Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1119

1119. The Growing Embers (7)

Upon receiving the reports from the Grim Reapers, the ministers of Wu wore bewildered expressions.

“Do those ministers of Ming not study history? No, they wouldn’t even need to go that far; couldn’t they just ask the elders of their own families? What? They oppose it because they’re afraid we might attack? When have we ever attacked first! Didn’t they recklessly start the war themselves!”

In response to Wu’s words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stepped forward.

“It seems they remember only how they suffered at the hands of our empire during that conflict, rather than the fact that they initiated it.”

“So, that’s why they’re refusing?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

As Wu stroked his chin and fell silent at the Foreign Minister’s words, the Minister of Defense stepped forward.

“Once the railways are connected, we will be closer to each other, and we will be able to learn of each other’s movements more quickly. Ming may be using that as an excuse.”

“An excuse? An excuse…”

At the words of the Minister of Defense, Wu’s face grew serious again. The words of the Minister of Foreign Affairs sounded reasonable, and the words of the Minister of Defense also sounded reasonable. No, the words of the Minister of Defense resonated even more deeply. They had already fought two wars with Ming. Moreover, since the reign of the current emperor, no, even in the midst of his reign, a war could break out. Because it was Ming.

Perhaps sensing Wu’s thoughts, the Minister of Defense raised his voice.

“Therefore, it is better not to connect the railways!”

Once again, the Minister of Defense raised his voice in opposition, and the Minister of Finance countered.

“For the same reason, we must connect the railways! Once the railways are connected, we can use this as an excuse to deploy troops closer and detect Ming’s movements more quickly! What else is this if not preparedness!”

“Hey! Minister!”

“What! Did I say something wrong? All military treatises emphasize the importance of knowing the enemy’s situation in advance!”

“Are you lecturing me on military strategy now?”

“And what about you? Are you lecturing me on the budget?”

As the voices of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defense began to turn fierce again, Wu hurriedly intervened.

“Enough! Control yourselves! Have you forgotten where you are right now!”

“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty.”

At Wu’s rebuke, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defense bowed their heads and apologized.

“I know that you are raising your voices for the sake of the country. However, be mindful of the time and place. Keep this in mind. And… I will not stop the debates. However, I hope you will abide by the rules that have been passed down since the time of Emperor Wonhwang (Sejong).”

“We will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

“Then, Prime Minister.”

Having settled the situation for the moment, Wu called for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, upon being called, bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Looking at Ming’s actions, I think they are being utterly shameless. And the words of the Minister of Defense are reasonable as well. However, it seems we must continue to push forward with the proposal of the Minister of Finance. We already prepared countermeasures for the concerns of the Ministry of Defense last time. Therefore, Prime Minister, prepare a plan to persuade Ming and submit it. How many days will you need?”

After calculating for a moment at Wu’s question, the Prime Minister reported to Wu.

“…Please grant me ten days.”

“I understand. I want to hear it within ten days.”

“I will do my best.”

“Then let’s end here today.”

As the meeting ended, the ministers, especially those from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, quickly approached the Prime Minister and said a word each.

“Only ten days?”

“Ten days is a bit tight…”

“Ten days, ten days… Sigh…”

The Prime Minister, who had been silently watching the reactions of the ministers, opened his mouth.

“Then why don’t you ministers step forward and ask for more time? Are you more comfortable hearing yourselves being scolded? Especially the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defense! This whole thing happened because of you two, and you’re complaining? Seriously!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa… Minister, calm down.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa? Do I look like some neighborhood colt [young, inexperienced horse] to you!”

The Minister of Defense and the Minister of Finance had to sweat bullets after misspeaking.

* * *

Meanwhile, Wu, who had returned to Sugang Palace, told Hyang and Wan about what had happened today and asked.

“…So, I thought that accepting the opinion of the Ministry of Finance would be more in line with the interests of the empire, so I decided to proceed. Did I make a mistake?”

“No, you didn’t make a mistake.”

“There was no mistake.”

At Wu’s question, Hyang and Wan answered simultaneously. Then, Wan, having received a signal from Hyang, continued.

“The Emperor made a decision thinking of the country’s interests. And the ministers are working hard to make that decision bring good results. Therefore, the Emperor should not be anxious or unsure about making decisions. If the Emperor does so, the ministers will follow suit, and eventually, the country will be shaken.”

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you should make decisions haphazardly. You must make decisions after careful consideration. And once you make a decision, you will do your best to make it a success.”

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Wu, having heard Wan’s advice, returned with a bright face. Wan, watching Wu’s figure returning with a lighter step, turned to Hyang.

“This matter must have been quite a burden.”

At Wan’s words, Hyang nodded.

“It must be a burden to make such a decision so soon after ascending the throne. Nothing related to Ming is ever a light matter.”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan nodded. Whether viewed subjectively or objectively, Ming was a truly formidable opponent. Although they had won both of the last two wars, all the emperors of the empire, starting with Sejong, regarded it as luck. Even Hyang himself.

“Of course, we had been preparing thoroughly in advance… But that doesn’t mean we would unconditionally win. Victory in war is 70% luck and 30% skill. Especially against Ming.”

Even Hyang was like this, so all the emperors who succeeded him had no choice but to be on edge when it came to matters related to Ming. Hyang, returning alone to his room, wore a strange expression.

“The current relationship between the empire and Ming feels like a carbon copy of the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union? ‘I don’t know when that guy will strike first!’ They were glaring at each other with fear.”

* * *

While everyone was busy moving to complete the task Wu had given, a group of soldiers and officials in one part of the Ministry of Defense were tilting their heads.

“Huh? I remember seeing this somewhere…”

“Right? I’ve seen this somewhere too!”

“Me too, me too!”

What they were feeling déjà vu about and confused about was the ‘Falling Rock Wall’ project.

“I’ve definitely seen it before!”

The soldiers and officials in charge of the ‘Falling Rock Wall’ project immediately searched the archives and archivists of the Ministry of Defense and rummaged through the records.

“Found it!”

“I knew it was here!”

The soldiers and officials who found the document wore bright faces and examined the record in more detail.

“Huh? ‘Impossible’?”

“This was marked as impossible?”

“What’s the reason!”

Surprised that a plan that seemed so useful to them had been deemed impossible in the past, the soldiers and officials checked the reason for the impossibility and smacked their lips.

“‘Budget shortage’ and ‘lack of technology’…”

“So it was premature… Sigh〜.”

* * *

When Sejong was in the midst of his reforms, Hyang had proposed this Falling Rock Wall. Sejong also judged it to be very useful and ordered its installation. However, not long after, the installation of this Falling Rock Wall was scrapped. The reason was ‘budget shortage’ and ‘lack of technology’.

At that time, the mass production of both rebar and bamboo, the main materials of the Falling Rock Wall, had just begun. Therefore, both materials were priced quite high. In addition, demand was already overflowing in other areas, so the priority of the Falling Rock Wall had to be pushed back.

Secondly, the quality of the rebar and bamboo produced with the technology of the time was a problem. At that time, the artisans of Area 51 [a secretive research and development facility], who were in charge of this, submitted a report containing very negative evaluations.

-The best lifespan is 10 years, which is 1/3 of the originally planned lifespan of 30 years.

In the end, the Falling Rock Wall installation plan was canceled.

* * *

The people in charge, having checked the records at the time, put their heads together.

“Looking at the reasons for the cancellation at the time, there were problems, weren’t there? What about now?”

“We need to check.”

“The Ministry of Finance guys will definitely come and make a fuss if we’re wrong, so let’s check it out thoroughly in advance.”

The people in charge immediately visited the Ministry of Land Development and Area 51 to check. The working-level staff of the Ministry of Land Development and the artisans of Area 51, who were asked questions, rummaged through the files and answered.

“Now, we can easily guarantee 30 years, right?”

“We can make it last for 30 years.”

The faces of the Ministry of Defense officials who heard the positive answer brightened, but then became serious again.

“By any chance, does it cost a lot to maintain that lifespan?”

“The average guaranteed lifespan of rebar and bamboo these days is 30 years.”

“This is just a matter of managing the quality well.”

“Thank you!”

With the budget problem resolved, the Ministry of Defense officials returned to the Ministry of Defense with the brightest expressions.

“Now! The biggest hurdle is over, so let’s quickly write the proposal!”

“Let’s do it!”

“But, you know… Even Tae Tae Sang Hwang [a highly respected retired emperor] makes mistakes?”

“I know, right.”

While everyone was marveling at Hyang’s mistake, someone in the corner muttered softly.

“Is that really the case? Is it true that Tae Tae Sang Hwang made a mistake? Maybe…”

Instantly, the office became quiet. Everyone who had been laughing and joking until just now became serious and immersed in thought.

‘Maybe…’

* * *

As time passed, the ‘Falling Rock Wall Construction’ proposal written by the Ministry of Defense was submitted to Wu. At the same time, rumors about Hyang’s mistake regarding the Falling Rock Wall also came up.

“…So, after checking, it was something that Tae Tae Sang Hwang had already planned when he was the Crown Prince.”

“Was that so?”

At Wu’s words, Hyang smiled awkwardly and exaggeratedly.

“Hahaha! I guess I’m getting old. I can’t believe I forgot even though I talked about it. Sigh〜.”

Hyang let out a light sigh and continued.

“I was the Crown Prince, so it was decades ago, wasn’t it? It’s understandable that I forgot. Anyway, after experiencing this, I think it was a good thing to create the archives. Don’t you think so?”

“That’s right.”

“It is true.”

The mouths of Wan and Wu, who were answering Hyang’s jest, were smiling, but their eyes were not.

Both had heard the conspiracy theory in question.

‘Of course, considering Tae Tae Sang Hwang’s age, he might have forgotten. But, you know, he’s never forgotten anything until now, and he forgot this?’

‘It’s not a proposal that others have put forward, but a proposal that he himself put forward that he forgot? Come on, no way!’

‘Maybe, the Falling Rock Wall that everyone had forgotten was on purpose?’

‘Perhaps, because there are people who are questioning the usefulness of the archives these days, it was on purpose?’

Wan and Wu were increasingly leaning towards the conspiracy theory.

‘This incident was deliberately orchestrated by Tae Tae Sang Hwang!’

Meanwhile, Hyang was constantly grumbling inwardly.

‘Ah, really! I really forgot!’

Hyang was disappointed when the Falling Rock Wall plan was turned back to square one at the time. However, not long after, Hyang was even more cheerful and active.

‘The Falling Rock Wall is a pity, but there are still plenty of things to do!’

After that, Hyang had planned and carried out many things, and had completely forgotten about the Falling Rock Wall. Therefore, Hyang was sincerely wronged when he heard the conspiracy theory that came out this time.

“It’s unfair!”