Chapter 98: Grand Strategy Dongjin (2)
With the new 'Dongjin' plan completed, the Military Ministry explained the plan they had formulated before King Sejong and the ministers.
The person who stepped forward to announce the plan was Yi Jing-ok.
Clad in a red tierik, Yi Jing-ok performed a formal military salute with dignity and then began to speak.
"I am Magistrate Yi Jing-ok, in charge of this announcement. From this moment, I will report on the grand strategy 'Dongjin' planned by the Joseon Army General Staff."
Though the Pyeonjeon was filled with the King, the Crown Prince, Chief State Councilors, and ministers, Yi Jing-ok began his announcement with a composed voice.
"First, the Dongjin plan is largely divided into two phases. In the first phase, we begin by securing a bridgehead starting with the securing of Baekdusan and the Tumen River."
According to Yi Jing-ok's explanation, the plan began with securing the Baekdusan and areas south of the Tumen River.
The Jurchen tribes living in that region would be naturalized or exterminated, and Joseon commoners would be relocated there to firmly establish the bridgehead.
Afterward, they would annex the entire territory of the Wuliangha tribe and then advance eastward.
"What is the reason for continuing to advance eastward from there?"
At Sejong's question, Yi Jing-ok answered immediately.
"First, the purpose is not to provoke Ming. Second, there are records that advancing a bit further into the area east of the Tumen River reveals a great forest region. In this great forest region, we secure necessary resources including timber. Additionally, the connected coastline and nearby islands have many valuable animals such as sea seals. These will be utilized for trade."
"Great forest region..."
As Sejong pondered the words, Hyang quickly interjected.
"Father, while there are many straight-growing trees in our Joseon's mountains and fields even now, their numbers are not great."
"That is true."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded. For the people's firewood as well as all aspects of daily life, the most used material was timber.
"However, in the great forest region, giant trees that have grown for hundreds of years are abundant. Not only for construction but also for warships the military will use, and merchant vessels for trade - all require much straight-growing, fine-grained timber, and the giant trees of the great forest region are the optimal material."
'Of course, afforestation projects are also essential.'
At Hyang's explanation, Sejong nodded.
"That is so. Yes, I understand advancing eastward up to that point. Then, what comes next?"
"Well, if we secure the Wuliangha region and the great forest area east of the Tumen River and fully digest them into our Joseon's territory, then we enter the second phase."
Yi Jing-ok pointed to the great forest region on the map hanging beside him with a baton, then drew an imaginary line westward.
"Using the great forest region as a base, we will encroach upon the Wudihe tribes' territory from the east."
Pausing briefly, Yi Jing-ok gestured to a military officer standing by the map.
At Yi Jing-ok's signal, when the military officer turned the map over, the newly revealed map showed part of the Jurchen region and all of Joseon painted in green.
"Slowly, but steadily encroaching, we will ultimately secure at minimum half of the Wudihe tribal territory, and at maximum the entire Wudihe tribal territory as our Joseon's domain. This is the simple outline."
"Hmm..."
When Yi Jing-ok's explanation ended, Sejong stroked his beard while looking at the map.
While Sejong was lost in thought, Yi Jik raised a question.
"As the Military Ministry knows, the Wuliangha live divided between the Tumen River region and west of Baekdusan. And between them lies the Odori tribe. How will this be handled? Will only the eastern Wuliangha be targeted?"
"We will target both east and west. This will exert pressure on the Odori tribe. It is forcing a choice upon the Odori tribe. They must choose one of two options: submit to our Joseon, or leave that place and go to Haixi or Jianzhou Jurchen territory."
At Yi Jing-ok's answer, Yi Jik made an expression of regret.
"The Odori were once a tribe loyal to us..."
* * *
The Odori tribe, which controlled Baekdusan and the upper Tumen River region, was a Jurchen tribe that had once sworn loyalty to Yi Seong-gye and served as a reliable defensive barrier for Joseon.
Around the time Yi Seong-gye was alive, the Odori tribe was the most powerful alliance defending Joseon's north.
However, when the Yongle Emperor ascended to the throne and Taejong seized power, the relationship between Joseon and Odori changed.
Ahacu, who became the commander of the Jianzhou Guard Regional Military Commission and the Yongle Emperor's father-in-law, introduced Odori's tribal chief Möngke Temür as his relative.
Upon this, the Yongle Emperor sent envoys to Möngke Temür and Joseon, ordering that Möngke Temür be brought to serve at the Ming court.
Taejong made various attempts to win over Möngke Temür, to the point of having disputes with the Yongle Emperor.
Between Ming and Joseon, Möngke Temür chose Ming.
At this time, problems arose with Taejong.
"It has been over twenty years since I served King Taejo. I will continue to follow Joseon."
Though he said this to Taejong, Möngke Temür had entered Ming service and received official positions.
Furthermore, through the Yongle Emperor's imperial decree, he retrieved relatives who were hostages in Joseon.
When the situation turned out this way, Taejong mobilized troops and massacred tribes near Möngke Temür's tribe.
Feeling threatened by Taejong's retaliatory measures, Möngke Temür led his family and moved their base from the Tumen River region to the Yalu River region.
Afterward, when Taejong died and Mongol forces strengthened again, Möngke Temür led his clan and returned to their original territory.
The returned Möngke Temür proposed that his son Tong Gwandu serve at Sejong's court as a hostage, but Sejong refused.
This was because the perception had taken root that they were beings who might defect again at any time, borrowing Ming's authority.
* * *
While Yi Jik was lamenting about Odori, Sejong muttered quietly.
"In the process of targeting the Wuliangha, there may be cases where nearby tribes inevitably suffer sacrifice..."
Sejong was resolving to purge the Odori tribe.
In the history before Hyang's regression, when carrying out the development of the Four Garrisons and Six Posts, Sejong ordered Choe Yun-deok to subdue Ahacu's grandson and Jianzhou Regional Military Commissioner Li Manju, adding one command.
"Kill Möngke Temür."
Looking at subsequent history, Joseon not only killed Möngke Temür's children, but Sejo, who seized power through a coup, chased and killed Li Manju, Ahacu's descendant, to the very end.
To the Joseon royal family, Ahacu, Möngke Temür, and their descendants were traitors who betrayed Yi Seong-gye and the children of traitors - beings who had to be killed without fail.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites was concerned about Ming's intervention.
"Annexing the Wuliangha region could provoke Ming. We need a clear justification."
Before Yi Jing-ok could answer the Minister of Rites' point, Sejong spoke first.
"There is justification. There is a very clear justification. Hoeryeong where the Odori are situated, and indeed the Tumen River region is where our royal family originated. We left it alone until now due to unfavorable circumstances, but as descendants, how can we just leave it be?"
At Sejong's words, Hwang Hui added.
"Indeed! As descendants, how can we leave ancestral land in others' hands? We must certainly recover it!"
"I see. Ming will not be able to say anything."
At the words of Sejong and Hwang Hui, the Minister of Rites withdrew his objection. Even in his thinking, it was a valid justification.
But the Minister of Rites pointed out another problem.
"Annexing the Wuliangha region can block Ming through diplomacy. Advancing eastward from there is also acceptable. However, from there, reversely annexing the Wild Jurchen region - wouldn't that provoke Ming?"
At the Minister of Rites' point, Yi Jing-ok answered immediately.
"The region secured through the progress up to phase 2 consists of tribes that relied on King Taejo's shadow. By emphasizing this and promising that our Joseon will not covet the Haixi Jurchen and Jianzhou Jurchen territories, Ming will not be able to object. Though they declared Jurchen land as Ming's domain, isn't it the case that Ming's power doesn't actually extend to the eastern end?"
At Yi Jing-ok's words, all the court officials nodded.
Just as Joseon suffered from Jurchen raids, Ming similarly suffered.
To control this, they used the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians by giving official positions to powerful Jurchen tribes and bestowing wealth to block other Jurchens, but the land where Jurchens lived was territory they hadn't fully digested.
Yi Jing-ok continued speaking.
"The Military Ministry is fully mindful that conflict with Ming must be avoided. As stated first in many military strategy texts, and as King Taejo said, a small country waging war against a great country is something that must absolutely be avoided. That is why Haixi and Jianzhou were excluded. This is the Military Ministry's best approach. I consider the rest to be the diplomatic portion."
At Yi Jing-ok's words, Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward.
"I understand well that it is a diplomatic role. However, the most difficult case in conducting that diplomacy is when the counterpart is in a state of high tension. How much time does the Military Ministry anticipate to complete this strategy?"
At Maeng Sa-seong's question, Yi Jing-ok answered.
"We anticipate a minimum of 10 years to complete phase 1, and a total of 30 years to complete phase 2."
"A total of 30 years..."
"That is why we called it a grand strategy."
At Yi Jing-ok's answer, Sejong and the ministers made troubled expressions.
The time '30 years' was a period where a generation would change. Not only Sejong but all the great and small officials seated in the Pyeonjeon were evaluated as outstanding talents, but the number '30 years' was not an easily imaginable number.
"Father, may this son say a few words?"
"Speak."
"This son thinks the Military Ministry's judgment is appropriate. Of course, 30 years is a long time, but they said 'Yugong moves mountains.' Please consider the time for expanding our Joseon's borders and for the Jurchens who will newly enter to be tamed and become our people."
"Hmm..."
"Also, considering Ming, it is better to move long-term. If such a situation is created in just a few years, as the Left State Councilor said, Ming will refuse dialogue with us while highly tense."
"That is true."
Sejong nodded.
Hyang continued speaking.
"Comparing Ming and our Joseon is like an adult and a child. When an adult and a child start running together, the child cannot catch up to the adult. If we provoke Ming and even if war doesn't break out, an arms race would be a fatal situation for our Joseon."
"That is so."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded. Not only Sejong but the ministers also nodded. Especially the Minister of Taxation nodded very strongly.
Hyang continued speaking.
"Looking at our history of Haidong, the history of that Central Plains, and further, the history of the Western barbarians, all saw the same result. When an arms race occurs, the small country will reach its limit first. When this situation occurs, small countries easily make extreme choices. Trusting the military power accumulated until then. However, waging war ignoring the absolute difference in capability and relying only on hope will meet defeat in despair."
"That is true."
"Therefore, while 30 years is long, I think it is rather better than proceeding with things hastily."
"Hmm..."
Having heard Hyang's words, Sejong stroked his beard and fell into thought.
'30 years... Will I be able to see it before I die?'
Thinking of his own lifespan, Sejong looked down at Hyang who was looking up at him from below the raised floor.
Recalling Hyang's appearance who would nag about 'Buddhist precepts' at every turn and pour attention into his health, Sejong burst into a chuckle.
'Right! With a child like that who worries about my health! I will live long! No, even if I can't live long, I will make this Joseon that child rules into a stronger Joseon than now!'
Having made up his mind, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"I command the ministers."
"We will listen with respect!"
"I command that the grand strategy 'Dongjin' be carried out for our Joseon's growth. However, never move hastily, and must move with caution."
"We receive your command!"
* * *
With Sejong's determination deciding the execution of the grand strategy Dongjin, the topic shifted to detailed policy coordination.
"What is most needed to succeed in the strategy?"
At Sejong's question, Choe Yun-deok answered.
"People and budget."
"Hiccup!"
As soon as the word 'budget' came out, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom hiccupped reflexively and received the glares of all the ministers.
"Tsk tsk tsk... It seems the Minister of Taxation has become quite weak. I will inform the royal physician."
"I am eternally grateful for your grace!"
Though Kim Jeom expressed gratitude at Sejong's words, his expression was the complete opposite, making a sour face.
'Tsk tsk tsk... He'll have to suffer to pay for medicine.'
'That man needs to stay healthy... If the Tax Minister position becomes vacant, it's dangerous.'
'I should send some tonic to the Tax Minister's house.'
These were the thoughts that the surrounding ministers had simultaneously.
* * *
As the Gyeongjang reforms progressed, all great and small officials suffered, but those who suffered the most were the officials serving in the Ministry of Taxation, starting with the Minister of Taxation.
Ironically, the officials of the Ministry of Taxation were the ones who most supported the Gyeongjang reforms that Sejong was pushing. Their thinking was simple.
'If the Gyeongjang reforms go as planned, the Ministry of Taxation will split into several ministries! Then promotion is certain! Just wait until then! Everyone else will be dead!'
If the Ministry of Taxation officials endured while promising the future, the Taxation Vice Ministers and Minister survived on 'medicine power.'
This was not a metaphor but literal.
The homes of the Taxation Minister and Vice Ministers overflowed not only with tonics bestowed by Sejong but also with tonics sent by ministers and vice ministers of other ministries.
"My lord, it seems not only His Majesty but other officials also cherish you."
At his wife's words, the parties gave bitter, dry laughs.
'The medicine His Majesty gives means to use it to pay for costs, and the medicine other ministers send means eat this and endure so you don't pass the burden to them!'