Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 34

Jjangra

Helo Bam

34. A Major Reform in the Year of Gapjin (12)

“The Chief State Councilor has consistently blocked the nationwide implementation of cowpox vaccinations, claiming ‘the efficacy has not been verified’ and ‘establishing proper protocols is the priority.’ And what has happened as a result? A tragedy has unfolded in Geumcheon County with the outbreak of smallpox. Look at this tragedy in Geumcheon County. So far, 25 people have died, and over 60 have become mentally disabled, blind, or otherwise impaired and crippled. And what’s worse is that we don’t know how many more will die or become disabled in the future. Ministers, think carefully. If we had not missed the opportunity and had vaccinated with cowpox nationwide, the tragedy in Geumcheon County could have been prevented. The Chief State Councilor, in order to protect his own power, has used the noble cause of ‘upholding protocols’ as a shield, causing unnecessary sacrifices! Therefore! I will hold Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon accountable for his crime!”

At Sejong’s judgment, the Chief State Councilor prostrated himself and raised his voice.

“Your Majesty! I did not do it merely to protect my own power! The efficacy of cowpox has not been definitively proven, and it is unjust to wield authority improperly, which is why I spoke as I did!”

“Silence! Are you still trying to distort the situation with your cunning words! Guards! Summon the Uigeumbu Jinmu [Military Police] immediately!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”

As soon as Sejong’s command was issued, the State Councilors, Daesagan [Chief Censor], and Daesaheon [Chief Inspector General] immediately prostrated themselves and tried to dissuade him. However, Sejong did not back down.

“Reconsider? Reconsider what should be reconsidered!”

“Your Majesty! The Chief State Councilor’s words were somewhat excessive, but they came from a patriotic heart. Please reconsider!”

“Is patriotic heart all frozen to death?”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

While the State Councilors and Daesaheon were dissuading him, the Daesagan pleaded in a sorrowful voice.

“Your Majesty, the Chief State Councilor’s words may have been excessive, but his patriotic heart is as solid as gold and stone. Please do not dwell on superficial words and actions, but consider his deeper intentions!”

“Shut your mouth! Words are vessels that contain thoughts, so how can the surface and the depths be different! If the surface and the depths are different, then it is hypocrisy, and how can one be called a gentleman!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“Do not provoke my patience! If you continue to babble, I will consider you as one with that pseudo-gentleman!”

Although Sejong gave a stern warning, the State Councilors, Daesagan, and Daesaheon did not back down.

“I implore you again, it is not right to convict an innocent person!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“How can a subject stand idly by when his lord is about to take an unjust path? It is not right to hold the Chief State Councilor accountable! Please reconsider!”

At the State Councilors’ opposition, Sejong slammed the armrest and burst into frustration.

“Unjust? Unjust, you say? What is unjust! The number of people who have lost their lives due to smallpox over the past years is countless! Also, how many have been saved but become mentally disabled or crippled, wandering around begging for food? We obtained a way to prevent this, so why should it be delayed? Also, there were those who gave away their property to offer cows for the vaccinations, but who was it that blocked it for the ridiculous reason of ‘changing policies in the morning and evening’! Who is the unjust one here?”

Despite Sejong’s roar, the State Councilors, Daesaheon, and Daesagan did not back down.

“I beseech you again, that part is true that the Chief State Councilor’s words were excessive! However, in all affairs of the court, the harmony between the ruler and his subjects is paramount, and once something is decided, it should not be changed lightly! The reason why the Chief State Councilor opposed Your Majesty’s decision is because Your Majesty’s decision violated the second principle! Harmony between the ruler and his subjects and the importance of court affairs are the most fundamental foundations of the politics of the sage kings!”

As the Right State Councilor spewed out his defense as if vomiting blood, Sejong slammed the armrest.

“Truly, it is the epitome of distorting learning to flatter the world, interpreting things to one’s own advantage, and using clever words and flattering expressions! Do you think you are following the will of the sages by blocking my decision? You are only acting for your own petty desires! That petty desire to suppress me, the ruler! What you want is not harmony between the ruler and his subjects, but to create a court where the ruler is weak and the subjects are strong, turning me into a puppet! You are more treacherous than Sambong Jeong Do-jeon! I will never forgive you!”

As Sejong mentioned Jeong Do-jeon again, the State Councilors all denied it.

“Your Majesty! We absolutely do not have such intentions!”

“Your Majesty! Please recognize our loyalty!”

The court was frozen by the heated debate between Sejong and the State Councilors. The ministers, who were bent over with their waists flattened, felt as if they could already smell the thick stench of blood.

“Your Majesty, the Uigeumbu Jinmu is here to attend!”

At the Chief Eunuch’s words, Sejong, unable to hide his anger, immediately issued an order.

“Uigeumbu Jinmu, listen! Immediately arrest those pseudo-gentlemen, the Chief State Councilor, the Left State Councilor, the Right State Councilor, the Daesaheon, and the Daesagan! And prepare the Najang [Royal Guards] and Dobuoe [Capital Guards] to carry out my orders as soon as they are given!”

“I obey the command!”

As soon as Sejong’s command was issued, the Uigeumbu Jinmu summoned the Geumgun [Royal Guards] and dragged the Chief State Councilor and his party away.

“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”

“Your Majesty! This is an act that betrays the will of the sages!”

“Your Majesty!”

The Chief State Councilor and his party tried to change Sejong’s mind until the very moment they were dragged away. However, Sejong remained unchanged.

“Ministers, listen.”

“We will listen attentively!”

As soon as Sejong’s words fell, the ministers straightened up and answered in unison.

“Let the ministers take today’s events as a lesson and refrain from rash actions.”

“We will engrave it in our hearts and carry it out!”

“The positions of the three State Councilors, the Daesagan, and the Daesaheon are vacant, so select suitable individuals and report them to me. I will give you five days.”

“We obey the command!”

Sejong, glaring at the frozen ministers, turned his gaze to the Royal Secretary.

“Royal Secretary, tell the Uigeumbu to imprison all the families of those criminals and seal all their property.”

“I obey the command!”

“Let us end here today. Go and see to your duties.”

At Sejong’s order to leave, starting with the Hyang, all the ministers paid their respects to Sejong and left the main hall.

Left alone in the main hall, Sejong put his hand on his forehead and sighed deeply.

“Haa~.”

* * *

Returning to the Crown Prince’s palace, Hyang organized the situation with a serious face.

“If this were a TV drama, the instant viewership ratings would have soared. It would have been hell for the actors memorizing the lines… Is that why traditional historical dramas are pushed aside and fusion historical dramas are popular…?”

Muttering to himself without realizing it, Hyang shook his head.

“Damn it! Am I following Mr. Samcheonpo? Why am I straying off course?”

After finishing his self-reflection, Hyang reorganized the situation again.

“There won’t be anyone making a fuss for the time being because of today’s events. The problem is filling the vacant positions… Is it finally Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong’s turn to appear? The formation of Sejong’s Avengers?”

“His Majesty the King is here!”

At the announcement of the eunuch standing outside the door, Hyang rose from his chair. Straightening his attire, Hyang immediately bowed his head as Sejong entered.

“Father, have you arrived?”

“Yes, what were you doing?”

“I was reflecting on what happened today.”

“Is that so? I see. Let’s sit down first.”

“Yes.”

The two sat down in chairs with the table between them.

“Shall I bring you some tea?”

“Yes. Let’s have a cup. But I hope you’re not going to serve me willow bark tea here too?”

“No, I won’t.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang smiled bitterly and shook his head. The willow bark tea that Sejong mentioned was made by brewing well-dried willow bark.

* * *

“The biggest problems for our King Sejong’s longevity are diabetes and cardiovascular disease…”

While searching for various methods for Sejong’s longevity, Hyang remembered Mr. Samcheonpo’s rambling.

While explaining the beginning of the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598], Mr. Samcheonpo suddenly digressed during the Yi Sun-sin [Korean admiral and military general] part.

-When Admiral Yi Sun-sin broke his leg while taking the military examination, he peeled off willow bark and wrapped it around his leg, right? Why did Admiral Yi Sun-sin use willow bark? Simple splint? Or painkiller?

Mr. Samcheonpo’s digression flowed to aspirin.

-Since humans began recording history, one of the most important topics has been creating a ‘panacea’ [a remedy for all diseases or ills]. And the closest thing to this panacea is aspirin. It is used not only for its original purpose of relieving fever and pain but also for treating cardiovascular diseases and even as an anticancer drug.

For reference, in Jin-ho’s life in his previous life, one of the people Jin-ho’s parents hated the most was Mr. Samcheonpo.

“He’s not teaching the class and just spouting nonsense, ruining the kids!”

Anyway, Hyang, recalling Mr. Samcheonpo’s memory, immediately ordered the royal physician to make tea with willow bark and present it to Sejong.

“Drinking this will relieve headaches, thin the blood, and prevent chest tightness and strokes.”

“…The taste isn’t very good.”

“It’s medicine. Is there any medicine that tastes good?”

In this way, Hyang presented the willow bark tea and gave a firm warning to the royal physicians.

“It is something that needs to be taken for a long time, but it is not a medicine that should be taken unconditionally for a long time. Thinning the blood means that it will be difficult to stop bleeding. Give it to Father with appropriate rest periods.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

The two continued their conversation with teacups between them.

“Crown Prince, I am thinking of killing the Chief State Councilor. And I will purge those who colluded with him. Do you think it’s excessive?”

“If it happens frequently, it would be a problem, but if not, I think it is sufficient as a means of setting an example.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong looked relieved.

“Is that so? I’m relieved to hear you think so. I thought I would be truly lonely if even you opposed me.”

“The beginning of this incident was those seasoned State Councilors.”

“That’s right. But what do you think of the Chief State Councilor’s memorial regarding harmony between the ruler and his subjects?”

“There is some truth to it. If the king’s abuse of power becomes commonplace, and if someone like Emperor Jie or King Zhou ascends to the throne in the future, it will lead to the downfall of the nation. Because no one knows about the future.”

‘The representatives of such controversial figures are Yeonsangun and Gwanghaegun. The controversy surrounding Gwanghaegun has been somewhat resolved, but Yeonsangun is definitely… Or is he not?’

-The assessment that Yeonsangun was a tyrant is the mainstream view, but there are also counterarguments. Looking at the central politics of Joseon after Sejo, the trend of weak ruler and strong subjects continued. Although Seongjong strengthened the royal authority, he did not completely reverse it. However, Yeonsangun was the one who completely reversed it. Using the abolition and execution of his mother as an excuse. However, the failure was that he wasted his reputation and the support of the people by doing strange things to show off the strengthened royal authority. Thanks to this, the Jungjong Coup occurred, and the weak ruler and strong subjects became the norm again. Well, Jungjong was not an easy person either,

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s answer.

“That is correct. I didn’t know that a son like you would be born… Ah! In a good way!”

As Hyang made a sullen expression, Sejong quickly added. Hyang, grumbling inwardly, continued.

“If a tyrant appears and commits tyranny, it is natural that it will lead to the downfall of the nation. To prevent this, it is naturally necessary to guarantee and maintain the power of the subjects. However, looking at the current state of Joseon, the power of the subjects still threatens the power of the king. To be precise, the power of the king is very weak compared to the power of the ministers and the Sadaebu [Scholar-officials] in the court.”

Hyang pulled over the paper that he had placed next to him. Hyang drew a square on the paper and divided it into four sections, then drew diagonal lines on three of the four sections.

“This is the current state of Joseon. The hatched area here is the power held by the Sadaebu, and the remaining one section is the royal authority.”

“Even so, wouldn’t it be more than one section?”

Hyang shook his head at Sejong’s rebuttal.

“This is only because those Sadaebu cooperate with the royal authority for their own power struggles. If it becomes clear that the royal authority will take away their interests, they will immediately join forces.”

“I suppose so.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s explanation and sighed.

“Hoo~. It won’t be easy to ask them to give up what they have.”

“We’ll have to use a different method. Instead of directly taking away what they have, we should expand the board itself.”

Sejong’s eyes began to sparkle at Hyang’s words.

End

ⓒ Gukbbong