Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 701

701. Sixtieth Birthday (8)

January, Imperial Year 9 (1457).

Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbok Palace, carpenters from the Office of Royal Workshops were busily moving about.

On one side of Geunjeongjeon Hall, Wan and his ministers were watching the work with faces full of worry.

The reason their faces were filled with worry was that the place undergoing renovation was the royal platform.

* * *

As the Gyeongjang Reforms [a series of political and economic reforms] progressed, the amount of work that the King and the court had to handle exploded.

Therefore, whereas previously state affairs were handled in Sajeongjeon Hall, since the Gyeongjang Reforms, most state affairs were handled in Geunjeongjeon Hall.

The space was spacious, and it was convenient to bring additional or supplementary documents when needed.

Finally, as Joseon’s power became stronger, the desire to showcase that power also grew, so all state affairs came to be seen in Geunjeongjeon Hall.

-While the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City is excessive, Geunjeongjeon Hall is necessary to save face!

One of the things that changed while handling state affairs in Geunjeongjeon Hall was the introduction of desks and chairs.

When looking down from the royal platform, rows of desks and chairs for meetings were lined up on the left and right sides.

The front row was occupied by the Prime Minister, the Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers, and the ministers of each department, and the rows behind them were occupied by vice ministers or officials assisting with the work.

As a result, the practice of sitting cross-legged naturally disappeared.

-There’s so much to do; sitting cross-legged and enduring it all day is impossible!

This was the position of the Prime Minister and the ministers, and the position of the subordinate officials was different.

-I have to get up and down several times a day to bring documents, so sitting cross-legged is impossible!

Although the reasons were different, they agreed that desks and chairs were more convenient, so that arrangement was made.

Wan and the ministers were worried as they watched the renovation work on the royal platform, not because they were worried about returning to a sitting arrangement.

It was because a new seat was being added, raised one level behind the seat where the Emperor sat.

And the person who would sit in that added seat was Sejong.

* * *

The owner of the current Empire was Hyang, but he regularly sent letters to Sejong to report on the state of the Empire.

Of course, Wan’s regency was also reported to Sejong.

Afterwards, the contents of the reply sent by Sejong can be summarized simply as follows:

-I know very well what you’re up to.

-I don’t doubt Wan’s abilities, but confirmation is definitely necessary.

-I’m returning to the mainland this time due to my sixtieth birthday celebration, so I’ll do an interim check. So, make a seat for me!

It was because of Sejong’s order that the carpenters of the Office of Royal Workshops were repairing the royal platform.

And Wan and the ministers were watching the scene with worried faces.

‘His Majesty also has great work ability, but the Retired Emperor is even more amazing….’

‘If the Retired Emperor disapproves [literally, ‘clicks his tongue’], I can’t sleep properly that night….’

‘Hmm… Should I submit my resignation, or take sick leave….’

While the ministers were searching for the best escape plan, Wan was watching them with envious eyes.

‘They can at least throw their resignations if things don’t work out. I’m in a situation where I can’t escape….’

“Haa~.”

As Wan unknowingly sighed, a eunuch approached and reported to Wan and the ministers.

“His Majesty says that the construction of Geunjeongjeon Hall will be taken care of by the Office of Royal Workshops, so please come to Sajeongjeon Hall quickly.”

“Ah, I understand.”

At the eunuch’s message, Wan and the ministers left their seats and headed to Sajeongjeon Hall.

As he headed to Sajeongjeon Hall, Wan suddenly had a question.

‘Wait? When His Majesty was acting as regent, he handled all the work in Seungwhadang Hall. The Retired Emperor only evaluated the results. But why am I?’

Wan, recalling his memories of Hyang’s regency, had a bright face.

‘Good! Let’s argue about this!’

Wan, having made a decision, turned to the ministers following him and ordered.

“Please wait outside for a moment. There is something I need to discuss with His Majesty.”

At Wan’s words, the ministers bowed their heads in unison and replied.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

Wan, leaving the ministers waiting outside Sajeongjeon Hall for a moment, entered Sajeongjeon Hall alone.

Hyang, who was sitting on the royal platform made in Sajeongjeon Hall and looking over documents, expressed his doubts when only Wan entered.

“Huh? Where did the ministers go? Why is only the Crown Prince coming in alone?”

“I ordered them to wait outside for a moment.”

“Why?”

“There is something I want to ask Your Majesty.”

At Wan’s answer, Hyang put down the documents he was looking at and straightened his body.

“Yes, what do you want to know?”

“When Your Majesty was acting as regent, I heard that you worked in Seungwhadang Hall, and the Retired Emperor only checked the results. However, I want to know why I have to handle work in front of Your Majesty.”

“Ah, that?”

Hyang explained the reason with a nonchalant expression.

“First, although it sounds like self-praise, my experience in operating the research institute and Area 51 is definitely longer than yours. And, I already had considerable experience in acting as regent due to the Mutermu Rebellion [historical rebellion] and other events. That’s why the Retired Emperor trusted me and made that decision.

Second, even so, there were times when the Retired Emperor didn’t like the results. Then, corrections or adjustments had to be made, but there was quite a bit of time wasted going back and forth between Geunjeongjeon Hall and Seungwhadang Hall. However, if the work is done directly in front of me, I can intervene immediately, saving time.

Finally, I am also an emperor, but I have no choice but to follow the orders of the Retired Emperor.

Is that an explanation?”

At Hyang’s words, Wan bowed his head with a gloomy face and replied.

“Yes.”

“Then, tell the ministers to come in. It would be a great loss if they caught a cold in this cold weather.”

“Yes. Eunuch.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

While the eunuch was trotting to deliver the order, Wan headed to his seat with a resigned face.

The historian who recorded all of this added the following words.

-… Thus, when the Emperor answered the Crown Prince’s question directly, the Crown Prince immediately agreed.

The historian says.

The Crown Prince lost again today. The position of Crown Prince is not easy either.

* * *

April, Imperial Year 9.

As the northern sea route, which had been blocked during the winter, was opened, the first regular liner from Shinji entered Wonsan.

While Sejong and his party were waiting at the quarantine station near Wonsan, Hyang and Wan arrived in Wonsan and waited for Sejong.

After the waiting period ended safely and Sejong passed the quarantine, Hyang, Wan, and the ministers bowed in unison as Sejong got off the liner.

“We greet the Retired Emperor!”

Sejong, who received the greeting, also bowed politely to Hyang in return.

“I greet the Emperor. I am truly relieved to see you in good health.”

“I am truly grateful that the Retired Emperor is still healthy.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Sejong looked at Wan and had a bright face.

“Oh! Our Crown Prince! You have become a fine young man! Indeed, there was a reason why the Emperor guaranteed it!”

At Sejong’s praise, Wan blushed slightly and lowered his head.

“You flatter me.”

“Hahaha! What flattery! I look forward to seeing the Crown Prince working later!”

“Hic!”

At Sejong’s words, Wan hiccuped without realizing it.

* * *

Those in charge were busy preparing for the sixtieth birthday banquet to be held on May 15, Sejong’s birthday.

Famous courtesans [highly skilled female entertainers] from all over the Empire and female entertainers who made a name for themselves in entertainment venues were gathered in one place to judge their skills and select the best ones again.

“At first, it was pleasing to the eye, but now my head hurts.”

“I agree. This is also becoming a job that I can’t do.”

The managers had tired faces as they had to handle the work due to the stress brought about by the huge national event called ‘The Retired Emperor’s Sixtieth Birthday Banquet’.

The same was true for those preparing the food. In addition to traditional banquet foods, they obtained the recipes and ingredients for the foods that Sejong enjoyed in Shinji and practiced in advance.

In addition, according to tradition, they searched for long-lived elderly people from all over the country and sent them invitations.

* * *

The managers preparing for the sixtieth birthday banquet were having a hard time, but the managers entering and exiting Geunjeongjeon Hall were in a state of utter despair.

Wan was sitting right below the royal platform, Hyang was above him, and Sejong was sitting one level above him, looking over documents, listening to the discussions of the ministers and Wan, and observing what decisions were being made.

Thanks to this, all the managers, starting with the worn-out Kim Jeom, had to do their work as if walking on thin ice.

The only good thing was that Wan’s work processing ability was excellent, so Hyang and Sejong rarely disapproved.

However, if Hyang or Sejong disapproved, then there was a commotion.

The minister of the department who was pointed out immediately returned to his department and scolded the subordinates in charge of the work.

“Let’s do it right, let’s do it right!”

However, the worst case was different.

It was when Hyang and Sejong disapproved at the same time. When that happened, Wan had to turn pale and rush around to identify the problem.

Again, Wan’s work ability was excellent, so the problem was quickly resolved. If Sejong liked the solution Wan found, he nodded and said to Hyang.

“It seems that what the Crown Prince lacks is experience.”

“That’s right.”

“Hoo~.”

At Sejong and Hyang’s conversation, Wan sighed softly, and his complexion returned.

However, Kim Jeom had to go through hardships.

“The Prime Minister must have already examined it, but couldn’t find the problem?”

“I, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk!”

Sejong clicked his tongue at Kim Jeom’s answer. At the sound of Sejong disapproving, Kim Jeom turned his lowered head and glared at the person in charge of the problem.

And, when the state affairs meeting was over, the minister in charge of the problem was dragged to Kim Jeom’s office and had to go through a lot of hardships.

“Hey! At this age! Do I have to hear the sound of disapproval!”

“I, I’m sorry. But please keep your dignity….”

“Dignity, my ass!”

The minister, who was beaten by Kim Jeom, shouted as soon as he returned to his department.

“Everyone under me, gather immediately!”

* * *

Although the weather outside was warm, the sixtieth birthday banquet of Sejong was held in a situation where Geunjeongjeon Hall and Yukjo Street were frozen solid [metaphorically, tense and strained].

It was a huge banquet attended by all the imperial family members, including Sejong and Hyang, as well as high-ranking officials and long-lived elderly people called from all over the country.

To commemorate Sejong’s sixtieth birthday, a large-scale amnesty was announced nationwide, and the monopoly office held a special discount event.

The people of the Empire shouted cheers in the streets and wished Sejong a long life at this event.

“Long live, long live! Ten thousand years!”

“May the Retired Emperor live long!”

“May you enjoy a hundred years!”

The entire Empire was in a festive mood.

Seeing this, European monks, scholars, and university students muttered to themselves without realizing it.

“How many rulers are there now who are so loved?”

* * *

After the sixtieth birthday banquet ended safely, Sejong took a short break and prepared to return to Shinji.

As the process of preparing was nearing completion, Sejong called Hyang and Wan separately and explained the situation in Shinji in more detail.

“…So, the development situation in Shinji so far is up to this point. The assimilation of the newly incorporated tribes is also going smoothly, and the work of training indigenous warriors to form the navy and army is also gradually speeding up.”

At Sejong’s explanation, which continued with a map in front of him, Hyang nodded and took the words.

“We must now properly prepare the maritime barrier you mentioned earlier. Now stop….”

“Emperor.”

Sejong immediately cut off Hyang’s words.

“I hate the number nine. I will fill the 10 years as promised.”

“…Yes.”