Chapter 419

Episode 419: Cargo Culture (2)

King Sejong explained why it was impossible.

“It is not right to respond by unconditionally suppressing the situation without considering the situation. Although they may not have become nobles yet, we must eventually bring them into our Joseon people. Therefore, unconditional subjugation is impossible.”

No sooner had Sejong finished speaking than Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth.

“The military’s analysis is that subjugation is not a good move. The area where railway thefts mainly occur is the land route connected to Dongbing Port. “The forest in that area is thick and there are climate issues, so a full-scale subjugation is impossible.”

Jo Mal-saeng continued to explain why subjugation was difficult.

-This area, which is connected to Dongbing Port, is home to many tribes belonging to the Woodiger tribe.

-The area where the Oljeonghap tribe lives is an area thick with primeval forests, unlike the Olryanghap (兀良哈 barbarians) area we are familiar with.

-The cavalry is at an absolute disadvantage in this primeval forest area.

-In order to carry out a proper subjugation, infantry must ultimately be deployed. However, the situation inside the maze-like primeval forest is still not fully understood. Therefore, the size of the troops deployed must be larger than usual. According to the military’s calculations, it would be difficult to achieve proper results even if more than three times the number of troops was mobilized.

-Especially in the primeval forests, there are dangerous elements such as poisonous insects that we, Joseon, are not yet familiar with, scattered here and there.

“... Therefore, if you have to deploy troops for subjugation, you must be prepared to spend a longer time than expected, deploy more troops than expected, and consume a huge amount of war funds.”

When Jo Mal-saeng finished his explanation, the ministers all thought the same thing.

‘If the military, which only knows how to spend money, says things like that, subjugation is impossible.’

“But if they continue their theft, the construction period will continue to lengthen and costs will continue to increase...”

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development trailed off, looking at Sejong’s attention. Sejong nodded at the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Development’s remarks.

“Of course, a solution to that problem is needed. However, in this case, subjugation alone is not the solution. Therefore, let the monks think of a solution to this.”

At this, Jo Mal-saeng opened his mouth again.

“Lee Jing-ok, the Cheomjeoljesa of Hamgildo, has appealed in this regard. “As a result of the research conducted by the military and the Chief of Staff, I thought it was a very good idea and was about to report it to Your Majesty.”

King Sejong, who had been briefly remembering Jo Mal-saeng’s report, looked at Jo Mal-saeng with eyes full of doubt.

“okay? Lee Jing-ok... was a very capable general. But I understand that he was very harsh towards the Jurchen people?”

‘The only good Jurchen people are dead Jurchen people.’

This was what Lee Jing-ok said publicly when he was deployed to the north in the early days of Gyeongjang.

As soon as he entered the military gate at Gapsa, he spent time fighting against the Jurchen tribe in the north. After passing the civil service exam again, Lee Jing-ok spent most of his time fighting against the Jurchen tribe. Whenever he heard the word Jurchen tribe, he gritted his teeth.

Even King Sejong mentioned Lee Jing-ok as the most radical person.

Because of these memories and reputations, when King Sejong looked suspicious, Jo Mal-saeng smiled and answered.

“haha! majesty! Wonbong (圓峰), as time went by and he continued to live with the Jurchen people, he suffered greatly.”

“exactly? “Then, let’s hear what Jing-ok Lee’s precepts were.”

In response to King Sejong’s words, Jo Mal-saeng explained the alternative proposed by Lee Jing-ok.

“Getting started is simple. The reason they steal railroad tracks is because they lack well-refined iron. The iron they brought with them not only made weapons, but also many daily necessities such as axes, kitchen knives, and pots. It’s about using it. In other words...”

“Is it a monopoly?”

Jo Mal-saeng, who paused for a moment in response to Sejong’s question, immediately nodded.

“That’s right.”

“If you become a nobleman, you will be allowed to use the exclusive store?”

“The idea is to allow people to use the exclusive sales office even if they don’t become a nobleman. However, a condition is added here. They continuously patrol the area around the railroad tracks on our behalf and prevent railroad theft. Then, we will grant you the qualifications to transact at the reseller.”

“It’s a deal... It’s not like I’ll give it to you unconditionally, but I’ll give you the right to make a deal... That’s okay.”

Sejong, who was nodding his head and giving a positive evaluation, looked at Kim Jeom.

“What does the Minister of Finance and Economy think?”

“I think this is a very good idea!”

Sejong, who was nodding his head while listening to Kim Jeom’s very positive answer, suddenly sighed and burst into laughter.

As the construction site became more active, nearby Jurchen tribes unexpectedly had an opportunity to make money. He received wages while working as a laborer in the field.

With the money they earned in this way, the Jurchen tribe became regulars at the monopoly.

“If we do this well...”

The eyes of the management at the monopoly began to shine as they watched the performance table go up.

Although it was a monopoly in rough terrain where I risked my life, I was accumulating a track record that would allow me to receive a reward and good work performance if I worked a little harder.

* * *

The Jurchen people who participated in the construction of the railway leading to Dongbing Port all had one question.

“But why are you paving this road?”

It was a complex and labor-intensive project that involved laying the foundation with great care, laying gravel on top of it, and laying sleepers and railroad tracks.

The Jurchen people still tilted their heads when they saw a cart pulled by horses that looked almost three times larger than the horses they were riding riding on the tracks and unloading materials.

“Of course, it’s a huge cart pulled by huge horses, but I don’t think it’s crazy to go down a road like this just to get those carts to move around?”

“yes?”

“Why on earth are they paving this road?”

The Yeojin people made all kinds of guesses whenever they gathered in groups to solve an unanswered question.

And on the day the construction section was completed, the Yeojin people found out what was traveling on the railroad.

Pretty cute!

The Jurchen people standing around the railroad scattered in fear when they saw a huge chunk of iron approaching with a loud whistle sound.

“Aaaah!”

“It’s a monster!”

“Run away!”

The Jurchen people who were terrified were screaming and scattering in all directions, and those who could not escape because their legs were weak suddenly fell to the ground and put their hands together above their heads.

“Oh, Buddha!”

* * *

Such commotion was repeated several times until the railroad was connected to Dongbing Port and the iron horse was running.

After receiving the report about the commotion, King Sejong started laughing, but soon turned serious and asked Hwang Hee.

“Is something like this happening in our Joseon Dynasty?”

“Even though we performed a ritual to ensure safe travel, there was no such commotion or exorcism to extort the people’s wealth.”

Although he looked relieved at Hwang Hee’s answer, King Sejong did not forget his request.

“What is hard to believe even when you see it with your own eyes is that iron horse and railroad. We must be careful to guide the people well so that no one is reckless or insensitive. “A recurrence of the Doubakshin incident must be prevented.”

Hwang Hee responded to King Sejong’s request by bowing her head.

“I will keep this in mind!”

* * *

Last May, something truly bizarre happened.

A man wrote the names of the executed civil and martial ministers on paper and hung them on a pole, calling them ‘Dubaksin’.

‘Dubak’ means ‘to fall down and die.’ Dubaksin literally means many ghosts who fell down and died.

Soon, wherever the rumor spread, similar events took place where ancestral rites were held and offerings were made by hanging pieces of paper with names written on poles.

Yongin Hyeonsu Jang, who saw the cruel scene, immediately snatched these poles, burned them, and raised a funeral.

After receiving the report, King Sejong immediately ordered a strict investigation, and soon Kang Yu-du, Park Du-eon, Choi Woo, and others were caught and punished. (Note 1)

Therefore, King Sejong was concerned that something like this would happen again and ordered to strictly prevent it.

* * *

Note 1) The Annals of King Sejong, read in one volume. Written by Park Young-gyu. Woongjin Knowledge House