Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 407

407. A Short Story (4)

Even though Hyang had taken on the task, his face wasn’t particularly burdened.

“If it were the old days, I’d have almost no cards to play, but now I have quite a few, right? So, I just need to figure out the problem areas first, solve those, add a little MSG [monosodium glutamate, a common flavor enhancer], and the situation is over…”

Having come up with his own story, Hyang immediately called a eunuch and gave an order.

“Make a list of all the officials who came here, excluding the ministers and vice-ministers.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the eunuch who received the order stepped back, Hyang, left alone in the room, smiled and muttered.

“I don’t need to run around myself, do I?”

About two *geok* [a unit of time, approximately 30 minutes] later, the eunuch returned with a thick book.

“You brought the results back faster than I thought?”

Unable to hide his surprise at the unexpected result, Hyang was met with a grin from the eunuch.

“There was a list of officials who accompanied us on this trip. If you turn past the first three pages, you’ll find the list of officials you were looking for.”

“Oh? How did you think of this?”

The place considered to be ‘where the most conservative people in the palace gather’ was where the eunuchs and court ladies were.

However, there was a reason why they had to be like that. All events for the King and the royal family had to follow strict etiquette, and those who were well-versed in all these etiquettes were the eunuchs and court ladies. Moreover, serving those at the very top of power, such as the King and Queen, in the closest proximity forced them to maintain strict conduct.

Thanks to this, the eunuchs and court ladies received such an evaluation, and Hyang couldn’t hide his surprise. It wasn’t a typical eunuch’s idea but rather a display of considerable flexibility.

To Hyang’s surprised question, the eunuch smiled again and replied.

“I learned it while serving Your Highness.”

“Ah…”

Hyang looked at the eunuch before him with new eyes. He was a eunuch who had always been around him since he started his palace life. At the time, he was a clumsy new eunuch in his mid-teens, but now he was showing off his maturity.

After looking at the eunuch for a moment, Hyang smiled and said to the eunuch.

“I look forward to your continued service.”

“I will do my best.”

* * *

Having received the list from the eunuch, Hyang began to examine it.

However, Hyang didn’t spend much time finding a suitable person.

It was because he found the right people soon after passing the part where the names of the ministers and vice-ministers were written.

“Kim Jong-seo is here? Hwangbo-in is here too?”

Having found the famous Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in, Hyang immediately closed the list and called the eunuch.

“Did you find them?”

“Go and bring Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

* * *

About half a *shijin* [a unit of time, approximately 1 hour] later, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in, who had been summoned by Hyang, came to find him.

After paying their respects to Hyang, the two soon sat on the chairs opposite Hyang.

“Did you call for us?”

“Yes. I have some work for you two.”

“Is it about the hot spring issue?”

At Kim Jong-seo’s knowing remark, Hyang immediately nodded.

“That’s right.”

“If it’s about that issue, wouldn’t it be enough to create a hot spring bathhouse where even ordinary people can enter for a fee?”

Hyang shook his head at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“That’s something anyone can think of. If it were just that, I wouldn’t have needed to call you all, would I?”

As Hyang’s tone changed, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in became very nervous.

‘When Sejong and Hyang’s words become shorter, it means the evaluation of the person in charge of the task is changing. And it’s not in a good way.’

This was an unwavering truth in Joseon’s bureaucratic society.

And now, Hyang’s tone, which had been polite despite being the Crown Prince, had changed. This turned on a warning light in Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in’s minds.

Seeing Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in refocus, Hyang continued.

“The currency has already been established, and the lives of Joseon’s people are much more comfortable. Thanks to that, the current Joseon is a place where people are eagerly looking for legitimate ways to make money. However, the development of hot springs is still sluggish, so it’s certain that there’s another reason, isn’t it?”

The more Hyang spoke, the more the two became like turtles with their necks drawn in. Watching the two, Hyang delivered the final blow.

“But to create a hot spring bathhouse without even knowing what that reason is? Do you think that makes sense?”

At Hyang’s blow, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in immediately bowed their heads and begged.

“We made a mistake!”

“Please give us another chance!”

At the two’s plea, Hyang gave an order.

“Alright, you two go and immediately find out why the people are reluctant to develop hot springs and report back. I’ll give you fifteen days.”

“Yes.”

“Move out immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

The two, who quickly paid their respects, hurriedly left Hyang’s room.

As soon as they left the building where the Crown Prince was staying, Hwangbo-in glared at Kim Jong-seo and got angry.

“Argh! That damn mouth! Calling this guy a friend! Argh!”

“M-My bad!”

“Forget it, let’s get ready to go! Argh, I’m so frustrated!”

* * *

Having parted ways with Hwangbo-in and returned to his lodgings, Kim Jong-seo began to pack his bags.

“Good job~.”

As Kim Jong-seo was packing his bags with a gloomy face, he turned around sharply at Hwang Hee’s sarcastic voice from behind and grumbled.

“Lord Hwang! Please!”

“What did you do so well to be so loud? You blew away all the points you’ve accumulated in one go.”

“It’s just one mistake!”

“It’s just one time. The problem is who you made that mistake in front of. Do you understand? You made that mistake in front of the Crown Prince, who will succeed the throne.”

“….”

“It would have been better if it was in front of His Majesty. Didn’t you think that His Highness the Crown Prince would be sitting on the throne when you hear the words ‘Minister, Vice-Minister’?”

“….”

At Hwang Hee’s scolding, Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth. Seeing Kim Jong-seo’s remorseful appearance, Hwang Hee rummaged through his sleeve and took out a *mapae* [royal pass] and handed it over.

“Here. Ask for the best horse at the postal station and come back as soon as possible. How many days did His Highness give you?”

“Fifteen days.”

“Finish it within ten days. Only then will you earn back the points you’ve lost.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Thanks my foot. And get it checked by me before submitting it. Don’t just deliver it right away because His Highness ordered it, follow the system properly.”

“Yes.”

Despite Kim Jong-seo’s answer, Hwang Hee continued to give warnings.

“I’ve said it countless times, right? You and I will go together until the end. But if you don’t do well this time, I’ll send you straight to Daeseol Island. Or would Jongjang Island be better?”

“I’ll be back! Give me the *mapae*!”

As Kim Jong-seo spoke, Hwang Hee, who was about to hand over the *mapae*, suddenly pulled his hand back and gave another warning.

“Reflect on this thoroughly. You’re good at grasping the work and doing it well, but you’re too light on your feet. You need to be more serious.”

“…Yes.”

Having listened to Hwang Hee’s nagging, Kim Jong-seo packed his *mapae* and luggage and went outside.

As a side note, Kim Jong-seo’s personality became much more serious afterward. With seriousness added to his violent personality, which was called ‘Tiger,’ his talent finally blossomed.

* * *

As promised with Hwang Hee, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in prepared a report and a plan containing their own solutions in ten days and submitted it to Hwang Hee.

Hwang Hee, who carefully examined the report and plan, marked them in red here and there and returned them.

“Re-investigate this part, and revise the sentences in this part. And this part…. The number is wrong. Are you going to suffer after all the hard work? Immediately recalculate and rewrite it!”

“Yes, sir!”

After receiving Hwang Hee’s inspection, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in submitted the report and plan to Hyang.

“Let’s see….”

Hyang, who unfolded the report, nodded.

“As expected….”

The contents written in the report were an investigation into why the development of hot springs was sluggish.

The first thing they pointed out was the geographical problem. Most of the hot spring candidate sites were mostly located far from the village. Therefore, there were problems with transportation and security. In addition, attacks by wild animals were also a problem because it was such a remote place.

The next thing they pointed out was the problem of skin disease patients and leprosy patients flocking to the hot springs, as mentioned before. There was a rumor that diseases were transmitted from these patients, and security problems arose.

In particular, all sorts of gruesome rumors circulated about leprosy patients, including the rumor that leprosy patients would catch young children and eat their livers. Not only were they rumors, but such things had actually happened, so preventing such people from flocking to the area was a must.

The last thing they pointed out was the problem of managing the hot spring water. Again, as mentioned before, if hot spring water entered rice paddies or fields, the farming would be ruined.

“These parts are definitely a problem….”

Having confirmed the contents of the report, Hyang unfolded the plan next.

The plan contained a scheme to overcome this situation and develop a hot spring bathhouse.

“Hmm….”

After examining the plan for a long time and nodding, Hyang looked at Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in.

“You have worked hard. You have been a great help. Thank you very much.”

At Hyang’s praise, Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in bowed their heads and replied.

“No, Your Highness. We have only done what we should have done.”

“Then, I will have to deliberate based on your plan.”

“Yes.”

The two paid their respects to Hyang and left the room.

“Hoo~.”

“Haa~.”

The two who came out let out a sigh of relief.

“I think we’ve earned back the points we lost, right?”

“Thank goodness, thank goodness.”

* * *

Three days later, Hyang reported the plan to Sejong.

“You’ve completed the plan?”

“Yes, Chief Kim Jong-seo and Deputy Hwangbo-in were very helpful.”

“Is that so?”

At Hyang’s answer, the gazes of Sejong and the ministers turned to Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in. Kim Jong-seo and Hwangbo-in, who received the gazes of Sejong and the ministers, slightly bowed their heads.

Sejong, who was watching the two, opened his mouth.

“I heard that you are truly outstanding talents. I have high expectations since their help was so great. Start the explanation.”

“Yes.”

At Sejong’s order, Hyang cleared his throat and began to explain.

Hyang’s explanation was as follows:

-Select places with good hot spring water quality and medicinal effects to develop hot spring bathhouses.

-This development project will be carried out by the country. The reason why the country is carrying it out is to prevent problems caused by indiscriminate hot spring development.

-If a suitable hot spring is found and developed, a royal hot spring bathhouse will be installed first.

-The reason for installing a royal hot spring bathhouse first is not only for the health management of royal family members, including the King, but also to increase the value of the developed hot spring bathhouse.

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

“That’s true. A hot spring bathhouse that has just been developed and a hot spring bathhouse that the King has visited are different in weight.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang, who agreed with Sejong’s words, continued the explanation.

-Once a royal visit to the hot spring bathhouse is successful, a bathhouse for the people to use will be built separately from the royal bathhouse (*御浴室* [eo-yok-sil, royal bathing room]).

-In addition, a comprehensive entertainment center will be built in this bathhouse so that people can enjoy bathing and entertainment. However, the only gambling allowed in the entertainment center installed in this bathhouse is *baduk* [Go, a strategy board game].

“Why?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately answered.

“Enjoying hot springs and gambling is a very expensive event. If not careful, people may abandon their livelihoods and gamble at the hot spring. If this happens, families will become impoverished and ruined.”

Sejong nodded greatly at Hyang’s explanation.

“I see! So, you’re saying that those who want to enjoy poetry and music while playing like immortals should be limited to those with a lot of wealth!”

“That’s right. Ordinary people should think of it as a short excursion.”

“Not bad.”

As Sejong reacted positively, another famous attraction that would become famous not only in Joseon but also abroad was slowly taking shape.