Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 422

Following Yi Maeng-gyun’s words, Sejong, Hyang, and the ministers all nodded in agreement.

The iron horses, either already operating or preparing to operate in Hanseong [modern-day Seoul], Pyongyang, Gaeseong, Daegu, and Dongnae, were worthy of Seon-deokje’s praise.

However, the iron horses moving along the coast of Joseon were desirable enough in their speed and transport capacity.

Therefore, it was certain that Ming would demand tribute.

Thus, Sejong and the ministers were convinced that Ming would demand iron horses.

“The question is how many they will demand… In the current situation, I’m worried whether we can even meet our own needs in time.”

At the Minister of Land Development’s concern, Yi Maeng-gyun stepped forward to speak.

“Considering the Emperor’s nature, the amount to be offered as tribute will not be much. If it were the Emperor’s nature, he would ask for something else.”

“Something else?”

At the Minister of Land Development’s question, Hwang Hui stepped forward this time.

“The blueprints.”

“Ah!”

At Hwang Hui’s answer, the Minister of Land Development exclaimed as if he had just realized it.

Watching the reactions of the ministers, Sejong opened his mouth.

“Considering the Emperor’s nature as we have experienced it, that is the most likely. Because he is someone who possesses pride, self-esteem, responsibility, and even distrust all in equal measure.”

“That is correct.”

At Sejong’s assessment, the ministers all nodded.

* * *

Since Seon-deokje became Emperor, Joseon meticulously analyzed every move of Seon-deokje.

-He has a strong sense of pride. He hates asking anyone for favors more than death.

-He is full of pride that his empire is the best in the world.

-He is full of responsibility to make the empire even more prosperous as long as he is in the position of Emperor.

-He distrusts others except himself. This has been intensified through the purges that have occurred several times and the recent Great Purge.

Therefore, he trusts our Joseon, which openly trades with him, even more.

Through this analysis, Sejong and the ministers, who had grasped the nature of Seon-deokje, predicted that Seon-deokje would want the blueprints rather than a large quantity of actual goods.

* * *

“What does the Crown Prince think?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang answered immediately without hesitation.

“I also think that Father’s words are correct. If it is the Emperor I actually saw, he would demand the minimum of actual goods but would want the blueprints. If he were to receive actual goods as tribute, the response alone could create a hole in Ming’s finances. However, if it is the blueprints, it would not be to that extent.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong glanced at Kim Jeom and nodded.

“That’s right.”

And Kim Jeom also nodded without realizing it.

* * *

Ironically, starting with Kim Jeom, the notoriety of the Ministry of Finance officials was famous not only in Joseon but also in Ming.

“Back in my day! To be called ‘someone who does their job,’ you had to get at least four times more!”

Whenever calculating the scale of the return gifts that the delegation should receive, the officials of the Ministry of Finance had to hear Kim Jeom’s words like a broken record.

And the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who went to Beijing as part of the delegation had to engage in a blood-boiling battle of wits with the Ming officials to achieve the results set by the Ministry of Finance.

Whenever they returned with results that were less than expected, Kim Jeom would say to Yi Maeng-gyun half-jokingly, half-seriously.

“How about just sending our kids?”

And every time they heard those words, the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to endure a draining reprimand.

* * *

Hyang’s words continued.

“And because of the problems with the new iron horse itself, we can’t give as many as we’d like.”

“Its own problems?”

“There are no ships in Joseon that can carry the new iron horse in its completed state.”

“Not even the Challenger-class battleships?”

“We would have to tear down all the bulkheads of the hold. And because of the balance issue, if we were to ship it by sea, we would have to completely disassemble it and transport it in parts.”

“Very good.”

Sejong and Hyang both wore mischievous smiles. At the sight, the ministers all shouted inwardly.

‘Those evil ones!’

While the smart and ill-tempered father and son were wearing evil smiles, Hwang Hui joined the conversation.

“Could they not ask us to send it by land?”

At Hwang Hui’s point, Hyang answered briefly.

“We can say that we will send it if Ming lays the railroad from Liaodong and Liaoxi to Beijing. Why should we spend money to lay the railroad for those who make a fuss even if we go a little west from the Yalu River? Even if we say we will lay the railroad out of goodwill, they will foam at the mouth saying that we have other intentions.”

“That is true.”

At Hyang’s answer, Hwang Hui nodded without realizing it.

* * *

The Liaodong region, formerly called Manchuria before Hyang’s involvement, as well as the Liaoxi region, were areas where Ming and Joseon were secretly engaged in fierce competition for dominance.

Of course, thanks to Hyang’s charm offensive on Seon-deokje, they were able to easily seize the area north of the Tumen River and east of it, and through the rebellions of Yi Man-ju and Meonteo-mu, they were able to seize the area north of Baekdu Mountain and the Yalu River to some extent. But that was it.

If Joseon reached out even a little to other areas, Ming would immediately send an envoy to protest.

“Why is Joseon coveting my territory?”

Each time, Sejong would persuade the envoy that there was absolutely no such intention and had to send a lengthy letter of explanation to Seon-deokje.

In the end, Ming’s intention was simple.

-We’ll just let you have the east, where Joseon is advancing now, because it’s far away and there are many undeveloped areas, but we absolutely won’t allow it in places that have already been developed!

Ming had no intention of giving up the prime real estate of Liaodong and Liaoxi.

* * *

Hyang continued to speak.

“Considering the etiquette towards the suzerain state, I think it would be good to offer two or three units as tribute and send the blueprints for the rest.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom said in a regretful tone.

“Considering the cost, time, and effort that has been put in, it is truly a shame to hand over the blueprints.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang once again wore an evil smile and replied.

“That’s why we’re only handing over the blueprints. Only the blueprints.”

“Huh?”

“Uh?”

At that moment, Sejong and the ministers all wore expressions of incomprehension.

No matter how many times he thought about it, Sejong could not understand the meaning of what Hyang said, so he had no choice but to ask Hyang.

“Crown Prince, why is giving only the blueprints a good idea?”

“Yes? That’s…”

Hyang, who was about to speak as if Sejong’s reaction was strange, looked at the ministers and closed his mouth.

‘Oh dear! There wasn’t a single science major here!’

Realizing again what the majors of the people filling the Geunjeongjeon [main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] were, Hyang let out a short sigh without realizing it.

“Haa~.”

‘What is it? Why do I feel so bad?’

‘This one is talking down to his father…’

Watching Sejong and the ministers, who seemed to be getting emotional for some reason, Hyang began to explain.

-The research institute and Area 51, created with Gyeongjang [Hyang’s alias], did not simply create strange objects.

-The research institute and Area 51 focused on developing the technology to create such objects and the technology to create the materials that go into such objects.

-They made every effort to create documents of the knowledge accumulated in the process. And they used these documents as textbooks to educate young artisans.

-At the same time, they standardized and regulated not only the production of such objects but also the parts used in all areas, including construction and civil engineering. This is the greatest achievement of the research institute and Area 51.

“…To put it simply, skilled Joseon artisans can now roughly guess what purpose a ‘number screw’ or ‘number rivet’ is used for and what properties it has just by hearing the words. That’s why this is the greatest achievement.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Sejong asked with a look that was both understanding and not understanding.

“I know that the effort of you and those who work under you is great. But I can’t understand why we should only hand over the blueprints?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang explained again.

“Because we are really only going to hand over the blueprints. Only the blueprints.”

“Ah…”

“Huh…”

Only then did Sejong and the ministers understand what Hyang meant.

Hyang continued to explain with an evil smile.

“The iron used in this land of Joseon, from the hoe in the hands of that farmer to the iron plates that make up the body of the iron horse, has a quality that other countries cannot match. Without knowing that, even if they simply make it according to the blueprints with low-quality pig iron or steel, will it perform as well?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong immediately answered.

“Of course not.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s words, paused to wet his throat, and continued his explanation.

“In addition, considering the Emperor’s nature, he will suffer for at least a few years until he asks us for technology.”

At Hyang’s words, Hwang Hui nodded and added.

“That’s right. Considering his pride and self-esteem… Ming’s artisans will suffer for at least 5 years.”

“I’m expecting about 10 years. And by then, our Joseon’s technology will have advanced even further, and we can show off with outdated technology. It’s basic to keep moving forward. That’s why I’m saying we should only hand over the blueprints. Of course, some seasoning needs to be added so that they don’t know our true intentions.”

“Heo~”

Sejong, who unknowingly let out a breath at Hyang’s words, sincerely asked Hyang.

“Crown Prince, how many moves ahead have you foreseen?”

“I learned it from history.”

Hyang answered simply and continued in his mind.

‘From the history of the 20th century.’

Hyang did not mention that it was a method that developed countries such as the United States and Japan used on Korea.

* * *

‘Only hand over the blueprints.’

Sejong and the ministers, who at first wondered what Hyang’s words meant, all nodded after Hyang’s explanation.

“The Crown Prince’s plan seems to be the best.”

“That is correct.”

“It is a truly ingenious and fatal move.”

As the ministers all showed their approval, Sejong looked at Yi Maeng-gyun.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will go to Beijing myself to proceed.”

“I ask you to do so. The minister is the best person to distinguish the priority and importance of the work and to improvise.”

“I will do my best. At least I will not be the first to bring it up.”

At Yi Maeng-gyun’s answer, Sejong smiled contentedly.

“I trust only the minister. Then let’s discuss the next agenda item.”

* * *

After the meeting that day, the ministers gathered again in the Prime Minister’s conference room.

In the process of reviewing the events of that day, the most talked about topic was, of course, Hyang’s solution.

“He is a truly great person.”

“That is right. He is indeed the one who will succeed His Majesty.”

Amidst the ministers’ endless praise for Hyang’s talent, Jo Mal-saeng grumbled.

“I should tell my children and grandchildren not to enter government service. If such a Crown Prince ascends to the throne, one can see without looking what the courtiers will go through.”

The ministers nodded silently as if they greatly agreed with Jo Mal-saeng’s words, but they were saying different things in their minds.

‘As if!’