< Chapter 38: Rejoicing in Obsession, Weeping in Obsession. (3) >
Chapter 38: Rejoicing in Obsession, Weeping in Obsession. (3)
"The navy?"
"Exactly!"
Hyang's voice grew increasingly animated as he explained.
"When this humble one first discussed the establishment of the trade port, I spoke briefly of Shandong. Afterward, I greatly regretted it, and eventually despaired."
"Despaired? Why?"
"The trade port to be built in Shandong will not be used only by Ming and Joseon. Once Ming and Joseon's products gather there, nations desiring trade will eventually converge there as well. Nearby, Japan will head there, and from afar, Đại Việt and even more distant lands will gather for trade. Consider the wealth to be obtained from those who gather thus."
At Hyang's words, Sejong recalled the customs duties promised to Ming at the trade port. The amount the Ministry of Taxation had estimated at the time was by no means small. If that was the case with just Ming and Joseon, what if Japan and Đại Việt, plus other unknown nations, were added? Sejong's heart grew anxious.
"Then how about we also build a trade port? It's a bit late, but it seems like it could compete."
"That is precisely where this humble one despaired. Our Joseon..."
Hyang answered with a gloomy expression.
"We do not have a navy that can secure command of the sea."
At Hyang's words, Sejong wore a puzzled expression.
"No navy? I don't understand."
"In name there is a navy, but looking at its capabilities, it is dismal."
"Dismal? Have you forgotten that the previous conquest of Tsushima was possible because of our navy?"
"How could I not know?"
Hyang rose from his seat and walked to the bookshelf in the study. Pulling out a single book from among various texts and returning, Hyang opened it before Sejong and explained its contents.
"This is the record of the previous Tsushima conquest. As Your Majesty knows, the total number of troops mobilized for the Tsushima conquest was 17,285. The number of military vessels mobilized was 227."
"I see."
"Simply calculated, this means 70 to 80 people were aboard each vessel, but more than half of these were rowers. The actual combat force amounts to only half."
"I see."
"There is another problem. The number of 227 vessels—looking at the number alone, it seems like many. However, a considerable number of these were small boats that had to risk their lives just to cross the strait between Busan and Tsushima."
"I see."
"It is a well-known fact that our Joseon forces are weak in close-quarters combat compared to the Wokou. To compensate for this, cannons are essential, but such small boats cannot carry cannons. Is this a problem only for the three-province navy that participated in the expedition?"
At Hyang's explanation, Sejong's face grew serious.
"It is indeed a problem."
"If a trade port is established, it goes without saying that Wokou and water bandits will swarm in. Ming can immediately gather the forces to defend against this, but our Joseon cannot. Look at the previous Tsushima conquest. Though it was a conquest, looking at the recruitment of troops, they had to scrape together everyone except farmers tilling the fields, including lower-ranking armor-clad warriors. What if the Wokou had counter-attacked through the gap left by the expedition? Furthermore, look at the recruitment criteria. They gathered not just combat troops but also those who knew how to operate ships. In other words, this means the navy itself is insufficient."
At Hyang's pointing out, Sejong nodded. Around the time the Tsushima conquest took place, reports came that the southern coast of Ming was suffering from Wokou raids. King Taejong, who received the report at the time, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Truly divine assistance!"
Recalling past memories, Sejong nodded.
"I see."
Sejong's face as he answered was more serious than ever before. It was because the memories of that time were vivid.
With the Tsushima conquest, the Lord of Tsushima promised submission, and around the same time, the Wokou suffered great losses in Ming. As a result, the Wokou disturbances had been quiet recently, but no one could guarantee that the Wokou would remain quiet.
Hyang continued speaking, assuming the worst-case scenario.
"If the disturbances of Wokou and water bandits intensify to the point where control becomes impossible, Ming may issue a sea ban order. This means blocking sea routes and moving residents living on the coast inland. Ming has vast land, so there is room to move its people inland, and inland water transport is also developed, so there would be no great worry. But what about our Joseon? Is there land for the people to move to? We could implement the Empty Island Policy, but this would result in binding our own hands and feet."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded silently. After briefly moistening his throat, Hyang continued.
"Ultimately, the optimal coastal defense method our Joseon must choose is offensive defense. Was not the Tsushima conquest carried out for the same reason? We must enlarge our ships and strengthen our firepower."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded.
"Your words are correct. The problem is... the budget."
"Yes, the budget is the problem. To increase the budget, we must expand revenue, but relying only on agriculture will exhaust the people. Eventually, as I mentioned before, we must expand trade to increase tax sources."
"I see. Haa~."
Sejong, who let out a long sigh, rose from his chair.
"I came to cool my head for a moment, but it seems I've only added to my burden."
"I am deeply grateful."
"No. For the wealth and military strength of this Joseon, I, as the monarch, must suffer."
* * *
Ultimately, after examining various problems, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Whatever the case, wealth is necessary for it to be possible! Without wealth, it is nothing but a castle on sand!"
Having reached a conclusion, Sejong sent official documents to local magistrates across the country.
-Immediately find those skilled in prospecting and send them to the palace!
Accordingly, local magistrates began to search their governed districts thoroughly, finding those skilled in prospecting and sending them to Hanyang.
Meanwhile, at court, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers discussed what to search for first.
"We must find gold and silver."
"We must not find gold and silver! Ming may demand it as tribute!"
"But to secure funds for the budget, gold and silver are absolutely necessary! If Ming makes demands, we must negotiate diplomatically!"
As the debate dragged on tediously, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"For the success of the reforms our Joseon will implement, mining gold and silver must be done. If Ming's demands arrive, let us resolve it through diplomacy then."
"We receive your command."
Once the issue of mining gold and silver was resolved, the topic moved to the next item.
"Then, let gold and silver be handled thus, what else should we search for?"
At Sejong's question, the ministers answered immediately in one voice.
"Copper! It is absolutely necessary for making cannons and minting currency!"
At the ministers' answer, Sejong wrote gold, silver, and copper with a gold brush and spoke.
"And what else is there?"
At Sejong's question, the ministers all fell into thought. Watching this, Hyang interjected.
"In this humble one's opinion: iron, coal, limestone, and sulfur."
"What is coal?"
"Simply put, it is a stone that burns in fire. China has used it as fuel since the Song dynasty."
At Sejong's question, Hyang explained about coal. Listening to Hyang's explanation, Sejong and the ministers nodded.
"If such a stone is used in place of firewood, it could prevent forest destruction."
"Indeed. Much effort has been devoted to preventing illegal logging, but it has not been easy. The reason was its use as fuel, but if coal is used, illegal logging can be prevented."
Following the ministers' answers, Hyang continued.
"If the state monopolizes the supply of coal, this too will become a sufficient source of revenue."
"I see!"
"I understand coal, and I understand iron as well, but why is limestone necessary?"
"It is needed for iron smelting and also for construction."
"For construction?"
"This humble one only knows the theory..."
At Hyang's words, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"Then let us postpone limestone's priority."
"Yes."
Though Sejong postponed the priority, Hyang was not particularly disappointed.
'The most common thing on this Korean peninsula is limestone!'
Listening to the conversation between Sejong and the ministers, Hyang recalled the words of the Samcheonpo Teacher.
-Iron, coal, cement! Essential items that opened the Industrial Revolution era! Simply put, these three are the basic set for the Industrial Revolution! Capital? Hey! Without that, would an Industrial Revolution even happen?
However, the most controversial item was sulfur.
"Crown Prince, sulfur is not produced in our Joseon."
"That is correct. Sulfur can only be obtained from Ming or Japan."
"I also know that to be the case. Crown Prince, sulfur is not produced in our Joseon."
Even Sejong said that sulfur was not produced in Joseon, but Hyang did not yield his position.
"Why are you so confident? It could be that we simply haven't discovered it yet."
"That we haven't discovered it?"
"Father. It's produced in Ming, and it's produced in Japan, but not in our Joseon? Don't you think this doesn't make sense?"
'Damn! Even crude oil came out when they dug!'
"Hmm... That does seem to be the case..."
"Hmm..."
At Hyang's words, the ministers and Sejong wore expressions suggesting it sounded plausible and fell into contemplation.
"Of course, it may be in a location difficult to mine, unlike in Ming or Japan. But consider the uses of sulfur. It is used as medicine, but its most important use is gunpowder. Gunpowder, the most important item for national defense—if we rely on imports for sulfur, the most important raw material for making that gunpowder, we could suffer a great setback at any time!"
When Hyang mentioned 'national defense,' Sejong and the ministers immediately reached a conclusion.
"Right! Let's search for it once!"
"The Crown Prince's opinion seems correct!"
"I think it would be right to order that more attention be paid to the prospectors!"
Ultimately, sulfur was also included in the exploration list.
* * *
As skilled prospectors arrived from the eight provinces of Joseon, Sejong and the ministers created an institution called the 'Resource Bureau.'
"For now, place it under the Ministry of Works as a permanent institution, and let the Minister of Works serve as its head concurrently."
"We receive your command."
The prospectors belonging to the thus-created Resource Bureau received ranks from junior ninth rank to senior eighth rank, and their stipends were also determined. Watching the prospectors gathered in the front courtyard of Gyeongjeongjeon Hall, the Minister of Works announced their duties.
"From now on, your duty is to travel throughout the eight provinces of Joseon and find the minerals listed here. If you find them properly, there will be rewards, so do your utmost."
At the Minister of Works' words, the prospectors all bowed at the waist and answered.
"We will do our utmost!"
"His Majesty the King approaches~"
At the chief eunuch's call, the prospectors immediately prostrated themselves on the ground and offered their bows.
"Commoners pay respects to His Majesty the King!"
"Rise. Who called you commoners? You are all My precious subjects."
At Sejong's words, the prospectors all became moved and answered loudly.
"We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence!"
"We pray for Your Majesty's eternal longevity!"
The prospectors shouted their wishes for Sejong's eternal longevity until their throats burst. Watching this sight with a pleased expression, Sejong raised his hand, and the noise subsided. When the prospectors quieted down, Sejong continued.
"I am sorry to assign you difficult duties. However, the prosperity and strength of this Joseon depends on the results you will produce, so I hope you will do your utmost to fulfill your assigned duties well."
At Sejong's words, the prospectors all bowed deeply and answered.
"We will devote our lives!"
With the end of Sejong's admonition, the prospectors scattered throughout the country. Packing their belongings and leaving the palace, the prospectors unfolded the list and checked the minerals they needed to find.
"Gold, silver, copper, iron—I understand, but... coal? What is this?"
"Ah! I've heard of that. It's a black, shining stone that burns in fire, they say? They use it as fuel in China. Blacksmiths use it too."
"A stone burns in fire? My, that's a wondrous thing."
"Sulfur? Does this come from our country?"
"They wouldn't tell us to find it if they didn't think so."
"Limestone? Isn't this a common stone? Is there a use for this?"
The prospectors, sharing opinions while looking at the list, soon focused their gaze on one corner of the list.
"Report immediately upon discovery of the following ore as well? A black, shining stone, similar to coal but does not burn and crumbles easily?"
"What is this?"
"I think I've seen it, but then again I haven't..."
The ore that threw the prospectors into confusion was an item Hyang had added. The name of that ore was graphite.
< Chapter 38: Rejoicing in Obsession, Weeping in Obsession. (3) > End
ⓒ Gukppong