Joseon Military Officer, Establishing Balhae - Chapter 332



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Episode 332

Formosa related policies (2)

The Bukcheong, the flagship of the 21st Squadron of the 2nd Fleet.

Second Fleet Commander Ko Gyeong-bong turned his head left and right to look at Hakuwa Island (Rebun Island) and Nanwa Island (Rishiri Island).

Balhae had not yet been able to manage these two islands located in the northwestern sea of ​​Hokkaido. Long ago, Taemi had surveyed this place on the Gyeongheung ship, but it was somewhat to the north, and since the settlers had been settled first in the Aribal area in the central part of Hokkaido and the Naejin area in the south, it had not yet been their turn. Since they had not yet been able to properly manage the entire northern part of Hokkaido, they had no capacity to care about these islands.

The same was true for eastern Hokkaido. Eastern Hokkaido also had large plains like Aribal, and its water resources were good. It also had vast pastures, making it advantageous for livestock farming. Therefore, it was planned to receive applications from Joseon soon and relocate residents.

“But I heard that the northern part of Namhwado is a good place for people to live.”

Go Kyung-bong felt very sorry and continued to look at Namhwado.

“Half-ma Island hasn’t had any settlers yet, right?”

The 21st Squadron Commander, Chief Hamgyul, said with a smile.

“That’s true. In a situation where we can’t even manage such a large island, it’s out of the question to manage an island like that.”

Tanma Island is located in the south and is the largest island in western Hokkaido.

The ships of the 21st Squadron departed from Yangjijin Port in the coastal area and sailed straight for these two islands.

The captain of the Bukcheong ship, standing in the captain’s seat, glanced at the chart and gave an order to the helmsman.

“Change course to due north!”

“Yes, set the public road lane.”

Now the Bukcheong ship began to head north.

“Isn’t it fortunate that His Majesty has finally taken notice of Saharan?”

“I think I fully understand the difficulties of the whole country. There are many good places to live in the south, so why would you want to make Saharan in the north your territory?”

The one who insisted on occupying Sakhalin was none other than Ko Kyung-bong. Every time he saw the huge Sakharan Island that appeared to the east when entering the Piyakha Strait, his greed was aroused. So he had already submitted several proposals to the military to establish a military base in Sakharan, but they were rejected every time. This was because Tae-geon thought that it was not yet time. However, Tae-geon’s thoughts changed after this war ended.

Hamgyul’s words continued.

“But wouldn’t it be okay if there were just a few military bases and settlements?”

“That’s what I’m saying. There’s no need to develop Saharan Island right now. Let’s just mark it as occupied by Balhae.”

“Yes, I know that too. But why did you suddenly make that decision?”

“Isn’t it because of Joseon?”

“Joseon?”

“There is no such thing as exile in Balhae yet, right?”

“Yes, I have heard that no one has received such punishment yet.”

“Of course. The moment such a punishment is handed down, there will be discrimination in the settlement. Or should I say, a classification? Which settler would want to settle in a place of exile?”

“Oh, I guess that could be the case.”

“But Sahara is different. No one would willingly settle there.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that you have no choice but to send them by force and use the exile system?”

“That’s what they say. Not everyone can endure hard labor. Hard labor requires physical strength, right? But if you want to put them in a prison that only holds heinous criminals, the only punishment they can receive is exile.”

Balhae also carries out prison sentences for criminals, but the number of prisoners is very small. Therefore, those sentenced to prison are usually vicious criminals who need to be isolated.

“Haha! Now that I hear that, the empty-headed gentlemen immediately come to mind. Those who refused to release slaves, discriminated against them, and were punished for personally beating up the townspeople.”

“I used to resist, saying, ‘Why are you arresting me for saying the right thing after behaving like that?’”

“There were some people who said that Balhae was a half-barbarian nation.”

At Hamgyul’s words, Go Kyungbong burst into laughter.

“Wow! Even as a citizen of Balhae, you still say such things. When I think about it, beliefs are truly scary.”

“That’s true.”

“But His Majesty didn’t mention the place of exile at all. However, it seems that he has decided to secure Saharan as well, as the northern territory is expanding significantly this time.”

The Sakhalin of the future was an island famous for its resources. It was a land that had to be secured as it had large deposits of coal, oil, and natural gas.

“But isn’t being exiled to Saharan almost like being banished?”

“Haha! I guess that’s true. But Saharan isn’t such a bad place to live. When I explored along the Saharan coastline before, I thought it might be a good place for fishermen to live.”

“Yes, that’s what it was like back then. This place is rich in fish resources, so it’s possible to make a living from fishing.”

In fact, Saharan Island possessed abundant marine resources.

The ships of the 21st Squadron crossed the Saharan Strait (La Perouse Strait) and finally reached the sea near Cape Clillon, the southern tip of the island.

“From Cheomdan Cape, follow the western coast of the island.”

“Yes, Commander.”

The western coast of Saharan Island was very rugged. There were hardly any coastal plains developed.

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“There doesn’t seem to be much room on that coast for a settlement.”

“There is no place where a large town can be built. However, there are many places where our military bases or small villages can be built. There are also several rivers flowing here, so if you follow the rivers inland, wouldn’t there be land suitable for farming?”

“I guess I’ll have to see it for myself to know.”

“yes.”

Now the commanders advanced northward, surveying the coast in detail.

“Oh! Over there! I think we can park our boat over there?”

The terrain they were looking for was a place where a port could be built that could accommodate large ships such as the Gyeongheung-class Daeseon. The place that Go Gyeong-bong found was the future Russia’s ‘Nevelsk’.

“Let’s land there, take a rest, and check out the hinterland.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When the order to land was given, the crew of the Bukcheong burst into cheers.

“Did you know that there’s something really great about the southwestern coast of Saharan Island?”

Go Kyung-bong asked Ham-gyeol.

“Of course I know. Isn’t it supposed to not freeze here even in winter?”

“That’s right. Among the coastal ports, only Aranpo and Cheongnyangjin in the south can be used in the winter, but most of the north is frozen. But strangely enough, the southwestern coast of Saharan is not like that.”

Having sailed the Piyakka Strait for training purposes even in winter, they already knew that the southwestern coast of Sahara was not frozen.

“So, if we build our naval base here, we can get supplies even in the winter.”

“Well, I like that.”

In this way, the first forward base and settlement site was selected on Saharan Island. Later, Taegeon accepted Go Gyeongbong’s opinion and named this place Jangjin. It was a name given because the coastline that was to be used as a port was quite long.

* * *

The delegation of the Formosa natives was very large. Nearly a hundred people gathered at Bongsanjeong.

The representative of the Darida United Kingdom was Atec Kauzong. He had already risen to the position of prime minister. In addition to the delegation from this kingdom, there were also representatives from tribes that had become part of the former United Kingdom, such as the Papora, Babuja, Pajeh, Hoanya, Taokas, and Kahab. In addition, there were representatives from the Saisiyat, Siraya, Taiboan, and southern collateral tribes of the Hoanya, who had not yet become part of the kingdom.

The Darida United Kingdom attempted to unite all the peoples of western Formosa to counter the growing threat from British South Formosa. However, it faced resistance from the tribes who could not accept the united kingdom system centered around the Papora. There were tribes that were stronger than the Papora, so it was not possible to bow down and enter a country ruled by a king from Papora.

However, the United Kingdom did not have overwhelming power to subdue them by force. In addition, bloodlines were different and there were many cases where the language of the tribes did not work out.

For these various reasons, it was really not easy for them to come together and form a single country. So, eventually, the United Kingdom and other tribal representatives asked Balhae to mediate, and that is why Tae-mi, Heo Gyun, and the Marine Corps commander came here.

After the greetings were over, Heo Gyun asked Atech Kawuzong, who was acting as the chairman.

“How do you plan to communicate?”

His questions were also handled by an interpreter from Samjeong Shipping. As he was engaged in sugarcane cultivation and sugar manufacturing in the United Kingdom of Darida, the language skills of the Samjeong Shipping merchant had also improved rapidly.

“If you speak Paporah, different interpreters will relay the message to the tribal representatives.”

Hearing his words, Heo Gyun sighed without realizing it. He had no idea how many cumbersome interpretation procedures he would have to go through before attending the meeting.

Heo Gyun first began to estimate the population and capacity of each tribe. In the process, he learned that the Siraya tribe, which bordered Britain, and the Taiboan tribe, which often clashed with them, were surprisingly strong. There were many cases like this where the relations between neighboring natives were not good.

“It seems to me that the Southern Native Americans see themselves as no different from the British or their unfriendly neighbors.”

Taemi also let out a low sigh after hearing Heo Gyun’s conclusion.

“What else would we use as the official language? There would be a fuss over that too. Then, should we just designate our Goryeo language as the official language? It seems like the Darida Kingdom is thinking of adopting Hangul anyway.”

Heo Gyun responded to Tammy’s opinion with a big smile.

“Oh! That’s a good idea. It’ll take more than a generation to settle, but we have to agree on at least one clause.”

“The problem is the ruling system, right?”

“Yes. That is the problem. In my view, unless King Kamachat of Papora gives in, the unified nation will never be established.”

Heo Gyun and Tae-mi had to watch their heated debate for almost three days after that.

On the morning of the last day of the conference, Heo Gyun said to Tammy.

“I think I have to finish it today.”

“Okay, let’s do that. I also want to quickly come to a conclusion and go back.”

“Ugh! If it weren’t for the will of the geometry, I would rather ignore them and do whatever happens to them.”

“Haha! What can I do? That’s Kiha’s strategy.”

In the present age, exchanges are the priority, so we cannot drive out Britain. But we do not want their power to grow. Therefore, Formosa is important. This was the fundamental policy that Taegeon conveyed to Heo Gyun.

As soon as the meeting began, Heo Gyun immediately announced his decision.

“If you don’t want one tribe to monopolize the kingship, then everyone should become king.”

Atech Kauzong looked at Heo Gyun in surprise.

“You will take turns becoming King of the United Kingdom every five years.”

Heo Gyun proposed a future Malaysian political system that he had heard of from Taegeon. The sultans of the nine sultanates would take turns becoming king every five years, and the executive power would be held by the parliament and the prime minister.

Heo Gyun had a hard time explaining the parliamentary system that was the basis of this system.

Of course, Heo Gyun’s proposal was not accepted immediately at this meeting. However, his proposal became a topic of discussion for the Formosa tribes, and continued discussions about it.

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