Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Sugar High(2)
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The adage that history repeats itself was vividly proven in this Jeongchuk year (1757), now just a few days from its end.
This moment was the perfect timing for "sugar trade"—something no one in Joseon, including Kim Unhaeng, knew about yet.
The Qing showed little interest in maritime trade, nor did they implement any aggressive protective measures, just as Hong Yak-su and the other Four Emperors had thought.
But there was an exception.
In the Qing Empire, which boasted having everything under the sun, copper—an oddly scarce resource—was a prime example.
Thus, the Qing imported copper from Japan, which had practically monopolized pre-modern East Asia's copper supply.
They even set up official bureaus to manage private merchants, dispatching ships to Japan only during favorable wind seasons—a few vessels at a time.
That season meant from Summer Solstice to Minor Heat in summer, and from Minor Snow to Major Snow in winter. In other words, no official ships right now.
Put another way, any Qing ships passing through now could be targeted without issue.
Of course, Hong Yak-su wasn't so careless.
He joined forces with Dutch ship expert Yi Eon-seop for a combined operation with the Jeolla Right and Left Naval Commands, setting up base off Fukuejima right in front of Nagasaki to hunt Chinese merchant vessels.
With no way to gather intel on Chinese movements, they had no choice but to guard the "entrance." Plus, it was a convenient way to pin all the disappearances on the "Red-Haired Pirates."
True to form as the one who had served Chungmugong's descendants, Hong Yak-su's hunting plan was rock-solid.
Lead with the massive Dutch ship Gustav Willem, supported by "haram ships" to overwhelm enemies with size and firepower.
No need to hit—just fire noisily. Actually, hitting would be a problem.
When the Chinese ships panicked and halted, that was hunting time. Then, Joseon's traditional swift panokseon—haegolseon—darted in like sea terns from hiding, boarding them in a flash.
All that remained were "adrift Ming nationals."
A century ago, King Hyeonjong had repatriated Ming loyalists who washed up on Jeju while en route to Japan seeking aid, sending them to Beijing. East Asia was more international than modern folks might think.
Scholars back then raged about cozying up to the Jurchens, but even if they'd reached Japan successfully, they'd have been shipped to Beijing anyway.
But things were different now. As a unit essentially created by Noron purist Kim Unhaeng, the Liberation Squadron emphasized moral justification.
"How could we betray the re-founders of Joseon? Sending these people back as in the old days would surely lead to untold hardships and death. This must be Heaven's will—better to let them learn a trade in our camp and live."
The marines, deeply moved by their superiors' stern morality, even personally cut off the queues that the "Ming remnants" would surely see as humiliating. Without it, they couldn't escape the wicked spiritual corruption of the Dark Jurchens.
The neatly braided long hair became soldiers' pocket money as hairpieces, and the remnants came under the Liberation Squadron's merciful protection. Joseon's righteousness remained unchanged even a century after the Ming's fall.
Yi Eon-seop rubbed the white sugar between his fingers, delighted. Covered in white powder, he seemed a bit delirious.
"With this much, we could build a... a mountain of a battleship."
Not quite. Pirate profits are inherently unstable.
Joseon was just so poor it seemed huge. So Hong Yak-su replied temperately.
"Remember when I said earlier that candy isn't just something you fight for?"
"Yes. You said that when I first arrived."
"Look at the Gyeongsang Right and Left Naval Commands—you'll see the Ulleungdo trade commissioner makes more in a year. In the end, we should adopt a similar strategy."
"Th-then, should we talk to Kim Chunsik and open a port like Ulleungdo?"
This New Year's, Kim Unhaeng had finally formalized Ulleungdo's smuggling trade to encourage the Four Emperors' sugar imports.
It was getting hard to keep secret anyway, and the Crown Prince's fondness for foreign trade—confirmed via the Russian incident—pushed it forward half by choice, half by necessity.
Unlike before, with his grip on power, Kim Unhaeng could siphon off Ulleungdo trade revenue from the national treasury at will, so no need to cling to risky smuggling.
Once decided, Kim Unhaeng's theater was disgustingly thorough.
He had the Matsuura clan submit a diplomatic plea: "We're starving—please reopen Wakkan trade."
Then debated it in the Yeonguijongsa with heavy moralistic arguments.
In the end, even Park Mun-su couldn't refute: "The Japanese are insolent, but useful for state needs. Opening on remote Ulleungdo should prevent further trouble."
Naturally, Joseon's overseer was Ulleungdo Myeongjang Park Sang-sun, and the new Wakkan magistrate was Matsuura Keisen. The piñata effect from Kim Unhaeng's prior Wakkan demolition absorbed rampant coastal smugglers too.
Hong Yak-su nodded.
"Yes, indeed. But Ulleungdo was easy because a Wakkan had existed in Busanpo before, and deals were pre-made with Tsushima folk. We need to create such 'circumstances' in advance."
"What kind of circumstances?"
Hong Yak-su didn't answer right away. Instead, he flashed a subtle smile.
"From the Ulleungdo case, Kim Chunsik's probably already considering it. Anyway, let's wait a bit. First, we ship this sugar to Seoul."
With warship fanatic Yi Eon-seop involved, the sugar's source felt shady—who knows where he got it.
Hong Yak-su's letter claimed it came from a drifting ship off Nagasaki.
There were Japanese ships there, sure—but Chinese ones too. Surely not a Qing official vessel, or worse, a South China pirate ship?
No. Positive thinking. Probably Japanese, whatever.
Sorry, Princess Se-hwa, but if there's fallout, blame Hong Yak-su's solo act. One head exploding mid-normal battle is enough.
To that end, I won't investigate this incident.
I don't know the sugar's origin. It fell from the sky.
Heaven's gift sugar was distributed to Kaoru, fueling the Jangdong Kim clan pastry tycoon.
Prior sales to the palace via Princess Hwanongju and Outer Quarters through Se-hwa brought quick feedback via Grand Heir Yi Jeong's letter.
The envelope marked "To the Elder Chief (Do Seungji, see here)" was the most blunt of all I received.
"If you want to eat it, just say so—why pimp out your little brother? Even though Yongdu-gun Yi San is only seven or eight, he can surely write a short note. Even Yi Hwan can."
That "Elder" title is trouble if seen—reserved for uncles and such.
Probably a kid's desperate flattery to get more pastries. Wait—does the Grand Heir already have secret underlings?
Anyway, good start. Leave the rest to Kaoru.
Now, something more important.
The yeonhaengsa had finally returned with the title of Deputy Joseon State Envoy.
This Deputy Joseon State Envoy title, secured by my modern international savvy pro-Qing diplomacy, traced back to the Song Dynasty.
Five Goryeo kings and six Joseon kings had held it—not a unique feat of Yi Seong-gye. In Joseon alone: Taejo, Jeongjong, Taejong, Jungjong, Seonjo, Gwanghaegun.
Questioning if they're all usurpers or legitimacy-questioned is impertinent. Think of it like a U.S. VP acting when the prior king botched succession.
They didn't grant it just because the king lived—plenty of "Supreme King" precedents for that.
It was the Qing's insurance on Joseon. Disrespect the Qing, and we ignore your "not-king" deputy envoy.
Given the stakes, the full envoy party—including chief envoy Park Myeongwon—met me before reporting to the Crown Prince. Because I'm his chief of staff.
Park Myeongwon's report cleared censorship.
The problem, as always, was those Silhak bastards.
Park Jiwon's relayed Russian letter was shocking. I blurted something unbefitting a Neo-Confucian.
"What kind of bullshit is this?"
Because Joseon consorts with Dzungars, join us? Lately the Crown Prince too—why do so many ignore geography?
More 21st-century Earthlings have been to space than Joseon folks who've met Dzungars. You think Qianlong buys this?
Park Jiwon asked curiously.
"What's it say to rile you so?"
I nearly said "Just gruesome drivel" and burned it. If the Crown Prince learns Russians reached out first, disaster.
But I stopped. Park Jiwon couldn't have kept this under ironclad security.
At least everyone knew Russians gave something. Hasty cover-up would backfire later.
Then someone rolled into the Seungjeongwon clerk's office clutching a dirt clod-like thing.
"Chunsik! Check this Western yam! I brought it from Beijing—it'll end all hunger! We must order magistrates everywhere to plant it!"
The local idiot strikes again. Interrupted, I snapped.
"Plant whatever, Deokbo hyung!"
"For real? I'll tell Vice Minister of Works (Seo Myeong-seon) you approved! His sixth cousin (then-Hanseong Governor Seo Myeong-bin) is governor, so Seoul first!"
Hmph. Go get your ass kicked by friendly Hanseong Governor. We already have sweet potatoes—why not potatoes?
Seeing Park Jiwon eye the potato, I shooed them both out. Still frazzled, I reorganized my thoughts from scratch.
Later, I took the letter to the Crown Prince.
Kim Unhaeng's conduct was right.
Delaying reports fearing bad outcomes is worse.
Report immediately: "Might be bad." Delay: "Definitely bad"—blame for missing the moment.
Classic timid newbie mistake. But Kim Unhaeng was neither timid nor a newbie.
The Crown Prince didn't just gush "Whoa! Trade! Whoa! West!"
"As you said, a Russian ploy."
"Yes. Western schemes are typically this vicious—frame us, corner us, extract concessions. Outrageous."
"What then?"
Clearly not expecting "Just hand it to Qing."
Kim Unhaeng offered a fittingly pleasing, low-risk path.
"Nothing for now. Scammers peddling fake docs as intel to yeonhaengsa isn't new. This is one such."
"If Qing questions Joseon?"
"Then this 'fake' proves real. Even without questioning, better timing will come for showing the Emperor."
Shelve it for now. Use later if Qing suspects, or when Crown Prince wants "king" over deputy envoy—as diplomatic ammo.
The Crown Prince smiled delightedly.
"Your schemes go beyond this. There's more, right?"
To Kim Unhaeng, it sounded like: "We'll hold Russia as you say—so bring edgier enlightenment policies."
Kim Unhaeng was gradually grasping the "ruler" Crown Prince.
Environment shapes people. Even in offices, section chief vs. director—same guy?
Preserving some traits, the cage-in vs. cage-out shift birthed a Crown Prince beyond future-man Kim Unhaeng's predictions.
Initially hard to adjust, but facing real Russian overtures as Crown Prince predicted, Kim Unhaeng revised his view.
From "kid bribable with 2D court ladies" to "negotiating partner."
Still, no intention of being crushed policy fodder. As always, he'd weave personal gain into the boss's wishes.
Tedious, sure. But such work gave Kim Unhaeng a universal thrill.
His first pure civil servant satisfaction, sans self-interest.
Fitting, as he'd always aspired to bureaucracy. Kim Unhaeng said quietly.
"Apologies, but what follows can't be discussed in Yeonguijongsa. May I overstep with a grand strategy?"
"How much of our talk fits Yeonguijongsa anyway? Speak."
Originally, Kim Unhaeng hadn't planned sustained, large-scale sugar trade.
He wanted the Four Emperors just hijacking Ryukyu-Satsuma tribute ships occasionally—for smooth monopoly.
But now, Qing relations trumped sugar monopoly.
Hadn't sold out Russia to Qing outright, so needed other gestures of goodwill.
That way, later: "We thought it fake and tossed it—but this brutal Russian missive was real? Surely you don't doubt us? What kind of bond is ours?"
Kim Unhaeng decided to copy friends' skills.
Sealing Noron "Expel Barbarians" power, he unlocked "Silhak."
True Silhak.
Nonexistent-yet "Yeonam" Park Jiwon said trading with Qing would delight the grudge-hoarding Dark Jurchens everywhere.
Not quite right for Jeongjo era. But for now-Qing, battered by Russia, Dzungars, Tibet? Spot on.
Thus, Kim Unhaeng and Crown Prince decided to "further" Qing trade.
But Joseon lacked trade goods. Simple reason 18th-century southern Joseon stayed quiet amid booming Sino-Japanese trade: no sugar, no copper.
And no gold, silver, sulfur, rice—nothing. Hence Ming-era rug-for-silk tribute begging.
Frankly, headache for Kim Unhaeng. Dan-gun real estate scam victim theory gaining traction.
Yet resource-poor nations survive uniquely.
Joseon's sole resource: location. Kim Unhaeng pondered Silhak ways to maximize it, proposing to Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince, youthfully excited, asked.
"High risk, high reward. What's it called?"
Kim Unhaeng replied calmly.
"Relay trade."
Big ship-big gun fanatic Yi Eon-seop shed感動 tears again.
Gyeongsang Left Naval Commander Han Jung-ryang, ex-Dennisbelt flagship, joined—forming a task force of all Joseon's Dutch-style ships. Crown Prince's secret order.
The fleet Kim Unhaeng inwardly called the Orange Legion ditched cautious "pacification."
Patrolling the triangle: Gangjeongpo-Ryukyu-Nagasaki, hunting every visible ship. Dutch flags huge on sails and banners.
Capture if possible, but unlike before, if not—blast with cannons, sink or chase off.
Even armed foes too tough? Provoke with guns then flee. In one season, southern naval troops became East Asia's most battle-hardened navy.
East China Sea instantly birthed a Bermuda Triangle.
Kim Unhaeng aimed to make direct Sino-Japanese trade massively unprofitable.
Both straight Gangjeongpo-Nagasaki and Ryukyu detour routes now risky.
Merchants would seek alternatives.
And Joseon had a catalog to propose.
Author's Note
1. "Qing lacks copper" doesn't mean no mines—just not enough production for demand. Same for Joseon's resources at end.
2. King Hyeonjong repatriating Ming remnants detailed in Seong Hae-eung's "Jeongmi Jeomsinrok" (Jeongjo-era Noron scholar advertising his purism—valuable record).
3. Nagasaki-imported sugar then was nearly all white. Early brown too, but by 1757: 96.1% white granulated, rest lump "ice sugar." (Ref: Ochiai Kou, 2001)
4. Kim Unhaeng's letter is a slight mod of one Sunjo-era Crown Princess Hyomyeong sent to uncle Kim Yu-geun (Kim Cho-sun's son, Kim Unhaeng's distant grandnephew-ish) begging pastries.
5. Yeonhaengsa intel trade rife; Park Jiwon-era, someone sold "Luoyue Kingdom declares war on Qing" to interpreters who bought in shock. Park Jiwon jabbed ignorant ones (per diary), but even Three Bureaus knew—fictional Western land modeled on Japan per modern research.
6. Early Joseon gouged Ming tribute harshly too. Relations soured. Joseon begged poverty, improved ties—then cut pricy tribute like warhorses, gold. Rugs became Joseon's big export then.