Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Even Pirates Have Their Uses (5)
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The Japanese have no honor.
Among them, the Tsushima bastards are particularly cunning.
From past to present, these guys have always been desperate to deceive Joseon and squeeze out even one more thing.
"Deputy Envoy."
"Yes, Lord Chief Envoy."
"Are you truly convinced that if Joseon permits trade with the Lord of Tsushima, they won't disturb our seas anymore?"
"They're rotten to the core, but when it comes to their own interests, no one is sharper than them."
Chief Envoy Shin Jang nodded in affirmation.
"No matter how many pirates they send, all they can plunder from us is a few poor villagers' homes, some rice, and a handful of slaves."
"You're renowned for your compassion toward the people, yet you speak so coldly. It's uncomfortable to hear."
"To solve a problem, don't we need to set aside all emotions and examine its causes with cold objectivity?"
They say criminal psychologists understand exactly how murderers think.
The emotions they feel while killing, how they view human life, and so on.
They even empathize with why they kill.
That's the level needed to grasp criminals' motives and devise measures to prevent crimes.
To deal with these Japanese bastards, I suppose I need to start by seeing them as they truly are.
"If we freely permit trade, they'll get all the rice they need to survive. Plus, they can sell precious Joseon goods like silk, ceramics, ginseng, agate, and lacquerware to their daimyo and shogun, improving their impoverished lives."
"So, they'll have no motive left for piracy."
"Moreover, the daimyo, starting with the Lord of Tsushima, will crack down on pirates heading to Joseon far more zealously than before—to preserve the benefits they're gaining from trade with us."
"Governing not by righteousness, but by profit. A truly peculiar idea. It's not to my taste... but perhaps Joseon needs someone who thinks like you."
"One thing worries me, though... Old habits die hard, even after eighty years. I'm concerned those irredeemable pirates might all head to Ming instead."
At the mention of unleashing pirates on Ming, Chief Envoy Shin Jang smiled.
Well, no one in Joseon likes Ming these days.
Who wouldn't enjoy sticking it to those Ming bastards?
In the midst of our conversation, a crewman approached us in the cabin.
"Lord Chief Envoy, Lord Deputy Envoy—we'll arrive at Izuhara soon."
Already?
"Prepare to disembark."
We changed from casual clothes into formal danryeong robes.
Stepping onto the deck, we saw hundreds of samurai waiting at Izuhara harbor to greet us.
They're probably trying to show off their strength with this bravado. Not scary at all.
Once the ship docked and we disembarked, the samurai in the most ornate armor approached, bowing deeply and courteously, then escorted us to the castle.
Upon arriving at Izuhara Castle, Chief Envoy Shin Jang immediately read the royal decree.
"We are well aware that Tsushima's barren land makes farming difficult, leaving it in dire poverty. Thus, by special grace, we permit free trade at Jeongui County on Jeju Island."
Hearing this, the Lord of Tsushima and his samurai trembled.
Not from fear, but from joy at the bright future ahead.
Tears even streamed from the eyes of an old retainer standing nearby.
"Lord of Tsushima So Sadamori—you shall exert yourself in subduing and controlling the wicked pirates, thereby repaying His Majesty's grace."
Once the reading ended, Lord So Sadamori performed a deep bow in Joseon style.
Every motion brimmed with gratitude toward King Sejong.
He even managed a clumsy thank-you in Joseon tongue.
"We are infinitely grateful to His Majesty."
A banquet followed to host us.
The Lord of Tsushima launched into praise for the Joseon king without pause.
He was so eloquently sycophantic that if only he'd spoken Joseon fluently...
He could've passed for a born Joseon flatterer.
"It's shameful to admit, but despite receiving Your Highness's orders to suppress the pirates, we've failed to do so properly until now."
The Lord of Tsushima outranked the third-rank Chief Envoy in nominal status.
That's why he used informal speech.
"In particular, the tragedy of the Year of Kihae can be traced to my failure to control my vassal, the So clan, who violated Joseon's borders. It's all my responsibility. Yet His Majesty has bestowed such grace, opening a path for Tsushima's people to survive. My gratitude defies words."
Listening through the interpreter, Shin Jang's expression softened a bit.
He doesn't fully believe the Lord of Tsushima, but he sensed sincerity in the boundless thanks to the throne.
"I too have received orders from the shogunate to govern Tsushima and guard the seas. Defying me to commit piracy is tantamount to disobeying the shogun."
"Is that so?"
"The shogun truly reveres Joseon—its beautiful culture and refinement, its exquisite ceramics and lacquerware."
There's an old saying: If you're going to flatter, leave your pride at home and do it right.
Do it well enough, and you can repay a debt of a thousand nyang with a few words.
The one who mastered this was none other than Won Gyun, the Japanese daimyo who hypnotized King Seonjo into impeaching Yi Sun-sin.
The Lord of Tsushima was every bit as sly, spinning lies with effortless charm.
Joseon had no way to verify, so they mistook him for a shogun confidant with authority over pirates... but I don't buy it.
For one, he's merely a retainer of the So clan, one of the great daimyo under the shogun...
And he hasn't even secured the 'Tsushima Guardian' title, the shogunate's symbol of recognized rule over the island.
"I'll speak to the shogun myself to ensure no more pirate raids on Joseon."
"That would greatly please His Highness."
Shin Jang seemed somewhat relaxed by the Lord's attitude... but I don't trust him.
I'd sooner believe Won Gyun was a brilliant general rivaling Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Or that Emperor Gojong was an enlightened monarch.
"I have a special gift prepared for the Chief and Deputy Envoys."
The Lord of Tsushima beckoned a nearby attendant.
The attendant handed each of us a lacquered box.
And a paper inscribed in Hanja.
It stated there were fifty nyang of silver inside.
Shin Jang's eyes lit up; he was overjoyed.
Joseon was bent double paying seven hundred nyang in annual tribute to Ming, yet Tsushima could casually offer a hundred as bribe.
If I didn't know better, I'd fall for it too.
Ah, sure, the Lord pesters us for sesame oil and such, but he must be a powerful great daimyo after all.
Exactly.
"A token of my sincerity. Use it to bolster your household."
Shin Jang was still flustered, so I replied calmly on our behalf.
"We gratefully accept. And please, have this cup of wine in return."
"Thank you."
In the warm, bribe-fueled atmosphere, we continued our talk.
The Lord asked what Joseon needed; Shin Jang and I answered honestly—barring state secrets—to fill our "gifts'" value and meet Joseon's needs.
From now on, they'll prioritize shipping those items.
Ming's coasts will be ravaged each time, but that's not my problem.
As the banquet ended and everyone retired, I gave special instructions in Japanese to my attending samurai.
"The Lord of Tsushima gave me a grand gift, so I wish to share valuable Joseon intelligence with him in secret, away from the Chief Envoy. Please ask him to make time tonight, despite the inconvenience."
"Yes, my lord."
"No one must know I met the Lord alone at night."
In truth, Chief Envoy Shin Jang knew in advance, as did the delegation's higher-ups—they expect me to slip away.
They know I'm on a covert mission, so they'll officially "play dumb."
And so, late at night, I got "lost" heading to the privy and "accidentally" entered the Lord's chambers, meeting him alone.
His face beamed with anticipation for the secrets I'd bring.
But his smile shattered at my first words.
"On what authority does a mere bakubai—retainer of a retainer—who can't even claim the Tsushima Guardian title, presume to control the pirates? Did you think Joseon wouldn't know?"
The Lord of Tsushima went pale as a ghost.
"Joseon knows everything."