Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 677

677. Birds of a Feather (7)

While the Black Wolf Squad was collapsing in Liaoyang Fortress, Xiang secretly summoned Wan.

“Did you call for me?”

“Tomorrow night, at the hour of midnight, there is a place I wish to go with you. We will be traveling incognito, so do not speak carelessly, even to the eunuchs.”

Wan tensed up at Xiang’s uncharacteristic expression and words, replying,

“Yes, I understand.”

The next day at midnight, Wan, having shed his dragon robe for plain clothes, left his room to find not eunuchs, but Imperial Guards waiting for him.

“We will guide Your Majesty.”

“I see.”

Flanked by Imperial Guards, Wan was escorted towards the rear of Gangnyeong Hall.

There, Xiang, the Captain of the Imperial Guards, and a detachment of guards awaited Wan.

“Let us depart.”

“Yes.”

The party’s movement was conducted under tight security.

Normally, even late at night, a few eunuchs and court ladies would be on standby in case of emergencies. However, these individuals were absent, and the main routes were heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards.

Soon, Xiang’s party exited Gyeongbok Palace through a small side gate on the east side.

“Are the number of guards not too few?”

Wan asked Xiang, seeing only the Captain of the Imperial Guards and a minimal escort accompanying them. Xiang chuckled softly in response.

“Others will arrive soon.”

“Pardon?”

Wan, puzzled by Xiang’s reply, soon understood its meaning.

As soon as they rounded the corner of the alley facing the side gate, a group of men awaited them.

Dressed in black robes and black conical hats, even wearing black cotton shoes, and carrying long, silver staffs, the men bowed their heads in unison upon seeing Xiang, offering a quiet salute.

“Jaeeum Guard [a secret guard unit].”

“Well done.”

“We will escort you.”

Thus, escorted by the men clad in black, Xiang and Wan’s party headed towards the entertainment district.

* * *

Following behind Xiang, Wan’s expression was a picture of utter confusion as they traversed the alleys.

‘What is this? Is he going to a courtesan house? His Majesty?’

Xiang was generally known not to indulge in carnal pleasures. His women consisted of only one Empress and two Imperial Concubines.

‘What on earth? What is this?’

Wan’s bewilderment reached its peak as they entered a side gate of a famous courtesan house in Bukchon [a traditional Korean village in Seoul known for its historic architecture and association with the upper class].

‘Why not the main gate? Even if it’s an incognito visit, why a side gate used by servants?’

Entering the courtesan house through the side gate, Xiang’s party headed towards a secluded corner inside. Amidst the sounds of music and laughter of men and women echoing through a wall, Xiang’s party quietly entered a small building located at the innermost part.

* * *

As Xiang entered the room, two men who had been waiting inside saluted and opened a closet, bringing out a small wooden stand.

Stepping onto the stand and climbing over the closet, they found a small passage inside.

Following the passage, Xiang’s party arrived at a tiled-roof house located across from the courtesan house.

As Xiang emerged from the passage, all the men waiting inside rose from their seats and saluted.

“Jaeeum Guard.”

“You have worked hard. Where are the deceased enshrined?”

“This way, please.”

Guided, Xiang and Wan headed to a small altar, upon which three urns were placed.

After gazing at the urns for a moment, Xiang lit incense in the incense burner placed on the altar and performed a deep bow.

“Gasp!”

At the sight of Xiang bowing to the urns, Wan involuntarily let out a small gasp.

Xiang was the Emperor. It was customary for the Emperor not to bow to anyone except towards the heavens during ancestral rites.

Yet, Xiang was now paying his respects more solemnly than ever.

After bowing twice to the deceased, Xiang instructed Wan.

“These are loyal subjects who gave their lives while working for the Empire. Pay your respects.”

At Xiang’s command, Wan paid his respects to the urns.

As Wan stepped back after bowing, Xiang turned to the Captain of the Imperial Guards.

“Captain of the Imperial Guards.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Captain of the Imperial Guards took out a small wooden box from his pocket and presented it to Xiang. Receiving the box from the Captain, Xiang opened it, checked the contents, and handed it to the man in front.

The man respectfully received the box and took out its contents. In the man’s hand was a black wooden rivet. Slightly larger than a wine cup, the head of the rivet was engraved with a golden Taegeuk [Korean symbol of balance, also known as the yin and yang] symbol.

The man inserted the three rivets engraved with the Taegeuk symbol into holes drilled in the wall behind the altar.

Watching this, Wan’s eyes gleamed. The wall where the rivets had just been inserted already had nearly 30 rivets of the same shape.

About half an hour later, Xiang’s party returned to Gyeongbok Palace. Wan, who had remained silent until then, could not contain his curiosity and asked Xiang.

“Your Majesty, who are those people?”

“They are the Milwi [secret agents].”

* * *

Returning to Gangnyeong Hall, Xiang dismissed everyone except the Captain of the Imperial Guards.

With only the Captain of the Imperial Guards remaining, Xiang began to tell Wan about the Milwi.

“The Milwi are those who move in the shadows to protect the Empire and the Emperor. They are the ones who shed blood first and last to protect the Empire and the Emperor.”

Starting with this, Xiang continued to explain in detail to Wan about the Milwi and the Bidae Committee [oversight committee for the Milwi].

As Xiang’s explanation grew longer, Wan’s expression changed from surprise to concern.

“…That is all.”

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Wan asked Xiang.

“Is it alright that they are from the Geomgye [a lower social class]?”

“They have passed their own verification process. And, so far, they have faithfully performed their duties.”

“But, we cannot know if they will continue to do so in the future, can we? Wouldn’t it be better to select and deploy proper individuals from the military?”

“That would be good too. But, there is a problem. The organization could become rigid and lose its eyes and ears.”

Xiang explained to Wan why such a selection would be problematic.

“Organizations that handle information must be flexible. No, it is best for all organizations to have such flexibility, but that is difficult. In particular, the military is the most rigid organization. Its very nature does not suit it.”

“The most important task of the Milwi is to gather information. This information includes not only that of other countries but also internal information. To properly secure internal information, people must be planted in various strata. However, if the qualifications for joining the Milwi are restricted, we will lose the eyes to observe various strata.”

“Ah….”

Wan nodded at Xiang’s explanation. Seeing Wan, Xiang added.

“The difference between how people from noble families view commoners and how commoners view commoners is significant. Therefore, the selection of Milwi personnel is entrusted to the Milwi. Of course, it is true that there is a risk that those with disqualifications or those with other intentions may enter, as you said. Therefore, the Captain of the Imperial Guards and the Bidae Committee are involved in the screening process.”

At Xiang’s words, Wan involuntarily looked at the Captain of the Imperial Guards. Seeing the Captain nodding with a proud expression, Wan also nodded.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“How is the operating budget raised?”

“70% from the Imperial Family, 30% self-raised.”

“Is self-raising possible?”

“There is the courtesan house, is there not?”

“I know that there are separate financiers for the courtesan house.”

At Wan’s point, Xiang stroked his chest slightly and replied.

“Thanks to that, the initial expenditure was a bit large.”

“Ah….”

Understanding what Xiang’s words meant, Wan continued his questioning.

“Will you continue to insist on secret operations in the future?”

“What do you think?”

At Xiang’s question, Wan pondered back and forth before cautiously opening his mouth.

“Wouldn’t it be difficult?”

“Why?”

Wan carefully explained his thoughts.

“According to Xiang’s explanation, the history of the Milwi is quite long. This means that there will be quite a few people who have noticed the existence of the Milwi to some extent.”

“Even if they are vassals loyal to the Empire, they will feel resentment if they know that there are those who dig into their past, or rather, those who can directly report their secrets to the Emperor.”

“Then these powerful figures will try to eliminate or share the Milwi.”

“Hmm….”

Nodding at Wan’s explanation, Xiang asked again.

“Then what choice do you think they will make?”

“If I were them, I would choose to share. Because if they rashly try to eliminate the Milwi, they may be countered. Rather than taking such a risk, they will try to share. And, they are most likely to choose the budget as a means of sharing.”

“The budget…. Yes, the budget is the most certain knife.”

Agreeing with Wan’s words, Xiang asked again.

“Then what will you do?”

“I will show them, but not show them everything, and I will share, but not share everything. But, I will make them think that they have seen everything and that they have shared everything.”

At Wan’s answer, Xiang clapped his knees and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! That’s the answer! Then when will you execute it? For the record, this father will hold out to the end.”

At Xiang’s words, Wan momentarily looked distressed. However, Wan immediately composed himself and responded.

“I, too, intend to hold out as long as I can.”

“Suffer a little.”

“…Yes.”

* * *

After Wan left the room, Xiang turned to the Captain of the Imperial Guards.

“What do you think?”

“It seems that preparations have already been sufficiently made.”

“Indeed, isn’t it?”

Xiang nodded with a very satisfied expression.

In fact, the possibility of the Milwi’s existence being revealed and the solution to it had already been concluded by Sejong and Xiang. And that conclusion was almost identical to what Wan had said now.

In other words, the Captain of the Imperial Guards’ statement was an assessment that Wan was ready enough to take over the administration of the country.

Xiang smiled gleefully as he thought about the future.

“In about five years, the Retired Emperor will return, and Wan’s eldest son will be formally recognized as the Imperial Grandson, right? Then I can abdicate or entrust him with the regency and go to Shinji, right?”

At Xiang’s words, the Captain of the Imperial Guards offered advice, looking a little worried.

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to solidify the foundation with about three years of regency?”

“With the Retired Emperor present, what is there to worry about?”

At Xiang’s words, the Captain of the Imperial Guards closed his mouth.

Whether Xiang’s ‘making a healthy pig’ was successful, Sejong was in quite good health. In particular, since going to Shinji, he was even more energetic, perhaps because he had less mental burden.

‘I received a message that he seems to be fine for at least 10 years….’

Recalling the letter from the former Captain of the Imperial Guards who had followed Sejong to Shinji, the Captain of the Imperial Guards made calculations.

“The Crown Prince is already an adult.”

“He is responsible for the operation of Area 51 and the research institute, and he has been properly trained in administrative work.”

“In about five years, many of the ministers will be replaced, and the old men who will pressure the Crown Prince will be reduced.”

“Even if there are any, the more seasoned Retired Emperor will not stand still.”

Having calculated that far, the Captain of the Imperial Guards made a rather positive judgment.

‘It seems alright? The problem is that the Imperial Grandson will be exhausted.’

The Captain of the Imperial Guards smiled bitterly inwardly, recalling the news he had heard through merchant ships.

Wan was saying this while looking at the Imperial Grandson, who was just two years old.

“Grow up quickly! You need to grow up quickly so that I can comfortably research the flying chariot and the winged contraption!”