Chapter 63
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 063
Chapter Title: Reverse Unyo Incident (3)
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When you compare it to other countries overseas, you realize just how stubbornly the three Eastern kingdoms—Qing, Joseon, and Japan—had insisted on going their separate ways.
Qing China?
They saw themselves as the center of the world, calling their country "China" and their landmass the "Central Plains." Everything beyond their borders was barbarian territory, steeped in that vicious egocentrism.
Joseon was no different, proudly proclaiming itself the "Little China." They had so little exchange with the outside world that the scant trickle of foreign knowledge came only through China, and even their geographical information was woefully outdated. Like everyone else, they dismissed all outsiders as barbarians.
Japan was much the same.
People in 21st-century Korea often imagine that Japan, being an island nation, must have been more outward-looking and enlightened. That's only half true.
The Edo Shogunate enforced strict isolationism, with almost no interaction with foreign nations. Yet compared to Joseon, they fared slightly better, and the reason was simple: superior geography and abundant resources. No matter how tightly Japan locked its doors, Westerners who smelled profit would force their way in, offering foreign knowledge and money in exchange for trade—chanting "churai, churai" until they got their foot in the door. That made things just a tad better than in Joseon.
Japan still viewed other countries as barbarians, of course.
And whispers of that pernicious "Expel the Barbarians" doctrine were already circulating, so no need to elaborate on Japanese cunning.
By the time Westerners showed up at their doorstep with ironclads and cannons, Japanese public opinion had split down the middle.
"We must open up now! Haven't you seen mighty Qing crushed twice already? Haven't you witnessed Joseon's capital fall in a single month, leaving it in utter disgrace? We need to open our ports immediately!"
The Shogunate advocated accepting Western civilization.
"This mess is because you've been running the country like idiots! Opening up? Get lost first, then we'll talk!"
"Traitors who disrespect His Majesty the Emperor! Repent for becoming lackeys of foreign powers! Honor the Emperor at home and prepare to resist the barbarians abroad!"
Opposing them was the rising tide of "Revere the Emperor, Repel the Barbarians."
Not many were yet calling for the Shogunate's outright abolition. Despite the nation's decline, the Shogunate's influence remained strong.
But the Emperor, whose presence had been virtually invisible in Japanese history, was drawing increasing attention.
And one more thing.
Far from Edo—Tokyo—a number of anti-Shogunate domains were bulking up through smuggling trade, quietly building their strength.
These were the famous Satsuma and Choshu domains.
The key players in the Meiji Restoration and the pillars of the future Japanese Empire.
Satsuma went without saying.
It was ruled by the renowned Shimazu clan.
"Shimazu, you say—"
"Shimazu in kanji is Island Ford. Shimazu Yoshihiro was the head of that clan."
"Shimazu Yoshihiro! That scum from Sacheon and Noryang who deserves to be devoured alive!"
The Second Siege of Jinju Castle, where blood rose to the ankles.
The Battle of Sacheon, the last major land battle of the Imjin War.
And the Battle of Noryang, where the hero Yi Sun-sin fell.
"Then what about Choshu? Changju?"
"Kobayakawa Takakage was from that clan."
Kobayakawa?
Battle of Byeokjegwan, Battle of Ichi, and the Great Victory at Haengju.
Another lineage that would make any Korean spit curses.
With prejudices already forming inevitably, the Shogunate's explanation poured oil on the fire.
"Satsuma and Choshu, you say? Ugh, don't even mention them. They're wicked breeds."
"Why do you think Joseon had such headaches with Japanese pirates? It was all those guys. The court forbade sea voyages time and again, but they grabbed their swords and went pillaging anyway."
"Those places have always been hotbeds of rebellion. They're so vicious and black-hearted that even Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Shogunate, willed on his deathbed, 'Lay my body facing Satsuma.' It's obvious they'd be the ones to start a revolt!"
How could Joseon, the most Neo-Confucian nation on earth—a land of righteousness and propriety—sit idly by upon hearing this?
"A land of scoundrels and mongrels would naturally dream of overturning heaven's order."
"Banned from pillaging Joseon any longer, they turned to tormenting Ryukyu and exploiting its wealth? Truly spawn of whores!"
"If the Shogunate weakens and those fiends seize power, they'll revive the Imjin chaos just like their ancestors who bit and tore at us."
Suspicion hardened into certainty.
Qing's invasion was inevitable, if not imminent. If Japan reawakened its predatory instincts, Joseon's future would be pitch black.
But from the Shogunate's perspective, it was rather perplexing.
'These fools. Do they think we can't handle those bastards ourselves?'
With the whole nation clamoring to resist the barbarians, allying with the usually pliable Joseon? Would that really go quietly?
At least, the Shogunate showed no eagerness to sign a mutual defense pact.
"The Shogunate says they'll keep their house in order, so quit the nonsense."
"They really said that?"
"Of course not. But wouldn't we say the same? If the Japanese king suddenly sent envoys offering troops in case of emergency, what would we say?"
"'Screw off.'"
Yi Ha-eung just nodded at my cynical reply.
"Now that we've gauged the situation, how about we sign that trade treaty and head out?"
At Im Sang-ok's whiff of profit, Yi Ha-eung instantly ditched any "repel the West" nonsense and transformed into a fervent free-trade crusader. This man was Joseon's natural-born politician, Homo politicus.
Yeah.
I'd always wanted to say that line.
"I have one stratagem for you."
Behold the power of the 21st century, you island barbarians.
Do you know what the world's top three adventure tales are?
The Bible, the Iliad, and trailing them is, of course, the masterpiece of English literature.
My Gulliver's Travels—or Arthur adrift, as it were—boasts elegant prose, life lessons, thrilling first contact with alien civilizations, and sheer entertainment value. It's destined to be studied by every student worldwide, if only for exams.
- But it got overshadowed by bro's shitty novel, right?
Ouch, fuck. Don't mention Daniel's tinder fodder. That guy's life makes me question if he's even human.
I can't comprehend it. How does someone arrive in Joseon and make seducing a gisaeng and bringing her home their first priority? Unless their brain is ruled by their dick, how?
What would my niece, growing up healthy in England, think? That Daddy seduced a widow, married her, had her, then went to the opposite side of the globe and seduced another woman?
- Haven't you seen dual households before? It's common in Joseon too.
My 21st-century sensibilities can't handle it. Is this what they call Shimada syndrome or something?
Anyway, the key point is that my masterpiece, Arthur's Travels, had been published in the East.
Westerners read it out of curiosity about the mysterious Orient. Joseon people read it wondering how foreigners viewed their land. The Chinese... who knows why they bothered.
And astonishingly,
A Japanese edition I'd never even written was circulating widely.
Did I come to Japan for no reason?
Obviously, I weighed "probability of suspicion if a Brit wears Joseon garb" against "benefits of a fairly famous celeb visiting Japan."
"Arthur-dono! How do you find Edo?"
"Splendid. It has a charm entirely different from Hanyang."
"Is London always shrouded in fog and smoke?"
"Indeed. Smoke rises endlessly from factory chimneys across the vast industrial zones—smoke that symbolizes civilization and progress itself."
As I fed them suitable responses to pass the time,
Word spread that the author of that famous book, Arthur Leigh, was in Japan. People began arriving from all over.
"Shinju is not like Joseon!! Your barbarian nation of Joseon may have flung open its gates at the sight of Western guns, but this land under His Majesty the Emperor's protection will never yield easily!"
"I see."
"You English cur! Here to invade Japan after Joseon, eh? We know all about it!"
"No. I've come solely for scholarly exchange. If anything, I wish my homeland Britain would avoid unfortunate conflicts in the East."
At first, the nationalists swarmed.
But as I endured patiently, those interested in enlightenment began trickling in, sending word they wished to meet me.
"I'd like your views on Japan's future."
"Bleak."
"...Why is that?"
No drawing swords or raging at insults—+5 points. A fine fellow.
"All nations that refuse Western civilization share the same fate."
"So we just need to accept those contraptions?"
"No. You absolutely cannot simply accept the gadgets. This applies to Joseon as well."
Discourse on how to reform.
And questions on how Japan could survive this brutal world.
Yes. This is what I'd been waiting for.
"First and foremost, you need bone-deep effort. The gap in talent utilization between Britain and France versus Joseon and Japan is vast. How can a nation that recruits talent only from noble yangban or samurai classes compete with one that draws the best from all its people?"
"Quite right!"
"In this country, unless you're born to privilege, advancement is impossible, let alone handling Shogunate affairs. Lord Arthur speaks truth!"
"So you advocate enlightenment as the only path?"
"Yes. In today's world, no nation survives alone. To endure, Japan must befriend strong allies for protection."
I kindly guided the receptive Japanese listeners.
"Japan's future lies at sea. Expanding onto the continent may seem to promise vast territory, but it means facing colossal empires like Qing and Russia. The math doesn't add up."
"Then?"
"Befriend America, embrace Britain, and position yourselves as a bridgehead against Qing and Russia in the Far East."
"What of Joseon?"
"No choice. Unless Joseon and Japan unite—Joseon advancing to the continent, Japan to the seas—both nations will end up as dishes on the Western powers' table. Their fate hinges on how swiftly they harmonize."
Time to drop more impact on these deeply shaken listeners.
Propaganda needs punchy slogans, after all.
Who remembers long-winded speeches? It has to boil down to one word.
"I call this the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."
"Greater East Asia... Co-Prosperity!!"
"What a soul-stirring name!"
Yeah. It ought to stir you... since you came up with it...
"Teacher Leigh. To live up to that name, shouldn't we ally with Qing too?"
"Qing clings to the arrogance of being the world's center; they can't join us. They'd demand submission from Joseon and Japan over co-prosperity. Isn't that right?"
"Indeed...!"
"If Joseon and Japan swiftly enlighten themselves and aid the opening of Ryukyu, Annam, and Southeast Asian states, the Western powers won't dare invade lightly. Only a firm alliance can shield you from the great powers' might."
Our lengthy dialogues and tirades were all transcribed by pre-positioned interpreters.
Compiled into a book titled Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity, it was presented to Edo's Shogun and Kyoto's Emperor.
"This is it!"
"This is the answer!"
"Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity! United front with Joseon against the West!"
Naturally, the book "leaked" and copies flooded Edo's streets, but I didn't blame these copyright-ignorant savages.
The Japanese intellectuals reading it would shape public opinion.
"Your nation thinks so fondly of our Japan, with centuries of exchange between us—how could we, as hosts, refuse guests? The way of all nations today lies in treaties, so we agree in principle to a pact strengthening our amity..."
At last, the Shogunate was persuaded.
It was time for the Japan-Joseon Treaty of Amity and Trade.