Unknown Continent
Anyway, nationalizing the land just means the central government collects taxes through officials from the people managing it. We're not saying anything wrong. The monks have no choice but to raise their hands in surrender. The Ho clan is already weakened and irrelevant, and the Choe regime has enough authority to push through any policy.
So, what's the upside? There are still many freed slaves without land. We'll turn them into self-farming peasants or tenant farmers using that land, and have them pay taxes in currency. Once they pay in money instead of in kind, they'll be forced into the market economy. To pay taxes, they have to sell rice, right? Isn't that so?
It might be a hassle, but for those freed from slavery, it's not a bad deal. They'll probably join willingly. The economy spins through markets, taxes flow in as cash, get reinvested, and commerce booms. This is the Overfield Law adapted to Goryeo's current situation. Using the old name reeks of Joseon, so we renamed it the Currency Tax Collection Law or Broad Field Law.
Of course, it's not openly targeting Buddhism. But with the Ho clan weakened and officials surrendering land voluntarily, the temples are the last holdout. So it ended up aimed at them. Either way, we've nationalized those pesky temple lands, and the monks will head to Yodong to spread Goryeo Buddhism and civilize the Jurchens. Yodong will stabilize even more through religion.
In the Mongol Empire's Central Western Command, Yalu Choeje coldly assessed the empire's situation. Goryeo's trading post gives goods for Mongol warriors, and in return, we send women—is that really fair?
"Great Khan, aren't we sending too many women?"
"Why do you think those Goryeo bastards are asking for people?"
"To stabilize Yodong, surely."
Goryeo isn't a populous nation. They seemed to have decent forces fighting us, but how many people can such a small country have? Managing Yodong requires a lot of population—does Goryeo have enough?
"Even if we can't fight now, it's a country we'll battle someday. We can't help them, can we? They know our ways, so they can't outright demand men."
"So you're using that to bolster our military from Goryeo."
Exactly. They're using our transit passes to make Mongolia a trade hub anyway.
"So we send only women. Why give those bastards men to support our Mongol warriors?"
We sell prisoners to Goryeo, but never men. Men are for the front lines against the Mongol army—we can't give them away. So we send women to drain their food supplies. Even just women should make them grateful. Aren't Goryeo folk greedy despite killing so many of our warriors? They should be thankful just to share Mongol spoils.
Alright, next up are these guys. The ones who crossed the ocean from beyond. South America's natives. I summoned them to my office in Gaegyeong.
They'd diligently learned Hangul for a while.
"We come from Chimú."
The young man who seemed their leader introduced them. Amaru, Killra, Chelwa. Amaru and Killra were siblings, Chelwa their aide and friend-like figure. Their Goryeo speech was a bit rough, but you could feel their desperate effort to learn. They must see nowhere else to attach themselves but Goryeo.
"I see. We expected it, but your country is quite far."
"We fled in fear of human sacrifice."
Yeah. I'd want to run too if I were ritual fodder.
"Hate to say it, but don't they consider it an honor to be sacrificed?"
Records say Aztec captives from flower wars saw offering themselves to gods as glorious. But some resentful tribes sided with Spain's Cortes, so not everyone. Chimú differs from Aztecs, but same rice, different pot, right?
"Some do, but I couldn't offer my sister. ...There are no human sacrifices here, right?"
No. Maybe in the distant past, but not that kind. Chimú sacrifices children—not ripping out hearts, but still barbaric. That's why they fled.
"Not in the distant past either—your country didn't exist then. So escape was your goal?"
"We want revenge on that country."
"Revenge? How, with just three of you?"
Obviously begging for our help. But why should we?
"Though we can't speak it, this nation's army is far stronger than Chimú's. You could crush them easily, occupy Chimú, and gain vast wealth."
"Borrowing troops, eh? Fair enough."
Clinging to a great power for survival is natural. Kim Chun-chu begged Tang to save crumbling Silla, securing the alliance that doomed Baekje and Goguryeo. This guy's the same—asking for our army.
"But it's tough. Your country is too far. Everyone now knows of new lands beyond the vast sea thanks to you, but that's it. Even for a weak nation, we'd need thousands of troops. Without very fast ships, it's impossible. What about food? Seasickness? You who miraculously survived to here know best."
It'll be hard. Direct to South America? No way. Conquer Central America first as a base, migrate Goryeons, aim for next generations.
"Is that so."
They looked disappointed, but did I promise anything?
"Your continent's existence is still secret from us and neighbors. You two worlds don't know each other. You barely made it here by miracle luck."
They know—they lived it. Riding currents to Goryeo was near-miraculous.
"Yes."
"We're building new ships to go north, then gradually east. But to Chimú? Takes ages. Unsure if worth the risk."
Value's plenty, actually. Why did Europe boom? New World gold and silver influx. Complex, but easy gold helped. Spain bought Ming goods via Philippines colony with Mexican, Cuban, Central American hauls. Draining Europe's wealth, but latecomers like England, Netherlands innovated to compete, spurring progress.
If we monopolize America's gold/silver, Europe's growth slows, imperialism delays. East can modernize faster. We're next to China anyway. Plenty to do with influx—monopolize Song resources, say.
Sounds good, but Spain-New World vs. Goryeo-New World? Distance insane. Our stepping stones easier, but without strategic value, hard to build midpoints. Kamchatka to Alaska? Who'd stay? North America's worth draws our explorers/merchants; Alaska alone? Brutal.
Simply: North route hard enough—no reckless bets.
"Chimú Kingdom has vast gold."
Hm, now I get it. Feared we'd abandon them. No need to worry.
"I get what you're saying. You saved your sister—want us to use you?"
Better than nothing.
"Pardon?"
"Your crops will be vital here. We'll try growing them—can you help?"
We're testing seeds, but better use knowledgeable ones. Don't know Central vs. South differences, but they brought seeds knowing usage.
"Yes. We'll do it."
"Good. We'll give you work. Appointed special managers in the Navigation Bureau—grow those seeds well."
Honestly, natives' use is seeds only. Later for Central America: astronomy, calendars. For now, sweet potatoes, potatoes suffice.
"Do you trust them?"
After sending them off, Kim Jun asked suspiciously.
"Their existence proves it. Our Navigation Bureau and officials seem convinced too."
I glanced at the military officers and officials. Unbelieving eyes, but their words, items, seeds convinced somewhat.
"Indeed. Look at their gold jewelry. Lowly folk have that—how rich their nation?"
Daejipseong eyed the ornaments keenly.
"But too far."
Park Songbi was realistic. Sadly, much farther than Central America. Location sucks.
"Heard more: their continent stretches north-south long. So beyond Chimú, maybe reachable."
"If not Chimú, what's the point?"
"If Chimú's gold-rich, northern lands too."
Mesoamerica gold means no need for Chimú. Source from South America, trade via Central natives as hub post-conquest. Anyway, advances exploration.
"Regent Inspector-General, when can we see that keel ship?"
Jusuk changed subject.
"One's complete. Launch ceremony soon."
Copper sheathing tricky, but managed. Forty in forty years—see it done. Sail far with giants.
"Investing in navy henceforth?"
Not navy only, but army has top generals trained; build fleet with keel ships.
"Keep army too. Elite forever—for future prep."
"Future meaning?"
They underestimate still. Mongols, duh.
"Mongols will crave revenge. Their nature. Lost top commanders twice. Won't they? When confident, war."
If sane, finish western campaigns first. Ögedei's death ends that. Time left yet.