Chapter 116

Chapter 116

First Joseon-Qing Crisis (1)

The anti-shogunate army that captured Kyoto and was full of momentum completely collapsed with just one battle.

There were none who risked life to protect Kyoto without even the emperor.

“The shogunate sold Kyoto to Joseonjing!”

“Said to soothe the souls of dead Joseon merchants the Joseon army plans to kill all two-legged guys living in Kyoto!!”

“Said if the Joseon army comes will put poison in all wells of Kyoto!!”

Terrible fear filled Kyoto.

No matter how trying to think well the Joseon army will definitely try some punishment for own people massacre seemed too natural. Wouldn’t? Why not plunder when there is justification?

Moreover strange stories also popped out from the mouths of remnants that flowed into Kyoto.

“Joseon bastards are really vicious! Even shot and killed same side soldiers mercilessly!”

“Those guys are oni! Not people!”

“Must burn Kyoto! Cannot obediently give the thousand-year ancient capital Kyoto to Joseon bastards!!”

Even killed same side army? The shogunate’s army?

Some of those sitting in Kyoto not even evacuating began spreading the wings of imagination from here.

“Then the shogunate brought in a tiger instead of a fox?”

“Since the shogunate that brought in the Joseon army was betrayed, the powerful domains and shogunate can unite again under the emperor and fight foreign powers together!”

“The army that burned Satsuma now also in words British army but ultimately Joseon army? Joseon trampling the whole country the shogunate with responsibility to protect the divine land staying still fine!”

But the thing they expected did not occur.

The shogunate army marched together with the Joseon army in an appearance so friendly unbelievable for those hit by friendly fire.

The Joseon army stopped right in front of Kyoto and installed a camp. They did not even set foot in Kyoto from the beginning.

The shogunate army that re-entered Kyoto did not commit murder plunder rape arson. Actually a bit occurred but the shogunate army did its best to control soldiers causing protruding actions.

Kyoto became much more peaceful than when the anti-shogunate army was there. Since the self-proclaimed righteous men anti-shogunate guys who fought on the streets and knife fought and assassinated political opponents occasionally all fled or died, if calculating became the most peaceful in recent decades.

“What? What??”

“Really ending like this...?”

“Said the Joseon army made some announcement!!”

“Then right. What scheme are those guys plotting?”

And the shogunate army officers and soldiers who received the Joseon army’s statement stuck notices everywhere and read them aloud.

“Ah. [Joseon has always been a country of gentlemen since Gija came east long ago, so enjoyed learning and practicing and had no hesitation in sharing this with neighbors.]”

[Joseon has never oppressed the closest neighbor Japan. There was a matter of sending troops to Japan in the Goryeo dynasty but this was an unfortunate matter dragged out unable to overcome Mongol oppression, and there were matters of comforting Tsushima a few times but this was mere punishing the den of Japanese pirates who plundered good people. Even though Toyotomi Hideyoshi trampled all Joseon land in the Imjin year as soon as Tokugawa opened a new shogunate we forgot old grudges and willingly reconciled and decided to prosper together can know just seeing that.]

[The reason our Joseon sent troops this time is only because Joseon’s friend Tokugawa and the shogunate requested rescue from Joseon, and those who hated Tokugawa and wanted to destroy the shogunate always regarded Joseon as snakes and scorpions and claimed to invade Joseon land like old times. Finally as they rioted the first thing they mercilessly slaughtered Joseon people on Japanese land, how would we not help the shogunate?]

[The Joseon army will return as soon as the rebellion ends and the traitors are subjugated. If we covet this land heaven and earth will never forgive, so all Japanese people engage in livelihood at ease.]

Before the bewilderment of Japanese who saw the proclamation even disappeared, the Joseon army packed the camp and returned to Osaka again.

While Osaka enveloped in the wave of silver coins the Joseon army officers and soldiers sprinkled enjoyed a dopamine party, Kyoto’s nobles and intellectuals could not escape from the culture shock mixed with agony.

“Those guys really came purely to help the shogunate? Does that make sense now?”

“But... really obediently withdrew?”

“Joseon is a vassal state that paid tribute to our country from old! This time too definitely Joseon bastards suddenly got scared at the dignity of the divine land the emperor protects and fled!”

“Here right in front made the anti-shogunate army into minced meat not even a few days passed and chirping mad sounds. Do nonsense at home.”

Why on earth?

Their self-questioning was long and painful.

***

Joseon had seriously harbored thoughts about colonies from long ago.

“The reason Western powers are prosperous today is ultimately obtaining enormous profits using slaves in vast colonies.”

“Truly spine-chilling.”

“But ultimately a country’s national power is determined by how much land and population, so shouldn’t we also someday grow power and make colonies?”

Perhaps because started the hole learning Western culture with the British Empire. These 1st generation imperialism aspirants diligently burned happy circuits where to conquer for Joseon to live better.

About Japan of course these also seriously pondered.

“If conquering Waeguk and sending all those wandering without land can endlessly extract rice there!”

“Japan still not seeing the flow of the era and insisting on isolation, if our enlightened Joseon army steps out can destroy the shogunate at once!”

“Waenom are uncivilized and worship their priest called emperor, if transporting the emperor to Hanyang all Waenom seem will submit to His Majesty the King.”

“The custom there the strongest in Waeguk opens the shogunate, fine the Joseon army hitting Wa land and opening the shogunate?”

“No no, what mad sounds everyone doing now.”

Heungseon-gun Lee Ha-eung the only minister who went to Japan made a very stern face.

Conquering Japan? That wide country?

“Until now our Joseon propagated advanced postal technology to Japan and sent postal soldiers, so could know much more about their customs and geography than before.”

Interpretation: Openly sprinkled spies and observers a lot and the field of view became very clear.

“According to this Japan is even bigger than our Joseon but farming is much better so the population approaches 30 million. To conquer such a country must raise at least about 300,000 large army and trample so no nerve to resist... is this a possible thing?”

“After raising that large army must also raise a navy to supply the large army.”

“If we send troops and conquer Waeguk Qing will not stay still.”

The conclusion came quickly.

Cannot eat Japan.

Above all, the moment a mere Joseon topic makes a fuss wanting to have colonies those Western powers crazy for profits will absolutely not leave alone. To want colonies must at least be able to beat Britain or France what hell difficulty is this.

“Let’s just do northern expedition as always.”

“Repelling Jurchen barbarians and recovering our old land Manchuria is extremely natural order. Who first brought out the sound of conquering Waeguk?”

“Today the Western power coveting Manchuria is only Russia, so our northern advance is also the interest of the superior country Britain.”

“Head hurts so let’s just go to Liaodong!”

The dream of the Joseon occupation period that sparkled very briefly instantly faded. Too many things needed to conquer an island country.

Meanwhile, the Joseon expeditionary force leadership that withdrew to Osaka seemed heads would burst.

“Additional reinforcement dispatch impossible?”

“Yes. Qing’s pressure is intensifying.”

“How much?”

“Zeng Guofan came out to Liaodong leading part of the Xiang Army. The court is discussing mobilization order.”

“What about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom?!”

“Sorry. This small official also up to that...”

“Supply?”

“Said will somehow provide supply. Urgently put orders to Geumseong Sanghoe (Lee & Gladstone) so will somehow work.”

Prince Gong was truly throwing bold moves precisely.

Immediately held a meeting after the messenger withdrew but no sharp move came out.

“What do you think?”

“Bluff.”

Kim Byeongguk answered immediately to Wonbeom’s question.

“Now no place in the Central Plains heaven and earth where rebellion has not occurred. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom that seemed suppressed now obtained Sichuan and found a breathing hole again, and subjects following Prince Gong and subjects pushing the newborn child the emperor gave birth to are confronting over the next emperor seat. Those absolutely cannot plot war.”

“Not necessarily so.”

Unexpectedly the one shaking the head was Shin Heon. Everyone’s attention focused on him.

“Yixin’s power is precarious no matter who sees. Said will suppress the Taiping rebels’ rebellion and employed Britain and France as mercenaries, but who will really see them as mercenaries. Qing’s authority is falling day by day, and Prince Gong’s downfall is also not far.”

“Yes. Therefore war difficult?”

“I think exactly the opposite. Yixin with nothing to lose means can even cause war.”

“...”

“Come come. Let’s stop. What use us chattering here?”

As the two people’s opinions walked parallel lines Wonbeom waved both arms here and there to refresh the atmosphere then took out a cigarette case from the bosom.

“Throat dry so will smoke one. This is Ottoman Turk produced tobacco Westerners regard as the best want to taste once?”

“Heum heum. Then will be impolite regardless of shame.”

“Come here. Will light the fire.”

Instantly the meeting room became a raccoon den, and silently smoking cigarettes hard and seeming the head’s steam subsided to some extent then finally Wonbeom opened the mouth again.

“What the court wants is simple. Sweep all traitors trying to shake the shogunate, make Japanese people admire us instead of resenting or cursing Joseon, and further make these also send an army to hit Qing.”

“Right.”

A fantasy of conquering the archipelago flashed by briefly, but anyway Joseon’s national grand strategy was always clear.

By defeating the Qing army clearly reveal to the whole world that Joseon is an independent country and collapse the Chinese order. Manchuria? That land is mere a legitimate right that will be recovered in the process.

Must ultimately have a big fight with Qing staking the country’s fate, but to do so must avoid Japan hitting the back door.

Anyway Qing are guys enormous from the size. Even allying with Japan and charging in things to tear are endless.

“Now we recovered Kyoto, and even going to Choshu domain the traitors’ den probably no troops anywhere to block us. Now the things warriors must do seem almost finished... did the court perhaps give separate guidelines?”

“Yes. Said recommend great reform to the shogunate so such rebellions do not occur from now on.”

“Reform.”

Kim Byeongguk briefly informed the content of the secret order the court said to convey.

“That... seems won’t do going alone.”

“I also think so. Must bring out the story when our Joseon army is in Edo.”

Neither Shin Heon nor Wonbeom could shake the thought whether someone among the shogunate guys might stab Kim Byeongguk to death.

And finally that day came.

***

Kim Byeongguk who secretly met the shogunate’s most important personnel briefly took a deep breath, then slowly recited the prepared lines.

“Our king Your Majesty benevolently recommends to your country, today’s this calamity is because two courts exist in Japan so appropriate for the Tokugawa family to formally ascend to the seat of Emperor of Japan.”

“?!”

Byeongguk briefly rolled the eyeballs once.

Fortunately none drawing swords. Really fortunate.

“The shogunate and Tokugawa family only rule the world’s daimyo as the foremost samurai, absolutely cannot violate the emperor’s seat. Knew your country’s goodwill so now-”

“If this impossible, rather than the shogunate formally the shogun entering as the court’s subject and ruling the country appropriate.”

Here should get angry saying internal interference, but those who witnessed with two eyes how powerful the Joseon army is could not bring out those words at all.

And above all.

Not wrong words.

“Want to hear more detailed high opinions.”

“Then we will call one Japan expert soon.”

Not long after.

Saigo Takamori who was hiding his identity in the Joseon army camp appeared.

Anyway correct as a Japan expert.

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