they didnt require any cost at all, but compared to iron ships, they consumed less cost and time.
Hyang, who had been calculating the option of using force, shook his head.
So, to resolve this situation, the army would eventually have to go in and occupy Anyway, the army is a numbers game, and thats our Joseons weakness.
The population of Joseon during this period was slightly below 6 million. (Note 1)
Nagato would be good. Its under the control of the Ouchi clan, so its convenient to observe the situation
As Hyang was examining the map, he snapped his fingers upon seeing the region east of Nagato.
I forgot about this region! If we play our cards right, we can control the Ouchi clan!
The place Hyang pointed to was labeled as Iwami on the map. In Japanese, it was called Iwami.
It was the location of a mine known as Japans largest silver mine from the Sengoku period to the Edo period.
Having confirmed Iwami, Hyang rummaged through the relevant reports to assess the situation.
There are rumors of a silver mine, but no rumors of full-scale development.
Reading the record, Hyang showed a puzzled expression.
Huh? In the novels I read in the 21st century, this was the place that had to be seized no matter what. Because of the immense silver mine. But why not yet?
The Iwami silver mine began full-scale development in 1526, nearly 100 years from now.
However, unaware of that fact, Hyang came up with the most plausible reason.
With Japans current metal smelting level, it must have been difficult to dig deep
This was somewhat true.
Japans technological level did not surpass Joseons until they brought a large number of Joseons craftsmen during the Japanese invasions of Korea.
***
Hyang, who had written down the location for establishing a trading post and the Iwami silver mine on the paper, muttered with his arms crossed.
This is a bit lacking Is there any good card?
While Hyang was pondering for a suitable card to persuade the Japanese lords, a eunuchs voice was heard from outside.
Your Highness, someone has come from Area 51.
Let them in.
After a brief moment, an official entered and bowed to Hyang.
What is the matter?
Your Highness, the cotton gin you had ordered has finally been completed.
At the officials report, Hyangs face lit up brightly.
Thats truly great news! Please give me the report!
Here it is, Your Highness.
Hyang quickly received the report from the official and swiftly examined its contents.
After reviewing the report, Hyang issued an order to the official.
Tell those involved that they have done a great job, and prepare rewards according to the internal regulations.
Yes, Your Highness!
As the official left, Hyang clenched his fist.
A fantastic card has arrived! The race begins!
With a confident smile, Hyang added a sentence to the paper.
Cotton cultivation commission.
Having written the sentence, Hyang showed a self-assured expression.
With the completion of the cotton gin and the success of large-scale cotton cultivation, cotton fabric will become cost-effective! And
Pausing for a moment, Hyang glared at the map of Japan.
The first button will be fastened to make Japans economy dependent on our Joseon!
***
Note 1) Koreas History from an Economists Perspective (13), The Korea Economic Daily. /news/article/2014051670741Thi/s chapter is updated by