Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 347

347. Let’s Make a Scene! (1)

Deep night, Gangnyeongjeon Hall.

It was a late hour; even the scribes had retired for the night. Dressed in his sleeping robes, Sejong sat waiting for someone.

After a while, a eunuch quietly entered and reported to Sejong.

“Your Majesty, the Royal Guard Captain has returned.”

“Have him enter immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The head eunuch stepped back, and the Royal Guard Captain, dressed in black, entered and knelt.

“The results?”

“Completed, Your Majesty.”

Sejong’s face brightened at the Captain’s reply. Seeing Sejong’s expression, the Captain added,

“Of the Ming Chinese identified by the Secret Guard, none escaped. There may be some remaining in Jemulpo’s Chinatown, but all those involved in this matter who came out have been silenced.”

“Well done! Truly well done!”

“The Secret Guards were of great help.”

“How many Secret Guards were lost?”

“Two deaths, and three incapacitated.”

“The losses are quite significant.”

“The skills of those we faced were considerable. Judging by the fact that they were all Hwaja [martial artists serving the Ming court], it is certain they were part of the Eastern Depot’s martial organization.”

At the Captain’s report, Sejong asked with a serious expression,

“So, it wasn’t just empty boasting?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The establishment of a trading post in Shandong was not only for trade but also to gather Ming’s political situation and various information more quickly and from diverse sources.

Among the information received through the trading post was intelligence about the ‘Eastern Depot (東廠) [a Ming dynasty secret police organization].’

-The Ming imperial court has created an organization using eunuchs for surveillance.

-Within the organization called the Eastern Depot, there is a unit composed of highly skilled martial artists.

The ‘Eastern Depot’ was already a well-known organization and had little value as information, but the problem was the martial group within the Eastern Depot. The group, whose size and skills were unknown, was an ‘invisible fear’ to the Ming people.

‘Why on earth are the eunuchs creating a martial group? Are they dreaming of becoming the Ten Attendants [powerful eunuchs who controlled the Han dynasty court] again?’

Many were concerned about the martial group within the Eastern Depot, but the Eastern Depot had its own reasons.

-When conducting secret surveillance, there are frequent situations where one’s life is in danger. In such cases, bodyguards are needed to protect those in charge of surveillance. However, due to the nature of the work, the exact size cannot be disclosed.

Those who heard this statement from the Eastern Depot eunuch all had the same question.

“Then, what about their skills?”

And the answer to that was twofold.

-It is certain that they have selected and trained talented individuals, so they are a sufficient threat.

-Talented people would not willingly become eunuchs, so it is just empty boasting.

However, the Secret Guard agents who were投入 [thrown] into this battle were also recognized by the Royal Guard Captain. The fact that such individuals were killed or incapacitated was evidence that the Eastern Depot’s martial organization possessed considerable skill.

* * *

Sejong, having readjusted his assessment of the Eastern Depot’s martial organization, moved on to the next topic.

“Do you think those who were dealt with this time are all of them?”

At Sejong’s question, the Royal Guard Captain shook his head.

“I do not believe so, Your Majesty. There will definitely be more in Jemulpo. Do you wish for me to search Jemulpo?”

“No, let’s end it here. Seeing that their colleagues have not returned, the remaining ones will also guess the situation. This is enough of a warning. If we proceed further, Shandong could be in danger.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“The treatment of those who died or were injured should be carried out according to the pre-determined regulations, and have Mukseong (墨星) [a posthumous honor] awarded as well. And, properly record the ‘Secret Action Log (密行錄).’”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

* * *

As the work that began in the darkness came to an end in the darkness, the events on the brighter side were also slowly heading towards a conclusion.

Geunjeongjeon Hall.

In a meeting attended by Sejong and all the ministers, the Minister of the Uigeumbu [the State Tribunal] reported on the progress of the case.

“…Thus, Seong Pan-sul’s brother-in-law, Im Dae-su, has confessed to his crimes. In addition, Jo Han-tae, who instigated Im Dae-su, and Park Eun-su, the clerk of the merchant group, have also confessed to their crimes.”

“Are those three the only ones involved?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of the Uigeumbu immediately replied.

“We have interrogated all those working in the merchant group, but there were no others.”

“I see….”

As Sejong closed his mouth, Lee Jik immediately interjected.

“Have you found the mastermind behind Jo Han-tae?”

At Lee Jik’s question, the Minister of the Uigeumbu replied with a troubled expression.

“Currently, we are continuing to pursue them.”

“Is it all a mystery?”

“To be honest, we cannot find any trace at all.”

At the Minister of the Uigeumbu’s answer, Lee Jik sighed.

“Hmph….”

The atmosphere inside Geunjeongjeon Hall grew heavier as the whereabouts of the most important mastermind remained a mystery.

Just as the atmosphere was sinking to the bottom, Sejong, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“The Minister of the Uigeumbu should limit the pursuit of the mastermind to the vicinity of Jemulpo for only one more day and then stop.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Not only I but everyone gathered here has some idea of who the mastermind is. And, if it is them, they would have already erased all traces by now. Therefore, further pursuit is merely a waste. If we pursue them for about a day more, limiting the area to Jemulpo, they will immediately understand that the meaning is a warning. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the Minister of the Uigeumbu bowed his head and answered, Sejong looked back at the other ministers. Lee Jik stepped forward on behalf of the ministers who had received a silent question.

“I believe it is a truly appropriate measure. However, it is only regrettable that our Joseon’s power is insufficient, and we have no choice but to act in this way, which is not befitting of a great power.”

“I agree as well.”

As Sejong used the word ‘I (朕) [royal ‘we’],’ the ministers became very tense. This was because Sejong rarely used the word ‘I.’ Sejong looked at the ministers and said with emphasis.

“Do not forget this incident and do not neglect to increase our Joseon’s capabilities.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers all bowed their heads and answered.

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

The scribe who recorded all of this added the following.

-The scribe says: The actions of the great power are truly not befitting of a great power, and this is not a matter of yesterday or today. They only believe in their own strength and oppress the surrounding countries, so how can they be called a great nation?

I feel the resentment of Jin San-buwongun (晉山府院君) [a noble title] during the reign of King Taejong, who suggested joining forces with the Japanese to fight against Ming.

* * *

During Taejong’s reign, Emperor Yongle of Ming, troubled by the Japanese pirates, advocated for the ‘Punish the Japanese (征倭論) [a policy of military action against Japan]’ and forced Joseon to provide military cooperation.

However, at the time, Taejong and his ministers could not trust Ming’s intentions.

‘Is there an intention to station Ming troops in our Joseon under the pretext of punishing the Japanese (征倭), and furthermore, to侵奪 [encroach upon] Joseon’s national rights?’

In the end, Joseon refused Ming’s demands with various excuses, and on the other hand, conveyed the news to Japan through Tsushima Island, requesting them to restrain the Japanese pirates.

In this process, Ming began to pressure Joseon by bringing up the ‘Northern Expedition Theory (北征論) [a policy of expanding northwards]’ under the pretext of the Jurchen people, following the ‘Punish the Japanese (征倭論).’

In the end, under this pressure, then Left State Councillor Ha Ryun stepped forward and argued for the ‘War with Ming Theory (對明決戰論) [a policy of declaring war against Ming],’ proposing to unite with Japan to confront Ming.

(Note 1)

However, this proposal was rejected by Taejong. And in the first year of Sejong’s reign, Joseon independently conquered Tsushima Island.

* * *

Sejong, having changed the atmosphere by criticizing the great power, soon moved on to the next topic.

“Let’s leave the mastermind at that…. How should we punish the criminals Jo Han-tae, Park Eun-su, and Im Dae-su?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Justice stepped forward and answered.

“According to the Gyeongje Yukjeon (經濟六典) [a legal code] and the Great Ming Code (大明律) [another legal code], the criminals have committed the crime of treason by harming the country. Therefore, the three criminals should be sentenced to 참형 (beheading) [capital punishment by beheading], and their families should be made 관노 (government slaves) [slaves owned by the government].”

Sejong, having organized his thoughts for a moment at the Minister of Justice’s statement, made his judgment.

“As the Minister of Justice said, the three criminals will be sentenced to 참형 (beheading) [capital punishment by beheading], and their families will be made 관노 (government slaves) [slaves owned by the government] and sent to Aoji (아오지) [a remote mining region known for its harsh conditions].”

“We receive your command!”

As Sejong’s judgment was made, the Minister of Justice stepped forward again.

“And, those who were caught together in the process of arresting Im Dae-su this time must also be punished. They are those who engaged in gambling, which is prohibited by the country, so they must be given a heavy punishment.”

“The Minister of Justice is right. Distinguish between those who opened the gambling den and those who participated, and sentence those who opened the den to 10 years and those who participated to 5 years of labor in the mines. However, pay for the labor, but only pay 70% of the wages received by workers who normally work in the mines. Also, give only 10% of the 70% of the wages directly to them, and give the rest to their families. This is because they are also the heads of households. It is to provide relief so that families who have lost their heads of households due to crime can live at least at a minimum level, and at the same time, to allow them to reflect on their sins through labor.”

At Sejong’s judgment, the ministers all answered in one voice.

“It is truly a wise judgment!”

“You even consider the difficulties that the criminals’ families will face, so all the people will praise Your Majesty’s virtue.”

As the sound of praising Sejong’s wise judgment echoed inside Geunjeongjeon Hall, the scribe recorded this.

-…So, when the King made his judgment, all the officials, great and small, praised it as a truly beautiful judgment.

The scribe says.

The words of the ministers are not wrong. All those caught gambling are the heads of households. If the head of the household disappears, the poverty of the families cannot be described. The virtue and compassion of the King, who pitied this, are truly beautiful.

The problem is, why is he so stingy with that virtue and compassion to the officials?

I don’t want free dinners or night duty rooms.

I want to leave work on time. I want to see my wife awake.

* * *

Three days later, Jemulpo.

Honghwalu (紅花樓) [Red Flower Tower], the largest tavern in Jemulpo’s Chinatown (中華通) [Chinese Quarter].

A man who approached the VIP room on the third floor carefully made a sound.

“Sir, this is Jang Ryong.”

“Come in.”

Having received permission, Jang Ryong entered and bowed to the old man sitting at the table.

The old man, who received Jang Ryong’s greeting, asked in a languid voice.

“So…. Have you found any trace of Vice Director Na and his party?”

“I am sorry, Sir. I have not.”

“Hmm….”
The old man made a light humming sound, picked up a teacup, and took a light sip.

“Let’s see…. The Joseon merchant group that Junior Director Jang contacted has been crushed by the Uigeumbu, and the whereabouts of Vice Director Na and Junior Director Jang are unknown….”

The old man, who was organizing the situation, asked Jang Ryong again.

“Is the Uigeumbu still searching Jemulpo?”

“No, they have all withdrawn after the large-scale search two days ago.”

Two days ago, those who came out of the Uigeumbu and soldiers who came out of the nearby 육수군 (army) [land-based army] barracks thoroughly searched the Jemulpo area. The atmosphere was tense for a while as they searched the surrounding villages and mountains without properly explaining what they were looking for.

“Hmm….”
The old man, holding the teacup in his hand, pondered Jang Ryong’s report and opened his mouth.

“Withdraw.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“Vice Director Na and Junior Director Jang are already dead. That commotion two days ago is a warning sent by the King of Joseon. No one can say anything about this matter. So, return quietly.”

At the old man’s decision, Jang Ryong bowed his head with a fist salute.

“I will begin preparations immediately.”

After Jang Ryong left, the old man muttered to himself.

“The kings of Joseon have only produced scary people from generation to generation.”

* * *

As the situation was unfolding like that, Hyang was distracted by another problem.

“80 people caught gambling? In that small town? Even during the farming season?”

Hyang was horrified to see the number of gamblers who were caught together in the process of chasing Im Dae-su.

“Is it a gambling republic or a gambling kingdom! This won’t do! I have to find an answer!”

* * *

Note 1) Military Strategy in the Joseon Dynasty. P.64. Military Compilation Committee of the Ministry of National Defense.