Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 111

Jjangra

Helo Night

111. Poison (2)

While Sejong and Hyang were talking, the ministers continued their conversation.

“By the way, what do you think are the true goals of His Majesty and the Crown Prince?”

At the question from the Minister of Rites, Maeng Sa-seong answered calmly.

“I think it might be proclaiming himself Emperor (稱帝, *chen di*, to assume the title of Emperor).”

“Proclaiming himself Emperor?”

“Proclaiming himself Emperor….”

“I see.”

“I’m a little worried, but….”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s words, the ministers nodded.

To the officials of Sejong’s era, ‘proclaiming himself Emperor’ was not unfamiliar.

This was because the previous dynasty, Goryeo, had adopted a system of ‘外王內帝’ (*wae wang nae je*, the king outside, the emperor inside), effectively calling itself ‘Emperor’ internally while maintaining the title of king externally.

Although this system was abolished during the period of Yuan Dynasty interference, and a revival attempt during King Gongmin’s reign after Yuan’s decline failed due to pressure from the Ming Dynasty, they had consistently used titles and etiquette internally that were reserved for emperors.

Therefore, to those who had personally experienced the transition between Goryeo and Joseon, the idea of an ‘Emperor’ was not entirely foreign.

“You all think too easily.”

Hwang Hee rebuked the ministers, drawing all their attention to him.

“What do you mean?”

“Haven’t you heard the news from Annam (Vietnam, then known as Dai Viet)? Annam is already practicing ‘外王內帝’. Annam, I say.”

At that time, Annam was considered a relatively backward country by the educated elite of Joseon. Therefore, Maeng Sa-seong’s face turned serious upon hearing Hwang Hee’s words.

“Surely! His Majesty truly intends to become Emperor?”

Hwang Hee responded to Maeng Sa-seong’s question.

“I cannot know His Majesty’s intentions for certain, but the Crown Prince certainly entertains such thoughts.”

“Is there any basis for this?”

“Astronomy. And this contract.”

Hwang Hee’s concise answer prompted exclamations from the ministers.

“Ah!”

“Now that you mention it!”

From the beginning, the observation of celestial phenomena was traditionally a prerogative of empires. However, Hyang had been actively involved in astronomical observation under the guise of calendar reform.

And the recent business partnership pointed in the same direction.

While the ministers were still reeling from this realization, the newly appointed Minister of War, Hwang Sang, spoke up.

“Certainly, attempting to incite internal strife within the Ming Dynasty to prevent their interference in Joseon’s territorial expansion seems excessive at first glance. However, from a military strategy perspective, it’s an ingenious plan.”

“Military strategy?”

The civil officials looked puzzled, so Hwang Sang elaborated.

“There’s a common principle found in all military strategy texts. When the enemy’s power surpasses our own, the most orthodox approaches are twofold: diligently strengthening ourselves and weakening the enemy. The Crown Prince is simultaneously pursuing both strategies.”

“Hmm….”

Hwang Sang’s explanation caused the ministers to murmur thoughtfully.

Amidst the brief silence, Hwang Hee spoke again.

“Looking at the history of the Central Plains [China], the dynasties that unified and ruled the region were often destroyed not by foreign invasions, but by internal conflicts. Except for the Yuan Dynasty, of course.”

“Then what about the business partnership we signed this time?”

“Why did the saying ‘上楮玉杯’ (*sang cheo ok bae*, a fine jade cup on coarse paper) come about? [Meaning something valuable being placed in a cheap or unworthy setting.]”

“Huh!”

Hwang Hee’s words left the ministers dumbfounded.

Maeng Sa-seong, who had been backstabbed several times in his career, muttered.

“The Crown Prince, who framed that plan as ‘contracting with the Emperor,’ and His Majesty, who understood it… are they even human?”

“His Majesty is one thing, but the Crown Prince? Such a calculating mind at that age….”

The Minister of War interjected in the ministers’ assessment.

“According to military strategy texts, a commander should possess a ‘poisonous mind’ [a ruthless and cunning intellect]. The Crown Prince has already mastered the military strategies of the past and present, so such a level of cunning is certainly within his capabilities.”

“Huh….”

While the ministers were speechless at Hyang’s cunning, Hwang Hee straightened up and stood.

“Then, take care. You’ll have a lot of work to do in the future, so take care of yourselves.”

“What does that mean again?”

“It’s the work of transforming Joseon into an empire. Isn’t that a lot of work?”

Hwang Hee, after posing the question to the ministers, smiled at Maeng Sa-seong.

“Minister Maeng, you were worried about excessive workload in the north, right? Surely, it won’t be as demanding as in Hanseong [Seoul]?”

“Oh dear….”

“Hahaha! Then take care!”

As they watched Hwang Hee leave with a hearty laugh, Maeng Sa-seong muttered softly.

“I should have gone….”

Looking at Hwang Hee striding away, the other ministers shared similar thoughts.

‘I should have gone….’

‘If I had known Minister Hwang’s intentions, I should have moved in advance….’

‘That position should have been mine!’

While everyone was lost in these thoughts, Minister of Finance Kim Jeom rose from his seat.

“I need to arrange for a tonic to be sent to Minister Hwang.”

“What does that mean again?”

“Why would we want to please Minister Hwang?”

At the ministers’ questions, Kim Jeom smirked and replied.

“Have you forgotten? Minister Hwang has to oversee state affairs until he dies, right?”

“Ah!”

The ministers who exclaimed all wore smiles with murderous intent.

“That’s right. Then, Minister Hwang must live a long, long life.”

“We have to finish the *Gyeongjang* [reforms], we have to complete the grand strategy, and we have to achieve the great cause, so he has to live long~. Very long~!”

“We must make a tonic with very potent medicinal effects! For Minister Hwang, who has to work for the country until he dies!”

It was a rare moment of complete agreement among the ministers, including the Grand Censor and the Grand Secretary.

* * *

Meanwhile, with the previous conversation concluded at Sejong’s request, Hyang broached the next topic.

“Father, I hesitate to ask, but how is my marriage progressing?”

“Your marriage? We are currently reviewing suitable ladies for the position of Crown Princess. Why do you ask?”

“It’s been quite some time, but no conclusion has been reached yet.”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong cleared his throat lightly.

“Ahem! Ahem! Because it’s the Crown Princess, we’re putting a lot of effort into the selection. It’s taking some time. But why are you so concerned?”

Sejong, while asking the reason, wore a mischievous smile.

“Why? You’ve been pretending not to care all this time, but you actually want to get married quickly, don’t you?”

“It’s not that, but the Emperor [of Ming] asked if it would be acceptable for him to offer his daughter as the Crown Princess.”

“Cough!”

At Hyang’s shocking statement, Sejong choked on his tea and coughed it out.

“Cough! Cough! So what did you say?”

As Sejong asked while constantly sneezing, Hyang answered calmly.

“I said that the selection was already complete and we were simply awaiting an auspicious date.”

“What was the Emperor’s response to that?”

“He simply expressed his regret and moved on. He likely mentioned it casually, but if my marriage is unduly delayed, it could become a diplomatic issue.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong analyzed the situation with a serious expression.

“What he said in passing could become a serious matter?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm….”

“But, does the selection really take this long?”

“It just happened to….”

Sejong’s voice trailed off at Hyang’s question.

* * *

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Geomgye, who had connections to Hyang through his frequent visits to *gibangs* [traditional Korean houses of entertainment], several ladies who met Hyang’s desired criteria were nominated as candidates.

“Heo~. They all possess exceptional beauty!”

The beauty of the nominated women was so striking that Sejong was genuinely impressed when he reviewed the candidates who had passed the initial talent assessments.

Furthermore, Geomgye had ensured that their scholarship was respectable and their character suitable for a Crown Princess.

However, a problem arose.

“Isn’t this kid going to become obsessed with women and neglect his duties?”

Simultaneously, the court ladies responsible for the screening process voiced their concerns.

“All the candidates possess beautiful looks, and their character and scholarship are adequate, but their faces exude sensuality. If we make a mistake, the monarch may become consumed by that sensuality and neglect state affairs.”

“All the candidates have beautiful figures, but that beauty is the problem. The most important duty of the monarch’s consort is to produce many children, but with such delicate constitutions, they may find it difficult to withstand the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth.”

Due to the negative opinions of the court ladies, Sejong decided to select additional candidates. These newly selected ladies met more traditional criteria.

However, Sejong was conflicted when he actually met the new candidates.

‘This isn’t quite right?’

The newly selected ladies possessed decent scholarship and respectable character. However, their appearance was the issue.

They were healthy and of good stature, but that was the extent of their appeal.

‘Given that kid’s personality… he’ll likely retreat to Area 51 [his private workshop] and never emerge!’

Hyang was known to be particular, having established his own standards after visiting *gibangs* as soon as the topic of marriage arose.

“Hoo~. It’s a dilemma.”

Sejong sighed at the difficult problem, unable to find a satisfactory solution.

“Now that I think about it… I was fortunate. And… so, is that why Prince Yangnyeong [Sejong’s older brother] frequented those establishments so often?”

The legal wife of Yangnyeong, the eldest son of Taejong, embodied the traditional ideal of an eldest daughter-in-law. Like the ladies selected in the second round, they were virtuous, but their beauty was somewhat lacking.

“At least my sister-in-law had a kind heart, so she endured my brother’s promiscuity… If it were my mother, there would have been several riots.”

Queen Wongyeong Min, Taejong’s queen consort, was a woman with a strong will, much like Taejong himself. This often led to disputes due to Taejong’s *baramgi* (tendency to 바람, *baram* is wind but in this context it means philandering).

Sejong, reminiscing about the past, sighed softly.

“Was I lucky?”

Being the third son, rather than the eldest, allowed Sejong to marry Queen Soheon, who at least met his personal preferences.

“The issue of childbirth also has some validity in Hyang’s words….”

As Hyang had pointed out, Sejong and Queen Soheon had already had eight children. Calculating based on the age gaps between the children, Queen Soheon was almost constantly pregnant, with each pregnancy following closely after the previous childbirth and weaning period.

Including the concubines that Sejong brought in after becoming king, at least one of the women, including Queen Soheon, had been pregnant every year.

While Sejong was *gomin* (agonizing) over the difficult problem of selecting the Crown Princess, the Emperor of Ming’s casual remark had now detonated like a bomb.

* * *

When Sejong trailed off, Hyang emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“Father, a quick decision is needed. Neither Father nor I can cohabitate with the Crown Princess indefinitely, can we?”

“That’s right. We can’t live with her forever.”

“I think the standards were a bit high, but considering the time we’ve had….”

“We’re screening! We’re screening!”

Sejong, cutting off Hyang’s words, hurriedly wrapped up the conversation.

“Let’s conclude here for today. I’ll make a decision on that issue soon!”

“Yes? Yes….”

Sejong, after dismissing Hyang, went straight to Queen Soheon.

“Hohoho!”

Queen Soheon, who was tending to Grand Prince Pyeongwon, born recently, covered her mouth and laughed at Sejong’s grumbling.

“It’s not something to laugh about. Considering that kid’s personality, it’s the most difficult of difficult problems.”

At Sejong’s words, Queen Soheon smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. If it’s Hyang’s personality, he’s an *ai* (child) who is more than capable of doing that.”

“What should I do?”

Queen Soheon answered immediately at Sejong’s question.

“Do as Hyang wants. If it’s Hyang’s personality, isn’t he an *ai* (child) who will neglect state affairs because he’s obsessed with women?”

“Rather, he’s a guy who will neglect his family because he’s so engrossed in work.”

Sejong’s assessment, based on his long observation of Hyang, was more accurate than ever.

“So, there’s no need to worry. The issue of *husa* (heir) is something that the royal physicians can diligently address.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong, after pondering Queen Soheon’s words, soon reached a conclusion.

“It would be best to follow the Queen’s advice. I’m so fortunate to have the Queen by my side.”

“I feel the same way.”

She answered with a smile, but a hint of sadness lingered in Queen Soheon’s eyes.