One day after Chuseok…
Alone in his private chambers at Gangnyeongjeon, Hyang drummed his fingers on his writing desk, deep in thought.
“Hmm… While Seong Sam-mun can keep Jinpyeong somewhat in check, I’m still uneasy.”
Even after attaching Seong Sam-mun to Jinpyeong, Hyang couldn’t shake his anxiety.
“No… Jinpyeong isn’t the only problem. In a way, the northern territory itself is perfect for causing trouble.”
Hyang concluded with a long sigh.
“Huu… It’s like a chicken rib – too valuable to throw away, too troublesome to keep.”
***
As Hyang said, the northern territory was indeed like a chicken rib.
While not ideal for farming, the vast plains held considerable potential.
With crops like sorghum, including the new New Frontier sorghum – corn – currently being developed through breeding, or existing sorghum and soybeans, the region could potentially become self-sufficient.
Additionally, the expansive plains offered promising market potential for livestock farming, including horses and sheep.
But the most crucial aspect was the mines located in the northern territory.
The mines near Mukden, adjacent to Liaodong Castle, were already producing massive quantities of iron, copper, and coal. Unlike the mines in Gangwon-do or Hamgil-do that required deep underground excavation, these were practically surface mines.
What concerned Hyang was the rebellious nature of the northern region’s inhabitants.
Not just the remaining Ming citizens and sinicized Jianzhou Jurchens, but most Wild Jurchens and many Maritime Jurchens were also defiant.
If someone emerged who could unite the horse-riding Jurchens, it could become a serious headache.
While immediate suppression by imperial cavalry would work for now, in the long term, the drawbacks outweighed the benefits.
The continuous military expenditure was an immediate concern, and an overly concentrated military force in the north could transform into another political faction.
“The best example is the Kwantung Army. No, the entire Japanese military really. The Japanese military that wouldn’t listen to the cabinet… and the Kwantung Army that wouldn’t even listen to the Imperial General Headquarters commanding that military…”
The best solution would be implementing large-scale population relocation policies to assimilate them into the empire.
“It’s been a while since I thought of Professor Samcheonpo’s words…”
-Why do you think King Gwanggaeto attacked the south once for every time he attacked the north? It wasn’t land he needed, but people! The people in this Manchurian region were so rough, they needed to be pacified! He needed people who could communicate somewhat well, even if their dialect was different!
However, this brought up another concern for Hyang.
-The empire doesn’t have enough people!
This year, the mainland population finally surpassed 13 million. However, over 40% were still minors.
Considering the workforce needed for growing industry and commerce, plus those relocating to New Frontier, implementing full-scale population relocation to the north would be very difficult.
“Right now, telling people to go north instead of New Frontier would be like telling them to starve to death… Ah, wait? Why was Thanksgiving created again?”
Of course, the current situation was completely different from the English Puritans who arrived on the Mayflower.
According to records, none of the Puritans who sailed to America on the Mayflower had any background in farming or fishing.
But the empire’s current relocation policy would target those who made their living through agriculture and fishing. Moreover, they would receive comprehensive state support.
Once agriculture and fishing were established, and industry symbolized by Zone 52 took root, commerce would follow.
Commerce would begin with government-operated stores, then expand fully once the railways connecting the bridgehead and the Great Lakes Group – the Five Great Lakes – were complete.
Hyang continued his thoughts.
“We could use the cooperative Japanese from Tsushima who were pushed into Hamgil-do and the obedient remaining Ming citizens, but these folks will just create Chinatowns and Japantowns and dig in… Of course, there’s ‘no problem if they just pay what they should and do what they’re told,’ but the issue is that very few have positive feelings toward the empire. An ‘Anti-Empire Alliance’ is absolutely not welcome.”
After this analysis, Hyang sighed again.
“The Japanese Empire’s ‘Military Police Rule’ and ‘Cultural Rule’ in Korea might be the easiest method, but that’s psychologically completely unacceptable…”
Reaching this point in his thoughts, Hyang broke into a smile.
“Hah! In the end, we come full circle to ‘Long live capitalism’… Government stores become the cure-all.”
***
Feeling deflated that after trying to think of innovative solutions, he ended up back at government stores, Hyang’s expression turned serious again.
“Even if we pacify them that way, we still need to worry about those who might harbor other intentions in the north. Unlike New Frontier, there’s no physical barrier… We need some way to secretly monitor…”
As he muttered this, Hyang suddenly froze, then lightly smacked his forehead.
“What a fool!”
***
The next day, as soon as the court session began, Hyang presented a new agenda.
“Please develop and submit plans for constructing comprehensive entertainment venues in the northern territory.”
Kim Jeom asked with a bewildered expression.
“Entertainment venues, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
At Hyang’s command, the ministers fell silent in thought.
At a time like this? Why?
Why so suddenly?
While everyone was full of questions, Kim Jongseo spoke first.
“Is this to alleviate the discontent of those residing in the north, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed. The Jurchens don’t have much in the way of entertainment, do they?”
Kim Jongseo nodded at Hyang’s response.
“That’s certainly true, Your Majesty. When I worked in the northeast region before, they had little beyond polo and hunting. Otherwise, they just spent their days drunk. If we properly connect entertainment venues, government stores, markets, and railways, it would greatly help stabilize the north.”
At Kim Jongseo’s explanation, drawn from his experience working in the north with Hwang Hui, the other ministers nodded in understanding.
Following Kim Jongseo’s explanation, Hwang Hui added.
“That’s absolutely right. Government stores played a major role in the northeast region before. And while they weren’t comprehensive entertainment venues, the Jurchens were most enthusiastic about polo, wrestling, and performances by traveling entertainers.”
After Hwang Hui, Hwangbo In elaborated further.
“By carefully observing the people gathering at entertainment venues, we can more easily and quickly gauge public sentiment. This would hold true in the north as well.”
“Since everyone seems to agree, please establish and submit plans to proceed with this.”
“We receive your command!”
***
The next night, the commander of the Imperial Guards summoned the senior officers of the secret division.
“His Majesty has issued a special command.”
At the commander’s words, all the officers tensed up.
There haven’t been any special commands lately?
The only special commands were about finding potential marriage partners!
Looking at his expression, this definitely isn’t something easy!
“You’ve been having it easy lately?”
“Not at all!”
“This time it’s absolutely not an easy task.”
At the commander’s heavy tone, the officers swallowed hard as they waited for his next words.
“His Majesty has commanded that the secret division’s ears must be present in the north as well. So, let’s work out plans accordingly.”
“Yes, sir!”
The officers responded loudly to the commander’s order.
***
Five days later, another meeting was held at the secret division’s safe house with the commander and officers.
Present were the division commanders – in other words, the leaders of the sword societies affiliated with the secret division across the country – and their staff officers.
The staff officers took the lead in the meeting.
“Before executing His Majesty’s command, there’s something we need to clarify.”
“What is it?”
One of the staff officers answered the commander’s question.
“Are our surveillance targets in the north limited to the dispatched officials? Or do they include the local power brokers as well? We need to know this before we can proceed.”
“Additionally, there’s the matter of funding. Opening entertainment houses isn’t something that can be done with just a few coins.”
“Hmm…”
As the commander showed a troubled expression at the staff officers’ points, their expressions also grew concerned.
I knew this would happen!
Did they think we could just set it up that easily?
While everyone in the meeting wore troubled expressions, Hyang’s voice came from behind a folding screen at the back of the room.
“I’ll address those points.”
As Hyang revealed himself with these words, all the secret division members immediately prostrated themselves and called out.
“We serve the empire from the shadows!”
“You’ve worked hard. The empire remains secure because of your efforts in unseen places, and I won’t forget your service.”
“It is our glory!”
They say scholars give their lives for those who recognize their worth! Though we may be rough swordsmen, we’ll give our lives since His Majesty acknowledges us!
We’ll die in the north if that’s what he commands!
The secret division members burned with even greater loyalty at Hyang’s praise.
***
With Hyang’s participation, the meeting’s atmosphere grew more serious.
“Earlier, you raised the issue of funding. The imperial household will provide separate funding. As for surveillance targets, you’ll primarily monitor officials dispatched to the north, military commanders, and local influential figures connected to them. Once the entertainment venues are established, you’ll also need to monitor the local residents’ reactions through them. While the entertainment bureau officials will also gauge public sentiment, don’t people tend to watch their words in front of officials in uniform?”
The secret division officers and staff nodded at Hyang’s words.
It was common for people to suddenly become careful with their words when they saw uniformed officials or police officers, even if they had been loose-tongued from the jovial atmosphere and alcohol at entertainment venues.
However, they showed no such restraint before secret division members who appeared to be protecting the entertainers, and the division members collected and reported everything to track public sentiment.
One of the staff officers stood up to speak after hearing Hyang’s response.
“Should we recruit courtesans locally, Your Majesty?”
“What method would you suggest?”
After brief consideration, the staff officer presented his opinion.
“We shouldn’t accept local women as courtesans for at least ten years. In fact, unless they show exceptional talent, we shouldn’t accept them at all.”
Hyang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at the officer’s statement.
“Why?”
“Because of foot binding. Chinese people traditionally bind women’s feet, which makes it impossible to teach them dance. The foundation of being a courtesan is undoubtedly song and dance. Without these skills, they’re nothing more than common prostitutes. This means high-ranking individuals won’t visit.”
“I see…”
Hyang nodded at the officer’s explanation.
While first-rank courtesans who exclusively performed songs and dance before the king, and second and third-rank courtesans unofficially engaged in prostitution, they still needed basic skills in song and dance. Even wandering prostitutes needed to be able to carry a tune.
Seeing Hyang’s positive response, the staff officer spoke with more confidence.
“Since Your Majesty elevated the status of courtesans and entertainers to free citizens, public perception has improved significantly. However, if northern courtesans are treated as common prostitutes, this could lead to courtesans and entertainers in other regions being treated the same way.”