Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 74

People (7)

When Yong turned three, he was adopted into the family of Grand Prince Seongnyeong, his little uncle who had passed away at the young age of fourteen.

As he grew older, he divided his time between the palace and Grand Prince Seongnyeong’s residence. One day, on his way to the palace, he happened to see a troupe of wandering entertainers, which sparked a series of events.

The sounds from outside the palanquin [a covered sedan chair carried by poles] piqued Yong’s curiosity.

“Huh? What’s all the commotion?”

The attending eunuch checked the situation and reported back to Yong.

“It appears a troupe of wandering entertainers has set up a performance, Your Highness.”

“A troupe of wandering entertainers? Let’s take a look.”

At Yong’s suggestion, the eunuch hesitated, a troubled expression on his face.

“It is far too vulgar for Your Highness to witness. It would be best to refrain from watching.”

“I want to see it!”

As Yong insisted, the nanny, who was in the palanquin with him, intervened to support the eunuch.

“Your Highness, there are many commoners present….”

“I said I want to see it!”

Yong’s voice grew louder, prompting the nanny to sigh and concede to the eunuch.

“Let’s watch for a moment, then we’ll be on our way.”

“Wow! Wow! Well done!”

Yong, captivated by the performance of the troupe of wandering entertainers, clapped and cheered enthusiastically.

He was amazed by the artistry of the tightrope walker who walked precariously on a single rope high in the air. He was also fascinated by the plate spinner who balanced bowls and basins on thin sticks while exchanging jokes with the clown.

Yong watched three acts of the troupe—originally six, but he only caught the latter half—and the memory became etched in his mind.

He saw a child of similar age flying through the air, tumbling and dancing with apparent joy, and it seemed to him that they possessed a freedom he could only dream of.

And above all, it was exciting.

In that moment, Yong made a firm decision.

“I will become a wandering entertainer!”

* * *

Sejong summoned Yong after hearing that the young prince had something urgent to discuss. Having taken a break from his state affairs, Sejong took a sip of tea and asked Yong.

“So, you said you had something to tell your father?”

“Your son wishes to become a wandering entertainer!”

“Ptooey! You rascal!”

Sejong spat out his tea, his composure shattered by Yong’s absurd declaration.

Subsequently, Sejong, Queen Soheon, and Princess Jeonghye all scolded and reasoned with him, but Yong’s stubbornness remained unshaken.

“I don’t want to! I want to be a wandering entertainer!”

Sejong, upon receiving the eunuch’s report, sighed deeply and placed a hand on his forehead.

“Yu liked iron, and now Yong… These kids….”

* * *

As Sejong and the entire family grew increasingly worried, Hyang finally intervened.

Hyang called Yong and sat him down, quietly posing a question.

“Yong, you said you want to become a wandering entertainer?”

“Yes!”

“Do you enjoy dancing and singing like the wandering entertainers, or do you simply like watching their performances?”

“Umm….”

Yong hesitated, tilting his head as he struggled to articulate his feelings.

Seeing Yong’s difficulty, Hyang rephrased the question.

“If you become a wandering entertainer, you won’t be able to eat your favorite yakgwa [honey cookies] or candy as often. Would you still want to become a wandering entertainer?”

“I don’t want that….”

“You don’t want that, but you enjoy watching the performances of the wandering entertainers, correct?”

“Yes!”

“Then it’s simple. You can grow up to be a great person and summon the wandering entertainers to perform for you, right? If your name becomes famous, you can invite all the wandering entertainers from across the country to watch them!”

“Ah….”

Yong’s mouth dropped open as he envisioned Hyang’s words coming to life. Hyang then tempered Yong’s enthusiasm.

“But you know what? Your brother doesn’t believe you’ll become a great person.”

“Why!”

“Look at you now. You’re stubbornly insisting on becoming a wandering entertainer, causing Abamama [father], Eomamama [mother], and Nuna [older sister] worry. How can you possibly become a great person?”

“I will become a great person!”

Hyang shook his head at Yong’s outburst.

“It’s difficult. No, it’s impossible. You don’t listen, and you don’t study. Absolutely not.”

“I can do it if I try! If I try!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“You promised!”

“I promised!”

Hyang smiled at Yong’s determined response.

“Okay, then I’ll make a promise too. If you diligently learn from the royal tutor, I’ll take responsibility and show you the wandering entertainers! If you grow up to be a great person, I’ll gather all the wandering entertainers from across the country and put on a show just for you!”

“You promised!”

“It’s a promise!”

At Hyang’s words, Yong embarked on a similar path to Yu.

Sejong, upon receiving the report that ‘Yong’s mind was set right by Hyang,’ burst into laughter after a long period of worry.

“Hahaha! As expected of the Crown Prince! As expected of the eldest son!”

As Sejong rejoiced, the officials chimed in from the sidelines.

“Truly, this is the blessing of Joseon!”

“That’s right!”

Meanwhile, Hyang, alone in his room, pondered his two younger brothers and shook his head.

“One is a Cheoldeok [train otaku], and the other is a ppadeok [idol otaku]… How can they become otaku [obsessive fans] in fields that are known to be difficult to cure… At least I succeeded in getting them to study. I should thank the teachers.”

The teachers Hyang referred to were those who taught him when he was a high school student in the 21st century. Knowing about Hyang’s own otaku tendencies, they had advised him:

“If you don’t want to be labeled an otaku, succeed! Become a capable otaku or a successful otaku, then you’ll be called a ‘hobbyist with maniacal tastes’ instead of a ‘damn otaku’!”

“It’s the same as how you’re judged if you like alcohol. If you empty a soju [Korean distilled beverage] glass while wearing a stretched-out undershirt and flip-flops, you’re a loser who just drinks. But if you wear a high-end suit and drink expensive liquor at a hotel bar, you’re considered to enjoy drinking! Isn’t it messed up? That’s how the world is.”

As Hyang recalled those old memories, he scratched his head.

“By the way, both me and those guys… If otaku like this keep emerging, I wonder if a ‘Jeonju Yi Clan Otaku Faction’ will be created later?”

Even though a minor crisis was unfolding regarding the education of the princes, many officials in the court remained unconcerned.

“It’s more worthwhile to focus on our work than to worry about that!”

The officials, overwhelmed by the ever-growing piles of books and scrolls, considered the princes’ concerns to be a world apart.

And the primary reason for their lack of concern was Hyang’s incredibly strong presence as the designated successor.

“There’s no need to worry since His Highness the Crown Prince is firmly in control, right?”

* * *

However, some individuals were troubled by lingering questions.

Hassan, who had entered as a Sanhak Hundo [mathematics instructor] of the ninth rank and now worked as a Sanhak Hundo and researcher of the eighth rank belonging to the research institute, was one of them.

“Big Ha Hundo, why do you look so unwell these days? Is there a problem at home?”

A research institute colleague, noticing Hassan’s troubled expression, inquired about his well-being. Hassan’s younger brother also worked as a Sanhak Hundo and researcher in the same institute, leading the officials to distinguish them as ‘Big Ha Hundo’ and ‘Little Ha Hundo.’

Although the younger brother was physically larger.

Hassan, responding to his colleague’s question, shook his head and mumbled.

“Ah, no.”

“You look like you’re carrying a heavy burden.”

“Well, there’s a problem I can’t seem to solve….”

At Hassan’s admission, the colleague responded with an expression of concern.

“If there’s a problem you can’t solve, you can always ask the weirdo! Why are you racking your brain alone! Go quickly!”

“Yes, yes….”

At Hassan’s lukewarm response, the colleague’s meddling instincts were triggered.

“Hey! Are you being shy at your age? Let’s go together!”

“No, that’s not it….”

“Come on! Follow me!”

The meddling official ultimately dragged Hassan to see Yi Sun-ji.

“What’s going on?”

When Yi Sun-ji inquired about the matter, Hassan hesitated.

“That, that is….”

“Tell me quickly. Time is flowing, isn’t it? Precious time, I mean.”

Hassan, steeling himself at Yi Sun-ji’s urging, finally spoke.

“There is a problem that I cannot solve.”

Yi Sun-ji’s eyes lit up at Hassan’s words.

“A problem that can’t be solved? Huh? A difficult problem that the great Ha Hundo can’t solve… This is tempting, isn’t it? So, what’s the problem?”

“Where are the Seoi [Westerners] that His Highness the Crown Prince is talking about?”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Yi Sun-ji and his colleague could only blink in confusion at Hassan’s unexpected question.

“I don’t understand… Why suddenly the Seoi?”

Hassan elaborated on his question, seeking clarification from Yi Sun-ji.

“It may sound like self-praise, but if there is anyone in the court who possesses the most knowledge about the Seoi, it would be me, my brother, and all the Christians who came with us.”

“That’s right.”

Yi Sun-ji and his colleague nodded in agreement with Hassan’s statement.

Hassan, pausing to gather his thoughts, continued.

“It has been 30 years since our family settled in Joseon, but we have maintained some contact with the Christians of the Ming Dynasty. Through them, I have heard stories about the Catholic countries referred to as Seoi in Joseon. But….”

* * *

Hassan’s explanation continued at length. Yi Sun-ji, listening intently with a serious expression, concluded.

“This doesn’t seem to be a problem that can be solved at my level. Let’s move together.”

“Yes.”

Yi Sun-ji, rising from his seat, issued a warning to the official who had accompanied them.

“I trust you will keep this matter confidential to the greatest extent possible. For your own safety.”

The official, his face paling, swallowed hard at Yi Sun-ji’s warning and replied.

“Yes, yes!”

“No, it would be better for you to come with us as well.”

“I will definitely keep it confidential!”

“There’s a saying, isn’t there? ‘A body that’s already been thrown away.’ Stop talking and follow me.”

The official responded with a tearful expression to Yi Sun-ji’s firm command.

“Yes….”

Hassan, observing the scene from the side, patted his colleague’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I just dug my own grave. This meddling….”

“Come quickly!”

“Yes!”

* * *

“Hmm… So, you’re suggesting that the things His Highness the Crown Prince has described as originating from the Seoi are things the Seoi themselves couldn’t even produce?”

Hassan nodded in response to Jeong Cho’s question.

“Is there any concrete evidence to support this?”

Hassan answered Jeong Cho’s question without hesitation.

“The most compelling evidence lies in those sailing ships.”

“Sailing ships?”

“Yes, do you recall when I traveled to Ming to rescue the glass craftsmen under His Highness’s orders?”

Jeong Cho nodded at Hassan’s question.

“I remember it well. Ultimately, your brother departed for his hometown because he couldn’t locate a craftsman of the desired skill, correct?”

“Yes. At that time, the condition that His Highness presented was ‘a craftsman capable of producing plate glass and objects called lenses.’ And the specified dimensions for the plate glass were 2 cheok [approximately 70cm] or more in length and width.”

When Hassan recounted this story to his relative, his relative was aghast.

“Is that Crown Prince Italian?”

“What do you mean?”

“Producing that much plate glass in large quantities has only recently begun in Italy! We only heard about it recently!”

“…In other words, His Highness the Crown Prince possessed knowledge of a technology that was recently developed in a country he had never even visited.”

Jeong Cho immediately countered Hassan’s statement.

“Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince simply set a high standard? Saying, ‘It has to be this much.’”

“That may be the case, but it was a very detailed standard, a standard that could not be set without a certain amount of detailed knowledge. And….”

Hassan paused momentarily, then raised his hand and gestured toward the hallway.

“What is most perplexing are those sailing ships. In particular, the last ship of the line is the biggest enigma.”

“The ship of the line? Why?”

“As far as I’ve been able to ascertain, there isn’t a single country among the Seoi nations that constructs such a vessel.”

“Huh?”

Hassan inquired about what he found most puzzling at the reaction of his relative, who was horrified by the plate glass issue.

“By the way, among the ships built by those Catholic heretics, are there any that move solely with sails, without the use of oars?”

“There are. I traveled to my hometown with Zheng He, an eunuch of the Ming Emperor. While I was there, I ventured to the Mediterranean to earn some extra money, and the Spanish guys had a large ship. Carrack, was it?”

“What did it look like?”

“That’s….”

At Hassan’s question, his relative reminisced and sketched a picture on paper. Hassan, examining the drawing, inquired further.

“So, this is the latest type that the heretics are using?”

“That’s right!”

“At that time, the sailing ship in the picture drawn by my relative was the sailing ship that His Highness named ‘1st generation.’”

“Do you have that picture?”

Hassan rummaged through his sleeves at Jeong Cho’s question, retrieved the paper, and handed it over. Jeong Cho’s face grew serious as he studied the drawing.

The ship depicted on the paper was somewhat crude, but it bore a striking resemblance to what Hyang had designated as the ‘1st generation ocean-going sailing ship.’

Hassan continued, observing Jeong Cho’s expression.

“What’s even more peculiar is the new armor that has begun to be supplied to the Naegeumwi [Royal Guard]. Although it is covered with cloth on the outside, it is undeniably the plate armor of the Seoi.”

“Well, the swordsmanship that the Naegeumwi are learning is also the swordsmanship of the Seoi….”

“Yes, I know. Among the books that His Highness acquired, there was a swordsmanship manual detailing the swordsmanship of the Seoi, and the Naegeumwi Gapsa [Royal Guard] who had not previously learned family swordsmanship or swordsmanship separately were instructed to learn it. However, it is impossible to create such perfect armor with just a few pictures. Furthermore, the technology to cast it in a mold and print it all at once didn’t even exist in the Seoi. It is literally a new technology. That’s why I’m saying I don’t know. Where are the Seoi that His Highness the Crown Prince is talking about?”

“Your words….”

“His Highness said Seoi, but this is what His Highness thought was wrong. Then the question arises, ‘Why? Why did you pretend to be Seoi? Why are you so wary of the Seoi?’”

“Hmm… It’s a problem that needs to be considered.”

Jeong Cho, nodding thoughtfully, issued a warning to Yi Sun-ji, Hassan, and the official who had been dragged along.

“Keep this matter confidential for the time being. If you make a mistake, it could be a problem that could determine the rise and fall of Joseon.”

“Yes.”

* * *

A few days later, on an official holiday for the research institute, a servant arrived at Hassan’s house.

“You are ordered to come to Lord Jeong Cho’s house by Sulsi Mal [9 pm].”

“Okay.”

The servant, having delivered the message, bowed and quietly departed.

At Sulsi Mal, Hassan made his way to Jeong Cho’s residence.

The servant, pacing in front of the gate, spotted Hassan and quietly guided him to the Sarangchae [guest house].

“Sir, the guest you’ve been waiting for has arrived.”

“Bring him in.”

“Yes. Come in.”

“Okay.”

Hassan, stepping onto the Sarangchae porch, turned his gaze toward the Sarangbang [guest room]. Seeing Sejong seated in the innermost seat of honor, Hassan quickly offered a deep bow.

“Shin [humble servant], Sanhak Hundo….”

“Shh! Come in quietly.”

“Yes.”

At Sejong’s command, Hassan entered the room and took a seat at the very end.

“Now that everyone seems to be here, let’s get to the point.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The beginning of the matter is that Ha Hundo’s….”

Jeong Cho proceeded to explain the circumstances of the situation.

Sejong nodded as he listened to the explanation.

“I have also had similar questions lately. I have read the books that the Crown Prince has collected, but there was no book that explained what the Crown Prince said. Then, where did the knowledge that the Crown Prince has come from?”

Jeong Cho responded to Sejong’s question.

“I also had similar questions. Considering the heliocentric theory as the most recent example, it seemed that he couldn’t explain it because it was such an obvious fact that there was no need to explain it.”

“Is that possible?”

Yi Sun-ji stepped forward and answered Sejong’s question.

“In my case, when I see a formula, the answer comes to mind right away, but I often have trouble explaining the solution. I think it’s like that.”

As Yi Sun-ji defended Hyang, Choi Hae-san added.

“Looking back at the time when I was designing and experimenting with the Chongtong [cannon], I strongly feel that he knew the results already, but he guided us to discover them.”

“Why on earth?”

No one immediately spoke in response to Sejong’s question.

After a moment of silence, Jeong In-ji offered his thoughts.

“I believe it’s because of His Highness’s age.”

“Because of the Crown Prince’s age….”

As Sejong nodded, Jeong In-ji continued.

“Looking at His Highness’s actions thus far, he first accomplished things that would be recognized, and then he pursued bigger things based on that foundation. If there was no such process, how likely would the officials of the court have been to listen to His Highness’s words?”

“He anticipated that and began working, using the Seoi as a convenient explanation?”

“That’s the most plausible explanation.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong, stroking his beard and contemplating the possibilities, turned his attention to Hassan.

“Was it Ha Hundo?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Are the Seoi those guys really as ruthless as the Crown Prince has described?”

“They are more than capable of it!”

Hassan vehemently asserted the ruthlessness of the Seoi.

“Those Seoi guys have a pride that they are the descendants of the great Roman Empire! Furthermore, they kill those who believe in other gods, claiming it is the will of the god they believe in! And they are as greedy for technology as they are for wealth!”

“Then, if we encounter them unprepared, it will be as the Crown Prince has warned?”

“That’s right!”

“Then….”

Sejong began to organize his thoughts based on Hassan’s words.

“I give you an order.”

“We will listen attentively!”

Sejong issued the order in a measured tone.

“I believe that most of the things that the Crown Prince has created or announced thus far have originated from the Crown Prince’s own intellect. However, make it known externally that they are the creations of the Seoi, as the Crown Prince has done. This is a win-win strategy, designed to protect the Crown Prince by leading other countries to believe that this technology belongs to the Seoi. The other objective is to buy time to prepare by diverting their energy and resources toward searching for the Seoi. Do you understand my meaning?”

“We will engrave it in our bones!”

“And Ha Hundo, you must understand that you are bound to keep this secret, correct?”

Hassan bowed his head and answered Sejong’s question.

“Shin [humble servant], Hassan Hamed Mohammed Al-Otaibi! The place where I will settle and die is Joseon! I will keep the secret in the name of my family!”

“Can you swear in the name of the god you believe in?”

“I swear to Your Majesty in the name of the one God Allah! I will not reveal the secret, not even to my family!”

“Do not forget that there will be a price to pay for that.”

In this way, the secret that would become a major point of contention for historians in the distant future, causing them endless headaches, was born in Jeong Cho’s Sarangchae.

* * *

“Hoo! That guy!”

Sejong, having departed from Jeong Cho’s house and on his way back to the palace, suddenly burst into laughter.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”

“It’s nothing.”

Sejong waved his hand dismissively and grumbled inwardly.

‘That kid! He must have grasped the meaning of the letters to some extent! But he was pretending not to know? I have a lot of state affairs now, should I just pass it on to him?’

Sejong, contemplating his cunning son who subtly leaked hints about the letters whenever he had the chance, shook his head.

“No! I can’t be a father who is worse than his son!”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that the officials will be busy from tomorrow.”

“Yes~.”

‘Crown Prince! I, your father, will lay the groundwork as much as possible so that you can ascend to the throne and spread your wings to your heart’s content!’

That night, all the officials were haunted by a relentless ghost.