Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1062: Gambling. (6)

Among the two factions, those who raised their voices most strongly were the ‘opponents of the proposal’.

“It is a matter of pride for our Daeming country to readily accept Joseon’s proposal!”

“Even before the defeat in the last war, Joseon was a country that only bowed loudly to the generosity of our Daeming country! This is a matter of pride!”

“What kind of oil is this that bends its pride to Joseon?”

Accordingly, those in favor of the proposal also began to raise their voices.

“That’s oil! Because of that oil, the powerful powers of Europe are trying to join hands with the Ottomans, who can be said to be their greatest enemy!”

“It’s not about bending your pride! It’s about pursuing common interests!”

“The empire is moving, Europe is moving! If we turn our backs on the world because of pride, we will only fall!”

When the two sides were fiercely opposed to each other, the military joined the pro-choice faction.

-According to the story, Joseon began using oil as fuel to power ships.

-After importing and using refined oil from the empire, it was found to be more efficient than coal.

-It is not just battleships used by the navy. Oil is also more advantageous than coal as fuel for tow trucks and assault vehicles used by the army.

-Lastly, the flying machine that Joseon is researching. We also need to equip the objects we call airplanes with improved power engines. Considering the characteristics of an airplane, oil is essential.

As the military joined the pro-choice faction, the scales tilted sharply toward the pro-choice faction. As the situation unfolded, many of those who were in opposition turned to the supporters. And here, the wind of blood blew once again. The few remaining opponents were the strongest of the strong. Wherever they gathered secretly, there was always a lot of talk criticizing the Holy Fire offering.

“It’s all the emperor’s conspiracy that led to this situation!”

“That’s right! Only the emperor could have made the still-quiet Jingun move!”

“Ah! This emperor was bad from the start! Why did he bring in someone who grew up in Joseon? No matter how bad the situation was, I should have looked for more!”

As words criticizing the emperor burst out of everyone’s mouths, those with their own ambitions began to become greedy.

‘wait? Although the people gathered here are small in number, they are all senior figures. ‘If you do well?’

‘If I do this well…’

‘Is there a law that says I shouldn’t be in control? ‘Should I not be able to sit in the position of one person and all people?’

With their ambition rekindled, they began to talk to their comrades gathered at the table.

“How about taking this opportunity to start over?”

“Huh? Let’s start again?”

“That’s right. It means purifying the body.”

My colleagues were shocked when they heard that.

“How can you say that? Are you trying to plot treason?”

“It’s not a station. It’s a purge. Honestly, look at the Forbidden City right now. Isn’t it a situation where Koreans are surrounding the emperor, who can be considered a Korean? How can this be considered the court of the Great Ming Kingdom? The Dynasty of Joseon “It’s a matter of adjustment. Only by moderation can the thousand-year prosperity of the Great Ming Kingdom be possible!”

“Even the emperor said that…”

“Seonwi is the only answer.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything!”

“It’s already too late! Just because you opposed Joseon’s proposal means you already have no future! It was a situation where it was too good to stay in that position! Even if you get demoted and end up as a provincial governor in a certain province, or if you hold on, it won’t be long before you’re in trouble. “You will be found guilty and your head will be cut off! It is already too late!”

The opponents made up their minds when they heard the words, ‘It’s already too late!’ The intensity of the power struggle in the Forbidden City was beyond imagination. In order to occupy a slightly higher position and a little more power, officials engaged in a bloody struggle rather than a bloody fight.

The official residence in Beijing was a place where there were arguments in the front and overflowing with slander and informing behind the scenes. Because it was a place like this, if you were even slightly admired by the emperor, success in life became completely impossible. Feeling that all that was left for them was a bleak future, the remaining opponents eventually decided to join hands with the ambitious people. And this brought bloodshed to Beijing.

* * *

At the time, they were swayed by the atmosphere and decided to join in, but as time passed, most of them regretted that decision.

“This is not possible! This is impossible!”

No matter how much they thought, the only result was failure, so a few quick-witted people secretly visited the Geumwiwi and alumni.

“I came because I have something to report.”

“If you’re a traitor, I already know.”

“omg!”

“Who do you think we are?”

The Geumwiwi and alumni were already aware of their movements. Seong Hwa-je, who confirmed the reports that came from the Geumui Committee and Dongchang almost simultaneously, gave orders with a very angry face.

“Bring in and interrogate all those who participated in the treason plot and their nine relatives! No, bring in all ten of their families and interrogate them!”

“I follow your orders!”

According to Seonghwaje’s order, all those who participated in the conspiracy and those who were related to them through blood, regional, or school ties were dragged in and subjected to harsh torture. As the screams of those being tortured filled one side of the Forbidden City, Emperor Shenghua summoned the crown prince and gave him teachings.

“Whenever you discuss state affairs, it is impossible for all the ministers to have the same thoughts as you. That is why the emperor and ministers gather together and discuss it. Of course, there can be arguments for and against, and even proposals for arbitration. The emperor carefully listens to those words. It is your job to listen and adopt ideas that are good for the country. But look at those traitorous bastards. Are you plotting treason because they do not accept your ideas? Even if the crown prince later becomes emperor, it is only for the sake of the country that such people are punished immediately. Keep in mind.”

“I will keep that in mind. But why did they think of such a foolish thing?”

Emperor Seonghwa answered the crown prince’s question simply and clearly.

“Because they are idiots who are blinded by greed. Blind idiots who only saw what they wanted to see and decided without properly looking at their surroundings.”

After all this bloodshed, Beijing decided to accept the empire’s proposal.

* * *

Unlike Beijing, where the pros and cons clashed fiercely and even resulted in bloodshed, Yamaguchi’s decision was made quite easily. The reason the word ‘quite’ is added here is because there were no people who were unnecessarily greedy.

“I heard a rumor that, in addition to Japan, the Empire proposed cooperation with the Ming Dynasty. There is a saying that it is a water seal. Wouldn’t it be better for us to move first?”

‘Let’s move first,’ King Ouchi Yoshioki of Japan asked, folding his fan.

“Let’s move first? Isn’t that obvious? Our stake will increase if we move faster than Beijing.”

In response to Yoshioki’s words, the retainer who first proposed bowed down and spoke again.

“That’s not right. We, Japan, should move to Persia first on our own.”

“On its own?”

“That’s right. Seoul is a large country and Beijing is also a large country. Naturally, Japan’s share is bound to be small. That’s why we, Japan, move first and take Persia to ourselves. No, even if it is impossible to have it all to ourselves, we want as much of it as possible, at least a majority of it. It’s about taking care of it.”

“Hoo~. Is it possible for us to take Persia before Seoul or Beijing?’

When Yoshioki showed interest, the subject responded with a brighter face,

“It’s entirely possible! Since Seoul and Beijing are large, it takes a lot of time to move around. If you use that time, you have a good chance of winning!”

“Hmm…”

Yoshioki, who thought for a moment while listening to the servant’s words, shared his impressions.

“It’s like the Chinese zodiac. Are we, Japan, going to act like rats?’

“Ah, that’s…”

Yoshioki’s extremely cold retainer stuttered with a pale face. Yoshioki began to harshly criticize such a subject.

“Are you planning to turn our country into a rat? You are just like a rat, only focused on immediate profits and unable to look at your surroundings! Are you not seeing our country’s situation in your eyes?”

“That’s not it… My belief is just for Japan’s national interest…”

“National interest? Was it for the national interest? Yes, you bastard! How much do you know about Persia! No, we, Japan’s “How many of your subjects know about Persia, and can you confidently say that its quantity and quality are better than those of the Empire? And does Japan have enough ships to transport Japan’s soldiers and supplies to Persia?”

“That…”

“The Empire reached out in a situation where it was not equipped with anything properly! Even if it is not enough, what? Let’s move first? Yes, you bastard! What is the difference between what you said and treason? What the hell!”

To Yoshioki’s criticism, the subject responded by kneeling down on the floor.

“I’m sorry! I was short-thinking!”

“go away!”

As Yoshioki threw down the fan he was holding and shouted, the subject in question staggered out of the palace.

“You pathetic bastard, you stupid bastard…”

After swearing like that, Yoshioki looked back at his other subjects.

“Is there anyone else who had the same thoughts as that idiot?”

“No, no!”

“joy!”

Yoshioki snorted at the frightened reactions of his subjects and ordered his attendant next to him.

“fan.”

“Hi!”

Yoshioki, holding the fan brought by his attendant, spoke to his subjects.

“Think carefully about what I just said to that idiot. And don’t forget that we have to move faster than Beijing.”

“hot!”

“Then let’s move on to the next item…”

After the meeting that day, the subjects gathered separately discussed the empire’s proposal.

“What Yamamoto said is true in some ways. Seoul is the proponent and Beijing is the major power. Then, it is clear that Japan will have a small share.”

“That’s true, but it’s also impossible for us to move first and monopolize Persia. First of all, we have too little information.”

“Isn’t there just information? There are no ships. Do you think self-serving merchants will easily give up ships?”

“If we all leave and make the first move, will the empire leave Japan alone? Will Japan be able to survive when dealing with the empire?”

At the last question, everyone in the conference room shook their heads in silence. The person who asked the question came to his own conclusion.

“It is true that it takes time for Seoul or Beijing to move. But it is also true that once they start moving, no one can stop them. Especially given the personalities of the people in Seoul, they will keep moving until the end.”

“I will beat you until the end.”

“Haa~.”

The conference room was filled with sighs at someone’s blunt expression. And that evening.

The wakizashi sent by Yoshioki was delivered to Yamamoto’s house, which offended Yoshioki. The messenger spoke to Yamamoto, who was looking at the wakizashi engraved with the emblem of the Japanese royal family.

“Don’t worry about the Duke’s family.”

“I am truly grateful that you have given me this grace.”