Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 539

539. Conspiracy (5)

Upon hearing the captains’ requests for a ‘written document,’ the interpreters relayed the message to the customs officials.

“They need a written document… This could be problematic.”

“A problem, you say?”

“All correspondence from Europeans working at the research institute is subject to mandatory censorship.”

At the interpreter’s words, the customs officials’ expressions turned grave.

“Does that mean there could be complications if we create and provide a written document?”

The interpreters responded with troubled expressions to the customs officials’ question.

“Of course, the research institute handles many confidential matters. Couldn’t a carelessly translated document inadvertently reveal our secrets to other countries?”

“That’s true. In that case, it would be best to seek approval from our superiors first.”

It was perhaps a risk-averse approach typical of civil servants, but caution was paramount.

The customs officials’ and interpreters’ inquiry ascended directly through the ministerial ranks to Seungwhadang [the highest decision-making body in the Joseon government].

“What are your thoughts?”

At Hyang’s question, the ministers replied with nonchalant expressions.

“Since it doesn’t concern state secrets but rather ‘Heaven’s Mandate’ [the divine right to rule], there shouldn’t be any significant issues, should there?”

“Indeed. It’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our virtue to the Westerners and enlighten them.”

“That’s right. If their ruler awakens to the ‘Way of Virtuous Governance,’ it would be a truly commendable outcome, wouldn’t it?”

Hyang concluded based on the ministers’ responses.

“Then let’s proceed with that.”

After the meeting, Hyang, while organizing the documents, muttered to herself.

“Unlike what those old men think, it feels like I’ve unleashed another massive bombshell… Could they be feigning ignorance?”

After a moment of contemplation, Hyang signed the documents, muttering.

“Not my problem.”

* * *

Having received the order, the customs officials began drafting the document about ‘Heaven’s Mandate.’ The task proved unexpectedly slow, as both the customs officials and interpreters had passed the civil service exams [a rigorous examination system used to select government officials]. They all possessed a fundamental understanding of Confucianism, leading to debates during the documentation process.

“At this rate, the ship will depart without us!”

Despite the captains’ persistent urging, the customs officials and interpreters waved their hands dismissively.

“Hold on! Please be patient! Even a subtle difference in phrasing can completely alter the meaning!”

“But…”

“If we can’t finish in time, we’ll hand it over for the next voyage! Wait! Hey! That word doesn’t convey that meaning! According to the teachings of the ancient sages…”

Watching the customs officials and interpreters arguing with veins bulging in their necks, the captains looked heavenward.

“Oh Lord…”

After such commotion, the captains finally received the document just before departure.

“If we had a little more time, we could have refined it further…”

“Ah, no! This is more than sufficient!”

Snatching the document from the customs officials and interpreters, who couldn’t conceal their regret, the captains hurriedly boarded the ship.

The document, of which each ship carried a copy as a precaution, piqued the captains’ curiosity.

However, that’s where the problem began.

“Damn it! It’s all in Latin!”

Those who could speak Latin but lacked the ability to read or write it were the first to give up. And even those with some Latin knowledge soon grew frustrated.

“I can’t understand what they’re saying…”

The interpreters had learned Latin to communicate with monks and scholars, the intellectual elite. The carefully crafted sentences they wrote were profound and complex. Ultimately, no one could fully comprehend the documents until they arrived in Lisbon. Not even Henrique.

* * *

“Truly profound…”

Pedro muttered with a serious expression as he read the document brought from Joseon.

He had initially skimmed it, but the document’s content seemed deeply insightful.

“So, they’re not just a country skilled in craftsmanship? Or, does achieving that level of skill require a high level of knowledge?”

Pedro realized he needed to revise his perception of Joseon. They were not merely ‘barbarians good at craftsmanship’ but a people possessing remarkable knowledge.

“At least on par with the Muslims.”

Of course, he still held a slight sense of superiority.

Pedro spread out a blank sheet of paper next to the document and picked up a pen.

“I need to study this properly. It will be valuable.”

* * *

After that, Pedro dedicated himself to deciphering the document after completing his daily tasks. Portugal was a small country on the edge of Europe, but Pedro was renowned for his scholarly pursuits.

From 1418 to 1428, he had traveled to the major courts and holy sites of Europe, and later, he wrote advice on governance for his brother Duarte, who would become king.

With such scholarly background, Pedro became increasingly engrossed in studying the document.

“Profound…”

Pedro stroked his beard and muttered.

-To become the monarch of a nation is the will of God.

-However, when the monarch goes astray, God warns through the people, and this is the public sentiment.

-A monarch and nation that ignore God’s warning through this public sentiment will inevitably be replaced by a new monarch and nation. Because the people will choose a new nation and monarch.

-Of course, deposing a monarch and nation is an unjust act. However, overthrowing a monarch and nation that have abandoned God’s will is not unjust. It is following God’s will.

Pedro repeatedly pondered the essence of the writing and turned his head. Coincidentally, a Bible was placed under the wall with a cross and the royal crest. Pedro, gazing at the royal crest and the Bible without thinking, suddenly widened his eyes and dropped the pen he was holding.

Looking at the Bible with trembling eyes, Pedro soon shouted with joy.

“This is fate! It is the will of God!”

* * *

Pedro explained the ‘will of God’ to Afonso V.

“…Therefore, the will of God was revealed through the will of the people, and our Portugal was born! Think about it! Those powerful Moors, who seemed to boast their power forever on this Iberian Peninsula, have collapsed! Because we properly followed the will of God, the Reconquista [the historical period of Iberian Christian kingdoms reconquering the peninsula from the Moors] was successful! The reason we were able to escape from the hands of that vile Spain and become independent was also because of the will of God! Why would the Pope break the will of Spain and approve our independence of Portugal! It is all because of the will of God (voluntatem Domini) [Latin for ‘the will of the Lord’]! Because we moved according to the will of God, the kingdom was born, and you became the king!”

As Pedro’s words grew more impassioned, Afonso V’s eyes glazed over.

Pedro continued to speak fervently.

-The nobles who died for treason obscured the eyes and ears of the king for their own benefit, manipulated state affairs, and extorted the people.

This is an unjust act that abandons the will of God.

-Executing all the traitors without a proper trial may seem unjust in some ways.

However, it was an unavoidable choice to protect the royal authority. And this is following the will of God.

As it is written in the Bible, ‘The Lord works together to make good things happen’.

When Pedro’s words ended, the grand hall was filled with silence. Everyone from Afonso V to the surviving nobles and officials looked at Pedro with dazed eyes.

After a moment, the nobles and ministers began to speak one by one.

“That’s right! This is following the will of God!”

“From ancient times, the position of the king has been determined by God!”

“This event is the will of God!”

The surviving nobles worked diligently to emphasize that it was the ‘will of God.’ This was an attempt to avoid being targeted by Pedro, who had completely seized power, and also an effort to alleviate their guilt for surviving.

* * *

As the cheers of those nobles and ministers subsided, Pedro continued.

“Let me reiterate, the founding of our kingdom and your Majesty’s ascension to the throne are all the will of God! However, threatening His Majesty and extorting the people is a path that abandons the will of God. Those who go down this path must be resolutely purged! Therefore, I will carry out both purification (肅淸) [elimination of undesirable elements] and rectification (肅正) [correction of errors] simultaneously!”

Afonso V’s eyes sparkled at Pedro’s words.

“Rectification, you say?”

“We will abolish the practice of appointing officials to public affairs simply because they are nobles or those employed by nobles! We will govern the kingdom by selecting qualified officials through rigorous examinations, similar to the civil service exams conducted in Joseon! And we will also revise the system to make this kingdom even richer and more powerful and to spread your Majesty’s fame far and wide!”

This marked the beginning of a major reform that would later be known as ‘Pedro’s Reform’.

* * *

The proclamation summarizing the contents of Pedro’s speech that day was once again posted throughout the kingdom.

“Reform, huh…”

“The will of God…”

Many people began to debate as they read the proclamation. However, the intellectuals were the most actively engaged.

Numerous intellectuals began to discuss the legitimacy of the ‘will of God’ that Pedro spoke of, and young university students began to burn with ambition to enter government service.

At the same time, interest in Joseon began to surge once more.

“What is this civil service exam that they conduct in Joseon?”

As a result, the volume of correspondence traveling from Europe to Joseon increased significantly.

* * *

Before long, Pedro’s proclamation spread to various countries in Europe, eliciting diverse reactions.

First and foremost, the internal conflict within Christianity reignited.

‘The will of God moved the Pope.’

This particular statement was the cause.

“This is proof of the Pope’s authority! The will of God is revealed only through the Pope!”

The side supporting the Pope argued in this manner, while the opposing side refuted it.

“Nonsense! The Pope was merely acting in accordance with the will of God! Why don’t you acknowledge that the will of the people is also the will of God! Similarly, the will of the council is the will of God!”

As the religious world became turbulent, political disputes also erupted.

“The position of the king is a position bestowed by God! Therefore, the king’s rights are rights granted by God!”

“Nonsense! It was our nobles who elected that king! Our choice is the will of God!”

“The will of God is revealed through the people! The will of the people is the will of God! Kings and nobles are unnecessary!”

“Nonsense!”

The political world also became chaotic as proponents of absolute monarchy, nobles seeking power sharing, and even advocates of rudimentary republicanism emerged.

Amidst such turmoil, the rift between Portugal and Spain deepened further.

“What? Portugal’s independence is the will of God? Then are you implying that we have abandoned the will of God!”

Spain gnashed its teeth at Portugal.

* * *

Meanwhile, Cosimo, observing the situation, smiled and muttered.

“I should send the Duke of Coimbra some top-quality wine.”

With Europe in such disarray, the opportunity to focus on overseas expansion diminished.

This meant that the Mediterranean-centered trade route would remain the primary overseas trade route for the foreseeable future, ensuring the continued prosperity of the Medici family.