Chapter 228
With the decision to mass-produce the Haeung-class high-speed ships, the allocation of the budget and the expansion of the shipyards began.
That meant the Ministry of Taxation was going to suffer.
Seriously Even if we only carry out the plans made at the beginning of the year, the finances will be in a hole, so why do unexpected situations keep arising?
In the conference room of the State Council, Kim Jeom exploded with frustration. At Kim Jeoms anger, Lee Jik and Maeng Sa-seong comforted him.
What can we do when the situation flows that way? If we could know everything in advance, wed be immortals, not humans.
The shipyards are still under construction, so if we expand them a bit more while were at it
At Maeng Sa-seongs words, Kim Jeoms eyes rolled back.
Do you think expanding the shipyards doesnt cost money? Do you think its a feast that ends with adding just one spoon?
M-Minister, calm down! Calm down!
Aaaah!
Bring the calming tea! Bring the calming tea!
***
Although he had erupted in the State Council, Kim Jeom couldnt overturn a decision that had already received final approval.
In the end, to create a budget for the expansion of the shipyards, Kim Jeom had to rack his brains with his subordinates.
At least we have the gold and silver mines to save us
At Kim Jeoms words, a subordinate official who was calculating with an abacus responded.
Didnt those fools who rebelled and went utterly broke also help us?
Kim Jeom grinned and nodded at his subordinates remark.
Those fools did help indeed.
***
Joseons economy was continuously growing in size, and tax revenue was steadily increasing.
However, the governments budget was always in deficit.
Firstly, money was continuously being spent on flood control projects, and large-scale construction projects such as the maintenance of the road network were underway.
Lastly, an enormous budget was being consumed on the reorganization of the administrative network and the military.
Even the local clerks, who were unpaid until the Gyeongjang Reforms, began receiving official ranks and salaries, and various irregular positions in the government were converted into official positions.
As a result, the loyalty of the local clerks and irregular officials, who were treated poorly, increased towards the government.
Consequently, government expenditures rose significantly.
The conversion of local clerks and irregular positions into official positions seems a bit excessive.
At Kim Jeoms words, King Sejong glared at Kim Jeom.
Then, how was it possible in the previous dynasty?
At King Sejongs point, Kim Jeom had to shut his mouth.
In the case of the previous dynasty, not only the royal family but also the officials received higher salaries compared to Joseon. (Note 1) Of course, during the chaotic period at the end of Goryeo, it became a mess, but when Goryeo was functioning properly, the salary system also worked well.
In any case, what resolved the crisis of deficit, where expenditures exceeded tax revenue, was the gold and silver mined from the mines.
The gold and silver from the mines secretly mined, apart from the publicly known mines, provided a lifeline for the finances.
However, they had to avoid attracting the attention of Ming. Therefore, they couldnt actively use the gold and silver mined from the mines, and Joseons development was not proceeding at a fast pace.
Of course, this assessment of being slow was entirely from Hyangs perspective.
In the 21st century, or rather the 20th century, they would have used foreign debt to get it done quickly But now, we have to spend cautiously even with what we have
Whenever he was alone, Hyang grumbled while reviewing the reports. However, Hyang soon changed his mind.
No? Isnt this gold and silver the foreign debt of this era?
In such a situation, the Giyu Rebellion had taken place.
After the rebellion was suppressed, the government confiscated all the property of the local scholars who participated in the rebellion and launched an investigation.
Oh my goodness
The confiscated property amounted to a staggering quantity, equivalent to 15 years worth of the Joseon governments budget.
While the common people are suffering from hunger, they have accumulated such enormous wealth! Severely punish those who participated in the rebellion!
Following the decision of the enraged King Sejong, the members of the families who participated in the rebellion had to face merciless punishment. However, the government, especially the Ministry of Taxation and the Ministry of Military Affairs, cheered in joy.
We can breathe now!
We can make it through!
***
While the Ministry of Taxation wrestled with the budget, the government gathered to devise plans for dealing with Japan.
First, theres something Im curious about. Isnt the one we call the King of Japan not the real king of Japan?
At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites answered.
That is correct, Your Majesty. Although there is an Emperor as the nominal monarch, in reality, the Ashikaga clan rules Japan and has received the title of King of Japan from Ming.
At the Minister of Rites explanation, King Sejong shook his head.
There is a king, but someone who is not the king exercises the authority of the king? I have heard of it, but it is truly immoral.
After making that criticism, King Sejong continued his critique.
For someone who is not the king to act as the king, they will surely rely on military force. The problem arises when such a person loses that military force, dont you agree?
That is correct, Your Majesty. At the end of the previous dynasty, the Kamakura Bakufu in Japan collapsed, and the Japanese royal family split into two, leading to a conflict. And from that point on, the Japanese pirates began to run rampant.
Hmm Then, is it better for us to have a King of Japan? Even if someone who is not the king acts as the king.
At King Sejongs question, the Minister of Rites promptly replied.
Although it is immoral, I believe that is the most beneficial for our Joseon.
Is that so?
At the Minister of Rites answer, King Sejong trailed off.
As King Sejong showed a dissatisfied expression, the ministers became extremely tense.
Its been a while since Ive seen that expression
If he clicks his tongue there Oh no! Its terrible!
Think! Think!
No matter how much I think about it, I feel uneasy.
Pardon?
The system of that country of Japan is truly unstable. What is the meaning of Bakufu? Doesnt it mean the place where the general has set up camp? In simple terms, isnt it the same as the military regime of the previous dynasty?
Th-That is correct, Your Majesty.
How long did the military regimes last? Except for the Choi clans regime, was there any long-lasting regime?
At King Sejongs question, Lee Jik stepped forward.
There wasnt, Your Majesty. However, the Kamakura Bakufu, which this Ashikaga clan overthrew, lasted for 150 years
How much military force do you think they built up to last that long? Thats why the Japanese pirates immediately ran rampant when the Kamakura Bakufu collapsed!
Ah
At King Sejongs point, Lee Jik had to close his mouth. King Sejong continued to express his concerns.
Isnt it certain that the Ashikaga clan, who has seized power this time, will also implement a carrot-and-stick approach to maintain their authority? What is the reason for the Kings of Japan to ask us for Buddhist scriptures and plead for trade?
At King Sejongs question, Maeng Sa-seong answered.
It must be a conciliatory measure to appease the clans within. They will pacify the clans with the goods sent by our Joseon. They will also reap the benefits.
I think so too. And with the profits they gain, they will strengthen their military power. And if necessary, they will turn a blind eye even if the local clans engage in piracy.
That is correct, Your Majesty.
At King Sejongs point, the ministers nodded in agreement. Observing the faces of the ministers, King Sejong moistened his throat and continued.
What worries me even more is whether the King of Japan might deliberately gather the power of the clans and attack our Joseon. Wouldnt it be greatly beneficial for the King of Japan to attack Joseon? He can exhaust the strength of the clans that threaten him, and at the same time, he can plunder our Joseon to his hearts content.
Surely not
Heo Jo muttered softly at King Sejongs words. In response to the Minister of Taxations reaction, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up.
Its not impossible. Its quite possible. For those Japanese, swords and spears are the means to seize power.
Hmm
As even Jo Mal-saeng joined in supporting King Sejong, the expressions of the ministers hardened even more.
What truly worries me is The very existence of this so-called King of Japan is an entity that has abandoned righteousness. There is already a king, yet he does not hesitate to be called a king, so where is the righteousness? If there are people of integrity in Japan, would they sit idly by and watch this?
That is true.
At King Sejongs point, the ministers unanimously nodded in agreement. Observing this from the side, Hyang unconsciously nodded as well.
As expected! They immediately understand when the word righteousness is mentioned! Aside from that
Glancing at King Sejong, Hyang muttered inwardly.
Did this gentleman lay out a mat or something?
King Sejongs remarks actually came to pass. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ended Japans Sengoku period, launched the Japanese invasions of Korea, and in the 19th century, self-proclaimed shishi (men of purpose) who rose up in the name of Sonn ji (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians) toppled the Tokugawa Bakufu.
Men of integrity, my foot
Grumbling inwardly, Hyang listened attentively to King Sejongs words.
The Japanese in the south and the Jurchen in the north are the greatest calamities for our Joseon. I have only heard stories, but I was told that there was an incident where our Joseon nearly lost its sovereignty due to the Japanese pirates and the Jurchen.
At King Sejongs mention, Heo Jo promptly replied.
Are you referring to the Conquest of Japan Theory, jeongwaeron and the Northern Conquest Theory, bukjeongron?
Thats right.
At King Sejongs answer, Lee Jik let out a long sigh.
Phew~. Just thinking about it is devastating.
At Lee Jiks answer, King Sejong glanced at Hyang and ordered Lee Jik.
I dont know the details well since I was young, and the Crown Prince must be hearing about it for the first time, so please explain in detail. One must know the past well to prepare for the future.
Yes, I shall obey your command.
Lee Jik began to recount the events of that time.
***
In the 17th year of King Gongmins reign (1368), Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne as the Hongwu Emperor of Ming and issued the Imperial Ming Ancestral Instructions.
The content of the Imperial Ming Ancestral Instructions was simple.
In other words, countries that paid tribute to Ming through the tributary system would receive economic and cultural benefits, while those that refused would be punished with military force.
Having declared this national policy, when the raids of the Japanese pirates intensified, the Hongwu Emperor sent an envoy to Japan with a diplomatic letter requesting to stop the piracy.
However, both the Northern and Southern Courts of Japan rejected Mings request.
In response, Emperor Yongle sent a diplomatic letter to Joseon in the 13th year of King Taejongs reign (1413). The content of the letter can be summarized simply.
Upon receiving the letter, the Joseon court immediately went on high alert.
The reasons for the Joseon courts high alert were as follows:
At that time, Ming prohibited having a friendly relationship with Japan, so it could definitely become a problem.
The next problem pointed out was even more serious.
In the end, Joseon delivered information through Tsushima Island and requested the control of Japanese pirates.
As Joseon stalled for time in this way, Ming raised the Northern Conquest Theory.
Joseon had no choice but to go on high alert again.
If the Northern Conquest were to be actually implemented, the barbarians pushed back by Ming would cross Joseons borders. Then, Ming would use the justification of conquering them to send troops into Joseon.
As Ming pressured with the Conquest of Japan Theory and the Northern Conquest Theory, the ministers, unable to endure it any longer, rose up.
The ministers, led by Left Prime Minister Ha Ryun, advocated for a Joseon-Japan Alliance to King Taejong.
Lets rather form an alliance with Japan and engage in a decisive battle against Ming!
However, their argument was rejected by King Taejong. King Taejong sent an envoy to Ming, offering to annihilate the Japanese pirates on the west coast and provide information on the Japanese pirates passing through the west coast to Ming, temporarily resolving the situation.
However, as the degree of Japanese pirate invasions became excessive, the conquest of Tsushima Island was carried out in the first year of King Sejongs reign. (Note 2)
***
As Hyang listened to Lee Jiks explanation, his expression gradually crumpled.
The Conquest of Japan Theory is the Conquest of Ming Passage Theory when reversed Whether its the 21st century or now Being pressured from all sides
In the end, Hyang let out a long sigh and muttered.
Phew~. Of all places to set up base, it had to be such a filthy Gasp!
Startled by the words that inadvertently slipped out, Hyang covered his mouth and looked at King Sejong.
King Sejong, who received Hyangs gaze, also showed a bitter smile.
Crown Prince, it is truly so. How did we end up establishing our base in such a filthy place?
***
Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, Nokbong (Official Salary) section.
http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0012978
Note 2) Military Strategies of the Joseon Dynasty. Institute for Military History Compilation.
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