Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1016

1016. The Name of Firewood is an Arms Race (9)

With envoys from various countries flocking in, the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs was moving frantically.

“We, we don’t have enough rooms in the State Guest House!”

Hyeon, upon receiving the report, turned to Han Myeong-hoe.

“Didn’t we greatly expand the size of the State Guest House? Are you saying it’s still not enough?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

Following Han Myeong-hoe, Im Sun-wook added.

“Since ancient times, powerful families have always had many hangers-on.”

“Indeed.”

Hyeon nodded at Im Sun-wook’s words, but his expression wasn’t good.

“Hangers-on… a fitting term, considering the budget used by the State Guest House.”

* * *

As the nation transitioned into an empire, the Bureau of Hospitality was renamed the State Guest House, and the duties of Mohwa Hall, Taepyeong Hall, Dongpyeong Hall, and Bukpyeong Hall under it also changed slightly. The place where the duties changed the most was Mohwa Hall (慕華館) [Hall for Admiring Civilization, referring to the previous dynasty, Ming].

“Now that there is no need to perform the rites of serving the great, we shall change the name!”

Following Sejong’s decision, Mohwa Hall was renamed the State Guest House and became a place for envoys from Europe and the Middle East to stay. As Mohwa Hall was renamed the State Guest House, envoys from Ming stayed at Taepyeong Hall (太平館) [Hall of Great Peace].

-This is to ensure that both countries continue their neighborly relations for a long time, so Taepyeong Hall is fitting.

Next, the place where the duties changed was Bukpyeong Hall. Like its name, which wished for peace in the north, it was a place where envoys sent by the Jurchen people of the north stayed. Now that the north has been incorporated into Bukji [Northern Territory, referring to the conquered northern lands], Bukpyeong Hall has become a place where envoys sent by the Khans of the Mongol, west of Lake Baikal, and Central Asia stay.

However, there was a place where neither the name nor the duties changed from the past. It was Dongpyeong Hall, where envoys from Japan stayed. This was the reason for the name ‘Peace of the East.’ As time passed, the empire grew larger and its presence became stronger, foreign envoys constantly came and went from the empire.

Thanks to this, State Guest Houses were also built on the border of Bukji and at the port of Mokpo for envoys to stay. However, these were only places to briefly relieve travel fatigue and stay before entering Seoul. Therefore, the State Guest House and Bukpyeong Hall built in Seoul gradually grew in size. It wasn’t just the buildings that grew. Cooks who were well-versed in the cuisine of the respective countries were hired for envoys from countries who had to be careful about their food due to religious beliefs, and more and more people were hired to handle hospitality and building maintenance.

Naturally, the State Guest House had no choice but to demand more and more budget. This wasn’t the only thing.

The empire was bearing all the costs of what foreign envoys ate, drank, and wore at the State Guest House. The problem was the envoys from the far north, Mongolia, and Central Asia. If they timed it wrong, they had to return home through the harsh winter cold of the north. After several tragic accidents, the envoys ended up spending the winter in Seoul if their return coincided with winter.

Naturally, the empire bore all the costs of their stay at Bukpyeong Hall. And at some point, it became commonplace for them to spend the winter in Seoul.

“It just so happens that the timing of winter and the return trip coincided. I am truly sorry to His Majesty the Emperor.”

While responding to the envoys who shamelessly apologized, the State Guest House officials muttered inwardly.

‘I have a suspicion, but no evidence…’

Thanks to this, Hyeon sympathized with the word ‘hangers-on’ and complained.

* * *

“Having many hangers-on is a problem, but having too few would be a bigger problem. The empire is not the only one living in this wide world, is it?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“By the way, is the reason why these envoys are flocking here because of the Haegeup [a class of battleship]?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

Hyeon, making a humming sound as he pondered something at the ministers’ answers, asked again.

“The empire has almost a hundred Haegeup-class battleships, and the number requested by the countries that have come is at most about ten. I wonder why they are rushing here so urgently.”

Im Sun-wook stepped forward to answer Hyeon’s question.

“It is because the characteristics of the Haegeup and the timing are right.”

“Characteristics and timing?”

“Yes.”

Im Sun-wook explained in more detail.

-The Haegeup-class battleship has a balance of speed, firepower, and defense. It is the best battleship if you don’t insist on long-distance voyages.

-European powers and other countries are challenging the construction of ironclad ships, but ironclad ships are expensive. The reason why ironclad ships are expensive is because the ironclad itself is expensive. However, this can be solved over time. More than one or two countries are building large steel mills in their own countries, just like the great powers.

-In other words, the Haegeup will be the best answer for the purpose of protecting their own territorial waters until then.

-In addition, they do not know how many Haegeup-class battleships our empire operates.

And there is no certainty that we will sell all of those Haegeup-class battleships.

-Therefore, they are trying to get a suitable number as quickly as possible.

Hyeon nodded at Im Sun-wook’s explanation.

“I see. We didn’t take the initiative to say that we would sell Haegeup-class battleships, so they are trying not to miss the opportunity. And the Haegeup-class battleship is indeed a very useful ship…”

Later, Hyang also nodded after hearing the story and muttered inwardly.

‘Even in the age of line battleships, they used 2nd and 3rd class line battleships better than 1st class battleships, right?’

* * *

“By the way, it’s quite refreshing that there is no opposition to transferring a large number of Haegeup-class battleships to other countries.”

At Hyeon’s words, Im Sun-wook stepped forward again to answer.

“There is no reason to object if we sell them at a good price, is there?”

“The Ministry of Finance may be like that, but the Ministry of National Defense is quiet.”

Jang Hang-seon stepped forward on behalf of the Minister of National Defense at Hyeon’s criticism.

“The Haegeup-class is powerful, but it is weaker than the Challenger-class. There is no need to mention the Assault Turtle Ship. And new battleships to succeed the Haegeup-class are being prepared, are they not? There is no reason to object since more superior battleships than the Haegeup are being prepared.”

“But, won’t the secrets hidden in the hull of the Haegeup or Challenger-class battleships be revealed?”

“The era is already the era of ironclad ships and iron ships. The secret is useless even if it is revealed.”

“I see.”

Hyeon replied with a bright expression.

“I am truly relieved to hear your answer, Sir. I feel reassured that the new battleships will be so reliable.”

“We will do our best.”

“We will do our best!”

The ministers in the Grand Hall bowed their heads and answered in unison. However, they were all grumbling inwardly.

‘He’s so happy because the battleships are designed based on what His Majesty envisioned.’

‘His Majesty the Emperor designs it, the Supreme Emperor names it, and they’re playing all the instruments…’

Knowing or not knowing the minds of such ministers, Hyeon continued with excitement.

“I heard that the first battleship of that ‘destroyer (驅逐艦)’ [referring to a type of warship] will be launched soon? I will definitely attend at that time.”

“We will obey your command.”

Listening to the ministers’ answers, Hyeon muttered inwardly.

‘By the way, what kind of battleship would be suitable for the cruiser (巡洋艦) [another type of warship], another name given by the Supreme Emperor? Of course, it must be big, right?’

Hyeon was contemplating ideas that would have made the ministers – especially Im Sun-wook and the Minister of Finance – clutch the back of their necks.

‘Ah! I’m running out of time! I need to pass it on to Woo-ya quickly, but that rascal! Should I drastically cut the budget for the Office of Music?’

From some point on, it was the moment when the strongest weapon wielded by the emperor against the crown prince was slowly sprouting.

“Will you receive the abdication? Or will your budget be cut?”

* * *

While all sorts of backstories were overflowing in their minds, but outwardly, the empire’s current issues were being discussed peacefully, an urgent report came up. Minister of Foreign Affairs Shin Suk-ju, who confirmed the urgent report, immediately delivered it to Im Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoe, and Han Myeong-hoe, who confirmed it, presented it to Hyeon.

Hyeon frowned as he checked the contents of the urgent report he received from Han Myeong-hoe.

“France wants to buy the Haegeup and came? France?”

The Grand Hall was abuzz at Hyeon’s words.

* * *

After fighting in Italy, the relationship between the empire and France was not very good. Thanks to this, French researchers and students working in the empire’s research institutes were spending their days in anxiety, and the empire did not miss the opportunity to use its tricks.

-How about just becoming an imperial citizen? We’ll let you use your first and last name as is. You can bring your family if you want.

-You want to bring your relatives too? What kind of talent do they have? No, it’s okay even if they don’t have any talent. We’ll lend you farmland in Shinji [newly developed land], so tell them to come.

It was the empire’s trick to turn the rolling stone into a fixed stone, and a considerable number of French professors and students became imperial citizens. This naturally provoked a backlash from France. Those working in the Imperial Research Institute were those who had made a name for themselves in France with their academic achievements. In the case of international students, most of them are unknown right now, but the fact that the empire allowed them to study abroad was a guarantee.

The empire swallowed these talents as they were, provoking a backlash from France.

* * *

It was because the empire and France were so uncomfortable with each other, but the fact that an envoy came, and that too to buy the Haegeup, made the Grand Hall abuzz.

“They probably expected that we wouldn’t sell the Haegeup, unless they’re fools. Hmm~ I’m really curious about their intentions.”

The ministers all nodded at Hyeon’s words. Then, Shin Suk-ju asked Hyeon.

“Will you turn them away?”

“What does the Minister of Foreign Affairs think?”

“I think it would be good to meet them and talk first.”

“Why?”

“They also know very well that the relationship between our empire and France is uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the fact that they sent them is not something to be taken lightly.”

Shin Suk-ju’s words continued as follows.

-Since ancient times, it has been customary not to treat envoys or messengers carelessly, no matter how bad the relationship is. Therefore, breaking this would give the other party a good excuse.

-This is the same in the East and Europe. This is the first reason why you should meet the French envoy.

-Next, we need to know why France is trying to get the Haegeup.

“If we find out why they are trying to get the Haegeup in this way, we will have to gain other benefits besides money.”

“Other benefits?”

“If possible, we should get a promise from France that they will not recklessly carry out military actions against our empire’s allies.”

“Hmm…”

Hyeon was lost in thought at Shin Suk-ju’s words, and Jang Hang-seon asked Shin Suk-ju.

“Will they easily make a promise? And isn’t a promise just a promise? If it’s a country with the size of France, wouldn’t they just ignore the promise?”

Shin Suk-ju nodded at Jang Hang-seon’s words.

“Of course, that’s right. However, breaking that promise means waging war with the empire’s allies, and if that happens, our empire will eventually jump into the war as well. If so, it would be a good excuse to bring in France’s enemies.”

“France’s enemies?”

“England.”