As Kim Jeom desperately emphasized Mukden’s importance, Hyang and the ministers took interest in the region.
“Hmm…”
“Oh…”
Reading the information obtained from interrogating prisoners, all the ministers wore expressions full of desire.
“Your Highness…”
Though Hwang Hui’s words trailed off, Hyang understood immediately.
“Since it’s located near Liaodong Fortress, this changes Liaodong’s value, doesn’t it?”
“Indeed it does.”
***
The operational plan for this battle was based on the grand strategy ‘Eastward Expansion’ developed during the Reformation period.
In the Eastward Expansion, the northern territory that Joseon would ultimately secure was the former territory of Balhae.
However, judging that Joseon’s current capabilities were insufficient to take all that territory through this battle, the operation was planned to advance only as far as Liaodong Fortress.
The objective of this operation was to occupy from the Yalu River to Liaodong Fortress and the Liaodong Peninsula, making the West Sea completely Joseon’s front yard.
However, in this process, Liaodong Fortress’s value was ranked below that of the Liaodong Peninsula.
-While occupying Liaodong Fortress would be good, if this proves too difficult, scorch it and withdraw.
This was to answer for crossing the Yalu River and attacking.
-However, the Liaodong Peninsula must be occupied.
For Joseon, the Liaodong Peninsula, which could control the West Sea, was more important than Liaodong Fortress sitting in the middle of the plains.
They had to make this choice because this war wasn’t one that Joseon had wanted to start.
It wasn’t a war started after thorough preparation at a time and place of Joseon’s choosing. Therefore, Joseon had to move cautiously.
-Since unexpected escalation could occur, maximum capability must be preserved.
However, the existence of Mukden made plan modification inevitable.
They couldn’t just leave alone a land whose minerals could arm hundreds of thousands of soldiers in just a few months.
***
Afterward, Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister kept “Mukden occupation” constantly on their lips.
And when Heo Hu returned with justification, they raised their voices even more.
“This is an opportunity! The Emperor’s words are tantamount to a declaration of war!”
“I don’t want escalation either! But rather than just ending with holding them accountable, we must not miss this opportunity to definitively make it ours!”
“The military also said Liaodong is possible!”
As Kim Jeom and the Finance Minister continued to argue for “permanent occupation of Liaodong,” Hyang began to worry quietly.
Aren’t these gentlemen becoming too similar to certain people from somewhere?
***
The certain people from somewhere Hyang thought of were the Japanese politicians and military officers who started the Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
Though they made excuses that ‘the regime itself was a military government, and the few civilian politicians cooperated with the war due to the military’s violent threats,’ most of the cabinet consisted not of military officers but politicians. And those politicians had decided on war.
No, going back further, it was also politicians who actively advocated for invading Joseon and planned and executed the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War.
“With the Imperial Army’s capabilities, it’s entirely possible!”
“Since the Imperial Army is so confident, we should support them. They have the track record too.”
“Our Empire is certainly capable now.”
“Though we’ll struggle initially, if we endure a little, we can gain several times the reward.”
The politicians and military officers of imperial Japan had become addicted to the sweet drug of ‘winner takes all,’ creating all manner of tragedy.
***
“Hmm… Looking at the current reports, military expenditure isn’t trivial – would this be possible?”
Just try mentioning ‘winner takes all.’ I’ll crush you.
To Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom immediately answered.
“As Your Highness says, military expenditure isn’t trivial. However, our current treasury reserves are more than sufficient.”
“Indeed. Gold and silver continue to be mined from the gold and silver mines in our homeland, Great Snow Island, Jongjan Peninsula, and the northeastern forest regions. As long as we’re careful about releasing massive amounts of wealth at once, the nation’s economy can be managed soundly.”
“Sound management… Are you talking about bonds?”
“Yes.”
Kim Jeom answered Hyang’s question simply.
***
In the process of preparing for this war, the quantity of supplies needed for the military increased greatly. To properly supply these, the Joseon court actively utilized private merchant groups.
This was also fortunate for the merchant groups.
Many merchant groups had been facing bankruptcy with their trade routes blocked due to war in Europe. Consequently, merchant groups actively jumped into military supply.
The Joseon court filled a considerable portion of payments to these military supply merchant groups with bonds. Rather than unconditionally replacing a fixed portion with bonds, they issued bonds for 30% to 60% of payments based on the merchant group’s size. The bonds’ maturity periods also varied from 6 months to 5 years.
This was done to prevent explosive price increases through sudden currency volume expansion by releasing cash gradually over time.
Interestingly, this idea came not from Hyang but from the Finance Ministry officials.
Reading the proposal that came up with the Finance Minister, Kim Jeom, and Hwang Hui’s endorsement, Hyang shook his head.
The scholar-officials have somehow become the vanguard of modified capitalism…
***
“Setting aside the economy, how will you handle the supply of minerals needed for war?”
“We’ll do our utmost to increase mine production as the basic approach, and then maximize recycling of captured enemy weapons. Just melting down the captured Fire Dragon Cannons will provide an enormous amount of material for shell casings.”
“Ah…”
At Kim Jeom’s answer, Hyang found himself nodding unconsciously. The Fire Dragon Cannon was that impressive a piece of equipment.
Kim Jeom continued.
“The Liaodong army’s cannons are all made of bronze, so they’re very useful. Though the quality of iron used in their ‘iron guns’ as they call them, and their swords and armor is crude compared to Joseon-made ones, they can be remelted and refined for sufficient use. Finally, we’ll collect and recycle as many shell casings abandoned on the battlefield as possible.”
At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang’s expression sharpened.
“Are you thinking of mobilizing soldiers for collection work?”
At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom instead wore a puzzled expression.
“Why would we use soldiers there when we barely have enough for the front lines? We should use the prisoners. We can’t just let 30,000 of them sit idle, can we?”
“Ah…”
At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang’s face reddened.
I was only thinking of the 21st century!
After a brief self-criticism, Hyang continued his questions.
“Will the prisoners work properly?”
To Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom answered with a sly smile.
“We’ll dangle bait.”
“Bait?”
-Group prisoners in units of five, with one as team leader. -Provide slightly less rations to prisoners. However, give team leaders a bit more than other team members. -Provide additional rations each meal based on the amount of materials collected from the battlefield. Every evening, select the top 10 teams and distribute small amounts of meat and alcohol. Of course, team leaders receive a bit more. -If performance drops, replace the team leader.
Hearing Kim Jeom’s explanation, Hyang found himself muttering.
“They’ll work desperately. Especially the team leaders.”
“Indeed.”
“Given the size of Insan Garrison and the number of prisoners, cleanup work will finish quickly. Do you have plans for utilizing the prisoners afterward?”
“We’ll put them to work in iron works and mines. Ah! We plan to pay them too. About 1/4 of what newly hired workers receive.”
“What will you do if some complain about low wages or engage in work slowdowns?”
“If they don’t want to live as slaves in Japan, Siam, or Dai Viet, they’ll have to work hard.”
Kim Jeom’s cold answer made Hyang once again realize this was the Joseon period.
The Geneva Convention and such don’t even exist in this era yet.
Having heard this much, Hyang had to make a decision.
It’s a bit close to the line but still on the safe side. No, I have to believe it’s on the safe side. Mukden’s value is too great to just refuse.
“I understand. Then, please have the military revise their operational plans accordingly. Once the revision is complete, we’ll review it and send it to General Choi Yoon-deok.”
“We receive your command!”
Thus, the operation’s modification was decided.
***
Meanwhile, war trophies obtained from Insan Garrison steadily poured into Hanseong.
“Transport them along Bell Tower Street so the capital’s people can see as much as possible.”
“We receive your command!”
Following Hyang’s orders, the Liaodong army’s armor and various weapons were loaded onto carts and paraded down Bell Tower Street.
“Wow! Look at that! Look!”
“That’s incredible!”
However, what drew the people’s greatest interest was the Fire Dragon Cannon.
Soldiers employed all sorts of methods to bring the enormously sized Fire Dragon Cannon into the city.
And the Hanseong residents who gathered to see the Fire Dragon Cannon thus brought in created a sea of people.
Next to draw the people’s attention were the captured prisoners. These prisoners were officers captured during battle. While common soldiers and junior officers were mobilized for battlefield cleanup and various other work, senior officers were bound and sent to Hanseong in prisoner transport cages.
The prisoners thus brought to Hanseong had to suffer hardships.
“You bastards!”
“How dare you invade someone else’s country!”
“Boo!”
Angry residents threw stones at the prisoners.
“Stop! They must undergo questioning, so they cannot be harmed!”
“Don’t throw stones!”
“Hey! I said stop throwing stones there!”
After such a harsh process, the prisoners headed to interrogation.
Meanwhile, other war trophies drew the attention of Hyang and the ministers.
“These are the enemy military banners we captured. However…”
The officer reporting to Hyang and the ministers fully unfurled one particularly large banner.
“Great Yan?”
“Among the captured prisoners was one who served as an enemy general’s staff officer. Upon interrogation, he said the Eastern King had declared the founding of a nation. And…”
After hearing the officer’s continued words, Hyang looked at the ministers.
“Things seem to be getting interesting.”
Taking up Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui spoke.
“By now, news of our army crossing the Yalu River must have reached Beijing. I look forward to seeing their envoy.”
At Hwang Hui’s words, all the ministers nodded.
***
Three days later, word reached Gyeongbok Palace that an envoy sent from Ming had arrived at Jemulpo.
“They have requested immediate allocation of an iron horse express to enter Hanseong.”
Receiving the report, Hyang looked at Heo Hu.
“When you went to Ming last time, was an iron horse allocated?”
“Not at all.”
Hearing Heo Hu’s answer, Hyang ordered the official.
“Tell them we couldn’t prepare since there was no advance notice. Have them take the regular service, though we will provide the convenience of reserving one passenger car for the envoy delegation.”
“We receive your command!”
As the official who received the order withdrew, Hyang ordered a court eunuch.
“Tell the Royal Clinic to prepare Woohwang Cheongsimwon. Someone is likely to collapse from anger.”
“We receive your command!”
As the eunuch who received Hyang’s order disappeared, the ministers all shuddered slightly while thinking similar thoughts.
The Crown Prince’s sharp tongue is truly venomous.
Even his caustic remarks are like father, like son…
The sharp tongue is one thing… but that tongue clicking sound… Ugh! Just thinking about it makes my neck tense!