“We must not underestimate this ‘self-production, self-consumption’ movement spreading in Ming. As you can see from the data, except for luxury goods and certain iron products where our Joseon boasts overwhelming quality, sales are gradually decreasing. Especially, consumable goods like cotton cloth that wear out quickly and need constant replenishment are showing large drops in sales.
The problem is that this movement isn’t limited to Ming – Japan and the Western Regions could show similar movements. They will insist on domestically produced goods even if quality is somewhat lower, unless it’s something where Joseon has overwhelming superiority.”
At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers’ expressions became serious. In this atmosphere, Hyang added:
“For luxury goods as well, you must keep in mind that forced sales blockades could happen at any time.”
“Even now we can’t sell enough to meet demand, though?”
To Jo Mal-saeng’s point, Heo Hu answered on Hyang’s behalf.
“They’ll block it in the name of their god. It ends when they say ‘Using items made by heretics is heresy.'”
“Surely not…”
The ministers wore skeptical expressions at Heo Hu’s words. However, his following explanation helped them understand the situation.
“Why do you all think ‘surely not’? Can’t we understand this just by looking at our own Joseon? Have you forgotten the court’s efforts since the founding? How much effort have we put into preventing people from following Buddhism or offering wealth to shamans and fortune tellers who serve strange powers and chaotic spirits? And did we succeed?”
“Ah…”
The ministers fell silent at Heo Hu’s point. Though she was now in the new territories, Queen Soheon in the Queen’s Palace and other women frequently invited Buddhist monks to hear their sermons. The same was true for women in the Crown Prince’s Palace.
“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Having only listened to the conversation between Heo Hu and the ministers, Hyang posed a question to Heo Hu.
“I seem to have briefly heard about what you just mentioned before Father went to the new territories – has it gotten worse?”
To Hyang’s question, Heo Hu slightly shook his head.
“So far, such talk is only circulating among those living in the northern part of those western lands called Europe.”
As they listened to Heo Hu’s explanation, the ministers examined the world map hanging on the Seunghwadang wall.
Looking at the map and analyzing the situation in Europe that Heo Hu mentioned, Kim Jeom asked him:
“By northern lands, do you mean the northern territories of that country calling itself the Holy Roman Empire?”
“That’s right.”
Examining the Holy Roman Empire’s territory while listening to Kim Jeom and Heo Hu’s conversation, all the ministers frowned.
“What a headache.”
“What kind of country… it’s like a patchwork quilt…”
“What good is size alone…”
The Holy Roman Empire’s size marked on the map was enormous. However, its interior was divided into tiny pieces.
Heo Hu, who had walked to the map without anyone noticing, continued his explanation.
“Thanks to this complex situation, we didn’t pay much attention when first hearing the rumors. Sales weren’t significant in those northern territories except for cities in trade alliances. But the problem is right here. France.”
Pointing at France, Heo Hu continued:
“In terms of size, it’s second only to the Holy Roman Empire in Europe. And unlike that patchwork Holy Roman Empire, the monarch’s power is quite strong. If such a country bans trade with our Joseon for the reasons mentioned earlier, it becomes a big problem. It’s certain that smaller surrounding countries will follow the great power’s example.”
“Hmm…”
Among the ministers analyzing the situation with serious faces at Heo Hu’s words, Kim Jongseo asked:
“With the situation being thus, why hasn’t the Foreign Ministry paid attention?”
To Kim Jongseo’s point, Heo Hu answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“Until Minister Kim Jeom mentioned it just now, we dismissed it as a simple religious issue.”
At these words, the ministers all nodded and stopped further criticism. The Foreign Ministry’s judgment was somewhat reasonable. It was a matter of Western religion, and while it could be connected to politics, it wasn’t easy to extend the thinking to governance aspects.
Meanwhile, Hyang, sitting at the head seat listening to the ministers’ conversation, nodded slightly.
So it was an issue of information quantity after all?
The Joseon officials he saw were far from stupid. Especially when engaging in debates based on Neo-Confucianism, their performance was admirable.
These well-trained individuals evolved as they learned to absorb and digest the enormous amount of information through the Great Reform.
And these evolved individuals often made analyses and judgments so sharp that even Hyang was taken aback.
And at the pinnacle of such individuals was, of course, the ‘non-standard’ Sejong.
But there is a problem.
The problem Hyang considered was ‘runaway.’ Being accustomed to contemplating and discussing ‘metaphysics,’ they occasionally showed a tendency to get too far ahead.
Just like now.
“Foreign Minister. May I ask one question?”
“Yes, I will answer to the best of my ability.”
“Did this religious movement you’re concerned about originate from the Papal States?”
“No. It’s mainly circulating in the northern regions of the Holy Roman Empire.”
“Are the Western monks in that region friendly with the Papal States?”
“No. They’re quite hostile.”
“What are the reactions from other regions, including France?”
“We’re not sure about that yet. There are considerable limitations in obtaining information. Even what I’ve just told you is based on rumors flowing from Alexandria and Portuguese merchant groups.”
At Heo Hu’s answer, Hyang pointed out the problem.
“That’s the issue. Most of our information about the Western Regions is rumor. Rumors by nature tend to exaggerate. Therefore, while we should remain vigilant, I think it’s best to avoid premature judgments.”
At Hyang’s point, Heo Hu bowed his head.
“I will engrave it in my bones and heart.”
With Heo Hu’s response, Hyang summarized the situation.
“Well! We seem to have gone quite off track, so let’s return to the beginning. While Ming’s ‘self-production, self-consumption’ movement is problematic, there was another issue, right?”
To Hyang’s words, Kim Jongseo stepped forward to answer.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s Minister Kim’s words that ‘our Joseon’s target is Ming.'”
To Kim Jongseo’s statement, Kim Jeom stepped forward to respond.
“Surely you didn’t think we would actually target Ming?”
To Kim Jeom’s question, Kim Jongseo immediately denied it.
“Of course not, everyone knows that actually targeting Ming would be losing the big picture for small gains. But saying Ming is our target is worrying.”
Other ministers nodded at Kim Jongseo’s answer. Among them was an unexpected figure – Jo Mal-saeng, the Minister of Defense.
When other ministers showed surprised expressions, Jo Mal-saeng immediately responded.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“No, it’s just surprising to see you react that way…”
“The military conducts not only map exercises but all sorts of research against neighboring countries including Ming every day. If you were to pick those who most keenly feel the gap with Ming, it would be our military. The problem is that this isn’t something to be proud of…”
“Are you confident about defense?”
To Hwang Hui’s question, Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.
“We are confident about defense!”
At Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Hwang Hui nodded and looked at Kim Jeom.
“That’s good enough. Minister Kim.”
“Yes. Ahem!”
Clearing his throat with a cough, Kim Jeom continued:
“What our Joseon targets is not Ming’s territory or people, but their governance capability.”
“Governance capability?”
“Let’s assume a situation where every country in the world bans trade with other countries and enters isolation. In such a situation, only Ming could continue developing steadily with just their own capabilities.”
To Kim Jeom’s words, Yi Sa-cheol, the Minister of Education, posed a question.
“Couldn’t our Joseon also achieve self-sufficiency? Even in the worst case? If all citizens farm and weave at home, what’s to worry about in isolation?”
Instantly, everyone except Yi Sa-cheol, starting with Hyang, clicked their tongues in unison.
“Tsk!”
Flustered by the surrounding reaction, Yi Sa-cheol hurriedly added:
“The worst case, the worst case! I too understand that not just scholars and farmers but craftsmen and merchants are also important! I too am a minister of this country! I know that much!”
Despite Yi Sa-cheol’s protest, other ministers slightly shook their heads and turned away their gazes. Kim Jeom, who had been glaring at Yi Sa-cheol as if he would devour him, glared one final time before continuing his explanation.
“The two main reasons Ming could grow by itself even if all countries entered isolation are: first, their incomparably vast territory, and second, their similarly incomparable population. Do you know Ming’s current population?”
To Kim Jeom’s question, Heo Hu immediately answered.
“I heard they exceeded 70 million three years ago.”
Kim Jeom nodded at Heo Hu’s words.
“That’s right. And they expect it won’t even take 10 years to reach 80 million.”
“80 million…”
“It’s not like chickens breeding…”
“We’ve barely exceeded 15 million despite all our efforts…”
The ministers shook their heads at these astronomical numbers. Watching them, Kim Jeom continued:
“The current emperor plays the biggest role in making this possible. Unlike his grandfather the Yongle Emperor, the current emperor never conducts large-scale expeditions.”
This was exactly as Kim Jeom said. The current Ming Emperor, the Xuande Emperor, never conducted external conquests.
“Looking at the conquests during Yongle’s time, each expedition mobilized a million men. And this happened five times. Now, let’s think about it. Most men selected as soldiers are young men in their prime. But since there were no expeditions, hundreds of thousands of young men started families and had children, leading to such population growth.”
At Kim Jeom’s explanation, Kim Jongseo unconsciously muttered.
“They say a millet seed rolling a hundred times can’t catch up to one roll of a pumpkin…”
The ministers all nodded at Kim Jongseo’s words. Watching their reactions, Kim Jeom continued:
“It’s not just because the current emperor avoided expeditions that these results came about. When necessary, he’s someone who doesn’t hesitate to adopt Joseon’s systems and technology. That’s why we’re focusing all our efforts on digesting the new territories now.”
Walking to the world map on the wall, Kim Jeom swept his hand across the space between Joseon and the new territories as he continued:
“This long sea route between our Joseon mainland and new territories! If we properly utilize this long route and properly construct railways within the new territories, those who make their living moving people and goods can continue to grow! And with the vast land of the new territories, we can solve food self-sufficiency problems! With resources like iron, copper, and coal that keep being discovered, industry can grow steadily! Above all, if we pacify those living in the new territories as our people, we can increase population even faster!”
Having said that much, Kim Jeom fell silent. However, none of the ministers readily opened their mouths. They were too busy reviewing and analyzing the information they had just heard.