Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 245

Having finished reporting to Morimi, the vassal turned to the others, curiosity piqued. “Kim Jongseo, you say? Was the envoy from Joseon that impressive? I’ve never seen our lord so interested.”

Those vassals who had met Kim Jongseo nodded in agreement. “He was remarkable, like a hero from a legend.”

“Indeed. Always smiling and generous, yet never at a disadvantage.”

“He observed everything with a casual air, missing nothing.”

“He seemed capable enough to govern a nation.”

“He enjoyed alcohol and leisure, appearing carefree, but his loyalty was unwavering.”

“Huh… such a person exists?”

The first vassal looked disbelieving. Another chimed in, “The day before Kim Jongseo was to return to Joseon, our lord hosted a banquet.”

* * *

The day before Kim Jongseo’s departure, after successfully concluding negotiations with Ouchi Morimi, Morimi held a grand banquet. It was a large gathering attended by Morimi, Mochiyo (持世), his deceased brother’s posthumous child and designated successor, and the vassals who remained, not having gone to Kyoto.

Ostensibly, it was a farewell for Kim Jongseo, but the real purpose was to win him over. To that end, Morimi gathered renowned beauties and talented women from the territory and seated them around Kim Jongseo.

As the banquet progressed and the sake flowed freely, Morimi subtly steered the conversation. “Aren’t these women beautiful?”

“Indeed. I feel like a butterfly in a flower garden.”

“Hahaha! A butterfly in a flower garden! What an excellent expression!” Morimi laughed heartily, then continued, “Kim Gong’s [Gong is an honorific title] literary talent is well-known. I implore you to grace us with a poem.”

“My skills are too meager to boast of.”

After a few polite refusals, Kim Jongseo relented. “It’s a humble effort, but I hope you find it enjoyable.”

He turned his gaze to the moon visible through the window and began to recite: “Is the round moon in the sky the same in Hanseong [old name for Seoul]? Why does the song of the beautiful woman sound so sorrowful? Is it because she cannot forget the loyal heart of Jongno [a major street in Seoul, symbolizing the capital]?”

“Ah…” Morimi was speechless. The *sijo* [a short Korean poem] was filled with loyalty to the King of Joseon.

‘I should give up…’ Hiding his disappointment, Morimi exclaimed, “Truly! A wonderful poem! Kim Gong’s literary talent is indeed great.”

“You flatter me. I apologize for burdening your ears with my insignificant talent.” Kim Jongseo replied humbly. Morimi shook his head. “No, no! Though I am not well-educated, I have ears to hear! It is an outstanding poem, among the best in the world!”

Kim Jongseo responded, “There are many more talented than I in Joseon.”

A vassal interjected, “Are you saying there are many in Joseon more talented than you?”

“Yes. Embarrassingly, I only placed 13th in the civil service examination.”

Morimi and his vassals were stunned.

Meanwhile, the Joseon officials accompanying Kim Jongseo desperately pinched their thighs, trying to maintain composure.

‘It’s better to interpret the dream [a Korean idiom for damage control]! Look at their faces! They’ve completely misunderstood!’

‘That Hanseong playboy! Even in a place like this!’

‘This is a disaster!’

As an aside, the *sijo* Kim Jongseo recited at this event was later included in Korean middle school language textbooks, with the commentary: “A masterpiece expressing loyalty to the king with restrained emotion, using ’round moon’ and ‘loyal heart’.”

* * *

The next day, Morimi, having seen off Kim Jongseo and his entourage, returned to his residence and fell silent. His face, as he gazed at the meticulously maintained garden, was sterner than ever. Mochiyo and the vassals grew increasingly nervous.

‘What’s wrong? The negotiations went well, didn’t they?’

‘Why?’

As Mochiyo and the vassals exchanged anxious glances, Morimi spoke. “Frogs…”

He turned to Mochiyo and the vassals. “What do you think of the envoy from Joseon?”

Mochiyo stepped forward. “He was a great talent.”

“Indeed. But what’s truly frightening is that such a talent ranked only 13th in the civil service examination. Meaning, there are twelve more talented people above him.”

“Ah…” Mochiyo and the vassals nodded. They had heard rumors of the civil service examinations in Ming and Joseon.

However, they dismissed the system itself. ‘Literature is weak! Military power is all that matters!’ This was a common sentiment among those who had lived through the turbulent era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

“Of course, military power is paramount. But!” Morimi paused, clenching his fist. “Military power alone, even if it conquers the world, is only a fleeting dream! What is essential to becoming the true master of the world, not just for a moment, is literature!”

Despite Morimi’s impassioned speech, Mochiyo and the vassals remained unconvinced.

Morimi shouted, “That’s why I call you frogs! Frogs in a well [an idiom for being narrow-minded]! Look at Joseon! Who controls the seas from Tsushima Strait to Ming!”

“…Joseon does.”

“What do you think is the reason for Joseon’s rapid growth?”

Mochiyo pondered for a moment. “Is it the power of literature?”

“Precisely! Military strength is crucial, but literature allows that strength to grow and endure! Look at Joseon! They’ve grown so quickly because they have people like Kim Jongseo! Mochiyo!”

“Yes!”

“Why did your father, my brother, Ouchi Yoshihiro, have to die?”

“Because of the plot of the former Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満)!”

“Why did he fall into that plot? Because there was no one to see through it. There were those skilled in military strategy, but none in political strategy!”

Morimi spoke with fiery intensity. “It’s said that defending a castle is harder than attacking it, and governing a country is harder than founding it! To become the master of the world, which is our family’s dream, we need the power of literature! I order you to gather children with literary talent, not just your own, but from across the territory! Send them to Joseon to study!”

“There may be funding issues!” a vassal pointed out.

Morimi shouted, “Have you forgotten the trading post in Nagato and the silver mine in Iwami!”

“I have no excuse!”

“That’s why I call you frogs! Raising children skilled in martial arts is important, but you can’t ignore literature! To become the true master of the world, going to Kyoto (上洛) isn’t everything! You must prepare for what comes next!”

Mochiyo and the vassals bowed their heads in unison. “Yes!”

It was a moment that marked another turning point in history.

* * *

The *panokseon* [a type of Korean warship] carrying Kim Jongseo detoured towards Jeju Island instead of Tsushima and arrived at Jeolla Left Naval Base.

Because the mission was secret, the *panokseon* from Jeolla Left Naval Base was used, avoiding Dongnae, where there were many Japanese observers.

Kim Jongseo arrived safely and immediately rode for Hanseong.

“He’s truly diligent! He could rest for a day, but he’s going straight there!” The Jeolla Left Naval Commander watched Kim Jongseo depart with a pleased expression. However, Kim Jongseo’s companions glared at him.

‘Diligence, my foot!’

‘Do we only know that nobleman for a day or two? He’s definitely rushing to a *gibang* [a traditional Korean house of courtesans]!’

Despite their grumbling, they agreed on one thing: “Still, he gets the job done!”

* * *

Kim Jongseo arrived in Hanseong amidst numerous misunderstandings and prejudices and went straight to Sejong.

“You have worked hard,” Sejong said, having received the report from the eunuch. “Rest for two days, then come to court. I have many questions.”

‘Give me one more day,’ Kim Jongseo thought. He bowed and replied, “Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

“You may leave.” Kim Jongseo counted his fingers and grumbled, “If you’re going to use me, use me more. What is two days… Where should I go first?”

* * *

After two days of rest, Kim Jongseo appeared before Sejong again.

“What kind of person do you think the head of the Daeneung family is, Kim Jeongrang?”

“He seemed ambitious.”

“Ambitious? Why?” Sejong asked, intrigued.

Kim Jongseo explained, “When I suggested jointly mining the silver mine in Iwami Mountain (石見山), if he were loyal to the King of Japan, he would have mentioned needing the King’s approval. But he never did, nor did he show any signs of contacting the King of Japan.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Sejong stroked his beard. “If he’s so ambitious, would he be hostile to the King of Japan?”

“He didn’t show it to me, but he didn’t show more respect than necessary.”

“I see.” Kim Jongseo answered Sejong’s questions for a long time. Finally, Sejong gave him an order. “You have worked hard. Go to the State Council; someone is waiting for you.”

“I obey your command.” Kim Jongseo tilted his head. “Who’s waiting for me?”

“Jongseo!”

“Huh!” Kim Jongseo’s face paled at the familiar voice. Hwanghee was waving from afar.

“Why are you here, Your Excellency? Why here?” Kim Jongseo muttered. Hwanghee walked up to him. “Did you report to His Majesty?”

“Yes? Yes.”

“Then pack your bags. You have to go back to work quickly.”

“Your Excellency! I just returned from the mission…” Kim Jongseo whined.

Hwanghee shouted, “Hey! In my day! I started working the day I returned! You had plenty of rest while traveling!”

“Your Excellency! I crossed the sea!”

“Hey! In my day! I went through places swarming with Jurchen people! Pack your bags now!”

“Your Excellency…”

“Remember, the more you resist, the farther you get from Hanseong. Choose: command the virgin land exploration team, or work with me and return to Hanseong?”

Kim Jongseo, tears welling up, answered, “I’ll go home and change my clothes.”

* * *

Afterward, Sejong continued to receive reports related to Japan.

He read reports from Hwangbo-in, who had secretly met with Kyushu Governor-General Won Do-jin, and from Nam Giju’s party, who had met with Ashikaga Yoshinori as a Joseon ambassador. He also reviewed analyses of these reports and addressed his ministers.

“To put it bluntly, is the situation in Japan like a lamp before the wind (風前燈火) [an idiom for being in a precarious situation]?”

“That is correct,” Lee Jik, the Chief State Councilor, replied. “Considering that both the head of the Daeneung family and Kyushu Governor-General Won kept the contents of their meetings with our envoys secret, it seems the King of Japan’s reign may appear strong but is unstable.”

“I see. In that case, ensure a plan is in place for the worst-case scenario.”

“I obey your command!”