Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 633

633. Now in Beijing… (3)

Upon hearing the merchant leader’s words, the Grand Secretary felt a momentary darkness cloud his vision.

‘Already? It’s too soon!’

The defeat in the last war had left Ming with severe aftereffects.

Even just suffering a defeat would normally cause significant damage to the authority of the Emperor and the court. However, the last war had also brought about very serious economic losses. If these were not recovered in time, the possibility of peasant revolts or rebellions by local warlords was considerable.

However, what the Grand Secretary meant by ‘too soon’ was that only two years had passed since the end of the war. Although Ming’s state administration was creaking, it was not in a state of complete collapse.

In the end, the Grand Secretary had no choice but to press the merchant leader.

“Explain in detail!”

“Yes, my lord….”

According to the merchant leader’s explanation, rumors were circulating among many farmers and urban lower classes in the Jiangnan region [a prosperous region in southern China, known for its rice production and cultural significance], and in reality, movements toward armed uprisings were slowly becoming visible.

“What is the cause?”

“The machinations of rice merchants and taxes, sir.”

“Oh, dear….”

At the merchant leader’s answer, the Grand Secretary sighed, placing a hand on his forehead.

‘Was it too late?’

“Hoo~.”

‘But it’s still not too late.’

Taking a long breath and calming his chaotic mind, the Grand Secretary asked the merchant leader.

“Alright. So, what is the scale?”

“It’s still just rumors circulating….”

“Alright, then do you know anything about the leaders of such actions?”

“Leaders, you say. According to rumors, there are four or five who call themselves Zhu Yunwen [the Jianwen Emperor, who was overthrown by his uncle], and six or seven who call themselves Zhu Wengui [purported son of the Jianwen Emperor]. In addition, there are three or four pairs who call themselves Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Wengui, father and son, and move together.”

“Hmm….”

At the merchant leader’s answer, the Grand Secretary stroked his beard and pondered.

After a moment, the Grand Secretary, emerging from his thoughts, asked the merchant leader.

“To whom have you spoken about these rumors?”

“You are the first, my lord. However, if it has reached my ears, the rumors have already spread to many people, and other lords probably know about it as well, wouldn’t they?”

The moment the words ‘other lords’ came out, the Grand Secretary’s expression twisted. There were several government-affiliated merchant guilds, and the heads of these guilds had connections with not only the ministers but also the Eastern Depot [a secret police agency] and the Embroidered Uniform Guard [another secret police organization].

‘It has become a situation that cannot be hidden.’

After a moment, the Grand Secretary, composing his expression, said to the merchant leader.

“Thank you for providing valuable information. I will inform His Majesty of your contribution.”

At the Grand Secretary’s words, the merchant leader quickly clasped his hands and replied.

“You flatter me! I am just a humble man living under His Majesty’s grace! I have only done what I should do!”

At the merchant leader’s answer, the Grand Secretary muttered in a small voice.

“If only everyone did what they should do properly, this country wouldn’t be so difficult….”

* * *

The next day, the Grand Secretary, upon entering the palace, immediately reported what he had heard to Emperor Jingtai.

Thump!

“How can such outrageous things happen!”

Unable to contain his anger at the Grand Secretary’s report, Emperor Jingtai slammed his hand on the armrest of the throne and immediately issued an order.

“The Minister of War and the Left and Right Chief Military Commissioners shall immediately mobilize the army to exterminate those rebels!”

At Emperor Jingtai’s words, the Minister of War immediately clasped his hands and reported.

“Your Majesty! I stake my life to inform Your Majesty! It is right to punish those who have committed the heinous crime of treason, but considering the current state of the country, it is a poor strategy!”

“A poor strategy, you say!”

“Your Majesty! As I mentioned yesterday, the state of the country is very bad! As Your Majesty decided yesterday, it is best to first make peace with the north and reorganize the remaining forces to order the recovery of the wounded central region!”

“Are you saying we should just leave those rebels alone! Isn’t it common sense that pulling them out when they have just begun to sprout will reduce the damage even more! What is the Minister of War thinking!”

At Emperor Jingtai’s words, the Minister of War immediately replied.

“If Your Majesty issues just one edict, they will fight each other.”

“Huh?”

At the Minister of War’s answer, Emperor Jingtai calmed his anger and his eyes twinkled.

“Explain in detail!”

* * *

While Beijing was noisy with rumors spreading from the Jiangnan region of Ming, the rumors also reached Seoul.

“What do you all think? Does it seem possible that Ming will be overturned?”

At Hyang’s question, the first to answer was Kim Jongseo.

“In my opinion, the possibility is very low.”

“What is the reason?”

“Because there are not one or two people who claim to be Emperor Hui [another name for the Jianwen Emperor] and his son. Before confronting Ming, they will have to deal with other claimants first. And that fight will be a fight from which they can never retreat.”

At Kim Jongseo’s words, Hyang and the ministers nodded simultaneously.

* * *

Having claimed to be Emperor Jianwen and his son, who disappeared after the defeat in the ‘Jingnan Rebellion [a civil war in the early Ming Dynasty],’ all others were merely impostors claiming to be him.

In this situation, if forces clashed, it would be a fight that would only end when one of the two died. If they were to say, ‘That one is the real one, and I am the fake. Therefore, I must go under that one,’ they would be killed first by those who followed them.

This was the case when the two colliding forces were evenly matched, and if the superiority of the forces was clearly revealed, the weaker side’s Jianwen Emperor or Zhu Wengui would be dead men. It was certain that their subordinates would use them as gifts to save themselves.

-We have been deceived by an impostor until now. But now, we have met the real person. Therefore, we offer the head of the impostor, so please lead us!

Along with these words.

* * *

Minshin, who had been nodding at Kim Jongseo’s words, continued.

“I don’t know who thought of it, but claiming to be Emperor Hui and his son seems like a good strategy, but it is the worst of bad strategies.”

Hwanghee added to Minshin’s words.

“It seemed like a novel idea, but the trap is that it is a novel idea that anyone could think of.”

“Hmm….”

Hyang, nodding at the ministers’ answers and analyzing the situation, asked again.

“Then do you think the Ming court will use a wait-and-see approach?”

At Hyang’s question, Hwanghee nodded and immediately answered.

“That is correct. Looking at Ming’s current situation, it is not easy to withdraw troops to the south. However, the leaders of the rebellion have all claimed to be Emperor Hui or his son. If so, all they have to do is take a breather and wait. On the other hand, the opponent’s strength will be greatly weakened in the process of repeated infighting.”

At Hwanghee’s words, Hyang unknowingly blurted out.

“Shall we add some seasoning to it?”

No sooner had Hyang’s words come out than Hwanghee raised his voice.

“That won’t do! That is not the way!”

At Hwanghee’s words, Hyang wore an unexpected expression.

“Not the way?”

The hidden meaning in Hyang’s expression and tone was simple.

‘You’re saying that? You? Is the person who has been adding seasoning here and there with Father and me all along someone else?’

No, everyone looking at Hwanghee was wearing the same expression as Hyang.

Perhaps noticing the expressions on those people’s faces, Hwanghee informed Hyang.

“Your Majesty. Please dismiss the historians and scribes for a moment.”

“Huh? Hmm….”

Hyang, staring at Hwanghee, ordered the historians and scribes.

“Leave for a moment.”

“Yes? Your Majesty. But….”

“Tsk!”

The moment Hyang clicked his tongue, the historians and scribes rose from their seats, bowed, and immediately went outside.

Once all the historians and scribes were gone, Hwanghee explained the reason.

“Winning the last war and our transformation into an empire is the reason why we must adhere to morality. Until then, as a small country, we could justify using unorthodox methods and tricks for the sake of survival. However, now that we have become a great power that can overwhelm even Ming, we must seek morality and justification. If we ignore this and only pursue our own interests, no country will engage in diplomatic relations with our empire.”

Kim Jeom immediately countered Hwanghee’s words.

“You must know the story of Song Xiang’s benevolence [a historical figure known for his rigid adherence to chivalry, which led to his defeat], right?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hwanghee nodded and replied.

“How could I not know? However, we must not publicly show ourselves disregarding morality and justification and openly pursuing only national interests. Publicly! Are you not thinking that the future generations will see it the moment it is recorded in the historical records and the Royal Secretariat Diary? Think about the empire 100 years from now!”

“That doesn’t mean we need to endure the loss of national interest!”

At Kim Jeom’s rebuttal, Hwanghee smiled and replied.

“I read the scriptures of the Seoi [likely refers to a Confucian classic] for fun, and there was a good passage.”

“A good passage?”

“‘Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.’ Isn’t that a great passage?”

Instantly, Hyang unknowingly placed a hand on his forehead.

‘That’s not what that means?’

Whether he knew Hyang’s heart or not, Hwanghee continued.

“The empire must prioritize justification and morality. Only then will the empire be treated as a great power. At least, that’s how it should be in the light.”

Only then did Kim Jeom nod and respond.

“Hmm… If there is light, there is shadow….”

“And, as you can see from the historical records, history always moves at night.”

At Hwanghee’s words, all the ministers smiled similarly to Hwanghee and nodded simultaneously.

Even Lee Sacheol, whom Hyang had evaluated as ‘early-stage Confucian Taliban.’

At that sight, Hyang pressed his throbbing temples with his hands.

‘Where am I? Who am I? Is this place a place to discuss the national affairs of the Federal Empire of Daehan, or is it a place where villains dreaming of an evil empire have gathered?’

Hyang was pretending not to know until the end that he had thrown the spark.

Anyway, before calling the historians and scribes back, the decisions had to be made.

“So, do you agree to add seasoning to the Jiangnan region of Ming?”

At Hyang’s question, Hwanghee immediately answered.

“We also think it is better to wait a little. The numbers are too large now, and the scale is too small. I think it would be better after it has been filtered to some extent.”

Kim Jeom added to Hwanghee’s words.

“I also think the same. If we add seasoning from now on, the expenses will be too great. We must add seasoning when it is properly ripe.”

At Hwanghee and Kim Jeom’s answers, Hyang looked back at the other ministers.

“What do you think?”

“I think the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister’s plan is reasonable.”

At the ministers’ answers, Hyang immediately made a decision.

“Then, let’s do that. Eunuch! Tell the historians and scribes to come back in!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

* * *

Not long after, Emperor Jingtai issued an edict.

– There was a regrettable incident in the last Jingnan Rebellion. Therefore, I cannot hide my regret. Therefore, I will restore Emperor Hui’s era name, Jianwen, and appoint Zhu Wengui as a Prince. Therefore, Zhu Wengui, come and find me.

As this edict was spread throughout the Central Plains, those claiming to be Emperor Jianwen and his sons began to clash fiercely.