Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 286

286. Hanseong’s Ordinary Days (4)

The issue of ‘personnel supply’ was immediately reported to Sejong.

Upon receiving the report, Sejong held a secret meeting with Hyang that night. After dismissing the historians, scribes, and even the eunuchs, Sejong lamented,

“To have to be so careful even when having a conversation between father and son…”

Hyang responded to Sejong’s lament with a wry smile.

“The law dictates it, so what can we do? If we recklessly change the law, it could be exploited in later generations.”

“That’s the problem…. Let’s stop complaining and get down to business.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang straightened his posture and focused on Sejong’s words.

“The Geomgye [a clandestine group], no, the Milwi [royal secret guard] has sent a report. It’s about the problem of manpower supply.”

Sejong told Hyang about the personnel recruitment issue that had come up through the Royal Guard Commander.

After explaining in detail, Sejong asked Hyang a question.

“Crown Prince, why did you choose the Geomgye? Did you only want them as ‘hidden ears’?”

Hyang answered immediately.

“I thought that the Geomgye would be skilled enough to handle things themselves, making them useful. And I thought it would save a lot of time and money.”

“Time and money?”

Sejong repeated the words and then nodded.

To formally train individuals with the skills of a Geomgye member would indeed consume a lot of time and resources.

Watching Sejong nod, Hyang added in his mind,

‘If this were the 21st century, I would have screened and recruited personnel from the military’s special forces, but now Joseon is struggling to even fill its regular army….’

Creating a real, functional army, not just the 300,000 troops that existed only on paper, was still a work in progress.

“If we choose the Geomgye as you said, we can definitely save time and money. But the future is the problem. Should we continue to fill the Milwi with Geomgye members?”

Sejong’s question was also a concern for Hyang.

‘Choosing those with abilities but restricted by their status to create a personal guard…’

This was a common method used to create a personal guard loyal to the monarch, regardless of East or West.

The most famous of these groups was the Janissaries [elite Ottoman soldiers].

However, there was also the problem that groups created in this way would eventually hold the kings they were supposed to protect hostage.

‘There’s the problem of the Janissaries, but in our history, there were also political thugs, right? Wait, is it right to put political thugs in this category too?’

After much deliberation, Hyang answered Sejong honestly.

“To be honest, although their contributions are significant, it cannot be denied that the Geomgye is a criminal organization. Therefore, we cannot continue to recruit personnel only from the Geomgye. However, recruiting personnel through the civil service examination or talent search also has its problems. It’s not just a matter of time and money, but it could also turn into another bureaucratic group and lose its original purpose.”

“My thoughts are the same as yours. Everything has its pros and cons.”

“That’s right.”

‘Why are you asking me when you already know?’

Hyang grumbled inwardly at Sejong’s words, but outwardly he kept nodding.

The father and son, deeply concerned about finding the best solution, eventually reached one conclusion.

-Looking at those who are currently in the Geomgye, there are those who entered because they were inherently evil, but there are also many who gave up their dreams and entered due to various circumstances. First, we will focus on recruiting personnel from the latter, but gradually move towards finding and recruiting people from respectable backgrounds.

“It feels like a makeshift plan, but this is the best we can do.”

“That is correct.”

“I understand. Let’s stop here for today.”

“Yes, Father. Then, please have a comfortable rest.”

After Hyang left, Sejong sighed.

“Hoo~. This is not an easy task.”

* * *

Two days later, a eunuch entered the research lab where Hyang was working.

“What’s going on?”

“Yes. Grand Prince Jinpyeong has requested permission to enter with the young princes to see the railway model.”

“Jinpyeong?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…. Is it because of the princes?”

The research lab and Area 51 were areas where entry was prohibited to anyone without permission. Jinpyeong was authorized, but the princes were not yet.

“Let them in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The eunuch, having received Hyang’s permission, retreated. Hyang muttered quietly after dismissing the eunuch.

“Is this guy really planning on running a pyramid scheme or something?”

* * *

Eventually, unable to suppress his worries, Hyang got up and headed to the room with the railway model.

Hyang stopped the eunuch who was about to announce his arrival and carefully listened to the voices coming from inside.

“Did you see it? Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yes, Grand Prince.”

“Forget the ‘Grand Prince’…. Call me ‘Hyung-nim’ [older brother]. Hyung-nim.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim!”

“So, study diligently and come to the research center and dedicate yourselves to railway research with me. Got it?”

“Yes!”

“Huh? Why isn’t Lim answering?”

“Um, I like music better.”

“Hey! How can a prince say such a thing!”

As Jinpyeong’s voice rose, Hyang immediately opened the door and entered.

“Stop! That’s enough!”

The room froze at Hyang’s intrusion. Hyang looked at his seventh younger brother, Lim. Seeing the child, still chubby-cheeked, looking at him with tearful eyes, Hyang looked at Jinpyeong with a stern face.

“Jinpyeong, let’s talk for a moment.”

Sensing that Hyang’s voice was unusual, Jinpyeong replied in a subdued voice.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hyang moved to a spot away from the research lab with Jinpyeong and began to question him.

“Jinpyeong.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did I push you to study railways?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Then, when you said you would study railways, did I stop you?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Then why are you doing that?”

“Well, I just thought that railways would be the core of Joseon’s future, and that the royal family should naturally work for it.”

“It’s not a bad thought. But do you think good results will come if you force it?”

“But, railways….”

“Is only railways important for Joseon to be peaceful and prosperous?”

“That’s not true.”

“Railways are important, but everything else is also important. The music that Lim likes is also important.”

“Music is lowly, and for women….”

“What about the musicians and students of the Jangakwon (Royal Music Academy)?”

“….”

“What about what Father ordered Park Yeon [a famous musician] to do?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Knowing is enough. Jinpyeong, I know very well the devotion you put into railways. And I’m proud of it too. But you know you’re so enthusiastic because you like it, right?”

“Yes.”

“You want to recommend it to your younger siblings because you like it?”

“Yes!”

“But you know that everyone likes different things. It’s said that ‘ten people, ten colors’. How can you recommend it recklessly? Don’t you think?”

“That’s right. I was foolish.”

“You’re not foolish. You’re just too eager. So, reflect on this and don’t do it again. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

Having given Jinpyeong advice, Hyang returned to the research lab with him.

“Lim, let’s talk for a moment.”

“Yes? Yes….”

At Hyang’s words, Lim hesitated and left the room.

Unlike the Grand Princes such as Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, who were not much different in age from Hyang, Hyang was as difficult a figure as their father to the Grand Princes, Princes, Princesses, and Concubine’s children below them. Not only because he was the Crown Prince, but because Hyang was the one whom the teachers in charge of their discipline mentioned if they were even slightly lacking or made a mistake.

“The Crown Prince had already mastered the Four Books and Thirteen Classics, as well as all kinds of Confucian scriptures, when he was the age of the young prince….”

Listening to the teachers’ words, Hyang was a figure in a distant, high place in the eyes of his younger siblings.

“So, I think it’s a bit early for you to decide your path right now. What you need to do now is to diligently learn the teachings that the teachers teach and to keep your body healthy. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Okay. Then let’s go back.”

After comforting Lim, who was very subdued, and giving him career counseling, Hyang returned to the research lab.

As the princes and Jinpyeong left, Hyang let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. Suddenly, child psychology counseling…. By the way….”

Stopping his words for a moment, Hyang opened the window and looked at Jinpyeong, who was disappearing in the distance.

“What should I do with that guy? Well, he had that kind of personality. He would have turned everything upside down later….”

Jinpyeong’s personality was one that focused only on one thing once he decided on it. It was the same now. Learning academics and training in martial arts were solely for the sake of railways.

If ‘king’ were to take the place of ‘railways’, then the ‘Sejo’ [a controversial king in Joseon history] from the history before Hyang’s intervention would appear.

“I have so much to do, and I have to worry about that guy too…. Damn it! This fate of mine!”

Hyang unknowingly spat out profanity.

* * *

Hyang’s worries did not stop here.

“Your Highness, Princess Jeongeui has arrived.”

“Jeongeui? Let her in.”

After a while, Princess Jeongeui, who entered the room, politely paid her respects to Hyang.

“Jeongeui greets the Crown Prince.”

“Yes. It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you looking healthy. Please, have a seat.”

Sitting in the chair opposite Jeongeui, Hyang asked about her business with a gentle expression.

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

“Please, ask Father to grant my request.”

“Request? What request?”

“I want to study mathematics and astronomy and participate in research.”

“Huh?”

Hyang froze at the completely unexpected request.

Even in the history before Hyang’s intervention, Princess Jeongeui was recorded in the Annals [historical records] as having shown outstanding talent in mathematics and astronomy.

“Hmm…. I’ve heard the story. Jeongeui, I’ve heard that you’re good at mathematics and astronomy.”

“You flatter me. I’ve only dabbled a little.”

“Father knows your talent well, so wouldn’t it be better to make the request directly?”

“Isn’t it difficult for a woman to study academics? Especially since I haven’t even had my wedding yet, so there may be gossip.”

“Ah….”

Hyang nodded at Jeongeui’s words. Jeongeui was 16 years old this year. Considering the trends in Joseon these days, it was exactly the marriageable age, a little late. If a woman who had not yet married learned mathematics and astronomy and participated in research in a research lab full of men, there would definitely be rumors.

“Hmm….”

After a moment of contemplation, Hyang soon made a decision.

“I understand. I’ll ask Father. But there’s a high possibility that you’ll get married first.”

“I’ll get married first if necessary.”

“Do you like mathematics and astronomy that much?”

“Yes.”

“I understand. Well, there’s a suitable justification, so let’s give it a try.”

* * *

Eventually, Hyang made a request to Sejong on behalf of Jeongeui.

“Jeongeui said she wants to learn mathematics and astronomy and participate in research?”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong looked troubled.

“The ministers will not stand still.”

“Aren’t many of the teachers at the Samin School [a school for women] women now? What’s the problem?”

“That’s true, but they can take issue with a child who hasn’t even had her wedding working among men.”

“Jeongeui said she definitely wants to do it, even if she gets married first.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong sighed.

“Having outstanding talent is also a problem.”

“Isn’t it all thanks to inheriting Father’s blood? Father is outstanding, so the children are all outstanding.”

“Gilding the lily after making a mess doesn’t work.”

Although he said that, Sejong seemed much more relaxed. After pondering for a moment, Sejong came to a conclusion.

“I’ll have to give orders to the Milwi. Tell them to find a humble family that hasn’t lost the favor of those around them.”