Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 998 Meanwhile, elsewhere….. (3)

Japanese officials were busy trying to fill the empty national treasury. The first thing they tried their hand at was prospecting. This was because he knew very well that the Iwami Silver Mine, which was operated jointly with the empire, had elevated the family from a local feudal lord to the royal family. One of the reasons why Norihiro Ouchi, who became the official king of Japan, suddenly abolished the feudal lordship was for the smooth operation of this coal mining project.

Through prospecting operations that took place across the country, large and small silver, gold, iron ore, and coal mines were discovered.

“It’s the Heavenly Rain Creed!”

Norihiro was delighted with this and offered many offerings to the shrine built in the royal palace. After confirming the existence of mines, Norihiro’s Japanese court selected mines with the highest profitability and began mining. And to ensure the safety of the mine, military units were deployed around the mine.

During this process, a significant number of samurai were rehired by the military and took on mine guard duties. The reason the Ouchi government re-employed samurai was to achieve two goals.

– A stepping stone to hold on until the Japanese army, which suffered heavy losses in previous wars, regains its stamina.

-Manage the samurai, a powerful element of anxiety, in your own hands.

With the development of gold and silver mines, which were direct financial resources in kind, and other mineral mines, including iron ore, which could be sold to the people for profit, the Norihiro regime was able to gain some breathing room.

However, the reactionary forces, which were thought to still remain in large numbers, were still a source of concern. Japanese officials who were struggling to solve this problem soon found the answer and reported it to Norihiro.

Norihiro frowned after checking the plan submitted by the officials.

“Police Department? It’s a name that feels somewhat familiar, doesn’t it?”

“…….”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the officials only bowed their heads while prostrate on the floor.

* * *

As the empire cruised along on a stable track, there was a government branch that changed its signboard.

It was Podocheong (捕盜廳).

During the Joseon Dynasty, Podocheong, which was only in charge of security in Hanseong and its surrounding areas, grew to a nationwide scale after passing through Gyeongjang. After it became an empire, it became a public security agency in charge of security throughout the empire. When Podocheong, which had grown in size, stabilized, the local government pushed for a change of its name.

“How can the only mission of the Podocheong be to catch thieves? Also, for the people to live comfortably, it is best to be alert to unrest and look out in advance. That is why the name of the Podocheong is derived from the meaning of ‘vigilant and watchful.’ Change it to ‘National Police Agency (警察廳)’.”

There was no one who complained about the direction’s decision. In this way, the Imperial Grape Office was renamed the Police Office. However, many people still preferred the words ‘pocheong’ instead of ‘police station’ and ‘pojol’ and ‘najol’ instead of ‘police officer’.

After hearing this, Hyang licked his lips and muttered.

“Tsk! Only time will tell.”

* * *

Knowing this background, Norihiro had a bad impression.

“Have we brought something from the empire again this time? Of course, the empire is a country with a lot to emulate, but isn’t it time for Japan to have something of our own?”

Unlike before, the officials continued to bow their heads in response to Norihiro’s outspoken criticism. Soon after, the prime minister, the prime minister of the empire, answered cautiously.

“I agree with what you said. However, we, Japan, are like a child and still have many shortcomings. If it is helpful to your Majesty and the well-being of the country, we must learn and master it.”

“But that’s it. This and that came from the empire. Isn’t there a lot of systems and cultural relics brought from the empire everywhere? Am I in Japan or the Empire?”

“Just as a child grows up to become an adult, time will tell. And the creation of the Metropolitan Police Department is helpful in many ways.”

“Is there any help?”

In response to Norihiro’s question, the Prime Minister explained the benefits that the Metropolitan Police Department brings.

-First, the king’s control becomes solidified.

Even when lords ruled, in places such as rural villages rather than urban areas, the village chief wielded omnipotent power. In some cases, the samurai dispatched by the lord were pushed back. Especially with regard to tax collection, even officials sent by the lord had to reach an agreement with the village chief. The reason the village chief can have such strong power is because he is in charge of security in the village.

Therefore, if the Metropolitan Police Agency is established in even small villages and is responsible for security, the power of the village chief can be taken away.

-Second, you can absorb the samurai forces that still remain.

Many samurai are still wandering around without their owners. There are quite a few who quietly retreat to their hometown or live in seclusion, but there are also those who form gangs and harass the people of the city. As the saying goes, it is best to deal with a samurai as a samurai.

The best example is the ‘foot sword’.

“Hmm…”

The Prime Minister said in a low voice when Norihiro looked dissatisfied while nodding at the Prime Minister’s lengthy explanation.

“If you give me some time….”

“I understand. Then, I will think about this problem more.”

That night, Norihiro had a private meeting with the Prime Minister.

“What is your true intention?”

The Prime Minister answered Norihiro’s question quietly.

“It’s because of the martial arts faction.”

Norihiro’s face became serious at the Prime Minister’s answer.

* * *

As the students who had gone to Seoul returned, Ouchi’s retainers were largely divided into two factions: the Munchi faction (文治派) and the Mudan faction (武斷派). While the Munchi faction, which was created mainly by international students, was made up of people from historical samurai families and those who had risen through the ranks with their own talents, the Mudan faction was made up of only people from samurai families.

However, contrary to expectations, the Munchi faction showed stronger unity than the Mudan faction. Even though they came from a long history of samurai, most of them were children, not the eldest son, so they had nothing – they were called yakkaimono (やっかいもの useless). Of course, during times of war, they were able to achieve success based on martial arts, but in peacetime, they had to worry about their future.

Even those who rose to the top with their own talents had no place to compete. The common desperation of having no future without the approval of the Ouchi family’s head brought them together. And what united them tightly was ‘the hardships they experienced in Seoul.’

As they shared their stories of hardships caused by working overtime every day in the royal court in Seoul, they became one, regardless of their origins.

“Hey! Is that too hard? When I was there!”

Of course, there were many cases where they said this and gave decorations, but still, their bond was the strongest. And the heads of the Ouchi family used this clan to control the samurai families, which were potential sources of instability.

But after the civil war, the situation got much worse. Many samurai died during the civil wars. However, during the subsequent restoration process, the power of the Mudan faction grew stronger. To be more precise, its power first became stronger as it transformed from a member of the Ouchi family into the Japanese army, and became even stronger through civil wars.

This was something that could not be helped. In the process of going through the civil war that went from the Japanese army to the Japanese army, it received a huge amount of budget support. And the size that grew based on the budget led to demands for more power and budget. The risk of a ‘tail wagging the body’ situation, which boasts history and tradition, has increased.

* * *

The Prime Minister explained in more detail.

-In order to reduce the power of the Mudan faction, which has become too large, it is divided into the military and the Metropolitan Police.

-Even if they are from the same unauthorized faction, if the organization is divided and budget problems arise, the military and the Metropolitan Police will become wary of each other.

-In particular, if the security of mines, which is the most important source of funds, is transferred from the military to the Metropolitan Police, the power of unauthorized groups can be greatly reduced.

-If the military’s domain is limited to national defense and internal security is limited to the Metropolitan Police Agency, it will become more difficult for unauthorized factions to operate.

“….In addition to the reasons already stated, there is a reason why we need to create a Metropolitan Police Department.”

“Hmm… I see. If the Metropolitan Police Agency is created, which branch of the military would be best to eliminate first?”

The Prime Minister answered Norihiro’s question right away.

“Here comes Baldodae.”

“Baldodae?”

“Yes, we are already in an era where swords have become useless on the battlefield. Therefore, the samurai sword is still scary to the people, although it is not needed in the military.”

“Right.”

“There they are, relying on a single sword and charging in front of the enemy’s guns. Their bravery, loyalty, and pride are clear. Even if they bring in the samurai who are still wandering outside, they can control them.”

“Okay. We’ll make a decision soon.”

Two days later, Norihiro gathered officials together and announced his decision.

“The creation of the Metropolitan Police Department is authorized.”

“I follow your orders!”

* * *

Norihiro, who accepted the opinions of the cultural faction and created the Metropolitan Police Department, soon established another organization.

It was the establishment of the ‘Eosadae (御史臺)’.

-The Royal Inspectorate, with the Royal Inspectorate at its peak, is an organization directly subordinate to the King.

-The mission of the National Investigation Agency is inspection, regardless of whether it is civil or official.

Just as the Mudan faction was split into two to keep each other in check, the Munchi faction was also split into two. The inspection mission of the National Investigation Agency was divided into open inspection and secret inspection. And this secret inspection became the main character of all kinds of legends and tales.

Because they were moving in secret, there were many cases where their lives were in danger. In addition, there were many problems with unrestrained secret surveillance without solid intelligence. Therefore, Norihiro hired a group of capable ninjas. The mission of these hired ninjas was to travel around the country disguised and detect abnormalities.

If an abnormality was detected, the investigation unit that received the report dispatched a secret inspector, and ninjas escorted the secret inspector. And the secret inspector who confirmed the abnormality used his/her authority on the spot to deprive the relevant official of his or her authority and detain him or report it to a superior and conduct a large-scale inspection.

In some ways, it was a secret inspection that was very dramatic, and the secret inspector and the ninja who guarded him were themselves dramatic entities. Therefore, these secret inspectors and ninjas were the ones that appeared most often in various creative works based on Japanese history.

* * *

Although the political purpose was stronger than the people’s livelihood, the newly created Metropolitan Police Agency came to exert a strong presence in Japanese society. The newly established Metropolitan Police Agency and the police officers working there brought about many changes, the most notable of which was the loss of authority of the village chief.

Even if he was a village chief who wielded omnipotent power in the village where he was the chief, he had to bow down in front of the police station, even the lowest-ranking police officer staying at the smallest police station. This was because his power was useless in front of the country’s laws and the sword swinging from the police officer’s waist. And with this, traditional Japanese village society began to collapse.

If rural villages began to collapse, much changed in cities as well. A fierce bloody battle began between a criminal organization created by former samurai and the samurai of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Dogs that lick traitor’s assholes!”

“Those who have abandoned the honor of the samurai!”

They began to fight mercilessly, each considering the other as a ‘those who abandoned the honor of the samurai’.