Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 377

377. A Brief Interlude (3)

Having returned to Hanseong [modern-day Seoul], Hwang Hee reported his arrival to Sejong. Sejong immediately appointed Hwang Hee as the Prime Minister.

“Now, I entrust you with a great responsibility. I hope you will take on the role of Prime Minister and do your best.”

At Sejong’s request, Hwang Hee bowed his head and replied,

“I will dedicate my life to it.”

That day, the officials who left the court took Hwang Hee to a *gibang* [Korean traditional courtesan house].

“Congratulations, Lord!”

“Congratulations, Lord!”

“Prime Minister! What a great promotion!”

Hwang Hee, receiving congratulations from his fellow officials, looked at them with a strange expression.

“Why are you looking at us like that?”

“No matter how I think about it, it seems like you’ve set me up as a scapegoat….”

“Ahem!”

“Cough!”

As the officials coughed and turned their heads at Hwang Hee’s words, Maeng Sa-seong intervened.

“Surely that can’t be the case? It’s just that your capabilities were the most suitable for the position, so we recommended you.”

At Maeng Sa-seong’s words, Hwang Hee sighed softly and raised his glass.

“Let’s believe that.”

* * *

With Hwang Hee becoming Prime Minister, Sejong’s ‘Second Cabinet’ began to function.

Some historians downplayed it, saying, ‘It’s just one Prime Minister who has changed,’ but most historians disagreed with that opinion.

That was because Hwang Hee’s capabilities were so outstanding.

Looking at those who served as ministers and officials during Sejong’s reign, there was an unprecedented gathering of brilliant individuals in Joseon’s history.

Hwang Hee’s contribution should be recognized for coordinating policies between these individuals and Sejong, and for stably advancing Joseon’s expansion. Therefore, it is only natural to recognize it as the ‘Second Cabinet.’

“You are right, and you are right [a common expression indicating that both sides have valid points].”

There were many opinions about Hwang Hee’s way of handling things, as expressed in the above sentence, but Hwang Hee was the one who confronted Sejong when necessary.

And Hwang Hee also garnered a lot of sympathy.

Although he was one of the ‘few people whose death was the day of resignation,’ and the first person to do so, due to his and his children’s ‘disgraceful affairs.’

With Hwang Hee becoming Prime Minister, many people, including Sejong, were satisfied.

However, there was one person who was not happy.

His name was Kim Jong-seo.

“Why can’t I be happy!”

* * *

The place where Kim Jong-seo, who returned to Hanseong with Hwang Hee, was assigned was the ‘Office of the Prime Minister’s Coordination’ directly under the Prime Minister.

Moreover, he was not simply an official belonging to the Coordination Office, but the head of the Coordination Office.

There were many policies established and implemented by the court, and policies where the interests of different departments were divided were not uncommon. In such cases, the final decision was up to Sejong, but it was the job of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Coordination to establish a framework to some extent before that.

Naturally, all sorts of appeals and pleas from the departments involved flooded into the Coordination Office. However, coordination had to be fair, so officials belonging to the Coordination Office had to run around visiting practical sites.

Among them, the one who had to run around the most was Kim Jong-seo.

“I heard that there was a major flood in the Jeolla Province this time, so go and conduct an on-site investigation.”

“Are there still big-hearted guys who embezzle in the middle these days?”

“That’s why I’m telling you to go and see. And while you’re at it, check the progress of the road construction from Hanseong to Jeolla Province….”

“Lord, I’m the head of the office? Do I have to go out myself?”

“Then should I go? Can’t you see there are no people available?”

“Still….”

As Kim Jong-seo hesitated, Hwang Hee grabbed the nameplate on his desk.

“Do you want to go back to Hamgil Province? Or should I let you see only snow in Daeseol Island for about 30 years?”

“I’m going, I’m going!”

Kim Jong-seo continued to grumble as he turned around.

At the sight of Hwang Hee and Kim Jong-seo, the officials belonging to the Coordination Office whispered softly.

“They are really amazing people, the head of the office who is always trying to get out of work, and the Prime Minister who runs such a head of the office….”

“Even if he tries to get out of work like that, he does the work he’s told to do perfectly, so that’s also amazing.”

“Who’s talking over there? I guess you’re free; should I send you on a business trip to Gaemagowon?”

“Hiek!”

At Hwang Hee’s words, the officials became turtle-necked and buried their heads in the documents.

* * *

In such a peaceful, calm everyday life, a small whirlpool occurred in Gyeongbok Palace.

‘Princess Jeongui is meeting a man!’

A scandal had broken out.

Upon hearing the rumor, Sejong immediately mobilized eunuchs and court ladies to investigate the truth.

Hyang was also deeply interested in the investigation because it involved his younger sister.

And as a result of the investigation, the scandal was true.

Sejong, having accepted the truth, called Hyang separately and complained.

“An unmarried woman of marriageable age is meeting a man… What a disgraceful thing….”

At Sejong’s complaint, Hyang responded.

“Wouldn’t it be a bigger deal if a married woman met a man? Isn’t this a good opportunity? Haven’t you been worried that Jeongui hasn’t been married yet?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong squinted and glared at Hyang.

“Are you protecting him because that man belongs to the research institute?”

“Of course not! Absolutely not!”

“Hoo~.”

Sejong, who sighed deeply, seemed resigned.

“Since it has already happened… Okay. Recite that Kim Dam’s background.”

“Yes.”

The culprit who caused the scandal with Princess Jeongui was Kim Dam.

* * *

The time when Princess Jeongui came to learn mathematics and work at the research institute and the time when Kim Dam entered the research institute were almost the same.

Although Kim Dam had excellent mathematical skills, he was not ready to be put into practice. Therefore, Hyang and Jeong Cho put him in the educational facility attached to the research institute.

At that time, only a very small number of people were receiving education at the educational facility. Therefore, those who had to receive education in the intermediate and advanced courses gathered in one place to receive education. And that’s where he met Princess Jeongui.

* * *

“Hmm… The family seems appropriate, and his personality doesn’t seem like he’ll turn his eyes elsewhere… He seems okay.”

“He seems to be very compatible with Jeongui.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong clicked his tongue.

“Tsk! What does compatibility matter when they’ve already done the deed! And aren’t you thinking about the repercussions of this scandal!”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang also became serious.

“Certainly, it will have an impact on women entering officialdom.”

* * *

Hyang, having confirmed the scandal, immediately summoned Jeongui and Kim Dam.

“How did you two end up like this?”

At Hyang’s question, Jeongui kept her head down and fidgeted with her fingers, and Kim Dam turned his head out the window.

“Tell me quickly!”

At Hyang’s shout, Kim Dam quickly opened his mouth.

“We were sharing opinions with our foreheads together to solve a mathematical problem, and then….”

At Kim Dam’s answer, Hyang put his hand on his forehead.

“You should have ended it with your foreheads together. Why did you even put your lips together….”

The scandal started when they were caught by the court ladies kissing in a secluded place in the research institute.

“Hoo~.”

Hyang, who sighed deeply, continued.

“Since it has already happened, you know what will happen afterwards, right?”

“Yes.”

The faces of Jeongui and Kim Dam, who were answering, turned red.

“It doesn’t seem like you dislike it. Well, that’s why you caused such an accident….”

Every time Hyang poked at them, the two people’s heads fell further down.

Hyang, who was smiling slightly while looking at the two of them, became serious thinking about the future.

“Perhaps, the wedding will proceed quickly to erase your scandal. This is not only a matter of the royal family’s dignity, but also the success or failure of the policies carried out by the court is at stake.”

At Hyang’s words, Jeongui and Kim Dam raised their heads.

“Is it because of women entering officialdom?”

At Jeongui’s question, Hyang nodded.

“You know it well.”

* * *

Although it was decided to allow women to enter officialdom to solve the shortage of talent, the court’s concern was different.

“Will women with scholarship really respond properly?”

Most of those who have enough scholarship to work as officials at this time were daughters of the *banga* [noble families].

The question was whether those *sadaebu* [scholar-officials] of the *banga* would accept women entering officialdom.

In the worst case, a tragic situation could occur where it becomes nominal until women who have gone through the Samin Academy and the Middle School Academy come out.

* * *

“You guys caused an accident in that situation. Therefore, the wedding must be held before your scandal spreads. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

At Hyang’s pointing out, Jeongui and Kim Dam looked genuinely sorry.

This was because it was certain that there would be many *sadaebu* who would completely block the attempts of women trying to take the civil service examination because of their scandal.

Looking at the two of them, Hyang leaned back on the chair and gestured.

“Go and do your work. You know that work here means the research you’re in charge of, right?”

“Yes.”

Hyang, who sent the two of them out, looked troubled.

“How should I solve this problem….”

He had no choice but to come to a conclusion after agonizing over finding the best solution.

“Is there really no other way than a flash of lightning and a feint to the east? Damn it….”

Hyang’s face was filled with bitterness as he mentioned ‘a feint to the east.’

That was because he remembered a saying that was common in the 21st century.

-When a bad thing happens in the political world, the entertainment world is turned upside down.

* * *

“Certainly, it will have an impact on women entering officialdom. That’s why….”

Hyang, who answered Sejong’s pointing out, told him the method he had thought of.

“I think the best way is a flash of lightning and a feint to the east.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong immediately asked back.

“A flash of lightning means holding the wedding as soon as possible, and a feint to the east… Surely, you’re not telling me to fabricate a rebellion? That’s impossible.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang continued to explain.

“In a stable political situation like now, a rebellion will be even more suspicious. Isn’t a feint to the east about diverting the enemy’s attention? Then, doesn’t *Abamama* [father] have the best means?”

Sejong’s face brightened as he recalled his memories for a moment at Hyang’s words.

“Are you saying to use the *Jeonmaeso* [royal shop]?!”

“Yes. Either way, the birthdays of the *Won Son* [first grandson] and *Wang Son* [grandson] are coming up soon. Add to that the celebration of Jeongui’s wedding and hold a large-scale discount event at the *Jeonmaeso*.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong nodded and summarized the situation.

“I see. If their minds are focused on that, it will be time to take the civil service examination. That’s good.”

Sejong, satisfied with Hyang’s suggestion, called Sangseon [eunuch] with a brighter expression.

“Give *Paecho* [牌招, royal order] to Seungji [royal secretary], and tell him to call Jeong Cho.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who gave the order to Sangseon, turned to Hyang.

“It would be even better to add one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“*Saminseongho* [三人成虎, if many people tell a lie, it becomes the truth].”

“Ah!”

Hyang immediately exclaimed at Sejong’s words.

As time passed and Jeong Cho arrived, Sejong immediately got to the point.

“You will have to become *Wolha-noin* [月下老人, old man under the moon, matchmaker].”

“Yes?”

Jeong Cho was just blinking at Sejong’s sudden words.

However, at Sejong’s explanation that followed, Jeong Cho immediately nodded his head.

“I will gladly become *Wolha-noin*.”