Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1090

1090. Constantly Making Trouble… (5)

The officials who had been tracking down the problem children who had performed the initiation ceremony wore dejected expressions.

“How did this happen…”

“So evenly distributed…”

“Not even a rat could…”

Those who had performed the initiation ceremony in all the government offices in Seoul were exposed and dragged out. Not only the six ministries that had continued since the era of the old Six Ministries, but also those who had performed the initiation ceremony in the Review Board, the Judgment Board, and the Board of Audit were caught.

“Heh…”

The Prime Minister, who checked the list that came up from below, wore an unbelievable expression.

“Is this certain?”

“It is certain.”

“Not false accusations or slander?”

“Weren’t there too many eyes watching to do that?”

At the Deputy Prime Minister’s answer, the Prime Minister put his hand on his forehead.

“There will be a big mess…”

And what followed was as the Prime Minister had expected.

* * *

“Tsk tsk tsk…”

Hyeon, who checked the list of problems, clicked his tongue with a displeased expression. The Prime Minister and ministers all became turtle-necked at the sound of his continuous tongue-clicking. Hyeon, who was constantly clicking his tongue and examining the list, began to speak in a sharp voice.

“The Six Ministries, I can understand. Ah! The Imperial Army, I can understand. There have been many complaints about the initiation ceremony since ancient times.”

The Joseon army also suffered from the evil practice of initiation ceremonies. From military officers to soldiers, newcomers suffered all kinds of ostracism and disadvantages if they did not treat the veterans with alcohol and food. Therefore, in the process of military reform, several special measures were taken to eliminate this initiation ceremony. From the time of Sejong [the fourth king of Joseon] until now, the monarchs had been constantly trying to eliminate this initiation ceremony.

“…However, through continuous efforts, the word ‘initiation ceremony’ was thought to have become a dead word. But, the initiation ceremony is still going on? Even in the Review Board, the Judgment Board, and the Board of Audit! Have you ever seen such nasty things!”

“We are sorry!”

“We were ignorant and did not properly examine it! Please forgive us!”

“Immediately arrest those on the list and drag them here! I will carry out a state trial (鞫問) [a formal interrogation by the monarch]!”

Hyeon’s declaration to hold a personal interrogation (親鞫) [an interrogation conducted directly by the emperor] shook the Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace].

“Your Majesty! This is something that the Capital Defense Command can do! It is not a big deal for Your Majesty to conduct a personal interrogation!”

“Your Majesty! There has been no personal interrogation since the founding of the Empire!”

“Does that mean we shouldn’t do it because it hasn’t been done before! This is a crime that violates the imperial order! Is this something to be taken lightly!”

“However, I am worried that Your Majesty’s reputation will be tarnished if you conduct a personal interrogation…”

“Shut up! Don’t try to stop me! Those who do so will also be investigated to see if they have ever been involved in the initiation ceremony in the past!”

“……..”

At Hyeon’s warning, the ministers all closed their mouths.

-It seems that this initiation ceremony has been going on continuously?

-Then, that means there are some of you who have done it too? That’s why you’re stopping it?

-Good. Shall we reveal everything?

The ministers all shut their mouths at Hyeon’s warning.

‘Emperors were people who did what they said! I shouldn’t be too aggressive anymore!’

‘There is no justification to stop it! No justification!’

In the end, Hyeon’s personal interrogation was decided. The ministers who left the Geunjeongjeon Hall after dismissing the court all sighed deeply.

“Another bloodbath will begin…”

“The peaceful era has ended in my generation.”

“By creating such an incident, I will leave a stain on history. Such shame…”

-It is a very big event for the monarch to conduct a personal interrogation.

-And, most of them are political events.

This means that the peaceful era is over when a personal interrogation takes place.

-This is a disgrace to the monarch, but it is an even greater disgrace to the subjects.

It was certain that they would not be able to avoid the criticism of ‘ending the peaceful era because they did not properly fulfill their duties.’ This was why the ministers tried to stop Hyeon.

* * *

According to Hyeon’s order, those who were arrested were dragged to the state tribunal and made to kneel.

“The Emperor is here!”

When Hyeon appeared at the state tribunal, the officials of the Uigeumbu [a special judicial body] and the Capital Defense Command, and the ministers who had come in advance, all paid their respects. Hyeon, who sat down, looked around at the prisoners who were tied up and kneeling.

“Hmm…”

Hyeon, who was examining the prisoners, ordered in a low voice.

“Among those people, bring those belonging to the Judgment Board, the Review Board, and the Board of Audit first!”

“Yes.”

According to Hyeon’s order, about 10 prisoners were dragged in front of Hyeon.

“Why did you do what I told you not to do?”

“Please have mercy!”

“I asked for the reason. Don’t say anything else.”

“Please have mercy!”

“I told you not to say anything else!”

The prisoners who were dragged out began to make excuses at Hyeon’s stern warning.

“I heard stories from the elders of the clan that it was a memory, so I thought it was a kind of romance…”

“I thought it would be a good memory over time…”

“I had a little too much to drink…”

“It was just a childish act.”

Hyeon, who was listening to the excuses of the prisoners, began to point out each one.

“Romance? Did you say romance? If that was romance, why would the country have forbidden it! Memories? Is it the duty of a gentleman to inflict pain on others for your good memories! No, even if you are not a gentleman, is that something a person should do! Drunk? What a ridiculous excuse! A gentleman should boast of temperance and moderation, but you boast of excess! Is that a gentleman! And, childish? It’s recklessness!”

Hyeon, who rebuked each of the excuses made by the prisoners, continued to scold them.

“The reason I made you come forward first is because of the work you do! The Judgment Board is a place to examine the law and judge unfairness and injustice to resolve the grievances of the people! The Review Board is a place to review whether the newly created law is suitable for resolving the grievances of the people! The Board of Audit is a place to examine and advise whether everyone from the monarch to the low-ranking officials are properly fulfilling their duties in accordance with the law and morality! But, the people in those places are performing initiation ceremonies! Is it right to force unfair things on those who came in later just because you came in a little earlier! Is that something that suits your duties! Especially! The Review Board! What do you have to do to get into the Review Board! They are people who are recommended by the residents of their hometowns because they are fair and upright in the eyes of the residents, and they think they are qualified to review the law! You have tarnished the reputation of the people in your hometown who recommended you!”

Those who were dragged out of the Review Board all lowered their heads at Hyeon’s criticism. The Review Board and the Judgment Board, that is, the legislative and judicial bodies, were created to prevent all power from being concentrated in the executive branch, which is symbolized by the Prime Minister and the ministers. Thanks to this, those who wanted to become members of the Review Board were elected through voting.

It was a vote that was conducted by grouping certain areas into a concept similar to the electoral districts of the 21st century. Thanks to this, the villages that produced members of the Review Board all gathered their strength and held a big festival, and the winners became the pride of the town. But now, it had become the disgrace of the town.

“Punish their crimes according to the law! And, record their names and hometowns in the gazette [official government publication] without omission and inform the entire empire! Let all the families, clans, and neighbors of their hometowns know exactly what the criminals have done!”

“I obey your command.”

The ministers accepted the order immediately without objection. According to Hyeon’s order, the work proceeded smoothly. The criminals all had to live a prison life in the record office. Their clans immediately held clan meetings and deleted the criminals from the family register. Following this, divorce lawsuits lined up across the country. And, once again, the leading families throughout the empire gathered the elders of the family and strongly warned them.

“I repeat, don’t even mention the ‘myeon’ [face or honor] of ‘myeonshinrye’ [initiation ceremony]!”

“Don’t taint the children with strange things!”

* * *

Meanwhile, Hyang and Wan, who were the starting points of this incident, watched the situation unfold with interesting expressions.

“Now I know why the Grand Emperor was so amused when I caused trouble.”

“Is that so? Didn’t they say that the most interesting sights are watching fires and watching fights.”

“By the way, it seems that the Emperor is very angry. He is even conducting a personal interrogation. This is the first time I have seen this.”

At Wan’s words, Hyang smiled and replied.

“Some people treat him like a dragon and tiger (龍虎) [powerful and fearsome figures] and are trembling with fear, while others treat him like a calf from the neighborhood, so wouldn’t he be angry?”

Wan, who was recalling his memories for a moment at Hyang’s words, asked Hyang.

“Is a wise ruler (名君) [an enlightened and benevolent monarch] a calf from the neighborhood?”

“He hasn’t bitten, danced with swords, or overturned things like someone else, has he?”

Wan barely held back the words that were about to come out at Hyang’s words.

‘I haven’t bitten or danced with swords either! Wasn’t that all done by the Former Emperor and the Grand Emperor! I am wronged!’

* * *

Thanks to Hyeon’s rampage, the central government of the empire, which had been somewhat relaxed, became tense again.

“Hmm… Seoul is almost settled, now let’s look at the provinces.”

Under the command of Hyang and Wan, the empire’s local organizations were thoroughly searched, and the empire’s government organizations, from the center to the provinces, became alert. And here, another trick of Wan and Hyang was hidden. At this time, the empire was the country with the largest territory in the world.

It would not be a matter of one or two months to inspect the local administrative organizations that manage this vast territory.

“If we are lucky, half a year, usually a year, and if we are unlucky, more than 3 years…”

This was the estimated time required for the inspection. As expected, it was due to the limitations of communication and transportation. Thanks to this, the central organization of the empire had to put all its efforts to finish the inspection as quickly as possible.

Taking advantage of the fact that the central organization was preoccupied with the inspection, Hyeon passed several problematic policies, such as ‘improvement of the new type of power engine’ – especially those that cost a lot of money.

“…So, I am going to execute the necessary budget from next year. What do you think?”

“I obey Your Majesty’s decision.”

“Thank you.”

Of course, the ministers could have tried to object if they had made up their minds. However, looking at Hyeon’s momentum sitting on the roof of the Dangjip [a small, elevated structure], it would have caused even greater harm. Therefore, the ministers passed Hyeon’s policies as they were. The ministers who gathered in the Prime Minister’s office after dismissing the court all sighed deeply.

“Hoo~ I can’t live with three generations (代) [ancestors] working together.”

“I have never felt the words ‘It’s easier to give up’ that my predecessors said so desperately as I do these days.”

* * *

After a round of ‘reverse taming’ was over, the abdication ceremony was held. In the midst of the assembled officials in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hyeon handed over the throne to Woo. What was interesting was the attire of Hyang and Wan who participated in the event. Hyang wore his unique black imperial military uniform – a Darth Vader knockoff, and Wan wore a black official uniform.

“If the Grand Emperor and the Retired Emperor wear the Emperor’s attire, the dignity of the abdication will be diminished!”

This was the reason why Hyang and Wan wore different clothes.