Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 109

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

109. Partnership (3)

The frequent expeditions led by his grandfather, the Yongle Emperor, had created a significant drain on the Ming Dynasty’s finances. Because of this, the Xuande Emperor constantly preached frugality. He didn’t just talk about it; he actually lived a very frugal life.

However, the Xuande Emperor was still human.

‘I am the Emperor, after all!’

There were many times when the Xuande Emperor, tired of frugality, lamented alone. Of course, as the emperor of the empire, he could enjoy luxuries that no one else could match if he wanted to, but at that moment, he would have to endure the nagging of his officials.

“Your Majesty! The financial problems are serious! Please refrain from extravagance!”

“I understand. It was my mistake.”

It was certain that this would happen, and if he got angry and executed them, the aftermath would be troublesome.

In that situation, money just for the Emperor was coming in separately? The Xuande Emperor’s mouth watered.

‘Those glass products will definitely sell well. That means the profit will be enormous. And I, the Emperor, get that profit? Sounds good. Joseon will handle the production, and I’ll just run the trading company… Wait a minute?’

The Xuande Emperor, who was doing the math, asked Hyang a question.

“What is the profit distribution ratio?”

‘He’s moving. But considering what just happened, he’s too greedy! Time for some push and pull!’

Hyang, assessing the situation, started with a reasonable ratio.

“7 to 3. Joseon gets 7, and Your Majesty gets 3.”

Before the words even finished, the Xuande Emperor presented a revised plan.

“8 to 2. I get 8.”

‘This guy doesn’t even know basic business ethics!’

Hyang gave reasons why that wouldn’t work and adjusted the numbers again.

“It’s impossible considering the production and transportation costs. 65% to 35%. Joseon gets 65%.”

At Hyang’s words, the Xuande Emperor diligently racked his brain.

‘Transportation… Our Ming Dynasty’s land is vast, you know? But considering Joseon’s situation, 7 to 3. I get 7.’

‘Oh really? You’re going to deliver it yourself? Are you stupid?’

Hyang pointed out something the Xuande Emperor hadn’t thought of.

“Is there a need for the joint trading company to deliver it directly? The trading companies that want to buy it can just come to Shandong [a coastal province in China]. Therefore, this ratio is optimal.”

At Hyang’s words, the Xuande Emperor closed his mouth.

‘That’s not wrong… I’ve been had. What can I use appropriately? Ah!’

“Give me the glass to cover the 3 outer palaces and the 3 inner palaces for 7 taels of silver [a unit of currency]. And I promise not to take any palace women or eunuchs. And to guarantee Joseon’s profit, let’s make it 6 to 4. I get 6.”

Before the Xuande Emperor’s words were even finished, Hyang counterattacked.

“Even at 7 taels of silver, it’s still a loss. And if you cover the 3 outer palaces and the 3 inner palaces, no additional glass will enter the Forbidden City [the Chinese imperial palace]. Therefore, if you guarantee the palace women and eunuch issue in writing for 7 taels of silver, I will agree to 6 to 4. Joseon gets 6.”

The Xuande Emperor, seeing Hyang’s appearance of seemingly backing down but still taking everything he could, subtly applied pressure.

“Have you forgotten that I am the Emperor of Ming? How dare you, as a vassal state of the empire, make such an impudent proposal?”

‘Oh really?’

Hyang pushed forward even more resolutely.

“A deal is based on mutual benefit. Especially since Your Majesty is the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire. As Your Majesty said, our Joseon calls itself a subject and is a subordinate country. However, our Joseon is not a feudal lord. Forcing an unfair proposal is not mutual benefit.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyang’s words, the Xuande Emperor had a headache.

‘Tsk! I’m losing in terms of justification.’

At that moment, an official who had been listening to the conversation between the Emperor and Hyang interjected.

“Your Majesty! It is not appropriate for Your Majesty to be discussing this matter directly! If you leave it to us…”.

“Enough! I am currently speaking with the Crown Prince of Joseon, who do you think you are to interrupt! Do you think you are qualified to do so! How many pending cases are still sitting on your desk! The Jinyiwei [Ming Dynasty secret police], drag that insolent fellow out and lock him in prison!”

“Understood!”

The soldiers of the Jinyiwei, who had been waiting in the hall, grabbed the official who had made the problematic statement by both arms and dragged him out of the hall.

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider! Your Majesty!”

After a commotion, the hall froze over.

The officials, seeing the Xuande Emperor like this for the first time, were frozen with pale faces.

‘He just touched the dragon’s reverse scale [angered the emperor]!’

‘No matter what happens, I must not open my mouth!’

The Xuande Emperor, who had silenced the officials, looked at Hyang.

“Alright! I will grant one additional wish that Joseon desires most! But the ratio will be 55% to 45%. I get 55%.”

At the Xuande Emperor’s final offer, Hyang finally began to bring up what he had been thinking about.

“We have professed our loyalty, offered tribute, and fulfilled our duties. However, even though our Joseon’s genealogy is incorrectly recorded, it has not been corrected. Please correct it!”

At Hyang’s words, the Xuande Emperor made a slightly troubled expression.

It was as if he had no idea such a thing had happened.

Although he had been pushing and pulling while offering glass, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Crown Prince of Joseon, who would bring him great wealth in the future.

“Also, our Joseon is integrating the Tumen River region. This is to reclaim the birthplace of our founding ancestor who founded Joseon. If you guarantee these two things in writing, I will accept Your Majesty’s command!”

At Hyang’s words, the Xuande Emperor called the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and asked him about the facts.

‘The Yongle Emperor said he would fix it, but he hasn’t yet,’ ‘The Joseon envoy came before and advised, but His Majesty has not yet given a definite answer,’ the Xuande Emperor nodded after receiving the report.

“Hmm, if the ancestor’s genealogy is wrong, it is right for the descendants to correct it. Alright, I will correct the genealogy. I will also guarantee it in writing. The same goes for the Tumen River region. Will that be enough?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, Hyang immediately gave a deep bow.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

* * *

Thus, the mission ended successfully. While creating the trading company, Hyang requested thorough crackdowns on those who imitated ‘Yihwa Flower’ and created fakes as an additional condition, and the Xuande Emperor immediately accepted.

Hyang’s request was something he had to protect for his own benefit as well.

On the ship returning to Joseon, the vice-envoy who had accompanied him asked Hyang with a worried voice.

“By the way… Didn’t you give too many benefits to the Ming Emperor? There may be complaints from the court.”

At the vice-envoy’s advice, Hyang smiled and replied.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes?”

Hyang looked at the surface of the water without further explanation.

‘I just poisoned the Emperor. If the current Emperor or future Emperors are wise rulers, they will use it for their own pleasure and to help the country, but if they are foolish rulers, it will become a fatal poison. The pleasure of spending money is as intense as a drug.’

Hyang, who had been staring blankly at the surface of the water, suddenly sighed.

“But still, a marriage proposal…”

* * *

After receiving the official documents containing the answers to issues such as the genealogy rectification and the palace women, they finally signed the contract regarding the trading company.

There was a slight friction in the process of writing the contract, which was about the profit distribution.

-The distribution rate set now will continue to be maintained, and the contract will be terminated immediately if a request to modify it occurs.

“This is a bit concerning.”

At the Xuande Emperor’s comment, Hyang immediately replied.

“A contract is trust. How can the contract be maintained if one of the two parties cannot abandon greed and betrays trust?”

“Does the Crown Prince of Joseon not trust me?”

The Xuande Emperor’s expression turned fierce, but Hyang replied in a calm voice.

“Surely, I would not have such disrespectful thoughts? This is merely a warning to future generations.”

“A warning to future generations…”

The Xuande Emperor, pondering Hyang’s words, nodded.

“Not bad.”

‘It would be good to use it to test who should inherit the throne.’

The Xuande Emperor, having made a decision, looked at Hyang and joked.

“But, since you said both sides, it means Joseon can break it too. Aren’t you worried?”

“I will have to educate them properly.”

Hyang replied with a smile and muttered inwardly.

‘Looking at history, the probability is much higher on your side, you know?’

Having written the contract and stamped it with the royal seal and a personal seal – Hyang did not have a royal seal – the two exchanged contracts.

When everything was over, the Xuande Emperor looked at Hyang and asked a question.

“By the way, are you married?”

“Not yet. But I will be soon.”

“I have some decent daughters…”

At the Xuande Emperor’s words, Hyang replied with a cold sweat.

“I am planning to hold the ceremony as soon as I set a good day. But if I break off the engagement now, it will harm the royal family’s honor. I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace, but I believe I must keep my word.”

“That’s true.”

Because it was a question he had thrown out on the spur of the moment, the Xuande Emperor immediately agreed and backed down.

* * *

Hyang, recalling the crisis at that time, licked his lips.

“If it were a Taiwanese member from a 21st-century girl group, I might have considered it…”

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the beauty of the palace maids he saw while staying in the Forbidden City did not appeal to him very much.

“This is just… Should I ask Father to lower the bar a bit?”

Hyang was seriously considering changing the criteria he had mentioned.

* * *

Hyang, who returned to Joseon, immediately entered the throne room and reported on the negotiations.

In particular, Sejong, as well as the officials, could not hide their joy at the news that the diplomatic wishes that Joseon had so desperately wanted to resolve had been resolved.

“Well done! Truly well done! The Crown Prince has resolved our royal family’s wishes! This is truly a joyous occasion!”

“We offer our congratulations!”

“We offer our congratulations!”

Sejong, unable to hide his joy, ordered the Minister of Justice.

“Immediately pardon those imprisoned throughout the country whose crimes are minor!”

“I obey your command!”

The atmosphere inside the throne room was exceptionally warm, as not only the royal family’s wishes but also the political issues that were the biggest obstacles to the Tumen River reclamation were resolved at once.

However, the warm atmosphere ended there. A fierce argument was waiting from then on.

The starting point of the argument was the part where Hyang referred to Joseon as a ‘vassal state’ in some parts while talking with the Xuande Emperor.

The attack began with the Chief Censor.

“The results that the Crown Prince has obtained are truly great, but there is a problem. Why did you call yourself a vassal state? Our Joseon is a tributary state, but not a vassal state.”

At the Chief Censor’s words, the Minister of Rites retorted.

“Isn’t a tributary state the same as a vassal state? We call ourselves subjects and offer tribute!”

“They are clearly different words!”

The Chief Censor, greatly protesting, advised Sejong.

“If the Crown Prince had said we were a feudal state, it would not have been a big problem!”

Before the Chief Censor’s words were even finished, Hwang Hee retorted.

“A feudal state! Does that mean this Joseon is the land of the Central Plains [historical region of China]!”

“What kind of sophistry is that!”

“Why was feudalism created in the first place? King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang and established the country, and then divided the territory of Shang, that was the beginning! If you think that way, do you not know what it means for Joseon to be called a feudal state? Does that mean that the territory of this Joseon becomes the territory of Ming!”

After that, the officials had a fierce debate, mentioning all sorts of ancient events.

“Stop! Stop it!”

At Sejong’s shout, the officials stopped the debate.

Sejong looked at Hyang and asked a question.

“Tell me, Crown Prince. Even if they say so, how could the Crown Prince have referred to us as a vassal state?”

“Father, how could I not know the terror of the word vassal state? But, eloquence must be accompanied by a pleasing countenance. Just as Han Xin crawled between the legs of the thugs, what can’t I do to succeed in the grand plan? I have tasted bitterness and sharpened my resolve. I will definitely repay them in the future.”

“So, did the grand plan succeed?”

“Yes.”

Hyang, answering briefly, handed the contract to Sejong through the court eunuch.

Sejong picked up the contract and carefully checked the contents.

“Hmm… The profit distribution is 45% to 55%? We get 45%… The other party is the Emperor?”

“Yes, it is the Emperor.”

“Well done. You did well.”

“Please look at the conditions regarding the termination of the contract.”

“Termination of the contract…”

Sejong, pointing to the sentences in the contract with his finger, found the relevant clause and smiled after reading the sentence carefully.

“You really did well! Excellent! Excellent!”

“Thank you. It is all thanks to Father trusting me.”

The officials, who were listening to the conversation between the two fathers and sons, all had expressions that they could not understand.

‘What did he do well? He willingly acted as a vassal state, and even though we should be monopolizing the profits by selling the goods we produced, he is doing business together, and the other side is taking more of the profits?’

Sejong, seeing the officials’ expressions, handed the contract to the court eunuch.

“Give it to the officials so they can read it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The court eunuch, receiving the contract from Sejong, handed the contract to the Chief State Councillor.