< Chapter 38: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (3) >
Chapter 38: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (3)
"An army?"
"Yes!"
As Hyang explained, her voice grew stronger.
"When I first mentioned the establishment of a customs office, I thought briefly and suggested the Shandong Peninsula. Later, I deeply regretted it and ultimately fell into despair."
"Despair? Why?"
"The trading port established in Shandong will not be used only by the Ming and Joseon. When the goods of the Ming and Joseon gather there, other countries that wish to trade will eventually gather there as well. Nearby, Japan will head there, and from afar, the Dai Viet and even more distant places will gather for trade. Consider the wealth that can be obtained from those who gather there."
Hearing Hyang's words, Sejong recalled the customs duties promised to the Ming by the customs office. The amount expected by the Ministry of Revenue at the time was not small. If that was the case with just the Ming and Joseon, what about adding Japan, Dai Viet, and other unknown countries? Sejong's heart grew anxious.
"Then, why don't we also establish a trading port? It might be a bit late, but it could be competitive."
"Exactly that is where I fell into despair. Our Joseon... lacks..."
Hyang replied with a somber expression.
"We do not have a navy capable of controlling the seas."
Sejong looked puzzled.
"No navy? I don't understand?"
"Nominal naval forces exist, but their capabilities are deplorable."
"Deplorable? Have you forgotten that the last conquest of Tsushima was possible because of our navy?"
"How could I forget?"
Hyang stood up and walked to the bookshelf in the study. She pulled out a book from among various texts and returned to Sejong, explaining its contents.
"This is the record of the last conquest of Tsushima. As you know, the number of troops mobilized was 17,285, and the number of warships was 227."
"I see."
"Simply put, each ship carried 70 to 80 people, but more than half of them were auxiliary troops. This means that the actual combat strength was only half."
"I see."
"There is another problem. The number of 227 ships seems large, but many of them are small boats that risk their lives even crossing the strait between Busan and Tsushima."
"I see."
"Compared to the Japanese pirates, it is well-known that our Joseon army is weak in close combat. To compensate for this, cannons are essential, but these small boats cannot carry cannons. Is this a problem only for the three provinces' navies that participated in the expedition?"
Sejong's face grew serious as Hyang explained.
"Indeed, it is a problem."
"If we establish a trading port, it is obvious that Japanese pirates and other sea bandits will flock there. The Ming can immediately gather the forces to defend against them, but we cannot. Look at the last conquest of Tsushima. Even though it was a conquest, we had to gather everyone, including the lower-class soldiers and farmers, to mobilize the troops. What if the Japanese pirates had taken advantage of the gap left by the expedition? Look at the mobilization criteria. It was not just about gathering combat troops but also those who could navigate ships. In other words, our navy itself is insufficient."
Sejong nodded at Hyang's points. When the conquest of Tsushima took place, reports came in that the southern coast of the Ming was being plundered by Japanese pirates. At the time, Taejong sighed in relief upon receiving the report.
"Truly, it is a blessing from heaven and the gods!"
Recalling the past, Sejong nodded.
"I see."
Sejong's face was unusually serious, as the memory was vivid.
The conquest of Tsushima led to the submission of the Tsushima lord, and around the same time, the Japanese pirates suffered significant losses in the Ming. As a result, the recent activities of the Japanese pirates had been quiet, but no one could guarantee that they would remain so.
Hyang continued, envisioning the worst-case scenario.
"If the activities of the Japanese pirates and sea bandits become uncontrollable, the Ming might issue a maritime ban, blocking sea routes and moving coastal residents inland. The Ming has vast land, so moving people inland is feasible, and the inland waterways are well-developed, so there is no major concern. But what about our Joseon? Do we have land for the people to move to? We could implement the 'empty island policy,' but that would be like tying our own hands and feet."
Sejong nodded silently at Hyang's words. After a moment, Hyang continued.
"Ultimately, the best defensive strategy for our Joseon is an offensive defense. Wasn't the conquest of Tsushima also done for the same reason? We need to build more ships and strengthen our firepower."
Sejong nodded at Hyang's words.
"You are right. The problem is... the budget."
"Yes, the budget is the problem. To increase the budget, we need to expand revenue, but relying solely on agriculture will burden the people. Ultimately, as I mentioned before, we need to increase trade to expand our tax base."
"I see. Sigh~."
Sejong sighed deeply and stood up from his chair.
"I came here to clear my head, but it feels like I've only added to my burdens."
"I am deeply sorry."
"No, for the prosperity and strength of this Joseon, I, as the ruler, must endure."
* * *
After reviewing various issues, Sejong reached a conclusion.
"No matter what, we need wealth! Without wealth, it's just a castle in the air!"
With this conclusion, Sejong sent official letters to the local governors across the country.
- Immediately find those skilled in mining and send them to the palace!
In response, the local governors began to search their regions thoroughly and send those skilled in mining to Hanyang.
Meanwhile, in the court, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers discussed what to look for first.
"We need to find gold and silver."
"We should not find gold and silver! The Ming might demand them as tribute!"
"But to secure the funds needed for the budget, gold and silver are essential! If the Ming demands them, we must negotiate diplomatically!"
As the debate dragged on, Sejong made a decision.
"For the success of our Joseon's reforms, we must mine gold and silver. If the Ming makes a demand, we will resolve it diplomatically."
"Understood."
With the issue of mining gold and silver resolved, the discussion moved on.
"Then, let's do that with gold and silver. What else should we look for?"
The ministers answered in unison to Sejong's question.
"Copper! It is essential for making cannons and minting coins!"
Sejong wrote down gold, silver, and copper with a gold pen and asked.
"What else?"
The ministers fell into thought. Hyang interjected.
"In my opinion, iron, coal, limestone, and sulfur."
"What is coal?"
"Simply put, it's a stone that burns. China has used it as fuel since the Song Dynasty."
Sejong nodded as Hyang explained. The ministers also nodded.
"If we use such stones instead of firewood, we can prevent deforestation."
"Indeed. We have made great efforts to prevent deforestation, but it has been difficult. The reason was the use of fuel, but using coal can prevent deforestation."
Hyang continued.
"If the state monopolizes the supply of coal, it can also be a significant source of revenue."
"I see!"
"Coal makes sense, and I understand iron, but why do we need limestone?"
"It is necessary for iron smelting and construction."
"Construction?"
"I only know the theory..."
Sejong made a decision based on Hyang's words.
"Then, let's put limestone on the back burner."
"Understood."
Although Sejong put limestone on the back burner, Hyang was not particularly disappointed.
'This peninsula is full of limestone!'
While listening to Sejong and the ministers, Hyang recalled the words of the teacher from Samcheonpo.
- Iron, coal, cement! These are the essential items that launched the Industrial Revolution! In simple terms, these three are the basic set for the Industrial Revolution! Capital? Hey, without it, would the Industrial Revolution have happened?
However, the most controversial item was sulfur.
"Your Highness, sulfur is not found in our Joseon."
"That's right. Sulfur can only be obtained from the Ming or Japan."
"I am aware of that. Your Highness, sulfur is not found in our Joseon."
Even though Sejong said sulfur was not produced in Joseon, Hyang did not back down.
"Why are you so confident? We might not have found it yet."
"We haven't found it?"
"Father, if it is found in the Ming and Japan, but not in our Joseon, doesn't that seem strange?"
'Damn! Oil was found when we looked for it!'
"Hmm... It does seem that way..."
"Hmm..."
Sejong and the ministers all looked thoughtful and puzzled at Hyang's words.
"Of course, it might be in a difficult-to-mine location compared to the Ming and Japan. But consider the uses of sulfur. It is used as a medicinal ingredient, but the most important use is in gunpowder. Gunpowder, the most important item for national defense, and sulfur, the most important raw material for making gunpowder, relying on imports could lead to significant setbacks at any time!"
Mentioning 'national defense,' Sejong and the ministers quickly reached a conclusion.