Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 156

Jjangra

Hello, Night.

156. Committing Treason (2)

As Yangnyeong made his decision, Seo Sun and Yangnyeong began to move quietly.

“We will enter Hanseong [present-day Seoul] in March. However, entering all at once will draw attention, so we will divide our people and enter little by little.”

“Yes, sir.”

Na Jun-seok, the chief swordsman leading the warriors, immediately responded to Seo Sun’s order.

“Then, you may leave.”

“Sir, what about the saltpeter artisans?”

“Saltpeter artisans… There were other artisans as well, weren’t there?”

“Yes. Including those who were brought in to make cannons, there are five artisans, and their families total 23 people.”

After pondering for a moment at Na Jun-seok’s report, Seo Sun issued an order.

“Exterminate them.”

At Seo Sun’s cruel order, Na Jun-seok raised his head to look at Seo Sun. Seeing the worried look on Na Jun-seok’s face, Seo Sun continued.

“It is for the sake of the great cause. Sacrifice the small to gain the large… It is unavoidable, so exterminate them.”

At Seo Sun’s command, Na Jun-seok bit his lip and lowered his head.

“Yes, sir.”

Na Jun-seok, having received Seo Sun’s order, came outside and let out a long sigh.

“I gave up going to paradise after taking up the sword, but I’m definitely going to hell now.”

Following Seo Sun’s order, Seo Sun and Grand Prince Yangnyeong’s private soldiers dealt with the artisans and their families.

* * *

“Won’t we get caught?”

At the question thrown by a subordinate while looking at the bodies scattered everywhere, Na Jun-seok answered calmly.

“Wild animals will take care of it in less than five days. Just leave the bodies and find and eliminate any evidence, just in case!”

“Yes.”

While the subordinate who received the order was searching the smithy and saltpeter workshop with other private soldiers, another subordinate ran up and reported.

“Shall we burn down the workshops?”

“A large fire will attract the attention of the government office. Just destroy them.”

“Understood.”

In that way, the artisans and their families were massacred.

* * *

After cleaning up the surroundings, Seo Sun and Grand Prince Yangnyeong began to infiltrate their private soldiers into Hanseong in small groups.

The first to enter Hanseong was Seo Sun.

Returning to his house in Bukchon [a traditional Korean village in Seoul], Seo Sun immediately called his servants and began to win over the officials of the court.

Seo Sun, while working as the Minister of Justice, knew that there were quite a few officials who were dissatisfied with Sejong’s reforms.

In addition, Seo Sun rejoiced at the news that Sejong had appointed external talents to the lower ranks through various channels this year.

“He’s digging his own grave!”

Taking advantage of the growing backlash from local gentry against the recruitment of external talents and various reform policies, Seo Sun gradually won over officials.

Seo Sun’s targets were those who wanted to rise higher more quickly but were blocked by the recruitment of talents, and those who valued their own families more than the country and the people.

Another criterion was those with middle and lower ranks.

“They are the waist and limbs of the court. If we get them in our hands, we can easily obtain information and paralyze the court when necessary.”

Seo Sun was meticulous.

Seo Sun said this to the officials he had won over.

“Looking at what His Majesty is doing from the outside, it is truly precarious.”

“Then submit a memorial. If it is a memorial from you, sir, His Majesty will also be interested.”

Seo Sun shook his head at the officials’ words.

“I want to submit a memorial, but I cannot do so because I have committed a great crime, so I am just waiting for the time. That is why I am asking for your help.”

“Help, you say?”

“If the situation becomes more precarious, then I will have to submit a memorial. At that time, please lend me your strength.”

“That’s not difficult.”

“And one more thing. Being in the position of a kite with a cut string, I only know about Hanseong and my clan’s vicinity, so I don’t know much about the news from all over the country. Can you tell me about that? That way, I won’t miss the opportunity.”

The officials, who understood that the ‘time’ Seo Sun was talking about was ‘when to submit a memorial,’ immediately nodded their heads.

“Yes, we will do so.”

In this way, Seo Sun was able to quickly obtain information about the movements of the provinces.

* * *

However, as private soldiers continued to come up from Icheon and Gwangju, he was bound to get caught.

“It seems like rats are running around.”

“Rats?”

“Yes.”

Seo Sun’s face hardened at Nam Jun-seok’s answer.

‘Have I been found out?’

However, after analyzing the situation for a moment, Seo Sun smirked and muttered to himself.

“It’s not Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace]. If it were his bloodline, he wouldn’t be so quiet… Then is it the Geomgye [secret police]?”

Seo Sun, recalling the memories of Hanseong’s security while in the Ministry of Justice, turned to Nam Jun-seok.

“Is it those Geomgye bastards?”

“It seemed so.”

At Nam Jun-seok’s answer, Seo Sun immediately gave an order.

“Get rid of them. Can you make it look like a fight between Geomgye?”

“It is possible.”

“Then do so.”

“Yes.”

In that way, the night of Hanseong was stained with blood. A small and quiet battle, but overflowing with death, took place between the Geomgye members trying to extract even a little more information and the private soldiers trying to stop them.

Thanks to this, the incident of a knife-struck corpse floating in Cheonggyecheon [a stream in Seoul] every two to three days occurred, and as the public sentiment in Hanseong became turbulent, the police station’s security activities were strengthened.

As the situation became like this, the Geomgye leaders reported the situation to Sejong.

“The King has given an order.”

At the leader’s order, the Geomgye members straightened their posture and focused their attention. The leader gritted his teeth and conveyed Sejong’s order.

“His Majesty has ordered not to approach at the risk of danger.”

“Is there no revenge?”

“Not until those damn sons of bitches start something.”

“Damn it!”

“These damn bastards!”

The Geomgye members burst into anger at the leader’s order. As profanity erupted from all sides, the leader shouted.

“Quiet! You bastards, shut up!”

As the Geomgye members closed their mouths, the leader continued.

“I know how you feel, but we must not break the egg by stepping forward first. We can repay the blood debt when they start something. Do you understand?”

“Yes, leader.”

“Instead, His Majesty has ordered to thoroughly find out who that damn traitor is meeting. Find every 잡것(japgeot) [lowlife] that comes and goes to that traitor’s house and reveal who they are. This is the order given by His Majesty.”

“Understood.”

The Geomgye members suppressed their anger and received the order.

As the atmosphere of the Geomgye members calmed down, the leader took out a small wooden box.

“His Majesty has sent this for those who have died and become disabled.”

As the leader opened the lid, there were yellow gold nuggets and silver nuggets inside. And on top of that was a nameplate with Sejong’s name written on it in his own handwriting.

“This is His Majesty’s order to distribute it to the families of the dead and those who have become disabled. However, the nameplate must be kept here separately.”

“Thank you for your grace!”

“Sob!”

At the leader’s words, the Geomgye members were greatly moved and prostrated themselves on the floor, shouting words of gratitude.

Looking at the Geomgye members, the leader continued.

“He is the King who keeps his promises even to us, the lowly ones. Risk your lives, everyone!”

“Yes!”

* * *

Not long after the Geomgye of Hanseong came into Sejong’s hands due to Hyang’s machinations, Sejong came out for a secret visit and met the Geomgye.

“We greet His Majesty the King!”

The Geomgye members of Bukchon, Dadong, and Unjongga, who had gathered in a Giru [traditional Korean house] in Unjongga, trembled and prostrated themselves as soon as they saw Sejong’s appearance.

“Shh! Quiet! I am currently on a secret visit.”

At that sight, Sejong gave an order in a voice full of laughter.

“Yes, yes!”

Sejong, who had gathered the Geomgye in that way, told the truth.

“I have accepted you as my subordinates, but I cannot announce that fact. Firstly, it is because you are Geomgye. The moment I announce the fact, there will be more than one or two who will rise up. In addition, the mistakes you have made will become my mistakes.”

“Yes.”

At Sejong’s words, all the Geomgye members nodded their heads. They themselves knew very well what their usual behavior was like.

Looking at the Geomgye members, he continued.

“Secondly, this is the most important thing. You must become my hidden eyes and ears. If your existence is revealed, those with malicious intentions will hide even deeper, and we will pay an even greater price. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“So, I have no choice but to make you suffer. However, even if others do not know, I and those who will succeed me will know of your suffering. I promise! I cannot give you public rewards or rights! However, if you die or become disabled, I will definitely compensate you and remember them. This is a promise made on the honor of the King.”

At Sejong’s words, the leaders and members of the Geomgye all answered in one voice.

“We will do our best for the King and the country!”

* * *

Following Sejong’s order, the Geomgye stepped back.

“The Geomgye is not visible these days.”

At Nam Jun-seok’s report, Seo Sun replied with an expression that it was nothing.

“They must have felt the difference in power and lowered their tails.”

“Perhaps they are reporting it….”

“They are guys who make a living by extorting money from prostitutes. Would they have the ability to do that?”

Seo Sun, who said a word at Nam Jun-seok’s concern, pointed out the reality.

“Am I afraid of that and bring forward the great cause? If we move now, we will only be in the situation of a mantis trying to stop a cart. The best thing to do now is to strengthen the defenses and prepare perfectly.”

“Understood.”

As Nam Jun-seok stepped back, Seo Sun muttered to himself.

“Revenge on him and his son comes first. The success or failure of the great cause comes next.”

Nam Jun-seok, who came outside, let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. None of the sir’s words are wrong, but why am I so uneasy… But, I’ve already drawn my sword….”

It was Nam Jun-seok who urged his subordinates to do their best in defense.

However, he also knew very well. That what is important to Seo Sun now is not the success or failure of the work, but revenge.

That’s why he was uneasy.

* * *

‘Secretly bring the Bigyeokjincheonleis [a type of cannon] into the palace.’

“Hoo~.”

Hyang, who received the secret order through the Naegeumwi General [royal guard general], let out a long sigh.

Hyang, who incinerated the secret order, asked the Naegeumwi General.

“What about attacking now?”

“It is impossible because of the problem of Tachogyeongsa [a secret operation] and those who must be hidden until the end.”

“I see. Hoo~.”

Hyang, who sighed again, questioned another problem.

“Can I trust the loyalty of Naegeumwi [royal guard] and Geumgun [capital garrison]?”

“We have already distinguished those who need attention.”

“I see. Next question, to use Bigyeokjincheonleis, artillery is essential, but what about the Geumgun’s artillery soldiers?”

“There are.”

“Hmm….”

At the words of the Naegeumwi General, Hyang pondered the situation.

‘It is difficult to fight relying only on the walls of Gyeongbok Palace, and if we bombard from the Gwanghwamun gate tower, the nearby houses will be destroyed… In the end, we have to fight in Geunjeongjeon [main hall of the palace], but if we do that, the artillery will be very cumbersome….’

Hyang, who was analyzing various situations, took off his official hat and scratched his head nervously.

“Oh! A machine gun is the best in times like this!”

“What is a machine gun?”

At the Naegeumwi General’s question, Hyang waved his hand.

“Ah! It’s a cannon I’m planning! But why do you need Bigyeokjincheonleis?”

“Because Seo Sun already knows about the existence of the cannon, so it is certain that he will strengthen his defenses.”

“Certainly….”

Hyang nodded at the words of the Naegeumwi General, but Hyang’s impression was not very good.

‘The killing range of Bigyeokjincheonleis is too wide….’

After pondering for a while, Hyang got up from his seat.

“Would you like to move with me for a while? I think there is a more appropriate solution than Bigyeokjincheonleis.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Hyang led the Naegeumwi General to the test site in Area 51. When Hyang and the Naegeumwi General arrived at the test site, the item prepared through the eunuch sent in advance was at the test site.

“What is this? It looks like a 절굿공이(jeolgutgongyi) [pestle].”

The Naegeumwi General looked back at Hyang at the item he saw for the first time. Hyang answered briefly to the Naegeumwi General’s question.

“It’s called a 투척탄(tucheoktan) [thrown bomb].”

It was a hand grenade.