Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 791

791. The Bureaucrats Go to Shinji (3)

Lee Jing-ok, who had even relinquished his ministerial position to command the expeditionary force heading to Shinji, threw himself into his duties with zeal.

The first matter brought to Lee Jing-ok’s attention was a request for additional funding to procure military uniforms.

“I thought we had ample military uniforms in stock?” Lee Jing-ok inquired.

The person in charge responded with a troubled expression, “A significant number of the men don’t fit into the standard-sized uniforms.”

Lee Jing-ok’s face lit up at this news.

“Oh, really? So, we have that many well-built men? Hmm…” Lee Jing-ok stroked his beard, a calculation forming in his mind.

‘Since many are from bureaucratic families, they’ll likely possess some intelligence… and if they’re physically imposing, their strength must be considerable… If I train them properly, I might be able to bolster the military with talented individuals!’ Lee Jing-ok couldn’t shake off the desire for talent, a trait he shared with Sejong [King Sejong the Great, known for his focus on talent].

‘The more, the better!’

Having made up his mind, Lee Jing-ok rose from his seat.

“I must see these physically imposing men for myself! Where are they assembled?”

“They’re currently gathered at Namhansanseong Fortress,” came the reply.

“Let’s depart immediately!” With that, Lee Jing-ok left his office and mounted his horse. The person in charge, watching him go, muttered to himself in a sweat, “That’s not quite it…”

Lee Jing-ok, having swiftly ridden to Namhansanseong Fortress, confronted the soldiers in question.

Seeing them in plain clothes due to the uniform shortage, Lee Jing-ok sighed. “Hoo~. These men don’t know their limits, but they sure know how to indulge…”

* * *

Since ancient times, being overweight was often associated with wealth.

The people of the Korean Peninsula were known for their hearty appetites, a fact acknowledged by neighboring Ming China and Japan.

Yet, surprisingly, obesity was relatively rare.

The primary reason was the lack of consistent economic means to afford large meals every day. Secondly, most people engaged in strenuous physical labor daily.

This led to a cultural adaptation where people would overeat and gorge themselves during festivals and other opportunities.

Against this backdrop, being fat became a status symbol.

It signified a life of comfortable eating and a lack of hard labor.

As the Empire’s economy flourished, it was inevitable that obesity would become more prevalent among the sons of bureaucrats, who were transitioning into a capitalist class.

However, this development brought its own set of problems.

The number of people suffering from obesity-related diseases began to rise.

Interestingly, the true upper class residing in Seoul actively tried to avoid becoming overweight.

This was a consequence of Hyang’s influence [likely referring to a character or historical figure who promoted health].

Before Hyang’s intervention, Sejong had suffered from various obesity-related ailments, including diabetes and vision problems.

To prevent this, Hyang initiated the ‘Healthy Pig Making Operation’.

“Your Majesty, engaging in such exercises will ensure a man’s vigor in all aspects of life.”

Under the guise of improving ‘stamina,’ a perennial concern, Hyang prevented Sejong from becoming excessively obese.

Furthermore, Sejong’s relationship with his wife improved, and Hyang earned the affection of Queen Soheon.

The upper class in Seoul, witnessing this firsthand, diligently worked to lose weight.

The problem arose when they visited their ancestral homes in the provinces.

“Hey, you! Why are you so thin? Is life in Seoul that difficult? You look like you’ll blow away in the wind. Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

“Brothers! You’re out of touch with reality!” Those returning from Seoul emphasized the importance of losing weight, but those in the provinces remained unconvinced.

“A man should have some presence…”

“Yeah! Enough of that nonsense. Tell us about that jump rope thing from last time!”

Those still clinging to old perceptions were more interested in exercises, medicines, or tools that enhanced stamina, like jump ropes.

* * *

Consequently, most of the men standing before Lee Jing-ok were from local bureaucratic families.

Lee Jing-ok, after scrutinizing them for a long moment, turned to the person in charge and glared. “So, it’s not that we have many physically imposing men, but simply many overweight men, leading to higher clothing costs. Is that it?”

“…That’s correct,” the person in charge replied in a barely audible voice.

“This is unbelievable!” Lee Jing-ok, dumbfounded by this unexpected situation, reached a conclusion.

“The solution isn’t to make new uniforms, but to make their bodies fit into the existing uniforms!”

Despite reaching this decision, Lee Jing-ok still harbored concerns.

Back in his office, he sighed, resting his hand on his forehead. “Hoo~. Sending these lumps of fat to the battlefield would only make them cannon fodder… But allowing them to simply push papers in the rear would create issues of fairness… Hoo~.”

Lee Jing-ok clicked his tongue. “Tsk! If the Emperor were here, he’d have a clear answer immediately!”

Faced with this unexpected challenge, Lee Jing-ok pondered for days, but no solution presented itself. Eventually, he sought out Wan [likely referring to the Emperor or a high-ranking official].

“.…That’s a tough one,” Wan said, his face etched with concern. He racked his brain but couldn’t find a satisfactory answer.

Hwangbo-in, witnessing Wan and Lee Jing-ok’s worry, interjected, “Your Majesty, you should consult Jeolje [Kim Jong-seo’s courtesy name] about this kind of problem.”

“Minister Jeolje?” Wan’s eyes lit up as Hwangbo-in continued, “Jeolje has been recognized for his exceptional improvisational skills and has served both the Supreme Emperor and the current Emperor. He will surely find a solution.”

The officials listening to Hwangbo-in’s explanation all muttered the same sentiment inwardly: ‘It’s not improvisation, it’s just trickery!’

In the end, another task was added to Kim Jong-seo’s already full plate.

* * *

“Damn it! I’m already swamped, and now this!” Kim Jong-seo muttered under his breath, then summoned the manager waiting outside his office. “Bring Jajun [Han Myung-hoi’s courtesy name] to me!”

“Yes, sir!”

While awaiting Han Myung-hoi’s arrival, Kim Jong-seo smiled. “That guy can handle it. Is this… Is this why Bangchon [Hwang Hee’s pen name] made me suffer so much…”

“You called for me!”

“Come in!” Kim Jong-seo, recalling his days of suffering under Hwang Hee’s influence, straightened his posture and greeted Han Myung-hoi with a slight smile. “…So, His Majesty has tasked me with finding a solution. What would you do in my position?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s question, Han Myung-hoi frowned in thought.

After a long pause, Han Myung-hoi shared his idea with Kim Jong-seo. “Shouldn’t we simply demonstrate to them that their current physiques will lead to certain death on the battlefield?”

“Explain in detail.”

Han Myung-hoi elaborated on his proposed method. Kim Jong-seo listened attentively, nodding occasionally, before pointing out a potential issue with a slightly troubled expression. “It seems like it will be a bit costly?”

“Consider the additional cost of uniforms and food,” Han Myung-hoi countered.

“Hmm…” Kim Jong-seo weighed the costs in his mind and soon nodded in agreement. “That’s a good plan! I’ll inform His Majesty!”

The following day, Wan, after hearing Kim Jong-seo’s report, nodded approvingly. “That’s an excellent idea! It was wise to entrust this to the Minister!”

“I am honored!”

“And that Vice Minister Han Myung-hoi… There’s a reason why the Emperor kept him close. Hmm…” Kim Jong-seo muttered inwardly, observing Wan, who seemed lost in thought.

‘I feel sorry for Jajun. He’s going to have even more work in the future.’

* * *

Ten days later, Lee Jing-ok summoned the soldiers in question.

“Why does it seem like the number has increased since last time?” Lee Jing-ok asked, his brow furrowed.

The person in charge replied with a troubled expression, “The last group of applicants joined a few days ago.”

“The meal providers must be having a difficult time.”

“…”

Leaving the now-silent person in charge behind, Lee Jing-ok ascended the podium and addressed the soldiers. “His Majesty has issued a royal decree! The decree mandates that you lose your excess weight!”

As soon as Lee Jing-ok finished speaking, a murmur of discontent rippled through the ranks.

“Silence! Be quiet!” Lee Jing-ok silenced the soldiers and continued, “This isn’t simply to harass you! It’s for your own survival!”

Lee Jing-ok led the soldiers to the training ground.

There, about twenty soldiers of average build, pre-selected by Lee Jing-ok, were waiting.

Lee Jing-ok led both groups of soldiers to a temporary structure erected on the training ground.

Standing before the structure, Lee Jing-ok explained, “This place simulates the conditions when the enemy fires cannons! You must run from here to the other side! If you’re even slightly slow, you’ll be considered hit and killed by a cannonball!”

After a brief explanation, Lee Jing-ok moved to the side, holding a lit torch. “See this fuse? I’m lighting it now! If you’re slow, you’ll be hit and killed by a cannonball! Run!”

“Waaaa!” Lee Jing-ok lit the fuse as he gave the order, and the soldiers surged forward with shouts.

The difference in speed was immediately apparent. The soldiers of average build quickly pulled ahead, widening the gap between themselves and the obese soldiers.

Bang! Pow pow pow!

Suddenly, buried gunpowder exploded, showering the soldiers with lime powder.

“Pooh! Cough! Cough!” The soldiers, instantly covered in white lime powder, sneezed and coughed as they reached the other side.

Lee Jing-ok, arriving shortly after, addressed the soldiers with a somber expression. “See the lime powder on you? You’re already dead, hit by a fire bomb. Why? Because of that fat! Ah! That’s right! From now on, the enemies you’ll face don’t have cannons! But they do have arrows! Follow me!”

At the shooting range, five old-fashioned Hwacha [multiple rocket launcher] that had been retired and stored in the warehouse were waiting, fully prepared. Across from them, about twenty scarecrows with slender and obese bodies were erected as targets.

“Fire!”

Shoo shoo shook!

At Lee Jing-ok’s command, the waiting Hwacha unleashed a total of 500 Singijeon [rocket arrows].

Lee Jing-ok surveyed the scarecrows after the barrage, then asked the soldiers, “Since they’re bigger, they were hit by more arrows, right?”

“…”

Through several more demonstrations, the soldiers began to understand the importance of losing weight.

“Okay. Do you understand why you need to lose weight? With your current physiques, you’ll either die without putting up a fight or be captured and become a feast for the enemy. Any objections?”

“No, sir!”

At the soldiers’ response, Lee Jing-ok smiled wryly and continued, “Well, regardless, since the royal decree has been issued, you have to follow it unconditionally. Now that you know why you need to lose weight, let’s begin.”