“It must not be done!”
Before Hyang could continue, a violent objection burst forth.
The outburst was so harsh that Hyang and the ministers all focused their attention on the shouter.
The one who strongly objected was Lee Sachul.
“I, Education Minister Lee Sachul, risk my life to tell Your Majesty! We absolutely must not accept their intentions!”
At Lee Sachul’s passionate cry, Hyang’s expression showed interest as he posed a question.
“Must not be done? Let’s hear the reasons.”
At Hyang’s question, Lee Sachul answered in a grave voice.
“Your Majesty, the Japanese are by nature like beasts. No, they’re worse than beasts. Where beasts might cause one harm, the Japanese add cunning minds to cause ten, no, a hundred times the damage. If such people produce Eulshik rifles, where will those gun barrels point? At first they’ll devour each other, but ultimately they’ll surely turn toward our empire! Therefore, we absolutely must not grant them the license they speak of!”
At Lee Sachul’s words, Hyang looked around. Not a few ministers wore expressions agreeing with Lee Sachul.
Seeing this, Hyang asked Hwang Hui.
“What does the Prime Minister think?”
Receiving the question, Hwang Hui became extremely tense. This was because Hyang’s manner of speech had suddenly changed.
Considering how these father and son have handled things before, both unconditional opposition and unconditional support could be traps!
Finally, Hwang Hui could only offer an ambiguous response.
“While not everything the Education Minister says is correct, I believe his points are worth considering, especially given the damage the Japanese pirates have caused throughout history.”
“Hmm…”
Nodding slightly at Hwang Hui’s words, Hyang turned his attention back to Lee Sachul.
“Let me ask the Education Minister something. When studying the classics, there are two types of students: one who simply memorizes what the teacher tells them, and another who contemplates to find answers themselves and learns right from wrong[1] through the teacher. Between these two, who do you think will achieve deeper learning?”
“The latter, Your Majesty.”
“Then do you think the Japanese won’t examine and study the Eulshik rifles if we give them to them?”
“…”
“They’ve already taken many Ming craftsmen during the recent war. Did you not consider that they might use those craftsmen to study the previous-generation rifles we gave them and Ming’s rifles? And have you not considered that those who gain knowledge and skills through such investigation might be even more formidable?”
“…”
Under Hyang’s continued sharp questioning, Lee Sachul’s head gradually lowered.
“Of course, everyone knows the Japanese nature is cunning, faithless, and violent. But does that mean we should turn even those who have agreed to friendly relations with us into enemies? When reducing the number of enemies by even one brings benefit, why do you seek to increase them? Is this your idea of loyalty (忠, chung)?”
At Hyang’s final question, Lee Sachul prostrated himself and cried out.
“No, Your Majesty! It’s just that they have only learned letters without studying the virtue of the sages…”
“Are you unaware that many Japanese sent by the Ouchi clan have already learned from us and returned? And can you not guess where this current scheme originated?”
“…”
Lee Sachul’s mouth closed firmly again, and Hyang looked down at him with an expression of exasperation.
After a moment, Hyang turned to address the ministers.
“As the Education Minister says, everyone knows the Japanese nature is fierce and cunning. But are the Japanese alone in their cunning? It is human nature to scheme for one’s own benefit. No matter how cleverly we try to hide the mechanisms of the rifles we provide, anyone with sense would take them apart to study their workings. I would do the same. The Ouchi clan’s request is similar. Did this request come without reason? They’ve already taken apart the rifles we gave them and realized the difficulties of production, hence this request. Therefore, our correct response is to use this. Refusing, as the Education Minister suggests, would only be a foolish strategy[2] that increases our enemies.”
When Hyang finished speaking, all the ministers bowed their heads and responded.
“Your Majesty’s words are truly proper!”
“Indeed they are!”
Even while bowing, the ministers shot glares at Lee Sachul, cursing him with their eyes.
“Then what shackles does Your Majesty have in mind?”
At Hwang Hui’s question, Hyang answered simply.
“The first shackle is that we will absolutely control the production and supply of cartridge cases for Eulshik hwacha ammunition. Second, if they want to use first-generation paper cartridges for Eulshik rifles, we will supply the base plates containing the fulminate. Third, the Ouchi clan must stamp their crest on the barrels of all Eulshik rifles and hwacha they produce. If any weapons without this crest are discovered, the Ouchi clan will be held strictly accountable. Finally, all steel materials needed for producing Eulshik rifles and hwacha will be supplied by our empire.”
“Hmm…”
The ministers all nodded at Hyang’s proposed ‘shackles.’ The first condition regarding fulminate was an essential restraint. Starting with Ming, various countries were trying to discover the formula for fulminate, but they were still completely in the dark. In other words, until other countries could produce fulminate, imperial forces would maintain definite superiority.
Of course, fulminate alone wouldn’t completely reverse all situations. Without powerful smokeless powder represented by nitroglycerin and Deokgap-style powder, the imperial forces would certainly remain at least half a step ahead.
While positive reactions continued, Minister of Justice Hwangbo In pointed out an issue.
“It seems the Ouchi clan may not easily accept the third shackle. They might view it as interference in their internal affairs.”
In response to Hwangbo In’s point, Hwang Hui stepped in for Hyang.
“No, the Ouchi clan will gladly accept it. Remember what they said when pushing their strange word ‘license’? Didn’t they say it was to subdue those who won’t obey them? The crest requirement will actually provide them excellent justification. If they oppose it? Then that would mean their Shogun is a fool.”
“Ah…”
Hwangbo In immediately fell silent in agreement. Then Kim Jeom posed a question.
“Will you supply the same steel materials used in our current Eulshik rifles and hwacha to the Ouchi clan?”
Hyang answered Kim Jeom’s question with a voice full of regret.
“I’d like to give them one grade lower, but the performance difference would be too obvious, making it worse than not giving any at all, so we’ll provide the same grade. Of course, considering our empire’s current situation, we’re already using even better materials…”
As Hyang said, the empire continued unceasing research into steel materials. As a result, imperial steel-making technology kept advancing, and more diverse types of steel were entering the market. Consequently, the empire’s powder weapons were becoming lighter, stronger, and more lethal.
***
In the end, they decided to follow Hyang’s thoughts regarding the Ouchi clan’s request.
“Hmm… Speaking of which, Education Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please instruct me.”
Lee Sachul responded tensely to Hyang’s call, still affected by the recent exchange.
Looking down at the extremely tense Lee Sachul, Hyang continued.
“The Education Ministry handles the education and practical training of those sent by the Ouchi clan, correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If the Ouchi clan secures hegemony this time, raise the qualification standards for those they send. If civilian academic level was sufficient before, raise it to middle academy level. In exchange, expand the scope of practical training from clerk level to senior official level.”
“What?”
Lee Sachul stared at Hyang with surprised eyes. Barely restraining his urge to object immediately, he carefully chose his words before asking Hyang.
“This humble servant is too dull to immediately grasp Your Majesty’s sacred intention. Please explain in more detail.”
“Tsk!”
As soon as Lee Sachul finished speaking, Hyang clicked his tongue, making Lee Sachul and the surrounding ministers flinch.
Finally it came!
Ah! This guy really needs to drink a bowl of intelligence tonic!
Though I don’t understand it either.
After clicking his tongue, Hyang explained in more detail.
“At civilian academic level, they merely rush to know the words of ancient sages, but at middle academy level, wouldn’t they at least contemplate what those words mean?”
“That is so, Your Majesty.”
“That’s why I say raise the level. If done well, we can spread potent poison in Japan.”
Hyang’s explanation was this:
- The Ouchi clan’s current goal is centralization like our empire.
- If those coming from Japan to learn practical affairs reach middle management level, they can achieve even higher completion than now.
- In this process, those who study here and return will become the core of power, and many will try to emulate them by studying and discussing the classics.
“In this process, we can aim for two things.”
- First, we can change the Japanese nature that emphasizes military force.
- Second, Japan will fall into chaos again due to the bakufu’s inherent contradictions.
Hwang Hui immediately questioned Hyang’s words.
“Contradictions, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Though Ming and we call the bakufu’s shogun the King of Japan, he’s not the true king, is he?”
At Hyang’s point, Heo Hu immediately responded.
“Indeed, Japan has the Emperor.”
Nodding at Heo Hu’s response, Hyang continued.
“That’s right. Though we call him King of Japan, strictly speaking, the bakufu’s shogun is a subject who serves and receives orders from the Emperor. According to records left by envoys who traveled to Japan, the court nobles serving the Emperor compared the bakufu’s shogun to Cao Cao, the Martial Emperor of Wei, or Emperor Gaozu of Tang.”
Suddenly stopping there, Hyang clicked his tongue again.
“Tsk! One can imagine what they might have said when our envoys weren’t present!”
As soon as Hyang finished speaking, the ministers’ faces hardened.
The common point between Cao Cao and Li Yuan was that they both manipulated power while maintaining puppet emperors. And this could be connected to King Taejo Yi Seong-gye as well.
Thus, all ministers’ faces in the throne hall hardened.
“These damn bastards need to be beaten right now…”
Unable to contain his anger, Hwang Hui unconsciously spat out a curse. Seeing Hwang Hui’s reaction, Hyang smiled slightly and continued.
“Heh! Since this is speculation, let’s not jump to conclusions. Anyway, because of this fundamental contradiction, we must make the Japanese learning deeper. Then Japan will naturally fall into internal strife. It’s the question of loyalty to whom. From top to bottom, founding versus restoration of power. If done properly, we can fragment Japan without dirtying our hands.”
The ministers could almost see what would happen after hearing Hyang’s explanation.
If Ouchi achieved solid centralization and gained popular support, Confucian officials would likely advocate for “dynastic revolution.” This would certainly clash with those supporting the Emperor’s preservation. Alternatively, after Neo-Confucianism became fully established, some might view Ouchi’s rule as a “hegemon’s usurpation” and advocate for imperial restoration. Either way, Japan would clearly fall into chaos.
Thinking this far, Hwang Hui glanced at Kim Jong-seo. Kim Jong-seo looked back at Hwang Hui with sparkling eyes.
“If we do this right…”