Episode 427: What was expected, what was unexpected. (4)
From the early Joseon Dynasty, Sadae was the basic foreign policy.
However, in the early days, Sadae was not an unconditional surrender. To put it simply, the relationship was built on a level of ups and downs, as it was difficult for both countries to be close to powerful countries.
Therefore, when the Ming Dynasty put pressure on Joseon by advocating the theory of conquering Japan and conquering the North, Ha Ryun and other high officials even ca up with radical opinions to unite with the Japanese and attack the Ming Dynasty. However, this ended with Taejong refusing. (Note 1)
To give an easy example, the following situation occurred.
“These bastards of the famous Mundi…. How are they trying to bring sha to our Joseon! Thank you so much! Why join hands with these guys! “Those guys from the Ming Dynasty are making a fuss!”
“Is this old man crazy?”
The reason why Taejong, Ha Ryun, and others engaged in this war of words was because of the situation in Joseon at the ti and the Ming’s intentions.
At that ti, Joseon had not yet been properly established. Although the need to subdue the Japanese was recognized, both the national power and the military system were not fully developed to wage an all-out war against the Japanese, as the Ming demanded.
As for the issue of the Jurchen people, it was certain that if Ming used force against the Jurchen people, the Jurchen people would attack Joseon.
In other words, according to Ming’s opinion, it was certain that all the appeasent asures that Joseon had pursued so far would co to naught and the Japanese and Jurchen would point their swords at Joseon.
* * *
In this way, the relationship between the nobility in the early Joseon Dynasty was not one in which Ming had absolute superiority.
In addition, as Joseon’s capabilities gradually grew through Gyeongjang, the consciousness of the four major leaders in Joseon beca more and more blurred.
Especially the areas east of the Duman River, as well as Daeseoldo and Jongjangdo. And as the eastern archipelagoes were gradually discovered and the wealth of Jurchen tribes and natives increased, such words began to appear among the ruling class of Joseon.
“Shit! Do we have no money or no land? There are just not enough people! Look at all the people! number of people? “The Sangkuk is a ss!”
In this social atmosphere, ministers who saw the childcare leave system implented by King Sejong for governnt servants began to study ways to expand it to all classes rather than limiting it to governnt servants.
“More than anything, we need to increase the population!”
“If we want to steadily increase the population, children must not die!”
“As the population grows, the market also grows! “You don’t have to just focus on nas!”
“If we do it right, we can create new industries and increase jobs!”
In order to increase Joseon’s population, ministers began to study and implent various policies.
Thanks to this, primitive welfare systems were created and began to be operated.
This change almost caused the scent to beco confused.
“This is the 15th century, right? “Are those noblen noblen?”
Hyang, who was observing the situation while watching the ministers change, muttered softly.
“As expected, the taste of money in capitalism….”
However, although this was a taste of money, there was also the influence of Confucian ideology. Confucius’s theory was that it was a monarch’s virtue to support the people in working in peace.
What early Confucian scholars dread of. It was the second coming of the Yao and Shun era.
“What use are the king’s powers to ?”
The ideal of Confucian scholars was to recreate the Yao and Shun era, a ti of peace and prosperity to the point where a re farr could sing a high-quality song.
* * *
Because of this situation, Lee Maeng-gyun beca a master of acting.
In front of Emperor Seondeok, he seed embarrassed and unable to co to his senses even if his voice was slightly raised, but as soon as he left the scene, he moved his subordinates with a calm face.
A report was created that integrated and analyzed all the information and rumors that ca in through Beijing officials and large rchants who had quietly connected the line.
And when I left Beijing and boarded the ship returning to Joseon, it beca my new habit to scrape out phlegm with all my might.
* * *
As Lee Maeng-gyun was returning to Joseon, spitting, Emperor Seondeok was conducting a eting with eyes full of anticipation.
“Yes, the five days you wanted have passed. “Have you found an alternative?”
“I have found what I think is the best alternative.”
“okay? Sothing?”
In response to Emperor Seondeok’s slightly excited question, Gunbo took out a thick scroll and held it up politely.
“Bring it with you.”
“yes.”
At Emperor Seondeok’s command, the eunuch placed the scroll on a silver platter and presented it to Emperor Seondeok.
“Hmm…”
Emperor Seondeok, holding the scroll on the tray in his hand, looked at the title on the scroll.
“It’s ‘A policy on the developnt of imperial land transportation.’”
Emperor Seondeok untied the scroll and began to quietly read the contents inside.
After reading the contents of the scroll several tis over a period of ti, Emperor Seondeok raised his head and looked at the Cabinet Secretary.
“I’m sure Subo has read this too, right?”
“That is so, Your Majesty.”
“Does that an that Subo also agrees with this proposal?”
To Emperor Seondeok’s question, the cabinet secretary answered with a trembling voice.
“I think it is the most optimal alternative.”
‘The current situation can be dangerous no matter what answer you give! Anyway, it’s a preference! ‘I’m riding the back of a tiger, so I’ll go all the way!’
“Hmm…”
Emperor Seondeok, who had an ambiguous expression on the assistant cabinet secretary’s answer, turned to the others.
“Have you read the auspicious books?”
“I haven’t read it yet.”
“Then read it. “It’s a pretty good offer.”
The ministers who received the scroll from the eunuch took turns reading the contents. Emperor Seondeok glanced at the faces of the ministers showing various emotions and then turned to the assistant cabinet secretary.
“Maintaining confidentiality was a very good choice. The more people who ddle in this or that, the more things beco inconclusive. “It’s truly a reward.”
The Minister of Cabinet’s face brightened and responded to Emperor Seondeok’s praise.
“How can it be God’s credit? Everything is thanks to Your Majesty. “Long live, long live, long live!”
“And gunbo… what is your na?”
“It’s called Sosin Yeonghogwan.”
“From now on, work as assistant manager.”
When Emperor Seondeok gave the ride, Yeonghogwan imdiately bowed deeply.
“Hwang Eun is devastated! hurray! hurray! Long live!”
As Yeonghogwan got on board, the monks who were reading the scroll muttered to themselves.
‘It seems like His Majesty has made up his mind.’
‘I guess I shouldn’t object.’
‘Then what do I do by reading this scroll?’
Emperor Seondeok asked the monks whether they knew that they were thinking such things.
“Have you read everything?”
“Not yet…”
“Tsk!”
Emperor Seondeok clicked his tongue and muttered with a look on his face that he didn’t like it at all.
“It is said that Joseon’s subjects read and discuss all docunts, no matter how large they are, in just one cup of tea (about 20 minutes)… Tsk!”
When Emperor Seondeok clicked his tongue again, the ministers imdiately bowed down and bowed their heads.
“The powers of the gods are so weak that I have troubled Your Majesty! Please have rcy!”
“Please have rcy!”
The subjects, tired of Emperor Xuande’s reign of terror, automatically and reflexively begged for rcy.
“Everyone stand up. “Let’s try harder in the future.”
“I follow your orders!”
“I will keep this in mind!”
After listening to the answers of the ministers, Emperor Seondeok ordered Yeonghogwan.
“Chavo, please co forward and explain orally.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Yeonghogwan, who ca forward, spoke lightly to the ministers and imdiately opened his mouth.
“The alternative I ca up with is to use the top.”
Yeonghogwan’s explanation was as follows.
-Considering its use, it can only be effective if railroads are laid throughout the empire and iron horses are run.
-But this will be a huge amount of airspace. If done incorrectly, it can place an excessive burden on the people and cause discord in public sentint.
– It could be dangerous for the country to step forward and do this on its own. Therefore, construction is carried out by erecting an upper part in the middle. The empire only supervises the construction status of this upper chamber.
-In this way, if sothing goes wrong, it will be the fault of the relevant top, not the fault of the country. All the empire needs to do is punish the problematic rchant and replace it with a new superior.
“… Simply put, it ans using the number of E-I-J. And through this top, we save the iron horse.”
Officer Yeongho continued to explain this point in more detail.
-First of all, His Majesty gathers all the upper chambers of the empire and gives the following orders.
‘We need a way to make it more comfortable for the people of the empire. I will leave the task to the top who will co up with a good answer.’
-Then, one of the companies cos up with the answer of railroads and iron horses, and the governnt signs a contract with that company as the main contractor.
-The rchant, who has beco the main contractor, selects a subcontractor to carry out the construction and at the sa ti signs a contract for iron horses and railroads with Joseon.
“… This way, it is not a tribute because it is not a demand of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire. “The entire process thereafter will be a comrcial transaction, not a tribute or return.”
The ministers all nodded at Yeonghogwan’s explanation. According to Yeonghogwan’s explanation, it was a transaction between the upper class and Joseon. If we do this, not only will the Emperor Seondeok and the pride of the empire not be stained, but we will also be able to prevent unnecessary spending.
“Hmm…”
“I guess…”
When the ministers who heard the explanation were nodding their heads with an expression of okay, Hobusangseo pointed out the problem.
“Considering the price of the iron horse, wouldn’t Joseon be suspicious of the financial ability of the rchant and reject it?”
“Right!”
The ministers nodded again at Ho Bu Sang-seo’s point and looked at Yeong Ho-gwan.
Yeongho-gwan imdiately responded to Hobusangseo’s point.
“For that part, our court can provide a written promise to guarantee paynt.”
“It’s a paynt guarantee….”
“If Joseon goes in with the question of the authenticity of the docunt, His Majesty can send an envoy.”
After hearing Yeonghogwan’s answer, Hobusangseo looked at Emperor Seondeok.
“I think it is a good way to reduce unnecessary financial expenditure without damaging the reputation of His Majesty and the Empire.”
“is it? “What do you think of Yebusangseo?”
“The top has chosen the best way for the empire, and the top has stepped forward to contact Joseon… so there will be no blemish on your majesty and the honor of the empire. “I think it’s the optimal move.”
“What is the opinion of the Yebu Gaksa-nang-jung?”
Emperor Seondeok singled out Sopyeongsul among the royal family mbers who started the incident. To Emperor Seondeok’s criticism, Sopyeongsul imdiately responded by bowing his head.
“Since it is a top-level choice and top-level transaction, Your Majesty’s reputation will not be tarnished. “I think it’s the best move.”
When the Yebu did not object, Emperor Seondeok made a decision right away.
“Then let’s take this plan, but let the joint venture be the main contractor.”
“Your Majesty, there are Koreans at the top of the joint.”
The assistant cabinet minister opposed it, but Emperor Seondeok instead asked back.
“But should I choose the one who thinks about filling my stomach first?”
Through the continued corruption incidents that had taken place, Emperor Seondeok was extrely distrustful of his country’s rchants.
However, it was absolutely impossible to select a joint venture as the main contractor. There were many Koreans at the top of the joint venture, and it was only a matter of ti before Joseon learned about them.
In the end, the Cabinet Secretary had to risk his neck once again.
“Your Majesty, I know very well what you are considering, but it is not possible to make a ligature top. I think it would be better to make a ligature top instead.”
“The top of the fish? “A letter of good fortune?”
Hobusangseo imdiately answered Emperor Seondeok’s question.
“I also think that’s the best.”
“Hmm….”
After agreeing to the Cabinet Supplentary Note and the ritorious Service Award, Emperor Seondeok beca lost in thought. Emperor Seondeok, who was thinking while tapping the armrest, soon made a decision.
“Let’s follow that plan. But keep in mind that inspections must be thorough.”
“I will keep this in mind!”
* * *
Note 1) Joseon Dynasty military strategy. Ministry of National Defense Military Compilation Research Institute.
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