Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 423

423. Cargo Cult (6)

While the other ministers nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s words, they didn’t truly believe him.

Since Sejong’s reign, the ministers had been tasked with numerous responsibilities. They were especially cautious in their conduct due to the bribery case involving Jo Mal-saeng.

If corruption was discovered, forfeiting at least half of one’s assets was the standard penalty. The mildest punishment was remaining in their current position and working until death. More severe corruption resulted in demotion and working until death, or being relegated to the archives to organize documents until death.

Of course, the worst-case scenario was indefinite labor in the mines, like the fate of Hwang Hee’s sons.

“For those who overestimate their writing skills and abilities, even the archives are too good!”

This was Sejong’s decree.

Despite the difficult and dangerous position, the ministers remained in their posts, drawn by the allure of power.

Although corruption was frowned upon, Sejong kept his promises regarding fair salaries, pensions, and respectful treatment.

The sight of people paying their respects and clearing the way whenever they went out was an addictive privilege.

Therefore, the claim that they wouldn’t recommend such a powerful position to their children was entirely unbelievable.

“The matters concerning the Crown Prince’s reign are not our immediate concern. Let’s focus on reorganizing matters related to Ming [the Ming Dynasty of China, a major power at the time].”

“Agreed.”

As Hwang Hee and Maeng Sa-seong stepped forward, the ministers quickly turned their attention to the present issues.

* * *

Meanwhile, in Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], Sejong sat with incense in his hand, sharing a story.

“Anpyeong has moved to the Entertainment Office as he desired and is working very diligently.”

“Yes, I’ve heard the same.”

Hyang, who responded to Sejong, hesitated before saying more.

‘And he’s been wandering around for more than half the month under the pretense of local inspections. Why must I endure the complaints of military wives?!’

Of course, the complaints didn’t come directly to Hyang, but they often stung more when relayed through the Crown Princess.

This was because Hyang had committed some significant missteps.

Aware of Hyang’s inner thoughts, Sejong continued.

“However, he seems to be overworking himself. I need to address it.”

“That is wise. Sometimes, excessive ambition can lead to problems.”

Hyang nodded emphatically at Sejong’s words.

“Indeed, but why did Jinpyeong refuse the position? He used to constantly sing the praises of the Iron Horse [a metaphor for trains or railroads]. Was his given reason genuine?”

Sejong seemed genuinely perplexed by Jinpyeong’s actions. Hyang offered a faint, wry smile at Sejong’s expression.

‘That guy, he’s evolved, you know?’

Jinpyeong had evolved from an Iron Horse fanatic to a steam engine enthusiast.

* * *

When he was younger and causing mischief, Jinpyeong became infatuated after seeing a model railroad and had been obsessed with the Iron Horse ever since.

Consequently, he was more enthusiastic than anyone else about laying railroads throughout Joseon.

Thanks to this enthusiasm, when iron rail theft occurred on the Dongbinghang Line, he demanded a forceful response.

Due to this, by the time the Dongbinghang Line was completed, along with the main and branch lines, he was showing signs of burnout.

Knowing Jinpyeong’s feelings, Hyang assigned a task regarding ‘Next-Generation Iron Horse Development’ to the department responsible for Iron Horse research.

“Wasn’t this the end?”

At Jinpyeong’s question, Hyang scoffed softly.

“Are you satisfied with just that speed and transport capacity? That’s just the beginning! And are you unaware that an even bigger project is currently being researched?”

“A bigger one?”

“Didn’t you know anything about the steam engine being developed for ships?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“I’ve been so focused on the Iron Horse….”

“Tsk!”

Hyang clicked his tongue and rose from his seat.

“Follow me.”

* * *

“Wow!”

Following Hyang into the marine engine development department, Jinpyeong exclaimed like a child, gazing at the massive engine before him.

“It’s so huge! Really! Wow!”

Looking at Jinpyeong, who was constantly exclaiming, Hyang smiled with a knowing enthusiast’s smile and explained.

“Not only is it bigger, but its output is incomparable to the Iron Horse. And this is not the end, but the beginning. Joseon’s ships with even larger and more powerful engines will roam the oceans.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Jinpyeong began to imagine the scene.

“Ah….”

Jinpyeong, lost in his imagination with a dazed expression, turned to Hyang.

“Your Highness! I want to participate in the work related to steam engines!”

“What about the Iron Horse?”

“Isn’t the steam engine the foundation of the Iron Horse? The steam engine is the beginning and end of all devices, so I truly want to work on it!”

“There are more failures than successes, and it’s a job that demands significant mental fortitude. Also, it will be a confined environment that an active person like you might find difficult to endure. Do you still want to do it?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong nodded firmly.

“I really! Want to do it!”

After hesitating for a moment at Jinpyeong’s answer, Hyang spoke.

“I’ll speak with Lord Jeong Cho and inform you of the decision.”

“Eh, Your Highness! Please allow me to do it! I will dedicate myself to Your Highness!”

“This guy….”

That’s how Jinpyeong changed his position.

This was because Jeong Cho had positively assessed Hyang’s explanation.

“His Highness has been involved in Iron Horse [early steam train] research for a long time, so he will be of great help even if he changes positions.”

“I think so too.”

Having moved Jinpyeong in that way, Hyang was left alone, muttering with a sly smile.

“Can we avoid the Gyeyu Iron Crisis [a potential economic disaster related to iron production] with this?”

* * *

“He is working hard with the ambition to attach the engine he made to the Iron Horse running on land and the ship running on the sea.”

At Hyang’s answer, Sejong smiled and nodded.

“He has truly great ambition. Now that I think about it, I truly have good children. All the children who have undergone the coming-of-age ceremony are finding their vocations and working hard.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang also smiled and replied.

“It’s all because Your Majesty gave us good teachings.”

“It’s not me, it’s you.”

“You flatter me.”

Hyang answered humbly. However, his inner thoughts were different.

‘Well… Jinpyeong and Anpyeong’s power were greater, weren’t they?’

* * *

Sejong’s children all started working in their respective positions after their coming-of-age ceremony.

The Grand Princes and Princes were working in the research lab, Area 51 [a secret research facility], and the Entertainment Agency, following in the footsteps of Jinpyeong and Anpyeong. Except for Princess Jeong-ui, who was immersed in mathematics, the Princesses and Concubine Princesses were all studying medicine, following in the footsteps of Princess Jeongso.

There was a part of personal preference in this background, but the surrounding environment—specifically Hyang—could not be ignored.

As soon as he was appointed Crown Prince, Hyang’s creation and establishment of the research lab and Area 51 from a young age, even before holding the grand ceremony, was a strong stimulus.

Next were Jinpyeong, Anpyeong, and Princess Jeongso who set the example.

“Ugh, frustrating! I need someone I can boss around as I please!”

Even though they were Grand Princes, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong, frustrated with not being able to control older, formally appointed officials who had passed the civil service examination to their liking, found their younger siblings the easiest to manage.

Thanks to this, Jinpyeong and Anpyeong competitively dragged their siblings under them. It was fortunate that the younger siblings, the Grand Princes and Princes, worked hard because they were suited to it, perhaps due to Sejong’s bloodline.

The Princesses and Concubine Princesses were the same.

“If you’re confident in mathematics, go under Jeong-ui! If not, all of you under me!”

According to Princess Jeongso’s orders, a powerful figure whom even Hyang was wary of, most of the Princesses and Concubine Princesses moved under Princess Jeongso.

Although medicine was as difficult as mathematics, the Princesses and Concubine Princesses studied hard. They felt rewarded by saving people.

These movements of the royal family soon caused a huge butterfly effect.

As they watched the high-ranking royals working with grease on their hands, the trend of despising artisans slowly disappeared.

In addition, the perception of female medical personnel, including the Naeui women [female physicians in the royal court] who were despised as Yakbang Gisaeng [female entertainers associated with medicine] from the time of Yeonsangun [a Joseon dynasty king known for his tyranny] in the history before Hyang’s intervention, also began to improve.

As the social perception changed, the children of noble families began to enter the medical, engineering, and technical fields.

* * *

“You flatter me. It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s training that those children do not indulge in the mere name of being royalty but work hard to make the most of their nature. Your Majesty said that my contribution was great, but how could that be because I am good? Isn’t it all thanks to Your Majesty’s good training?”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong smiled slightly and lightly chided him with a sense of embarrassment.

“You rascal! You’re gilding your father’s face! Did you only learn how to flatter at the research lab?”

“This son has only spoken the truth. Anyway, I must now work harder at the research lab and Area 51. I can’t set a bad example when my siblings are working so hard.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong made a subtle expression and waved his hand.

“I see, then go back and work hard.”

“Yes, Father.”

As Hyang politely bowed and left Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace], Sejong frowned and muttered.

“That guy is incredibly quick-witted!”

Sejong was slowly thinking of handing over tasks to Hyang one by one.

-Your siblings have all settled down and are working hard. All of this is thanks to you.

-After praising him like this, I’ll pass on the work.

That was the plan, but that clever son of his gilded his own face in reverse and slipped out of his hands like a loach.

‘In order to set a good example for my siblings, I must work even harder.’

He made such a mean excuse and got away with it.

“Mean son….”

There was a reason why Sejong was grumbling at Hyang.

The Gyeongjang [a period of political reform], which had been going on for almost 10 years, was coming to an end, and Joseon was now developing stably and steadily. And Joseon’s territory was also steadily increasing.

Therefore, Sejong had a small desire and began to think about having Hyang act as regent.

‘To recover the lost territories of the ancient Three Han [ancient Korean kingdoms].’

This was Sejong’s small, very small desire.

* * *

When Sejong was still Grand Prince Chungnyeong, he had clashed with Grand Prince Yangnyeong at Hyang’s first birthday party.

‘I will recover the lost territories of the Three Han!’

Sejong opposed Yangnyeong’s words. At the time, Sejong argued that it was too early and impossible.

However, at the time, Sejong said it was too early, but he did not say not to dream about it.

The dream of ‘recovering lost territories’ was also cherished by Sejong.

And, as time passed and Joseon’s capabilities grew and its territory gradually increased, Sejong’s desire to realize his dream was growing stronger.

“We are still not good enough to deal with Ming [the Ming Dynasty of China]. However, if we refine the newly acquired undeveloped lands and natives, the day of recovering the lost territories may come sooner than expected. Then….”

While reviewing maps and reports to find an answer, Sejong found a way.

“We need to create an independent organization that can independently handle all administrative and military affairs, and if possible, even finances, for the newly acquired territories. If we follow the individual reporting procedures as we do now, the response speed will be too slow. Everything must be decided and processed on the spot in the frontier. The problem is that it is too dangerous to entrust such a powerful position to a subject….”

Sejong stopped speaking, sighed, and came to a conclusion.

“Haa~. I have to go.”