Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Devious Schemes (8)
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Weapons are tools meant for killing people.
That said, just as any tool's purpose varies depending on how it's used, powerful weapons can serve all sorts of functions beyond simply slaughtering humans.
Nuclear weapons are a prime example.
Since nukes are devastating armaments capable of wiping out hundreds of thousands in a single blast, merely possessing them guarantees a certain level of clout on the diplomatic stage.
It's because if some nuclear-armed fool decides to launch one at an enemy nation on a whim, the instant result would be a catastrophe claiming hundreds of thousands of lives.
With that in mind, I had treated the Lord of Tsushima to a fireworks display courtesy of our fire arrow wagons.
The message being: if you refuse to play nice with Joseon, we'll roll up with dozens of those same wagons and rain arrows down on you.
"Lord of Tsushima, the reason I've come here today is to propose a deal that would benefit your island. So please, don't be so on guard."
The Lord of Tsushima still wore a sullen expression.
Well, I hadn't really expected him to drop his defenses completely just because I said a few polite words.
In this era, putting on a fireworks show with that much gunpowder was basically a military parade performance.
And I didn't think for a second that the Lord of Tsushima was some fool who'd watch it and think, "Thanks for the awesome show!"
"Bring it here."
At my order to fetch the item, a heavily armored officer entered carrying a massive chunk of steel—thick as a man's arm—in both hands.
The moment the Lord of Tsushima laid eyes on the steel ingot, he asked,
"What in the world is this?"
"Steel made in Joseon."
"Why show it to us? Are you threatening us like with that fireworks display just now...?"
Showing off the fireworks and now pulling out this exquisitely refined steel ingot—it was indeed part of the persuasion process, a bit of intimidation to foster proper dialogue.
However, in diplomacy, this sort of arm-twisting leaves room for accusations...
Even if he nailed it on the head, I had to insist it was all a big misunderstanding.
No.
Actually, better to emphatically deny any such intent from Joseon and stage it as a scene from a "peaceful conversation."
"Threaten you? His Highness simply wanted to treat you to a splendid fireworks display, so we went to the trouble of hauling those fire wagons here to put on the show. And he merely hopes that Joseon and Tsushima can trade in steel for mutual benefit going forward."
Joseon doesn't force bad deals on obedient allies like Ming through humiliation and coercion.
In truth, this proposal benefits Tsushima if they think about it—it's hardly a loss for them.
It's a plan I meticulously calculated and got approved by King Sejong himself.
Actually, Yi Bang-won even suggested I reconsider, saying it was overly generous to Tsushima.
This is an incredibly lenient offer for you lot, believe me.
Once the Lord of Tsushima hears the full story, he'll surely dispel his suspicions and be moved to tears by the grace of the Joseon king.
Tsushima is Joseon's all-in-one money laundering front, for better or worse.
As long as these guys cooperate with us, we have to ensure they get their cut to keep the laundering running smoothly.
"This steel is superior even to tamahagane, the finest used for katanas in Japan."
"Armor made from this would be incredibly sturdy."
"Forging it into weapons would yield excellent results too."
I haven't seen Japanese iron myself, so I couldn't say for sure...
But records indicate that during Japan's Warring States period, they prized imported Western iron—nanban steel—as the best quality.
Japan had plenty of gold, silver, copper, and lead mines, but no iron ones, so they relied on scrap iron.
Scrap iron was low-quality even among irons, so Western nanban steel from iron ore smelting became the gold standard.
It was so precious that when crafting katanas for samurai, they'd mix in a tiny amount and boast, "This blade contains rare nanban steel."
Hand these Japanese dogs Joseon-forged steel, and they'll lose their minds.
"We'll sell 20,000 geun of this steel to Tsushima every year, gradually increasing the amount."
"Our humble island is too remote to consume 20,000 geun of such precious steel. I'm no blacksmith, but this looks far superior to the best iron produced in our Japan. Surely even in Joseon, steel of this quality is exceedingly rare."
Before our steel mills, yes, such steel was incredibly scarce in Joseon too.
Not only was iron ore mining limited, but making steel required melting pig iron in a forge, then laboriously hammering out impurities by hand.
The refining process was so arduous that production was minimal.
But now, with reverberatory furnaces and the crucible method I proposed, Joseon's steel output has skyrocketed.
We're at about 300 tons annually now, but with coke steelmaking and accumulated know-how, we could hit 1,000 tons—or more—per year.
"Steel is indeed precious in Joseon too. But we must navigate Ming's sea ban, and unlike your navies (read: pirates) under the Lord of Tsushima that venture beyond Luzon to India, we lack such seafaring prowess. So even if we wanted to offload it, we have no outlets."
"Hah, so you want to profit by selling this steel to Japan and beyond through us?"
"Not a bad deal, right?"
"Hmm. True. Sell this steel for rice, build up our forces..."
Historians call this era in Japan the "Muromachi shogunate period," distinguishing it from the Warring States.
Those ignorant of history might assume Japan was peaceful then...
Far from it.
They're still brawling constantly, with daimyo slaying each other left and right.
The difference from the Warring States? They avoid challenging the shogun's seat, and battles don't rage every moment.
So the Lord of Tsushima figures he'll use our steel to bolster his faction one way or another...
Do whatever you want.
"Sell that 20,000 geun of steel to Japan, and to other pirate bands too. Even if it means they plunder your enemies instead of us Joseon folk, that's fine, isn't it?"
"A splendid proposal. So what does Joseon want in return?"
"Hand over Tsushima's silver mine to us."
"What? You think that's feasible?"
Not by ordinary means, no.
That's why I'm dangling exclusive trading rights to 20,000 geun of steel.
Before the silver partition law, we can't just strip you of your silver mining profits without compensation, or you'll rebel.
"His Highness desires it, so it shall be. Have you forgotten? Joseon could conquer Tsushima anytime."
During the third Tsushima expedition in Sejong's first year, our forces were strong, but today's Joseon army is on another level.
Back then, assembling 10,000 men was a struggle; now, we could muster 50,000 if we set our minds to it.
Meaning we could turn your little island into a wasteland.
"Truth be told, silver yields from Tsushima's mine have dwindled compared to before, making profits harder to come by, haven't they?"
With the silver partition law, that mine will transform into a proper producer.
It operated well right up to the Meiji Restoration.
But right now, it's at the point where they're debating whether to abandon it.
"For handing over a barely profitable silver mine, you get exclusive trading rights to 20,000 geun of steel."
"Well, even so, a silver mine is..."
He started with an outright no, but now he's wavering...
Clearly pondering how to squeeze more value.
"Even if you sell just 2,000 geun to the pirates at full price, you'll net more silver than from the mine. It's a win-win, so if you keep dragging your feet, I'll pack up and leave."
When I hold all the cards, I have a killer tactic.
Threaten to scrap the deal.
From his perspective, he'd kill for those 20,000 geun trading rights, and since we're offering them upfront, he figures stalling might wring out extras.
"No, wait a moment..."
"And I'll make the same offer to the Japanese in Hirado."
At the mention of Hirado, the Lord of Tsushima's eyes flashed wide.
He grabbed my arm tight and pleaded,
"Hirado—no, not Hirado. They're our enemies..."
"I'm here to do business. Trading with Hirado harms no one in Joseon, so that's what I'll do."
"Fine, I get it. We'll hand the silver mine to Joseon. But you must entrust the full 20,000 geun of steel to us."
"You can pay next year. Go ahead and start trading with the steel first."
After that, the Lord of Tsushima and I grinned at each other as we hashed out the details of our future dealings from every angle.
A deal satisfactory to all was struck.