Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 162

162. Purge (2)

The battle between Seo Sun’s remaining private soldiers and the Geomgye [a shadowy organization working for the king] was fierce.

The remaining private soldiers desperately tried to escape, and the Geomgye were equally desperate to avenge the damage they had suffered.

“Why are you stopping us?”

“I told you before, debts must be paid!”

Clang! Clang! Crash!

“Chase them!”

“Catch them!”

In the back alleys of Unjongga, a more desperate battle than the one at Gyeongbokgung Palace unfolded.

As expected of those Yangnyeong [Sejong’s older brother] had gathered while traveling the country, the private soldiers’ martial arts skills were outstanding.

However, the Geomgye were also formidable.

The Geomgye members were either former private soldiers of powerful families or those who had learned martial arts but failed to pass the military examination.

In addition, the Geomgye were not only numerically superior but also knew how to use dirty tricks.

Slash!

“Cough!”

“I’ve already killed three, but these guys are tough….”

Ko Gi-nam, who had slashed the chest of a Gyewon [Geomgye member] attacking him, looked around for a way out.

Suddenly, sharp daggers flew from behind and pierced his arms and legs.

“Ugh!”

The moment the dagger pierced his leg, Gi-nam staggered with a short scream.

In that instant, a Geomgye member seized the opportunity and stabbed Gi-nam’s chest with a sword.

Clang!

The moment the sword pierced his chest, the sword fell from Gi-nam’s hand.

The Gyewon who stabbed Gi-nam’s chest kicked him.

As the sword was pulled out, Gi-nam reached out his hand. He moved his mouth as if to say something, but his breath was escaping through his pierced chest.

Eventually, Gi-nam fell to the ground with a look of despair.

The battle that unfolded in that way ended only after an hour.

“We killed them all.”

“Good work. What are our losses?”

“Eight in Dadong, six in Bukchon, and eight of us.”

“Damn it…. Tsk!”

The Gyeju [Geomgye leader] of the Unjongga Geomgye, who received the report, clicked his tongue.

The damage was more severe than expected. Including the losses suffered while fighting those damned traitors, they had lost about half of their total Gyewon.

“What should we do with these bodies?”

“Collect all the weapons and dump them in front of the Pocheong [police station].”

“Yes, I understand.”

The Unjongga Gyeju, who gave orders to the Gyewon, walked to the other Gyeju.

“The losses are great.”

“Indeed.”

The Dadong Gyeju nodded briefly, but the Bukchon Gyeju’s expression was not good.

“His Majesty will take care of those who died, but the problem is filling the ranks.”

At the Bukchon Gyeju’s words, the other two Gyeju nodded with serious faces.

The Dadong Gyeju, contemplating the issue of replenishing personnel, looked at the other Gyeju.

“I think it would be best to target those who failed the military examination.”

As Sejong’s reforms progressed, the distinction between civil and military officials became clear. The position was only nominally a military rank, and the work that was actually occupied by civil officials disappeared.

Thanks to this, the number of those challenging the military examination greatly increased.

Moreover, as rumors that a military academy would be established soon were officially confirmed, the competition rate further increased.

Thanks to the increased competition rate, the widening of the gateway to the military examination did not receive much attention.

Therefore, the Dadong Gyeju suggested targeting these failed candidates.

At the Dadong Gyeju’s words, the Bukchon Gyeju pointed out a problem.

“That would be the best, but even if they failed, the question is how to deal with the stubborn pride of those who took the examination. How would they view us, the ruthless Geomgye?”

At the Bukchon Gyeju’s words, the two Gyeju spoke simultaneously.

“Weren’t we ruthless until recently?”

“That’s what I’m saying….”

“These people, really!”

After a brief argument, the Gyeju, who agreed to ‘recruit those who failed the military examination,’ moved on to the next topic.

“What do you think will happen in the future?”

“What do you mean?”

“The palace revolt has been suppressed, but the south is still in turmoil, isn’t it?”

At the Dadong Gyeju’s words, the Unjongga and Bukchon Gyeju fell into thought. After a long silence, the oldest Bukchon Gyeju opened his mouth.

“We must lie low for the time being. Do not take the initiative except to carry out the orders His Majesty gives.”

At the Bukchon Gyeju’s words, the Dadong and Unjongga Gyeju nodded.

“We must. It would be best to protect ourselves for the time being. A cold wind will blow in Gyeongbokgung Palace.”

“There is also the saying ‘kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.'”

The Gyeju thought that their existence might be a useful tool for Sejong, but politically, they could become an obstacle.

‘In times like these, it’s best to lie low and watch carefully!’

* * *

As the Gyeju predicted, a cold wind was blowing in Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

Sejong, still wearing his armor, sat on the throne with a fierce expression, looking down at the ministers.

At Sejong’s expression, the ministers were restless and swallowed hard.

‘What on earth should I say….’

‘I left work on time for the first time in a while!’

‘I thought it was too peaceful these past few days!’

The Prime Ministers, Ministers, and Senior Officials who filled Geunjeongjeon Hall were silently screaming.

As the uprising broke out in the south, Sejong’s attention was focused solely on the Ministry of War.

Of course, he had not completely lost interest in other matters, but as the situation was, all affairs of the court revolved around the Ministry of War.

In addition, due to the uprising, various appeals and administrative reports coming from the provinces were cut off.

Thanks to this, other ministries besides the Ministry of War were able to find unexpected leisure.

As a result of that leisure, the officials of Yukjo Street [the main street where government offices were located] were enjoying the pleasure of leaving work on time for the first time in a long time.

However, as if they didn’t like the sight of them having such leisure, an unimaginable event called palace revolt occurred.

While they were quietly watching Sejong’s mood, Chief State Councilor Lee Jik cautiously opened his mouth.

“Despite the outrageous situation, it is truly a blessing from heaven that Your Majesty’s body has not been harmed.”

“That’s right! It is truly a blessing from heaven!”

At Lee Jik’s words, the ministers chanted ‘blessing from heaven’ in unison.

At the ministers’ words, Sejong replied calmly.

“I think so too. However, the Inner Guard and the Royal Guards, who did their best to suppress the traitors, including the Crown Prince, deserve great credit.”

At that, the Chief Censor immediately objected.

“As Your Majesty said, their merit is great, but their crime of allowing the palace revolt is also great. We must investigate this.”

“That was my order.”

“Yes?”

The Chief Censor, momentarily bewildered by Sejong’s answer, raised his voice even louder.

“Then we must punish you even more! No matter how much Your Majesty ordered, it is unacceptable to bring the traitors to Geunjeongjeon Hall! If a shocking event were to occur that harmed Your Majesty’s body, the country would be shaken immediately!”

“The Commander of the Inner Guard and the Training Commander insisted on my evacuation from the beginning. This was my unilateral decision, so I cannot punish them.”

Sejong humbled himself by using the royal “Gwain (寡人) [a humble first-person pronoun used by the king]” and protected the Training Commander and the Commander of the Inner Guard.

“However!”

As the Chief Censor continued to object, Sejong’s voice became sharp.

“Chief Censor! Then what should we have done! Should we have fought a street battle outside Gyeongbokgung Palace to prevent the palace revolt? Is it right to use those countless alleys of Hanseong [old name for Seoul] as battlefields and shoot cannons at innocent people as shields? If that had happened, could we have suppressed it in such a short time?”

At Sejong’s rebuke, the Chief Censor closed his mouth.

Sejong’s point was valid. If they had fought outside Gyeongbokgung Palace to prevent the palace revolt, a fierce street battle would have taken place. If that had happened, the damage to the people would have been enormous.

There was already a precedent for that.

The street battle in Gaegyeong [old name for Gaeseong] between the army led by Yi Seong-gye, who had retreated from Wihwado, and the army led by Choi Young was that precedent.

In the end, the Chief Censor had to bow his head and admit his mistake.

“Please forgive my short-sightedness.”

“I understand that you said that because you were worried about me, but I made this decision after much deliberation, so do not mention it anymore.”

“I will engrave it in my heart.”

As Sejong silenced the Chief Censor, Maeng Sa-seong, who had been quietly listening to Sejong’s words, opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, did you perhaps anticipate that this heinous act would happen?”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s question, Sejong replied briefly.

“There was intelligence.”

“Then wouldn’t it have been better to arrest the traitors in advance?”

“Are you saying that I should have arrested my own brother without any solid evidence?”

At Sejong’s question, Maeng Sa-seong also had to bow his head.

“Please forgive my short-sightedness! I was just worried about Your Majesty’s safety!”

“I know why you said that, so I won’t say anything. But just know that I also had many concerns.”

“Your grace is boundless.”

After the conversation with Maeng Sa-seong ended, the Minister of Justice stepped forward.

“How should we punish the criminals?”

“The suppression of the rebellion in the south has not yet ended. We will deal with it together after that is over.”

“I obey your command.”

Not long after Sejong finished speaking, a courtier came in and announced.

“The Training Commander requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

After a while, the Training Commander, who entered Geunjeongjeon Hall, paid his respects to Sejong and opened his mouth.

“We have imprisoned the leaders of the traitors.”

“Good work.”

“And the Pocheong [police station] has contacted us, saying that a group of bodies have been dumped in front of the Pocheong. Judging from their attire, they appear to be traitors who participated in this palace revolt.”

“Is that so?”

‘The Geomgye finished it off.’

Sejong, who roughly grasped who had done such a thing, immediately issued an order.

“Send word to investigate who those who have done such a service are.”

“Yes. And, a report has come from the soldiers sent to Bukchon. They have secured a list of those who colluded with the leaders of the traitors.”

“Those who colluded are likely to flee, so order them to be arrested and imprisoned immediately.”

“I obey your command!”

“And, what about the handling of the main houses of the leaders?”

“According to the report brought by the messenger, the suppression has been completed.”

“Send a messenger as soon as it dawns to have them all escorted.”

“Yes!”

“And, provide the soldiers with sufficient rest. If necessary, they may have to go down to the south immediately.”

“Yes!”

The Training Commander, who received Sejong’s order, paid his respects and immediately went outside.

‘Where is this smell of blood coming from….’

‘I feel like I’m going to throw up….’

The ministers, who were listening to the conversation between Sejong and the Training Commander, felt a strong smell of blood coming from somewhere and felt nauseous.

It was the smell of blood and nausea that had been engraved in their minds while experiencing the brutal purges that had taken place during the reign of Taejong.

* * *

The next day, as soon as it dawned, a messenger ran to the Gyeonggi Garrison.

Sejong still wore his armor and handled state affairs.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t you take off your armor now?”

Lee Jik urged him to take off his armor, but Sejong refused outright.

“I will not take it off until the rebellion in the south is over.”

At Sejong’s firm answer, the ministers had to close their mouths.

The report on the battle between the local gentry and the Joseon army in the south came on the sixth day after the uprising broke out.

“Your Majesty! A report from the Chungcheong Garrison! A great victory!”

Jo Mal-saeng, who ran into Geunjeongjeon Hall, announced the great victory of the Joseon army and handed the report to the courtier.

Sejong, who received the report from the courtier, quickly read through the report.

After reading all the contents written in the report, Sejong looked at the ministers.

“This is truly good news. The soldiers of the Chungcheong Garrison have annihilated the rebels in Cheonan.”

It was the first victory that the court had been waiting for.