Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1066

1066. Laying the Groundwork (1)

While the introduction and main points involved negotiations that consumed time with intense mental calculations, things moved swiftly after the agreement was signed. To expedite the process and enhance efficiency, the royal courts of the three countries appointed working-level personnel to collaborate.

“I’ll entrust you with full authority, so do your best.”

“Yes, thank you!”

“We will do our best!”

The officials from Ming and Japan responded enthusiastically, but the expressions of the officials from the Empire [referring to the Joseon Empire] visibly darkened.

“Your expressions are not very good. What’s the reason?”

“They entrusted us with full authority, so we can’t help but feel burdened…”

“Isn’t it a good thing that the higher-ups trust you that much?”

At the words of the officials from Ming and Japan, the Imperial officials shook their heads.

“Entrusting us with full authority means that the responsibility falls entirely on us.”

“Huh?”

At the Imperial officials’ response, the faces of the Ming and Japanese officials also grew serious. However, they tried to maintain a positive outlook.

“…That issue can be resolved if we do our best to produce good results.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s the standard and the right thing to say, but… the problem is that things in the world… no, things in the nation never work out that way.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The higher-ups will never stay still.”

“It always starts with ‘According to my experience…'”

“There’s also ‘Back in my day.'”

“Ah…”

As the Imperial officials spoke one after another, the Ming and Japanese officials began to grasp the gravity of the situation. The high-ranking officials of Ming and Japan were second to none when it came to pride, truly worthy of being called ‘National Heroes.’ Of course, they had proven their performance, experience, and abilities, so their pride wasn’t unfounded.

And one of the defining characteristics of these individuals was their distrust of subordinates. If the subordinates they entrusted appeared clumsy, their own judgment would be questioned. Conversely, if they performed exceptionally well, their own position could be threatened at any moment.

Neither outcome was desirable, and to prevent either from occurring, the best course of action was to interfere as much as possible.

“We’ve decided to call this ‘the instinct of officials.'”

At the words of the Imperial officials, the Ming and Japanese officials sighed, their faces grim.

“Then what should we do…”

“Haa~.”

Observing the Ming and Japanese officials who could only sigh, the Imperial officials shrugged.

“What can we do? As I said before, we have to do our best.”

“We must strive to do our best to avoid giving them any grounds for criticism.”

“But if you aim to ‘Pursue safety as much as possible…’ you’ll be treated to every swear word in the Empire, so you should avoid that too.”

Instantly, the Ming and Japanese officials exclaimed in unison.

“Then what do you want us to do!”

“What do you mean what to do? Do well.”

“Shibal!” [A Korean profanity]

“Oh~. Your Imperial language is fluent?”

* * *

Although it stumbled slightly at the beginning, the joint working group of the three countries soon found its rhythm and accelerated its progress. Interestingly, despite officials from all three countries being present, they communicated exclusively in the Imperial language [Korean].

-If we involve interpreters, there will be issues with maintaining confidentiality, and the progress of work will be delayed.

That was the stated reason. But the real reason was different.

-The Empire is the only country that possesses the most comprehensive information about Persia and the Ottoman Empire.

“Ask us to translate? Do we look that free?”

Even when couched in polite and flowery diplomatic language, that was essentially the Empire’s response. Consequently, Ming and Japan selected and dispatched officials who were fluent in the Imperial language. Witnessing this, Hyang, Hyeon, and the high-ranking officials of the Empire began to reassess Ming.

“It’s understandable for Japan, since eight or nine out of ten officials have studied in the Empire, but Ming is unexpected. Don’t you think so?”

Hyeon’s observation prompted Han Chi-hyung to step forward and respond.

“That is correct. Considering the importance of this matter, it’s safe to assume that the officials sent this time will be instrumental in Ming’s future. Considering that the current high-ranking officials of Ming still refer to our Empire as Joseon and attempt to disregard it, we should suspect hypocrisy.”

“They may admire our Empire internally but belittle it externally.”

Following Han Chi-hyung’s words, the Minister of Education continued. However, as soon as the Minister of Education finished speaking, Ryu Soon refuted it.

“It would be ideal if that were the case, but I believe it’s more likely that it isn’t.”

“The possibility that it isn’t? What do you mean?”

“They may have learned the Imperial language to gain a thorough understanding of the Empire’s strengths and weaknesses.”

“Properly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Empire? Why go to such lengths?”

“Isn’t it to reclaim the position of the suzerain state once again in the relationship between the Empire, Ming, and Japan?”

Ryu Soon’s words caused the Minister of Education to ask with surprised eyes.

“Does Ming intend to wage war again?”

“If you mean a war involving guns and cannons, I don’t see that possibility as very high. However, if it’s a competition through means other than war, I think that possibility is quite high.”

Ryu Soon’s analysis caused the faces of the ministers gathered in Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] to become serious. Observing the ministers, Hyeon spoke.

“I also believe the Vice Prime Minister’s words make sense. As subjects of a country, everyone dreams of enriching the country and strengthening the military, and everyone dreams of becoming a conqueror. What kind of country is Ming? If it weren’t for our Empire, it would still be in the position of the suzerain state. We must examine it again and again.”

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

After finishing the meeting, Hyeon visited Sugang Palace [the residence of the Supreme Emperor] and discussed the matter with Hyang. After listening to the story, Hyang nodded.

“Although the current Emperor of Ming is well-disposed towards the Empire, and the pro-Empire faction is growing in the Ming court, it’s right to pay attention to what needs attention. Especially considering the habits of those Chinese people. Why did the sayings ‘Digging up graves to whip corpses,’ ‘Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall,’ and ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years’ come about?”

When he mentioned ‘Digging up graves to whip corpses’ from Wu Zixu’s [also known as Oh Ja-seo] revenge, ‘Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall’ from the story of Goujian, King of Yue [also known as Yue King Gucheon], and the saying ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years,’ Hyeon also nodded.

“That’s right. Now that I think about it, there are so many idioms related to revenge. As the Supreme Emperor said, it seems to be because of their habits. Looking at it that way, I wonder if including them in this matter was a pointless thing.”

At Hyeon’s words, Hyang smiled and replied.

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

“Ah!”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon couldn’t help but admire.

“Those are truly golden words!”

Hiding his embarrassed expression, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘Who said that? Everything we need to know, we learned in kindergarten. We need to add this too. All the cool words came from movies.’

Hiding such thoughts, Hyang continued.

“Neglecting vigilance is something that should not be done, but constantly antagonizing them is also something that should not be done. Because we may get tired first. No, it’s fortunate if we just get tired. There is also a risk of completely letting go of our guard.”

“I agree. Then what should we do?”

“Think again about ‘Digging up graves to whip corpses,’ ‘Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall,’ and ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years.'”

“Hmm…”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon closed his mouth and began to think carefully.

‘Wu Zixu was able to complete his revenge only after becoming the Prime Minister of Wu. King Fuchai of Wu [also known as Oh King Bu Cha] and King Goujian of Yue also had to endure hardship for a long time. ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years’ as well…’

Hyeon, who had been pondering the idioms Hyang mentioned, soon showed an expression of understanding.

“Is it time? The time to acquire the power to properly take revenge.”

At Hyeon’s words, Hyang nodded.

“That’s right. In the saying ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years,’ I think the important thing is not ‘ten years’ but ‘not too late.’ In other words, don’t act recklessly until you have properly prepared. So, let’s think about it here. Here, what do you think is the way for the object of revenge, that is, our Empire, to act?”

At Hyang’s question, Hyeon answered immediately.

“Waging war is the worst policy. As Sun Tzu said, it is best to win before fighting, and to fight after winning. Then, we just need to keep moving forward as we are now. Then Ming will get tired of preparing for revenge first.”

At Hyeon’s words, Hyang smiled and added.

“If you add a little seasoning to it, things will become even more interesting, wouldn’t they?”

“If you mean seasoning?”

“Things like what’s happening in Persia this time. Things that benefit each other when they join hands. If similar things happen several times starting with this, they will start a civil war.”

“Ah!”

“Do you understand what I meant by ‘Keep friends close and enemies closer’ that I said earlier?”

“Yes!”

Afterward, this conversation circulated as a rumor among the officials. The officials who heard the rumor all shook their heads.

“The Supreme Emperor’s insight seems to be getting deeper and deeper.”

“I can never use the term ‘old man in the back room’ [a derogatory term for someone out of touch].”

“The Supreme Emperor as an ‘old man in the back room’? If you say that, we’ll all be cursed as guys who have no ability but only pretend to be smart.”

“I’ve been thinking more and more often these days, those pseudo guys weren’t pseudo after all…”

“Shh!”

“Aheoi! Shh!”

Later, Hyang, who heard the evaluations circulating among the officials about him, chuckled and muttered to himself.

“If you enjoy historical dramas and historical documentaries on cable or OTT [Over-The-Top media services], this is what happens. Ah! I almost forgot steampunk.”

Hyang, who was listing the genres he enjoyed in the 21st century, suddenly made a strange expression.

“If a historical drama about me comes out later, will they believe it’s a true story? I wouldn’t believe it if I were me.”

Hyang, who was asking and answering himself, turned his gaze and looked out the window. Hyang, looking at the eunuchs, court ladies, and officials who were busily moving around Sugang Palace, shone his eyes.

“Come to think of it, it’s interesting? How come these rumors don’t spread outside?”

Like Hyang’s words, all sorts of incidents occurred in Gyeongbok Palace, Sugang Palace, and the Six Ministries, and rumors related to Hyang and Hyeon spread. But these rumors hardly ever spread outside. Even in the brothels that officials frequented, rumors hardly ever leaked out.

No, the brothels could be like that. Because the words that the officials who visited the brothels said were always the same.

“Ah~. I’m being criticized from above and rejected from below, it’s dirty and hard, I can’t do it!”

“Should I just submit my resignation!”

Even if the brothels were like that, the fact that rumors hardly came out even in Bancheon [a residential area for high-ranking officials], another source of rumors spreading, was the point. The reason why he said almost was because other rumors sometimes came out. But rumors related to Hyang and Hyeon did not circulate even in Bancheon.

After pondering for a while, Hyang soon found the answer.

“Ah, that’s right. If it’s a rumor related to me or Hyeon, it’s mostly an important national policy, and it was immediately classified as top secret. The punishment for leaking secrets was equivalent to treason, right?”

At this point, no matter how juicy the rumor was, there was no one brave enough to spread it all over the neighborhood.