Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 278

278. How a Crow-Tit Can Catch Up to a Stork. (4)

Hyang, glancing at Kim Jeom’s face, immediately added,

“Of course, we don’t plan to develop and deploy it right away. We need to monitor the situations in Ming and neighboring countries and respond accordingly. If we recklessly develop and deploy it ahead of time, all our efforts so far will be in vain.”

“That’s right. Well thought out.”

Nodding in agreement with Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defense must continue to monitor Ming and its neighboring countries. Since Joseon’s power is not yet strong, we must be cautious and careful.”

“We obey your command.”

With Sejong issuing orders to Lee Maeng-gyun and Jo Mal-saeng, the meeting on the topic Hyang had brought up came to a close for the time being.

Putting the Dongchong [a type of firearm] back into the wooden box and preparing for the next meeting, Hyang looked at Kim Jeom. Seeing Kim Jeom’s face gradually returning to its original color, Hyang muttered inwardly,

‘I need to be careful for a while. If I mess up even a little, that man will collapse.’

Meanwhile, Kim Jeom, feeling someone’s gaze on him, looked around and met Hyang’s eyes. Hyang slightly lowered his head in a nod, and Kim Jeom, caught off guard, returned the greeting, grumbling inwardly.

‘Ugh, damn it! What is he looking at me for now? Just making eye contact with the Crown Prince makes my heart race!’

* * *

After that, the meeting continued regarding the agenda that the Ming envoy would bring this time.

“…Hmm. I have heard your opinions well. It seems most likely that it will concern the territory acquired from the Odori tribe led by Meonteomu, and the Jangchong [another type of firearm]. Prepare with these two points in mind.”

As Sejong concluded, Hyang and the ministers bowed their heads in unison and replied,

“We obey your command.”

“Then, let’s end here for today.”

As Sejong declared the end, Hyang and the ministers gathered their documents and rose from their seats.

* * *

That night, Hyang quietly visited Gangnyeongjeon [the King’s living quarters].

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here to attend upon you,” the eunuch announced Hyang’s visit. Sejong’s reply came from within.

“Let him in.”

“Yes. Please come in.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Hyang, entering through the door opened by the eunuchs, respectfully bowed to Sejong.

“Sit down.”

As Hyang sat on the chair brought by the eunuch, Sejong opened his mouth with a warm smile.

“What brings you here today, when you never come unless I call you?”

“I have something to tell Abamama [father] in private. Could you dismiss the historians and scribes?”

“Hmm? Historians and scribes, please step aside for a moment.”

At Sejong’s command, the historians and scribes immediately rose from their seats and went outside.

As the historians and scribes left, Sejong asked Hyang in a low voice,

“So, what is it that you need to tell me?”

“I ask that you mobilize the Geomgye [secret royal guard].”

“The Geomgye? Come closer.”

As Hyang mentioned ‘Geomgye,’ Sejong’s face turned serious.

The two close father and son began to converse in low voices.

“Suddenly the Geomgye, what’s going on?”

“The attention of Ming must have increased because of what happened in Liaodong this time.”

“That’s right. That’s why the envoy is coming from Ming this time.”

“Even if the envoy comes for other reasons, Ming will be curious about the cannons we possess. The capabilities shown in Liaodong are not something to be ignored.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong’s face became very serious.

“Are you saying that we should mobilize the Geomgye to monitor the artisans related to the cannons, as they are likely to approach them secretly?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm….”

Sejong stroked his beard with a serious face at Hyang’s words. Seeing Sejong’s face, Hyang continued his explanation.

“The Jangchong and Masangchong [another type of firearm] have undergone a thorough division of labor, so it is difficult to properly understand the overall structure by getting hold of only one or two of the lowest-level artisans.”

“Wasn’t the division of labor process done to increase productivity?”

“Productivity was also an issue, but there was also the purpose of maintaining secrecy.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong felt goosebumps all over his body and muttered inwardly.

‘He’s my son, but the Crown Prince, that scary fellow!’

* * *

As Hyang said, the Gapsik Jangchong and Gapsik Yukheol Masangchong went through a thorough division of labor process.

In the case of the Jangchong, even the firing mechanism was modularized. It was a method of attaching and assembling a bronze box containing parts such as springs and levers to the gun body, so even the artisans in charge of the final assembly process did not know the overall structure and how each part worked.

Those who knew all the processes were Hyang, and the artisans who participated in the initial development with Hyang.

* * *

After explaining this part, Hyang continued to speak.

“We have minimized the risk through division of labor in the gun barrel and cannon parts, but the biggest problem is the gunpowder. Because of its danger, artisans make gunpowder alone in their private rooms.”

“I see.”

Sejong, who knew the process of making gunpowder by reading the report submitted by Hyang, nodded.

Sejong, looking at the situation with a serious face, suddenly had a question.

“I understand the importance and danger of the matter well. So, I have a question. Wouldn’t it have been better to speak publicly about such matters and devise countermeasures?”

Hyang replied to Sejong’s question with the reason why it was impossible.

“If we publicly monitor or protect them, it will put a strong mental burden on the artisans who are the targets. Then they will not be able to work properly.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong shook his head slightly.

“Anyway, you care too much about the artisans.”

“It is unavoidable because it is difficult to find artisans with that level of skill. But, the biggest reason is….”

Hyang paused for a moment and sighed.

“Hoo~. It is to prevent those with unnecessary patriotic fervor from stepping forward and making a fuss.”

“Unnecessary….”

Sejong pondered Hyang’s words and nodded with a serious face. Seeing his appearance, Hyang added.

“There will surely be those who shout ‘Sacrifice the small to preserve the large’ and want to send the artisans to Ming. They will say that it is better to step forward and send the artisans to prevent the tragedy that will happen in the future. Fortunately, there are no such people among the ministers leading the current cabinet, but if it becomes a public debate, it will surely come out. Those who mistake what is small and what is large for our Joseon.”

“That’s right. Hoo~.”

Sejong, like Hyang, sighed deeply and concluded.

“I will have to contact the Geomgye as you said.”

“We must tell them to carefully monitor outsiders approaching the artisans. And, although the artisans are important, we must also carefully look after their families.”

“Hostages?”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

With that, Hyang finished his business, paid his respects, and left Gangnyeongjeon. Sejong, staring at the empty space with a serious face, called Sangseon.

“Sangseon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Summon the commander of the Naegeumwi [royal guard].”

* * *

Two days later, the leaders of the three major Geomgye in Hanseong [capital city] summoned their members.

“A royal order has been issued.”

At the leader’s words, the eyes of the Geomgye members began to sparkle.

The Geomgye members had never had such enjoyable days as these. They once had dreams of rising to high positions, but they had given up on those dreams due to various restrictions and reasons. They had lived each day aimlessly as broken men, but now they were working for the country and the king. Although they could not openly say it, their pride was immense.

The nonchalant attitudes from just a moment ago disappeared, and the Geomgye members, exuding an aura like sharpened swords, listened as the leader conveyed Sejong’s command.

“The order is to monitor those who try to approach the artisans working in Area 51.”

“Artisans, you say?”

“Yes. You all know about the war that took place in the north not long ago, right?”

“Yes, didn’t we achieve a great victory?”

“It is said that cannons played a big role in that war. And those cannons were made in Area 51.”

Having heard the explanation up to that point, the Geomgye members immediately understood what they had to do.

“So, you’re saying we should monitor which guys are approaching those artisans?”

“That’s right. And also monitor if there are any guys trying to use tricks on the artisans’ families.”

At the leader’s words, the Geomgye members nodded.

“This is not something to be taken lightly, so pay special attention. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Jae-eum (在陰).”

“Wi-guk (衛國).”

The Geomgye members, shouting their own slogan, soon began to organize teams and shifts.

‘Jae-eum Wi-guk (在陰衛國, Defend the nation from the shadows.)’

It was the slogan that Sejong had given when the Geomgye was transformed into the king’s secret personal guard. It was not simply written on paper, but engraved on the Changpo swords that the Geomgye members carried. Therefore, this slogan was not just a slogan, but the creed and pride of the Geomgye.

The Geomgye members risked their lives for these four letters.

As the Geomgye members who had organized their shifts and teams left, the leader of the Bukchon (北村) [Northern Village] Geomgye sighed softly.

“I hope there won’t be a need to use the license this time….”

The license that the leader was talking about was a ‘license to kill.’

* * *

During the suppression of the Beomgwol (犯闕) [crime of treason] that took place under the leadership of Grand Prince Yangnyeong last time, the Geomgye had fought fiercely with the rebels.

After the incident was over, the Podocheong (捕盜廳, police) conducted a massive arrest of the Geomgye. This was because they saw it as a large-scale massacre that took place in the midst of the chaos in the capital.

At this time, Sejong secretly sent licenses to the leaders.

The contents written on the scroll stamped with Sejong’s royal seal were simple.

-The crimes committed by the holder of this license are for the sake of the country, so do not question the crime, and prohibit the detention of the person.

The leaders who received the licenses immediately submitted them to the Podocheong, and all the arrested Geomgye members were able to be released.

“Since when has the Geomgye….”

Looking at the Pododaejang (捕盜大將, police chief) with an unbelievable expression, the leader replied meaningfully.

“It is not that we are the Geomgye, but that we are in the Geomgye.”

“Ah!”

“So, I ask for your silence (緘口, to shut your mouth and not speak).”

“I understand!”

The Pododaejang nodded greatly.

‘These are the ones who have infiltrated the Geomgye!’

This line that made the Pododaejang misunderstand was Hyang’s work.

After that, Sejong and Hyang once again revised the license.

-The king directly keeps the license and issues it only when it is deemed necessary or when there is a reasonable request.

It was the birth of the ‘license to kill’ that would later become a regular feature in dramas and movies set in the Joseon Dynasty.

* * *

Fifteen days after the visit of the envoy announcing that ‘the envoy is coming,’ the Ming envoy arrived in Jemulpo [port city].

The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was waiting for the Ming envoy’s ship at the pier of Jemulpo, grumbled to the subordinate official who came with him.

“Ming must have been in a hurry. It usually takes about a month and a half to arrive, but they came in just fifteen days.”

“That’s also true, but it must be because there is not much to gain even if they come to Joseon, so they want to finish it quickly.”

“Is that so?”

At the subordinate’s words, the Vice Minister burst into laughter.

In the past, Hyang had rebelled against Sejong because of the Ming envoys’ exploitation, and his calves were ruined. Since then, the exploitation of the envoys has been greatly reduced as he received the emperor’s handwritten decree prohibiting exploitation through the envoy sent by Sejong.

After Hyang visited Beijing himself, the exploitation of envoys from Ming dramatically disappeared. As a contract was established between the emperor and the Joseon royal family, it became difficult to treat Joseon carelessly.

In fact, there was a fool who came to Joseon and scraped away as before, not realizing that the situation had changed. Immediately after the envoy returned, Joseon immediately sent a national letter to Emperor Xuande. Emperor Xuande, greatly angered by receiving a subtle but thorny national letter, immediately threw the envoy in question into prison.

“Does he want to live even after smearing dirt on my face!”

Emperor Xuande, greatly angered, annihilated the envoy’s family’s nine generations (九族) [a form of punishment].

Since then, there have been no Ming envoys who came to Joseon and recklessly exploited or made unreasonable demands.

Instead, it has become customary for envoys to only see to their work and return immediately.